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This is where you will find information and updates for all MAS Star Parties and Events open to the public.

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der2050
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Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:27 pm
Real Name: Eric

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Post by der2050 »

I am hoping to come out for my first event this evening with the family.

I read the recommendation so far as weather appropriate dress, dimmed lights etc.

The two main questions i have is which location may be better for naked eye viewing?

d number two is there a site that is more "family" friendly?
der2050
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Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:27 pm
Real Name: Eric

Re: Newcomer

Post by der2050 »

Actually never mind all that, with further investigation it looks like we will be going to CGO.

In the cities the skies look good enough to go, does anyone know the weather down their?
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clayton
Posts: 1363
Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:51 pm
Real Name: Clayton Lindsey
Location: Woodbury, MN

Re: Newcomer

Post by clayton »

Hello Eric

The weather looks poor for tonight. Probably will be no members there so unless you are keyholder you will have to bring your own equipment.

As you mentioned Naked Eye Viewing CGO is slightly darker than ELO.

You can ask in the forums if anyone is planning on going but I doubt they are even looking at the forum given the weather.

The Weather forecasts at facilities are linked here http://www.mnastro.org/facilities/weather/
2018-11-02_15-21-25.png
2018-11-02_15-21-25.png (13.03 KiB) Viewed 991 times
Clayton Lindsey
der2050
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Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:27 pm
Real Name: Eric

Re: Newcomer

Post by der2050 »

Thank you, I decided to wait until the spring or summer for better conditions.
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SEmert
Posts: 1794
Joined: Mon May 31, 2004 2:48 pm
Real Name: Steve Emert
Location: White Bear Lake, MN

Re: Newcomer

Post by SEmert »

Hi Eric,

The general guidelines to follow:

For member star parties (CGO, Metcalf, LLCC, JJ Casby Observatory at Belwin), we do not have official "go/no-go" calls, but rather members can check weather sites like Accuweather (https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/kenyo ... ast/338836 for Kenyon near CGO), Clear Sky Chart (http://www.cleardarksky.com/c/ChrryGrvMNkey.html?1 for CGO), ClearOutside (http://clearoutside.com/forecast/44.27/-92.99 for Kenyon near CGO), and the National Weather Service GOES weather satellite images (https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/s ... sector=umv and select the color or infrared loop) and make their own determination as to whether to go or not. Sometimes for impromptu star parties members will post on these discussion forums their intent to visit an observing site on nights not scheduled for star parties (that is the usual case for J. J. Casby Observatory at Belwin).

As of this writing, ClearOutside indicates there may be an opportunity for observing at CGO on Friday November 9 which is the last scheduled star party at CGO for the year (with Saturday Nov 10 as a backup night). If it is clear enough, there is a good chance that a number of us will be there.

For Public Star Parties at Eagle Lake Observatory at Baylor Regional Park, 3 miles north of Norwood Young America, we publish a schedule of public observing nights, and both the public and members are welcome to join on any scheduled night, cloudy or clear. November 10 is the last scheduled public observing night at ELO for this year.
Steve Emert
MAS Membership Coordinator
12.5" f/4.7 Obsession Clone Homemade Truss Dob, sometimes equipped with Celestron StarSense Explorer app
Celestron C8 SCT OTA on AVX GEQ mount
Astro-Tech AT72 ED Refractor OTA usually on Explore Scientific Twilight 1mount or tripod with Benro geared head
Celestron 5" SCT OTA on Synta AZ-4 or Explore Scientific Twilight 1 Alt-Az Mount, usually equipped with StarSense Explorer app
Orion 150mm Mak OTA and Orion EQ-G computerized mount
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merle
Posts: 3962
Joined: Fri Feb 18, 2005 10:04 am
Location: Farmington / Lakeville

Re: Newcomer

Post by merle »

SEmert wrote: Mon Nov 05, 2018 2:30 pm November 10 is the last scheduled public observing night at ELO for this year.
FYI - I just posted the Special Event public star party for viewing Comet Wirtanen on December 15.

http://www.mnastro.org/event/2018-publi ... -wirtanen/

Cancelled if Cloudy event.



Merle
Clear skies,
Merle Hiltner
MAS Eagle Lake Observatory
Onan Observatory • Sylvia A. Casby Observatory • HotSpot Classroom
merle.hiltner@gmail.com
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