Mars and sleep deprivation

Mars is in a pretty bad spot now -- rising just early enough to make you stay up late instead of trying to get up early. How is everyone coping with the accompanying sleep loss?

Trying to keep this nighttime activity moderated, like 1 or 2 late nights during the workweek. In 1988 I was kind of going overboard staying up observing every night and was starting to doze off at work during the day -- of course back then I just worked as a student employee taking inventory in the university libraries. Nowadays have to be more careful!

Paul,

In a previous thread I stated that I get up every morning at 3:00 to check the sky no matter what. If cloudy I go back to bed. If clear I get up even if I don't want too. The way I see it, this is a once in 50,000 year opportunity. You will NEVER get to see Mars this close again. Why waste it? Because you are a little tired? No way! Also, remember that any day a dust storm could build and ravage the whole planet. In fact, several small storms have been observed the last few days around Aurorae Sinus. Then what? You'll have plenty of time to sleep unless you want to look at Mars doing it's best impression of being Venus like in 2001.

Paul Atkinson
AstroProProducts.com

I must have the dream wife. She never complains! She knows how important this stuff is to me and even works the clock in the early morning hours. It buzzes and she wakes me up! How sweet is that? I check for clouds and either go back to bed or get up to view. That is also with a 4 year old and a 5 month old! Sometimes in a sleep deprived stuper she hits the snooze about 5 times even after I have come back to bed. If I am back in bed that is kind of bothersome but I dare not say anything. I wish she could get it together.

Now how to get by the sleep deprivation stuff:

1. Own your business. I do. I still try to get to work by 8 a.m. but it is a challange after some nights. If I fall asleep at my desk (like today) sometimes I think about giving myself a pink slip. Then I laugh. ha ha ha ha!

2. Go to bed early. I actually hit the hay around 8 p.m. knowing I want to get up. If it is cloudy I get more than enough sleep.

3. Buy your wife flowers. Remind her that 50,000 years ago (last time Mars was this close) cave men hit their wives with clubs when they wanted to go out and view. Then run and hide before she hits you with a club.

4. Learn to sleep at your desk with your eyes open. My employees do it everyday.

5. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. Think of how neat this is. We are complaining about getting up to watch something that is part of a hobby we LOVE. What could be better?

Paul Atkinson
AstroProProducts.com