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

01 Feb '05

Kim, one of your greatest qualities is your humility; I have much to learn from you. You also lie like a rug! ;) You are an architect, a pretty great accomplishment in itself and more broad a topic than most folks consider, a student of military history, archeology buff, camping and outdoors enthusiast, geography buff, successful patriarch to a herd of little Hyatts, I could go on... Anything but boring. You are the textbook example of "still waters running deep", my friend. Your soul has uncommon, tremendous depth. Kim wrote: > I'm one of the more boring types. My only other > serious interest is how to pay next month's bills. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! - What will yours do? http://my.yahoo.com

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Miller mini-planisphere
by Chuck Hards 01 Feb '05

01 Feb '05

For those who asked me about where I got my Miller Mini planisphere (5.5" dia.), I found an on-line source: http://www.celestialproducts.com/MPPXX.asp This is the "pocket" version of the full-size Miller planisphere, all-plastic, weatherproof, fits in a glove compartment. Comes with a plastic storage sleeve. Latitude 40N. I really like this one; the scale may seem too small for a beginner but if you know the sky at a functional level, you'll have no trouble using this one. Dark sky with white stars, intended for use at the telescope. It's small size lets me keep it tucked inside a Burnham's volume, or on an accessory tray without using up too much area. I got mine in '89, glad to see it's still in production. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! - What will yours do? http://my.yahoo.com

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Re: Re: [Utah-astronomy] FW: Saint George Star Party
by astrodeb＠charter.net 01 Feb '05

01 Feb '05

If you don't understand my directions go to http://www.ut.blm.gov/stgeorge_fo/sgfofort_pierce.html Debbie > > From: <astrodeb(a)charter.net> > Date: 2005/02/01 Tue AM 09:49:24 MST > To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] FW: Saint George Star Party > > For those of you guys going to St. George Friday, don't follow that map. If you follow the map, you will end up in Hilldale with the polygamists! So I'm going to explain how to get to Fort Pearce from River Rd. > > >From the freeway get off at exit 8 which is St. George Bouvelard and make a left turn. Go across the bridge to River Rd. Turn right on River Rd. Go south till you cross the Virgin River bridge and turn left at 1450 South. Take this road and head east and you will come to a stop sign. Turn left on 1580 South and keep going east. This will turn into 3400 South when you enter Washington. The road will turn right and you will head south on Washington Fields Rd. Keep going until you see the old farmhouse and turn left on the dirt road. There is a sign and it will say Warner Valley. Go southeast on this road about 5.6 miles till you see the signs for Fort Pearce. Turn right to go to Fort Pearce. The dinosaur tracks are farther east of the Fort Pearce turnoff. There is a sign that says "Dinosaur Tracks" if anybody is interested. > > Debbie > > > > From: David Dunn <david.dunn(a)albertsons.com> > > Date: 2005/01/27 Thu AM 06:39:51 MST > > To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > > Subject: [Utah-astronomy] FW: Saint George Star Party > > > > OAS is planning to have a Star Party at Fort Pearce on the nights of 2/4 & > > 2/5. Anyone is welcome to come and get some winter observing in with us. > > To get to Fort Pearce, take exit 8 in St. George, turn left on St. George > > Blvd and Right onto River Rd. Then follow the directions below (188 S River > > Rd is just a random address to get the directions started) . For those of > > you that went to see Columbia return, we went to see the dinosaur tracks and > > Fort afterwards. This should be a good dark site. It is on public land so > > you can camp nearby if you want. Most of the people that have told me they > > are considering going are planning to get a motel room. If anyone finds a > > good rate, let us all know. > > > > > > 188 S River Rd > > 188 S River Rd > > Saint George, UT 84790-2114 > > to > > 37 03 13-113 27 50 > > 37 03 13,-113 27 50 > > > > > > > > > > Estimated Total Driving Time: > > 52 minutes Estimated Total Driving Distance: > > 40 miles Total Number of Steps: > > 13 > > > > Step Directions Distance > > 1 You are at 188 S River Rd,Saint George,UT. > > > > > > > > > > 2 Go N on River Rd for 0.32 miles 0.3 > > miles > > > > > > > > 3 Turn left onto UT-34 (100 N, St. George Blvd) > > 0.1 miles > > > > > > > > 4 Turn right on ramp to I-15 N 0.3 miles > > > > > > > > > > 5 Continue on I-15 N 6.8 miles > > > > > > > > > > 6 Bear right onto off-ramp at exit 16 to UT-9 (State > > St) 0.2 miles > > > > > > > > 7 Take UT-9 (State St) Ramp 0.2 miles > > > > > > > > > > 8 Continue onto UT-9 (State St) 9.4 miles > > > > > > > > > > 9 Turn right onto Main St 0.1 miles > > > > > > > > > > 10 Turn left onto 100 S 0.3 miles > > > > > > > > > > 11 Continue onto UT-59 (Highway 59) > > 21.9 miles > > > > > > > > 12 Turn hard right onto Uzona Av 0.1 miles > > > > > > > > > > 13 You are at 37.000000,-113.000000,, > > > > > > > > > > > > Destination: 37 03 13-113 27 50 > > 37 03 13,-113 27 50 > > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks, > > David Dunn > > 801-961-3253 > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ 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

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] FW: Saint George Star Party
by astrodeb＠charter.net 01 Feb '05

01 Feb '05

For those of you guys going to St. George Friday, don't follow that map. If you follow the map, you will end up in Hilldale with the polygamists! So I'm going to explain how to get to Fort Pearce from River Rd. >From the freeway get off at exit 8 which is St. George Bouvelard and make a left turn. Go across the bridge to River Rd. Turn right on River Rd. Go south till you cross the Virgin River bridge and turn left at 1450 South. Take this road and head east and you will come to a stop sign. Turn left on 1580 South and keep going east. This will turn into 3400 South when you enter Washington. The road will turn right and you will head south on Washington Fields Rd. Keep going until you see the old farmhouse and turn left on the dirt road. There is a sign and it will say Warner Valley. Go southeast on this road about 5.6 miles till you see the signs for Fort Pearce. Turn right to go to Fort Pearce. The dinosaur tracks are farther east of the Fort Pearce turnoff. There is a sign that says "Dinosaur Tracks" if anybody is interested. Debbie > > From: David Dunn <david.dunn(a)albertsons.com> > Date: 2005/01/27 Thu AM 06:39:51 MST > To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > Subject: [Utah-astronomy] FW: Saint George Star Party > > OAS is planning to have a Star Party at Fort Pearce on the nights of 2/4 & > 2/5. Anyone is welcome to come and get some winter observing in with us. > To get to Fort Pearce, take exit 8 in St. George, turn left on St. George > Blvd and Right onto River Rd. Then follow the directions below (188 S River > Rd is just a random address to get the directions started) . For those of > you that went to see Columbia return, we went to see the dinosaur tracks and > Fort afterwards. This should be a good dark site. It is on public land so > you can camp nearby if you want. Most of the people that have told me they > are considering going are planning to get a motel room. If anyone finds a > good rate, let us all know. > > > 188 S River Rd > 188 S River Rd > Saint George, UT 84790-2114 > to > 37 03 13-113 27 50 > 37 03 13,-113 27 50 > > > > > Estimated Total Driving Time: > 52 minutes Estimated Total Driving Distance: > 40 miles Total Number of Steps: > 13 > > Step Directions Distance > 1 You are at 188 S River Rd,Saint George,UT. > > > > > 2 Go N on River Rd for 0.32 miles 0.3 > miles > > > > 3 Turn left onto UT-34 (100 N, St. George Blvd) > 0.1 miles > > > > 4 Turn right on ramp to I-15 N 0.3 miles > > > > > 5 Continue on I-15 N 6.8 miles > > > > > 6 Bear right onto off-ramp at exit 16 to UT-9 (State > St) 0.2 miles > > > > 7 Take UT-9 (State St) Ramp 0.2 miles > > > > > 8 Continue onto UT-9 (State St) 9.4 miles > > > > > 9 Turn right onto Main St 0.1 miles > > > > > 10 Turn left onto 100 S 0.3 miles > > > > > 11 Continue onto UT-59 (Highway 59) > 21.9 miles > > > > 12 Turn hard right onto Uzona Av 0.1 miles > > > > > 13 You are at 37.000000,-113.000000,, > > > > > > Destination: 37 03 13-113 27 50 > 37 03 13,-113 27 50 > > > > > > Thanks, > David Dunn > 801-961-3253 > > > _______________________________________________ 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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The whole (geek) story
by Patrick Wiggins 01 Feb '05

01 Feb '05

Bill Cowles just sent me this link. It goes to the entire Rolly piece in today's Tribune. http://www.sltrib.com/rollywells/ci_2545895 Geek Patrick Say it loud, "I'm a geek and I'm proud!"

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Re: more geeks
by Chuck Hards 31 Jan '05

31 Jan '05

Kim wrote: > I don't know - I think a true geek would have > pigeons. Or chickens. Kim, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Thanks, it hit the spot! I wonder if Ozzy Osborne keeps either? Something Debbie wrote earlier today has been echoing in my head. Perhaps familiarity does breed contempt, but after all these years, an astronomy interest just doesn't impress me in a human being, by itself. Of all the amateur and professional astronomers I've ever met, the most interesting were, without exception, those who had greater interests, other than science and astronomy. Even people on this list- I've met people with serious side interests in various animals & husbandry, farming, music, art, craft, literature & poetry, militaria, history. Sad to say those who centered their lives on science exclusively were the most boring...to paraphrase Homer Simpson (that paragon of wisdom) when referring to a primatologist, "I knew scientists wasted their lives, but JEEZ! You must be the most BORING woman alive!" Now, I know many professional scientists, grew up with more than a few kids who now earn their living as full-blown research scientists, and from experience, it truly is the one-trick-ponies who have wasted their lives. Not that their professional work is without value, but that they have missed-out on so many fantastic experiences, passed up chances for personal growth as human beings, missed opportunities to know their own environment and their place in it, outside of a narrow definition forged as a grad student. Some have such practiced demeanors that they are mere cariacatures of human beings anymore. They are so steeped in playing the role of scientist that they have truly lost the greater part of their own humanity. They take the science too seriously, as an end unto itself, rather than as the means to and end that it really is. Some eventually find this out on their own, and usually drop out of hard-core science after ten or fifteen years and start living again for real, while they have some time left. It seems that Mr. Rolly, whom I'm sure is actually a very fine human being, is laboring under a stereotype. In his mind, anyone who looks at the sky in wonder is a nerd, egghead, geek. To him, we are apart, separate from our fellow humans. He sees us as wasting our lives, or a part of it, without realizing that in most cases, the astronomy is only the tip of the iceberg. One facet out of hundreds on what is really a brilliant gem, cut in many directions. His terminology gives away his real opinion of the person who enjoys the sky, even as he pretends to tilt at a windmill on our behalf. Perhaps instead, he should examine the life of a man who spends most of his working life trying to expose unimportant foibles of others; a man who lives in a glass house yet tosses stones without understanding what his target truly is...and I wonder if he'd still do it if there were not a paycheck involved? Just maybe, if he actually comes out to a "geek" gathering, and meets some of us, his opinion might change for the better. And if it doesn't, no matter. I knew musings columnists wasted their lives, but JEEZ, he must be the most boring man alive!" No reflection on Ann...he's an in-law, not a blood relative, right? ;) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Apology, with explanation
by Chuck Hards 31 Jan '05

31 Jan '05

To All: A list member has contacted me, apparently greivously insulted by my post on one-dimensional scientists/astronomers. Please, folks, if I insulted anyone it was not my intent. I only wanted to expand on Debbies observation that most (perhaps all) of us have so much more to our personalities than astronomy; the "geek" label was perhaps unfair. I wrote that while the people I have met to date have astronomy in common, it was in fact the least interesting aspect of their personalities. It just happens to be the interest that brings us together. I never intended to insult scientists or astronomers just for being scientists or astronomers. I pointed out that those who had no other interests or passions important to them were missing-out on the truly important things in life, that science is a tool to help us understand a greater truth, and not and end unto itself. I have friends who are scientists; those with other facets to their personalities are more whole, complete people (and more interesting of necessity!), those who have nothing else dear to them but their work tend to be bitter and broken, and have missed out on much in life. This is not an attribute of a life of science only, but of humanity. There are multi-faceted, interesting scientists and astronomers as well as single-purpose, soul-less, boring scientists and astronomers. I have known both types in my life. This condition can affect all of us, not just research scientists or astronomers, but they are the ones who stand out as examples from my own expereince, and what makes the post (somewhat remotely, it seems) applicable to an astronomy forum. Again, if anyone feels insulted, please understand that that was not my intent, and if taken as written I do not believe that it is insulting. But if anyone can't get past the feeling, then I am truly sorry I caused you that bad feeling. Life is too short to take personal insult where general observation was the intent. As always, thanks for your time. C. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Meet the all-new My Yahoo! - Try it today! http://my.yahoo.com

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Re: Planetarium
by Chuck Hards 31 Jan '05

31 Jan '05

Dale, I remember Dr. Littman fondly as well. He always made me feel like he was genuinely interested in me, and was never too busy to give me a few minutes of his time. I used to stick my head in his office just to say "hi" whenever I went downtown on the bus as a kid (usually to hang-out at the library and planetarium) and he always would smile and ask how I had been, what I had been up to. He would show me books that just came-in that he thought I might be interested in, or take me downstairs and give me advance peeks at upcoming star shows. When I got a little older, he let me hang a black-light painting in the "Black Light Gallery", and let me spruce up a display after the planetariums own model collection fell into some disrepair. He even let me park in the staff lot when I got my driver's license, much to the annoyance of some other staffers, but not the ones who were my friends, astronomer John Mosely and the machinists, Joe Starr (no kidding!) and Mr. Campbell. And yes, one day a guy named Patrick Wiggins got hired-on and he let me wander at-will behind the scenes, too. I spent hundreds of hours in the library poring over old issues of S&T, charts & books. Those are very fond memories. In my opinion, Littman was the best director the place ever had. Nothing against Dr. George or Seth Jarvis, but they are completely out-of-touch with any member of the public who has a genuine interest in the stars. They are mere administrators, concerned with the bottom-line; Dr. Littman was a compassionate, caring, effective leader and teacher. Where the current crop of directors concern themselves with generating profits, Littman concerned himself with bringing the stars to the people. Even the little people, one-at-a-time. Dale wrote: > This is certainly not meant as an affront to Patrick > - but I thought the > planetarium began to decline after (I believe it > was) an overreaching > county official terminated director Dr. Mark Littman __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail

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Consider me a geeky stargazing type
by Bob Grant 31 Jan '05

31 Jan '05

I chuckled at Rolly's column this morning, but then I usually chuckle or harrumph at his column. I am not his source for this story, but I was his source for the goofiness in small print on the enclosure sent with the water bill about a year ago. I chuckled because I remember attending my first SLAS meeting at Hansen Planetarium several years ago and coming home to tell my wife I had never been surrounded by so many geeks like myself. If Rolly is asked to apologize, I'd be tempted to be his next source, too. I'd tell him of the recent discussion on this list about which planets were visible on October 14, 1918. Hey, I referenced two different planetarium software sources myself, and got different answers. The only reason I didn't check a third source was that the cat was sleeping on my lap and I didn't have the heart to wake him up to cross the room. So I was befuddled and couldn't ring in with an answer. Bob Grant Befuddled Geek

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Re: Geeks
by Chuck Hards 31 Jan '05

31 Jan '05

OK, after this last digest I see that most everyone has put it in the proper light. Sorry I got my shorts in a knot, but it was sure drifting out to sea pretty quickly. Thanks to all who realized the term wasn't worth the angst. Let's invite Rolly to a gathering...Ann, we may need you on this one... __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! - What will yours do? http://my.yahoo.com

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