RE: [Utah-astronomy] observing sites in Utah

9 Aug 2007

      Unfortunately Florida Keys and Everglades are not on a par with Bryce Canyon
from reports I have heard, too much light pollution from Miami etc.  Chad
Moore did find Natural Bridges to be the darkest place he had tested. Table
Mountain, while good, doesn't compete with Bryce.  I was at Table Mountain
in 1998 and I would say it is more on a par with Wolf Creek.  I have heard
the Texas Star Party is very dark if it isn't too dusty.  I am also sure
there are place in central New Mexico and Nevada that are comparable to
Natural Bridges. 

-----Original Message-----
From: utah-astronomy-bounces+djcolton=piol.com@mailman.xmission.com
[mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+djcolton=piol.com@mailman.xmission.com] On
Behalf Of Debbie
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2007 6:15 PM
To: Utah Astronomy
Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] observing sites in Utah

Erik,

I was at Bryce Canyon that year when Chad Moore talked about the skies being
the 

darkest at Natural Bridges National Monument. He got my attention when he
said it 

was darker than Bryce Canyon. I wish it wasn't so far way from St George. 

Dead Horse State Park another great place to stargaze . They have a group 

campground that makes it nice for star parties. I viewed "The Mice" there
one year.

I hope I can make it this year.

Debbie

On Wed Aug  8 16:18 , erikhansen@TheBlueZone.net sent:
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Hi Debbie
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Darkest in Utah has alot of competition.  Utah has competition with West
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Texas, Texas Star Party Site, EverGlades and Florida Keys sites of the
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Southern Cross Winter Star Party, and in Oregon the Table Mountain Star
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Party is pretty dark (I hear I've never attended that Star Party).
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Chad Moore, SLAS member and NPS Ranger at Bryce has represented the issue
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in DC. IE: Protecting Dark Sky for National Parks and has taken scientific
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measurements, as I recall Bryce was darkest that he measured. Some other
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list contributers may remember his presentation to SLAS better than I. He
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talked at a SLAS meeting about 3 years ago, I remember Don Colton being
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there to organize the Bryce Star Party. :)
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Erik
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Taylor,
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Natural Bridges National Park is the darkest spot in the country. I'd
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to go
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there myself in the fall. Here is a link.
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http://www.nps.gov/nabr/parknews/news040507.htm
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The only problem is there are only 13 campsites on a first-come
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first-serve basis.
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There is also overflow camping outside the monument. I think the nearest
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town is
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Blanding.
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Goblin Valley is on my to-do list. They featured that area in the movie
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"Galaxy
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Quest" starring Tim Allen.
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Debbie
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On Wed Aug  8  6:57 , 'Taylor' stargzr@alltel.net> sent:
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Hello Utah astronomy enthusiasts,
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I don't live in Utah but am planning an observing trip to
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the
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southeastern part of the state for early this October.  In doing
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research
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for the trip, I ran across the Utah-Astronomy website and since I saw a
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link
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to e-mail all members of the list, I hope you all don't mind my asking a
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couple of questions.
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Since my last visit over 15 yrs. ago, I have longed to return to Utah
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but
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the demands of work and family have precluded taking time for such a
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journey.  I enjoy astronomy and tent camping and am looking for locations
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in
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southeastern Utah where the skies are inky black and camping is
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available.
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I am currently focusing on Goosenecks State Park and Goblin Valley State
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Park as possible locations for stargazing.  I have camped at Goosenecks
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before so I know what it's like there but I only passed by Goblin Valley
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and
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have not stayed at the campground.  I like the idea of camping at B.L.M.
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sites but since I will be on a motorcycle and planning to take
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excursions
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during the daytime, I prefer the relative security of a campground since
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I'll be leaving valuable equipment behind while I go off exploring.
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Has anyone ever observed at Goblin Valley State Park and if so, can you
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recommend a particular campsite that would be well located for
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stargazing?
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Do you have any other tips about these parks or other parks in
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southeastern
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Utah that you would recommend?
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What weather conditions might I expect in early October?  Is the sky
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generally clear then?
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I appreciate any advice that anyone might offer.  I'd be pleased to have
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company if some of you would like to meet up in October!
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Thanks,
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Taylor Christiansen
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Western North Carolina
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RE: [Utah-astronomy] observing sites in Utah

Don J. Colton