In addition to Astronomy magazine Editor David J. Eicher's reports from his trip to Arizona Sky Village with Senior Editor Michael Bakich, we're also privileged to have updates from the 2008 Chiefland Star Party, in Chiefland, Florida. Chiefland Astronomy Village (CAV) hosts this star party. Like Arizona Sky Village, CAV is an astronomy-friendly community. According to its web site, "The Chiefland Astronomy Village is basically an astronomical retirement community where astronomers from all over have built their observatories and attached living quarters. We now have over 20 astronomy families who own property here. So far they have built 14 observatories, with new ones going up every year."
One of the star party's organizers, Paul Atkinson, took us up on our offer a few weeks back to post news from star parties. Here's Paul's first of what will likely be a series of updates from the Chiefland Star Party.
Take it away, Paul:
Right now there are about 100 people on the main observing field pictured in the attached photo. During the course of the next several days, we expect up to 350 astronomers to converge on-site for a wonderful week of observing, companionship, and sharing in this wonderful hobby. With RV power hookups, on-field telescope power, shower facilities and more, Chiefland is one of the premier dark-sky sites in the southeastern United States. Located in the big bend area of Florida, it is virtually bug free with great skies and mild weather.
All that being said, things didn't start off on the best note. Being located in Florida, it wouldn't be a star party if we didn't at least get a little rain, and we paid our dues early. Most of the opening day on Friday the 24th was a complete washout, with squalls and rain pushing through into the night. It didn't dampen the spirits of those arriving. After Saturday started with some brief showers and clouds, things began to improve dramatically. As the day wore on, the clouds began to break, and a cooling trend set in as we moved into the early evening hours. Of course the field came alive with activity as people scrambled to set up their telescopes and gear in anticipation of a good night. They weren't disappointed!
By 10:00 p.m. most of the clouds had disappeared and any remaining clouds or high haze began to dissipate. The sounds of whirring go-to scope motors and eager chatter filled the air as the sky cleared in earnest around 10:30 pm. Seeing was probably a 7.5 out of 10, with transparency around the same number. A brief tour of the field showed the majority of the participants viewing at around 1:00 a.m., with some diehards still going well into the wee morning hours. Those who stayed up were also treated to bright meteors and fireballs streaking overhead. Some were quite impressive. It was an added bonus to an already great night. The temperature overnight hit a low of 51° F and it was cool and comfortable with high humidity. Something we expect in Florida, and something that really steadies the skies for crisp planetary and deep-sky observing views.
The forecast calls for great weather the rest of the week. Clear skies and expected daytime highs in the mid-60s to lower 70s with overnight lows dipping into the 40s will rule the rest of the party. We may even get a couple of nights in the 30s. Keep checking back each day for updated information and more on-site reports of this fantastic event.