I talked to the BLM 8 years ago about the possibility of pouring a concrete "platform" at Lakeside, and received a polite no. It is possible that a dump load of gravel might be acceptable. I assume we are talking Lakeside rather than Rush valley? Regarding the dark sky fund, I am sure the club would vote to expend the funds for that sort of worthy project. Quoting erikhansen@TheBlueZone.net:
We do not have a Dark Sky fund, it got disolved several years ago. Erik
"If the club ever got inspired enough to dump about 30 cubic yards of
one-inch gravel out there, close to the road and on a gentle slope for drainage, I'd certainly be willing to contribute to the cost."
Sounds like a good use of funds from the dark sky fund.
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+djcolton=piol.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+djcolton=piol.com@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2007 11:52 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Rush Valley
One of the best sites within an hour's drive of SLC, from the standpoint of dark skies, is the Lakeside site. Wasatch front skyglow is a faint band only a few degrees above the eastern horizon. A short stretch of I-80 is visible from the first couple of miles of the access road, but in practice the traffic is so far away that it's not a problem. Wendover has an insignificant glow above it.
The caveat, as Erik notes for Rush Valley as well, is dust. The ground is like a giant powder puff in summer, especially during a prolonged dry spell. I'm still on the lookout for a rocky segment of ground somewhere out there; if anybody finds one, please post it's exact location.
A layer of 6-mil plastic underneath it would keep it from disappearing into the ground. Just an idea and very hypothetical, I don't want to rock the boat or break any unwritten laws (again).
It's maddening that the combination of nice ground site and excellent skies rarely coincide within a 60 to 90 minute drive of my segment of the Wasatch front.
On 7/21/07, erikhansen@thebluezone.net <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
Yes, it does but is dusty in summer and of course some smoke. Erik
Does the Rush Valley site provide decent dark sky views of the south and
south west?
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