GCSP 2006

tfwthom · Nov 30, 2005

June 17th to 24th (make that 25th) North and South Rims http://www.tucsonastronomy.org/gcsp.html This is designed to be a public event, and if you want to do photography or CCD imaging, this may not be the event for you. For South Rim information, write to: Dean Ketelsen 1122 East Greenlee Pl. Tucson, AZ. 85719 520-293-2855 gcsp@tucsonastronomy.org Note new North Rim contact (well Margie did do it last year) For North Rim information, write to: Marjory (Margie) Williams P.O. Box 176 Crown King, AZ 86343 602-321-MARG (6274) or 928-632-8012 gcspnorthrim@tucsonastronomy.org <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

nevers · Dec 1, 2005

I'll be camping out until then in front of the ticket booth!

tfwthom · Dec 1, 2005

Brad Talked to SkyJim Mahon on the phone yesterday...he's going to the North Rim. (Told his daughter Jen to start pushing him to go South, she's daddy's girl) Up to you but if you wanted to go North you do pick up another 1000' ASL and the night trip to Cape Royal is great. Are you going to join him Dec 27th, 28th, 29th at Furnace Creek Campground in Death Valley? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

tfwthom · Dec 1, 2005

Outside the park on the South Rim.....town called Tusayan....it's got 5 or 6 hotels....Best Western.....Quality Inn...etc... http://www.thecanyon.com/index.cfm?go=Listings&CatID=2&SubCatID=7 .....has listings North Rim you are stuck....nothing for miles...Jacob Lake is about 1.5 hours north of the canyon. Inside the park rooms run about $55 to $300 depending on what lodge. I stay at Trailer Village on the South Rim....$20 a night full hook-ups. The rest of the astronomers stay at Star Party Central (Mather Campground, Aspen Loop) that's where we get a few sites from the National Park Service to share or $15 a night for those not lucky enough to get a site. If you get the chance show up....there is about a 50 of us setting up every night. Usually about 250 people stick around to look through the scopes every night. From sunset to 11pm is the public show but then NPS lets us stay all night. Fly into Phoenix or Vegas and rent a car. It's about a 4hr drive from either. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

tfwthom · Dec 2, 2005

We will be talking about the GCSP right up to June 17th here or on Astromart (the Upcoming Star Parties forum) If you are not going to bring a scope....a trick....if you park your car in the Village Market parking lot and take the free bus to Yavapai Point (come for the sunset and the astronomy talk after) you don't have to worry about parking, (we take up the whole lot with cars and scopes) if you want to stay late grab the last bus back to the market and drive back to the point. Some parking spaces will clear out then. (I usually pack up and leave after the public leaves since our clubs dark site is higher and darker then the canyon) Those that stay all night like Brad (NEVERS) will let you look through their scopes all night long. Remember to bring cold weather gear, it gets cold at 7000 ASL once the sun goes down. (you start off in shorts and have the long underwear on as the night goes on) The people with green lasers flash across the canyons a few times during the night. Kinda wild how bright those things are 10 miles away. Just a way of keeping in touch with both parties. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

nevers · Dec 2, 2005

Ummm - that's what I do...ohhhhh...I wondered what the snickering was all about! Man, that would AWESOME if you could make it!

tfwthom · Jan 10, 2006

My reservation confirmed at Trailer Village today. Sent Dean an email that we are coming. BTW This is unlike any other star party....it's tax deductable. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

tfwthom · Feb 14, 2006

Update From SkyJim on the Astromart Forum: Got my reservations for the North Rim already! Campground reservations for the star party dates of June 17th through the 24th opened up on February 5th - both rims. Meant to post a reminder on the 5th but have been rather busy. This year I'm following a slightly different strategy and reserving starting the 16th, so for once I can have a good night's sleep before the start of the party - I'm always missing night one due to road fatigue! With the 7 day maximum, I'll have to check out Friday morning, but that might work out with my available time anyway. I love gettng a free cmapsite, but waiting until late spring to be sure I have one makes me crazy, so I consider the reservation cheap insurance. I have a 22 foot trailer and not all sites will accommodate it. If there are enough sites for astronomers and I get one, I can get all but one day's fees refunded. Getting the new-old tow vehicle project rolling, stripping the 88 F-250 interior for soundproofing, new seats, and stereo. Old diesels are pretty noisy and the scopehauler needs to be a place my wife and daughter are happy. Will have lots of room for more scopes this year with an 8' bed under a shell - Nancy, maybe loading up at the end of a night will look less like a chinese puzzle! More ground clearance should also come in handy if we manage a trip to Grand Staircase-Escalante after GCSP. Can't wait! Jim My reply: Jim I've never been held to that 7 night rule when at the GCSP. In fact, this year, I screwed up and actually booked an extra night and now have 9 nights (I'll cancel the extra Monday at Trailer Village when I arrive) I just add a note that I'm with the GCSP and they seem to waive the rule. We are volunteers for the National Park Service after all. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

nevers · Mar 3, 2006

I'm in! Just got the good word from Dean yesterday. So, what's in your weatherman? Who care anymore...it'll be fun...is it June yet?!?!?!?!?!

tfwthom · Apr 5, 2006

We get a bright comet to show the public! Though passed it's prime Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 will make for a nice show. (Closes point and brightest is May 13th but the Full Moon will kill it's mag 1) Should still be someting to show. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

tfwthom · Apr 6, 2006

Another fun item....... We'll be able to split a double planet....Saturn and Mars will be 1/2 degree apart on June 17th with the Beehive cluster 1 1/2 degree away. So at sunset we will have Mecury, Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter for started objects. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

tfwthom · May 14, 2006

Grand Canyon Star Party Like public outreach? The Grand Canyon Star Party originally started much earlier as a function of the San Francisco Sidewalk Astronomers who made annual pilgrimages to several western National Parks in the late '70s and '80s, spending several weeks at each stop. The latest version of the star party has been readily endorsed by several of their members who have become regular attendees. It’s not really a “star party” as we think of them, it’s a major public outreach event. We are volunteers for the National Park Service there to show the public the night sky for eight nights. Dean Ketelsen of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association organizes the event (Marjory (Margie) Williams of Saguaro Astronomy Club (SAC) on the North Rim) Volunteers from clubs from all over Arizona and the US show up. (Elaine from VA, Roy from TN, Jane and Mojo from CA, etc) The NPS sends Dean and Margie a couple campsites to share with the astronomers and passes to let us in the park. (South Rim, I don’t know about the North) 50 to 75 scopes setup on the South Rim (smaller on the North) every night. We set up our scopes at Yavapai Point (North Rim at the lodge) starting at about 5:30 every afternoon (though some are set all over the park doing solar publicizing the event). Here’s where the Night Sky Network’s toolkits get their work while we are waiting for it to get dark. I usually set up a table and run whatever DVD’s are sent and hand out whatever freebies that I can get Night Sky Magazine and whatever Astronomy Magazine will send. (Last year I gave out 100 copies of Night Sky) Just after sunset there is a talk by whoever is available (John Dobson if he’s there, Jane Houston Jones, Dean, etc) Dark is when the fun begins! It’s when you will have anywhere from 300 to 500 people looking through your scope every night. Lines 10/15 deep waiting for a look at M13 or Saturn or whatever you have decided on. Some nights my w <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

tfwthom · Jun 9, 2006

FYI to those going. The SOUTH RIM of Grand Canyon National Park is OPEN. Northern Arizona is entering fire season. Fire danger is very high in Grand Canyon National Park and the risk of wildfire is expected to increase over the next month. To ensure public safety and provide the highest degree of protection to park resources, the following fire restrictions will be implemented on Monday, June 5, 2006, under the authority of 36 Code of Federal Regulations 1.5 (a) (1). These restrictions will be effective until the threat of human-caused wildfire decreases significantly. Campfires Campfires and open flames are permitted only in designated areas within developed campgrounds: Mather Campground and Desert View Campground on the South Rim and the North Rim Campground on the North Rim. Fire pans are permitted below the high water line along the Colorado River. Charcoal grills are prohibited. Gas grills and pressurized gas or liquid stoves are permitted in designated campsites, picnic areas, administrative sites, residential areas and the inner canyon. Smoking Smoking is only permitted within and directly adjacent to buildings that have designated smoking areas and within private vehicles, provided an ashtray is used. Smoking is prohibited elsewhere. Smoking is prohibited in all backcountry areas except below the high water line along the Colorado River. Fireworks Fireworks are prohibited in Grand Canyon National Park at all times. All roads and trails in Grand Canyon National Park remain open; however, visitors are asked to exercise extra caution as the height of fire season approaches. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

tfwthom · Jun 17, 2006

Shutting down. Four hour drive and meeting Brad (NEVERS) for a week of observing. Scopes packed, camper packed, out of here Later all! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

tfwthom · Jun 26, 2006

Back....... Brad and I had a great time. I'm sure trip reports will follow. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

eosophobiac · Jun 27, 2006

I'm looking forward to the "trip reports"! (hurry, hurry!) <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> I'm also contemplating making the trip out there next year. Here's hoping that'll work out! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

tfwthom · Jun 27, 2006

California amateurs Morris and Jane Houston Jones have posted their pictures from the Grand Canyon Star Party at the North Rim. http://photo.whiteoaks.com/2006-06-grand-canyon/index.html Picture with caption....Solar telescopes set up just outside the lodge entrance. The sun was very quiet.....SkyJim Mahon is the guy wearing the pith helmet (solor powered of course) showing people the Sun through his TeleVue Genesis (Coronado filter) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

tfwthom · Jun 27, 2006

Oh and the dates for next year June 9th-16th Check the website in Jan when they become official. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

tfwthom · Jun 27, 2006

What the local paper had to say.... http://www.grandcanyonnews.com/main.asp?SectionID=10&SubSectionID=10&ArticleID=6147 Views are looking up at Canyon this week By Jackie Brown Associate Grand Canyon News Editor Most visitors leave the rim after the sun goes down, but for a group gathered there this week, that's when the most spectacular viewing begins. About 80 astronomers invite the public to share their views at the 16th Annual Grand Canyon Star Party at Yavapai Point and at Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim. There is a program each evening at 8 p.m. and viewing goes on far into the night. The event started last Saturday and runs through this Saturday night. "It would be easy for them to set up in a remote area and keep the views to themselves, but they want to share those views," said Dean Ketelsen, of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, which sponsors the event with support from the National Park Service and Grand Canyon Association. Many other associations, such as the Prescott Astronomy Club, East Valley Astronomy Club, Saguaro Astronomy Club, Sirius Lookers from Sedona and Astronomical Society of Las Vegas are also represented. The Star Party traces its origins back to the 70s and 80s, when the San Francisco Sidewalk Astronomers would travel to western parks each year with their telescopes, inviting visitors to join them as they probed the ultra-dark skies. The Grand Canyon Star Party, in its present form, was established 16 years ago during Ketelsen's honeymoon, when he and his late wife, Vicki, set up a telescope here, attracting dozens of curious onlookers. ....more.... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

tfwthom · Jun 27, 2006

More photos coming in..... http://www.pbase.com/polakis/gc2006 <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

eosophobiac · Jun 30, 2006

Thanks for the updates, TFWThom, from all of us that live vicariously - for now! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> The photos are great, and the descriptions really make it easier for me to decide to try and head out the way next year. Thanks again! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

tfwthom · Jun 30, 2006

From Joe Bergeron http://homepage.mac.com/joebergeron/PhotoAlbum9.html <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

nevers · Jul 1, 2006

I've written my report and sent it to Dean. I'm waiting to see if he approves it for public eyes. I'm also in the process of putting the pages together for this year's GCSP. Will keep ya'll posted... Thanks for all the linx Thom - they're nice!

nevers · Jul 2, 2006

Ok, it's finally done. It only took me about 48 hours to complete. I hope anybody who looks at it has a nice visit - maybe you'll be inspired to attend next year's event! If anybody finds anything out-of-line or not working, could you please let me know. Thanks...! Here's the link --- /> Grand Canyon Star Party - 2006

tfwthom · Jul 9, 2006

Another bunch of pics. From Bernie Sanden http://www.pbase.com/bsanden/grand_canyon_star_party_2006 <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

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