Astronomy and Camping

[StarGazer-1]

I got to finally see comet Lovejoy and it was very cool looking! Also it's been a long time since I got to view M-42. The seeing that night was very steady and clear a perfect night to observe.

[flaggship1]

Originally Posted by StarGazer-1

I got to finally see comet Lovejoy and it was very cool looking! Also it's been a long time since I got to view M-42. The seeing that night was very steady and clear a perfect night to observe.

So was Cooper Lake as dark as it cold be... we sat around the little parking area between the sites and you couldn't see your hand in front of your face... lol.

[sknight]

There's a state park south of me that is smack in the middle of a black zone on the dark sky map, I feel a spring trip coming on.

[Ron & Dee]

Hi,

I haven't posted here in quite awhile, but I'm still doing Astronomy and camping

My scope goes everywhere the camper goes. For the past several years the skies haven't been to cooperative for star gazing but I take advantage of every clear sky there is.

Here is the latest thing I have been trying to keep up with, Nova Sagittarii 2 2015. When I first saw it, it was about a magnitude 4 and was very easy to spot for us southerners in binoculars.



Since then it has dimmed to about a 5.5 magnitude but is still viewable in binoculars.

Ron

[sknight]

Cool, I've not tried the nova yet. I'm most likely going out west later this year and the scope will be traveling with me. I can't wait to get under some dark skies.

[Ron & Dee]

Nothing better than those western dark skies.

I'm a little ahead of your 2014 nights of camping, we are probably in the 40's +. Every New Moon for my Astronomy Club's star party and their yearly OBS, Orange Blossom Special star party winter event, 5 days. Plus 3 weeks vacation and every long holiday weekend

Can't say the skies were good for all of those nights but camping is Great anyway

Here is a one of my better images of the Trifid Nebula shot in north Georiga at Doll Mt. Campground, 2014 vacation.



Ron

[sknight]

Unfortunately I had a falling out with my local astronomy club, so I just pick and choose as I can. I'd like to find a nice dark site though, the poor scope has to feel lonely.

[Ron & Dee]

Skies aren't bad up around north of Ellijay. I'll probably be going back up there this Summer.

Would like to go out west but can't afford it this year, maybe next year

Ron

[StarGazer-1]

Great pic Ron, how did you get the lines on the pic? I haven't had the opportunity to get my scope out for more than three months with all the rain (badly needed) and my travel trailer side business. I take my scope when ever I go camping but usually way too many trees in the way. Wonder if I should invest in a chainsaw!

[Ron & Dee]

Lynn,

Thanks for the compliment

I was able to do the lines with one of my editing programs, Ulead PhotoImpact. I can also do it with my new Photoshop Elements 13, but I like doing it better in PhotoImpact, seems easier.

Ron

[Camper Ken]

I've been a member of the IRV2 forums for a couple of years and can't believe I didn't come across this thread before now. My wife and I have been amateur astronomers for well over ten years, and enjoy a yearly trip from our home in Oregon to Adin, California for the Golden State Star Party. We've also been to the Oregon Star Party a number of times, although we don't attend that event every year.

We started out in astronomy with a Meade ETX-70, after a year upgraded to a Meade LX90 which we used for almost ten years, before selling it and going to an Orion 12" XX12i dob, after two years we upgraded to an Obsession 12.5" dob. Also somewhere along the line we picked up a Stellarvue 102 refractor. So currently we have just the dob and refractor, plus a Lunt 60mm solar scope.

I wish more motorhome manufacturers would make a "garage model", which would make it easier to transport astronomy gear, especially for those who have large scopes and a lot of other gear.

I look forward to following this thread now that I've discovered it.

Clear skies!

[StarGazer-1]

Here is a expensive idea.
http://www.company7.com/piertech/obs..._traveler.html

[YodaRules]

What a wonderful thread..... I'm not hard core as you previous posters but, I do love star gazing. Thinking of taking a 4-6 week starting in October (2015) from Northern Florida westward. Found a few astronomy RV campgrounds in Texas and Arizona -- thinking this would be a cool idea.

Wondering also, if anyone knows of any astronomy events in October allowing RV parking. Or.... any events that have model rockets or airplane events (for a spectator not participant).

Thanks,
Patsy

[indnavyvet]

If you are interested in astronomy you might check Cloudy Nights Home
click on forums tab.