It's hard to describe the experience of setting up under the darkest skies in the US, seeing the Milky Way become clearly visible before the sun has completely set, and then being treated to the most incredible display of starry wonder I've ever imagined.
This is the Nebraska Star Party, where I've spent the last two nights enjoying sights I've never seen before. NSP is held every year about 25 miles south of Valentine, NE, in the "sand hills" area of north central Nebraska. Skies are clear and there are no - repeat no - lights visible, other than the tiny light dome of Valentine in the north which we sometimes confuse with the lights of a car on the other side of the reservoir.
Andromeda easily visible to the naked eye. Sagittarius filled with open and globular clusters to the extent that every binocular field of view shows some other breathtaking object, which glow against the black background with the true 'diamonds on black velvet' experience. And just the sight of the Milky Way, our own galaxy, arching overhead from horizon to horizon, showing so many stars that finding Cygnus or Casseiopeia becomes an exercise in patience.
Luckily, my friends John and Pat from Denver were interested in joining me, so I sent my C8 and iOptron minitower to them via FedEx Ground (arrived perfectly and still in collimation) and they brought it with them on their drive. I flew to Omaha and drove to meet them in Valentine.
I don't do astro photography, but I will try to get a few pics of the milky way tonight. Tonight we will eat dinner at the NSP site, then open to the public at 9pm for outreach to say thanks to the residents of Valentine for hosting this Star Party for more than fifteen years.
Ted
