68 replies to this topic

[DeanS]

Anyone taking a TEC f/11 telescope to the WSP?  I have a special request.  

I'll have a 160 f/7 but with the current weather forecast it may remain covered much of the time ;(

[Cotts]

Maybe Russ or someone from SCAS is monitoring this thread..  I have a question.

 

I have been assigned a Glam Tent but the mailed package with my tickets etc. does not mention which glam tent I am supposed to be in or which bed in that tent that is for me.   

 

Will there be a 10 am first-come-first-served land rush for all the best Tents and beds?

 

Dave

[stevenwav]

Maybe Russ or someone from SCAS is monitoring this thread..  I have a question.

 

I have been assigned a Glam Tent but the mailed package with my tickets etc. does not mention which glam tent I am supposed to be in or which bed in that tent that is for me.   

 

Will there be a 10 am first-come-first-served land rush for all the best Tents and beds?

 

Dave

While you are waiting for confirmation from the club, for what it's worth - my mailed packet also didn't include my assigned tent but when I signed up, I chose my tent and bed number when I registered. If you go to the confirmation email they sent you, you can view your registration info - see mine below with tent and number...

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[Napp]

Maybe Russ or someone from SCAS is monitoring this thread..  I have a question.

 

I have been assigned a Glam Tent but the mailed package with my tickets etc. does not mention which glam tent I am supposed to be in or which bed in that tent that is for me.   

 

Will there be a 10 am first-come-first-served land rush for all the best Tents and beds?

 

Dave

I’d recommend sending an email to registrar@scas.org if you didn’t receive that info.

[reddog1972]

The glam tents are based on what was reserved online and are 100% not first serve. Your glam tent and location within the tent is pre determined.

[Cotts]

The glam tents are based on what was reserved online and are 100% not first serve. Your glam tent and location within the tent is pre determined.

OK.  I guess they will tell me in the line-up...

 

Thanks

 

Dave

[CHASLX200]

Maybe a bust this year. Nothing but a sea of clouds for 4 weeks.

[WillR]

Bummer. I hope not. It’s a long trip.

[Cotts]

For Marathon:  Weather channel

 

Sun 26  Mostly Cloudy 23°/21°  E 21 km/h
Mon 27  Partly Cloudy 24°/21°  ESE 15 km/h
Tue 28    Partly Cloudy 24°/21°    E 13 km/h
Wed 29.  Partly Cloudy 24°/21°.  E 16 km/h
Thu 30.   Partly Cloudy 25°/21°   ESE 15 km/h
Fri 31.    Partly Cloudy 23°/19°   ENE 18 km/h
Sat 01.  Partly Cloudy 24°/21°.  ENE 19 km/h
Sun 02  Mostly Cloudy 24°/21°  E 22 km/h

 

Partly cloudy means 'who the heck knows?'

 

Meanwhile, Metro Blue has,

 

 

Dave

Edited by Cotts, 20 January 2025 - 10:05 PM.

[Knasal]

Maybe a bust this year. Nothing but a sea of clouds for 4 weeks.

Huh? Are you looking at your forecast? Or Key West’s??

[Charlie B]

Huh? Are you looking at your forecast? Or Key West’s??

Big Pine Key forecast does not look too bad. 

 

Regards,

Charlie B

[reddog1972]

The forecast will change a dozen times between now and then. You've got to be in it to win it....feet in the sand and fingers crossed! Worst case scenario you're on a beach in the keys in winter time!

[Knasal]

The forecast will change a dozen times between now and then. You've got to be in it to win it....feet in the sand and fingers crossed! Worst case scenario you're on a beach in the keys in winter time!

I agree. The wind chill was -35 deg F here this morning. The high temperature today was minus 9 deg F. So, yeah.

[CHASLX200]

Huh? Are you looking at your forecast? Or Key West’s??

Unless a high builds in and keeps the jet north it will be bad.  We are due for super hot weather like every Feb has been for years and 90's coming back in some places Inland.  So if the upper levels can change fast they may be ok down there.  This cold and clouds can't keep going for more than 5 weeks.

Edited by CHASLX200, 21 January 2025 - 07:18 PM.

[Napp]

I’m in northeast Florida.  You may have heard about the snow falling in the panhandle.  We’ve got cold rain falling possibly turning to sleet in the early morning hours.  I’m ready for the Keys!

[CHASLX200]

I won't buy any more scopes for a while.  

[DeanS]

I’m in northeast Florida.  You may have heard about the snow falling in the panhandle.  We’ve got cold rain falling possibly turning to sleet in the early morning hours.  I’m ready for the Keys!

Hope you guys clean it up by Friday when I get to Lake City

[stevenwav]

weather is looking great for the keys - hopefully it will hold. 

[JimMo]

Hope you guys have great weather, and if you do it's because I decided to stay home this year since I'm recovering from rotator cuff surgery that I had in late November. Doc said it'd take four months of physical therapy and I figured the WSP was in late January so if there was one to miss it was probably this year. 

 

If I was going I would have been leaving today to start the drive. If I knew my shoulder was going to heal this much ahead of schedule I probably would have decided to make the trip. Oh well.   

[Starhunter249]

Envy, utter envy. I just returned from the Keys 2 weeks ago. The temperatures were wonderful. My wife and I are going back to the Keys next winter. I like to convince her to participate in this star party in 2026. I was curious, during the day, are you allowed to snorkel and kayak in the ocean around the camp grounds? I'll bring the 8 inch dob, the Nexstar 4SE, E-bikes, kayak, wetsuit, and snorkel diving gear. I would get to do everything I love in one place. 

 

Hope you all have a fantastic time and savor those southern sky DSO wonders.

[Spikey131]

weather is looking great for the keys - hopefully it will hold. 

I’m in Islamorada now, came a week ago.  The forecast looked terrible.  Despite that, we had two excellent nights out under the stars, with fabulous Florida seeing.  We had some wind and clouds as well.  But you just can’t put too much stock in the forecast down here.  So come on down (or don’t), but do not base your decision on the dang forecast.

[stevenwav]

Envy, utter envy. I just returned from the Keys 2 weeks ago. The temperatures were wonderful. My wife and I are going back to the Keys next winter. I like to convince her to participate in this star party in 2026. I was curious, during the day, are you allowed to snorkel and kayak in the ocean around the camp grounds? I'll bring the 8 inch dob, the Nexstar 4SE, E-bikes, kayak, wetsuit, and snorkel diving gear. I would get to do everything I love in one place. 

 

Hope you all have a fantastic time and savor those southern sky DSO wonders.

I don’t know what the Boys and Girls Scouts rules would be (probably restrictive) but right next door is Bahia Honda State Park-  one of the best beaches and excellent snorkeling and kayaking right there! Look at the map - I’m going to spend quality time there myself this week. 

[stevenwav]

Is anybody bringing a set of Tak TPL’s to WSP? I’m bringing my TMB’s, Clavés and Nikons and would like to test them against the TPL’s. I’m offering free views through one of the  best 130’s you’ll look through. Even you if you don’t have the TPL’s, swing by the glam tents for some planetary fun!  

[dinira.nao66]

Hi Evan,

 

Great to hear you're returning to WSP after so many years! The site has changed quite a bit since 2010 due to the hurricane damage, but it's still a fantastic place for observing.

From recent reports, the berm is still a prime setup location, but it does fill up quickly. If you’re looking for an open spot similar to where you set up before, you might want to check in with the event organizers or fellow attendees on arrival. Some of the eastern areas have changed, so it’s good to scout ahead.

 

Your setup sounds well-suited for both visual and simple imaging. With your C9.25HD and NP101is, you'll have a great mix of deep-sky and wide-field views. Just be mindful of wind exposure if you’re near the water—your AVX and Berlebach should help with stability, but it’s always a consideration.

 

Looking forward to hearing how it goes for you! Clear skies!

[Darren Drake]

So how was the first night?  Weather looks very promising.