ArtCentrics

Information and listed events associated with the East Valley Astronomy Club

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Picketpost Trailhead

Current Status/Plans 
04/13 10:00 am - Since this Friday is the Monthly EVAC meeting, We are targeting Saturday (04/19) for our star party.  We will be arriving about 6:45pm, Sunset is at about 7pm.  This should give us plenty of time to setup.

Comet P/2025 (F2 Swan 25f) is rapidly brightening, and may be visible immediately following sunset.  It is estimated to reach magnitude 5 by the end of this month. Be warned, comets are extremely fickle, I'm guessing that it may be about magnitude 6 by Saturday evening if we are lucky.  That means that it just might be visible in the western horizon.  Comets are best viewed with binoculars, bring them if you own a pair.  It should be very close to the star Mirach in the Andromeda constellation.  In all likelihood we will not be able to see the comet, but you never know!
  • More Information on location, orbital elements and projected light curve can be found here.
  • Download the orbital path chart here (PDF)


Download the April Evening Sky Map (PDF) from skymaps.com here.

Lab Handout - This will be the Third lab for our beginners class.  You are welcome to download our observation list for the evening.  The focus of this lab will be a wide range of astronomical targets that are bright enough for most small telescopes.  Select Here to download/view the PDF document. 



Picketpost Trailhead is just outside of Superior (the turn before the Boyce Thompson Arboretum) on US 60.  Just past mile marker 221 There is a sign indicating the picketpost trailhead where you turn off onto a dirt road heading south (Uno Trail).  After about a mile the road comes to a "T" where it intercepts E. Saddleridge Trail road.  Turn East (Left) onto Saddleridge road and follow this road to the Trailhead parking lot.  Generally, the Observers will park in the West side of the parking lot while the images will park in the North side of the parking lot;  This is so the observers don't upset the imagers with their lasers, or when they leave the parking lot.  There are bathrooms there, but no running water.

Make sure to check road conditions/closures before you leave HERE. your destination should be “Picketpost Trailhead, Superior, AZ, USA”.

Anyone worried about finding Picketpost trailhead are welcome to meet at Lowes in Mesa where we will depart promptly at 6:15 pm as a caravan. We will gather in the southern area of the parking lot. Please make sure you arrive in time!

Observing Etiquette

• No White light – Make sure you have a red-beam flashlight. This will preserve you night vision.
• Back-up Your Vehicle – Park your vehicle so you don’t have to backup when leaving, this will help cut down on the time it takes to leave and minimize lights from your vehicle.
• Minimize Laser use – It’s okay to use lasers, but use them only briefly, remember there are imagers close by and we don’t want to ruin their exposures.
• Music/Alcohol – Alcohol is not allowed on the premises; Music is generally frowned upon.
• Be Kind – This is a great time to meet others; Introduce yourself to your neighbors, but please keep conversations away from politics, religion or other controversial topics.

You can download a sky chart (PDF) for the month on the skymaps.com website downloads page.

Provided below are some potential targets for the evening . The list has 28 objects in it including 2 Carbon Stars, 6 Multiple Star Systems, 6 Galaxies, 2 Globular Clusters, 1 Planetary Nebula, and 3 Planets.

• Portable Document Format (.pdf)
• Target Charts (.pdf)
• Astro Planner (.apd)
• Excel Spreadsheet (.xlsx)
• Sky Safari Pro (.skylist) – Instructions on loading the list can be located here.

Weather forecast for Picket Post Trailhead (Astrospheric)