The 2012 Texas Star Party

[FaithJ]

All being well, I'll be at the TSP in April. Hopefully I'll see some of you there...

[FaintFuzzies]

Yes and looking forward to it!

[Dragan]

Alvin & Faith,

Sorry I'll miss you guys by about a month. I'll be in Ft Davis new moon March. In April we'll be at NEAF.

One day......

[Dragan]

Just curious, are there any other DSF members planning on attending TSP?

[Deepsky-NM]

Yes indeedy, Dragan! Lookin' forward to being on the upper field again after missing last years event.
I heard that fires & weather made the 2011 edition not so good...
This year, it's gonna be great!
Also looking forward to seeing and visiting with Jimi and the Chandlers too.

[FaintFuzzies]

Anyone else from DSF heading to TSP? I'll be there, but staying at Jimi's.

Im' also giving a talk on Wednesday afternoon (I think Wednesday or Thursday)

I'm also departing on Friday morning as I need to be somewhere else on Saturday-Sunday.

[Jim Chandler]

Ana and I will be there, of course. Wouldn't miss it. See you at Jimi's.

Jim

[FaintFuzzies]

Hey Big Jim - looking forward to seeing you and Ana as well. I'll be at the upper field for one night.

[FaithJ]

Only 2½ weeks to go.

[heavenwatcher]

I just learned about the forum at Alvin's talk on Wednesday and have now joined. I've enjoyed some good observing this week, and used my scope with the new ServoCAT installed (with the gracious and expert help of Jim Chandler!) and learning how to operate it. I, too, have to leave in the morning (Friday) due to an illness in the family. I look forward to interacting on this forum.

Jason Fry

[Dragan]

Hey Jason,

Welcome to DSF! We look forward to your contributions.

[Dragan]

Does anyone have any pictures of this years TSP to post??

[Jimi Lowrey]

Seven clear Nights at TSP it will go down as one of the best so far, Friday night was really good best night I have seen in a long time here in Fort Davis. My new 28" won the ATM contest this year every one really like it. I will post pictures soon.

[FaithJ]

Does anyone have any pictures of this years TSP to post??

I have. I arrived home yesterday but my bag, with my card reader in it, missed the flight somehow and caught up with me only a couple of hours ago, so I couldn't transfer the photos to the computer. I'll process my pics and post them later today or over the weekend sometime.

It was the best TSP out of the four I have attended but it went so fast - too fast! - that it is a bit of a blur.

It was good to catch up with Alvin, Jimi and the others again.

[FaintFuzzies]

Here are some photos.

This first batch is with Jimi's 48"

48-inch-AlvinObservingFrostyLeo.jpg

48-inch-ObservingAShakhbazianGroup.JPG

48inch-LookingAlmostStraightUp.jpg

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[FaintFuzzies]

Here is another batch

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Jimi Lowrey, Barbara Wilson, Faith Jordan, myself

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Faith and I

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Jimi and Barbara

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Barbara and I

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(l to r) Faith, Larry Mitchell, Dave Tosteson, Jimi and I

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Robert Reeves, Faith, I and Larry

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Al Nagler and Jimi

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Jimi and his 28" f/4.1 Kennedy. Very nice job Jimi!

[FaintFuzzies]

Last batch

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Shot of upper field - I didn't take many of these type of shots as many already did.

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Group of us slamming Fort Davis Milkshakes on Tuesday afternoon.

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Jimi and Howie Glatter

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Myself with the Night Sky Observers and Astrocards authors, George Kepple (r) and Glen Sanner (l)

[Bigdob24]

Had a great time at the 2012 TSP.
Spent the week with Jerry and Kathie Morris.
Was treated to there wonderful 30" scope and the great Texas skies. was able to breeze thru most of Larry's Abell list. A couple of the planitarys were not observed , even had a imager in the group and it was all he could do to get something at 6 min .
Even got to observe a few objects through Jimis scope, always a treat.
I know there were only a couple nights that passed West Texas standards , but this Illinios boy enjoyed all seven nights and the relaxing trip to Big Bend after was a welcome relief.
It was good to see everyone and we hope to return before 2013 TSP
Dan

[FaintFuzzies]

Dan,

Been nice to meet you at TSP!

[FaithJ]

Here are a few of mine ~

General view of part of the Upper Field:

tsp2012-2.jpg

Some of the dobs on the Upper Field:

tsp2012-6.jpg

Jimi and 'Black Betty', his 28" destined for Chile:

tsp2012-8.jpg

Scott Ewart's 'beer keg' dob (12"?):

tsp2012-10.jpg

Bill Christian's 25" dob:

tsp2012-33.jpg

Al Nagler speaking:

tsp2012-38.jpg

Larry Mitchell's 36" packed away:

tsp2012-45.jpg

[FaithJ]

And a few more ~

Another view of the milkshake session at the Drug Store:

tsp2012-14.jpg

'Crazy Bob' Summerfield distributes Celestron frisbees at the Saturday night meeting:

tsp2012-42.jpg

Dave Tosteson's 32" dob:

tsp2012-32.jpg

Upper Field:

tsp2012-36.jpg

Upper Field:

tsp2012-37.jpg

The business end of Larry Mitchell's 36" Obsession

tsp2012-44.jpg

The Upper field at dawn, after another great observing session:

tsp2012-46.jpg

[djpontone]

https://vimeo.com/43421428 ENJOY

[Spack]

Nice video. Hey Jimi - I saw Black Betty in this!