CN3y Sharing the Sky web log 18
Four of Six! A fabulous Adirondack Astronomy Retreat
This year’s Adirondack Astronomy Retreat was our most successful yet. Out of six possible nights, substantial portions of four of them were dark, sharp, and clear during our 7th annual Retreat held August 6-12. Of these nights, the final one was the best. It didn’t start that way, however; in fact during that whole lazy afternoon, thick cirrostratus clouds seemed unwilling to break up. Moreover, all the forecasts we checked that afternoon agreed that the clouds would stay. I disagreed with all of them. I thought that these clouds were not thickening, and often when that happens the clouds dissipate towards evening, And that is precisely what happened. At 9:30 that evening the sky was completely cloudy, by 10 there were small holes in the cloud cover; by 10:10 there were large holes in the cloud cover, and by 10:30 the sky was completely clear! Nice.
Not only was the last night clear, but also it marked the maximum of the Perseid Meteor Shower for 2010. This was far from a scientific count—it was really just for fun. Our observer count ranged from one to six or seven as the night went on. These meteors came in spurts; we would see several within a few minutes, then enjoy breaks during which the sky was quiet. Although at no point did the numbers of meteors reach storm levels (1 meteor or more per second), there were several periods during the night when the rates reached a few per minute. Over the course of that last night we counted 271 meteors—an extraordinary number.
Aart telescope: The Cutting Pavilion is dedicated.
This was not the only night we counted meteors.
Vince Matteo took this marvellous piucture of a Perseid streaking over the retreat, night of August 6/7, 2010.
During the two retreats that week we informally counted meteors on several nights. Our second night of the first retreat, during which we counted 92 meteors, coincided with what we call “VIP night” when senior officials of the University that owns the camp, the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, joined us for a fancy evening meal.
An "almost point meteor" seen on August 7, 2010. Doveed photo.
At this event we also officially opened, after a long seven-year wait, the David H. Levy Observatory’s Cutting pavilion, named after the family of an amateur astronomer who built the building and used it for many years.
The David H. Levy Observatory's Cutting Pavilion stands proudly and prominently on its site at TWin Valleys Camp. Photo by Doveed.
It was a very good, emotional ceremony. In my remarks I expressed the strong sense of accomplishment I have whenever a new observatory, a new member of my astronomical family, is dedicated. We even had a contest to name the telescope; the winning entry was Aart, for Adirondack Astronomy Retreat Telescope, and thus a new “child” telescope begins to inspire people to look toward the sky.
I could’ve sworn it was Heaven.
Just about everyone who has visited Twin Valleys Camp has been struck by its sheer majesty. This year, as Wendee and I drove up the road, the observatory building was the first thing we saw. “Now that’s where the observatory belongs!” I said when we first caught sight of it. “Front and center.” The observatory reinforces the profound impact the site has. The “Twin Valleys” name implies that the site consists of two valleys, one which contains the camp, the other which is empty save for the foundations of a long-deserted farm.. In between the two valleys are a series of low mountains across which hikers enjoy walking long well-marked trails. One of these trails leads upwards to the rim of Ferguson Mountain, where Horseshoe Ledge offers a stunning view of the entire camp. I’ve been up there several times over the years, even taking some pictures to prove it.
Twin Valleys Camp from Horseshoe Ledge. Doveed photo.
You can experience the magic of this place yourself next summer. Our retreat dates will be July 31-August 6. Contact info@sharingthesky.org for details.
As wondrous as the camp is, its real magic comes at sunset. As the sky begins to darken the place takes on an eerie, otherworldly mood. As I look around the same thought invariably enters my mind: I love this place. I love everything this place offers, especially its peace, relaxation, and a sense that all is right with the world.