Lynn K:
Yes, signed up and will probably make it good or poor weather. Being Sept. we should be through the hurricane season. It can get down to freezing temps early morning, so plan for cool weather. I take a travel trailer and set up on the back west side. There are more trailers each year, but still mostly tent campers. You will be able to set up next to your vehicle. There are electric post (110v,20amp) through the park, and you will be able to run an extension cord to one. The park is mowed grass and fairly level, but surrounded by trees with no view of the horizon. If you are planning to image objects in the south, it is best to set up in the northern part of the park. There are flush toilets but no showers. A near by park has showers.
There will be speakers an a food vender, but it's a good ideal to bring food and a camp stove you have one. There is a general store with ice and gas about 3mi down the road. Also resterants in near by towns. You will not be allowed to drive a vehicle out after dark and of course red light only. If your vehicle interior lights can not be turned off, you will not be able to get items out of it after dark. My Ford F150 lights up like a Xmas tree when I open the door.
Some, put tape over their lights.
By the first day, spots can feel up quick. Some will go up days early. I plan to go up the Wednesdssy or Thursday ahead. I usually get two imaging set-ups going. This year I will be taking three. But, we will see how that works out. I Also take an Celestron Evolution 8 Edge for visual, but usualy don,t get in much visual. There will be a lot of the big dob guys. Certainly take binoculars if you have them.
As for your question about the L-Extream filter. Not sure, it depend on the object. I have found some nebula don,t gain a lot from Ha, such as the Swan. But, I tried just LRGB, on the Lobster Claw (SH2-157) and I mostly got nothing but stars due the Milky Way. Be safe and bring the filter. Rule of thumb, when in doubt, bring it along.
Hope this helps. I will be in Silver F150 and Lance travel trailer.
Lynn K.
Is anyone planning on going to the Black Forest Star Party at Cherry Springs State Park this year? It'll be my first time there, as long as my van makes it. Looking forward to getting out of my Bortle 4/5 skies for a change.
Incidentally, is a filter such as the L-Extreme even necessary there?
Looking forward to seeing some of you there!
. Hope you make it!Lynn K:
A very difficult site to navigate. I did fine this: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/StateParkPrices/Camping/Pages/default.aspx
I guess it's standard price for all Pa State Parks. It has the fee at $15.25 and $20 for non residents for 2021. I was last there Sept 2020 and I remember it being $15 then. I don't remember seeing anything about non-residents, but there may have been. It is a honor system. There is a box with the registration forms/envelopes. Sometimes empty, and a strong metal box to drop the envelopes in. I usually don't pay till I leave, because I'm not sure how many nights I'll stay.
Having registered for the Dark Forest Star Party, you are all paid up for Fri. & Sat. If you come early, as you said you would, or stay latter, you will have to pay extra.
One is not suppose to use the electric for anything other than Astronomy. But everyone hooks their trailers up to it. No air conditioner though. I do use my Micowave and electric coffee maker. Know one has every said anything. The rangers are pretty lenient. I have heard Maxine Harrison of the CSSP Dark Skies Fund Asso. can be a stickler. I did meet some purist running everything off of batteries charges by solar panels.
No White Light is a big deal because of the visual observers. You will need a red cover over your laptop. I have had imagers complain to me that my red head light was too bright. You will need to fine a way to have all red lights inside your van. I run my imaging sessions from inside the trailer via Cat5 cable. Most run the session with a laptop next to their setup. Those Laptop Tents are great for that and a small table with a folding chair. Bring an extension cord 50 to 75 ft. and power strip. Ear plugs can be very helpful to get sleep. I have been next to all night talking observers and noisy early risers. Not to mention some real serious snorers. Those were the tent days.
If we get a clear night, you will see the Milky Way horizon to horizon. I have seen aurora once. It's not New Mexico, but not bad. It's just this NE weather.
Lynn K.