That is entirely understandable. We are pending approval for Bells Mill Park for those that seek a more public setting.
Jeremy
On Tue, Mar 11, 2025, 9:42 AM jimcoble2000 via <jimcoble2000= [email protected]> wrote:
Me of course
On Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 09:36:33 AM EDT, Kent Blackwell via <kent= [email protected]> wrote:
Just to let everyone in BBAA Club know, ?since it¡¯s so late at night and early morning I¡¯m staying in my own backyard to observe the upcoming lunar eclipse.?
Kent Blackwell
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Me of course
On Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 09:36:33 AM EDT, Kent Blackwell via groups.io <kent@...> wrote:
Just to let everyone in BBAA Club know, ?since it¡¯s so late at night and early morning I¡¯m staying in my own backyard to observe the upcoming lunar eclipse.?
Kent Blackwell
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Just to let everyone in BBAA Club know, ?since it¡¯s so late at night and early morning I¡¯m staying in my own backyard to observe the upcoming lunar eclipse.?
Kent Blackwell
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The weather looks great for tomorrow night's Garden Stars at Norfolk Botanical Garden.
If you haven't RSVP'd to be there, there is still time.? It's? a lot of fun.
George
George Reynolds
"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia
Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)?
?
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Re: Fw: Staunton River Star Party registration is open
There are a limited number of New Moon weekends, and now we have to work around the Chippokes State Park schedule.
George
George Reynolds
"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia
Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)?
?
On Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 01:06:03 PM EST, Stu Beaber via groups.io <wd4sel@...> wrote:
Sorry they scheduled it like that...I was hoping to attend both this year.
Stu
On Wed, Mar 5, 2025 at 9:36?AM George Reynolds via <pathfinder027= [email protected]> wrote: Forwarded.? SRSP registration is open.? ECSP is at the end of the same week.
George
George Reynolds
"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia
Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)?
?
----- Forwarded Message -----
Sent: Monday, March 3, 2025 at 08:05:28 PM EST Subject: Staunton River Star Party registration is open
Greetings MERAL Presidents, ALCors, officers, editors, and others, ? Jim Browder of the Richmond Astronomical Society has asked me to share the information below about the Staunton River Star Party. This is the first regional event in the MERAL region for 2025 and it sounds like a wonderful gathering of amateur astronomers. ? Clear skies, ? Don Knabb MERAL Chair ? ? From Jim Brower:
Registration is now open for the Staunton River Star Party!
Staunton River State Park has dark skies, a beautiful setting, along with an extremely helpful and welcoming park staff. Electrical power is available in the observing field and food service (really good food service) is available onsite at the park.
Astronomers are welcome to camp on the observing field with their telescope equipment. If you don't like camping, the park is only about 20 minutes from South Boston where you can find hotel lodging.
Registration and more information available at this link:
?
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Light Pollution (Was Re: [BackBayAstro] Upper County Park JCC: the beginning of the end of a dark sky site has begun)
Yes, we have a similar problem at Northwest River Park for our monthly Skywatch.? Former cornfields and bean fields are now housing projects, and they bring their city lights with them to the country.
NWRP used to be so dark you could not see the face of the person you were talking to at Skywatch.? It is no longer anywhere near that dark.?? 
George
George Reynolds
"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia
Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)?
?
On Monday, February 24, 2025 at 12:29:00 PM EST, jimcoble2000 via groups.io <jimcoble2000@...> wrote:
Like trying to hold back the tide.
On Monday, February 24, 2025 at 11:45:19 AM EST, Troy Riedel via groups.io <troy.riedel@...> wrote:
I posted about this a few years ago after?the sale went public re: the 328 acre farm parcel - adjacent to Upper County Park that was formerly known as Hazelwood Farm. Fortunately James City County is exponentially?slow with zoning & permitting and we're lucky it has taken this long - years ...
... But I regret to inform everyone (especially SkyWatchers & ME - who lives off Old Stage) that construction began?this morning. Trees have started to be felled & cleared near Upper County Park's?entrance (not visible from the Road - but it's definitely going on inside the treeline).
The site will be developed as the Lovett 64 Commerce Center (also known as THE Mega Light Pollution Center that will ruin the formerly semi-rural area of Upper James City County). This will be a mega trucking terminal hub that will link the I-81 Corridor, I-95 points north & south and I-85 south to the Port of Hampton Roads. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026.
I've attached diagrams and links below re: this facility (and two photos taken of the 'farm' parcel from just outside the SHELL gas station). It appears there will still be a treeline buffer at UCP's perimeter?after completion, but that does nothing for the light pollution that will be projected UPWARDS.?
This is only the beginning?of proposed development. Adjacent parcels on both sides of I-64 and both sides of Barhamsville Rd/Route 30 (meaning?parcels North, South, East & West!) of this interchange have proposed development (that I previously discussed a few years ago here).
Lovett Toano web site:? Lovett Toano - propaganda PDF:?
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Correction: granddaughter Taylor Christie
I also remember Chuck Jagow annoying Georgie with his winter temperature readings.? One ?night it was in the low 20s and when we went to pack up my tarp was frozen to the ground.
George
George Reynolds
"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia
Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)?
?
On Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 10:30:26 PM EST, George Reynolds via groups.io <pathfinder027@...> wrote:
I am so sorry to hear about Cliff Hedgepeth passing away!? I will always remember those "Cloverwatch" nights at the Southampton County Fairgrounds with Cliff, and Chuck Jagow, and Georgie June, and others.? Cliff sponsored a 4-H astronomy club for a while, and we had a monthly session at the fairgrounds just south of Franklin.
His granddaughter Christie was the first to earn the "Sky Puppy" award from the Astronomical League.
Cliff hasn't been active for quite a while, but he will be missed.
May God bless and comfort his family.
George
George Reynolds
"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia
Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)?
?
On Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 04:33:03 PM EST, Kent Blackwell via groups.io <kent@...> wrote:
I bring sad new that long time attendee of East Coast Star Party Cliff Hedgepeth passed away. His smile and passion for astronomy will be remembered by us all. Our thoughts go out to Cliff's family and friends.?
?
Kent Blackwell
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I am so sorry to hear about Cliff Hedgepeth passing away!? I will always remember those "Cloverwatch" nights at the Southampton County Fairgrounds with Cliff, and Chuck Jagow, and Georgie June, and others.? Cliff sponsored a 4-H astronomy club for a while, and we had a monthly session at the fairgrounds just south of Franklin.
His granddaughter Christie was the first to earn the "Sky Puppy" award from the Astronomical League.
Cliff hasn't been active for quite a while, but he will be missed.
May God bless and comfort his family.
George
George Reynolds
"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia
Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)?
?
On Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 04:33:03 PM EST, Kent Blackwell via groups.io <kent@...> wrote:
I bring sad new that long time attendee of East Coast Star Party Cliff Hedgepeth passed away. His smile and passion for astronomy will be remembered by us all. Our thoughts go out to Cliff's family and friends.?
?
Kent Blackwell
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Re: Fw: Staunton River Star Party registration is open
Sorry they scheduled it like that...I was hoping to attend both this year.
Stu
On Wed, Mar 5, 2025 at 9:36?AM George Reynolds via <pathfinder027= [email protected]> wrote: Forwarded.? SRSP registration is open.? ECSP is at the end of the same week.
George
George Reynolds
"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia
Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)?
?
----- Forwarded Message -----
Sent: Monday, March 3, 2025 at 08:05:28 PM EST Subject: Staunton River Star Party registration is open
Greetings MERAL Presidents, ALCors, officers, editors, and others, ? Jim Browder of the Richmond Astronomical Society has asked me to share the information below about the Staunton River Star Party. This is the first regional event in the MERAL region for 2025 and it sounds like a wonderful gathering of amateur astronomers. ? Clear skies, ? Don Knabb MERAL Chair ? ? From Jim Brower:
Registration is now open for the Staunton River Star Party!
Staunton River State Park has dark skies, a beautiful setting, along with an extremely helpful and welcoming park staff. Electrical power is available in the observing field and food service (really good food service) is available onsite at the park.
Astronomers are welcome to camp on the observing field with their telescope equipment. If you don't like camping, the park is only about 20 minutes from South Boston where you can find hotel lodging.
Registration and more information available at this link:
?
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BBAA Meeting Zoom Link 3-6-25
Here is the zoom link for those who wish to attend tonight's meeting remotely
?
Richard Roberts is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: BBAA Meeting
Time: Mar 6, 2025 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
? ? ? ? Every month on the First Thu, until Apr 2, 2026, 14 occurrence(s)
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYrcuCsrzIqGtbq0KWBV25JEbU6csIcs3G6/ics?icsToken=DMNU9b2cD_kTWJIthAAALAAAAC2KzTom1OHawb5krvfFHpiayGsBemfCbhiwd0ngF5ZVbFrci-HEoEIzkSkCDXxXvtPVi-UtueFUN2Ud2zAwMDAwMQ
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82659419002?pwd=TJ96jGZPb3q2rk4rBhncVaCeAam0g5.1
Meeting ID: 826 5941 9002
Passcode: 471443
---
?
?
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Fw: Staunton River Star Party registration is open
Forwarded.? SRSP registration is open.? ECSP is at the end of the same week.
George
George Reynolds
"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia
Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)?
?
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "dknabb01@..." <dknabb01@...> To: Don 01 account <dknabb01@...> Sent: Monday, March 3, 2025 at 08:05:28 PM EST Subject: Staunton River Star Party registration is open
Greetings MERAL Presidents, ALCors, officers, editors, and others, ? Jim Browder of the Richmond Astronomical Society has asked me to share the information below about the Staunton River Star Party. This is the first regional event in the MERAL region for 2025 and it sounds like a wonderful gathering of amateur astronomers. ? Clear skies, ? Don Knabb MERAL Chair ? ? From Jim Brower:
Registration is now open for the Staunton River Star Party!
Staunton River State Park has dark skies, a beautiful setting, along with an extremely helpful and welcoming park staff. Electrical power is available in the observing field and food service (really good food service) is available onsite at the park.
Astronomers are welcome to camp on the observing field with their telescope equipment. If you don't like camping, the park is only about 20 minutes from South Boston where you can find hotel lodging.
Registration and more information available at this link:
?
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Nice article on Venus and interesting pictures
Space Weather (one word) dot com has a very nice article and pictures of the moon phase and Venus. Easy to find on the internet.
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Fw: [VPAS] Good time to observe Venus
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: jimcoble2000 via groups.io <jimcoble2000@...> Sent: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 10:32:49 AM EST Subject: Re: [VPAS] Good time to observe Venus
Conjugation? I be good at that!  You're right Troy.
Oh well, you aim so high and fall so far. At least I didn't use collimation or culmination.....................
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 08:02:43 AM EST, Troy Riedel via groups.io <troy.riedel@...> wrote:
Yes, indeed! ?
?
But I think you mean Conjunction, not opposition.
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Re: How to contact Jeff Goldstein
You can email him at this address vp@....
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How to contact Jeff Goldstein
Jeff sent an email requesting help with the Astronomy 101. I had a couple of questions about the event. Is there power available? I can bring my c9.25 if you still need volunteers. Jeff, if you are on here, please let me know if I can help. Does anyone have a way to contact Jeff other than jeffgold1@...? ?
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Good time to observe Venus
The next ten days are prime Venus observing. The planet is approaching the sun so pretty soon it will be too close to safely observe the thinning crescent. Opposition is at the end of the month but for a practical limit around March 10th is a good guide to see the thin crescent. I observed it last night using an antique F/17 (read very long) telescope. What a wonderful view of the thin crescent. The horns of Venus were opposite in orientation to the crescent moon last night. I started to observe around sunset and continued with the moon when Venus set below the tree line. Venus is much larger in diameter than a couple of months ago when it was gibbous. Soon it will be between us and the sun in a direct line. This is a classic observation so it was fun to use a classic planetary refractor.
Let me tell you it ain't easy to move a scope that length with the wooden case and tripod. It was never meant to travel. More at home in a gentleman's' garden or observatory. But the images are soooooooooooooooo....................... 
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Off-group question & answer: YRSP
I rcvd a question off-group re: YRSP being canceled. I should have been clearer.
The Park canceled Sat 1 Mar not primarily because of ¡®mud¡¯, but due to preventing likely damage (ruts) from our vehicles driving on the field due to the very soft ground condition & the potential of soggy observing conditions.
If anyone is interested in a make-up date ¡ alternative opportunity ¡ let me know. I know SRSP & ECSP are around the corner and the mid-April date was originally set to avoid those conflicts.
Cheers,
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?If we bring these to the next YRSP Obs Night, maybe Charlie will autograph this?!
Wow, you just never know who will be in your mailbox.
I guess Kent is next???
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Ptolemy used that description for naked eye clusters a lot. That was pre-telescopic days and no0 one knew very much about the sky or the heavens. I think he did the same for the Pleiades which would make sense, and the head of Orion which is a bit further of a stretch but within the realm of possible in dark pre-technology skies.
On Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 09:48:08 AM EST, Ian Stewart via groups.io <swampcolliecoffee@...> wrote:
I was out observing a couple of nights ago and was really impressed with the Beehive Cluster so I thought I'd give imaging it a try last night.
You can never really capture the depth of the cluster that you see visually but I gave it a try.
Cheers
Ian
?
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Very nice colors Ian. Yes that one requires quite a wide eyepiece. I was there fora bit last night using a 40mm in a six inch refractor. The 4 inch is really better for that.
On Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 09:48:08 AM EST, Ian Stewart via groups.io <swampcolliecoffee@...> wrote:
I was out observing a couple of nights ago and was really impressed with the Beehive Cluster so I thought I'd give imaging it a try last night.
You can never really capture the depth of the cluster that you see visually but I gave it a try.
Cheers
Ian
?
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Kent Blackwell
Shawn Loescher
