Checking out the new place...

[bruce d]

We have a new residence and I've been busy cleaning and packing and moving so I haven't had a chance to be there on a clear moonless night to check out the sky (WHAT? you moved without checking the skies first!!) until last night. At 10 PM I looked out and the sky was clear so it was time to check out the future of my observing from home. I sat in the truck for 15 minutes listening to the radio while I dark adapted. I stepped outside and went to the back yard to see what I could see. Orion was high in the sky, as was the Dipper. First impression- I expected large light domes to the south from businesses on rt 6 but not a lot there. A brightening right along my horizon but not climbing up into the sky. I knew I would have light to the north from Middleboro and a strip mall up on rt 18 that has several sodium lights. The dome petered out at about 35 degrees, if I want to observe something there I'll have to wait until later inthe year when the object is up high. I could see several faint stars in and around Orion's torso, and also around the "V" of Taurus. Not bad. I could also faintly see the milky way from Cassiopea down to Canis Major. Better than I expected, I'm happy. Mars really looks red tonight! Observing invites will be going out in a couple weeks.

Back to cleaning and moving!

[bruce d]

The latest development; the folks next door stopped over to welcome us to the neighborhood (and brought some homemade cookies but I digress...) so we got to talking about the neighbors and they said 'oh and there's a guy at the other end of the street who has an observatory out back and sends us pictures of planets and stars'. So I went looking and sure enough there's a nice shed with the tell-tale roll off tracks. I'll keep an eye open for the roof to be open and then go say 'hi'.

[vmonte]

There's one neighbor you don't have to worry about with large flood lights.

[netwiz]

Congrats on the new place! It's exciting discovering new nooks and crannies. When we moved into our circa 1886 victorian, I remember how that was. It's been since July and we're still finding secrets in this old house.

Fun Fun...

Even cooler for you, is a neighbor you immediately have common interests with...

LET THE COMPETITION BEGIN! hahaha

[bruce d]

Thanks John, it is fun moving into a new place (and lots of work) . Being circa 2006 about the only surprise has been a pocket door I hadn't realized was there. We looked at a house built in 1775 and were interested, it had several 'secret' passageways but there was not one real closet. Maybe that long ago they were still wearing fig leafs and just put them on top of the dresser?

I'll have to work extra hard to stay in the competition, the neighbor's no rookie and has a mighty fine setup!

[gnhuftalen]

Sounds really nice, Bruce! Congratulations, and looking forward to the observing invitation...

[bruce d]

Thanks George, we hope to make the major move next weekend and while there'll still be lots to do I'll be ready for an evening out under the stars for a break.

[ASSNEman1]

So Bruce Is all your suff moved? I mean no angst. I'm just curious.

I read elsewhere you had a sewer line break? Sorry to hear that. Was it the Taunton House? As I recall the owner is responsible up to the sewer connection in the street, correct?

[bruce d]

Hi Mark, the movers come tomorrow so today is a busy one emptying bookcases and the rest of the furniture, disconnecting tv's, dryer- that kind of stuff.

The sewer problem was at the Taunton house and yse, generally the owner is responsible for the pipe right up to where it connects to the main but the street is in such poor condition (the water main has broke at least 3 times a year for the past decade requiring the city to dig up the street for repairs) so the drain company I had come out called the city and convinced them that they were at fault because the street was in such bad shape that was why my pipe broke. So they got the city to pay for the repair

I hope by a week from now I can take a break and send out an observing invite - weather permitting

[vmonte]

I hope by a week from now I can take a break and send out an observing invite - weather permitting

Usually when an astronomer buys new equipment it rains for a week.
How long does it rain when an astronomer when he buys a new house?

[bruce d]

Manny considering the skies there are a fair amount better than I am used to here in Taunton lets just say I'm in the market for an umbrella upgrade

[vmonte]

[gnhuftalen]

Manny considering the skies there are a fair amount better than I am used to here in Taunton lets just say I'm in the market for an umbrella upgrade

Manny, Bruce,

What with the most recent storm dropping more than 4" of rain in 40 hours, and the next few days...we have paid for Bruce's new observing site. Looking forward to visiting, Bruce...

[vmonte]

What with the most recent storm dropping more than 4" of rain in 40 hours, and the next few days...we have paid for Bruce's new observing site. Looking forward to visiting, Bruce...

True !

[bruce d]

George H wrote:

What with the most recent storm dropping more than 4" of rain in 40 hours, and the next few days...we have paid for Bruce's new observing site.

Your lips to God's ears man- I'm tired of this weather!