Hi David
The skies are so good we have put a trailer there on the property of a fellow observer this past spring. I plan to move my 14.5 scope down to the site and get a more portable one (i.e. suitable for a bad back) for local viewing. We have a garage/observatory under construction. It can be breezy around sunset, then it calms, especially in the fall, winter and spring.
The elevation (2800), low horizons on 3 sides, and DARK skies to the East (Colorado river), South (Anza Borrego) and North (Mojave desert) combine with warm evenings most of the year. There is a light dome of maybe 10 degrees up to the West from Palm Springs, but that is 30+ air miles, with hills from JT Nat'l Park (5000 feet altitude) between.
The Riverside Ast. Society has an observing site about 10 miles away in Landers. See: www.rivastro.org
for site info: www.rivastro.org/landers/map.htm
They have a house at the site and are developing pads, etc for members. details on the website.
If it's the end of September they will all be at Nitefall, in Anza Borrego. I hear it's VERY HOT there (lower altitude) in September, stay in Joshua Tree.
Let me know by private mail when you will be there.
Bud
-------Original Message-------
From: David Windstrom <orionboy@No-Spam>
Sent: 07/11/03 05:11 PM
To: sf-bay-tac@No-Spam
Subject: [TAC] Joshua Tree: Good Observing???
>
> I have the opportunity to stay with a friend for a week in the town
of Joshua Tree, just minutes from the park, right around new moon, in
September. Does anyone know if this would be a good observing site
in general? He tells me the skies are pretty dark.
-- David Windstrom _____________________________________________________________ >