Dark Sky FAQ's

What should I wear? 

Dress in layers including a warm coat.  Bring along or wear shoes that can get wet. The beach landing can be wet at certain water levels.  You will not get wet on the boat ride.

What will I need to bring? 

Bring along your favorite binoculars and a flashlight with a red lens preferred.  These items are also available on the boat to share as needed.

Will I get cold? 

As the sun goes down, it gets a little chilly.  There will be a campfire to help warm up. You may appreciate a warm sweater or jacket for the dark sky viewing and the ride back to the dock.  

Is food provided?

There is no bathroom on the boat; however there is one at the boat launch where we will depart from.  At the river beach; I'll set up a portable river toilet with a privacy shelter for use while we are there.

Is there a bathroom on the boat or on the beach?

There is no bathroom on the boat; however there is one at the boat launch where we will depart from.  At the river beach; I'll set up a portable river toilet with a privacy shelter for use while we are there.

Is it safe to boat at night?

Yes, the boat is equipped with current navigation electronics with GPS and lights for night operations. 

What if the sky is cloudy?

If the sky is obscured, we will have a campfire talk with some visual aids about what is currently visible on a clear night, what will be visible at other times of the year and why, and some history around star-gazing and its cultural impacts across different cultures. An overview of the telescope and how it works and the intsrument's impact on our understanding of the cosmos. Also, the difference between ground-based telescopes and the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes will be discussed. The 8" Dobsonian telescope will be on the journey  and set up if the weather clears even for a relatively short period during the evening. 

What can I expect to see in the dark sky?

The celestial objects visible in the night sky at any given time are dependent on the season, time of night, and direction from our viewing point. We will see currently visible planets, the moon (if in correct phase), prominent seasonal stars and constellations as well as some deep-sky objects. Also to be pointed out will be the relationship of visible constellations and stars to finding other celestial objects. We will view with the unaided eye, binoculars, and an 8" Dobsonian reflector telescope.