We had very interesting and productive evening.  We accomplished tasks 1
through 4 and also managed two spectacular launches of my 4' long water
rocket.  Participants were: Ray Peterson, Gary Bucher, Chris and Marilyn
Hoy.

It was another clear night so we looked at Jupiter and Saturn through
the telescope.  Jupiter's moons were in an interesting alignment forming
a triangle in the upper left field of view.

We had two kerosene and one electric heater running so it was
comfortable inside the hanger.  Outside we had some problems when
launching the water rocket because the airhose would fill with water and
freeze.

Gary and Ray assembled the Estes Altitrak inclinometers.

While considering parachute activation mechanisms for water rockets, I
decided to give an old, but unreliable, technique another try: put a
loose fitting cap over the top of the rocket that will fall off at
apogee.  I folded a 14" nylon parachute into a large laundry detergent
cap/cup and attached it with a 4' string to the top of the rocket.

We tried it out on the new launch pad but as soon as I began
pressurizing the rocket, it prematurely launched.  This is a problem
we've had before due to inconsistent flange sizes on different bottle
necks.  So I reloaded and held it to the pad by hand as we pressurized
it to 90psi. 5 4 3 2 1 release ... whoosh.  I was temporarily blinded by
the cloud of water spray and looked around for the rocket.  Didn't see
it, didn't hear it, waited and waited for the sound of impact.  Finally,
Chris shined his Million candlepower spotlight around and caught a view
of it comming down very nicely under parachute, still about 200' up.  It
must have gone to over 300' !  We were so thrilled that we immediately
reloaded and launched again (after modifying the launcher to correctly
hold down this rocket).

The second flight was visible throughout the flight thanks to Chris's
light.  It was perfect.  Climbed to about 350 feet, arced over, nosecone
separated (after a scarry moment of downward plunge), chute deployed,
and it drifted down nicely.  This time it landed on one of the big
quonset hut hangars and we had to use a long pole to get it down.

We can't wait to see it launch in the daytime, and out in the open.

Next activity:  Tuesday night 11/28 6:30 at my hangar.  But if I wake up
Sat or Sun to low winds I'll probably try to launch a few smaller
rockets (I'm obsessed!).

-Jeff