[AZ-Observing] The Last Sentinel-Schwaar Star Gaze the weekend
- From: "Steve Coe" <stevecoe@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2007 19:51:33 -0700
Howdy all;
Well, it does not seem to be so, but after 21 years of viewing the sky from
Sentinel, Az. we are going to make this the last trip. The "Antennas" site
off of Hovatter Road is better, safer, easier to get to, and that is going
to be the "far west" site from now on. I believe that to be a good
decision.
I will write the entire history of going to Sentinel for a future article,
but for now let me say that it all started while looking for a spot to see
Halley's comet. And we kept coming back for over 20 years. I think it will
be fun to share your favorite Sentinel story this weekend.
From now on, I will use Tom Polakis's thought from the meeting and call it
"The Pierre Schwaar Memorial Star Gaze", I am certain that it will get
shortened to "PSMSG". I will continue to have it near a New Moon from mid
Nov. to early Dec.
If there are going to be folks who need a refresher on how to get there:
The Sentinel-Schwaar Star Gaze is a chance for astronomers to meet at an
Arizona dark sky site. It is sponsored by the Deep Sky Group of the Saguaro
Astronomy Club in memory of Pierre Schwaar. There is no registration and no
fee to attend, just show up and enjoy the night sky. In the past, folks
have arrived on Friday, for two nights of observing. There are no
facilities at the site; it is just a large flat area in the middle of the
desert southwest. It gets both hot and cold, depending on the whim of the
weather, so bring cool water and warm clothes. Please be courteous about
white light, many observers and photographers are going after very dim
objects.
To get to the site, drive to Gila Bend, AZ. and get on the I-8 freeway going
west toward Yuma. The Sentinel exit is #87, about 30 miles west from Gila
Bend. Take the exit and go south, across the railroad tracks. Go straight
south on the dirt road and drive 2 miles until you see a large, flat area of
the desert to your left, white rocks mark the site. It is before a cattle
guard. YOU ARE THERE!
I am hoping for a fun group for the last trip to Sentinel.
See you there;
Steve Coe
--
See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please
send personal replies to the author, not the list.
Other related posts:
