Heart of Virginia Star Party
|
|
| Grab Your Scope and Head Out to Camp! |
Heart of Virginia Star Party! This page last edited January 27, 2012 Where: at the Cub and Webelos Adventure Camp, Goochland, VA. See map here.
When: Nov. 8-11, 2012
How: Register online by clicking here. This is an annual event. The Star Party is an informal gathering of astronomers and amateur skywatchers here at camp. Many participants will be scouts in the company of their parents. Any Scouts camping overnight must register with the camp office as a Scout unit or family. Campsites will be available as well as hard-sided structures. Most astronomers will be camped on the observing fields with their equipment. All vehicle traffic to and from the observing fields will end at sunset and will reopen at dawn, no exceptions. In case of cloudy weather or rain the event will be cancelled with no notice given except as posted here on this web page (those who pre-register online should contact the Camp Ranger for refund information). Please contact Ranger Tim for specific questions regarding the event logistics (804.467.1897). Camping on-site is available and there is limited parking for vistors in a separate lot. All vehicles must be moved out of observing areas before sundown unless they are staying overnight. Those who wish to leave early should make arrangements to have their equipment shuttled to their car by the Camp Ranger. No wood or charcoal fires in observing areas but propane or other clean burning fuel stoves are permitted. Campers are expected to be courteous of those folks who may be sleeping in after staying up all night. Troops and other organized units should check with the Camp Ranger for instructions on camping arrangements.This function is not intended to serve as a vehicle for Scouts to earn the astronomy merit badge. However, this should not stop Scouts from participating or arranging for their own counselors. There will be no health officer on duty, so be prepared with parental permissions and records. Astronomy enthusiasts from the public at large are encouraged to attend! Please bring some type of identification in case of emergency. The event is scheduled to run overnight Friday until Sunday noon. Early arrival Friday is permitted. Recognized astronomy club members will have a segregated observing site available away from other campers. Fees Attendees to the Star Party are not required to camp. Participation is voluntary and the fee is based on entrance to the event and use camping facilities. The fee is required for all who attend, payable at the event or through the Council Website here (link not available until July 6). Casual visitors should consider this fee a contribution to the outreach we do here at camp. Anyone wishing to stay in cabins or other structures for an extra fee will need to make those arrangements with Council. Please see the reservations page for more details. We don't have any shirts or patches available for this event, but if interest soars we will consider it. Scouts are the kings of patches, hats and shirts : ) Activities Astronomy Club Social This is for members of recognized astronomy clubs and will take place Friday evening at 4 PM. Introduction to Astrophotography Ranger Tim will conduct a short presentation on imaging for the novice at 3 PM on Saturday. Questions and discussion welcomed! Novice Astronomer Orientation A one-hour long talk will be given outdoors to help beginners better understand the night sky at 6 PM. Meet at the Dining Hall Parking lot. HD Hubblecast Movies Short astronomy podcasts and movies will be shown on a large screen High Definition projector in the dining hall if it is cloudy on Saturday night. Few activities are scheduled for the event other than above because this is primarily an event for observers and imagers. Other presentations may be added for Saturday as interest grows. The Novice Orientation will start at 6 PM and last for about an hour, based on the interest level. A quick tour of the night sky and a question/answer period will be included in this brief presentation by Ranger Tim. This is highly recommended for first-timers! A sanded volleyball court is available, fishing in a small pond, and hiking and mt. biking trails are close by. Please wear helmets when riding bikes. Due to cold lake temperatures no watercraft may be used. All outdoor acitivies are at one's own risk and children must be under adult supervision at all times. Whether you're a star-party veteran or neophyte, check out the following tips:
Most important, relax and have fun! Contact Ranger Tim for more info.
|
M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) - Picture taken by Ranger Tim from Camp. This is the farthest object that can be seen with the unaided eye. You can see it here from camp if you know where to look!
Star Party Etiquette
These suggestions are intended to help maintain access and use of observing sites for as many participants and their guests as possible, while preserving the conditions that have brought us out to enjoy the sky. Following these guidelines will permit everyone to pursue the study and enjoyment of astronomy to the fullest satisfaction.
If you are new to Astronomy, or it has been a while since you have been to a Star Party, please take a few minutes to review these basic rules of thumb. Please don't hesitate to ask questions if anything is unclear.
1. Do Not Litter! Everyone shall be responsible for his or her litter. If you bring it in, take it with you when you leave. Access to the observing site depends upon each member complying with this rule.
2. No Open Fires Permitted near observing areas.
3. Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages is Prohibited. Please do not smoke or use tobacco products in front of children. No unlawful substances.
4. No White Lights after Dark! Use dim red lights after sundown. Use only the minimum light necessary for safety. If you must use lights, please ask first, to avoid spoiling someone's night vision or astrophoto. Shield or turn off automatic car door or trunk lights (Pull the fuses if necessary.)
5. Park Based on your Observing Plan. Park facing towards the exit, to avoid having to backup using backup lights. If you are planning to leave early, park close to the exit. If you do not bring a telescope, park away from observers and walk over. Five MPH is the maximum speed while on observing field to keep dust to a minimum. Also be careful that your vehicle does not block the view of a nearby observer.
6. Remember, your vehicle back-up lights are bright white. A good idea is to back your vehicle in at the start of the evening so that when you leave, you can pull straight out rather than having to back up.
7. Plan Your Departure. Please announce in advance (to save night vision and astro-photographer's tempers), and have someone lead your vehicle out with a flashlight. Use Parking Lights Only – No Headlights, Please! Plan on staying until at least morning light.
8. Participants are Responsible for their Guests. All non-participants are considered "Invited Guests,'' and must observe the rules.
9. Bring Observers Only. Very young children generally do not enjoy star parties, and can be distracting to others. Please leave them at home if they get bored easily and they are difficult to manage. Pets are Prohibited.
10. Keep Noise to a Minimum. Please, no loud radios, tape players, CB, CDs, horns, yelling, etc.
Star Party Comfort Tips
These are intended to be lessons learned. You may assume that these are listed because at one point I didn't know any of this and did something really dumb and learned my lesson. The Boy Scout Motto is "Be Prepared." ...Also sage advice for any amateur astronomer.
• Bring warm clothes, boots and a hat. It gets cold, even in the summer in most places - especially on mountaintops where we like to hang out. (OK it's not exactly cold at the Scout Reservation in July :-) It is said that you lose up to 80% of your body heat through your head. "If your feet are cold, put on a hat," the saying goes.
• Bring an old large blanket or drop cloth to put under your scope. The first advantage to doing this is that it will keep the dust down around your scope and you'll have a lot less cleaning to do the next day. Another is that you'll be able to find that black lens cap you accidentally dropped much more easily. It's also a lot easier on your knees if your eyepiece is low to the ground and you have to kneel. I always seem to find the weeds with the stickers to kneel on.
• Bring extra batteries. If you have a Telrad, a LED flashlight, map light, or if your scope is a battery powered GOTO scope, it's only a matter of time until you've hauled everything out on a nice dark evening, you're set up and ready to observe only to find out that something's out of juice. If it's not you, you can be the person who saves your observing buddy's evening by giving them a battery or two.
• Consider bringing out a card table to put your charts and eyepieces on.
• Put your car keys in a zippered jacket pocket or attach them to your tripod. Seeing them safely locked in your car is not necessarily a happy feeling...at three a.m.
True deep-sky star parties — as opposed to the more traditional, general-interest conventions — have become a permanent part of the amateur scene worldwide. Unlike the solitary observers of a generation ago, more of today's amateurs tend to seek out and socialize with fellow enthusiasts. Many clubs initially intended to have their own local or regional stargazing sessions, but now some of these have reached such popularity that they attract crowds of more than 1,000 from across the country and abroad. Star parties are the places where you can observe to your heart's content (weather permitting), exchange stories and share feats, showcase your telescope creation, learn the latest trends and techniques and make friends and have fun. Kids especially can get great exposure to the hobby while having an exciting time camping out. If you've never attended one, it's time to catch the party fever!
(Adapted from www.astro-tom.com, Introduction to the Night Sky Part I – January 2003
pp. 15-16.)
This is M13, the Great Hercules Cluster, which was also photographed here at camp. It is also visible to the unaided eye, but only on a good night. There are over 10,000 stars in this object! Easily visible in our 12 inch reflector.
