GRAND CANYON STAR PARTY – 2005
Yavapai Point, Arizona
June, 4 -12, 2005

In the beginning we were given light. I doubt that statement can be argued. What can be argued is how exactly we got to the point in time we currently reside within. Regardless, at one time we were not the superior species we consider ourselves to be today.

The past year has been very poor astronomically speaking as I think everybody living in the Southwestern United States can attest too. The weather has been just lousy! Between the poor weather and the combination of my high-stress level job, I realized the Grand Canyon was the perfect place for me to visit: a big depression. What I was counting on was that the friends I would see there would also be like the surrounding canyon landscape: a huge uplift!

If you’re like me, you started getting ready for the Grand Canyon Star Party months in advance. Excitement builds as the days get nearer and when it’s time to leave you’ve hardly gotten any real sleep at all. That’s what happens to me anyway and when I finally arrived at the Grand Canyon I’d been awake for nearly 36 hours.

The drive to the Canyon was uneventful – of course I had to cross Hoover Dam and with it came the obligatory “search” of my vehicle for “weapons of mass destruction” which in this case could be hiding in the big cardboard box in the bed of my truck. I know the “Dam Police” are just doing their job but really – would a terrorist really hide something in plain site? And in a cardboard box to boot! Well, when the Guard saw it was really a telescope he had a ton of questions about it, where I was going and what I would see. We actually talked about astronomy for a good 15 minutes before I continued my journey. (Did I look that suspicious?)

The rest of the drive was very, very beautiful. The rains of the past winter and spring had really livened the countryside in stark contrast with how I’d seen it during the past few years. To me, it seemed like the trees might recover from the “beetle” problem that has been inflicted upon the Northern Arizona forests.

When I arrived at the Grand Canyon I made a beeline for Mather Campground and found that the site I had last year was still open. Before unpacking I walked through the different camps and found my Arizona friends I have sorely missed. Oh yeah, and these guys from Las Vegas: it was good to see them too! With greetings all in order I made my way to Yavapai Point were our public observing sessions are held.

This year we had a very special treat: John Dobson is in the house! I had been looking for the opportunity to have words with him especially seeing I am a huge fan of the Dobsonian style telescope. One night I had been watching him walk through “telescope alley” with his entourage of people. He kept looking over at my ‘scope but never approached me. There were many Dobsonian ‘scopes that are larger then mine but they are all “truss” style: mine is the largest “tube” design. Out of nowhere, John appeared next to my ‘scope. He gently reached out putting his hand against my telescope and asked: “Did you paint this? Is this white paint?” I told him “No, I’m pretty sure it’s just wrapped with white colored paper.” And that was the end of it. He made is way towards other ‘scopes talking with their owners.

Later during the event I did have a few more conversations with John Dobson. At one point he returned to my ‘scope and wanted to know how I liked it. We both agreed that the optics were top-notch but some of the design could easily have been improved with little cost by the company that makes the ‘scope. He told me he had written the company with his suggestions but as to date the improvements have not been made. I find it puzzling they have not chosen to listen to the words of such a modern day icon. Just for the record, the ‘scopes pictured above are not pictures of my ‘scope. The first is John with Marilyn from PAC and the second with Jim and Paul from The Local Group in California.

I had one more personal moment with John Dobson. I was walking along the side-walk (an ironic place to meet him!) where he stopped me to give me some advice on life. Here is what he told me:

1.) Don’t smoke
2.) Don’t drink and drive
3.) And whatever you do, don’t bend over to tie your shoes while in the presence of a wild mountain lion!

How can you argue with that!

Another person I was hoping to talk with was Brent. I’ve become very interested in catalogues of objects with varying names: i.e. NGC vs. Collinder, Melotte, Trumpler, Stock, King, Lynga, Haffner, Ruprecht, and Terzan – the list goes on. His book, Star Clusters is unbelievably informative and it was awesome to hear him talk of them first hand. Here is Brent pictured on the right talking with Doug from PAC. Doug is modeling this years GCSP shirt once again expertly designed by Joe.

As I mentioned before, the weather the past year for the most part has not been very conducive for serious astronomical observing. Why I thought this years GCSP would be any different is beyond me. However, as I’ve come to realize, this event is not for me: it is for the public. For the first few nights the wind was the topic of discussion. Sustained winds were at least 15mph while gusts had to be approaching 30mph if not higher. At one point I thought we would be better off if we toted the event as “The Grand Canyon Kite-flying Party”! To add insult to injury, after the winds calmed down, clouds and rain followed. Neither of these conditions put a damper on the public’s interest and enthusiasm. People turned out in droves for a chance to look through our ‘scopes. Our presence and endeavors were even acknowledged by Astronomy Magazine. They sent a very nice young lady, Liz Kruesi – Assistant Editor, who spent a few nights walking amongst our telescopes taking looks through them and talking to their operators.

Each night began just before sunset and just after the evening lecture with two objects that in the last few recent years were not very visible for public viewing: Jupiter and Saturn. The public is most interested in Jupiter’s Moons and Saturn – well, they never believe it’s really Saturn. I think most of them would bet money they were looking at an image implanted within the telescope. It’s something that I’ve been accused of doing more then one time – the image is always just too surreal.

The last few days of GCSP also gave the public a 3^rd treat: a waxing crescent moon. Of all the objects that are visible telescopically, I think the moon gets the best reaction. Most people are amazed they can see the craters on the surface. In my opinion, it’s the best object to get the general public interested in our hobby and aids in making them more aware of their surroundings as opposed to focusing on what’s directly in front of them. Not that what’s directly in front of you should be a thing ignored but that there are other things out there that may need our attention as well.

Thursday is when the clouds came and with them rain. I spent the evening out on the canyon rim taking pictures of the gorgeous sunset.

That night was almost a bust. When I walked back to my truck with all intentions of returning to camp, I found the sky had opened to the south and west giving a nice view of Saturn, the Moon and Jupiter. I also found Dennis, Paul, Sim and one other astronomer (I’m sorry, I never caught your name and it was dark!) waiting around to see what the sky would do. We immediately set up our ‘scopes (the 80 – 90mm ones) – Sim his Bino-chair and had a “Mini GCSP”! Despite the foul weather we actually had about 25 people come and take a look.

On Saturday at noon we had the traditional “Ranger Cookout”. I must say I was a little out of it. Being a “night owl” in my everyday life turns noon into what would be 3am for normal people. I was with it enough to sing “Happy Birthday” to John Dobson. Apparently his 90^th birthday is approaching and the group wanted to wish him well while we were all together. Before we sang to him he offered a suggestion: “If you plan on making me a cake with candles in it, you won’t have to bother with baking it!”

The last day of the event, Saturday, brought probably the worst weather during the entire week. I know I spent most of the day huddled in my tent and in between breaks of rain and outrageously loud thunder claps dashing out to my truck trying to find better ways of attaching a tarp over the bed of my truck thus protecting my precious cargo. I believe most of us had given up hope for anymore stargazing and made contingent plans for the night. As far as I know, the Grand Canyon Star Party has been held for a straight 16 years, each event for 8 nights and each night without interruption: Saturday night that continuous record was threatened.

We have among us, a true die-hard and someone we all know. This person monitored the skies, used gut instinct from years of observing not only what is in front but all around and I’m sure received a little blessing from Mother Nature herself to carry the GCSP to the public into the last night. This person is Dennis Young.

During my last 3 years visiting the Grand Canyon I heard of other people talking of how they got to see Elk walking about the Canyon. This year, I finally got my chance. I was sitting at my campground and noticed Paul was backing up towards me taking pictures of something I could not see yet. Then I noticed what I thought was somebody carrying wooden chairs high above their heads while walking through the forest. I thought “how strange”. So, I stood up to get a better look – what I saw absolutely floored me: it was an enormous Elk walking through camp! He walked within 10 feet of me, through my camp and proceeded to lay down not 20 feet from the picnic table and take a nap. It didn’t take long for the other campers to notice this and we all sat at my picnic table taking pictures.

On another occasion I chanced to see a Coyote walking amongst the campsites.

Sunday morning brought the irony of ironies to the sky: blue – right on schedule!

As you may have guessed already, this year’s GCSP was not the “dark sky” event I had enjoyed in the past. It did provide that purpose for our visitors and guests but not so much for personal observations. I did however do a lot of observing - observing of my surroundings and of myself. What I noticed was how well nature adapts and balances too itself while we on the other hand, as a “superior species” tend to manipulate, abuse and control rather then adapt. The Grand Canyon Park Service does an excellent job at putting a minimal strain on the environment while allowing the public to come and enjoy the beauty – it’s a little give and take they share with nature which after all, we are part of. It would be nice if the rest of the world would follow the Park Services’ example instead of abusing the land, water and air like it were an unlimited resource.

I’m sure all those who attended this year’s 2005 Grand Canyon Star Party would like to thank the United States Department of Interior, the National Park Service, our Ranger – Russell Baker and the Grand Canyon Staff and mostly, Dean Ketelsen whom without his efforts none of this would be possible. Personal thanks from me would go to every one in attendance whom I consider my extended family. You’re smiling faces, kind words and open hearts are exactly what I needed and came at just the right time.

In the beginning we were given light. And that is what we seek at the Grand Canyon Star Party - light from our own and other distant Suns. Hopefully our species will use other gifts we have been given to keep that light clear and bright.

Thanks for reading,
Brad Campbell
Las Vegas, Nevada

Below I have some pages with more pictures and some limited commentary. Click on the pictures to navigate your way around the event.

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