No, I'm not done yet. This is too ridiuculous. Note that everyone is upset about the term "geeks", nobody cares that the club can't meet at the planetarium, for whatever reason. The real point of Rolly's article. But we as geeks are world class at missing the point, as demonstrated here today. I would like to state, for the record, that SLAS was started by a planetarium staffer, John Mosley. It has gone through much metamorphosis over the years, but John and a couple of college and high-school kids were the first to meet under the name Salt Lake Astronomical Society. The current club is a direct descendant of that first band of GEEKS. All of us easily fell under the current definition of "geek"..."Chas the spaz, president of the science club"....whatever. We laughed at labels like that, they were used by harmless, uninformed people who just didn't matter to someone interested in science. Nobody cared! (And, BTW that was one of the original purposes of the planetarium in the first place, as a meeting place for amateur astronomers.) Now I'll tell you that while I am not Rolly's source, I know who is, he attended the swap meet. Many of you know him and if you think about it, you'll realize who. Water off a duck's back, folks, get over it. It's a non-issue. A funny musings column. Just drop it already. Or keep talking about it and prove my point, I find it hard to care anymore either way. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - 250MB free storage. Do more. Manage less. http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250
That's what I love about this group, and I'm not being sarcastic: I really do enjoy good vigorous discussion and disagreements! Thanks, Chuck, Guy, et al.
Chuck wrote: I would like to state, for the record, that SLAS was started by a planetarium staffer, John Mosley. It has gone through much metamorphosis over the years, but John and a couple of college and high-school kids were the first to meet under the name Salt Lake Astronomical Society... (And, BTW that was one of the original purposes of the planetarium in the first place, as a meeting place for amateur astronomers.) I always thought the Planetarium could/would benefit more from our association than SLAS would, but due to our love of astronomy and interest in sharing it, that was fine. However, I'm curious. Why has the Hansen/Clark Planetarium shown so little interest in or given so little support of SLAS? At least that's been true for the 16 years or so I've been a member. I know that wasn't always the case, as Chuck has pointed out. To illustrate the point: No effort by the Planetarium folks to accommodate SLAS's meeting needs in the new Clark Planetarium, except an invitation to meet in the star theater if we would pay the typical rental rate. Even when we invited the Planetarium to co-host Ken Croswell's visit and lecture, they wanted us to pay them to do it! I noticed at November's meeting that the Planetarium representatives began by saying something about how they would like to see some cooperation between the two of us. However, they never really discussed it or mentioned the issue again. Kim
Kim, 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 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kim Hyatt" <kimharch@msn.com> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Monday, January 31, 2005 4:17 PM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Planetarium Chuck wrote: I would like to state, for the record, that SLAS was started by a planetarium staffer, John Mosley. It has gone through much metamorphosis over the years, but John and a couple of college and high-school kids were the first to meet under the name Salt Lake Astronomical Society... (And, BTW that was one of the original purposes of the planetarium in the first place, as a meeting place for amateur astronomers.) I always thought the Planetarium could/would benefit more from our association than SLAS would, but due to our love of astronomy and interest in sharing it, that was fine. However, I'm curious. Why has the Hansen/Clark Planetarium shown so little interest in or given so little support of SLAS? At least that's been true for the 16 years or so I've been a member. I know that wasn't always the case, as Chuck has pointed out. To illustrate the point: No effort by the Planetarium folks to accommodate SLAS's meeting needs in the new Clark Planetarium, except an invitation to meet in the star theater if we would pay the typical rental rate. Even when we invited the Planetarium to co-host Ken Croswell's visit and lecture, they wanted us to pay them to do it! I noticed at November's meeting that the Planetarium representatives began by saying something about how they would like to see some cooperation between the two of us. However, they never really discussed it or mentioned the issue again. Kim _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
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).
The old planetarium was wonderful, from the architecture (former SLC library) to the feeling of being in a place of study and discovery. I recall with great fondness events like our family standing in the balcony watching live photos from Voyager come in on the big screen. The whole ambiance was conducive to science. Our son, Sky, worked for years as a volunteer at Hansen Planetarium and I think it helped shape his life in a wonderful direction. He is now a Ph.D. candidate in physics at the University of Arizona, Tucson, and much of his focus is on the mind-blowing cosmology of string theory. So my family owes a great deal to the old Hansen Planetarium. -- Joe
Siegfried, I hope that there is some consideration in the Club leadership to at least pursue a possible relationship with the new Leonardo Science Center being built in the old library; seems to me that might be a perfect fit for the club, and a good facility to meet (assuming we could work out the parking issues). Places like planetariums and science centers are what draw many prospective members in the first place, and we should at least have SLAS flyers in the Clark building, in spite of our soured relations... My $.02, Rich --- Siegfried Jachmann <ziggy943@xmission.com> wrote: 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.
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Richard Tenney wrote:
I hope that there is some consideration in the Club leadership to at least pursue a possible relationship with the new Leonardo Science Center being built in the old library; seems to me that might be a perfect fit for the club, and a good facility to meet (assuming we could work out the parking issues).
FWIW, Leonardo is very interested in doing stuff with SLAS and I understand that there is talk of a joint Sun party at Library Square sometime this year. I lunched with their director last year and learned SLAS will be welcome to meet in their new building once it's finished. But, as Rich pointed out, parking could be a problem for some. Patrick
The Leonardo sounds like a great choice for meetings. If you don't mind paying, there's lots of parking under the new library. If you do, there's often a lot of free parking available at night in the street just east of the library. Thanks, Joe
Worth looking into siegfried Quoting Joe Bauman <bau@desnews.com>:
The Leonardo sounds like a great choice for meetings. If you don't mind paying, there's lots of parking under the new library. If you do, there's often a lot of free parking available at night in the street just east of the library. Thanks, Joe
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Siegfried, So well thought out and expressed! So correct even if we don't want to believe nor accept it. It is always hard to let go of what should be, but for a number of reasons, is now no longer meant to be. It is so intuitive that A planetarium and A astronomical society are symbiotic. It seems so obvious, because it is. We need to understand that this new Clark Planetarium is no longer thought of as a hub of a learning center, but a business called entertainment - they are two very different things. We (SLAS) glory in the challenge of new knowledge and teaching this to others ( adults and kids). In my view, the Clark Planetarium is just another movie theater with different special effects, not a true learning center. So sad, but it is the new world here in SLC. Maybe someday when the new 'theater' newness wears off and attendance drops by other theater competition, there may be a new Mission Statement at Clark that just might include astronomy, and we can be in the wings to align then, .... OR not. OUR choice. Thanks for your level headed insight, Siegfried! So sad it has to be a new and different era for the planetarium that excludes one of the largest and most active amateur asronomy club I have come to know in the 8 states and 50 years of living around the country. SLAS is clearly above the crowd in terms of astronomical societies I have know before. Jim Stitley Siegfried Jachmann <ziggy943@xmission.com> wrote: Kim, 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 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kim Hyatt" To: "Utah Astronomy" Sent: Monday, January 31, 2005 4:17 PM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Planetarium Chuck wrote: I would like to state, for the record, that SLAS was started by a planetarium staffer, John Mosley. It has gone through much metamorphosis over the years, but John and a couple of college and high-school kids were the first to meet under the name Salt Lake Astronomical Society... (And, BTW that was one of the original purposes of the planetarium in the first place, as a meeting place for amateur astronomers.) I always thought the Planetarium could/would benefit more from our association than SLAS would, but due to our love of astronomy and interest in sharing it, that was fine. However, I'm curious. Why has the Hansen/Clark Planetarium shown so little interest in or given so little support of SLAS? At least that's been true for the 16 years or so I've been a member. I know that wasn't always the case, as Chuck has pointed out. To illustrate the point: No effort by the Planetarium folks to accommodate SLAS's meeting needs in the new Clark Planetarium, except an invitation to meet in the star theater if we would pay the typical rental rate. Even when we invited the Planetarium to co-host Ken Croswell's visit and lecture, they wanted us to pay them to do it! I noticed at November's meeting that the Planetarium representatives began by saying something about how they would like to see some cooperation between the two of us. However, they never really discussed it or mentioned the issue again. Kim _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@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@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com the Perfect You "inside and out" Insightful Seminars, Workshops & Coaching Increase SelfAwareness - Know Who You Are...REALLY! Discover the NEW "Inner You" http:/www.theperfectyou.us/mentor TechnoVation.com
I know you're probably all sick of hearing about this topic by now, but I'm late to get my email read, so apologies up front. For what it's worth, I take no offense to the word geek; my kids have been calling me one (rather fondly actually) for years. Guess it comes with the turf (software engineer and all). Growing up I always kept jars of pet spiders, ant lions, mantis', scorpions, etc., a pretty hefty rock and mineral collection; various aquariums over the years; a total fascination with the ocean (diving and tide pool exploration), photography (still have the old Minolta SRT-101), all things in nature and almost every scientific discipline. Got (and still own) my first "real" telescope (Criterion 6-in Dynascope) back in '72 -- 'been at it a while I guess. I never understood what compelled many of my peers to use drugs -- I was always way too high on the fascinating and wonderful, amazing world we live in. By the way, I've got several of the animal bases covered -- 2 dogs, 3 cats, 4 horses (of varying breeds and ages), and plenty of every variety of fly and wasp imaginable in the summertime... ;o) -Rich __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - 250MB free storage. Do more. Manage less. http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250
participants (10)
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Chuck Hards -
diveboss＠xmission.com -
Jim Stitley -
Joe Bauman -
Jon Christensen -
Kim Hyatt -
Patrick Wiggins -
Richard Tenney -
Siegfried Jachmann -
ziggy943＠xmission.com