Frequently asked questions

Event information

• Who, what, when, where, and why?
• How much is the event?
• Is this event for me?
• Will there be a tour of the radio telescope?
• If I have a scope, but don't know how to use it, can someone help me?
• What if I don't have a telescope?
• Aside from astronomy, what else is there to do?
• What presentations will be given, and by whom?
• Will there be power available to recharge batteries?

Accommodations

• Can I camp and stay with my equipment?
• How many meals are being provided?
• Can I have a campfire and cook my own meals?
• How do I get around at the site?
• Is there any phone, radio, or Internet connectivity?
• Can I bring an FRS radio?

Observing conditions and rules

• Can I have any light on the field?
• Will there be power on the field?
• What will the temperature be like?
• Will the moon be a problem?
• Will there be observing during the day?

Event information

Who, what, when, where, and why?

_For GPS users:
TMI Entrance	N 38° 40' 25''	W 079° 34' 11''
Center of Main Observing Field	N 38° 40' 36''	W 079° 34' 02''
Center of CCD Imaging Area	N 38° 41' 10''	W 079° 33' 45''
RV Area / Yurts	N 38° 41' 00''	W 079° 33' 26''

How much is the event?

See our registration fees pages for a complete list of event costs.

Is this event for me?

A truly dark sky is a sight that few get a chance to see. For amateur astronomers who are used to backyard astronomy in the light-polluted suburbs, the sky at Spruce Knob will be an experience that you won't forget. While the trip takes some time, it will be worth it. However, if your idea of roughing it is a Days Inn, you might want to pass. While the amenities at The Mountain Institute make this far from a primitive site, camping is not for everyone. We recommend that you come prepared and have reasonable camping experience in order to fully enjoy AHSP.

Will there be a tour of the radio telescope?

We will again have a tour of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's facilities at Green Bank, West Virginia. The planned agenda looks like this:

1:00 pm – Arrive for general astronomy talk for whole group with NRAO staff scientist
2:00 pm – Break group in three:
__________• #1 group takes guided tour of facilities
__________• #2 group takes control room tour
__________• #3 group explores exhibit hall/ gift shop
3:00 pm – Rotate groups
4:00 pm – Rotate groups

If I have a telescope, but don't know how to use it, can someone help me?

What if I don't have a telescope?

Feel free to walk around and ask questions and ask to look through other people's telescopes. Astronomers are a friendly bunch and most are more than willing to let you peek through their eyepieces. Don't forget to bring binoculars if you have them. Many astronomical objects are best viewed through binoculars, and they also come in handy during the day for viewing birds and wildlife.

Aside from astronomy, what else is there to do?

• Explore nearby Spruce Knob Lake which offers boating, fishing, and hiking.
• Enjoy the scenery, bring your camera and binoculars.
• There are plenty of trails for hiking and biking.
• Check out the Monongahela National Forest.
• We plan to have internet connectivity, so you won't be entirely cut off from the world.

What presentations will be given, and by whom?

Will there be power available to recharge batteries?

Portable batteries may be recharged at the charging station located near the yurts area. Only trickle chargers drawing less than 2 amps AC may be used and use will be regulated so as to allow as many people as possible to use the facility. You must supply your own charger and AHSP is not responsible for any damage to batteries or personal injury resulting from misuse. If you don't know how to properly recharge your batteries, please do not use the recharging station.

Accommodations

Can I camp and stay with my equipment?

How many meals are being provided?

Your badge will have a bar code that will be good for one meal per sitting. Badges can not be used more than once at any given meal. If you lose your badge, a new one will be issued that invalidates your old one.

Here are some previous menus.

Can I have a campfire and cook my own meals?

You may not have a open campfire. You may, however, use self-contained stoves and chemical heating packs.

How do I get around at the site?

TMI is a large site. The distance from the shower area to the Crossroads is approximately 400 yards. The distance from the yurts where the meals are served to the Earth Shelter is approximately one half of a mile. Bringing a mountain bicycle is an excellent way to get around.

The use of personal vehicles on the site is restricted. Moving your vehicle is not allowed from 8 pm to 8 am except in the case of an emergency. During other times vehicles are allowed to enter and exit the site. However, traffic above the long-term parking area is prohibited without a special pass.

Is there any phone, radio, or Internet connectivity?

• Due to the site's remoteness and location within the National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ), cell phone service is unavailable.
• You may use and are encouraged to bring Family Radio Services (FRS) Radios.
• You may use amateur radio equipment, assuming you're licensed to do so.
• We have coordinated with the interference office at the nearby National Radio Astronomy Observatory regarding our event. We'll be checking with them just prior to our event to verify that they're observing in a radio frequency range that will be unaffected by our activities. While we expect this to be the case, we will otherwise ask that participants limit use of radio devices (FRS radios and the like) in order to ensure that our event doesn't cause the RF equivalent of light pollution for our colleagues at the observatory.
• Internet services will be available at the Earth Shelter so you can access the web, your email, and upload photos. We will also have limited free long-distance phone service service here as well. Be advised that the Earth Shelter is a half mile hike from the Yurts. So for the fist time in recorded history, you will actually get some excercise surfing the web!

Can I bring an FRS radio?

We would like to establish a band-plan for the radios. Simply put:

Channel #	Usage at AHSP
1 462.5625Mhz	Low volume/high priority traffic. Event communications, emergencies, messaging, etc. Someone will be monitoring this channel all the time.
2 462.5875Mhz	High volume/low priority traffic. Event management: parking cordination, sky tours, general announcements, etc.

All other channels, 3 on up, are totally available for observer usage. (Considerations when buying an FRS radio.)

We have coordinated with the interference office at the nearby National Radio Astronomy Observatory regarding our event. We'll be checking with them just prior to our event to verify that they're observing in a radio frequency range that will be unaffected by our activities. While we expect this to be the case, we will otherwise ask that participants limit use of radio devices (FRS radios and the like) in order to ensure that our event doesn't cause the RF equivalent of light pollution for our colleagues at the observatory.

Observing conditions and rules

Can I have any light on the field?

Laser pointers may not be used, as they interfere with observers doing astrophotography. The one possible exception to this rule: we may conduct a "star tour" just after dark as part of the formal program using a laser pointer.

Will there be power on the field?

Many observers use deep-cycle marine batteries or the smaller lawn tractor variety. Portable 12 VDC power packs with reasonable capacity are easily available at stores such as Costco or Wal-Mart for under $75.

To operate AC equipment you can also pick up a 12 VDC to 110 VAC inverter.

What will the temperature be like?

Dress warmly and in layers.

Will the moon be a problem?

Will there be observing during the day?

During the day, there will be a number of astronomy-related presentations and hands-on demonstrations that you can attend.