I like SPOC but I also really like the Grantsville Reservoir and will probably go to either Rush Valley or up to the Grantsville Reservoir depending if humidity is high in the valleys. Mike, I have photos I can upload to the I-80/Lakeside site if you want that show how to get out there.. I'll upload them to my SLAS gallery later tonight and call it Lakeside. I have pictures out to Pit n Pole in my SLAS gallery and if you search my blog I have directions with pictures there. I could possible go on the night of the 15th and would know tomorrow so email me if your interested. As far as the view at Rush Valley, I've always enjoyed my time out there and have seen the Milky Way in the summer in a wonderful fashion. I like the fact that it is only 45 minutes from my home. The best views there are to the north, west and south. To the north- east you can surely see the SLC/Provo light dome but I have never had it impact my views. If you look at my pictures you can see how wide open it is. Having that type of darkness and horizon could be very helpful in doing the actually marathon. Oh, to the north you do get some LP from the weapons depot out there. On a weekend night you can expect ATVers to be driving around and 4 wheel drive to drive pass the dirt roads around you but I have never been bothered by any of them and I spent about 14 nights out there last summer. It is a paved road out there until you turn off and then it is gravel/dirt and you have to be careful if it is wet and muddy. I enjoy the Grantsville Reservoir because it is up a little higher than the valley floor so humidity doesn't impact as much. I have two locations there that I like viewing at from there that is away from the main camp area so that doesn't bother me. There is some LP from Tooele to the east, but you have the dome from the SLC area beyond the Oquirrh Mnts to the east. The southern and south west views are the best, as is the western view until the object drops behind the Stansbury Mnts. The northern view is ok. Great spot to get away to during the week I feel. Again a dirt/gravel road from the main road out to the reservoir. On a weekend you may have campers with some partying going on in the main campground but they don't bother me usually because I'm not set up near them. I've never hit the Lakeside site in winter so perhaps someone else can speak to that. Tremendous site north, west and to the south. Love it in spring (late) through summer and fall. I do think that perhaps someone may want to review here in this thread proper edict at a Star Party. On 2010-03-04 16:22, Dunn, David wrote:
OAS is going to the Curlew campground for the Messier Marathon on the 12th and 13th. Curlew is 7 miles north of Snowville. It is a NFS campground. You are welcome to come up with us if you want to.
Dave
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@??? [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@???] On Behalf Of erikhansen@??? Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 9:15 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Messier Marathon 2010?
A note on Camp Floyd: There is a landfill nearby and with a south breeze it can be aromatic.
On Thu, 4 Mar 2010, Brent Johnson wrote:
March 12-13 is coming up soon, and with the new moon on March 14 I
was
wondering if anyone was interested in doing a Messier Marathon. I have heard that there will be a group of people gathering at the Rush Valley location then, and possibly at SPOC as well. I want to find out if anyone is interested in getting together for one then. Of course this wouldn't be a formal event with prizes and awards, but it's always fun to have other enthusiasts around.
I'm not up for the weekend, but if anyone is interested from the night of 15th into 16th, I might be giving it a try this year. My scope is 6", so I don't know if SPOC would be dark enough to succeed. How are the horizons at Rush Valley? I've seen about 40 Messiers from Clover Springs campground, which I think is a little farther west, so maybe a bit darker. Campsite 1 there is absolutely huge.
I had some questions about sites that have "Clear Dark Sky" chart. There are charts for Knolls, which is along I80, and must be very dark. Where do people observe there? Is it about where the old Sinclair station was?
Also, there's a chart for Camp Floyd State Park. Does anyone observe there? They don't have camping, so if so, where do you go?
Thanks.
Lets discuss
Brent Johnson - Jr. Astrogeek (or so my wife calls me)
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