My email Interview with Dave Kratz

Dave Kratz is a serious observer who I met at a Westminster Astronomical Society meeting a number of years ago. He happened to say he was looking for a dark sky observing site and I volunteered to let him use our front yard. Dave spends long nights with his telescope and logs each observation. When he visits we make sure he has the darkest skies possible, even if it means that we walk around in the dark inside the house. I respect his dedication and hope it will encourage others to spend time under the open sky at night.

Here is the interview of 6 November, 1995:

How long have you been using my front yard?
My first observing session using your front yard occurred on March 10, 1988. I spent most of that night searching for open cluster in and around Canis Major. Including that observing session, I have used your front yard a total of 66 times (34 times with my 10" f/6 telescope and 32 times with my 12.5" f4.8 telescope).
How many objects do you typically view in a night?
I typically observe about 50 deep-sky objects per night. Of these, I'm observing slightly over half for the first time.
What are they mainly?
Since the majority of deep-sky objects are galaxies, I observe more galaxies than any other objects. Nevertheless, I have observed a considerable number of open clusters, globular clusters, emission and reflection nebulae, and planetary nebulae. Actually, I enjoy observing planetary nebulae more than any of the other objects, and hope to one day concentrate on observing pn's in more detail.
Roughly how many total objects have you viewed from my yard?
I have made 3336 observations of deep-sky objects from your front yard. Of these observations, 1780 were of previously unviewed deep-sky objects, and over 2000 were of different deep-sky objects.
What are some of the most interesting?
Some of the most interesting deep-sky objects I have viewed from your front yard include: All of the Messier objects, 16 of the globular clusters in M-31, a number of the bright nebulae in M-33, various members of the Coma Berenices and Perseus A galaxy clusters (Note that I carefully identify each galaxy I observe), as well as several other galaxy clusters. Of course, I can't forget h & chi Persei, the Veil Nebula, NGC 4656, NGC 891, as well as many other deep-sky objects nor the views of the Milky Way Galaxy. Also notable are the comets and extragalactic supernovae that I have observed. Of course, there was also the night of April 22/23, 1990, when I observed a magnificent Auroral display, which stopped my deep-sky observing for awhile.
Roughly what was the farthest object?
The farthest object I have viewed is probably 3C-273, but I have also seen some very faint galaxies, so I'm not entirely certain.
Question added 1996 Apr 15:
Have you observed Comet Hyakutake?
Yes, I first observed Comet Hyakutake 1996-B2 on the morning of February 15th from Long Key State Park in the Florida Keys. I give the complete designation for the comet since I also observed Comet Hyakutake 1995-Y1 on that morning. At that time both comets were between 8th and 9th magnitudes; however, 1996-B2 would later brighten into a spectacular comet. I've observed 1996-B2 on a number of occasions since February 15th, even attempting some unguided photographs with a 35mm camera during the week of perigee (One of the photographs). 
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                                   | Dave Kratz  (804)-864-5669
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         .                         | Radiation Sciences Branch
                                   | Atmospheric Sciences Division
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                                   |   mv5::kratz                   (SPAN)
   .             .                 | kratz@aquila.larc.nasa.gov   (Internet)
                                   | kratz@cloud.larc.nasa.gov    (Internet)
                            .      | d.p.kratz@larc.nasa.gov      (Internet)
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