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by Howard Lazarus
Last year I attended the Winter Star Party in Key West Florida. It was a wonderful event for there were many different types of scopes there and amateurs from all over the country had attended. Of course the main interest was the night sky and the southern sky was everything it had claimed to be. There was the Milky Way in all its glory and many objects were well in view. The mesmerizing Kembels Cascade was one of those objects you just do not see as clearly in our northern sky.
However, I am getting off my trend of thought for the the Rockland Astronomy Club puts on a star party at Shady Pines, Mass. that is every bit as exciting and with a dark sky that in my opinion is superior to the much acclaimed Winter Star Party. Don Urban, who organizes this event has selected a site setting that is not only comfortable but, that presents a dark sky second to none that I have experienced on the east coast of the U.S.A.
How do I dare make such a statement; easy. Try to view the NGC 6960 better known as the Veil Nebula. This nebulae exploded so long ago that mankind has lost count and that explains why this object is so faint. Well, at Shady Pines using a 5.12" refractor without filters and with a 28mm eyepiece ( that is 28x mag.) the Veil Nebulae just popped right into the scope. I just could not believe my eyes for back north with filters like the Oxygen-III I could just barely make it out. On this night at Shady Pines I just slapped on a broadband filter and there was the whole nebula in the eyepiece. I called over Dom Morelli, our club astrophotographer (very famous in our club only). He too was very impressed and he immediately put on his UHC filter and this nebula was as clear and as highly resolved as if it exploded yesterday.
Of course, many other great and exciting objects were noted that night, but, my point is that this sky and the way this event is organized it should be on every amateur's calendar as a MUST GO TO EVENT.
The skies are outstanding, the quality of amateur that is attracted to the event makes everyday spent there pleasant, entertaining and informative and highly relaxing.
Don't miss the next one.
Howard Lazarus - Rockland Astronomy Club Member
