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

Jeff, AJ, et al,
   Thanks for passing this along.  I've already arranged for another newbie, 
Chuck Connors, to arrive early for telescope instruction.  Feel free to arrive 
a bit early yourself, Jeff, say, 3:30 ish, and we'll help you out.
   Given that it's still light at 3:30, there should be plenty of time to get 
you started.  If not me personally, surely someone else in the club can step up 
in one capacity or another, (Co-Host, anyone?  Grill-Meister? :-))

Steve Dodder
President, Saguaro Astronomy Club
Director, Stone Haven Observatory

fester00@xxxxxxxxxxx

http://www.stargazing.net/Astroman

From: acrayon@xxxxxxx
To: jeffian.meyers@xxxxxxxxx; publicevents@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; 
sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
CC: fester00@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Saddle mtn. Star Party
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:12:31 -0700










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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