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Light pollution, race tracks and such.
by Michael Carnes 14 Dec '04

14 Dec '04

It just occurred to me that a natural ally for us might be the Audubon Society. Salt Lake is a major flightway for gazillions of migratory birds. Not only do diminishing wetlands (race track and parking lots) cause diminishing bird populations, but there also seem to be some indicators that abundant artificial lighting screws up birds' navigation systems. Just a thought.

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Dark-Sky site
by Michael Carnes 14 Dec '04

14 Dec '04

Hear, hear. Your words are true, Chuck. But the development around Tooele will go on, no matter what. SPOC is a great outreach site and can continue to do that job for years and years. After the refractor house is up and the 32" solidly on its mount there will be some time to think long-term. --------------------- Our immediate concern as SLAS members really should be the completion of the SPOC facility this year, refractor house included. Many people have given a lot of time, money, materials, blood, sweat, and tears to this and it will soon be time to enjoy it, for as long as the sky stays reasonably dark. Discussion of a dark-sky site should be ressurected in SLAS, and private individuals can pursue a site independantly for now, but we have to finish what we started first.

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Re: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Dark-sky site
by astrodeb＠charter.net 14 Dec '04

14 Dec '04

It looks like a 2 1/2 hour drive from St. George. Not bad. Debbie > > From: Joe Bauman <bau(a)desnews.com> > Date: 2004/12/14 Tue AM 11:00:01 MST > To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Subject: Re: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Dark-sky site > > Since this is 10 miles or more from that highway, that's good in > terms of no headlights. But I can't figure out how to reach it by > vehicle. The map I have shows the power line going out to the > substation a few miles away but not the line that goes to the radio > tower -- though I'm sure there must be one. And there are several > small roads in the region but it's impossible to tell much about them > by my map. The seller hasn't responded to my question about access. > -- Joe > > _______________________________________________ > 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: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Dark-sky site
by astrodeb＠charter.net 14 Dec '04

14 Dec '04

I agree with Chuck. I think SLAS should consider other sites as well. Take your time to find the RIGHT dark site. Debbie > > From: Michael Carnes <moogiebird(a)earthlink.net> > Date: 2004/12/14 Tue AM 10:16:03 MST > To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Dark-sky site > > Not to mention that it could represent a partial redirection of SLAS funds, effort and focus. Pretty easy to get folks P.O.'d if we didn't talk it over. > > >Lots of things to consider, care should be taken to > >find the RIGHT sight. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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: Dark-sky site
by Chuck Hards 14 Dec '04

14 Dec '04

Before any money changes hands, this microwave site really should be investigated. Don't rush to buy. Accesability, darkness, potential area growth, etc. Lots of things to consider, care should be taken to find the RIGHT sight. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Find what you need with new enhanced search. http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Dark-sky site
by Michael Carnes 14 Dec '04

14 Dec '04

Not to mention that it could represent a partial redirection of SLAS funds, effort and focus. Pretty easy to get folks P.O.'d if we didn't talk it over. >Lots of things to consider, care should be taken to >find the RIGHT sight.

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Dark Sky site
by Michael Carnes 14 Dec '04

14 Dec '04

Joe, you're not considering a new career in real-estate, are you? 8-) >The country around is desert, >complete with flies and and other bugs probably cattle. etc, etc

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Re: Tooele racetrack
by Chuck Hards 14 Dec '04

14 Dec '04

Some people I've spoken to seem to feel that the racing itself shouldn't pose too much of a problem, most events will be over before midnight, but Guy made a good point about the traffic going home, also the facility will be used for concerts and other events on non-race nights and these events may cause the biggest problems from a light pollution standpoint because individually they are "one-time only" events and can more easily get a variance or waiver for the event. >From experience I've found that full-cut-off shielding has a marginal effect when the source is massive and very close. Also paved surfaces reflect much more than turf or planted ground. Perhaps a little activism might not be out-of-hand in this instance. > From: diveboss(a)xmission.com > To: Utah Astronomy > <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Date: Sun, 12 Dec 2004 23:29:43 -0700 > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Tooele racetrack > > I don't think the 'light pollution ordinance' will > have any effect on the > glare from all the traffic. Not to mention all the > dust in the atmosphere. > Maybe now would be a good time to drop him a note to > let him know that > there is an observatory in the area and what effect > the proposed plan might > have on it's operation. __________________________________ 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: [Utah-astronomy] Dark Sky site
by astrodeb＠charter.net 14 Dec '04

14 Dec '04

Maybe I've been watching "The Apprentice" too much but could the club sell something like candybars or have a special fund raising dinner for a dark sky site? Debbie > > From: Joe Bauman <bau(a)desnews.com> > Date: 2004/12/14 Tue AM 08:43:10 MST > To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Dark Sky site > > At just under $8,000, this does look like a really nice place to set > up. The building is substantial, looks like it is secure with plenty > of room inside to store things including a few cots, etc. Might be > worth serious consideration. If I threw in $1,000, could we get > enough others? Thanks, Joe > > _______________________________________________ > 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: Dark-sky site
by Chuck Hards 14 Dec '04

14 Dec '04

Jo, this isn't the kind of thing one rushes-into within the timeframe of an on-line auction, but if the site is free of local light pollution and otherwise qualifies as a "dark" site, has power and we can get at least a porta-potty installed, count me in for a share of three or four hundred bucks. Find nineteen more folks at that level, and we're in! Caveats are lifetime access even if the club folds or changes complexion markedly. This does raise the question of going with either subdivided, individual ownership vs. a club-owned property (Isn't SPOC on leased land?); and remember that property taxes are due every year... > From: Josephine Grahn <bsi(a)xmission.com> > To: Utah Astronomy > <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 22:07:26 -0700 > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Dark Sky site > > I know you all hoped I was kidding with the link I > posted, but... it has > concrete pads, secure storage, and power, plus a > working outhouse. Anyone > know anything about filing a new "Use Application" > with the BLM? 25 miles > SW of Delta, and we could branch out into ham radio > :) It is on Ebay, and > it is real. If you cannot follow the link, go to > Ebay and punch in item > number 4337701828. > > http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1607&item=4337701828 > > additional pictures and a map are at: > http://home.rmci.net/ranse/ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Take Yahoo! Mail with you! Get it on your mobile phone. http://mobile.yahoo.com/maildemo

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