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ECSP Photos and Feedback

 

Photos from the ECSP 2024 Fall edition have been uploaded and you can access them at this link: . If you have photos you would like share from the event or would like to provide feedback to the event organizers so we can make the next ECSP better please fill out our feedback form on our website: . Thank you for attending and we are already looking forward to the ECSP in the spring of 2025.
?
East Coast Star Party

 

An excellent event by all accounts. Thanks to George, Bruce, Shawn and all the rest of the volunteers. A most enjoyable star party and one that I will continue to promote. Great seeing old (long time) friends again.
Cheers
Ian
Re: East Coast Star Party

 

Lot of fun. Thanks to George, Bruce, Shawn and all who helped make this a nice event and did the heavy lifting. Thank You.

High points:

All nights quite good for observing even if it was a bit cloudy.

Wish it rained last night so it could dry out.

Sharing the shower with one large wolf spider. No spiders were harmed making this star party.

Coffee with the coffee master Ian. Yes it is better his way....................

Nice guests under the stars.

Fun geology hike. Fortunately George survived his tumble.

Coyotes at night.

Northern flickers and meadow larks ( see, Oh What a Beautiful Morning from Oklahoma)

Vdb reflection nebula.

Ferry Ride to Williamsburg for dinner with the coffee maestro.



On Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 10:50:50 AM EDT, Kent Blackwell <kent@...> wrote:


We had a mostly clear, warm Friday night at the ECSP at Chippokes State Park near Surry, VA. Hera are a few objects I saw last night in my 10" Orion telescope.
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And it was nice walking along the 600 million years old James River this morning.
?
?
?
List: 23/11/24 ?ECSP Chippokes?
Dumbbell Nebula - M 27
(Planetary Nebula in Vulpecula)
Ring Nebula - M 57
(Planetary Nebula in Lyra)
C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)
(Comet in Ophiuchus)
Albireo - Beta1 Cyg
(Variable Double Star in Cygnus)
Messier 56
(Globular Cluster in Lyra)
NGC 6834
(Open Cluster in Cygnus)
Blinking Planetary Nebula - NGC 6826
(Planetary Nebula in Cygnus)
NGC 7008
(Planetary Nebula in Cygnus)
NGC 7128
(Open Cluster in Cygnus)
NGC 7160
(Open Cluster in Cepheus)
Iris Nebula - NGC 7023
(Bright Nebula in Cepheus)
NGC 6952
(Spiral Galaxy in Cepheus)
NGC 7129
(Open Cluster in Cepheus)
NGC 7142
(Open Cluster in Cepheus)
Fireworks Galaxy - NGC 6946
(Spiral Galaxy in Cygnus)
NGC 6939
(Open Cluster in Cepheus)
Cave Nebula - C 9
(Bright Nebula in Cepheus)
NGC 7354
(Planetary Nebula in Cepheus)
Rho Cassiopeiae
(Variable Star in Cassiopeia)
Caroline's Rose - NGC 7789
(Open Cluster in Cassiopeia)
Messier 52
(Open Cluster in Cassiopeia)
Crab Nebula - M 1
(Bright Nebula in Taurus)
Jupiter
(Planet in Taurus)
?
East Coast Star Party

 

We had a mostly clear, warm Friday night at the ECSP at Chippokes State Park near Surry, VA. Hera are a few objects I saw last night in my 10" Orion telescope.
?
And it was nice walking along the 600 million years old James River this morning.
?
?
?
List: 23/11/24 ?ECSP Chippokes?
Dumbbell Nebula - M 27
(Planetary Nebula in Vulpecula)
Ring Nebula - M 57
(Planetary Nebula in Lyra)
C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)
(Comet in Ophiuchus)
Albireo - Beta1 Cyg
(Variable Double Star in Cygnus)
Messier 56
(Globular Cluster in Lyra)
NGC 6834
(Open Cluster in Cygnus)
Blinking Planetary Nebula - NGC 6826
(Planetary Nebula in Cygnus)
NGC 7008
(Planetary Nebula in Cygnus)
NGC 7128
(Open Cluster in Cygnus)
NGC 7160
(Open Cluster in Cepheus)
Iris Nebula - NGC 7023
(Bright Nebula in Cepheus)
NGC 6952
(Spiral Galaxy in Cepheus)
NGC 7129
(Open Cluster in Cepheus)
NGC 7142
(Open Cluster in Cepheus)
Fireworks Galaxy - NGC 6946
(Spiral Galaxy in Cygnus)
NGC 6939
(Open Cluster in Cepheus)
Cave Nebula - C 9
(Bright Nebula in Cepheus)
NGC 7354
(Planetary Nebula in Cepheus)
Rho Cassiopeiae
(Variable Star in Cassiopeia)
Caroline's Rose - NGC 7789
(Open Cluster in Cassiopeia)
Messier 52
(Open Cluster in Cassiopeia)
Crab Nebula - M 1
(Bright Nebula in Taurus)
Jupiter
(Planet in Taurus)
?

IMG_1976.jpeg
IMG_1979.jpeg
IMG_1987.jpeg
IMG_1989.jpeg

Thursday Night

 

I regret not being able to attend ECSP until Friday, but I made the best of it by rolling out my 15" f/5 Dobsonian. Both transparency and seeing were excellent. Despite my light polluted skies it was great fun scanning the skies. Here's what I saw.
?
List: 24/10/31 Halloween 15"
C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)
(Comet in Ophiuchus)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 7:51:24?PM
Comment: The comet is still looking very nice, with the tail extending out of the field of view?
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 57¡ã H 69%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 20mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
NGC 6572
(Planetary Nebula in Ophiuchus)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 7:54:35?PM
Comment: I almost missed it this time because of using the 20mm Pentax at the low power of only 95x and it being so small.
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 57¡ã H 69%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 20mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
IC 4665
(Open Cluster in Ophiuchus)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 7:56:34?PM
Comment: A beautiful, large open cluster that fits nicely in the 95x field of view of the 20mm Pentax?
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 20mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
IC 4756
(Open Cluster in Serpens)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 7:58:16?PM
Comment: A large open cluster filling the field of view with stars?
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 20mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
NGC 6633
(Open Cluster in Ophiuchus)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 7:58:57?PM
Comment: A large, very interesting open cluster with several lines of stars running NE TO SW.
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 20mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
NGC 6709
(Open Cluster in Aquila)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 8:00:39?PM
Comment: Nice open cluster of a few bright stars and many faint ones
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 20mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
NGC 6755
(Open Cluster in Aquila)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 8:01:58?PM
Comment: Large but sparce open cluster with very few members?
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 20mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
NGC 6781
(Planetary Nebula in Aquila)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 8:05:18?PM
Comment: Large and very faint, low surface brightness planetary nebula.
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 20mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
Vyssotsky 2-2
(Planetary Nebula in Aquila)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 8:08:49?PM
Comment: A faint, 12.7 magnitude planetary nebula that blinks nicely with the 20mm Pentax at 95x with the Lumicon OIII Gen 3 filter.
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 20mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
Messier 2
(Globular Cluster in Aquarius)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 8:19:04?PM
Comment: I compared my 11mm Type 6 Tele Vue Nagler to my 10mm Pentax XW. Pentax remain my favorite brand of eyepieces. They offer comparable or better performances than any others, are more comfortable and offer 20mm eye relief?
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
Saturn Nebula - NGC 7009
(Planetary Nebula in Aquarius)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 8:22:36?PM
Comment: Beautiful green color, elongated, but I could not see the "ansae".
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
Messier 72
(Globular Cluster in Aquarius)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 8:24:04?PM
Comment: Extremely low surface brightness; I could barely see it?
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
Saturn
(Planet in Aquarius)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 8:26:37?PM
Comment: Saturn looked good, but not comparable to how I saw it last night with the Takahashi TOA 150. I saw moons Titan and Rhea on the eastern side and Tethys and Iapetus on the western side. I suspected seeing Enceladus near the tip of the western ring.
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
Messier 15
(Globular Cluster in Pegasus)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 8:40:56?PM
Comment: I often like to look at M 15 after M 2. In my opinion M 15 is more impressive with large telescopes, while M 2 is the more impressive in smaller ones.
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
HD 1429
(Double Star in Andromeda)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 8:45:40?PM
Comment: Struve 24
5"
A real showpiece double star. The 7.7 magnitude primary is yellow and the 8.4 magnitude secondary is purple.
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
HR 9074
(Double Star in Andromeda)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 8:48:08?PM
Comment: Struve 3050
2.8
A very pretty, tight pair of equally bright yellow stars?
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
HD 200393
(Variable Star in Delphinus)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 8:51:27?PM
Comment: Vivid red 6.6 magnitude carbon star lying 1600 light years away?
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
NGC 7006
(Globular Cluster in Delphinus)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 8:53:56?PM
Comment: Although only 10.6 magnitude this is fainter than one might expect, with ?low surface brightness. The globular is very distant at 130.000 light years.
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
HD 1429
(Double Star in Andromeda)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 8:59:48?PM
Comment: Struve 24
5"
Wonderful equal pair of white stars?
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
NGC 7448
(Spiral Galaxy in Pegasus)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 9:05:29?PM
Comment: A faint, elongated galaxy a whopping 140 million light years away?
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
Blue Snowball Nebula - NGC 7662
(Planetary Nebula in Andromeda)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 9:09:40?PM
Comment: Always a favorite PNe, looked fantastic with the 5mm Pentax at 380x.
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
Andromeda Galaxy - M 31
(Spiral Galaxy in Andromeda)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 9:13:40?PM
Comment: M 31 looked awesome tonight using the 20mm Pentax at 95x. The dust lane showed nicely on the NE side of the galaxy.?
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
Messier 32
(Elliptical Galaxy in Andromeda)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 9:15:01?PM
Comment: Small but very high surface brightness satellite galaxy of M 31.?
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
Messier 110
(Elliptical Galaxy in Andromeda)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 9:18:07?PM
Comment: Normally challenge to see this low surface brightness 8th magnitude galaxy, but I saw it quite easily tonight.
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
Mirach - Beta And
(Variable Double Star in Andromeda)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 9:19:43?PM
Comment: Mirach is such a beautiful, gold star lying 197 light years away?
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
Mirach's Ghost - NGC 404
(Elliptical Galaxy in Andromeda)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 9:20:56?PM
Comment: The transparency and seeing were so good tonight that I saw Mirach's Ghost quite easily.
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
105 Piscium
(Star in Pisces)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 9:25:23?PM
Comment: A deep orange star near the galaxy M 74.
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
Messier 74
(Spiral Galaxy in Pisces)
Observed: Oct 31, 2024 at 9:26:40?PM
Comment: A large, low surface brightness galaxy best seen at low power. I found the 20mm Pentax at 95x best
Location: Virginia Beach, VA SQM-L 18.36 70¡ã H 72%
Equipment: 15" f/5 1900mm , 10mm Pentax
Seeing: 9
Transparency: 9
?
Some thoughts on the comet as it goes off in the blue

 

Well it has been nice run for the comet for the past weeks. It has dropped to magnitude 5.7 making it just barely naked eye or perhaps only by telescope. Easy find right now in Ophiuchus but on the way out and dimming. The other comet Atlas which was thought to possibly become a good comet has been eaten by the sun so one less comet. A lot of them end up like that.

I had a lot of fun over the past weeks trying to see it early morning (failure) and just after dark (successful). We looked at it last night and it certainly seems dimmer than days ago. Nice while it lasted. I don't think we will be around for the return! Probably last look at the star party.

Northwest River Park Observing

 

As Robert H and I headed to NWRP at 6:00 pm I saw a thick layer of clouds low in the west. Surely enough, upon arrival those clouds blanketed the skies. Fortunately, it cleared for about 2 hours, but the sky was never cloud free. Nevertheless, we had a good turnout. It's always nice to get together with astronomy friends. I'm looking forward to ECSP next weekend. Here's a list of what I saw with my trusty Orion 10" Dobsonian.
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List: 24/10/26 BBAA NWRP
C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)
(Comet in Ophiuchus)
Hercules Cluster - M 13
(Globular Cluster in Hercules)
Double Cluster - NGC 869
(Open Cluster in Perseus)
NGC 957
(Open Cluster in Perseus)
Trumpler 2
(Open Cluster in Perseus)
Andromeda Galaxy - M 31
(Spiral Galaxy in Andromeda)
Dumbbell Nebula - M 27
(Planetary Nebula in Vulpecula)
Uranus
(Planet in Taurus)
Sculptor Galaxy - NGC 253
(Spiral Galaxy in Sculptor)
Mirach's Ghost - NGC 404
(Elliptical Galaxy in Andromeda)
Saturn
(Planet in Aquarius)
Blinking Planetary Nebula - NGC 6826
(Planetary Nebula in Cygnus)
Messier 2
(Globular Cluster in Aquarius)
Messier 15
(Globular Cluster in Pegasus)
Ring Nebula - M 57
(Planetary Nebula in Lyra)
Albireo - Beta1 Cyg
(Variable Double Star in Cygnus)
Messier 32
(Elliptical Galaxy in Andromeda)
Messier 110
(Elliptical Galaxy in Andromeda)
Pleiades - M 45
(Open Cluster in Taurus)
Merope Nebula - NGC 1435
(Bright Nebula in Taurus)
?
26 Oct YRSP Observing Report

 

We had?eight?amateur astronomers attend. Because we were so spread out, I'm not 100% sure how many members of the public attended. I know there were 6 vehicles and I believe approximately 15 people. Thanks to all of the amateurs who came out to support this event!

Unfortunately, after battling clouds & sucker holes most of us started to stow our equipment after 10 PM. The clouds dissipated & the sky cleared so Paul was gracious enough to 'host' several of us via his scope for about an hour. Thanks Paul.

I asked Ranger Charlie if the YRSP?web page could mirror what I post re: public parking. Three 'outreach' vehicles?parked in-between our eight 'amateur vehicles' and the site was a bit crowded. Between safety concerns & headlights in our faces, I'll work with the Park Rangers to see if we can mitigate this in the future.

Saturday Night, 30 November is our next?scheduled open observing?night at YRSP. Once again, thank you to all of the amateurs?who came out to support this event.
YRSP Tonight: Go

 

The transparency & seeing may degrade some but tonight is a "Go".
Re: ECSP Registration

 

Yes you show up on our registration list. I see your information. Thanks for registering.
Re: ECSP Registration

 

I signed up last week but got only a transaction number. Will my name be on a list or something?

Michael Hall

On Fri, Oct 25, 2024 at 8:06?PM Shawn Loescher via <shawn.loescher=[email protected]> wrote:
Here is your reminder that registration for the East Coast Star Party will close on Oct 27th. On site registration exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis during the event. We have to close out the registration early so club members are able to procure the required items for ECSP attendees in time. Below is more information that was posted by club member Robert Bruce Powers about the star party. We hope to see many of you there.
?
The East Coast Star Party (ECSP) Oct 31-Nov 3, 2024 at Chippokes State Park, only a 1.5 hour drive from Norfolk VA. We re-started this time honored event in September of 2023 and had an awesome time. Everything you need to know about the event including how to register is included at the link below. There will be over hundreds of dollars worth of raffle prizes distributed for those registered so come on out and claim yours. But mostly, join like minded amateur astronomers in enjoying the wonders of the universe on full display in a dark sky location away from city lights. With that much amateur astronomer experience concentrated all in one place for 3 days, you will be bound to learn something new ! All the cool kids are clicking right now at:?
?
()


? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
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ECSP Registration

 

Here is your reminder that registration for the East Coast Star Party will close on Oct 27th. On site registration exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis during the event. We have to close out the registration early so club members are able to procure the required items for ECSP attendees in time. Below is more information that was posted by club member Robert Bruce Powers about the star party. We hope to see many of you there.
?
The East Coast Star Party (ECSP) Oct 31-Nov 3, 2024 at Chippokes State Park, only a 1.5 hour drive from Norfolk VA. We re-started this time honored event in September of 2023 and had an awesome time. Everything you need to know about the event including how to register is included at the link below. There will be over hundreds of dollars worth of raffle prizes distributed for those registered so come on out and claim yours. But mostly, join like minded amateur astronomers in enjoying the wonders of the universe on full display in a dark sky location away from city lights. With that much amateur astronomer experience concentrated all in one place for 3 days, you will be bound to learn something new ! All the cool kids are clicking right now at:?
?
(http://backbayastro.org/ecsp/registration.php)
Re: Cornland & NWRP

 

That is odd. I just emailed the permit to you instead.
Re: Cornland & NWRP

 

Still a no go.? Even logged off and then back in.? Same problem.? I guess the universe wants to keep its secrets from me today.
Re: Cornland & NWRP

 

Make sure your logged in to the NSN before clicking the link I sent you?
Re: Cornland & NWRP

 

Seems like it.? Your link put me right where it has been taking me, the event calendar.
Re: Cornland & NWRP

 

I think the NSN is still working out the kinks from the website upgrade. Try this direct direct link: .
Re: Cornland & NWRP

 

I think the link for the Cornland event is broken for me then.? Both on PC and my phone.? Clicking it just takes me to another window of the events calendar.? The other events link to their description page.? I'll keep trying though.
Re: Cornland & NWRP

 

The permit can be found on the NSN under each Cornland event. Look for it under the description of the event.
Re: Cornland & NWRP

 

Where could I find the permit?? I don't see it on the NSN site or the BBA website.
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