Lunar Observing

 I've begun over the last several years to take up observing the moon. In the business of life, lunar observing is something  I can take an hour or so to do once a week. I wanted to share some ideas for lunar observing I've learned and would love to hear from some of you what your tricks of the trade so to speak for lunar observing are. 

First, get to know the main features of the moon. There are several resources I use for my lunar observing. The first resource is Sky & Telescopes Field Map of the Moon. I have both the mirror image for my refractor and my binoculars and the reverse image for my dobs. I find I use this the most as it is easy to use, laminated and has an index of major features on the back. 

My next resource is the 21st century Atlas of the Moon. This is a photographic atlas of the moon that is divided into 28 quadrants that you can see what the major features are in each quadrant. I find I use this resource to plan my observation for an evening of what are of the moon I am going to observe. I then use the Field Map of the Moon to help me to identify it in my backyard. 

My next resource is my favorite. Moonwalk with Your Eyes A Pocket Field Guide by Tammy Plotner. This book and resource breaks up observing the moon by the day of its phase. I love that I can easily identify what I want to observe my going to that day and then planning it out. This is my primary guide for learning and observing the moon. 

Some other factors. Though I love the view of the moon in my 10", 14" and 17.5" dobs, I find I like the views the best in my 4 inch refractor and in my 10 inch Orion XT10. I always use a lunar filter or polarizing filter to tone down the brightness and I highly recommend it. I usually observe through the gibbous state, until the moon becomes so bright and the Sunlight is hiding most of the shadows which reduces contrast. I never observe the full moon through a telescope or binoculars. There is little contrast so I enjoy the full moon naked eye. 

Look for my lunar sketches as I observe and report back on them. I have found observing the moon to be as fulfilling as observing at a dark site for deep sky objects. I also know it increases my enjoyment of the hobby. So don't lament that the moon is up, make the most of it and learn to observe and love observing the many wonderful features of our neighbor, the moon; Luna.  

 Thought I would go a little of the beaten road tonight. Here are the moon rise and set times for the next week: 

This is the week I usually plan to get out to one of my dark sites once or twice, preferably twice. Well, here is the forecast for this same days near one of my favorite dark sites: 

I am hoping now to get out either next Friday night or Saturday night as the weather during the week is looking hard and it is Thanksgiving. Saturday is new moon so either would work. We'll see what the weather brings but I'll have to dress warm as the low around 15 is even colder out in the desert, probably down to between 5 degrees and 10 degrees.  The good news is I can get there by 4pm, set up, and observe from 6pm to 10pm and then pack up and head home. You have to love late fall and winter observing!!!! We'll see how the dirt roads hold up. 

This led me to thinking what do I do when the weather is cooperating with observing? What do I do on those cloud nights? Well, sometimes now, more often than note, I just enjoy my family. My grandkids live with me and I love spending time with them! I also still really love and like being with my wife of 36 1/2 years, so we hang out and do things together. 

In terms of astronomy, here is what I do.  First, I make sure my observing session is planned for my next dark sky trip(s). I know what I am going to view and I have made my observing list in Sky Tools 4. That reminds me I need to do a review of Sky Tools 4 soon! Look for that! I also tune up my telescopes to make sure they are performing optimally. I clean them up (not the mirrors, my mirrors are fine and I don't think they need to be cleaned often) by cleaning up the wood, polishing them up, and sanding and revarnishing if needed. 

Next I check the batteries in all my equipment with a battery component I have that tests how much juice is in them. I replace the ones that need to be replaced. I then move on to my eyepieces and check them and identify if I need to clean any of them. I also spend time on Starry Night 7 to just play around and see how my next observing session will go and make sure I write down any tricky star hops. Between Sky Tools 4 and Starry Night 7 pro I feel comfortable when my next session comes. 

Next, I move on to organizing my tools and what I take out into the field. I am getting to be a minimalist now. I take out only what I need for that session. Finally, if the weather is bad the entire new moon period, I spend time practicing my sketching, usually taking one object a night and practicing sketching it for about 30 minutes using The STScI Digitized Sky Survey images LINK as a reference. 

If I know I am going after faint objects, I spend time looking at what others have done in observing, those that I trust and make their information available. So for me, a cloudy week at new moon may disappoint me, but I have many other things I do. I also do watercolors and pastel painting so if I feel I need a release, I may just work on an art piece during this time also. I adjust as circumstances arise. What do you do during those cloudy nights? Feel free to leave a comment if you wish. 

 

Light Options for Observing

 I've posted on this way back in 2014 LINK. However, I thought I would update my recommendations on red lights to use while observing. 

1. Photon Freedom Micro

My first choice is the Photon Freedom Micro LED keychain flashlight, Black w/ Covert LINK. I own 8 of these, 4 in red light, 2 in green and 2 in orange. They have never failed me in the field and I find the adjustable light perfect for helping me keep my night vision in tack. The one's I have own I have had for 10 years and yes, I have had to replace the batteries but that is all. Replacing the battery is tricky the first time but my backs have never fallen off after replacing them. I LOVE this item! 

2. Rigel Starlite Mini Compact Variable Brightness Red LED Astronomer's Flashlight

I own two of these and I like them a lot. I have modified them with a piece of red plastic put over the light to dim it just a little bit. The light is adjustable. The only compliant is the 9 volt battery is replaced by removing the front of the light and sometimes it doesn't want to fit on nicely.  I haven't had mine fall off as some have in the field, but I am careful when I change out the battery. 

3. Rigel Starlite Water-Resistant Variable Brightness Red LED Astronomer's Flashlight

I own one of these and I prefer this one over the Min Compact ones I have. Adjustable and the dimmest light allows you to see your charts without impacting your night vision. The brightest setting is two bright but good for take down after observing. However, I usually use a white light when I break down. 

4. BlackDiamond Spot 400 headlamp 

I still own 3 BlackDiamond Spot Headlamps that are 10 years old and still work outstanding! This is what they look like: 

I recently purchased an updated Spot 400 and like it ab out the same. 

The Spot 400 gives you the option for white light or red light. White LED outputs up to 400 lumens on max setting, 200 lumens on medium and 6 lumens on low. Red LED night vision has dimming and strobe modes, and is quickly activated without cycling through the white mode. All I have to do is hit the button and it changes over to red and stays on red until I hit the button and move it to white. It is a go to and you'll usually find it on my head or nearby.  

I haven't purchased update red lights for over 10 years now as mine are still going strong. I invested and my investment keeps on going (except for the Spot 400).  Having a good and dim red light is critical for sketching and for observing.  

Resources from the Night Sky Network

I want to take a minute and share some resources from NASA's Night Sky Network. There is a lot that is offered over there and here is a list of some of them. 

Presentations for Meetings, Class Visits and Cloudy Nights: LINK 

News and Resources: LINK 

Night Sky Planner for Today's Night: LINK 

Latest Articles: LINK 

Large Magellanic Cloud: Dwarf of the Milky Way or Survivor?

NASA on November 14th release this article on whether the Large Magellanic Cloud  is in orbit around the much larger Milky Way Galaxy or in actuality, is a survivor from a close encounter with the Milky Way. The article points out that the Large Magellanic Cloud has survived a passage near the Milky Way, which  has blown away most of the spherical halo of gas that surrounds the LMC. However, not all the gas has been torn away, there is enough that the LMC is still making new stars.  How do we know that? Because there are star forming regions still to be found in the LMC. A smaller galaxy would only have aging red stars left and in the LMC that is not the case. 

However, the LMC for its mass, is about 10 times smaller than other galaxies of the similar mass. This shows most of the gas in the LMC has been blown away by the encounter with the Milky Way.  The Milky Way in the article acts like a blow dryer, pushing a lot of the gas from the LMC out away from it and that gas will eventually come into the Milky Way. Fortunately for the LMC, not all of its halo will be lost so it will continue to make new stars as it moves away into deep space away from the Milky Way. 

This image from the article shows what is meant from the research down from using Hubble. 

I haven't done the article justice and invite you to click the link above and take 5 minutes to read the article. It is amazing to me how as we gather more knowledge about the universe around us, how our perception and paradigms and knowledge continue to grow and be expanded! 

Free Astronomy Textbooks

Well, I have a very old textbook on Astronomy. The problem is I can't find the box I stored it in. So before buying a new one, I decided since we live in the digital age to find out if there are free resources available. There are. Here are some that you may want to consider to further your own knowledge or to use as a reference.

1. Free Astronomy Books: LINK

2. American Astronomical Society Textbook Astronomy 101 published 2017 free downloand: 

Link 1 is to their website where they discuss the book LINK 2 is to where you download the book. 

3. Hubble has free downloadable ebooks at this LINK. They contain good basic info and stellar images that would be great for outreach! 

4. UC Berkeley free downloadable books LINK. The are: 

     Exoplanets editor Sara Seager 2011

      Planetary Sciences by Imke de Plater & Jack J. Lasseur

 5. Astronomy 2e Online Textbook LINK 

6. Astronomy for Mere Mortals LINK (PDF) 

I hope that may assist someone in furthering their knowledge of our solar system and universe! 

Globular Clusters in Messier 31: The Andromeda Galaxy

 So on my observing projects I have the following: 

1. Abell Planetary Nebula

2. Planetary Nebula by Season 

3. ARP Galaxies by Season 

4. Now I am going to add Globular Clusters in Messier 31: The Andromeda Galaxy. This is a late summer/fall observing project and may not get into full gear until next fall. 

I want to consolidate in one place some of the resources that are out there for observing Globular Clusters in Messier 31: The Andromeda Galaxy. Some of these references have links that are no longer valid as a FYI. Here we go. 

1. Adventures in Deep Space LINK  Globular Clusters in the Andromeda Galaxy.  The excel sheet is excellent here as is the LINK to the Atlas of the Andromeda Galaxy. 

2. Robert Glender's Gobular Star Clusters of M31 LINK. 

3. PDF Field Guide to M31's brightest Observable Globular Clusters LINK  and Main Observing Chart M31 LINK. 

4. CloudyNights Article: SW: Deep Andromeda - Satellite Galaxies, Star Clouds and Globular Clusters of M31 LINK 

5. Phil Harrington's Cosmic Challenge article on CloudyNights: Cosmic Challenge Globular clusters

in M31 LINK. 

Here is some information from the Excel Sheet: 

Bottom line, see how many you can or want to attempt to observe and go for it! Push your limits of yourself and your telescope and find out which you can observe and enjoy the fun of chasing them down! 

 2Follow* * * * *

Cosmic Challenge: Globular clusters in M31 

ARP Galaxies by Season

 

ARP 99

NGC 4038 & 4039 merging galaxies; April 20th, 2012 22inch dob; SQM 21.81; Transparency: Excellent; 31mm Nagler; 22mm T4, 17.3 Delois, 10mm Pentax XW 

I've decided to add another observing project to supplement my Abell Planetary Nebula. I am going to go after some of the ARP galaxies. To assist me with this, I am making a Google Sheet that has the ARP's by name and by season. I hope this may help others to find a fun observing challenge to go after! Here is the LINK

I also just found these resources on the Astronomical League's Page: 

Links:

Northern Arp Observing Program Object Lists:

• Northern ARP by ARP # in PDF format
• Northern ARP by Right Ascension in PDF format
• Northern ARP in Excel format
• Northern Arp Peculiar Galaxy Program Appendix B – by Constellation

November 7th - 8th Observing 10:45 pm to 2:30 am

 Well I got out. I had to wait for the moon to sink but I spent that time looking at some doubles and some Messier eye candy which was nice. I also just sat back on my observing chair and for about 40 minutes just took in the sky naked eye. 

Sitting there looking up, relaxing and listening to the night around me brought to me such a peace and serenity that I usually only get one other place. However, I remembered this night why I love observing so much. It reminds me how insignificant I am when compared to all that is out there. Observing reminds me of the cycle of birth, life, death and renewing. Nothing goes to waste in the universe. It really recycles on a constant basic. Elements are created, used and often recalibrated into something new. This reminds me of our own journey. It isn't about ever arriving, but about enjoying the experiences and lessons that life brings to us, both good and hard. It is for our own experience and experiencing life allows us to be involved in life. 

I also felt connected again to the universe and the world around me. Night birds swooshed by at times, seeking food as they lived their nocturnal lives. Coyotes yelped and howled at times, as they went about doing their role as scavengers and hunters. There is a peace at night that I feel out in the desert mountains alone. I have been asked if I ever fear going out alone now. Nope. I have protection in various ways but I feel such a peace and calm that no, I don't worry. I did enjoy the days when I had a few select and good friends go observing with me so when we took breaks, we could compare notes and even views on some objects. I also though enjoy being alone and can go either way now. 

This night found me settling at my old friend and site, Forest Road 006, Top of the World. You can see that site from an early post this week. As I set up the 17.5, Star Catcher and waited for both the mirror to accumulate and for the moon to work it's way down, I collimated using my Howie Glatter collimation tools. I then aligned my telrad, my finderscope and my eyepieces. One of these days I need to really sit down and come up with a quicker way to align my finderscope and Telrad. 

So about 10:45 I started observing and I also started sketching. Here are my sketches. Some of these I really like, some show it has been awhile. It is starting to come back though and that feels good. No particular order to the sketches. Each observation used a Type II Paracorr. 

NGC 7009 the Saturn Nebula, a planetary nebula. 

FR 006 Top of the World 

Antoniadi II

Transparency: 6 

17.5 f 4.4 

22mm Nagler T4

10mm & 7mm Pentax XW

OIII and Narrowband filters

NGC 7479 Spiral Galaxy in Pegasus

FR 006 Top of the World 

Antoniadi II

Transparency: 6 

17.5 f 4.4 

22mm Nagler T4

10mm & 7mm Pentax XW

NGC 7354 a PN in Cephus

FR 006 Top of the World 

Antoniadi II

Transparency: 6 

17.5 f 4.4 

22mm Nagler T4

10mm & 7mm Pentax XW

OII and NB filters

NGC 7331 the Deerlick Galaxy 

FR 006 Top of the World 

Antoniadi II

Transparency: 6 

17.5 f 4.4 

22mm Nagler T4

10mm & 7mm Pentax XW

NGC 7293 the Helix Nebula

FR 006 Top of the World 

Antoniadi II

Transparency: 6 

17.5 f 4.4 

22mm Nagler T4

10mm & 7mm Pentax XW

OIII and NB Filters 

NGC 6905 The Blue Flash Planetary Nebula

FR 006 Top of the World 

Antoniadi II

Transparency: 6 

17.5 f 4.4 

22mm Nagler T4

10mm & 7mm Pentax XW

OIII filter 

NGC 6765 PN in Lyra

FR 006 Top of the World 

Antoniadi II

Transparency: 6 

17.5 f 4.4 

22mm Nagler T4

10mm & 7mm Pentax XW

OIII filter 

Note: some of the pastel chalk came off on this sketch. 

Messier 74 

FR 006 Top of the World 

Antoniadi II

Transparency: 6 

17.5 f 4.4 

22mm Nagler T4

10mm & 7mm Pentax XW

Messier 64 the Blackeye Galaxy 

FR 006 Top of the World 

Antoniadi II

Transparency: 6 

17.5 f 4.4 

22mm Nagler T4

10mm & 7mm Pentax XW

Messier 33 in Triangulum

FR 006 Top of the World 

Antoniadi II

Transparency: 6 

17.5 f 4.4 

22mm Nagler T4

30mm Pentax XW10mm & 7mm Pentax XW

One of my favorites of the sketches that night.  

Jones 1 Planetary Nebula in Perseus 

FR 006 Top of the World 

Antoniadi II

Transparency: 6 

17.5 f 4.4 

22mm Nagler T4

10mm & 7mm Pentax XW

OIII filter and NB filter

Another sketch that I felt really captured the view of this faint planetary. Filters helped a lot though the 17.5 did pick it up without a filter. 

IC 5217 in Lacerta

FR 006 Top of the World 

Antoniadi II

Transparency: 6 

17.5 f 4.4 

22mm Nagler T4

10mm & 7mm Pentax XW

OIII filter 

Cassiopeia A SN remnant in Cassiopeia. 

FR 006 Top of the World 

Antoniadi II

Transparency: 6 

17.5 f 4.4 

22mm Nagler T4

10mm & 7mm & 5mm Pentax XW

OIII filter 

Really nailed this one with a hint of the southern arc. Great night and could see brighter elements/filaments this night! 

It was a wonderful experience to be out, finding, star hopping and observing again. It got down to 18 degrees F this night but with my layers and hunting bibs and parka, I never got cold! It's funny. 10 years ago I loved the cold and hated the heat. My body has flipped and now I can get cold easy and long for warmth. I was plenty warm this night! 

Overall I am happy with some of my sketching and others show I need to practice again. As always I prefer the actual sketches verses the image of them. It is nice now to use my iPhone and take the pictures adjusted the image both before the shot and tweaking after the photo right there on the iPhone. That is perhaps the biggest change for me. I guess I need to improve on my editing skills. 

What I do like and prefer about this method is it shows my unven stars. I need to practice making stars again. Then again, in some ways I prefer that the stars are not always perfectly round. Shows that a human made them with his many imperfections! I'll improve as I start doing more sketches now. 

The Importance of Seeing and Transparency with Deep Sky Observing

 I'm going to quote from the Astronomical League's page which I link below: 

Quote

Seeing and Transparency are values that an observer uses to compare the quality of the sky from night to night.  The values are very specific to an individual observer’s visual acuity.  Seeing is a measure of how stable the sky is.  Transparency is a measure of how clear the sky is. Most of the Astronomical League’s Observing Programs require the observer to evaluate these conditions for each observation and to record them in their observation log.

This topic has come up over at CloudyNights and I want to share my view on both seeing and transparency. Both for me play a key part in what DSO objects I go after during an observing session. I'll being by sharing a quote from the Astronomical Leagues Website on Seeing and Transparency (LINK is below): 

"Seeing and Transparency are values that an observer uses to compare the quality of the sky from night to night.  The values are very specific to an individual observer’s visual acuity.  Seeing is a measure of how stable the sky is.  Transparency is a measure of how clear the sky is. Most of the Astronomical League’s Observing Programs require the observer to evaluate these conditions for each observation and to record them in their observation log."

A key take away is that the values are very specific to each of us who observe. If I have friends that I observe with and know and trust their knowledge, I usually try to compare our notes and thoughts on these two conditions. It allows me to determine my bias and to give a more accurate appraisal of the sky that night. Anyway, for the following is so important when I observe: 

I have and continue to note seeing conditions using the Antoniadi Scale. I like it and it gives me a view of how good the conditions are. Here is the break down for that scale:

(I.) Perfect seeing, without a quiver.
(II.) Slight quivering of the image with moments of calm lasting several seconds.
(III.) Moderate seeing with larger air tremors that blur the image.
(IV.) Poor seeing, constant troublesome undulations of the image.
(V.) Very bad seeing, hardly stable enough to allow a rough sketch to be made.

When I go for faint objects, aperture always helps, but I like to push the limits of my scopes to see what I can see. At 59 1/2 now, my eyes are starting to get older but so far no floaters or any problems and I feel the 25 years plus of experience observing aides me greatly when I observe. Experience and pushing yourself to see what you can see is a fun part of the hobby for me. 

However, when I observe, I do look at the seeing and transparency to determine if I need to adjust my observing for that evening, or at least until conditions improve. Transparency is how clear it is and I usually determine that at the site I am at. Both FR006 sites and Top View off of the Pony Express Road are up in elevation and avoid the inversion of the valley floors around them. Thus I usually can count on good transparency from these sites unless in the winter, we have inversion hit. Then FR006 Top of the World is the site I go to as long as it is accessible because it is higher up and avoids the inversion. 

It is why for me here in northern Utah, I love fall and winter to observe. Fall usually brings (at least in the past) stable air and good viewing. Fall storms clear out the muck and smoke and the seeing and transparency are the best in that season. In winter I love it here because if we have a storm come through, 2-3 days after that the sky becomes so calm and stable and inversion hasn't happen yet. I can really go deep in those nights! Spring brings a lot of unstable air as the jet stream seems to usually stick over us and doesn't make for good seeing, though transparency usually is quite good unless we hit a long stretch of high pressure which will bring inversion to the valley's. Key here is to get above that inversion to observe and I can and do.   Summer is the hardest. Transparency is greatly impacted by so much and seeing, well, it can come and go. I think for me in summer I struggle more here because the transparency gets so bad as smoke from western wild fires build up in the atmosphere impacting observing. 

So an important part of observing IS knowing the seeing and transparency of the site you are using. Also, stay away from valley floors as gunk will collect there. Get up and the higher the better. I hope this helps each of us to remember the value of these when we are observing and if we go after a faint object, and conditions are not ideal, remember it may not be you or your skill, it simply could be the conditions that night are not right to observe that object. Don't give up, try again when seeing and transparency are improved! 

Sirius B: Observing it come this winter

 

On March 6th, 2017 I post this about viewing Sirius B LINK. Well, observing Sirius B won't be best until January or February, but I though I might share a few observations about observing this white dwarf.  Sirius B is the companion to Sirius A, which is a large white star about 2x the mass of our own Sun. The companion is a white dwarf, a star that has gone through it's life cycle. Sirius B is about the mass of the earth though at one time it is estimated it was about 5 times greater than our own Sun. It has shed out it's outer shell, heated up that shell by forming a planetary nebula, and is now in the process of cooling. Sirius B has cooled enough not to light up the outer shell it shed, but still hot enough to shine and thus to observe. 

Sirius B rotate around it's companion, Sirius A at about 20 AU (Astronomical Unit's). AU is about 93 million miles, or the distance from the earth to our Sun. Earth is considered 1 AU from the Sun.  So Sirius B is about the same distance out that Uranus is. 

When we view Sirius B, the distance can seem to vary from 3 to 11 arch seconds.  Right now that is about 11 arch seconds which means viewing Sirius B is at an optimal time this winter. You need at least a four inch telescope to separate the two. In these sketches you can see I have split Sirius B with a 4 inch refractor, my 14 inch dob and my 17.5 inch dob. In this case having a curved spider vane on my 17.5 I believe helped me to see Sirius B at it's best. 

Sirius B in my 4 inch refractor. 

Sirius B in my Orion XX14i. 

Sirius B in my 17.5 inch dob. 

In each of these observations, viewing Sirius B took very good to excellent seeing. If seeing is poor or just fair, it can be hard to find. Averted vision helps with smaller scopes I have found. I used Rigel A and Rigel B as a practice to split as they are about the same distance apart from Sirius A and B but much less bright and thus easier to do. Try that first and then go after the Pup! 

Make sure your telescope is collimated if it is a dob and cooled down on the primary so you don't have heat escaping off the mirror. Then just go for it! Here is a map that shows where we are in the 50 year cycle. As you can see with 2024 to 2030 it is the best time to observe this white dwarf! 

More People, More Stars Upon the Land: Observing Sites 2024 and impacts

 So yesterday I got out and visited old observing grounds and made a new one my choice site for quick evening observations. I'll explain why. I also observed and will post that in the next couple of days. 

The first site I went to was on old one. It is called Pit n Pole. It has been used for years by amateurs in the Utah Valley Astronomical Society and in the Salt Lake Astronomical Society and by those unaffiliated but into the hobby. The drive out has changed. The traffic in Saratoga Springs is much more intense with all the development there. I also noticed out by Cedar Mountain that there is a new set of townhomes going off of SR 73 out by the Tyson Plant that went in a few years back.  More development and more light pollution coming in as more and more people come in. 

It reminds me of the song Rocky Mountain High by John Denver: 

"Now his life is full of wonder but his heart still knows some fear

Of a simple thing he cannot comprehend

While they try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more

More people, more scars upon the land" 

In this case though I do understand why more people are coming in. Utah is an excellent place to raise a family, has great outdoors access and was affordable at one point. So the inevitable is happening, more and more development as that results from more and more people. The result is more light pollution. My favorite sites have degraded and I'll mention that later. 

The drive out is what is always is for me, a spiritual journey, one where I lay aside the cares and wares of daily life and transition out to become an observer. It is here I realize how wonderous I and you are as individuals, how we are unique yet also have so much in common. However as I set up and observe, I realize that on the cosmic scale I am nothing. All that I have, all that I think is mine, isn't. It belongs to creation, in my case I believe to my God but as others feel, it is the universe's. It will recycle and renew as that is the purpose of creation. During my time here, I get to experience this ongoing event we call life. 

It is a juxapose for me as I love people and interacting and being with people. Most who know me would say I am an extrovert and I can be. Yet at my heart I am an introvert and am learning more to be that way. It is better to be known well to just a few than to open oneself up to the world. My wife, my son and my daughter know me as well as perhaps a good friend or two. For the most part I keep myself now to my wife as I trust her completely and that is all. 

Back to Pit n Pole. As I drove out this day I shut off the music and radio, and just enjoyed the peace and quiet of the drive. I arrived at Pit n Pole and have to admit I was a little dismayed. The area that had once been used by friends and myself in years past is now overgrown with Sage Brush. It is evident that no one really uses this site anymore. I would not set up by the pit or by the pole and if I were to use this site, it would be on the area just to the south of the road leading to the Pit n Pole area. Here are pictures. 

Just south of Pit n Pole. Looking South. 

Just south of Pit n Pole Looking SE. 

Panoramic View of Pit n Pole South of Road SE to W

The problem with Pit n Pole is it has become a shooting range. The bern that is on the north side of the pit is now set up with tons of garbage and shooting targets that have never been removed. I won't go there anymore because of all the junk. It is a shame but with the increase of population more and more people are using the desert and not taking care of what they bring out. I have no problem with people using the land, it should be used and enjoyed. However, if you bring out a TV to shoot up, take it with you. Be respectful of the land and to others. 

The next area is what I call top view. It is located 1.4 miles west of the Pony Express marker. You turn left onto a nice gravel/rock road which means no mud initially during the wet times of the year. 

The sign where you turn to Top View 

Sign and Gravel/Rock road leading out to Top View

The sign from the Pony Express Road. 

The drive out to Top View is about a half mile and it leads gradually up. You'll pass a set of four poles identifying a watering source and then a little bit farther you reach the site. 

The road out. It is nice in the wetter months as there isn't a lot of mud! 

Looking east and actually looking back toward the Pit n Pole location with Mount Timpanogas in the background. 

Zoom in view of Mnt Timp and looking east. This location is at 5200 feet and Pit n Pole is at 4300 feet. It is why at Pit n Pole in the fall I have to use my dew heaters at times but I never have at this site. The higher elevation means less dew. You do feel the breeze when you get there as the desert is ALWAYS breezing at evening but it stops after sunset. 

Looking south past my Ascent. Scope is in the back. 

Looking West 

Looking ESE

Looking South

South

West SouthWest

Northwest 

This is where I go for a 3-4 hour observing session now. SQM reads 21.54 here on average so it is a good site. Pit n Pole measures SQM of 21.43 now. So Top View as I call this site is what Pit n Pole use to be before the increase of light pollution. 

Next was FR 006, which is my favorite place to observe. No one was here and I was alone, just me and the coyotes! The sites have changed since the forest service several years ago took out the Juniper to improve sage grouse habitat and make it better for the cattle that roam in the summer. I miss the Juniper but it makes for more open viewing.

This use to be called Juniper Grove but is now Site 1 for me. The sage brush has grown back and what had multiple areas to set up now only have one big area. RV's use this as you can tell and the ground is unsettled. Still some flat spots but this site is now my 3rd favorite. 

West

North

This IS my favorite spot. It is called Top of the World for your at 6300 feet in elevation and have a commanding view of the valley and of FR006. It is at the end of FR006 where there is a gate on the road. Wide open field with lots of area to set up. It IS next to FR006 but I never had had an issue at night with someone driving on it unless we are done and pack up and drive out. No dew and SQM shows 21.77 here on average and is an hour and twenty minutes from home now. 

Looking SE

Ground area

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East

North actual

Northeast

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Southwest

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South

When I go out to FR006 this is the site I am after and will set up here first and foremost if it is available. I have had some wonderful nights here and will have a lot more! 

The next one is just south of Top of the World on FR006 and is my second favorite spot now. Just off the road from FR006 I like it a lot. Your at 6175 feet, down 125 feet from Top of the World but still great views! I will be going here more as it is off the road. 

West 

Southwest

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Northwest

I surely hope that at next new moon during the week the weather and conditions allow me to get out to FR006 either Top of the World or Site 2.  I will also be going out to Top View to observe there if not.  Depends on our winter. 

I will say that I love the desert and the mountains and FR006 gives me parts of both. When I do multiple days of observing I go hiking during the day in the Sheeprock Mountains to the west. I simply drive and hike. It is beautiful there and so peaceful. It gave me a good reset being out as it always does. 

I will say that yes, light pollution has degraded these sites. Pit n Pole was in the 21.5's and now is mid 21.3 to low 21.4's now. Top View was upper 21.5 to lower 21.6 and is now mid 21.5's.  FR006 was 21.8 to 21.89 and is now upper 21.6 to mid 21.7's now. Still a great site but you can see the impact from light pollution and more importantly, you can tell more and more people are coming out to use these spots. At least now since I can observe during the week when I am off, I know no one or very few are out there. 

Yes, there are impacts, and with the increase growth along the Wasatch Front I expect that. Truly going to Elizabeth Ridge in the summer is where I go to get to 21.8 skies where I won't see anyone. However FR006 during the week has only the coyotes, or once in a while another group RVing but they leave you alone and that makes it my favorite site. I can usually use it year round, mostly and if not, Top View gives me a decent alternative. FR006 is 1 1/2 hour drive out from my house. Top View is a 50 minute drive from my house.