121 replies to this topic

[Larry Mc]

hi all,

To be clear, as a Pennsylvania resident, I fully support both starparties 110%.

And I think it would be a great loss to the amateur astronomy community and I would be really ticked at my state officials if these changes at the park forces either starparty to cease operations.

 

OK, I have a little <rant> I have to make:
I understand that change is constant. But I hope the folks at the DCNR understands,,,,,
If it wasn't for us amateur astronomers over the last 30+ years camping and setting up our equipment at the park, advocating for the park by spreading the word among amateurs throughout the Eastern United States and Canada, along with the two clubs holding the starparties all these years at the park, (and the Woodsmen), Cherry Springs State Park probably would have been closed from budget cuts and wouldn't exist today. Neither would the park have had all the investments/improvements (monetarily and sweat equity), made by us amateur astronomers over the years. Nor would Potter County had experienced the economic boom that it has with the 100,000+ people coming every year just for the dark skies. 

When you think about it, we are the ones responsible for making Cherry Springs a world renown destination, listed in tourist guides from countries near and far.  
Hopefully, the DCNR folks takes this history into account and works with the clubs to accommodate everyone's needs and that the starparties can continue into the future.
</end of rant>.

[George N]

I know last year was a crazy fast sellout on the tickets but was this year a new record? What'd it take like 18 hours to sell out?

.....and last year was a mostly rainy total observing loss. I had tickets and didn't even go. One friend who did said that large patches of the field were empty. 

 

I didn't even bother going down before/after the star party last year. Altho I believe that some folks who make 'a week of it' got a few good nights on like Mon/Tue/Wed nights and packed out before the star party even started.

 

Because so many people arrive the weekend before I've always avoided any clear night chances then -- but more than one year - CSSP/BFSP both - I've stayed Sun/Mon/Tue nights for great skies and maybe 40 to 60 people still left - or newly arriving!

[George N]

Wow, that's nuts! I carpool with my wife to work, glad I had her drive home yesterday so I could get my ticket at 6:01 LOL

 

6:01 PM -- you might have the first tickets sold! 

 

I got mine at 6:06 PM -- after several failed attempts - I assumed because the server was max'ed out.

 

Now..... that star party seems so *far* in the future! ...because I need to plan for 3 or 4 dark-period nights at Cherry Springs in May first! I'll probably bring my NMT 20" Dob for 'galaxies' in May and multi-imaging rigs in June (I can borrow 3 SeeStar50's, and something bigger, for imaging in June.)

 

Now it all just depends on the weather and the success of my eye cataract surgery in early May..... plus no volcanos, forest fires, earthquakes, gas fracking starting 2 miles from the park, Canadian invasions......  

[impreza276]

Don't give Canada ideas on the forest fires 

Edited by impreza276, 15 April 2025 - 04:15 PM.

[JimB1]

I’m deciding what to bring. I think the Seestar S50 and a C6 on a AZ-GTe and a pair of wide-field binoculars. That should cover most things. I might put together an observation list this time, usually I’m just opportunistic but there’s just too much visible at CS so I kind of get overwhelmed so maybe a list will work better to help me focus a bit. I’m in a bortle 9 area so going for what is visible on a given night works better at home.

[impreza276]

Here's a partial tour of the field at last year's BFSP. You might see yourself or your scope in it  https://www.youtube....h?v=iPMh-LDJOls

[BFGMetalWorks]

Wow, that's nuts! I carpool with my wife to work, glad I had her drive home yesterday so I could get my ticket at 6:01 LOL

I think I had mine by 6:00.40  LOL

I just kept refreshing the screen until it was active.. Yes .. I know... I'm a loser..    

[BFGMetalWorks]

I have a question about the Cherry Springs location.. How is the cell service there? I have Verizon if that makes any difference.. I just wanted to be sure I can make or receive calls..

 

Thank you

[Tsb1948]

Verizon has excellent coverage.

[BFGMetalWorks]

Verizon has excellent coverage.

Thank you !  I appreciate the info !

[dan_hm]

I'm firmly in this camp. I won't mind if there's no more star parties at Cherry Springs.

I say that with some regret, mind you. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying we'd miss having some top-notch speakers. I myself was privileged to speak at the BFSP twice in 2008 and 2009.

But the fact remains the north-central PA highlands are The Keystone State's icebox. There are only five months out of the year (May - Sep) where the nighttime lows average more than 40°F, and the star parties gobble up two of the prime weekends. Depending on the year, the Woodmen's Festival gobbles up the third.

https://www.ncei.noa...MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

There's only so many clear, mild nights there and the star parties crowd out those who either didn't want to risk a long drive for bad weather or couldn't win the race to the keyboards to register.

Clear Skies,
Phil

I do like Cherry Springs but I probably won’t go to another star party there, or anywhere. Too much noise and lack of courtesy. It’s especially bad at CS because of the large crowd. But I don’t really get the idea that the existence of the star parties limits access to people who want to observe under dark skies in the summer. First, even if there’s a clear night during the star party (which there likely will not) it will not be the only one all summer. Second, the park is not the only viable dark location in the area. If you drive around a bit, there are a lot of other spots and you won’t have to deal with anyone else. And third, Cherry Springs is not the only dark site in the Northeast. I actually have come to prefer the Catskills in recent years. Much nicer area, much better dining options. Going to CS feels like camping; going to the Catskills feels like a vacation.

Edited by dan_hm, 18 April 2025 - 08:33 AM.

[symbiosis]

I enjoy CSSP. But I also like Spruce Knob, WV. Both are about equidistant from me. SK is a tad darker, I think, but for some reason, the park doesn't lean into the dark skies thing. At best, stargazing is an afterthought there.

Edited by symbiosis, 18 April 2025 - 11:27 AM.

[belliott4488]

I enjoy CSSP. But I also like Spruce Knob, WV. Both are about equidistant from me. SK is a tad darker, I think, but for some reason, the park doesn't lean into the dark skies thing. At best, stargazing is an afterthought there.

I live in MD, too, and I'd love it if Spruce Knob were more astro-friendly. I'd be happy to exchange thoughts about it, but I don't want to highjack this topic. Maybe Spruce Knob thread is called for (??).

[symbiosis]

I live in MD, too, and I'd love it if Spruce Knob were more astro-friendly. I'd be happy to exchange thoughts about it, but I don't want to highjack this topic. Maybe Spruce Knob thread is called for (??).

Here's a new thread: https://www.cloudyni...spruce-knob-wv/

[WillR]

.....and last year was a mostly rainy total observing loss. I had tickets and didn't even go. One friend who did said that large patches of the field were empty. 

 

I didn't even bother going down before/after the star party last year. Altho I believe that some folks who make 'a week of it' got a few good nights on like Mon/Tue/Wed nights and packed out before the star party even started.

 

Because so many people arrive the weekend before I've always avoided any clear night chances then -- but more than one year - CSSP/BFSP both - I've stayed Sun/Mon/Tue nights for great skies and maybe 40 to 60 people still left - or newly arriving!

I only went to the BFSP last year and went early, Tuesday or Wednesday and left before the actual event, although I was registered. The weather forecast was lousy for the even days. I am not going this year because of a conflict with an art event. I may go to the BFSP again- we’ll see. 
 

It just gets dark so late in June, you are sort of aimless for a very long day and if you are in a tent, it’s very hard to sleep, with everyone packed in like that and loudly talking first thing in the morning. You get a couple of hours more observing time in September and maybe can get some sleep as well.

 

In the future, I can see skipping the star parties and going up in July or August, and or October-November. I like the speakers, but with YouTube, is it necessary to see them live? And there are no vendors to speak of any more. If I had a little camper, it would be a different story.

Edited by WillR, 20 April 2025 - 04:33 PM.

[Dave Mitsky]

I only went to the BFSP last year and went early, Tuesday or Wednesday and left before the actual event, although I was registered. The weather forecast was lousy for the even days. I am not going this year because of a conflict with an art event. I may go to the BFSP again- we’ll see. 
 

It just gets dark so late in June, you are sort of aimless for a very long and if you are in a tent, it’s very hard to sleep, with everyone packed in like that and loudly talking first thing in the morning. You get a couple of hours more observing time in September and maybe can get some sleep as well.

 

In the future, I can see skipping the star parties and going up in July or August, and or October-November. I like the speakers, but with YouTube, is it necessary to see them live? And there are no vendors to speak of any more. If I had a little camper, it would be a different story.

The problem with planning ahead at this point in time is that the future of star parties at the park after this year is uncertain.

[George N]

The problem with planning ahead at this point in time is that the future of star parties at the park after this year is uncertain.

Even BFSP 2025 is not a certain thing this year. I know for sure that CPO is looking for other venues and is still evaluating even holding a star party this year.

 

I've only been to BFSP 3 (maybe 4?) times over the last 20+ years - for the simple reason that, by 35+ year convention, my wife and I live in the central Adirondacks for the month of September (SQM = 21.85+).

 

However - I *do* like star parties, including both those at Cherry Springs - as a place to meet up with friends and enjoy the events, and hopefully meet new friends. While the observing/imaging is important to me - my primary interest at a star party is connecting up with friends - both those I see 1 to 3 times a year, and those who I observe with almost every month. These are people who I really enjoy being with - a small group of us (maybe 6 or 8) have known each other for 25 or more years.

 

Some of my friends and I are avid solar observers, white light and H-Alpha - and it's always fun to get a planet or three in an eyepiece during the daytime. Larger scopes will even show 1st mag stars during the day if the sky is very transparent.

 

Bottom line - I'm yet again looking forward to CSSP 2025 and Stellafane 2025 - maybe the "David Levy Adirondack Astronomy Retreat 2025" (which is another last-year ever event - NYS owned site sold off after this year).

Edited by George N, 21 April 2025 - 12:51 PM.

[impreza276]

Agreed, it is very much about the social event. It's been mentioned a few times before that if one wants to get the most out of a dark sky, a star party is probably not the best place to do so. As you can see from the video I posted, it is a treat going round the field to check out everyone else's equipment and talking shop. Not to mention the star party talks and activities.

[tag1260]

To me, it's a chance to meet friends I've conversed with here or other places online, that I haven't met yet. Anyone who you can discuss or argue your points and noone goes away mad is considered a friend.  You can observe from your backyard, so to speak. So a star party is much more of a social gathering.      Now, if you guys could kindly leave all the junk to sell at home, I won't get in so much trouble when I get home.  

[Domerman]

A star party at a dark sky location like cherry springs certainly can be about the astronomy community, but people should respect that others travel many hours for the dark skies.

[symbiosis]

I had a really great experience at Cherry Springs my first time there in 2019. I came alone and set up my scope in some random place and met my neighbors before sunset -- one a chemistry professor with some pretty high-end equipment and another a janitor with a big, somewhat crudely made Dob that nonetheless performed nicely. I also had an 8" truss-Dob that I made. Both of them knew the sky better than me, but the three of us spent the whole night swapping views in scopes finally calling it quits around 3am. Between the weather, COVID, etc., I've never quite replicated that experience at CSSP or at Black Forest.

[WillR]

I had a really great experience at Cherry Springs my first time there in 2019. I came alone and set up my scope in some random place and met my neighbors before sunset -- one a chemistry professor with some pretty high-end equipment and another a janitor with a big, somewhat crudely made Dob that nonetheless performed nicely. I also had an 8" truss-Dob that I made. Both of them knew the sky better than me, but the three of us spent the whole night swapping views in scopes finally calling it quits around 3am. Between the weather, COVID, etc., I've never quite replicated that experience at CSSP or at Black Forest.

This is very close to my first experience. My first Cherry Springs was in the fall of 2021, and I camped next a guy named George ( Not George N whom I later met). We became friends and would setup next to each other at subsequent star parties at Cherry Springs. He had a nice 100mm Astrophysics, but at the time, I didn't know what that was.

 

I was very much a beginner still with my $200 AWB OneSky 5" table top set up on a milk crate. I had only been seriously observing for a few months. George would give me a list of targets I should look for, and I would dutifully check them off. That was my very first dive into Sagittarius. Before that event, I might have bagged 5-10 targets in a night, there I was looking at 35-40 each night. I have been back to CS with bigger instruments, but nothing can replicate that first trip. It really cemented me as an observer. And here I am, several telescopes and more than 6000 observations later.

Edited by WillR, 23 April 2025 - 04:41 PM.