July 2003 observer's log

Central NC, 680ft. above sea level:

Days without rain in July =10
Nights with completely overcast skies=20
Nights in which NO stars were visible as of 10:30pm =18 of 25 actually attempted
Number of mornings got up between 12am and 4:30am to see Mars= 12
Number of times late for work, or groggy at work due to astro attempts = 15
Number of times Mars was actually visible over the treeline and through the cloud cover or haze = 3
Number of times the seeing conditions permitted brief views over 100x = 2 (one spectacular!)
Number of times viewing led to an extended session = (1) 4.5hr session

Amount of funds spent on astronomy in July 2003 = $1262.50 ($630 to be refunded)

Rough guesstimate of amount of time spent on Astromart and other web resources pursuit to astronomy in July = 125-140hrs.
Amount of time spent at work earning a living and procurring astro toy money = 172hrs

And where am I on Aug. 2, 2003? Right back here looking for more. Dunno, what that sez about me.

Mike Swaim

Ok, Ok, it is time for you to get one of those small see through everything refractors or to buy a house on top of a mountain somewhere! ;^)
Man are you a glutton for punishment! ;^)
Don't give up, Mars will rear its head for you if you keep going out that much. The cloud godess is looking at you deciding when to part the clouds for your pleasure!
Floyd

Mike,
Sounds like July in NC was just what May was like in PA. Hang in there as conditions are sure to improve eventually.

Warren Boyles

4am 8-3-03 No stars visible. Summer inversion continues. Comparison of TV Ranger vs Leica Televid impossible.

New scope to arrive tomorrow.

Wonder how Stellafane is going?

Mike Swaim