A short term solution, the frost will return when the hair dryer turns off. They used to sell "dew zappers", which was a hair dryer for astronomy, I don't think they are made any more, the consumer has spoken.
What do our UA group members think about using a hair dryer? Would that
work? (No comments about bald astronomers, now!) Thanks, Joe
________________________________ From: Brent Watson <brentjwatson@yahoo.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Monday, November 7, 2011 2:23 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] NOT related to the Jupiter transit and GRS, Thurs Nov. 3 and Fri Nov. 5
I remember that night. That is the only night I have had my refractor frost over. It was an exceptional night though.
________________________________ From: Kim <kimharch@cut.net> To: 'Utah Astronomy' <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Monday, November 7, 2011 11:38 AM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] NOT related to the Jupiter transit and GRS, Thurs Nov. 3 and Fri Nov. 5
Until now I've just been using a dew shield. Eyepieces, finderscopes and Telrads are a little trickier, or course. Keeping my breath off these items is usually enough for me. Depending on how much observing I really do this winter, I may invest in a heater system of some kind. One advantage of being near the visitor center is that there's always a place to keep extra batteries charging.
One of my half dozen or so nights of truly memorable observing came many years ago when Brent Watson and a few of us went to the old Wanship site on a clear November night to do some winter observing. Snow was maybe a foot deep, but after tramping out a suitable platform for the scope I set up my 10-inch Newt. The highlight that night was seeing the blue, wispy reflection nebulae in the Pleiades, without any kind of filter or other "high-tech" device. I think that was also the night that I learned a cardinal rule of winter observing: Don't hold metal devices such as mini-maglites in your mouth.
Kim
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Joe Bauman Sent: Monday, November 07, 2011 11:29 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] NOT related to the Jupiter transit and GRS,Thurs Nov. 3 and Fri Nov. 5
Hi Kim, what do you do about the scope frosting over? Thanks, Joe
________________________________ From: Kim <kimharch@cut.net> To: 'Utah Astronomy' <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Monday, November 7, 2011 9:24 AM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] NOT related to the Jupiter transit and GRS, Thurs Nov. 3 and Fri Nov. 5
Well, since high school days (they obviously don't count) I've been pulled over once that I can recall. I was driving past the Koosharem reservoir doing about 70 when the limit was still 55. I saw a trooper approaching from the opposite direction, but by the time I saw him I knew it was too late, so I just kept up the speed. Just after he passed I saw his brake lights in my rearview mirror, so I knew I was had and immediately pulled over. He came up to the car laughing and said, "Boy, do you have a guilty conscience!" I replied, "I knew you had me, so there was no sense wasting gas." He laughed again and wrote out a warning. I am glad that some cops, at least, have a sense of humor.
On another note, we are having our first real winter storm here at Bryce. Three to six inches are expected, but I think we already have four. It's supposed to snow much of the day.
I last observed comet Garradd during our last week of three-times-per-week astronomy programs, the week before last. Even in my 8-inch SCT a bit of a tail could be observed. We had maybe 100 people come out in the cold for at least 45 minutes to observe with us. Jupiter has been a hit for some time now, as is virtually any deep sky object under our exceptional night sky. Astronomy programs, including telescope observing, continue on Saturday nights throughout the winter, weather permitting. Yes, it's very cold at 8,000 feet, but on the other hand, the seeing is much better than at lower elevations. Someone come see me. I get lonely. Depending on who you are and what you offer, I may allow you to stay in my spare room. ;-)
Kim
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Monday, November 07, 2011 9:08 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Jupiter transit and GRS,Thurs Nov. 3 and Fri Nov. 5
On 11/7/11, Kim <kimharch@cut.net> wrote:
Chuck, honestly now: You may have not been cited, but have you at least been pulled over? Thank the Highway Patrol (and God, I guess) for those warning tickets.
Kim, honestly, since that day 30 years ago, I have not even been pulled-over.
Once I thought I was being pulled-over, but the trooper just wanted to get past me, apparently.
On Bangerter Highway in the Mazda a few years ago, I blew by a trooper with radar doing about 20 over. He just motioned for me to "slow down" and didn't come after me. No ticket in the mail, nothing.
That's it!
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1411 / Virus Database: 2092/4002 - Release Date: 11/07/11
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1411 / Virus Database: 2092/4002 - Release Date: 11/07/11
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php