Astronomy and Camping

StarGazer-1 · 08-05-2010, 07:15 PM

Anybody here who likes astronomy? When my family and go camping, I like to bring my Meade 10" LX200GPS telescope along to do some observing in the dark sites of the campgrounds. I really like Palo Duro Canyon near Lubbock, Tx. cause when it's clear I can see most of the Milky Way.

RVThere · 08-05-2010, 07:38 PM

Just went to a NPS ranger show on Astronomy at Mesa Verde. Very good viewing there.

I have a app for my Ipad called StarMap HD which shows the night sky and even allows you to change the display to red so you don't ruin your night vision.

There are reports that we may see the Northern Lights down as far as NJ tonight so my son and I keep looking outside.

**NLOVNIT** · 08-05-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarGazer-1

Anybody here who likes astronomy?

I do, I do! When we get in an especially dark campground & we have no tree cover on our site, I like to go up on the roof with a pillow & just lay there watching the stars. It's the best viewing place to see those elusive "shooting stars" streaking across the sky. Being up north & having a fairly short season for camping, I haven't been fortunate enough for a weekend trip to coincide with a meteor shower (Perseids are middle of the week this month), but I can always hope.

P.S. Sometimes, I'm strafed by a bat every now & then. Creepy.

Lori-

StarGazer-1 · 08-05-2010, 08:06 PM

I don't mean to change the subject, but how do you get the information under your message?

Example:
Tom and Katharine
'07 Winnebago Tour 40TD, 400hp Cummins
RVing for 12 years with three boys

**NLOVNIT** · 08-05-2010, 08:09 PM

Click on User CP (listed in the teal toolbar at the top)
Click on Edit Signature under Settings & Options found in the left column

Lori-

Ron & Dee · 08-06-2010, 03:04 AM

I carry my 8" Meade LX200GPS on every trip. Don't get to use it sometimes though because of either full Moon or cloudy nights.

I'm going to my Astronomy club's star party this weekend and it will be a camping trip also.

I have been to several National Parks that conduct Star Parties once a month during the season.

I'm still somewhat of a Newbie at Astronomy even though I have been at it since the Leonid Meteor Shower of 2001.

Ron

StarGazer-1 · 08-06-2010, 09:36 AM

Thanks.

sknight · 08-06-2010, 11:02 AM

Wow the 2001 Leonids were incredible! We could track the smoke trails for several moments. We had a blast trying to guess the size of the debris coming in. We know it's grains of sand to marbles but we got pretty silly for awhile. "I bet that's coffee table sized!" "That one's a refrigerator!" "Woah, that one had to be a truck!"

I've been involved since 1998, currently running a 14" Discovery Dob I've had since 2000.

Possibly going out tonight with the local club. It's been awhile, time to mend some fences.

Ron & Dee · 08-09-2010, 03:40 AM

Went to our clubs stary party weekend but only two of us showed up

Maybe it was because of this

Woke up to this Saturday morning, and it was cloudy and rainy the rest of the weekend. I guess that's why no one showed up. I did enjoy the camping though

Ron

StarGazer-1 · 08-10-2010, 06:22 AM

My astronomy club had it's annual picnic which had about 30 show up. Just a little after I got there the skies opened up and it rained cat's an dog's for about an hour. Dropped the temp from 100 to about 72. The storm parked itself just northeast of us (we were on the edge of it w/ only clouds and no more rain) the entire night an till just after sunrise. Great picnic and friends, got to show off my telescope and that's it. I'll post some pics later. Oh BTW Ron that is a nice sunset pic you have there. Is that also the moon in your pic?

Ron & Dee · 08-10-2010, 06:49 AM

Lynn,

Sounds like you had a great time.

Sunsets and sunrises all look the same to me sometimes, that picture was a sunrise

Yes that was the Moon. I sure hope our weather clears up for the up coming Perseid Meteor Shower, with the Moon out of the way it should be a pretty good shower

Ron

StarGazer-1 · 08-10-2010, 06:53 AM

Sorry mistype for sunrise.

TAS (Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas) Observatory

TAS Observatory (again)

TAS Field

Panoramic

Bnb144 · 08-12-2010, 06:00 AM

Perseids Meteor Shower. The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at their peak. This year's shower should peak on the night of August 12 and the morning of the 13th, but you may be able to see some meteors any time from July 23 - August 22. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Perseus. The thin, crescent moon will be out of the way early, setting the stage for a potentially spectacular show. For best viewing, look to the northeast after midnight.
Also - Given a good low western horizon during the first week or so of August, you will see a close grouping of the planets Venus, Mars and Saturn. On the 7th, they will lies within a circle just 4.7 degrees across so qualifing for the term a "Planetary Trio" as they all lie within a circle of angular diameter 5 degrees. You will thus be able to see them in the same binocular field of view. That evening, Venus will be just 3 degrees below Saturn By the 12th August, they will have separated but be joined by a thin crescent Moon making a very nice photographic target. Venus and Mars become closer during the next ten days until on the 17th to 19th they are just 1.9 degrees apart.