Deep South Regional Star Gaze XXVI October 28 - November 2, 2008

The DSRSG is held each autumn at Camp Ruth Lee, near Norwood, Louisiana. Here are a couple of area maps showing the location of Camp Ruth Lee.

Named one of the 19 Great Star Parties by ASTRONOMY magazine in the September, 1998 edition, we have a lot to offer - A great setting at a great time of year, among a lot of other eager amateur astronomers anxious to do some serious observing. Camp Ruth Lee is located approximately 115 miles north of New Orleans, Louisiana (via I-10 to I-55), 120 miles south of Jackson, Mississipi (via I-55) and about 45 miles north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana (via Louisiana Hwy 67).

This webpage is just a quick intro to the DSRSG. For much more (up to date) information, please join the Deep-South-Regional-Star-Gaze Yahoo discussion group. As the official Internet home of the DSRSG, you'll find complete details about this great event, as well as access to registration information, photos and a large number of attendees on the group who can answer your questions.

All scopes great and small... Bill Price (left) and Pat Rochford discuss the finer points of Pat's beautiful mini-Dob built around Astroscan optics. What's better than a crystal-clear night sky? Well, how about a crystal-clear night sky and beautiful daytime weather? Part of the tent camping area and pavilion at Camp Ruth Lee. There are numerous walking paths around Camp Ruth Lee. DSRSG Facts and Figures

2007 DSRSG registrants - 133 with 13 no shows for 120 in attendance. 2006 DSRSG registrants - 125 with 4 no shows for 121 in attendance. 2005 DSRSG registrants - 98 with 3 no shows for 95 in attendance (quite remarkable considering Katrina and Rita). 2004 DSRSG registrants - 125 with 3 no shows for 122 in attendance. 2000, 2001 and 2004 were some of the better years weather wise, but 2005 was hands-down the best, nicely inaugurating our new location at Camp Ruth Lee. 1994, 1999 and 2006 were probably the worst years, night-weather wise. Registration peaked in 1999 with a registration of 191, but due to poor weather, the actual paid "attendance" that year was just 138. The coldest temperature recorded at the DSRSG was 21 degrees in 1991. People associated with 27 different astronomy societies have attended the DSRSG over the years. Our registrants in 2006 represented 13 astronomical societies and university astronomy clubs. The greatest distance traveled to get to the DSRSG was from Boston, MA, in 2004. Over 600 different individuals have attended the DSRSG over the years. 35 people have attended the DSRSG 15 times or more and 25 of them attended the 2004 DSRSG. The Aurora Borealis (northern lights) has been seen from the Deep South Regional Stargaze.

Web hosting is courtesy of Stargazing Network. The Clear Sky Clock is developed by Atilla Danko, based on data from the Canadian Meteorological Center. Kudos and thanks to all the above! Copyright© 2006 Deep South Regional Star Gaze