remote versus dark site. the difference is important.
A bit of terminology needs to be cleared up here. Patrick stated that the remote site will be a site for a remote controlled telescope that would be run by users from their homes using internet access. He specifically said that members would NOT be welcome to drive up there and set up their own telescopes. The term remote telescope is now becoming common and some people even offer the use of their remote telescope for a fee to Internet users. I believe I have seen $100 a night mentioned. But this could go down as market forces come into play. So a REMOTE site is not the same concept as the SLAS DARK site in terms of what you can and cannot do. That said, I would question an assertion that a site is dark unless someone with a astronomical point of view has been there (at night) and seen it to be sure. Caveat Emptor. The Gravel Quarry is not very dark on the nights that the Oakley Rodeo facility has their lights turned on, but that seems to not happen often. So a site survey would have to be more thorough than just one look on one night. Lastly, if the road is paved and facilities are already installed, how dark will it be after the housing developments have been built within the next five years. I mean those facilities are there because someone is PLANNING on something being built in the vicinity. Jackrabbits do not need highs-peed Internet access yet, I dont think. Clear skies DT __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
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daniel turner