Stargazing in N. Georgia - Sat, Dec 4 2004

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Stargazing in N. Georgia


The Basics:
Event Type:
Event Location: Woodruff Boy Scout Camp, NE of Blue Ridge GA.
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Dec 4 2004  9:00 am >> N/A
Registration Opens: Mon, Jan 1 2007 12:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Mon, Nov 29 2004 11:59 pm
Event Duration:per itinerary
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Michael Boni
Email Trip Leader(s)
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:8
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 2 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
Campground Camping (Easy to Moderate due to weather)

This will be an overnight stargazing event in one of the darkest corners of Georgia. The leader will be bringing his 14.5 truss-tube Dobsonian telescope, a 76mm refractor, and a pair of binoculars or two. He will point out the Fall/Winter constellations, walking people through star-hopping, and pointing my telescope at the best of whats in the sky. You will see galaxies and nebulas and star clusters, a few binary stars, and then spend some time looking at Saturn. The moon will rise towards midnight, destroying the darkness of the sky, so we will glance at it and then call it a night.

We will be sleeping on the observing field, so bring a tent (or sleep in your car) and a warm sleeping bag. There are porta-potties, water, and limited electricity. If you are wimpy about sleeping in the cold, an electric blanket works well.

There is a heated warm-up shed, but its not intended for sleeping. Sitting still in the dark, at night, in December, can get very cold, even in Georgia. Bring your warmest clothing, and put it over your second warmest!

This is not hiking, just observing, so plan accordingly.

This is just an overnight event, so plan on keeping food simple. The leader usually just brings a sandwich for dinner, and snack food or Waffle House for breakfast on the way out. If there is enough interest, he has a small propane grill and we can do burgers/dogs. (Cooking must be finished by dark, and there will be no fire.) Bring snack foods, there is a coffee maker for late-night hot-chocolate, as well as a small microwave.

Required Items to Bring:
Your warmest winter coat, hat, gloves, pants, footwear, etc. Layering suggested.
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Dinner & Breakfast & Snacks
Tent
Sleeping Bag
Blanket
Lawn Chair
Any Telescope or Binoculars you already own
A dimmable red LED flashlight (no white lights allowed!)

How to Get There:
Event Directions:Blue Ridge, Georgia 4:00pm at the Woodruff Boys Scout Camp, NE of Blue Ridge GA, (Must be setup before dark) Detailed directions via email. Plan on 100 miles (2 hours) of drive time from Marietta.

Notes:

Are Dogs Permitted? No

Will this event occur rain or shine? Partially-Clear to Fully Clear only.

Cloud date is the following weekend. Cloud prediction can be found here: http://www.cleardarksky.com/c/WoodruffGAkey.html?1

Leader will contact you in case of cancellation.
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost Includes:There is no charge. You pay for your food & gas, the camping is free.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.