[vsnet-chat 1491] Re: observing

[Berto Monard <lagmonar@csir.co.za>]

Dear Arne,

I assume you haven't done much (if any) visual observations of
variables. 

Bad seeing or changing seeing by itself reduces the observer's keen
spirit  and I will only do those variables that are bright or awkward,
those I rather not loosing time with on the rare quality nights. 
Perhaps bad seeing doesn't affect the accuracy of estimates much,
varying seeing, which does also occur with heavy aircurrents in the
scope tube, well... the precision may be a bit less, but repeating the
estimates may still produce accurate results, brightness allowing.  
To observe or not very much depends on circumstances. A number of
clear previous nights, large moon and fatigue will rather diminish the
urge to go out then. On the other hand, urgent follow ups on new
targets or trully boring TV programs might drive you.... whatever the
anticipated loss in accuracy
 
Shame for your bad week, on the other hand if you want to fly in those
directions or calibrate in non photometric conditions, you have to
live with the 'con'sequences. 

Best regards,

Berto Monard
Pretoria



>>> <aah@nofs.navy.mil> 11/21 5:37 AM >>>
This has been one of those frustrating weeks in the life of a
professional astronomer.  First, jet lag kept me from observing
late on the one good night of the week.  Then, just enough
cirrus was present on other nights to prevent all-sky photometry.
Tonight, the seeing is varying between 2.5 and 4.5 arcsec, making
reductions very difficult and limiting how faint I can go.
 
The question for you visual observers:  what do you do on nights
of variable seeing?  Can you achieve your normal accuracy?  The
only good thing for us CCD observers is that the images are so
spread out, we can go a magnitude or two brighter than normal
and catch those stars we used to do with photoelectric photometers.

Arne

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