MDM Observatory 2.4m Telescope Observer's Report for 2002 Aug 26

Observer(s): Jules Halpern
Institution(s): Columbia U.

Instrument: Echelle Direct, 4 inch filters

Worked for 10 hours (all night)
Conditions were Photometric most of the night.
No equipment or software problems were encountered.

Seeing and Weather:
   Beg: Seeing 0.70 arcsec, Clear, Winds Moderate, Scary Noises
   Mid: Seeing 0.75 arcsec, Clear, Winds Light & Variable
   End: Seeing 0.75 arcsec, Clear, Winds Calm

Observing Summary:

Welcome back to the MDM observing season.

1. I-band imaging of a recent gamma-ray burst to follow decay 
curve, archaelogy of an old burst site, and waiting hopefully
for the next burst.  Seeing is excellent in I-band, even at
airmass 2.0. (Quiz: What is 2.6 pixels in arcseconds?)

2. Deep imaging in support of approved Chandra observations
of EGRET source candidates, primarily in search of neutron
stars.  It's a bit bright now, so starting with I and R, and
will progress to V and B as the moon wanes.  Curiously, the 
best result from the 2.4m would be NOT to detect the target.

3. Photometry of the second brightest QSO and intervening
absorbing galaxies.  A prize to the first person who can
identify it: a fits image of the field, suitable for framing.

Finally, a riddle: Name two places where red is above yellow.

And another one: Name two places where red is above green.

------------------------------

Submitted on 2002 Aug 27 [5:10:46]