Rose City Astronomers: Kah-Nee-Ta Dark Sky Star Party

Rose City Astronomers

RCA Messier Marathon Star Party
Kah-Nee-Ta Resort and Casino

March 28^th-30^th, 2008

RCA Special Hotel Rate $78
You must make your own reservations
Be sure to mention that you want the RCA rate.

RCA is NOT responsible for your reservations or your deposit with the resort.
No Refunds within 72 hours of your first reserved night.

You must pick up a copy of our permission sheet from the front desk and it must be displayed on the dash of your car while on the way or at the viewing field.

Driving
Directions Weather Viewing
Field
Directions Lodging Meals Reservations

Known for its clear, dark skies this time of year, the Kah-Nee-Ta Resort offers a family retreat atmosphere with many amenities and activities. Come and observe your favorite objects under Central Oregon's clear dark skies, spend a wonderful weekend with other astronomers swapping observing stories and exchanging information, or even just spend a relaxing weekend with your family, all in comfortable accommodations that offer various other activities.

During the past 17 years, RCA has held early season star parties at KNT, and the weather has been very good to us; we have never failed to obtain at least part of a night's clear skies for observing, which is nothing short of amazing during spring in the Pacific Northwest. Over the years, the event has become a two-night function.

Kah-Nee-Ta affords a warm bed and hot shower (a great benefit in March), good food, and a giant fireplace. The Kah-Nee-Ta Resort has a variety of family activities in which all can participate. They roll out the carpet for RCA, offering us rooms at half off their regular prices as well as a social gathering room for daytime get-togethers.

There is no formal registration for the event itself, and you make your room reservations directly with Kah-Nee-Ta.

ACTIVITIES: An information sheet will be available at the general meeting, and in the social room during the event. This will include a map to the observing site. There are other activities available through the resort: hiking, a health spa, and casino gaming. Check the web site for more resort information at Kah-Nee-Ta.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Doug Huston at geometer@comcast.net or call him at 503-629-8809. You don't even need a telescope to participate; other members are enthusiastic to share their views. This is a good opportunity for beginners to get acquainted and seasoned observers to get back into the groove. We look forward to seeing you there!

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Driving Directions:

You have two ways to get to Kah-Nee-Ta.

1. The shortest route, but goes over Mt Hood at 5000 feet.

From Portland travel east on Hwy 26 past Mt. Hood Government Camp, turning south towards Bend at the junction on Mt. Hood. Approximately 29 miles east of Government Camp turn left at the big Kah-Nee-Ta sign onto Highway #9 towards Simnasho. At Simnasho (about 6.5 miles) you will turn right at the stop sign onto Hwy #3. At 13.2 miles from Simnasho on Hwy #3 take a left onto Warm Springs Road. You will come to the Kah-Nee-Ta Village about 1.25 miles further.

2. A longer route, but goes over Criterion Summit at 3300 feet.

From Portland travel east on Hwy 84 to The Dalles. At the Dalles go south on Hwy 197 and continue past Tygh Valley until just before Maupin. Turn right onto Hwy 216 towards Pine Grove. At Walter's Corner Store (the owner of the store own the property for our Maupin star parties) at Wapinitia turn left onto Reservation Road (Hwy #3). Proceed through Simnasho and continue 13.2 miles and take a left onto Warm Springs Road. You will come to the Kah-Nee-Ta Village about 1.25 miles further.

A Driving Map can be found here. Plan on a 2 hour drive from Portland via Highway 26, and 4 hours via Highway 84 and 97, plus any stops you may make.

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Weather:

Weather is almost always better on the east side than the west side of the Cascades.

The clear sky clock for the next 48 hours predicts:

Bring warm clothing, it will be cold at night no matter how nice the day is.

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Viewing:

You must pick up a copy of our permission sheet from the front desk before leaving for the viewing site and it must be displayed on the dash of your car while on the way or at the viewing area.

The viewing area is about 10 minutes by car from the Resort and that helps keep the light pollution down. Do not plan on leaving any equipment set up. You will have to pack it up after each of your viewing sessions.

Don't forget to use parking lights in the viewing area, red flashlights, red covers for computer screens, etc. You know the drill.

Directions to the Viewing area:

From Kah-Nee-Ta Resort, drive to the end of the entrance road and take a right on Warm Springs Road to the west and reset your trip meter.

Drive 0.9 miles on Warm Springs Rd, then take a right on Road #210 - Charley Canyon Rd. The road is not marked when heading westbound. Also note the first 100 yards of this road is rougher than the rest. The road is marked ‘no trespassing’ however we do have permission to use it. Reset your trip meter.

Proceed up road#210 to the second cattle grate at 3.4 miles (the first grate is at around 2.7 mi). Immediately after the second cattle grate take a right into the observing area which will be marked with red lights. There is a slight hump to drive over which should not be a problem. After that, access and the observing site is smooth and free of obstacles.

A Google map showing the location of the viewing area here.

The viewing area GPS coordinates are:
Lat 44.90817 N - Long 121.16191 W - Elevation 2336’

If you are new to observing, here are some Star Party Etiquette suggestions.

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Meals:

Kah-Nee-Ta has a full service restaurant (reservations recommended) and a lounge. There is a gift shop, and a few vending machines.

Meals are on your own.

Lodging: There is only reserved lodging which must be arranged directly with the Resort by calling Kah-Nee-Ta directly at 1-800-554-4786

RCA is NOT responsible for your reservations or your deposit with the resort, regardless of the weather, pass conditions, etc.

RCA has negotiated a special rate $78, single or double, plus $15 extra per person up to a maximum of four per room. Children under 14 are free when occupying the same room as their parents. This represents a savings of 50% over regular room rates.

Kah-Nee-Ta has a policy that you will be charged for your first night if you cancel within 72 hours of your expected stay, regardless of the weather, pass conditions, etc. (That means that the deadline for requesting a refund from Kah-Nee-Ta is 5pm, March 25th, 2007).

Bring whatever you need for sleeping in a hotel and viewing in a remote area.

The full information for the Kah-Nee-Ta Resort is located on their web page.

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Kah-Nee-Ta Reservations:

RCA is NOT responsible for your reservations or your deposit with the resort.

To register for a room and get the to get the special rates you MUST call Kah-Nee-Ta directly at 1-800-554-4786 to make your reservation, ask for the special RCA star party rate $78. RCA has reserved only a certain number of rooms at the special rate so please make your reservations as soon as possible.

We have negotiated a special rate $78, single or double, plus $15 extra per person up to a maximum of four per room. Children under 14 are free when occupying the same room as their parents. This represents a savings of 50% over regular room rates.

If you have questions about Kah-Nee-Ta call the resort at 1-800-554-4768.

The full information for the Kah-Nee-Ta Resort is located on their web page

If you have any further questions you can email Doug Huston at geometer@comcast.net or call him at 503-629-8809.

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