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<DIV>Hey Dave, good stuff. What type of camera are you using? All of my imaging has been in my backyard and I'm believing that getting to a dark sky site would probably enhance things immensely.</DIV>
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<DIV>Jim</DIV>
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<DIV>Jim Gianoulakis<BR>Manager Application Services Mobile<BR>702-876-7093<BR>702-253-7213 fax<BR><A href="mailto:jim.gianoulakis@swgas.com">jim.gianoulakis@swgas.com</A><BR><BR>>>> David Blanchette <Yahoo@awit.com> 4/26/2009 12:00 PM >>><BR>Instead of going out to Redstone, I wanted to try someplace where I <BR>might be able to see Omega Centauri. I had been eyeing a spot south <BR>of Jean, NV, essentially a parachute target area, about 6 miles south <BR>of Jean. I wanted to see how bad the lights of Vegas, Jean, Primm, <BR>and the interstate would be at the site.<BR><BR>This night was not the best for observing. Despite the clear <BR>(non-cloudy) sky, the air was "thick", and the lights of Vegas washed <BR>out the entire sky. There was a distinct lack of contrast, which <BR>some of you may have seen even in Death Valley. The light dome <BR>itself was close to 40 degrees, encompassing the Little Dipper. I <BR>could just make out the mag 4.27 star in the bowl, but not the 4.96 <BR>mag star next to it.<BR><BR>The lights of Jean are a thin strip of yellow (sodium) on the <BR>horizon. Any vehicle strategically placed will block it, and I don't <BR>think it really has much of a light dome.<BR><BR>The lights of Primm did produce a small dome, however. But a well <BR>placed vehicle could be useful.<BR><BR>Unfortunately, I had only the one vehicle, and I used it to block all <BR>of the cars on the interstate headed for Vegas. The southbound <BR>lights are blocked by the wall between the north/south traffic. But <BR>northbound is quite bright.<BR><BR>Setting up my scope to the north of my truck, and doing most of my <BR>observing south, worked out pretty well, despite all the obstacles.<BR><BR>Oh, one other thing. This site is 6 miles north of Primm, 6 miles <BR>south of Jean. Want to know how far the average scofflaw gets from <BR>either town before the cop pulls him over? Want to know whether that <BR>headlight-blocking wall between the north and south lanes blocks <BR>flashing cop lights?<BR><BR>The wind was calm throughout the evening, but the seeing was maybe 2 out of 5.<BR><BR>(I'm not sure if embedding images is going to work on the list, <BR>here. If it doesn't, I'll repost with attachments.)<BR><BR>All images are using Meade LS200, 12 inch, f/6.2 focal reducer.<BR><BR>This is the Virgo Diamond (60secs, ISO1600)<BR>Emacs!<BR><BR><BR>Same image, 2x enlargement<BR>Emacs!<BR><BR><BR>The Virgo Diamond area, with magnitudes of some stars for reference <BR>(from Skymap ver 11)<BR>Emacs!<BR><BR><BR>The Virgo Diamond is a pretty thing. I used the computer's RA/Dec <BR>info to get to the coordinates, and there it was. I did not work <BR>real hard at seeing it visually, the sky was just not dark enough. I <BR>calculate the companion on the right hand start is about 7 seconds <BR>separation and about mag 14.5. I'd like to get to a dark site with a <BR>dark sky and see if I can pull it out visually.<BR><BR>M13 (60 secs, ISO 800)<BR>Emacs!<BR><BR><BR>Omega Centauri (60 secs, ISO 1600)<BR>Emacs!<BR><BR><BR>Omega was 5 degrees (max of 6.5 an hour later) above the horizon when <BR>I took the photo. Note it has twice the exposure (ISO 1600 vs ISO <BR>800) as M13. The two photos are the same scale, I simply cut the <BR>same size portion out of each photo, centered on the object.<BR><BR>If you play with the image a bit, you get an idea of what this <BR>monster might be like, at say, 45 degrees above the horizon...<BR>Emacs!<BR><BR><BR><BR>-- David<BR></DIV><TABLE width="600"><TR><TD><HR><P><FONT FACE="MS Sans Serif" SIZE=1><B>The information in this electronic mail communication contains confidential information which is the property of the sender and may be protected by the attorney-client privilege and/or attorney work product doctrine.</B> It is intended solely for the addressee. Access to this e-mail by anyone else is unauthorized by the sender. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, or distribution of the contents of this e-mail transmission or the taking or omission of any action in reliance thereon or pursuant thereto, is prohibited, and may be unlawful. If you received this e-mail in error, please notify us immediately of your receipt of this message by e-mail and destroy this communication, any attachments, and all copies thereof. <I>Thank you for your cooperation.</I></P></FONT><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
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