[Lvas] Desert observing tips / Anybody up for observing thisweek?

Thu Apr 23 11:37:47 PDT 2009

I am blocked at my location as well but I went after M13.

Jim Gianoulakis
Manager Application Services Mobile
702-876-7093
702-253-7213 fax
jim.gianoulakis at swgas.com 

>>> roger ivester <drivester at hotmail.com> 4/23/2009 6:17 AM >>>
David,

I have always been interested in seeing Omega Centauri. I have never
been able to see this fabulous object from my home here in Boiling
Springs, North Carolina. I have many obstacles, which include hills,
trees, but mostly sky glow from distant cities.

It is indeed possible from your location, and mine with a good horizon
(the problem). Your 6* is right on. 

Have you ever seen this object? 

David, you may want to check my math as following.  My eyes and brain
are a bit weary to be doing too much calculating, especially off the top
of my head. 

Last night Brett Clapper, Steve Davis and myself were out observing
till 1:30 AM. I got in the bed at approximately 2:30, and got up at
5:00. I'm tired, but it was a fun time...and certainly worth the lose of
sleep. 

You have inspired me. I am going to make every effort to see this
cluster... this year. Like you I would be happy with just a glimpse. We
should make this a project. I am going to forward this to our local
group. I may be the only one that has not seen this object.

Las Vegas Latitude +36* 10m 30 seconds  =  10m/60 = 0.17

90* - 36*.17.5  =  53.825 or -53* 50m (your southern horizon cut-off) 

Omega Centaur =  -47* 29m 

-53* 50m (-) -47* 29m =  6* 21m (or) or exactly 6.35*. David did you
estimate the 6* or did you calculate it also?  You are good. 

Due to atmospheric refraction at the horizon you can normally see an
extra 1/2* below the horizon. I must check with some of my experts on
this. 

My latitude here in BS North Carolina is +35* 15m 03 seconds. I can see
almost 1* lower than you guys in LV. 

According to Walter Scott Houston, one record sighting for this object
from a northern observer was E.D. Flynn from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
(+40.4*) with a 10-inch reflector at 50X.  

WSH said that it has also been seen from the California/Oregon border.
He said that he also saw it from East Haddam, Connecticut. 

Pretty amazing. 

Thanks for sharing. 

Roger Ivester from NC  

> Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:05:52 -0700
> To: lvas at lvlug.org 
> From: Yahoo at awit.com 
> Subject: Re: [Lvas] Desert observing tips / Anybody up for observing
this week?
> 
> At 06:32 PM 4/22/2009, you wrote:
> >Hello,
> >
> >Thanks to everyone so far! I do have sort of a silly idea, but
maybe
> >it's doable. Omega Centauri only seems to get about 6 degrees off
the
> >horizon - is it possible to catch it? Obviously it won't be at its
> >best, but even a glimpse would be really valuable.
> 
> You will not be able to see it from the Redstone picnic area. The 
> surrounding hills block it completely. You might be able to get it 
> from the trailhead at mile marker 21. The parking lot is up at the 
> top of a hill. I don't really remember what the view to the south was
like.
> 
> -- David 
> 
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