An Introduction to the Team

Hello everyone. Just a few words concerning my reasons for joining the Citizen Sky and what kind of equipment I use along with my observing habits. I have always been intrigued with the thought of doing something I love to do and also have it add to the common good of human kind. Gazing at the stars, whether in my city lighted backyard or on some distant inky dark desert sky with binoculars, provides me with a great calming. Like listening to music that puts you at ease. No matter the stress of the day, the stars are always there (even if peeking out behind clouds) to ease me out of the day and into another.Joining Citizen Sky (and I have been going to the AAVSO site for years) offers me a chance to contribute with a community of like minded individuals to something bigger. I must be honest and state that my discipline in following through with observations due to work, fatigue or family have always frustrated me. So the chance to start with others on a disciplined approach to learning how, making and recording observations, and following up with other observations was extremely attractive.I currently have an GPS aware Celestron 8 inch SCT. Currently I have a Plossel 25mm and a Planetary 6mm (a little too powerful for the Maine climate I have found out). I usually spend my time observing (such a technical term for looking in awe at celestial objects) planets, double stars, and what ever else can be seen from my City of Bangor deck. My neighbors have been very helpful in turning off outside lights that aren't necessary after 9pm. So I only have to position myself to avoid direct light from street lights and traffic, plus the light bubble from our Car Dealer Row to my east. There are dark sky sites outside of Bangor that are extremely dark. Maine, currently, has the good fortune, to have a large area of the state with nearly pristine dark skies. So I look forward to developing habits that will allow me to plan for observations outside of Bangor.I hope that the little bit of information I have given will assist the team in assisting me in making disciplined, consistant observations that will get better with practice.I am a member of the Maine Army National Guard and will be the rear detachment commander for a unit deploying to Afganistan later this year. Due to the nature of providing support to these brave Soldiers and their families some periods of time will of necessary be without observations. Good thing about the nature of Varible Star observers and observations, one observation just adds to the pool of data.Thanks again for the opportunity to do what I enjoy with others.David Simmons