This is a reminder that it's about time to lock down plans to attend the
2016 edition of the Grand Canyon Star Party. GCSP '16 is the 26th annual
collaboration between the National Park Service and astronomers from around
North America to bring astronomy outreach to Park visitors. The event is held
concurrently on both the North Rim, coordinated by the Saguaro Astronomy
Club, and the South Rim, coordinated by TAAA. The level of public interest
and involvement, and the opportunity to make major contributions to public
education and awareness, is profound. Our speaker list on the South Rim
this year will include several nights by Dean Regas of Cincinnati
Observatory, one of the successors following the death of Jack Horkheimer on
PBS for
the Star Gazer series.
We astronomers act as interpretive rangers, explaining the day and night
sky around the Grand Canyon to the visitors just as the daytime Park Rangers
and guides explain the geology of the park. Last year on the South Rim
we had over 100 astronomers registered with the NPS on site, and more than
1400 visitors for most of the eight nights. Those astronomers doing day time
outreach had similar opportunities for public contact. Think 7000 feet
with dark skies. Visitor flow tends to stop around 10:30 PM, leaving the
rest of the night to our own observing interests.
General information regarding GCSP, including lodging links, is found at
https://tucsonastronomy.org/gcsp-2/ ;
Our entire web environment is in the process of being restructured, but
this link should help with information until the new site structure is
released.
Lodging at the Grand Canyon South Rim fills fast, so make your plans and
reservations as soon as possible. For those astronomers intending to stay
6 or more nights, there are a number of no-cost dry campsites to be
available. Requests for a free campsite are accepted through me beginning
March
1. Campsites will be reserved while they remain. If you intend to
participate for six or more nights and wish consideration for a free site,
please
send an email to me to get on the list.
For further information and current status on the North Rim, please check
at
http://www.saguaroastro.org/content/2016GrandCanyonStarPartyNorthRim.htm ;
Please let me know if you're interested in supporting this exciting and
extremely rewarding event for one night, eight nights, or anything in
between!
Hope to see you there!
Jim O'Connor
South Rim Coordinator
Grand Canyon Star Party
gcsp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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