Oregon Star Party (impression)

Just returned from the Ochoco National Forest where this years OSP is being held. Aug. 8-11. Near the town of Prineville set in the Mountians aprox. 4900' elv. Friday the 9th. was absolutely transparent! Hundreds of scopes of every genre. next to me a gentleman set up his 25" Obsession. Wow! how lucky for me I could walk a few yards away and view M-51 with its spiral arms radiating out from its core! This was my 1st (but not last) star party, what a great experience, When the opportunity presents itself, you must engage in it. The benifits are wonderful. Thanks to all the great folks up there that shared their treasures with me, especially to the gentleman who showed me his 155 AP. & the veiws it unfolded. clear nights, John M

This was my fourth OSP. I'd rate it a 10, both for the friendliness of the people there, and the quality of the seeing conditions, both clarity and steadiness. Dan, who was next to me, claimed he could see M27 as a naked eye object. I didn't believe him until I tried it myself, and there it was!

The forest service imposed some necessary fire restrictions in order to allow us up there, and on Thursday there was a bit of smoke on the southern horizon, but that cleared up by Friday, and I'm just glad we were able to have the star party.

Howard K