[sac-board] Re: FW: ASC Deep Impact event on July 3rd

Whatever, Jeff, you obviously miss the point, so I won't belabor it again.
Frankly I think your stance is based less on the event but rather the venue.
If you don't like the ASC and the work they do, DON'T go, but don't expect
everyone else to follow suit.

My 9.54500  Costa Rican Colones Worth and the last I'll have to say on the
subject. 

Rick Tejera
Editor SACnews
Saguaro Astronomy Club
Phoenix, Arizona
saguaroastro@xxxxxxx
www.saguaroastro.org

-----Original Message-----
From: sac-board-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sac-board-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Jeff Hopkins
Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 3:45 PM
To: sac-board@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; sac-announce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [sac-board] Re: FW: ASC Deep Impact event on July 3rd

Rick is facing the wrong way!  :-)

Check what bright objects can be seen the night of 3 July. Jupiter is 
getting low and the only object bright enough to see from Phoenix. 
And it may not even be seen from the ASC due to the high buildings. 
Saturn, Mercury and Venus will be way too low to see. The moon will 
not be up.

I have had telescopes at the ASC several times and can attest the 
only objects you can see from there are the moon and bright planets 
when the are in a high enough position to be seen. On the 3rd the 
whole purpose of having telescopes there is for the comet impact and 
viewing that will not be possible.

Face it Rick, look at what the sky will be that night and tell me 
what value going to the ASC has over going to the Deep Impact Star 
Party in a dark sky location where you can actually see planets low 
on the horizon and deep sky objects along with the comet and the 
impact?

If anything, telescopic viewing at the ASC on the 3rd might 
discourage people rather than encourage them. And don't forget the 
temperature. Summer is not a good time for Phoenix area star parties.

You seem to think I am against public star parties. You know that is 
not true. A public star party at the ASC on 3 July is not a very good 
idea, however. Advertising that people will see the comet and the 
impact is poor judgement in my mind.

If you really wanted to promote astronomy via the Deep Impact event, 
you or someone in the club should have arranged a darker sky location 
for a public star party. There are few places I consider worse than 
the ASC for such a star party.

Jeff


At 14:04 -0700 6/22/05, <rtejera@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>Because telescope are cool, People like to look through them. Show them
>Jupiter or Saturn and you may just well hook their interest.
>
>We have several members who found out about the club by attending a
>public outreach event (My self included). even if they don't join, their
>interest may well be spurred into learning more on their own. As Jenn
>Says Public outreach is never wasted. You yourself have complained about
>the problems facing amateur astronomy. If the public knows what we do,
>they may be less inclined to leave the lights on or support legislation
>detrimental to astronomy. Face time, Jeff, it's about face time.
>
>Rick Tejera
>International Dispatcher
>UPS Supply Chain Solutions
>Scottsdale, AZ
>Ph: 480-315-5162
>fx: 480-368-2107
>e-mail: rtejera@xxxxxxxxxxx=20
>
>>I think you missed my point, however. One wonders why they need
>>telescopes for the lecture and planetarium show.

-- 
Jeff Hopkins
HPO SOFT
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