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[RobbW]

My family and I along with our friends and their kids are taking a much-needed mini-vacation to Holland, Michigan this Sunday through Wednesday (Jul 31-Aug3). I plan to bring along my scope and equipment for some observing if we get a clear night during our stay. I was just wondering if anyone in the CA family is familiar with the area and would have any recommendations for observing sites? It will be just me heading out at night as no one else in the group is into astronomy, except my daughter, but she should be asleep by then.

Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas? Thanks!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Robb,

I have no familiarity with the area, but pics of your astro excursion would be cool.

[Paulie pchris00]

Jul 29, 2011 12:54:14 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

Robb,

I have no familiarity with the area, but pics of your astro excursion would be cool.

Ditto what Joe says, except maybe check if there are any state parks i the area. The Indiana Dunes has been very accomodating to Chicago Astronomers. Michigan Parks may be different, but it's worth a shot to investigate and shoot off an email if you can find a contact. Good luck, and looking forward to the report. Clear skies!

[RobbW]

Russ, from the Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Society based in Holland, gave me a call in reply to an email request for recommendations. He said that county parks in the area require permits to stay in the parks after dark. It usually takes about three days to submit and process a permit. So, that option is probably out. He recommended I get in touch with the Muskegon Astronomical Society. They have a nice, big observatory location about an hour's drive north of where I'll be staying. I shot them an email for more info and am still waiting to hear back. Other than that, Russ recommended just pulling off of a dark country road somewhere and set up. He says that is what he used to do all the time before he found the SAAS. I'm not sure how comfortable I would be with that, but it may be my only option. I guess it'll just be a game-time decision. Russ said that unfortunately I am getting there one day too late and leaving two days too early as the SAAS has two big outreach events scheduled during the two weekends book-ending my trip. Oh well, such is life!

I just gotta say, it was really nice of Russ from the SAAS to personally call me with helpful information. It's people like him (and Joe) that really make amateur astronomy shine!

If I get a clear night or two, I will do my best to document the outing. However, I am not as skilled as Joe when it comes to self-documenting my observing activities.

[Paulie pchris00]

Pulling off the side of the road sounds sketchy, to use my ex-girlfriend's word.

I think most astronomers and astronomy clubs tend to be sympathetic to visiting astronomers, especially since in this hobby we're always searching for better skies. Hopefully the Muskegon site comes through for you.

[patrickm]

I'm not so scared of the side of the road dark site. Hell, it's Michigan. I'll solo observe in a Chicago city park well after closing time, so finding a dark field in Michigan wouldn't scare me in the least. Hopefully, the astro group will get back to you. At the least, they'll have better facilities. You could also just go find a park ranger or cop and see if they are sympathetic and/or have ideas.

Begging for forgiveness is sometimes better than asking for permission.

Good luck!!
p

[Paulie pchris00]

Jul 29, 2011 22:03:56 GMT -6 patrickm said:

Begging for forgiveness is sometimes better than asking for permission.

Begging forgiveness is always better than asking permission.

My comment wasn't made out of fear, but not knowing what to expect. You're comfortable observing at a city park late at night because of familiarity. State troopers (or local police) finding an out-of-state vehicle along the side of a road are more than likely than not to become suspicious. All I'm saying is that it is the least desirable option.

[patrickm]

And then they'll see a nerd with a telescope and go chase some drunk poachers....To each his own comfort zone, though.

Isn't the new Dark Sky Star Park up there somewhere?

[RobbW]

Jul 30, 2011 13:11:23 GMT -6 patrickm said:

Isn't the new Dark Sky Star Park up there somewhere?

Yep, it sure is. Roughly 4.5 hours north of where we'll be staying. It's right on the northern tip of Michigan just across the stream from Mackinaw Island. Bit too far of a drive for me!