Frequently asked questions

Event information

• Who, what, when, where, and why?
• How much is the event?
• Is this event for me?
• Will there be a tour of the radio telescope?
• If I have a scope, but don't know how to use it, can someone help me?
• What if I don't have a telescope?
• Aside from astronomy, what else is there to do?
• What presentations will be given, and by whom?
• Will there be power available to recharge batteries?

Accommodations

• Can I camp and stay with my equipment?
• How many meals are being provided?
• Can I have a campfire and cook my own meals?
• How do I get around at the site?
• Is there any phone, radio, or Internet connectivity?
• Can I bring an FRS radio?

Observing conditions and rules

• Can I have any light on the field?
• Will there be power on the field?
• What will the temperature be like?
• Will the moon be a problem?
• Will there be observing during the day?

Event information

Who, what, when, where, and why?

_For GPS users:
TMI Entrance	N 38° 40' 25''	W 079° 34' 11''
Center of Main Observing Field	N 38° 40' 36''	W 079° 34' 02''
Center of CCD Imaging Area	N 38° 41' 10''	W 079° 33' 45''
RV Area / Yurts	N 38° 41' 00''	W 079° 33' 26''

How much is the event?

See our registration fees pages for a complete list of event costs.

Is this event for me?

A truly dark sky is a sight that few get a chance to see. For amateur astronomers who are used to backyard astronomy in the light-polluted suburbs, the sky at Spruce Knob will be an experience that you won't forget. While the trip takes some time, it will be worth it. However, if your idea of roughing it is a hotel that doesn't offer turn-down service, you might want to pass. While the amenities at The Mountain Institute make this far from a primitive site, camping is not for everyone. We recommend that you come prepared and have reasonable camping experience in order to fully enjoy AHSP.

Will there be a tour of the radio telescope?

We will again have a tour of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's facilities at Green Bank, West Virginia.

If I have a telescope, but don't know how to use it, can someone help me?

What if I don't have a telescope?

Feel free to walk around and ask questions and ask to look through other people's telescopes. Astronomers are a friendly bunch and most are more than willing to let you peek through their eyepieces. Don't forget to bring binoculars if you have them. Many astronomical objects are best viewed through binoculars, and they also come in handy during the day for viewing birds and wildlife.

Aside from astronomy, what else is there to do?

• Explore nearby Spruce Knob Lake which offers boating, fishing, and hiking.
• Enjoy the scenery, bring your camera and binoculars.
• There are plenty of trails for hiking and biking.
• Check out the Monongahela National Forest.
• We plan to have internet connectivity, so you won't be entirely cut off from the world.

What presentations will be given, and by whom?

Will there be power available to recharge batteries?

There's no power on the field, but you're welcome to recharge batteries at the main yurt. We'll have power strips available so you can plug your charger in.

Accommodations

Can I camp and stay with my equipment?

How many meals are being provided?

Your badge will have a bar code that will be good for one meal per sitting. Badges can not be used more than once at any given meal. If you lose your badge, a new one will be issued that invalidates your old one.

Here are some previous menus.

Can I have a campfire and cook my own meals?

You may not have a open campfire. You may, however, use self-contained stoves and chemical heating packs.

How do I get around at the site?

TMI is a large site. Please contact us (info at ahsp dot org) if you have mobility concerns; we'll do our best to answer your questions and arrange assistance if needed.

The use of personal vehicles on the site is restricted. Moving your vehicle is not allowed from 8 pm to 8 am except in the case of an emergency. During other times vehicles are allowed to enter and exit the site. However, traffic above the long-term parking area is prohibited without a special pass.

Is there any phone, radio, or Internet connectivity?

• Due to the site's remoteness and location within the National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ), cell phone service is unavailable.
• You may use and are encouraged to bring Family Radio Services (FRS) Radios.
• We have coordinated with the interference office at the nearby National Radio Astronomy Observatory regarding our event. We'll be checking with them just prior to our event to verify that they're observing in a radio frequency range that will be unaffected by our activities. While we expect this to be the case, we will otherwise ask that participants limit use of radio devices (FRS radios and the like) in order to ensure that our event doesn't cause the RF equivalent of light pollution for our colleagues at the observatory.
• Internet services will be available at the Earth Shelter (about a half-mile from the observing fields) so you can access the web, your email, and upload photos. With support from one of our vendors, we may also have some Internet access on the observing fields.
• Phone service is available in the yurts and at the Earth Shelter. There is no charge for calls to destinations within the continental United States.

Can I bring an FRS radio?

We intend to make use channel 1 for general announcements this year, so bring a radio if you have one to take advantage of this information source. If you don't already have a radio, consider getting one; they're inexpensive and easy to use.:

Channel #	Usage at AHSP
1 462.5625Mhz	Announcements and high-priority traffic. Event communications, emergencies, messaging, etc. We'll make announcements to participants on this channel, and someone will be monitoring this channel all the time.
2 462.5875Mhz	High volume/low priority traffic. Event management/parking coordination, etc.

All other channels, 3 on up, are totally available for observer usage. (Considerations when buying an FRS radio.)

We have coordinated with the interference office at the nearby National Radio Astronomy Observatory regarding our event. We'll be checking with them just prior to our event to verify that they're observing in a radio frequency range that will be unaffected by our activities. While we expect this to be the case, we will otherwise ask that participants limit use of radio devices (FRS radios and the like) in order to ensure that our event doesn't cause the RF equivalent of light pollution for our colleagues at the observatory.

Observing conditions and rules

Can I have any light on the field?

Laser pointers may not be used, as they interfere with observers doing astrophotography. The one possible exception to this rule: we may conduct a "star tour" just after dark as part of the formal program using a laser pointer.

Will there be power on the field?

Many observers use deep-cycle marine batteries or the smaller lawn tractor variety. Portable 12 VDC power packs with reasonable capacity are easily available at stores such as Costco or Wal-Mart for under $75.

To operate AC equipment you can also pick up a 12 VDC to 110 VAC inverter.

What will the temperature be like?

Dress warmly and in layers.

Will the moon be a problem?

Will there be observing during the day?

During the day, there will be a number of astronomy-related presentations and hands-on demonstrations that you can attend.