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Date: 14 Jul 2007 01:15:39
From: Margo Schulter
Subject: Urban observing -- cloth over head?
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Hello, everyone, and I thought I might seek out
people's experience on the best type of cloth or
hood to place over one's head to protect against
urban light pollution from local sources like
street or apartment lights.
The other day I visited a neighborhood camera
store to ask if they might have such a cloth,
and they said that what they carry was not in
stock but should be in a couple of weeks or so.
What have people found most effective and
comfortable? What I'm considering, for example,
is whether some materials may better promote
a supply of fresh air to breathe while making
a leisurely observation.
One recommendation I've heard is simply to use
a large and thick bath towel or the like -- but
I'd be curious as to what people here prefer.
With many thanks,
Margo Schulter
mschulter@calweb.com
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Date: 15 Jul 2007 15:13:15
From: Matthew Ota
Subject: Re: Urban observing -- cloth over head?
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On Jul 13, 6:15 pm, Margo Schulter <mschul...@web1.calweb.com > wrote:
> Hello, everyone, and I thought I might seek out
> people's experience on the best type of cloth or
> hood to place over one's head to protect against
> urban light pollution from local sources like
> street or apartment lights.
>
> The other day I visited a neighborhood camera
> store to ask if they might have such a cloth,
> and they said that what they carry was not in
> stock but should be in a couple of weeks or so.
>
> What have people found most effective and
> comfortable? What I'm considering, for example,
> is whether some materials may better promote
> a supply of fresh air to breathe while making
> a leisurely observation.
>
> One recommendation I've heard is simply to use
> a large and thick bath towel or the like -- but
> I'd be curious as to what people here prefer.
>
> With many thanks,
>
> Margo Schulter
> mschul...@calweb.com
You might be more comfortable by making inexpensive light shields from
lumber and plywood or PVC pipe frames with opaque tarp. It effectively
blocks streetlights.
Matthew Ota
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Date: 14 Jul 2007 02:38:41
From: thad@thadlabs.com
Subject: Re: Urban observing -- cloth over head?
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On Jul 13, 6:15 pm, Margo Schulter <mschul...@web1.calweb.com > wrote:
> Hello, everyone, and I thought I might seek out
> people's experience on the best type of cloth or
> hood to place over one's head to protect against
> urban light pollution from local sources like
> street or apartment lights.
>
> The other day I visited a neighborhood camera
> store to ask if they might have such a cloth,
> and they said that what they carry was not in
> stock but should be in a couple of weeks or so.
>
> What have people found most effective and
> comfortable? What I'm considering, for example,
> is whether some materials may better promote
> a supply of fresh air to breathe while making
> a leisurely observation.
>
> One recommendation I've heard is simply to use
> a large and thick bath towel or the like -- but
> I'd be curious as to what people here prefer.
Depending on conditions, either an eyepatch or an "observer's
cloth" (photo
style) it what I occasionally use, and they're both quite effective.
Orion (USA)
has them in stock both in their store and online:
<http://www.telescope.com/ >
Item #05927, Lights Out Observing Canopy, US$16.95, and
Item #05940, Observer's Eyepatch, US$3.95
The "canopy" is much, much better than any towels.
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Date: 15 Jul 2007 06:47:21
From: Margo Schulter
Subject: Re: Urban observing -- cloth over head?
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thad@thadlabs.com <thad@thadlabs.com > wrote:
> Depending on conditions, either an eyepatch or an "observer's
> cloth" (photo
> style) it what I occasionally use, and they're both quite effective.
> Orion (USA)
> has them in stock both in their store and online:
>
> <http://www.telescope.com/>
> Item #05927, Lights Out Observing Canopy, US$16.95, and
> Item #05940, Observer's Eyepatch, US$3.95
Hi, Thad.
What I'll do early next week is order both these items; the
canopy looks like just what I've been looking for.
> The "canopy" is much, much better than any towels.
This should be interesting to compare -- and thanks for
the helpful information.
Most appreciatively,
Margo Schulter
mschulter@calweb.com
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Date: 15 Jul 2007 08:45:44
From: Marty
Subject: Re: Urban observing -- cloth over head?
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I remember seeing a report of someone who made what appeared to be a
sort of "Dracula cape" that she could simply flip over her head while
observing. That sounds practical and convenient, and one could also
feel like Tycho Brahe, who is supposed to have dressed in special robes
to observe.
I've considered making something like that, but I'm not much of a
seamstress. A guy could buy something next Halloween, although a pointy
wizard's hat would bump into my finder scope when I'm at the eyepiece.
Marty
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Date: 15 Jul 2007 23:58:25
From: Margo Schulter
Subject: Re: Urban observing -- cloth over head?
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Marty <movac5@webtv.net > wrote:
> I remember seeing a report of someone who made what appeared to be a
> sort of "Dracula cape" that she could simply flip over her head while
> observing. That sounds practical and convenient, and one could also
> feel like Tycho Brahe, who is supposed to have dressed in special robes
> to observe.
Hi, Marty. That's a great historical precedent!
> I've considered making something like that, but I'm not much of a
> seamstress. A guy could buy something next Halloween, although a pointy
> wizard's hat would bump into my finder scope when I'm at the eyepiece.
Fortunately, the bath towel I'm using for now doesn't seem to get in the
way of viewing or bump into anything. As an aside, I'm trying to train
myself, as suggested by a mentor, _not_ to hold onto the finder scope
when sweeping or tracking with my 20cm Dobsonian, since this could get
it out of alignment. The good news is that I don't wear a hat that could
bump into it -- out of curiosity, I might see if I have anything that
resembles that cape.
> Marty
>
Most appreciatively,
Margo
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Date: 15 Jul 2007 07:05:48
From: Howard Lester
Subject: Re: Urban observing -- cloth over head?
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"Marty" wrote
>I remember seeing a report of someone who made what appeared to be a
> sort of "Dracula cape" that she could simply flip over her head while
> observing. That sounds practical and convenient, and one could also
> feel like Tycho Brahe, who is supposed to have dressed in special robes
> to observe.
I used to use a 4' x 5' dark cloth, which is black on the "inside" and white
on the outside (white to reflect the sunlight) when shooting with my 4x5
field camera. While at Bryce Canyon one afternoon, I had it draped over my
back... a woman yelled out "Look! It's SUPERMAN!"
*sigh*
What I use now is more like a cloth tunnel. One end is elasticized and fits
over the back of the camera; the other end is open for my head and uses
velcro at the "bottom" so that I can close it tighter, preventing light
reflected by the ground from coming up into my eyes.
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Date: 15 Jul 2007 11:39:32
From: Marty
Subject: Re: Urban observing -- cloth over head?
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Howard was saying
>What I use now is more like a cloth
> tunnel. One end is elasticized and fits
> over the back of the camera; the other
> end is open for my head and uses velcro
> at the "bottom" so that I can close it
> tighter, preventing light reflected by the
> ground from coming up into my eyes.
Sounds good for the purpose. Just don't put it on backwards with the
elastic end around your neck... Could be dangerous.
Marty
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Date: 13 Jul 2007 21:39:28
From: Ben
Subject: Re: Urban observing -- cloth over head?
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On Jul 13, 10:42 pm, Sam Wormley <sworml...@mchsi.com > wrote:
> Margo Schulter wrote:
> > Hello, everyone, and I thought I might seek out
> > people's experience on the best type of cloth or
> > hood to place over one's head to protect against
> > urban light pollution from local sources like
> > street or apartment lights.
>
> Anything that is opaque, yet breaths should work. Eye patches also.
I've used a heavy, dark bath towel and it's quite effective. It
doesn't hamper your breathing either if you simply drape it
over your head.
Ben
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Date: 15 Jul 2007 06:43:32
From: Margo Schulter
Subject: Re: Urban observing -- cloth over head?
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Ben <bet71743@netzero.com > wrote:
> I've used a heavy, dark bath towel and it's quite effective. It
> doesn't hamper your breathing either if you simply drape it
> over your head.
>
> Ben
>
Hi, Ben.
What I may do is try a bath towel, and maybe also get the Orion
canopy that someone else has suggested. It might be an interesting
comparison to report on here.
With many thanks,
Margo
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Date: 14 Jul 2007 03:42:23
From: Sam Wormley
Subject: Re: Urban observing -- cloth over head?
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Margo Schulter wrote:
> Hello, everyone, and I thought I might seek out
> people's experience on the best type of cloth or
> hood to place over one's head to protect against
> urban light pollution from local sources like
> street or apartment lights.
>
Anything that is opaque, yet breaths should work. Eye patches also.
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Date: 15 Jul 2007 23:52:20
From: Margo Schulter
Subject: Re: Urban observing -- cloth over head?
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Sam Wormley <swormley1@mchsi.com > wrote:
> Anything that is opaque, yet breaths should work. Eye patches also.
Hi, Sam.
Now I can speak from a bit of experience that a thick navy blue bath
towel proved reasonably comfortable and effective when observing with
a 20cm f/6 Dobsonian. It went over my head and eyes, but didn't
interfere with breathing -- and did help to avoid eyestrain from the
glare of local lighting, as well to preserve a measure of dark
adaptation (partial, of course, in a light-polluted area with
a limiting magnitude I might guess around 3.2-3.5).
I'll also try the Orion canopy someone has recommended, and also
an eyepatch.
Best,
Margo
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