Search found 136 matches

by jjones7777
Mon Apr 01, 2019 6:50 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Upcoming Messier Marathon April 5/6
Replies: 12
Views: 1673

Re: Upcoming Messier Marathon April 5/6

Greetings all, The 2019 Messier Marathon is scheduled for this upcoming weekend. I have not yet heard any additional information regarding the conditions of the field or the parking lot at CGO, but the extended forecast is not looking wonderful. However, it is too soon to give up hope! For those of ...
by jjones7777
Fri Mar 29, 2019 12:51 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Star party 3/29-30 - this weekend
Replies: 1
Views: 482

Re: Star party 3/29-30 - this weekend

All, I just received an update from Vic from Dave Venne regarding the CGO field conditions: "By Friday/Saturday, I think the only usable places will be the observatory and the old BAD concrete strip. Walking around the warming house will not be good, either." The parking lot probably conti...
by jjones7777
Thu Mar 28, 2019 3:58 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Star party 3/29-30 - this weekend
Replies: 1
Views: 482

Star party 3/29-30 - this weekend

Greetings all, I just checked with Vic on the condition of the field at CGO for this weekend's star party. He said it is out of the question to use the parking lot. Depending upon the weather conditions, the field might be slippery if it is cold and windy. So,if you DO go, please do NOT park in the ...
by jjones7777
Thu Mar 28, 2019 3:56 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Upcoming Messier Marathon April 5/6
Replies: 12
Views: 1673

Re: Upcoming Messier Marathon April 5/6

I just checked with Vic on the condition of the field at CGO for this weekend's star party. He said it is out of the question to use the parking lot. Depending upon the weather conditions, the field might be slippery if it is cold and windy. So,if you DO go, please do NOT park in the parking lot and...
by jjones7777
Wed Mar 27, 2019 9:19 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Upcoming Messier Marathon April 5/6
Replies: 12
Views: 1673

Re: Upcoming Messier Marathon April 5/6

In a recent email conversation with Vic, he said that the snow had disappeared more quickly than he expected, but that the driveway and the field are still very soft. We won't know if the MM will be on until sometime in the middle of next week.
by jjones7777
Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:29 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Upcoming Messier Marathon April 5/6
Replies: 12
Views: 1673

Upcoming Messier Marathon April 5/6

Greetings all,

The MAS Messier Marathon is scheduled for the Friday/Saturday of April 5th/6th at Cherry Grove.

At this moment, it is difficult to say whether the field will be ready. Stay tuned for updated information.
by jjones7777
Tue Sep 04, 2018 3:13 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: 4M at CGO this weekend, Sept 7/8
Replies: 12
Views: 1715

4M at CGO this weekend, Sept 7/8

Greetings all, This is reminder that the Mini-Messier-Marathon will take place at Cherry Grove this weekend, September 7/8. Kris Setnes, our resident weather-whiz, will be letting you know about the predictions as we get closer. As I will be out of town, Kristopher will also be calling Friday's GO/N...
by jjones7777
Sat May 19, 2018 10:46 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Virgo Venture this alternate weekend
Replies: 1
Views: 476

Re: Virgo Venture this alternate weekend

And, just in case you were wondering,

The Virgo Venture is cancelled to tonight as well.
by jjones7777
Fri May 18, 2018 7:40 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Virgo Venture this alternate weekend
Replies: 1
Views: 476

Virgo Venture this alternate weekend

Greetings all, I've decided to cancel the 'official' Virgo Venture at CGO for this evening. Instead, I would like to encourage you to attend the B-SIG star party at Metcalf this evening and support Suresh. Of course, you are more than welcome to head down to CGO on your own. Please check the weather...
by jjones7777
Sat May 12, 2018 1:32 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Virgo Venture for Saturday: CANCELLED
Replies: 0
Views: 431

Virgo Venture for Saturday: CANCELLED

Greetings all,

Due to the questionable weather conditions for tonight and the soggy field conditions, the Virgo Venture is CANCELLED for tonight.

Of course, you always have the right to head out to CGO on your own if you desire. Please check the current weather conditions before you do so.
by jjones7777
Fri May 11, 2018 12:15 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Virgo Venture for Friday: OFF
Replies: 1
Views: 431

Virgo Venture for Friday: OFF

Greetings all,

The Virgo Venture for tonight is OFF and postponed until tomorrow night. Tomorrow will be called by 4:00 pm Saturday.

We do have next weekend as an alternate.
by jjones7777
Wed May 09, 2018 11:51 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Virgo Venture coming soon! - May 11/12
Replies: 1
Views: 438

Virgo Venture weather update

Greetings all, According to Clear Outside, Saturday is looking better than Friday for this weekend's Virgo Venture, although NOAA is predicting the Cloud Nebula for both nights. Windy Is agreeing with Clear Outside in predicting that Saturday is better. I'm currently down at TSP so Nancy has graciou...
by jjones7777
Wed May 02, 2018 12:46 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Virgo Venture coming soon! - May 11/12
Replies: 1
Views: 438

Virgo Venture coming soon! - May 11/12

Greetings photon starved astronomers, Barring horrible field conditions and another snow storm, the Virgo Venture is scheduled for the weekend of May 11/12 at CGO with Friday, May 11 as the primary date. This is an opportunity to see a list of 25 galaxies found in and around the constellation Virgo....
by jjones7777
Fri Apr 13, 2018 10:45 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Messier Marathon NO GO for this weekend.
Replies: 3
Views: 604

Messier Marathon NO GO for this weekend.

Surprise, surprise. Since Old Man Winter refuses to let go his grasp of our much desired spring, Old Man Observing Chair has no choice but to call the entire weekend NO GO for the Messier Marathon. Let's now look forward to May 12th - the Virgo Venture - for the start of the observing season at Cher...
by jjones7777
Wed Apr 11, 2018 7:50 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: 2018 Messier Marathon
Replies: 9
Views: 1323

Re: 2018 Messier Marathon

Greetings All,

The weather is not looking fantastic for this week's start-to-the-observing year. I'll give updates as we move closer to Friday.

Clear skies (someday),
by jjones7777
Sat Apr 07, 2018 3:04 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: 2018 Messier Marathon
Replies: 9
Views: 1323

Re: 2018 Messier Marathon

Greetings all, The Messier Marathon has been officially moved to ELO due to lousy field conditions at Cherry Grove. My apologies for not getting this info to you sooner. I was unable to get to the website here from the UK. Clayton was kind enough to let me - and the entire UK - back in. So, YES - th...
by jjones7777
Fri Sep 22, 2017 1:25 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Mini Messier Marathon for ON for Friday night! 9/22
Replies: 0
Views: 389

Mini Messier Marathon for ON for Friday night! 9/22

Greetings all,

The Mini Messier Marathon is ON FOR TONIGHT, FRIDAY, 9/22, Please see the details on the Mini Messier Marathon thread in his discussion forum.

Clear skies!
by jjones7777
Fri Sep 22, 2017 1:21 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: 2017 MAS Mini Messier Marathon - coming up!
Replies: 19
Views: 2230

Re: 2017 MAS Mini Messier Marathon - coming up!

Greetings all, Despite the somewhat questionable agreement with the prediction services, I'm calling the 4M ON FOR TONIGHT - FRIDAY. It looks as if the skies will be clear in the early evening, but will cloud up as early morning approaches. The temps shouldn't be cold, but the wind may be nuts - NOA...
by jjones7777
Wed Sep 20, 2017 4:32 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: 2017 MAS Mini Messier Marathon - coming up!
Replies: 19
Views: 2230

Re: 2017 MAS Mini Messier Marathon - coming up!

Greetings all, To answer Deane's question - yes; the 'official' 4M is at CGO, but LLCC is also available to us this weekend. Regarding the 4M's weather: things are looking quesitonable for this weekend. ClearOutside is predicting 70% clouds starting at 8:00 for Friday, and 90% clouds for Saturday. N...
by jjones7777
Fri Sep 08, 2017 12:02 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: 2017 MAS Mini Messier Marathon - coming up!
Replies: 19
Views: 2230

2017 MAS Mini Messier Marathon - coming up!

Greetings Observers, The 2017 MAS Mini-Messier Marathon (4M) will be held at the Cherry Grove facility on Friday/Saturday, Sept 22/23rd. This is the last 'official' star party of the season, so consider attending. Also, as this is an 'official' star party, it will be 'officially' called ON or OFF in...
by jjones7777
Fri Jun 02, 2017 4:32 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Another Weather Forecasting Tool
Replies: 3
Views: 578

Re: Another Weather Forecasting Tool

The whole weather forecasting thing seems - even for the pros - a bit of a mystery. Chaos Theory. I've come to the conclusion that when NOAA gives a lower percentage of cloud cover and Clear Sky Clock give darker blue boxes for cloud cover and lighter blue boxes for transparency - they are talking a...
by jjones7777
Sat May 27, 2017 1:27 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Virgo Venture - May 26/27 2017
Replies: 24
Views: 2591

Re: Virgo Venture - May 26/27 2017

After the clouds cleared out around 12:30 am, the skies at CGO were some of the nicest I've seen there for some time. We had a great crowd and some great viewing and conversation. Thanks to all of you who came out! If you worked on the Virgo Venture list but didn't hand it in to me, you can email it...
by jjones7777
Fri May 26, 2017 3:16 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Virgo Venture - May 26/27 2017
Replies: 24
Views: 2591

Re: Virgo Venture - May 26/27 2017

I have a dew shield for an 8" SCT and a roll of duct tape. I'll bring both. The duct tape is even black!
by jjones7777
Fri May 26, 2017 1:40 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Virgo Venture - May 26/27 2017
Replies: 24
Views: 2591

Re: ON for Tonight!!

Greetings all, I'm calling tonight's Virgo Venture ON FOR TONIGHT, FRIDAY, MAY 26TH. While not all of our weather predictors are in complete agreement, they are 'generally' in agreement, and Saturday looks worse: The Canadians (Clear Sky Chart) are predicting good skies except some nasty high cirrus...
by jjones7777
Thu May 25, 2017 8:38 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Virgo Venture - May 26/27 2017
Replies: 24
Views: 2591

Re: Virgo Venture - May 26/27 2017

For any of you who have been following the weather for the weekend, you have seen how much it has changed. I suspect it will change again tomorrow. I'll be making the call tomorrow afternoon before 4:00 pm. I'll post it here and on the main webpage.