alternatively, if we need to vote on it and some members can't be at the
meeting tomorrow, I suggest that we can have a vote by email. we can
also do it both ways, i.e. mini-MOM tomorrow night, plus email votes
from those who want to vote and can't come.
On 1/18/2017 11:08 AM, Leah S wrote:
if we want to add this to the agenda for the meeting tomorrow night (as a mini-MOM to decide whether PAS should buy the astronomy course while it is on sale), I will be happy to talk about it for a few minutes
On 1/18/2017 11:06 AM, Leah S wrote:
btw here is a Ted talk by Prof Filippenko
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gniDHWq0R_Q
the astronomy part starts at 1:55
On 1/18/2017 10:25 AM, Leah S wrote:
the only thing is, the price I quoted is just till Feb 9. so if PAS wants to get the course for $140 and not $800, we need to decide before then. maybe we can have a mini-MOM on this topic tomorrow night before or after the meeting?
On 1/18/2017 10:06 AM, Mark Johnston wrote:
We had a discussion about if/how to use some of the PAS funds we have in our saving account. I would propose this would be an excellent investment for the club for the educational/handout reason cited by Leah. Perhaps we could add this to the member agenda for a future MOM meeting? We would need to figure out who holds on to it, what the lending mechanism is, consequences to the borrower if lost/damaged etc but I think those can be worked out.
Mark
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: *Leah S* <lphxaz@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:lphxaz@xxxxxxxxx>>
Date: Wed, Jan 18, 2017 at 9:59 AM
Subject: [pasmembers] astronomy 101 on DVD
To: "members >> List Serv" <pasmembers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:pasmembers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>>
there is a company called "The Teaching Company" that produces college-level classes on CD and DVD. one of their classes is called "Understanding the Universe - An Introduction to Astronomy" by Prof Alex Filippenko. he is a *really great* instructor. this class is a full college-level Intro to Astronomy class, with 96 half-hr lectures on DVD plus a 500-page book. they are offering it until Feb 9 for $140 plus shipping. (it usually sells for $800.)
would PAS be interested in ordering this to lend out to members? or would anyone be interested in buying it for themselves? if so, please let me know and I can give you the special catalog code for ordering it at this rate. they do have a discount on their website, but the catalog I received has even better prices on some items.
here is a description of the class: http://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/understanding-the-universe-an-introduction-to-astronomy-2nd-edition.html <http://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/understanding-the-universe-an-introduction-to-astronomy-2nd-edition.html>
they also have other astronomy classes by Prof Filippenko and others, and classes on many other subjects. (you are welcome to browse their catalog, and if there is anything you are interested in, let me know and I will check to see if it's in the sales catalog I just received.)
*note: *in general I can recommend all of their classes *except *for one that they did on history of the mideast, which is full of very hateful anti-Israel propaganda - unfortunately that is a problem in all US universities nowadays, because Saudi Arabia has used their petrodollars, i.e. the money we pay for gas, to fund "Middle Eastern Studies" depts that teach anti-Israel propaganda. so if you want to learn about history of the mideast - I can recommend other sources of information, such as books by Prof Bernard Lewis, a well-known historian. Prof Lewis's books are also available in audio form. he is not pro or anti anything, he is just objective, and he is an *expert*.
