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Main
Date: 21 Jul 2007 10:57:32
From: Esmail Bonakdarian
Subject: Canton/Postsdam, NY observers?
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Hello,
Anyone doing any observing in up-up-up-upstate NY? I.e., in the Canton, NY
area?
I am moving up there for the next year and I am curious about observing
conditions (which I assume to be good?), and more specifically about
accessible dark sites for observing.
Any additional information re astronomy and/or the area would be much
appreciated.
Thanks!
Esmail
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Date: 21 Jul 2007 23:03:03
From: starburst
Subject: Re: Canton/Postsdam, NY observers?
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Esmail Bonakdarian wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Anyone doing any observing in up-up-up-upstate NY? I.e., in the Canton, NY
> area?
>
> I am moving up there for the next year and I am curious about observing
> conditions (which I assume to be good?), and more specifically about
> accessible dark sites for observing.
>
> Any additional information re astronomy and/or the area would be much
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Esmail
Hi Esmail-
I'm not too far away, down near Utica. It's really dark, especially out
in the countryside. You might have some problems with the light domes of
Ottowa and Montreal, though. Still, beautiful Milky Way vistas. Aside
from the cloud cover, which can be pretty annoying at times, the only
problem is the steadiness of the seeing. Not great on planets - I can
only really collimate well a few nights a year. Hope you brought a warm
jacket and a snow shovel (chuckle). It's *cold* up here.
Welcome to the neighborhood - Chris
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Date: 22 Jul 2007 11:26:37
From: Esmail Bonakdarian
Subject: Re: Canton/Postsdam, NY observers?
|
hi there!
starburst wrote:
>
> I'm not too far away, down near Utica. It's really dark, especially out
> in the countryside.
good, I was hoping for that.
> You might have some problems with the light domes of
> Ottowa and Montreal, though. Still, beautiful Milky Way vistas. Aside
> from the cloud cover, which can be pretty annoying at times, the only
> problem is the steadiness of the seeing. Not great on planets - I can
> only really collimate well a few nights a year. Hope you brought a warm
> jacket and a snow shovel (chuckle). It's *cold* up here.
Yes, I've heard about the cold, but I've lived through many Iowa winters,
and NE Ohio hasn't been a tropical paradise either in the winter months
so I hope I'll be ok :-) .. I was hoping to move out west, e.g., CA, so
I almost tossed out all of my cold weather clothing, glad I held on to
them. (This is a one year visiting position, so I may still end up somewhere
more warm next year)
I don't think the area I'm moving to gets nearly as much snow or clouds
as where you are, but that's all based on hear-say. I also have no feeling
regarding the timing of things, ie when it starts getting too cold or when
it starts warming up again. I hope I can locate an accessible dark site
soon so that I can take advantage of this time now, before it gets too busy
with work (and the temps turn too cold).
> Welcome to the neighborhood - Chris
thanks, another new experience.
Esmail
ps: I have to believe that there are other amateur astronomers up there,
they just probably aren't reading usenet. Anyway, I've always mostly
observed on my own. Give me a safe dark site I can get to when I
want, and I'm all ok :-)
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Date: 22 Jul 2007 09:20:30
From: starburst
Subject: Re: Canton/Postsdam, NY observers?
|
Howdy Esmail-
> Yes, I've heard about the cold, but I've lived through many Iowa winters,
> and NE Ohio hasn't been a tropical paradise either in the winter months
> so I hope I'll be ok :-)
Heh heh heh. That's what you think now, kiddo. I grew up in Colorado and
spent two years in Casper, Wyoming, where one time it never got above 20
below (F) for a week. Somehow, this is colder. We also have something
here called "lake effect," which, when not dumping snow upon us by the
foot, settles into weeks of overcast. Up in Potsdam, though, I think
you're better positioned re. Lake Ontario, so hopefully it will be less
consistently cruddy.
.. I was hoping to move out west, e.g., CA, so
> I almost tossed out all of my cold weather clothing, glad I held on to
> them. (This is a one year visiting position, so I may still end up
> somewhere
> more warm next year)
Anywhere else is more warm. Including Point Barrow, Vladivostok, and the
Vinson Massif in Antarctica.
Which school, if you don't mind my asking? Suny? St Lawrence? I'm down
at Hamilton - terrific little college.
>
> I don't think the area I'm moving to gets nearly as much snow or clouds
> as where you are, but that's all based on hear-say. I also have no feeling
> regarding the timing of things, ie when it starts getting too cold or when
> it starts warming up again. I hope I can locate an accessible dark site
> soon so that I can take advantage of this time now, before it gets too busy
> with work (and the temps turn too cold).
The beauty of this area (aside from its beauty, of course) is that you
just point your car away from town in any direction and it will be dark
in ten minutes. And it's almost too isolated to be dangerous. Good
chance you can just ask a farmer if he doesn't mind you parking on one
of his access roads at night.
I envy your proximity to Montreal, by the way. Neat place.
> ps: I have to believe that there are other amateur astronomers up there,
> they just probably aren't reading usenet. Anyway, I've always mostly
> observed on my own. Give me a safe dark site I can get to when I
> want, and I'm all ok :-)
You know, it's surprising but the local club here - the Mohawk Valley
Astronomical Society - is extremely active. They have a 16" club scope
and a dark sky site. Who knows what you'll find up there.
Again, welcome - Chris
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Date: 22 Jul 2007 13:55:03
From: Esmail Bonakdarian
Subject: Re: Canton/Postsdam, NY observers?
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Chris,
I just tried to send you a private message, but no
good obviously.
Can you send me your e-mail address, my return address
is only mildly spam proofed :-)
Cheers,
Esmail
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Date: 22 Jul 2007 13:54:01
From: Esmail Bonakdarian
Subject: Re: Canton/Postsdam, NY observers?
|
Hello again!
starburst wrote:
> Howdy Esmail-
>
>> Yes, I've heard about the cold, but I've lived through many Iowa winters,
>> and NE Ohio hasn't been a tropical paradise either in the winter months
>> so I hope I'll be ok :-)
>
> Heh heh heh. That's what you think now, kiddo. I grew up in Colorado and
spent two years in Casper, Wyoming, where one time it never got above 20 below
(F) for a week. Somehow, this is colder.
Oh boy .. well, that sounds "promising" and you have certainly established
your cold-weather credentials!.. I guess I'll know in a few months! ..
The locals I met agree with you re the lake effect, little of that
in the Canton area.
> The beauty of this area (aside from its beauty, of course) is that you just
point your car away from town in any direction and it will be dark in ten
minutes. And it's almost too isolated to be dangerous. Good chance you can
just ask a farmer if he doesn't mind you parking on one of his access roads at
night.
That was my approach in Iowa when I lived there. If I don't find out
from the locals, I may try it. I am a very low-impact visitor, and
make that very clear.
> I envy your proximity to Montreal, by the way. Neat place.
I believe it's about 2.5 hours from here. Ottawa is about 1.5
hours, and the nearest airport, though if you don't want to cross
borders, I guess Syracuse (@ 2.5-3 hrs) is the choice.
I certainly hope to visit both Ottawa and Montreal while I'm up there.
>> ps: I have to believe that there are other amateur astronomers up there,
>> they just probably aren't reading usenet. Anyway, I've always mostly
>> observed on my own. Give me a safe dark site I can get to when I
>> want, and I'm all ok :-)
>
> You know, it's surprising but the local club here - the Mohawk Valley
Astronomical Society - is extremely active. They have a 16" club scope and a
dark sky site. Who knows what you'll find up there.
I've poked around the web and the lists of astro clubs, but I didn't find
anything up there. I did contact the astro/physics dept at Clarkson (they
had a semi-current astro page) and they referred me to a faculty member
at St Lawrence U. I'm waiting to hear back from them. I think people are
still away for the summer.
> Again, welcome - Chris
Thanks .. I'll be moving at the end of the month, and I'm looking forward
to the change.
Esmail
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Date: 22 Jul 2007 13:13:51
From: Pieter
Subject: Re: Canton/Postsdam, NY observers?
|
Boy - talk about no degrees of separation! Greetings from a St Lawrence
graduate with a home in Tupper Lake and who travels to central Iowa (Ames -
Ft Dodge area) frequently.
The area around Canton can be pretty dark and pretty cold. The remark about
weeks where 20 below was the high brings back fond(?) memories of my college
days. And Tupper lake is ALWAYS 10 degrees colder. My senior year (just
after the glaciers withdrew), I got stuck in a barn in Colton overnight when
my car wouldn't start - still air temperature - 54 below zero Fahrenheit!
Thank goodness there was a 1 burner propane stove in the barn or likely I
wouldn't be typing this.
There is an active astronomy group in the Adirondacks - near Tupper lake.
That may be a bit of a haul for you, but try this site:
http://home.adelphia.net/~mstaves/obsindex.htm
At my house, it's sooooo dark I can see all the "dust" in the Milky Way!!
"Esmail Bonakdarian" <ebonak-a-@t-hotmail.com > wrote in message
news:ZjJoi.5599$Nf4.2600@trndny08...
> Hello again!
>
> starburst wrote:
> > Howdy Esmail-
> >
> >> Yes, I've heard about the cold, but I've lived through many Iowa
> >> winters,
> >> and NE Ohio hasn't been a tropical paradise either in the winter months
> >> so I hope I'll be ok :-)
> >
> > Heh heh heh. That's what you think now, kiddo. I grew up in Colorado and
> spent two years in Casper, Wyoming, where one time it never got above 20
> below (F) for a week. Somehow, this is colder.
>
> Oh boy .. well, that sounds "promising" and you have certainly established
> your cold-weather credentials!.. I guess I'll know in a few months! ..
>
> The locals I met agree with you re the lake effect, little of that
> in the Canton area.
>
> > The beauty of this area (aside from its beauty, of course) is that you
> > just
> point your car away from town in any direction and it will be dark in ten
> minutes. And it's almost too isolated to be dangerous. Good chance you can
> just ask a farmer if he doesn't mind you parking on one of his access
> roads at night.
>
> That was my approach in Iowa when I lived there. If I don't find out
> from the locals, I may try it. I am a very low-impact visitor, and
> make that very clear.
>
> > I envy your proximity to Montreal, by the way. Neat place.
>
> I believe it's about 2.5 hours from here. Ottawa is about 1.5
> hours, and the nearest airport, though if you don't want to cross
> borders, I guess Syracuse (@ 2.5-3 hrs) is the choice.
>
> I certainly hope to visit both Ottawa and Montreal while I'm up there.
>
>
> >> ps: I have to believe that there are other amateur astronomers up
> >> there,
> >> they just probably aren't reading usenet. Anyway, I've always
> >> mostly
> >> observed on my own. Give me a safe dark site I can get to when I
> >> want, and I'm all ok :-)
> >
> > You know, it's surprising but the local club here - the Mohawk Valley
> Astronomical Society - is extremely active. They have a 16" club scope and
> a dark sky site. Who knows what you'll find up there.
>
> I've poked around the web and the lists of astro clubs, but I didn't find
> anything up there. I did contact the astro/physics dept at Clarkson (they
> had a semi-current astro page) and they referred me to a faculty member
> at St Lawrence U. I'm waiting to hear back from them. I think people are
> still away for the summer.
>
> > Again, welcome - Chris
>
> Thanks .. I'll be moving at the end of the month, and I'm looking forward
> to the change.
>
> Esmail
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Date: 23 Jul 2007 11:58:58
From: Esmail Bonakdarian
Subject: Re: Canton/Postsdam, NY observers?
|
Hi there Pieter,
Pieter wrote:
> Boy - talk about no degrees of separation! Greetings from a St Lawrence
> graduate with a home in Tupper Lake and who travels to central Iowa (Ames -
> Ft Dodge area) frequently.
Ahh .. I spent many many years in River City (aka Iowa City). Tupper Lake,
isn't that right smack in the middle of the Adirondacks? I believe I saw a
reference to an observatory (?) there? It's about 60 miles or so from Canton,
while that would take about an hour on regular highways I suspect the roads
there are probably two lane and snake'y, hence maybe 1 1/2 hrs?
> The area around Canton can be pretty dark and pretty cold.
Dark and cold .. hmm ...
> The remark about
> weeks where 20 below was the high brings back fond(?) memories of my college
> days. And Tupper lake is ALWAYS 10 degrees colder. My senior year (just
> after the glaciers withdrew), I got stuck in a barn in Colton overnight when
> my car wouldn't start - still air temperature - 54 below zero Fahrenheit!
Nah .. -54F?? Come on .. that can't be, right? My molecules would stop to move.
> There is an active astronomy group in the Adirondacks - near Tupper lake.
> That may be a bit of a haul for you, but try this site:
> http://home.adelphia.net/~mstaves/obsindex.htm
Ah yes, that's the one. I'll definitely will check it out. I would hope for
a closer site to observe on a more regular basis though. I've contacted a
astro/physics faculty member at SLU for more info, still waiting to hear back.
> At my house, it's sooooo dark I can see all the "dust" in the Milky Way!!
What a treat!
Esmail
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Date: 22 Jul 2007 17:20:43
From: Howard Lester
Subject: Re: Canton/Postsdam, NY observers?
|
"Pieter" wrote
> Boy - talk about no degrees of separation! Greetings from a St Lawrence
> graduate with a home in Tupper Lake and who travels to central Iowa
> (Ames - Ft Dodge area) frequently.
Pieter, is the Blue Jay Lodge still standing at Tupper Lake? I have fond
memories staying there when I was 7. That was in the Neolithic age....
Howard
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Date: 22 Jul 2007 21:20:21
From: Pieter
Subject: Re: Canton/Postsdam, NY observers?
|
Do you mean Blue Jay Campsites? That's just down the road from my house. If
you're O-L-D you might remember the Waukesha restaurant on route 30 south of
the village on the shores of Tupper Lake. It burned many years ago, but
when I was in college they still made the best burgers around.
"Howard Lester" <heylester@dakotacom.net > wrote in message
news:13a7t2tj04tlte7@corp.supernews.com...
> "Pieter" wrote
>
>> Boy - talk about no degrees of separation! Greetings from a St Lawrence
>> graduate with a home in Tupper Lake and who travels to central Iowa
>> (Ames - Ft Dodge area) frequently.
>
> Pieter, is the Blue Jay Lodge still standing at Tupper Lake? I have fond
> memories staying there when I was 7. That was in the Neolithic age....
>
> Howard
>
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Date: 22 Jul 2007 20:05:42
From: Howard Lester
Subject: Re: Canton/Postsdam, NY observers?
|
"Pieter" wrote
> Do you mean Blue Jay Campsites? That's just down the road from my house.
> If you're O-L-D you might remember the Waukesha restaurant on route 30
> south of the village on the shores of Tupper Lake. It burned many years
> ago, but when I was in college they still made the best burgers around.
No, it was the Blue Jay Lodge, complete with a scary stuffed bear at one
corner of the wrap around deck. OK, it was scary to a 7 year old (in 1955).
The lodge is/was right on the lake, and my memory of the view of the lake
tells me that the lodge was at the south end. I was too young to have
remembered anything else. Well, I do remember the pancake syrup that was
like glue, and really tasty. I'm sure we ate all our meals at the lodge,
including the sunfish I caught. I didn't get "into" astronomy for another 3
years, so I couldn't tell you what the night sky was like. ;-) Esmail
wasn't born yet. Wait - maybe the sunfish I caught.... is Esmail
reincarnated. Esmail, you're going home!
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Date: 23 Jul 2007 12:06:24
From: Esmail Bonakdarian
Subject: Re: Canton/Postsdam, NY observers?
|
Howard Lester wrote:
>
> No, it was the Blue Jay Lodge, complete with a scary stuffed bear at one
> corner of the wrap around deck.
<.. >
> I'm sure we ate all our meals at the lodge,
> including the sunfish I caught. I didn't get "into" astronomy for another 3
> years, so I couldn't tell you what the night sky was like. ;-) Esmail
> wasn't born yet. Wait - maybe the sunfish I caught.... is Esmail
> reincarnated. Esmail, you're going home!
Oh boy ...
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Date: 23 Jul 2007 07:53:50
From: Pieter
Subject: Re: Canton/Postsdam, NY observers?
|
I don't know of the Blue Jay Lodge. The Blue Jay Campsites are along the
middle of east side of the lake, so maybe there was some connection between
them and the lodge.
Here's a link to a map of its location:
http://maps.yahoo.com/broadband#tp=1&tt=blue+jay+campsites&mvt=m&q1=blue+jay+campsites%2C+tupper+lake%2C+ny&trf=0&lon=-74.503956&lat=44.195867&mag=6
There is a brand new natural history museum in Tupper Lake. They offer some
astronomy education programs. Here's a link:
http://www.wildcenter.org/
Their calendar shows an August 9th astronomy program described as:
" Thursday August 9, 7:30 pm in The Wild Center's Flammer Theater " The Swan
and the Engle: the Heaven of the Ancients". The program is presented by Jan
Wojcik, Director of Reynolds Observatory, Clarkson University & Jeffrey
Miller, Professor of Physics, Saint Lawrence University. The program is free
to members and the general public."
So there's a Canton contact or two for you!
"Howard Lester" <heylester@dakotacom.net > wrote in message
news:13a86ob6q1nj74@corp.supernews.com...
> "Pieter" wrote
>
>> Do you mean Blue Jay Campsites? That's just down the road from my house.
>> If you're O-L-D you might remember the Waukesha restaurant on route 30
>> south of the village on the shores of Tupper Lake. It burned many years
>> ago, but when I was in college they still made the best burgers around.
>
> No, it was the Blue Jay Lodge, complete with a scary stuffed bear at one
> corner of the wrap around deck. OK, it was scary to a 7 year old (in
> 1955). The lodge is/was right on the lake, and my memory of the view of
> the lake tells me that the lodge was at the south end. I was too young to
> have remembered anything else. Well, I do remember the pancake syrup that
> was like glue, and really tasty. I'm sure we ate all our meals at the
> lodge, including the sunfish I caught. I didn't get "into" astronomy for
> another 3 years, so I couldn't tell you what the night sky was like. ;-)
> Esmail wasn't born yet. Wait - maybe the sunfish I caught.... is Esmail
> reincarnated. Esmail, you're going home!
>
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Date: 23 Jul 2007 12:26:50
From: Esmail Bonakdarian
Subject: Re: Canton/Postsdam, NY observers?
|
Pieter wrote:
>
> There is a brand new natural history museum in Tupper Lake. They offer some
> astronomy education programs. Here's a link:
> http://www.wildcenter.org/
>
> Their calendar shows an August 9th astronomy program described as:
> " Thursday August 9, 7:30 pm in The Wild Center's Flammer Theater " The Swan
> and the Engle: the Heaven of the Ancients". The program is presented by Jan
> Wojcik, Director of Reynolds Observatory, Clarkson University & Jeffrey
> Miller, Professor of Physics, Saint Lawrence University. The program is free
> to members and the general public."
>
> So there's a Canton contact or two for you!
Hey, that sounds like a nice program, who knows, maybe I'll check it out. It
would give me an idea about the roads there too.
Jan Wojcik was actually the person who replied when I e-mailed via the contact
link on the Clarkson U astro/physics web page. I got referred to the SLU
faculty member who is probably off somewhere for the summer still.
Cheers,
Esmail
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Date: 23 Jul 2007 20:30:53
From: Pieter
Subject: Re: Canton/Postsdam, NY observers?
|
Maybe I'll see you there - I will be in Tupper then, and probably will be in
need of a break from my "family vacation!" I might go to that program. In
any case, the museum is new and very nice.
"Esmail Bonakdarian" <ebonak_XXX_@_hotmail.com > wrote in message
news:e81pi.430$zJ4.71@trndny03...
> Pieter wrote:
>>
>> There is a brand new natural history museum in Tupper Lake. They offer
>> some astronomy education programs. Here's a link:
>> http://www.wildcenter.org/
>>
>> Their calendar shows an August 9th astronomy program described as:
>> " Thursday August 9, 7:30 pm in The Wild Center's Flammer Theater " The
>> Swan and the Engle: the Heaven of the Ancients". The program is presented
>> by Jan Wojcik, Director of Reynolds Observatory, Clarkson University &
>> Jeffrey Miller, Professor of Physics, Saint Lawrence University. The
>> program is free to members and the general public."
>>
>> So there's a Canton contact or two for you!
>
> Hey, that sounds like a nice program, who knows, maybe I'll check it out.
> It
> would give me an idea about the roads there too.
>
> Jan Wojcik was actually the person who replied when I e-mailed via the
> contact
> link on the Clarkson U astro/physics web page. I got referred to the SLU
> faculty member who is probably off somewhere for the summer still.
>
> Cheers,
> Esmail
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Date: 21 Jul 2007 22:15:50
From: Esmail Bonakdarian
Subject: Re: Canton/Postsdam, NY observers?
|
Seriously, anyone?
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