OI: Dinosaur Point – Pacheco CA State Park, Tuesday, Nov 15, 2022
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Peter Natscher
Nov 14, 2022, 9:18:01 PM11/14/22
to The Astronomy Connection (TAC)
Dinosaur Point Boat Launch Parking Area – Pacheco CA State Park
We have access to the Dinosaur Point Boat Launch Parking Lot at Pacheco State Park tomorrow night, Nov 15 for night time astronomy activities. I originally intended to post this OI for Wednesday night but I'm now seeing sky forecasts by a few weather sources showing increasing clouds by Wednesday night, so I'm posting the OI for Tuesday night which still has clear sky forecasts. I will be at the parking area by 4:30pm. You can arrive at any time during the day to enjoy the Park's trails and scenery but no later than sunset. The main gate closes and is locked Tuesday by sunset at 4:58pm, to get into the park. The main park gate on Dinosaur Point Road is at the top of the hill near Route 152 after making an exit at the Dinosaur Point exit sign. The exit is small and comes up fast so slow down and remain in the right lane at the top of the Route 152 pass. The main gate always closes for entry by sunset. I recommend you arrive by no later than 4:45pm to be safe in getting in as the park ranger sometime closes the gate and leaves a bit earlier than sunset. After passing through the gate, continue to drive down the hill and pay your day-use fee of $10 fee for the evening at the iron Kiosk located at the bottom of the hill in a small dirt parking area 1,000 ft. before reaching the Boat Launch Parking Lot. We set up for the evening in the Boat Launch Parking Lot at the San Luis Reservoir. We'll pack up by 11:45pm since Moon rise is at 11pm. This leaves us around four hours of dark sky activity, 7:00pm-11pm. We'll exit the park as a group driving through the lower gate and upper main gate. The weather forecast shows it's going to be cold Tuesday night with the temperature dipping down to the low 40's but with fairly dry conditions so dress accordingly. Winter time weather and clothes! Cell phone connection from the bottom of the hill in the parking area is spotty. I get three bars with a AT&T connection but nothing with Verizon.
All visitors, please read the Park's Use Policy that apply to you before your arrival.
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Pacheco State Park -- Dinosaur Point -- Use Policy
Dinosaur Point is behind a locked gate for night use. Access to remain in the Park and do any astronomy activities after sunset is only on announced nights. A Gatekeeper must make reservations, be present at all times, and escort observers through the gate as we exit the Park later in the night.
General rules for using Dinosaur Point
1. Pay the $10 day-use fee at the kiosk located in a small dirt parking area on the right side of the road 1,000 ft. before entering the parking area.
Please write "Stargazing" in big letters on the envelope we put in the iron ranger kiosk, to make sure the money goes to the right place.
2. Access to Dinosaur Point after dark is by reservation only. Only Gatekeepers can call the rangers and make reservations.
a. Send observing requests and questions to dino-gatekeepers oot googlegroups dort com.
b. Do not post OI's for Dinosaur Point until a Gatekeeper has announced it is available, and their arrival and departure times.
3. At least one Gatekeeper must always be present.
4. Everyone must be escorted out by a Gatekeeper.
5. Observers are not allowed to stay overnight.
6. Observers must arrive before sunset.
7. Locate the Gatekeeper(s) and introduce yourself when you arrive. We'll discuss our departure time.
8. Leave the park as you found it. Make sure your area is clean.
9. Absolutely no boats allowed in the parking lot after dark.
10. No overnight camping.
11. Do not call the emergency number posted on the gate unless you are reporting an emergency. The ranger you get out of bed won't arrive for over an hour. AT&T wireless connects from the parking area.
12. If you bring guests, you must ensure that they follow all these rules and procedures
We have access to the Dinosaur Point Boat Launch Parking Lot at Pacheco State Park tomorrow night, Nov 15 for night time astronomy activities. I originally intended to post this OI for Wednesday night but I'm now seeing sky forecasts by a few weather sources showing increasing clouds by Wednesday night, so I'm posting the OI for Tuesday night which still has clear sky forecasts. I will be at the parking area by 4:30pm. You can arrive at any time during the day to enjoy the Park's trails and scenery but no later than sunset. The main gate closes and is locked Tuesday by sunset at 4:58pm, to get into the park. The main park gate on Dinosaur Point Road is at the top of the hill near Route 152 after making an exit at the Dinosaur Point exit sign. The exit is small and comes up fast so slow down and remain in the right lane at the top of the Route 152 pass. The main gate always closes for entry by sunset. I recommend you arrive by no later than 4:45pm to be safe in getting in as the park ranger sometime closes the gate and leaves a bit earlier than sunset. After passing through the gate, continue to drive down the hill and pay your day-use fee of $10 fee for the evening at the iron Kiosk located at the bottom of the hill in a small dirt parking area 1,000 ft. before reaching the Boat Launch Parking Lot. We set up for the evening in the Boat Launch Parking Lot at the San Luis Reservoir. We'll pack up by 11:45pm since Moon rise is at 11pm. This leaves us around four hours of dark sky activity, 7:00pm-11pm. We'll exit the park as a group driving through the lower gate and upper main gate. The weather forecast shows it's going to be cold Tuesday night with the temperature dipping down to the low 40's but with fairly dry conditions so dress accordingly. Winter time weather and clothes! Cell phone connection from the bottom of the hill in the parking area is spotty. I get three bars with a AT&T connection but nothing with Verizon.
All visitors, please read the Park's Use Policy that apply to you before your arrival.
***************************
Pacheco State Park -- Dinosaur Point -- Use Policy
Dinosaur Point is behind a locked gate for night use. Access to remain in the Park and do any astronomy activities after sunset is only on announced nights. A Gatekeeper must make reservations, be present at all times, and escort observers through the gate as we exit the Park later in the night.
General rules for using Dinosaur Point
1. Pay the $10 day-use fee at the kiosk located in a small dirt parking area on the right side of the road 1,000 ft. before entering the parking area.
Please write "Stargazing" in big letters on the envelope we put in the iron ranger kiosk, to make sure the money goes to the right place.
2. Access to Dinosaur Point after dark is by reservation only. Only Gatekeepers can call the rangers and make reservations.
a. Send observing requests and questions to dino-gatekeepers oot googlegroups dort com.
b. Do not post OI's for Dinosaur Point until a Gatekeeper has announced it is available, and their arrival and departure times.
3. At least one Gatekeeper must always be present.
4. Everyone must be escorted out by a Gatekeeper.
5. Observers are not allowed to stay overnight.
6. Observers must arrive before sunset.
7. Locate the Gatekeeper(s) and introduce yourself when you arrive. We'll discuss our departure time.
8. Leave the park as you found it. Make sure your area is clean.
9. Absolutely no boats allowed in the parking lot after dark.
10. No overnight camping.
11. Do not call the emergency number posted on the gate unless you are reporting an emergency. The ranger you get out of bed won't arrive for over an hour. AT&T wireless connects from the parking area.
12. If you bring guests, you must ensure that they follow all these rules and procedures
Pacheco State Park, CalParks - Dinosaur Point - Kiosk and Boat Launch Parking Lot Map
Pacheco State Park-Dinosaur Point.jpg
Peter Natscher
Nov 14, 2022, 9:24:00 PM11/14/22
to The Astronomy Connection (TAC)
Pacheco State Park-Dinosaur Point.jpg
Peter Natscher
Nov 15, 2022, 11:26:40 AM11/15/22
to The Astronomy Connection (TAC)
I'm canceling tonight at Dino. I can't make it out tonight to observe on account of needing to remain at home. Wednesday look dubious because of cloudiness. Maybe next week?
Julien Lecomte
Nov 15, 2022, 12:15:42 PM11/15/22
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If you go next week, I may join you.
- Julien
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Francesco Meschia
Nov 20, 2022, 8:57:05 PM11/20/22
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Same here.
Francesco
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Peter Natscher
Nov 21, 2022, 8:19:09 PM11/21/22
to The Astronomy Connection (TAC)
Waiting for the crud in the sky to move east. It's been a fall season with few clear nights. Maybe by Friday or Saturday we'll get a decent sky for a Dino gathering.
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