Arkansas Dark Sky Festival (and Nature Fest)

Arkansas Dark Sky Festival / Nature Fest at Bear Creek Cabins

(click on this link to see lovely drone footage of the site at Bear Creek)

(photo by Rocky Togni)

Some people call it a Dark Sky Festival. Some people call it a Star Party. For me, it was a Nature Fest!


As is so often the case, the weather forecast was unreliable -- even on the days of the event. Each night we were supposed to have partly cloudy or fully cloudy skies. And each night we had great dark-sky conditions. Thursday cleared up just as it got dark and was perfect all night. Our avid amateurs were viewing the dim fuzzies until after 3 am. Friday night was a bit more questionable, but the clouds dissipated about 9:30 with great viewing thereafter. Saturday was forecast to be cloudy so I was told to prepare a campfire, but instead the clouds cleared off just after it got fully dark and there was great viewing again. My take: never trust a forecast. (Click on this link to see a lovely photo by Alan Wagoner of the Milky Way taken during the star party.)


The Nature Fest also had plenty of activities. Sue staffed our NCAMN table and found plenty of interest from the public. We are confident that this event will have produced several new members for various AMN branches. Sue is already working on ideas for making our table even more of an attraction next year.


The festival also had tables for two Audubon societies, the Ozark Society, NWA Space, and others. All shared knowledge about nature and staffed activities for adults and kids.


During the daytime I talked about the Sun and the upcoming eclipses. I also taught people how to use library telescopes and how to see sunspots using a white-light solar filter. Sam Morris (standing just behind me in the above photo) showed off stunning views of active coronal mass ejections using his Lundt 35 mm hydrogen-alpha solar scope. Those are highly specialized items that you won’t get to use very often, so it was a treat.


We heard fine talks on a variety of topics in nature. Birds --

(photo by Rocky Togni)

And seasonal habitats for insects and birds, presented by Laurie Scott of Northwest Arkansas Master Naturalists.



(photo by Rocky Togni)

And, of course, Dr. Amber Straughn speaking about the James Webb Telescope (introduced by event Chair, Bruce McMath) --

(photo by Rocky Togni)

(Click on this link to see the crowd gathered to hear Dr. Straughn's speech.)

But my absolute favorite part of the Nature Fest was organizing and helping to lead Nature Walks on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings. If you like nature walks, it’s hard to beat rambling along a clear Ozark stream like Bear Creek. We saw lots of wildflowers, lots of insects, and we climbed to the top of the Boone Buttresses. There are only two known buttress formations in Arkansas. This one is on the private property of Bear Creek Ranch so the best way to explore it is to come to next year’s Dark Sky Festival. I think you’ll find the trip very worthwhile. Click this link to see a great panoramic shot by Alan Wagoner of the full buttress formation.

(Photo by Angela Chandler)

Laurie Scott (NWAMN) and I (NCAMN) led the hike on Friday morning. Here is our Friday group crossing the creek on our way to the bluff. We were fortunate to be joined by Katie Morris, an AGFC specialist, who caught two different species of crayfish and a cricket frog for us to hold and admire in our own sweaty palms. Here Laurie and I are seated on the very edge of the bluff pictured above:

And below we have a picture of Katie Morris along with my good friend Rocky Togni, who is perhaps the most accomplished amateur astronomer in the state of Arkansas. You don’t often get to hike with such experts . . . unless you join Amy and Ellen on our regular wildflower walks!

Planning is already underway for the 3rd annual Arkansas Dark Sky Festival. Once again it will be held at Bear Creek Cabins, from September 26 - 28, 2024.  .  . . Click here for a final, soothing photo of reflections in the swimming hole by the pavilion.

Star Charts and Deep Sky Data for Small Scopes

While I own and enjoy using a 200 mm Dobsonian Telescope, I find myself turning more and more often to my 102 mm refractor or my 130 mm Dobsonian. Small telescopes can be lifted more easily, set up in the yard more quickly, and more easily moved to alternate viewing places in a yard full of shade trees. My Mag 7 Star Atlas is almost perfect for use with the big Dob, but it provides too much data for small scopes. With 17 full-paged charts and 17 double-columned pages of text, it is intended for use by experienced and enthusiastic astronomers using larger instruments.

The small scope user is best served by a monthly all-sky chart with appropriate data -- perhaps showing deep sky objects down to about mag 8. I've always recommended The Evening Sky Map from skymaps.com, and I still like it. But I recently discovered that Orion Telescopes also publishes a Monthly Star Chart that is even better. Unfortunately the Orion star chart is not accompanied by any information about the objects on the map. That's a problem I could fix!

I had worked up all that basic information (and more) as part of my Observing Notes for the Mag 7 Star Atlas, so all I had to do was pull out everything necessary, condense it down to 4 pages of double-columned text, and create a single pdf file that you can download and print. That way, you'll have all the data you'll need for a full year and all the information for those charts.

So here it is -- (click on the image of the small scope to open the PDF file of data for the Monthly Charts)

Some comments and caveats:

• You'll see that I have not included the sky maps themselves.  I recommend that you go to the Orion website and download charts for January, March, May, July, September, and November. The stars rotate across the sky slowly enough from month to month that six charts are sufficient. Start here.
• Note that you can print individual monthly charts by editing the web address of the printer-friendly chart for January 2024. Change 01 in the address to 03 for March, or to 05 for May, etc. I assume that after 2024 you will also need to edit the year. Here is the address to edit:

https://www.telescope.com/assets/pdf/starcharts/2024-01-starchart_bw.pdf 

• Because the Orion chart has so much information, you may need a magnifying glass to read it.
• I have included links to the best amateur astrophotographs of the various double stars and deep sky objects in the data lists. Instead of buying a nice Dwarf2 or SeeStar50 to take automated images, you can just enjoy those already made by others. 

Astronomy is a hobby that depends on optical assistance and plenty of equipment. You are already bringing out your scope, an assortment of eyepieces, a table for the scope, a chair, star maps, a red light . . . and  now you may need a magnifying glass, too! At least the magnifying glass and charts are the lightest of the bunch.

A "Bucket" List Christmas Gift for Your Favorite Astronomer

Most amateur astronomers would like a comfortable observing chair that is lightweight and easily adjustable. Ideally, it should also be inexpensive and multipurpose.

I found some old paint buckets in the woods and some blue polystyrene foam floating in the lake. That trash has now become my favorite bit of new astrokit. 

Have a look at the following four pictures. . . . Not only do you have four observing heights -- three seated comfortably and one standing up -- but you also have two handy buckets for carrying eyepieces, hand-warmers, charts, and a flask of brandy. It's perfect.

The Junk!

Low Stool

Medium Stool

High Stool

Let's Talk About . . . Nature and the Night Sky

Note:
What follows is informational material that Sue has developed for the North Central Arkansas Master's Naturalist's "Let's Talk" table at Arkansas' First Dark Sky Party on the Buffalo National River, Oct. 21 - 22, 2022.
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Let’s LEARN about Human Health and the Dark Sky!

• Circadian rhythms are physiological changes affected by the 24 hour cycle of light and darkness.
• “Night owls” and “Early birds” experience slight shifts in their genetic adaptation to their circadian rhythms.
• Our hypothalamus is a small area in the brain behind the eyes that regulates our genetic “biological clock” in response to the circadian rhythms of night and day.
• Dusk signals the production of melatonin via the hypothalamus signalling the pineal gland; it encourages drowsiness for the sleep cycle. The morning light activates the hormone cortisol, which alerts us to activity for the day ahead.
• Humans can experience depression, sleep disorders, and changes in eating habits when artificial lighting at night disrupts our genetically controlled biological clocks.
• Scientists are exploring evidence that even sleeping in a room exposed to light pollution may increase body fat and the risk of diabetes.
• LED lighting emits high temperature “blue” spectrum light, which interferes with the production of melatonin. To avoid sleep disruption, avoid bright lighting after dusk and use electronic devices with a “night shade” setting.

Let’s READ more about Human Health and the Dark Sky!

Human Health and Artificial Lighting
https://www.darksky.org/light-pollution/human-health/
Human Physiology and Circadian Rhythms
https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx#:~:text=Circadian%20rhythms%20are%20physical%2C%20mental,the%20study%20of%20circadian%20rhythms.

The Pineal Gland and Melatonin

http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/otherendo/pineal.html

Let’s WATCH VIDEOS about Human Health and the Dark Sky!

A Study of the Human Response to our Biological Clocks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKQH6T1DZvI
How Circadian Rhythms Can Affect Your Weight and Health
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho4sNQPBXMc&list=PL5TLzNi5fYd9_fKTUsJAannC63hLGmOpX&index=5

Chromosome 10 - What regulates our body clock?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCr73nkoa-I

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Let’s LEARN about Birds and the Night Sky!

• 70% of North American birds are migratory—and 80% of those fly at night.
• Most depend on the dark sky to navigate with the moon and stars.
• Birds can be disoriented by artificial light beacons, and can circle until worn out, or vulnerable to predators.
• Night light pollution increases bird collisions with other birds, buildings, and signs.
• The four North-South migratory flyways in the U.S. are the Pacific, the Central, the Mississippi, and the Atlantic—----and each have different urban dark sky obstacles.
• The “Lights Out Program” during the spring and fall migratory seasons is gaining public awareness in more American cities.

Let’s READ more about Birds and the Night Sky!

“What you should know about Bird Migration and Light Pollution”
https://www.darksky.org/what-you-should-know-about-bird-migration-and-light-pollution/
Lights Out Programs for Cities in North America
https://www.audubon.org/conservation/existing-lights-out-programs

Let’s WATCH VIDEOS about Birds and the Night Sky!

Lights Out for Migratory Birds in Texas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FEzCj5npiI&list=PLI3sHpSFmf1UrG0quQxcZZATADMeabhR3&index=1
University of Delaware Explores how Light Pollution Affects Migrating Birds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pJlMqCFHj8
Birds and Artificial Light At Night: An Overview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdMnztQSDvg

CornellLabs Live Birdcast Migration

https://birdcast.info/migration-tools/live-migration-maps/

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Let’s LEARN about Insects and the Dark Sky!

• Insect populations are threatened by habitat loss, pesticides, water quality . . . and light pollution.
• 50% of flying insects are nocturnal, exhibiting a “flight to light” response to outdoor lighting sources.
• Moths, butterflies, and bees can lose their navigational cues and become exhausted while orbiting exterior lights and bright windows. . . .and they are also spotlighted for predators.
• Fireflies use their flashing luminescence to attract mates and outdoor lighting disrupts their courtship signals.
• Some insects (mosquitoes, bed bugs, and some beetles) can see infrared light giving them an advantage over their prey at night!

Let’s READ more about Insects and the Dark Sky!

“The Devastating Role of Light Pollution in the “Insect Apocalypse”
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/light-pollution-contributes-insect-apocalypse-180973642/
“Light Pollution from Street Lights Linked to Insect Loss”
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58333233
“When Fireflies Await a Night that Never Comes”
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/11/science/firefly-light-mating.html

"Infrared Vision"

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/infrared-vision

Let’s WATCH VIDEOS about Insects and the Dark Sky!

“Light Pollution is One of the World’s Biggest Buzzkills”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGg0Wz671Z8
“Reducing Light Pollution at Night is a Simple Way to Help Insects”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7M77BSEwP0

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Let’s LEARN about PLANTS and the Night Sky!

• Plants rely on a 24 hour circadian cycle, using daylight hours for photosynthesis, and nighttime hours to signal the metabolic changes needed for seasonal survival.
• Artificial Light At Night (ALAN) can range from the low intensity sky glow of distant cities to the high intensity of urban and suburban all night lighting.
• High intensity night light (i.e. street lights) can trigger longer periods of photosynthesis. In some species of grasses this can accelerate growth, but in other grasses it stunts growth.
• Artificial lighting at night can disrupt the life cycles of insects with their host plants, resulting in a mismatch of the timing necessary for pollination.
• Nocturnal plants need darkness to activate blooming. Artificial night lighting can prevent blooming and thus the necessary pollination for reproduction.
• Artificial night lighting can delay the onset of deciduous fall leaves, thus weakening the protection that dormancy provides for the winter season ahead.
• ALAN can also disrupt the photoperiod signals for spring budding, risking early growth that endangers the plant’s growth and survival.

Let’s READ more about PLANTS and the Night Sky!

“Ecological Effects of Artificial Light at Night on Wild Plants”
https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1365-2745.12551

“Light Pollution is Disrupting the Seasonal Rhythms of Plants and Trees
https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/07/light-pollution-is-disrupting-the-seasonal-rhythms-of-plants-and-trees/

Let’s WATCH VIDEOS about PLANTS and the Night Sky!

“Sunlight vs. Artificial Light in Plant Growth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz4XfheXZc8



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Let’s LEARN about Wildlife and the Night Sky!

• Many animals, such as birds, sea turtles and even dung beetles, use the moon and the stars to navigate at night.
• Artificial night lighting can disrupt mating signals for frogs and insects, and increase the exposure of all nocturnal wildlife to predators.
• Birds can be disoriented by artificial light beacons, circling endlessly until exhausted, and increasing bird collisions with other birds, buildings, and signs.
• The four North-South migratory flyways in the U.S. are the Pacific, the Central, the Mississippi, and the Atlantic—-and each have different urban dark sky obstacles.
• The “Lights Out” program during the spring and fall migratory seasons is gaining public awareness in more American cities.
• Pit Vipers and Vampire Bats see the infrared light emitted by their prey.

Let’s READ more about Wildlife and the Night Sky!

“Light Pollution Effects on Wildlife and Ecosystems”
https://www.darksky.org/light-pollution/wildlife/
“The Moon and the Stars are a Compass for Nocturnal Animals. . . “
https://theconversation.com/the-moon-and-stars-are-a-compass-for-nocturnal-animals-but-light-pollution-is-leading-them-astray-142301
“What You Should Know about Bird Migration and Light Pollution”
https://www.darksky.org/what-you-should-know-about-bird-migration-and-light-pollution/

"Moonlight Guides Dung Beetle Activity at Night"

https://astronomy.com/news/2019/02/moonlight-guides-dung-beetle-activity-at-night#:~:text=Dung%20beetles%20who%20work%20during,light%20waves%20%E2%80%93%20to%20orient%20themselves.

"They Can See the Blood Running Through You"

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17eoNVbL8PttuHaiIuMSC3vT7PTjHhNIk/view?usp=sharing

Let’s WATCH VIDEOS about Wildlife and the Night Sky!

“Light Pollution and its Impact on Birds and Wildlife”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooLYWwA43SE&t=19s
“Birds and Artificial Light at Night: An Overview”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdMnztQSDvg

"Heat Seekers: Harnessing the Infrared Senses of Animals"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmwmgUpGRJ0

A Tale of Two Telescopes -- AWB OneSky 130 and Celestron AstroMaster 102AZ

Here is the quick summary: Both of these telescopes are made by Celestron; both are made in China; both give almost identical views of the night sky. The AWB OneSky costs $250, and a big chunk of that goes to support the outreach activities of Astronomers Without Borders. The Celestron AstroMaster 102AZ costs $275. (The scope I actually have is the NexStar SLT 102, but I modified it to remove all the computerization so it is similar to the Astromaster 102AZ.) The AWB OneSky is slightly better overall for astronomy; the Astromaster is excellent for both astronomical and terrestrial viewing.

For the time being, I own both scopes and I think I'll hold onto them both. I slightly prefer the OneSky for astronomy and greatly prefer the AstroMaster for bird watching or scanning the distant lake activity.

Both scopes are so good that I rarely break out my 8" Dob even though I know I'll get a far better view of planets and deep sky objects using it. Often, ease of use wins the night!

The Nitty, Gritty Details

Both scopes have the same 650 - 660mm focal length. One might at first think that a 130mm objective mirror would out-perform a 102mm refractor lens, but the large secondary mirror on the OneSky means that both scopes collect about the same amount of light. Both seem equally sharp. I really see no significance difference between performance either at low power (26x magnification) or at high power (110x magnification). When using the same lenses in each scope, I get about the same viewing.

The red-dot finder is mounted toward the front of the AWB OneSky while it is mounted toward the back of the AstroMaster. This makes a considerable difference. With the OneSky it is always relatively easy to tip one's head in a good position for looking through the finder without having to get out of the viewing chair. With the AstroMaster you have to choose between comfort viewing objects low on the horizon or comfort with objects up toward the zenith. You can, of course, adjust the length of the tripod legs, but that's an extra step and hardship in dark sky viewing. I think the AWB Onesky has the edge in ergonomics.

That edge is given back (and more) if one wishes to use the scope for terrestrial viewing. You can do it with the OneSky, but it's never going to be a viable option for bird-watching. The AstroMaster soars ahead as a terrestrial scope. You can even look at insects on wildflowers 30 feet from you door!

Extras

You'll need an observing chair or stool for comfort when using either scope. I've purchased a three-legged stool like this one:

If you buy the Astromaster, a light observing chair is the only additional expense. If you buy the AWB OneSky, you will also need a small table upon which to set the telescope. You can make one for free by cutting down the shipping box as I have done in the images below. Note that I have strategically reinforced the inside of the box with additional cardboard, I have created four mini-legs to raise the box off the ground by about an inch, and I have used plenty of packing tape and Gorilla tape whenever the mood struck me! The box now serves to hold the scope as I carry it around the yard and is also sturdy enough in use to damp eyepiece vibrations quickly. If I want the box to last longer, I'll probably cover it with water-resistant wallpaper.