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
For what it is worth, the first time I visited the new planetarium I felt a sense of loss. Everything was sanitized for the masses, a monument of plastic and neon. When the most noticable feature of the planetarium is the giftshop, something is very wrong. Nothing will replace the Hansen planetarium beacause what was lost wasn't the building, it was the spirit. I can feel it even without the intimate relationship like Chuck had (Which, by the way, I envy).