I'm going from LA to Lake Tahoe this summer, and would like to stop overnight somewhere and do some observing, probably in the Mammoth/June Lake area. Yes, it won't be totally dark in a public place, but certainly better than what I'm used to. I've heard it can get windy though. Anyone have any experience with this area?
Eastern Sierra observing
Started by hemismith, 03/17/2005 04:56AM
Posted 03/17/2005 04:56AM
Opening Post
Posted 03/17/2005 06:51AM
| Edited 03/17/2005 06:52AM
#1
Craig…
I haven't observed along Hwy 395 yet, but I can give you some ideas. I'm with Central Valley Astronomers in Fresno and some of my club friends have observed at Mono Lake (exactly where I do not know, but they says it's very dark) and at Grandview Campground in the White Mountains, below the Bristlecone Pine forests ( http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=11&n=4132529&e=394643&s=50&size=l&datum=nad83&layer=DRG25 ).
Myself, I have observed from the big main parking lot at the Mt Rose Ski area along NV Hwy 431 between Reno and Lake Tahoe ( http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=11&n=4357327&e=251298&s=50&size=l&datum=nad83&layer=DRG25 ). This site is at 8200' elevation. It's pretty dark and the light dome from Reno to the north is not too objectionable. Except for a "tall" southern horizon, a big light on one of the buildings, and a little distraction from the nearby highway, it's a good site. I simply used my Jeep to shield my scope from the light and the highway and had a good time.
The two TopoZone URLs will show the Grandview Campgound and Mt Rose sites at a high zoom (1:50000 using the 1:24000 USGS quads). You can back out your zoom and/or map scale to get a more regional view.
Last, you should check Phil Harrington's "Dark Sky Directory": http://www.philharrington.net/dssd.htm
I hope this helps.
Fred
www.cvafresno.org
I haven't observed along Hwy 395 yet, but I can give you some ideas. I'm with Central Valley Astronomers in Fresno and some of my club friends have observed at Mono Lake (exactly where I do not know, but they says it's very dark) and at Grandview Campground in the White Mountains, below the Bristlecone Pine forests ( http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=11&n=4132529&e=394643&s=50&size=l&datum=nad83&layer=DRG25 ).
Myself, I have observed from the big main parking lot at the Mt Rose Ski area along NV Hwy 431 between Reno and Lake Tahoe ( http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=11&n=4357327&e=251298&s=50&size=l&datum=nad83&layer=DRG25 ). This site is at 8200' elevation. It's pretty dark and the light dome from Reno to the north is not too objectionable. Except for a "tall" southern horizon, a big light on one of the buildings, and a little distraction from the nearby highway, it's a good site. I simply used my Jeep to shield my scope from the light and the highway and had a good time.
The two TopoZone URLs will show the Grandview Campgound and Mt Rose sites at a high zoom (1:50000 using the 1:24000 USGS quads). You can back out your zoom and/or map scale to get a more regional view.
Last, you should check Phil Harrington's "Dark Sky Directory": http://www.philharrington.net/dssd.htm
I hope this helps.
Fred
www.cvafresno.org
Funding Member
