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Utah Astronomy List Guidelines and Information
by Cynthia Blue 02 Feb '05

02 Feb '05

I thought now would be a good time to send these out again. I've meant to do so yearly, but I think it's been a while. Please read and keep these. Thank you all! Utah-Astronomy Email List Information ***** Please Retain this Message!!! **** This email message is an update and reminder of various aspects of email lists in general, and specifically the utah-astronomy email list. This will be sent out periodically for new members and old members alike. A few notes to remember when using an email list: 1. Please keep your post within the topic of Astronomy in Utah. If your post is outside this topic, it will still probably be accepted. However, if a discussion continues on an off-topic, a request to terminate the post will be sent by the list admin. 2. Please keep your posts civil! If you are not familiar with Netiquette, please visit this website for a review: http://www.onlinenetiquette.com/. Various topics may become heated on this list. If so, the list will be closely watched, and individuals who, by the List AdminÂ’s judgement, are not polite and courteous, will receive a personal email asking them to please tone their posts down. If you are angry, it is always best to wait 24 hours before you post anything! Thank you. 3. Please make sure that your email client is sending messages in a traditional text format; html email or other rich text styling only works on some email clients and would be a distraction to those who use traditional email software. 4. Please make sure you are posting to the correct address with the email address you have subscribed with. If you try to post with another email address, your message will not be posted. Rather, it will be bounced to the list administrator and you may receive a personal email with more information. 5. Please DO NOT forward on general information types of mails to the list such as virus warnings, boycott issues, or other such emails which may or may not have any basis in reality (even if you think they do). 6. If you change email addresses, please remember to unsubscribe with your old address and resubscribe with your new address. 6. For the subscribe/unsubscribe form, please visit the web page located at: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Please do NOT send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to utah-astronomy(a)lists.xmission.com. This is the list address and everyone on the list will receive your unsubscribe request. Thanks for being on the list! Cynthia S. owner-utah-astronomy(a)lists.xmission.com or lucyblue(a)xmission.com -- CH Pembroke Faded Glory NA NAJ NAC NAJ TN-N Elsinore Lucilla Aurelius CGC Angel Pumpkin Spice Lady CGC Spirit Chasers Spice http://www.utahdogs.com http://www.cynthiablue.net

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Sunspots
by Chuck Hards 02 Feb '05

02 Feb '05

Only one group near the center of the solar disk today, and pitifully small. A large group right on the western limb about to rotate out of view. I'm only using 50mm of aperture, and looking through double-paned office window with Baader material. Larger aperture and no intervening window may reveal more spots of the very small variety. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Fwd: (astro) Cold Star Party
by Chuck Hards 02 Feb '05

02 Feb '05

Forwarded from Dan Burn of the UofU club: --- D Burn <D.Burn(a)m.cc.utah.edu> wrote: > Date: Wed, 02 Feb 2005 09:59:58 -0700 (MST) > From: D Burn <D.Burn(a)m.cc.utah.edu> > Subject: (astro) Cold Star Party > To: astro(a)physics.utah.edu > > Star Parties are still taking place on clear > Wednesday nights even though > there is a lack of emails advertising them. I think > tonight will be clear > so the observatory will open at 6 p.m. On these > cold nights we tend to > leave early so plan to arrive between 6 and 6:30. > The Orion Nebula is the > highlight this time of year! > > Coldily, > > Dan Burn > Dave Pawlowski > > > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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That bright thing in the sky
by Chuck Hards 02 Feb '05

02 Feb '05

Two sunspot groups visible on the surface today, widely separated. Easily seen at low powers. Sure is nice to see the sun again. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? All your favorites on one personal page Try My Yahoo! http://my.yahoo.com

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Re: Why the hostility?
by Chuck Hards 02 Feb '05

02 Feb '05

Director Jarvis, please don't confuse hostility with grand disappointment. Many of us are old enough to remember when Hansen opened it's doors, and that it was a much more freindly and open environment than Clark, or the final phases of Hansen. Could be that much of that atmosphere had to do with the style(s) of the staff at the time. The older staff apparently thought of themselves first and foremost as educators in a role of public outreach, administrators and government employees very much second, to the betterment of the community, IMO. I certainly felt that any tax dollars of mine going into the old institution were much better spent. I'm not naive enough to think that good teachers are a substitute for the bottom line, in the eyes of those who hold the purse-strings however. Pity. Any county rules that on the surface seem to forbid an association between an astronomical society and the planetarium can be undone, they are just words on paper and not physical barriers. Clearly other planetariums owned by a branch of governement in this state have thriving relationships with amateur astronomical clubs. It's not impossible, but it does require enthusiastic backing at top leadership levels and a desire by that leadership to make sure there are no policy barriers in the way. Also remember that SLAS was originally founded by Hansen Planetarium staff, who gradually turned over club administration to the membership as the roles grew and the workload increased. For the planetarium to now shrug it's shoulders, point to questionable polices and rental fees, and grin sheepishly seems like a cop-out to many of us. Remember that we are not "tin-foil hat" types standing around looking at the night sky hoping for UFOs to land. Some of us contribute to professional research, are serious astro-imagers, comet seekers, have been published, repeatedly, in Sky and Telescope. We put on star-parties for thousands of people yearly, all over the stated and intermountain area at large. Guy stated it well; it's the planetarium who stands to benefit the most from any partnership with SLAS or any other serious club. The current SLAS president has pointed out in this forum that it may be too late at this point due to history and the momentum of official disinterest at the planetarium. The horse has already escaped the corral and closing the gate now probably accomplishes nothing. It's pretty much up to you, sir, to change the environment at this point. Hopefully enough club members wouldn't hold a grudge and would be willing to come back but that remains to be seen. It really could be too late and perhaps a partnership with Leonardo is the best way to go. We shall see. Thanks for your time. Chuck Hards __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Big Scope first light?
by Patrick Wiggins 01 Feb '05

01 Feb '05

Tomorrow may not only be Groundhog Day, it may be Big Scope First Light Day. We got enough done on the Big Scope today that Bruce thinks there's a chance we'll have first light tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon (?) / evening (?) / night (?). There's still a good bit of work to do so anyone interested in being a worker bee (worker geek?) should plan on showing up at SPOC at 3:00 pm. Links to images of today's work will be in tomorrow morning's News. Patrick

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] more geeks
by David Dunn 01 Feb '05

01 Feb '05

By the way, I learned a few years ago that in addition to being a geek, I am also a Nerd. This was by the definition of my 6 year old son who said that anyone who works with or uses computers is a Nerd. I am glad that most of the people I know are Nerds as well. Dave

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Re: Geeks
by Chuck Hards 01 Feb '05

01 Feb '05

No, I'm not done yet. This is too ridiuculous. Note that everyone is upset about the term "geeks", nobody cares that the club can't meet at the planetarium, for whatever reason. The real point of Rolly's article. But we as geeks are world class at missing the point, as demonstrated here today. I would like to state, for the record, that SLAS was started by a planetarium staffer, John Mosley. It has gone through much metamorphosis over the years, but John and a couple of college and high-school kids were the first to meet under the name Salt Lake Astronomical Society. The current club is a direct descendant of that first band of GEEKS. All of us easily fell under the current definition of "geek"..."Chas the spaz, president of the science club"....whatever. We laughed at labels like that, they were used by harmless, uninformed people who just didn't matter to someone interested in science. Nobody cared! (And, BTW that was one of the original purposes of the planetarium in the first place, as a meeting place for amateur astronomers.) Now I'll tell you that while I am not Rolly's source, I know who is, he attended the swap meet. Many of you know him and if you think about it, you'll realize who. Water off a duck's back, folks, get over it. It's a non-issue. A funny musings column. Just drop it already. Or keep talking about it and prove my point, I find it hard to care anymore either way. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - 250MB free storage. Do more. Manage less. http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250

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Re: Re: Re: more geeks
by Chuck Hards 01 Feb '05

01 Feb '05

Aw, gorsh, Kim, now I'm all a-blush. Obviously you have me confused with someone else! __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Take Yahoo! Mail with you! Get it on your mobile phone. http://mobile.yahoo.com/maildemo

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] Planetarium
by Dale Hooper 01 Feb '05

01 Feb '05

I certainly hope this doesn't sound like I'm rubbing it in. But, the OAS has been EXTREMELY fortunate. Years ago, we had to meet in the basement of a doctor's office. Now we have a fantastic relationship with the Weber State University, Ott planetarium folks and we meet in the Ott Planetarium. Of course, a lot of that is the direct result of tremendous planetarium directors, namely, Dr. John Sohl and now Dr. Stacey Palen. Dr. Palen has recently completed some major upgrades to the planetarium (with the help of some great benefactors), but, the emphasis is still on science & teaching - not special effects. Could SLAS benefit by moving in the direction of teaming up with the U of U instead of Clark? Clear skies, Dale. -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+dale.hooper=sdl.usu.edu(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+dale.hooper=sdl.usu.edu@mailman.xmission. com] On Behalf Of Jim Stitley Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 11:11 AM To: Utah Astronomy Cc: Siegfried Jachmann Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Planetarium Siegfried, So well thought out and expressed! So correct even if we don't want to believe nor accept it. It is always hard to let go of what should be, but for a number of reasons, is now no longer meant to be. It is so intuitive that A planetarium and A astronomical society are symbiotic. It seems so obvious, because it is. We need to understand that this new Clark Planetarium is no longer thought of as a hub of a learning center, but a business called entertainment - they are two very different things. We (SLAS) glory in the challenge of new knowledge and teaching this to others ( adults and kids). In my view, the Clark Planetarium is just another movie theater with different special effects, not a true learning center. So sad, but it is the new world here in SLC. Maybe someday when the new 'theater' newness wears off and attendance drops by other theater competition, there may be a new Mission Statement at Clark that just might include astronomy, and we can be in the wings to align then, .... OR not. OUR choice. Thanks for your level headed insight, Siegfried! So sad it has to be a new and different era for the planetarium that excludes one of the largest and most active amateur asronomy club I have come to know in the 8 states and 50 years of living around the country. SLAS is clearly above the crowd in terms of astronomical societies I have know before. Jim Stitley Siegfried Jachmann <ziggy943(a)xmission.com> wrote: Kim, You're absolutely right but you're talking about a different era. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,,, The days of Littmann and Mosley were very good years for the Planetarium. I still recall observing Comet Bennett or West, I forget which, with both of them on several cold winter mornings at Little Mountain. Those few times when I have had the chance to visit Griffith I still drop in to see John. He sure has gotten old though. Normally I would say, and have said, there is no more natural relationship than that of an astronomical society and a planetarium. But considering the absolute lack of consideration given our society by the Clark Planetarium, I don't see any reason to pursue a relationship. The lack of consideration of providing some space for our meetings certainly let us know how they viewed us. We found out at one of the last meetings last year that the planetarium let their solar scope out for bid. We didn't even know about it. Again, we were given no consideration. We might have bid. Or better yet, they could have considered donating it to us :-) . The thought probably never occurred to them. SLAS has matured and grown to a point that I don't see any benefit to a relationship with this Planetarium. I think we are better off with those that respect us as equals and treat us with a measure of respect. It's gotten to the point where I have no interest in pursuing a relationship or co-sponsering of events. Siegfried ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kim Hyatt" To: "Utah Astronomy" Sent: Monday, January 31, 2005 4:17 PM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Planetarium Chuck wrote: I would like to state, for the record, that SLAS was started by a planetarium staffer, John Mosley. It has gone through much metamorphosis over the years, but John and a couple of college and high-school kids were the first to meet under the name Salt Lake Astronomical Society... (And, BTW that was one of the original purposes of the planetarium in the first place, as a meeting place for amateur astronomers.) I always thought the Planetarium could/would benefit more from our association than SLAS would, but due to our love of astronomy and interest in sharing it, that was fine. However, I'm curious. Why has the Hansen/Clark Planetarium shown so little interest in or given so little support of SLAS? At least that's been true for the 16 years or so I've been a member. I know that wasn't always the case, as Chuck has pointed out. To illustrate the point: No effort by the Planetarium folks to accommodate SLAS's meeting needs in the new Clark Planetarium, except an invitation to meet in the star theater if we would pay the typical rental rate. Even when we invited the Planetarium to co-host Ken Croswell's visit and lecture, they wanted us to pay them to do it! I noticed at November's meeting that the Planetarium representatives began by saying something about how they would like to see some cooperation between the two of us. However, they never really discussed it or mentioned the issue again. Kim _______________________________________________ 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://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://www.utahastronomy.com the Perfect You "inside and out" Insightful Seminars, Workshops & Coaching Increase SelfAwareness - Know Who You Are...REALLY! Discover the NEW "Inner You" http:/www.theperfectyou.us/mentor TechnoVation.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://www.utahastronomy.com

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