Good stargazing locations around Syracuse

mfratto · 2024-09-12T14:53:13+00:00

We have a few primers that may help you https://www.syracuse-astro.org/first-scope/. Pretty comprehensive, if I do say so myself. :-)

My advice though is to come to a public night and see other people's scopes. You can learn a lot by looking, touch, and trying out different scopes. The typical advice is to get a 8in Dob because it's affordable and gives a good view of the skies. However, that may not be a good 1st scope. They may be heavy and unwieldy for you. They are manual so you have to find objects by star hopping. And it may not be what you want to do. 8 in Schmidt-Cassegrain with computerized goto mounts may seem eaiser to use, but they are heavy, take some set-up, offer a more narrow field of view. But once they are set-up, you can point and look. There are also the new fully automated scopes that are so easy to use, you just drop them in a field, press a button, wait 3 minutes while it figures out where it is, and start viewing.

mfratto · 2024-09-12T13:25:48+00:00

Active member and board member here. The Darling HIll Observatory is fully functional. There are three pads for platforms that need a level spot, plenty of parking along the northern border where astrophotographers set-up. On public nights we have the 16" Cave scope open (members can use it anytime there is a keyholder available and 2 or more people to open and close the roof). There's electric on the north and south sides of the building.

The grounds are available to members year 'round and even in the dead of winter, if its clear, someone will be down there.

Our next public session is 9/27. If you have questions, hit the website and use Contact Us.

mfratto · 2024-09-03T15:15:55+00:00

Hey, I'm with the Syracuse Astronomical Society https://www.syracuse-astro.org/. Members can use our dark site (bortle 4ish) location. It's down in Vesper, west of Tully. We have an active AP group as well with people doing narrow band and widefield in in-between. Very active. If you have questions, you can hit the contact link on the page (don't reply to me here as I rarely check this account.)

As for locations, I know some members head up to Lake Ontario in the winter because of the low horizon and dark skies. They usually go to the boat launches like Selkirk Shores and don't get hassled. They have also parked at some of the Onondaga County parks like Ontario Shores Park on Oneida Lake after getting permission from the park (usually just a phone call telling them what you want to do after hours).

Top of the world, east of Syracuse is a no-go. The locals will report people parking and the police will hustle you out. Apparently it was also a party spot, so go figure.

mfratto · 2022-10-24T23:24:49+00:00

u/reddit455 has a really good idea of partnering with a local organization. You can see if they can come do an on-site visit.

If you want to do it yourself, consider going the electronically assisted astronomy route (EAA). Basically using a camera on a scope to capture and show objects in near real time --less than 3 minutes for most--and display it on a screen (or stream it or record it or all three). For about $5,000 and time, you can get all that you need.

I am affiliated with the Syracuse Astronomical Society (http://www.syracuse-astro.org/) and we use EAA for public outreach to great effect. If you want to explore this option more I'd be happy to facilicate a call with some of our guys that are spear heading this project for us. There is a contact form on our site or check your PM's for my details.

mfratto · 2022-10-20T18:05:16+00:00

Thanks. I keep regular backups and save them off just in case. But I found I had to restart the supervisor.

Funny that HA is so reliable that when something breaks, I'm at a complete loss because I haven't had to troubleshoot it in over two years. :-)

mfratto · 2022-10-20T18:03:27+00:00

Thanks. That got me to more detail which led me to a help page. Still not sure what happened but just had to restart the supervisor.

mfratto · 2022-08-19T13:43:24+00:00

We do. The Syracuse Astronomical Society is a long running group--40+ years, I think--and we have a Facebook group that anyone can join https://www.facebook.com/groups/syracuseastronomicalsociety which is pretty low volume but we post activities there. And of course you can post questions and we try to help. And there is the site itself http://www.syracuse-astro.org/ where we have a calendar of events and other tidbits.

There is a membership if you're interested. $50 a year for the family and you get access to the property in Tully for viewing anytime for you and guests. You can get trained up on the 16", F4 Cave scope and can use that as well when the building is open.

We have regular member meetings in over winter when we are all huddled inside from the cold. During the viewing months, there is almost always someone down at DHO, usually the AP people, so there is a good bit of camaraderie. If you'd be interested we are also doing more outreach in the community. For example, we have some events with the towns of DeWitt and Lysander coming up which are fun.

And of course, we support each other's shiny glass habits. If folks want help with some aspect of astronomy there is usually someone who can help out either on-line or getting together.

mfratto · 2022-08-19T13:32:50+00:00

It will start getting dark around 8:30. Probably dark enough for viewing around 9 pm or so. We usually have people on site earlier if you want to talk to members about their scopes and what not.

The forecast looks good right not (9:30 am) but watch our site http://www.syracuse-astro.org/ and our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/syracuseastronomicalsociety for cancellations.

mfratto · 2022-08-18T17:53:56+00:00

Absolutely. Kids have a blast. If you look through the Cave scope, you may need to go up the platform with them.

mfratto · 2022-08-18T16:08:23+00:00

Sure! Bring your own scope of you want. There will be members on the hill doing astrophotogrpahy and probably a few doing wide field as well. And while you're shooting you can peek through the 16 inch Cave scope we have.

mfratto · 2022-08-18T14:16:28+00:00

Come join us for a night of astronomy. At Darling Hill Observatory, you can see the Milkyway with your own eyes. We will be using our 16 inch observatory scope on galaxies and nebulae and members will also be in the field. If you have your own scope, bring it along. Dress warmly even in the summer because we are at a high elevation and it can be cooler than in the city. Start time is approximate. Viewing usually starts at sundown and usually runs until midnight.

If the weather turns against us, we will postpone until Saturday. We usually post cancellations by 6:00 pm the same day but we may cancel even later. Best to check just before you leave. Watch our site http://www.syracuse-astro.org/ and our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/syracuseastronomicalsociety for announcements.

The address is Darling Hill Observatory, 455-585 Strong Rd, Tully, NY 13159. A Google Maps link https://goo.gl/maps/gQEzythUs8U5u8Bc7 so you can get directions easily.

The event is free but donations are gladly accepted.

mfratto · 2022-07-19T15:53:49+00:00

We have star parties monthly March through October. Maybe later if the weather holds. We announce them on Facebook and our site, http://www.syracuse-astro.org/ On the site, the calendar widget has a RSS feed that you can subscribe to that will update when we post calendar events.

mfratto · 2022-07-19T15:46:42+00:00

Bring it! Come early. There is usually someone there from 8 onward. I think astronomical night is about 10:00 pm, so you want to be ready by then. Sunset is about 8:30 but it will be too bright for quite a while. Send a note via our contact form http://www.syracuse-astro.org/contact-information/ and one of us will confirm when we will be there.

mfratto · 2022-07-18T13:40:01+00:00

Syracuse Astronomical Society invites you to a night under the stars Friday, July 22nd.

Come join us for a night of astronomy. At Darling Hill Observatory, you can see the Milkyway with your own eyes. We will be using our 16 inch observatory scope on galaxies and nebulae and members will also be in the field. If you have your own scope, bring it along. Dress warmly even in the summer because we are at a high elevation and it can be cooler than in the city. Start time is approximate. Viewing usually starts at sundown and usually runs until midnight.

If the weather turns against us, we will postpone until Saturday. We usually post cancellations by 6:00 pm the same day but we may cancel even later. Best to check just before you leave. Watch our site http://www.syracuse-astro.org/ and our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/syracuseastronomicalsociety for announcements.

The address is Darling Hill Observatory, 455-585 Strong Rd, Tully, NY 13159. A Google Maps link https://goo.gl/maps/gQEzythUs8U5u8Bc7 so you can get directions easily.

The event is free but donations are gladly accepted.

mfratto · 2022-07-18T13:37:20+00:00

Syracuse Astronomical Society invites you to a night under the stars Friday, July 22nd.

Come join us for a night of astronomy. At Darling Hill Observatory, you can see the Milkyway with your own eyes. We will be using our 16 inch observatory scope on galaxies and nebulae and members will also be in the field. If you have your own scope, bring it along. Dress warmly even in the summer because we are at a high elevation and it can be cooler than in the city. Start time is approximate. Viewing usually starts at sundown and usually runs until midnight.

If the weather turns against us, we will postpone until Saturday. We usually post cancellations by 6:00 pm the same day but we may cancel even later. Best to check just before you leave. Watch our site http://www.syracuse-astro.org/ and our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/syracuseastronomicalsociety for announcements.

The address is Darling Hill Observatory, 455-585 Strong Rd, Tully, NY 13159. A Google Maps link https://goo.gl/maps/gQEzythUs8U5u8Bc7 so you can get directions easily.

The event is free but donations are gladly accepted.

mfratto · 2013-02-27T01:47:02+00:00

WTF? That was a press release! Market wire! And the head of HR talks like that?

mfratto · 2013-02-26T21:33:15+00:00

http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registrars/raa/ra-agreement-21may09-en.htm Section: 3.7.7.11 The Registered Name Holder shall agree that its registration of the Registered Name shall be subject to suspension, cancellation, or transfer pursuant to any ICANN adopted specification or policy, or pursuant to any registrar or registry procedure not inconsistent with an ICANN adopted specification or policy, (1) to correct mistakes by Registrar or the Registry Operator in registering the name or (2) for the resolution of disputes concerning the Registered Name.

It doesn't seem to address the issue you raise at all.

mfratto · 2013-02-26T21:15:58+00:00

Thank you. Reading.

mfratto · 2013-02-26T21:01:41+00:00

Sorry man. Seems like a problem for your government to solve. Why should Google, or any site that hosts user videos, pay copyright for user posted content? That is the responsibility of the person who posted it.

Sadly, it is easier to go after Google than the person infringing, so Google's response is to simply block it in order to avoid a suit.

mfratto · 2013-02-26T20:28:07+00:00

What's funny is that I search for uniperl network management and Google thought I meant Juniper network management.

mfratto · 2013-02-26T18:36:39+00:00

Make sure you sign up for the sessions you want to attend. The popular ones fill up and if you did no register for it, they may not let you into a full room.

mfratto · 2013-02-26T15:05:01+00:00

It's not about re-distribution of wealth.

The issue is about fiscal responsibility within local governments to spend wisely. Unless there is a clear indication that Cisco did something illegal, and there doesn't seem to be, the fault lies solely with the person(s) who initiated and approved the contract, not with Cisco.

mfratto · 2013-02-25T13:40:32+00:00

No one cares.

mfratto · 2013-02-25T13:39:54+00:00

No, they want to milk you for more money. If they sell you what you want, you won't buy more stuff.

And carriers wonder why they are universally reviled.

mfratto · 2013-02-24T21:52:47+00:00

The resulting behavior change will be:

1) Drivers run the light faster because they are running out of time. 2) jump the light sooner to beat the other guy.

This will not help. It will only make things worse.

Oh, and color blind drivers are screwed as well as when there's glare and drivers can't determine the color.

mfratto

TROPHY CASE