35 replies to this topic

[Diana N]

If you are tent camping, it is definitely a good idea to try to find a spot in the shade, or to create your own shade by putting a canopy up over your tent and using reflective silver mylar to try to keep the sun off your tent.. However, the warmth that builds up in the tent during the day is not much of a problem once the sun goes down, because the observing ground can actually get quite chilly. During the day, it’s always possible to escape to Valentine and hang out in the library or other public buildings which have air-conditioning.
 

Coin-operated showers are available at the nearby Cedar Bay campground.  

 

While there is no power at the Snake campground, you can use solar panels or a generator to charge your stuff, or bum a charge off of one of the other NSP members who either have solar panels/generators, a campsite with electricity in Boardman or Cedar Bay, or a motel room in Valentine. 

 

Leaving gear set up is generally not a problem, but of course in any place where the weather can change on a dime there are no guarantees. if you do leave a telescope set up, use a quality telescope cover like the ones made byTelegizmos and TIE THE SCOPE DOWN! Because the soil is extremely sandy, those spiral stakes that people use to tether dogs are recommended for anchoring both scopes and tents. Knock on wood, we have not had any theft problems at NSP (but of course there is also no guarantee that that won’t happen in the future).

 

And yes, you can go swimming at the Snake campground. Going on a tubing trip down the Niobrara river is also a popular NSP activity.
 

Edited by Diana N, 12 April 2025 - 10:30 AM.

[harpo80]

I saw swimmers last year; I didn't swim but if it's as hot this year as it was then, I will swim this year! 

 

My 16" Dob was set up all week without issues.  I tied it down each day and cast a tarp over it when a storm threatened.

 

+1 to Diana's recommendation for drillable tent stakes.  They and a rechargeable drill made setup, tiedown, tarping, etc. a breeze.

 

The flashing white light was irritating but not a showstopper for this visual-only guy.

 

Three months and a few wakeups to go!

Edited by harpo80, 13 April 2025 - 07:31 PM.

[Sean Cunneen]

I camp at Snake river. I have a lot of experience primitive camping, so I enjoy the challenge. I have a 4 season REI mountaineering tent to handle the winds (this is the only place the tent hasn't been overkill) I sleep on a cot (the ground is not flat) I pay attention to the weather and I keep my kit simple so I can pack it up in very little time should a storm threaten. During the day, the sun/wind is intense so I bring an easy-up and tarps for shade. It cools off at night, so sleeping isn't bad unless there is a storm. 

 

Sean

[Bob W4]

Hi everybody ... Just wanted to chime in and let any NSP newbies know that the Nebraska Star Party attracts the most friendly people I have ever been a part of.  From the highly educated professionals, down to retired time card punching worker bees like myself, I have NEVER met a nicer bunch of people.  The love of astronomy and the night sky transcends any artificial economic and social barriers.  Just my rant.  Looking forward to seeing all my old friends and making more new friends!!!

Edited by Bob W4, 15 April 2025 - 06:10 PM.

[harpo80]

Hi everybody ... Just wanted to chime in and let any NSP newbies know that the Nebraska Star Party attracts the most friendly people I have ever been a part of. 

Ditto!

 

I hope to set up on the same hill as last year.  Look for a tiny camper only slightly larger than my Dob, grab a chair under the awning and come visit a while.

[Starhunter249]

Last year, one of the organizers of the NSP had his solar scope set up right where you register. It was amazing to see the sun in that spectrum. So many prominences scatter all over the sun. I wish I can remember his name. Older gentleman and super nice guy. 

[Pauls72]

Bring bug spray (with Deet) and sun screen!

 

I leave my scopes up the whole time. I use 3-4 cork screw style stakes on each tripod. Lots of bungee cords on the covers.

All the big DOB's get taken down. anything over 16" or so.

 

Weather can change pretty quickly. You will get some storms, just when and how much???

We usually stay 9-10 days and have gotten 9 days of observing in and as low as 3.

 

You can go under the meal tents during the day to get out of the sun.

[lwbehney]

@Pauls72,

Hello there. I live in Indiana too. If I may ask, what is it about the Nebraska Star Party which makes you wish to travel so far away when the Indiana Family Star Party running around the same dates is so much nearer?

Thanks. 

[rjacks]

@Pauls72,

Hello there. I live in Indiana too. If I may ask, what is it about the Nebraska Star Party which makes you wish to travel so far away when the Indiana Family Star Party running around the same dates is so much nearer?

Thanks. 

I don't live in Indiana, but a quick glance at the light pollution map reveals why Hoosiers would travel to NSP - substantially darker skies (nearly pristine). As rural as most of Indiana is, the state is devoid of truly dark skies. It's kind of weird.   

[bunyon]

100th parallel population density. A lot of Indiana is rural but it’s populated rural.

Indiana has 190 people per sq. mile. Nebraska has 25.

[chvvkumar]

I am near to to IN in St Louis. The main reasons for me to drive that far are:

 

1. The attendees are great, it feels more like an extended family gathering than a star party. A lot more relaxed

2. The remoteness. As someone who can not sit down and relax, even when on vacation, the remoteness forces me to basically not do anything and relax for a week.

3. I only have been to one other star party (Okie-Tex, which I also loved) but I felt NSP had darker skies and one of the two times in my life where the sky made me go wow. The other being Death Valley.

4. Preparing for NSP is a challenge I love. Especially as someone without a camper or an RV and as who sleeps in my car, figuring out the logistics for the 7 days of off-grid camping is fun.