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Re: (IAAC) Creating a detailed deep-sky log... (LONG)


Hehe, no way Bill !!  In the backyard I have a hairdryer, and various other
"Dew Beaters", in the field I have an electric windscreen heater that runs
from the car battery, Dew is a nuisance, not an obstacle!!
Hi Patrick, I guess you either must be lucky, or you choose your nights
well! occaisionally we get a gry night here, especially in winter, but the
rest of the year there always seems to be a high level of moisture in the
air.
Continued clear and dry skies to you mate!!


----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Becker <bbe51@rmisp.com>
To: <netastrocatalog-announce@jovian.com>
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 12:28 AM
Subject: Re: (IAAC) Creating a detailed deep-sky log... (LONG)


> Hi Kim,
>
> That doesn't stop you from making some very fine observations...where
> there's a will, there's a way. ;^)
>
> Best regards,
> Bill
>
> Kim Gowney wrote:
> >
> > Me too!!!! My scope, books, seat, and the kitchen sink too!! soaked!
> > Kim Gowney.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Owen Brazell <owen@mail.red.net>
> > To: <netastrocatalog-announce@jovian.com>
> > Sent: Sunday, June 03, 2001 9:23 PM
> > Subject: Re: (IAAC) Creating a detailed deep-sky log... (LONG)
> >
> > > I would be interested to know which part of the UK you observe from
where
> > > there is no dewing problem ! Most nights I finish and the telescope is
> > > running with water or covered in ice if it is cold enough.
> > >
> > > At 16:51 31/05/2001 +0100, you wrote:
> > > >Lew,
> > > >
> > > >Yes, very good questions. I'm sure there as many answers as there are
> > > >deep-sky observers! Each observer develops his or her own preferred
> > > >technique over the years, so the only all-encompassing answer to the
> > > >question of how to make observing notes is "whatever works for you".
> > Whilst
> > > >this is true, it is pretty unhelpful to the poser of the question.
This
> > is
> > > >the method I have developed over 25 years of deep-sky observing:
Firstly
> > > >dew. As I live and usually observe from the United Kingdom, dewing is
not
> > > >generally a problem, so I'm afraid I have evolved no defences against
it
> > > >that I can pass on, though use of a hand-held dictaphone (wrapped in
a
> > > >plastic bag if necessary) has served me well for other purposes in
the
> > rain.
> > > >I have a clipboard to which I attach sheets of A4 paper pre-printed
with
> > > >three circles each about 3" - 4" in diameter. When I have located the
> > > >target, I spend a few minutes just looking at it. I find this very
> > > >important, because it's amazing how much detail can become visible if
you
> > > >just take the time to *look*. Once I am content with my detail
gathering,
> > I
> > > >draw what I see on the paper, generally using a fine tipped felt pen
> > (you'll
> > > >see why in a minute). Where detail is too fine to show to scale, I
will
> > draw
> > > >the relevant section of the object outside the circle on the blank
paper.
> > > >Like you, I have evolved a shorthand, based on NGC code, so for
example
> > "bM"
> > > >means "bright middle",  "gbM" means "gradually brightening towards
the
> > > >middle" etc. In addition to raw NGC code, I have my own abbreviations
and
> > > >squiggles. They make sense to me, my suggestion to new observers is
to
> > > >experiment with your own code, and see what makes sense to you. Once
the
> > > >star field and the main target have been drawn, I search carefully
for
> > any
> > > >other faint objects that might lie within the field. As my main
targets
> > are
> > > >faint galaxies, it's always worth searching for fainter companions or
> > field
> > > >galaxies.
> > > >
> > > >Once the observing session is over, I write up my observations as
soon as
> > > >possible (preferably the morning after). That way, the image of the
> > object
> > > >is still fresh in my mind, the sketch and notes serving as
memory-joggers
> > as
> > > >I produce the finished drawing. A written description is added to the
> > > >drawing, and is basically a distillation of the shorthand notes. I
> > compare
> > > >my sketch with the same field on GUIDE, to make sure I have the
> > orientation
> > > >correct for the final drawing, and also to identify any other objects
> > seen
> > > >in the field.
> > > >
> > > >One final point: the observer should always be totally honest about
what
> > > >s/he has seen. Sometimes "very faint smudge" really *is* the best
> > > >description you can make!
> > > >
> > > >Clear Skies All!
> > > >
> > > >Patrick.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >----- Original Message -----
> > > >From: Lew Gramer <dedalus@latrade.com>
> > > >To: Internet Amateur Astronomers Catalog - Discussion
> > > ><netastrocatalog-announce@jovian.com>; Pro-Am Astronomy List
> > > ><amastro@yahoogroups.com>
> > > >Cc: Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston <atmob-discuss@jovian.com>;
North
> > > >Shore Amateur Astronomy Club <nsaac@jovian.com>; NHAS Chat List
> > > ><nhas@yahoogroups.com>; <SoNewEnglandAstro@yahoogroups.com>
> > > >Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 11:17 PM
> > > >Subject: (IAAC) Creating a detailed deep-sky log... (LONG)
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >>
> > > >> A fellow deep-sky observer and IAAC reader asked the following
> > questions,
> > > >> which seemed like they were worth addressing before a wider
audience...
> > > >>
> > > >
> > > >...etc.
> > > >
> > > >To UNSUBSCRIBE from the 'netastrocatalog' lists, use the Web form at:
> > > >http://www.tiac.net/users/lewkaren/netastrocatalog/subscribe.html
> > > >
> > > To UNSUBSCRIBE from the 'netastrocatalog' lists, use the Web form at:
> > > http://www.tiac.net/users/lewkaren/netastrocatalog/subscribe.html
> > >
> > To UNSUBSCRIBE from the 'netastrocatalog' lists, use the Web form at:
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> To UNSUBSCRIBE from the 'netastrocatalog' lists, use the Web form at:
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>
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