pan
shot
courtesy of Mojo
SFAA
Yosemite Star Party at Glacier PointFriday, August 20 & Saturday, July 21, 2010
Background-
For
those of you unfamiliar with this event, we are given free,
reserved admission to Yosemite National Park and shared camping space
at Bridalveil Group Campground. The campsite is 8.5
miles away from Glacier Point.
In
exchange, we give two public star
parties at Glacier Point, on Friday and Saturday night. We
have
the
public (about 200 - 300 people) from twilight for a few hours, and then
the
rest of the night (and all day) to ourselves; this is a mighty good
deal,
considering how some folks come 12,000 miles to see these rocks. The
National Park Service limits astronomy clubs to a maximum of
30 SFAA campers. Please do not ask if your friends can
come …
unless they are SFAA members.
Join-
Want
to join
the
SFAA?
This is our biggest membership magnet; come join the SFAA!
You are
expected to have at least one public telescope for every two
people.
Sign up-
with Dave Frey
our fearless president. Please title the email Yosemite Sign-Up, let
him know what telescope you're bringing and if you're solo or
not. We currently have zero members on the wait list. Please let
Dave know
right away, so that we have an accurate count, and you don't miss out on this very special event!
Q & A-
In case you
have more questions, thanks to Jim Van Nuland of
the SJAA here's a link
San Jose club members have.
Bear Alert-
Please
remember we are guests at Yosemite and among those who live there are
bears. Last weekend one of our intreped Sidewalk Astronomers and SFAA
members (Dean Gustafson) spent time with the Santa Cruz Club at Glacier
Point. Dean wants us to know that a bear with a yellow tag of # 47
helped himself to a bag of food behind the back of an SCAS member at
Glacier Point while observing! Please keep all food (including gum,
toothpaste, canned food, you-name-it) in the metal bear boxes and not
in your car, tent or now unfortunatly, while observing.
Observing site at Glacier
Point-
The observing area is mostly open, with incredible
views from about
NNW to the east, around to due south. The horizon from south around to
the west is partly blocked by tall trees. Still, there is a lot of open
sky,
and typically, the seeing and transparency are excellent. It has warm
temperatures of 70 to
90 during the day, and cool to chilly 40's at night, due to the
elevation of
7200 feet.
Star Party-
One of the rangers does a sunset talk,
and then delivers
the crowd
to us. Following that, a member of the club will give an evening talk,
(want to volunteer?)
The public will have white flashlights, and we need to
be tolerant of
that. We will have 3 club members with red brake light tape to politely
cover the
offending
flashlights. Expect many questions from the public. Here
is an object list with corresponding finder
charts and some brief information.
The Reward-
By around 9:30 or so, we will
have the place to ourselves, and can
stay until dawn if you so choose. Scopes must be removed when we quit,
then set up again on
Saturday. Some of us may set up sun scopes during the
afternoon, show Half Dome festooned with rock climbers, and
invite people to come again after sunset.
Gastronomic Astronomic-
Early Saturday eve is the
traditional potluck meal and is
always tons of fun.
Please provide enough for ~ say 4 or 5 people. Salads, main
courses, pu pu's and desserts are all welcome. Who will have
the best astronomical theme of incredible edibles this year?
Remember the Brown Dwarfs? Prizes will be awarded!
Please
remember this repast takes time. It's better to start our own
gastronomic party early so there’s no need to rush for set up
Saturday evening
on Glacier Point. Sunset Friday will be at 8:25 pm.
Check the National Weather Service for up-to-date weather info
on
See you at the campsite,
Ken & Dave
Updated Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Copyright © 2010
