I had a great time at GSSP 2009.
Here are my photos to prove it:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/gssp2009-rmuller
Thanks again to all the volunteers and committee members for all the
hard work to make it a success.
This message is forwarded from Bob Thompson:
To the Shasta Astronomy Club/Network: our next 2 star parties will teke
place this coming Sat. the 18th of July and the following Sat. the 25th
of July at the Mines Parking Lot at Whiskeytown Lake Park to commence
30 minutes after sunset. Please note my new e-mail address.
rhtastro@... <mailto:rhtastro@...>
See you Saturday and clear skies, Bob
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Last night was the first star party of July for the Shasta Astronomy Club. The
next is Sat. 25th.
Last December I recommended that a friend buy a Orion 6" StarBlast tabletop dob
for his young boys. He's been really pleased with it, so I wanted to take it out
myself. They are now retailing at $280. It comes with two eyepieces, 25mm & 10mm
(giving 30X and 75X magnification), and a red dot finder. I also wanted to get
some star hopping in, since I've been using an LX-90 for the last few years.
It was hazy in Redding yesterday so I guessed it wasn't going to be a great sky.
The scope was very easy to pick up and set in my van. The accessories fit in a
small cardboard box. I also brought along an end table. I was the first to
arrive right before sunset. The scope has no set up. Just set it on the endtable
and put in the eyepiece. I did spend some time trying to align the red dot. It
was off by a couple of degrees, and I got it closer. Eventually the regulars
showed up: Tom with his 17" dob, Gary with his nice refractor, Bob Thompson. Rob
showed up with his 10" LX-200. Later a group of Rob's friends showed up. Two
couples came, also, so it was a good night for outreach.
As it was beginning to get dark I found Saturn. It was too washed up for any
details. I couldn't see the rings in the 6". I could split Mizar and Albireo
once it darkened up some more. It was easy to split the quad into two in Eps
Lyra, but the close pairs might have been my astigmatism and imagination. I
poked around the Milky Way in Sag. M8 & 20 were nice sights. I'm not sure what
the FOV is. Not enough info is given on the eyepieces. It is an f/5 tube so
there is a fairly rich field. I was pleased with how easy it was to move the
scope and find things with the red dot finder. By 10:00 it was fairly dark.
Because of the haze, the light dome from Redding washed out the SE sky. I was
able to see M81-82 and M51 fairly well. No spiral arms in 51, of course, in the
6". M57, the Ring nebula, was very clear. At 75X the hole was very distinct. I
added the Dumbell, and several globulars. It was hard to see more than 10 or so
stars in the globulars M4, 13, 22. I had trouble finding the Swan, but
eventually figured out where it was. I always enjoy looking at it. Jupiter
finally got high enough to get a look at. It was washed out by the light done
and messy air. I could very faintly see some striping. Io popped out right
before midnight. I couldn't see it in the 6" but it was easy in Gary's apo. We
also caught the space station flyover low in the the northern sky.
Midnight came very fast. I was tired and sore from rebuilding my deck, so I
packed up and was at home by 12:30.
I highly recommend the StarBlast 6" for beginners and children. It is a very
sturdy mount. It could be put on the ground for children and you could let them
move it without being afraid of them breaking it. On a sturdy table it is at a
comfortable height for an adult. The optics are good. It has enough aperture to
see the brightest of the gray fuzzies and enough resolution to get good views of
Jupiter & Saturn and split easy doubles. I won't be able to look at the moon for
a few days, but I'm sure that with sunglasses it would be spectacular.
Carpe Noctem,
Michael Huster, Ph. D.
Associate Professor of Science
Simpson University
2211 College View Dr.
Redding, CA 96003
To the Shasta Astronomy club/Network: Our next star party will be held this next
Saturday, July 25 at the Shasta Mines Parking lot at Whiskeytown Lake Park at
9:00 PM.
Directions: Take 299 West out of Redding. Turn left at the Visitor's Center.
Turn left at the Dam. DO NOT GO OVER THE DAM! The lot is on the left in 1 mile.
Michael Huster, Ph. D.
Associate Professor of Science
Simpson University
2211 College View Dr.
Redding, CA 96003
From Bob Thompson:
To the Shasta Astro Club/Net: Our scheduled trip to the Hat Creek
Radio Observatory this coming Saturday, August 8th has been cancelled
due to the fires near Hw 89 in Eastern Shasta County. Its' too smoky
with the fires very close to the highway we use to get to the
observatory. The road has been closed to outside traffic much of the
time this week. We will try to re-schedule the trip for sometime in
Sept. Hope the fires are out by then, but often wildfires can burn for
many weeks or even months.
We will have 2 star parties this month, one on Saturday, August 15 and
another on Saturday, August 22 to commence at 8:30 PM at the Mines,
Trailhead Parking lot at Whiskeytown Lake Park. Bring your scopes out,
we need them. Jupiter will be well placed this month.
Carpe Noctem!
Michael Huster
It's a couple of days late, but...
On Wed. Aug. 12th, my wife and I drove down from Redding for the Giants day
game. Great game beating the Dodgers. The game included several bad ump calls
against the Giants, a brawl, a weird play with Sandoval dodging a tag which one
ump called out and another called safe, Lincecum within a strike of winning the
game, giving up the tying run. Wilson finished the ninth, pitched a scoreless
10th and Uribe hit a walkoff home run. Whew! Then we enjoyed steak and ribs at
the ACME Chophouse before heading home.
On the way back we stopped at the Sacramento National Wildlife Reserve off of I5
near Willows about 9:30. The NRW was just north of the smoke plume from the
Summit fire. We paid the $3 entrance fee even though the place was deserted.
There was still some gloaming from the sunset, but it is a fairly dark location
1/2 mile from the freeway. We set up lounge chairs, applied Cutter wipes, and
watched for about an hour. We saw 36 meteors, 6 of which were fireballs with
distinct red, glowing heads and trails. We could tell the radiant was from the
direction of Cass/Perseus. Two of the meteors were faint and "backwards." The
meteors seemed to come in groups. Nothing for ten minutes, then three or four in
the next few minutes. (Is this Poisson statistics in action?) Our rate then was
36/hour which is within the peak range usually cited for the Perseids. Well, it
also makes a nice birthday present every year for my wife. I wanted to stay
until the number of meteors equaled her age, but that would have taken a little
bit longer.
Michael Huster
Redding, CA
This is from Bob Thompson:
To the Shasta Astronomy Club/Network: We have a star party scheduled for this
Saturday the 22nd of August at the Mines Parking Lot at Whiskeytown Lake
starting at 8:30 PM.
Our last star party (Sat. Aug 15th) was well attended by local folks but no
telescopes showed up. That seemed to be ok by the visitors who took in the
universe that night. A couple of us conducted Astronomy 101 with the large
group. No one seemed unhappy and all left with a positive attitude about
astronomy. The sky was a very good 8 on our scale of 10. Actually, it was fun
to just look at the sky with only our eyes and explain what people were looking
at. I'm sure some of them will be back this Saturday again to view the cosmos
with us.
Michael Huster, Ph. D.
Associate Professor of Physics
Simpson University
2211 College View Dr.
Redding, CA 96003
This message is forwarded from Bob Thompson:
To the Shasta Astro Club/Network: We'll have our September star party this Sat.
the 19th, weather permitting, at the mines parking lot at Whiskeytown Lake Park
about 8:00 PM. Bring your scopes, I think we'll need them. We've had pretty
good crowds lately.
It's been a few years since we corresponded via email about the star party but I
wondered if you could put out a request if anyone would like to do some
telescope work with a group of High School Teachers at Camp Latieze in
Shingletown/Manton area.
>
> This is Dr. Bev Marcum's group from CSU-Chico and they will be up at the Camp
on Friday, September 25th and wanted something that evening.
>
> Not sure if you have any contacts of astronomy buff's in the Shingletown area
that would be interested. If so, have them get in touch with me.
>
> Thanks,
>
> David
>
> 524-0475 cell
> dewart@...<mailto:dewart@...>
>
>
> David Ewart, MEd.
> CaMSP SMART Science Director
> Shasta County Office of Education
> 1644 Magnolia Avenue
> Redding, CA 96001-1513
> (530) 225-0267 Office
> (530) 225-0216 Fax
From Bob Thompson of the Shasta Astronomy Club:
To the Shasta Astro Club/Network: our last star party of the season is scheduled
for this coming Saturday, Oct. 17 at 6;45 PM. The weather forecast doesn't look
too favorable for this weekend, however. It's at the usual place, the Mines
Parking lot at Whiskeytown Lake. If it looks too cloudy, don't attempt to go
but if it looks ok, then be sure to be there.
Our trip to the Hat Creek Radio Observatory on Saturday a week ago brought out
17 visitors for the tour. Rick Forster was our host and he really gave us the
royal tour. We all learned a lot. Thanks Rick for giving us your valuable
time. Several pics of the event can be seen below. (not attached)
Michael Huster
REGISTER EARLY FOR GSSP 2010!
It’s that time again to make your observing plans for 2010. Be sure to include
this year’s Golden State Star Party in those plans! In 2010, GSSP will carry
on its long tradition as California’s premier dark sky star party. This
year’s event will again be under the ever-friendly skies of the Frosty Acres
Ranch near Adin in beautiful Northeastern California, and will be held from
Saturday, July 10 to Wednesday, July 14. In addition to exceptional dark sky
observing, GSSP offers a wide variety of other fun activities and features,
including a Door Prize Raffle, fun local community events, an excellent speaker
program, kite flying, home-grown barbeques, and countless other great things to
do and enjoy in the surrounding area. The Early Registration Period began this
week and will extend through March 30. The early registration fee is $60 this
year. After March 30, the fee will increase to $70. On-site registration will be
$75. Kids under 18 are free.
The more people who register early, the better we will be able to plan and
provide the best possible star party for the attendees. To register and learn
more about GSSP 2010, visit our website at http://www.goldenstatestarparty.org/.
We’ll see you there!
The GSSP Organizing Committee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
The Golden State Star Party will be here before you know it! GSSP is the most
fun you can have under a dark sky! Whether you go for the exceptional observing,
for the beautiful natural setting and outdoor activities, for the excellent
speaker program, for some quality vacation time with friends and family, for the
opportunity to meet new folks and compare notes with other astronomers, for the
food, festivities and amenities in the nearby communities, or for all of these
reasons, GSSP is a star party you won’t want to miss!
The Early Registration Period ends March 31—only a few short weeks from now.
Register now and save $10 off the regular registration fee! This year, GSSP will
be held from July 10-14, 2010. The early registration fee is only $60. Kids
under 18 are free. Don’t put it off any longer. Take a few minutes to visit
the official GSSP 2010 website at http://www.goldenstatestarparty.org and
register today!
Â
Bill Porte
GSSP Organizing Committee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
The Golden State Star Party will happen in only a few short months on July
10-14. Lots of folks have already signed up for GSSP 2010, and we expect many
more. If you haven’t registered yet, now’s the time to make your move while
the Early Registration Period is still in effect. Only a few more days remain to
get the early registration discount. The cost for all four days and nights under
the amazing skies of the Frosty Acres Ranch in Adin, California, is only $60 per
adult. Kids under 18 are free. But on April 1, the registration fee will go up
to $70 per adult. GSSP is one of California’s finest and most popular star
parties. It features some of the best dark sky observing available, and is
packed with a host of other activities and features including door prizes, fun
local community events, a great speaker program, kite-flying, home-grown
barbeques, and many other things to do and enjoy in the surrounding area. Full
details can be found on our
website at http://goldenstatestarparty.org . If you’re planning to be a part
of this great star party, take advantage of the Early Registration savings, and
register before April1. Don’t miss GSSP this year. Sign up now!
Â
GSSP Organizing Committee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
GSSP is fast on approach.... the best star party in California, major
league astro-fun...
If you haven't attended before, it is so easy to do. Camping is a snap,
RV or tent... the event is so well set up, all amenities on site.
Really a first rate. The BBQ dinners, things to do and see during the day.
If you haven't seen the sky, of course that's the real reason to go.
Mt. Lassen a day trip. So is Burney Falls, Hat Creek Radio Observatory
(SETI)... Lava Beds National Monument.
Even if you don't own a scope, or are an absolute beginner, have kids,
whatever.... its a great experience.
Been going a long time, I think I'll put it in my will to have some
relic attend, in perpetuity.
If you haven't signed up, now is the time. See old friends, make new
ones...
See you there...
All the information you need is on the web-site:
http://www.goldenstatestarparty.org/
questions answered there, or on the GSSP Yahoo Group.
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/goldenstatestarparty/
Again, this is a GREAT experience, any inclination toward doing it...
you'll love it. Do it.
Mark
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The countdown is on! Only 30 days until 2010 Golden State Star Party! If you've
attended this event before, you know how good it is. If you haven't, this year
it's time to find out for yourself! Either way, if you haven't signed up yet,
now's the time! Go to the GSSP website where you can learn more and register for
this unbeatable star party: www.goldenstatestarperty.org. Summer observing
season is nearly upon us, and GSSP promises to be one of the highlights! Join in
the fun! We'll see you there!
Your friendly GSSP Organizing Committee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Another reminder that the Golden State Star Party happens in less than three
weeks. If you haven't signed up yet, just go to www.goldenstatestarparty.org and
follow the registration link. GSSP 2010 will, as always, be an outstanding
world-class star party, and you don't want to miss it! Stop procrastinating, and
register today. See you there!
GSSP Organizing Committee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I just noticed that the 2010 GSSP was recorded on Google Earth. Looks to me
like it was the last day, as the roads look well traveled and most of the
participants have left.
This year's Golden State Star Party will be held Wednesday June 29 to Sunday
July 3, 2011. The Early Registration Period begins today and extends until March
30. This year, GSSP attendance will be capped at 400 people . So it is even more
important to register early and reserve your place at this great astronomical
event, at a significant savings over regular registration fees. The Early
Registration Fee is $60 per adult attendee. Kids under 18 years of age are free.
Visit our official website at http://www.goldenstatestarparty.org to register
and to learn more details about GSSP 2011. So what are you waiting for? Register
today! See you there!
GSSP Committee
If you haven't done it already, now's the time to sign up for GSSP 2011. The
Early Registration Period extends until March 30. Until then, the adult
registration fee is only $60 for all four days of this great dark sky event.
After that, the fee increases to $70. Kids under 18 are still free. Signing up
early is all the more important because, this year, attendance has been capped
at 400 people. GSSP is California's premier star party featuring exceptional
observing under the clear skies of the Frosty Acres Ranch in Adin, CA., as well
as a host of other attractions and activities. You don't want to miss this one!
So take a few minutes to visit our Web site at http://goldenstatestarparty.org,
and register now!
GSSP Organizing Committee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
The Golden State Star Party Early Registration Period comes to a close in just a
couple of weeks. Through March 30, the fee for all four days and nights of GSSP
2011 is only $60 for adult registrants and free for kids under 18. After that,
the fee increases to $70. As we have announced previously, the attendance this
year will be capped at 400. Registering early does three good things: It
reserves your place on our incomparable Frosty Acres observing site, it helps us
plan and prepare for the best possible star party experience, and you get the
early registration discount. So visit our Website
at http://goldenstatestarparty.org today to register for this memorable event.
We'll see you under the stars in Adin, CA June 29-July 3, 2011!
GSSP Organizing Committee
Greetings,
The Shasta Astronomy Club is scheduled to have a star party this Saturday April
2, 2011. (Weather Permitting) Shasta Mines parking lot, Whiskeytown Lake. Bob
Thompson has retired as the Director of the club and I have assumed
responsibilities. The schedule/calendar for our star parties can be found at
shastaastronomyclub.com.
The Golden State Star Party Early Registration Period ends March 30. If you've
been putting it off, now's the time to sign up for GSSP 2011. With attendance
capped at 400 people this year and sign-ups already well ahead of last year at
this time, early registration will ensure your place under the beautiful Adin
sky on our Frosty Acres Ranch observing field. It will also save you $10 off the
regular adult registration fee of $70. To register and get further information
and updates for this much-anticipated event, visit our Website at
www.goldenstatestarparty.org. Do it now!
GSSP Organizing Committee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
The Golden State Star Party will be here before you know it. In only a couple of
months, from June 29 to July 3, 400 happy folks will be revelng
in the magnificent night skies over Frosty Acres Ranch in Aden, California. In
the daytime, they'll also be enjoying a host of other attractions nearby,
including nature preserves, volcanic and geothermal sites, waterfalls and
swimming areas, and much more. They'll partake in home-grown barbecues, liisten
to some distinguished speakers, fly kites, meet other astronomers, chill with
their friends or family, enjoy the hospitality of the local communities, shop
for some astro-gear in the vendors' area or at the swap meet, and participate in
a host of other fun activities. The registration fee is $70 for adults,
and children under 18 are free. Attendance will be capped at 400 people this
year, so if you want to reserve your place at GSSP, go to our Website at
www.goldenstatestarparty.org where you'll
find full details. See you there!
The GSSP Organizing Committee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
The Golden State Star Party happens June 29 to July 3, 2011. That's only one
month away! There are still some good spots left on our observing field at
Frosty Acres Ranch in Adin, California. Every year, we have a lot of last-minute
registrants. Since we have capped this year's attendance at 400 people, and we
are rapidly approaching this number, we recommend that you take a moment now to
register and reserve your spot. GSSP is one of the best dark sky star parties in
the country, and it keeps getting better and better every year. So if you
haven't signed up yet or need more information about this great astro-event,
visit our Website at http://www.goldenstatestarparty.org and register today. See
you there!
The GSSP 2011 Organizing Committee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Greetings Fellow Earthlings!
>>
>>
>>Well, here we are, 1/44th of a solar cycle along from the last GSSP. Once
again, Earth finds itself facing out at Taurus at midnight in the Northern
Hemisphere. This leaves us only 6 more lunar synodic cycles until GSSP 2012. The
Heavens have spoken...This can mean only one thing...The Early Registration
Period for the 2012 Golden State Star Party has officially started!
>>
>>
>>From now until March 30, you can take advantage of the special early
registration fee of only $60. This is always a family friendly event, so kids
under 18 will continue to be free. GSSP 2012 will be held Wednesday, July 18 to
Sunday, July 22 at our dark-sky observing field on the Frosty Acres Ranch in
Adin, CA. Every year, GSSP just gets better and better, and this one promises to
be the best one yet! Visit our website at www.goldenstatestarparty.org to
register and to get the most current information and ongoing updates as this
great annual astronomy event approaches.
>>
>>
>>Clear Skies!
>>
>>
>>The GSSP Organizing Committee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
The Early Registration Period for GSSP 2012 is coming to a
close on March 30. Until then, you can still register for only $60 per adult 18
and older. After that, the registration fee will increase to $70. Once again,
attendance at the Golden State Star Party will be capped at 400 attendees. So
to insure your spot and get the early registration discount, visit our website
at www.goldenstatestarparty.organd REGISTER SOON! GSSP will be held a little
later this year on July 18-22,
2012. Check our web site often to get all the latest information and updates.
The GSSP Organizing Committee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Greetings Fellow Astronomers:
The Early Registration Period for the 2012 Golden State Star Party ends on March
30. If you haven't signed up yet, do it now, and save $10 on each adult
registration. The fee this year is $60 for adults 18 and older. Kids are free.
After March 30, the registration fee increases to $70. To register and learn
more about this year's GSSP which will be held July18-22, go to our web site at
www.goldenstatestarparty.org . This is one of the biggest observing events of
the year, and one you don't want to miss. C'mon, you know you want to go! So
sign up now and save. And by registering early, you will help us plan for the
best possible star party for all of you.
Thanks! We'll see you there!
The GSSP Organizing Committee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Greetings Fellow Astronomers--
This is shaping up to be a truly stellar year for us astronomers! There have
been some amazing observing nights for all of us lately. The recent annular
solar eclipse was spectacular. And today the transit of Venus across the face of
the sun kept us all in awe of a phenomenon that won't be seen again for over a
hundred years. What a year! And now the next BIG astronomical event--in just
under six weeks--will be GSSP 2012!
The Golden State Star Party happens July 18-22 on Frosty Acres Ranch in Adin,
CA. The registration fee for all four days and nights is $70 for adults, and
kids under 18 are free. We're on pace for another 375-400 attendees again this
year. If you haven't signed up yet, do it soon to reserve your spot under the
dark clear skies of GSSP! We have a jam-packed program of speakers, prizes,
events, attractions, and activities in addition to GSSP's signature hospitality
and pristine skies. Visit our web site at www.goldenstatestarparty.org today to
register and to get the latest news and information about this much-anticipated
star party. See you there!
The GSSP Organizing Committee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
We're getting down to the wire! There are only a few short weeks until the 2012
Golden State Star Party happens from July 18-July 22 at Frosty Acres Ranch in
Adin. Jam packed with fun activities, speakers, good food, prizes, many local
attractions, and of course amazing dark sky observing, this star party is one of
the best astronomical events of the year, and one you don't want to miss! So
don't procrastinate any longer! Go to our website
at http://www.goldenstatestarparty.org/ to learn more and register today to
reserve your place under the stars. See you there!
Your Friendly GSSP Organizing Committee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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