2/8/08  Under the light polluted skies of the Southern California suburbs, ..well there was 4 , yes 4 objects worth looking at !....I started out the night viewing the 5% waxing crescent of the Moon....The Earth shine illuminating the entire globe is a very pretty view!...As it set early I moved on to Mars...It was showing detail in glimpses so it took a little patience.....Then it was on to the Great Orion Nebula as it won't let you down even in the suburbs....As soon as Saturn was up at about 25 to 30 degrees , I was on it....Details amounted to fairly good cloud banding , the Cassini Division & 6 of its Moons!.....All in all I would say it was a good night of Viewing through Light pollution!...................................

Hi Astronig -

-Mr. Jackson

Hello Astronig,

You and I share the Southern California sky. I was out Friday night as well and the seeing was just terrible. Along with the very unsteady sky there was enough humidity to reflect more of the sky glow that even with my narrowband LP filter M-1 was invisible. I too enjoyed the thin waxing crescent of the Moon, albeit at low power, and enjoyed brief glances of clarity for Mars and Saturn. M42 was very nice sight as well. My experiences rather mirrored your own.

When faced with such marginal conditions I seek out two classes of objects to extend my observing time, open clusters and wide double stars. I enjoyed looking at several open clusters in Orion, Gemini, Canis Major, and Auriga. Averted vision was helpful to catch the fainter members of these groups as they twinkled in and out of view. The twinkling actually helps one with the colours of double stars. I observed several and even with the poor conditions was able to detect the faint companion to Rigel.

Try some of these next time you face the LP, bad seeing, haze, and fog of our Southern California evenings.

BTW to the rest of you poor chaps in the northern hemisphere it will be 80F today. If only those high cirrus clouds and the haze layer would leave we could observe tonight with only a light sweater for warmth. LOL

L

leo731:

 BTW to the rest of you poor chaps in the northern hemisphere it will be 80F today. If only those high cirrus clouds and the haze layer would leave we could observe tonight with only a light sweater for warmth. LOL

L

Thank's for the report, Leo.  By the way I like observing in insulated overalls, a ski mask, boots, and gloves.  I enjoy dragging my rolling dob platform through ice and snow.  Sometime I can even syncronize my shivering with the wind induced tremble of the eyepiece.  That gives me a sense of accomplishment which is difficult to properly express.

Clear skies to you.

Terry D.

Thats tooo funny Terry!.   Leo , appreciate the report!...The Cabelas has flannel lined carpenter jeans for $24.95 a pair & Sportsmans Guide has a blanket lined canvas sport coat for $29.97......I am ordering this coat and probably a couple pair of these pants to add to my observing kit!.....And again!

Thanks Astronig and Terry.

Ah Terry, the picture of you deep in snow shivering in concert with your scope is priceless. I have never observed in snow though I have had some experience in near freezing conditions. I am glad you wrap yourself up well. One thing I learned to add to my arsenal against the cold was hunters socks. They work on D cell batteries and energize a heating element under ones toes. Inside of my Canadian insulated/waterproof boots I never suffer from cold feet. They were a gift from my wife after one night of observing several years ago. I made the mistake of slipping into bed and placing my chilled toes against her legs as she slept. The kick I received in return was enough to persuade me never to do that again.

L

Terry, sorry,

More is coming at you! We are getting 5+ inches at 10 degrees F right now in Sioux Falls and it is headed your way! 

I just read it was 40 below zero F in Minneapolis yesterday. Hunker down all you guys in the old northwest!

L

The snow's scheduled for tomorrow so I think I'll try to take advantage of the clear skies tonight (if they hold) and put that new Moon & Sky Glow filter through it's paces now that Luna has returned.  Temps are in the 20's () right now, so this evening should be OK.  At least there are no mosquitoes.

leo731:

One thing I learned to add to my arsenal against the cold was hunters socks. They work on D cell batteries and energize a heating element under ones toes.

 Electric socks?  When did these come out?  Freezing my toes is the one thing that causes me to pack up faster than anything--except for wind (and clouds), perhaps.  I have been buying thick wool socks, but in conditions like tonight (18' F) they do not help much.  Where do you get these socks?  They are called Hunters Socks?  They really work?  How much do they cost?  Sounds ridiculous, but in the words of Bill Cosby "there comes a time when you will give even the ridiculous a try!"  Thanks for the info.

They've been around for at least 50 years ... I remember having some when I was a teenager.

You get them at sporting-goods stores that cater to hunters and fishermen. Avoid the ones with 9V batteries unless you use rechargeable cells ... these things eat batteries.

A better option if you live in an area with severe winters is to use an electric vest. WebBikeWorld on line is a good source. They can be expensive, but mine is the best astronomical accessory investment I ever made. They heat the blood in your lungs, which circulates warmly throughout your body. I no longer need to wear a parka in Texas winters (which admittedly are not severe), even at McDonald Observatory, which is a mile above sea level.

Still another option is chemical handwarmers/footwarmers, also sold at sporting-goods stores and at ski shops. Most of these are use once then throw away, but they last for 4 to 8 hours. I usually keep one of these in a vest or coat pocket where I put my eyepieces to keep them frost-free.

You can also buy mittens which have a little pocket sewn into them to hold these warmers, but I prefer a simple pair of leather gloves with Thinsulate(tm) lining. Ditto waterproof boots with Thinsulate(tm). For boots you want at least 400-pile lining, and 800 is better if you're observing in really harsh conditions (which I tend NOT to do!).

chipdatajeffB:

They've been around for at least 50 years ... I remember having some when I was a teenager.

Well, don't I feel like I just crawled out of a cave!!  Ha ha!  I might just have to go strolling through a sporting goods store once in a while to see what else they have!!  Thanks for the info. 

Star Geezer's vest is a great idea but it is expensive. I was keeping very warm except the toes despite insulated boots. The socks work great and only cost around $20. The 9v is a little weak so using the rechargable batteries, C or D,  saves a lot of money later on as well.  If you are warm overall save for the toes they are a bargain.

The chemical warming bags are really nice too. I usually wear a pair of fingertipless gloves to handle things and then sticking my mitts into a nice warm pocket with a chamical warmer is a real treat.

L

I know that when I'm wearing my battery operated socks it sure makes one heck of a difference as to what I can see while Viewing through Light pollution!

 Sorry Astronig. I am guilty of contributing to the wandering off topic. But warm toes are so very important!  Really. If all that blood is being chilled in the feet that means less warm oxiginated blood available for the optic nerves that transmit the images to the brain that allow one to see those brilliant objects that are able to pierce the ever growing menace of light pollution in our Southern California skies.

See, it all ties together. Sort of.

Please don't deactivate me!

L

Lol!    That's funny Leo!.......But Hey! , Your not the only one .  I've probably been more guilty of the same thing than anyone on the forums . I'm glad you see through my somewhat obnoxious sense of humor though . It's all in good fun!  Clear Skies buddy!   Hopin' to maybe catch a clear spot in the sky for that eclipse !.......................................Dave

P.S.   I do rather like the blood flow to the optic nerve thing!   I'm sure by now they must have a pill to enhance this !

They call it Vi-eye-gra.  Oops, did I say that?  Must go rest now.

You have to have a sense of humour to be an amatuer astronomer.  We would all go mad without one.  All the equipment failures, the freezing temperatures, mosquitos in summer, people who feel secure only when they can light up their property with a million gigawatts, and helicopters with several million candlepower spotlights.  Not to mention the weather.  Looks grim for us in Southern California tomorrow doesn't it?  I am hoping we will get a break in the cloud cover at sunset otherwise it will be almost three years before we get another Lunar Eclipse.

Keep looking up and wishing and hoping for a break on the morrow,

L

Viva Vi-eye-gra!......Viva Vi-eye-gra!......Viva!.....Viva!.....Vi-eye-gra!