Air Pollution
Murphy is back again. Though the astro day is partly clear with rapid moving cumulus and altostratus clouds, a bout of nasty caustic chemical air pollution has wafted in taking its toll on my eyes. With redness, pain, itching, inflammation, bleeding, swelling and ultimate irritation, I may need to see doctors. This afternoon the blog will have its updating and I must work on the USA order and see what is holding it up. Let's get the proverbial order ball into motion.
GPS Postponed Due to Heat
Next, I've chosen to solve the problem with the local GPS satellites but hd to cancel until tomorrow to see if their status and readability are any different from that in the USA. If it's the same, I can use SkySync GPS to automatically download date, time and precision location coordinates to get the mount up and running. Today exceeded 100 deg. F. - just too hot to work outdoors.
Clearing Weather Trend
Last night I saw Mars on the rise as weather conditions are improving from rain to mostly clear skies this week. Stars about 10 to 20 degrees from the horizon twinkle, but stars from 20 degrees to the zenith shine steady. We have extremely stable seeing conditions by the Pacific Ocean.
The observatory tent now has clamping anchors and is roped down in case of wind and storms. No wind yet but one can never be too safe with expensive telescopes. Two clamping systems on the bottom and one on the top hold it in place. These are rapid connect and disconnect for ease of tent removal for imaging. A sailor's knot attaches the rope to the wrought iron rail.
Tripod Placement Decision
It was decided to place the tripod mount legs and feet on the floor and not up on the granite ledge. The potential for the entire mount to vibrate off the ledge during an earthquake would be a real possibility. With feet on the floor, the entire ledge becomes a strong retainer. It means a few extra inches of less working space for me, but entirely worth it for the safety.
Light Pollution Variable
This evening has cleared with some light haze. At 10 pm, Jupiter is rising and two stars are visible in the evening light pollution. Light pollution is at max in the evening. By 11 pm, the skyscrapers turn off their fancy distinctive lighting and the sky begins to improve a little. By 1 pm, most skyscraper windows go dark at the inner city as people go to sleep. By 3 am, there is the least amount of light pollution, but still, extremely heavy. It might go from a Bortle 9 to 8.
