Good replies, shipmates.
I wanted to add another technique I frequently use when taking observations. It eliminates the need to memorize the time while reaching for a pencil to record it. I dont need to worry about a flashlight at night either... I just start a stopwatch at the plot table, walk out into the night, take the shot, then return to the table and record it.
I many times us a stopwatch to record the time.. I start it on the minute exactly (or you could use any time) then immediately stop it when I have my shot. The stopwatch time is then added to the time I started it and bingo... fairly accurate and consistent observations. I dont have to rush because the observation time is frozen on the stop watch.
We all have concerns about using the correct method to reduce an observation, but I have not seen much concern over GMT; and everything we do CN wise hinges on accurate time. We sort of take it for granted.
I wonder if one could consistently mark time by local observation just in case WWV or the internet services went down... How would one get the time? I understand that Harrison used his own star observations to track sidereal time then convert it to local time... How would that work now?? and how would you do it?? could you create your own Greenwich with your house being the mean time??? I think so
keep dry
joe
I wanted to add another technique I frequently use when taking observations. It eliminates the need to memorize the time while reaching for a pencil to record it. I dont need to worry about a flashlight at night either... I just start a stopwatch at the plot table, walk out into the night, take the shot, then return to the table and record it.
I many times us a stopwatch to record the time.. I start it on the minute exactly (or you could use any time) then immediately stop it when I have my shot. The stopwatch time is then added to the time I started it and bingo... fairly accurate and consistent observations. I dont have to rush because the observation time is frozen on the stop watch.
We all have concerns about using the correct method to reduce an observation, but I have not seen much concern over GMT; and everything we do CN wise hinges on accurate time. We sort of take it for granted.
I wonder if one could consistently mark time by local observation just in case WWV or the internet services went down... How would one get the time? I understand that Harrison used his own star observations to track sidereal time then convert it to local time... How would that work now?? and how would you do it?? could you create your own Greenwich with your house being the mean time??? I think so
keep dry
joe