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Last Updated:
February 03, 2007

 

 

Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

Roadtrip SIG

[NOTE: Participation in Special Interest Groups is limited to MAS members only.  For information about joining the MAS, please visit the membership page  at www.mnastro.org/membership.]

Purpose

Research and organize field trips to local or regional events, such as star parties and observatories. 

Coordinator's Welcome

You don't need to be a party animal to appreciate star parties. There are fascinating amateur astronomers all over the world. And incredible skies that are literally beyond our horizons. I, for one, would like to meet and see as many as I can. You're Invited!

The benefits:

  • Find out what particular star parties are like. Some are good places to observe (Texas Star Party)....some are not (AstroFest). Some have professional level programs (TSP, Stelafane); others are purposefully anarchistic (Grand Canyon). This info is available but not always accessible.
  • For newer members or persons going to a party the first time, a lot can be gained by knowing how things work at that party. Logistics vary. Experience counts.
  • Want to show off that new equipment? Or learn what is new, what works and doesn't? These are the places to do it.
  • Many can be expensive to get to on your own, but affordable with shared transportation, lodging, etc. Although we are not a travel agency and cannot take responsiblity for your trip, we will do our best to coordinate resources for those going.
  • Trip reports are cool! Send them to us.

If you have any other suggestions please e-mail me.

Gene Kremer
gene.kremer@visi.com

Upcoming Meetings / Events

We like star parties more than meetings. The participants for each road trip may or may not meet to organize their trip. Each trip is Ad Hoc.

SIG Update

From Al Savage's 5/20 e-mail -

"For all of those of you who like to live vicariously through others, I
though I would tell my extended version of the Yerkes road trip. 

"The drive down was very long but I was lucky to carpool with
Helen and her new VW.  After swapping many old stories we had to consult
Patti's accurate directions and made it to the hotel a couple hours
early.  Other MAS members were early and we all seemed to explore the
area on our own for a while.  We found a couple of garage sales in the
quaint old town (but limited our purchase to a bowl) 

"We all met back at the hotel and learned that Patti couldn't
make it.  We felt bad she couldn't come so we decided to drown our
sorrows with lots of food.  The hotel desk suggested a supper club on
Lake Geneva so we all convoyed off to eat.  Unfortunately we left Doug
behind!  We felt guilty for ditching him but he made it to the
restaurant in time to eat after a visit to the observatory.  The food
was plentiful and tasty and we were ready to tour the observatory. 

"But when we arrived at the domes the lights were out and no one
was home!  Someone found Professor Kyle Cudworth
http://astro.uchicago.edu/vtour/40inch/kyle1.gif who called the guide.
Cudworth stood out in the cold with out a coat and talked about what was
going on at the observatory.  Our guide Rich Dreiser
http://astro.uchicago.edu/vtour/science/apj.gif   showed up half hour
later and was very enthusiastic about the building.  He pointed out many
non-symmetrical details on the exterior of the building.  Hundreds of
animals, stars, faces, designs, dragons and gargoyles were everywhere.
http://astro.uchicago.edu/vtour/details/  

"We went inside as it got darker, warmed up and went to look at
the 40 inch refractor.  It was huge!  You couldn't get it all in a
photo. http://astro.uchicago.edu/vtour/40inch.  (you had to buy the
postcard)  We tried to guilt him with his tardiness into letting us look
through the scope it but with no luck.  We took turns going for a ride
on the moving floor and then headed down to the basement.  This was my
favorite part of the tour.  Old pieces of dusty telescopes parts, old
computers and junk were scattered everywhere.  It was your worst "clean
out the old garage" nightmare.  Helen "boldy" went under the mount which
the guide said "no one had gone before." 

"We went outside and there was the other tour group, a bus of
students.  We tagged along and got to see the old Star Wars adaptive
optics project http://astro.uchicago.edu/vtour/science/adapoptics.gif
and other projects.  We then went shopping for Tee shirts and
meteorites.  I bought a meteorite from the Sahara desert that is 4.5
billion years old - it is really cool and was on sale!  The kids went to
the big scope and we just wandered around the building.  The library was
full of dusty books and current editions.  The rest of the building was
full of little back rooms with old telescopes in every corner. 

"Finally the remaining group reluctantly left and went to a local
bar in Williams Bay.  We played darts and drank beer until 1am and then
went back to the motel for some rest.  The clouds never really let up so
our scopes made the long journey only to never see the Wisconsin night.
The morning brought lots of donuts, bagels, coffee and juice then we
headed home dodging the State Patrol the entire way.  We all agreed it
was a great time and well worth it.  Thanks to everyone who made it
happen.

SIG Members Web Sites

Useful Resources on the Internet

Links to Star Parties

If you don't see what you want, post a message on the RoadTrip forum
For those of you who are already experienced, please send your brief comments, interests, or plans on these or other star parties to Gene Kremer

Calendar of "Some" Star Parties (let us know of others!)

Star Parties I would like to do

Other Star Parties Listings

What about the Weather?

Discussion Forum Instructions

A web-based discussion forum is available to facilitate communication among members of the SIG.

To join the group, visit the MAS discussion forums (www.mnastro.org/forums) and, if you are not already a member, register.  You'll then have full access to the 'Road Trip SIG' forum.  (Only registered members can post to the forum, but you can read postings without registering).

Contact Information:

For more information regarding this Special Interest Group, please contact:

Please route inquiries to the 'RoadTrip SIG' forum at http://mnastro.org/forums, or to Gene Kremer, the SIG coordinator (gene.kremer@visi.com)

 
 

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