Oh goodie a SPOC blasting thread. I have lots to say about this subject. I'll start with the idea that an observatory is a dated concept. Sort of like manned space flight. Or the mainframe computer in the age of the PC. I today's world you can pic up an imported particle board DOB at a the price of an expensive eyepiece. You can set it up outside the door of the observatory on a star party night and have a steady stream of people tell you that your telescope has a better view than the Ealing or the Grim. This has happened to more than just me and on more than one occasion. It's a fact. You can also set up in your own front yard to look at planets and the moon and share with the neighbors. You can take it to a school star party or a supermarket parking lot for public access. And you can go to the mountains or the desert for fantastic deep sky observing. DT ________________________________ From: Joe Bauman <josephmbauman@yahoo.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 6, 2012 11:28 AM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Seeking suggestions for repairing RH dome The difference is that SPOC is a separately-funded expense, with people paying into a SPOC fund to access the facility -- so none of the "outsiders" not paying into the SPOC fund should be taxed for its upkeep. They would be subsidizing those who use SPOC! Now, that was just a restatement of the argument that was evoked to blast me for suggesting that SLAS could rent a bus. If I remember correctly, I was accused of wanting the rest to "subsidize" Cory and my trip, which had never even entered my mind. It was an insulting, demeaning comment. Just for the record: my actual feeling is that SPOC is a great resource for the club and general funds should help maintain it. Also, I think there is no conflict between the two expenses, dome and bus. Finally, I'm strongly in favor of both repairing the dome and renting a bus, regardless of how the rental is paid. -- Joe ________________________________ From: Kim <kimharch@cut.net> To: 'Utah Astronomy' <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 6, 2012 9:01 AM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Seeking suggestions for repairing RH dome Oops - forgot to add - now that my SLAS membership is reinstated, I feel that I can comment on the appropriateness of spending money for a bus charter (or similar) versus SPOC maintenance. I vote for spending the money on the latter. Few astronomy clubs have such an investment to preserve. Kim -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Wiggins Sent: Monday, March 05, 2012 8:06 PM To: utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Seeking suggestions for repairing RH dome The results of today's inspection of SPOC's Refractor House dome are not encouraging. Basically, water sprayed on the outside poured right through to the inside. Leaks everywhere and lots of them. No wide gaps. Just cracks wide enough to let water through. Many located on the vertical seams between the gores, around the door and where the dome joins to the flat part of the roof. We figure at the very least we're going to have to remove the existing cracked caulk and reapply. What a job that's going to be. But looking to the future we're wondering what might be done to more permanently seal the leaks. Strips of fiberglass? Ideas? Rodger is going to speak with Ken about calling another SPOC committee meeting. But until the situation is resolved we'll be without the refractor this year. patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options". _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options". _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".