Carpe noctem and bird in the hand observing

by David Kingsley

I applaud the preparations for observing under cold conditions this coming weekend. I can always throw on enough clothes to observe in California, and will probably head to either Coe or the Peak this weekend. However, the next level of Carpe Noctem is to go observing whenever conditions look good, instead of hoping for good conditions on Saturdays. There are almost always beautiful, clear observing nights every month in California. Lots of missed moon cycles could be avoided by seizing those "bird in the hand" nights, even when they don't happen to fall on the weekend.

Today and tomorrow look beautiful. I am seriously considering heading up to either Coe or Montebello on Tuesday, depending on winds in East Bay Hills, and possible jury duty in San Jose over the next 24 hours. Astro twilight ends around 6:40 pm and the moon doesn't come up till around 11:30 pm tomorrow night. Five hours of dark is nearly as long as the best all nighter at Shingletown around summer solstice. In the winter, you can get five hours of observing and still be in bed between midnight and 1 am. Anyone else interested in observing before the arctic wave arrives this weekend?

Carpe noctem
Avis in manus

-David Kingsley