Yosemite 2009 has come and gone, with smaller than average crowds, slighty fewer astronomers, but with no shortage of magnificent views of the starry skies of Glacier Point. We had young people coming to a star party for their first time, a couple observing their 25th wedding anniverary, an old-timer fondly remembering when he was married only 25 years.

    Our thanks to the NPS rangers for inviting us to Glacier Point, and for making the visit a memorable one. We look forward to next year, and many more.

    The annual Yosemite star party is held at Glacier Point. Camping space is at the Bridalveil Creek campground. There is room for several tents. There is cold water but no showers. The camp is 10 miles away from Glacier Point.

    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. 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 go, and 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.

    Catch Jim at any of the coming events to pick up the gate pass and a page of rules.

    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 observing afterward. Let Jim Van Nuland know that you are coming, and how many scopes you'll set up.

    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".

    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 5 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 10 miles up the road. Allow time to find your way and set up; the summer sunset is late, so there's plenty of time. There is electricity in the observing area, but you may need a long extension cord. We usually are setting up by 7:30, and it's a good idea to be there earlier, as we can bring in only a few vehicles at a time, and they must quickly be returned to the parking lot, even before you set everything 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 will take a group picture at 10 minutes before sunset. Picture time will be 8:08 pm.

    One of the rangers does a sunset talk, and then delivers the crowd to us. A few 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. Some of us will set up small scopes during the afternoon, show Half Dome, and invite people to come again after sunset.

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

    The following times do not allow for the elevation or local horizon, so rise and set times may be in error by as much as 20 minutes.

                  July 17      July 18    2009

                  Friday      Saturday

     Group photo:  8:08 pm       8:08 pm

     Sunset:       8:18          8:18

      azimuth:      298           297     behind the trees

     C-twilight:   8:49          8:48     Sun  6 degrees down

     N-twilight:   9:26          9:25         12  "

     A-twilight:  10:07         10:06         18  "

                   ---- next day ----

     Moonrise:     1:52 am       2:50 am

      azimuth:       58            56     what peak?

      illumination:  20%           11%

     A-twilight:   4:02 am       4:03 am  Sun 18 degrees below horizon

     N-twilight:   4:43          4:44         12  "

     C-twilight:   5:21          5:22          6  "

     Sunrise:      5:51          5:52

      azimuth:       62            63



     Longitude:   119 deg   34.6 min

     Latitude:     37 deg   43.5 min

     Elevation:  7200 feet  WGS84

Pictures and links

SJAA Team 2008 at Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park

An unexpected 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.

To School home page. Mail to Jim Van Nuland.

Last updated: 2009 September 19, 1343 hours, pdt