Well talk about coincidences, the Astronomy Picture of the Day is of the crescent nebula, the very nebula that I asked Mark to view as a test of current transparency at Wolf Creek. Check it out: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ Clear skies, someday... Mat -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Hutchings, Mat Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2012 1:11 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Wolf Creek skies was: Wolf creek & space station Mark, there are fires all over the west right now and the haze we are getting is from them. Do you mind doing a little transparency test tonight? Don't go to any trouble to do this, but if you have been getting your scope out at night up there, this would be a quick test. With your 13" (if you have it with you), look for the crescent nebula (NGC 6888) which is in Cygnus. It's a relatively large, diffuse object that I call the "ghost of Mr. Potato Head". You may want to use an O3 or other nebula filter. A medium to short f.l. eyepiece is probably best, like a 15mm or so. Let us know if you can see it and if the entire oval shape is seen or just the brighter crescent shape. If you cannot see it, look at the veil (find the star 52 Cygni, and you should see part of the veil very near it). Compared to views you've had before at a dark site, does it look good and clear? Thanks, Mat -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Mark Shelton Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2012 11:33 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Wolf Creek skies was: Wolf creek & space station Hi, Mat There has been some smoke in the air. Makes the sky a little bit hazy. Not bad. do you know where the smoke is coming from? Mark _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options". This message and any attachments are solely for the use of intended recipients. The information contained herein may include trade secrets, protected health or personal information, privileged or otherwise confidential information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you are not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you received this email in error, and that any review, dissemination, distribution or copying of this email and any attachment is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please contact the sender and delete the message and any attachment from your system. Thank you for your cooperation _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options". This message and any attachments are solely for the use of intended recipients. The information contained herein may include trade secrets, protected health or personal information, privileged or otherwise confidential information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you are not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you received this email in error, and that any review, dissemination, distribution or copying of this email and any attachment is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please contact the sender and delete the message and any attachment from your system. Thank you for your cooperation