[Geysers] Grotto shenanigans, and a researcher question

[David Schwarz]

   The main problem with the tree-mounted sensors (can't remember if they
were detecting motion or heat) was that they couldn't distinguish between
steam clouds and a water column.  For geyser that don't put up much steam
between eruptions (Daisy, Riverside) they worked OK.  On the other hand,
according to the Castle sensor, it sometimes erupted all day, and sometimes
had dozens of very short eruptions per day.  My memory is fuzzy, but I think
even Old Faithful had some false positives on cold, still days.

   The idea of using a non-contact IR thermometer pointed at the runoff
instead of a thermister seems like it would work, but then it's one more
piece of hardware to fail in extreme Yellowstone conditions, and it sounds
unduly complex and probably expensive compared to using a ready-made
physical probe/logger system.

David Schwarz


On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 11:52 PM, Ralph Taylor <ralpht at fuse.net> wrote:

>  Deploying any instrument requires a research permit.  As I recall, some
> of the old camera boxes worked some of the time, and some didn't work at
> all.  It would be interesting to try for some geysers that are infrequent
> and do not lend themselves to the temperature loggers.
>
> Ralph Taylor
>
>  ------------------------------
>  *From:* geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu [mailto:
> geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu] *On Behalf Of *Janet Johns
> *Sent:* Monday, February 21, 2011 10:06 PM
>
> *To:* Geyser Observation Reports
> *Subject:* Re: [Geysers] Grotto shenanigans, and a researcher question
>
>   Hey that would be like the old camera boxes at Daisy/Spendid!  If I
> remember correctly, they worked most of the time.  What goes around comes
> around!
> Nice idea.  I wonder what kinds of permits it would require?
>
>  *From:* GOSA Store <gosastore at roadrunner.com>
> *Sent:* Sunday, February 20, 2011 9:55 PM
> *To:* 'Geyser Observation Reports' <geysers at lists.wallawalla.edu>
> *Subject:* RE: [Geysers] Grotto shenanigans, and a researcher question
>
>  Lone Star might be an ideal candidate for a study using an infrared “game
> scouting” camera.  Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops and even WalMart sell them and
> several are reasonably priced.  One or more could be easily concealed in the
> nearby trees  Most have camouflaged cases making them difficult to spot.
> They do not emit any visible flash at night, and are silent, hence
> unobtrusive.  Not sure if they would be triggered by the heat of an eruption
> instead of Bambi walking by, but IMO worth a try.  And, of course, some
> human observation to verify the camera’s time stamped pictures would be
> needed.  A few days of monitoring (or more if need be) could provide us with
> a more definitive answer.  Label the project, “A Clockwork Infrared”.  J
>
>
>
> Udo Freund
>
> GOSA Store
>
> www.gosa.org
>
>
>
> *From:* geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu [mailto:
> geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu] *On Behalf Of *Janet Johns
> *Sent:* Saturday, February 19, 2011 6:20 PM
> *To:* Geyser Observation Reports
> *Subject:* Re: [Geysers] Grotto shenanigans, and a researcher question
>
>
>
> Dear Carolyn,
>
>
>
> Lew and I have both noticed that it did not "seem" to be clockwork geyser,
> but since we are recovering volunteers, we no longer time geysers.  David
> Goldberg tried to interest us in a study of Lone Star because he also
> thought it wasn't clockwork, based on naturalist walks to the area.  So your
> impression is probably just the same "feeling" that isn't documented. We
> figured some time ago that direct observation is the only way to correlate
> the minors, majors and changes in the duration.  We don't think a probe
> would work without significant personal observation, if then. Hmmmm....why
> maybe a volunteer should spend some time in the area doing some
> documentation.
>
>
>
> Janet Johns
>
>
>
> *From:* carolyn loren <caroloren98 at hotmail.com>
>
> *Sent:* Saturday, February 19, 2011 4:29 PM
>
> *To:* geyser listserve <geysers at lists.wallawalla.edu>
>
> *Subject:* [Geysers] Grotto shenanigans, and a researcher question
>
>
>
> Yesterday 2/18 I saw South Grotto Fountain at 0958 i.e. and
> post-marker-placement at 1022 i.e., and a visitor saw it still erupting at
> 1215 i.e.  Grotto finally started near 1219 i.e.
>
> This morning 2/19  Grotto was i.e. at 0933, Old Tardy and West Triplet at
> 0915 i.e., Pyramid at 0958 i.e., Oblong at 1003 i.e., and Daisy at 1008.
>
> A guide just saw Aurum at 1348.
>
> The question is about Lone Star.  The plaque on the wooden platform where
> the notebook is says that Lone Star has had a 3 hour interval since 1872.
> Does that statement come from a reliable source?  Geysers of Yellowstone
> doesn't go quite so far...  We've also noticed last summer, and to the
> extent we know this winter, that Lone Star sometimes jumps around an hour or
> two one day to the next.  Lots of minors perhaps?  Anyway, thanks!
>
> Carolyn Loren
>  ------------------------------
>
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