A Night at the Observatory with Star Trails - UNH

Thanks to Ken for suggesting this idea and making this night possible once again. We have a special opportunity to fit our cameras to the UNH telescope and and shoot the planets.

NOTE: Overcast or obscured skies will postpone this meetup until the following evening, Wednesday, July 10th.We will call a postponement no less than five hours before the meetup starts.

I'll have the required adapter for the telescope, as well as the adapter rings for Nikon, Canon, and most Sony dSLRs. Sorry; Pentax, Leica, non-dSLR, and other mounts are unavailable but you may be able to secure an adapter through telescope supply companies, or from your favorite adapter company such as Fotodiox.

It takes about 15 minutes for each person to set up the adapters and start shooting. We'll have extra adapter rings available for the person on deck can get prepared quicker. In the past, we've saved a great deal of time by leaving one good camera body attached to the scope while we swap cards in to allow everyone to get a good deal of shots without having to waste time swapping and adjusting cameras.

We will use the area around the observatory for nighttime and star trail shots. If you're interested, bring a sturdy tripod and a remote trigger, and be familiar with how to operate your camera in the dark.

The group will be limited to fifteen so everyone get plenty of time to shoot.

Directions
Essentially, coming off of Route 4 from the north, make a left off 155A (Concord Road/Main Street) onto Spinney Lane, then make a right onto Spinney Lane (straight is O'Kane St) to get to the observatory. If you're coming north on Route 108 from Exeter, make a left onto 155A toward downtown Durham, make a right onto Spinney from Main Street/Concord Road, and then a right onto Spinney again where O'Kane splits off. There are some signs as you get close, and you should park in the dirt parking lot and walk in. Please come early, as all parking lot lights are shut off when we begin - and it will be dark.

Important Info to Consider
There are no bathrooms and there is no heat. Although it's July, it's also nighttime in NH, so be sure to bring layers in case the temps drop. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes in nearby downtown Durham where you can use the facilities before we begin. Bring a flashlight with a red gel or filter, but be prudent in its use - even small amount of light may ruin someone's outdoor night shot.