For those who were not at the last SLAS meeting, it's possible SLAS may finally get access to a true dark sky site. Dr. Kieda (U of U) reports that the U's Southern Utah Observatory is now funded and the telescope ordered. Better still, at least for us amateur star gazers, the facility will include exterior telescope pads, a bunkhouse w/kitchen, power and a lockable storage room all of which will be available to SLAS members. Time on the telescope will also be available (I'm assuming by trained operators) when it's not in use by the U or its partners. pw On 21 Jul 2007, at 23:51, Chuck Hards wrote:
One of the best sites within an hour's drive of SLC, from the standpoint of dark skies, is the Lakeside site. Wasatch front skyglow is a faint band only a few degrees above the eastern horizon. A short stretch of I-80 is visible from the first couple of miles of the access road, but in practice the traffic is so far away that it's not a problem. Wendover has an insignificant glow above it.
The caveat, as Erik notes for Rush Valley as well, is dust. The ground is like a giant powder puff in summer, especially during a prolonged dry spell. I'm still on the lookout for a rocky segment of ground somewhere out there; if anybody finds one, please post it's exact location.
If the club ever got inspired enough to dump about 30 cubic yards of one-inch gravel out there, close to the road and on a gentle slope for drainage, I'd certainly be willing to contribute to the cost. A layer of 6-mil plastic underneath it would keep it from disappearing into the ground. Just an idea and very hypothetical, I don't want to rock the boat or break any unwritten laws (again).
It's maddening that the combination of nice ground site and excellent skies rarely coincide within a 60 to 90 minute drive of my segment of the Wasatch front.