GSSP and how it all began

[Jane Smith]

2026 GSSP is rapidly approaching, and this morning as I was entering some registrations for this year's star party, I started thinking about how it all began.  I think this picture taken at Mt. Lassen's Bumpas Hell in 2000 says it all... Mark Wagner's 2000 Nelm's Star Party.  It was a small group due to limited space, but Mark extended to me a special invitation for some forgotten reason.  It made this rank newbie feel special, a part of the Best-of-the-Best of amateur astronomers in California.  That was 25+ years ago and the rest is history.  Thanks Mark!

[Richard Navarrete]

Hi Jane,

Thanks for the photo . I still have that flannel lined shirt !

Richard

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

On Friday, March 6, 2026, 11:05 AM, Jane Smith <jes...@gmail.com> wrote:

2026 GSSP is rapidly approaching, and this morning as I was entering some registrations for this year's star party, I started thinking about how it all began.  I think this picture taken at Mt. Lassen's Bumpas Hell in 2000 says it all... Mark Wagner's 2000 Nelm's Star Party.  It was a small group due to limited space, but Mark extended to me a special invitation for some forgotten reason.  It made this rank newbie feel special, a part of the Best-of-the-Best of amateur astronomers in California.  That was 25+ years ago and the rest is history.  Thanks Mark!

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[Surya Rao]

That is a great photo! Richard and Mark, you both have hardly changed at all—and I can confirm that since I have seen you both in person recently.

Best,
Surya

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[Peter Natscher]

2000? Can't be.  Bob Jardine is wearing a 2004 Shingletown Star Party T-shirt.

[Richard Navarrete]

Bob was always a man ahead of his time.

Richard

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[Steve Gottlieb]

That’s from the 2006 Nelm’s Star Party at Lassen.  Here are a few more pics from the star party — Bob Jardine, Jane, Randy Muller, and myself.

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[Ted Hauter]

Ya'll deserve the clearest skies imaginable. 

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[Mark Wagner]

Thanks Jane, it sure was fun.  Nice to see you reappear on TAC, how long has it been?

I remember another time we had some serious partying at the Big Wheel in Shingletown, or I think I do (do you?).

I enjoyed seeing the group photo.  It is both nostalgic and hilarious.  I think that trip may be when I discovered Randy could live for days on canned tuna. I miss Randy.  And Alan.

Mark --

"It’s a strange, tender thing when a few words carry warmth across space."

[Richard Ozer]

I've been looking for those plastic pants for 15 years now.  Did anyone find them?

On Fri, Mar 6, 2026 at 2:05 PM Jane Smith <jes...@gmail.com> wrote:

2026 GSSP is rapidly approaching, and this morning as I was entering some registrations for this year's star party, I started thinking about how it all began.  I think this picture taken at Mt. Lassen's Bumpas Hell in 2000 says it all... Mark Wagner's 2000 Nelm's Star Party.  It was a small group due to limited space, but Mark extended to me a special invitation for some forgotten reason.  It made this rank newbie feel special, a part of the Best-of-the-Best of amateur astronomers in California.  That was 25+ years ago and the rest is history.  Thanks Mark!

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[Richard Ozer]

Thanks Peter/Steve.  2006 makes more sense, although Jardine was known to occasionally time travel.  It doesn't change the plastic pants situation however.  I'm offering a reward.