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:
Hi Debbie
Darkest in Utah has alot of competition. Utah has competition with West Texas, Texas Star Party Site, EverGlades and Florida Keys sites of the Southern Cross Winter Star Party, and in Oregon the Table Mountain Star Party is pretty dark (I hear I've never attended that Star Party).
Chad Moore, SLAS member and NPS Ranger at Bryce has represented the issue in DC. IE: Protecting Dark Sky for National Parks and has taken scientific measurements, as I recall Bryce was darkest that he measured. Some other list contributers may remember his presentation to SLAS better than I. He talked at a SLAS meeting about 3 years ago, I remember Don Colton being there to organize the Bryce Star Party. :)
Erik
Taylor,
Natural Bridges National Park is the darkest spot in the country. I'd like to go there myself in the fall. Here is a link.
http://www.nps.gov/nabr/parknews/news040507.htm
The only problem is there are only 13 campsites on a first-come first-serve basis. There is also overflow camping outside the monument. I think the nearest town is Blanding.
Goblin Valley is on my to-do list. They featured that area in the movie "Galaxy Quest" starring Tim Allen.
Debbie
On Wed Aug 8 6:57 , 'Taylor' stargzr@alltel.net> sent:
Hello Utah astronomy enthusiasts,
I don't live in Utah but am planning an observing trip to the southeastern part of the state for early this October. In doing research for the trip, I ran across the Utah-Astronomy website and since I saw a link to e-mail all members of the list, I hope you all don't mind my asking a couple of questions.
Since my last visit over 15 yrs. ago, I have longed to return to Utah but the demands of work and family have precluded taking time for such a journey. I enjoy astronomy and tent camping and am looking for locations in southeastern Utah where the skies are inky black and camping is available.
I am currently focusing on Goosenecks State Park and Goblin Valley State Park as possible locations for stargazing. I have camped at Goosenecks before so I know what it's like there but I only passed by Goblin Valley and have not stayed at the campground. I like the idea of camping at B.L.M. sites but since I will be on a motorcycle and planning to take excursions during the daytime, I prefer the relative security of a campground since I'll be leaving valuable equipment behind while I go off exploring.
Has anyone ever observed at Goblin Valley State Park and if so, can you recommend a particular campsite that would be well located for stargazing?
Do you have any other tips about these parks or other parks in southeastern Utah that you would recommend?
What weather conditions might I expect in early October? Is the sky generally clear then?
I appreciate any advice that anyone might offer. I'd be pleased to have company if some of you would like to meet up in October!
Thanks,
Taylor Christiansen
Western North Carolina
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Debbie,
I stand corrected, It seems like there where some places in the state he did not test. They all have thier pros and cons. Island in the Sky and The Wedge consistantly have excellent skies, the areas around Natural Bridges and Hovenweep can be real buggy(insects) in the warm months. Have they gotten rid of campground lights at dead horse. One of the Parks on the Arizona-Mexico border Saguaro National Park is also very good. I drove along the border and came accross a pack of wild dogs, I stayed in my truck. Erik 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:
Hi Debbie
Darkest in Utah has alot of competition. Utah has competition with West Texas, Texas Star Party Site, EverGlades and Florida Keys sites of the Southern Cross Winter Star Party, and in Oregon the Table Mountain Star Party is pretty dark (I hear I've never attended that Star Party).
Chad Moore, SLAS member and NPS Ranger at Bryce has represented the issue in DC. IE: Protecting Dark Sky for National Parks and has taken scientific measurements, as I recall Bryce was darkest that he measured. Some other list contributers may remember his presentation to SLAS better than I. He talked at a SLAS meeting about 3 years ago, I remember Don Colton being there to organize the Bryce Star Party. :)
Erik
Taylor,
Natural Bridges National Park is the darkest spot in the country. I'd like to go there myself in the fall. Here is a link.
http://www.nps.gov/nabr/parknews/news040507.htm
The only problem is there are only 13 campsites on a first-come first-serve basis. There is also overflow camping outside the monument. I think the nearest town is Blanding.
Goblin Valley is on my to-do list. They featured that area in the movie "Galaxy Quest" starring Tim Allen.
Debbie
On Wed Aug 8 6:57 , 'Taylor' stargzr@alltel.net> sent:
Hello Utah astronomy enthusiasts,
I don't live in Utah but am planning an observing trip to the southeastern part of the state for early this October. In doing research for the trip, I ran across the Utah-Astronomy website and since I saw a link to e-mail all members of the list, I hope you all don't mind my asking a couple of questions.
Since my last visit over 15 yrs. ago, I have longed to return to Utah but the demands of work and family have precluded taking time for such a journey. I enjoy astronomy and tent camping and am looking for locations in southeastern Utah where the skies are inky black and camping is available.
I am currently focusing on Goosenecks State Park and Goblin Valley State Park as possible locations for stargazing. I have camped at Goosenecks before so I know what it's like there but I only passed by Goblin Valley and have not stayed at the campground. I like the idea of camping at B.L.M. sites but since I will be on a motorcycle and planning to take excursions during the daytime, I prefer the relative security of a campground since I'll be leaving valuable equipment behind while I go off exploring.
Has anyone ever observed at Goblin Valley State Park and if so, can you recommend a particular campsite that would be well located for stargazing?
Do you have any other tips about these parks or other parks in southeastern Utah that you would recommend?
What weather conditions might I expect in early October? Is the sky generally clear then?
I appreciate any advice that anyone might offer. I'd be pleased to have company if some of you would like to meet up in October!
Thanks,
Taylor Christiansen
Western North Carolina
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
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_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
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:
Hi Debbie
Darkest in Utah has alot of competition. Utah has competition with West
Texas, Texas Star Party Site, EverGlades and Florida Keys sites of the
Southern Cross Winter Star Party, and in Oregon the Table Mountain Star
Party is pretty dark (I hear I've never attended that Star Party).
Chad Moore, SLAS member and NPS Ranger at Bryce has represented the issue
in DC. IE: Protecting Dark Sky for National Parks and has taken scientific
measurements, as I recall Bryce was darkest that he measured. Some other
list contributers may remember his presentation to SLAS better than I. He
talked at a SLAS meeting about 3 years ago, I remember Don Colton being
there to organize the Bryce Star Party. :)
Erik
Taylor,
Natural Bridges National Park is the darkest spot in the country. I'd like
to go
there myself in the fall. Here is a link.
The only problem is there are only 13 campsites on a first-come
first-serve basis.
There is also overflow camping outside the monument. I think the nearest
town is
Blanding.
Goblin Valley is on my to-do list. They featured that area in the movie
"Galaxy
Quest" starring Tim Allen.
Debbie
On Wed Aug 8 6:57 , 'Taylor' stargzr@alltel.net> sent:
Hello Utah astronomy enthusiasts,
I don't live in Utah but am planning an observing trip to
the
southeastern part of the state for early this October. In doing
research
for the trip, I ran across the Utah-Astronomy website and since I saw a
link
to e-mail all members of the list, I hope you all don't mind my asking a
couple of questions.
Since my last visit over 15 yrs. ago, I have longed to return to Utah
but
the demands of work and family have precluded taking time for such a
journey. I enjoy astronomy and tent camping and am looking for locations
in
southeastern Utah where the skies are inky black and camping is
available.
I am currently focusing on Goosenecks State Park and Goblin Valley State
Park as possible locations for stargazing. I have camped at Goosenecks
before so I know what it's like there but I only passed by Goblin Valley
and
have not stayed at the campground. I like the idea of camping at B.L.M.
sites but since I will be on a motorcycle and planning to take
excursions
during the daytime, I prefer the relative security of a campground since
I'll be leaving valuable equipment behind while I go off exploring.
Has anyone ever observed at Goblin Valley State Park and if so, can you
recommend a particular campsite that would be well located for
stargazing?
Do you have any other tips about these parks or other parks in
southeastern
Utah that you would recommend?
What weather conditions might I expect in early October? Is the sky
generally clear then?
I appreciate any advice that anyone might offer. I'd be pleased to have
company if some of you would like to meet up in October!
Thanks,
Taylor Christiansen
Western North Carolina
_______________________________________________
Utah-Astronomy mailing list
Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________
Utah-Astronomy mailing list
Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________
Utah-Astronomy mailing list
Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Hi Don,
It was a few years ago since I have been there but the glow from Miami is about same as glow from Las Vegas at Cathedral Gorge. The most impressive thing about The Everglades was Saggitarius and our Galactic Core at the Zenith with Polaris low in the north. It remains in my Top 10 of astronomical experiences.A night I spent at Rainbow Point in Bryce is also on that list. It would be nice for these metropolitan areas to clean up thier lighting and save tax dollars in the process. Erik 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:
Hi Debbie
Darkest in Utah has alot of competition. Utah has competition with West
Texas, Texas Star Party Site, EverGlades and Florida Keys sites of the
Southern Cross Winter Star Party, and in Oregon the Table Mountain Star
Party is pretty dark (I hear I've never attended that Star Party).
Chad Moore, SLAS member and NPS Ranger at Bryce has represented the issue
in DC. IE: Protecting Dark Sky for National Parks and has taken scientific
measurements, as I recall Bryce was darkest that he measured. Some other
list contributers may remember his presentation to SLAS better than I. He
talked at a SLAS meeting about 3 years ago, I remember Don Colton being
there to organize the Bryce Star Party. :)
Erik
Taylor,
Natural Bridges National Park is the darkest spot in the country. I'd like
to go
there myself in the fall. Here is a link.
The only problem is there are only 13 campsites on a first-come
first-serve basis.
There is also overflow camping outside the monument. I think the nearest
town is
Blanding.
Goblin Valley is on my to-do list. They featured that area in the movie
"Galaxy
Quest" starring Tim Allen.
Debbie
On Wed Aug 8 6:57 , 'Taylor' stargzr@alltel.net> sent:
Hello Utah astronomy enthusiasts,
I don't live in Utah but am planning an observing trip to
the
southeastern part of the state for early this October. In doing
research
for the trip, I ran across the Utah-Astronomy website and since I saw a
link
to e-mail all members of the list, I hope you all don't mind my asking a
couple of questions.
Since my last visit over 15 yrs. ago, I have longed to return to Utah
but
the demands of work and family have precluded taking time for such a
journey. I enjoy astronomy and tent camping and am looking for locations
in
southeastern Utah where the skies are inky black and camping is
available.
I am currently focusing on Goosenecks State Park and Goblin Valley State
Park as possible locations for stargazing. I have camped at Goosenecks
before so I know what it's like there but I only passed by Goblin Valley
and
have not stayed at the campground. I like the idea of camping at B.L.M.
sites but since I will be on a motorcycle and planning to take
excursions
during the daytime, I prefer the relative security of a campground since
I'll be leaving valuable equipment behind while I go off exploring.
Has anyone ever observed at Goblin Valley State Park and if so, can you
recommend a particular campsite that would be well located for
stargazing?
Do you have any other tips about these parks or other parks in
southeastern
Utah that you would recommend?
What weather conditions might I expect in early October? Is the sky
generally clear then?
I appreciate any advice that anyone might offer. I'd be pleased to have
company if some of you would like to meet up in October!
Thanks,
Taylor Christiansen
Western North Carolina
_______________________________________________
Utah-Astronomy mailing list
Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________
Utah-Astronomy mailing list
Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________
Utah-Astronomy mailing list
Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
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participants (3)
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Debbie -
Don J. Colton -
erikhansen＠TheBlueZone.net