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    The 2011 Yosemite star party has come and gone, with some campsite changes due to the fire that started in El Portal. There was very little smoke at the camp, Glacier Point, and the roads to them.

    On Friday, the sky was partly to mostly cloudy much of the day, which was probably why we had only a small group of visitors at the star party. The slide show ran well, but then the star party was cut short by a short rain and even more clouds, which sent most of the astronomers scurrying to pack in their telescopes. But those who stuck it out were rewarded by a fine clear sky, especially after about 10 pm. By midnight, the heat and driving took their toll, and everyone returned to camp.

    On Saturday the sky cleared by early afternoon, and we had a nice crowd for much of the evening, and excellent conditions all night. And unlike Friday, there were a few who stayed long after midnight, and were rewarded by views of the Great Nebula in Orion, along with other early-winter targets.

    Overall, a rewarding weekend.

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    The annual Yosemite star party is held at Glacier Point. Camping space is at the Bridalveil Creek campground, 8 miles from The Point. There is room for several tents. The camping is rough by modern standards: no dining room, no showers, no hot water. The camper limit is 30 feet.

    We are given free admission and camping space. In exchange, we are expected to be set up for both public star parties at Glacier Point, on Friday and Saturday night. If you have never set up for the public, this may not the place to try it for the first time.

    For all these reasons, this is probably not suitable for a family camping trip.

    We have the public (about 100 - 200 people) from twilight for a few hours, and then have the rest of the night (and all day) to ourselves. A mighty good deal, seeing how some people come 10,000 miles to see those rocks.

    We may take a maximum of 30 people, with priority given to SJAA members. We are expected to have at least one public telescope for every two people. If you can tolerate the conditions outlined, write to Jim Van Nuland with the number of people and telescopes. If you would rather arrange your own housing, let Jim know that too, and how many telescopes you'll set up for the star party.

    Jim will mail the gate passes a few weeks before our weekend.

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For those past the 30-person camping limit, or who will make their own arrangements at a motel:

    Yosemite is your park, and you are welcome come if you arrange your own accommodations. You would be welcome to join us at Glacier Point for the public star party and the general observing afterward.

    There are several motels in the community of Yosemite West, which is much nearer than the inns on the valley floor. Try googling on "Yosemite West".

    If will set up a telescope, let Jim Van Nuland know that you are coming.

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    If you have not been to Yosemite before, see the FAQ page for two suggested routes, and very detailed directions for one of them.

    When you arrive at Yosemite, make your way up to the Bridalveil Creek campground. Do not confuse it with the walk-in viewing area at Bridalveil Fall. From that area, the driving distance is 18 miles, uphill. Allow about an hour from the Fall parking lot, but make a stop at the Wawona Tunnel overlook, which is the classic view of Yosemite Valley. Try to reach the camp by 4 pm at the latest.

    At the campground, go to loop C, and find sites 81, 83, 85, 94, and 95, with "Reserved for Park Volunteers" on them. All are on the left side the road, along a long curve. The curve and sites enclose a large common area "behind" the sites, where tents can be set up.

    Note that sites 89 and 93 are not volunteer sites, even though they fall between the volunteer sites. We will try to buy them, but if they do not have "SJAA" or "JVN" on the number post, they are not ours.

    Glacier Point is another 8 miles up the road. Allow time to find your way and set up; the summer sunset is late, so there's adequate time. We usually are setting up by 6:30, as we can bring in only a few vehicles at a time to unload, and they must quickly be returned to the parking lot, even before you set up.

    The observing area is partly open, with good views from about NNW to the east, around to due south. From south around past west is partly to mostly blocked by tall trees. Still, there's a lot of open sky, and typically, the seeing and transparency are excellent. It is typically warm (80 to 90) during the day, and cool to chilly (40) at night, due to the elevation, 7200 feet.

    On each evening, we may take a group picture about 10 minutes before sunset. Picture time will be 7:10 pm.

    One of the rangers does a sunset talk, and then delivers the crowd to us. Some will have flashlights, and we need to be tolerant of that. Pick out a show object that you are familiar with, tell about it, etc., just as we do at Houge Park and schools. Hopefully we'll be on different objects. Expect lots of questions. By 11 or so, we'll have the place to ourselves, and can stay until dawn.

    Scopes must be removed when we quit, then set up again on Saturday. We have two "leaving windows" to manage the lights associated with packing up. Please be considerate.

    Miscellaneous questions and answers are tossed onto the Yosemite FAQ page.

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Sun and Moon data

    The Moon will be New on Sunday, August 28.

    The following times do not allow for the elevation or local horizon, so rise times will be late by about 25 minutes near east, and by about 45 minutes when the object is northeast or southeast. The error will be even larger when the object is behind a mountain peak.

                                                Aug. 26      Aug. 27    2011
                                                Friday       Saturday
                                   Sunset:       7:36          7:35
                                    azimuth:      284           283     behind the trees
                                   C-twilight:   8:04          8:02     Sun  6 degrees down
                                   N-twilight:   8:36          8:34         12  "
                                   A-twilight:   9:10          9:08         18  "
                                      ------- next ------- day -------
                                   Moonrise:     4:46 am       5:57 am
                                    azimuth:       73            80     right of Half Dome
                                    illumination:   4%            1%
                                   A-twilight:   4:51 am       4:52 am  Sun 18 degrees down
                                   N-twilight:   5:24          5:25         12  "
                                   C-twilight:   5:57          5:58          6  "
                                   Sunrise:      6:24          6:25
                                    azimuth:       77            77

                    Longitude:   119 deg   34.6 min
                    Latitude:     37 deg   43.5 min
                    Elevation:  7200 feet  WGS84

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Pictures and links

Click picture for bigger version.

SJAA Team 2008 at Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park

An unwelcome guest. Bear in Glacier Point parking lot.

Bear entering near fire ring. Do not bring any food into the observing area!

For 2006 pictures, go to Morris' Yosemite 2006 page.

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To School home page. Mail to Jim Van Nuland.

Last updated: 2011 September 6, 0202 hours, pdt