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(meteorobs) Coffins

George et al -

A couple comments on coffins...

Apparently there is a growing business in some countries for custom coffins now
- in the shape of fish, animals, cars, etc...  Really.

With regard to the meteor observing variety, I have seen 3 types over the past
number of years:

1.  The old National Research Council meteor facility at Springhill, Ontario,
had individual coffins, with a side opening flap to get in.  They were sort of
V-shaped inside if I recall, bum lower a bit, looked like a lawn chair shape
tilted backwards.  They were each on an enclosed platform base, elevated maybe
several feet above the "ground".  (Actually, all the coffins were on the roof of
a flat-topped building.)  I don't recall that there was a "hatch" to keep the
air from getting in around the observer.  (By the way, I still have photos of
Norman visiting the place, with his "METEOR" licence plate on his old Comet car
:)

2.  The old Ottawa Centre coffins at the Defence Research Board "Quiet Site"
facility.  This was best described as a "pie-shaped" group coffin.  It held 8
people, feet towards the middle, with no divisions inside between people.  We
were able to cover 8 compass points.  Each part of the coffin was lawn-chair
shaped, slanted so that each observer would point about 45 degrees up.  The
whole coffin was elevated maybe 8 inches or so, and you had to step on a cement
block to get up and in.  The top of the coffin apparatus had 8 hatches, hinged
near the center of the pie.  So, when you wanted in, you lifted your hatch, then
closed it once in.  Each position also had its own fully removable hatch - a
piece of board with a semi-circular cutout - that fit over your chest, and
provided a seal to keep the cold out, and the heat from our central heater in.
With central heat, thick foam mats, and sleeping bags, it was very toasty and
cozy for 8 people.  If someone got too tired, and needed a break, they just
slithered down inside and grabbed a nap.  Apart from the occasional "who's
burning" query, it worked very well :)

3.  The current Ottawa coffins are a pale version of the original.  One of our
members has constructed 4 take-down coffins, which he stores and puts together
(not easily) for several showers a year.  They are elevated maybe a foot, have
no form-fitting lids, and are really difficult to get out of.  There is a lot of
air space, and cannot be heated easily.  There are no foot rests, so even at
5'6" I find myself constantly slipping down an incline.  They are, however,
warmer than lawnchairs.  The Ottawa group seem to have lost their interest in
meteors though - last year they put their annual dinner meeting on the Geminid
max.  There were only 3 of us out observing for most of the evening - myself,
and the couple that built the coffins.  

If someone wants to build their own permanent (!) coffin, I would recommend the
following features:

- basically, an inclined lawn chair shape in wood, totally enclosed

- elevate it a bit to minimize small animal problems 

- a form-fitting 45 degree hatch -  to keep all possible cold out ,  to rest
your arms on, and to spread plotting sheets out on

- foot rests down inside so shorter people don't keep slipping down further into
the coffin

- enough space inside to put a small heater (if desired), your boots when you
remove them, and a carryall bag with spare charts, batteries, and observing
cookies :)

- thick foam mat and extra wool blanket - for below and above your sleeping bag

- a hatch and a step so you can get out of the coffin (don't laugh!)

I have been thinking of ideas for a possible portable coffin - to take with me
and use when the permanent ones are full of bodies :) or when I'm out on my own
at my telescope site... I would probably base a portable one around a lawn chair
with some sort of take-down framework around it, again with an aim to sealing
myself off from outside air apart from my head and arms.    I really love the
electric blanket idea, but I'm usually observing at a remote site....when it's
clear that is, which has been a very long time up here in southern Ontario....

Anyway, those are some comments that I've managed to coff..up!  I may actually
have some time to experiment around with a coffin soon...  I've just been laid
off my job of 4 years, so will be out pounding the pavement as of December 1st.
I'm looking for a location with darker - and closer - skies.  I envy you guys
that seem to get out observing just about every single night!!!

- Cathy
  Ottawa, Canada (Great White North)
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