September 2008 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Star Parties
by Raeburn Kennard 09 Sep '08

09 Sep '08

There is a brand new park in Draper called "Galena Park." It is at about 12400 South and about 550 West. (Less than a mile west of the Draper 12300 So. Exit from I-15, turn left at the first light after the RR underpass.) It has a big parking lot and a big grassy field. Nothing but a few houses on the horizon. No big light sources nearby (Prison is 5 miles south). It is not down in the river bottom, but on the bench above the river. I believe there is a person at Draper City Hall who is in charge of scheduling. I don't know if they have an early closing time or not. But perhaps with some diplomacy that could be waived. Check it out. Raeburn G. Kennard Kirton & McConkie 60 East South Temple, Suite 1800 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (801) 321-4867 direct telephone (801) 328-3600 main switchboard (801) 321-4893 facsimile rkennard(a)kmclaw.com<mailto:rkennard@kmclaw.com>

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Natural Bridges Saturday Night
by zaurak＠digis.net 09 Sep '08

09 Sep '08

Hi All, We set up in a parking area at Riverbend well away from any sprinklers, we would want to take sprinklers into consideration. We did try Wheeler Farm over 10 years ago, they were happy to have us, but it had problems. As I recall, the practical place for a Star Party had lights and the place away from lights had no vehicle access. At least they did want to give us access, they may have safety and or liability concerns. We would want to check it out carefully before committing there again, at least in my opinion. They did not understand the issues we had. Liberty Park has to many tress, Sugar House Park closes gates early. Little Mountain we no longer have access to upper parking area, lower parking area not big enough. The water shed manager does not really want us up their. Non-board members sometimes got a key to the gate by posing as board member. The water shed manager was not happy about multiple keys being issued. They would change or add locks without notice, this was when the site was dropped. Dan's suggestion about Fairmont Park or a School is interesting. We need more ideas along those lines. My suggestion would be is that all club members look for one place nearby their residence, surely with all the parks, golf course etc., we should be able to come up with 4 or 5 that could be researched and considered. The Jordan River Parkway has many parking areas with limited lighting. Erik --- BMoore(a)commercecrg.com wrote: From: "Bob Moore" <BMoore(a)commercecrg.com> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Natural Bridges Saturday Night Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 20:54:37 -0600 the big problem with golf courses is they water all night ________________________________ From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com on behalf of daniel turner Sent: Mon 9/8/2008 6:41 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Natural Bridges Saturday Night Golf courses would be a natural good places. They are not in use at night so they tend to not be lighted. We just need one that understands our needs and is willing to allow access after hours. Sometimes that becomes a staffing overtime issue, it was at TITP. But if we can earn some trust maybe we can spend the night. Oh, and at the risk of reopening a very old wound: Little mountain continues to be used by individuals and very small groups for events on the eastern horizon. It's still a good place to try for. DT --- On Mon, 9/8/08, zaurak(a)digis.net <zaurak(a)digis.net> wrote: > From: zaurak(a)digis.net <zaurak(a)digis.net> > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Natural Bridges Saturday Night > To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Date: Monday, September 8, 2008, 5:29 PM > My thought was that perhaps there is a Golf Course parking > lot. We held one at Riverbend a few years ago and it worked > out well. > > Erik > > --- BMoore(a)commercecrg.com wrote: > > From: "Bob Moore" <BMoore(a)commercecrg.com> > To: "Utah Astronomy" > <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Natural Bridges Saturday > Night > Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 13:19:55 -0600 > > I am interested to know if anyone has any ideas for a > location for > public star parties for slas to host at a location within > the salt lake > valley. > > I am getting an overwhelming response from slas members > that they want > > Public Star parties at SPOC 1-2 per month > Public Star Parties at Harmons 1 per month > Public Sun Party 1 per month > > Public Star Party at a location in the SL valley with a > dark sky > (ie not in a parking lot with lights on) > > > > You can respond to this or email me directly at > bmoore(a)commercecrg.com > > > Bob moore > > > > Bob Moore > Commerce CRG - Salt Lake City office > 175 East 400 South, Suite 700 > Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 > Direct: 801-303-5418 > Main: 801-322-2000 > Fax: 801-322-2040 > BMoore(a)commercecrg.com > www.commercecrg.com > > * * * * * * * * * * * NOTICE: This e-mail and any > attachment contain confidential information that may be > legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, > you must not review, retransmit, print, copy, use or > disseminate it. Please immediately notify me by return > e-mail and delete it. If this e-mail contains a forwarded > e-mail or is a reply to a prior e-mail, the contents may not > have been produced by the sender and therefore we are not > responsible for its contents. It is the recipient's > responsibility to take measures to ensure that this e-mail > is virus free, and no responsibility is accepted by the > author or Commerce CRG for any loss or damage arising in any > way from its use. > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com > [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On > Behalf Of > zaurak(a)digis.net > Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 9:34 AM > To: Utah Astronomy > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Natural Bridges Saturday > Night > > Rob, > > I do not think we are going to scale back, we just want to > find a > balance. SPOC Star Parties require a lot of work behind the > scenes, > Bill, Mark, Patrick, and Bruce (to name a few) have put > forth great > efforts, their time constraints need to be considered. You > make a good > point that National Park parties don't suffer and Dan > also makes the > point that SLAS does not need to organize all star parties. > Group camp > outs began by people deciding to do it, Natural Bridges is > a nice park > for small numbers. That seems the appeal, small numbers. > Non public > events are most enjoyable to me, circumstances preclude me > from most new > moon venues. > My point about costs is that, we don't seem to suffer > from growing fuel > costs (yet), I wonder how long this will continue. I think > it is > something that we should begin to watch, I think it > probably will effect > the "special" star parties first . I does effect > where I will drive and > I think it is a good idea to have SLAS venues within > distance of TRAX > lines. What if anything we can do about is a hard question, > but getting > people talking about it might lead to some answers. People > have left > because their expectations of what the club should do or > not do. We try > to accommodate what significant number of people want, > projects have > died because of lose of interest. I belong to SLAS and the > AstroLeague > to promote the hobby of astronomy not for what I can get > out of it, > although I have gotten much from being a member. > > Erik > --- robtaylor3661(a)comcast.net wrote: > > From: "Robert Taylor" > <robtaylor3661(a)comcast.net> > To: <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Natural Bridges Saturday > Night > Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 17:26:51 -0600 > > Eric: I don't think there is a problem either. Plenty > of non-club star > gazing going on. I'm sorry that some of our points are > delayed and > overlapping, I only get the library version of the board > posts not the > individual postings. My choice for the last few years has > to support > activities and not be on the board or an officer, again due > to > professional > commitments. I've noticed the drop in participation at > that level and > while > we are still getting good people to serve on the board it > would be nice > to > see more people in the process. I think we both came to the > same > conclusion > (you probably long before me) about what types of star > parties suffer > from > low participation, the next question is there anything that > can be done > about it? > > > > +++++++ > > > > Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 08:13:55 -0700 > > From: <zaurak(a)digis.net> > > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Natural Bridges Saturday > Night > > To: "Utah Astronomy" > <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > > Message-ID: > <20080904081355.256C49CD(a)resin18.mta.everyone.net> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > > > > > I do not believe there is a problem, you can Star Gaze > where and when > you > want. As an Astronomy Club it is bad when we advertise an > event and no > one > or only a few show up. Willingness to participate is a > factor, > fortunately > we have enough to support a robust schedule. We have had > angry public > when > an event is scheduled and no one shows up. Rodger Fry has > done an > outstanding job with Special Star Parties and has > accommodated most > request. > > I hope next years board has someone as enthusiastic. > > > > Willingness to participate does seem to becoming a problem. > We used to > have > a lot of people running for the SLAS Board with several > people running > for > every office. Now we struggle to get one per office. > > > > SLAS members have a long history of National Park Star > Parties., I see > no > reason why this can't continue. I even ran into John > Dobson near Capital > Reef in his RV asking for directions. Yes ladies, men do > ask for > directions. > > > > > > > > All I am saying is that SLAS has to be careful about having > support for > an > event before scheduling. Members input is welcome, when > deciding the > schedule. I remember one year when I did 1-2 per week, most > went well, > but > some I was the only person and I would end up with lines of > 500 people. > We > would look at one thing for 3 hours, it was not enjoyable > for anyone. > > > > > > > > Erik > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com <http://gallery.utahastronomy.com/> > Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com <http://www.utahastronomy.com/> > > > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com <http://gallery.utahastronomy.com/> > Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com <http://www.utahastronomy.com/> > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com <http://gallery.utahastronomy.com/> > Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com <http://www.utahastronomy.com/> > > > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com <http://gallery.utahastronomy.com/> > Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com <http://www.utahastronomy.com/> _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com <http://gallery.utahastronomy.com/> Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com <http://www.utahastronomy.com/> _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Public Star parties
by Robert Taylor 09 Sep '08

09 Sep '08

I was thinking there are a few good places along the Jordan River Parkway as well. I think the pavilion off of 5400 South would be well suited, it's a bit off the main road (a plus and minus) with good parking and a large grassy field. The sprinkler situation is an unknown, but even the parking lot there should be big enough. That location is about as close the middle of the valley as you can get. I don't recall a lot of lights there either although I'm sure there are some, I might be able to take a drive by it tonight to check. Bob ~~~~~~ Hi All, We set up in a parking area at Riverbend well away from any sprinklers, we would want to take sprinklers into consideration. We did try Wheeler Farm over 10 years ago, they were happy to have us, but it had problems. As I recall, the practical place for a Star Party had lights and the place away from lights had no vehicle access. At least they did want to give us access, they may have safety and or liability concerns. We would want to check it out carefully before committing there again, at least in my opinion. They did not understand the issues we had. Liberty Park has to many tress, Sugar House Park closes gates early. Little Mountain we no longer have access to upper parking area, lower parking area not big enough. The water shed manager does not really want us up their. Non-board members sometimes got a key to the gate by posing as board member. The water shed manager was not happy about multiple keys being issued. They would change or add locks without notice, this was when the site was dropped. Dan's suggestion about Fairmont Park or a School is interesting. We need more ideas along those lines. My suggestion would be is that all club members look for one place nearby their residence, surely with all the parks, golf course etc., we should be able to come up with 4 or 5 that could be researched and considered. The Jordan River Parkway has many parking areas with limited lighting. Erik

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Natural Bridges Saturday Night
by zaurak＠digis.net 09 Sep '08

09 Sep '08

My thought was that perhaps there is a Golf Course parking lot. We held one at Riverbend a few years ago and it worked out well. Erik --- BMoore(a)commercecrg.com wrote: From: "Bob Moore" <BMoore(a)commercecrg.com> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Natural Bridges Saturday Night Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 13:19:55 -0600 I am interested to know if anyone has any ideas for a location for public star parties for slas to host at a location within the salt lake valley. I am getting an overwhelming response from slas members that they want Public Star parties at SPOC 1-2 per month Public Star Parties at Harmons 1 per month Public Sun Party 1 per month Public Star Party at a location in the SL valley with a dark sky (ie not in a parking lot with lights on) You can respond to this or email me directly at bmoore(a)commercecrg.com Bob moore Bob Moore Commerce CRG - Salt Lake City office 175 East 400 South, Suite 700 Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 Direct: 801-303-5418 Main: 801-322-2000 Fax: 801-322-2040 BMoore(a)commercecrg.com www.commercecrg.com * * * * * * * * * * * NOTICE: This e-mail and any attachment contain confidential information that may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not review, retransmit, print, copy, use or disseminate it. Please immediately notify me by return e-mail and delete it. If this e-mail contains a forwarded e-mail or is a reply to a prior e-mail, the contents may not have been produced by the sender and therefore we are not responsible for its contents. It is the recipient's responsibility to take measures to ensure that this e-mail is virus free, and no responsibility is accepted by the author or Commerce CRG for any loss or damage arising in any way from its use. -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of zaurak(a)digis.net Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 9:34 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Natural Bridges Saturday Night Rob, I do not think we are going to scale back, we just want to find a balance. SPOC Star Parties require a lot of work behind the scenes, Bill, Mark, Patrick, and Bruce (to name a few) have put forth great efforts, their time constraints need to be considered. You make a good point that National Park parties don't suffer and Dan also makes the point that SLAS does not need to organize all star parties. Group camp outs began by people deciding to do it, Natural Bridges is a nice park for small numbers. That seems the appeal, small numbers. Non public events are most enjoyable to me, circumstances preclude me from most new moon venues. My point about costs is that, we don't seem to suffer from growing fuel costs (yet), I wonder how long this will continue. I think it is something that we should begin to watch, I think it probably will effect the "special" star parties first . I does effect where I will drive and I think it is a good idea to have SLAS venues within distance of TRAX lines. What if anything we can do about is a hard question, but getting people talking about it might lead to some answers. People have left because their expectations of what the club should do or not do. We try to accommodate what significant number of people want, projects have died because of lose of interest. I belong to SLAS and the AstroLeague to promote the hobby of astronomy not for what I can get out of it, although I have gotten much from being a member. Erik --- robtaylor3661(a)comcast.net wrote: From: "Robert Taylor" <robtaylor3661(a)comcast.net> To: <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Natural Bridges Saturday Night Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 17:26:51 -0600 Eric: I don't think there is a problem either. Plenty of non-club star gazing going on. I'm sorry that some of our points are delayed and overlapping, I only get the library version of the board posts not the individual postings. My choice for the last few years has to support activities and not be on the board or an officer, again due to professional commitments. I've noticed the drop in participation at that level and while we are still getting good people to serve on the board it would be nice to see more people in the process. I think we both came to the same conclusion (you probably long before me) about what types of star parties suffer from low participation, the next question is there anything that can be done about it? +++++++ Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 08:13:55 -0700 From: <zaurak(a)digis.net> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Natural Bridges Saturday Night To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Message-ID: <20080904081355.256C49CD(a)resin18.mta.everyone.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" I do not believe there is a problem, you can Star Gaze where and when you want. As an Astronomy Club it is bad when we advertise an event and no one or only a few show up. Willingness to participate is a factor, fortunately we have enough to support a robust schedule. We have had angry public when an event is scheduled and no one shows up. Rodger Fry has done an outstanding job with Special Star Parties and has accommodated most request. I hope next years board has someone as enthusiastic. Willingness to participate does seem to becoming a problem. We used to have a lot of people running for the SLAS Board with several people running for every office. Now we struggle to get one per office. SLAS members have a long history of National Park Star Parties., I see no reason why this can't continue. I even ran into John Dobson near Capital Reef in his RV asking for directions. Yes ladies, men do ask for directions. All I am saying is that SLAS has to be careful about having support for an event before scheduling. Members input is welcome, when deciding the schedule. I remember one year when I did 1-2 per week, most went well, but some I was the only person and I would end up with lines of 500 people. We would look at one thing for 3 hours, it was not enjoyable for anyone. Erik _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Public Star parties
by Robert Taylor 09 Sep '08

09 Sep '08

Glad you called them Roger, I think this could be a good location if we can work something out. The location is good and it is in kind of a 'dark' area of the valley. They have 2 nice big fields next to the parking lot that might be perfect and I do think it fits with their overall theme. Unfortunately I won't be able to make the board meeting on Thursday but if I can help with anything let me know. It would be good PR for both organizations. Bob > Bob, I didn't think that there is a charge to get into Wheeler Farm > and there isn't. I called them and talked with there director (Shari) > and asked if they would be interested in persuing this and they > sounded thrilled. > There are several options that we could consider that might include a > no charge event in the parking lot or other location within the farm > to a class and star party where we would get 75% of the fee for the > class and they would get 25%. > > They thought that the idea of a star party fits very well with their > concept of promoting life on the farm and would be very interested in > persuing this as an option. > > I told Shari that I would talk this over at our board meeting and then > perhaps we could meet with her in the coming weeks to discuss options. > At any rate, she sounded like this would be a great enhancement and > draw for their facility. > > Rodger

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Utah-Astronomy Digest, Vol 67, Issue 11
by Robert Taylor 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

How about Sugar House Park or another park in the valley where you can at least get away from overhead lights. Bob ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 14:12:35 -0600 From: "Bob Moore" <BMoore(a)commercecrg.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Public Star parties To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Message-ID: <13F471220006AA40A7A6C9ED5D38F992067FF6C0(a)EXCHANGE.commercecrg.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" The only problem with Wheeler farm is they charge a fee to be there Bob Bob Moore Commerce CRG - Salt Lake City office 175 East 400 South, Suite 700 Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 Direct: 801-303-5418 Main: 801-322-2000 Fax: 801-322-2040 BMoore(a)commercecrg.com www.commercecrg.com * * * * * * * * * * * NOTICE: This e-mail and any attachment contain confidential information that may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not review, retransmit, print, copy, use or disseminate it. Please immediately notify me by return e-mail and delete it. If this e-mail contains a forwarded e-mail or is a reply to a prior e-mail, the contents may not have been produced by the sender and therefore we are not responsible for its contents. It is the recipient's responsibility to take measures to ensure that this e-mail is virus free, and no responsibility is accepted by the author or Commerce CRG for any loss or damage arising in any way from its use. -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Robert Taylor Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 1:56 PM To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Public Star parties Have we investigated doing a party at a place like Wheeler Farm? Centrally located, most people know where it is, not a ton of lights, big open grassy area right next to the parking lot, plenty of parking, down side is that it is private and they might be worried about liability but good publicity for them, they do work with groups and do sponsor events, worth a thought. Sky has to be better than Harmon's. Also for meeting have we looked at the Columbus Center on 400 East, 23 South, very central, lots of free parking, a nice facility that caters to groups and clubs. Easier to get to than the University, right off I-80 and State Street. Bob Taylor

2 1

Public Star parties
by Robert Taylor 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

Have we investigated doing a party at a place like Wheeler Farm? Centrally located, most people know where it is, not a ton of lights, big open grassy area right next to the parking lot, plenty of parking, down side is that it is private and they might be worried about liability but good publicity for them, they do work with groups and do sponsor events, worth a thought. Sky has to be better than Harmon's. Also for meeting have we looked at the Columbus Center on 400 East, 23 South, very central, lots of free parking, a nice facility that caters to groups and clubs. Easier to get to than the University, right off I-80 and State Street. Bob Taylor I am interested to know if anyone has any ideas for a location for public star parties for slas to host at a location within the salt lake valley. I am getting an overwhelming response from slas members that they want Public Star parties at SPOC 1-2 per month Public Star Parties at Harmons 1 per month Public Sun Party 1 per month Public Star Party at a location in the SL valley with a dark sky (ie not in a parking lot with lights on) You can respond to this or email me directly at bmoore(a)commercecrg.com Bob moore

4 4

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Natural Bridges Saturday Night
by zaurak＠digis.net 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

Rob, I do not think we are going to scale back, we just want to find a balance. SPOC Star Parties require a lot of work behind the scenes, Bill, Mark, Patrick, and Bruce (to name a few) have put forth great efforts, their time constraints need to be considered. You make a good point that National Park parties don't suffer and Dan also makes the point that SLAS does not need to organize all star parties. Group camp outs began by people deciding to do it, Natural Bridges is a nice park for small numbers. That seems the appeal, small numbers. Non public events are most enjoyable to me, circumstances preclude me from most new moon venues. My point about costs is that, we don't seem to suffer from growing fuel costs (yet), I wonder how long this will continue. I think it is something that we should begin to watch, I think it probably will effect the "special" star parties first . I does effect where I will drive and I think it is a good idea to have SLAS venues within distance of TRAX lines. What if anything we can do about is a hard question, but getting people talking about it might lead to some answers. People have left because their expectations of what the club should do or not do. We try to accommodate what significant number of people want, projects have died because of lose of interest. I belong to SLAS and the AstroLeague to promote the hobby of astronomy not for what I can get out of it, although I have gotten much from being a member. Erik --- robtaylor3661(a)comcast.net wrote: From: "Robert Taylor" <robtaylor3661(a)comcast.net> To: <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Natural Bridges Saturday Night Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 17:26:51 -0600 Eric: I don't think there is a problem either. Plenty of non-club star gazing going on. I'm sorry that some of our points are delayed and overlapping, I only get the library version of the board posts not the individual postings. My choice for the last few years has to support activities and not be on the board or an officer, again due to professional commitments. I've noticed the drop in participation at that level and while we are still getting good people to serve on the board it would be nice to see more people in the process. I think we both came to the same conclusion (you probably long before me) about what types of star parties suffer from low participation, the next question is there anything that can be done about it? +++++++ Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 08:13:55 -0700 From: <zaurak(a)digis.net> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Natural Bridges Saturday Night To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Message-ID: <20080904081355.256C49CD(a)resin18.mta.everyone.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" I do not believe there is a problem, you can Star Gaze where and when you want. As an Astronomy Club it is bad when we advertise an event and no one or only a few show up. Willingness to participate is a factor, fortunately we have enough to support a robust schedule. We have had angry public when an event is scheduled and no one shows up. Rodger Fry has done an outstanding job with Special Star Parties and has accommodated most request. I hope next years board has someone as enthusiastic. Willingness to participate does seem to becoming a problem. We used to have a lot of people running for the SLAS Board with several people running for every office. Now we struggle to get one per office. SLAS members have a long history of National Park Star Parties., I see no reason why this can't continue. I even ran into John Dobson near Capital Reef in his RV asking for directions. Yes ladies, men do ask for directions. All I am saying is that SLAS has to be careful about having support for an event before scheduling. Members input is welcome, when deciding the schedule. I remember one year when I did 1-2 per week, most went well, but some I was the only person and I would end up with lines of 500 people. We would look at one thing for 3 hours, it was not enjoyable for anyone. Erik _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com

4 3

The end is near!
by diveboss＠xmission.com 07 Sep '08

07 Sep '08

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,418204,00.html

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Utah weather cams / Star parties tonight and tomorrow
by Patrick Wiggins 05 Sep '08

05 Sep '08

Here's a page with weather cams around Utah: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/datamap/mesonet.php?map=ut&cameraonly=on And with all the discussion here recently about SLAS star parties remember that SLAS is hosting 1 tonight and 2 (as well as a movie) tomorrow. Tonight at the Harmons located at 11400 S. Bangerter Highway and tomorrow night at SPOC and This Is the Place. Rodger Fry indicates that tomorrow's SPOC star party will include the screening of the 1951 sci-fi classic "The Day the Earth Stood Still" that was postponed from the last SPOC star party. patrick

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