The Grand Canyon Star Party - 2006

[Astronuc]

I asked Skyjim about plans for GCSP 2006, particularly about the objects that can be viewed early summer at that latitude, and he responded with:

Typical targets are the planets available early - often catching them prior to sundown.  This year, when the party opens  on June 17th, we'll have a beautiful twilight pairing of Saturn and Mars low in the west, less than a degree apart from one another and about 1.5 degrees from M-44, the Beehive cluster in Cancer.  Mars will have glided in front of M-44 as viewed from Earth a couple of days before.

Once it is full dark, Jupiter will be near the meridian, about 40 degrees off the southern horizon from the latitude of the Canyon. 

With slight variations, that'll be the planetary menu for the party.  Late viewers will catch a third quarter Moon rising about 1:00 am.

the real meat of the party, though, is the amazing deep sky observing.  The Sagittarius Milky Way is due south a little after midnight. Deep Sky favorites like M13, the great globular in Hercules, gorgeous edge-on galaxy NGC4565 in Coma Berenices, The Whirlpool Galaxy M51, and dozens of other bright clusters, nebulae, and galaxies are well-placed for observing in the many large telescopes at the party.  the list of good deep sky targets runs to the hundreds - how deep do you want to go?

Look for additional information in the threads on Galaxies, Nebulae, and Supernovae

[Astronuc]

OK Skyjim, we need an update!

 

[Skyjim]

Sorry for the extended absence, Astronuc!

Been working in spare time to get the "new" old truck ready to carry myself, telescopes, trailer, and a couple of friends to the North Rim in June. Between that, selling my beloved "old" truck (actually newer than the "new" one, but smaller and no longer able to fit my daughter's rapidly lengthening legs...), organizing my club's Astronomy Day events, and working at the two planetariums, I've been extremely busy...

I'm planning to arrive at the North Rim the evening of June 16th - for once, I'll be there early enough to be rested the first night of the party, Saturday the 17th.  Normally I wind up falling asleep early on night 1 since I've dragged the trailer 550 miles that day.

My campground reservation runs through Thursday night.  We might be able to get the normal 7 day camping maximum extended since we're park volunteers during the party, but we're leaning towards heading out Friday morning into southern Utah's Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument, where a few years ago (the year Greenleaf visited) I saw the darkest skies I've ever experienced.  A couple of nights out there would be magical if the same type of conditions prevail...



Any ES people want to join us at the Canyon or Escalante?

Jim

[Astronuc]

Just a reminder to everyone that GCSP 2006 is coming up.

I will be in Reno, NV this next week, but then I'll be home for few days and then down in Washington, DC the following week. 

I'm sorry that I'll miss this year's party.  Hopefully, one of these days I'll make it.

 

[Skyjim]

Hi guys! 

Been terribly busy and away from the board.  BUT...

Still planning to arrive at the North Rim the evening of the 16th.  Stopping en route to visit a dinosaur trackway in St. George, Utah - something I've meant to do in years past but never had time for.

I'll be doing solar observing near the Lodge on the 17th, then nighttime on the Lodge Sun Porch.  On the 18th, I have to make a banzai run to Phoenix, but I can't take my truck, since it is the telescope transporter for my two friends I'm traveling with - riding the rim to rim bus, then bumming a ride from a South Rim friend down to Flagstaff to rent a car to then drive down to Phoenix.  WHY?  My parents celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on the 18th and they live west of Phoenix.  Not being there simply is not an option. It will cost me two nights up north since the rim-to-rim bus runs only once a day with morning departures.  Crashing with some South Rim astronomy friends Monday night, so will find myself at Yavapai Pt with them that evening.  Back to the North Rim Tuesday morning on the shuttle.  Crazy!

At the North Rim through Friday morning, alternating nights on the Lodge porch with nights up at Cape Royal.  Plan to head east to the Escalante area Friday, catching two nights in the Grand Staircase-Escalante region doing quiet dark-sky observing.  Homeward bound on Sunday.

Anybody in the western US looking for some enjoyable dark sky observing with a really fun group of amateurs should experience GCSP.  You'll get there eventually, Astronuc!

Clear Skies!

Jim

[greenleaf1]

Have fun Jim!  Have a Newcastle for me!

[Astronuc]

And?

Hey, Jim, how was it?

[Skyjim]

I'm all a-quiver right now - too many years on shuttle work, and I can't tear away from the NASA TV loop for long.

Nutshell - trip bad, star party good.  Lots of hassles getting to and from.  Will fill in tomorrow.  Working at Griffith tonight and all wrapped up in the launch till then...

Jim

[Astronuc]

I hear you Jim - I'm watching NASA TV and just waiting.