Quote:
Originally Posted by seeker372011
welcome and am I am sure you are going to really enjoy your 10 inch dob..do you have dark skies where you live or at least close by?
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Surprisingly, the last several weeks have shown clearer skies than normal. Unfortunately, surrounding street lights suck up some of the darkness. We've been watching Comet Holmes with 8x binoculars so I guess that's pretty dark. I'm so new to all this, I'm not sure if that's good or bad. LOL.
Quote:
Originally Posted by citivolus
Welcome Kirkus! Your location on the edge of the Pismo dunes definitely has some challenges to observing/scope longevity, such as keeping sand out of your equipment and salt spray. Does your location suffer much from the marine layer? If so, you could probably escape it and some light polution by heading north/inland towards SLO. From what I recall of the hills in that area, there has to be something good around.
On another note, you are probably very well situated there to watch the launches out of Vandenberg. Have you ever tried hauling out your scope for that?
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How fun (and more than a little surprising) to read details about my home!
I'm pretty sure the rust I found on the Bushnell was caused in part by the salty air. The marine layer does come in quite often, but oddly enough it's been crystal clear for several weeks now which is out of the ordinary. SLO would be a good bet if too many cruddy nights down here on the coast start getting in the way of my fun, but about another 10 miles North, "over the grade", the elevation sky-rockets. Most local star parties are held up there, so if worse comes to worse, a :45 minute drive should prove useful.
Not only do we
watch take offs from Vandenberg, we
feel them!! There's never any doubt when a launch is happening.