446 replies to this topic

[Rick Runcie]

Skywatchr, I also noted the brighter Northern horizon at dark and stated to my girlfriend, "Didn't I say last night, which was Friday, there was no light domes anywhere and that you could see the stars down to the horizon?" "Now tonight Saturday night I see a glow in the North like a far off town." "I've read that sometimes preceding an Aurora display you will see a glow in the North like that" "We will have to just wait and see."

I was concentrating on the Southern Milky Way with my 20" Dobsonian when I heard someone shout out Aurora bow in the North. I immediately turned around to see a bright lime green arc of light going from Northwest to Northeast, like a green rainbow. I called to my girlfriend and for the next hour and a half maybe 2 hours we witnessed an unbelievable display as you remember. I remember it continued all night long in a lesser form.

As a result of that aurora display when I got home I read all I could on the subject and as a result I got to witness many fine displays in 03 or 04.

I too remember it like it was yesterday. It's been etched in my mind and I'll never forget it.

Best regards, Richard

Edited by Rick Runcie, 21 July 2024 - 06:55 PM.

[Skywatchr]

Skywatchr, I also noted the brighter Northern horizon at dark and stated to my girlfriend, "Didn't I say last night, which was Friday, there was no light domes anywhere and that you could see the stars down to the horizon?" "Now tonight Saturday night I see a glow in the North like a far off town." "I've read that sometimes preceding an Aurora display you will see a glow in the North like that" "We will have to just wait and see."

I was concentrating on the Southern Milky Way with my 20" Dobsonian when I heard someone shout out Aurora bow in the North. I immediately turned around to see a bright lime green arc of light going from Northwest to Northeast, like a green rainbow. I called to my girlfriend and for the next hour and a half maybe 2 hours we witnessed an unbelievable display as you remember. I remember it continued all night long in a lesser form.

As a result of that aurora display when I got home I read all I could on the subject and as a result I got to witness many fine displays in 03 or 04.

I too remember it like it was yesterday. It's been etched in my mind and I'll never forget it.

Best regards, Richard

I remember some if the imagers getting a little "upset" that it interrupted the targets they were trying to get.   It lasted until somewhere around 2AM.

 

I hope another one flares up this year being we're in the Solar Maximum period.  Capturing some wide field time lapses would be great!  We'll have to keep an eye out on the solar activities for any larger flares to erupt.  The at least almost everyone would have a warning and be prepared.

[Rick Runcie]

I hope so to. I'll be ready this time
I was disappointed in 2002 I forgot my camera.

Being totally visual and not appreciating how much "brighter" it has become on the observing field I won't mind loosing my nightvision by an intense aurora instead of a super bright red headlight.

Best regards, Richard

[Pilot87178d]

I hope so to. I'll be ready this time
I was disappointed in 2002 I forgot my camera.

Being totally visual and not appreciating how much "brighter" it has become on the observing field I won't mind loosing my nightvision by an intense aurora instead of a super bright red headlight.

Best regards, Richard

Red lights.....have been using a mostly shielded, small table light but when the sky is clear it is almost unnecessary.  Have avoided the red headlight but age makes that appealing these days.....

[Rick Runcie]

Im 64 and personally feel they should be banned on the observing field. They are obtrusive and unnecessarily bright. My opinion of course.

Best regards, Richard

[John O'Hara]

I think red headlamps are fine during twilight, for finalizing things before observing/imaging begins.  After that, they are simply too bright, especially when worn on the head.  If folks would keep them pointed toward the ground after full darkness, it would not be an issue.  However, it appears that some folks feel that the only thing that matters is that the light is red.  Lumens also matter.  Truthfully, I don't think it's appropriate to have any light, red or otherwise, regardless of brightness, being directed horizontally after full darkness.  Almost worse are the bright green LEDs on astronomical electronic gear.  I really don't understand why the manufacturers don't understand that such lights are destructive on the observing field.  Of course, a little black electrical tape could fix that.

[Rick Runcie]

At home in my light polluted backyard thats exactly what I do is use black electric tape to cover any and all lights on my mount, battery pack or anything that I cant dim. This is in a very light polluted location. Being Cherrysprings is alot darker those same lights if I didn't cover them would be glaring and to me this defeats the whole purpose of being there.

Best regards, Richard

[impreza276]

Has the construction work begun on the reconfiguration of the park?

[John O'Hara]

It has on the public area across Route 44.  They are doing extensive earth moving in the process of moving the entrance of the public area further north (towards Coudersport) on Route 44.

[WillR]

Also on an unrelated note...   A friend who is a server at Fezz's Diner confirmed to me that its now permanently closed.  I've been eating at Fezz's since the early 2000's.  It was always a reliable place to get a meal - especially breakfast.  On a number of occasions after "all-nighter" observing sessions as the sun rises we'd get in the car and go to Fezz's Diner.  Also, the Orion Inn (formerly Sweden Valley Inn) has been closed for a few months and has been sold.  The new owner is waiting for the license transfer to occur.  The Orion Inn (and Sweden Valley Inn before it) was a terrific place to get lunch/dinner. 

Good, yes. Reliable, no. Last time I had breakfast there, it took an hour and a half to get the food. This is not an exaggeration because I timed it! I heard they were slow but how is that even possible? And they were unapologetic and dismissive. In the mean time we missed the swap meet altogether.

 

I am used to frequent diners in Manhattan and New Jersey. They would literally have your food out in minutes. Even in NE PA where I live, a diner can easily get breakfast out in 10 minutes.

 

So no, I won't miss Fezz's. Clearly they had lost their mojo.

[WillR]

I know people who are waiting just to buy the max 5 tickets in case their friends want to go or sell them. Not cool. It should be lower than that or Non transferable and names to get hem. Plus you have to account for the people that are given early notice of when the site will be open. I would guess the people who run the star party gives their regular friends and attendees info on the side so they can get in.

My friend and I missed out on tickets to the June one, even though we have been going for years. ( I've gone for a couple of years, he has gone for many) And he logged on maybe 1/2 hour after it went live and they were all gone.

 

Not cool. Someone is hogging spots.

Edited by WillR, 25 July 2024 - 12:18 PM.

[impreza276]

he logged on maybe 1/2 hour after it went live and they were all gone.

This is the new normal. It just is that popular

[GlobularLover]

Good, yes. Reliable, no. Last time I had breakfast there, it took an hour and a half to get the food. This is not an exaggeration because I timed it! I heard they were slow but how is that even possible?

The only thing I can think of is that they only had 1 cook and maybe you went at a busy time ?

 

It's hard finding good help...and running the place profitably.  So while I think 90 minutes to get your food was likely an outlier, I could easily see you having to wait 20-30 minutes if there was only 1 cook and lots of people in a food joint.

 

No excuse for not letting you know there would be a wait or being apologetic, though.

[WillR]

The only thing I can think of is that they only had 1 cook and maybe you went at a busy time ?

 

It's hard finding good help...and running the place profitably.  So while I think 90 minutes to get your food was likely an outlier, I could easily see you having to wait 20-30 minutes if there was only 1 cook and lots of people in a food joint.

 

No excuse for not letting you know there would be a wait or being apologetic, though.

A busy place, one cook, ok, I get that.  Supply and demand. Lots of demand, little supply. They did say it wouldn’t be fast, but to me not fast might be 30 minutes.

 

It was Saturday morning in a town where I guess no one has a lot to do. Not exactly like a weekday in NYC. 
 

But enough on Fezz, off topic really.

Edited by WillR, 25 July 2024 - 01:52 PM.

[CometChaser2013]

Hello from the Black Forest Star Party team!

 

BFSP 2024 will run from noon on Friday September 6th through Sunday morning September 8th.

 

This year all registration and ticket sales are being conducted through Eventbrite.  There will be no mail-in sales nor sales at the gate. 

 

Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday August 6th at 8:00 pm and can be purchased here:

 

https://www.eventbri...ts-957332275607

 

 

Please check out this site beforehand as there is important information in the FAQ section that will make purchasing your ticket easier and will give you some of the rules and guidelines.

Regards,
Team BFSP

[Pilot87178d]

One step closer!!!!  Can now stop checking Eventbrite 20X/day!   

[steveastrouk]

 Last time I had breakfast there, it took an hour and a half to get the food.

 

At least you GOT food.

I gave up after not even being offered a menu after 20 minutes, even though a waitress seated me !

[George N]

Wish I could go to Black Forest 2024 - even missed this weekend. A friend just posted on FaceBook this morning a great 'Milky Way shot' (cell phone!!) from last night - his little imaging rig in the foreground. Sky looked fantastic in his post - despite any smoke. The park has had clear sky at least 2 nights, and looking like another tonight. Of course, the moon was up by 1:30am or so - but with good seeing there was always planets and double stars for those not sleeping in the cool air.

 

Here's to great skies for all of you lucky enough to make BFSP 2024.

Edited by George N, 28 July 2024 - 09:55 AM.

[Menefist]

Does anyone know what is the tickets quantity limit one can purchase ?

[Skywatchr]

Does anyone know what is the tickets quantity limit one can purchase ?

My guess is 5 like CSSP for immediate Family.  People shouldn't hog up all the tickets like selfish little devils...

[starneml]

I expected to see those rules spelled out on Eventbright, but I couldn’t find anything stressing immediate family for up to 5 tickets.

[John O'Hara]

I'm not sure how it would be enforced, but I agree.

[impreza276]

Limiting it to two should be more than reasonable, and a good compromise.

[Skywatchr]

Limiting it to two should be more than reasonable, and a good compromise.

I would say 3 tops for a friend or two, but not 5.  Mom and Dad could easily have 3 adult children for the "Family" option of 5.  The "Family" of 5 ticket option has been the traditional limit for many years.

Edited by Skywatchr, 30 July 2024 - 07:36 PM.

[nateman_doo]

I just hope whoever set off the fireworks at last years BFSP forgets to come.