GRAND CANYON STAR PARTY – 2006
Yavapai Point, Arizona
June, 17 -24, 2006



Inspire – 1. to fill with an animating or exalting influence. 2. to arouse or generate a feeling or thought. 3. to affect with a feeling or thought. 4. to guide or control by divine influence. These meanings are according to the Random House Webster’s Dictionary. And as anyone knows who has attended a Grand Canyon Star Party in the past, these words certainly fit the bill for the event.



Over the last 4 years, the Grand Canyon Star Party has become a time marker for me. It is held at a fitting time of the year not only for me personally but astronomically. Usually within the dates of the event falls Summer Solstice – the longest day of the year. Not only did we have Summer Solstice but also Father’s Day. This was the first year in about the last 10 that I got to share it with my only son – John. I had a ‘Sun’ day and a ‘Son’ day all within the same week – how divine!



Before writing this article I looked over my past writings. I found that I had complained about the weather a lot. Rather then complain during this past year I chose to ignore it and gave in to utter defeat. I’m sure my telescopes were thinking as they sat in their boxes and crates that I had passed away. If you were like me, you were probably wishing that this year’s GCSP would bring kinder and gentle clear skies and not the turbulent assorted potpourri of weather conditions inflicted upon me for no reason at all. I’ve always heard that wishing makes it come true. I was exalted to find calm, clear (for the most part) and super dark skies at the canyon!



More then the skies that I had intended to view (my last dark sky sessions were at last year’s GCSP) I was looking forward to seeing all my friends whom I consider part of my extended family. I was pleased to find most of them had returned and among them were some new faces for me. My life has been affected for the better by each and every one of them.


    

  


There are never enough ‘thanks’ in order for those who make this event possible - Dean Ketelsen of the Tucson Amateur (not in my eyes) Astronomy Association, the United States Department of the Interior, the National Park Service and the Grand Canyon National Park. Of course, without the efforts of our Park Rangers the event would be total chaos.



Coming to the close of this article I realize I have forgotten the best part – the public whom we came to serve. Without them I would not have had the individual smiles and genuine thanks, shared personal conversations and interesting human interaction that help keep me sane. Without them we would all be just standing around in the dark. I must give one personal thanks. Usually, even before getting to the GCSP, I at least have some idea of what I am going to write about – this year I drew a blank. One night before sunset I had taken some photos of the Condors flying around Yavapai Point and was showing them to my fellow amateur Astronomers. Bernie Sanden saw them and said ‘Those photos are inspiring’ and there you have it – thanks Bernie!



But what of inspiration? We come to the Grand Canyon, Yavapai Point to be specific, to show off the night skies that we love so dearly. We intend to inspire others, mostly those who have just an inkling of an idea as to what goes on in our realm of the world. With an inspiration must come and exhalation and this would be the payoff of our efforts in the form of an idea followed by action. As a young child leans to peer through the eyepiece focused on a beautiful object of the past, the faint light of a distant quasar expands to form a new galaxy. A thought is planted, the breath complete and a cycle is formed.

Thanks for reading!

Brad Campbell
June, 29, 2006
Las Vegas, Nevada

Click the images below for their larger versions...Pictures above are also clickable.

HOME SWEET HOME	T-SHIRTS & PIZZA PARTY	THE INFAMOUS SOLAR 'SCOPE	RAINBOW COLORED CLOUDS

JOHN & SIERRA	THAT'S CLOSE ENOUGH BOY!	DO YOU HAVE MY MILK BONE?	CLOUDS OVER YAVAPAI

Below I have some pages with MANY MORE PICTURES and some limited commentary.
Photos in the tables are of the highest possible quality I can offer.
----< ORIGINALS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST >---
(Cameras - Canon Powershot G5 & S2 IS with 1.5x Teleconverter. Edited with Adobe Photoshop Elements.)
Click on the pictures to navigate your way around the event.

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