446 replies to this topic

[John O'Hara]

I attended the Mason Dixon Star Party a number of times when it was at the Spring Valley County Park, then at Codorus State Park (which was not a very good location due to light pollution from Hanover), and finally at the Shreveport Airport/Footlight Ranch near Wellsville.  The final location was a rather short drive from where I live and was just 11 miles to the southwest of the Naylor Observatory.

Dave,

 

I also attended the very first MDSP in 1990 into the time it was held at the Shreveport site.  I liked Spring Valley the best due to the setting, but admittedly, the development at the Shrewsbury exit on I-83 rather destroyed their southern horizon.  The Shreveport site was reasonably dark for the area, and I enjoyed it too.  

 

John

[symbiosis]

I've only been coming to CSSP/BFSP since 2019 -- and not every time. I'm always in "camping mode" and therefore bring my own food. I also patronize the food truck, but definitely agree that the food quality last year (didn't attend CSSP this year) was not very good. And yes, the coffee was terrible.

 

But, I'm just happy to be there and take it all in stride. The quality of the food would never be a deciding factor for me. Much less stressful than the cloudy/rainy skies, particularly in June.

[jrsbww1]

Is Black Forest Start party really going to happen this year?  It's 7 weeks from this Friday.   I'd like to finalize my plans but until I have that ticket I don't want to lock in.

 

Heck if I get there, I've got a french press for some real coffee.  Wouldn't mind sharing.  I tend to cook like the entire family is present, so might even have some soup or chili I could share.  But sure would like to have a ticket locked in hand before committing to that though   

[John O'Hara]

I keep checking myself.  My plans are on hold until I know I have a ticket, but I'd like to know as time is getting very near.

[Skywatchr]

Is Black Forest Start party really going to happen this year?  It's 7 weeks from this Friday.   I'd like to finalize my plans but until I have that ticket I don't want to lock in.

 

Heck if I get there, I've got a french press for some real coffee.  Wouldn't mind sharing.  I tend to cook like the entire family is present, so might even have some soup or chili I could share.  But sure would like to have a ticket locked in hand before committing to that though   

I'll be sniffing you out.  

[Skywatchr]

I keep checking myself.  My plans are on hold until I know I have a ticket, but I'd like to know as time is getting very near.

I am sure there will be an announcement very soon when registration will be opening.  At the lightning speed CSSP sold out, you'd better be on your toes.

 

If I were to take a guess, it should be sometime the first week of August.  They also need the time to get all the paperwork and roster done in time.

[impreza276]

I am sure there will be an announcement very soon when registration will be opening.  At the lightning speed CSSP sold out, you'd better be on your toes.

 

If I were to take a guess, it should be sometime the first week of August.  They also need the time to get all the paperwork and roster done in time.

That means I may have to bail on Stellafane, because I don't want to be away from internet reception when the tickets go on sale  Time to take my 'press order' finger to the gym!

[symbiosis]

That means I may have to bail on Stellafane, because I don't want to be away from internet reception when the tickets go on sale  Time to take my 'press order' finger to the gym!

Hadn't thought of that. I already bought my tickets to Stellafane. So, I might be kinda SOL on BF this year.

[impreza276]

@Skywatchr, thanks very much for the heads-up and info!

[Gaddis]

The Black Forest organizers just posted this small update on their website. Looks like things will start cooking soon!
 

7/18/24 update: Date of registration opening will be announced soon. We will be using EventBrite. There will be no mail-in option this year. Please plan accordingly.

[jrsbww1]

@Gaddis,  Nice! That appeared in the last hour as I checked just before my 11AM meeting... At least we know someone is working on it and we appreciate that communication. 

[Skywatchr]

@Gaddis,  Nice! That appeared in the last hour as I checked just before my 11AM meeting... At least we know someone is working on it and we appreciate that communication. 

Told ya.   Now get those fingers poised, and ready to pounce.  

[mrmusclesrocks]

Going to be checking every hour ha! Given how fast CSSP sold out. 

[John O'Hara]

Hoping to get in, but it will be a matter of luck if I check at the right time.  Can't be on the internet 24/7.  I'm wondering if I'll ever be able to get into one of the Cherry Springs Star Parties again?  If not, I'll start looking at alternate dark sky locations.  We'll see. 

[Mark F.]

Going to be checking every hour ha! Given how fast CSSP sold out. 

Since the organizers for the Cherry Springs SP made the announcement a week or two(?) before the tickets actually went on sale, which I believe was at 4:00 PM EST on a Monday afternoon, I wouldn't sweat it too much. I'm guessing (hoping) that Black Forest does the same. Good luck.

[Richie2shoes]

I won't be able to go to Black  Forest this year, so that's one less competitor for the rest of you!  BFSP 2017 was my introduction to Cherry Springs.  It spoiled me.  I was only able to get up for the Saturday night, but conditions were perfect and I think I spent more time just looking up naked eye, than I did looking through my telescope.

[impreza276]

The good thing is that the organizers will tell us beforehand the date when the ticket sales will go on sale. No need to be tied to your computer until then.

[Pilot87178d]

The good thing is that the organizers will tell us beforehand the date when the ticket sales will go on sale. No need to be tied to your computer until then.

Ahhhh...the pressure...can't take it!!!!  It is enough worrying about how close new arrivals will park their cars and set up near my tiny tent site on the "grass island" stretch off the gravel road across from the Bath House....now, the event could sell out in hours.  Used to be concerned only by the number of nebulae visible to chase. 

 

Have been 100% sold on attending each year after that fireball visited the mountain a few years ago during the early evening of the event.

 

M 

[Pilot87178d]

I won't be able to go to Black  Forest this year, so that's one less competitor for the rest of you!  BFSP 2017 was my introduction to Cherry Springs.  It spoiled me.  I was only able to get up for the Saturday night, but conditions were perfect and I think I spent more time just looking up naked eye, than I did looking through my telescope.

Ritchie- understand and can relate......years ago, first night ever attending, the viz was gin-clear; almost no humidity.  When the field reached astronomical conditions I was walking towards the Shower House on the gravel road and there was a part in the trees where Andromeda was quite visible to the naked eye. Wanted to take a pic but my eyes watered up with a strange emotion.  Got back to my little site and the Sisters were rising in the sky.  Got all choked up......

If one has not experienced this specialness of the place, it cannot be adequately described. 

M

[Skywatchr]

Ritchie- understand and can relate......years ago, first night ever attending, the viz was gin-clear; almost no humidity.  When the field reached astronomical conditions I was walking towards the Shower House on the gravel road and there was a part in the trees where Andromeda was quite visible to the naked eye. Wanted to take a pic but my eyes watered up with a strange emotion.  Got back to my little site and the Sisters were rising in the sky.  Got all choked up......

If one has not experienced this specialness of the place, it cannot be adequately described. 

M

I was up there one time during a drought. There were so many stars you literally were casting a shadow onto the ground. Andromeda stood out like a sore thumb. It was simply amazing.

[Rick Runcie]

My first time I went was on a whim. That was 2002, when you could pull up and register, which I did.

The Saturday night of the star party I witnessed the most unbelievable, beautiful Aurora display of my life! My girlfriend and I stood in awe watching. The crowd was cheering as the curtains of color stretched past the zenith and the occasional Fireball dropped through the display. A night I will never forgot!

That was also during a drought, when the transparency was so clear and the Milky Way so vivid and stars to the horizon with no light pollution visible.

Best regards, Richard

Edited by Rick Runcie, 21 July 2024 - 11:32 AM.

[Dave Mitsky]

My first time I went was on a whim. That was 2002, when you could pull up and register, which I did.

The Saturday night of the star party I witnessed the most unbelievable, beautiful Aurora display of my life! My girlfriend and I stood in awe watching. The crowd was cheering as the curtains of color stretched past the zenith and the occasional Fireball dropped through the display. A night I will never forgot!

That was also during a drought, when the transparency was so clear and the Milky Way so vivid and stars to the horizon with no light pollution visible.

Best regards, Richard

The 2002 Black Forest Star Party was one of the best star parties that I've ever attended, and I've been to quite a few star parties over the years.  There was a long stretch of clear nights and the great auroral display on Saturday night was fantastic.

Here's one of the film photos that I took of the aurora.

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[Skywatchr]

The 2002 Black Forest Star Party was one of the best star parties that I've ever attended, and I've been to quite a few star parties over the years.  There was a long stretch of clear nights and the great auroral display on Saturday night was fantastic.

Here's one of the film photos that I took of the aurora.

I remember that like it was yesterday!  It just never got "dark" towards the north, and I pointed it out to a few people near me.  Sure enough, not but a few short moments later, the spikes shot up in a glorious display.

[Skywatchr]

My first time I went was on a whim. That was 2002, when you could pull up and register, which I did.

The Saturday night of the star party I witnessed the most unbelievable, beautiful Aurora display of my life! My girlfriend and I stood in awe watching. The crowd was cheering as the curtains of color stretched past the zenith and the occasional Fireball dropped through the display. A night I will never forgot!

That was also during a drought, when the transparency was so clear and the Milky Way so vivid and stars to the horizon with no light pollution visible.

Best regards, Richard

There was more than once an outstanding Aurora showed itself.  At least 2 times during a star party that I saw.

[Pilot87178d]

From the Sept, 2019 party, here's the "tree-top" pic of Andromeda I stumbled on where the tree-line lowered when paralleling Cherry Springs Road .....handheld shot at ISO 3200 using a 14mm 2.8 lens Nikon lens with shutter speed of 1/20.  Only the beginning of a breathtaking event that night..... 

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Edited by Pilot87178d, 21 July 2024 - 05:30 PM.