I'd like to thank Mike, Steve and others who've responded to my request for input on Tucson area observing sites. I'm leaving Tuesday morning to join my friends in Green Valley. To all who are travelling this week--to the Grand Canyon Star Party, 5 Mile Meadow or elsewhere--safe journey, clear and dark skies. Regards, Bill in Flagstaff In a message dated 6/19/2006 1:42:49 PM US Mountain Standard Time, miket@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes: Bill, I second what Steve said. The advantage of Astronomy Vista is you have no direct lights. This is great for times of the year where you don't want to point way down south. For those times it's a very good site. Years ago the TAAA used to go in the desert between Arivaca and Amado, about 20 minutes N/NW in on dirt roads. Problem was then the dirt roads were not good, but drive-able. I've not been there in about 10 years so I don't know what the roads are like but it's a mute point as the problem now is our border situation in that area (as a friend of mine who is an area supervisor for the Border Patrol has told me). Las Cienegas (Empire Ranch) is your best bet but even it apparently has illegal traffic from time to time at night (as my Border Patrol supervisor friend told me about 5 years ago, though I have yet to hear of any encounters there). TAAA uses that site regularly and they've not had any problems. Clear skies, Mike Terenzoni *********************************************************************** Michael Terenzoni (520) 621-3646 fax: (520) 621-8451 Astronomy Coordinator miket@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Flandrau Science Center Visit our web site: http://www.flandrau.org 1601 E. University Blvd. The University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 85721 *********************************************************************** -- See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please send personal replies to the author, not the list.