I want to thank Mark Johnston for his quick response and interest. I forgot to
mention the best part of the area and that is the Ancient Indian ruins and
visitor center. Take care, Sam
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Johnston <markj57@xxxxxxxxx>
To: pasmembers <pasmembers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: Sam Insana <insanas@xxxxxxx>; Mike Marron <primefactory@xxxxx>; Paul Facuna
<laup123@xxxxxxxxx>; Peter Turner <peteturner@xxxxxxxxxxx>; Don Boyd
<azphotog@xxxxxxxxx>; Eric Steinbery <eric@xxxxxxxxxx>; Terri
<starstuff@xxxxxxxxx>; Bruce Wurst <brulipps@xxxxxxxxx>; Bruce Wurst
<brulipps@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sun, Dec 3, 2017 10:52 am
Subject: Re: [pasmembers] Tonto National Monument Star Parties for PAS
I'm interested and could likely support the Jan and Feb dates but not the April
date.
Mark Johnston
On Sun, Dec 3, 2017 at 10:36 AM, Redacted sender insanas for DMARC
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
At one of our Meeting of the Minds, it was suggested that PAS may want to
annually have a star party at a National Park or Monument or State Park.
Other astronomy clubs do this, such as Tucson Astronomy Club at the South Rim
of the Grand Canyon, SAC at the North Rim, Verde Valley Astronomy Club at Red
Rock State Park, etc.....
Tonto National Monument near Roosevelt Lake (about 2 hours or less from
Phoenix) has asked PAS to volunteer with telescopes at one or all of the
following events:
January 13, 2018, February 17, 2018, and April 14, 2018. The events will
be held at an amphitheater where the park rangers will talk about stars,
ancient skies, and the solar system and beyond.
The approximate hours for telescope viewing would be 6-9 pm in the winter and 7
to 10 pm in the spring. They tried this before and had about 80 guests show up.
They are looking for 2 scopes at each event.
I believe they had EVAC do this before, but the Park Rangers would like us to
do this now. If we can't do this they will ask EVAC again.
The National Park Rangers do not pay for the scopes but could provide food and
drinks and probably free camp sites. There is also a small motel at the lake
where we could stay at our own expense.
I would like any Star Tours members, or PAS people with scopes who would like
to try out for Star Tours (I know we have several members who could be Star
Tours members if they just show up to a star party and show they can work with
guests, answer their questions, describe their scopes, etc...Terri would help
with this) to please respond to this email so Terri and I know how many are
interested in Tonto National Monument. Please indicate which date you may be
available. Depending on the response, we will know what to the tell the Rangers
and whether we can try one or more dates.
You can drive up to the setup location at the Amphitheater, unload, and then
park your vehicle in the parking lot a short distance away.They turn off the
lights at the Amphitheater during viewing, but the visitor center, where
restrooms are located, will have lights on inside.
It is a beautiful area with hiking, birding, fishing, boating, etc..
I am willing to try one of the dates to see what it is like. If any PAS members
are interested please reply to this email.
Take care, Sam Insana
