2003/06/21-28
GRAND CANYON STAR PARTY
- Grand Canyon, Arizona (South Rim, Yavapai Point: ~7000ft ASL)
- Observer: Brad Campbell / Las Vegas, Nevada
- 'Scopes used: Orion XT10" Dobsonian & AstroView 100mm EQ Refractor, Meade 5" Newtonian EQ
- Weather:
---Temps; Upper 70’s to Lower 40’s
---Winds; Breezy the first few nights to calm later in the week
---Sky Conditions; No clouds, some night hazy due to a fire in the northwest
This event was almost everything but what I expected. When I first learned of the Grand Canyon Star Party I thought I was going to get a week of super dark skies sharing the nights with other amateur astronomers, comparing equipment and searching for new objects. As the days approached the event, I started to realize that this is more of a public event then that of an astronomer’s event. I had mixed feelings seeing I had never done anything like this before. The first night out changed my thoughts and I realized how lucky I was to be a part of the Grand Canyon Star Party.
For me, each day started out by taking my equipment from Aspen Loop camp-ground located in the Mather area to Yavapai Point. Once there, I set up with all the others in the parking lot waiting for darkness. It was quite an impressive sight looking around at all the different astronomical equipment. There must have been at least a million dollars worth of gear, or so it appeared. ‘Scopes ranged from apertures of 70mm to 28” and every type of mount possible from alt-az to the “GoTo’s”. There were even some impressive binoculars set up too. On any given night, approximately 50 ‘scopes were present on “Telescope Row”.
The people involved were from a wide range of locations. Most people were from the various clubs through-out Arizona. Others, like myself, had made the solo journey and were from places as far away as Colorado, Illinois, Virginia and Florida. I thought I even heard mention of an observer from France!
Each evening before nightfall different people gave a lecture about Astronomy in which the public and astronomers alike were invited. Following that, they wandered down to the viewing field just as Jupiter was becoming visible. This is where our telescopes came in to play and my previous “mixed feelings” vanished.
It never occurred to me that most of the general public had never seen a distant planet before. To have somebody come up to your ‘scope and take a look at the King of Planets for the first time is beyond words. Reactions ranged from awed silence, the stunned “oh my word”, the excited “holy mackerel”, and the incredible “hey, you’ve got to look at this!” Reactions like this are what made the whole trip worthwhile. To have somebody take that first look, stare, then look at you with a huge smile, reach out to shake your hand with a sincere “thank-you” made the trip an unforgettable event.
As darkness uncovered the beauty of the night sky, ‘scopes turned to look at different wonders. People wandered around gazing through all our ‘scopes, listening to what we had to say about them and the objects they were aimed at. The best part was when somebody exclaimed how beautiful the chosen object was or when they would look through the eyepiece they hurriedly back off so one of their family members could look. Some went as far as running off only to bring a friend or family member back to your ‘scope telling them “hey, you gotta see this!” Not only was I surprised at the number of questions people had but at how well they listened to our answers. It was a learning experience for me also. I think I must have learned more in a week then I would have in a year on my own. Many of the guests stayed well into the night frequently coming back for a second look.
Between the hours of 11pm and 2am the crowds as well as the telescope owners thinned out. I chose to stay on ‘till daylight catching my fill of the darkest skies I had ever seen to date. I looked at some of the more familiar objects I had seen previously and did manage to find some more obscure objects I had not ever seen. There was also the time to check out others equipment and to make comparisons between them and what I may want to up-grade to in the future. Secondary to the public interaction and the companionship with my fellow amateur astronomers, the highlight of the event for me was being able to take over the “controls” of the 2 largest ‘scopes at the event; both ‘scopes belonged to members of the Sirius Lookers from Sedona. The first being Ara’s 24” reflector and then the next night Dennis’s 28”. What an honor!
“Thank-you’s” for me are more then I can mention. To Dean Ketelsen for allowing me the opportunity to be a participant, to Thom and Ellen and all the Sirius Lookers for taking such good care of me, to Alan; my friendly Galaxy Guide, to Doug and Marilyn of the Prescott Club, to George of TAAA for his knowledge data-base and laughter and to Steve of whom I never really got to know which club he belongs but offered me one of the best views of M51 I’ve ever seen though his hand-built 18” EQ Newtonian! But mostly I think we should all thank our Ranger, Brian & the National Parks Service for allowing us to share our passion of the Night Skies with such an inquisitive public audience like the one we had.
As I sit in reflection of last weeks events, thinking about my fortune of being a part of this event and all the people who have made it all possible, I can only conclude; my place in our immense Universe is minuscule yet blessed.
