Poking around for a prior OSP and other fun history.

[Mark Wagner]

I was wondering about when I attended Oregon Star Party, but couldn't precisely recall the year.  While poking around,  I came across a few astronomy experiences I'd forgotten and how wonderful an each was. This group has a long and illustrious history now, full of many people's great times. Its our own memorable experiences that matter most to us.

The years turns out to be 2003.  It was me, Jim Ster, Jane Smith, Ed Smith, maybe Marsha Robinson Porte and Alvin Huey going.  I met Jim at Jane's in Davis, loaded my stuff in the trailer with the 30" Starmaster and other necessities in tow, and three of us headed out in Jim's truck.

On arrival we found no spots along the two "roads" - although I bet we didn't look to much, tired from the travel.  We set up in a rock strewn area, but we were there.  While it was a fun time, there was a lot of forest fire smoke (does it seem a familiar refrain?). The Sun appeared like a really big deep red angry Mars.  There was enough smoke to make observing mostly futile, but we had a great time together, excellent camaraderie made the party side of "star party" memorable - as Akarsh just mentioned.

I was director for the Shingletown Star Party at the time - GSSP's predecessor.  I had the chance to meet OSP's founders Chuck and Judy Dethloff, compare notes about Steens Mountain and the two star parties.  I recall knowing someone online, who wrote "Juniper Skies" - a Judy or maybe Julie.  Anyone know if that was Judy Dethloff?  She was quite an eloquent astro enthusiast! 

That is the only star party I went to without a telescope, and came back with one without buying.  Short form: The raffle was long, we were standing in the hot sun outside the packed tent. Jane had enough and handed me her ticket, saying "its yours" - and left. Grand prize. What a chuckle - when I got home my daughter (Mimi) had her own 10", with Jane's blessing.

From an observing standpoint - it was pretty much a bust.  Skies were thick with smoke almost throughout, and when stars peeked through the 30" instantly attracted a line of people.

We broke up the return drive meeting an observing friend (James Edwards of Sacramento) at his relative's in southern OR for a BBQ dinner.  What a meal, excellent BBQ, local wines, homemade deserts - it was something of an outdoor Tuscan feast replete with performance of Figaro during our meal by (I think) James, who sang with the Sacramento Opera.  After dinner, we had a small star party with the 30".  So memorable!  I think it is often the unexpected heightened experiences we remember most vividly.

Since I mentioned Mars, that year was special too for observing: Mars was having a rather close opposition. Can you say "come closer"?  Like the closest opposition in over 60,000 years (yes, really)?  I spent that opposition at Fremont Peak with Rich Neuschaefer and his AP180 - insane detail.  That was also when the Peak was at its (to my experience) most active with throngs observers packing the place - TAC was still young and vibrant, twice a month up there. I found this very brief backyard observing report that captures some of my personal enthusiasm from back then.  I'm still enthused.

Fun seeing that list of names in the 2003 TAC OR archives. Quite a few are still active, here on this list.

-- 
Mark

[Akarsh Simha]

Here’s a photo of Judy Dethloff, yours truly, and two young visual deep-sky observers.

When we were talking about how disappointing this OSP was, our very own Banich brought up the same Mars opposition OSP story! Drat. Better luck next year.

Clear (and smoke free) Skies

Akarsh

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[Jane Houston Jones]

This made me poke around for fun history, too! Our only trip to this great star party was in Sept 2005. Getting there from LA was another adventure. We loaded our Green Dodge Caravan, "Green Flash" with Rod, our AP 180EDT f/9 and our mid-size Litenox reflector, 14.5-inch  f/4.8 17.5" " f/4.5 Litebox Reflector, and all the observing and sleeping accessories. We spent a night in Mendocino, then our routing device routed us over a state forest road through the Mendocino Forest! We got temporarily stuck in a creek, made it out, reached I-5, where I promptly hit some road debris, which punctured our oil pan. While waiting at a nearby diner, the Dodge dealership we were towed toy found a refurbished one, finally, we were off to OSP! Here's my writeup from 2005. http://www.otastro.org/2005-10-oregon/