toastmaster425
member
Reged: 09/22/09
Posts: 63
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Who does it? What do you do when you do it?
Tomorrow looks like its gonna be my first observing session with my newer scope, and my old meteor-watching partner in crime is out of town so itll be me, myself, and i tomorrow night out in the backyard. im thinking ill bring a radio, my laptop, and some coffee!
what do you do when you observe alone?
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i'm new at this.
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starrancher
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/09
Posts: 580
Loc: Northern Arizona
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We need to start a " Lonely Observers Club Band " . Sgt. Peppers . 
My once observing partner seems to not have the ambition to do dark site trips anymore . I want to go at least once a month , but he can't be talked into it anymore than about twice a year . (terrible) . I told him he just needs to sell his stuff . He thinks he's an amateur astronomer . Yeah right ! 
I end up going it alone half the time although I really don't like it . Safety issues can come into play , but mostly , not having the enthusiasm of another astronomer kind of stinks . So until I find the "Astronomer Match.com" website , I guess it's coffee & cigs . 
Oh ! Chocolate too !
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LXD75 AR5
LXD75 SN8
Series 4000 Plossls
Misc. other stuff
Fort Rock , Az .
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mblack
Throw me a bone here
Reged: 10/31/05
Posts: 3435
Loc: Naples, Florida
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Quote:
Who does it?
Myself, me and I find the serenity of being alone under the stars very good for the heart.
Quote:
What do you do when you do it?
Look up, and listen for critters.
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Dave B.
"Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others." Groucho Marx
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mblack
Throw me a bone here
Reged: 10/31/05
Posts: 3435
Loc: Naples, Florida
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Quote:
So until I find the "Astronomer Match.com" website
You might be onto something 
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Dave B.
"Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others." Groucho Marx
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star drop
Guilty as Charged
Reged: 02/02/08
Posts: 16198
Loc: Snow Plop, WNY
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For the first twelve years I observed alone, then occasionally with others for about five years, then alone for another sixteen years before I met a few Cloudy Nights members last year.
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Ted
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big george
journeyman
Reged: 03/10/09
Posts: 6
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A lot of my observing sessions are solo.Not as much fun as those with a like minded friend,but can be rewarding none the less. A good supply of hot coffee and clear skies will help make a good observing session. A good observing partner can make it more fun.
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Matthew Ota
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/30/05
Posts: 1095
Loc: New England
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My last observing session was solo at Post Pond, New Hampshire. I went there for the first time to see how it is, since it is the closest blue zone place from where I live. It was a 17 mile drive.
Observing alone is not as much fun as with a club, but I was able to concentrate on astroimaging and got some great shots of the Wild Duck Cluster.
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Matthew Ota
Meade LX250GPS 10 inch SCT (Frankenscope)
Orion ED 80
ETX-90 OTA
Coronado Helios 1 H-alpha
TheSky 6 Pro
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panhard
Mongo
Reged: 01/20/08
Posts: 5191
Loc: Markham Ontario Canada
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I observe alone quite frequently. It's just me and the coyotes. I pulled an allnighter a while ago. The restof the group left around 10.00 pm I stayed until about 400 am.
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bherv
sage
Reged: 03/10/06
Posts: 308
Loc: WMass
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I have observed alone at our club's site in rural western Massachusetts many times. I try to get out each month. Sometimes there are other members there but most don't stay the night. It does get a little spooky when strange sounds emanate from the woods. I have become more comfortable observing alone. My camper is parked there so I have a place to crash at the end of the night. I do prefer to observe with friends but I try to take advantage of any clear new moon weekend.
Barry
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7331Peg
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/01/08
Posts: 718
Loc: North coast of Oregon
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Quote:
... what do you do when you observe alone?
Observe, what else.
Although, usually my dog is at my feet, and a cup of tea is within reach.
Got up at 3AM last Monday morning - the last clear night we had, and rain forecast for the next week at least - and spent quite a bit of time on Orion, the moon, and Mars.
There is nothing quite like walking out onto the deck at 3AM when there isn't a sound to be heard and being greeted by Orion hanging high up in the south!
John
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arellanon
member
Reged: 12/12/06
Posts: 25
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Safety is definitely the biggest concern while alone but I think that observing solo is very calming and relaxing. I just love being alone at Joshua Tree National Park under the summer milky way and hearing the coyotes, nocturnal birds, and even bugs make their rounds.
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brianb11213
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/25/09
Posts: 2090
Loc: 55.215N 6.554W
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Quote:
Safety is definitely the biggest concern while alone but I think that observing solo is very calming and relaxing.
In the dark, you're usually safer without other people bumping into you & your observing equipment....
I almost always observe alone. No shortage of ideas, mucho shortage of clear sky....
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RonBurgundy
sage
Reged: 06/16/09
Posts: 252
Loc: Philadelphia
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I'm one of those lucky few that actually has a partner interested in my persuits. Thus, I usually observe with her... However, when I observe alone, I don't do anything differently; at least physically, that is. My mindset is a little different, though. I enjoy the occasional night of solo observing, because it allows me to soley contemplate the amazing things I'm seeing. Yes, the distances are incomprehensibly amazing. But, the most amazing thing to me, is the fact that I am truly looking back in time, even for the nearest star observing! What an incredible feeling it is that I truly have a time machine!!! So, bottom line, It's more of a mindset than physical actions.... Great thread by the way.
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Kipp Ginsburg
8" LX200-ACF
Orion 120mm F/5.0 Piggybacked Refractor
Meade UWA Set [4.7mm-30mm]
DSI-II
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Tony Flanders
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/06
Posts: 3457
Loc: Cambridge, MA, USA
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Quote:
what do you do when you observe alone?
Alone is the only kind of observing that I *really* enjoy. Doing it with a club is the worst -- I inevitably spend much of my time on frivolous chit-chat while all the time the sky and the stars are pulling at my heart. What a waste of a clear night!
Observing with one or two people more skilled than I can certainly be educational, but it still shatters the serenity.
Just make sure you leave that radio at home, or all the joys of solitude will be lost. Hearing the night sounds is almost as important as seeing the night sights.
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Tony Flanders
First and foremost observing love: naked eye.
Second, binoculars.
Last but not least, telescopes.
And I sometimes dabble with cameras.
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RonBurgundy
sage
Reged: 06/16/09
Posts: 252
Loc: Philadelphia
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Agreed Tony. Not 100% agreement, but I must say that observing alone in the middle of nowhere is one of the most special opportunities a human being can possibly have. Truly an amazing experience, unparalleled by most everything.
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Kipp Ginsburg
8" LX200-ACF
Orion 120mm F/5.0 Piggybacked Refractor
Meade UWA Set [4.7mm-30mm]
DSI-II
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Ray4852
sage
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 399
Loc: Arcade, NY
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I do most of my observing with my black lab. he keeps an eye open for me if an animal should move in. I have friends and neighbors over once in a while but they don't stay long. my work schedule restricts me to week days only. don't have the time to go to star parties or club activities . I work on weekends.
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Home Built 18 dobsonian
Panoptic 27mm
Tele vue 16mm 9mm naglers
Tele vue big barlow
Telrad and DSC
deepsky and skytools software
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Rat
super member
Reged: 10/13/06
Posts: 145
Loc: USA
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I observe alone only at home. Elsewhere, I try to get others to observe with me.
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RussL
Music Maker
Reged: 03/18/08
Posts: 1925
Loc: Cayce, SC
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For fifty years 90% of my observing has been alone. Just no one who wants to look with me, usually. Well, except the cat and dog. That's ok, though, I have a great time at it anyway. Actually, I get more done alone, not having to talk to anyone. Something new for me recently, in the past year-and-a-half, is doing what I'm doing right now--talking online about it. That has proved to be a wonderful thing for me. And thanks for listening.
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--Dawg, the Russell
"Akita mani yo." Observe everything as you walk. (--Lakota)
Celestron Celestar 8 Standard SCT, f10
Celestron 80mm Wide View ref., f5
Orion 120ST ref., f5
Criterion RV-6 Dynascope, Newt., f8, (c. 1962)
Sears Discoverer 60mm ref., f7, (c. 1973)
Celestron Ultima DX 10x50, 6.5 TFOV
Tasco 7x35 wide
Several mediocre eyepieces
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toastmaster425
member
Reged: 09/22/09
Posts: 63
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interesting, everyone, very interesting!maybe i wont be bringing my radio out after all, and see if i can still take in some of the sounds you speak of!
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i'm new at this.
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starrancher
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/09
Posts: 580
Loc: Northern Arizona
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Well , ...a little "Pink Floyd " "Dark Side Of The Moon" at a very low volume isn't gonna kill ya .
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LXD75 AR5
LXD75 SN8
Series 4000 Plossls
Misc. other stuff
Fort Rock , Az .
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mich_al
super member
Reged: 05/10/09
Posts: 123
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I like a little music in the background too, there is a local jazz station that has a Cuban program 7-9 followed by a Brazlia program 9-11 Saturdays. That and clear skies is pretty near heaven. Other times it usually classical. None so loud I can't hear everything going on around me. Last night the coyotes off in the distance where amazing. I heard a neigbors dog bark like crazy about a quarte mile away. Then 30 seconds later the coyotes
starterd howling, different groups spaced apart, hundreds af yards apart for a few minutes. Definitely showing a large presence. I didn't hear the dog again, don't know if the owner brought it inside or if he just thought better & STFU.
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joelimite
sage
Reged: 09/01/08
Posts: 234
Loc: Fayetteville, AR
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I do most of my observing alone, except when I can occasionally coax my girlfriend out back to take a quick peek. Her and I go out to dark sites together, but she's less likely to sit out in the backyard with me, especially when it's cold.
I actually enjoy observing alone though, mainly because I can look at whatever I want, for as long as I want. I do enjoy introducing friends and family to astronomy, but find the hobby a lot more peaceful and rewarding by myself.
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Orion XT8 Dob w/ Moonlite 2-speed Crayford focuser, Vixen A80MF w/ GSO 2-speed Crayford and Porta Mount
32mm Televue Plossl, 31mm Hyperion Aspheric, 24mm Meade SWA, 17,13,8mm Hyperions, 6,5,4mm TMB Planetary, 5mm Baader Genuine Ortho
Garrett Optical 20x80 UL Binoculars, Nikon Action Extreme 10x50 Binoculars
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Bob Griffiths
Postmaster
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 6559
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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I am used to observing alone...and to be honest I much prefer to do it solo... Its all relaxation for me...
When I do star Parties or Outreach events I admit I enjoy myself BUT those are more social events for me.
As for music...LOL
I do most of my observing inside my backyard observatory and I have a multi-disk CD player running all the time...
Bob G.
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
Gerbring Heated Motorcycle clothing in the winter
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
The sky over my head....
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Cygnus_x1
Sketcher Extraordinaire
Reged: 11/17/04
Posts: 2385
Loc: 50N - too far north!
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I observe alone, unless I go to a star party or club observing session. I observe alone in the backyard but I wouldn't observe alone 'out and about', for obvious reasons.
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Visual Deep Sky Observing - being rebuilt
Observing blog
My astronomy event photos on Flickr
12 inch Dob
8 inch Celestron C8 Newtonian
4 inch Meade SCT
8x42 Leica binoculars
Various TeleVue eyepieces
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joelimite
sage
Reged: 09/01/08
Posts: 234
Loc: Fayetteville, AR
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I love music when I observed too, although sometimes I'll sit outside and just listen to the sounds of nature and the surrounding community. I love how quiet things get in the dead of night after everyone else has gone to bed.
However, when the neighbors are up making a racket, which happens a lot in a college town during the summer, an iPod can be your friend 
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Orion XT8 Dob w/ Moonlite 2-speed Crayford focuser, Vixen A80MF w/ GSO 2-speed Crayford and Porta Mount
32mm Televue Plossl, 31mm Hyperion Aspheric, 24mm Meade SWA, 17,13,8mm Hyperions, 6,5,4mm TMB Planetary, 5mm Baader Genuine Ortho
Garrett Optical 20x80 UL Binoculars, Nikon Action Extreme 10x50 Binoculars
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ebusinesstutor
sage
Reged: 07/01/09
Posts: 459
Loc: Nanaimo, BC, Canada
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My observing is alone so far. I joined my local astronomy group in September and got on the list for the dark site observing group, but so far, they haven't contacted me. Perhaps as it is cloudy now at new moon time.
I took my sons out (they are in their 20's) and they were mildly interested, but not enough to take up the hobby.
One of my good friends is into astronomy, but lives 3 provinces over. Too far away for regular sessions, but I hope to visit him next summer.
It would be nice to have a local observing partner now and then to look through other telescopes and to share the experience. Maybe I will connect with another local stargazer as I go out to more of the local group's sessions.
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Garland Coulson
Orion XT8i Dob & Celestron 80 ED on a Vixen Porta Mount Mini
Baader Hyperion 8-24mm Click Zoom & Siebert Observatory 36mm
Siebert Black Knight Binoviewers
SkyWatcher Observing Chair
Celestron Skymaster 15x70mm binos
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Bill Weir
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 1297
Loc: Metchosin (Victoria), Canada
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Probably 99% if not more of my observing is done alone. Even when I do get together with some observing buddies hours may pass without a word being said. We actually like to observe. Men, together and silent is the ultimate in male bonding.
Star parties are totally that, parties. They are for getting together with people I might only see once a year and discuss and maybe show the new objects that we might have observed recently.
When I'm out observing I usually listen to the radio tuned to late night talk. I live in the forest and the observatory down the road is also in this same forest. Cougars and bears frequent the area. A silent hunched over silhouette in the dark looks like prey. I know of someone who was actually confronted and cornered by a cougar at the observatory. Interestingly enough he doesn't go there any more. Preditors around here like to avoid humans, so these voices in the dark I believe might keep them away.
Bill
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6'' Orion SkyQuest
12.5'' f/5 Custom Truss Dob
William Optics 80mm ZenithStar ED II
f/5 25" newtonian on a giant GEM, any time I want
Observing sessions grand total for 2008, 121.
So far in 2009, 92
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Cygnus_x1
Sketcher Extraordinaire
Reged: 11/17/04
Posts: 2385
Loc: 50N - too far north!
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Quote:
I love music when I observed too, although sometimes I'll sit outside and just listen to the sounds of nature and the surrounding community. I love how quiet things get in the dead of night after everyone else has gone to bed.
However, when the neighbors are up making a racket, which happens a lot in a college town during the summer, an iPod can be your friend
Yep, I also prefer the night sounds to music, but like you I get the iPod out if there's a nearby music concert or the rare occasions where noise drifts over from houses over the way.
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Visual Deep Sky Observing - being rebuilt
Observing blog
My astronomy event photos on Flickr
12 inch Dob
8 inch Celestron C8 Newtonian
4 inch Meade SCT
8x42 Leica binoculars
Various TeleVue eyepieces
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mich_al
super member
Reged: 05/10/09
Posts: 123
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Quote:
I observe alone, unless I go to a star party or club observing session. I observe alone in the backyard but I wouldn't observe alone 'out and about', for obvious reasons.
I'm seeing this concern for being out alone alot in these comments and it surprises me. Is the concern about animals or other people or what ? I think my biggest worry is surprizing a skunk.
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starrancher
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/09
Posts: 580
Loc: Northern Arizona
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Quote:
Quote:
I observe alone, unless I go to a star party or club observing session. I observe alone in the backyard but I wouldn't observe alone 'out and about', for obvious reasons.
I'm seeing this concern for being out alone alot in these comments and it surprises me. Is the concern about animals or other people or what ? I think my biggest worry is surprizing a skunk.
My ,main concern is bad people as in this day & age I think they out number the animals that one may need to worry about
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LXD75 AR5
LXD75 SN8
Series 4000 Plossls
Misc. other stuff
Fort Rock , Az .
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Matthew Ota
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/30/05
Posts: 1095
Loc: New England
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I once set up all of my equipment alone in the middle of a large dry lakebed in California. It felt kind of strange as I had a computer running and was taking images out in the middle of nowhere!
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Matthew Ota
Meade LX250GPS 10 inch SCT (Frankenscope)
Orion ED 80
ETX-90 OTA
Coronado Helios 1 H-alpha
TheSky 6 Pro
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Nebulocity
super member
Reged: 09/22/09
Posts: 107
Loc: Northwest Florida, USA
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I observe alone in my back yard, but still bring my dog outside with me and feed her treats every now and then. I'm afraid of the dark, at 28 years old 
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- Celestron NexStar 8 SE 8” go-to SCT
- NexImage Solar System Imager
- Celestron 5x 1.25" Plössl EP set, 2x Barlow, 7x 1.25" filter set
- Celestron AC Adapter
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Cygnus_x1
Sketcher Extraordinaire
Reged: 11/17/04
Posts: 2385
Loc: 50N - too far north!
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Quote:
I observe alone in my back yard, but still bring my dog outside with me and feed her treats every now and then. I'm afraid of the dark, at 28 years old
The dark is your friend. 
But so is a dog and they are good companions. Mine comes out with me although she quickly gets bored and goes and curls up in the kitchen.
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Visual Deep Sky Observing - being rebuilt
Observing blog
My astronomy event photos on Flickr
12 inch Dob
8 inch Celestron C8 Newtonian
4 inch Meade SCT
8x42 Leica binoculars
Various TeleVue eyepieces
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flyfisherman
member
Reged: 08/11/09
Posts: 26
Loc: nevada,usa
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been at this about 2 years. the first year it was just me and my 2 dogs. then about a year ago met a guy who had just moved here with a 12 inch hardin. his wife won't let him out all the time, but now about 60% of the time i have a partner. he's been at it for over 30 years and has taught me a lot. not afraid of the dark, but i always carry my sig saur on my hip as there are some real wackos out here in the desert.
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Jack Tripper
sage
Reged: 05/10/09
Posts: 339
Loc: Canada
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Incredible thread.
I observe alone almost always, both in the backyard and in a couple of dark sites. Pretty scary at the dark sites, as I am not too aware of my surroundings while looking through the EP. But it's the only way to see deep-sky targets and have a little quiet solitude.
Statistically speaking however, I am reasonably certain that the drive to and from the dark-site poses a much greater risk to my health/life than just being alone at the dark site. Still kind of scary, and it does take away from the tranquility a touch. A quiet, yet alert dog sounds like the best of all worlds. Wish I had one!
Thanks everyone, for putting words to some of my feelings. Great replies from everybody. I think I will go reread it again right now.
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Celestron CPC 1100
Denkmeier S2 Power Filter Switch Diagonal (.66x Reducer, 2x Barlow)
Ethos 17mm, Baader Scopos 30mm
Lunt 60mm Hydrogen-Alpha Solar Scope, Lunt Zoom
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Jack Tripper
sage
Reged: 05/10/09
Posts: 339
Loc: Canada
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Quote:
...since it is the closest blue zone place from where I live. It was a 17 mile drive.
17 miles? I gotta travel 170 miles!!! MUST BE NICE!!!
Quote:
Alone is the only kind of observing that I *really* enjoy. Doing it with a club is the worst -- I inevitably spend much of my time on frivolous chit-chat while all the time the sky and the stars are pulling at my heart. What a waste of a clear night!
Very well put.
Quote:
Even when I do get together with some observing buddies hours may pass without a word being said. We actually like to observe.
Now that's what I call friends!
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Celestron CPC 1100
Denkmeier S2 Power Filter Switch Diagonal (.66x Reducer, 2x Barlow)
Ethos 17mm, Baader Scopos 30mm
Lunt 60mm Hydrogen-Alpha Solar Scope, Lunt Zoom
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Ray4852
sage
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 399
Loc: Arcade, NY
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if you don't have a dog get one. I love having mine with me. he watches and listens. when I here him crawling I know he sees something. most of the time in my area its a deer moving in to get a meal at the bird feeders. hes already got into a skunk. I hear coyotes all the time and I know they are watching me close by standing by a tree. the best way to keep animals away is don't eat sweats.
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Home Built 18 dobsonian
Panoptic 27mm
Tele vue 16mm 9mm naglers
Tele vue big barlow
Telrad and DSC
deepsky and skytools software
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JayinUT
I'm not Sleepy
Reged: 09/19/08
Posts: 940
Loc: Utah
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The vast majority of my observing is alone. Last night I was in a blue zone 40 minutes from home, and the sky was just incredible. I set up and then as darkness came on I just glared at an incredible view of the Milky Way stretching from Sagittarius all the way over to Cassiopeia. No twinkling in the stars until after 12:00a.m. I felt such a peace and such a calm and I think that is what I love about observing, the peace that comes with it. I can get that alone or with others around if they are also busy with the task of observing.
Having said that, I enjoy having others nearby. It is fun to get confirmation of objects, and comforting to have another human being nearby. I often feel sorry though as I either have a list I'm working or a page from a Star Atlas that am working so I am not a great conversationalist. It's the one of the few times that I am quiet. I also like someone nearby for safety, but not from people. I have little fear of that. Animals, no, as the only thing really I hear are coyotes (they were my companions last night). If one gets to close and I am alone I clap, shout and start talking or singing. The coyote last night that got close took off when I started singing, smart one that coyote was. The safety I'm talking about is a breakdown in the car, a health emergency, etc.
My favorite, is observing with my son who is 15. He goes out about once a month with me and for that night, my plans are secondary to his. I usually get a couple of items, but often as I am looking I am also stopping and observing him out of my eye. He's learned that my 44 year old eyes won't compete with his 15 year old eyes so often we observe the same object and write down the detail we see and then he rubs in the fact that he sees more. Then I usually have a race for 3 to 5 objects with quick observations and he hasn't beat on that YET. Soon he will. This most important thing here is we are sharing time together and he usually ends up talking and I end up listening. Nothing warms my heart or soul more than to have him open up and talk about his stuff. I guess its like when we fish, or others may hunt, or golf (we do that also) or whatever. We share an interest in something, and more importantly, we share an interest in each other. In the winter my daughter will come out as her favorite objects are out and she'll use a XT6 or 8 to view and then she just opens up. That is magical. In the end, that is what observing is to me, about making personal inward connections, be that with myself, alone, with friends, or with my loved ones.
Have you ever considered that though there are many open and globular clusters, nebula, planetary nebula, galaxies etc. that though some my share characteristics, they are not alike? They are individualistic (to me they are), much like we are. It confirms to me that nature and the universe in general likes variety and in a weird way that is comforting. I've also realized that as in my observations of DSO's, that though I know people are each different, do I look at those differences in detail and relish and cherish them? I should, and it is this type of reflection that can come to me whether I observe alone or with others.
So in the end, whether alone or with others, I have and will continue to observe, honing and developing skills, and enjoying what I am seeing. Equally important I will reflect and make personal meaning from my experiences that is separate from the astronomical learning I experience. For me, that is what is so much fun from this hobby, and from life in general. Humans making personal connections to the universe that they have their existence in. Clear Skies to all, and to all a wonderful observing night!
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Jay in Utah
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Location: Lat: 40.514N Long: -112.032W
Mortal as I am, I know that I am born for a day. But when I follow at my pleasure the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the earth.
— Ptolemy, c.150 AD
My Blog
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94bamf
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/15/08
Posts: 705
Loc: Kansas City,Mo
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I observe alone 80 percent of the time, occasionally I get my dad to go along. I throughly enjoy being alone out in the middle of nowhere. I always go armed, for numerious reasons, but never had a problem and don't anticipate having one either.. There is something pretty neat about being the only human being in an area for a mile(s)..
Ken
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Telescopes:
Celestron C6 SCT on CG4 mount
Skywatcher 8 inch F/5 Newt on a GEM
Celestron 8 inch Starhopper Dob
Celestron Oynx 80ED
Celestron C130 Mak
Celestron C102HD
Binoculars:
Nikon 7x35 Action
Nikon 7x50 Action
Zen Ray Summit 10x42
Celestron 10x42 Noble
Orion 10x50 Scenix
Celestron 10x50 Noble
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II
Celestron 15x70 Skymaster
Oberwerk 20x60
Zhumell 20x80
Edited by 94bamf (10/17/09 06:05 PM)
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Tim L
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/17/08
Posts: 556
Loc: Austin, TX
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Quote:
Who does it? What do you do when you do it?
Tomorrow looks like its gonna be my first observing session with my newer scope, and my old meteor-watching partner in crime is out of town so itll be me, myself, and i tomorrow night out in the backyard. im thinking ill bring a radio, my laptop, and some coffee!
what do you do when you observe alone?
You mean some of you observe with OTHERS???
Seriously, I wouldn't mind getting together with someone else occasionally, but since most of my viewing is done from home, my first question if I weren't alone would be: "WHAT are you doing in my yard?!?"
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Tim
Zhumell Z10 dob
Meade 60mm refractor
Zhumell 1.25" eyepiece and filter kit
Zhumell sky-glow, UHC, and OIII filters
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94bamf
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/15/08
Posts: 705
Loc: Kansas City,Mo
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This thread certainly makes one sad truth obvious. People who go out and enjoy the night sky are a miniscule minority of the population..
Ken
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Telescopes:
Celestron C6 SCT on CG4 mount
Skywatcher 8 inch F/5 Newt on a GEM
Celestron 8 inch Starhopper Dob
Celestron Oynx 80ED
Celestron C130 Mak
Celestron C102HD
Binoculars:
Nikon 7x35 Action
Nikon 7x50 Action
Zen Ray Summit 10x42
Celestron 10x42 Noble
Orion 10x50 Scenix
Celestron 10x50 Noble
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II
Celestron 15x70 Skymaster
Oberwerk 20x60
Zhumell 20x80
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Jack Tripper
sage
Reged: 05/10/09
Posts: 339
Loc: Canada
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Quote:
This thread certainly makes one sad truth obvious. People who go out and enjoy the night sky are a miniscule minority of the population..
Ken
Hi again Ken! I am getting the exact opposite from this thread. There are actually more people observing alone than I realized...I thought I may have been the only one!
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Celestron CPC 1100
Denkmeier S2 Power Filter Switch Diagonal (.66x Reducer, 2x Barlow)
Ethos 17mm, Baader Scopos 30mm
Lunt 60mm Hydrogen-Alpha Solar Scope, Lunt Zoom
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Tim L
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/17/08
Posts: 556
Loc: Austin, TX
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If you have a binoviewer and don't mind getting REALLY close, you could even try observing through the same scope at the same time!
...or not. 
Seriously, it helps if the observing buddy also has a scope--more time at the eyepiece for all!
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Tim
Zhumell Z10 dob
Meade 60mm refractor
Zhumell 1.25" eyepiece and filter kit
Zhumell sky-glow, UHC, and OIII filters
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GUNER
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/19/04
Posts: 1612
Loc: Bedminster,NJ USA
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Quote:
... So until I find the "Astronomer Match.com" website , I guess it's coffee & cigs .
Oh ! Chocolate too !
All you lonely astronomers just sign up here:
http://www.scopebuddies.com/
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Thomas
17mm ETHOS NEAF Door Prize
THANK-YOU TELEVUE!!!!
12" SuperCharged LX-200 GPS
TAK SKY 90 on a Vixen Skypod
Stacked GOLD!PST/EXT-70AT/DSX-125
Infinity 2-1 CCD Camera with Lucam Recorder
Custom Scientific 1.25" LRGB filters
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Jack Tripper
sage
Reged: 05/10/09
Posts: 339
Loc: Canada
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Quote:
All you lonely astronomers just sign up here:
[http://www.scopebuddies.com
Lonely? I prefer to observe alone!
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Celestron CPC 1100
Denkmeier S2 Power Filter Switch Diagonal (.66x Reducer, 2x Barlow)
Ethos 17mm, Baader Scopos 30mm
Lunt 60mm Hydrogen-Alpha Solar Scope, Lunt Zoom
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Nebulocity
super member
Reged: 09/22/09
Posts: 107
Loc: Northwest Florida, USA
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I would observe alone, but I've always been paranoid about things I can't see...I hate it, but It's just this "twitch" that's there. I guess I'm afraid of the dark, or the creepy crawlies, or whatever ;p
Being new to the northwestern area of Florida, I don't know of any dark sites near my place. My wife seems to be interested, however we have a 3 year old and a 1 year old, and I don't think the 18 year old babysitter is going to want to drive an hour to my place, just to sleep over, when i know she can be hanging out there with her friends...just so some nerd can look at the stars!
Maybe i should buy a really long rope, find a dark site, and bring my dog...
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- Celestron NexStar 8 SE 8” go-to SCT
- NexImage Solar System Imager
- Celestron 5x 1.25" Plössl EP set, 2x Barlow, 7x 1.25" filter set
- Celestron AC Adapter
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Nebulocity
super member
Reged: 09/22/09
Posts: 107
Loc: Northwest Florida, USA
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Quote:
We need to start a " Lonely Observers Club Band " . Sgt. Peppers .
My once observing partner seems to not have the ambition to do dark site trips anymore . I want to go at least once a month , but he can't be talked into it anymore than about twice a year . (terrible) . I told him he just needs to sell his stuff . He thinks he's an amateur astronomer . Yeah right !
I end up going it alone half the time although I really don't like it . Safety issues can come into play , but mostly , not having the enthusiasm of another astronomer kind of stinks . So until I find the "Astronomer Match.com" website , I guess it's coffee & cigs .
Oh ! Chocolate too !
That sparked my interest (as i'm a web designer by hobby). They have Scope Buddies, but if anyone here wanted to make one dedicated to finding a partner (which is what i thought scopebuddies was for), i wouldn't mind putting in the time to get everything set up with a system to do things with...it's what i do during the day ;p
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- Celestron NexStar 8 SE 8” go-to SCT
- NexImage Solar System Imager
- Celestron 5x 1.25" Plössl EP set, 2x Barlow, 7x 1.25" filter set
- Celestron AC Adapter
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Nebulocity
super member
Reged: 09/22/09
Posts: 107
Loc: Northwest Florida, USA
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Quote:
Incredible thread.
I observe alone almost always, both in the backyard and in a couple of dark sites. Pretty scary at the dark sites, as I am not too aware of my surroundings while looking through the EP. But it's the only way to see deep-sky targets and have a little quiet solitude.
Statistically speaking however, I am reasonably certain that the drive to and from the dark-site poses a much greater risk to my health/life than just being alone at the dark site. Still kind of scary, and it does take away from the tranquility a touch. A quiet, yet alert dog sounds like the best of all worlds. Wish I had one!
Thanks everyone, for putting words to some of my feelings. Great replies from everybody. I think I will go reread it again right now.
I think what i'm going to do, until i find a partner (there's lots of "gangs" near the dark places that i know of...might just wrap some black cord/cable around the perimeter about shin-height and keep Kira (my dog) near. If we hear a thump, off goes the throwing knife into the night!
@Guner:
Ooops, looks like i didn't have the "show all" defaulted on this page and didn't see the post where you mentioned SB. The only thing about Scope Buddies, is that not everyone who's registered is interested. The guy who lives within 30-45 minutes from me hasn't responded yet and it's been a few days. Oh well, i'm about to go outside and catch some Jupiter ;p
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- Celestron NexStar 8 SE 8” go-to SCT
- NexImage Solar System Imager
- Celestron 5x 1.25" Plössl EP set, 2x Barlow, 7x 1.25" filter set
- Celestron AC Adapter
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csa/montana
Wild Spirit
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 40160
Loc: montana
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All my observing is done alone, in my observatory. I don't want music, as I do so enjoy the night sounds, coyotes, loons, owls. Also I want to keep it quiet, in case a larger animal is around, so I'm aware.
There's nothing like it to view the endless sky; and not to hear a human sound of any kind; that's my type of observing!
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Pentaxes; 5XW, 7XL, 10XW.
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
TV Panoptics; 22, 35
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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7331Peg
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/01/08
Posts: 718
Loc: North coast of Oregon
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Quote:
All my observing is done alone, in my observatory. I don't want music, as I do so enjoy the night sounds, coyotes, loons, owls. Also I want to keep it quiet, in case a larger animal is around, so I'm aware.
There's nothing like it to view the endless sky; and not to hear a human sound of any kind; that's my type of observing!
There just is nothing better ...............
John
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Ptarmigan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/23/04
Posts: 2351
Loc: Arctic
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I observe alone and I enjoy it. 
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Ptarmigans=Cute and Cuddly
Meade Starfinder 8
Nikon 10x50
Rebel XT
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panhard
Mongo
Reged: 01/20/08
Posts: 5191
Loc: Markham Ontario Canada
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Quote:
I observe alone and I enjoy it.
Don't your Ptarmigan buddies sit nearby & listen to your oohs & awws.
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FirstSight
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/26/05
Posts: 3874
Loc: Raleigh, NC
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Quote:
All my observing is done alone, in my observatory. I don't want music, as I do so enjoy the night sounds, coyotes, loons, owls. Also I want to keep it quiet, in case a larger animal is around, so I'm aware.
There's nothing like it to view the endless sky; and not to hear a human sound of any kind; that's my type of observing!
YES INDEED! As someone who enjoys listening to a great variety of music in other contexts, astronomy is decisively NOT among those contexts. The natural "music of the night" is the best, and indeed only background music that's compatibly enjoyable with observing to me and quite a substantial number of other folks, whether observing solo or else at some sort of gathering with fellow observers. If you're the type of person who does enjoy listening to "Pink Floyd" or whatever while observing, it would be good to keep this fact in mind, and take advantage of iPods equipped with earphones. Else, your enjoyment comes at the expense of a quite detracting imposition on many others for whom the appropriate context for appreciating the stars and universe is crickets, coyotes, wind, and sometimes...silence.
EVEN IN a suburban rather than isolated rural setting, this is true. Last night I took advantage of the fact that skies abruptly cleared around 1am (dog had awakened me needing to go out)...to enjoy an impromptieu observing session. Despite the upper-40s chill, the crickets were making some enjoyable music, albeit weaker that had the temp been mid-60-ish. Nevertheless, the most notable night-sound I would have missed had I been wrapped up listening to music on iPod headphones was the two deer, an immense buck and a doe, who went crashing through the shrubbery of the yard immediately across the street from me, alerting me in time to get a nice, albeit brief sight of both of them before they retreated back to wherever it is deer go to in order to keep themselves discreetly sheltered from humans and our pets. Great night music indeed.
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Chris M., aka "First Sight"
Orion XT12i Dob with Moonlite CR-2 focuser
WO Megrez 90 refractor on UniStar Light mount
Nikon 10x50 Binoculars
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mich_al
super member
Reged: 05/10/09
Posts: 123
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Lonely ? Alone does not equal lonely ! Everyone doesn't need constant accompanyment. I much prefer to be alone when observing. If I'm not alone I don't observe.
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Old Rookie
member
Reged: 09/05/08
Posts: 41
Loc: Mansfield, Ohio
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30 years ago I started bass fishing at night. I found that I enjoyed the solace, peace and quiet that night time brings. I find astronomy to be similar.
Probably 50% of the time I observe with a friend and I enjoy his company. He is more of a serious amateur than I. When we do observe together, neither of us seldom speaks unless an unusual object comes up and we share it with the other. Most discussion takes place during the breaks.
When I observe alone, it's just my thoughts, the stars and the overwhelming vastness of the universe. Alone? I think not. This is the time to enjoy God's handiwork and to contemplate the majesty of His work. This is my quiet time. No noise, cars, people, problem, etc. Alone? No, not at all!
John
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John
What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger!
Skywatcher 12" Dob - Manual Setting Circles
Richland Astronomical Society
Club Telescope: 31" f/7
Club Telescope: 16" Lightbridge
MegaStar 5
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revans
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 1514
Loc: Fitchburg, MA
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Hmmm... I put some music on in the hope that it will keep unwanted animals away... but in truth it doesn't seem to. My nightly visitors are a family of skunks that have no fear of me or my music at all and pretend that I'm not even there. It is a little un-nerving to hear and see the lot of them rustling about all around me. So, I never feel quite alone... but wish I was It is a little hard to maximally contemplate Gods glory when surrounded by a family of four or more frisky skunks that think nothing of walking right under the tripod legs of my scope with me sitting only a couple of feet away... but they exhibit no hostile intent and I've never been sprayed. I just leave them alone... and they mostly leave me alone.
Not sure why they don't seem to mind my presence and come so very close at least one or twice each night lately. Some time ago we rescued one of them from the swimming pool with a net on a pole. Didn't get sprayed at the time and since then the family of them seems to have no fear of me at all. But I'd really prefer not to have them scampering around in the dark and digging in the lawn for grubs... at least when I'm out with the scope trying to image.
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Rick Evans
http://www.freewebs.com/revans_01420/
"The universe is there for us to see, but it cannot be understood without learning its language -- mathematics." Galileo Galilei
Edited by revans (10/18/09 03:17 PM)
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Bill Weir
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 1297
Loc: Metchosin (Victoria), Canada
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Quote:
Hmmm... I put some music on in the hope that it will keep unwanted animals away... but in truth it doesn't seem to. My nightly visitors are a family of skunks that have no fear of me or my music at all and pretend that I'm not even there. It is a little un-nerving to hear and see the lot of them rustling about all around me. So, I never feel quite alone... but wish I was It is a little hard to maximally contemplate Gods glory when surrounded by a family of four or more frisky skunks that think nothing of walking right under the tripod legs of my scope with me sitting only a couple of feet away... but they exhibit no hostile intent and I've never been sprayed. I just leave them alone... and they mostly leave me alone.
Not sure why they don't seem to mind my presence and come so very close at least one or twice each night lately. Some time ago we rescued one of them from the swimming pool with a net on a pole. Didn't get sprayed at the time and since then the family of them seems to have no fear of me at all. But I'd really prefer not to have them scampering around in the dark and digging in the lawn for grubs... at least when I'm out with the scope trying to image.
But why wouldn't you want another sentient being of another species co-mingling with you? Especially seeing as you both might be fearful of the other. Then add into the mix your story of having rescued one of them. If anything I see this as good an example of your so called " maximally contemplate Gods glory" as anything.
Once I had a bear the size of a large dog, climb over my fence, run across the yard not 10' from me then scale a tree not 50' from where I was observing. He stayed up that tree the whole time I was out.
Cougars at the observatory, Bears in my yard. Deer and racoons everywhere. Dude, you can keep your skunks, I'd rather have my critters.
Bill
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6'' Orion SkyQuest
12.5'' f/5 Custom Truss Dob
William Optics 80mm ZenithStar ED II
f/5 25" newtonian on a giant GEM, any time I want
Observing sessions grand total for 2008, 121.
So far in 2009, 92
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revans
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 1514
Loc: Fitchburg, MA
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I'll take a skunk over a bear I think... or a cougar. I've got plenty of skunks and an oppossum or two and rarely a raccoon. The skunks have been long time residents of my yard for many years. Some time ago we had let the water out of the pool except for a couple of inches at the bottom. Found a young probably adolescent skunk had ripped a hole in the plastic liner to get away from the small amount of water at the bottom of the pool, which was cold.... but it wasn't able to scale the side of the pool to get out. We took a chance and rescued it and I think now it is one of the parents of the family that we see in the yard nearly every night. They go off to forage far away, but always return and we see them again at just before dawn, digging for grubs in the lawn. For wild animals, they can act almost as tame as cats and just aren't afraid of anything. If you corner or annoy them, they will stamp their feet... and then watch out for a spray...
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Rick Evans
http://www.freewebs.com/revans_01420/
"The universe is there for us to see, but it cannot be understood without learning its language -- mathematics." Galileo Galilei
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Ptarmigan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/23/04
Posts: 2351
Loc: Arctic
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Quote:
Don't your Ptarmigan buddies sit nearby & listen to your oohs & awws.
Yes, my ptarmigan buddies like to sit and listen to my oohs and awws. They also like my telescope as well.
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Ptarmigans=Cute and Cuddly
Meade Starfinder 8
Nikon 10x50
Rebel XT
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Tony Flanders
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/06
Posts: 3457
Loc: Cambridge, MA, USA
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Quote:
Not sure why they don't seem to mind my presence ...
Animals with potent defensive armaments, including skunks and porcupines, tend not to be afraid of much of anything. In this case, it's just as well, because the fact that the skunks are used to you reduces the already miniscule chance of getting spraid to essentially zero.
The only real problem with skunks is if you also have dogs. Dogs and skunks is a very bad combination.
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Tony Flanders
First and foremost observing love: naked eye.
Second, binoculars.
Last but not least, telescopes.
And I sometimes dabble with cameras.
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starrancher
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/09
Posts: 580
Loc: Northern Arizona
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Quote:
Hmmm... I put some music on in the hope that it will keep unwanted animals away... but in truth it doesn't seem to. My nightly visitors are a family of skunks that have no fear of me or my music at all and pretend that I'm not even there. It is a little un-nerving to hear and see the lot of them rustling about all around me. So, I never feel quite alone... but wish I was It is a little hard to maximally contemplate Gods glory when surrounded by a family of four or more frisky skunks that think nothing of walking right under the tripod legs of my scope with me sitting only a couple of feet away... but they exhibit no hostile intent and I've never been sprayed. I just leave them alone... and they mostly leave me alone.
Not sure why they don't seem to mind my presence and come so very close at least one or twice each night lately. Some time ago we rescued one of them from the swimming pool with a net on a pole. Didn't get sprayed at the time and since then the family of them seems to have no fear of me at all. But I'd really prefer not to have them scampering around in the dark and digging in the lawn for grubs... at least when I'm out with the scope trying to image.
I've never really been bothered by animals coming around while viewing . I think that due to the fact that the LXD75 sounds like a freaking coffee grinder going off when it slews scares the holy cheese out of them & they take off like a bat out of hyades !
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LXD75 AR5
LXD75 SN8
Series 4000 Plossls
Misc. other stuff
Fort Rock , Az .
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revans
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 1514
Loc: Fitchburg, MA
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I don't like the skunks getting too close... I was thinking of maybe getting five or six marble bags and filling them with moth balls and putting them strategically around me at about 15 feet away... hoping to deal with one smell by using another... Not sure it would work though... music definitely doesn't work.... neither does my mosquito spray and neither do the anti-mouse ultrasound devices I keep in the nearby roll-out observatory. Neither does shining a flashlight at them, saying "pssshhhttt", or clapping my hands loudly.
I guess the main danger though of observing at night is still mosquitos, but now that we've had the first hard frost I hope I won't deal with them again until next year. All summer they seemed to come in two waves... twilight and midnight with no activity in-between.
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Rick Evans
http://www.freewebs.com/revans_01420/
"The universe is there for us to see, but it cannot be understood without learning its language -- mathematics." Galileo Galilei
Edited by revans (10/18/09 06:25 PM)
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b1gred
Enginerd
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 15711
Loc: Castle Rock, CO 6677' MSL
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I DETEST being alone. It's not that I'm afraid, I just don't like being alone. I used to travel a lot, being alone in a restaurant, or driving in a rental car, or doing anything alone is the most depressing thing I can think of. The ONLY way I'll observe alone is from my back deck, and then only on very rare occurances.
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"Dark Skies & Great Viewing"
RandyR / W0RDR
GPS 9.25 XLT/Sky Align /FeatherTouch
TV85 w/FeatherTouch
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Ray4852
sage
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 399
Loc: Arcade, NY
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skunks are harmless. I have come close to stepping on them already. as long as there tail stays down your OK. if that tail goes up you better head for cover. my black lab got hold of one already. who do you think won the battle. I was washing him for a week.
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Home Built 18 dobsonian
Panoptic 27mm
Tele vue 16mm 9mm naglers
Tele vue big barlow
Telrad and DSC
deepsky and skytools software
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Dain
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/24/05
Posts: 1596
Loc: N.Y. Adirondack Mnts. NGC 4565...
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I like to observe alone but its nice to get together with the astronomy club once in awhile to chit-chat and learn of others experiences. Its refreshing after several outtings by myself.
Whats REALLY great is when my kids actually ask me if they can go out with me and look through the scope. Thats great. My daughter was shocking me last time we were out..she brought out a pen,pencil and paper and started taking down notes on everything we were observing, including all their names and what constellation they were in. Talk about impressed..and she just turned 10. She said she was gonna show and tell everyone she knew, including her teachers and friends at school. Every time since then she reminds me "...daddy, remember when we were looking at those pretty stars that look like jewels? They're my favorite". We had been looking at Alberio and she just seemed to fall in love with it. It was amazing. So, occasionally I have a little scope partner who seems to be enjoying just as much as I do, or more. Scope coming her way for Christmas.
Clear Skies to All!
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Best,
Dain
Adirondack Mountains (my true dark sky site)
@ Cedar River Flow
Local Site
Clear Skies?
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Nebulocity
super member
Reged: 09/22/09
Posts: 107
Loc: Northwest Florida, USA
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Quote:
I like to observe alone but its nice to get together with the astronomy club once in awhile to chit-chat and learn of others experiences. Its refreshing after several outtings by myself.
Whats REALLY great is when my kids actually ask me if they can go out with me and look through the scope. Thats great. My daughter was shocking me last time we were out..she brought out a pen,pencil and paper and started taking down notes on everything we were observing, including all their names and what constellation they were in. Talk about impressed..and she just turned 10. She said she was gonna show and tell everyone she knew, including her teachers and friends at school. Every time since then she reminds me "...daddy, remember when we were looking at those pretty stars that look like jewels? They're my favorite". We had been looking at Alberio and she just seemed to fall in love with it. It was amazing. So, occasionally I have a little scope partner who seems to be enjoying just as much as I do, or more. Scope coming her way for Christmas.
Clear Skies to All!
Excellent!
My 3 year old (turns 4 in February) might get a G'scope for christmas this year. She always wants to come out and look at Jupiter. I know she doens't udnerstand what a "planet" or "star" is, other than little twinkling lights in the sky...but she's always asking about Jew-pi-ta and it's "tsuki tomodachi" (little kid Japanese for "moon friends"? lol).
Turns out my neighbor (whom i have never met - i moved in a month ago and work all day) was outside showing her daughter the night sky. I had just started pulling the table/chair outside from the garage, and hadn't gotten the 'scope out yet, and i asked what she was looking for. "My favorite star, it's the fuzzy little heart". So i explained what "averted vision" was, and guessed that she was talking about the Pleiades. By the time it came up though, she had already gone to bed (around 9pm or so), but i definitely hope to get my stuff out early to "catch" them with curiosity, so they stay out longer Then i'd have 3 people right next door, and DaveinFL who lives about 5 mins or so away.
Not so alone anymore. Now if i can just stop being afraid of critters in the trees, i won't have to make my dog suffer the cold with me in the back yard! 
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- Celestron NexStar 8 SE 8” go-to SCT
- NexImage Solar System Imager
- Celestron 5x 1.25" Plössl EP set, 2x Barlow, 7x 1.25" filter set
- Celestron AC Adapter
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MrKrink
sage
Reged: 02/20/09
Posts: 225
Loc: NC, USA
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I find myself out mostly alone but my wife occasionaly will come out to hange out. She likes to observe too. I got her hooked on finding satellites, so it is kind of a game for her. Heck, she now has her own laser pointer! We found it easier for the times when she says "hey look!" and I say "where??". She showes me. It works out great.
Most of the time I am in my back yard which is surrounded by woods. You never know what is going to come out so I make it a habit to do a ramdom quick-scan every 15 mins or so with a white light to look for little glowing eyeballs. Had a possum walk right up onme the other night. They like my cats food and the cat will let them eat!!
But them again, my little furry friend is always right there with me or running around playing giving me something to laugh at. She is so cute.
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Stuart McD.
My Sky - Lawndale, NC near(SLAB)
CGEM Mount (Still Looking for OTA)
Nikon D90
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Rick Woods
Postmaster
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 5653
Loc: Inner Solar System
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Quote:
All my observing is done alone, in my observatory. I don't want music, as I do so enjoy the night sounds, coyotes, loons, owls. Also I want to keep it quiet, in case a larger animal is around, so I'm aware.
There's nothing like it to view the endless sky; and not to hear a human sound of any kind; that's my type of observing!
Ditto for me. Astronomy is a very personal pursuit.
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- Rick
14" LX200GPS
Dyslexics Untie!
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Shadowalker
Unpretentious Rocket Scientist
Reged: 11/23/04
Posts: 3509
Loc: Poplarville, MS, USA
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I observe alone pretty much all the time. Occasionaly i can pull the wife out for a quick look at a planet.
Well, I used to have a companion - a bottle of scotch, and sometimes I'd bring a dog with me. Now I leave the scotch alone and bring the dog.
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Tom Nicolaides
http://www.first-light.org
My evil self is at that door, and I have no power to stop it
-- Dr. Edward Morbius
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ensign
member
Reged: 12/16/08
Posts: 38
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Quote:
Quote:
I observe alone, unless I go to a star party or club observing session. I observe alone in the backyard but I wouldn't observe alone 'out and about', for obvious reasons.
I'm seeing this concern for being out alone alot in these comments and it surprises me. Is the concern about animals or other people or what ? I think my biggest worry is surprizing a skunk.
Skunks I can live with. People are another thing entirely. I was observing alone in a remote gravel pit once and could hear yahoos tearing around in a truck in the distance. It was so unnerving that I packed up early. The last thing I want to deal with in the dark is a bunch of drunks partying it up.
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- Mike
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Modified 10" Sky-Watcher Dob
William Optics Megrez 110/EZTouch
Nagler Type 4 - 12,17,22
Pentax XW - 10,7
William Optics UWAN 28
Siebert Observatory class 40
Other assorted items too numerous to mention
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earthbot1
super member
Reged: 08/27/09
Posts: 171
Loc: Central Virginia
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I've never observed with a group, it might be fun with serious observers, but I think I am more at home with the sky and an ocassional cat.
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Nexstar 8
Meade/Celestron EPs
Bushnell 90mm Mak-Cass
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starrancher
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/09
Posts: 580
Loc: Northern Arizona
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Yep ! Animals are not the worry at all . There are bad , bad people out there in this world . The most threatening animal on the planet . 
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LXD75 AR5
LXD75 SN8
Series 4000 Plossls
Misc. other stuff
Fort Rock , Az .
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Jack Tripper
sage
Reged: 05/10/09
Posts: 339
Loc: Canada
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Quote:
There are bad , bad people out there in this world . The most threatening animal on the planet.
It's so unfortunate, but starrancher, you are sooooooo right.
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Celestron CPC 1100
Denkmeier S2 Power Filter Switch Diagonal (.66x Reducer, 2x Barlow)
Ethos 17mm, Baader Scopos 30mm
Lunt 60mm Hydrogen-Alpha Solar Scope, Lunt Zoom
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BarabinoSr
sage
Reged: 11/17/05
Posts: 315
Loc: Slidell La
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I observe alone regularly from my backyard here in Slidell,Louisiana,and have no problems with doing it.I use my 8-inch f/6 Newt most of these sessions and also a 6" f/8 refractor.I like to set both up and use them togather.On occasion I and my protege Mel Dawson of Riverview FL like to have what we call our joint 'observing sessions' where we would have our scopes out at the same time if the weather is good from our locations here in Slidell and Riverview.It is great to have an observing buddy ,but primarily I observe alone and its all good.There are not many public observing spots that I'm aware of in the greater New Orleans Area which includes Slidell but when I go to observe alone at a selected area,I make sure I carry protection.You never know what fool is out there,you have to look out for yourself!!!G
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12"GSO f/5.3" Newtonian Reflector 10" Meade LX-50 Fork Mounted Schmidt-Cassegrain
8" Hardin f/6 Newtonian reflector
6" Konus f/8 Refractor,Yulin 5"f/9 refractor,
4.5"TASCO Luminova f/9 Newtonian Reflector 4.5"TASCO 11TR(Lunagrosso) Red reflector
90mm Meade f/11 refractor,Tasco 10TE 76mm 1200mm f/l Refractor
60mm TASCO 7TE-5 1000mm f/16.7 Refractor 60mm TASCO 9TE 700mm f/l refractor
60mm TASCO 9TE-0 710mm f/l Refractor 50mm-TASCO 6TE-5 600mm f/l Refractor
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MrKrink
sage
Reged: 02/20/09
Posts: 225
Loc: NC, USA
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I had a "herd" of raccoons stalking me last night. Heard something rustling in the woods, shined the light and there were 4 sets of little green, beady eyes staring back at me from about 15 yards away!! Kind of creepy seeing that many sets of eyes in the dark staring at you!!
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Stuart McD.
My Sky - Lawndale, NC near(SLAB)
CGEM Mount (Still Looking for OTA)
Nikon D90
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starrancher
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/09
Posts: 580
Loc: Northern Arizona
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Quote:
I had a "herd" of raccoons stalking me last night. Heard something rustling in the woods, shined the light and there were 4 sets of little green, beady eyes staring back at me from about 15 yards away!! Kind of creepy seeing that many sets of eyes in the dark staring at you!!
Don't tell me that you didn't even offer them a peek in your eyepiece ! ? 
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LXD75 AR5
LXD75 SN8
Series 4000 Plossls
Misc. other stuff
Fort Rock , Az .
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Shadowalker
Unpretentious Rocket Scientist
Reged: 11/23/04
Posts: 3509
Loc: Poplarville, MS, USA
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Quote:
I observe alone regularly from my backyard here in Slidell,Louisiana...
Hi Gary, LTNS. I remember our sessions at UNO with the long 6 inch refractor.
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Tom Nicolaides
http://www.first-light.org
My evil self is at that door, and I have no power to stop it
-- Dr. Edward Morbius
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Tiny
super member
Reged: 05/02/08
Posts: 193
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i have no reservations about observing alone far far beyond my back yard. The news and hollywood has certainly done a good job of scaring people into their homes. Bit of a shame really.
You have a better chance of getting killed during your daily auto travels than you do getting mugged in the middle of nowhere.
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Tony Flanders
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/06
Posts: 3457
Loc: Cambridge, MA, USA
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Quote:
I had a "herd" of raccoons stalking me last night. Heard something rustling in the woods, shined the light and there were 4 sets of little green, beady eyes staring back at me from about 15 yards away!! Kind of creepy seeing that many sets of eyes in the dark staring at you!!
Whenever I hear this kind of story, I think about the time that I was observing the Leonids in Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve in India. A whole row of eyes was looking at my from the edge of the clearing. And for once in my life, I had no desire at all to walk away from the light bulb that made those eyes visible!
Raccoons are one thing; tigers another. Unlike the U.S., where deaths from wild animals are for all practical purposes zero, humans actually *do* get killed by wild animals in India.
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Tony Flanders
First and foremost observing love: naked eye.
Second, binoculars.
Last but not least, telescopes.
And I sometimes dabble with cameras.
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jeff heck
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/16/06
Posts: 517
Loc: stl,mo.
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I always e-mail my club when heading to a dark site but I observe alone most of the time. If the sky is right I MUST go, even in the middle of the week. The last few years I sometimes travel to an old cemetary in Kansas that has fantastic skies. The only time I got spooked there was when I walked thirty yards off to ... and turned around and my white van was gone. Now that's some dark skies.
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"Don't taze me bro!"
XT10 classic
24mmPan
13mmEthos
7mmUWAN
5mmRadian
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dawsonian2000
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/26/06
Posts: 552
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
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Among other things, when I am not performing a joint over-the-phone observing session with Gary Barabino and observing alone, I generally perform optical tests of my eyepieces to determine which ones works best with a given telescope. This way I do not have to guess when it comes time for some serious observing.
Periodically, I too have to deal with a few varmints like Lepus the Hare feeding on my lawn.
Mel
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Clear Skies, Forever!
The Vega Sky Center
10" (254mm) F/5.65 Home Built Fork Mounted Newtonian Reflector
5" (127mm) F/9.4 Home Built Refractor (under construction)
3.5" (90mm) F/11.1 "Vixen-Spec Modified" Konus Refractor
3.1" (80mm) F/6 Scopos ED APO Refractor
4.5" (114mm) F/8 Tasco 11te-5 Newtonian (under restoration)
2.4" (60mm) F/16.7 Tasco 7te-5 Refractor
2.4" (60mm) F/15 Jason Discoverer 313 Refractor
http://www.vega-sky-center.com
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Jack Tripper
sage
Reged: 05/10/09
Posts: 339
Loc: Canada
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I used to think bunnies were cute...
Quote:
The last few years I sometimes travel to an old cemetary in Kansas that has fantastic skies. The only time I got spooked there was when I walked thirty yards off to ... and turned around and my white van was gone. Now that's some dark skies.
A cemetary as an observing site! I don't even know where to begin with that one! All I can say is, you are one brave soul!
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Celestron CPC 1100
Denkmeier S2 Power Filter Switch Diagonal (.66x Reducer, 2x Barlow)
Ethos 17mm, Baader Scopos 30mm
Lunt 60mm Hydrogen-Alpha Solar Scope, Lunt Zoom
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panhard
Mongo
Reged: 01/20/08
Posts: 5191
Loc: Markham Ontario Canada
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Not that one. 
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starsoup
member
Reged: 06/21/08
Posts: 48
Loc: AR
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I am lucky that I can use a dark site where I grew up as a kid...it's a berry farm and very secure and safe, except for the woodland creatures that some time wonder by.
Yeah starranger...a little Pink Floyd, nothing wrong with that!. Black Sabbath's song Planet Caravan to me is the most spacey song I've heard and really sets the cosmic mood.
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Orion Starblast 4.5 EQ
15mm Expanse
6mm Expanse
3x tri-mag Barlow
Orion 80mm Shortscope
Orion 32mm & 20mm plossl
10x50 Binoculars
(Past equipment, 1990's)
Celestar 8
10.1" Coulter Dob
Naglers:
16mm,12mm,9mm,4.8mm
Homemade 16" f/4 Dob.
(First telescope 1975, Jason 70mm..1-EP)
"In the beginning there was nothing.......which exploded!"
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nyc_nurse
sage
Reged: 07/29/09
Posts: 253
Loc: nyc
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I used to surf at midnight with a bunch of friends in pitch darkness and snowboard at night with flashlights. Used to run into bears when hiking out West all the time. Call it youthful ignorance/luck but I made it to my thirties in one piece (well sort of I'm missing a spleen). I have absolutely no problem observing alone at night - what I fear the most out in the woods is dropping an EP to the ground.
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Sam P.
www.agirlandaguy.blogspot.com
Pentax 7X50
TV-102 APO w/ (Starbeam - on backorder )
Ash Gibraltar w/ SkyTour DSC
NZ3-6, N9T6, N13T6
TV 20 Plossl
Pan 24, 35
Pentax XW10, XW14
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starrancher
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/09
Posts: 580
Loc: Northern Arizona
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Wow ! ...Won wicked wookin' wabbit !!!!
Planet Caravan , Hmmm. The memories . That was on Vol. 4 , no ?
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LXD75 AR5
LXD75 SN8
Series 4000 Plossls
Misc. other stuff
Fort Rock , Az .
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starsoup
member
Reged: 06/21/08
Posts: 48
Loc: AR
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That would be from the Paranoid album actually.
Here's the lyric link.
http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/b/black_sabbath/planet_caravan.html
edit: Actually the song you're thinking about on Vol4 is Supernaut..it has some tasty space lyrics as well.
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Orion Starblast 4.5 EQ
15mm Expanse
6mm Expanse
3x tri-mag Barlow
Orion 80mm Shortscope
Orion 32mm & 20mm plossl
10x50 Binoculars
(Past equipment, 1990's)
Celestar 8
10.1" Coulter Dob
Naglers:
16mm,12mm,9mm,4.8mm
Homemade 16" f/4 Dob.
(First telescope 1975, Jason 70mm..1-EP)
"In the beginning there was nothing.......which exploded!"
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b1gred
Enginerd
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 15711
Loc: Castle Rock, CO 6677' MSL
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Maybe it is paranoia. But if it is, it's 'existential paranoia', that irrational fear that everyone's out to get me, when indeed they are.
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"Dark Skies & Great Viewing"
RandyR / W0RDR
GPS 9.25 XLT/Sky Align /FeatherTouch
TV85 w/FeatherTouch
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starrancher
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/09
Posts: 580
Loc: Northern Arizona
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Quote:
That would be from the Paranoid album actually.
Here's the lyric link.
http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/b/black_sabbath/planet_caravan.html
Ya know , I think you're right ! See I'm showin' my age .
I have all those "albums" on vinyl . But as they say , "if you can remember that time frame , you weren't really there"
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LXD75 AR5
LXD75 SN8
Series 4000 Plossls
Misc. other stuff
Fort Rock , Az .
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b1gred
Enginerd
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 15711
Loc: Castle Rock, CO 6677' MSL
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I still have vinyl albums. Don't feel bad. I need to dig out my turntable and hook it up to my computer and make MP3s out of them.
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"Dark Skies & Great Viewing"
RandyR / W0RDR
GPS 9.25 XLT/Sky Align /FeatherTouch
TV85 w/FeatherTouch
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Ptarmigan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/23/04
Posts: 2351
Loc: Arctic
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That bunny is evil! When I see Lepus at night, I raise my fist in anger.
 
Anyways, all my starwatching session is generally alone and I like it that way.
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Ptarmigans=Cute and Cuddly
Meade Starfinder 8
Nikon 10x50
Rebel XT
Edited by Ptarmigan (10/26/09 01:45 AM)
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RonBurgundy
sage
Reged: 06/16/09
Posts: 252
Loc: Philadelphia
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I'm not so worried about people as I am of park rangers and cops . Luckily, the park rangers at my new spot have not bothered me once (though they have seen me with their lights)... And they then leave me be once they realize what I'm doing. It's unfortunate that in our country (U.S.A.) the policeman are overly paranoid about bad things going on that I've been asked to leave several stargazing places in the last few months (around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). Too bad that there are so many violent folks in this world... Oh well. Clear skies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Kipp Ginsburg
8" LX200-ACF
Orion 120mm F/5.0 Piggybacked Refractor
Meade UWA Set [4.7mm-30mm]
DSI-II
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brianb11213
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/25/09
Posts: 2090
Loc: 55.215N 6.554W
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Quote:
Won wicked wookin' wabbit !!!!
Nah, you've clearly missed the "killer rabbit" sequence from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail".
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Tim A.
sage
Reged: 09/19/07
Posts: 236
Loc: 40 30'N 105 3'W
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It is not far to my dark hiding place. It is a hollow on the flat and treeless prairie, out where the jackrabbits carry a lunchbox.
The drive gives me time to put everyday cares aside. I review the familiar tasks ahead: setting up the telescope and aligning its optics, arranging star charts and reference books, and perhaps firing up the laptop if my plans for the night are big. It's important finish this ritual before the first star appears, for then I can relax into the twilight. I sip coffee and wait.
The air cools and falls still. From here, the mighty Rocky Mountains are mere hummocks silhouetted in the fiery west. In the east, the hood of nightfall lifts slowly into the heavens. The sky is my table, a smörgåsbord of wonder and awe. This evening promises a feast.
In the gloaming, one by one my friends come. Arcturus, Vega, Antares, Fomalhaut, Betelgeuse, Regulus, they take their places at the table in their seasons, always timely and welcome.
I tuck into the night's menu. My charts and books lead me to the entrées, luscious treats for the eye and mind to savor. The banquet is without end, though I often return to my favorites, old friends too. Resting with a cup of coffee, my eyes roam the carpet of suns out there. "Out there," I remind myself, "not up there." The difference makes all the difference.
The only visible lights are in the sky. Coyotes prattle in the dark about their coyote concerns. A silent shadow cuts through the stars, mere feet above me; it is gone before I realize what it was. Some nights are dark even for an owl.
I am never alone under the night sky any more; there are always friends with me. Sometimes, the crowd includes others who share the hunger. It's fine. But social creature that I am, people often distract me from the banquet. My celestial companions patiently wait. There is time enough.
-- Tim
Colorado
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Starbuckets 12.5" Dob
Celestron CPC800
Celestron CR-150 HD on CG5-GT
Galileoscope
Oberwerk Deluxe II 20x80 & Ultra 10x50
Celestron Regal LX 8x42
Bio-binoculars 1x6
"Me? Crazy? Oh, yeah. Crazy like an ox!"
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Tony Flanders
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/06
Posts: 3457
Loc: Cambridge, MA, USA
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Quote:
I'm not so worried about people as I am of park rangers and cops.
I know exactly what you mean! But remember, cops are people too.
Seriously, though, the ethos varies immensely from one place to another. Here in Cambridge, MA, it's technically illegal to use most of the parks at night. However, they in fact have huge nighttime populations, and no policeman would ever dream of enforcing that regulation -- except as an excuse to hassle somebody they wanted to hassle for other reasons.
In some of the nearby suburbs, there's an ethos of public use and public access, and using the parks at night feels comfortable and safe. In many others, there's an uptight ethos, and you can't use the parks openly. What the actual laws say is almost irrelevant; police have infinite discretion.
To a large extent, it's your car that causes the problem. When I go places by bicycle, nobody -- police other otherwise -- knows that I'm there. Oh yes, one exception is people with dogs, who can smell and hear me.
In genuinely rural area in the Northeast, as a rule, nobody cares where you do or what you do. Not police, not civilians -- nobody.
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Tony Flanders
First and foremost observing love: naked eye.
Second, binoculars.
Last but not least, telescopes.
And I sometimes dabble with cameras.
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Jack Tripper
sage
Reged: 05/10/09
Posts: 339
Loc: Canada
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Quote:
It's unfortunate that in our country (U.S.A.) the policeman are overly paranoid about bad things going on that I've been asked to leave several stargazing places in the last few months (around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). Too bad that there are so many violent folks in this world... Oh well. Clear skies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In a world full of unsolved homicides, and missing children, it is extremely sad that police would waste even one second on amateur astronomers.
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Celestron CPC 1100
Denkmeier S2 Power Filter Switch Diagonal (.66x Reducer, 2x Barlow)
Ethos 17mm, Baader Scopos 30mm
Lunt 60mm Hydrogen-Alpha Solar Scope, Lunt Zoom
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hfjacinto
Almost got me
Reged: 01/12/09
Posts: 2071
Loc: Union,NJ
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Funny story:
I used to observe alone from a local golf course, it was still a white sky but once I went over the hill I couldn't see any street lights, parking lights or car lights. So I would park my car and carry my 6" scope over the hill and set-up by the golf cart road, but as I am afraid of dropping an EP, I started using the grass. This maybe a 200 foot walk from the hill which is 25 feet from the street.
I set-up my scope and was looking at the night sky in March when I see flashing red lights coming over the hill. The cops come out and ask what I am doing. They realize that I am looking through a telescope and ask what can we see, so I show them Saturn, Double Cluster, M42, etc.
They go back in the car and call a couple of more cops over. So at this point I have 4 cop cars and 8 police officers looking through my scope. They stay for almost an hour and then they have to leave. As the first cop is getting ready to leave he tells me I need to pack up as I can damage the grass. Now remember we had 4 cop cars drive on the grass to where I am at. They left tire marks every where and my 6" scope is the problem. They help me pack everything into the cop car and take me to my car. I ask how they found me and Tony Flanders is totally right, they saw my car and someone thought it was stolen or people were making out and called the police. They didn't see me but heard the whine of the go to mount. As he was leaving the cop says to me that "I was lucky I wasn't shot because the scope looked like a rocket launcher"
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C9.25 ASGT 9*50 MM Finder,FT Focuser & 2" Diagonal
Meade LXD 75 6 Inch SNT w 9*50 MM Finder
5,6,9,14.5 MM Zhummel Planetary EPs
13,17,21,24,31,36 MM Baader Hyperion
6.7,8.8 MM Meade UWA & 11 MM Nagler T6
Planetary, OIII and Narrowband Filters
Thousand Oaks Dew Control w Kendrick Heaters
Edited by hfjacinto (10/26/09 01:43 PM)
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MrKrink
sage
Reged: 02/20/09
Posts: 225
Loc: NC, USA
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Exactly, when those eyes are over 12" off the ground I would start to get worried.
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Stuart McD.
My Sky - Lawndale, NC near(SLAB)
CGEM Mount (Still Looking for OTA)
Nikon D90
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tatarjj
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/20/04
Posts: 1134
Loc: Austin, TX
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I've had a couple different visitors while observing. Being a raised in a rural area, animals do not frighten me easily. I actually like them around, usually.
I've had lots of encounters with deer while observing. In Alabama, where deer are hunted more heavily (and STILL badly overpopulated), I'd have whitetail deer walk up close to me then sense me and snort. When it's dead silent, and all of a sudden 25 yards away a deer snorts loudly, that can really make you jump! However, in the three times I've been observing in the Davis Mountains Resort in West Texas, where hunting is not allowed, the mule deer will graze and walk almost right up to you. Sometimes, they'll hang around all night long! Next time I go out there, I might bring some corn for them.
I had a bobcat sneak right up to me once, and then start screaming at me. The sudden scream spooked me, but again, I had heard that kind of thing before so it didn't freak me out too bad. I shined the light over towards the sound and saw a pair of red, glowing eyes and figured it was a bobcat. It started slinking away and screeching some more, before dissappearing. Who knows, I've heard rumors of panthers stalking around the southeast, so maybe it could have been one of those. However, whatever it was, it was obviously afraid and spooked by me so I didn't feel I had anything to fear.
Another time, I had a coyote run about 20 yards past me when I was observing in the middle of a newly planted pine forest. Coyotes are usually fairly afraid of people, because people often shoot them. This is a good thing, as if coyotes were not afraid of us, they would probably be killing children all the time. They could easily bring down adults too, actually.
Generally, the chances of being harmed by anything with four legs is very remote. I generally enjoy any animal encounters I have, it enhances the atmosphere of being out at remote dark sky sites, and being amongst nature. However, the danger of being harmed by two legged-animals is much, much greater, and for this reason, especially after I once witnessed what appeared to be a drug deal going down nearby me while I was observing, I try to bring a gun with me for protection, assuming it's legal to do so in the location I am observing at.
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John T.
Austin, TX
25" f/4.2 Dob
18" Obsession #701
4" Stellar Vue Achromat
8X56 Binos
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MrKrink
sage
Reged: 02/20/09
Posts: 225
Loc: NC, USA
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Quote:
Funny story:
I used to observe alone from a local golf course, it was still a white sky but once I went over the hill I couldn't see any street lights, parking lights or car lights. So I would park my car and carry my 6" scope over the hill and set-up by the golf cart road, but as I am afraid of dropping an EP, I started using the grass. This maybe a 200 foot walk from the hill which is 25 feet from the street.
I set-up my scope and was looking at the night sky in March when I see flashing red lights coming over the hill. The cops come out and ask what I am doing. They realize that I am looking through a telescope and ask what can we see, so I show them Saturn, Double Cluster, M42, etc.
They go back in the car and call a couple of more cops over. So at this point I have 4 cop cars and 8 police officers looking through my scope. They stay for almost an hour and then they have to leave. As the first cop is getting ready to leave he tells me I need to pack up as I can damage the grass. Now remember we had 4 cop cars drive on the grass to where I am at. They left tire marks every where and my 6" scope is the problem. They help me pack everything into the cop car and take me to my car. I ask how they found me and Tony Flanders is totally right, they saw my car and someone thought it was stolen or people were making out and called the police. They didn't see me but heard the whine of the go to mount. As he was leaving the cop says to me that "I was lucky I wasn't shot because the scope looked like a rocket launcher"
Too bad you were not selling or smoking dope, maybe they would have had a toke or two or maybe bought a dime bag before they arrested you. That is ridiculous. They all had to take a look before they ran you off, jeez!! I don't think I would have been that nice.
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Stuart McD.
My Sky - Lawndale, NC near(SLAB)
CGEM Mount (Still Looking for OTA)
Nikon D90
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Joseph Gillman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/05
Posts: 2770
Loc: Aston, PA
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Quote:
I've been asked to leave several stargazing places in the last few months (around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania).
If you don't mind a little drive towards the Delaware border, Fred1 (username here) lives in a development with an RV lot and it is dark (for the area anyway) and he is observing all the time. Sometimes he goes on trips with the Chesmont Astro club but those are too far for me (4 hours round trip on a weeknight!?!).
PM me anytime if you want to join in.
As for me personally I enjoy our observing group more than being in my yard alone (the wife is totally uninterested), if for no other reason than the variety of equipment we all bring along!
Plus I've watched a bunch of UFO shows on history channel and being alone at night freaks me out a little more now!
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Jack Tripper
sage
Reged: 05/10/09
Posts: 339
Loc: Canada
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Quote:
Plus I've watched a bunch of UFO shows on history channel and being alone at night freaks me out a little more now!
I don't fear that at all! It's a dream of mine to be beamed aboard a spaceship and taken straight to M31!
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Celestron CPC 1100
Denkmeier S2 Power Filter Switch Diagonal (.66x Reducer, 2x Barlow)
Ethos 17mm, Baader Scopos 30mm
Lunt 60mm Hydrogen-Alpha Solar Scope, Lunt Zoom
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starsoup
member
Reged: 06/21/08
Posts: 48
Loc: AR
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I remember a episode of Star Trek where they tried to leave the gallaxy and travel to M31, I believe the aliens turned the crew into those cool little cubes.
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Orion Starblast 4.5 EQ
15mm Expanse
6mm Expanse
3x tri-mag Barlow
Orion 80mm Shortscope
Orion 32mm & 20mm plossl
10x50 Binoculars
(Past equipment, 1990's)
Celestar 8
10.1" Coulter Dob
Naglers:
16mm,12mm,9mm,4.8mm
Homemade 16" f/4 Dob.
(First telescope 1975, Jason 70mm..1-EP)
"In the beginning there was nothing.......which exploded!"
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BSJ
member
Reged: 12/22/08
Posts: 97
Loc: Grand Isle, VT
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Quote:
skunks are harmless.
Harmless!? I was bitten by a rabid one last summer, '08. First day of a two week vacation no less.
It chased the dog 75 yards up to the back porch while we were having a barbecue with friends. I was trying to get the dog away from it so I could shoot it when I stupidly turned my back to it. CHOMP! I was wearing Tevas... I jumped and fell next to the rockers from some folding chairs. The rockers weren’t installed at the time.
The skunk was still coming at me so whack, whack with the rocker. Dead skunk. Off to the emergency room for me. But first put the skunk on ice for later pick up by the game warden!
Ten shots the first night. Two in both of the bitten toes. Your little piggy’s swell up nice and plump when full of Gamma globulin. Ouch. One in each thigh. One in each hip. Tetanus in one shoulder. Rabavert in the other. Then the fight with the insurance company started. $220 a pop for the Rabavert…
Skunks are not your friend. And considering this one was infected with Raccoon rabies. They’re also on my, must die if in my yard, list!
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Brian S. Johnson
________________
Zhumell Z10D, Orion ST80, 114mm Meade Telestar (Re-hab'd)
8-24mm Hyperion Zoom
8mm, 17mm, 21mm Baader Hyperion 14mm & 28mm Fine Tune Rings
OPT OIII, Baader Fringe killer, Baader Moon & Sky Glow
Nikon 10x50 Action Extreme
StarDust Observing Chair
Astro-Tech Voyager Mount
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starrancher
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/09
Posts: 580
Loc: Northern Arizona
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Quote:
Funny story:
I used to observe alone from a local golf course, it was still a white sky but once I went over the hill I couldn't see any street lights, parking lights or car lights. So I would park my car and carry my 6" scope over the hill and set-up by the golf cart road, but as I am afraid of dropping an EP, I started using the grass. This maybe a 200 foot walk from the hill which is 25 feet from the street.
I set-up my scope and was looking at the night sky in March when I see flashing red lights coming over the hill. The cops come out and ask what I am doing. They realize that I am looking through a telescope and ask what can we see, so I show them Saturn, Double Cluster, M42, etc.
They go back in the car and call a couple of more cops over. So at this point I have 4 cop cars and 8 police officers looking through my scope. They stay for almost an hour and then they have to leave. As the first cop is getting ready to leave he tells me I need to pack up as I can damage the grass. Now remember we had 4 cop cars drive on the grass to where I am at. They left tire marks every where and my 6" scope is the problem. They help me pack everything into the cop car and take me to my car. I ask how they found me and Tony Flanders is totally right, they saw my car and someone thought it was stolen or people were making out and called the police. They didn't see me but heard the whine of the go to mount. As he was leaving the cop says to me that "I was lucky I wasn't shot because the scope looked like a rocket launcher"
After ya let 'em look they give ya the boot ! .. ?????
What "Jmokes!" .
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LXD75 AR5
LXD75 SN8
Series 4000 Plossls
Misc. other stuff
Fort Rock , Az .
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starrancher
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/09
Posts: 580
Loc: Northern Arizona
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Quote:
It is not far to my dark hiding place. It is a hollow on the flat and treeless prairie, out where the jackrabbits carry a lunchbox.
The drive gives me time to put everyday cares aside. I review the familiar tasks ahead: setting up the telescope and aligning its optics, arranging star charts and reference books, and perhaps firing up the laptop if my plans for the night are big. It's important finish this ritual before the first star appears, for then I can relax into the twilight. I sip coffee and wait.
The air cools and falls still. From here, the mighty Rocky Mountains are mere hummocks silhouetted in the fiery west. In the east, the hood of nightfall lifts slowly into the heavens. The sky is my table, a smörgåsbord of wonder and awe. This evening promises a feast.
In the gloaming, one by one my friends come. Arcturus, Vega, Antares, Fomalhaut, Betelgeuse, Regulus, they take their places at the table in their seasons, always timely and welcome.
I tuck into the night's menu. My charts and books lead me to the entrées, luscious treats for the eye and mind to savor. The banquet is without end, though I often return to my favorites, old friends too. Resting with a cup of coffee, my eyes roam the carpet of suns out there. "Out there," I remind myself, "not up there." The difference makes all the difference.
The only visible lights are in the sky. Coyotes prattle in the dark about their coyote concerns. A silent shadow cuts through the stars, mere feet above me; it is gone before I realize what it was. Some nights are dark even for an owl.
I am never alone under the night sky any more; there are always friends with me. Sometimes, the crowd includes others who share the hunger. It's fine. But social creature that I am, people often distract me from the banquet. My celestial companions patiently wait. There is time enough.
-- Tim
Colorado
Tim , ...You so should have been a writer , & the novel your forte' .
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LXD75 AR5
LXD75 SN8
Series 4000 Plossls
Misc. other stuff
Fort Rock , Az .
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Matthew Ota
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/30/05
Posts: 1095
Loc: New England
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I set up once in 2003 in the Seal Beach California area in the wetlands to observe and image Mars. It was after midnight and a cope told me I was to be out of there when he returned in fifteen minutes. He was so rude and bossy that I never went back to spend any money in the town.
Now in New Hampshire I have found a remote meadow in a Bortle 3 Blue zone only 17 miles from where I live. I will use it until I am chased off. But I think there are no landowners or cops to bother me there. Just a few deer....
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Matthew Ota
Meade LX250GPS 10 inch SCT (Frankenscope)
Orion ED 80
ETX-90 OTA
Coronado Helios 1 H-alpha
TheSky 6 Pro
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daysone
journeyman
Reged: 10/25/09
Posts: 5
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hello,
i'm a novice i just bought a celestron c8 classic scope. and went observing for 1x w/group of people. it was awesome. but unfortunately, like u guys; i have no one to do it with. so i go outside in my backyard w/my 3 cats and we observe from there. (in pool encl.) so i can concentrate and not wonder who is coming behind me in the dark....:)
safe this way. sad but true.
any help in what kind of digital camera to buy at reasonable price? would be appreciated.
thanx,
debs
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Joseph Gillman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/05
Posts: 2770
Loc: Aston, PA
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Quote:
I set up once in 2003 in the Seal Beach California area in the wetlands to observe and image Mars. It was after midnight and a cope told me I was to be out of there when he returned in fifteen minutes. He was so rude and bossy that I never went back to spend any money in the town.
The nearby military installations might have had something to do with the cop not wanting people doing "strange things" alone at night - yes sadly, most people think this hobby is "strange"
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Joseph Gillman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/05
Posts: 2770
Loc: Aston, PA
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Quote:
any help in what kind of digital camera to buy at reasonable price? would be appreciated.
thanx,
debs
For general use? astro-specific? Generally the little point and shoot cameras available now with tons of megapixels are not great astro cameras. You can get a 1st generation Meade DSI for about $100 on the used market, that is good for an entry level camera. You should try the beginning imaging forums and see what results people get with basic equipment
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Dain
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/24/05
Posts: 1596
Loc: N.Y. Adirondack Mnts. NGC 4565...
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Quote:
yes sadly, most people think this hobby is "strange"
Yep! The looks you get when putting the scopes out in the front yard. Heaven forbid it's more then one 'scope too..you start to look like a nutcase. OH, and if your on the front lawn at 1am in the morning and your neighbors are for some reason coming home...its just awkward. Thats happened plenty of times, but I'm just like..meh, whatever.
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Best,
Dain
Adirondack Mountains (my true dark sky site)
@ Cedar River Flow
Local Site
Clear Skies?
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dawsonian2000
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/26/06
Posts: 552
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
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When I see Lepus at night, gives me thoughts of rabbit stew! Just kidding. 
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Clear Skies, Forever!
The Vega Sky Center
10" (254mm) F/5.65 Home Built Fork Mounted Newtonian Reflector
5" (127mm) F/9.4 Home Built Refractor (under construction)
3.5" (90mm) F/11.1 "Vixen-Spec Modified" Konus Refractor
3.1" (80mm) F/6 Scopos ED APO Refractor
4.5" (114mm) F/8 Tasco 11te-5 Newtonian (under restoration)
2.4" (60mm) F/16.7 Tasco 7te-5 Refractor
2.4" (60mm) F/15 Jason Discoverer 313 Refractor
http://www.vega-sky-center.com
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Thomas44
super member
Reged: 10/26/09
Posts: 101
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I do the same thing sometimes. I find it relaxing.
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www.redlaser.co.uk
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izar187
sage
Reged: 09/02/06
Posts: 239
Loc: 43N
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"...so i can concentrate and not wonder who is coming behind me in the dark....:)
safe this way. sad but true."
The truth is, that the farther out of town one is the less of a problem this becomes.
The farther afield one goes the better, IME.
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4 thru 13 inch scopes.
30 years observing.
You just read this on the internet, so.....
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izar187
sage
Reged: 09/02/06
Posts: 239
Loc: 43N
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"OH, and if your on the front lawn at 1am in the morning and your neighbors are for some reason coming home...its just awkward."
Especially if it's their lawn. : )
" Ah, howdy folks, wanna see Jupiter? "
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4 thru 13 inch scopes.
30 years observing.
You just read this on the internet, so.....
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Joseph Gillman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/05
Posts: 2770
Loc: Aston, PA
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Quote:
Quote:
Plus I've watched a bunch of UFO shows on history channel and being alone at night freaks me out a little more now!
I don't fear that at all! It's a dream of mine to be beamed aboard a spaceship and taken straight to M31!
For every story out there of benificent aliens taking earthlings for a joyride, which yes I guess would be fun (unless the planetarium show I saw when I was a kid which said if you traveled near the speed of light that you'd return to Earth millions of years after you left not having aged at all is true), there are more stories of sinister nature.
Though I wouldn't mind seeing strange lights in the sky from a science and engineering perspective, it would surely raise the hair on the back of my neck. I've watched too many of those shows!!! If it were our observing group that saw it and not just me, then I wouldn't be "crazy". 
Back on topic, let's just say that I enjoy the group setting more because of the variety of equipemnt we can all share, which is very true and something not to be overlooked. If you are with a group of experienced people it is better than if the group is not on your level, that's the same with anything not just astronomy.
For example I had trouble merging with binoviewers so I sold my set, but my observing partner has a nice telescope-worth invested in binoviewer and eyepiece pairs. Last time I WAS able to merge on the moon at very high power! But I don't want to spend what he has on his bino setup since sometimes I can't merge at all expeically on the dimmer objects.
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FirstSight
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/26/05
Posts: 3874
Loc: Raleigh, NC
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Plus I've watched a bunch of UFO shows on history channel and being alone at night freaks me out a little more now!
I don't fear that at all! It's a dream of mine to be beamed aboard a spaceship and taken straight to M31!
For every story out there of benificent aliens taking earthlings for a joyride...
If there really are UFOs visiting Earth, our own human history of what nearly always follows when explorers from a technologically more advanced civilization (especially wrt available weaponry) encounters a less advanced one should REALLY give you reason to be afraid, very afraid.
Often, the initial encounters WERE seemingly benign to members of the less-advanced "home" civilization, once they got past the strangeness of unexpectedly encountering very strange-looking people like they'd never seen before arriving in strange-looking vessels like they'd never seen before etc - enough so that sometimes the host population wasn't sure the invaders were human or else some exotically different form of being or deity. HOWEVER, within a period of a few days to a few years NEARLY ALWAYS the relationship would turn very bad for the home civilization, as the more advanced invaders turned to exploiting or displacing the natives in the course of seizing resources and territory for their own use. The native population nearly always wound up diminished and subjugated, herded and harassed out of much of their former territory, and sometimes even wound up outright enslaved to the invaders.
Yes, thinking about the chance of encountering alien UFOs for real while out alone observing is at the same time a bit scary and intriguingly thrilling. But on more careful consideration, if you really do encounter a UFO it's reason to be very, very afraid indeed about what may eventually follow from it.
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Chris M., aka "First Sight"
Orion XT12i Dob with Moonlite CR-2 focuser
WO Megrez 90 refractor on UniStar Light mount
Nikon 10x50 Binoculars
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tatarjj
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/20/04
Posts: 1134
Loc: Austin, TX
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Quote:
Plus I've watched a bunch of UFO shows on history channel and being alone at night freaks me out a little more now!
Remember the good old days when the History Channel had history on it? I don't even try turning to that channel anymore. Nostrodamus, 2012, eyewitness accounts by people who get drunk and become convinced that Venus is chasing them around, ghosts, monsters... the "History" part of the History Channel is, well, history!
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John T.
Austin, TX
25" f/4.2 Dob
18" Obsession #701
4" Stellar Vue Achromat
8X56 Binos
Edited by tatarjj (10/29/09 09:18 PM)
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tatarjj
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/20/04
Posts: 1134
Loc: Austin, TX
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Just to be clear, while I grant it is a very slight possibility aliens are currently visiting earth, extraordinary claims require extraoridinary evidence- without that extraordinary evidence, the VASTLY more likely explanation for any UFO citing is the one intelligent species that lives right here at home (that, or natural phenomenon). Those UFO shows are horribly biased and present UFO scenarios that have usually have clear explanations and sketchy eyewitness accounts.
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John T.
Austin, TX
25" f/4.2 Dob
18" Obsession #701
4" Stellar Vue Achromat
8X56 Binos
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JayinUT
I'm not Sleepy
Reged: 09/19/08
Posts: 940
Loc: Utah
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An interesting story that fits with this. I got this from the One Minute Astronomer which I subscribe for fun things like this story:
An Unexpected Visitor
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Jay in Utah
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Location: Lat: 40.514N Long: -112.032W
Mortal as I am, I know that I am born for a day. But when I follow at my pleasure the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the earth.
— Ptolemy, c.150 AD
My Blog
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tatarjj
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/20/04
Posts: 1134
Loc: Austin, TX
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My truck received a three-for-one deal on javelinas just after I rounded a bend in the road, driving back one night from Big Bend National Park. No matter what they say about pig intelligence, those things are dumber than rocks. The pack of javelinas didn't even take evasive action as I plowed into them- they covered the road and I had nowhere to go. That said, javelinas are universally hated and I sure didn't spill any tears over their passing. The neighbor's dog sure enjoyed the tastey morsels it discovered plastered to the bottom of the truck the next day though!
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John T.
Austin, TX
25" f/4.2 Dob
18" Obsession #701
4" Stellar Vue Achromat
8X56 Binos
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Matt Lindsey
member
Reged: 06/06/08
Posts: 94
Loc: Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.
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Quote:
No matter what they say about pig intelligence, those things are dumber than rocks.
That's because javelinas are not pigs.
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Matt
12" f/4.9 custom strut Dob.
8x56 binos
Member: Howard Astronomical League
Working on: Herschel I and II lists, RASC challenge objects.
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