NSP 4: An Attendees Perspective

Some things just get better with age, a fine wine, a good cigar and the Nebraska Star Party. This was the fourth consecutive year that I attended this event, and I'm glad I was there. Sure, it was cloudier and windier than in the past years. While some were disappointed by this uncontrollable factor, I chose to make the best of this Star PARTY!

Monday evening was a cloud-fest! The bite of disenchantment was calmed by an Ice Cream Social, hosted by the NSP4 Staff. What a great idea! The best past is that the staff "took it to the people" by holding it near the camp-site. Later, I sat in pitch black at the observing site drinking home-brew with some friends, both old and new. It was a night I'll not soon forget, though I did manage to put some of the more tasteless jokes out of my mind.

On Tuesday and Thursday I partook of the wonderful and plentiful bounty of the catered meals. I commend J&J's Catering for the fine job they did this year. The whole event was well organized, from the lines to the seating. I ate well (as I always do!) and enjoyed the company of my fellow enthusiasts.

Wednesday afternoon, I went to a Beach Party, also hosted by the NSP Staff. Clark Cheney and I had a great time cooking most every ones meal on the biggest grill I've ever worked at. It gave me a chance to meet even more of the people that came this year. The afternoon was topped by a refreshing boat ride on the beautiful Merritt Reservoir with members of both the Omaha and Lincoln clubs.

The skies were clear and pristine Wednesday night. I got in a few hours of good observing, taking time to talk with many of the local public who made their way out to the site. I also went scope- hopping, something I always say I won't do, because I end up with aperture fever! I learned a lot from those I talked with who have been in the hobby much longer than I. One thing that was a common thread was that everyone really was impressed by the skies of north-central Nebraska. And what's not to be impressive? A Milky Way so bright as to cast a shadow! Naked-eye magnitude 7.5! M-33 as a naked-eye object! So many stars as to make navigation in even sparse regions a new adventure! Late in the evening, I spent some time observing through Tom Miller's 30" Obsession. Each time I do that I am left with indelible impressions of the objects I see. Memories to keep the event alive for years to come.

Thursday, I skipped going on the canoe/rafting trip down the Niobrara. I hear I missed a great time, and I'm sure I did, but I really needed my sleep, and I just couldn't pass up a quiet camp-ground.

That night, I finally got several hours of viewing in, just for myself. The skies were wonderful! It was pretty windy, and I was oh-so-glad to have my little 8" Schmidt-Cassagrain. I was still going strong long after the "big dobs" had to be packed away and secured from taking off! I saw some old favorites in a way that I am simply not used to. The "Swan", The "Trifid", The "Owl" all came to life in my little scope. After borrowing an O-III filter, I went hunting for some things I thought I would never get a chance to see at Weeping Water, the dark skies site for the Omaha Astronomical Society. Hunting down the "Helix Nebula" still proved to be a challenge in the 8", but it was there and very beautiful in my 40mm and the O-III. I learned that night, that while there really is no substitute for aperture, good seeing in dark skies can make even a modest telescope seem like a bigger instrument.

Friday was Program Day. I listened intently to all of the speakers and walked away much more informed than I had been on many aspects of our hobby such as occultation timing, binocular observing and asteroid hunting, just to name a few.

Friday night was awfully windy, but clear. I didn't set up, mainly because I had to leave early the next morning and opted to retire early. I still enjoyed visiting with those souls that did set up and those that didn't. It was a very good close to a very enjoyable Star PARTY.

As a parting note, I woke up at 6:00 am to 25 mph winds turning my campsite into a war-zone. With the help of some fellow astronomer's I was able to strike camp and be on my way. Thanks NSP4 for a truly great vacation and a wonderful Star PARTY!

Bill O'Donnell

Strgzr_@ne.uswest.net

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