Deep South Regional Star Gaze XXVII October 14th - 18th, 2009

Please note date and location change (see below)

For the past four years (2005-2008), the DSRSG has been held at Camp Ruth Lee, near Norwood, Louisiana. While we greatly enjoyed our time at Camp Ruth Lee, due to significant concerns about its long-term viability, a move to a new venue has become unavoidable. Fortunately, we didn't have to move far! Our new location is the Feliciana Retreat Center, at 10274 Hwy 422, Norwood, LA 70761. The FRC is located on the same highway as Camp Ruth Lee. In fact, the two "observing fields" are less than two miles from each other, in a straight line. At this point, there are still many details left to be pinned down and adjustments are likely. Stay tuned to this page, or even better, join the Deep-South-Regional-Star-Gaze Yahoo Group for updates and important details. The star gaze has also been rescheduled to October 14th-18th, 2009. This was a scheduling necessity at FRC. Here are a couple of area maps showing the location of the Feliciana Retreat Center.

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. Feliciana Retreat Center 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? There are numerous nature and walking trails in the area. DSRSG Facts and Figures

2008 DSRSG registrants - 78 with 9 no shows and 9 walk-ons for 80 in attendance. 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. [ UPDATE! ] 2008 was easily as nice as 2005, weather-wise. 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. 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© 2009 Deep South Regional Star Gaze