Re: Astro Trip and human limiting mag as a function of altitude

This is my understanding as well... However, I know a group of people
who go up to Barcroft every year and rave about the transparency and
darkness. However, Oxygen deprivation may be contributing to their
euphoria.

RO

Mark Johnston wrote:
> I'll start right off with this: Please correct me if you have a
> reference that claims that what is stated below is not the case as
> this is not from my own first hand experience.
>
> As far as visual observing conditions I believe over 12000 feet is not
> the best of sites. The lower oxygen levels actually will lower your
> own naked eye visual limiting magnitude somewhere after 9000 feet per
> Backyard Astronomers Guide. Very high altitudes should also be
> considered if you may be prone to altitude sickness or have some other
> respiratory issue that makes it more difficult at those levels but I
> see the website does mention that issue.
>
> This does not effect astrophotographhy of course, only the human
> visualization process. I don't have any sort of curve but Backyard
> Astronomer's Guide claims the limiting mag at the 14000 foot Mauna Kea
> site is worse than the 9000 foot level of that same mountain and I
> should think Terence Dickinson would have some authority in this sort
> of claim as he has been to many of these sites and has to consider his
> reputation. Of course the instruments in the Mauna Kea observatories
> will get better images from the added height as they don't suffer from
> biological magnitude degradation due to lack of oxygen.
>
> Mount Lassen is just a bit below where the effect kicks in so may be
> about optimal as far as height (but perhaps not as dry as one would like).
>
>
>
> Mark
>
> Bob Jardine wrote:
>> Dave,
>>
>> There is also this, if you don't require Australia specifically and if you can stand a little altitude (!):
>>
>> http://www.sssp.org/
>>
>> I went to this event the year of the close Mars opposition (2003?). It was great fun. They provide everything, including transportation, hotel, meals, etc. There are interesting side trips. And the price was very reasonable.
>>
>> Good luck!
>>
>> Cheers, Bob J.
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Dave Goggin <dg2222@No-Spam>
>> To: tac@No-Spam
>> Sent: Saturday, June 6, 2009 7:26:47 PM
>> Subject: [TAC] Southern Astro Trip
>>
>>
>>
>> Can anyone recommend an organization the puts together astronomy trips to southern places like Australia? Ideally should include transportation to/from dark sky site, modest but comfortable accomodations, and providing suitably large telescopes for guests' use during the trip.
>>
>> I am thinking of an astronomy trip to the southern hemisphere in September.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> ---
>>
>> GSSP registration deadline - June 12th: http://www.goldenstatestarparty.blogspot.com
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>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
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>>
>> GSSP registration deadline - June 12th: http://www.goldenstatestarparty.blogspot.com
>> June 1, 2009: TAC Web Page Updated http://observers.org/TAC.cgi/Announcements/
>> TAC mailing list - to join, manage, or leave: http://nine.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/tac
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> ---
>
> GSSP registration deadline - June 12th: http://www.goldenstatestarparty.blogspot.com
> June 1, 2009: TAC Web Page Updated http://observers.org/TAC.cgi/Announcements/
> TAC mailing list - to join, manage, or leave: http://nine.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/tac

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