At Vernon Reservoir there are restrooms and from where we observe that is a couple of miles away. There are places to observe there but no promises on campfires etc. but there are there if needed and they are not porty potties, but regular forest service restrooms. This post on my blog shows you the restrooms and pictures of them if you scroll down: http://jaysastronomyobservingblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/vernon-reservoir-and-... On our local astronomy forum I posted directions to the two best sites: http://astronomyinutah.forumer.com/fr-006-and-fr-586-new-observing-sites-t12... If you need specific direction then here is a link to my Google Maps with sites I've been keeping on there. Vernon is out west way past Utah Lake and just southeast of Lookpass. https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211755030117194028721.00049324662bf653d... FR 586 Jay's Fav Observing Site is the darkest and the best but no bathroom there. You can still drive over to the reservoir to use the restrooms there. We tend to use FR 006 Site 1 the most which is closer to the reservoir. I also believed I marked the Parking lot where Fairview Canyon meets Skyline Dr. On Mon, Apr 8, 2013 at 4:42 PM, Paul Johnson <psjohn@sfcn.org> wrote:
I was trying to find Vernon on my Utah map to no avail. Could you give better directions about how to get there. Is there any restroom facilities? Having a restroom especially appeals to women who may want to go.
Sincerely,
Paul S. Johnson psjohn@sfcn.org ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jay Eads" <jayleads@gmail.com>
To: "Utah Valley Astronomy Association" <uvaa@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Monday, April 08, 2013 4:25 PM Subject: Re: [UVAA] Places to Have a Star Party
The Fairview canyon site I would like to check out. The Forest Road sites
are much darker than the Pit n Pole site which is off the Faust Road off of SR 73. Pit n Pole had a an SQM of around 21.11 or about NELM of 6.11; add .5 for eyes and conditions and that could go up to 6.61, about a 1/2 mag to mag less than the Forest Road sites. That and the Pit has much higher humidity there and we've had people driving down the road behind us shooting rabbits and stopping when they see us or we get their attention. That usually cost a good 40 min to dark adapt so we aren't going to the Pit any more.
So anyway, I like the south of Vernon sites and it the weather clears this weekend, say Thursday or Friday I'll be heading out that way with a couple of others that I observe with. Fairview I'll probably have to hold off on until June's new moon.
On Mon, Apr 8, 2013 at 3:43 PM, Mike Bailey <ut.starscoper@gmail.com> wrote:
My two cents: the Fairview Canyon idea appeals to me. I'm interested in
the "south of vernon" site, too. Is it better than the SLAS site just off SR73?
On Mon, Apr 8, 2013 at 3:26 PM, Jay Eads <jayleads@gmail.com> wrote:
A small group of us usually go out on the Forest Land south of Vernon. SQM of around 21.77 on the last visit last week and that was low. Comes to a NELM of around 6.94 or about 7 mag. Not bad. I've been there on the weekends and you'll campers but the farther west you go the less people you have. During the week its empty.
On Mon, Apr 8, 2013 at 2:51 PM, Ken Weaver <kenneth.w15@gmail.com> wrote:
Has anyone tried a star party at lincoln beach west of spanish fork? It may be similar to antelope island.
On Sun, Apr 7, 2013 at 12:27 PM, Paul Johnson <psjohn@sfcn.org> > > wrote:
I was happy to see some interest in a star party. I hope to hear from many more.
The two places I was thinking about having a star party are:
1. At the top of Fairview Canyon the road branches to the Sky Line Drive north. Just a short distance north on the Sky Line drive is a very large public asphalt parking lot. The lot also has restroom. I think > this lot is used in the winter as a parking lot for snow mobiliers. It is in the top of the mountains. On a clear night viewing and telescope setup would be fantastic. I believe that not many people actually camp on the lot during warmer weather so it should be fairly private and quite > > dark.
2. Up Spanish Fork Canyon a road called sheep creek branches north off highway 6. About 15 miles up this road is a free public camping facility with a restroom. It has a large compressed gravel parking lot. Again the view is from near the top of the mountains. This site would > > > probably be busy on weekends, but would probably be good during the week.
Of the two sites I would vote for the Fairview site although it is a little further from Utah Valley.
Does anyone else know some really good dark sites that are > > > relatively near Utah Valley?
Sincerely,
Paul S. Johnson psjohn@sfcn.org ----- Original Message ----- From: "Giulia Hester" < gewelsy@gmail.com> To: "Utah Valley Astronomy Association" <uvaa@mailman.xmission.com
Sent: Sunday, April 07, 2013 10:19 AM Subject: Re: [UVAA] Goodbye to winter
I would love to join a star party soon! I have no equipment but > love the > night sky & wanna learn! ---Giulia from Park City > On Apr 7, 2013 9:19 AM, "Paul Johnson" <psjohn@sfcn.org> wrote: > > Nice shot Jorge - It's good to see someone using this site. I recently >> purchased a Nikon 5100 and a Orion Eq. Mount tripod. I haven't done much >> with it. You have inspired me. >> >> I also have a 12 inch Orion Intellescope. >> >> I was wondering if anyone in UVAA would like to have a star > > party. Now >> that the weather is getting better I have found a couple of sites in the >> mountains with a potty that would be a great place to have one. >> >> I am interested if there is any interest. >> >> Sincerely, >> >> Paul S. Johnson >> psjohn@sfcn.org >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jorge Gutierrez" < >> gotfoxx@hotmail.com> >> To: <uvaa@mailman.xmission.com> >> Sent: Saturday, April 06, 2013 9:49 PM >> Subject: [UVAA] Goodbye to winter >> >> >> Picture of Orion, as he sinks down below the horizon >> >>> http://i.imgur.com/exMlqdx.jpg taken on april 3rd, using a canon 20D, >>> 50mm 1.4 lens @ f3.5 / 211 seconds ISO 800, thought somebody on this >>> list >>> might be interested >>> ______________________________******_________________ >>> UVAA mailing list >>> UVAA@mailman.xmission.com >>> http://mailman.xmission.com/******cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/** uvaa <http://mailman.xmission.com/****cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/uvaa><; http://mailman.xmission.com/****cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/uvaa<http://mailman.xmission.com/**cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/uvaa>
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