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Lakeridge Jr High Star Party moved to Saturday 21st
by John M. Craig 18 Apr '18

18 Apr '18

Hi Folks, In case anyone was thinking about helping, but hadn't contacted me, we've moved the date to Saturday because of weather concerns on Friday night (we hope the forecast is accurate enough that it'll be clear on Saturday evening). The moon and Venus sure were gorgeous last night (had commitments that didn't allow getting a telescopic view but sure enjoyed the naked eye version). Happy viewing! John

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More SLAS
by Joe Bauman 14 Apr '18

14 Apr '18

A person I asked to relay a message to SLAS Talk — simply that I would not be silenced — now has been kicked out too. More to come, Joe Bauman Sent from my iPhone

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SLAS
by Joe Bauman 14 Apr '18

14 Apr '18

The purpose of this note is to raise a red flag about underhanded actions, including censorship, in one of the regional astronomy groups, the Salt Lake Astronomical Society. In February I resigned as vice president of the group because of some extremely disturbing trends and some shocking rudeness at the board of directors meeting -- including one board member refusing to allow my wife to sit at an empty chair at the table beside her, and another snapping "None of your business" to her innocent question. In addition, a clique has formed that apparently seeks to exclude others, with highly age-discriminatory comments about older people like myself. I also was simmering about the secrecy involved in naming the new observatory, and the fact that -- without any discussion with the board or the group about the name -- it was officially named the Kolob Observatory. Anyone in Utah should know that Kolob has a special meaning as a sacred planet for members of the LDS religion. On Wednesday, Dave Bernson, the club's president -- who has talked with me extensively about the name debacle -- announced that he is resigning as of the next general meeting, which is on Wednesday. Last night I posted the following on the club's official discussion site on Facebook, SLAS Talk. As dues-paying members, my wife and I should have full access to the site and to be able to express ourselves freely. But this morning I find that I can no longer reach the site, as I am obviously banned from it. Here is the comment that brought my down: "The sad fact is, Jared, for some inexplicable reason the club had attracted a lot of ego-driven folks who are much more interested in asserting themselves and driving out what they see as old people than they are in astronomy. They would rather use public money to build an observatory and name it for a particular denomination’s religious beliefs than to accommodate people of any or no religion. With that kind of faction bowling over everybody else, it gets so ridiculous that all a normal person can do is to retire from active management. It’s truly disheartening." If whoever did this thinks it will silence me, that person is sadly mistaken. More to come. Thank you, Joe Bauman

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Anyone interested in teaming up for the Rocky Mountain Star Stare
by John M. Craig 09 Apr '18

09 Apr '18

Hi Folks, I'm thinking of going, but probably don't want to do the whole drive by myself (it's near Gardner, Colorado). It's been really great in prior years. Anyone interested in teaming up? I've got a minivan that will hold a lot of gear. (We would not have to share a tent ;-) It's June 13-17th this year. I probably can't be there the whole time, but it sort of depends on work. At this point, I'm thinking more in terms of leaving Utah on the 14th; coming back on the 17th but could be somewhat flexible. Their web site is: rmss.org Let me know via direct reply if you might be interested. John

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Bunched-up words
by Joe Bauman 09 Apr '18

09 Apr '18

Hi again, My last email came through Utah Astronomy with some kind of electronic glitch, which made several words bunch up. Rather than send it again I'll rely on your ability to decode it. Thank you, Joe Bauman

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The Big Bang and other theories
by Joe Bauman 09 Apr '18

09 Apr '18

Dear Fellow Astro People, While the Big Bang is today’s standard cosmology, thescience is by no means settled. New theories, some as strange as black holesthemselves, are on the table. In this first part of a series of blogs, the BigBang is examined as well as a proposal that was just publicized late last year. Even stranger ideas will be discussed in a following blog. Meanwhile, here’s the first: http://the-nightly-news.com/blog/blog-46-getting-a-bang-out-of-cosmology Also, please tell your friends -- and anyone else with enoughbrains to appreciate good astronomy writing – that they can sign up for afree email subscription to the blog by going to the home page, which is here: Home. Thanks, Joe

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Ealing Training request
by Marlene Egger 08 Apr '18

08 Apr '18

Is there an Ealing instructor available Monday night? I’m interested in a refresher. Marlene Sent from my iPad

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Star party at Lakeridge Junior High in Orem Apr 20
by John M. Craig 07 Apr '18

07 Apr '18

Siegried, Sorry about the conflict with a SLAC event--but I sure appreciated your making the trip last year. John

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Losmandy G11, Jaegers Refractors
by Erik Hansen 05 Apr '18

05 Apr '18

Hey Guys, I am selling my Astro gear. Everything for $5000, with some wiggle room, and will give 10% to anyone that helps find a buyer. That includes my Nagler collection, Lumicon filter set including 2 inch color filters, a Meade camera, Dell Computer with software to run Telescope, 6" F5 Achromatic Jaegers, G11 with the Gemini. System, a Brandon 80mm scope as well. I would sell the mount alone with the computer for about $1500. Will not sell optics alone without selling mount first. Contact me if interested zaurak(a)digis.net Thanks, Erik Sent from my iPad

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Star party at Lakeridge Junior High in Orem Apr 20
by John M. Craig 05 Apr '18

05 Apr '18

Hi Folks, First, thanks to all who helped in prior years! I'd love to have help with this star party again this year. To (we trust) improve arrangements, we'll be setting up in the north-east parking lot itself this year (thus avoiding carrying gear a fair distance and the potential of the sprinklers coming on and dampening things). If the weather is no good on Friday the 20th, the 21st is a planned as a fall-back possibility. Please let me know if you're potentially available to help by contacting me directly and we can exchange phone numbers and such to make it easy to communicate any final arrangements or weather-related postponements. Thanks much! John Craig

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