Welcome to the premier issue of “Let’s Call It A Night”, the quarterly publication of the Instrument Qualification Committee of AAI!  This will serve to keep all our Observers not only aware of their Duty Night assignments, but as a clearinghouse for new ideas, procedures, and items of Observer interest (how TO observe, photo tips, instrument updates, you name it). Most importantly, it will not compete with our esteemed AAI newsletter, the Asterism.

 

        The name of our communiqué is actually one of several that were, over 25 years ago, proposed for AAI’s newsletter. In those halcyon days, the ‘next generation’ of Observers was attempting to come up with a name for it, and this one, at 2 am, sounded OK. However, the more austere appearing Sol-III was used (so as not to offend the less-free-thinking ‘powers that were’). That mag folded in 1977, to be replaced with a revamped newsletter that endures today.

 

        However, this name keeps popping up, and I decided to use it now. Hey, why not?! I’m writing this, no one’s using it in AAI and it’s free to all! The best thing about it is that it’s also appearing on the AAI home page on the Internet (thanks to our Computer Services chairman Ray Shapp), and we will periodically suggest websites of interest for your perusal. This way it will help keep you on top of some of the latest developments in our science and passion.

 

Yes, note that last word, “passion”. It may seem contradictory, in light of science being an orderly, logical method

 

of determining truths about our Universe. It is passion, however, that drives us as volunteers to show off that Universe to the public and help them comprehend what they see. Some may say that it’s our ‘obligation’ to be open for just one person who might come in late in the evening, often after the domes are closed. I disagree; IQC has lost more good Observers to popularity contests within our organization than I care to recollect. These lamented losses happened, they have told me, because they failed to meet the criteria of some non-Observer, who themselves have not spent a single Star-Hour at the eyepiece. We staff Sperry Observatory for the same reason we operate as astronomers – because we want to be there, and not so much that we have to be there. If we all wanted that kind of treatment, most of us would just go to our places of business!

 

I am well aware of this fact. I, as your chairman, am grateful to the many active Observers in our committee for their volunteerism, and encourage you all to keep with it. In the next few months, you can expect to see more recognition of certain long-term Observers by IQC and through it, the Executive Committee of AAI, for this wonderful service to the public and to our science. Clear skies!  Al Witzgall, Chairman, IQC

 

 

Good Show of Survival Skills

Thanks to all the new attendees of the 2002 QO class for ‘hanging in there.’  You were willing to carry on through the ‘modified QO classes’ held in Union College’s Commons Area.  Now we have a fitting place and proper equipment to hold a proper class.  It was a good test of everyone’s endurance.  Now you can and will be taught properly.  Thanks for all your patience.  Bonnie W.

 

 

Read the ‘Cold Weather Observing Tips’

article on page 3 and get ready to view:

·     11/19 - Leonids

·     12/17 - Opposition of Saturn

·     02/02 - Opposition of Jupiter

·     03/26 - Close opposition of 4 ‑Vesta

 

 

Below is the newly revised 2002 Qualified Observers class schedule.  Note the date change to Tuesday night and new location at Sperry Observatory beginning at 8PM.  ‘Hands‑On’ instruction for the new trainees with the 24” reflector will begin sometime in mid November.  Any Veteran QO who want to sit in on these classes for a ‘refresher course’ is welcome to attend.

 

 

 

Anyone interested in the History of Optics from spectacles for “weeek eyes” to ‘Go to Dobs’, be sure to see:

www.ee.umd.edu/~taylor/optics2.htm

 

 

Cold Weather Observing Tips

By Alan P. Witzgall

 

           It's that time of year again, folks! The magnificent winter skies are at their best, the Observer is ready to reacquaint him/herself with old celestial friends, find some new ones...and risk becoming a cryogenically preserved icicle on his/her duty night! This is not at all funny -- this severe weather can be extremely dangerous for you if you're not prepared for it, even in the limited time you spend on a Duty Night. I will address the problem and suggest solutions in this discussion.

 

           First thing è planning! Remember to consider the fact that you will not be moving around very much after the telescope is running. This is one of the most critical problems: if you don't move around, you don't generate energy. No energy, the brain fells cold. The brain needs to keep warm, and at any one time about 25% of the blood flow is diverted there to supply that heat energy; even if it has to shut off that flow to your extremities (your fingers and toes, hands and feet). This is the way that we contract frostbite and worse.

 

           First Rule: Always keep your head covered. A wool or Thinsulate® knit cap should be the first item of business in our armor against the cold. The best thing to do is to dress as though the temperature is 20 degrees colder !! Even in the dome rooms, it gets bitter cold!

 

           Second Rule: Layers! Start to build up layers of insulation to trap body heat. Always try to insulate your upper and lower body equally with the heavy-duty long-sleeve and long underwear pants.   Cotton or the new polypropylene fabrics are great with silk being the best and flannel-lined jeans over them will add to your shielding from the cold.

 

           A good flannel shirt or blouse is next for upper body warmth. Over this, a sweater of wool or wool-synthetic weave is next. Now you have to decide if a hooded coat or an insulated skimobile suit is for you (My suggestion is to wear the suit, with a warm hat or balaclava on your head, and if there is a wind at the observing site, put the coat on as well; this saved me at Riverton, Manitoba at the Feb. 1979 eclipse. Zero degree cold with a chill factor of minus 15 F. is downright dangerous!)  A scarf around the neck will seal body heat inside your coat or suit.

 

           Third Rule: Keep your feet warm! Your feet must be well protected. Start with a thin cotton or polypropylene over-the-calf sock. Over this, one or two pairs of wool-blend or heavy poly weave oversocks (such as tube socks for athletes) will help trap warm air within the next layer -- a good insulated pair of boots. Because of the bulk of the socks and the liner that a good pair of overshoes will entail, get at least a half-size larger. You must be able to wiggle those toes!! Forget about fashion; you will be grateful that you wore those ugly green and khaki colored horrors late at night when you are guiding on a star long after everyone else has beaten a retreat to warmer quarters. Remember, the ones who will complain about fashion will be huddled at home, not seeing your wardrobe -- or the skies!

 

           Fourth Rule: Your hands must be kept warm! Let's face it, without protection from the cold, you will not be able to use your hands for anything, especially not for careful viewing or focusing.  Wear thin cotton or poly-weave inner gloves, with Thinsulate®-lined or wool mittens over them. (Yes, folks, your Mom was right after all -- mittens are perhaps the best items to wear in the cold!) They will keep your hands warm, and can be removed to give your inner-gloved finger's access to your focuser, cable release, etc. without too much loss of warmth. The best of both can be found in outdoors catalogs as 'shooter's gloves'- these are mittens that split to allow the fingertips to operate fine controls, but can quickly be flipped back over the fingers to warm them.

 

           Now for logistics: Never spend more than 20 minutes at a time in the dome! This is why it’s so important for everyone to please come on your assigned Duty Night!  With fewer personnel, we need to stay longer at the ‘scope, and less to warm up. The kitchenette is operational, so feel free to boil water for tea or coffee.

 

           On other nights, such as observing for your own pleasure at, say Jenny Jump State Forest and AAI’s Malpas Observatory, consider the following. If you are not an Observer at UACNJ and your car or van is to be your warm-up shelter, be certain that the exhaust system is in good condition, and the tailpipe is cleared of all obstruction to keep deadly carbon monoxide from seeping into the passenger compartment. It's also a good idea to have the vehicle downwind of your equipment; you can get warm in the running car, only to find that the water vapor of the exhaust has totally frosted up the optics of your 'scope/camera/whatever!

 

           Hint: When you go to a camping supply store for winter clothing, drop a buck or two for survival candles. These are simply candles cast into a sealed tin with waterproof matches under the lid. In a closed car, they throw off an incredible amount of thermal energy, and burn for 8 to12 hours.  This way, you can get warm, and leave the engine off. (Nevertheless, keep the window open just a crack - this will prevent any carbon monoxide buildup!)

 

           Observing in the cold is hard on equipment. It's always a good idea to arrive before nightfall to set up, no matter the season. In winter, it's vital to do so, to take advantage of extended viewing hours as well as performing a systems checkout.  Get the telescope drive and the dew/frostcap up & running as soon as possible. Being in the car has warmed the motor and optical system. Operating the motor from the start will help keep it warm throughout the observing session.

 

           Also, make sure that your car's battery is up to par. A cellular phone is also a good idea in emergencies. (In the case of the cell phone, keep it connected to your cigarette lighter outlet, or inside your coat to preserve the battery's charge.)The photographers out there should have their cameras cleaned and winterized where possible. Some cameras (such as Nikon) have accessories that replace the tiny silver-oxide batteries with AA size penlight units. Make sure that all bearing surfaces of the mounting or drive are well greased -- not oiled -- before use, and turn smoothly before going in the field. Always maintain the collimation of the telescope at home; it's a nightmare to adjust in the field at night, and especially in the cold! If your scope keeps needing re‑collimation each time you go in the field, consider upgrading the optical mounts so they hold alignment.

 

           Use alkaline batteries in all flashlights; carry spares where feasible. A separate battery to power your drive and dew/frostcap is indispensable. I use a Sears deep-cycle marine battery, with a reserve of 75 amps. Yes, it is huge, and weighs a ton, but it can jump-start the car under severe conditions. Use pencils and paper to record your observations. Cassette tape and CD players will probably fail in the cold, so use the radio (believe it or not, the local news will keep your mind active under these conditions more than Metallica)! Laptop computers must be kept warm (greater than 45 degrees F.) and kept from the damp and frost, so make your printouts at home, or carry the star charts (you thought you didn't need with the advent of the computer) with you. If you insist

 

on taking the laptop with you, there is at least one maker of anti dew systems that makes the equivalent of a heating pad for them, and one auto parts catalog even has a 12 v electric blanket (supposed to warm up to 70 degrees!) that may help as well.

 

           With all these caveats, you might think that you might as well not view until spring! Even in the observatory dome rooms, the observing deck might feel like Antarctica!  A bit of planning can make your winter observing the best of the year. Remember, I wrote the above recalling my early years at Sperry, and then later trekking to the New Jersey Astronomical Association at Voorhees State Park before I had access to the observatory building. Back then, the only shelter was my 1970 Ford Maverick. Those were hard-won lessons, and I hope you now be able to avoid the problems of those nights. Hey, M42 and the Clown Nebula are at their finest on a freezing cold night!           Good (safe) observing!!

 

 

 

DATE	TEAM	MOON	DATE	TEAM	MOON
Sept 27, 2002	C	3rd Qtr	Oct 4, 2002	D	New
Oct 11, 2002	E	1st Qtr	Oct 18, 2002	A	Full
Oct 25, 2002	B	3rd Qtr	Nov 1, 2002	C	New
Nov 8, 2002	D	New	Nov 15, 2002	E	Full
Nov 22, 2002	A	Full	Nov 29, 2002	B	3rd Qtr
Dec 6, 2002	C	New	Dec 13, 2002	D	1st Qtr
Dec 20, 2002	E	Full	Dec 27, 2002	A	3rd Qtr