Peter Argenziano
Watcher of the Skies
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 3642
Loc: Desert Southwest
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If the weather cooperates I'll do my usual two-nighter, so I'll already be onsite come Saturday afternoon.
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Peter
I come from a small town whose population never changed. Each time a woman got pregnant, someone left town.
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desertstars
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 41911
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Two nights if Saturday is cool enough. One night if summer is still here... 
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Thomas Watson
Author of Mr. Olcott's Skies. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
@desertstarsbks
Under Desert StarsEither Way, It's Reading
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Skylook123
Postmaster
Reged: 04/30/05
Posts: 7171
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Seven weeks (really, 41 nights!) and counting...
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Jim
South Rim Coordinator
Grand Canyon Star Party
gcsp[at]tucsonastronomy.org
“Equipped with his five senses, man explores the
universe around him and calls the adventure
Science” - Edwin Hubble
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ArizonaScott
Postmaster
Reged: 04/29/04
Posts: 5864
Loc: Scottsdale, AZ
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Quote:
Two nights if Saturday is cool enough. One night if summer is still here...
I'm really not sure what the word cool means anymore 
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Scott
10" LX200 Classic, Konus 200, Orion ST80, ETX90 OTA, 60mm Celestron alt-az, Obie 20x80's, Meade 10x50's
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Skylook123
Postmaster
Reged: 04/30/05
Posts: 7171
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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As in attitude, or temperature? We're always cool at AZ City!
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Jim
South Rim Coordinator
Grand Canyon Star Party
gcsp[at]tucsonastronomy.org
“Equipped with his five senses, man explores the
universe around him and calls the adventure
Science” - Edwin Hubble
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ArizonaScott
Postmaster
Reged: 04/29/04
Posts: 5864
Loc: Scottsdale, AZ
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Quote:
As in attitude, or temperature? We're always cool at AZ City!
Oh, OK, like this:  
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Scott
10" LX200 Classic, Konus 200, Orion ST80, ETX90 OTA, 60mm Celestron alt-az, Obie 20x80's, Meade 10x50's
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desertstars
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 41911
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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In that case, I'd rather be a bit chilly. At least then, putting on a sweatshirt might help.
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Thomas Watson
Author of Mr. Olcott's Skies. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
@desertstarsbks
Under Desert StarsEither Way, It's Reading
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rboe
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 63466
Loc: Phx, AZ
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Yup; a bit on the cool side is better.
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
127mm F9 Surplus Shed/Crawmach kit scope
Coronado SolarMax 40 on a Celestron 102 Wide Field
Best of ATM
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desertstars
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 41911
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Last year I barely needed to resort to a sweatshirt in the wee hours of the morning.
Which meant it was much too warm the day before.
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Thomas Watson
Author of Mr. Olcott's Skies. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
@desertstarsbks
Under Desert StarsEither Way, It's Reading
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ArizonaScott
Postmaster
Reged: 04/29/04
Posts: 5864
Loc: Scottsdale, AZ
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I remember the weather well. Even AAMM 2007 wasn't all that cold for a change.
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Scott
10" LX200 Classic, Konus 200, Orion ST80, ETX90 OTA, 60mm Celestron alt-az, Obie 20x80's, Meade 10x50's
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desertstars
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 41911
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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For some reason the idea of "cold" does not seem too intimidating just now... 
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Thomas Watson
Author of Mr. Olcott's Skies. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
@desertstarsbks
Under Desert StarsEither Way, It's Reading
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ArizonaScott
Postmaster
Reged: 04/29/04
Posts: 5864
Loc: Scottsdale, AZ
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You ain't whistlin' Dixie brother!
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Scott
10" LX200 Classic, Konus 200, Orion ST80, ETX90 OTA, 60mm Celestron alt-az, Obie 20x80's, Meade 10x50's
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Skylook123
Postmaster
Reged: 04/30/05
Posts: 7171
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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I'm more interested in the idea of "sky"...
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Jim
South Rim Coordinator
Grand Canyon Star Party
gcsp[at]tucsonastronomy.org
“Equipped with his five senses, man explores the
universe around him and calls the adventure
Science” - Edwin Hubble
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desertstars
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 41911
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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You know, if it's this hot in October, I won't care how clear the sky is...
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Thomas Watson
Author of Mr. Olcott's Skies. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
@desertstarsbks
Under Desert StarsEither Way, It's Reading
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rboe
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 63466
Loc: Phx, AZ
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Ah yup. To heck with cooling the scope down - cool us off!
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
127mm F9 Surplus Shed/Crawmach kit scope
Coronado SolarMax 40 on a Celestron 102 Wide Field
Best of ATM
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ArizonaScott
Postmaster
Reged: 04/29/04
Posts: 5864
Loc: Scottsdale, AZ
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GWSP. Global Warming Star Party 
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Scott
10" LX200 Classic, Konus 200, Orion ST80, ETX90 OTA, 60mm Celestron alt-az, Obie 20x80's, Meade 10x50's
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desertstars
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 41911
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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--------------------
Thomas Watson
Author of Mr. Olcott's Skies. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
@desertstarsbks
Under Desert StarsEither Way, It's Reading
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jhors
Riddle me this
Reged: 07/16/07
Posts: 1446
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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Greetings,
I have never attended a star party before and I am giving serious thought to attending this one, but I have a few questions, if anyone felt like sharing.
First off I guess, what advice would you give to the uninitiated, aside from dodging helicopters  ? What time would you recommend that one show up and how far away from the observing site do you park? To be honest, it seems I have more than a few questions . These just came off the top of my head! Anyway, I would appreciate any advice.
Also, I just joined EVAC so maybe I'll be able to get in a little experience beforehand. 
Cheers,
Josh
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-Josh
SE Mesa:
Orion XT10
ST80/VersaGo II
EO 8x42 Ranger
Edited by jhors (09/07/07 07:47 PM)
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rboe
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 63466
Loc: Phx, AZ
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As you approach the field from the north if you intend on leaving before morning (and there are always those that do for any number of reasons so it's expected) stay parked near the north end so you can make a quick and dark exit - and keep the dust to a minimum.
Unless you know folks or are very outgoing getting there early can be a bit lonely. That said, we're a friendly bunch and if you find our little group over in the middle on the west side just introduce yourself and we'll take care of the rest.
EVAC folks are everywhere and by and large are a good lot to meet.
Star parties are a great way to check out different equipment. You can actually test drive (mooch views) off a ton of stuff; maybe too much if you don't take notes and the experience will really put the arm chair reviews you read on the net in perspective. Helps you focus future purchases.
I would advise getting there between 3 and 5 so you can see people during the daylight hours and scout out scopes/people you want to check out once it gets dark. You need to filter out the people very willing to be social and the ones that are into serious observing/imaging.
Looking forward to meeting you. Stop by and say hi!
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
127mm F9 Surplus Shed/Crawmach kit scope
Coronado SolarMax 40 on a Celestron 102 Wide Field
Best of ATM
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Peter Argenziano
Watcher of the Skies
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 3642
Loc: Desert Southwest
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Hello Josh,
I'd suggest you start with visiting the AASP website for details.
There's a button link (just above the Clear Sky Clock) that will cover the ground rules , so to speak.
You might also consider joining in on one of the monthly events before AASP:
Some folks may be at Boyce Thompson tonight (the 8th)
Public Star Party at the Riparian Preserve on the 14th
Deep Sky star party at Vekol Road on the 15th
Couple of outreach events on the 17th and 19th
Boyce Thompson on Oct 6th
I don't know if you're planning on one or two nights. I usually do both if the weather cooperates. Problem is that this is a huge, open field (read: no cover from the sun) - so there's not much to do there during the daytime.
The sun sets around 6 pm each night, with darkness following about 90 minutes later. I'd recommend you plan your arrival no later than 5 pm. That gives you plenty of time to get your equipment set up in daylight, and to pitch your tent (if that will be your accommodations). The field is so large that you can set up anywhere you choose - and leave your vehicle parked right next to your scope. Some folks use their vehicle for sleeping too.
I would encourage you to stay overnight, if possible. It's a long drive back to I-10 along a dark, deserted dirt road (until you get back to Az City). No need to do that when you're tired.
The next EVAC meeting is on the 21st. Chat with folks during the break, you'll find us a friendly lot with many meeting attendees also planning to be at the star party.
If I don't see you beforehand, look for me at the AASP. Gold Santa Fe with a small white trailer. Oh, the 25" dob isn't too hard to find either. 
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Peter
I come from a small town whose population never changed. Each time a woman got pregnant, someone left town.
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