[Zeldaman2004]

The Almost Heaven Star Party runs Sept 3-7. They have hot showers on site for all attendees (no extra charge) and it is 4 nights of observing, though it is a friday through tuesday so you'd need to take 3 days off of work.
http://www.ahsp.org/

I know most of you guys don't go, but was anyone possibly going to go this year? It's the weekend before the black forest star party. It's a lot farther south and west for those that aren't too close to the BFSP in PA. It's a more remote location so you HAVE to bring everything, but it's an absolutely gorgeous location, incredible skies, and I plan on visiting Seneca Rocks again during the day. Just did my registration online!

[Warthog]

Sorry, too far.

[Smalldob]

We're heading down to South Carolina that weekend - we would like to go there sometime, though.

[Zeldaman2004]

I know most of you guys can't make it and it's usually a farther drive, but if you ever are able to it's worth it just to visit for the scenery. The field at the CSSP is one of the best astro parks in the US because of amenities, but I still can't get over waking up at the BFSP in the morning and looking at the big mounting range in front of my tent with a valley off to the south.

It's more remote, but I find it a more enjoyable place to visit if you're able to because you're so cut off from the outside world. You're in a radio silence zone, so cell phones often don't work. The only communication with the outside world is via the free internet 1 of the vendors provides by using a dish on his RV.

Not to mention the skies in the south absolutely rock, with super clear horizons only beaten by the flat horizons in NC at Pettigrew State Park.

[Smalldob]

I'd think the equipment there is pretty cool, too

[Zeldaman2004]

Actually the AHSP isn't located at the NRAO's site, it's still like 20-30 minutes of driving to get there. You set up at The Mountain Institute's place, which has a number of Yurts there. Yurts are buildings designed to be in really windy environments and they do quite well up there. One is 4 levels with a good sized kitchen in the bottom of it, the top level being a small area up top with a dome window on it, must be some nice views when you go up there.

[Brian]

Jeremy are going to both star parties?

[Brian]

Sorry jeremy I saw you already answered my question in the black forest post.I forgot

[Smalldob]

I guess I was thinking of the Green Bank Star Quest which we seem to have missed for this year:

Green Bank Star Quest

This post has been edited by Smalldob: 28 July 2010 - 01:33 PM

[Zeldaman2004]

Yea Green Bank and AHSP are at different sites but same super dark skies. The AHSP has a more expensive registration fee than others but it is longer and they truck in water for your hot showers. It's worth it in such a remote location.

[Zeldaman2004]

This is what i'm talking about!!
http://www.accuweath...?mnyr=9-01-2010
http://www.weather.c...tenday/USWV0675

Scattered storms friday day and THAT IS IT. Mostly sunny and most clear to clear every night for the next 2 weeks!

[Bill Weir]

Zeldaman2004, on 28 July 2010 - 01:09 PM, said:

The AHSP has a more expensive registration fee than others but it is longer and they truck in water for your hot showers. It's worth it in such a remote location.

Wait a second, they truck in water so you can take hot showers??? It should be called the NBSP. (NB stands for "Nancy Boy" ; )

I hope that weather forcast holds for you. Have fun.

A club about 45 minutes drive north of me on Vancouver Island is having a star party this upcoming weekend. I don't know if I'll be able to make it. My wife and sons need to go to Vancouver and I'll have to be here to look after the dogs. They aren't allowed at the star party. Weather isn't looking all that great any way. If it's good I might take them out to the observatory one night. Think I'll lock the little Dachshund in the observatory as there's a bit of a mouse problem. Around our place she's getting good at catching them.

Bill

[Zeldaman2004]

Why do you think it's Almost Heaven? You get dark skies, hot showers, and if you pay $10/meal some very good cooking from the volunteers working at The Mountain Institute's facilities. They have a good sized kitchen in the main yurt.

You should definitely bring your dogs along with you! Always nice to have company at night.

I'm working like crazy this week tinkering with things to be ready for the week of star parties. I just took my DEC axis apart last night and regreased it the best I can. It was really sticky and the autoguider had trouble making corrections, it should work significantly better now.

I also dropped all the 16" dob parts off at Joe's last night! Between a week of preparation, week of star parties, week of working late to catch up, then a week off for surgery I can't work on the scope for a month, but he said I wouldn't be able to do much with the wood working part anyways so he's going to get around to that when the weather gets a little nasty. Sometime late september i'll hopefully have a big dob in the rough stages ready to try it out.