[LVAS] FW: Tri-Star Saturday Brief

Sun Mar 7 10:53:20 PST 2010

All,

I have been in a rush all morning. 

I need to make a correction, not that it makes much difference. Greensboro is 2-1/2 hours from my house, not 2 1/2 miles. We left at 8:00 AM yesterday and got back at 9:00 PM last night. I was beyond "tarred". We fell into bed without our flannel gowns on. 

We did not need to purchase any new ones last night in Charlotte, as we had just bought some new ones about five years ago...maybe six.     

I may be able to get out tonight, but not a sure thing. Jim Dire has already completed all of his work on the March object.

Tomorrow night may be better.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the little 50 mm OTA Chinese APO refractor? It includes the 2-inch EP and diagonal. That is $50 dollars for all. 

Roger

From: scopegeek at gmail.com
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 08:25:46 -0800
To: lvas at lvlug.org
Subject: Re: [LVAS] FW: Tri-Star Saturday Brief

You forgot the flannel gown for those cold winter nights in Nawth Caroliner.

We weren't able to observe last night either - clouds and rain.

I had an interesting day yesterday.  I had to develop two exams for the State Science Olympiad competition held here in Vegas.  I had to develop a Solar System exam for the middle school students and an Astronomy exam for the high school students.  My exams were just part of quite a few different subject divisions and contributed to the overall determination of which school would represent Nevada in the Regional competition in Champaign, IL in May.  I've posted a copy of the exams on the LVAS website for the kids to review.  Some of the teams did fairly well while others didn't do so hot.  See how you think you might have done.  Overall, it was an interesting day.

Gotta work on gettin' the February Observer's Challenge posted.  I'm going to separate the February challenge from the Supplemental challenge on the website.  I didn't realize Fred was going to publish both together.  I haven't submitted my supplemental challenge report yet, so I'll just add it to the website posting.  I didn't make it clear that the supplemental target could be viewed through the month of March.

You guys take care.  Hoping for clear skies for the Messier Marathon next weekend.

Rob

On Mar 7, 2010, at 8:02 AM, roger ivester wrote:

All,

Just wanted to share my big day. I really promoted the LVAS, observers challenge. Debbie, my wife printed about 150 stickers with the LVAS website, Observers Challenge, and my e-mail as a contact. There was quite a few attending that was very interested...we will see. The event was near Greensboro North Carolina...about 2 1/2 miles from my house.

Since Debbie and I had to come back through Charlotte for supples I was not able to observe last night.

We had to stop at Norstrom's in the big city for supplies. You know, some new bib overalls, a pair of plow shoes, and Debbie needed a new pair of socks, and a new hat, and a washer for a wagon wheel.

Enjoy...Roger

From: drivester at hotmail.com
To: jdire at gardner-webb.edu; trenglish at gtcc.edu; dolive at gardner-webb.edu; frankb at celestialwonders.com; jbcustom at darrcam.com;jlspacerox at aol.com; steve.davis at fascontrols.com; david.herndon at microsoft.com; actionshooting at carolina.rr.com; pdwebb53 at sc.rr.com;reskridge1 at carolina.rr.com; tjafj at bellsouth.net; drivester at hotmail.com; bclapper at carolina.rr.com; barre.spencer at duke-energy.com;dbrook at bellsouth.net; judy.hoff at erm.com
Subject: FW: Tri-Star Saturday Brief
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 13:51:58 +0000

Good morning all,  

Just wanted to write a line or two about yesterdays "TriStar".

It was my first, and will for sure not be my last. I had a great time as well as everyone else. Wow..what an incredible facility for such an event.. 

Bill Burgess of "Burgess Optical" was there with an incredible amount of astronomical equipment for sale. Debbie bought a spotting scope/bino adjstable oak mount which is pictured beside the small 50 mm Apo for her bird watching, and I purchased an economical EP for granddaughter Zoe. 

I don't know why I did not get the "brand new" 50 mm Apo OTA with a big 2-inch diagonal and 2-inch EP as shown in several of the attachments..price $50 dollars, for all.   

Elena of Las Vegas, there is no longer a need to check for small refractors in the thrift stores or at the Salvation Army.  

Bill said that he will have forty or more within the next month.  I am going to for sure order one at that time. Bill, please let me know when they are available. 

People that I recognized at the event, Jim Lamm, president of the Charlotte Group, Elaine Osborne, "BoB" Eskridge, Barre Spencer, Don Brooks, Don Olive and Judy Hoff. My wife Debbie actually wanted to come. This was surprising. There was an excellent number of people attending the event. 

I really enjoyed myself giving the presentation. It was my opinion that it was well received...could have done a few things different and better, but overall I was well pleased. I was somewhat surprised with the number of questions during, and especally after the event. I was also pleasantly pleased and surprised to be asked to write an article for the Astronomical League "The Reflector" concerning the same subject matter of my presentation. The title "Visual Observing in a Digital Age". 

Rob Lambert, president of the Las Astronomical Society has asked me to give a presentation during my next visit. I will refine and improve my PowerPoint presentation a bit before then...hopefully this fall if at all possible.

Tom English and his group are for sure to be commended for putting it all together. This is one professional event. I was honored to be a small part, and would love to do something again in the future.

I  am sure that there was many that observed last night. The skies have been extraordinary for the past few nights. I was just too tired when I we got home, also Debbie wanted to do a bit of shopping while in Charlotte.  

Roger 

    The moon and stars to govern the night.....   Psalm 136:9

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