Cherry Springs State Dark Sky Park

Post by **tsb** » Sat. Jul. 19, 2014 5:19 pm

If you ever get a chance to visit this place on a clear moonless night,
you should do it.

Post by **mkline** » Sun. Jul. 20, 2014 1:46 pm

I've been meaning to take a trip there to do some astrophotography.It's just a nice little run up rt44 for me.Thanks for the reminder tsb.

Mike

Post by **tsb** » Sun. Jul. 20, 2014 4:14 pm

The trip up route 44 is as much fun as the park. Stop in

Waterville at the tack shop for lunch or breakfast. The road

is in really good shape until Potter County. The it's good, but

not great. There is a star party in August. http://www.bfsp.org

Register as soon as you can.

Post by **lsayre** » Sun. Jul. 20, 2014 5:55 pm

I've been on the top of Spruce Knob in WVA, which is considered the darkest site for telescope viewing this side of the Mississippi, so I guess that some day I should try Cherry Springs State Park, which is considered the second darkest viewing site this side of the Mississippi. It's got to be way easier to get to Cherry Springs.

Post by **tsb** » Sun. Jul. 20, 2014 7:22 pm

I've never been to Spruce Knob, but like any observing site, the weather

is all important. For me it has always been like hitting the trifecta . It

has to be a weekend so I don't miss work. It has to be new moon and the

weather has to be perfect. That's a hard combination, but I've hit it a few

times and it is just spectacular. I've also been there when the weather is life

threatening. Most trips are made on a motor cycle with just tent gear. I've

been there in July and damn near froze to death. Last September there was

a quarter inch of ice on everything in the morning. You have to be prepared.