[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
Re: (meteorobs) Re: technique
> Chris Crawford wrote:
> > 2. Eliminate external distractions. This is really important! Few
> > observers realize just how debilitating distractions can be.
> > Conversation is the worst offender here, because you lose attention to
> > the listening process as well as to the parsing process. If you were
> > to graph the CoP on a millisecond-by-millisecond basis, I am certain
> > that it would plummet for the duration of the utterance plus a few
> > hundred milliseconds afterwards. During conversation, you are as good
> > as blind. Therefore, when I observe, I prefer to be alone, or at least
> > with gagged colleagues. It's also a good idea to wear earplugs,
> > although where I live, the nocturnal activities of the mountain lions
> > make this an act beyond my courage. But in any case, you want to
> > eliminate all sounds.
I can definitely confirm that conversations on the field are distracting and
lead to less meteors. This is exactly the problem why Koen and I started to set
up our observing chairs at some distance from the camera-arrays while our team
was observing and photographing. Our two photographers tend to have an habit of
making a lot of verbal noise while dancing (so it seems to us) their rain dance
around their equipment, especially when things won't work correctly. Koen and I
soon found this very annoying and noted it worked counter to our observing
attempts. So we now usually set up some 50 yards from the photo equipment. Yet,
a complete silent observing field isn't good either. A short remark to a fellow
observer every once in a while prevents from falling asleep when rates are
dull, I have noted. It is easier for me to make a long night session in
company, then alone, just for that reason.
This is a fascinating thread Chris! And I think I'll copy your above statement
and sent it to our two photographers, in a frame so they can put it up above
their beds.
- Marco
To stop getting email from the 'meteorobs' list, use the Web form at:
http://www.tiacdot net/users/lewkaren/meteorobs/subscribe.html
Follow-Ups:
References: