Likely Place

[Dan Smiley]

I'm considering a possible observing trip to Likely Place in Modoc county northeastern California for the August new moon window. I know a few of you have been there over the years and that they host an annual Stellarvue star party, which was cancelled this year. The location is east of Adin and by accounts even darker than GSSP, along with an even longer drive, perhaps 6+ hours from the bay area. It's a golf course and rv resort but they seem to welcome astronomers and have a big field to set up and observe from. 

http://likelyplace.com/#home/overview

I found an airbnb nearby which I reserved, it has a good cancellation policy in case I decide not to go. There is a cabin at Likely Place which can be rented, I don't know if it's currently available for new moon. There are camping sites (and rv sites) with access to the observing area. I thought I'd post this to see if there might be any interest among TACOs given GSSP and other star parties have been cancelled this year. Of course smoke from fires could be an issue, not to mention weather including t-storms, but from what I've heard it can be a great spot. Tony Hallas of astrophotography fame wrote up this article a while back https://static1.squarespace.com/static/568e9182a976af0914262397/t/5699ba9bc647addf69acdc4c/1452915356775/astronomy-april-2012.pdf

[Tony Hurtado]

Wow. Complete with telescope pads in the camping area! Nice.

-Tony

On Jul 30, 2020, at 12:02 PM, Dan Smiley <dnsm...@comcast.net> wrote:

I'm considering a possible observing trip to Likely Place in Modoc county northeastern California for the August new moon window. I know a few of you have been there over the years and that they host an annual Stellarvue star party, which was cancelled this year. The location is east of Adin and by accounts even darker than GSSP, along with an even longer drive, perhaps 6+ hours from the bay area. It's a golf course and rv resort but they seem to welcome astronomers and have a big field to set up and observe from. 

http://likelyplace.com/#home/overview

I found an airbnb nearby which I reserved, it has a good cancellation policy in case I decide not to go. There is a cabin at Likely Place which can be rented, I don't know if it's currently available for new moon. There are camping sites (and rv sites) with access to the observing area. I thought I'd post this to see if there might be any interest among TACOs given GSSP and other star parties have been cancelled this year. Of course smoke from fires could be an issue, not mention weather including t-storms, but from what I've heard it can be a great spot. Tony Hallas of astrophotography fame wrote up this article a while back https://static1.squarespace.com/static/568e9182a976af0914262397/t/5699ba9bc647addf69acdc4c/1452915356775/astronomy-april-2012.pdf

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[John Pierce]

note there's two major fires burning just west of there, the Gold Fire just south of Adin, and the Hog Fire west of Susanville...

On Thu, Jul 30, 2020 at 12:02 PM Dan Smiley <dnsm...@comcast.net> wrote:

I'm considering a possible observing trip to Likely Place in Modoc county northeastern California for the August new moon window. I know a few of you have been there over the years and that they host an annual Stellarvue star party, which was cancelled this year. The location is east of Adin and by accounts even darker than GSSP, along with an even longer drive, perhaps 6+ hours from the bay area. It's a golf course and rv resort but they seem to welcome astronomers and have a big field to set up and observe from. 

http://likelyplace.com/#home/overview

I found an airbnb nearby which I reserved, it has a good cancellation policy in case I decide not to go. There is a cabin at Likely Place which can be rented, I don't know if it's currently available for new moon. There are camping sites (and rv sites) with access to the observing area. I thought I'd post this to see if there might be any interest among TACOs given GSSP and other star parties have been cancelled this year. Of course smoke from fires could be an issue, not mention weather including t-storms, but from what I've heard it can be a great spot. Tony Hallas of astrophotography fame wrote up this article a while back https://static1.squarespace.com/static/568e9182a976af0914262397/t/5699ba9bc647addf69acdc4c/1452915356775/astronomy-april-2012.pdf

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-john r pierce

  recycling used bits in santa cruz

[John C]

I was just up there July 15-20 in an RV with a group of other SV users for a socially distanced unofficial star party. For us, the skies were great until Sunday evening (7/19) when smoke from the fire that started the day before 30 miles away in Adin. It's a really nice field for the telescopes complete with power.

John

On Thursday, July 30, 2020 at 12:02:39 PM UTC-7, Dan Smiley wrote:

I'm considering a possible observing trip to Likely Place in Modoc county northeastern California for the August new moon window. I know a few of you have been there over the years and that they host an annual Stellarvue star party, which was cancelled this year. The location is east of Adin and by accounts even darker than GSSP, along with an even longer drive, perhaps 6+ hours from the bay area. It's a golf course and rv resort but they seem to welcome astronomers and have a big field to set up and observe from. 

http://likelyplace.com/#home/overview

I found an airbnb nearby which I reserved, it has a good cancellation policy in case I decide not to go. There is a cabin at Likely Place which can be rented, I don't know if it's currently available for new moon. There are camping sites (and rv sites) with access to the observing area. I thought I'd post this to see if there might be any interest among TACOs given GSSP and other star parties have been cancelled this year. Of course smoke from fires could be an issue, not mention weather including t-storms, but from what I've heard it can be a great spot. Tony Hallas of astrophotography fame wrote up this article a while back https://static1.squarespace.com/static/568e9182a976af0914262397/t/5699ba9bc647addf69acdc4c/1452915356775/astronomy-april-2012.pdf

[Dan Smiley]

Yep, would need to monitor that

On Thursday, July 30, 2020 at 12:20:07 PM UTC-7, John Pierce wrote:

note there's two major fires burning just west of there, the Gold Fire just south of Adin, and the Hog Fire west of Susanville...

On Thu, Jul 30, 2020 at 12:02 PM Dan Smiley <dnsm...@comcast.net> wrote:

I'm considering a possible observing trip to Likely Place in Modoc county northeastern California for the August new moon window. I know a few of you have been there over the years and that they host an annual Stellarvue star party, which was cancelled this year. The location is east of Adin and by accounts even darker than GSSP, along with an even longer drive, perhaps 6+ hours from the bay area. It's a golf course and rv resort but they seem to welcome astronomers and have a big field to set up and observe from. 

http://likelyplace.com/#home/overview

I found an airbnb nearby which I reserved, it has a good cancellation policy in case I decide not to go. There is a cabin at Likely Place which can be rented, I don't know if it's currently available for new moon. There are camping sites (and rv sites) with access to the observing area. I thought I'd post this to see if there might be any interest among TACOs given GSSP and other star parties have been cancelled this year. Of course smoke from fires could be an issue, not mention weather including t-storms, but from what I've heard it can be a great spot. Tony Hallas of astrophotography fame wrote up this article a while back https://static1.squarespace.com/static/568e9182a976af0914262397/t/5699ba9bc647addf69acdc4c/1452915356775/astronomy-april-2012.pdf

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[mark....@resource-intl.com]

I can only think of two negatives.

1.  "People are saying" there's mosquitoes there.

2.  I never understood the rationale of having a "competing" star party 30 miles away on the same weekend.

Mark

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[Dan Smiley]

John C, was it your experience that the staff at Likely Place were good about physical distancing or other protocols? I’m wondering what the local approach is and how comfortable I’d feel there. Modoc county just reported its first two covid cases two days ago.

[John C]

The staff at Likely Pl was pretty good about maintaining social distancing although they were not wearing masks. We had to go up to Alturas to refuel and up there we noticed most locals don't wear masks but many out-of-towners did. Back then there were no reported cases in Modoc county.

Taking some bug spay is advisable as there are mosquitos but not an inordinate number of them.

John

[Akarsh Simha]

I am tempted to take a break from work and from being stuck at home and go somewhere for a socially distanced observing run. Likely Place does sound like a good option, but I would really love to go back to the Warner's. That view of Corona Borealis cluster from last year is still etched in my mind. The trouble is that I would not feel comfortable going there by myself, given that my car is now 7 years old and 125k miles in, and I can't trust it enough anymore to be alone in the middle of nowhere on dirt roads without cell service.

Likely place is alright -- I remember driving past the area and there seems to be good cell service and it's virtually on the highway.

Other options I'm thinking of are in the high basin and range province of Highway 50 in Nevada. Although that's called the "Loneliest Highway in America", I recall the cell service is alright if you have Verizon. New Pass, the highest point on the highway, lies at an altitude of 9000'. There are a couple motels around Middlegate, NV just west of New Pass but they don't quite have the same elevation. I bet there's lots of BLM and Forest Service land out there, though. Bob Scott campground, which is east of Austin, NV, lies at a 7200' altitude. I don't anticipate much light pollution from Austin, although it seems to be growing rapidly.

Regards

Akarsh

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[John C]

Phone service is great at Likely Pl if you use Verizon‘s network. Their WiFi is also supplied by Verizon. 

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[Dan Smiley]

Akarsh I remember your OR from the Warners last year, it sounded pretty epic. (So did mosquitos I recall.) In days past I used to camp anywhere for dark skies, now a real bed is worth something on the SQM I guess.

I’ve never really observed much in Nevada, certainly some real dark skies, anecdotally over the years I’ve heard people say it can be more prone to changeable westher, t storms etc, but again that’s hearsay.

On Thursday, July 30, 2020 at 12:02:39 PM UTC-7, Dan Smiley wrote:

[Steve Duffy]

I've been going to Likely Place for years. It has a lot of good, but it's not perfect.

There is a large grass field to set up in. You can set up on a concrete pad, or in the grass. Electricity is available at multiple locations in the field.

You can also drive out onto the field to set up, so you don't need to lug everything around. The field is partially shielded from the RV park, so lights from campers are not too obnoxious, but you will see some.

The mosquitos are variable. They spray weekly to keep them down, but they return by the end of the week. But they're only out for an hour or so in the morning and evening, when the temperature is between 65 and 75 degrees. One of the best things is that the grass is green, not dirt and sand, so your equipment stays clean. Also, you can leave your equipment set up all day in the field and go exploring, it's safe from bandits, but beware the afternoon wind! And there is quite a bit to explore. They have a golf course and a restaurant, they have showers and toilets and washing machines for campers. They loan out kayaks and bikes, there is a beautiful mountain lake and several hikes in the Warners within a short drive, and quite a bit of wildlife. It's about the same darkness as GSSP (SQM ranges from 21.5 to 21.9 during new moon) The weather is somewhat variable, it's affected by the monsoon season counter-rotating up from southern Nevada, so check carefully. I'd say it's not great tent camping; it's hot during the day just like GSSP, though here you are on grass, and you can always go into the air-conditioned clubhouse. As John said, the locals don't wear masks, and some will give you funny looks. They're generally respectful about distancing. But it's definitely Republican politics up there, so avoid that subject unless you are of the same persuasion. 

Steve Duffy

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[Akarsh Simha]

On Thu, Jul 30, 2020 at 17:05 Dan Smiley <dnsm...@comcast.net> wrote:

Akarsh I remember your OR from the Warners last year, it sounded pretty epic. (So did mosquitos I recall.) In days past I used to camp anywhere for dark skies, now a real bed is worth something on the SQM I guess.

Makes sense. Real sleep is definitely worth SQM points.

I’ve never really observed much in Nevada, certainly some real dark skies, anecdotally over the years I’ve heard people say it can be more prone to changeable westher, t storms etc, but again that’s hearsay.

I will believe that. There has almost always been some interesting weather going on when I’ve driven on that highway or through central Nevada in general — virga, thunderstorms in the distance, snow, general clouds; but I imagine there might be some clear nights?

On Thursday, July 30, 2020 at 12:02:39 PM UTC-7, Dan Smiley wrote:

I'm considering a possible observing trip to Likely Place in Modoc county northeastern California for the August new moon window. I know a few of you have been there over the years and that they host an annual Stellarvue star party, which was cancelled this year. The location is east of Adin and by accounts even darker than GSSP, along with an even longer drive, perhaps 6+ hours from the bay area. It's a golf course and rv resort but they seem to welcome astronomers and have a big field to set up and observe from. 

http://likelyplace.com/#home/overview

I found an airbnb nearby which I reserved, it has a good cancellation policy in case I decide not to go. There is a cabin at Likely Place which can be rented, I don't know if it's currently available for new moon. There are camping sites (and rv sites) with access to the observing area. I thought I'd post this to see if there might be any interest among TACOs given GSSP and other star parties have been cancelled this year. Of course smoke from fires could be an issue, not to mention weather including t-storms, but from what I've heard it can be a great spot. Tony Hallas of astrophotography fame wrote up this article a while back https://static1.squarespace.com/static/568e9182a976af0914262397/t/5699ba9bc647addf69acdc4c/1452915356775/astronomy-april-2012.pdf

--

[Akarsh Simha]

On Thu, Jul 30, 2020 at 19:45 Steve Duffy <sgdu...@gmail.com> wrote:

I've been going to Likely Place for years. It has a lot of good, but it's not perfect.

There is a large grass field to set up in. You can set up on a concrete pad, or in the grass. Electricity is available at multiple locations in the field.

You can also drive out onto the field to set up, so you don't need to lug everything around. The field is partially shielded from the RV park, so lights from campers are not too obnoxious, but you will see some.

The mosquitos are variable. They spray weekly to keep them down, but they return by the end of the week. But they're only out for an hour or so in the morning and evening, when the temperature is between 65 and 75 degrees. One of the best things is that the grass is green, not dirt and sand, so your equipment stays clean. Also, you can leave your equipment set up all day in the field and go exploring, it's safe from bandits, but beware the afternoon wind! And there is quite a bit to explore. They have a golf course and a restaurant, they have showers and toilets and washing machines for campers. They loan out kayaks and bikes, there is a beautiful mountain lake and several hikes in the Warners within a short drive, and quite a bit of wildlife. It's about the same darkness as GSSP (SQM ranges from 21.5 to 21.9 during new moon) The weather is somewhat variable, it's affected by the monsoon season counter-rotating up from southern Nevada, so check carefully. I'd say it's not great tent camping; it's hot during the day just like GSSP, though here you are on grass, and you can always go into the air-conditioned clubhouse. As John said, the locals don't wear masks, and some will give you funny looks. They're generally respectful about distancing. But it's definitely Republican politics up there, so avoid that subject unless you are of the same persuasion. 

Steve Duffy

Locals not wearing masks does sound tad bit scary. Is that still true now that the president has said that wearing masks is patriotic?

If I would go observing, I would want to keep my corona probability lower than going to a grocery store in the bay on a weekday afternoon. The only corona I’m hoping to catch is Corona Borealis.

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[Dan Smiley]

But Corona Australis has some nice DSOs too!

On Thursday, July 30, 2020 at 12:02:39 PM UTC-7, Dan Smiley wrote: