[vsnet-chat 622] Re[2]: SN Confirmation Questions

["Wayne P. Johnson" <wpjohnson@anet.bna.boeing.com>]

     Mike,
     
     This is hardly my "personal crusade" as one who has had a couple false 
     alarms yourself should realize. There are times when it is just not 
     possible to get verifications done through the amateur channels and 
     you have to ask people with better tools to help out. Even you claim 
     that you couldn't detect my suspect star near the nucleus of N379, 
     though I know it was there and it was confirmed by the 60-in on 
     Palomar Mountain. Now all of us know that there is a 16th magnitude 
     foreground star near N379's nucleus and you (or anybody else who 
     didn't want to hear the conversation) won't have to alert us to it 
     some time in the future. Stray asteroids that are standing still is 
     another matter that several of us learned a lesson about. I'm somewhat 
     embarrassed about it, though it's part of the learning process. That 
     was my first encounter in all the thousands of images I've taken. It 
     won't prevent me from SN hunting, but I'll be even more careful about 
     reports, which is probably the most important part of the lesson. We 
     all want to do good science and make useful contributions on limited 
     budgets.
     
     It's good for the reporting authority (CBAT, VSNET, ISN, etc.) to get 
     feedback from people in the field to know whether their system is 
     working or not. I'm glad this all occurred because now we have a 
     (hopefully) better reporting method and even some good suggestions 
     about asteroid appulses with galaxies. I think that Marsden's 
     suggestion: that if we send a notification to him and others that he 
     at least should know about it, is a good idea. That way he can track 
     rumors, etc. Taichi's comment about dividing up the ISN into three 
     different levels was also very good. That way we would know whether 
     the ISN notice is the genuine article, a suspect or just Johnson 
     blowing off some steam. I think that Mirko and Stefano are doing a 
     great service and I hope they don't get discouraged. 
     
     We don't have internet at our observatory, though I hope that will 
     change shortly. Someone was complaining about antiquated computers and 
     modems, but I'll bet their observatory is in the backyard. Our 
     observatory is not in our backyard or anywhere near. Trying to get two 
     nights observing on the same object is difficult at best. Most of the 
     time I stay at our observatory for two nights and usually the 
     excitement happens at the end of the 2nd (last) night. Unfortunately, 
     I still have to go home and go to work in the morning after observing 
     all night, suspect or not. The hobby has to be supported somehow! I'm 
     not complaining nor am I on a personal vendetta. Sometimes a reality 
     check is needed for all involved in this pursuit. 
     
     BTW, no matter how many false alarms you have, I am still available 
     given the above caveat about observatory distance, to help verify any 
     of your suspects. I would think that the more you hunt, the more false 
     alarms you would have, especially if you're looking at infrequently 
     observed objects. I am ever building on my database.
     
     Anyhow, I think I've talked myself hoarse on the subject. Next?!
     
     
     Clear skies,
     Wayne (aka Mr. Galaxy)
     
     
     
     


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: SN Confirmation Questions
Author:  pfactors@ix.netcom.com at SMTPGTY
Date:    9/11/97 7:40 PM


Wayne P. Johnson wrote:
> 
>      All,
> 
>      I think Jim made some good points here. 
> 
>      W
     
<SNIP>
     
Wayne, I am requesting that you stop broadcasting through 
isn@mbox.queen.it.  I am *not* speaking for Mirko, Stephano 
or ISN.  I wish to receive news of possible SNe and other 
immediate SNe business through this address, not your 
personal crusade.
     
During the recent discussions you had occasionally CCed me 
without my permission.  I thank you taking me off the 
list.
     
All the best,
     
Mike
     
-- 
Michael Schwartz, Director
Tenagra Observatories, Ltd.
Cottage Grove, OR  97424
(541) 942-0198
http://vsnet2.netcom.com/~pfactors/tenagra.html

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