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Everyone,
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Now that the eclipse and NEAF are behind us, do we want to plan to have another virtual meeting?? Any suggestions for a topic to concentrate on?? Preferences for a date/time?
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Also, not sure what to do about Makhaon on 11 May at 21:31 local time.? It is a pretty good event--especially with Kevin G and Rick nearly perfectly positioned.? Fairly wide path covers Toronto, Buffalo, Rochester, Binghamton, and NYC--although the sunset would likely make it very tough for those in/near the first 3 cities.
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It is a high value Jupiter Trojan that has only had a single one-chord observation up until now.? Combined mag is 12.4, drop is 3.9, duration 4.4 s, and reasonably high (mid-30's) in the west.? Out here in the (relative) west it is dicey as the sun is only about 13 degrees below the horizon--also in the west, of course.? With the timing after sunset, I'll be limited to a single chord try.? I have a placeholder in OW right now, but I'll find a position on the southern side (less driving) roughly halfway between the edge of the shadow and next observer north unless there are other suggestions/requests.
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Steve
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All:
My notes tell me that I'm able to adequately record a Target Star of mag 13.5 in the amount of twilight shown on the attached map - when using my 14.5-inch observatory or 12-inch mobile scope. Steve and I have similar amounts of twilight, and it should be a tad darker for Kevin G and Rick B. Note that the QHY has a tad more blue sensitive sensor so twilight can present perhaps a tad more of a challenge. A RunCam NE2AE or Astrid may be less susceptible to twilight.
As for a next virtual meeting... I'd suggest a discussion of our experiences in trying to recruit new observers as a primary topic. My suggested time would be:
1) Sunday late afternoon (start at least 2.5 hours before sunset) --or--
2) Watch the Wx forecast and pick an evening where the East Coast is guaranteed to be clouded out
A great source for looking ahead on forecasts (if you can read a wx map) is:
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George
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If you have a large aperture, then using a polarizing filter will get you another 25% or so in signal over background (not SNR) if oriented correctly.? I do think the observation is possible from my location, but the time to get on target may be an issue.
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Sounds like we have a topic for the next Zoom session, any other suggestions for day/time?
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I was just loading events on my Astrid, but the GPS wasn't working at all.? I have never had issues with it sync'ing before, and I was doing it at the same location (inside the glass window of the backdoor) in the house I always use.? Then it occurred to me--I put the screen door in last weekend.? So I snaked the GPS antenna out the door, and it was able to lock in a couple of minutes.? Panic averted!
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Steve C
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From: George <georvisc@...>
To: OccultNEUS <[email protected]>
Date: Friday, 3 May 2024 1:17 PM EDT
Subject: Re: [OccultNEUS] Next Virtual Meeting and Makhaon Event?
All:
My notes tell me that I'm able to adequately record a Target Star of mag 13.5 in the amount of twilight shown on the attached map - when using my 14.5-inch observatory or 12-inch mobile scope. Steve and I have similar amounts of twilight, and it should be a tad darker for Kevin G and Rick B. Note that the QHY has a tad more blue sensitive sensor so twilight can present perhaps a tad more of a challenge. A RunCam NE2AE or Astrid may be less susceptible to twilight.
As for a next virtual meeting... I'd suggest a discussion of our experiences in trying to recruit new observers as a primary topic. My suggested time would be:
1) Sunday late afternoon (start at least 2.5 hours before sunset) --or--
2) Watch the Wx forecast and pick an evening where the East Coast is guaranteed to be clouded out
A great source for looking ahead on forecasts (if you can read a wx map) is:
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George
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Steve & All:
I do like/prefer evening chats (start 7:30pm-ish), so my suggestion is to look over the weather map, find an evening where the Northeast is sure to be drenched (ie., clouded out) - and just set a time 3 or 4 days down the road. If folks can make it great, if not they can catch the next one (or adjust their schedule so they can).
Good idea on the polarizer. It's just finding one that can adapt to the camera(S). A light red filter might help also.
Yeah, I often start my Astrid under the metal roof of my observatory. Given enough time (~15 min) it will eventually lock. But it quickly locks once the roof is open. Any metal really messes with the GPS signal.
Hey, are there other folks out there?
G
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I will almost certainly be able to make any meeting that is scheduled. Although I have difficulty in twilight, I would certainly attempt the May 11 event. Friday nights are school viewing nights at the observatory, but I¡¯ll tell any students attending that they will be participating in citizen science. Rick?
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I'm here...somewhere.? Just trying to get caught up on yard-work before the next rain deluge swamp the garden and turn my flower beds into mud pits.? Plus, the allure of galaxy season is upon us.? With that the little trailer is now cleaned, packed, and ready to head up to Cherry Springs at a moment's notice.? Now, if those darn clouds will go away.
I'd like to learn more about using a polarizer for occultations and in how to recognize the increased signal over background vs SNR when used correctly.?? In coming from a visual oriented observer background, this sounds partially Greek to me, as I have yet to delve into using my inventory of filters for occultation work.?
Having our Zoom sessions in the 19:30 weekday time frame works best for my schedule.? George has a good idea in just picking a foreseeable cloudy night and setting up a Zoom session accordingly.
For the Makhaon Event:? In working from the Naylor observatory, which has a good view to the west, I'm just about on the center line. I'll give it a try with one of the Meade 14s.? - Roxanne
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On Friday, May 3, 2024 at 05:35:17 PM EDT, George Viscome via groups.io <georvisc@...> wrote:
Steve & All:
I do like/prefer evening chats (start 7:30pm-ish), so my suggestion is to look over the weather map, find an evening where the Northeast is sure to be drenched (ie., clouded out) - and just set a time 3 or 4 days down the road. If folks can make it great, if not they can catch the next one (or adjust their schedule so they can).
Good idea on the polarizer. It's just finding one that can adapt to the camera(S). A light red filter might help also.
Yeah, I often start my Astrid under the metal roof of my observatory. Given enough time (~15 min) it will eventually lock. But it quickly locks once the roof is open. Any metal really messes with the GPS signal.
Hey, are there other folks out there?
G
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There are 3 Makhaon events, one after the other with 3 different stars! The middle one is the best for this group. Weather permitting, I will likely observe all three since they are close in time, even though it is only the middle one that has Westport under the shadow.
I'm up for a video call. My schedule is clearer now that classes for the term are over.?
This summer we intend to deploy a couple more stations, both East of our present location. I'm hoping it all comes together.
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All:
I'll throw out other topics for chats....
* Astrid
* Doing mobile observations and selecting sites
* Carte du Ciel (I'd like to introduce you to this star/asteroid plotting program)
* How to select prospective occultation events (maybe cover a bit of Occult4).
* A discussion of equipment we currently use - our observatories, etc...
* etc., etc....
But for the next one it might be good to talk about experiences in trying to get others involved in "oc-observing".
Whenever....... ('Guess Steve will set the day/time).
G
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Of course, I just realized I can't do the Friday Makhaon event since we have tickets for a play that night.? But it is an astronomy related play (Silent Sky), so that's not quite as bad a reason for not observing.
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Did we want to meet this evening as we all should be under clouds?? Or is that too short notice?? Monday night looks like clear skies for some of us.? I'm not available Tue and Wed this week.
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Steve
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From: Kevin <greenkevin01@...>
To: OccultNEUS <[email protected]>
Date: Saturday, 4 May 2024 4:22 PM EDT
Subject: Re: [OccultNEUS] Next Virtual Meeting and Makhaon Event?
There are 3 Makhaon events, one after the other with 3 different stars! The middle one is the best for this group. Weather permitting, I will likely observe all three since they are close in time, even though it is only the middle one that has Westport under the shadow.
I'm up for a video call. My schedule is clearer now that classes for the term are over.?
This summer we intend to deploy a couple more stations, both East of our present location. I'm hoping it all comes together.
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This is a good list, George.? It should keep us busy for a while.? I'd add two to it:
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--Increasing multi-chord events
--Using university and public observatories
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Steve C
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From: George <georvisc@...>
To: OccultNEUS <[email protected]>
Date: Saturday, 4 May 2024 7:38 PM EDT
Subject: Re: [OccultNEUS] Next Virtual Meeting and Makhaon Event?
All:
I'll throw out other topics for chats....
* Astrid
* Doing mobile observations and selecting sites
* Carte du Ciel (I'd like to introduce you to this star/asteroid plotting program)
* How to select prospective occultation events (maybe cover a bit of Occult4).
* A discussion of equipment we currently use - our observatories, etc...
* etc., etc....
But for the next one it might be good to talk about experiences in trying to get others involved in "oc-observing".
Whenever....... ('Guess Steve will set the day/time).
G
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Tonight works for me... Here in the DC region, it looks like it will be cloudy the entire week...
Elizabeth
Of course, I just realized I can't do the Friday Makhaon event since we have tickets for a play that night.? But it is an astronomy related play (Silent Sky), so that's not quite as bad a reason for not observing.
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Did we want to meet this evening as we all should be under clouds?? Or is that too short notice?? Monday night looks like clear skies for some of us.? I'm not available Tue and Wed this week.
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Steve
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From: Kevin <greenkevin01=[email protected]>
To: OccultNEUS <[email protected]>
Date: Saturday, 4 May 2024 4:22 PM EDT
Subject: Re: [OccultNEUS] Next Virtual Meeting and Makhaon Event?
There are 3 Makhaon events, one after the other with 3 different stars! The middle one is the best for this group. Weather permitting, I will likely observe all three since they are close in time, even though it is only the middle one that has Westport under the shadow.
I'm up for a video call. My schedule is clearer now that classes for the term are over.?
This summer we intend to deploy a couple more stations, both East of our present location. I'm hoping it all comes together.
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Oooo.. Tonight.. Probably too short notice. Most won't see this in time.
Tropical Tidbits shows a wet Northeast for this Thurs evening (9th) at 7:30pm:
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Would that work?
?? -G
...Been too cloudy recently.
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OK, per George's suggestion, how does Thursday evening look for everyone?? If most can make that, we'll watch the weather and if it improves we can reschedule.
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Steve
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From: George <georvisc@...>
To: OccultNEUS <[email protected]>
Date: Sunday, 5 May 2024 3:42 PM EDT
Subject: Re: [OccultNEUS] Next Virtual Meeting and Makhaon Event?
Oooo.. Tonight.. Probably too short notice. Most won't see this in time.
Tropical Tidbits shows a wet Northeast for this Thurs evening (9th) at 7:30pm:
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Would that work?
?? -G
...Been too cloudy recently.
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At this point, Thursday (9May) at 19:30, looks good to me.? - Roxanne
On Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 04:49:51 PM EDT, Steve C via groups.io <conard@...> wrote:
OK, per George's suggestion, how does Thursday evening look for everyone?? If most can make that, we'll watch the weather and if it improves we can reschedule.
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Steve
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From: George <georvisc@...>
To: OccultNEUS <[email protected]>
Date: Sunday, 5 May 2024 3:42 PM EDT
Subject: Re: [OccultNEUS] Next Virtual Meeting and Makhaon Event?
Oooo.. Tonight.. Probably too short notice. Most won't see this in time.
Tropical Tidbits shows a wet Northeast for this Thurs evening (9th) at 7:30pm:
? ? ?
Would that work?
?? -G
...Been too cloudy recently.
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Tuesday works for me. Rick Bria?
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I just emailed with Rick. He said....
My mistake, sorry, Thursday works for me.
Rick?
On Mon, May 6, 2024 at 10:31 AM George Viscome emailed Rick:
Rick:
You said on Groups.io "Tuesday works for me". The proposed evening was Thursday. Did you mean Thursday? Tuesday evening looks potentially clear for me.
George
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I can do Thursday also.
Weather does not look good, but it looks good for Thursday morning at 4:30 AM for (1032) Parfuri going up the East Coast, so only I will be under the predicted shadow.
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Steve C
George Viscome
rickbria22