Any Austin, Texas Amateur Astronomers here?

"Bill Nunnelee" wrote in message
ink.net...
Have you tried the local astronomy club yet? I'm sure they know some good
(and safe) dark sky sites.

http://www.austinastro.org/



"jojo" wrote in message
y.com...
Hi,

My question is regarding Mansfield Dam as
I keep getting conflicting information.

Some say the dam was closed to foot traffic after 9/11 and never
reopened.
Some say if you go on the right night (which night would that be?)
or have a telescope with you "they" will let you on the dam.

Can anyone here update me on this?

I am looking for a relatively dark location, not to far away from where
I
live.
I have tried 2 fields here in Round Rock. One I was asked to leave by
the
police
(what on earth can be harmful about a girl with a telescope?) and one
was
a
rewrite
of the "attack of the killer fire ants". Texans will understand how
painful
that trip was.

Thanks,

jojo




Bill, I have not tried them yet...Going to check out WCAS as well, since
they meet just a few blocks from me!
Thanks,
jojo

"SlinkyToy" wrote in message
...
LCRA, which owns and operates Mansfield Damn, closed the dam to both
foot and vehicle traffic when the new section of FM620 was built below
the dam. Because I "know people" I've been on the dam - it is quite
dizzymaking and nothing I care to repeat.

LCRA maintains a park on the south side of the dam, which is open to
both foot and vehicle traffic. Take your scope and have a good time
but don't be surprised if a Sherrif's deputy mosies by to see what
you're up to.

Thanks ST! I don't mind the police, just as long as they don't run me off!
;-)
jojo

Call the folks who run Austin Astronomy and Science on Anderson Mill
Road. Jay or Michelle can direct you to the local sited they and
others in the area go to regularly. One is at or near the dam,
the other is at Canyon of the Eagles.

Cheers,
Larry G.

Thanks Larry!
jojo

"Bill Tschumy" wrote in message
. sbcglobal.net...
On Tue, 23 Sep 2003 7:54:48 -0500, jojo wrote
(in message m):

Hi,

My question is regarding Mansfield Dam as
I keep getting conflicting information.

Some say the dam was closed to foot traffic after 9/11 and never
reopened.
Some say if you go on the right night (which night would that be?)
or have a telescope with you "they" will let you on the dam.

The dam area is open. Usually every clear Friday night there is a group
there. The skies are not particularly dark but it can be fun with a
group.

You might consider joining the Austin Astronomical Society
(www.austinastro..org). We have some other ideas about dark sites. We
also
maintain an observatory out at the north end of Lake Buchannan.




--
Bill Tschumy
Otherwise -- Austin, TX
http://www.otherwise.com

"There would be no be no bright stars without dim stars, and,
without the surrounding darkness, no stars at all."

Alan Watts


Alan Thanks!
I am very interested in visiting the observatory and joining AAS.
The timing is off right now. I have 2 trips in the next month and a
feisty one year old at home...so maybe in November.
jojo

"scott" wrote in message
...
LarryG's post will fix you up. I have the LX200 12" I should have gotten
a
smaller scope.

I'm not familiar with that scope..too big?
jojo

"Alan W. Craft" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 23 Sep 2003 12:54:48 GMT, "jojo"
....reflected:

Hi,

My question is regarding Mansfield Dam as
I keep getting conflicting information.

Some say the dam was closed to foot traffic after 9/11 and never
reopened.
Some say if you go on the right night (which night would that be?)
or have a telescope with you "they" will let you on the dam.

Can anyone here update me on this?

I am looking for a relatively dark location, not to far away from where I
live.
I have tried 2 fields here in Round Rock. One I was asked to leave by the
police
(what on earth can be harmful about a girl with a telescope?)

Rather, what harm might befall a girl with a telescope in a field
by herself at night.

Ah yes..there is that. I guess I live under the illusion that no one would
want to bother me...
jojo

"Shady Wheaton" wrote in message
.. .
Like everybody else said, get to the park area south of the dam on
Fridays a little beofore darkness sets in. There will be several scopes
set up usually and everyone seems willing to let you try theirs etc. I
went my first time and ended up buying Jay's Vixen FL102S on a GP
mount. I have a couple others, but this is my favorite for crisp
contrasty views. I just put a SS2K on it and used it once since. My
backyrad is really darker and more open than at the dam, but there are
more people to help with questions and scopes and eyepices to try out
there. A couple guys take some nice astrophotos and post them at Jay &
Michele's store.

I'll check it out! Thanks,
jojo

Pedernales St Park: two options 1) ask ranger for permission to use
the corral (4+ Acre field, flat, no trees); 2) instead of entering park
continue east 1/2 mile, where the power line crosses the road is a
large clearing which used to be a school bus turn around. Pretty
dark, but lately even johncity casts a dome of light on the sky.

AAS gathers on the dark Sat of each month at Canyon of the Eagles in
Lanno. Darker, big field, access to star nuts, longer drive, AC power
at each setup point, Observatory.

Mitch

Mitch,
Thanks. I am looking forward to camping again at Pedernales. My scope was in
storage
during the last camping trip, but the view was still nice. I lay in the back
of my pick-up truck
for hours just trying to take it all in!! I look forward also to a trip to
the canyon this winter!!
jojo

"Darrell" wrote in message
...
Funny thing is. I didn't know you were just next door. I'm in
Pflugerville. People are still meeting at the dam on Fridays.

Darrell

Hi Darrell,
Yep. Just right up the road!!
jojo

Too big as in about 140 Lbs when setup.
http://www.coseti.org/9301-044.htm Lx200 link



"jojo" wrote in message
...

"scott" wrote in message
...
LarryG's post will fix you up. I have the LX200 12" I should have
gotten
a
smaller scope.

I'm not familiar with that scope..too big?
jojo