MDM Observatory 2.4m Telescope Observing Report for 2009 Dec 14

Observer(s): D. Milisavljevic, J. Parrent
Institution(s): Dartmouth

Instrument: CCDS

Worked for 6 hours (off and on through the night)
Conditions were Non-Photometric most of the night.
No equipment or software problems were encountered.

Seeing and Weather:
   High Humidity all night.
   Beg: Seeing 3 arcsec, Clear, Winds Light & Variable
   Mid: Seeing 3 arcsec, Clear, Winds Light & Variable
   End: Seeing 2 arcsec, Clear, Winds Moderate

Observing Summary:

Struggled with high humidity and poor ~3 arcsecond seeing
all evening. Closed up and re-opened a couple times. Conditions
improved toward the conclusion of the night.

During one opening we found a small owl perched on the dome
control box. Beautiful! We calmly nudged it to move on, but, of
course it flew towards the telescope where we lost sight of it.
Fearing it might be perched on one of the mirror covers we
used the ladder to have a look. We didn't see the little guy
so we proceeded to open the covers. Thankfully no feathers were
seen flying out! Look for the picture posted on the
door to the control room.

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Submitted on 2009 Dec 15 [6:17:41]