Events Overview

Green Bank Observatory

GBO: Behind-the-scenes Tour…

Saturday , August 31, 2024 – Meet on outdoor deck at 10:30 to form carpools for noon start at GBO/Green Bank.

The tour will be a “behind-the-scenes” tour, so participants will get to visit labs and the telescope control room —locations that are normally off-limits to the public!

Hands-on Radio Astronomy… 

Saturday , August 31, 2024 overnight

Green Bank Observatory (while we were away, they changed the facility name from National Radio Astronomy Observatory)

We have arranged for access to GBO’s 40-foot educational dish on this evening. Participants will stay overnight at GBO and return the next morning. No prior radio-astronomy experience is required; GBO will provide instruction and support. Space is very limited!

If you’re going on the Behind-the-Scenes Tour, you’ll simply stay at GBO following the conclusion of the tour. Otherwise, you should plan to be on-site at GBO by 4:15 p.m.

If you will be observing using GBO’s 40-foot educational dish, you may wish to look over the observing manual before you arrive at AHSP.  Here is a pdf copy of The 40-Foot Observer’s Manual.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Cameras are welcome at GBO. In order to prevent radio-frequency interference to observations in progress, the observatory prohibits the use of digital cameras (and electronics-laden film cameras) in some locations close to the telescopes. Bring a simple film camera if you’d like to get some pictures up close to the instruments.

Cass Mountain Scenic Railroad

Whitaker Station Run
Sunday, September 1, 2024

– Train departs at 11:00 am ; meet on outdoor deck at 9:00 am for carpools.

We are returning to the Cass Scenic Railroad as a daylight activity on Sunday. Cass Railroad tickets are for the 2 hour round trip to Whitaker Station, which recreates part of the logging tradition of the area. Definitely a family activity, for any weather. We will provide snacks for our group. Lunch will be on your own, either at the lunchroom in Cass or somewhere else of you choosing (suggestions to be provided). Those with SKMC Sunday meals who return immediately will have late sandwiches available.

Depending on how quickly you choose to return, you can be back for afternoon activities and easily for the SKMC dinner and evening program.

If you haven’t been there before, the NRAO Green Bank Telescope Science Center should be open in the afternoon, with public tours on the hour (vaccination required).

Bob Bunge wrote in 2010: “Cass is unique and very much a treasure of mountain history and culture (much like SKMC). It has the largest operating fleet of geared locomotives in the US. One of their locomotives, Western Maryland #6 is the largest Shay type locomotive ever made.

“The trip up the mountain features steep, steep grades; at some points, there are “switch backs” where the train will stop, backup and move forward again since there either isn’t room or the grades would be too steep even for the geared locomotives. The engines work very hard up the mountain, if you are into anything industrial and enjoy sound, the combination of the different noises, the roar of the exhaust, the steam whistle and screech of the wheels is a real treat.”

Those who wish to be at Cass for the Locomotive Shop Tour should leave SKMC by 8:15 for a 9:30 arrival. The 10:00 Shop Tour leaves from the Visitor center, but be careful to get basck to the train before 11:00! Details of the free tours around the town of Cass can be found on the Cass State Park web site. Those who are going for the train ride only should be prepared to leave SKMC by 9:00 for 10:30 arrival. Leaving in between will give you some time to explore the town around the Cass depot. If you join a carpool, plan ahead for what you will do after the train and what you will do for lunch. You might want to get a box lunch in Cass at The Last Run restaurant (“the best place in town”) before you leave. There should be no problem getting back to SKMC for dinner, programs, and observing.

Folks that are on the Sunday meal plan will given their food for lunch by EL staff before you leave for the trip. Please seek out information from the coordinators on the Yurt Deck.

AHSP Raffle

AHSP will be having its raffle again this year.

• Attendees will receive a set of blue raffle tickets with registration, and can buy regular Red tickets at Registration and on the Yurt Deck.
• Raffle prizes are provided by a number of sponsors and NOVAC and Experience Learning.
• Yellow tickets will be given to children who are attending, and which can be used exclusively to enter for items appropriate to their ages.
• The raffle drawing will be Sunday before dinner.
• Must be present at the drawing to win!

[Details subject to adjustment.]

In brief:

• Each adult registrant will be given blue tickets, which can be used for the special raffle item, or general items.
• Each child registrant will be given yellow tickets, which can be used for children’s items, or general items.
• Any registrant can buy red tickets, which can be used to enter for the general items (only).

All events, times and dates are subject to change based on sky conditions and other factors.

AHSP Photos – Shoot and Show!

Instead of a photo contest, we will have a photo gallery for everyone’s enjoyment in the main Yurt. Once processed, bring your photos in a memory card or USB-cabled device to the Yurt, we will load the photos to be seen on the TV Display and the AHSP website!  These can be sky photos, nature photos, or photos of activities of AHSP.