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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On Feb 26, 2025, at 07:48, 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
?
-- v/r
v/r
Chuck Jagow
Future ???????
Gone... ??????
?
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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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YRSP: Saturday, 1 March CANCELED
I just received a text from Ranger Charlie stating the observing field is not - and will not be - in a satisfactory condition to have Outreach & Open Observing this Saturday. Between 4+ inches of rain, the snow, the rapid warm-up & its proximity to the river have all proven to be too much to overcome. As such, the session is unfortunately canceled.
The next session will be Saturday, 19 April (Last Quarter Moon).
Troy
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Fw: TONIGHT: JWST NSN Webinar
Night Sky Network webinar tonight on the James Webb Space Telescope.
George Reynolds
"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia
Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)?
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----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Night Sky Network <nightskynetwork@...> To: "pathfinder027@..." <pathfinder027@...> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 12:10:41 PM EST Subject: TONIGHT: JWST NSN Webinar
n/a: 
JWST: Revealing the Invisible Universe with Joseph DePasquale
Join the NASA Night Sky Network on Tuesday, February 25, at 6:00 PM Pacific Time (9:00 PM Eastern) along with Joseph DePasquale where we¡¯ll discuss the James Webb Space Telescope and the two-plus years of exciting results we¡¯ve received here on Earth.
Zoom Webinar Registration Link:?
NSN Members can register for this webinar using the following link. Once registered, you will receive an automatic reminder shortly before the webinar begins. Please register with your club's full name (preferred) rather than initials or abbreviations.?
For best results: update and restart your Zoom software before the session begins. The webinar registration link will give you access to the live video webinar, as well as a backup call-in number and code just in case your computer experiences connection issues.?
YouTube Livestream:?
The talk will also be streamed live at the YouTube link below, and saved for future viewing. Please note: questions submitted via the Zoom Q&A feature will have priority over YouTube chat.
?
Further Information
Webb Space Telescope - Official Homepage:
Upcoming Webinars:
- March 11 -
- April 16 -?
- May 15 -?
All Previous and Upcoming Webinars are found on the?NSN's YouTube Channel:
Follow us on?Facebook,?X?(formally?Twitter)?and?Instagram?at the username?@NightSkyNetwork?for the latest NSN news and outreach photos. You can also use the hashtags?#NightSkyNetwork?and?#AstronomyOutreach?on your social media platforms for a chance to be featured!
?
?(NSN)?member clubs are dedicated to bringing the wonders of space and NASA science to folks across the USA.NSN program participation provides clubs with and to assist in their public outreach.?
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The NASA Night Sky Network is managed by the?.?The ASP is a 501c3 non-profit organization advancing science literacy through astronomy.?
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UNSUBSCRIBE INFORMATION: You are receiving this Email notification from the Night Sky Network as a member of your local astronomy club. To change your preferences for receiving the Night Sky Network Newsletter, log into the Night Sky Network website and select "My Profile". https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/nsnadmin/members/self/edit/ For assistance, please contact nightskyinfo@....
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YRSP: Saturday Night, 1 March UPDATE - still 'pending'
Before we can worry about stargazing?weather, we have to ensure?the field isn't too soggy. Ranger Zach will contact?me Wednesday morning to give me his preliminary assessment.
If the field passes the Wednesday AM test, I'll post a formal invite to the Groups to preliminarily confirm Saturday Night's obs.
After that, the field will have to survive potential rain showers Thursday PM and we'll obviously need a favorable Saturday Night forecast. Again, I'll update everyone Wednesday morning whether it's a No-Go or we proceed pending field conditions & weather variables to make the usual Saturday 1500 Go/No-Go call.
It would be great to get this in before DST begins. If it's a No-Go, the next scheduled?obs night is 19 April.
/r Troy
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Re: Upper County Park JCC: the beginning of the end of a dark sky site has begun
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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Upper County Park JCC: the beginning of the end of a dark sky site has begun
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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There are a few of us who remember him. Lot of losses this past few years. :(
On Monday, February 24, 2025 at 08:21:25 AM EST, RapidEye via groups.io <rapideye.us@...> wrote:
This really saddens me. I have many fond memories of hanging out with Cliff and others down in the cedars at Coinjock. He was very generous with his time and sharing his views.
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.?
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Kent Blackwell
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This really saddens me. I have many fond memories of hanging out with Cliff and others down in the cedars at Coinjock. He was very generous with his time and sharing his views.
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.?
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Kent Blackwell
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Thanks Ted, ? Cliff was a good guy and I went to many Cloverwatch sessions, and managed to annoy everyone with temp readings! ? ?-??-??-? ? From: <[email protected]> on behalf of "Ted Forte via groups.io" <tedforte511@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 3:06?PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [BackBayAstro] Cliff Hedgepeth
Resent-From: <tedforte511@...>
Resent-Date: Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:06:48 -0800 Very sad to hear this. ? You may remember that Cliff was the driving force behind the ¡°Cloverwatch¡± observing events we did in association with the 4h club at the Southampton County Fairgrounds. He also briefly tried to start a club in Southampton that didn¡¯t quite work out. Cliff¡¯s granddaughter, Taylor, was an early recipient of the Sky Puppy Observing Award (award #2). ? Cliff was also the first person to complete the Planetary Nebula Program by imaging (he used SLOOH).? ? He¡¯ll be missed. ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Kent Blackwell via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2025 2:33 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [BackBayAstro] Cliff Hedgepeth? 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.? -- v/r
v/r
Chuck Jagow
Future ???????
Gone... ??????
?
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I remember Cliff well ¨C he was a regular at Coinjock ECSP¡¯s. ?Always appreciated his wry smiles, wit and humor. ?I remember he had medical issues that prevented his attendance at the last years of ECSP, so he missed those and we missed him.
On 02/23/2025 5:15 PM EST jimcoble2000 via groups.io <jimcoble2000@...> wrote:
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Thanks Ted. I had forgotten Clover Watch. Sigh, a long time ago. Also his planetary nebula program work. He was always a fun presence at Coinjock. A lot of water under the bridge.
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On Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 05:06:49 PM EST, Ted Forte via groups.io <tedforte511@...> wrote:
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Very sad to hear this.
?
You may remember that Cliff was the driving force behind the ¡°Cloverwatch¡± observing events we did in association with the 4h club at the Southampton County Fairgrounds. He also briefly tried to start a club in Southampton that didn¡¯t quite work out. Cliff¡¯s granddaughter, Taylor, was an early recipient of the Sky Puppy Observing Award (award #2).
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Cliff was also the first person to complete the Planetary Nebula Program by imaging (he used SLOOH).?
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He¡¯ll be missed.
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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.?
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Thanks Ted. I had forgotten Clover Watch. Sigh, a long time ago. Also his planetary nebula program work. He was always a fun presence at Coinjock. A lot of water under the bridge.
On Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 05:06:49 PM EST, Ted Forte via groups.io <tedforte511@...> wrote:
Very sad to hear this. ? You may remember that Cliff was the driving force behind the ¡°Cloverwatch¡± observing events we did in association with the 4h club at the Southampton County Fairgrounds. He also briefly tried to start a club in Southampton that didn¡¯t quite work out. Cliff¡¯s granddaughter, Taylor, was an early recipient of the Sky Puppy Observing Award (award #2). ? Cliff was also the first person to complete the Planetary Nebula Program by imaging (he used SLOOH).? ? He¡¯ll be missed. ?
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Kent Blackwell via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2025 2:33 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [BackBayAstro] Cliff Hedgepeth ? 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.?
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Very sad to hear this. ? You may remember that Cliff was the driving force behind the ¡°Cloverwatch¡± observing events we did in association with the 4h club at the Southampton County Fairgrounds. He also briefly tried to start a club in Southampton that didn¡¯t quite work out. Cliff¡¯s granddaughter, Taylor, was an early recipient of the Sky Puppy Observing Award (award #2). ? Cliff was also the first person to complete the Planetary Nebula Program by imaging (he used SLOOH).? ? He¡¯ll be missed. ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Kent Blackwell via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2025 2:33 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [BackBayAstro] Cliff Hedgepeth? 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.?
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I looked and did not see an obituary yet on the internet. I suspect you will hear soon.
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.?
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Kent Blackwell
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charles jagow
Ian Stewart
Ted Forte