Re: [APML] OT: TSP panorama

[Robert Reeves <reeves10@swbell.net>]

> Man, that's a lot of dirt.  Are you all sure it's worth going to that site
> every year?

Truthfully, I was having real second thoughts about the wisdom of going out
there as I was being sandblasted while assembling my mount.  The dust is
literally worse every year.  However, the dust control was better this year
because TSP spent $1000 laying mucho pea gravel on the dirt roads.  There
was zero dust from cars driving until the final night of TSP.  By then, the
gravel was begining to disperse a little.  The primary dust problem this
year was the fact that the observing field itself has been reduced to dust
by the multi-year drought the Ft. Davis area has experienced.  The wind
picks that up.  But short of spreading two acres of gravel on the observing
field, we can do nothing about that dust.

> So, if not the Prude Ranch next year, where else would be a good spot?
> How 'bout Robert's place? <g>

Believe it or not, I have considered that.  My observatory is located not
far from the Alto Frio location where TSP was held four years ago when it
was not at the Prude Ranch for a year.  The area is riddled with bed and
breakfast places so lodging in the area for a fair number of people is not a
problem.  After my astrophotography book came out two years ago, I gave
serious thought about trying to sponsor something I hypothetically called
the Southwest Celestial Imaging Conference.  It would be something similar
to what Richard Berry did for CCD imaging once (still does??), but for film
astrophotography.  I got spooked after realizing I could not nail down a
specific time of year for it where I could be reasonably assured of good
weather.  The idea still twists in my mind for time to time.  Maybe
someday...

Robert Reeves                      reeves10@swbell.net
520 Rittiman Rd.                   www.robertreeves.com
San Antonio, Texas 78209    210-828-9036
USA                                     29.484  98.440  200 meters


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