72 replies to this topic

[Skywatchr]

Oh well. Another new moon at Cherry Springs lost. I haven't used my Galaxy Pass at all this summer and next month is BFSP.

Wah, Wah, Wah

 

Bruce

August 6,7 are such a small sliver of a moon that sets rather quickly not long after 9PM.  It could be worse.

[George N]

August 6,7 are such a small sliver of a moon that sets rather quickly not long after 9PM.  It could be worse.

It's not even dark at 9 PM -- maybe just enough to do any device locks on bright stars that your mount or DSCs need -- plus just enjoy the setting moon - maybe even look at it from the right place on the field. I can remember a night like that at CSSP using my friend's 36-inch Dob to view the thin moon and Venus too - yes Venus IS bright in a 36" - but the thin moon was a surprisingly good sight and not all that bright.

~

 

BTW -- I had two friends at CSSP this past weekend (moonrise around 1:30am) - and while they could do both visual and imaging before the moon got too bright and seeing was excellent - they did experience "transparency issues" thanks to the wildfire smoke blanketing the Northeast. It was quite obvious here in NY's Southern Tier too - milky sky during the daytime - no Milky Way or dimmer Constellations seen from my rural NY home. It would still have been worth a not-quite 3 hour drive for me to go to CSSP - but I have other things going on too.

~

 

Another thought -- 1st quarter moon sets around midnight (ie, 1am EDT) for the peak of the Perseid meteor shower - night of Aug 12/13 - giving dark sky for the best viewing time -- meteor showers are always far better in the early morning. I might go then...... after that the moon rapidly fills in the best meteor hours.

Edited by George N, 29 July 2024 - 09:35 AM.

[Dave Mitsky]

The transparency was mediocre on Saturday night and downright awful last night in south central Pennsylvania due to the wildfire smoke.

There's an article on the smoke from a Williamsport newspaper at https://www.sungazet...l-pennsylvania/

The Sun was a bright orange at sunset yesterday as I crossed from Harrisburg to the west shore of the Susquehanna River.

Some of the photos that I took just before that can be seen starting at https://www.cloudyni...-iv/?p=13593923

[Domerman]

Can I use the water pumps to fill up the fresh water tank in my camper?

Edited by Domerman, 26 August 2024 - 08:52 PM.

[Skywatchr]

Can I use the water pumps to fill up the fresh water tank in my camper?

Sure can.

[Matt0011]

Overnight visitors unrelated to the operation of the Woodsmen Show may not occupy the Overnight Astronomy Observation Field until after 5:00 PM Tuesday, August 6th 2024.

 

https://www.dcnr.pa....es/default.aspx

I'm extremely confused about why they have this event on the astronomy field. Would it not make more sense for them to relocate it to literally anywhere else?

[Dave Mitsky]

I'm extremely confused about why they have this event on the astronomy field. Would it not make more sense for them to relocate it to literally anywhere else?

The Woodsmen Show has been held at Cherry Springs Park for 72 years, just a bit longer than the park has been used for astronomy.

[Skywatchr]

I'm extremely confused about why they have this event on the astronomy field. Would it not make more sense for them to relocate it to literally anywhere else?

There had been talk of moving the Woodsman's show, but I do not know how far that got.  As Dave says, it has been a tradition for 72 years though.  Besides, the Woodsman's show is only once a year anyways.  This year it just happened to fall on a "dark" weekend.  Most times it isn't. It's just the way the ol' Moon orbits.

[Matt0011]

I haven't yet been to CSSP, so please excuse my ignorance, but referencing the attached image, they have the Woodsmen's Show in the area South of rt 44, correct? Could they not simply move it to the area circled in red instead? I feel like I must be missing some key detail because none of this is making any sense to me. If I'm mistaken, or if doing so is impossible for some reason, I'm wondering why they can't just schedule it during the full moon every year? Is it because there are specific dates that hold some sort of sacred value to the Woodsmen folk that prevent it from being held on literally any other days?

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by Matt0011, 27 August 2024 - 02:12 PM.

[impreza276]

I haven't yet been to CSSP, so please excuse my ignorance, but referencing the attached image, they have the Woodsmen's Show in the area South of rt 44, correct? Could they not simply move it to the area circled in red instead? I feel like I must be missing some key detail because none of this is making any sense to me. If I'm mistaken, or if doing so is impossible for some reason, I'm wondering why they can't just schedule it during the full moon every year? Is it because there are specific dates that hold some sort of sacred value to the Woodsmen folk that prevent it from being held on literally any other days?

Skywatchr addressed it here https://www.cloudyni.../#entry13523449

[Tsb1948]

The red area is for car and bus parking. Playing switch'm just puts the parking on the astronomy field. The observing area has power needed for the vendors.

[Skywatchr]

I haven't yet been to CSSP, so please excuse my ignorance, but referencing the attached image, they have the Woodsmen's Show in the area South of rt 44, correct? Could they not simply move it to the area circled in red instead? I feel like I must be missing some key detail because none of this is making any sense to me. If I'm mistaken, or if doing so is impossible for some reason, I'm wondering why they can't just schedule it during the full moon every year? Is it because there are specific dates that hold some sort of sacred value to the Woodsmen folk that prevent it from being held on literally any other days?

What you have circled in red, is the old (uncontrolled) air strip.  Yes, it was an airport at one time. 

The "hump" at the bottom has rustic campsites that are constantly booked up. "Rustic" means no power, no water, no facilities whatsoever.

There is zero "infrastructure" and would cost $million$ to install.  It's a State Park so that would be taxpayer dollars.

That ain't gonna happen - Period.  Unless you win the lottery and donate all the necessary money.

[scottmm2012]

What you have circled in red, is the old (uncontrolled) air strip.  Yes, it was an airport at one time. 

The "hump" at the bottom has rustic campsites that are constantly booked up. "Rustic" means no power, no water, no facilities whatsoever.

There is zero "infrastructure" and would cost $million$ to install.  It's a State Park so that would be taxpayer dollars.

That ain't gonna happen - Period.  Unless you win the lottery and donate all the necessary money.

 

There had been talk of moving the Woodsman's show, but I do not know how far that got.  As Dave says, it has been a tradition for 72 years though.  Besides, the Woodsman's show is only once a year anyways.  This year it just happened to fall on a "dark" weekend.  Most times it isn't. It's just the way the ol' Moon orbits.

What Skywatchr has addressed will become a reality.  The construction currently on going will provide power, water and a pavilion in the new and improved amphitheater area among other things.  With the goal to move events to the "free side".  This project addresses two main points of interest.  First being pedestrian safety.  Route 44 has become a busier route in the last few years, If we can have our events on the same side as the parking lot most pedestrian safety concerns are mitigated.  Secondly, we make available one of our revenue generating areas of the park, that being the Overnight Astronomy Observation Field in the month of August, when the Woodsmen Show fell on the new moon. 

With that being said, if anyone is interested in donating to the park.

[bunyon]

Out of curiosity, does the Woodsman Show produce a lot of light at night? (I'm guessing yes - and I do think they have priority! They were there first). But if they light the sky up, being able to host both events wouldn't bring in a lot of revenue I wouldn't think. (Not criticizing, really - just curious)

[Dave Mitsky]

There is roughly a 3.4% chance of a New Moon occurring on any given day on average.

The following are the approximate dates for New Moons in September for the next 20 years:
 

2024: September 2

2025: September 21
2026: September 10
2027: September 30
2028: September 18
2029: September 7
2030: September 26
2031: September 15
2032: September 3
2033: September 22
2034: September 11
2035: September 1
2036: September 20
2037: September 9
2038: September 28
2039: September 17
2040: September 6
2041: September 25
2042: September 14
2043: September 3

[scottmm2012]

Out of curiosity, does the Woodsman Show produce a lot of light at night? (I'm guessing yes - and I do think they have priority! They were there first). But if they light the sky up, being able to host both events wouldn't bring in a lot of revenue I wouldn't think. (Not criticizing, really - just curious)

Good question.  The Woodsmen Show typically ends daily at 4:30 - 5:00 PM. Spectators are usually gone by 5:30 - 6:00 PM. Other than a few vendors and chainsaw carvers remaining overnight they seldom put off a lot of light.  

[Skywatchr]

Good question.  The Woodsmen Show typically ends daily at 4:30 - 5:00 PM. Spectators are usually gone by 5:30 - 6:00 PM. Other than a few vendors and chainsaw carvers remaining overnight they seldom put off a lot of light.  

But they can since there are no light restrictions for the Woodsman's show.

 

Even so, if you were over on the public side observing, those lights would likely never bother you.

[bunyon]

As a distant observer, I was just thinking that, while you might not want to hold an official "big" party, observers who wanted to observe from the field during the show could. It would probably be a good cross-pollinating pair of groups. 

[Skywatchr]

As a distant observer, I was just thinking that, while you might not want to hold an official "big" party, observers who wanted to observe from the field during the show could. It would probably be a good cross-pollinating pair of groups. 

Nope.  During the Woodsman's show, nobody else is allowed on the dedicated astronomy field.

[impreza276]

Not to mention that the lighted Woodsman show would totally negate the point of using the dedicated astronomy field. Best solution would be the proposed alternative park for stargazing.

[klim]

Anyone plan on going up to the field on Monday night? I haven't been there in about 8 years but the weather looks good and I finally have the time to do so.

[Skywatchr]

Anyone plan on going up to the field on Monday night? I haven't been there in about 8 years but the weather looks good and I finally have the time to do so.

There are folks up there now.  Me and a few others are going up Tuesday.  Just remember you have to pay to stay overnight.  But during the "official" party, it is included.

[Matt0011]

I was there from Monday afternoon to Thursday morning, set up in the "Nova" area. Aside from a technical difficulty on the first night it was an incredible experience. Looking forward to going back.