I *really* need to join you at the P&P one of these nights Jay -- I've been meaning to. When are you planning to go out next? I still have about 60 objects (mostly spring galaxies) that I need to check off on my Herschel 400 program to be complete. /R From: JayLEads <jayleads@gmail.com> To: Utah Valley Astronomy Association <uvaa@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Monday, May 23, 2016 9:32 PM Subject: Re: [UVAA] Star Party What I think is ideal is for the weekend before new moon, to have a star party at say Pit n Pole. Then for new moon I go out to where I observe south of Vernon on the -Wasatch-Cache National Forest Land off of FR006. I have directions on my blog and can provide directions. It is about 1 1/2 hours out from Lehi and I typically spend the night after daylight savings time comes into affect. Just is easier. I do recommend the site with an SQM of 21.7 to 21.8, though that reading dims when the summer MIlky Way comes up. You do get the light dome up to around 20 to 25 degrees to the NE for Salt Lake to Provo area. Public Star Parties are great for first quarter and the weekend right after that. Good news is in July there are a lot of planets up to show with the moon. I know at new moon I am selfish, totally admit it, and I spend my time observing for myself. Anyway, if anyone is interested in the Vernon site it works well. Nice and dark, much darker than Pit n Pole. On Mon, May 23, 2016 at 8:01 PM, John M. Craig <jmcraig@xmission.com> wrote:
The question of where to hold a star party, IMO, depends a lot on who it's for: is it for the public or mostly for us amateurs? If the latter, then a more out-of-the-way site makes sense. With Mars' good apparition, some place further west might be preferrable for the next one, maybe? But hey, I'm just happy to hear when anyone's heading out and might enjoy some company.
I think it'd be fun to get in the mode of doing a public party somewhere that would be reasonably central (although that doesn't sound like a bad spot) on the weekend nearest first quarter--when viewing targets are a bit limited by natural light. But that's just a thought I've had for a while (something like what the SLAS does).
BTW, although I can't go this year, I definitely recommend the Rocky Mountain Star Stare as a great "serious" star party (rmss.org). It's not a bad day's drive to Gardner, CO from around here and the viewing has been really great most years I've been.
Fewer clouds, more free evenings!
John
On 5/23/2016 4:58 PM, Lynn Cooley wrote:
Hi Richard
I have a suggestion for the next star party. The Dry Canyon trialhead parking lot. It is an excellent view and at night the trees on the hill on the west side of the parking lot blocks out most of the light. It is straight up from state st. in Lindon on the side of the mountain. Plenty of room to set up telescopes and we could have a lot of fun.
Good viewing Lynn Cooley _______________________________________________ UVAA mailing list UVAA@mailman.xmission.com https://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/uvaa
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-- Thanks! Jay _______________________________________________ UVAA mailing list UVAA@mailman.xmission.com https://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/uvaa