Astronomy:
Visiting Smaller
Observatories
CAV, Chiefland, Florida
Florida's "Big Bend" region, where the
panhandle turns southward into the peninsula, is home to an
absolutely superb dark sky site: Chiefland
Astonomy Village. A group of
dedicated astromers have built their homes in adjoining lots,
forming a true astronomy town. They have a very large common
observing field, with electrical hookups, plus adjacent shelters
and comfort stations. Every New Moon weekend you'll see folks in
everything from vans, cars, tents, hammocks, and RVs, camped out
on the site for the finest dark skies in the southeastern U.S.
Everyone is friendly, and willing to share eyepieces and stories.
Courtesy, and following the light suppression rules are key in
preserving the wonderful naked eye visual magnitude 6 skies. CAV
"Mayor" Tom Clark and his fellow villagers welcome
guests, and are always looking for club members (for a very small
membership fee). Above (right) is one of Tom's creations: the
"Yard Scope II," a really big 36 inch Dobsonian
truss-type reflector. This big gun was not in use during my
visit, but imagine getting that much aperature under a dark sky.
Impressive. Come on down and see what a beautiful Florida site
can do for your scope--and the fishing is good too!
Florida's "Big Bend" region, where the
panhandle turns southward into the peninsula, is home to an
absolutely superb dark sky site: Chiefland
Astonomy Village. A group of
dedicated astromers have built their homes in adjoining lots,
forming a true astronomy town. They have a very large common
observing field, with electrical hookups, plus adjacent shelters
and comfort stations. Every New Moon weekend you'll see folks in
everything from vans, cars, tents, hammocks, and RVs, camped out
on the site for the finest dark skies in the southeastern U.S.
Everyone is friendly, and willing to share eyepieces and stories.
Courtesy, and following the light suppression rules are key in
preserving the wonderful naked eye visual magnitude 6 skies. CAV
"Mayor" Tom Clark and his fellow villagers welcome
guests, and are always looking for club members (for a very small
membership fee). Above (right) is one of Tom's creations: the
"Yard Scope II," a really big 36 inch Dobsonian
truss-type reflector. This big gun was not in use during my
visit, but imagine getting that much aperature under a dark sky.
Impressive. Come on down and see what a beautiful Florida site
can do for your scope--and the fishing is good too!