rd56
sage
Reged: 12/17/06
Posts: 251
Loc: Central New Jersey
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I'm actually considering attending the Black Forest Star Party at Cherry Springs this September. Having never observed outside of a white zone I'm wondering what I can expect? I guess that I'm worried that as a complete newbie I might not know enough to be able to take advantage of the situation, i.e., not have a clue of what I am doing  . I really would like to see the Milky Way one time in my life and I guess that alone might be worth the 6 hour trip  .
I'm not a camper, so I was wondering if anyone had any good experiences with and could suggest some lodging alternatives. Also I understand that there are no refunds in the case of bad weather/conditions so what happens with respect to activities under such circumstances? And lastly (for now)what does one do during daylight hours and is there anything to occupy non astronomy oriented family members? Sorry for all of the dumb questions, but I don't want to make a commitment to going without knowing something of what to expect.
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-Orion SkyQuest Intelliscope XT8
-Meade ETX-105 Maksutov-Cassegrain
-Antares 8X50 RACI Finder
-Alt-Az/EQ mount with Autostar Go-To
-Meade Super Plossl Eyepieces: (9.7mm,15mm,26mm,40mm)
-SkyChart (Cartes du Ciel) software
Ron
E quindi uscimmo a riveder le stelle
(And so we came forth and once again beheld the stars)
Dante's Inferno
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Al Canarelli
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/06/07
Posts: 1319
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This is probably one of the most popular of the east coast star parties and is held in a truly dark sky area...probably the darkest in the east coast. You should certainly attend and rest assured that it will be worth the drive. I'm going and I also live in Central NJ.
You will find that people who attend star parties LOVE to show their hardware to people like you and help them to learn as much as possible about astronomy...this is one of the reasons why they go in the first place. A star party is surely one place where your lack of knowledge about astronomy will not hurt you.
You ask, "what does one do during daylight hours?" Well, since you're viewing all night, you will need to charge your batteries and sleep during part of the day. During the remainder of the daylight hours, look for someone like me (there are many others) who will be viewing the sun with an H-alpha telescope. This is a special telescope that actually lets you see the surface and atmosphere of the sun along with proms, ejections, sun spots, etc.
Regarding lodging: There are some hotels in the area but you better make reservations soon. Otherwise, take a sleeping bag along and do the best you can. There may also be some sleeping alternatives available at the site...check the official web page. Btw, I live in the E. Brunswick area...where do you live?
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rd56
sage
Reged: 12/17/06
Posts: 251
Loc: Central New Jersey
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Al, Thanks for the information and advice. Sounds like it will be quite an adventure. BTW are there any "programs", seminars or the like should the weather not cooperate?
I live in Sayreville... not to far from you at all.
Ron
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-Orion SkyQuest Intelliscope XT8
-Meade ETX-105 Maksutov-Cassegrain
-Antares 8X50 RACI Finder
-Alt-Az/EQ mount with Autostar Go-To
-Meade Super Plossl Eyepieces: (9.7mm,15mm,26mm,40mm)
-SkyChart (Cartes du Ciel) software
Ron
E quindi uscimmo a riveder le stelle
(And so we came forth and once again beheld the stars)
Dante's Inferno
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mazzefr
I'll take door number three...
Reged: 02/12/07
Posts: 1465
Loc: Behind the Wheel in PA
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I'm kicking it around too. Here's a link
Black Forest Star Party
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Franco
Orion XT12i
Celestron Omni XLT150
Hyperions(5,8,17,24)mm, Scopos 35mm
Lumicon UHC, Baader M&S
DIY- Denver Chair, Light shields, solar filter
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)
Lehigh Valley, PA
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rd56
sage
Reged: 12/17/06
Posts: 251
Loc: Central New Jersey
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Thanks for the link Franco.
Ron
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-Orion SkyQuest Intelliscope XT8
-Meade ETX-105 Maksutov-Cassegrain
-Antares 8X50 RACI Finder
-Alt-Az/EQ mount with Autostar Go-To
-Meade Super Plossl Eyepieces: (9.7mm,15mm,26mm,40mm)
-SkyChart (Cartes du Ciel) software
Ron
E quindi uscimmo a riveder le stelle
(And so we came forth and once again beheld the stars)
Dante's Inferno
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wojo
super member
Reged: 09/28/07
Posts: 127
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GO.. GO.. GO.. You wont be sorry you did. There will be a list of scheduled speakers . talks . not to mention vendors with their wares. Everyone is more than happy to show you their equipment . and if you have questions this is the place to ask.As for places to stay there are a couple of motels in COUDERSPORT PA but you had better hurry. they book up fast. If not there will be openings in OLEAN N.Y WELLSVILLE N,Y which are about 40 miles away. If you need help with names of hotels pm me and I will find them for you
.......WOJO
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Eric P
sage
Reged: 04/04/05
Posts: 347
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Quote:
Having never observed outside of a white zone I'm wondering what I can expect?
It may be a little disorienting at first if you are use to urban skies. Some objects are blatantly obvious to the naked eye such as the Andromeda galaxy and the Double Cluster.
Quote:
I guess that I'm worried that as a complete newbie I might not know enough to be able to take advantage of the situation
Main thing is dress comfortably and be prepared for it to get very cold no matter what the weatherman says. Think gloves, ski cap, thermals and a heavy coat (I bring a winter parka). Dew can also be an issue.
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NerfMonkey
member
Reged: 06/12/08
Posts: 89
Loc: NE Ohio
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I'm also going but unfortunately for only one day, Saturday. I better register soon; it's filling up fast.
I can't wait to see what the skies look like at a truly dark site so I'm really hoping for clear weather. Is it usually nice?
Oh, and I'll still be 16 for another month; will there be many other observers as young as me or will I be the only teenage astronomer there?
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Mike
48 Messiers
83 total DSO's
3 planets
Edited by NerfMonkey (07/13/08 07:55 PM)
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bemusabord
super member
Reged: 06/03/08
Posts: 100
Loc: western NY
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Mike:
There were about a half dozen teens around the observing field last year.
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Thom B. - Stargaze Cherry Springs
Happily Infected With Anti-Aperture Fever!
Orion Eon 80ED w/ AstroTech Voyager
PICHELOUP Couch Potato Telescope
Celestron Ultima 8x42
Canon IS 15x45
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bemusabord
super member
Reged: 06/03/08
Posts: 100
Loc: western NY
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Mike:
There were about a half dozen teens around the observing field last year.
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Thom B. - Stargaze Cherry Springs
Happily Infected With Anti-Aperture Fever!
Orion Eon 80ED w/ AstroTech Voyager
PICHELOUP Couch Potato Telescope
Celestron Ultima 8x42
Canon IS 15x45
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rd56
sage
Reged: 12/17/06
Posts: 251
Loc: Central New Jersey
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Hey I did it  ..... I sent in the registration for BFSP. I also decided that I'm going to give camping a "go". Might as well jump in with both feet, eh? I'm open for any additional advice/suggestions (assume that I know absolutely nothing about these things, please  ?)
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-Orion SkyQuest Intelliscope XT8
-Meade ETX-105 Maksutov-Cassegrain
-Antares 8X50 RACI Finder
-Alt-Az/EQ mount with Autostar Go-To
-Meade Super Plossl Eyepieces: (9.7mm,15mm,26mm,40mm)
-SkyChart (Cartes du Ciel) software
Ron
E quindi uscimmo a riveder le stelle
(And so we came forth and once again beheld the stars)
Dante's Inferno
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Rinaldo
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/28/04
Posts: 944
Loc: Lawng-eye-lind - New York, USA
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WOW, ok, if you've only seen the milky way once and regularly observe in a white zone, you are in for a treat!
You will likely find the constellations you know right now difficult to see. This is because there are soooo many extra stars that camoflauge the ones you are used to seeing.
To give you an idea of the difference, last time I was there I could see the outline of the milky way in twilight just as clearly as I could see it observing on the darkest night in an orange zone local by me! Once it's fully dark, you will love it! I have a few shots of the field in my gallery on this site...
Suggestions:
Create a checklist of what you want to bring. Stinks when you are 6 hrs from home and you forgot something!
Bring warm sox, hat, gloves, and carb loaded food/snacks. It gets chilly at the higher altitude, and you'll have 9 hrs of darkness at that time of year.
You'll want to stay warm so you can watch the best view you ever had in your scope of M42 Orion Nebula as it gets high up in the sky!
100 ft extension cord and a hair drier with a low setting. You can warm up your secondary and EPs if they get dewey, plus you will be loved by those around ya who didn't think to bring theirs!
Reclining lawn chair, binos, and blanket to lay back for a while and just take it in.
Can't think of anything else right now...
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Yea Haa?
Two eyeballs
AP 5.1" f/6 on a GM-8 -- The Instrument
10" f/4.8 Newt on a Dob -- Marcia!! Marcia! Marcia!!!
12.5" f/4.5 Portaball -- The Cojone
10x70 FMT-SX
7x50 FMTR-SX
A few Nags & Rads
Hauppauge, NY - 
RMSP, NY - 
Montauk, NY - 
CSSP, PA - 
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mazzefr
I'll take door number three...
Reged: 02/12/07
Posts: 1465
Loc: Behind the Wheel in PA
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Bumping this up in case anyone didn't know about it.
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Franco
Orion XT12i
Celestron Omni XLT150
Hyperions(5,8,17,24)mm, Scopos 35mm
Lumicon UHC, Baader M&S
DIY- Denver Chair, Light shields, solar filter
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)
Lehigh Valley, PA
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Tony Flanders
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/18/06
Posts: 1778
Loc: Cambridge, MA, USA
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Quote:
I'm actually considering attending the Black Forest Star Party at Cherry Springs this September. Having never observed outside of a white zone I'm wondering what I can expect? ... I really would like to see the Milky Way one time in my life ...
By all means go to Black Forest! But you don't need to drive 6 hours to see the Milky Way. One hour should get you a decent view, and a three-hour drive will get you a subperb view.
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Tony Flanders
eyeglasses
6x15 and 8x32 monoculars
8x25, 7x35, 10x30 IS, 10x50, and 15x70 binoculars
70mm and 100mm achromatic refractors
4.5", 7", and 12.5" Dobs
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Josh U
member
Reged: 07/10/07
Posts: 40
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Wow, you're in for a treat!
I'd bring binoculars so you can "scope" out the sky, and use the scope to investigate further. But the main thing is - bring extra socks - yours are gonna be knocked off!
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"How you do anything is how you do everything."
Zhumell 10" dob
80mm Refractor
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GUNER
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/19/04
Posts: 1235
Loc: Bedminster,NJ USA
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Ron,
I'm also from Central NJ & this will be my fourth year at BF. I'm actually going up on Thursday.
Advice:
1: Get there as early as you can. The field has been filling up faster each year. It's not that you won't get a spot but you'll get a better one.
2: Pack some warm cloths. It gets pretty cold there at night.
3: During the day their are talks & vendors. There are also the guys with solar scopes like me that you can ask for a view. Between the night & day views I hardly get any sleep while I'm there.
4: If you need to set up a goto scope do it WAY before dark. My first year I took an ETX-70. I didn't try to set it up till it was a little dark,was to overwhelmed by seeing the MW for the first time,that I couldn't find the alignment stars. There were just too many stars in the sky.
5: If your non-astronomy family members can use your car check out the link for the SP. It has a list of Area Attractions. Last year was the first time I noticed this. One of the night they showed some movies at night. I don't know if they plan to do this again this year. I'm going to bring some kid oriented DVD's I have just in case.
You'll have a great time. I look forward to the trip each year.
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Thomas
TAK SKY 90 on a Vixen Skypod
Stacked GOLD!PST/EXT-70AT/DSX-125
Infinity 2-1 CCD Camera with Lucam Recorder
Custom Scientific 1.25" LRGB filters
"new" 10" LX-50 owner
Have to set up this beast each night.
Well at least now I'm no longer a couch potato
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stacpa17
member
Reged: 08/28/07
Posts: 19
Loc: Long Island, NY
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I went last year and am going to attend this year. This was my first star party. I too am not 'astronomically gifted' and felt a little out of place with my XT10 as there are some serious scopes in the field. That being said I am going again and look forward to it. I recommend camping on the grounds vs. finding a hotel. There is food service there that was acceptable and toilets. People are friendly and always willing to help and answers questions. Bring a red flashlight or there is a good chance you will be shot carrying a white light. The daytime activities were alittle lacking so this year I am going to bring my golf clubs and escape for a quick round late morning. The sky is amazing!! Dorothy, we're not on Long Island anymore. You will have a good time and enjoy the experience.
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Scott
Orion XT10
Orion 80ED
CG5 Mount
Argo Navis
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Rinaldo
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/28/04
Posts: 944
Loc: Lawng-eye-lind - New York, USA
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Scott & Others, don't feel out of place due to your equipment! That XT10 will show you AMAZING stuff up there, and you'll see more than the dude with the 5.1" Astro-Physics refractor!!!
Even if you observe with a 60mm-70mm scope, the point is that you and your scope are getting under skies much better than you normally observe under. And everyone there is pretty much there or that too, along with the comradely we all experience under the stars together.
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Yea Haa?
Two eyeballs
AP 5.1" f/6 on a GM-8 -- The Instrument
10" f/4.8 Newt on a Dob -- Marcia!! Marcia! Marcia!!!
12.5" f/4.5 Portaball -- The Cojone
10x70 FMT-SX
7x50 FMTR-SX
A few Nags & Rads
Hauppauge, NY -
RMSP, NY -
Montauk, NY -
CSSP, PA -
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stacpa17
member
Reged: 08/28/07
Posts: 19
Loc: Long Island, NY
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I had a good time and like I said I am looking forward to going this year, but for a first timer walking around the grounds and seeing 'heavy duty' instruments can be a little intimidating. This year I am going with my 80ED too!! LOL!!
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Scott
Orion XT10
Orion 80ED
CG5 Mount
Argo Navis
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w orchid
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/23/07
Posts: 562
Loc: Tampa, Fl
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Observing under very dark skies, should be experienced by all levels of our hobby. Like all endeavors, astronomers love to show off their equipment so do not be timid. If you have a red light and converse with others, you will have a great time. Wish I wasn't 1000 miles away.
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Celestron C8 orange tube circa 1982
Stellarvue SV102ED
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