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Pages: << 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | (show all) eric_zeiner Phoenix's Dad Reged: 12/09/06 Loc: Georgia USA 34 31'57.18N 83 53... Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: Unknownastron]       #4601500 - 05/25/11 03:44 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   As stated before, I hope you all have a splendid time and pics will be a requirement!!! Post Extras:       bicparker Carpal Tunnel Reged: 02/07/05 Loc: Plano, TX Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: eric_zeiner]       #4601588 - 05/25/11 06:37 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   For those who will be in the line... I will see you there. I will be the one at the end of the line.... always at the end For those who decide to wait till after the line subsides. I will see you there, too (at least till 3pm)! FYI, with the line procedures we have been using for the past 4-5 years, once the gate opens, the line is usually gone and entirely in the ranch within about 15-20 minutes (we have been measuring this each year). So if you come at a half hour or later after the gate opens on Sunday, you probably won't have to wait long at all. Post Extras:       eric_zeiner Phoenix's Dad Reged: 12/09/06 Loc: Georgia USA 34 31'57.18N 83 53... Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: bicparker]       #4601623 - 05/25/11 07:23 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Great info Bic, thanks! Post Extras:       jmartin super member Reged: 08/25/08 Loc: Corpus Christi, TX Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: eric_zeiner]       #4601642 - 05/25/11 07:40 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   can't wait.... Post Extras:       Faith_J Sketcher Extraordinaire Reged: 11/17/04 Loc: South coast of England Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: Unknownastron]       #4601684 - 05/25/11 08:16 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: I plan to arrive mid-afternoon Sunday AFTER the line has shortened. Why not sleep in an extra hour rather than spend it in line? As I recall, 2007 was clouded out almost completely, 2008 was totally clear though we had smoke from a wildfire one night. Back before the turn of the century I remember '83, '88, and '91, and '93 were all totally or almost totally clear. 2000 was good too. '96 and '97 were disappointing (with '97 being the only year it was held elsewhere). I don't recall exacts, but '84 and '85 were clear the first part of the week, rainy the last part, '89 and '90 had most nights clear part of the time cloudy part of the time. I missed '86, '94, 98, '99 and 2010. By the way, the idea that the later in the year it is the worse the weather is like an urban legend. A mathematician from the Houston club found no statistically significant likelihood of any week from late April until early June being cloudy or clear. The myth has likely arisen from everyone's desire to have good weather. We WANT to believe we can exercise some control. The secret I have learned is to stay all week. Many of the stories I have heard of lousy TSP weather have been those who only stayed part of the week ("I'm never coming back, I got there Wednesday and all it did through Saturday was rain". Of course, it may have been clear all night Sunday, Monday and Tuesday). By staying all week there has only been one year I was totally clouded out. We take what we get, and there is almost always some good. Clear skies and clean glass, Mike 2008 was excellent, apart from the fire. Even on the night of the fire people still observed, as it wasn't as bad later in the night. Your second paragraph reminds me of people here in the UK complaining that it's always cloudy when they want to observe, but when they are only giving themselves Friday and Saturday nights around new Moon then of course it's going to appear worse. It isn't that bad. Not that the UK is as good as West Texas of course... For those going, have a good time with loads of clear skies and please post lots of photos so us less lucky can vicariously 'be there'. Wishing you all a safe journey there and back. Post Extras:       bicparker Carpal Tunnel Reged: 02/07/05 Loc: Plano, TX Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: Faith_J]       #4601832 - 05/25/11 10:11 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Faith, You hit on something that we have been talking about at the 3RF Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus (CSAC) as of late... that is, we are spoiled with west Texas skies. And we are quick to criticize even the most minor imperfections in the sky when we are out there. The CSAC is along the northern side of west Texas and is in very dark skies (almost as dark as TSP, but not quite). I go out there usually once or twice a month on weekends, so I have gotten a lot of observing in there over the recent years. We occasionally had skies with a little more moisture than normal (reducing the transparency a bit) or less than optimal seeing. And some of us who have been out there a lot have been likely to comment how sub par the skies appear. Of course, it is all relative. Some of those sky conditions we criticized were fantastic compared to what most people ever see in their lives. We are just jaded by what we become accustomed. And we notice the most minor of imperfections because we know how good the skies can be at their finest. Like you said, the TSP 2008 conditions were extremely nice. Even on the peak night of the fire, it was still a very good night and after midnight, it turned out beautifully. Sometimes, though, we get a little quick to pick out that one tiny weed in a field full of flowers. I'm going to try to save my criticisms for the truly clouded out nights (and there are enough of those to spare). Post Extras:       space_cowboy super member Reged: 09/22/07 Loc: Texas Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: Unknownastron]       #4601994 - 05/25/11 11:36 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'm getting stressed out. I tried to get my poles cut last night for the bino, and weather isn't cooperating here. Clouds, clouds, clouds Post Extras:       space_cowboy super member Reged: 09/22/07 Loc: Texas Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: space_cowboy]       #4602006 - 05/25/11 11:40 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Sometimes a cloudy night at TSP is needed to catch up on sleep... or for Bendonites to have shenanigans Post Extras:       Dr Benway professor emeritus Reged: 03/27/08 Loc: Abilene, TX Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: bicparker]       #4602295 - 05/25/11 01:37 PM Attachment (17 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Faith, You hit on something that we have been talking about at the 3RF Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus (CSAC) as of late... that is, we are spoiled with west Texas skies. And we are quick to criticize even the most minor imperfections in the sky when we are out there. The CSAC is along the northern side of west Texas and is in very dark skies (almost as dark as TSP, but not quite). I go out there usually once or twice a month on weekends, so I have gotten a lot of observing in there over the recent years. We occasionally had skies with a little more moisture than normal (reducing the transparency a bit) or less than optimal seeing. And some of us who have been out there a lot have been likely to comment how sub par the skies appear. Of course, it is all relative. Some of those sky conditions we criticized were fantastic compared to what most people ever see in their lives. We are just jaded by what we become accustomed. And we notice the most minor of imperfections because we know how good the skies can be at their finest. Like you said, the TSP 2008 conditions were extremely nice. Even on the peak night of the fire, it was still a very good night and after midnight, it turned out beautifully. Sometimes, though, we get a little quick to pick out that one tiny weed in a field full of flowers. I'm going to try to save my criticisms for the truly clouded out nights (and there are enough of those to spare). I am leaving for 3RF CSAC tomorrow morning and will be there until June 5th. Lonnie and a bunch of others are coming for the weekend, so I think it would be fun to run the 2011 TSP observing lists on the 30" Obsession. Have fun next week and I will see you soon! John Post Extras:       Svezda scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 06/01/07 Loc: Texas Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: eric_zeiner]       #4602690 - 05/25/11 04:40 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Quote: I live and work at the McDonald Observatory and as of now the fire does not pose a danger to the observatory. We have re-opened to the public and things are looking up. Joe Wheelock That is great news Jim! Hope it stays that way and I do hope the TSP goes swimmingly! Oh no - please don't say 'swimmingly' and TSP' in the same sentence...but it would be nice if they got a huge rain just after we leave, however, or some nice showers during the day while we are there. Post Extras:       LivingNDixie TSP Chowhound Reged: 04/23/03 Loc: Trussville, AL Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: Svezda]       #4603836 - 05/26/11 08:48 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   So anyone getting on the road today? I am loading the car tonight after work and heading out Friday morning... Post Extras:       jmartin super member Reged: 08/25/08 Loc: Corpus Christi, TX Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: LivingNDixie]       #4603888 - 05/26/11 09:27 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'll be leaving on Saturday sometime, be in line early sunday morning. It's only a 10 hour drive from here. Post Extras:       Dales newbie Reged: 02/16/11 Loc: Corpus Christi, Texas Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: LivingNDixie]       #4604072 - 05/26/11 11:08 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   We will also be leaving Friday morning. Post Extras:       neutronman Carpal Tunnel Reged: 01/10/08 Loc: Dallas, Texas Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: Dales]       #4604202 - 05/26/11 12:14 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I got gear spread all over the floor -- I'm determined to be somewhat more organized and efficient this year Post Extras:       Dales newbie Reged: 02/16/11 Loc: Corpus Christi, Texas Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: neutronman]       #4604318 - 05/26/11 01:21 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I know what you're talking about every year I try to be more organized and then I start thinking about the "DARK" clear nights and I end up having to hire MAYFLOWER to get my equipment to the TSP. Good Luck hope you have more resolve in being efficient than I. Post Extras:       Donald6887 member Reged: 09/13/10 Loc: Elk Grove, Ca. Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: LivingNDixie]       #4604516 - 05/26/11 03:11 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Heading out tomorrow (friday morning)early from Northern California, Figure to spend the last night in ElPaso so I'll only have a two hour drive to the "ranch" It snowed where I live yesterday (yack), it would be nice to get a little rain at TSP to settle the dust... Post Extras:       Alvin Huey Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/18/05 Loc: NorCal Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: Donald6887]       #4604601 - 05/26/11 04:09 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   It snowed in Elk Grove? It didn't where I live and I live 30 miles NE of you. Post Extras:       Donald6887 member Reged: 09/13/10 Loc: Elk Grove, Ca. Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: Alvin Huey]       #4604699 - 05/26/11 05:22 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Na, I also live in Tahoe, and was starting to get concerned, I've got to get down to Elk Grove and p/u my trailer and head out, but the snow left as quick as it came... Post Extras:       Unknownastron professor emeritus Reged: 04/06/05 Loc: CatsEye Observatory,Rural Sout... Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: Donald6887]       #4604997 - 05/26/11 08:36 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I hope to blog every day during TSP. You can read it and look at pictures at: http://my.opera.com/catseye/blog/ I still have my comments and pictures from 2009. I'll post some thoughts tomorrow after finished packing up the truck. We usually stay in Midland a day or two as we have college friends there. If TSP had never been invented we might never have seen them after they moved from Tulsa 30 years ago. But this year they are retired and will be in Vegas. Maybe we will catch them on the way back. We will drive the 548 miles to Pecos, TX and stay all night there. Sunday morning from Pecos will be an easy drive. Clear skies and clean glass, Mike Post Extras:       Faith_J Sketcher Extraordinaire Reged: 11/17/04 Loc: South coast of England Re: Texas Star Party 2011 [Re: Unknownastron]       #4605668 - 05/27/11 09:12 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I've just read your latest post, Mike, it's good to see you're back on form and heading to TSP this year. I like the bit about 'REAL extended family', it reminds me of what Tom Clark wrote in an Amateur Astronomy article once about TSP, and star parties in general, it's 'like a family reunion, except here you LIKE everyone!'. Post Extras:       Pages: << 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | (show all)

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