Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 12:47:34 -0800
From: Michael Linnolt <linnolt
To: Tim Crawford <tcarchcape
Priority: normal
References: <20060317200309.14668.qmail
	k2HKlwXx009070

You can do just about any visual variable star observing from light polluted locations as well! The majority of mine have been done under moderate light pollution. The only issue is it reduces your LM to some degree, but you can compensate by using larger aperture and higher magnification, or just stick to somewhat brighter objects. The fact is, light pollution is generally less of an interference than the Moon, because it comes from below, illuminates a lesser fraction of the atmosphere, and is typically concentrated to parts of the sky, rather than everywhere.

Large aperture is very easy and cheap to obtain these days, thanks to the Dobsonian revolution. Plus these big scopes are easy to use "permanently" setup in your backyard anyway, rather than hauling them to distant sites.


Mike L (LMK)

From: Tim Crawford <tcarchcape
Date: Friday, March 17, 2006 12:04 pm
Date: Friday, March 17, 2006 12:04 pm

> The typical average observer has to travel from their
> light polluted home area (one to two hours or more) to
> sites that offer reasonably dark skies, set up there
> equipment and then begin viewing; the majority of
> these folks, even when they have an interest in making
> a scientific contribution, simply do not have enough
> scope time to even satisfy their eye candy needs. 
> Therefore, the typical average observer, without a
> CCD, is unlikely to be a prospect (yes, there are
> always exceptions… just few and far between).
> 
> As we all know, if you have a CCD there is little need
> to travel to a dark site to accomplish VS observing as
> most observers can do their observing from their
> backyard, regardless of light pollution issues.  

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