texascavers Digest 3 Oct 2008 16:05:00 -0000 Issue 621
Topics (messages 9100 through 9115):
Re: Blue Grotto Springs
9100 by: CaverArch
the shot of a lifetime and what it involves
9101 by: Nancy Weaver
Re: Astronomy Picture of the Day
9102 by: Diana Tomchick
Re: Cave photo
9103 by: Minton, Mark
Man Bat Shirt
9104 by: Travis Scott
Re: Turner Falls Davis, OK?
9105 by: John P Brooks
caver guide help needed at CBSP for Jan. 17th Girl Scout Jamboree
9106 by: Jules Jenkins
Calcium carbnate on Mars
9107 by: CaverArch
9112 by: John P Brooks
9113 by: Lyndon Tiu
9114 by: Lyndon Tiu
Caves in the Yucutan
9108 by: Thomas Sitch
headlamp failure report
9109 by: David
9110 by: Don Cooper
9111 by: S S
Re: The Great Longhorn Cavern Dig Is On, Saturday, October 4th! - Update and
Reminder#2
9115 by: mark.alman.l-3com.com
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
--- Begin Message ---
Mike,
Nice pictures that make me a bit homesick for my native state.
Roger Moore,
GHG
No particular reason - just pretty pics.
Mike Flannigan
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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
thank you thank you thank you Robert for taking the sane path of
simply contacting the photographer. Love the line about
hard skin to fend off the you faked it in photoshop do nothing
armchair folk,
Robert,
It's a real photograph using a modern digital camera 20d, 5A, new
rebel all work, iso 1600 cranked to 4000 or so, less than 30 sec
exposure to freeze the stars as points, f/1.6 with 30mm lens or so,
cresent moon setting to light the landscape, flashlights.strope to
light the inside of the cave, 5 trips there at 1200 miles round trip
each - no kidding, 2 mile hike with last park being down a very steep
canyon wall, getting lost each time coming out each of the 5 times and
hard skin to fend off the you faked it in photoshop do nothing
armchair folk, plus 40 years experience and a high degree of crazyness
to get the perfect shot that few people will believe anyway.
My reward - knowing I got the shot of a lifetime - APOD 29th times,
TIME-LIFE Pic of year 3x, etc...
Wally Pacholka (search)
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Here's what the astrophotography web site, "Catching the Light" by
Jerry Lodriguss has to say about the Canon 20Da camera:
http://www.astropix.com/HTML/I_ASTROP/NIK_CAN.HTM
"Red Sensitivity and Long-wavelength Filters
Normally the CMOS and CCD chips used in DSLR cameras are sensitive to
red light. Most DSLRs however, are designed with a built-in, low-pass,
long-wavelength cutoff filter in front of the sensor. The low-pass
characteristics of the filter are designed to prevent moire. The long-
wavelength filtration is designed to improve color reproduction and
make it more like our human visual perception.
The problem is that the long-wavelength filtration also filters out
most of the light at 656.5nm, the wavelength of hydrogen-alpha. This
is the red light of emission nebulae. Filtering out most of this light
is a problem for astrophotography if you want to take pictures of
these red nebulae, which are some of the largest and most beautiful
objects in the night sky.
Canon was the only manufacturer to make a DSLR camera body
specifically for astrophotography with improved hydrogen-alpha
sensitivity, the EOS 20Da. Canon however, has discontinued production
of this camera as of the spring of 2006.
It is possible to modify other DSLR cameras for astrophotography of
emission nebulae by removing the low-pass, long-wavelength filter.
This, of course, invalidates the warranty and runs the risk of ruining
the camera if not done correctly. However astrophotographers have
successfully removed the filters in both Nikon and Canon cameras and
produced excellent images of objects with emission wavelengths."
Diana
Delivered-To: [email protected]
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:31:56 -0700
From: "Wally Pacholka" <[email protected]>
To: "Robert Tait" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Astronomy Picture of the Day
Robert,
It's a real photograph using a modern digital camera 20d, 5A, new
rebel all work, iso 1600 cranked to 4000 or so, less than 30 sec
exposure to freeze the stars as points, f/1.6 with 30mm lens or so,
cresent moon setting to light the landscape, flashlights.strope to
light the inside of the cave, 5 trips there at 1200 miles round trip
each - no kidding, 2 mile hike with last park being down a very steep
canyon wall, getting lost each time coming out each of the 5 times
and
hard skin to fend off the you faked it in photoshop do nothing
armchair folk, plus 40 years experience and a high degree of
crazyness
to get the perfect shot that few people will believe anyway.
My reward - knowing I got the shot of a lifetime - APOD 29th times,
TIME-LIFE Pic of year 3x, etc...
Wally Pacholka (search)
Night Sky Gallery
562-397-0591 Cell
562-268-4291 Fax
[email protected]
Web site: darkskygallery
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Diana R. Tomchick
Associate Professor
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Department of Biochemistry
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Rm. ND10.214B
Dallas, TX 75390-8816, U.S.A.
Email: [email protected]
214-645-6383 (phone)
214-645-6353 (fax)
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Ed Goff said:
I e-mailed the photographer to ask him how he made the image. Here's what he
said.
The photograph is a stitching of 4 separate vertical shots taken side by side,
That certainly sounds like Photoshopping to me! Not in the more egregious sense of
adding the stars to a photo of the cave, but it is still not a single image as has been
implied all along elsewhere. Interesting that the photographer did not mention that in
his more detailed reply to Rob Tait, in which he said, "hard skin to fend off the
you faked it in photoshop do nothing armchair folk". Not exactly fake, but not
truly real, either. Still a great photo, though!
Mark Minton
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Some cavers might be interested in this shirt, its somewhat related to
caving?:
http://shirt.woot.com/
TS
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
The three caves mentioned are all fairly small easy caves. But there are a
couple of caves in the park that are not as widely known that can be quite
challenging....and have been known to have bad air at times.
--- On Tue, 9/30/08, Matt Turner <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Matt Turner <[email protected]>
Subject: [Texascavers] Turner Falls Davis, OK?
To: [email protected]
List-Post: [email protected]
Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2008, 8:57 AM
Hey yall,
http://www.turnerfallspark.com
So, I'm setting up a family reunion at this park and luckily they say they have
3 natural caves on it. I'm assuming someone on here knows some thing about
these caves? Access? Environmental Sensitivity? Difficulty? Any vertical? I'm
asking because I'm sure my cousins will want me to drag them into a cave with
me. Also, because if I'm near a cave I have to try to get into it. I'm sure
yall understand.
Thanks,Matt Turner
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without
accepting it." - Aristotle
"Empty pockets never held anyone back.Only empty heads and empty hearts can do
that."- Norman Vincent Peale
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Hear ye, hear ye cavers. The Girl Scouts of America need your caving
experience and expertise. thanks, jules
from the scout leader:
I have been given the honor of “Advisory in
Charge” of the Cave Crawlers event
being held at Colorado Bend State Park for
Girl Scouts of Central Texas which encompass the San Angelo, Waco and
Brownwood councils
along with Austin council.
This event is one of the most popular events for the older
girls in our council. In years past it has been part of
a Jamboree but it has grown so much and the girls would really like to do
more then one thing at the jamboree that we are making each one its own event.
I am looking for 4 experienced
cavers that has been to the caves at CBSP or knows much about them. We
will have two groups of 15 girl’s (Middle school/High School) going through
Gorman and Circurina Caves. The
caving part of the event is in the morning
starting at 9:00am, taking a break for lunch (lunch provided for the guides)
then
continuing to the other cave. After the caving then a 30 min session with the
girls talking to
them about how they got started and what type of job they have.
The event is on Saturday the 17th
or they can come for the whole weekend. ( Jan. 16th thru Jan
18th ). I will try to get the same accommodations as last year in a heated
cabin for the guides.
If you can send out word that we are looking for 4 guides to help with this
event that would
be much appreciated.
If any of y'all who do Colorado Bend are interested or willing and able to
help, pls. contact Julie Jenkins off topic and let me know. I'll then put you
in contact w/the Girl Scout leader in charge of this event.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
from Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
Today's Headlines - October 2, 2008
Water's Role in Martian Chemistry Becoming Clearer
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/37013/title/Waters_role_in_Martian_chemistry_becoming_clearer
from Science News
Perched on a vast plain above the arctic circle of the Red Planet, NASA's
Phoenix Mars Lander has found new evidence that liquid water was once present
in the north polar region and interacted with minerals there. Phoenix
scientists reported the findings September 29 during a NASA press briefing.
Two Phoenix experiments identified calcium carbonates and clays in soil samples
scooped up by the craft's robotic arm. On Earth, both minerals are associated
with the presence of liquid water.
Carbonates such as limestones form on Earth when carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere dissolves in liquid water, making carbonic acid. The acid eats away
at rocks, which eventually become carbonate deposits such as the White Cliffs
of Dover.
http://snipurl.com/3zsdm
Roger Moore
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Ok.....since there are carbonates, similar to limestones....does this
mean that there was once life on Mars?
Or did these carbonates come from other sources?
Could one of our esteemed geologists explain this to us laymen?
Sent from my iPhone
On Oct 2, 2008, at 6:44 PM, CaverArch <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> from Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
>
> Today's Headlines - October 2, 2008
>
> Water's Role in Martian Chemistry Becoming Clearer
>
> http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/37013/title/Waters_role_in_Martian_chemistry_becoming_clearer
> from Science News
>
> Perched on a vast plain above the arctic circle of the Red Planet,
> NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has found new evidence that liquid water
> was once present in the north polar region and interacted with
> minerals there. Phoenix scientists reported the findings September
> 29 during a NASA press briefing.
>
> Two Phoenix experiments identified calcium carbonates and clays in
> soil samples scooped up by the craft's robotic arm. On Earth, both
> minerals are associated with the presence of liquid water.
>
> Carbonates such as limestones form on Earth when carbon dioxide from
> the atmosphere dissolves in liquid water, making carbonic acid. The
> acid eats away at rocks, which eventually become carbonate deposits
> such as the White Cliffs of Dover.
>
> http://snipurl.com/3zsdm
>
>
> Roger Moore
>
>
>
> Find phone numbers fast with the New AOL Yellow Pages!
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Carbonates can form without life.
Rain water can dissolve CO2 from the air and calcium from the ground and
deposit calcium carbonate in the right environmental conditions. Like in a cave
or in concrete parkades or in dry soils as caliche:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliche_(mineral)
On Fri, 3 Oct 2008 04:16:03 -0700 (PDT) [email protected] wrote:
> Ok.....since there are carbonates, similar to limestones....does this
> mean that there was once life on Mars?
> Or did these carbonates come from other sources?
> Could one of our esteemed geologists explain this to us laymen?
>
--
Lyndon Tiu
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
On Fri, 03 Oct 2008 04:28:47 -0700 [email protected] wrote:
>
> Carbonates can form without life.
>
> Rain water can dissolve CO2 from the air and calcium from the ground
> and deposit calcium carbonate in the right environmental conditions.
> Like in a cave or in concrete parkades or in dry soils as caliche:
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliche_(mineral)
>
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliche_(mineral)"
--
Lyndon Tiu
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Hi All,
I'm planning a trip down to the Yucutan this November, and I'm interested in
interesting caves and/or cavers in that region. Our itinerary involves Cancun,
Chichen Itza, Merida, Tulum, and points inbetween.
If anyone has any interesting locations or caves to recommend, I'd love to hear.
Best Regards,
~~Thomas
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
One of my favorite LED headlamps is the Streamlight Argo HP.
http://www.copquest.com/10-4775.jpg
I purchased mine about 3 or 4 years ago.
After Hurricane Ike, I pulled it out to use it. It had not been used
it in over a year, but it had been laying around the house on
a shelf somewhere.
The body had developed a crack in and along the bottom of
the o-ring groove to the battery compartment. This prevented
the battery compartment cap from making contact, thus
the light no longer functioned.
This type of failure leads me to say that there
is a design flaw with this headlamp. The thickness of the plastic
between
the battery compartment and the bottom of the o-ring groove is probably
about a millimeter or less.
Maybe I should have kept some silicone on the threads and o-ring, as it
probably broke when someone either tried to turn the battery
cap, or unscrew it. The headlamp for its lightweight and
small size, is one of the brightest around.
I will be selling this headlamp really cheap in the near future.
It could be super-glued shut, and used for a couple of hiking trips, but it
wouldn't
be reliable enough to take caving.
I don't think duct tape would fix it.
This lamp is less than $ 24 new at:
http://www.brightguy.com/products/Streamlight_Argo_HP_Headlamp.php
[ This is the older model with 33 lumens on high mode, and 12 lumens on low
mode. ]
A newer version alledges it uses a brighter C4 LED.
[ 55 lumens on high mode; 18 lumens on low mode]
David Locklear
Additional reference:
http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=55
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/16443-1.html
http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-61302-Headmount-Flashlight-Black/dp/B00081NHBA
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130257074972&category=106987&refid=store#ebayphotohosting
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
So, what you're saying - that without even being USED, without even having
gone CAVING that this P.O.S. has FAILED?
You have convinced EVERYONE to avoid the Streamlight Argo HP.
(BOTTOM LINE - JUST DON'T BUY JUNK FROM CHINA!)
'Nuff Said.
-WaV
On Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 8:26 PM, David <[email protected]> wrote:
> One of my favorite LED headlamps is the Streamlight Argo HP.
>
> http://www.copquest.com/10-4775.jpg
>
>
> I purchased mine about 3 or 4 years ago.
>
> After Hurricane Ike, I pulled it out to use it. It had not been used
> it in over a year, but it had been laying around the house on
> a shelf somewhere.
>
> The body had developed a crack in and along the bottom of
> the o-ring groove to the battery compartment. This prevented
> the battery compartment cap from making contact, thus
> the light no longer functioned.
>
> This type of failure leads me to say that there
> is a design flaw with this headlamp. The thickness of the plastic
> between
> the battery compartment and the bottom of the o-ring groove is probably
> about a millimeter or less.
>
> Maybe I should have kept some silicone on the threads and o-ring, as it
> probably broke when someone either tried to turn the battery
> cap, or unscrew it. The headlamp for its lightweight and
> small size, is one of the brightest around.
>
>
> I will be selling this headlamp really cheap in the near future.
>
> It could be super-glued shut, and used for a couple of hiking trips, but it
> wouldn't
> be reliable enough to take caving.
>
> I don't think duct tape would fix it.
>
> This lamp is less than $ 24 new at:
>
> http://www.brightguy.com/products/Streamlight_Argo_HP_Headlamp.php
>
> [ This is the older model with 33 lumens on high mode, and 12 lumens on low
> mode. ]
>
> A newer version alledges it uses a brighter C4 LED.
> [ 55 lumens on high mode; 18 lumens on low mode]
>
>
>
>
>
> David Locklear
>
>
> Additional reference:
>
> http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=55
>
> http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/16443-1.html
>
>
> http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-61302-Headmount-Flashlight-Black/dp/B00081NHBA
>
>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130257074972&category=106987&refid=store#ebayphotohosting
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
A caving light is as important to a caver as a SCUBA regulator is to a diver....
List-Post: [email protected]
Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 20:36:40 -0500From: [email protected]:
[email protected]: [email protected]: Re: [Texascavers]
headlamp failure report
So, what you're saying - that without even being USED, without even having gone
CAVING that this P.O.S. has FAILED?You have convinced EVERYONE to avoid the
Streamlight Argo HP.(BOTTOM LINE - JUST DON'T BUY JUNK FROM CHINA!)'Nuff
Said.-WaV
On Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 8:26 PM, David <[email protected]> wrote:
One of my favorite LED headlamps is the Streamlight Argo HP.
http://www.copquest.com/10-4775.jpg
I purchased mine about 3 or 4 years ago.
After Hurricane Ike, I pulled it out to use it. It had not been used
it in over a year, but it had been laying around the house on
a shelf somewhere.
The body had developed a crack in and along the bottom of
the o-ring groove to the battery compartment. This prevented
the battery compartment cap from making contact, thus
the light no longer functioned.
This type of failure leads me to say that there
is a design flaw with this headlamp. The thickness of the plastic between
the battery compartment and the bottom of the o-ring groove is probably
about a millimeter or less.
Maybe I should have kept some silicone on the threads and o-ring, as it
probably broke when someone either tried to turn the battery
cap, or unscrew it. The headlamp for its lightweight and
small size, is one of the brightest around.
I will be selling this headlamp really cheap in the near future.
It could be super-glued shut, and used for a couple of hiking trips, but it
wouldn't
be reliable enough to take caving.
I don't think duct tape would fix it.
This lamp is less than $ 24 new at:
http://www.brightguy.com/products/Streamlight_Argo_HP_Headlamp.php
[ This is the older model with 33 lumens on high mode, and 12 lumens on low
mode. ]
A newer version alledges it uses a brighter C4 LED.
[ 55 lumens on high mode; 18 lumens on low mode]
David Locklear
Additional reference:
http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=55
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/16443-1.html
http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-61302-Headmount-Flashlight-Black/dp/B00081NHBA
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130257074972&category=106987&refid=store#ebayphotohosting
_________________________________________________________________
Get more out of the Web. Learn 10 hidden secrets of Windows Live.
http://windowslive.com/connect/post/jamiethomson.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns!550F681DAD532637!5295.entry?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_domore_092008
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
All,
If you have been trying to reach me the last two days, we had a
catastrophic email server failure here at work and the whole company has
been incommunicado Wed. and Thursday.
The above project is still on and there will be a contingent camping at
the Longhorn picnic area Friday and Saturday night.
My cell # is 214-289-9181, if needed.
We also have arranged for a tour either Saturday at 4PM or Sunday AM at
10 AM.
Also, If you sent something to me in the last couple of days, please
resend and sorry about all of the trouble.
Thanks and hope to see y'all tonight and drive carefully!
Mark
On Mon, Sep 29, 2008 at 2:36 PM, <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
> All,
>
> This work weekend is fast approaching, the camping is free, and the
> weather looks great!
>>
> We still have room for more volunteers, so if you'd like to help,
> please let me know.
>
>> Just a quick follow up:
>>
> If you plan on camping on Friday evening, please let me know.
>
>> I'm working on seeing if we can get a tour of the cave Saturday
> evening or Sunday AM.
>
>
>
> More info on this later.
>
>> Thanks!
>
>> Mark Alman
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: Alman, Mark @ IRP
> Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 10:10 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> As a follow up, camping will be available at the Longhorn Caverns
> Visitor Center.
>
>
>
> http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_m
> p_p4507_0020a.pdf
>
>
>
> Due to the large influx of guests from the Galveston/Houston area at
> Inks Lake SP, due to a rascal named "Ike", all the camping spots were
> filled for this weekend.
>
>
>
> The Superintendent has been gracious enough to let us use the picnic
> area straight down on the map from the visitors center, along the
> service road, but I ask you to be on your best behavior and please
leave dogs at home.
>
>
>
> We have a very good relationship with the TPWD and they have even
> allowed us to use Longhorn caverns SP in the past for TSA Conventions,
> so I don't want to ruin it.
>
>
>
> Let's also refrain from campfires, although, there are charcoal grills
> available.
>
>
>
> We need to use the facilities at the Visitors Center while they're
> open and use Inks Lake facilities after closing hours.
>
>
>
> Thanks again to all who have responded and give me a shout if you'd
> like to help out or have additional questions.
>
>
>
>
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
> Mark Alman
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: Alman, Mark @ IRP
> Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 1:30 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> All,
>
>
>
> You may recall about a month and a half ago that I issued a message
> seeking help on digging out an entrance to Longhorn Caverns for the
> TPWD, in anticipation of using this entrance for thru trips for the
ICS next year.
>
>
>
> Well, our ducks are now in a row and I'm happy to announce that the
> first dig (and I hope the only one) will be two weeks from now on
> Saturday, October 4th.
>
>
>
> We will be meeting at the visitors' center at Longhorn Caverns State
> Park at
> 9 AM and caravan from there to the Crownover entrance needing to be
dug out.
>
>
>
> Please bring any tools and equipment that you might think is
> necessary, i.e., shovels, buckets, rope, pick axes, chainsaws,
> dynamite (just kidding on that last one!!), as well as your own water,
food, and camping gear.
>
>
>
> If more work needs to be done, I would like to have y'all reserve the
> first weekend of November (Saturday, the 1st) and December (Saturday,
> the 6th) for additional work weekends. I believe these weekends will
> not interfere with all of the other worthwhile projects going on
around the state.
>
>
>
> Naturally, I will have waivers for y'all that need to be signed, or I
> can email them to you to help expedite the necessary paperwork.
>
>
>
> Camping will currently be at the Picnic Area across from the Visitors
> Center at Longhorn Caverns. Water will be available.
>
>
>
> Directions and more info to Longhorn Caverns is below:
>
>
>
> http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Longhorn+Cavern+State+Park,+Bu
> rnet
>
>
>
> http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/longhorn_cavern/
>
>
>
> I appreciate all who have already volunteered to help out and the
> offer is still out there to others, if you'd like to help out.
>
>
>
> Please let me know if you'll be coming, so I can give the park a rough
> head count.
>
>
>
>
>
> Thanks again and look forward to working with you on this project!
>
>
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> Mark Alman
>
--- End Message ---
