Visit Cherry Springs? Everything You Need to Know.

[@pstaszkiw]

Hi, I just found this video looking for any new videos on Cherry Springs since we were there last year. Low and behold at about the 2:55 mark is our orange tent and my two tripods. This was our first time at Cherry Springs and we are currently planning on visiting again this June or September. Great video !!!!! pete

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Thanks Pete. I hope we can see you there this year. The just opened up early registration. My entire family is excited about going this year.

[@skygazr33]

Been going there since the mid-90’s with my 20” dob. Sadly, I totally agree with your light pollution assessment in the park.

[@1GeorgePN]

Maybe - maybe not - it 'is what it is'. I love Cherry Springs and expect to be there often - mainly week-nights, and not weekends. I can even do a 'one-nighter' - it is 2:45 hr very nice drive for me.

[@SamaraLovesU2]

I can tell a huge difference in light pollution from 2014 when I started to visit Cherry Springs. Also, lately there has been a huge crowd of really disrespectful people crossing the road over to the observing field without any equipment, they set up blankets on the grass and are really loud and obnoxious and keep checking their cellphones without any red filters.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

That is one of the reasons I tried to mention the public filed a lot. Both of the clear nights that we had when I was there last week we had people come on the field with their headlights on.

[@3genac]

Is light change at cssp documented? Generally where's the best source of research into light pollution change over time? Thanks!

[@ln5321]

Agreed. Last year I as at Cherry Springs on a clear, moonless night and was stunned at the light pollution. The surrounding trees and mountains were easy to pick out from the background of the sky because the sky had a diffuse glow to it. I could even make out the color of the jackets my friends were wearing in total darkness because there was enough ambient light. I had read that Cherry Springs offers Bortle 2 skies, but based on the stars I did and didn't see while there on a clear moonless night, I'd say it was on the boundary between Bortle 4 and 5. Very sad to realize that it's getting brighter there.

[@SamaraLovesU2]

@@ln5321 I have to disagree with the bortle scale though. I have visited Chile and the Atacama desert with Bortle 1 and I live under Bortle 5 and I can guarantee you that Cherry Springs’ sky is not Bortle 4 or 5. It used to be Bortle 2 when I visited the first time years ago and now it’s a borderline 2-3.

[@ln5321]

@@SamaraLovesU2 Hm, maybe there was some haze in the air that I didn't realize while there that made me think it was worse than it is.

[@Mikedegot]

Great overview. I'm looking forward to getting back to the park one of these days. I want to stay the whole night on the observation side next time. Almost got my gear all ready. For anyone who hasn't been to this park, soon as the sun goes down the sky is just this massive sea of stars. It's rare to get that kind of view in the East.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

It sure is. I hope they an protect this place.

[@Ninonybox]

Can't believe I have never been there, seeing as how our hunting cabin is only 50 minutes away in Cedar Run. I did notice that it is much easier to see the stars out there, even as a kid. Seeing as how it is so far out from any major human settlements. Will have to make the trip sometime.

[@thickymcghee7681]

Dude, taking my mom on a Cherry Springs trip tomorrow for her birthday, and this was sooooooo helpful. Thank you!

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Thats great. And why i made the video :)

[@3genac]

Emphasize the non-gated field for gazing has a berm separating the parking lot, so the field remains dark. If gates lock, how do you leave in an emergency? How is the locked field better than the others? Verizon's spelt wrong. Otherwise a useful, flawless vid. Thanks!

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Thanks for the feedback about Verizon's . I will look for it. Yes I probably will emphasize the non-gated side this year. Leaving in an emergency is possible. Gate can be unlocked from the inside. Never seen anyone with an emergency though.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Darn that Verizon name is in the video footage. Guess I have always been a AT&T guy at heart.

[@3genac]

Prudent to plan for emergency; never know when the sun will go all planetary nebula on us.

[@3genac]

No emergencies? What about that time the sun went all planetary nebula on us? That was a close call!

[@Psychlist1972]

Thank you for this video. It was the best overview so far. It's hard to tell when / if the overnight observing field will have any openings. The reservations site says not until April 2022, but I'm not sure if that actually counts the overnight observation field. It's a 5 hour drive up there, so being turned away would be rough :P.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

If there is a star party that is the only time it might be full. There are only two that I know of. Black Forest Star Party and Cherry Springs Star Party. If you are not going those nights there is always an opening.

[@Psychlist1972]

@@TheNarrowbandChannel Awesome. Thank you. Their site was so confusing because they allow you to "reserve" the astro field, but said it was full through April. I'm excited now :)

[@akivatalansky]

Sounds like a nice place to visit for astronomy observation. I've never been there, but I have visited the boondocks in Northern New England and found spectacular dark skies over there.

[@LaurieSomma]

How do I specifically get a camping spot in that observation field? I'm looking to book but am confused with booking a tent camping space.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Are you talking about the observation field? There is no online booking required. It's a show up and put money in the donation slot sorta thing. It is covered in the video about half way through.

[@LaurieSomma]

@@TheNarrowbandChannel Oh wow! Great! Thank you!

[@rv3865]

for the overnight astronomy field, do you need a reservation? or is it first come first serve?

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Only if there is a star party ghat night.

[@trevinseskey644]

@@TheNarrowbandChannel so it’s first come first serve other than star party nights correct? Also, in the public lot can you stay overnight?

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

@@trevinseskey644 I have seen many stay over night on the Public as well.

[@PafMedic]

Well I Was Just Asked If I Wanted To Go To Erie,or Here,Were 3 Hours Away,So You Can Have A Tent Or Camper On The Dark Sky Site,Sweet.Because Even Tho Im In A Bortle 4 Sky,Its Been Junk For Over A Year,Sweet..Gotta Make Plans For This

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Had some good weather in PA lately. Hope you can catch Cherry Springs with some clear weather.

[@PafMedic]

@@TheNarrowbandChannel ,Im In Elderton Pa,Not Far,We Havent Haf Rain In A While,But Still So Milky And Hazy All The Time

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

@@PafMedic That is from the Canadian forest fires near Alaska.

[@TomMcHugh-l4v]

But aren't the 3 fields close to each other and don't they have an equal view of the skies ? I'm not clear on the advantage of one field over the other. I would like to stay there to photograph the Milky Way. Do the bathrooms 🚻 have flush toilets and running water ? Are they open all night ?

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Views are mostly the same. They are all walking distance.

[@WaldoTreehorn]

I know from the video that you cannot enter or leave the dedicated field in a vehicle between dusk and dawn. The gate is closed. But can you enter or leave on foot? Is there a man-door or other way in/out?

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Yes there is a small walk way door that is open.

[@Brandonparanormal562]

Am I able to drive there for one night for a stargaze and leave in the morning

[@cristhiancaguana816]

Thank you for the information

[@tom726]

I'm hoping to make the trip from Ohio this weekend. Thanks for the info on the different locations.

[@joanantonim.p.2400]

P.D. Please, turn on the subtitles... 🙏🙏🙏 Thanks...

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

I think they are on. I never turn them off.

[@tahavahanvaty9652]

Can you only leave the park after sunrise?

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

You can on foot but by car you must wait till sunrise.

[@liamtrofe3288]

I want to go and see the stars and everything but I don’t own a telescope will that affect the way I see them? Is there something I can use on the gated side that anyone can use?

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Binoculars are all you need up there. With those you can see over a 100 deep sky objects. Especially this time of year. You naked eyes will get to see the Milkey way like you have probably never seen it before. If you go when there is a new moon there will be other observers there and I am sure they will let you look through their telescope.

[@liamtrofe3288]

The Narrowband Channel awesome thank you I wanna take my girlfriend to see a star in the Big Dipper. We can’t see many stars where we live and I was wondering if you could see a mag 12 star with binoculars

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

@@liamtrofe3288 With binoculars you can.

[@djstrains]

Well done. Thanks

[@Zealor365]

Well done video. I'll stick with my Bortle 2 skies here in western Washington but I appreciate the invitation...Lol

[@GSWeb8]

Great video, thanks.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Glad you liked it!

[@GSWeb8]

@@TheNarrowbandChannel Looking forward to an overnight trip this summer:) 30 years in astronomy and have never been there from Bucks County PA.

[@J.DiPietro]

Howdy Neighbor! Hope that power supply helps! Had a blast.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Thanks James if I remember right. Yes It sure will. I have it at work and am going to solder DC plugs to it so I can directly attach it to my mount. I might even bolt it into the inside of my pier extension so I have one less thing to unpack.

[@fidhammer]

Would there be a place for me to park my Hyundai Santa Fe that has A-tent that attaches to the back of it? I preferably like to stay in the main observatory with all the hardcore star watchers. What month is best? I git to many questions...

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

People park those all the time out there.

[@PatJones82]

Exactly the video I've been looking for. Their website is not very easy to understand. I just learned about and missed the star party last year and now just learned and missed the other star party last weekend. So I was cranky. ;) I didn't know that I could go anytime. Now I'm excited that I understand the place and that I can go when I want. I have a small Williams Optics on a VX mount with an ASI Air. So I can go anytime and set that up in the public area? Thanks for the video!

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Yes you sure can. And ill be doing a new video soon. I captured a lot of footage of my stay last week.

[@PatJones82]

@@TheNarrowbandChannel Awesome! Thanks! Looking forward to those videos as well! :)

[@CruiserlifestyleBlogspot]

I know you need reservations for the campground, do you need reservations for the overnight only section?

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

No. But check to see if any events are going on. If there are then you would have to have one

[@davidaaaa4611]

That is my favorite place to want to go. I would love to take my telescope there. People who live near there are very lucky to have such a dark sky. I live to far away to ever go there. ( sigh )

[@Ace-hj2nd]

Have you gone recently? Thinking about going this month but wanted an opinion from anyone who has gone recently. All the videos I find are from at least over a year ago, don’t know if it’s still worth the trip

[@joanantonim.p.2400]

Thank you very much... 👍👌👍🙏 Health and Greetings from Spain... "SALUDOS... 👋🙋😃 "

[@michelezook2448]

Thanks for the video! Quick question. Are you allowed to set up a tent in the field (non gated side)?

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

I know you can on the public camp ground. Some of the camping spots there are 10 ft from the public field. So it would not be difficult to have your scope set up close by. All that separates the public camp ground and the public camp site is a small hedge of bushes.

[@michelezook2448]

Thanks. We plan to come up for a night later this week but the campground is full. Someone told us they put a small tent on the field but I have read online that is not allowed.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

@@michelezook2448 Then I would def not camp on the public field. Try the dedicated field The rules are only that you cannot come and go after dark. There are bathrooms there. Plus your camping dues go to a good cause.

[@kerendelgadillo9399]

Hello i am planning on going this weekend, can i place my tent on the overnight observatory, do i have to make reservations? I keep getting different answers. I think you have the answer for me. Please thanks!! Great and Informative Video!

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

You do not need to make a reservation. Only time you do is during start parties and those are only held on new moon weekends.

[@AstroEscape]

Very nice, man! I'm super bummed that all three days I had planned to go up were clouded out, so I stayed home. For your light pollution bit.... Pennsylvania residents: IDA Pennsylvania became a legal non-profit (in the eyes of the state) last year. We are working on getting things together like a website and outreach programs. On the state level I want to promote protection of Cherry Springs as the Eastern US's premiere astro tourism spot. I'm hoping by the end of the summer we have more things ready to roll, keep an eye out!

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

That would be awesome. I will be happy to do what I can with my channel to help.

[@mikeontheisland]

This place is on my list

[@InAsianWeTrust]

Do i need to reserve to stay over night at the park?

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

No you do not.

[@paulweiler6494]

1 comment is . the observing field is for people with telescope equipment.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

You can use gear on the public field. They now have a few concrete pads there too for telescopes to be mounted on. Cannot remember though if there is electric.

[@jamescahill2643]

Great video! One thing I noticed that was left out is the fee for the overnight field, which is $15 per night. This fee is required and different from the Dark Sky Fund donations.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

I am pretty sure it is the same thing unless they added this this summer. At our last meeting no one brought this up.

[@jamescahill2643]

@@TheNarrowbandChannel There's actually 2 different drops, one for the required overnight fee of $15 per night and another for the dark sky fund.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

@@jamescahill2643 where are they? I have never heard this mentioned before. I was just talking to our president two weeks ago and he said there was only one fee.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Do you have like a picture of the other drop location?

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

@@jamescahill2643 Just received confirmation. There is only one donation of 15$ per night. If someone put up a second one it is some sort of fraud or scam. Thank you for the FYI..

[@megs3019]

Does it cost money to go into the closed area

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Yes 15$ a night.

[@cynthiaaiken2424]

Do you know what that thing on the right looks like?

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Its a 17in dobsonian scope under its protective tarp.

[@erik683]

As a newbie, would Cherry Springs be worth an overnight visit during a full moon? Would really love to experience the milky way viewing but like I said, I'm a newbie. Thanks!

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

I love camping there but i do mot think a full moon is worth it. If the moon is up all night. If it were down for at least 2hrs of the night then i think it is worth it.

[@xlegitblondex]

Hello, I was planning on going this summer with friends. I’m currently 17 but I don’t have anyone I can go with that’s over 18. Will I get turned away from my campsite if I can’t show an id? It’s a 4 hour drive so that would suck

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

I am forwarding your question to the club president.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

So they don’t check id at the star party since it has no age limit. Now the parks might say differently though. I would call them to check.

[@robinparis3024]

I’ve always wanted to go here ! So bad ! Why are people saying the reservations are a year ?? If you can come and go as you please ?

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

They are talking about star parties. And even if there is a star party going on you can still visit on the public side of the road. Star parties are limited to the gates side.

[@PotterCountyDiggers]

Good video. I grew up here and have only been up there once for a night sky photography class. I usually look at the milky way from my hot tub. I’m glad so many ppl enjoy that place up there. I don’t think many ppl like myself know the rules or understand how lights effects your eyes Anyway. Cool vid and I learned a lot. Thanks!

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Many thanks for the kind word.

[@perfecthollywood]

thanks for this

[@helmergarcia9136]

Do you need a telescope or can you see it with your eyes?

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Up there you can see the Milky Way with your eyes.

[@helmergarcia9136]

@@TheNarrowbandChannel would it be a good time to go in March?