Impromptu Star Party (Alpha Ridge) 1/20/2026
In what was possibly the coldest star party ever run by HAL — thetemperature started the night at about 23 degrees Fahrenheit (-5C) andended at about 5 degrees (-15C); see the attached plot of temperature(red line) from a data logging device I use — seven intrepid HALmembers came to Alpha Ridge Park for last […]
Impromptu Star Party (Alpha Ridge) 1/07/2026
First of the Year Six HAL members attended the first impromptu star party of 2026 on the balmy (for January) evening of January 7th. The temperature was in the low 50s at sunset and down to 40 by 9:30 PM. Winds were calm and the sky was clear except for a large band of clouds […]
Impromptu Star Party (Alpha Ridge) 12/20/2025
A Singular Event I was the only attendee for an impromptu star party at Alpha Ridge on December 20. Temperatures were in the mid 30s, winds were calm and the sky was mostly clear, although some clouds moved through in the 7:00 hour. I set up my Vespera EAA scope to image the Flaming Star […]
Impromptu Star Party (Alpha Ridge) 12/12/2025
Three HAL members turned out on a chilly winter night for an impromptu star party at Alpha Ridge Park last night. The temperature was 26 degrees when I took my sky quality meter readings at 8:35 PM, but there wasn’t any wind to speak of, so it was pretty tolerable. Skies were clear for the […]
Impromptu Star Party (Alpha Ridge) 11/23/2025 – 11/24/2025
One night leads to the next day. The night was nice and a little cold but the moon set early and 5 members attended the party. 4 of us were imaging and Earnie was doing some visual astronomy and also imaging with his Vespera. For what I could see, one person was doing the helix […]
Public Star Party (Alpha Ridge) 11/01/2025
Clear Skies!
Impromptu Star Party (Alpha Ridge) 10/27/2025
Four HAL members took a gamble that Alpha Ridge Park would stay just out of the range of the massive cloud band to the south, but that bet didn’t pay off. There were thin, high clouds covering most of the sky right from the start, and they gradually got thicker, especially in the southern sky. […]
Members-Only Mentorship Night (Alpha Ridge) 10/25/2025
We had a very successful Members Mentorship Night last night. About 20 members came out, some seeking help and some offering it. Although it was entirely clouded over, progress was still made with some creative work-arounds such as looking at lights in the distance to check out equipment. After a very satisfying night of fellowship […]
Impromptu Star Party (Alpha Ridge) 10/24/2025
The weather was very cooperative last night. The sky at western horizon turned clear just about 7:15 pm. However, the altitude of Lemmon comet (Comet C/2025 A6) was low. Phil and I scrambled to take some photos before it fell below the tree line around 8:15. It is amazing that almost none of my two […]
Impromptu Star Party (Alpha Ridge) 10/23/2025
Five HAL members attended an impromptu star party at Alpha Ridge Park on October 23, 2025. Skies were clear all night and the weather was fine, although seeing and transparency were both subpar. Welcome to Bruce and Neil, two new members who were attending their first impromptu event! Both of them were imaging comet Lemmon […]