[vsnet-chat 3045] Re: [vsnet-obs 28140] RE: Reszelski's observation

[Taichi Kato <tkato>]

Re: [vsnet-chat 3041] Re: [vsnet-obs 28140] RE: Reszelski's observation

  Lasse wrote:

> But an experienced observer using a dobsonian scope can easily observe 
> 12 CV with 7 minutes.
> That's no problem if you know the star fields from thousands of previous 
> observations.
> Of course it helps if the stars are in the same part of the sky.
> 
> I guess observers like Gary Poyner and Gene Hanson often make 
> observations that fast.
> I did the same when I observed visually using my 13.1 inch dobsonian.

  Gary wrote:

> I've never managed 12 CV's in 7 mins.  If they are in the same part of 
> the sky and visible then one per minute is easy.  Not constantly referring to
> charts saves time.  HOwever I'm getting old now (42 soon), so two minutes
> per observation is about average for me.  Lasse I know was a fast -AND 
> accurate observer.  Pity we lost him to CCD really.  Gene Hanson has to 
> observe quickly, as he always has one eye open for Scorpions and rattle 
> snakes :-)

  CV observers are just like doing "Messier marathon" every night ;-).
The point I was surprized at Reszelski's observation was the very faint
limiting magnitude compared to the speed of observation.  [Does anyone
know the established relation/record between them?]  I could manage to
observe two CVs per minute to a limiting magnitude of 13.5 (using a
classical 20-cm SCT, at a fixed magnification of x160), but would have
never done as quickly to a limiting magnitude of 14.5-15.0.  I wonder how
quickly these "super-observers" locate the fields and change magnifications
to accomodate these faint variables.

  However, I wonder how quicker Reszelski could observe if he could manage
to sleep more than four hours ;-).  Well, how frequently have I heard
of observers whose single "sleeping sessions" never exceeding two hours...
I suspect Patrick Schmeer is extremely talented in this regard; considering
the quick response in day and night, I suppose he never sleeps
continuously ;-)

Regards,
Taichi Kato

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