lphilpot
sage
Reged: 10/15/05
Posts: 343
Loc: Central Lousiana, USA
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Quote:
For those going out there, it is important to remember that it is normal in the Davis Mountains to have 40-50 degree swings in temperatures from day to night... i.e., 90 during the day... 40 at night. Bring something warm for the night. You may not need it, but if you do, you will be glad you have it.
Absolutely. However, it's turning out to be a tough decision this year. I usually bring a jacket, as well as my insulated hunting suit and there have been more times than not that I've used both, one after the other. However, from what I've found, the low temps do in fact ramp up a bit historically during late May and June : See the attached image of temps from last June at an amateur weather station not a half a mile from the Ranch. Also take a look at the forecast lows via Weather Underground (other info omitted for clarity) :
(Wednesday)
Rest of Tonight - Lows 57 to 64.
Thursday Night - Lows 60 to 66.
Friday Night - Lows 60 to 67.
Saturday Night - Lows 61 to 68.
Sunday Night - Lows 64 to 70.
Monday Night - Lows 62 to 69.
Tuesday Night - Lows 62 to 69.
I've not yet loaded our minivan, but it's gonna be TIGHT. So I'm fudging a bit toward warmer minimum temps, but if there's room I'll throw in something extra. There's no way I wanna be out there under clear skies, shivering. However, given our potentially tight packing space (two adults and a child plus gear in one Honda Odyssey!), I can only take what fits! 
Sure hope I'm right... 
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Len Philpot
len@philpot.org ><> http://lphilpot.zenfolio.com
 Catahoula Lake, Louisiana
14.5" TeleKit, 8" Hardin DSH, Orion ST80, Orion 10x70, Celestron 8x40, Orion Sea Otter 8x25 ... How long 'til the next TSP...??!
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lphilpot
sage
Reged: 10/15/05
Posts: 343
Loc: Central Lousiana, USA
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(continuing from my last post)
Just to add to the confusion :-), here are two charts from the same weather station near the Prude Ranch (I hope whomever owns this station doesn't mind their data being "used" like this; I suppose not, or they wouldn't have made it available on WeatherUnderground). Anyway, this image shows the high/low temps both for the month of May 2008 (so far) and the week of 5/18-24/08. The lowest it's been recently was apparently around 50.
Just more data - Make your own decision! :-)
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Len Philpot
len@philpot.org ><> http://lphilpot.zenfolio.com
Catahoula Lake, Louisiana
14.5" TeleKit, 8" Hardin DSH, Orion ST80, Orion 10x70, Celestron 8x40, Orion Sea Otter 8x25 ... How long 'til the next TSP...??!
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Alvin Huey
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/18/05
Posts: 2655
Loc: NorCal
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Notice the dip in high temp in May '07...and that was during the worst TSP ever. lol
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Clear Skies,
Alvin #26
22" f/4.0 reflector and other assorted smaller and larger telescopes, but listing the one I use the most.
FaintFuzzies | TAC | TAC-Sac
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lphilpot
sage
Reged: 10/15/05
Posts: 343
Loc: Central Lousiana, USA
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Quote:
Notice the dip in high temp in May '07...and that was during the worst TSP ever. lol
...except for 2005, when it did the same thing!! That's when Dennis, Darrell and I went to Big Bend, and it was only 75F down on the Rio Grande. Beautiful day there, but it was like the Pacific NW at the Ranch.
Hopefully this isn't a pattern! 
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Len Philpot
len@philpot.org ><> http://lphilpot.zenfolio.com
Catahoula Lake, Louisiana
14.5" TeleKit, 8" Hardin DSH, Orion ST80, Orion 10x70, Celestron 8x40, Orion Sea Otter 8x25 ... How long 'til the next TSP...??!
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bicparker
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/07/05
Posts: 2066
Loc: Plano, TX
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Len,
Thanks for those graphs. It doesn't necessarily help the decision, but that is good hard information, in any case.
Part of my rationale is that, if it is clear, there won't be anything (moisture in the air or clouds) at night to hold the heat down near the ground. So, at least in my mind, there may be a chance that we could have a wider swing of temperatures this year. The other side, though, is that it is later in the year, so it is warmer.
Most of the predicted lows for next week are mid 50's to 60's... so maybe it won't be that bad. I will keep an extra jacket in Kanga (my vehicle) if someone needs it.
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David Moody, FRAS
17.5" f/5 dob
10" f/10 SCT
5" f/8 refractor
80mm f/6 refractor
66mm f/6 refractor
Plus a few others out of the rotation
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Faith_J
Sketcher Extraordinaire
Reged: 11/17/04
Posts: 5830
Loc: South coast of England
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I'm coming prepared and bringing a fleecy top and hooded zip up sweatshirt as well as a thick jacket.
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Visual deep sky
18" f4.3 dob
7.9" f/4 Celestron Newtonian
8x42 binos
100% visual observing...
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DeanS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 2560
Loc: Central Kentucky
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I'm bringing my cutoffs and swim suit 
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AP900GTO, AP1200GTO,
Tak Epsilon 160, FS60C, SV80
12.5" F/3.8 AGO Newtonian,
C9.25, 8" LX200GPS,
18" Starmaster w/Zambuto F/4.3,
FLI ML8300,
QSI640WSG-8
ST2000XM, Lodestars
Some Uncle Al's glass hand grenades
www.doghouseastronomy.com
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Faith_J
Sketcher Extraordinaire
Reged: 11/17/04
Posts: 5830
Loc: South coast of England
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Well, the days aren't neglected by me either. I'm also a birder and am hoping to do a bit of walking and birding in the area.
I'm setting off for TSP tomorrow lunchtime. I'm going to stay in a hotel at Gatwick tomorrow night, and then my flight to San Antonio is mid-morning Saturday. I'm hoping for some decent Texas weather because we are not exactly being bathed in sunshine in the UK - this summer here in England is shaping up to be as bad as last year's when we effectively did not have a summer. The only problem is, I have to come home again.
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Visual deep sky
18" f4.3 dob
7.9" f/4 Celestron Newtonian
8x42 binos
100% visual observing...
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~Steph~
Texas Wildflower
Reged: 06/11/05
Posts: 26279
Loc: North Texas
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Safe travels, Faith, and have a wonderful time! 
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Steph
Taking it one day at a time...
I'm in the fight! - Support Liver Disease Awareness
10" RCX400 ~~ 4" TV102 ~~ WO ZS80FD ~~ PST
Serenity Observatory
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DeanS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 2560
Loc: Central Kentucky
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Faith, I will have an ice cold Margarita waiting for you
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AP900GTO, AP1200GTO,
Tak Epsilon 160, FS60C, SV80
12.5" F/3.8 AGO Newtonian,
C9.25, 8" LX200GPS,
18" Starmaster w/Zambuto F/4.3,
FLI ML8300,
QSI640WSG-8
ST2000XM, Lodestars
Some Uncle Al's glass hand grenades
www.doghouseastronomy.com
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space_cowboy
super member
Reged: 09/22/07
Posts: 109
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Just bring your cold gear anyway. Its always better to be prepared than not.
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~Steph~
Texas Wildflower
Reged: 06/11/05
Posts: 26279
Loc: North Texas
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I hope all you guys have a great time. Make sure you post lots of pics and updates during the week for those of us who can't be there... 
Did y'all ever decide on a date/time for the CN Malt Day?
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Steph
Taking it one day at a time...
I'm in the fight! - Support Liver Disease Awareness
10" RCX400 ~~ 4" TV102 ~~ WO ZS80FD ~~ PST
Serenity Observatory
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bicparker
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/07/05
Posts: 2066
Loc: Plano, TX
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Tuesday is always Malt Day
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David Moody, FRAS
17.5" f/5 dob
10" f/10 SCT
5" f/8 refractor
80mm f/6 refractor
66mm f/6 refractor
Plus a few others out of the rotation
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bicparker
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/07/05
Posts: 2066
Loc: Plano, TX
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well.. every day is malt day, actually
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David Moody, FRAS
17.5" f/5 dob
10" f/10 SCT
5" f/8 refractor
80mm f/6 refractor
66mm f/6 refractor
Plus a few others out of the rotation
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~Steph~
Texas Wildflower
Reged: 06/11/05
Posts: 26279
Loc: North Texas
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True dat. Have one for me!
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Steph
Taking it one day at a time...
I'm in the fight! - Support Liver Disease Awareness
10" RCX400 ~~ 4" TV102 ~~ WO ZS80FD ~~ PST
Serenity Observatory
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Faith_J
Sketcher Extraordinaire
Reged: 11/17/04
Posts: 5830
Loc: South coast of England
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Quote:
Safe travels, Faith, and have a wonderful time!
Thanks Steph! I wish you were coming too. 
Quote:
Faith, I will have an ice cold Margarita waiting for you
Cheers Dean, I love Margaritas...
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Visual deep sky
18" f4.3 dob
7.9" f/4 Celestron Newtonian
8x42 binos
100% visual observing...
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DeanS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 2560
Loc: Central Kentucky
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Ok, I am offically packed and ready to go first thing in the morning. Just have to load a cooler, warm up the gas credit card, and hit the road.
Cya soon
Dean
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AP900GTO, AP1200GTO,
Tak Epsilon 160, FS60C, SV80
12.5" F/3.8 AGO Newtonian,
C9.25, 8" LX200GPS,
18" Starmaster w/Zambuto F/4.3,
FLI ML8300,
QSI640WSG-8
ST2000XM, Lodestars
Some Uncle Al's glass hand grenades
www.doghouseastronomy.com
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lphilpot
sage
Reged: 10/15/05
Posts: 343
Loc: Central Lousiana, USA
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Same here - Leave about 7am, drop one of our three cats at the vet's office (the 19 year-old one who can't really make it without a little TLC) and hit the road. Our plan is to overnight Friday in Sonora, then Fort Davis Saturday and get in line early Sunday morning. Hope we haven't forgotten anything... 
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Len Philpot
len@philpot.org ><> http://lphilpot.zenfolio.com
Catahoula Lake, Louisiana
14.5" TeleKit, 8" Hardin DSH, Orion ST80, Orion 10x70, Celestron 8x40, Orion Sea Otter 8x25 ... How long 'til the next TSP...??!
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Faith_J
Sketcher Extraordinaire
Reged: 11/17/04
Posts: 5830
Loc: South coast of England
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Safe journeys everyone and I'll see you when I get to TSP on Monday afternoon.
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Visual deep sky
18" f4.3 dob
7.9" f/4 Celestron Newtonian
8x42 binos
100% visual observing...
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ChrisN
super member
Reged: 04/03/07
Posts: 105
Loc: N. Texas
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Gettign anxious now I am leaving saturday night and arriving in Ft Davis Early Saturday Morning. Everybody have a safe trip and hope to see every body there
Chris
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The Dog House observatory (under construction)
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