What can we tell you about the upcoming 44th Annual Deep South Star Gaze at the Feliciana Retreat Center?
Weather - Predicting the weather 6 weeks out from an event is no more than a guess at best. However having said that we can give you some climate data which is all about what should be typical for whatever dates we have year to year for the Deep South Star Gaze. The DSSG is always held in the fall and our dates are picked based upon two factors which are "When is new Moon?" as we look at dates which will give us a sky with no Moon in the sky to brighten the sky and make even a typically dark sky bright; and the other factor is "What dates are available at our venue?" The answer to the first question is New Moon occurs on October 10th in October and on November 9th in November. So we look at the calendar to see where that falls relative to weekends in those months as well as a few other things like Halloween, election day, etc., etc. We then contact the venue to see if any dates we want are available. Note that this is typically done several years in advance allowing us to lock in our first choice.
With the move back to the Feliciana Retreat Center this was problematic last year as the best we could do was to have our first year back there in relatively late November. That was our latest DSSG ever. Also an issue this year as our preferred dates would have been November 3rd to the 8th (new Moon on the 9th) but that was not available even with tweaking our start and end dates slightly. Our second option, the dates we went with were starting on the 10th of October, a Saturday, and ending on Thursday October 15th. We quite possibly could have started on October 6th which would have been a Tuesday and we traditionally start on a Tuesday, and ending on Sunday the 11th but I get uneasy about a late September/early October start given that summer would be just barely over and it could be too warm during the day. Additionally starting on October 6th would have been in conflict with our October PAS meeting which is on October 7th. Another reason for starting on October 10th.
So given all of this explanation, what climate wise is typical for October 10th to the 15th during this time frame?
According to Weather Underground we can expect a high temperature in the low to mid 80s and a low temperature in the upper 50's to about 60 degrees. Not so bad considering what we have learned to tolerate and live with during the summer. What we cannot forecast with any certainty whatsoever is how cloudy it may be and whether or not we have rain. We are only able to do that with any certainty just a few days before the start of the Deep South and even that can bring surprises. Such is the nature of this hobby. We do however do the Deep South any where between about mid-October to mid=November because this time frame gives us the most tolerable temperatures and the best statistical chance of clear skies. (Note that the "sweet spot" we always look at first is a start after about October 22nd and an end before about November 10th.)
Here is the answer to a few questions, many of these answers can be found be researching back thru this message board, but these answers may save time in searching for information that I can easily give here -
1) What is registration used for? Registration fees ($30 for early registration covers in large part our purchase of items for our door prize give away. Assuming we have a registration this year of 70 people. If all pay $30 for registration that is a total of $2100 collected for registration (note that some will also register 2nd family members at a lower rate or children and some who register late will have to pay more but let's use $2100 to illustrate a point. Approximately 2/3rds of what comes in goes to door prize purchases, so $1400 in this example. The rest is held to cover expenses such as the need to subsidize a few meals and for supplies such as granulated ant poison for the field, and any supplies needed in conducting business related to the DSSG. We manage to keep about $1000.00 in our checking account in the event that we have a bad year attendance wise and have to dip into those funds.
Note that compared to other star parties, our registration prices are very, very reassonable.
2) What is there to do during the day at the DSSG and during the night (particularly if it is cloudy at night)? You will be surprised what you can find to do during the day. Some will explore the grounds of the Feliciana Retreat Center, it is quite nice and even if it is 85 degrees during the day you will find that under the shade of the trees it is very pleasant. Daytime photographic opportunites abound. The grounds have a small lake which is stocked with fish, so bring a pole. Additionally Patty Zebrick who is a native plant expert will conduct a walking tour to identify native plants and how to cultivate them at home. Others may take day trips.
For the most part many of us can be found in or near our canopies, adjusting our scopes, answering questions or selling some things we no longer use. (Anyone considering selling anything should bring a table to display your goods. Selling items is an individual thing.) Much of the day is just enjoying our surroundings and the company of others. Carry a small chair and set it up in the shade of a canopy and talk to new people. We can all learn from this.
3) Snacks and meals - our meal times are at 9 am and 4 pm. Many bring snacks - bagged peanuts or pistachios are popular. Most of us bring an ice chest with soda and water. It is important to stay hydrated.
4) Door prize drawings - typically at 3 pm every day starting on the first day. The number and value of the prizes are dependent upon how many are registered for any given day. When everyone arrives please check in for your lodge room assignment and for our help in answering questions about set up. You will also get your door prize ticket at this time.
5) Programs - typically programs are given in the late morning to early afternoon. In the past they were typically given on Friday and Saturday but that was when we started on a Tuesday and ended on a Sunday morning. This year is different as we start on a Saturday. If the weather is generally good and our attendance creeps up every day we will likely do the programs on Tuesday and Wednesday but I doubt that it will work out that way. Stay tuned for more information here as a more informed decision can make for a better answer.
6) Other activities at night if the weather is poor. Some programs can be repeated and we will have movies which are typically astronomy and/or sci-fi/space related. Also you might want to bring games - Rummy Kub anyone?
I encourage anyone reading this that wants more information to read back thru the various posts on this message board. Remember that early registration ends on October 2nd. The fees go up after that date.
Barry Simon
bsimon615@aol.com
dssg.boards.net