[Geysers] February Sput (Stephens)

[lynn stephens]

>
>Any suggestions for the following would be really helpful:
>1. Tips for collecting data-- for example, I noticed that in some  
>Gazers' data books, they have abbreviations, which makes it easier  
>and quicker to write down times. I think things happen quickly at the  
>Silver Globes (from my unofficial observations) as the functions  
>change between each one.

I think you probably need to spend a little time watching without worrying about taking notes to decide how to set up a note-taking format.  The format I use varies depending on the feature or group that I am watching.  

>2. How long should I stay to get a good picture of what's going on  
>there? I am not sure I can dedicate an entire day--Lynn, you say "a  
>few hours". would three hours be about right? Less? More?

The time needed again depends on the feature or group of geysers.  I know nothing about the Silver Globe Group so have no idea how many hours would be needed.  You need to check with someone who does know something about that group.


>3. Should I watch nearby geysers, too, such as Jewel? Or just  
>concentrate on the ones I am writing about? There's a nice view of  
>the Old Road Group from there, I do plan to bring my binoculars!

If you want to make certain to not miss something in the group you're watching, you should probably concentrate on it.  


>4. Anything else? I do plan to have a couple of seasoned Gazers read  
>through the article before publication.
>
>Thanks!
>Pat S.
>
>
>On Feb 26, 2006, at 3:54 PM, lynn stephens wrote:
>>
>> I think there are a number of "facts without proof" or even "facts  
>> that were proven long ago and need to be retested" about many  
>> geysers.  Geyser behavior changes (which is what keeps most of us  
>> interested).  Hopefully some of you will make a few observations of  
>> your own,  maybe supplement them with data from the OFVC logbook or  
>> compare them to results that other people have reported in The Sput  
>> or elsewhere, and report your results either confirming that an  
>> accepted fact remains true, develop a new "fact", or sugges that  
>> there's been a change that no one else has mentioned.  You don't  
>> have to collect data for several weeks or months--depending on the  
>> geyser, a few hours or so might be sufficient.  For example, it's  
>> been a few summers since I spent the day at Lone Star to get three  
>> closed intervals from major to major.  "We" think it's still  
>> erupting at about 3 hours from major to major, based on visitor  
>> reports, etc., but has anyone tested that assumption recently.  Or,  
>> how
>>  many minor eruptions is it having from major to major?  You don't  
>> have to write up a long article--just a few paragraphs reporting  
>> your observations and maybe a bit of Lone Star's history.  On the  
>> other hand, you could write up a "A Day in the Life of Lone  
>> Star" (just don't use that title because I'm using "A Day in the  
>> Life..." title for an upcoming article) that includes not just  
>> geyser behavior, but also comments on wildlife, flowers, visitors-- 
>> whatever.  Pack a lunch and a book, hike out early in the morning  
>> so you can enjoy both early morning and late afternoon rainbows in  
>> Lone Star's eruption.  Collect some "unknown fact"--for example,  
>> from what distance can the steam phase be heard?  (Even if you hear  
>> it on the way out in the morning, don't be discouraged that you  
>> just missed the major.  At least you know you haven't missed a  
>> minor so you can collect data on the number of minors before the  
>> next major.)
>>
>> Hopefully this post will stimulate some ideas about projects some  
>> of the people who can't spend a lot of time in Yellowstone can  
>> undertake and write-up for either The Sput or The Transactions.
>>
>> Lynn Stephens (lstephens.eagle at sisna.com)
>>
>>
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