MDM Observatory 2.4m Telescope Observer's Report for 2004 Feb 18

Observer(s): Aeree Chung
Institution(s): Columbia University

Instrument: Nellie

Worked for 5 hours (first half of the night)
Bad weather most of the night.
Problems were encountered, see the separate trouble report for details.

Seeing and Weather:
   High Winds all night.
   Beg: Seeing 3.3 arcsec, Fog/Low Clouds, Winds High, T=56F, H=26%
   Mid: Seeing 5.5 arcsec, Patchy Clouds, Winds High, T=33F, H=81%
   End: Fog/Low Clouds, Winds High, T=31F, H=91%

Observing Summary:

Even though it was windy (~20mph) at the beginning of the night
(18 MST), it was still doable to focus and point because the
telescope was protected by the dome. At 23 MST the wind did not
seem to be getting any better (~25mph), even worse the telescope
had to face (NE) almost to the wind (SE) to point the targeted
sources. Thus I decided to shut down. The wind went far above 
the limit (60mph) an hour or so later the dome was closed. It 
did not get better at 3 MST (19th) and the telescope was shut 
for the night. The temp and hum changed dramatically over the 
night (56F, 26% at 18 MST -> 33F, 81% at 3 MST on 19th) and it 
was VERY windy. Currently 7:10 MSP on 19, the temp -> 31F, hum
-> 91%. 

Besides the weather, Nellie seems to be working fine but I had
a problem with the TV guider which turned out to be caused by
a low voltage.

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Submitted on 2004 Feb 19 [7:17:22]