340 replies to this topic

[Starhunter249]

Been think about attending this star party in 2024. I have a couple of questions though if someone can answer it. I have a 32 foot class A motorhome, would there be a risk getting stuck out there in the sand being parked on the observing field? I seen pictures of the RVs parked out on the fields but it always looks dry. Nebraska does get it's share of thunderstorms rolling through there in July/August.

 

Also, how bad are the prickly bears out there?

 

Clear skies.

[Knasal]

 

Also, how bad are the prickly bears out there?

Bad. You do not want to be wearing flip flops or go barefoot anywhere.

Edited by Knasal, 23 April 2024 - 05:46 PM.

[Bob W4]

Been think about attending this star party in 2024. I have a couple of questions though if someone can answer it. I have a 32 foot class A motorhome, would there be a risk getting stuck out there in the sand being parked on the observing field? I seen pictures of the RVs parked out on the fields but it always looks dry. Nebraska does get it's share of thunderstorms rolling through there in July/August.

 

Also, how bad are the prickly bears out there?

 

Clear skies.

You will 100% not get stuck.  The sand hills are grass covered and firm.  The prickly pears are of the miniature variety and are more of a nuisance than anything.  The skies are DARK, as in DARK!!!  The people are friendly, the food is good, and the coyotes calling are relaxing. You will not be disappointed if you attend.  Hope to see ya there.

Bob.

[Starlancer]

It always amazes me that people don’t find prairie beautiful.

The world is a more beautiful place if you don’t expect every bit of it to look like some other bit.

Living in an area where there are many trees and buildings, seeing an open grassland is absolutely beautiful to me.  All that open land to the horizon is awesome.  Iowa is the boring part for me, just fields and fields of corn!

 

As for sand, it's really not like you think It's all locked in place by the grass, there are a few areas I've seen when it's more like just sand but, even with all the rain since it's sand like that it all just filters down very quickly.  The area is the largest aquifer in the US, the Ogallala Aquifer.  So it's almost like an underground river of sorts due to all the sand allowing the water to drain down so quickly.

[chvvkumar]

Living in an area where there are many trees and buildings, seeing an open grassland is absolutely beautiful to me.  All that open land to the horizon is awesome.  Iowa is the boring part for me, just fields and fields of corn!

Although, I would take that horizon to horizon cornfield over my Bortle 7 suburb with obstructions everywhere, if I could. Every time I see a place with horizon to horizon sky I get a bit tingly. Be it the corn fields in central Illinois or the awesome vistas of Montana's big sky country.

[Starhunter249]

Thanks for the answers. I am now working on convincing my wife to let me go. 

[chvvkumar]

Thanks for the answers. I am now working on convincing my wife to let me go. 

Here's a couple of pictures from my last two visits:

 

https://photos.app.g...NSwYQ2y9vtTuBt7

[Knasal]

Thanks for the answers. I am now working on convincing my wife to let me go. 

Don't let the prickly pears scare you off. Just take common sense precautions. And if you have pets you need to be very cautious with them - paws and prickly pears are a bad combination:)

[chvvkumar]

To add to what Knasal said, no flip-flops. They won't be enough. Bring some hiking shoes.

[Starhunter249]

Here's a couple of pictures from my last two visits:

 

https://photos.app.g...NSwYQ2y9vtTuBt7

Wow! Great Pics. I so want to go this year!

[Knasal]

To add to what Knasal said, no flip-flops. They won't be enough. Bring some hiking shoes.

Agreed, as below and above

 

Bad. You do not want to be wearing flip flops or go barefoot anywhere.

[112aug]

Good evening! Thanks for the invite!

 

I am presuming we register and stay for a few nights and not for the whole week? My wife and I may not be able to get all of that time off for the whole week. But, we are interested in seeing if this could be a good first star party for us to go to. We are from Northern Colorado.

Good evening! I am happy to report my wife and I have registered and we plan to be there for the whole week! We look forward to meeting everybody and spending some time under the heavens with you all!

[Bob W4]

Good evening! I am happy to report my wife and I have registered and we plan to be there for the whole week! We look forward to meeting everybody and spending some time under the heavens with you all!

Gotta look ya up.  Cannot wait to meet and see ya there!!!

[Starlancer]

Good evening! I am happy to report my wife and I have registered and we plan to be there for the whole week! We look forward to meeting everybody and spending some time under the heavens with you all!

When you see a white and black Subaru, stop on by and say hello!

[Starhunter249]

Is DOB row just for the big DOB astronomers or open to all sized Dobsonian owners? If I get wife's permission to go, I am bringing my 8 inch Goto Dobsonian.

[chvvkumar]

Is DOB row just for the big DOB astronomers or open to all sized Dobsonian owners? If I get wife's permission to go, I am bringing my 8 inch Goto Dobsonian.

I once even saw (the horror!) a big refractor on Dob row!

 

Seriously, though, I saw a lot of people set up in dob row and adjacent to it with other scopes. There is usually a large crowd there during the public day.

[Diana N]

Is DOB row just for the big DOB astronomers or open to all sized Dobsonian owners? If I get wife's permission to go, I am bringing my 8 inch Goto Dobsonian.

Parking on Dob Row is restricted to the trailers folks who own huge Dobsonians have to use to bring them to NSP, but anyone with a scope (of any size) can set up on or near Dob Row.  It's the hub of activity at NSP.

[Diana N]

Good evening! I am happy to report my wife and I have registered and we plan to be there for the whole week! We look forward to meeting everybody and spending some time under the heavens with you all!

HURRAH! I'll either be up on the hill behind the big white tent (where Bob W4 sets up) or at Dorlandia just off of Dob Row (and you'll know Dorlandia when you see it).  I'm looking forward to meeting you!

[chvvkumar]

HURRAH! I'll either be up on the hill behind the big white tent (where Bob W4 sets up) or at Dorlandia just off of Dob Row (and you'll know Dorlandia when you see it).  I'm looking forward to meeting you!

Hope you guys are ok with the Tornadoes around you.

[Starlancer]

HURRAH! I'll either be up on the hill behind the big white tent (where Bob W4 sets up) or at Dorlandia just off of Dob Row (and you'll know Dorlandia when you see it).  I'm looking forward to meeting you!

I like to call that spot tent city.  I usually setup on the hill on the right just before dob row.  Orange tent that looks like a cube!

[Bob W4]

Wherever we all set up at, we will find each other.  Hey Diana ... you still up for a Wednesday night steak dinner at the Peppermill with a group of us?

[Diana N]

Wherever we all set up at, we will find each other.  Hey Diana ... you still up for a Wednesday night steak dinner at the Peppermill with a group of us?

Of course!

[Diana N]

Hope you guys are ok with the Tornadoes around you.

Thank you for asking. I know some people whose houses were damaged, but I am fine. Miraculously, no one has been killed. That was probably the strongest tornado to hit Omaha since 1975.

[chvvkumar]

Thank you for asking. I know some people whose houses were damaged, but I am fine. Miraculously, no one has been killed. That was probably the strongest tornado to hit Omaha since 1975.

Glad you guys are all safe, I was watching all the videos and it did look quite serious.

[bunyon]

Do people usually charge batteries via generator?