MDM Observatory 2.4m Telescope Observer's Report for 2004 Mar 31

Observer(s): eve armstrong
Institution(s): columbia

Instrument: templeton/direct

Worked for 9 hours (most of the night)
Conditions were Mixed most of the night.
No equipment or software problems were encountered.

Seeing and Weather:
   Clouds from 3am until dawn.
   Beg: Seeing 2.6 arcsec, Patchy Clouds, Winds Light & Variable
   Mid: Seeing 2.5 arcsec, Patchy Clouds, Winds Moderate
   End: Overcast, Winds Light & Variable

Observing Summary:

Opened about 15 minutes late (due to rain/clouds.)  Most of the 
night was patchy cirrus, but clouds grew thick toward morning.
Finally gave up and closed an hour early.  Computers slowed
considerably around 3am, and i was having trouble logging into agung.



The following was written a few hours prematurely:


                        'Problem?'


A night this odd I have not had up here in quite a while.
How strange it feels - a touch surreal; I think I've been beguiled.

The thunder, rain, and lightning didn't stay past 6pm.
Got flats, easy alignment, and the light curve is a gem.

Why is the sky so clear?  How come reductions do not fail?
Why isn't condensation there amassing on the rail?

And isn't it 'bout time to lose the guider star from view?
Is not the moon's annoying interference way past due?

I say, I'm at a loss here - any clue what's going on?
It's just a tad unsettling ... when not a thing goes wrong.



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Submitted on 2004 Apr 1 [4:57:47]