Re: YRSP Observing Session: Saturday Night, 30 November
Yeah...I had a 10" dob too (loved it). Now a Seestar?S50 which I love too...not quite as good as my more sophisticated scopes, but soooo easy! I can be set up in about 30 seconds...and then there's nothing to do...and did I mention CHEAP!?
Stu
On Wed, Nov 27, 2024 at 1:05?PM George Reynolds via <pathfinder027= [email protected]> wrote: Oh, man, is EVERYONE getting a SeeStar S50???? Even Stu Beaber???
I may have to break down and get one.? It used to be that the Orion 10-inch Dob was the customary scope we all had to get.? Now it's the SeeStar.? Sheesh!
George Star Geezer
George Reynolds
"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia
Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)?
?
On Monday, November 25, 2024 at 07:36:09 PM EST, Stu Beaber via <wd4sel= [email protected]> wrote:
Thanks Troy...you have been most helpful. I'm used to taking a "ration" from Mark, so nothing I didn't expect.
After all that, I don't know if I will be able to attend Saturday night or not even if it turns out clear. My family is pretty?big and spread?out, so it takes Thursday thru Saturday to get around to everybody. So we'll have to wait and see. I know how to get there and remember your instructions. Sometimes the wife makes plans without telling me...HA!
I'll be looking for your "go-nogo" and if not able to attend, I'll be interested in another?time. BTW, I use a Seestar S50 now when in the field. I have an observatory at home where I keep my other scopes set up all the time.
thanks again, Stu On Mon, Nov 25, 2024 at 2:42?PM Troy Riedel via <troy.riedel= [email protected]> wrote: Hi Stu,
?
Don't allow Mark to give you hard time :-)
?
(1) We are allowed to stay all night. I keep the lock for the gate and close up as the last person out. I usually have my Class B- ... there have been times where I just crawl into my bed with my iPad and run a Seestar session (and fall asleep) while others who wish to stay very late do their imaging. If I fall asleep, just wake me up.
?
(2) This isn't a 'club' function, it's just a group of amateurs so everyone/anyone is welcome (even people who give others a hard time like Mark!).
?
(3) There are toilets ... a few hundred yards away. Just do not have an emergency!
?
(4) There is no power on the field.
?
Feel free to ask more questions if you can think of anything.
?
Cheers,
Troy
|
Re: YRSP Observing Session: Saturday Night, 30 November
Oh, man, is EVERYONE getting a SeeStar S50???? Even Stu Beaber???
I may have to break down and get one.? It used to be that the Orion 10-inch Dob was the customary scope we all had to get.? Now it's the SeeStar.? Sheesh!
George Star Geezer
George Reynolds
"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia
Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)?
?
On Monday, November 25, 2024 at 07:36:09 PM EST, Stu Beaber via groups.io <wd4sel@...> wrote:
Thanks Troy...you have been most helpful. I'm used to taking a "ration" from Mark, so nothing I didn't expect.
After all that, I don't know if I will be able to attend Saturday night or not even if it turns out clear. My family is pretty?big and spread?out, so it takes Thursday thru Saturday to get around to everybody. So we'll have to wait and see. I know how to get there and remember your instructions. Sometimes the wife makes plans without telling me...HA!
I'll be looking for your "go-nogo" and if not able to attend, I'll be interested in another?time. BTW, I use a Seestar S50 now when in the field. I have an observatory at home where I keep my other scopes set up all the time.
thanks again, Stu
On Mon, Nov 25, 2024 at 2:42?PM Troy Riedel via <troy.riedel= [email protected]> wrote: Hi Stu,
?
Don't allow Mark to give you hard time :-)
?
(1) We are allowed to stay all night. I keep the lock for the gate and close up as the last person out. I usually have my Class B- ... there have been times where I just crawl into my bed with my iPad and run a Seestar session (and fall asleep) while others who wish to stay very late do their imaging. If I fall asleep, just wake me up.
?
(2) This isn't a 'club' function, it's just a group of amateurs so everyone/anyone is welcome (even people who give others a hard time like Mark!).
?
(3) There are toilets ... a few hundred yards away. Just do not have an emergency!
?
(4) There is no power on the field.
?
Feel free to ask more questions if you can think of anything.
?
Cheers,
Troy
|
Re: Why does NWRP have such heavy dew and hold in fog if it forms?
Thanks, Mark, for the detailed explanation.
George
George Reynolds
"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia
Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)?
?
On Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 11:24:06 AM EST, jimcoble2000 via groups.io <jimcoble2000@...> wrote:
I decided to use LIDAR data to look at the NWRP location to answer that question. NWPR lies in a bend of the Northwest River the surrounding areas of which are wetlands and moist bottoms. You can see the berm that exists in the north end of the parking lot. The equestrian area is surrounded on three sides by tall trees.
Notice that the surrounding area, around the parking, is lower and saturated on three sides by the river bottom. The park equestrian area is on a raised low platform somewhat like a peninsula surrounded by this moist ground.?
When the ambient temperature drops in the evening, the park area will see a greater drop in temperature than the wetlands due to the ability of dry land to change temperature faster than the surrounding saturated areas bordering the parking lot. Water and wetland's greater specific heat capacity retards temperature change in comparison with the dry elevated land (parking lot). The parking lot, in effect, gets cooler quickly and condenses the moist air from the surrounding low saturated terrain. The trees tend to block surface winds that would otherwise mix the air between the two areas. A moist, stratified, layer of cooler air sets up the condensation situation in the parking lot. If you were at yesterday's session you noted that the smoke from the Boy Scouts camp formed a stratified layer about 10 feet above the ground surface. The denser, moist, cool air extended from ground surface to the start of the less dense smoky layer. No air mixing was present at the start of the evening. Good for seeing, bad for dew as many observers without heaters have discovered. That is why it is so commonly cold at night and wet during observing sessions.
Attached is a LIDAR elevation map illustrating what I suspect. LIDAR (Light detection and ranging)
|
Marvelous detail, Ian. ?In my scopes I only detect the edges ¨C if have enough aperture ?to see it, then I don¡¯t have a wide enough field to see it. ?
Happy Thanksgiving!
?
On 11/27/2024 8:39 AM EST Ian Stewart via groups.io <swampcolliecoffee@...> wrote:
?
?
OK three panes done on the California nebula. Each pane is about 4 hours of exposure. Only about another three to go ?
Cheers
Ian
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I knew you guys were smarter
On Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 10:32:59 AM EST, Ian Stewart <ian@...> wrote:
Canadian thanksgiving was last month. We celebrate both. Twice as much tofurkey.
On Nov 27, 2024, at 10:14?AM, jimcoble2000 via groups.io <jimcoble2000@...> wrote:
?
Ian. First, Happy Thanksgiving (you do celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada........don't you??)
Second, nice picture of what I see only dimly. Good work. 
On Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 08:39:24 AM EST, Ian Stewart via groups.io <swampcolliecoffee@...> wrote:
OK three panes done on the California nebula. Each pane is about 4 hours of exposure. Only about another three to go ?
Cheers
Ian
|
Canadian thanksgiving was last month. We celebrate both. Twice as much tofurkey.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Nov 27, 2024, at 10:14?AM, jimcoble2000 via groups.io <jimcoble2000@...> wrote:
?
Ian. First, Happy Thanksgiving (you do celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada........don't you??)
Second, nice picture of what I see only dimly. Good work.
On Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 08:39:24 AM EST, Ian Stewart via groups.io <swampcolliecoffee@...> wrote:
OK three panes done on the California nebula. Each pane is about 4 hours of exposure. Only about another three to go ?
Cheers
Ian
|
Ian. First, Happy Thanksgiving (you do celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada........don't you??)
Second, nice picture of what I see only dimly. Good work.
On Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 08:39:24 AM EST, Ian Stewart via groups.io <swampcolliecoffee@...> wrote:
OK three panes done on the California nebula. Each pane is about 4 hours of exposure. Only about another three to go ?
Cheers
Ian
|
OK three panes done on the California nebula. Each pane is about 4 hours of exposure. Only about another three to go ?
Cheers
Ian
|
Provisional 2025 YRSP Observing Dates
These are the provisional 2025 YRSP observing nights. I accounted for Memorial Day Weekend, NEAF and several of the regional star parties that have already posted their dates - there will inevitably?be some conflicts as 2025 star party dates?are published. Last year I held-off posting dates until very late - this year I tried to be proactive and anticipate as much as I can.
YRSP likes to have one?date each month. Because of the end of Dec 2024 & end of January 2025 New Moons (with the late-January New Moon Saturday Night falling on 1 February), I propose that we have?consecutive observing Saturday Nights 28 Dec 2024 & 04 January 2025 (before and after the mid-week New Moon).
Many outreach attendees?want to see the moon so I've tried to mix-in a few waxing crescent?moons that'll give that opportunity but also have the moon set at a decent hour for more serious obs for us enthusiasts. When there's a star party or anticipated star party conflict, I've scheduled mostly Last Quarter nights.
To the VPAS & Back Bay site owners: Please?post these dates on your calendars - unless - it'll cause confusion with your events.
Provisional 2025 Dates: ? 4 January ? 1 February? ? 1 March ? 19 April ? 31 May ? 21 June ? 26 July ? 16 Aug ? 27 Sep ? 25 Oct ? 22 Nov ? 20 Dec
To?all members, if you have constructive feedback re: how I am managing the YRSP observing nights (or questions as to why I do something a certain way), please reply to this post or message me directly ... use direct message if you really want to rip me ;-)
Cheers, Troy
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Re: The California Nebula
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Show quoted text
On Mon, Nov 25, 2024 at 1:57?PM Ian Stewart via <swampcolliecoffee= [email protected]> wrote: Got a piece of this last night. It's almost 2.5 degrees across so it will take me awhile to add the rest of it.
Cheers
Ian
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Re: YRSP Observing Session: Saturday Night, 30 November
Yes...the wife and I actually?made a trip over there a few weeks before the fall SP to see where it was, talked to the girl at the store, got a map of the area and the ranger called me at home that night. I have planned to attend for the last few times but something?alway comes up to spoil my plans. Will try again next year.
On Tue, Nov 26, 2024 at 8:43?AM jimcoble2000 via <jimcoble2000= [email protected]> wrote:
Stu you need to get to ECSP. We haven't seen you in some time.
On Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 06:54:16 AM EST, Troy Riedel via <troy.riedel= [email protected]> wrote:
Stu,
?
I hope to meet you Saturday - or another Saturday! I've been in Olive Branch, MS, for the past week ... I'm driving back tonight. My point: I am a bit disconnected from the SE VA Weather pattern but a quick check shows the NWS is calling for a mostly clear sky & temps dropping below 30F. Brr. I'll have to christen the insulated bib overalls that I bought 3-weeks ago for West Virginia mountaintop observing.
?
One weather-related thing to add ... since the field is along the York River, it gets moist (especially summertime). I'm not sure what this weekend's dew point looks like, but it's a good idea to always be prepared to fight moisture.
?
I pre-ordered the Seestar on a whim - my wife 'ordered' me to do so :-) I haven't used it often, but it's arguably been the best $399 [value] I've ever spent in astronomy. I've pre-ordered the S30 from Astronomics to see what the "AI" processing can do. At some point, I suspect one of my Seestars will be a give-away to a friend or family member since I already have 8 telescopes (I think incl. the dedicated solar).
?
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone on the board,
?
Troy
|
Re: YRSP Observing Session: Saturday Night, 30 November
Stu you need to get to ECSP. We haven't seen you in some time.
On Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 06:54:16 AM EST, Troy Riedel via groups.io <troy.riedel@...> wrote:
Stu,
?
I hope to meet you Saturday - or another Saturday! I've been in Olive Branch, MS, for the past week ... I'm driving back tonight. My point: I am a bit disconnected from the SE VA Weather pattern but a quick check shows the NWS is calling for a mostly clear sky & temps dropping below 30F. Brr. I'll have to christen the insulated bib overalls that I bought 3-weeks ago for West Virginia mountaintop observing.
?
One weather-related thing to add ... since the field is along the York River, it gets moist (especially summertime). I'm not sure what this weekend's dew point looks like, but it's a good idea to always be prepared to fight moisture.
?
I pre-ordered the Seestar on a whim - my wife 'ordered' me to do so :-) I haven't used it often, but it's arguably been the best $399 [value] I've ever spent in astronomy. I've pre-ordered the S30 from Astronomics to see what the "AI" processing can do. At some point, I suspect one of my Seestars will be a give-away to a friend or family member since I already have 8 telescopes (I think incl. the dedicated solar).
?
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone on the board,
?
Troy
|
Re: YRSP Observing Session: Saturday Night, 30 November
Stu,
?
I hope to meet you Saturday - or another Saturday! I've been in Olive Branch, MS, for the past week ... I'm driving back tonight. My point: I am a bit disconnected from the SE VA Weather pattern but a quick check shows the NWS is calling for a mostly clear sky & temps dropping below 30F. Brr. I'll have to christen the insulated bib overalls that I bought 3-weeks ago for West Virginia mountaintop observing.
?
One weather-related thing to add ... since the field is along the York River, it gets moist (especially summertime). I'm not sure what this weekend's dew point looks like, but it's a good idea to always be prepared to fight moisture.
?
I pre-ordered the Seestar on a whim - my wife 'ordered' me to do so :-) I haven't used it often, but it's arguably been the best $399 [value] I've ever spent in astronomy. I've pre-ordered the S30 from Astronomics to see what the "AI" processing can do. At some point, I suspect one of my Seestars will be a give-away to a friend or family member since I already have 8 telescopes (I think incl. the dedicated solar).
?
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone on the board,
?
Troy
|
Re: YRSP Observing Session: Saturday Night, 30 November
Thanks Troy...you have been most helpful. I'm used to taking a "ration" from Mark, so nothing I didn't expect.
After all that, I don't know if I will be able to attend Saturday night or not even if it turns out clear. My family is pretty?big and spread?out, so it takes Thursday thru Saturday to get around to everybody. So we'll have to wait and see. I know how to get there and remember your instructions. Sometimes the wife makes plans without telling me...HA!
I'll be looking for your "go-nogo" and if not able to attend, I'll be interested in another?time. BTW, I use a Seestar S50 now when in the field. I have an observatory at home where I keep my other scopes set up all the time.
thanks again, Stu
On Mon, Nov 25, 2024 at 2:42?PM Troy Riedel via <troy.riedel= [email protected]> wrote: Hi Stu,
?
Don't allow Mark to give you hard time :-)
?
(1) We are allowed to stay all night. I keep the lock for the gate and close up as the last person out. I usually have my Class B- ... there have been times where I just crawl into my bed with my iPad and run a Seestar session (and fall asleep) while others who wish to stay very late do their imaging. If I fall asleep, just wake me up.
?
(2) This isn't a 'club' function, it's just a group of amateurs so everyone/anyone is welcome (even people who give others a hard time like Mark!).
?
(3) There are toilets ... a few hundred yards away. Just do not have an emergency!
?
(4) There is no power on the field.
?
Feel free to ask more questions if you can think of anything.
?
Cheers,
Troy
|
Re: YRSP Observing Session: Saturday Night, 30 November
On Monday, November 25, 2024 at 02:42:36 PM EST, Troy Riedel via groups.io <troy.riedel@...> wrote:
Hi Stu,
?
Don't allow Mark to give you hard time :-)
?
(1) We are allowed to stay all night. I keep the lock for the gate and close up as the last person out. I usually have my Class B- ... there have been times where I just crawl into my bed with my iPad and run a Seestar session (and fall asleep) while others who wish to stay very late do their imaging. If I fall asleep, just wake me up.
?
(2) This isn't a 'club' function, it's just a group of amateurs so everyone/anyone is welcome (even people who give others a hard time like Mark!).
?
(3) There are toilets ... a few hundred yards away. Just do not have an emergency!
?
(4) There is no power on the field.
?
Feel free to ask more questions if you can think of anything.
?
Cheers,
Troy
|
Re: YRSP Observing Session: Saturday Night, 30 November
Hi Stu,
?
Don't allow Mark to give you hard time :-)
?
(1) We are allowed to stay all night. I keep the lock for the gate and close up as the last person out. I usually have my Class B- ... there have been times where I just crawl into my bed with my iPad and run a Seestar session (and fall asleep) while others who wish to stay very late do their imaging. If I fall asleep, just wake me up.
?
(2) This isn't a 'club' function, it's just a group of amateurs so everyone/anyone is welcome (even people who give others a hard time like Mark!).
?
(3) There are toilets ... a few hundred yards away. Just do not have an emergency!
?
(4) There is no power on the field.
?
Feel free to ask more questions if you can think of anything.
?
Cheers,
Troy
|
Re: The California Nebula
Nice shot Ian. Part of the difficulty of seeing it is not that it is hard to see but that it is extended so everyone looks through instead of at it (too high power). Best way to see it, visually, is to trace the border and extent of the nebula? by the difference in background contrast. Do this by not looking for "it", as in the nebula, but looking for where the stars aren't. Then it becomes apparent.
On Monday, November 25, 2024 at 01:57:35 PM EST, Ian Stewart via groups.io <swampcolliecoffee@...> wrote:
Got a piece of this last night. It's almost 2.5 degrees across so it will take me awhile to add the rest of it.
Cheers
Ian
|
Got a piece of this last night. It's almost 2.5 degrees across so it will take me awhile to add the rest of it.
Cheers
Ian
|
Why does NWRP have such heavy dew and hold in fog if it forms?
I decided to use LIDAR data to look at the NWRP location to answer that question. NWPR lies in a bend of the Northwest River the surrounding areas of which are wetlands and moist bottoms. You can see the berm that exists in the north end of the parking lot. The equestrian area is surrounded on three sides by tall trees.
Notice that the surrounding area, around the parking, is lower and saturated on three sides by the river bottom. The park equestrian area is on a raised low platform somewhat like a peninsula surrounded by this moist ground.?
When the ambient temperature drops in the evening, the park area will see a greater drop in temperature than the wetlands due to the ability of dry land to change temperature faster than the surrounding saturated areas bordering the parking lot. Water and wetland's greater specific heat capacity retards temperature change in comparison with the dry elevated land (parking lot). The parking lot, in effect, gets cooler quickly and condenses the moist air from the surrounding low saturated terrain. The trees tend to block surface winds that would otherwise mix the air between the two areas. A moist, stratified, layer of cooler air sets up the condensation situation in the parking lot. If you were at yesterday's session you noted that the smoke from the Boy Scouts camp formed a stratified layer about 10 feet above the ground surface. The denser, moist, cool air extended from ground surface to the start of the less dense smoky layer. No air mixing was present at the start of the evening. Good for seeing, bad for dew as many observers without heaters have discovered. That is why it is so commonly cold at night and wet during observing sessions.
Attached is a LIDAR elevation map illustrating what I suspect. LIDAR (Light detection and ranging)
|
Re: YRSP Observing Session: Saturday Night, 30 November
Did the pilgrim's ask for travel brochures from the Native Americans? 
BUT at our age I see the bathroom requirements....................
On Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 09:16:34 AM EST, Stu Beaber via groups.io <wd4sel@...> wrote:
Never been there...just trying to get the "lay of the land"...sorry
On Sun, Nov 24, 2024 at 9:13?AM jimcoble2000 via <jimcoble2000= [email protected]> wrote:
Jeez Stu you have a lot of requirements 
On Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 09:12:29 AM EST, Stu Beaber via <wd4sel= [email protected]> wrote:
Troy...A couple questions if you please. How long is the observing session (all night?). Does one have to be a member of a club to take part?? Are toilet facilities available??Is 110 power available??
Thanks? Stu Beaber On Sat, Nov 23, 2024 at 10:59?PM Troy Riedel via <troy.riedel= [email protected]> wrote: Our monthly scheduled observing session at??is this Saturday Night, 30 November. If there is another event on the VPAS or Back Bay calendars, this is an?additional event?and it does not supersede nor replace any other event. ? Note: The Provisional 2025 observing schedule?will be posted soon.
Address:?9801 York River Park Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188 Park Phone: 757-566-3036 Lat:?37.414639 Long:?-76.713562
GPS Coordinates:
37¡ã 24' 52.7004'' N ? ? 76¡ã 42' 48.8232'' W ? Observing Site: After entering the park (the entrance fee is waived for amateur astronomers), the participating amateur astronomers should drive to & enter the ¡®right¡¯ parking lot. At the back/riverside corner of the lot, take the ¡°No Admittance¡± gravel road/path (we are allowed to drive on it) to the observing site where you may park & unload (please refer to the attached map). ? We ask that members of the public who are attending to please park in?designated visitor parking?& walk to the site so there is enough space for the amateur astronomers to transport & park next to their gear on the observing field. ? Forecast Links:
? Please arrive??to set-up (click link for sunset time). ? A Go/No Go will be posted on the VPAS & Back Bay Groups on Saturday AFTN NLT (no later than) 3:00 PM.
Since it's the post-Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, please shoot me a direct message or reply to this public post if you think you may attend. ? Cheers.
|
Ian Stewart
