OI: Next week 12/11

[Mark Wagner]

If the weather cooperates, some of us will be heading to Coe next Thursday.  I'll bring an 18", please consider this an invite to peek at whatever I'm viewing, or just stop by to ask questions and visit.  

Noobs especially.  M42 is, well if you've never, its killer.  And I'm lots friendlier in person under the stars.  Coe is easy and fun.

If you have questions (astronomy related), feel free to ask.

Will update this as we get closer.

-- 
Mark

[Richard Navarrete]

I’m planning on Coe as well, next Thursday. Probably bringing a new to me XT8 dob. Unlike Mark, I’m a curmudgeon, so leave me alone.

😆

Kidding. Always happy to chat and share views. If we’re lucky we’ll see the Starlink sats pass. 😉

Richard

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[Peter Natscher]

For those attendees who don't want to drive down the mountain at 1am or set up camp in the camping area next tpo the ranger's house, does Coe still allow people, vehicles and telescope setups to remain in the overflow parking lot after observing to get a nap in vehicle until leaving after sunrise?  Will the gate remain unlocked into the daylight hours?

[Mark Wagner]

Si Señor.... spent many a night in that overflow lot.  The gate stays dummy locked (we call to arrange) all night.  I think everyone is on their way home before any rangers arrive.  And I expect if they do arrive before we leave they just drive by knowing its us.  Friendly place.

I was just thinking the other day about how I used to the Fremont Peak was the friendly place, which it is, but you need to make arrangements for the ranger side, and I'm not sure what gives these days with "napping" in a vehicle.  Maybe Jamie knows.

I've taken a campsite for Thursday night this time.  Its pretty handy.

[Peter Santangeli]

Thanks for asking this Peter,

It's something I worry about. I take my van out these days, and people always look to them with suspicion that there are people sleeping in them (which might or might not be the case... I control all my stuff these days from the cozy-warm interior. how would anyone know?)

Hopefully all the imaging gear buzzing along behind it is enough.

I'm going to try to make it next week.

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[Richard Navarrete]

It’ll be great to see you, Peter!

Richard

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[Mark Wagner]

One of the benefits at Coe is it really is a relatively quickly drive back to "civilization" for those wanting a short night observing.  Half an hour driving slow and safe at night and you're back among street and traffic lights.  I'm in Los Gatos and can be home in under an hour.  Or, as stated, a campsite five minutes from the observing lot.

I've been going to Coe for over 20 years.  Never been bothered staying in the lot, leaving my telescope set up.

Mark

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[Peter Natscher]

I'm thinking about coming, too.  It's been many years since I've been to Coe.

[Richard Navarrete]

It’s been many years since I’ve seen you! What scope will you be bringing?

Richard

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.

[Peter Natscher]

16" f4.5 JP Astrocraft Dob.

[Mark Wagner]

Update for those in the fence.  We're within a 72 hour window for Thursday night which starts to my mind pending reliability, and Coe's forecast on Astroperics right now is clear, excellent transparency and above average seeing.  Pretty hated to beat!

A few of us are certain. Want to get some elevation and good East sky?  This is an hour from many South bay locations.

New and unsure what's expected of you?  Ask, nobody here bites. You'll be surprised how easy and rewarding it is.

I plan on observing targets on the Adventures In Deep Space Seasonal Favorites list in my 18".  Add dot com to find it.

[Joshua Hutchins]

Can I just show up, or is it expected that I would reply here saying I might be coming?

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[Peter Santangeli]

Still planning on being there with the 13" astrograph.

Of course the van started throwing a check-engine light this weekend (just my luck), but I think it's something I can ignore :-)

pete

On Mon, Dec 8, 2025 at 5:28 PM Mark Wagner <itsmar...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Richard Navarrete]

Just show up. I’ll be there with Mark. We’ll probably be in the lot around 4:00.

Richard

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[Richard Navarrete]

Good thing Coe has good cell service, Pete. 😊

Richard

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[Mark Wagner]

Thanks for the question Joshua,

You can just show up.  Best is before dark, and it would help us all (showing we use it) by  paying the day use fee linked here.  If you're going to leave early, its also a good idea to park facing the gate generally in the overflow lot to lessen lights, and announce you're leaving.

Anyway, its looks like a good night, worth grabbing while you can with the impending winter conditions.

Mark

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-- 
Mark

[Muriel Dulieu]

I’m planning to come as well, probably on the early side to avoid traffic.

-Muriel

On Dec 8, 2025, at 5:52 PM, Mark Wagner <itsmar...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[David Kirjassoff]

I’m planning to come as well, on the early side also. 

David

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On Dec 8, 2025, at 6:37 PM, Muriel Dulieu <mdu...@gmail.com> wrote:

I’m planning to come as well, probably on the early side to avoid traffic.

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[Philip Manela]

I plan to be there as well, with my Albert-built 17.5” Dob.

Gotta be sure to bundle up, as it’ll be cold!

— Philip

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[Mark Wagner]

Is it gonna be cold?  I just saw a 70 degree forecast for Thursday.

Come prepared no matter.

Mark

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[Richard Navarrete]

A low of 52!  Not bad for December. I look forward to seeing you!

Richard

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[Akarsh Simha]

Work and life is hectic right now, but I can't deny myself what is a clear new moon period, so I'm speculating; but I think it'll be Friday and/or Saturday. With the long winter nights, setting up my scope for just one night is still justified.

[Mitchell Koerner]

I'm interested in joining, but would probably have to come after dark because of work. The forecast looks incredible this whole week!

On Tue, Dec 9, 2025, 12:23 AM Akarsh Simha <akars...@gmail.com> wrote:

Work and life is hectic right now, but I can't deny myself what is a clear new moon period, so I'm speculating; but I think it'll be Friday and/or Saturday. With the long winter nights, setting up my scope for just one night is still justified.

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[Joel Lee]

I can’t make it (weekday and I’m busy Saturday) but have fun everyone! I’m probably looking to try the following Saturday instead for one more trip out before the end of the year. 

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[Peter Natscher]

Can't make Coe for an over night on Thursday night. Will do a short night at FPOA.

[Jacob Ellwood]

Been lurking for a couple years now. Busy life with work and young kids. But I am going to try and make it out tomorrow depending on when I can leave work. Looks like things are lining up.

Unfortunately my larger dob is at a friend's house in Grass Valley (nice dark skies) right now, but I have an 8" I'll bring if I make it. Or maybe a refractor. 

I've met Mark and Richard. Would be great to meet the rest of you. Looking forward to it.

-Jake

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[Mitchell Koerner]

We'd love to see you out there Jake!

Also, who's planning on calling the ranger tomorrow - Mark, are you going to?

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[Richard Navarrete]

Awesome! You’ll get to visit your old mount and bino viewers. 😊

Richard

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[Mark Wagner]

Phone call made to Ranger, we're good to go for tonight 

[David Kirjassoff]

Thanks Mark,

See you there around 4pm. Black Tahoe and white 5” frac. 

David

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On Dec 11, 2025, at 10:39 AM, Mark Wagner <itsmar...@gmail.com> wrote:

Phone call made to Ranger, we're good to go for tonight 

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[Peter Santangeli]

Foggy this morning in the bay area... hazy this afternoon from where I sit in my office by the airport.

If we are unlucky, conditions may be poor at Coe...

If we are LUCKY, we may get one of the rare, but oh-so-great 'fog nights' where the valley is blanked out by fog.

pete

[Mark Wagner]

"The question is, do you feel lucky? Well do you?"

Mark

“Where we're going, we don't need roads.”

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[Lance Pickens]

I’ll be there tonight, probably rolling up around 5-7 depending on traffic.

Cheers,

Lance

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[Frank Graham]

Feeling lucky ;-) so just bought my parking pass online.  Bringing a 5” refractor, arriving by around 5pm.  Looking forward to seeing everyone. 

Regards,

Frank

On Dec 11, 2025, at 13:03, Mark Wagner <itsmar...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Peter Santangeli]

Really? I've always in the past put my money in the iron ranger. Is there a way to do it online?

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[Mark Wagner]

Road work detail up on the road near the overflow lot.  They have equipment they'll pay on the way side of the lot.

Mark

“Where we're going, we don't need roads.”

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[Jacob Ellwood]

On my way. Be there about 5:30. In a gray 4runner.

Jake

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[Lance Pickens]

Heads up, some cattle were on the road on way to the top

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[Frank Graham]

I’ve been using his link to pay the Henry Coe parking pass. 

They tack on a $0.55 service fee, but I enjoy the convenience of knowing I didn’t forget to pay and having the receipt on my phone. 

Frank Graham

On Dec 11, 2025, at 14:20, Peter Santangeli <pe...@santangeli.net> wrote:



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