Heading into the dark

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Lowjiber
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Heading into the dark

#1

Post by Lowjiber »


Located in Nye County, about half-way between Reno & Las Vegas, lies the sleepy little burg of Tonopah, Nevada. In the late 1800's, the area in/around Tonopah was the hub of gold & silver mining in the state. Nowadays, it's just living in the past without a Walmart in sight. :D

That said, if one is looking for dark it is the place to go. http://www.tonopahnevada.com/stargazing/

The better-half and I are heading out tomorrow for a four-day adventure in the area. We've been there several times and have never been disappointed as the light from the Milky Way darn near casts one's shadow on the ground... It's DARK. :Clap:

I just called the Moon and it's gonna be turned off at nightfall... should be another good road-trip. :thumb:
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Re: Heading into the dark

#2

Post by pakarinen »


IIRC, it was also once a large railroad hub. On the SP maybe?

Anyway, enjoy!

Heading to the cabin tonight, but forecast calls for clouds and rain. Whoever thought northern Illinois would have a monsoon season?
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Re: Heading into the dark

#3

Post by bladekeeper »


Sounds amazing, John! I hope you and Dana have an excellent trip! :)
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Re: Heading into the dark

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Post by Lowjiber »


We had a great trip. Tonopah is some ten degrees cooler than Las Vegas, making me don the jeans in the morning hours... Ninety degrees is cold to a Las Vegas guy.

Our center of operation was a completely refurbished hotel from the early 1900's that needs to be seen to be believed...
https://www.themizpahhotel.com/

Tonopah has two main attractions, DARK skies and silver/gold mining history from the 1850's.

Below are pics of our observing site and a sign on the main street in town to catch travelers' eye. (That's me in the pic.)
VIEWING SITE TONOPAH.jpg
MAIN STREET TONOPAH.jpg
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Re: Heading into the dark

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Post by helicon »


Sounds great John. I always follow Tonopah real estate to see what pops onto the market as a 2nd home. Will pull the trigger on one eventually. Can't wait for those dark skies.
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Re: Heading into the dark

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Post by KingNothing13 »


Whoa - that location looks BRILLIANT.
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Re: Heading into the dark

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Post by Lowjiber »


helicon wrote: Mon Jul 08, 2019 3:00 pm Sounds great John. I always follow Tonopah real estate to see what pops onto the market as a 2nd home. Will pull the trigger on one eventually. Can't wait for those dark skies.
Michael, here's the best Beer & BBQ in town...
BEER AND QUE.JPG
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Re: Heading into the dark

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Post by OhNo »


Looks like parking spots are at a premium....
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Re: Heading into the dark

#9

Post by Gordon »


John,

Were you able to capture any images?

That spot looks great! I would image Nevada has quite a few dark sky locations as the populations are pretty much Reno and Vegas.
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Lowjiber
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Re: Heading into the dark

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Post by Lowjiber »


OhNo wrote: Mon Jul 08, 2019 4:23 pm Looks like parking spots are at a premium....
Not really. To the right of the picture there is a parking lot. Businesses are few-and-far-between on the main street of Tonopah... One rarely has to park over fifty feet from anything.
Gordon wrote: Mon Jul 08, 2019 4:33 pm John,

Were you able to capture any images?

That spot looks great! I would image Nevada has quite a few dark sky locations as the populations are pretty much Reno and Vegas.
No. I didn't do any dark sky imaging and didn't take any solar equipment with me. Daytime was for grabbing some sleep anyway. 8-)

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Re: Heading into the dark

#11

Post by Tillibobs »


Sounds like you had a good time John, one of these days I'll have to find some dark(ish) sky over here .
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Re: Heading into the dark

#12

Post by Lola Bruce »


Looks like you found the perfect wallet campsite.

Bruce
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Re: Heading into the dark

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Post by bladekeeper »


Sounds amazing, John! I need to get out there and try some of that barbeque one of these days. :)
Bryan
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Re: Heading into the dark

#14

Post by mcolbert »


Lowjiber wrote: Mon Jul 08, 2019 3:35 pm
helicon wrote: Mon Jul 08, 2019 3:00 pm Sounds great John. I always follow Tonopah real estate to see what pops onto the market as a 2nd home. Will pull the trigger on one eventually. Can't wait for those dark skies.
Michael, here's the best Beer & BBQ in town...

BEER AND QUE.JPG
and in the correct order too! ;')
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