Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2017 11:33:07 GMT -8
Some of Us are headed up to the Pit on the 21st. I am going but am waiting to see if we can indeed, SEE. A look at the webcam for Aspen Grove today shows thick smoke in the area. Here's hoping for the best.... MMc
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2017 20:35:42 GMT -8
Thanks for the heads up Mark. I'll really consider it. Right now the cameras look pretty good.
DSD.
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gregs
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Post by gregs on Jul 12, 2017 20:58:43 GMT -8
I would like to go despite the conditions. I need to work out the bugs [equipment and mind] I plan on going July 21-26. Please keep me posted.
Greg
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2017 11:46:19 GMT -8
Smoke every where, that's how a friend described the Aspen Grove area yesterday. I will be keeping a close eye on things as the weekend gets near. It does not look good. But, as of right now, I don't think i will be going. I don't need to fill my bad lungs up with any more crap. As it happens my scope base is nearly ready, just final assembly and a little urethane. IF things clear up, i am packing up just to be ready. You never can tell what the weather will do. Let's hope! Mark
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2017 21:40:13 GMT -8
I'm surprised they haven't closed all forestry roads like they did about 15 years ago. However the hazard is in the interior, not down here.
I am considering maybe Wednesday night at Shylock if the sky holds out before the predicted clouds come.
DSD.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2017 11:32:21 GMT -8
Looks good for tonight, anyone going out? I don't have an operational scope, yet.
On a side note, my Lightbridge base is complete! All that is left is the finish, that goes on later today. I must say for a guy that has never worked with wood other then to split it with an axe, it looks good. MMc
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2017 14:11:22 GMT -8
Glad you're getting your woodworking working.
I won't be out tonight. But there's a nice shadow transit on Jupiter tonight. It ends just after 9:30. According to Stellarium the Great Red Spot is there too.
DSD.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2017 12:48:42 GMT -8
Finally at long last, my base is done for my Lightbridge. Made from a 5x5 sheet of Baltic birch. Not bad for a rookie wood worker. One coat of stain and five coats of clear all sanded in between. The finish did not come out like i wanted, but i am going with it. Can't see it in the dark anyway!
Last night i looked at M13 and its pal galaxy, also M57, and NGC 6939. I could not see 6946 the Fireworks galaxy. Used the 8 Ethos to get about 228 mag. and deliberately ran up in Dobsons (so Called) Hole to check the movement. Thats when i realized how much smoke was in the air. All in all, in tracks much better then the original particle board mount. Thanks to DSD for the Formica, i now have a piece of your kitchen! MMc
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 7:21:26 GMT -8
Good for you Mark. The straight up Dobson Dance is a great test. And high power chasing even more. Alas, my kitchen doesn't look like that --- that piece of finely pebbled Formica was left over from my own scope construction. It sure does the job.
Looks like the Run is almost done with a bit more cloud coming these next few days. But we'll all be ready for the Pit on the next one. With the new moon nearer the beginning of the MSQ there could be some good nights before it starts. I'll be watching the conditions even for Wednesday Aug 16th.
Should be great fun.
DSD.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2017 12:04:38 GMT -8
Damn Smoke! Rain, please. I am headed up on the 16th or 17th to the Pit. This is if it doesn't get any worse, it's bad enough as is. Anybody else got some feedback for me? Mark
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2017 21:06:36 GMT -8
Hoping this coming unsettled low pressure system unclogs the drain and pushes the smoke back north. Today is day 50 of no rain for YXX. I think the record is 54 days? I'll be watching the conditions closely and would like to get up there by the 17th or 18th.
DSD.
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Post by craig on Aug 13, 2017 18:20:07 GMT -8
it rained quite hard at my place all night the sky looks nice and blue between the clouds
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2017 22:20:55 GMT -8
The smoke is gone down here and I think it could be gone from the Pit too. I've been watching the forecast for Quilchena www.wunderground.com/ca/bc/quilchena/zmw:00000.5.71557 and it looks better for there than here. I use the Graph format for the 10 day forecast and can Customize it to display cloud cover projections as well.
The Boler battery is charged and the mirror is washed. Some supplies have been purchased. Weather permitting I'm projecting for Thursday.
DSD.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2017 10:26:18 GMT -8
No, the smoke is not gone from the Aspen Grove area. One look at the web cam shows it 's as bad or worse then it was down here. Lots more rain needed before this mess is gone. I say about the second week of September, it will rain for real. Just in time for MMs Fall Pit Run My rig is ready, as is my truck and my Dog. Just got to buy the ice and IPA. MMc
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2017 20:59:35 GMT -8
Thanks for the alert Mark. I'll keep watching the Aspen Grove Cam as well as the Elkhart one. Then there's the Comstock one as well. I have Merritt Airport ones too. Deep sky observing does need transparency. I had hoped the bit of wet front had pushed the smoke east into Alberta, and I think it did but not quite enough.
I can't see going until it has cleaned up. Last week here was nasty.
DSD.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2017 10:33:32 GMT -8
DSD, you might have to wait for the air to clear,like maybe next week? I think i will still head up Thursday. MMc
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2017 20:31:24 GMT -8
I've been busy all day but this morning Aspen Grove looked good but Elkhart didn't. Comstock looked good too.
I'm still working towards Thursday as well. If cloudy on the weekend then I'll get my visiting with my brother in Merritt and sister in Kamloops covered. But may postpone heading up a bit if too smokey.
Will email you if it's a go.
DSD.
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Post by craig on Aug 16, 2017 7:13:25 GMT -8
sounds good darrell i will prob head up Friday are you able to update us on the whether from your brothers house if its that smokey?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2017 12:52:26 GMT -8
The Cameras on the coq connector all look good. Merritt Airport looks good too. I see no reason to delay. But I will be phone and computer free once I leave here.
Looking forward to seeing you all.
DSD.
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Post by Terry Keller on Aug 16, 2017 15:40:55 GMT -8
Hey Guys:
Have been watching this thread and the traffic cams with keen interest, deciding whether or not to head out to MSQ this weekend. Even if the smoke is a factor it's still worth it to have a chance use the tent trailer and tweak the Astro gear. Heck I have been getting ready for a week so gotta at least try and have a look. Darrell if you head up Thursday I will look forward to your smoke report. Hopefully see you all this weekend.
Terry
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2017 16:30:10 GMT -8
I will post a report here if my phone works at the pit which it should. Smoke is supposed to clear off Saturday. The cameras look good right now although the clear sky clock is weak. MMc
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