Life at 6,350 feet can be very good, especially when a big high pressure system settles over the Ellensburg, WA area. It was time for the 2006 edition of the annual Table Mountain Star Party and my family and I were determined to get a good spot by arriving Monday afternoon (the event starts officially on Thursday). The spot we chose overlooked Ellensburg, WA, but was clear in all directions. The first night the temperature plummeted to 36 degrees with a stiff wind. Not ideal astrophotography conditions! Still I managed some wide-field sky shots and decided it was a good night to catch some Zs.
Tuesday dawned with crystal clear blue skies -- an excellent day for a hike to Lion's rock. The hike to Lion's rock allowed ample opportunity for wild flower photography and conversation with other astronomers. Tuesday night was the first of 5 excellent nights for astronomy. With the wind gone it was non-stop astrophotography!
By Wednesday the Table Mountain site was rapidly filling up. The big dobsonian reflectors had begun to dot the main scope field. These beasts of the amateur astronomy world can have mirrors as large as 40 inches! By Thursday the speakers tent went into action. One of the strengths of TMSP is its ready access to the University of Washington. This year Dr. Brownlee of the NASA Stardust project was the UW highlight. Dr. Brownlee was like a proud father discussing his successful Stardust comet return mission. But the star speaker didn't come until Saturday night, David Levy. David Levy, of comet Shoemaker-Levy fame, gave a great talk on the passion of his life, astronomy.
One of the great things about star parties is meeting new friends. Jim, Ed, Kerri and Mark, where just a few of those new friends. I hope to see them next year at TMSP!
Friday, July 28, 2006
Dark Sky Sites - Scooteney Reservoir
One of the problems plaguing today's amateur astronomer is light pollution. Sometimes a little travel is in order to solve this problem. In this post and in future ones I'll try to identify dark sky sites in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. If you know of such a site feel free to leave a comment or send me an email.
Scooteney Reservoir is a nicely maintained BLM campground 17 miles southeast of Othello, WA on state route 17. The skies are very dark and the campground has minimal lighting. Better yet the horizons are very open (high desert has its advantages!) and camping is only $15 a night. The campsites are flat and grassy with little dust.
During the day there are ample opportunities for hiking, watersports, and fishing. Here's a Google Maps link:
Google Maps Link to Scooteney
Scooteney Reservoir is a nicely maintained BLM campground 17 miles southeast of Othello, WA on state route 17. The skies are very dark and the campground has minimal lighting. Better yet the horizons are very open (high desert has its advantages!) and camping is only $15 a night. The campsites are flat and grassy with little dust.
During the day there are ample opportunities for hiking, watersports, and fishing. Here's a Google Maps link:
Google Maps Link to Scooteney
Monday, July 3, 2006
Fire in the Sky 2006
This past Memorial Day weekend at Mansfield, WA saw the 2006 edition of the Fire in Sky rocket launch. Started by Scott Binder of BSD rocketry this event continues to grow in size. The event has grown to include amateur astronomy groups and near space groups.
Unfortunately Friday and Saturday saw intermittent showers and clouds which restricted launching and night time star viewing. Sunday and Monday provided better weather allowing many more launches, clear star viewing, and a near space balloon launch. This FITS showed a wide range of rocketry equipment. Rockets ranged in size from model rockets all the way up to a complex "N" powered rocket flown by Vern Knowles.
Another great project was the Dreams in Flight rocket built for Tom Van Etten by a team of rocketeers led by John Hawkins. Tom was diagnosed with prostate cancer a year ago and was forced to put his rocketry on hold. John bought the Dreams in Flight rocket from Tom and finished it for Tom's Level 3 attempt. Normally for Level 3 the builder and flyer need to be the same person, but Tripoli, the certifying organization, recognized this as a special case. The flight was flawless and Tom is now a Level 3 flyer!
Unfortunately Friday and Saturday saw intermittent showers and clouds which restricted launching and night time star viewing. Sunday and Monday provided better weather allowing many more launches, clear star viewing, and a near space balloon launch. This FITS showed a wide range of rocketry equipment. Rockets ranged in size from model rockets all the way up to a complex "N" powered rocket flown by Vern Knowles.
Another great project was the Dreams in Flight rocket built for Tom Van Etten by a team of rocketeers led by John Hawkins. Tom was diagnosed with prostate cancer a year ago and was forced to put his rocketry on hold. John bought the Dreams in Flight rocket from Tom and finished it for Tom's Level 3 attempt. Normally for Level 3 the builder and flyer need to be the same person, but Tripoli, the certifying organization, recognized this as a special case. The flight was flawless and Tom is now a Level 3 flyer!
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