Milky Way, July 20, 2013
Luis Argerich / CC BY-NC 2.0
The star party season is almost upon us. This summer is doubly (triply) exciting because of the total solar eclipse in August. I’ve got two packing lists going in my head, one for car trips (camping around New England, Cherry Springs Star Party), one for plane trips (Table Mountain Star Party, plus Oregon for the eclipse). If you have any ideas or see anything crucial that I missed (outside of regular camping/backpacking equipment, I’ve got that covered), feel free to contact me or leave a comment.
Automobile:
(Assume all items on camping list already in car, including chairs & cooler)
Alt-az tripod Celestron
8×42 binos
10×50 binos
15×70 binos
90-mm Meade refractor
Coronado PST
6× solar binos
5-inch reflector (swap out for 10-inch reflector if room, desire)
60-mm birding scope
Eclipse glasses?
Welding glass
Tarps (for ground, for covering scopes)
Eyepiece case w/filters
Observing stool
Observing table? think this through
SkyAtlas 2000.0
Jumbo Pocket Sky Atlas
Pocket Sky Atlas
Printouts
Red lights
Observing notebooks (JR, Catherine)
Pencils
Green laser (not for use at star party!)
Batteries (laser, telescope, flashlights, red-dot finder, fan)
collimation screwdriver
hex wrench
Birding notebook, book
Business cards
Big camera
Lens cleaner
Camera tripod (why not?)
Tin whistle
MORE WARM CLOTHES
Basic tools
S&T issue
ADD MORE WARM CLOTHES
Laptop / Charger
Phone / Charger
Screen tent
Card table
S&T t-shirts
Print Bob’s nightscape advice
Charge camera batteries
Remote for camera
Aeroplane:
(Assume cabin rental, so no camping equipment needed in 2017)
Alt-az tripod
8×42 binos
10×5o binos?
15×7o binos
Lens cleaner
90-mm Mak (swap for Pronto in June?)
Coronado PST
6× solar binos
Welder’s glass
Eclipse glasses
Eyepieces/filters in Mak bag
Tarps (for ground, for covering scopes)
Jumbo Pocket Sky Atlas
Pocket Sky Atlas
Red lights
Observing notebooks (JR, Catherine)
Pencils
Green laser (not for use at star party!)
Batteries (laser, telescope, flashlights, red-dot finder)
All observing equipment from Rosella’s house (chairs, table, etc.)
Birding notebook, birds of PNW book
Business cards
Tin whistle
EVEN MORE WARM CLOTHES
More tools
S&T issue
AND EVEN MORE WARM CLOTHES
Laptop / Charger
Phone / Charger
Passport
