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Post by bsimon615 on Mar 23, 2019 10:14:09 GMT -6
Ok, we are 12 days away from the 2019 Edition of the Deep South Spring Scrimmage. As of last night at our March PAS meeting with a few reservations received, we have a count of 14 attendees with about 4 to 6 more who are "probables/maybes".
Right now we have 6 who will be making it to White Horse on Thursday, April 4th, with another 6 coming in for Friday and an additional 2 on Saturday. This is pretty typical for a Spring Scrimmage which is more lightly attended compared to the Deep South in the fall.
Right now just 6 have signed up for breakfast with the rest opting to survive on stuff they bring. I am going to talk to Carol on Monday and if she would rather not bother with breakfast for so few people, those that paid for breakfast will get that money refunded. We will have a snack bar on site at night with ball park type meals minus the beer.
Right now we have 4 people in tents and 10 in the bunkhouse. Looks like we will be able to get by with just the main bunkhouse behind the main building with space for 7 people in each wing of the bunkhouse. Remember to bring your own bedding and bathroom needs.
With the numbers we have there is no need to mark the main observing field in any way. Setting up on the field to optimize seeing Omega Centaurus would be to set up on the north side of the field (as we did for the trial run in August) and to be closer to the east end of the field (closer to the gate where we come in) but without blocking entry to this field by setting up right in front of the gate opening. An even better location for Omega would be outside of the Arena Field further north.
For Thursday arrivals, I propose that we meet at the Country Diner for 11 am to eat. This should put us at White Horse for about noon or shortly after. We will have all afternoon to set up. The Sun will not be setting until close to 7:30 pm and it will not be truly dark until about 8:30 pm.
Questions? Let me know.
Barry
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Post by Len Philpot on Mar 24, 2019 13:59:24 GMT -6
Barry,
It looks like I'll be taking off all day Friday and not just Friday afternoon. Are the tentative plans for lunch Friday roughly the same? Lunch at 11? Or too early to tell?
Thanks.
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Post by terry on Mar 26, 2019 14:13:42 GMT -6
Barry,
Please update us on the breakfast plans for the Scrimmage. Will there be coffee available in the mornings?
What type of electrical hookup is available on the observing field?
Is there a shady place for tentncampers?
Terry
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Post by Len Philpot on Mar 26, 2019 16:42:15 GMT -6
I'm not Barry (and he can correct me), but:
Yes, coffee is available in the dining hall. There's a coffee kitty as well.
Don't necessarily count on power on the field. It's possible to run power from the barn, but it's a long run. It can and has been done, but I advise being self-sufficient if possible. Bring power cords if you want to try, but have a no-AC fallback plan. I don't know the length of the run offhand, but according to Google Maps, it's about 150' in a straight line from the center of the arena to the corner of the barn. There's an outlet on the edge of the arena, but it's prone to tripping and it's also dead when the lights are cut, so...
I'm not officially sure of the tent camping area, but it's pretty open in terms of restrictions (particularly in the spring). There are a few trees on the property not too far from the field that might suffice.
Barry can elaborate or correct me if necessary...
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Post by Len Philpot on Mar 26, 2019 16:53:13 GMT -6
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Post by brucek on Mar 27, 2019 7:15:22 GMT -6
My wife and I are interested in at least the first night of the DSSG Spring Scrimmage. We are total novices. I did take an astronomy course in college not quite 100 years ago. We have looked into the night sky with our binoculars. We have a camper van. Would this star gazing opportunity be appropriate for us? I am thinking about purchasing this binocular for this outing. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JQCZ1CN/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1link Thank you for your answers. Sincerely, Bruce Klein
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Post by Len Philpot on Mar 27, 2019 18:49:49 GMT -6
My opinionated $0.02, but based on 30+ years of observing My advice on the binoculars would be to take that money and put it into a better 7x50 set. 18x in a heavy 80mm binocular can't be satisfactorily hand-held (IMO), much less 40x. The value of binoculars is low power, wide field viewing. Assuming they're optically decent (which at ~$150 for "large" binocs is somewhat questionable to me, especially since these are zoom binocs) you'll definitely need a tripod as well. Also, I'm doubtful of the value of the cellphone adapter. Looks to me like they're trying to bundle up some stuff that maybe didn't sell...? Check out www.telescope.com/Orion/Binoculars/Astronomy-Binoculars/rc/2160/pc/5/72.uts for many examples (and there are many more). Even better, come on over for the event and see what can be seen through others' equipment before you buy. You'll have a far better sense then of what you might want to buy. However, if you want a pair of binocs in your hands when you arrive, keep this in mind: - Look for 7x or 8x by 40 to 50 (the first number is the magnification and the second is the primary objective lens diameter in mm, BTW). A 7x35 pair of binocs can be a nice little tool, but for astronomy you'll benefit from at least 40 or even better 50mm of aperture.
- Don't get a zoom model (zoom optics are generally inferior)
- Don't get a "quick focus" design (harder to get and keep in focus when looking up)
- Stay away from anything advertised as having "ruby coatings"
- A "Porro prism" design (the conventional 'offset' looking design) will be less expensive and more appropriate than a "roof prism" design. Both can be excellent but you'll get more bang for your buck with Porro prisms.
- Avoid anything billed as opera glasses.
- Get a small dim-ish flashlight and somehow make it red: cover with red cellophane, red paint, fingernail polish, etc. You'll need to be able to see but don't want to blind yourself nor anyone else.
- Bring a lawn chair
Somewhere on the forum I believe Barry posted a general introductory article / document for first-time star party attendees. It would be worth looking that up and reading it.
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Post by Len Philpot on Mar 27, 2019 18:59:57 GMT -6
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Post by SteveE on Mar 27, 2019 19:32:02 GMT -6
Len said: "Even better, come on over for the event and see what can be seen through others' equipment before you buy. You'll have a far better sense then of what you might want to buy."
Wise. Very wise. You don't need to know a thing about astronomy and you don't need any equipment in order to attend this star party. Just show up. Make the rounds and ask questions. You'll find the people knowledgeable and generous with their time. You can buy something later if you must.
Steve Edmiston
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Post by bsimon615 on Mar 27, 2019 22:10:13 GMT -6
Gee, I check every day and there is no activity and then I forget to check and there are 5 or 6 new posts!😲 Len is correct in his responses, but basically I will add -
Binoculars - without a tripod I would not go over 10 magnification. You cannot hand hold 80 mm binoculars effectively and I would stay away from any zoom binoculars.
Breakfast - about 6 people have signed on for breakfast. and there will be coffee.
Tent location - plenty of reasonable spots, some trees for shade and you can even set your tent up inside the barn if you want.
AC power - there are outlets but plan on bringing at least 100 feet of extension. There are some 30 amp outlets you can plug into.
Lunch - off site at the Country Diner at 11 on Thursday, maybe about the same time or a little later on Friday/Saturday. Snack bar at night with burgers and dogs on site.
As of now we have about 15/16 signed up with a few more saying they are coming. Feel pretty good about topping 20.
Barry
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Post by brucek on Mar 27, 2019 22:37:06 GMT -6
A 'thank you' to all of you for your replies.
Sending my money for registration.
Will wait to purchase.
Again, thank you all very much.
Sincerely, Bruce
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Post by bsimon615 on Mar 28, 2019 9:27:47 GMT -6
Ok, since some may be interested to know who is attending, here is the attendance roster as of 10 am on Thursday morning - March 28th
Attending, and money has been paid (total of 14 people) -
Terry Clarke, Francine Clarke, Barry Simon, Len Philpot, Tim Mann, Lance Kannard, Richard Erbe, David Diaz, Scott Louque, Bill Johnson, Walter Sarrat, Gabe Dickens, Mike Danielson, Angela Marshall
Attending, but money not yet paid, strong confidence of attending (total of 4 people) -
Ron Marcella, Phillip Wollenberg, Bruce Klein and his wife
Possibly attending, interested, strong maybe (total of 4 people) -
Brian LeCompte, Steve Harrison, Ed Rafferty, Steve Edmiston
Others? - Possible, but no information
Based on the above - 18 with confidence, probably a few more, so this will be a typical Spring Scrimmage attendance with plenty of room to spread out.
Note - one of the things that I had on the Reservation Form is a line to buy raffle tickets at $5 each or 6 for $25.00. I have received money from 4 individuals totaling $90.00. If that does not change I will bring a brand new eyepiece worth approximately that much. If others want to participate and pay on site you can do that. I will bring several eyepieces (of increasing value) and one will be selected based upon how much money is taken in.
Let me know here if anyone has any questions.
Barry
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