248 replies to this topic

[George N]

I wouldn't mind going out to the airfield, putting in a good 4-6 hours' worth, and then heading back to a hotel in Coudersport.

I haven't had a good run when it comes to comfortable temps at CSSP.  Ironically, the warmest night I've been there was in *May* of 2001.

Clear Skies,

Phil

Good luck finding a hotel room open for a big star party weekend - even now. Many get reserved months before. << and I think I was there that May too! Warmer weather and better sky than the star party..... but my fav' time at Cherry Springs is October new moon >>

 

A better 'plan' might be - come early, or late - while the Astronomy Field starts filling up with the 'make a week of it' crowd the weekend before - by Sunday night there's often no more than 75 people left. Also - since the star parties have to be free-to-use weekends - the New Moon is often some days before or after the actual 'star party dates'.

 

Of course, that somewhat defeats the purpose of a 'star party' - a collective social event, with lots of activities - both formal, and 'meet with old friends' type. The days before or especially after offer a better 'absolute observing experience' - it's just part of the 'star party experience'. At least several of the 'old friends' I knew from Cherry Springs 20+ years ago have just purchased their 'own place' in the area - no rules violation problems! << part of the reason I've rented a camp on a big wilderness lake in the Adirondacks for 30+ years -- SQM = 21.8+.

[Ac2aj]

I think a presentation on the rules would be good for newcomers if they actually attend. I definitely wouldn't drive 6 hours to stay on the public side based on tickets selling out in 55 minutes. I think it may be time to find a new star party closer to Long Island.

[George9]

I've never been over on the "North Side" at night -- but I'm pretty sure that 'the inn' is now a sub-property of one of the local 'dark sky friendly' B&B's. I know that there is a place a half-mile West of the Park - easy walk - with rooms for rent with 'dark sky' as a theme. I've thought of renting a room there (not at a star party) in say November - someplace my wife would be happy after say midnight. I could walk over, leaving 'everything' on the field. Alas -- it seems most dark sky 10 day periods for the next 100 years are already 'reserved' - some rooms still available for full moon!  

 

Can you drive out on the old airfield - I mean the Eastern endddd? It's huge - but nothing out there for support - would be like being in 'the wilderness'.

To George and Phil:

 

The berm does a good job but nothing is perfect. People are driving in and out of the lot on the west side all night long, and headlights do hit the trees on the far north and reflect back around to the east side of the airfield. You can see plenty but it is not pristine. The benefit of having so many new people learn about astronomy (and vote for dark skies) is well worth it, I think. The good news is that the lot has little effect on the main observing field across the street (well done).

 

By 2am, I am tired and cold and hungry after using my 18" for hours and so I go for a walk. For a quick walk I go up on top the berm (there is a path) and while the car lights in the lot are bad, I get that 360-degree feeling again. For a long walk, I go east beyond the public area. It's pretty flat and few obstacles. Just be careful not to step on anyone lying on the ground looking up. It's pretty dark by the time you get far east. Don't try to drive there at night.

 

I think I remember that west property not having the Christmas-style lighting the last couple of years. This was more 8-10 years ago, I think.

 

A lot of my old friends plan to leave Thursday or Friday before the star party starts not to save money but just to avoid the crowds. But nowadays, it is already crowded by Monday. I always used to think, oh I should have come earlier in the day, but I did not realize that it was already full for a week. I am usually limited by work and get there as many friends are leaving.

 

George

[Ac2aj]

That's true even early on the Monday it's almost full. Forget going the first actual day of the star party anymore. You'll be in the woods. Well maybe not that bad but you'll definitely be far from the pavilion.

[Skywatchr]

First - I got a CSSP '24 ticket, so will be back again - I hope. The only CSSP I've missed in over 20 years was the one that 'featured' heavy rain and even hail all weekend. A friend did go - and has pic's of a small group sinking in the mud!  

 

On the other hand - I've only been to Black Forest about 4 times - including last year and have never liked it as well as CSSP. While I hope to attend BFSP again sometime - this year I won't be going - as I'll be living at my camp in the Adirondacks (SQM = 21.8).

 

Remember - BFSP is only 2 nights, while CSSP is 3. It does have longer nights - but then I'm mostly a 'galaxy guy' - and the Park is a great place to observe/image 'spring galaxy season', with Milky Way up late.

 

Last year - BFSP 'featured' - over-crowding - I don't care what they say, there were more than 400 people on that field. The food vendor was totally awful. I stayed 4 nights, starting Thursday, and while the sky was often clear, it was "bad smoke to just some smoke" the entire time. And then on Sunday night some 'crazy public guy' tried driving off the field at around midnight - didn't know how to open the gate, so tried to drive down the pedestrian path and hit a green barrier tube, crashed - state police and a wrecker showed up - bright lights for at least an hour. At least I using my 20" Dob to hunt bright globulars in the South, so the lights didn't bother me. Bottom Line: You will have a little easier time getting BFSP 2024 tickets because - I can't go, another frequent observer/friend who goes often just died from cancer, and at 6 others I know say they won't return after the 2024 crowding and poor food (many local restaurants closed, some ran out of food!). They will be looking for going to Cherry Springs the nights before or after BFSP.

 

Anyway - I'll be there for CSSP '24 with my ticket! I may be there dark period in May (but stuck in eclipse traffic for the April dark period). That leaves May, July (August = Stellafane) and October for me at Cherry Springs - beyond CSSP. ...still, I got a 2024 Galaxy Pass.

This year I couldn't plan on getting a ticket for CSSP.  I didn't know when my chemo infusions would start, nor what the schedule would be.  But now I know after it was sold out (of course) that I could have made it with a week's "cushion" to spare.  So I may end up driving up and parking on the public side, and mosey over to bug a few of you.   But I will definitely be trying for 2 BFSP tickets.  Since CSSP sold out in only 55 minutes, I had better be on the Ball in the Fall.  

 

For those yammering about "early" sales, IMO that falls in the category of "cheating".  All that would accomplish, is the "sold out" date would also be earlier with no chances for anyone "outside the club" to get any tickets.  I have been going to Cherry Springs since the very first BFSP, and have attended many CSSP events too when possible.  If anyone should get a chance at "early" tickets, it should be the "veterans" who have donated so much over the years to make the park what it is today.  Maybe there should be a "Veteran Star Geezer"   early opportunity and you need to be 65 and older.

[Ac2aj]

Or maybe the 5 ticket maximum is too high. I wonder how many people buy the max for their friends or anyone they know that might need one. The prices are a lot higher now so I can't imagine people buying 5 tickets just in case but who knows.

[Ac2aj]

Another reason there are so many attendees now is there are a lot of social media influencers like Astro backyard on youtube that has a large following with his videos on Astrophotography. He post videos of going to Cherry Springs for the star party. It's free advertising and promotion for the star party. These followers of his and many others want to go to meet their social media star.

[astrogeek64]

Man, I got busy working on this house and dealing with elderly family members....by the time I realized I hadn't registered.....Too late! Dang!

 

I guess I'll see you cats next year or at BFSP, this fall?

[Jim Davis]

Or maybe the 5 ticket maximum is too high. I wonder how many people buy the max for their friends or anyone they know that might need one. The prices are a lot higher now so I can't imagine people buying 5 tickets just in case but who knows.

It's set that way for families.

[Nate B.]

It’s been a while since I’ve attended CSSP;  2018 to be exact.  To be fair, I am 11 hours away.    I scored some tickets and am excited to see how things have changed.

Can anyone sum up any changes in how the star party is run, demographic changes, post covid changes, etc?  I have gleaned bits and pieces from past comments in this thread: more RV’s, more astrophotographers, etc.

I have been to Cherry Springs more recently (2022), just not the CSSP or BFSP.  I know more about changes at the park, I’m only interested in the CSSP changes and what to expect and how to prepare for it.

[Ac2aj]

It’s been a while since I’ve attended CSSP; 2018 to be exact. To be fair, I am 11 hours away. I scored some tickets and am excited to see how things have changed.
Can anyone sum up any changes in how the star party is run, demographic changes, post covid changes, etc? I have gleaned bits and pieces from past comments in this thread: more RV’s, more astrophotographers, etc.
I have been to Cherry Springs more recently (2022), just not the CSSP or BFSP. I know more about changes at the park, I’m only interested in the CSSP changes and what to expect and how to prepare for it.

As the previous posts read expect to be overcrowded and get there early. Like Monday early from what is expected. Expect many astrophotographers and many RV's hope for clear skies

Brian

[Skywatchr]

It’s been a while since I’ve attended CSSP;  2018 to be exact.  To be fair, I am 11 hours away.    I scored some tickets and am excited to see how things have changed.

Can anyone sum up any changes in how the star party is run, demographic changes, post covid changes, etc?  I have gleaned bits and pieces from past comments in this thread: more RV’s, more astrophotographers, etc.

I have been to Cherry Springs more recently (2022), just not the CSSP or BFSP.  I know more about changes at the park, I’m only interested in the CSSP changes and what to expect and how to prepare for it.

Nothing really changed from previous years. No "covid" recommendations at all since it is now simply classified as "the flu".

 

Also note there are usually people already at the park, but do not stay for the party.  So some decent spots will open up as they need to leave by noon on Thursday.  Last year I got a decent spot where someone had pulled out shortly before I arrived.

[Richie2shoes]

The last several years, I pulled in Thursday afternoon and there were plenty of good spots available.  Even into Friday there were still good spots.

[Matt Lindsey]

I have a prior engagement that weekend and cannot attend, so would like to transfer my ticket to the next person on the waiting list.  I've tried looking at the Eventbrite page and my ticket, but I see no waiting list anywhere.  Does anyone have instructions or experience doing this?  It seems like it shouldn't be this difficult.

[Jim Davis]

I have a prior engagement that weekend and cannot attend, so would like to transfer my ticket to the next person on the waiting list.  I've tried looking at the Eventbrite page and my ticket, but I see no waiting list anywhere.  Does anyone have instructions or experience doing this?  It seems like it shouldn't be this difficult.

Contact me via private message.

[John O'Hara]

I've never been closed out of either the CSSP or BFSP event, until this year.  I tried registering for the CS Star Party late on the day of opening, but it was already closed out.  In past years, you could register two or even three days later.  Things have changed very quickly.  We had doctor's appointments earlier in the day, so I could not register right at opening.  Since the star party is right on the new moon, and I now have a 6 hour drive to get to CSSP from where we summer in upstate NY, it's not worth driving down for the few days before or after the event.  To Jim Davis, please know I'm not complaining (that the event has become so popular is certainly not your club's fault).  I'm just lamenting the way things are these days.  I'm just hoping there's no scalping going on, but I suppose that's probably been addressed somewhere further up the thread.

 

John

[Skyscratcher88]

I had my first outing this year to CS a couple weeks ago (midweek). Whole place to myself….my kinda star party, or so I thought!

A group of people showed up on the observing field @10PM and decided to do time lapse photos drawing with their lights about 100’ away from me for a good hour. Another kind soul parked across the street (public parking lot area) with high beams pointed at me for 10-15 minutes. Either oblivious or ill willed. My trip last spring was similar. CS isn’t what it used to be!

[Rotciv.greene]

I had my first outing this year to CS a couple weeks ago (midweek). Whole place to myself….my kinda star party, or so I thought!

A group of people showed up on the observing field @10PM and decided to do time lapse photos drawing with their lights about 100’ away from me for a good hour. Another kind soul parked across the street (public parking lot area) with high beams pointed at me for 10-15 minutes. Either oblivious or ill willed. My trip last spring was similar. CS isn’t what it used to be!

At BFSP last year the ranger informed us that there is a project in the works to move the entrance to the overnight observation field. This should not only help with things like stray lights from the public field, but a plethora of other problems.

[Skywatchr]

I had my first outing this year to CS a couple weeks ago (midweek). Whole place to myself….my kinda star party, or so I thought!

A group of people showed up on the observing field @10PM and decided to do time lapse photos drawing with their lights about 100’ away from me for a good hour. Another kind soul parked across the street (public parking lot area) with high beams pointed at me for 10-15 minutes. Either oblivious or ill willed. My trip last spring was similar. CS isn’t what it used to be!

There are changes in the works to mitigate that known issue.  At this time I have no idea how far along they are with the project.

[George N]

Just a reminder - you can find the latest SQM readings, a webcam view (North side looking East I believe, not the Astro Field), and live all-sky cam - for Cherry Springs State Park at this link: https://csspdarkskyf...ent-conditions/

[George N]

I think a presentation on the rules would be good for newcomers if they actually attend.
~
I definitely wouldn't drive 6 hours to stay on the public side based on tickets selling out in 55 minutes. I think it may be time to find a new star party closer to Long Island.

"They" (newbies? everyone?) might be more induced to attend a presentation on 'dark rules, etc' if they were given something 'free' - a pen? wallet card? - something saying they support "dark sky and proper star party behavior". People always will 'work' for something 'free'. 

 

It could be just a pledge to watch an on-line video - something 15 to 20 minutes long, that you make when buying tickets.

 

Another star party? I believe that the Rockland astro club (the NEAF guys) have (had?) one in the Hudson Valley during the Summer (but recently lost access to the venue?). There was, for 3 maybe 4 years a star party in the Catskill Mt region of NY (Stone Farm or something?). I never attended, but some friends did. The sky and site (horse riding place) was reported as nice, but the event was expensive. The group running it gave up and the venue tried to keep "astronomy weekends" going - but the expense led to few attending. The sky (anywhere in the Catskills) is very good, but not "CSSP dark". The basic issue is - the further you are from 'people' the darker it is - and for many in the Northeast, that means Cherry Springs - if you want the darkest sky available and a great viewing site.

Edited by George N, 15 April 2024 - 09:41 AM.

[paul]

Hi
My friend bill didnt make it in . He is on the waitlist
Is there any way he can see where he is on the list
Thanks!!

[George N]

I had my first outing this year to CS a couple weeks ago (midweek). Whole place to myself….my kinda star party, or so I thought!

A group of people showed up on the observing field @10PM and decided to do time lapse photos drawing with their lights about 100’ away from me for a good hour. Another kind soul parked across the street (public parking lot area) with high beams pointed at me for 10-15 minutes. Either oblivious or ill willed. My trip last spring was similar. CS isn’t what it used to be!

That's bad..... 

 

I would have called the office and compained. If there was nobody in - I would have documented it all in pictures - including vehicle licence plates - and e-mailed it all the Lyman Run.

 

Noting is going to happen to correct this behavior unless the Park enforces the rules.

[peleuba]

At BFSP last year the ranger informed us that there is a project in the works to move the entrance to the overnight observation field. This should not only help with things like stray lights from the public field, but a plethora of other problems.

 

Yes.  Its been in the planning stage for more then 5 years.   I did just view a preliminary site drawing of the finished entrance and all the improvements associated with it.   My sense is that we're still a few years away.

[scottmm2012]

Yes.  Its been in the planning stage for more then 5 years.   I did just view a preliminary site drawing of the finished entrance and all the improvements associated with it.   My sense is that we're still a few years away.

Good news, it went out for quote last month and just closed a few days ago.  Possibly starting to move dirt this summer but no later than fall.

Edited by scottmm2012, 27 April 2024 - 12:59 PM.