[sac-forum] Re: New Moon weekend

I will be out of town for this event (at Okie-Tex instead), but I'll still 
offer up my opinion.

If I were in town, my choice would be the Hovatter site. The nighttime 
temperatures will be pleasant (not so in the daytime, though). 
I think this site is the best of those we use on the desert floor. It has 
darker skies than either Flatiron or Vekol. It is much less dusty than 
Sentinel. And, though it may be a farther drive for most folks, it is extremely 
easy to access (all I-10 save for the last 2 miles). And it is easily the 
biggest site. Fuel and food is available 40 miles from the site in Tonopah 
(exit #94).
I don't do any astrophotography, so I can't speak to any potential problem 
imagers may have with the three sources of ambient light: a small greenish 
light on the southern horizon a few miles away; lighting on the northern 
horizon from a rest area about 5 miles away; and the two antenna towers with 
their flashing red beacons a mile to the north.
I think this site has the smallest light domes visible from any site we 
regularly use, save 5 Mile Meadow.

I would encourage everyone to remember their bug spray. The mosquitoes were 
ravenous last night at Hovatter.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I hope you all have clear, steady skies 
wherever you go.

Peter
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Steve Coe 
  To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2006 6:35 AM
  Subject: [sac-forum] New Moon weekend


  Howdy SAC;



  I would now like to start the discussion about the club star party for next 
weekend.  As I said at the club meeting, I think that going to 5 Mile Meadow is 
going to present the problem of cold temperatures and dew.  I still believe 
that.  By 10 PM at Cherry Road there was dew already forming.  Obviously that 
problem will only be worse at a higher altitude.  



  My thought is that we have two reasonable choices:  Cherry Road again or stay 
on the desert floor at Hovatter Road.  If there are a few folks who don't know 
where the Hovatter site is located, I will put the directions at the end of 
this email.  Basically, it is 100 miles from central Phoenix on I-10, about 25 
miles this side of Quartzsite.



  The temperature at Cherry Road was quite comfortable and the dew was 
irritating, but manageable.  The good news about the Hovatter site is that the 
dew will not be a problem and the nighttime temperatures will be very 
comfortable.  The bad news about Hovatter is that the daytime temperatures will 
be warm.  We can string up some tarps for cover from the Sun and wait for night.



  So, I will end this email with my vote and that is Hovatter Road.  If there 
is a general clamor to hold a star party in the Rim country at 5 Mile Meadow, 
then so be it.  We do need to decide so that the portable toilet can be 
ordered.  I await your input.



  Clear Skies to us all;

  Steve Coe

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