A dry cap of air settled into southern Texas on Friday, bringing clear skies. It is still a week from new moon, but that means that the early night hours are free of the moon. So astronomy was on order for the weekend.
Friday, I packed up my camping supplies and the Looking Glass 16 inch scope in the back of my pickup. I had a firm intention to get back to the Herschel list which I had last worked on in January. (We have had WAY too much cloudy weather in the San Antonio area.)
I arrived at the White Tail Run Starfield about 5 PM and weed wacked a living space in the grass about 40 feet on a side. I got the scope out and set up, finding that I was not missing any critical pieces, books, or equipment I needed.
My plan was to do some testing of two technologies - using an iPad with StarMap HD software for finding Herschel objects and an OFF Clip-On mosquito repellent device to act as chemical bug net for the year's bumper crop of mosquitoes.
I had seen the advertisements for the OFF Clip-On, and had heard some good words at star parties from people who were using the blue device. I looked up the technology and found that the insect repellent was methofluthrin - accepted by the California toxicology studies. (Just don't get the device in water with fish!)
This chemical was first introduced in a DeckMate product and gives area protection. The difference with the Off product is that there is a motor blowing air through the impregnated paper. The device can be worn while around a telescope and can be open without the motor for sleeping in the back of my truck.
The chemical was very effective for astronomy purposes across the weekend. I was able to be still next to the scope for several hours without mosquitoes around my head. (Even though DEET keeps mosquitoes from biting, it does not keep them from buzzing around my ears.) In addition, I was able to keep mosquitoes out of the back of my camper shell with the device - even with the motor not running. I was able to sleep with my legs and chest exposed to the night air without any DEET and I did not wake with any bites! That is good stuff!
The second technology was the iPad software. This was more than sufficient for finding the objects on the Herschel list. I found 40 of 40 objects I was looking for. I almost never needed to refer to the star hopping charts in Steve O'Meara's excellent book on the Herschel list. The big advantage of the software is that the chart is right side up on the dome of the sky. There is no having to orient the chart to the horizon in an uncomfortable way. I did find that there is an annoying shine of mostly white light at almost a 90 degree angle to the screen even when the program is set for night vision. I need to get a sheet of theater filter to make the light redish.
Over the two evenings of the weekend, I was able to log about 40 objects I had never seen before. The sky was about mag 6 for viewing and the seeing was fairly stable. I am now done with July through December on O'Meara's month by month compilation of the Herschel 400 objects. Is it possible that I will be able to complete the list by next spring? For the fall, I think I may start to concentrate on the Caldwell list.
In the middle of the other activities, I had a great night on Saturday when Diane joined me for camping, we had a nice dinner with friends near the starfield, and several folks came by for a 45 minute star party.
It sure was nice to be able to see the sky again in dark skies!
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Spending the night outdoors to look at the constellations or see objects through a telescope is one of the joys of life. I also enjoy writing about my astronomy ideas and observing sessions. I have spent a lot of time outdoors, so spending nights in some dark field under the sky is like being at home. Actually it is being at home.
