Post by bsimon615 on Nov 12, 2023 11:37:46 GMT -6
One other opportunity that we have with the White Horse Retreat Center is the possibility of doing more "star gazing" at White Horse as weather conditions permit. This benefits both any amateur astronomer as well as White Horse.
We can create a contact list, or just do a posting on this site when it looks like an opportunity exists.
Here is a hypothetical scenario so that everyone has a clear idea of what I envision -
First, likely windows to do this (little or no Moon interference), not counting dates already set for either the Deep South Star Gaze or the Spring Scrimmage in all of 2024 will be (note that dates are for a Friday and Saturday):
Jan 12-13, Feb 9-10, Mar 8-9, Apr 5-6, May 10-11, Jun 7-8, Jul 5-6, Aug 2-3 & 30-31, no September, Oct 4-5, Nov 29-30, and Dec 27-28
If the forecast, a few days out is looking favorable, others might see this too, and I will post asking for replies to see who is interested. If interest is there we can contact "White Horse" (Carol) to see if there is a conflict with the schedule there. (Typically not)
If just a few people, let's say 3 to 6, we may still be able to get one bunk room, if more, well then more would be available to us. The advantage of setting something up with just a few days notice is we know what the weather should be doing. Not at all like setting dates a year or more out. Sure there will be a cost, but you would be paying for more of a sure thing.
I know this may conflict with the use of the Pontchartrain Astronomy Society Observing Site (SPMOS), but we may not have that site much longer as the owners do want to sell it. Additionally the skies are darker at White Horse and we do have lower horizons plus more ammenities including running water. It is an option and more than half of our recent DSSG attendees are not PAS members. Some would be able to extend their stay beyond just one or two nights.
Comments/suggestions appreciated.
Barry Simon
We can create a contact list, or just do a posting on this site when it looks like an opportunity exists.
Here is a hypothetical scenario so that everyone has a clear idea of what I envision -
First, likely windows to do this (little or no Moon interference), not counting dates already set for either the Deep South Star Gaze or the Spring Scrimmage in all of 2024 will be (note that dates are for a Friday and Saturday):
Jan 12-13, Feb 9-10, Mar 8-9, Apr 5-6, May 10-11, Jun 7-8, Jul 5-6, Aug 2-3 & 30-31, no September, Oct 4-5, Nov 29-30, and Dec 27-28
If the forecast, a few days out is looking favorable, others might see this too, and I will post asking for replies to see who is interested. If interest is there we can contact "White Horse" (Carol) to see if there is a conflict with the schedule there. (Typically not)
If just a few people, let's say 3 to 6, we may still be able to get one bunk room, if more, well then more would be available to us. The advantage of setting something up with just a few days notice is we know what the weather should be doing. Not at all like setting dates a year or more out. Sure there will be a cost, but you would be paying for more of a sure thing.
I know this may conflict with the use of the Pontchartrain Astronomy Society Observing Site (SPMOS), but we may not have that site much longer as the owners do want to sell it. Additionally the skies are darker at White Horse and we do have lower horizons plus more ammenities including running water. It is an option and more than half of our recent DSSG attendees are not PAS members. Some would be able to extend their stay beyond just one or two nights.
Comments/suggestions appreciated.
Barry Simon
