Had a great time at the astronomical event in PA.

[Deep13]

Every year I try to go to two astronomical events at Cherry Springs State Park in PA. One is in June (Cherry Springs Star Party) and one in September (Black Forest S.P.). Sometimes the weather prevents it. It is a big open field on top of a hill in the middle of nowhere with a few amenities. We camp on the field and set up our telescopes far from city lights. It has some of the darkest skies east of the Mississippi. So I drove out there Thursday in my station wagon with my Sears tent and my 12.5" (diameter) telescope. We got a few hours of observing Thurs. night and until about 3 a.m. on Fri. night before the clouds rolled in. Some friends from Cleveland met me there. Except for the big flies in the daytime, it was a lot of fun. Sorry, I didn't bring a camera this year.

[livetohike]

1. I've never made it to Cherry Springs - but would love to

My 17 year old niece has a nice telescope and brought it here one night. We live a mile from Cook Forest SP and our skies are pretty dark, but Cherry Springs would be great!

[tigereye]

2. ah, would love to do that!

Hope to go to the local star parties this summer.

[pokerfan]

3. Cool

Darkest skies east of the Mississippi, eh? I usually go to the Oregon Star Party. They get about 800 attendees per year.