(meteorobs) Stargazing at State/National Parks out west

[Gregg Lobdell]

There is a problem with parks, National or State.  They are  
government departments and therefore very SAFETY conscious.  That  
means many open areas will have lighting, Ugh!

Here in Washington, we have Goldendale Observatory State Park.  On  
top of a hill near the town of Goldendale, the dome houses a 24 inch  
Cassegrain telescope.  Next to that dome is a parking lot with a big  
mercury vapor streetlight that stays on all the time the park is  
open.  The light doesn't effect the main scope very much, but on busy  
nights they have a bunch of small to medium dobs that they set up  
next to the observatory, in line of sight of that streetlight, for  
people to use until they have their turn at the main scope.

That said, there are still options.  Joe, you didn't say what your  
vacation mode was.  Hotel, RV, tent, backpacking, or something in- 
between?

In Mt. Rainier National Park, there is a location called Sunrise  
Point, that the
Tacoma Astronomical Society uses for summer star parties.  The White  
River Campground is about 30 minutes away by car.  At Mt. Rainier  
there are lots of other outdoorsy things to do.  The most touristy  
parts of the park are in the SW corner, while Sunrise and White River  
are in the NE corner.  This summer will be interesting in Mt. Rainier  
NP, because it sustained major damage in a rain storm we had last  
November.  Some roads may be closed all summer, but most of the  
damage should be repaired by August.

The second location in Washington is Table Mountain, the site of the  
Table Mountain Star Party (TMSP), in the Wenatchee National Forest.   
This year the star party is during the July new moon.  On Perseid  
night you'll probably have half a dozen neighbors in the meadow.  The  
site is primitive, with no running water and a pit outhouse about 1/4  
mile away.  But it is in the rain shadow of the Cascades, and at 6350  
feet elevation.  It has the "Table Mountain Magic".  I have been  
there several days when it has been overcast all day, and at dusk it  
magically clears and we will have clear skies all night long.

Of the sites mentioned so far, I'd have to vote for Chaco Canyon or  
the site of the Oregon Star Party.  I've never been to either one,  
but they have good astronomical reputations.

Clear Skies,

Gregg Lobdell
gmlobdell at seanet.com


On Mar 19, 2007, at 9:04 AM, Skywayinc at aol.com wrote:

> At our house we're now in the process of  formulating our family
> summer vacation plans.  Two years ago, my  wife chose where we'd spend
> our down-time and last year our two teenagers made  suggestions.
>
> This year, it is MY turn to pick the venue.
>
> Since the Perseids occur at New Moon this year,  I'd like to go  
> someplace
> out west where there are very dark, clear  skies.  My first thought  
> was one
> of our National Parks . . . but which one?   If anybody has any  
> experience
> with the State and National Parks out west --  especially in regard to
> stargazing -- and can make some suggestions, I'd  sure like to hear  
> them.
>
> -- joe r.  
>
>
>
>
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