Montobello or Russian Ridge in coming week

[Naveen Himthani US]

Hi,

I am new to this group and was looking to go observing to Montobello or russian ridge with some people. Let me know if someone is planning to visit either of these sites in the coming week or so, I would like to tag along with my scope as well.

Best,

Naveen

[Joe T]

Hey Naveen,

Welcome to TAC! Usage of those spots tends to get pretty quiet between 4 days after new moon and 3rd quarter. I suspect you'll see some OIs get thrown out the week of June 13th for that weekend when the moon will be a bit more out of the way.

Looking forward to seeing you out there! What type of scope do you plan on bringing out?

-Joe

[Naveen Himthani US]

Hi Joe,

I will be bringing my 8 inch Dobsonian.

What are OIs?

-naveen

[Akarsh Simha]

On Sat, Jun 4, 2022 at 18:24 'Naveen Himthani US' via The Astronomy Connection (TAC) <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Hi Joe,

I will be bringing my 8 inch Dobsonian.

What are OIs?

OI stands for Observing Intent and OR for Observing Report. We usually put these abbreviations in the subject line to announce our plans or share reports.

Montebello and Russian Ridge are both pretty popular sites, so I recommend looking at the “Star Party Etiquette” thread for red light advice and such, especially if you’re bringing a group of newbies. It’s quite likely you’ll have company at these sites and if they happen to be serious visual observers, they might not enjoy a group that’s using white lights around. Best to ask the folks gathered there to get a pulse of whether white lights / unshielded laptops etc are okay, and also explain your take on it.

Other than that, both sites are pretty accessible and safe. I wouldn’t worry about going there by myself if nobody else has OIs; I guess the trickiest part is figuring out how the combination lock works.

Regards

Akarsh

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[Jamie Dillon, DDK]

Don't you need a permit for Montebello?

Naveen, here's our list, kept updated for local observing sites -

https://sites.google.com/view/observers-org/observing-sites

and for Montebello specifically -

https://sites.google.com/view/observers-org/observing-sites/montebello-open-space

[Joe T]

In hindsight it was rather silly of me to use that acronym when I didn't know what it meant myself three months ago when I joined this group. In case you haven't found all of the relevant info on the two sites in question, here's a quick rundown of what you'll need:

Montebello and Russian Ridge are both preserves managed by Midpeninsula Regional Open Space. In order to observe in these spots, you'll need to apply for a permit for your specific date and location. The permits are free, and allow you access to the parking lot until 2am. You should apply at least the day before you plan on going (preferably two), since there is a human element here and the permits are only processed during business hours. Once you get the permit via email, print it out and arrive at the parking lot before 30 minutes past sundown. A ranger will typically drive through around then to check permits for anyone present, and then leave you for the night and lock the gate behind them. It is then your responsibility to re-lock the gate on your own way out before 2am.

Looking ahead a bit, moonset on Friday the 17th is around midnight and the 18th closer to 12:40am. I do plan on trying to get out on the 18th to one of these spots if conditions are looking good. I have an 8" dob myself, so it could be a whole lot of fun to get out there and share/compare some views.

 

You should see a handful of people post a few days ahead of that weekend with their plans, so perhaps toss a little something on your calendar for June 15 to check all the forecasts and make the call about whether or not you snag a permit for one or both nights.

All of that said, don't let me discourage you from getting out there when the moon is up!

See you out there,

-Joe

[Aris Pope]

I would like to add those permits are issued only Monday thru Friday. So if you plan to observe on a weekend just keep in mind your application should be done online by Thursday to be safe.  Leslie Wright who processes the applications and distributes the permits does a good job of getting back to you in a timely manner!

Aris 

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[Tan usa1]

Hello Naveen

Weather permitting, I am going on Friday June 10th to either La Honda or to Montebello. Moon will be out in full force, but I wanted to gather some Ha data and do some equipment experiiments as well as measure impact of moonlight on my Ha data. If you just want to try your equipment and maybe look at moon and some bright clusters, feel free to join me. I haven't still decided which preserve to goto. I need low horizons to NE so Montebello, Mt umunhum and the skyline preserve all look good to me. Skyline may win due to the road being not too windy as compared to the ones going to umunhum or to Montebello

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[Naveen Himthani US]

Hi Tanveer,

I would love to join. Let me know which one you decide to go to and I will get my permit as well. I have some equipment to test myself and in case you happen to have some free time after you are done, maybe you can help me out too :)

[Rich Gregor]

Hello - I joined this group a short while ago, just to find others to observe with as I get back to a hobby I left 40+ years ago. Can I join you on the 10th? I have an 8" Dob, and will possibly bring another scope or two. My prime purpose would be the first of probably several shakeout trips to setup and manage future observing sessions. I understand the permit process and would apply for my own, whichever location is chosen.

And, if I'm at all out of line for jumping in, I certainly understand.
(will probably go to Montebello on my own regardless). Thanks!

best
Rich Gregor

[Tan usa1]

Hello

I am going to Mount Umunhum. Please get your permit. It has auto gate, so no fiddling with locks. And low NE horizon which is important!

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[Naveen Himthani US]

Hi Tanveer,

I got the permit. See you on 10th at Umunhum!

Regards,

Naveen

[Shashi Sathya]

I am thinking of coming to Umunhum as well.  Will apply for the permit...Work permitting, hope to meet you folks.

Clear Skies,

Shashi.

[Tarun Kottary]

I'll be  joining weather permitting. Got a permit for 10th.

TK

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[Rich Gregor]

Got a permit as well. Look fwd to meeting you all

Rich

[Naveen Himthani]

Are we meeting at the Sierra Azul Parking lot?

-Naveen

[Rich Gregor]

yup - or at least that's what I drew the permit for. We have to be inside the gate by either sunset of a half-hour before (I see conflicting info). It'll be warm - bring water

Rich, still planning on coming - unless the Mrs decides she'd rather watch the Warriors 

[Rich Gregor]

sorry, but I've been outvoted at home - I won't make it.

Clear skies!
Rich

[Tarun Kottary]

Permit specifies 3:00 AM as out time. Anyone know if that  is a hard limit? I was hoping to stay till twilight  i.e. 4:30 am.

TK

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[Aris Pope]

To keep us all in good standing I'd recommend leaving by the permit says.

Aris

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[Tarun Kottary]

Yes, I am heading to pinnacles instead.

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[Naveen Himthani]

I am also skipping today unfortunately, back pain shot up :(