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Visual Observing

A newcomer's greeting
Alex Engebretson
1/19/2022 11:38 AM

I recently joined CTAS and wanted to say hello!


I received a Celestron 130slt for my birthday in November and I've been having a great time finding Messiers in my light polluted backyard in Hewitt. I'm looking forward to joining y'all at the dark site at some point (I'm a Baylor prof with young children, so not sure when I'll get out there, but hopefully soon.)


I'm also very interested in going up to a dob, like a XT8 or generic-brand 8-inch dob. If y'all have any leads on a used one, I'd be very interested!


Cheers,

Alex

jeisfeldt
1/19/2022 2:32 PM
Thanks for joining. Just check the event calendar on our website @ www.centexastronomy.org .
 
Dave Eisfeldt
Dick
1/20/2022 9:20 AM

Hi Alex, welcome to CTAS. I’m also in Hewitt and a retired BU prof.


You should definitely plan to come to the next Member Star Party. Check the Calendar on the website, these are always held near the New Moon, and you will enjoy the dark skies.


I’m also the guy who does the training on the 24-inch if you’re interested.

Alex Engebretson
1/20/2022 1:51 PM

Hi Dick, good to meet you. Do most folks drive home the night of the star party or do others camp out? I'm just wondering how safe it is to drive home since it looks, at least on the map, pretty remote. Or is this not a concern?

Johnny Scarborough
1/20/2022 2:09 PM
Welcome to CTAS. Most everyone drives home. The drive is safe except for two things. Deer and a few narrow bridges on 182 going south, towards Turnersville. I consider them 1 car bridges. 

Clear skies 
Johnny Scarborough,  CTAS President 

Johnny
1/20/2022 2:57 PM

Hey Alex,

 

First, welcome to CTAS, and glad to have you aboard.  I'm Johnny Barton the Astronomical League Representative for CTAS.  If you'd like to participate in any of the AL's observing award programs, please get with me.

 

I know you were inquiring to Dick about the drive, but I thought I'd chime in on your question.  Most likely, you'll be coming from Waco and go out Hwy. 6 to Clifton. Once in Clifton, take a left at the only red light in town.  You'll be on FM 219 for about 7 miles and take FM 182 to the left for another approx. 4 miles.  As soon as you see that you've crossed into Coryell Co. the Observatory entrance is only about a 1000 ft on the right.  All of the roads are very good two lane highways, with just two short two lane bridges that don't have any shoulders.  Actually, FM 182 doesn't have much, if any, shoulder.  There's usually not very much traffic on these roads once you get off Hwy. 6. 

If going out during daylight, the deer are easy to see if they're standing on the side of the road or crossing.  It's when you leave at night that you need to be on the look out.  It's just best to keep it a bit under the speed limit.  It's even possible to see deer along Hwy. 6 between Lake Waco and Clifton.

 

Again, welcome and stay safe,  Johnny Barton

 
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