by Jay Freeman
The Coyote public star party on 3 August 2002 was clouded out. As I prepared to depart, I mentioned that I might try the Peak, and had at least five people tell me that someone went there on the way to Coyote and found it hosed. I replied to all, that sometimes the marine layer settles after sunset, so perhaps it was worth a try. So I headed up to the Peak, leaving lots of TACy people laughing smugly, certain that I would see no more celestial photons that evening than they had.
It almost pains me to gloat, but I have an image to maintain. So: Nyah, nyah, nyah, the Peak was clear!
Thick marine layer lay over the freeways and over the lower part of the road up the Peak. Part way up, the road passed through patches of thick cloud, but with occasional clear spots offering a view of stars above. As I turned into the parking lot by the 'phone, wisps of cloud and fog drifted slowly past. I introduced myself to the ranger on duty, who seemed rather bemused that anyone might consider setting up a telescope in the southwest lot. I mentioned that I had been observing at the Peak for twenty-five years, so I presume he concluded my insanity was beyond help.
Yet the two data points -- the earlier report from the hapless soul who had reported the Peak socked in, and the 11 PM PDT observation that the cloud tops had sunk to the level of the parking lots, suggested an improving trend. I drove up to the southwest lot, drank coffee and munched the meal I had brought, and waited. Conditions slowly improved. Presently Jeff Crilly and his friend Skip showed up, and after some discussion and more watch-and-waiting, we both set up.
There was some higher obscuration, I suspect smoke from the Oregon fires, but it thinned out as the night progressed. After we had set up -- at about 11:30 -- no more wisps of fog drifted over the lot, though at one point it got close. The temperature slowly rose, and the humidity dropped -- a classic inversion.
The night was not as good as Friday had been, because of the higher obscuration, and because the clouds above Salinas and Santa Cruz were not as thick. But it was quite good -- I could see the North American Nebula naked-eye, and the Sagittarius Milky Way was bright and detailed. I had my 6-inch refractor, and was chasing objects for my "Bedford catalog" survey as they rose out of the treetops. Most of these are doubles. Some times it is interesting to learn more about familiar objects. Did you know that popular double star eta Cas has a total of at least seven components? I could see six in the refractor, at 152x.
We observed till well past moon rise. I got home just as the eastern sky was turning pale blue with the onset of dawn.
It was a fine night! I say again, nyah, nyah, nyah... :-)