121 replies to this topic

[reddog1972]

You'll have PLENTY of room for that tent on even the most crowded new moon non-star party days/nights.  Guy lines like those (or anything that could likely cause tripping/injury/unwanted events) should be marked in a way that can be identified in the dark without being obtrusively bright.

Star Parties are a different animal and everyone is "up close and personal" with everyone else.  That being said, the perimeter of the field tends to be much less crowded where-as the interior is much more densely populated.  Showing up the day of a star party with that tent would likely force you to the very edges of the field where it's less populated.

[astrophile]

Aftermarket line is available with reflective threading woven in. Using that for your guy lines plus flagging them for daytime vis would be my approach—regardless of what tent.

[vicuna]

ok nice! thank you

 

can't wait to get up there

[profhuster]

I noticed this alert for CHSP:

Pets are prohibited in the Overnight Astronomy Observation Field, 
the Campground, and the Night Sky Public Viewing Area.
If you plan to visit Cherry Springs State Park, 
please make arrangements for your pet.

Since I am traveling in my RV, it seems like I can't even stop and star gaze here. Is this true?

[George N]

I noticed this alert for CHSP:

Pets are prohibited in the Overnight Astronomy Observation Field, 
the Campground, and the Night Sky Public Viewing Area.
If you plan to visit Cherry Springs State Park, 
please make arrangements for your pet.

Since I am traveling in my RV, it seems like I can't even stop and star gaze here. Is this true?

 

I've been going to Cherry Springs to star parties and even more often at other times for 20+ years. As far as I can remember pets have never been allowed on the Astronomy Field - altho on off week nights I have seen 'locals' show up with a dog and lawn chairs for 'Milky Way' viewing.

 

The edge of the road is not the park - so I suppose you could walk your dog there - and keep it in the RV for the rest of the time you were parked and using the "short-term observing area" north of the road. In some ways - like East & West horizons, the views are better there. But of course no camping or parking when not observing. The area is for those who - show up, observe (including just naked-eye), and then pack and leave. There are berms to block headlights from the parking area and road and people are encouraged to only use red flashlights - but there's no 'official' red-only rule there. I did note a 'review' of the park on a general "camping" website where one lady complained it was "too dark there"  and she didn't like having her kids walk over to the public viewing area on the dark path. They have had well over 1000 people show up for the free Saturday night public program at times - in the dark of course. That might not be something your dog would be comfortable with.

 

Your best bet would be to call Lyman Run State Park and ask the Rangers about exactly what is allowed - but for sure camping in the campground, or on the Astronomy Field - no pets has always been the rule. Not sure about the other parks in the area, like Ol' Bull and Lyman Run, where you can see a lot of dark sky - but no "light rules".

Edited by George N, 22 March 2025 - 01:06 AM.

[vicuna]

aw man. msg me if you go - I'll set up next to you and keep quiet

[George N]

If you do FaceBook - a guy posted some photos taken at the Park yesterday (March 22, 2025) of the new construction including the new Northside sign-in, a new little "pond", and the new entrance road to south-side the Astronomy Field. Some other folks posting recent photos too! Looks good so far.

 

The FB link is here - not sure this will work since it is posted on a private Cherry Springs FB group: https://www.facebook...959153854612374

 

If someone here on CN is close - go take photos for us!

Edited by George N, 23 March 2025 - 12:11 PM.

[George N]

BTW -- "Google Maps" photo layer shows the current (?) view - at least it looks to me to be all the new construction - including the new set-ups, both north and south of the road.

 

See if this Google Maps link works for you: https://www.google.c...KXMDSoASAFQAw==

 

Note that Google Maps now has a 'stick pin' labeled "Entrance to Cherry Springs State Park - All Visitors" at the new North entrance - where you need to go to pay your camping fee for the south Astronomy Field 'before' driving onto the field.

 

The old "vendor tent" area seems mostly gone - as is the old "star party welcome tent" area. There might be a small area left for such use. However there hasn't been a lot of interest in 'vendor attending' since the pandemic. That tent has been mostly empty.

 

There doesn't seem to be an easy way to 'walk' from one side to the other (a good thing?) - I guess they will fill in the old south entrance with more trees - blocking completely the lights from passing cars and cars moving around the north-side parking area. The problem with people pulling out at 2 AM shining their lights directly onto the Astronomy Field is -- a thing of the past.

 

Actually, that free area on the north-side may be a good location for short-term observations - or especially folks just wanting "Milky Way imaging". I'd bet there will be little problem with white lights on weeknights.

Edited by George N, 23 March 2025 - 12:42 PM.

[George N]

.....

Note that Google Maps now has a 'stick pin' labeled "Entrance to Cherry Springs State Park - All Visitors" at the new North entrance - where you need to go to pay your camping fee for the south Astronomy Field 'before' driving onto the field.

 

.....

A friend who is a member of both star party clubs - and the support group - just told me that 'the plan' is to have little to no signage visible from Rt-44 indicating that the "Astronomy Field" is even there - with the hope that that will keep Newbies and the Public from wondering onto the Astro Field - and to send "the astronomers" to the northside reservation spot when arriving, not onto the Astronomy Field first. They want you to register *first* - then go set up. We shall see...... but that 'plan' sounds good to me!

 

Apparently, they *had* to provide "something/parking" for daytime users of the Forest Industries hiking trail that starts in the Northwest corner of the Astronomy Field. I'm not sure what that's all about, but the idea is - it will not impact activities on the Astronomy Field.

Edited by George N, 24 March 2025 - 11:23 AM.

[symbiosis]

Are we likely to get a hint of the timing before the tickets go on sale?

[tag1260]

Any new updates?

[JimB1]

I check the site everyday now but took the days off already. If I am not able to get a ticket, it’s easier to cancel time off on short notice than to get it approved. If I can’t get a ticket, I might just do what I did last year and find another park to go to solo. Hopefully that won’t be necessary though. We’ll see…

[Higgibaby]

I stayed overnight a CS's astronomy side on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 to do some Moon imaging.  The old entrance to the astronomy side is completely fenced off and there is no way to walk from the astronomy side to the public side without walking down the hill, through the new parking lot, out the new entrance, around the fence and back up the hill along Rt 43 (with no sidewalk), to the where the public entrance is still located...a 3-4 minure walk, at least.  I doubt there will be much foot traffic crossing the road, but it will be more dangerous on an unlit, blind hill.    

 

There are no signs on Rt 43 coming from Galeton pointing you to the new entrance.  The new entrance is found by going past the old entrance and turning left at the next street, about 500 feet past the crest of the hill.  But since there is no entrance sign facing you, you'll likely go too far and have to turn around.  On your way back east, you'll see a new big beautiful Cherry Springs sign facing west on Rt. 43.  There is still no signage about "overnight parking for serious astronomers only", but the new parking lot is below a graded 6' dirt berm and headlights will be shielded much better than before.  As of now there's no parking lot pole lighting at night.  

 

As you keep driving up the hill past the parking lot, you'll stop near the restroom to fill out the application and pay your newly increased ($25/night )fees before setting up your equipment.  The green-painted cement post with the slot at the top to slide your application (with your $25/nite cash is still in the same place, and the plexiglas application holder is still nailed to the NW corner of the restroom wall.  The restrooms were unlocked and lit all night.  On the field, the power stanchions still work, but you may have to flip the circuit breaker or press the reset button to get a green light for power.

 

A CS Park Truck stopped by around dawn but didn't challenge me, so I assume I didn't break any rules.    

 

 

[impreza276]

Thanks for the 

 

I stayed overnight a CS's astronomy side on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 to do some Moon imaging.  The old entrance to the astronomy side is completely fenced off and there is no way to walk from the astronomy side to the public side without walking down the hill, through the new parking lot, out the new entrance, around the fence and back up the hill along Rt 43 (with no sidewalk), to the where the public entrance is still located...a 3-4 minure walk, at least.  I doubt there will be much foot traffic crossing the road, but it will be more dangerous on an unlit, blind hill.    

 

There are no signs on Rt 43 coming from Galeton pointing you to the new entrance.  The new entrance is found by going past the old entrance and turning left at the next street, about 500 feet past the crest of the hill.  But since there is no entrance sign facing you, you'll likely go too far and have to turn around.  On your way back east, you'll see a new big beautiful Cherry Springs sign facing west on Rt. 43.  There is still no signage about "overnight parking for serious astronomers only", but the new parking lot is below a graded 6' dirt berm and headlights will be shielded much better than before.  As of now there's no parking lot pole lighting at night.  

 

As you keep driving up the hill past the parking lot, you'll stop near the restroom to fill out the application and pay your newly increased ($25/night )fees before setting up your equipment.  The green-painted cement post with the slot at the top to slide your application (with your $25/nite cash is still in the same place, and the plexiglas application holder is still nailed to the NW corner of the restroom wall.  The restrooms were unlocked and lit all night.  On the field, the power stanchions still work, but you may have to flip the circuit breaker or press the reset button to get a green light for power.

 

A CS Park Truck stopped by around dawn but didn't challenge me, so I assume I didn't break any rules.    

Thanks for the site report. I tried to get to Google Map's streetview just to get the orientation right. There isn't a street view but I noticed that the satellite view looks to be very recent and with the new layout in place

[impreza276]

Is the new parking on the astronomy side shielded from the observing field by berms? It looks like it from the satellite view.

[George N]

.....

 

There are no signs on Rt 43 coming from Galeton pointing you to the new entrance.  The new entrance is found by going past the old entrance and turning left at the next street, about 500 feet past the crest of the hill.  But since there is no entrance sign facing you, you'll likely go too far and have to turn around.  On your way back east, you'll see a new big beautiful Cherry Springs sign facing west on Rt. 43.  There is still no signage about "overnight parking for serious astronomers only", but the new parking lot is below a graded 6' dirt berm and headlights will be shielded much better than before.  As of now there's no parking lot pole lighting at night.  

 

As you keep driving up the hill past the parking lot, you'll stop near the restroom to fill out the application and pay your newly increased ($25/night )fees before setting up your equipment.  The green-painted cement post with the slot at the top to slide your application (with your $25/nite cash is still in the same place, and the plexiglas application holder is still nailed to the NW corner of the restroom wall.  The restrooms were unlocked and lit all night.  On the field, the power stanchions still work, but you may have to flip the circuit breaker or press the reset button to get a green light for power......

 

According to a friend who is a member of both clubs that run the star parties - that "no signs" for the Astronomy Field entrance is on purpose - and will remain that way. The State hopes that limits the people turning in and driving on the field by mistake.

 

Plus -- they don't want "us" driving directly onto the Astronomy Field - they want us to turn in and stop at the northside fee collection *first*. Then as you drive out there (may) be a sign only seen as you drive out that shows the Astronomy Field entrance.

[Higgibaby]

Last year they bulldozed several new berms on the public side, too.  They are meant to shield the observers on the field from the headlights in the parking areas.  I think they're positioned well, but I dunno how well they work in practice.  All in all, the new landscaping and road work on both sides of the road looks very professionally done.  It's a very nice-looking, and classy park now.  I balked at the price increase at first, but now I feel it's worth it.

[George N]

Is the new parking on the astronomy side shielded from the observing field by berms? It looks like it from the satellite view.

I don't know if it is shielded on purpose - but - that parking is for people wanting to walk the hiking trail during the daytime - and was required by the Park folks. They don't expect anyone to park there at night because - nobody walks the trail at night, there are very limited views, and you are outside the new gate. You are also more than just a 'short' walk to anywhere interesting beyond the hiking trail. It wouldn't work very well as 'extra parking' for the north-side programs - too far away. Finally - again - there's no signs on Rt-44 that the new hiking trail parking even exists. Only frequent visitors and those camping on the northside will know it is there.

Edited by George N, 11 April 2025 - 05:06 PM.

[George N]

Any new updates?

Still no info on the CSSP 2025 website as of April 11. I'm told that they are still working on it.

~

BTW - the 'other club' that runs the 'other star party' contacted my friends at Kopernik Observatory in NY asking if we had the capacity to become the new home of their event. We said "400+ people camping with scopes? No, we don't have that kind of area."

 

While the State is OK with the old set-up for this year, only CSSP is 'a go' at this point.

 

My personal feeling is -- if you want to attend a star party at Cherry Springs one more time (or the first time) in your life - you really need to make it to CSSP 2025. Beyond that - it is still possible - but it looks grim. The thinking in the clubs is that the new format the State wants starting in 2026 is just never going to work - and one club at least is actively looking for other sites.

[Jim Davis]

Registration will open April 14th at 6pm. https://www.eventbri...s-1313173399989

[Mark F.]

 

~

BTW - the 'other club' that runs the 'other star party' contacted my friends at Kopernik Observatory in NY asking if we had the capacity to become the new home of their event. We said "400+ people camping with scopes? No, we don't have that kind of area."

 

While the State is OK with the old set-up for this year, only CSSP is 'a go' at this point.

 

My personal feeling is -- if you want to attend a star party at Cherry Springs one more time (or the first time) in your life - you really need to make it to CSSP 2025. Beyond that - it is still possible - but it looks grim. The thinking in the clubs is that the new format the State wants starting in 2026 is just never going to work - and one club at least is actively looking for other sites.

So what's going on, if I may ask?  As someone who's new to the Cherry Springs scene and star parties, though not necessarily to astronomy, I thought that the Cherry Springs arrangement was a godsend.
I attended my first star party there in the fall of 2023. I had a blast. I attended the Cherry Springs Star Party the following summer. I didn't attend the Black Forest Star Party last year, as I had just returned from the Almost Heaven Star Party the weekend before and was kind of burned out.
Did someone in the state administration decide that these large astronomical gatherings (at their dedicated astronomical state park) weren't worth the hassle? Were there problems with the crowds? Did law enforcement complain? Did someone from one of the clubs PO one of the state administrators? Something apparently changed. I'm just curious and a bit disappointed, as I'm sure are others.

Edited by Mark F., 14 April 2025 - 05:42 AM.

[symbiosis]

Registration will open April 14th at 6pm. https://www.eventbri...s-1313173399989

Wow. Price has basically doubled. Now $75 for adults. I already committed to going this year, but given the astronomical price and all the other complications, I'm afraid this is my last year.

 

Too bad.

Edited by symbiosis, 14 April 2025 - 06:42 AM.

[reddog1972]

Wow. Price has basically doubled. Now $75 for adults. I already committed to going this year, but given the astronomical price and all the other complications, I'm afraid this is my last year.

 

Too bad.

Considering the overnight camping fee on the field is now $25/night, you're simply covering the 3 night fee which is extremely reasonable considering the event and service that's being provided by the astronomy club.

[symbiosis]

Considering the overnight camping fee on the field is now $25/night, you're simply covering the 3 night fee which is extremely reasonable considering the event and service that's being provided by the astronomy club.

Last year, the fee for 3 nights was $35, if I recall.

[symbiosis]

... also, wondering if it's possible to go up a day early and still camp on the astronomy field (with the additional camping fee)?