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Dark Sky Weekend at Echo Bay |
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LVAS members and guests are invited to Echo Bay Campground for a Dark Sky Weekend on Friday and Saturday, 17 and 18 February. We will be occupying the West Loop of the Upper Campground. Members are responsible for Park entry fees and camping/site fees. Camping fees are $10.00 per site per night. RV camp sites are available across the road at the Echo Bay RV campground. RV sites include water, electricty and waste disposal for $30.00 per night. (See Map for both campgrounds)
Map to Echo Bay |
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The Moon, Saturn, Mars, and Venus (L to R) over Red Rock Canyon
The Rangers (of Red Rock Canyon, Spring Mountain Ranch, and the Desert Wildlife Refuge) and the Las Vegas Astronomical Society invite you to join us for "Astronomy in the Park".
Our next "Astronomy in the Park" is Saturday, February 25th at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park (See Map). Join us for an evening under stars and discover the Wonders of the Night Sky. A typical "Astronomy in the Park" evening begins with an astronomical presentation (when presentation facilities are available) followed by viewing of the night sky through the telescopes of the LVAS members (weather permitting). A laser-guided tour of the night sky, "What's Up Tonight" will normally begin about an hour after sunset. Come study the Moon, observe Jupiter and Saturn, and look back hundreds and even millions of years into the ancient past of the Universe as we gaze upon galaxies, nebulae, and other wonders of the night sky.
See the table below or the Event Calendar page for the schedule of "Astronomy in the Park" events for 2012.
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Time |
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Location |
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Topic/Activity |
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| 25 February |
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6:00 PM |
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Spring Mountain Ranch State Park |
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Galaxies |
| 28 April |
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10:00 AM |
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Red Rock Visitors Center |
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Astronomy Day |
| 26 May |
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8:00 PM |
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Spring Mountain Ranch State Park |
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Spring Wonders |
| 23 June |
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8:30 PM |
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Desert Wildlife Refuge |
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Summer Milky Way |
| 28 July |
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8:00 PM |
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Desert Wildlife Refuge |
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Desert Under the Stars |
| 25 August |
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7:00 PM |
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Red Rock Visitors Center |
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Meteors Showers |
| 22 September |
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7:00 PM |
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Desert Wildlife Refuge |
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| 20 October |
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5:30 PM |
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Red Rock Visitors Center |
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Jupiter - Astronomy Day |
| 17 November |
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5:00 PM |
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Spring Mountain Ranch State Park |
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Tour of the Fall Night |
 
LVAS Members assist Park Visitors in observing the Wonders of the NIght Sky
 
Guests viewing the Moon and the Sights of the Milky Way
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Cathedral Gorge Spring Fling |
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The Moon and Venus over Cathedral Gorge State Park
Our Annual Cathedral Gorge Spring Fling for 2012 is scheduled for May 18 and 19. Join us for two Spring evenings under the stars at this great little State Park near Panaca, NV. A special treat for those that hang around on Sunday will be an Annular Solar Eclipse in the late afternoon.
Eclipse Details
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Duration |
4min 24.4sec |
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Altitude |
13.1 degrees above horizon at mid-eclipse
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Phase |
Time - Description |
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1st contact |
17:21:28 - The instant when the partial phase begins
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2nd contact |
18:31:13 - The instant when the Annular phase begins
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Mid-eclipse |
18:33:25 - The moment when the Annular ring is equidistant
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3rd contact |
18:35:37 - The instant when the Annular phase ends
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4th contact |
19:37:20 - The instant when the partial phase ends
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Sunset |
19:46:00 |
The 1st and 4th contact images above are actually partial eclipse images since the Moon is not visible at exact moment of contact.
Catheral Gorge is only a few miles from the center-line of the eclipse. See map below for the path of the eclipse near Cathedral Gorge - the center-line crosses Hwy 93 north of Pioche at lat/long 38.0515N, 114.5517W.
Observing is open to members and guests Friday and Saturday evenings. The public is normally invited to visit between sunset and 11pm. Please try to have your telescopes set up before dark especially in the main observing area.
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