Suanna and I made it back from Fall Creek Falls, where we met up with Mike Worthy and Shirley Murphy this weekend. We had one night of spectacular viewing (with an SQM score of 20.51) and one night of tall tales, thanks to sloppy skies on Saturday. Park rangers shuttled visitors to the observing field through 10 p.m. Saturday evening, where the amateurs were tested on their ability to perform “Plan B” with wavering sky conditions.
Here’s some pictures from the observing field:
- This 14″ Orion SkyQuest was one of two Newtonian truss scopes on the observing field.
- Astrophotographers Craig and Tammy Temple operate the scope on the left, with a Paramount MyT robotic mount. (Left, T. Temple; Right, Bill Madewell)
- On the right is a 10″ imaging scope with a carbon fiber OTA assembly. On the left is a Jason Mitchell Thermal ice fishing shelter made by Clam.
- Powell family members (left to right) Connor, J. D. and Anslee brought this Celestron and an AstroTech (not pictured) to the TFSG. On Saturday, Connor took his first celestial shot of the Pleiades.
Tentative dates for the next Tennessee Spring Star Party are May 26-28, 2017. If you have a chance to go, the spring event is the larger of the two. It’s an easy 3 1/2 hour trip from Florence, and I highly recommend it.