[sac-forum] Re: Saddle mtn. Star Party

Jeff, thanks for your interest in SAC and attending our meetings and star 
parties.  While the star party for this weekend is advertised as Saddle Mt, I 
believe most will be going to the pot luck dinner and star party at Stone Haven 
Observatory hosted by Steve and Rosie Dodder.  You can find directions to the 
site by going to http://www.stargazing.net/Astroman/index.html and scrolling 
down to the rotating observatory.  Clicking it will get a map and directions.  
The pot-luck starts at 4:00pm and I'd suggest arriving a few minutes early.

I have taken the liberty to include your request on the SAC forum and Steve 
Dodder so we can be expecting you.  Just start introducing yourself and things 
will flow smoothly.  There will be folks there that can help in all facets of 
astronomy.

Steve, will there be a representative group of people at SHO for Saturday.  I 
know I haven't RSVP'd, just waiting on the weather to decide.

AJ Crayon
Phoenix, AZ

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jeff Meyers 
  To: publicevents@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; acrayon@xxxxxxx 
  Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 1:21 PM
  Subject: Saddle mtn. Star Party


  Dear Jack Jones, and A.J. Crayon:

  I emailed Steve Coe a bit ago and haven't yet heard back, and since time is 
somewhat of the essence I wanted to attempt to contact someone prior to 
Saturday's event at Saddle Mountain.  I do not know if Mr. Coe is our of town, 
or just super busy (as we all are from time to time), but I sent the below 
posted note to him and now ask you for your advice on issues brought up in the 
note.  Thank you kindly for your time.

  Dear Steve Coe:

  My name is Jeff Meyers and I am interested in fielding an astronomy club to 
join.  Having recently moved back to the Valley from Flagstaff, I wish to learn 
how to navigate the night sky much better than I currently do, and from what I 
read joining a local astronomy club is the best way to garner this skill.  With 
that said, I was wondering if it would be okay if my father (71 years of age) 
and I join your star part this Saturday evening to get to know a few people and 
to have them get to know me.  I also thought I might pick up a few pointers as 
to how to properly set-up my own scope (Presently, an Orion 120st f/5 refractor 
on the obligatory EQ mount) and find a few of those elusive DSO's for which I 
bought my particular scope.

  I write to you because I am indeed a novice and I see that you are the Novice 
Group Chair.  Of course, I could totally be misinterpreting what that title 
means, but I figured you might be the correct person to contact.  Please know 
that while I am a novice and have never been to a star party before, I can 
follow rules and am a mature person dedicated to learning how to be a better 
amateur astronomer.  My point is that I have read the etiquette for newbies, 
but would still appreciate any advice you have to give on things such as:
  1) How to approach people at a star party as a beginner?
  2) How to approach the event in my car; where to park, when to kill the 
lights, etc...
  3) Should I bring my scope to the very first star party I attend, or should I 
just soak up as much information as I can, meet people, and learn the first 
time around?

  At 40 years of age, I just recently went back to school and completed my 
M.Sc. in Quaternary Sciences (a branch of paleontology that focuses on the 
epoch of time commonly referred to as the "Ice Ages") at NAU, but have yet to 
take an astronomy course.  I have always found the subject fascinating however, 
and have read much on the subject myself and have been addicted to shows like 
"The Universe" since their first airing.  I wish to learn more about astronomy 
not only because I am truly interested in the subject, but also because I moved 
back to the Valley to accept a job as an Earth Science teacher for 8th graders 
in the northeast Valley and my first section, which starts in August is on 
Astronomy and the universe. :-)  Any input you could provide about joining your 
organization, attending a star party, or coming to meetings (I plan on 
attending the May 16 meeting with my girlfriend, who would also like to join, 
but will be in the Republic of South Africa this Saturday) would be greatly 
appreciated.  I thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

  Best regards,
  Jeff Meyers

  -- 
  "What a glorious gift is imagination, and what satisfaction it affords!"
  -- Thomas Mann, "Confessions of Felix Krull, Confidence Man" (1954)

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