Observing tonight?

[ellenvega]

Eagle Bluff this weekend?

[Mr.Gorp]

I'm getting mixed reports on the weather/cloud cover. Anyone have a clear crystal ball, mine's all foggy and wet.

[Dean Johnson]

I just called Eagle Bluff. They are available tonight and will co-operate with the parking lot lights.

The CSC for EB is better early than late. The wind will die down, but the humidity will rise later on after midnight. It looks OK, but not great. Too bad we couldn't have had Tuesday nights skies for tonight. That was superb. Tonight of course, is 1st quarter Moon. Purbach's cross perhaps? Dark skies when it sets. Saturday night looks very bad. Tonight is our best shot.

I'd be willing to try it. Stup is out, a family get together in southern Iowa.

Let me know what you think. If you want to call, my number is 507 498-5177.

[Randy H]

We have clouds all over Roch right now, a CSC showing clear skies and and a weather forecast for this evening showing 30-50% chance of showers.
Somebody's got on a loose weather cap.

I'll be home in hour to take another look.

[Dean Johnson]

Yes. They do have a "loose" weather cap. We would have used a different adjective in my beloved Corps.

Darn it. It seems like I just can't catch a break. Dark sky comes too late for me in the summer when I have to get up at 4 a.m. Weekends are an endless stream of bad weather. I guess I just have to be thankful that I got the 3 outreach events I did during the Venus/Jupiter conjunction.

Local Observing Only tonight. We'll try again sometime.

Semper Fi, Dean

[ellenvega]

Sooo…. StarBQ 2015 is next week?

[Dean Johnson]

Yes. The 8th Annual Star BQ is August 13/14.

Anyone interested in going out tonight? A "practice session" would be a good way to warm up for the dark sky weekend.

Eagle Bluff is available, but they need the parking lot lights on until 10 p.m, then they could be shut off. Two groups are there tonight and they are expecting late check-ins. It looks to be a humid night.

[ellenvega]

Would love to get out but I have to work early shift tomorrow.

[Dean Johnson]

How about tomorrow night? Now the CSC is worse for Friday, but better for Saturday. Transparency is not good for the early part of tonight.

[Dean Johnson]

The CSC looks pretty bad for tonight. I'm reccomending 'Local Observing Only'.

[seanec36]

Hi all,  new to the area and this group…

I am looking for suggestions on places around Rochester to take my kids to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower on Tues or Weds this week… and for general stargazing in the future.

All suggestions appreciated, thanks!! – Sean

[Jeff Newland]

Welcome Sean!  If you go to the main Rochester Astronomy Club page and click on Star Parties, there will be a link there that points to the Keller Wildlife Management Area and has a map.  You can head out there, it is southwest of Rochester.  Again welcome!

Jeff

[seanec36]

Jeff and other members,

I did see that on the home page.  Is the Keller WMA open to the public in the evenings?  Do you have to prearrange with anyone to go there?

Thanks!

[garrick]

Keller is a WMA (Wildlife Management Area) and managed by the Minnesota DNR so there's no pre-arranging needed. It's basically just a gravel parking lot right off the road. I went there last night to scout it out as a Perseids location, but am concerned because it's SW of Rochester, and you'll be looking NE for the event (thus looking right into Rochester's light pollution). I'm wondering if the Perseids will still be visible through the light?

[Luka B]

Its far from perfect, but it's a great spot near town, especially for those that live SW.  You'll definitely see more meteors there than almost anywhere in town. Also the meteors may originate NE, but they'll be all over the sky.

[Author]

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