- Estimated Cost: $87
- Deposit: $12
The Minnesota Astronomical Society (MAS) is having its 4th annual Camping With The Stars weekend at the Onan Observatory in Baylor Regional Park (3 miles north of Norwood – Young America, MN). Onan is only 40 minutes west of Minneapolis, yet the facility, set on a hill overlooking a lake, has a reasonably dark sky. During the weekend there will be guest speakers, potlucks, solar observing, and a lot of telescope time under the stars. During the day we may also organize bike rides and hikes through the park. Onan has some amazing equipment, including a 20″ Obsession, 16″ and 14″ computer-controlled SCTs, reflectors, refractors and large binoculars. See the attached link to the Onan Observatory for more details.
Please e-mail me by July 29 if you are interested. I have created a Rovers group reservation, so we can be near each other and to make it easier on the park’s staff. Cost is $12.75 per person for the weekend, and we will be camping in an open field near the observatory. The cost also covers the park’s car fees. This is a really good opportunity for Rovers to bring their kids too! I will have my own telescope & equipment at the campsite as well. If you desire your own registration (i.e., if you want to camp in a more secluded area further from the observatory), please call Baylor Regional Park at 952-466-5250 to do so. The CWTS website states that primitive site camping is $75, and sites with utility hookups cost $87. If you want to just come out for the day and not camp, the cost is $10. Onan is close enough to the Twin Cities that people can easily come and go throughout the weekend. The MAS is excited to host the Rovers once again! Click on the links for the Camping With The Stars weekend itinerary, as well as directions to Baylor Regional Park. Estimated cost: $12.75 + gas/food. Deposit: $12.75. Max trip size: Unlimited.
Deadline to sign up is July 29 so I can provide them with our final headcount. Food and gas are not included. Plan on bringing your own camping equipment. We can work on consolidating tents as we get closer.
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Astronomical Society
Suresh S.