April 19, 2008
Summerlin
Earthfaire
Contact
David
Blanchette if you can help with this event.
May 02-03, 2008
Cathedral Gorge Spring Fling
Some of the
best LVAS outings are those that we spend at Cathedral Gorge, near Panaca,
Nevada. Only two and a half hours from Las Vegas, Cathedral Gorge offers the
amateur astronomer the darkest skies available within three hours of the Vegas
light dome. This State Park also offers some of the best camping facilities in
the state. There are limited camping spots, so you'll need to get there early to
ensure getting a spot. Hotel rooms are available in Caliente, where most LVAS
members stay at the Shady Hotel. Come join us for a weekend of good camping,
great skies, and outstanding comradery.
June 25-28, 2008
Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival
This will be
Bryce Canyon's 8th Annual event. Last year, over 50 scopes were setup by amateur
astronomers from Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. We thought this might be a little to
large a venue for us with all of the other groups that normally participate, but
if you are interested, go to
http://www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/astronomyprograms.htm for
information on Bryce Canyon's Astronomy Program. Go to
http://photo.whiteoaks.com/2007-06-grand-canyon/
for pictures of last year's Astronomy Festival. From what we've heard, this
event is pretty much booked up as far as accommodations are concerned.
June 27-28, 2008
Kaibab
Lodge Star Party
Scheduled for the same weekend as the Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival. Jane
Houston Jones, past President of the Astronomical Association of Northern
California and member of the Sidewalk Astronomers will again be at Kaibab Lodge
for a Star Party weekend. Ellen Winchester, proprietor of Kaibab Lodge and avid
amateur astronomer is inviting the LVAS to participate in this weekend of
stargazing in the meadow just outside the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. There
is lodging and nearby camping. The meadow provides great all around horizons and
dark skies. Ellen Winchester said there are still cabins and camping available,
but you should make reservations soon if you plan to make this weekend. See
http://www.kaibablodge.com/ for contact information for making
reservations at Kaibab Lodge. We haven't arranged for special rates, but you
should mention that you are a LVAS member as you make your reservations.
July 03-05, 2008
Bryce Canyon 4th of July Star Party
Ranger Kevin
Poe has asked LVAS to support this stargazing weekend that follows the bigger
event of the previous week. He is offering free park entrance, free camping, and
the opportunity for a private observing session at 9,100 feet in one of the
darkest settings in the nation. The skies are rated 7.4 magnitude. Since he
worked with us at Death Valley just recently, he is shortening the normal
volunteer orientation to two hours the afternoon prior to us supporting a public
viewing on Saturday. For those that could make it up to the park on Thursday, he
would help us squeeze in another night of observing. If you are planning to make
this event, please contact
Rob Lambert by 7 March, so he can let Ranger
Poe know how many camp slots he should hold for us.
Aug 01-02, 2008
Belmont Dark Sky Weekend
This is quickly becoming an annual event. Belmont is an interesting little
community under the dark skies of central Nevada. Located 40 miles northeast of
Tonopah, there are no light domes visible from this dark site. Most LVAS members
stay at the Belmont Inn, but there is a primitive campground just outside of
town. Last year, during the Perseid Meteor Shower, we witnessed an extremely
bright bolide that lit up the area as the meteor exploded over a nearby
mountain. Make plans for great observing and good food at the Belmont Inn. See
http://www.belmontinn.com/.
Aug 29-30, 2008
Cedar Breaks Star Party
Being planned
for the dark sky weekend of 29-30 August. Go to
http://www.nps.gov/cebr/index.htm for
information on Cedar Breaks National Park and click on 2007 Star Parties to see
information on last year's star parties. They haven't updated the page for this
year yet. More information to follow as plans are firmed up.
September 26-27, 2008
Cathedral Gorge Star Party and Campout
LVAS' longest standing event. This will be the 22nd annual outing at one of
Nevada's best State Parks. The Park is located near Panaca, NV, about 2.5 hours
from Vegas. This is always a great event with even greater observing. We have a
pot-luck lunch on Saturday along with a raffle for great prizes. Accommodations
are available at the Shady Inn in Caliente (Shady Motel, 450 Front St, Caliente,
NV 89008, 775-726-3106) or you can camp at the campgrounds in the Park on a
first come - first served basis.
October 24-25, 2008
Furnace Creek Star Party
LVAS returns to Death Valley for its semi-annual star party. This is always a
great weekend. Phyllis Nefsky arranges special rates and comps for the first ten
LVAS members that make reservations. Make your reservations directly with
Phyllis at:
Phyllis Nefsky, Sales Manager - Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort, Xanterra
Parks and Resorts, Phone (760) 786-3353, Fax (760) 786-2307,
http://www.furnacecreekresort.com
December 06, 2008
LVAS Christmas Party
Dark Sky Observing Sessions
April 05, 2007
Valley of Fire (Visitor's
Center)
Recent observing sessions in the Valley of Fire have been a bust. Cloudy skies
in both December and January resulted in the outings being canceled. Valley of
Fire Rangers had widely advertised our scheduled outings, but were understanding
about the cancellations. They are anxious to support our next outing. Our next
Valley of Fire observing session is scheduled for April 5th. We're going to try
a different viewing venue for the April outing. We'll be setting up in the lower
parking lot of the Visitor's Center in an attempt to increase member
participation in these observing sessions by observing from a more accessible
site.
Even though you can't really consider the Valley of Fire a dark sky site, the
viewing there is much better than it is at our public star parties at Red Rock.
Depending on the participation for April's observing session, we may consider
alternate observing sites for future observing sessions. Come join us at our
next Valley of Fire outing.
Dark Sky Observing
Notes
The dark sky observing sessions are scheduled primarily for the members to have a common place to meet. Members are in no way obligated to attend. Visitors are always welcome but should make arrangements with an LVAS member prior to attending. Those visiting our dark sky observing sessions do so at their own risk.
Our friends with only a casual interest in astronomy may be better served by the Red Rock presentations and other public star parties the LVAS holds throughout the year in venues in or close to the Las Vegas area. The LVAS will be happy to arrange special observing sessions for scout, school and church groups.
Red flashlights are an absolute must in the observing area. White light will destroy the eye's ability to see the dim objects everyone has driven so far to see. (A regular flashlight may be modified by attaching several layers of red cellophane to the lens with a rubber band.)