Re: Any LCROSS viewing parties in Seattle area?

On Tue, 6 Oct 2009 07:29:59 -0700 (PDT), Ken S. Tucker wrote:

On Oct 5, 8:47 pm, Sketcher <astrosketc...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
mx wrote:
To be honest, since my largest scope is 6" aperature and NASA says use
10" or larger to view the event, I'm hoping to get a quick peek at the
plume through someone else's scope.

I wouldn't rule out a 6-inch scope on this. If the 6-incher ends up
being the largest/best telescope you're able get your hands on I'd say
definitely give it a try. Prior to the event, I seem to recall there
being doubt that amateurs would see anything relating to the Shoemaker-
Levy9 impacts on Jupiter. As it turned out, pretty much any amateur
telescope proved sufficient to show at least some of the impact
scars. There are a lot of unknowns for the LCROSS event. One should
also keep in mind that it could take a little time (after impact) for
the plume to extend high enough to see. In other words, don't give up
too early!

Topic drift: Is this going to require really dark skies, or is mag
4.5 good enough

Considering the proximity of a bright moon, I wouldn't expect one's
naked-eye limiting magnitude to be a factor.

My own weather isn't looking very promising. It snowed most of
today. More snow seems likely near zero hour. Nevertheless, I'll
check on conditions much closer to the 11:30 UT impact time -- just in
case.

Sketcher,
To sketch is to see.

Have a look at,
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/mainmenu/sitemap_e.html

then go down and see,

# Astronomy Sky Condition Forecasts
* Cloud forecast
* Seeing forecast
* Sky transparency forecast
* Weather forecast near the ground

It may help us.
Ken

Or better yet, go to the Clear Sky Chart site:
http://cleardarksky.com/csk/


--
Martin R. Howell
The Astro Post
www.theastropost.com/smf
It's ALL there!
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Any LCROSS viewing parties in Seattle area?
    ... I wouldn't rule out a 6-inch scope on this. ... the plume to extend high enough to see. ... # Astronomy Sky Condition Forecasts ... Seeing forecast ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)
  • Re: Spring coming?
    ... the effects of the first warm plume of the year ... its source in North Africa. ... It can never be a higher confidence forecast than 75-80%, ...
    (uk.sci.weather)
  • Forecasting Dark Skies
    ... What tools do we have available to forecast sky darkness? ... The moon was 2 hours away ... Transparency was forecast at 4 out of 5. ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)
  • Re: Cool few days; warming again later?
    ... oh here comes the "No forecast" soon.... ... Dawlish wrote: ... Southerly winds and another North African plume. ... What is probable that things will begin to warm up again after the ...
    (uk.sci.weather)
  • Re: Spring coming?
    ... will be being felt in Southern England. ... This air could well be unstable enough to ... It's not a certain forecast, ... If the plume doesn't get to us, April may is likely to end up ...
    (uk.sci.weather)