Cottonwood report, TV76, 8/6/04

What would you estimate your Limiting Magnitude at cottonwood? I live
a couple hours away and wanted to see if it was worth the drive than
my usual place. Many thanks!


Probably around mag 6. But i don't usually check. Bortle class 4 matches =
pretty close...

Class 4: Rural/suburban transition. Fairly obvious
light-pollution domes are apparent over population centers in
several directions. The zodiacal light is clearly evident but
doesn't even extend halfway to the zenith at the beginning or end
of twilight. The Milky Way well above the horizon is still
impressive but lacks all but the most obvious structure. M33 is a
difficult averted-vision object and is detectable only when at an
altitude higher than 50 degrees. Clouds in the direction of
light-pollution sources are illuminated but only slightly so, and
are still dark overhead. You can make out your telescope rather
clearly at a distance. The maximum naked-eye limiting magnitude
is 6.1 to 6.5, and a 32-cm reflector used with moderate
magnification will reveal stars of magnitude 15.5.

The times i've tried to see M33 naked eye i've failed. Light from the =
Coachella
Valley to the west is quite bright. Also some light from Mexicali far =
south. But
overhead and north and east are dark.

-Florian