55 replies to this topic

[Phillip Creed]

With the calendar flipping to 2024, I thought it was time to start a new thread.

Best of luck and clear skies for those venturing to Calhoun this year and I hope to be among you one night under the stars.

Clear Skies,

Phil

[japollo17]

Any advice or tips for a winter trip to Calhoun for a first-timer? More specifically, I'd be driving a sedan and tent camping. My main concerns are snow on the ground for the drive down from PA and staying warm throughout the night. The other years' threads have been very helpful with getting prepared for a visit, but I've noticed that many Calhoun visitors have heated campers.

 

Keep in mind that I'm a younger guy who has never done any type of camping before. This is also my first winter since I've expanded from planetary into DSO imaging, so in previous winters I've only done quick planetary sessions and then gone inside before the cold really sets in. I recently spent a few hours imaging away from home and I'm starting to realize just how brutal the cold can be when I don't have the luxury of a heated house a few steps away.

 

The first 2 weekends in February are third quarter & new moon weekends so I'd like to make it down for one of those unless I'm in over my head and should wait for warmer weather before "astro camping" for the first time.

[PhilHoyle]

J: If you have any friends or relatives talk to them about what they wear when they go deer hunting in the winter. The conditions are similar except camo is not necessary.

[Skywatchr]

Any advice or tips for a winter trip to Calhoun for a first-timer? More specifically, I'd be driving a sedan and tent camping. My main concerns are snow on the ground for the drive down from PA and staying warm throughout the night. The other years' threads have been very helpful with getting prepared for a visit, but I've noticed that many Calhoun visitors have heated campers.

 

Keep in mind that I'm a younger guy who has never done any type of camping before. This is also my first winter since I've expanded from planetary into DSO imaging, so in previous winters I've only done quick planetary sessions and then gone inside before the cold really sets in. I recently spent a few hours imaging away from home and I'm starting to realize just how brutal the cold can be when I don't have the luxury of a heated house a few steps away.

 

The first 2 weekends in February are third quarter & new moon weekends so I'd like to make it down for one of those unless I'm in over my head and should wait for warmer weather before "astro camping" for the first time.

May I suggest one of these to wear?

 

https://www.amazon.c...0B6RK4M1M?psc=1

[Richie2shoes]

Any advice or tips for a winter trip to Calhoun for a first-timer? More specifically, I'd be driving a sedan and tent camping. My main concerns are snow on the ground for the drive down from PA and staying warm throughout the night. The other years' threads have been very helpful with getting prepared for a visit, but I've noticed that many Calhoun visitors have heated campers.

 

Keep in mind that I'm a younger guy who has never done any type of camping before. This is also my first winter since I've expanded from planetary into DSO imaging, so in previous winters I've only done quick planetary sessions and then gone inside before the cold really sets in. I recently spent a few hours imaging away from home and I'm starting to realize just how brutal the cold can be when I don't have the luxury of a heated house a few steps away.

 

The first 2 weekends in February are third quarter & new moon weekends so I'd like to make it down for one of those unless I'm in over my head and should wait for warmer weather before "astro camping" for the first time.

Remember the temperature rating on a sleeping bag is more of a survival rating than a comfort rating.  There are a bunch of youtube videos on coldweather camping.  My best advise is to change into clean dry clothes before bed.  If you have a dc power supply, pick up a usb/dc electric blanket and use that in your sleeping bag, but lay on it, not under it.

[Binary Star]

I'm hoping to make the trip there sometime this year.  Is there a place on the astronomy field that would support a large Class A motor home? I would probably need a spot that has a 15 amp AC circuit for operating my equipment.  

[Larry Mc]

Hi Binary,
Yes, there's room on the field. For a camper that size, I'd suggest parking it lengthwise (north to south) along the east side of the field so as not to block anyone's view of the southern horizon.
There's three power pedestals on the field that have multiple 15 amp circuits and one 30amp on each pedestal. The first pedestal is located between the cabin and bunkhouse, with the other two along the eastern side of the field

You'll find the observing field mostly level and drains well. (Though there's a steep section of gravel road that's a pita). Also, there is no sewage hookups or a dump station onsite, but, if you're traveling along I79, they have free dump stations at the rest stops.

[Larry Mc]

Hi japollo17,
You might want to consider renting the cabin for a few nights. Also, the park may have the bunkhouse finished sometime this spring.
You'll need to reach-out to the parks folks for availability.

[japollo17]

Hi japollo17,
You might want to consider renting the cabin for a few nights. Also, the park may have the bunkhouse finished sometime this spring.
You'll need to reach-out to the parks folks for availability.

Thank you all for the advice. Your trip reports in particular have also been helpful. The cabin might be the best option for the winter months.

 

What about the possibility of setting up on the ridge near the barn instead of the observing field? Seems like there would be no access to power and maybe more unwelcome light during the night- but if I'm not mistaken- I'd be close to the heated barn if I needed to warm up.

 

Also, does anyone think I'd have trouble getting a sedan onto the observing field? I know there's some steep gravel road but it's hard to tell just how steep it is in pictures or videos.

[Larry Mc]

Hi Jack,

Yes, once the park takes down the xmas light displays, the ridge is a good place for observing from. I use to setup right beside the pavilion above the Red Barn until I moved back to the new observing field. There is actually plenty of electrical outlets along the ridge, several power pedestals. Even water is available. (but that might now be shutoff for winter).

The two main downsides to setting up on the ridge is the occasional person who decides to drive up on the ridge at night with their headlights on.

And, while the Red Barn is a short walk away, the hillside going down to the barn is very steep, which isn't so bad walking down, but you'll get a good cardiac exercise walking back up!   (I would take a hiking stick with me to help with the climb). I've never stayed inside the Red Barn, so I'll defer to those who have to answer you.

 

Yes, you should be able to get up the gravel road in a sedan. (folks have made it up it towing good size travel trailers). There's only a steep grade about the last 100ft. Just put the transmission in low and keep a steady pace up it and you'll be fine.  

 

Be aware the gravel road is only wide enough for one vehicle with few places to pull over, and if you encounter someone coming the other direction, someone may have to backup. This time of year, with the trees bare, you can see a fair distance along the road, so just keep an eye out for anyone heading towards you and wait for them to get through. Fortunately, there's not yet much traffic coming too or from the new observing field. 

Hopefully the park will open up the backend of the little campground and make it a one-way loop in and out from the observing field.

[japollo17]

Anyone else thinking about going to Calhoun this weekend? The consensus of a few different forecasts for Saturday, Feb. 3, is clear skies, a daytime high of around 50F, and nighttime low around 32F. That's pretty mild for a winter night. 

 

Given that I'm planning on tent camping, I wouldn't make the trip down there if the lows were too far below freezing. But given the forecast I'm leaning towards going.

 

My only dark sky experience was one Cherry Springs trip in 2021 when I was a visual observer/ some planetary imaging. It was well worth it just for the visual observing, but now that I've started doing DSO imaging, I've really been wanting to make it to dark skies again. Saturday might be the day I first do it.

[Skyscratcher88]

I plan on “trying out” CCC park this weekend. I had originally planned on going to CS this weekend but I was near Kane PA area earlier today and they have 6-8” wet sloppy snow on the ground at the higher elevations = lots of mud!

CS/CCC are 3:50 and 3:40 respectively for me. I’ve been wanting to try CCC out and it will be slightly warmer and hopefully not as much-no snow.

I plan on staying two of the nights Fri-Mon! I’ll be bringing my new to me Obsession 20 which I’ve been itching to use under dark skies!

To the fellow asking about “camping” if you have a vehicle that you can fold the seats down and lay in back. Get a Thermarest or similar pad and a couple thick blankets you’ll be fine it’s only upper 20s. Bring a tarp to stand on near tailgate for wet/mud prevention!

To the locals. Where should I set up the Dob?

Thanks

Erik

[japollo17]

I plan on “trying out” CCC park this weekend. I had originally planned on going to CS this weekend but I was near Kane PA area earlier today and they have 6-8” wet sloppy snow on the ground at the higher elevations = lots of mud!

CS/CCC are 3:50 and 3:40 respectively for me. I’ve been wanting to try CCC out and it will be slightly warmer and hopefully not as much-no snow.

I plan on staying two of the nights Fri-Mon! I’ll be bringing my new to me Obsession 20 which I’ve been itching to use under dark skies!

To the fellow asking about “camping” if you have a vehicle that you can fold the seats down and lay in back. Get a Thermarest or similar pad and a couple thick blankets you’ll be fine it’s only upper 20s. Bring a tarp to stand on near tailgate for wet/mud prevention!

To the locals. Where should I set up the Dob?

Thanks

Erik

That will be me on Saturday night- also my first time visiting. The plan is to tent camp. The nighttime low is right around freezing. I'll have a foldable cot that will keep me off the ground, plenty of hand warmers, lots of layers, and some blankets. Hopefully that will be sufficient. It seems like the heated barn is an option to go and warm up if it gets too bad, but I'm hoping that won't be necessary.

 

I won't be accessing my car during the night because even the lights on the buttons/controls would be quite obtrusive from a dark site like this. The plan is to get everything I need out of the car before sunset and spend the night in the tent.

[Skyscratcher88]

Very true about modern vehicles lighting up the night when opening door! My Explorer has a dark mode I’m going to try it out today.

I am 60% CCP and 40% CS possibility. I’ll make the decision when I leave @noon tomorrow. I plan on staying either place until Monday morning. If you see a big 20”er feel free to stop by!

Erik

[Skyscratcher88]

Ok unless forecast changes vastly I am planning on heading to CCP Saturday.

Just spoke to Ranger at CSprings observation field is wet-snow, muddy. I did that before and it wasn’t fun.

Looking forward to giving CCP a peek!

[buckyball]

Good evening winter observers,

 Donnie is the Park president and the major mover to get things done.  He notified me this weekend that we now have a usable bunkhouse in the back field! We worked on it during the November viewing weekends and he has one bunk completed.  He said up to 4 people will be able to use it.  $15 night/per person.   It has a small electric heater.

Andrew may be able to give an update.

  

japollo17... With the power there and a cot in a tent, I have used a twin-size heated blanket or one for a recliner chair.  Keep your power extension cord uncoiled and select one rated properly.

 

John

[japollo17]

Spent the night of Saturday Feb. 3 at Calhoun- there were 3 of us on the field. I wish I could've stayed for a few more nights as the skies are remaining clear, but what an amazing night it was. Thanks for the advice John- it was chilly but tolerable in the tent for just one night. A heated blanket would definitely help. The new bunkhouse was indeed in use, so that will be a good option for future winter observers. I'll also reiterate what many others have said- Donnie is a great person to deal with and I'm appreciative of all that's been done to accommodate astronomy & stargazing at the park.

 

It was my first time seeing the winter sky from a dark site. I was not expecting the winter Milky Way to be as visible as it was. And thanks to the others on the field who pointed it out to me, I got to see the Zodiacal light for the first time. I imaged the Horsehead & Flame as well as M81 & M82 with my Redcat51. Still working on the processing but the data looks really good.

 

I definitely will be making another visit to CCP in the future.

[andreww71]

I made it down Saturday night and had a great time. Erik and I were at the northeast end of the field doing visual while Jack set up his imaging gear at the south end. The weather was fantastic and the skies were about 9.5 out of 10 for Calhoun. The Zodiacal light was very prominent just after the end of AT. My first target of the night was the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A which was pretty impressive using 127 power and the OIII. It reminded me of a smaller version of M1, like what you would see in a 4" scope. Erik picked out IC 418 in Lepus which looked pretty nice in his 20" Obsession - appearing not quite blue or green. I checked up on Jack a few times during the night and as he wrote was impressed with the skies.

 

I spent the night in the bunk house as there was a search and rescue team using the barn. There was a small space heater to keep the temperature comfortable but it cycled constantly between off and on the whole night. Next time I'll bring my ear plugs. But, the bunkhouse is a great addition and makes winter observing at Calhoun an option for those who don't want to tent camp. 

 

I could only stay one night but it was worth it.

 

Andrew

[Starman47]

I am thinking of coming up that way. What months is pollen the worst at the park?

[paul]

Hi are there dates for any public star parties at the park this year

Thanks

[andreww71]

In an effort to make the most out of the April 2024 new moon period I went down to the park this past Saturday night. The weather was looking iffy Saturday morning with clearing forecast to begin just before midnight and not clearing out completely until after 1 am but I decided to make the trip anyway. I arrived at the park about 5 and already the visible satellite was showing significant erosion of the low level cloud deck in central Ohio and it was headed south. Driving in I found a major event happening at the Barn, cars and trucks were parked along both sides of the road. I later learned this was a Blue Grass Festival. In the east astronomy field I met Shawn(Sean?) from NC who was renting the cabin for a few days. 

 

After the three and half hour drive I hit the hiking trail for an abbreviated hike around the park to get the blood flowing. This shortened route takes me down to the Barn to pay my fee and then due north to pick up the trail just below the road next to the picnic shelter. This cuts off the section of the trial that wraps around the Century Village and the road that leads there from the front entrance. The section of the trail remaining wraps around the NE and East sides of the park and is very picturesque.

 

I set the scope up and ate dinner while keeping an eye on the sky. Around sunset the cloud deck was broken with large areas of clear sky in between. Around 9 pm the last little deck of broken clouds rolled through and by 9:25 it was clear. I had made a quick observing list of mostly spring galaxies but decided to check out a few winter favorites while they were still up. Maybe still feeling some residual excitement from my recent trip to Hawaii (link) I found myself observing low on the southern horizon in Puppis and then making my way even further south to Pyxis - a constellation I've never observed an object in before. In Pyxis I checked out the open cluster - planetary nebula duo NGC 2818. The planetary looked irregular shaped using the OIII, the cluster was ok. I then moved on to the rich open cluster NGC 2818 which looked good. Both objects would look better higher up in the sky.

 

After midnight, with Leo on the meridian, I decided to check out an object from my observing list, planetary PNG221.5+46.3. This is also known as EGB 6 and is listed in an article in the April 2024 issue of S&T magazine. Star hopping, using  Regulus as the starting point looked to be the way to get to the field so that's where I started. With Regulus just outside of the FOV I noticed a very faint glow at 126x. I was right on the location of Leo I but from reading about observing it for years, expected it to be fainter. After a few minutes of observing I decided to look up an image and see if the field stars around the object I was seeing matched. Sure enough I found it! I was stoked! I made a half-hearted attempt at EGB 6 but came away with nothing. Didn't matter, I saw Leo I

 

Andrew

 

 

[Skyscratcher88]

Preliminary forecast shows clear tomorrow night. I plan on heading to CCP…fingers crossed! If it’s iffy I’ll head over to Spruce Knob to do some amateur radio from the summit in that case I’ll bring my C8Edge since it will be windy just in case it clears!

I’ve been on Spruce Knob multiple times but never stayed overnight. Does anyone know if that is frowned upon (sleeping in vehicle)?

[MikeCMP]

That park looks nice, is the campground adjacent to the observing area? Hard to tell since they mention camping on the stargazing page but I was not sure if that ,want you camp at the observing field or what.

 

Mike

[andreww71]

That park looks nice, is the campground adjacent to the observing area? Hard to tell since they mention camping on the stargazing page but I was not sure if that ,want you camp at the observing field or what.

 

Mike

If you are setting up equipment, be it imaging or visual, and will be using it overnight, you can camp on the field. I've sure there are plenty of pics in previous years threads that show this.

 

Andrew

[GeoffC47]

Several of us from Pittsburgh were planning on a Cherry Springs visit next week for the new moon, but the weather looks to close us out. When this Weds and Thurs looked promising, I had an open couple of days (retirement can give you that!!), so I loaded my camper and motored down to Calhoun for two nights. This would be my third visit to the Park since last September.

 

I hoped to shake the cobwebs out of my gear (and my head!) and set up both of my scopes – one for visual and one for AP and give them a good run.

 

I arrived Weds late afternoon, and there were three other cars parked, Chuck and Jenn (tenting), Tim and Bill (in the newly refinished bunk house) - all longtime friends from Columbus. Bill and Tim had EAA rigs – a Seestar and a refractor/ASIAIR/ZWO522 combo. Chuck had his homemade 10” (or 12”?) Dob.

 

The weather held through the first night, especially after some high, thin cloud cover cleared out by 11 or so. I got 7 hrs of photos of M66 (Leo trio), M3 and M13.  The highlight of the night was that Tim and Bill managed to land a few minutes on Omega Centauri as it just peeked (4° in altitude at transit) over the low southern treetops at midnight. Nice!

I’d hoped to get a crack at Omega Centauri the second night, but too much haze on the horizon. Couldn’t see any stars below 8°. The second night, however, had better seeing than the first once you got above 20° – and Chuck and I kept voicing our pleasure!  I managed another 7 hours of data on my same targets. Both Chuck and I saw bright meteors around midnight. Listening to the May “Actual Astronomy” podcast on the way home (I enjoy them!), I found out that all through May – and peaking this Sunday, what we likely saw was part of the Eta Aquarid shower, which is the remnant of Halley’s Comet!!  Had no idea!!

 

The nights were warm, and it was a pleasure to work through some visual targets while my other scope snaps away. There was plenty of friendly conversation through the day and the nights, including a late-night visit by John – one of the Park Board members. The team that develops this place is doing great work. The bathrooms and bunk house are now operational and in use since my last visit, and the driveway up the hill has been leveled and covered with gravel. The place looks great.

 

I had a special delight in the “Who cooks for you” Barred owls calling late into both nights, as were the barking coyotes – one nearby coyote gave a great howl the second night! Wonderful!!! There were even a host of early season fireflies out, echoing their ‘Amen’ to the stars overhead. Me too!!