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Jeff Pleines
member
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 35
Loc: Catonsville, MD
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Hi All,
Just a head's up--the Almost Heaven Star Party will be taking place this Thursday-Sunday, at Spruce Knob WVa. The event promises some of the darkest skies on the east coast. I'm not affiliated with the production of AHSP in any way, but have heard nothing but good about the event.
--------------------
Jeff Pleines
NightSky 16 Truss Dob
Takahashi NJP (for sale--call Hands on Optics)
Celestron C-8 (for sale--call Hands on Optics)
Stellarvue SV-85S (for sale--call Hands on Optics)
Discovery Mars Scope
Canon 20Da/SX MX-7C (for sale--call Hands on Optics)
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Rusty
Postmaster
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 19246
Loc: Brooker, FL
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You might also want to post this in the Star Parties Forum
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N11GPS Fastar//TOA-130S//MK66 Std//AT6RC//Vintage C5//Megrez II 80mm APO//SolarMax 40
NJP Temma II//Sirius EQ-G
Too Many Astro-Cameras//Mallincam Color Hyper Plus
Two not-spoiled Golden Retrievers - Casey and Nelson
Lot 19 Deerlick Astronomy Village (Canis Major)
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
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DeanS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 2560
Loc: Central Kentucky
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Leaving in the morning!
Weather is even starting to look like a few good nights 
--------------------
AP900GTO, AP1200GTO,
Tak Epsilon 160, FS60C, SV80
12.5" F/3.8 AGO Newtonian,
C9.25, 8" LX200GPS,
18" Starmaster w/Zambuto F/4.3,
FLI ML8300,
QSI640WSG-8
ST2000XM, Lodestars
Some Uncle Al's glass hand grenades
www.doghouseastronomy.com
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Richard B. Drumm
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 1486
Loc: Albemarle Co. Virginia
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While you guys are up at Spruce Knob, CAS will be having an astronomy retreat at Bear Mountain, West Va., just west of Monterey, Va. and not far from Greenbank. The weather looks very good. Lots of dry air and 2 blocking stationary fronts keeping the crud at bay! I'm looking to bag Ceres and a bunch of faint fuzzies! I'm psyched!
Rich
--------------------
AKA Richard Drumm The Astronomy Bum
Orion Atlas 10 (10" Newt on an equatorial mount)
Celestron 15x70 SkyMaster Binocs
Coronado Ha PST
President, Charlottesville Astronomical Society
IOTA member
38° 10' 57"N, 78° 23' 09"W
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DeanS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 2560
Loc: Central Kentucky
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This was the best Almost Heaven party they have had to date. But that isn't saying much as last year was their first and it was a total wash out.
This year saw maybe a couple hours or clear skies each night with thursday after midnight being the best. The other times had pretty bad transparency due to thin clouds.
I managed a whole 45 minutes of imaging for the trip, but it is a great site and indeeded the darkest skies I have ever seen on this side of the country. Can only hope for better conditions next year as I would like to try it again.
--------------------
AP900GTO, AP1200GTO,
Tak Epsilon 160, FS60C, SV80
12.5" F/3.8 AGO Newtonian,
C9.25, 8" LX200GPS,
18" Starmaster w/Zambuto F/4.3,
FLI ML8300,
QSI640WSG-8
ST2000XM, Lodestars
Some Uncle Al's glass hand grenades
www.doghouseastronomy.com
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Richard B. Drumm
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 1486
Loc: Albemarle Co. Virginia
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Down at Bear Mountain we could see lots of lightning up your way on Sat night. We figured you folks were getting hammered. We had lousy viewing as well both Friday and Saturday nights. Friday was better but the thin clouds made star hopping difficult to impossible. I had wanted to bag Ceres, but couldn't see my starting point in Pisces Austrinus. We had a look at it (I think) in a go-to SC, but that's just not the same...
Sat night we sat in chairs in a big circle and messed around with binocs when a clear(ish) spot passed overhead. Then the club secretary broke out his 12" GSO dob and we hit a bunch of globs and the double cluster quickly. I saw the Dumbell nebula in binocs and showed a couple others how to easily find it by starting at gamma Saggita and going North. Mostly we just sat around and comiserated about the skies and talked.
That's the problem with star parties, the weather! Mother Nature is always invited to these events, though sometimes she's not particularly welcome! The driveway is close and you can get there quickly when conditions are favorable. I'll be at Bear Mtn. next year, and you'll be at AHSP as well, so let's practice our clear skies dances and get ready! 
Rich
--------------------
AKA Richard Drumm The Astronomy Bum
Orion Atlas 10 (10" Newt on an equatorial mount)
Celestron 15x70 SkyMaster Binocs
Coronado Ha PST
President, Charlottesville Astronomical Society
IOTA member
38° 10' 57"N, 78° 23' 09"W
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DeanS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 2560
Loc: Central Kentucky
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Thought I would bring this back to life.
Anyone else going this year and tempt mother nature???
I am giving it another go as my last 4 star parties have been washed out and I am certain the odds are finally in my favor to get a good one
--------------------
AP900GTO, AP1200GTO,
Tak Epsilon 160, FS60C, SV80
12.5" F/3.8 AGO Newtonian,
C9.25, 8" LX200GPS,
18" Starmaster w/Zambuto F/4.3,
FLI ML8300,
QSI640WSG-8
ST2000XM, Lodestars
Some Uncle Al's glass hand grenades
www.doghouseastronomy.com
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DeanS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 2560
Loc: Central Kentucky
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Anyone else going to play the odds again this year??
--------------------
AP900GTO, AP1200GTO,
Tak Epsilon 160, FS60C, SV80
12.5" F/3.8 AGO Newtonian,
C9.25, 8" LX200GPS,
18" Starmaster w/Zambuto F/4.3,
FLI ML8300,
QSI640WSG-8
ST2000XM, Lodestars
Some Uncle Al's glass hand grenades
www.doghouseastronomy.com
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chrisblank
newbie
Reged: 05/13/07
Posts: 4
Loc: Gallipolis, Ohio
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Me and My 6 yo son are attending. This will be our first star party as we just got started in astronomy this spring.
--------------------
Chris
-Orion Starblast EQ
-7x50 Binos
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DeanS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 2560
Loc: Central Kentucky
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Ah, good to hear there will be at least 2 of us there
Bring a rain coat just in case but surely it can't/won't rain us out 2 years in a row???
--------------------
AP900GTO, AP1200GTO,
Tak Epsilon 160, FS60C, SV80
12.5" F/3.8 AGO Newtonian,
C9.25, 8" LX200GPS,
18" Starmaster w/Zambuto F/4.3,
FLI ML8300,
QSI640WSG-8
ST2000XM, Lodestars
Some Uncle Al's glass hand grenades
www.doghouseastronomy.com
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chrisblank
newbie
Reged: 05/13/07
Posts: 4
Loc: Gallipolis, Ohio
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well, unfortunately the weather channel is predicting 60% chance of rain on both friday and saturday. It is still a week away and i am hoping for the best.
--------------------
Chris
-Orion Starblast EQ
-7x50 Binos
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DeanS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 2560
Loc: Central Kentucky
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Well the good news is that is 40% chance of clear??? Sure would be better than last year.
NOAA weather says 30% so I will watch their website
Cya there.
--------------------
AP900GTO, AP1200GTO,
Tak Epsilon 160, FS60C, SV80
12.5" F/3.8 AGO Newtonian,
C9.25, 8" LX200GPS,
18" Starmaster w/Zambuto F/4.3,
FLI ML8300,
QSI640WSG-8
ST2000XM, Lodestars
Some Uncle Al's glass hand grenades
www.doghouseastronomy.com
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OldDeadOne
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/09/06
Posts: 1304
Loc: West Virginia
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Rod from meade is doing a workshop on SCT collimation and unfortunately I can't go because of work( I wish this was being held on my vacation after the 18th boo-hoo). I've never collimated my SCT and would slobber at the chance to see him do it. Do you think anyone might videotape this workshop? I would purchase a copy from anyone who does this!
--------------------
Bert O'Dell
Fayette County WV
PROUD GOTO USER
LX200 10" Classic
various meade plossi's eyepieces
Konig MX70 40mm" eyepiece
11mm T6
7mm T1
I miss my Rose April 9,1995 - July 9 2010
Charleston WV clearsky
Edited by OldDeadOne (08/07/07 12:10 PM)
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DeanS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 2560
Loc: Central Kentucky
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Saturday night looks good!!
Packed up and leaving in the morning.
--------------------
AP900GTO, AP1200GTO,
Tak Epsilon 160, FS60C, SV80
12.5" F/3.8 AGO Newtonian,
C9.25, 8" LX200GPS,
18" Starmaster w/Zambuto F/4.3,
FLI ML8300,
QSI640WSG-8
ST2000XM, Lodestars
Some Uncle Al's glass hand grenades
www.doghouseastronomy.com
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rmollise
Postmaster
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 12033
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Thanks for the notice...but one correcton...
Uncle Rod is NOT from Meade. ;-)
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's Latest Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Uncle Rod's Astroblog: http://uncle-rods.blogspot.com/
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rmollise
Postmaster
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 12033
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Let me also add that the skies Saturday night were at LEAST as good as anything I have EVER seen east of the Mississippi. The Milky Way was flat-out spectacular!
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's Latest Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Uncle Rod's Astroblog: http://uncle-rods.blogspot.com/
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DeanS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 2560
Loc: Central Kentucky
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Where do I start....Overall a nice star party, their best one yet!
Thursday day was semi clear and very warm. Then the rain came, strong winds
and rain started around 10:00 pm or so, then steady rain with another strong
storm about 3:30 am that sent many tenters to their cars for shelter.
Friday day was nice and partly cloudy with mild temps. Had some good
workshops and speakers for the CCD imaging. Good beginner and intermediate
type presentations but worth while for all and done well. On Saturday night Uncle Rod
gave a "care and feeding of a CAT" presentation that everyone said was great.
Friday nite started off with clear skies at dark, but almost immediately
turned cloudy with numerous suckers holes until about 4:30am, the I heard it
cleared until sunrise. It was mild temps and a bit breezy.
Vendor wise we only had Astro Gizmos and Hands On Optical. But the best
thing this year was that Astro Gizmo supplied all of us with wireless
internet and even set up a small Astro Cafe' with several laptops for those
that didn't bring their own. It sure was nice to be able to check the radar
and Clear sky clock, although it was wrong most of the time. I think the
weather up on Spruce Knob has a mind of its own anyways.
They also had a trailer set up with snack foods and drinks. But they still
did not have any way to sell ice this year.
Saturday was nice and it magically cleared near sunset and stayed that way
until about 3:00 am. Beautiful dark skies with just a bit of light
pollution from the northeast, otherwise great skies. Saw lots of meteors,
some very bright ones with 'sparks' too.
The prize drawing went well with some neat bigger dollar items like a Meade
8" Lightbridge scope. They also had a silent auction for some good things
too.
Check out time was kind of early as they had a couple other groups coming in
at 11:30 so they wanted us out by 10-11:00 so it was good that we got at
least a little bit of sleep before packing up.
I predict it was a good time for all
Dean
I have updated my website with a few images taken during the star party, look under the star party section.
--------------------
AP900GTO, AP1200GTO,
Tak Epsilon 160, FS60C, SV80
12.5" F/3.8 AGO Newtonian,
C9.25, 8" LX200GPS,
18" Starmaster w/Zambuto F/4.3,
FLI ML8300,
QSI640WSG-8
ST2000XM, Lodestars
Some Uncle Al's glass hand grenades
www.doghouseastronomy.com
Edited by DeanS (08/15/07 09:41 AM)
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robinsondd
sage
Reged: 05/28/07
Posts: 341
Loc: St. Mary's City, MD
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Quote:
Where do I start....Overall a nice star party, their best one yet!... I predict it was a good time for all
Dean
The Thursday night storm damaged my canopy and knocked my buddies tent down. All of his gear and books got wet including his C11. We were able to patch the poles and get the tent up again. Many thanks to Jan for helping us. The 3:30 AM storm has us both outside holding down the tent and canopy to prevent more damage. We got soaked.
Dealing with the rain the first two nights really frustrated me and I almost packed up and left Saturday morning, but a good forecast kept me there. This is my fifth star party in three years (second AHSP and three CSSP)and it seems I continually have a lot of rain and very little observing. It is frustrating. But, on the other hand I do enjoy the company of all the astronomers at the events. It almost makes it worth it...
This was the first star party with my 25" and I really enjoyed showing folks how the bright stuff looks in large aperature. The veil and M13 were particular favorites of the viewers. I heard such comments as: 3-D, looks like a picture, best view I've ever had, sprinked here and there was brighter language. My favorite object was B86, the "Inkspot" in Saggitarius. One of the guys looking through my scope asked if I had looked at it before. Shoot, I haven't even heard of it before. It was incredible. I really enjoyed learning about it.
So I guess the last night of good viewing salvaged the trip for me. I am already thinking about the Mid-Atlantic star party or the Black Forest Star party.
But, the best thing that happened at this event was my buddy Andreas winning the grand prize, an 8" Meade Lightbridge. After dealing with the downed tent with broken poles and drying his gear all weekend, he deserved it.
--------------------
David Robinson
Lexington Park, MD
----
"Why should we be in such a desperate haste to succeed and in such desperate enterprises? If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." Thoreau 1817-1862
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DeanS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 2560
Loc: Central Kentucky
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They should make some "I survived the 2007 AHSP" in a tent.
Glad you stayed as you would have been even more dissappointed it you got home and then heard we had a great Saturday night.
Andreas did indeed deserve the grand prize. But I still say it would make a great finder scope on your new Obsession:)
Cya
Dean
--------------------
AP900GTO, AP1200GTO,
Tak Epsilon 160, FS60C, SV80
12.5" F/3.8 AGO Newtonian,
C9.25, 8" LX200GPS,
18" Starmaster w/Zambuto F/4.3,
FLI ML8300,
QSI640WSG-8
ST2000XM, Lodestars
Some Uncle Al's glass hand grenades
www.doghouseastronomy.com
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DeanS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 2560
Loc: Central Kentucky
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Sooo how did the Almost Heaven go this year? I was not able to attend but really wanted to go.
--------------------
AP900GTO, AP1200GTO,
Tak Epsilon 160, FS60C, SV80
12.5" F/3.8 AGO Newtonian,
C9.25, 8" LX200GPS,
18" Starmaster w/Zambuto F/4.3,
FLI ML8300,
QSI640WSG-8
ST2000XM, Lodestars
Some Uncle Al's glass hand grenades
www.doghouseastronomy.com
|
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