Notchview Public Observing - 11/22/2008

The drive to Notchview began with stop at Arunah Hill to check out the recent tree clearing. I arrived in the midst of a snow squall (see home page), snow devils would come and go with the wind. When it comes to weather, there's rarely a dull moment at Arunah Hill!

On to Notchview, where I met up with John, Kevin and Tom. It was already 4:00 pm and cold, so the Visitor Center stove was stoked and scopes were set up.

By 5:30pm, we were scanning the cloudy sky for a glimpse of the ISS, with the Space Shuttle in tow. This was a 4+ minute pass that peaked at 84 degrees. Sure enough, a very bright object was spotted almost directly overhead, and Kevin was able to track it for a short while with his dob. Under better conditions, this would have been a memorable pass. Oh well, some you win...

During the best moments, we had a partly cloudy sky on a windy 18 degree night. Not ideal, but observing did take place between runs to the Visitor Center for hot chocolate and warmth.

The event was well publicized and approx. twenty people braved the elements, including a large scout troop. The scouts decended upon the Visitor Center from their tent site on the hill. When resolve and endurance peetered out, we packed up and convoyed back toward Northampton.

This concludes our 2008 program at Notchview. We were able to conduct three of six planned events, for over sixty people that came from the hill towns, as well as Pittsfield, Northampton and Springfield. Thanks go out to Ray Burk, Ed Faits (and family), John Klinkowski, Kevin Phillips and Tom Walker for helping me with these events. Over the winter, I'll be working with the Notchview folks to set dates for 2009. Stay warm!

djc

Youth Trumps Weather

A contingent of 28 dedicated young people from Worcester Polytechnic Institute made an incredible contribution to the hill today, despite a steady rain that soaked everyone thoroughly. Among the tasks they completed:

• Hauling a huge pile of brush off the south end of the top of the clearing. We now have a much lower southern horizon from the parking area, after Joe Z and his dad did some major chainsaw work.
• Help pull timber snags out of the east side of the clearing
• Pile dirt around the telescope pads so now hopefully no one will fall off that pads in the dark.
• Re-stack the "log cabin" that's been slowly decaying at the bottom of the clearing. The re-stack should buy us time to use the wood for something come spring, maybe a shelter on the south summit.
• Cleared out the entrance to the trail from the clearing to the Piliated Lean-to.

I apologize that our attempts to feed them were hampered by running out of Coleman fuel. They put up with rain, wind, lukewarm Bolide Stew and some warm but not quite hot bratwursts, all without complaint. They seemed to enjoy the work. Thanks to a great group of young people. A special thanks to Dan Herzberg for organizing this. I promise if you guys come back in the spring time well have a building project!

-Ed

See all the pictures

Incredible Day... and Night

The November 1, 2008 work day proved to be a winner on many levels. It started bright and early, with Joe Zuraw and his amazing father working the chain saws to free up some snags just east of the top of the clearing. Mr Z is somewhere in his mid '80s I think, and still out-works most of us on the hill.

Sometime mid-morning the high thin clouds thickened, but it wasn't an unpleasant day... no wind, and temperatures near 50.

The recent Star Watch grads were well represented and did an amazing amount of work... Matt Payne and Kevin Collins cleared brush and did some creative mouse-proofing of the telescope shed. Steel wool, foam, and a bit of pine sealed the place up nice and tight.

Steve Herzberg and his crew cleared some brush on the east end below the pavilion. Chevy and his son Ben moved many wheel barrows of dirt out around the upper pad, so it's now not such a drastic step-off in any direction.

Tom Walker swings a strong axe and split a cord of wood or so in front of the clubhouse. We should be set with firewood for a while.

Regulars Dan Carnevale, Ray Burk, and John Davis also did there usual fine work. Barry Hervieux had his chain saw roaring 'til sunset. It was also great to see Bob Osgood up on the hill on a rare Saturday off and got involved in brush clearing and cleaning up the telescope shed. Peter Scherff stopped by to review the proceedings, take care of some official paperwork, and also lent a hand to the activities.

Sunset brought a great community foil dinner, and skies cleared out nicely.

Jupiter was razor-sharp in twilight, as Io peaked out from behind the gas giant and gave us a nice shadow transit. I moments of good seeing in Dan's wonderful refractor I was making out detail in the bands.

As twilight deepened and the milky way emerged, we all knew we had a terrific night coming on. Highlights for me was the double cluster in Dan and Matt's scopes, and an awesome M-13 in Barry's scope. We had a nice collection of glass and knowledgeable folks that knew how to use it. M-13 was definately a naked eye object once the sky got fully dark.

After a quick binocular tour of the milky way and some wide field views of the Andromedia galaxy, I had to turn in relatively early (despite getting my "lost hour" back as daylight savings time ended), so I look forward to reports from those that stayed later!

Thanks to all who helped today, it was a terrific day and fun night on Arunah Hill!

-Ed