snorkler
Aperture Aficionado
Reged: 10/11/04
Posts: 10041
Loc: Bay Area, California
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Interesting. The original link was the GSSP side of the story, but it's been revised to avoid all mention of the dispute. When I first posted it, it gave the GSSP side of the story, and it wasn't until message #1391918 in this thread that I found/posted the SSP side of the story. The original link is/was http;//shingletownstarparty.org That link leads you to the GSSP page.
It's truly a sad falling-out. Half of my observing buddy circle is boycotting both events this year. That can only hurt everyone: both sets of star party organizers, and the observers.
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I'm not the lowest of the low, but I am the slowest of the slow. '06 Scion xB. 49.6 mpg avg over 38,000 miles. 177% of '08 EPA
Best flat drive 94.5 mpg for 10.1 mi
Longest tank 1033 km (642 mi) on 10.56 gal = 60.8 mpg
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Rich N
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/22/04
Posts: 5618
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif...
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Thank you, StarAngel! Happy to help.
Rich
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Rich N
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/22/04
Posts: 5618
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif...
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Quote:
Interesting. The original link was the GSSP side of the story, but it's been revised to avoid all mention of the dispute. When I first posted it, it gave the GSSP side of the story, and it wasn't until message #1391918 in this thread that I found/posted the SSP side of the story. The original link is/was http;//shingletownstarparty.org That link leads you to the GSSP page.
It's truly a sad falling-out. Half of my observing buddy circle is boycotting both events this year. That can only hurt everyone: both sets of star party organizers, and the observers.
Hi Darrell,
I see no reason for someone to boycott the star parties. It's not as if a turf war is going to break out at the star parties involving roving gangs of amateur astronomers who prefer one site over another. We are a pretty peaceful bunch.
All the best,
Rich
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121601
super member
Reged: 08/18/04
Posts: 125
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I see no reason for someone to boycott the star parties. It's not as if a turf war is going to break out at the star parties involving roving gangs of amateur astronomers who prefer one site over another. We are a pretty peaceful bunch.
All the best,
Rich
I strongly urge people who are currently contemplating NOT to be discouraged in participating in either one of these star parties. In my opinion, the dark skies of Mt. Lassen and Shingletown remain one of the two best accessible locations to observe in Northern CA. While there are certainly other larger and “visible” events in the limelight like the TSP or OSP, the Shingletown & Mt. Lassen regional area also offer many recreational amenities and attractions not easily found in places like Ft. Davis or Prineville which both amateur astronomers & whole families can enjoy. After all, star parties are planned to be truly community events. Many of us who hold dark skies dear to our souls do not own vast isolated private lands or estates and cannot travel hundred of miles to remote natural vistas where only a minority can savor pristine skies.
I am worried and saddened by the potential negative impressions that some of the posts will project to outside readers, who have not been at these sites. Since I visited these places in the Summer & Fall of 2004, I have made a very strong personal effort to promote visual astronomy, particularly dark sky observing. At that time, I didn’t observe with anyone. It only took one clear, moonless steady night in Sept, 2003 at the “devastated area” of Mt. Lassen to convince me that everyone should be given a chance to see the Milky Way as Nature intended our eyes to bear witness.
Clear dark skies,
Renato
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Rich N
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/22/04
Posts: 5618
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif...
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At this point I think it should be known that there is one person who has been the primary mover and shaker in the Lassen, Shingletown, and CalStar (Lake San Antonio) star parties, Mark Wagner. He is also the one who thought of and developed TAC (The Astronomy Connection). TAC has been so successful it has been copied (something Mark is very happy about) in the Sacramento, CA area, Southern California and other parts of the country.
I mention this because I think Mark Wagner deserves to be known for the hard workd he has done that lets so many of have a great time observing with others of a like mind. Many of us have helped Mark, but Mark was the brain child of these events and the one who saw them through to successful completion.
Sincerely,
Rich
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Alvin Huey
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/18/05
Posts: 2655
Loc: NorCal
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Quote:
While there are certainly other larger and “visible” events in the limelight like the TSP or OSP, the Shingletown & Mt. Lassen regional area also offer many recreational amenities and attractions not easily found in places like Ft. Davis or Prineville which both amateur astronomers & whole families can enjoy. After all, star parties are planned to be truly community events. Many of us who hold dark skies dear to our souls do not own vast isolated private lands or estates and cannot travel hundred of miles to remote natural vistas where only a minority can savor pristine skies.
Renato,
I have to disagree with the your assesment that TSP does not cater to whole families. I've seen several families there last year. My family plans to go to TSP starting in 2009 or 2010 ( my youngest is the same age as yours and want to wait 'till she is old enough to make the 1500 mile trip by car). TSP offers cabins "on-site" for whole families and the surrounding areas do have attractions, such as Big Bend NP. BTW, Prude Ranch has everything "on-site" for people to enjoy, such as a swimming pool, real food that is paid for as part of the nightly stay, free wireless internet access, etc. They even have a basketball court ( I was a little surpised.).
OSP - yes, no way for my fam to enjoy that one.
Okie-Tex and El Dorado Star Party both have amenities on-site.
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Clear Skies,
Alvin #26
22" f/4.0 reflector and other assorted smaller and larger telescopes, but listing the one I use the most.
FaintFuzzies | TAC | TAC-Sac
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121601
super member
Reged: 08/18/04
Posts: 125
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The Shingletown Star Party web site has now been updated with more specific info.
See: http://www.shingletownstarparty.net/index.html .
For the specifics on the nearby GSSP, the website is:
http://www.goldenstatestarparty.org/ .
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snorkler
Aperture Aficionado
Reged: 10/11/04
Posts: 10041
Loc: Bay Area, California
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I suppose it's pertinent to mention the impending doom of dark skies near Mt. Lassen, with the planned addition of 4000 new homes on Dyer Mountain this summer.
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I'm not the lowest of the low, but I am the slowest of the slow. '06 Scion xB. 49.6 mpg avg over 38,000 miles. 177% of '08 EPA
Best flat drive 94.5 mpg for 10.1 mi
Longest tank 1033 km (642 mi) on 10.56 gal = 60.8 mpg
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121601
super member
Reged: 08/18/04
Posts: 125
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Quote:
The Shingletown Star Party web site has now been updated with more specific info.
See: http://www.shingletownstarparty.net/index.html .
For the specifics on the nearby GSSP, the website is:
http://www.goldenstatestarparty.org/ .
There is road construction affecting the general area. If you enter the park from the south, you may experience delays within the park, on the way to Lost Creek, of up to 20 minutes.
If you want to take Highway 44 (recommended), the following map shows the preferred detour:
http://tinyurl.com/3yolpg
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121601
super member
Reged: 08/18/04
Posts: 125
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Here's a link to the SSP photos taken by one of the talented astrophotographers.
> I took a bunch of pictures of the goings on at Shingletown > all last week.
> I've uploaded the pictures to the link below. If you guys
> want me to update
> the captions (they are the best I could do), let me know.
> Enjoy
http://tinyurl.com/23kepq
> Teri (Smoot)
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121601
super member
Reged: 08/18/04
Posts: 125
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Quote:
Here's a link to the SSP photos taken by one of the talented astrophotographers.
> Teri (Smoot)
...and GSSP2007:
> Here are some of my pictures from GGSP 2007...
http://www.westcoastphotons.com/zenphoto/gssp2007/
> Rob (Enns)
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Alvin Huey
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/18/05
Posts: 2655
Loc: NorCal
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There are at least three other "albums" of GSSP. I'll ask the owners' permission before I post a link.
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Clear Skies,
Alvin #26
22" f/4.0 reflector and other assorted smaller and larger telescopes, but listing the one I use the most.
FaintFuzzies | TAC | TAC-Sac
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Alvin Huey
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/18/05
Posts: 2655
Loc: NorCal
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Oh, by the way the skies between Lassen and Shingletown are no comparison. No question about it. I've observed at Shingletown for 4 years (15 different nights) and Lassen for a long time, more than 40 times. First time was 25 years ago and it was mag 8.2 at the time and saw M81 naked eye. Of course my eyes were much better then and skies were better then.
I'll write an OR when I return or when I have time while I'm in SoCal. I did bring my notes and other stuff with me.
One of my highlights is detecting 19 galaxies (originally counted 18) in the Corona Borealis galaxy cluster (Abell GC 2065) using the 22" under mag 7.5-7.6 skies. I looked for only 15 minutes and totally forgot to look to the northwest to east of the northern star of the group - about a third of the cluster. Looking at the DSS image and comparing what I saw and I "coulda" saw, probably would get close to 30 galaxies. Gotta love those Lassen skies. I also fished out at least 7 more members of the Hickson's I missed earlier. Average magnitude is 18 and faintest was 18.3.
I'll also x-post in the Deep Sky forum.
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Clear Skies,
Alvin #26
22" f/4.0 reflector and other assorted smaller and larger telescopes, but listing the one I use the most.
FaintFuzzies | TAC | TAC-Sac
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Alvin Huey
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/18/05
Posts: 2655
Loc: NorCal
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See the other thread (California - Shingletown/GoldenState Star Parties for photos from GSSP.
I'm still waiting for approval from other photographers for a link to post here.
Alvin
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Clear Skies,
Alvin #26
22" f/4.0 reflector and other assorted smaller and larger telescopes, but listing the one I use the most.
FaintFuzzies | TAC | TAC-Sac
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rdrane
member
Reged: 09/18/07
Posts: 24
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Quote:
I suppose it's pertinent to mention the impending doom of dark skies near Mt. Lassen, with the planned addition of 4000 new homes on Dyer Mountain this summer.
Well, it's finally happening, sadly.
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/tac-sac/message/12220
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LumpyDarkness
sage
Reged: 08/06/07
Posts: 459
Loc: San Francisco bay area
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Quote:
Quote:
I suppose it's pertinent to mention the impending doom of dark skies near Mt. Lassen, with the planned addition of 4000 new homes on Dyer Mountain this summer.
Well, it's finally happening, sadly.
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/tac-sac/message/12220
That and other local light pollution was one of the factors in the Golden State Star Party's interest in moving to a darker, more rural location.
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Mark Wagner
Adventures In Deep Space
NGC/IC Project
Deep Sky Observing Blog
SF Bay Area Observers - TAC
San Jose Astronomical Association
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Alvin Huey
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/18/05
Posts: 2655
Loc: NorCal
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Since I'm in the process of cleaning out my "favorites" thread list. I saw this thread.
Quick update.
GSSP had over 350 people during the smoke filled skies (remember the nasty Cali fires we had last summer). Even WITH the smoke, we still had mag 6.5 skies on the worst night. The last night of GSSP, we enjoyed 7.0+ skies and there is still smoke up there. Imagine the skies without the smoke.
During the same year, the population of SSP is about a 10th of GSSP. No joke. And it was held on a different month under smokeless skies.
I'm heading GSSP this year, along with TSP, OkieTex and NSP. That's what I have planned for this year. There is a common attribute between these star parties. All offer mag 7.5+ skies.
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Clear Skies,
Alvin #26
22" f/4.0 reflector and other assorted smaller and larger telescopes, but listing the one I use the most.
FaintFuzzies | TAC | TAC-Sac
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LumpyDarkness
sage
Reged: 08/06/07
Posts: 459
Loc: San Francisco bay area
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Quote:
GSSP had over 350 people during the smoke filled skies (remember the nasty Cali fires we had last summer). Even WITH the smoke, we still had mag 6.5 skies on the worst night. The last night of GSSP, we enjoyed 7.0+ skies and there is still smoke up there. Imagine the skies without the smoke.
We're watching registrations coming in. Its well ahead of last year's pace. If it keeps up, we could see 500 attendees.
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Mark Wagner
Adventures In Deep Space
NGC/IC Project
Deep Sky Observing Blog
SF Bay Area Observers - TAC
San Jose Astronomical Association
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Alvin Huey
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/18/05
Posts: 2655
Loc: NorCal
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Hey I forgot to register. I'll do that before this weekend.
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Clear Skies,
Alvin #26
22" f/4.0 reflector and other assorted smaller and larger telescopes, but listing the one I use the most.
FaintFuzzies | TAC | TAC-Sac
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