I certainly hope this doesn't sound like I'm rubbing it in. But, the OAS has been EXTREMELY fortunate. Years ago, we had to meet in the basement of a doctor's office. Now we have a fantastic relationship with the Weber State University, Ott planetarium folks and we meet in the Ott Planetarium. Of course, a lot of that is the direct result of tremendous planetarium directors, namely, Dr. John Sohl and now Dr. Stacey Palen. Dr. Palen has recently completed some major upgrades to the planetarium (with the help of some great benefactors), but, the emphasis is still on science & teaching - not special effects. Could SLAS benefit by moving in the direction of teaming up with the U of U instead of Clark? Clear skies, Dale. -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+dale.hooper=sdl.usu.edu@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+dale.hooper=sdl.usu.edu@mailman.xmission. com] On Behalf Of Jim Stitley Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 11:11 AM To: Utah Astronomy Cc: Siegfried Jachmann Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Planetarium 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! 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