[SGVLUG] OT: Space Station and Space Shuttle visible over LA tonight

[Emerson, Tom (*IC)]

> -----Original Message----- Of Alan Horn
> On Mon, 16 Mar 2009, Claude Felizardo wrote:
> 
> > For anyone interested, both the international Space Station and the 
> > Space Shuttle will be visible from the greater Los Angeles area 
> > tonight.
[...]
> 
> The last time I went to look at this ... I drove up the 2 
> towards mt wilson 
> into the angeles national forest to get away from light pollution.
> 
> Its been a few years tho, I don't know if that area still has good 
> darkness.

You might consider going as far as Chilao -- it is an overnight
campground (tho if you are only staying until just after sunset, you
might be able to "just park" for a short while - not sure when they
check for "campers" -- they may even have "day use" parking spots that
are not actual campsites)

However, last time I was there, there *is* a part of the campground that
can "see" L.A., so there is a smattering of "light pollution" visible
even from that location

Another alternative is to make a left when you reach the "ranger
station" where the "2" joins the "angeles forest highway" (proper) -
this heads towards palmdale and the like, and there are a couple of
campgrounds along the way, but "the best" spot along here will be at the
"peak" (another "ranger station" here, and/or a prison work camp, don't
remember exactly...) there is also a day-use campsite there with limited
parking.  Drive time from the base (foothill blvd in La Canada) should
be about 45 minutes.  This site should be well insulated from city
lights.