You are one interesting dude, Pierce.
I don't know if I can make this trip, but I am definitely putting that park on our list of places to camp.
Thanks.
2012-07-19 23:03:21
13
A Bicycle Trip To See The Stars, Milky Way Nucleus
When I was a little lad, I lived in a smaller place. A quieter place. A darker place. It was called Chestertown, Maryland. It was only fifteen miles away from the Chesapeake Bay. My neighborhood didn't even have street lights. Those last two statements aren't really related...
But anyways, the whole area may have been darker than Pittsburgh. I'm not entirely sure. I may have seen the Milky Way when I was younger, but I don't remember. But I do know that I don't remember if I've seen the Milky Way in person or not. I'd like to change that.
But first, watch this documentary:
http://www.pbs.org/pov/citydark/full.php
Now, meet Cherry Springs State Park:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_Springs_State_Park
It's one of the darkest places on the east coast. With good weather, we should be able to see the Milky Way; it may even cast a shadow.
It's also only 180 miles from Pittsburgh.
Who wants to go with me? I'd encourage people with kids to come, I'd bet they'd remember this. We could switch up on pulling trailerspull alongs.
I'm thinking the first weekend in September; it's Labor Day Weekend. Maybe make it a four or five day trip? Or maybe take a car part of the way?
I also know an astrophysicist that might be up for coming via car with a big telescope.
2012-07-19 22:45:55
Pierce, if I may - this lunar calendar says 'full moon' on Saturday 9/1, would they reduce the viewability (if that's even a word) of the Milky Way?
2012-07-20 01:13:11
If you're heading up to Cherry Springs, remember that they don't allow white light on the astronomy field after dark. You'll need to get a red light. I have one of these and I like it - http://www.gerbergear.com/Essentials/Lights/Protean_22-80109
Their calendar suggests they're having an event on 9/1 which may mean it'll be crowded. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/calendar/view_event.asp?CalendarID=24271&Location=List
Also, the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania is in the same general area if you're looking to occupy yourself during the day.
2012-07-20 03:33:50
I used to live in a desert country halfway around the world & could see our galaxy when we would drive out into the desert. It's simply stunning. DO THIS!
I'm putting Cherry Springs on my list as well. I've only seen the milky way from the southern hemisphere so the stars were different. I'd love to see that surrounded by the constellations I know!
2012-07-20 12:12:49
@Vannevar, that's a good question. I'll have to do some research/ask some people
@Mr. Destucticity, hmm, I imagine it's a pretty hoping place. I read somewhere that there's usually 50 astronomers a night there and with Labor Day weekend, I bet more might come out from out of town.
2012-07-20 16:32:37
BTW you don't really need to go to Cherry Springs to see the Milky Way. All you need is a clear night away from street lights. But I bet the view from Cherry Springs is fantastic.
2012-07-20 17:37:37
I have a blog post on this topic.
2012-07-21 02:38:01
i go to cherry springs every autumn, it's beautiful! definitely find time during a new moon when the forecast is supposed to be clear. if you wait til its colder out, there will be less people. however, the year that we went during a meteor shower, there were a lot of people but they were all super nice and weren't camping out. they just hung out with their rad giant telescopes and then left when it got real late.
2012-07-21 20:08:23
Hi,
My boyfriend and I would be interested in doing this ride during the spring!
If there could be a repeat of this excursion during the spring, we would DEFINITELY be interested.
2012-07-24 15:04:46
I'd like to do it sometime, but an unavailable for September 1, with no great availabiltiy until the end of September.
2012-07-24 16:35:42
So I spoke with my astrophysics friend and he said the moon would definitely interfere with observation and that they don't even observe the moon during full moons because it washes out craters and stuff.
So I'll probably abort this ride for this date. I'm actually planning on driving up there tonight, hopefully can get some decent photographs
2012-08-15 18:35:28
Well, dang
2012-08-15 18:57:14