Astronomy and Camping

[StarGazer-1]

Hey Ron, I wanted to show you the case I use to transport my scope in. Pelican wasn't much help so I did my best measuring and then I used the foam from the original box and cut it down to size w/ an electrical knife. I then sprayed the back side of the foam and pressed it in the case to make sure it didn't move around. There is even some extra room at the top for the electrical cord and some misc. stuff. The case has a handle and wheels on the other end. The case looks like it is hinged on one side but isn't. I got all this done this last summer. JMI was more expensive and the case they sold wasn't as tough as this one is!
Original box

Pelican Case-1

Pelican Case-2

Pelican Case-3

Pelican Case-4

[Ron & Dee]

Lynn,

Nice idea,nice looking case.

My wife got me a big zippered duffle bag with wheels that has worked for me. I have it lined inside with part of the foam packing that came with the scope and a foam blanket that is used to pack around shipped furniture.

I have hauled it around all over the country in the MH and so far it has proctected the scope very well. A lot of rough miles I might add

The only things I have stored in a seperate box is the controller, diagonal, and view finder. It probably takes me about five minutes to set up once I get the scope, tripod, and other equipment out of the storage compartment.

Ron

[StarGazer-1]

Long time no reply (for me that is), we are planning on a summer vacation in June and are going to the Grand Canyon (Trailer Village), Zion Park (Watchman campground) then checking out 4 corners on our way to Mesa Verde (Morefield campground). I'm planning on taking my telescope to do some observing from different locations and altitudes. I can keep this post updated while on the road or I can wait till we get back because I'm wanting to take my laptop to hopefully try to control my telescope through it w/ a program (AutoStar Suite). I forgot to post pics from my spring break last year when I stayed at Davis Mountains State Park (about two weeks before the fires).

[vermilye]

I'm a photographer, not an astronomer, but I can't resist taking star photos. The first was at Craters of the Moon campground near Arco, ID. Great night skies since there is no electricity nearby. The second is a star trail (3 hour long exposure on film) taken at Glacier National Park in MT.

[ottffss]

If you are in the White Sands area (Alamogordo, NM), check out the White Sands Star Party. This is a rare time when you will be able to actually camp deep INSIDE the National Monument for a couple nights and enjoy the all night star party festivities/observations. You can drive your RV right in and yes, the "sands" easily support even a tag axle moho. The first night is for participants only and the second night is open to and well attended by the public.

Sep/Oct timeframe.

White Sands Star Party

[Ron & Dee]

Lynn,

By the date of my last post it looks to be over a year, wow how time flys

That's a great area you are headed to for your summer vacation, great skies. My last trip was in 09, I wish I could go there every year, I can't seem to get enough of it.

How about the pics of your Spring break? I've never been to Davis Mountain but have heard a lot about it.

My Astronomy's annual star party, OBS, is coming up next month so I'll be camping at our viewing site for 4 nights.

Hope we have better skies than we did last year


At least it was nice for kite flying



I did manage to get a shot of the Sun though



Ron

[Bnb144]

Here is a good link for 2012 observations. Last year was a bust for most meteor showers due to moon phase. This years should be better. We took our RV to our friends local orchards that had a 360 mtn. top view and had a Mountain Meteor Mania Party . We got to see only about 12 meteors, but we did watch the space station pass over head.

[StarGazer-1]

I see you have a solar filter. Do you get Sky & Telescope? If not you ought to go check out the March 2012 issue page 70 "Targeting the ISS" with your telescope. I unfortunately don't have the filter nor the camera (just the scope) to do this sort of thing. I even have a home-made wedge (made out of aluminum) that came w/ the scope.
View of McDonald from the entrance of Davis Mountain State Park


One view from atop Mt. Locke


Another view from Mt. Locke


Mt. Locke sign


Our campsite


Our campsite w/ hotel in background


View going to Davis Mountains State Park


The 107" telescope



Nice pics Vermilye, I have done some unguided pics of the sun w/ my old 10.1 F/4.5 Coulter Odyssey dob. These were taken through a Mylar filter that I made to stick in front of my scope. Taken back in 2001.

[Ron & Dee]

Lynn,

Davis Mountain looks like a great place to view the sky, thanks for the pics.

I just have a cheap white light filter.

I don't get Sky & Tel anymore but just recently decided to start it again since they sent me an offer I couldn't resist

I haven't been able to capture the ISS as it transits the Moon or Sun, but I have tried several times. I signed up for the alert from Calsky, hopefully someday I'll be able to capture a transit.

Your Moon pictue can look like this if you catch it just right. Mare Chrisium at the bottom center in your picture


This is a picture I copied from the internet and I drew in the smiley face just to show what I could see in the telescope. The Sun lights up the smile and the two craters that make the eyes.

Its a very interesting formation if you happen to get the Sun's angle just right. I have seen it several times but haven't been able to grab a picture yet

You can see some amazing things on the Moon.

Ron

[StarGazer-1]

I guess I had to many pics I was trying to post at one time. These two didn't make it the first time around. It's a little out of focus because I was looking through my viewfinder on the film camera. These were taken w/ a non-digital camera.

[Ron & Dee]

Lynn,

Nice shots.

I think the Moon is the first thing I ever tried to shoot through a pair of binoculars

Your Moon cresent image almost got the smiley at the right time, maybe a day or two late, but I can definitely see the smile and the two eyes.

Ron


PS
Here is my Moon Album, all point and shoot with various cameras

http://www.fototime.com/inv/FC71C385B2D8B68

[PyrateSilly]

If any of you are in the Los Angeles area this weekend, this may interest you:
http://lamountains.com/pdf/ULV%20win...2012%20WEB.pdf

[DriVer]

Camping and Astronomy ??? This is a natural result of accomplishing the act of camping. Which of us has not sat in a chair in darkness, stare at the cosmos and not be awestruck with the wonderment.

In a stretch ... Astronauts can almost be considered to be RV'ers .... after all compare the similarities. Self contained, on the go and exploring new places.

[malco1]

I go to Cherry Springs State Park in PA with my 20" f5 Obsession.