TAC-Shasta members,

Last night the Shasta Astronomy Club hosted a Mars Party at the
Whiskeytown Lake Mines Trail parking lot. It was by far the largest
public star party the club has hosted. It has been in the Redding
paper for several weeks AND the planetarium shows for the last two
weeks publisized it also. Someone estimated over 300 were there at
the peak. Cars were parked for 1/4 mile in each direction from the
parking lot. Usually we have around 50 people at most! There were
lines of 20+ people at every telescope. Most of us showed double
stars like Albireo, globular clusters and nebulae until Mars rose
above the trees around 10:15. Even though the atmosphere made for
poor viewing that early, most of the public saw the southern ice cap.

Viewing improved as Mars rose. By 11:00 most of the public had left,
leaving us "hard-core" observers. We were treated to views of Mars
that wavered in and out of focus, but we were able to make out the
southern maria and some northern, smaller maria also. A blue filter,
like a 80A seemed to bring out the ice cap the best, but the best
views of the maria were with an orange filter. I have a 21, but
Roger's deeper orange 25 gave even more contrast. I spent most of
the time looking at Mars and trying different filters, eyepieces and
my Teleview 2.5X. I took some photos with a Nikon CoolPic4300, also.

Later, the "bino rhino" viewers came out as Tom, Eric and Roger
played "Who can get the best view" with M13 and the double cluster
in Perseus. Bob Thompson ajudicated.

So... Eric Maynes will be in the parking lot at the foot of the
trail to the peak of Mount Lassen for a "Mars Party" on Wednesday,
August 27th. I plan on being there, too. It is probably easiest to
get there by taking 36 from Red Bluff to the south entrance of the
park. The parking lot is about 1.5 miles past the Bumpass Hell
parking lot. There is a $10 entrance fee, but if you are local, you
may want to get the $20 one year pass that is good for both Lassen
and Whiskeytown Lake. So if you want to join us, come on up!

BTW, I will bring the fixings for Ibarra hot chocolate!

Carpe Noctem
(Sieze the night!)

Michael Huster

Hi Dwayne,

I just got back in  town. I need to do some telescope setup/takedown
dry runs soon. I teach astronomy at Simpson College. I was thinking
of doing this in a few days when the moon rises after Mars.

Would you want to meet Thursday night? Do you live in Redding?

E-mail me directly at mehuster at yahoo dot com.

Michael

Dwayne Norman wrote:
> Thanks for responding Jim.....i have a mead 4600
> model. It isnt anything fancy.

A friend of mine had a scope and mount similar to this, I think.  I
suspect it is a 4" (i.e., 114mm) newtonian reflector on an
equatorial mount.

These types of scopes are difficult to set up and use, particularly
for newbies; telescopes are a lot like musical instruments:  Cheap
ones are hard to use (or play).

The best suggestion has already been made:  Bring it (and your
instruction manual) to a club star party (or any other outing where
experienced people are going to gather), and get someone to help you
with it in the field.

Like Jim, although I am a member of TAC-Shasta, I also actually live
near Sacramento.  I am the owner of TAC-SAC and a long-time member
of TAC.

> With the big Mars event coming up i dont want to
> have to keep adjusting it by hand...Thanks for any
> help.

Mars is already here!  It will be a tiny bit bigger at the end of
the month, but it looks great right now.  No need to wait!

Hey thanks Jim i will e-mail him......I heard about
the trip to whiskeytown. I was gonna just show up and
hope someone would be able to help.Hope to catch up
with you sometime...Thanks again, Dwayne.
--- Jim Ster <sterjf@...> wrote:
> Dwayne,
>
> I'm not familiar with the Meade 4600 and I can't
> find anything on the
> meade website about it.  Is it a refractor or
> reflector and what sort of
> mount does it have?
>
> FYI, although I am a member of TAC-Shasta, I
> actually live down in
> Sacramento.  There is an astronomy club in Redding,
> the Shasta Astronomy
> Club, and they are planning a Mars viewing party on
> the 23rd at
> Whiskytown Lake.  Bob Thompson is the head of that
> group and his e-mail
> is:
>
> rhtastro@...
>
> I'm still contemplating whether or not I'll be able
> to make it up for
> this one, but if you contact Bob and ask him for
> some help, I'm sure
> he'd be glad to assist you.
>
> There is also the TAC-Shasta list owner, Michael
> Huster, who might be
> able to hook up with you and give you a hand.  I'm
> sure he'll see this
> post.
>
> Clear Skies,
> Jim
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: dwayne norman [mailto:openwater2@...]
> > Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 11:48 AM
> > To: tac-shasta@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: RE: [tac-shasta] Newbie
> >
> > Thanks for responding Jim.....i have a mead 4600
> > model.It isnt anything fancy. I have played around
> > with it some and actually was able to see rings
> around
> > saturn, thats was exciting. I actually need
> someone
> > that is knowledgeable about the tracking system
> that
> > came with it and how to get it properly aligned
> and
> > such. With the big Mars event coming up i dont
> want to
> > have to keep adjusting it by hand...Thanks for any
> > help.
> > --- Jim Ster <sterjf@...> wrote:
> > > Can you tell us about your scope?  That would
> help
> > > us to understand what
> > > you're up against.
> > >
> > > -Jim
> > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: openwater2 [mailto:openwater2@...]
> > > > Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2003 8:35 AM
> > > > To: tac-shasta@yahoogroups.com
> > > > Subject: [tac-shasta] Newbie
> > > >
> > > > Hello everyone. Im new member and would like
> to
> > > ask for some help on
> > > > setting up my new telescope. If anyone can
> help
> > > please let me
> > > > know...thanks.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> > > >
> > > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email
> to:
> > > > tac-shasta-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________
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> >
> > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
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>
>


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Dwayne,

I'm not familiar with the Meade 4600 and I can't find anything on the
meade website about it.  Is it a refractor or reflector and what sort of
mount does it have?

FYI, although I am a member of TAC-Shasta, I actually live down in
Sacramento.  There is an astronomy club in Redding, the Shasta Astronomy
Club, and they are planning a Mars viewing party on the 23rd at
Whiskytown Lake.  Bob Thompson is the head of that group and his e-mail
is:

rhtastro@...

I'm still contemplating whether or not I'll be able to make it up for
this one, but if you contact Bob and ask him for some help, I'm sure
he'd be glad to assist you.

There is also the TAC-Shasta list owner, Michael Huster, who might be
able to hook up with you and give you a hand.  I'm sure he'll see this
post.

Clear Skies,
Jim


> -----Original Message-----
> From: dwayne norman [mailto:openwater2@...]
> Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 11:48 AM
> To: tac-shasta@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: RE: [tac-shasta] Newbie
>
> Thanks for responding Jim.....i have a mead 4600
> model.It isnt anything fancy. I have played around
> with it some and actually was able to see rings around
> saturn, thats was exciting. I actually need someone
> that is knowledgeable about the tracking system that
> came with it and how to get it properly aligned and
> such. With the big Mars event coming up i dont want to
> have to keep adjusting it by hand...Thanks for any
> help.
> --- Jim Ster <sterjf@...> wrote:
> > Can you tell us about your scope?  That would help
> > us to understand what
> > you're up against.
> >
> > -Jim
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: openwater2 [mailto:openwater2@...]
> > > Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2003 8:35 AM
> > > To: tac-shasta@yahoogroups.com
> > > Subject: [tac-shasta] Newbie
> > >
> > > Hello everyone. Im new member and would like to
> > ask for some help on
> > > setting up my new telescope. If anyone can help
> > please let me
> > > know...thanks.
> > >
> > >
> > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> > >
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > > tac-shasta-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software
> http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> tac-shasta-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Thanks for responding Jim.....i have a mead 4600
model.It isnt anything fancy. I have played around
with it some and actually was able to see rings around
saturn, thats was exciting. I actually need someone
that is knowledgeable about the tracking system that
came with it and how to get it properly aligned and
such. With the big Mars event coming up i dont want to
have to keep adjusting it by hand...Thanks for any
help.
--- Jim Ster <sterjf@...> wrote:
> Can you tell us about your scope?  That would help
> us to understand what
> you're up against.
>
> -Jim
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: openwater2 [mailto:openwater2@...]
> > Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2003 8:35 AM
> > To: tac-shasta@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [tac-shasta] Newbie
> >
> > Hello everyone. Im new member and would like to
> ask for some help on
> > setting up my new telescope. If anyone can help
> please let me
> > know...thanks.
> >
> >
> > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > tac-shasta-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software
http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com

Can you tell us about your scope?  That would help us to understand what
you're up against.

-Jim

> -----Original Message-----
> From: openwater2 [mailto:openwater2@...]
> Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2003 8:35 AM
> To: tac-shasta@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [tac-shasta] Newbie
>
> Hello everyone. Im new member and would like to ask for some help on
> setting up my new telescope. If anyone can help please let me
> know...thanks.
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> tac-shasta-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Hello everyone. Im new member and would like to ask for some help on
setting up my new telescope. If anyone can help please let me
know...thanks.

Media contacts:
David Perry & Associates
(415) 693-0584
news@...


ALERT!! ALERT!! The spaceship you need to leave the surface of Mars
has been
severely damaged in an emergency landing, your replacement crew is
gone, a
dust
storm is approaching and air, food and water are extremely low...AND
THE
MISSION HASN'T STARTED YET! This is the scenario for Chabot's newest
attraction, "Escape from the Red Planet". You are the crew of a doomed
landing. Your mission: Get the shuttle working again and into orbit
before
you are hit with the worst dust storm ever recorded on Mars.

These hour-long, simulated missions begin at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. on
Saturdays and 1:00 and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays through August.  Children,
ages 6-12 must be accompanied by an adult.  May not be appropriate for
children under 6 years old.  Tickets may be purchased at Chabot's
front
desk and are sold on a first come first served basis.  Tickets are
priced
at $10 for adults and $5 for children.

That's just the latest bit of excitement at Chabot Space & Science
Center
where we are celebrating the closest approach to earth by the planet
Mars in
15,000 years!

Next up....

PARTY LIKE A MARTIAN AT
CHABOT SPACE & SCIENCE CENTER'S
MARS MANIA COSTUME PARTY
Tuesday, August 26, 2003, 9 pm – 1 am

How would you look as a Martian? Chabot Space & Science Center
invites you
to stretch your imagination and dress yourself up as a Martian for a
Mars
Mania Costume Party on Tuesday, August 26, 2003, from 9 pm to 1 am.
Chabot
hopes to draw all manner of ET's and Martian wannabes to celebrate in
style
as the Red Planet reaches its closest approach to Earth in 100,000
years.
Chabot's Mars Mania Costume Party will include special "Summer of
Mars"
programs such as Return to the Red Planet planetarium show, the new
Mars
Encounter exhibit, movie previews in the Tien MegaDome Theater,
special
Mars-related hands-on activities, and close-up viewing of Mars through
Chabot's telescopes. A door prize will be given to every partygoer who
arrives in Martian costume. Tickets for the Mars Mania Costume Party
are
$11.00 Adult / $8.00 Youth and Senior, and are available at
ticketweb.com or
by calling the Chabot Box Office at 510-336-7373.

On the night of August 26th and morning of August 27th, Mars will be
closer
to our planet than it has been in approximately 100,000 years, with
its
orbit reaching Opposition on August 28.  Barring summer dust storms
on Mars,
observers can take a close look at the Red Planet with Chabot's large
telescopes, including the new 36" reflector, and examine surface
features
such as the bright white polar ice cap and the darker "V" -shaped
Syrtis
Major.

The space explorers Spirit and Opportunity were recently launched by
NASA
and are expected to reach Mars in December and January, and begin
transmitting new information about the mysteries of the Martian
climate,
geological history, presence of water and life forms. Data from the
Mars
Global Surveyor and 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft, currently orbiting
Mars,
give strong indications of possible liquid water in Mars' past.

The latest missions to Mars — NASA's twin Mars Exploration Rovers and
the
European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter and Beagle 2 lander — are
looking for water and life, and may shed new light on these
tantalizing
mysteries as soon as next winter, when this new batch of robot
explorers
reaches the Red Planet.

Special features of Chabot's "Summer of Mars" celebration include the
Mars
Encounter exhibit in the galleries, and Return to the Red Planet on
view in
the Ask Jeeves Planetarium, as well as lectures, family workshops,
viewing
parties, and other programs. Mars Encounter invites visitors to
explore
Mars' place in our culture, investigate discoveries of past missions
to
Mars, follow the progress of current missions, and visualize future
Mars
exploration when human astronauts will experience the Red Planet
first-hand.
The exhibit, developed by Chabot and West Office Exhibition Design,
features
a four-foot tactile Mars globe complete with craters and volcanoes; a
Martian meteorite; a Martian Sci-fi theater; a Mars Mission Control
where
visitors can obtain data on current and past missions; videos of Rover
missions; a wall-size mural embedded with quiz games; a vacation to
Mars
planning station, and a play area for the younger crowd.

Return to the Red Planet show in Chabot's Ask Jeeves Planetarium takes
viewers through a journey in time to consider how human understanding
of
Mars has changed throughout history. The show includes a live
presentation
that teaches visitors how to locate Mars in the night sky; the latest
images
from telescopes, orbiters, and rovers; breaking news from the NASA
missions,
and presents a timeline for Mars exploration. From Percival Lowell's
Martian-built canals and the Carl Sagan Memorial station of
Pathfinder to
the future MER and Mars Express missions, the spectacular show probes
questions such as "Why explore Mars?" "Could life exist there?"
and "What
would such life look like?" You might stumble on an answer to this
last
question as you prepare to express your inner alien at Chabot's
August 26th
Mars Mania Costume Party.

For more information, call (510) 336-7300, or visit
www.chabotspace.org
*   *   *


"Creating dialogue...fearlessly."

David Perry & Associates Communications
Flood Building
870 Market Street, Suite 670
San Francisco, CA 94102-3008

(415) 693-0583 - T
(415) 693-0584 - F
news@...
www.davidperry.com

Mags' is already up there at her folks place for the weekend.  I
actually stayed behind so I could go to IHOP, but the CSC's are looking
much better the farther north you go, so I think I'll head up to
Shingletown as well.

See you both there!

Clear Skies,
Jim

> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Shneor Sherman [mailto:shneor@...]
> >Sent: Saturday, July 26, 2003 1:20 PM
> >To: tac-sac@yahoogroups.com; sayre@...
> >Cc: sayre@...
> >Subject: [tac-sac] SHINGLETOWN tonight
> >
> >Gregg and I are going to Shingletown tonight.
> >Clear skies for all observers!
> >Shneor

Hey Fellow TACo's,

I hope by now you have all recovered from the latest fantastic edition of
the Shingletown Star Party.  It sure was a blast to see everyone again and
it seemed like most had a grand time.  I'd like to take a few moments of
your time to acknowledge and to say thanks to a few people, businesses and
organizations that made this year's SSP run so smoothly with all of their
hard work and generous contributions.  Please take a few minutes to go
through this incredibly long list and see just who and what it took to put
this event on.

There were of course many volunteers who helped out with gate duty or
setting up some canopies and tables as well as those who attended the
planning meetings and coordinated our outreach efforts.  But the most
important ones to acknowledge first are the awesome folks from Shingletown
who shared their community, their homes and their hearts with us.  None of
these people were paid a dime for their time and if you consider how much of
their personal time and money goes into supporting us and the SSP, we are
indebted beyond words to these wonderful people.  Some of them volunteer
their time at the Shingletown Non-Profits Office, Shingletown Activities
Council (SAC) and the Shingletown Community Center (SCC).   Without their
support, none of this would be possible.  Specifically, these people are:


Marg Collett - SAC

Marg was once again our local SSP Event Coordinator.  She is responsible for
arranging, organizing and promoting all the various Shingletown community
events and has given 1000's of hours working in support of the various
community organizations without pay.  It is without reservations that I can
say that Marg is the one person to whom the SSP would not exist as it does
today if it weren't for all her tireless efforts.  She has supported our
cause from day one and we owe her a debt of gratitude.


Howard "Luke" Lukas - SCC Chairperson

Luke is Chair of the Shingletown Community Center Committee, our official
Non-Profit host of the SSP and owner of the Mt. Lassen Art Center Watercolor
Adventure located in Viola, CA., just a few miles east of Shingletown.  Luke
was responsible for overseeing Shingletown's Volcano Days, of which the SSP
was an integral part.  He handled the negotiations between the airport
property managers and the SSP committee and Luke was also responsible for
running our T-Shirt Contest as well as the "Paint Free, Be Free" exhibit
during the public event.


Vera Dewitt - SAC

Vera and Marg make up the "Thelma and Louise" team in Shingletown.  While
Marg is the organizer, Vera is the workhorse, who takes the runs down to
Redding, writes the articles for the local Shingletown Ridge Rider Newspaper
and made the great coffee each night.  Vera was the Shingletown Volcano Days
Spokesperson who always kept a positive spin on things.  Vera was kind
enough to let us use her garage as a staging area for the SSP hospitality
area supplies and is now storing our canopies for us.  Her "can do" attitude
and outgoing personality makes her one of the most enjoyable people I've
ever had the pleasure of working with.  She is actively involved in just
about every community activity Shingletown puts on.


Carla Bloxham - California Trailer and RV (previous owner of Big Wheels)

Carla recently sold Big Wheels, but has remained on the team of Shingletown
organizers and was directly responsible for acquiring the many donations
needed to make Volcano Days and especially the Hot Lava Nights a huge
success.  Carla was also in charge of the killer Tri-Tip barbeque at the
Public Star Gazing event on Saturday.  Our gate duty volunteers must give
special thanks to Carla for the use of her electric golf cart which we
depended on to run between the hospitality area and the front gate and her
generator which we used to charge our batteries with.


Art and Cindy Johnson- Six-Pack Construction (our official SSP Grounds
Keepers) -

Art and Cindy were directly responsible for keep the site as dust free as
possible.  Art began watering a few days before the event began and
maintained it diligently throughout.  Cindy took the bull by the horns and
got the straw and the straw spreader along with a volunteer crew of local
"Clampers" (Dave, Daryl and Rich) who worked until sundown on Wednesday to
insure that our dust control efforts were successful.  Art and Cindy were
also responsible for loaning us the 2nd on-site battery recharging generator
located on the north end of the site.  Art and Cindy have already committed
to participating again next year and we look forward to working with them
again.

Trish Clarke, Shasta County Board of Supervisors -

Trish was our Master of Ceremonies at the public event this year and is the
one person most responsible for the SSP's existence.  If it weren't for
Trish's determination and willingness to champion our cause before the
seemingly endless line of Shasta County administrators, we'd never have
busted through the bureaucracy and last years inaugural event would have
never taken place.

Wal*Mart, who's Northern California warehouse operations are based in nearby
Red Bluff, donated approximately $1700 to the SAC which was used to offset a
multitude of operating expenses for all the Volcano Days events.


There were several other members of the local Shingletown community who
helped to make our stay enjoyable including: California Trailer and RV, the
local Redding Pepsi and Coke distributors, the Shingletown Store, Pioneer
Hillside Pizza and Big Wheels.  From the Shingletown Historical Society, who
put on the great desert table again to the local chapter of "Clampers" who
busted their butts helping out with the spreading of the straw around the
site, all of these folks were invaluable to our experience.  I also want to
mention the Shingletown Volunteer Fire Department who helped out with dust
control as well as provided the emergency medical Paramedics who were at the
public star party in direct support of event.  They were even ready to
provide us with a backup observing site at their firehouse for the public
stargazing event in case the winds picked up and potentially prevented us
from having a successful party for our hosts at the airport on Saturday
night.  And finally, the California Highway Patrol for assisting us with
traffic control during the public evening.  Without this local support, the
party just wouldn't be possible.

There were a few public organizations who participated which I'd like to
specifically mention and thank for all they did for us.

First, The Shasta Regional Community Foundation gave us a grant for $2000
which we used to help pay for the rental of the porta-johns and the
dumpsters, advertising, printing costs, t-shirts as well as our insurance
and dust control measures.

The Astronomical Association of Northern California gave us $200 which was
used to provide the complimentary ice, sodas, bottled water, and the hot
coffee each evening.  The hot coffee during the night was so appreciated by
everyone that we plan on making this a regular part of the SSP.   Thanks to
Jane and Mojo for all of their support.  Maybe we can talk them into coming
next year? ;)

Astronomy Society of the Pacific (ASP).  Marni Berendsen from the ASP came
up and took care of our outreach table at the public evening.  As well as
providing free astro-handouts to the kids, she organized an observing
program for our younger guest which gave them a look at a variety of cool
DSO's to experience.  We are proud to announce that next year we will be
working even closer with the ASP to get the local Junior and Senior high
schools involved in astronomy.

Norm Sperling, Everything in the Universe - Norm was our speaker at the
public star gazing event for the second consecutive year.  To say the least,
Norm's knowledge and expertise during his presentation kept the public
fixated and entertained.

I'd also like to say thanks to the vendors who donated prizes to the
astronomer's raffle.  Please remember to visit and support these fine
businesses whenever you're looking for astro-goodies!

1800Destiny.com
1stBase Collapsible Dob Mounts
Absolute Astronomy
Adirondack Video Astronomy
AstroPhoto.com
AstroPro Products
AstroZap Cases and Covers
Celestial Products
ChartMarkers and More
Coronado Technology Group
Digital Images - official SSP group photo Draco Productions
e2 Telescope Design
Equatorial Platforms
GotGrit
Ken's Rings
New Mexico Skies Guest Observatory
Harry Siebert Eyepieces
Jim's Mobile Inc. (JMI)
Lumicon
Ohio Star Software
ProtoStar
Sirius Optics
Sky Image Labs
SkyNews Sky Publishing (Sky & Telescope)
Starlight Theatre
Sun River Nature Center
Tele Vue Optics
The Case Place
Wave Group Astronomy

I'd like to give a very special thanks to Orion Telescopes for their
generous donations of the Telescopes and Binoculars over the past couple of
years in direct support of our Shingletown Star Party T-Shirt design contest
for the local area Jr. & Sr. High Schools.  The award presentation to the
winners is always one of the prouder moments of the Public Star Gazing
Party.

Now I'd like to take a minute to thank a few of our fellow TACo's who worked
so hard on the planning committee to make the SSP what it is:


Jim Bartolini (TAC-Monterey) - SSP Planning Committee member, SSP Volunteer
and if I'm not mistaken, Stacy McDermott's right hand man with the
volunteers during the party.

Michael Huster (TAC-Shasta) - SSP Spokesperson, SSP Planning Committee
member and SSP Volunteer.

Stacy Jo McDermott (TAC) - Volunteer Coordinator, SSP Planning Committee
member and SSP Volunteer.

Richard Ozer (TAC)  - SSP Outreach Coordinator, Hat Creek Tour Organizer,
Ambulance Driver, SSP Planning Committee member and SSP Volunteer.

Jane Smith (TAC-SAC) - Grant Proposal Writer, T-Shirt Contest Flyer
Designer, Web Page, SSP Planning Committee member, SSP Volunteer, SSP Rules
and Guidelines and Astro-Quilt maker extraordinaire.

Margaret "Mags" Temple (TAC-SAC) - SSP Planning Committee member, SSP
Volunteer and Astro-Quilt maker extraordinaire.

Mark Wagner, (TAC) - Web Page, Archives, Vendors, T-Shirt Contest Prizes,
Astro-Raffle Prizes, Registration Fee Collector, Raffle Barker, SSP Planning
Committee member, SSP Volunteer.

I'd also like to thank the following people for volunteering for SSP gate
duty as well as helping with the set-up and tear-down:

Joe and Barb Gomolski
Jim Everett
Phil Chambers
Bob Jardine
Dan Wright
Rajeeve Joshi
Kevin Roberts
Robert Shelton
Evan Garber
Michelle Stone
Peter McKone
Jeff Crilly
Sean McCauliff
Cary Ster
Liz Conner
Andrew Preston


I'm sure there are some folks who I've forgotten to mention and I apologize
if I have and I wish to say thanks to them as well, but in any case, I just
wanted to show everyone who came up and enjoyed their stay an idea of what
and who it took to make the SSP a huge success.

Because of the efforts of all of these people, organizations and businesses
I've mentioned, the SSP is rapidly becoming the premier star party on the
west coast and maybe someday, the world!  It's up to all of us to continue
to make the SSP we want it to be and I look forward to many more wonderful
SSP's with all of my great friends in TAC as well as our great new friends
in Shingletown and Shasta County.  Thank you all for your help.  We couldn't
have done it without you.

Clear Skies,
Jim Ster, Director Shingletown Star Party

I had a great time at the Shingletown star party. It
was my first major star party. I thought it ran very
smoothly. I was there from Wed. morning through Mon.
morning. getting in five good nights of observing,
camping, eating, socializing, etc.

My primary *observing* goal was to start and finish my
Astronomical League Binocular Messier certificate. It
would be my first. I want to add firsthand observing
experience to help me in teaching astronomy.

Dates: 25 - 30 June, 2003
Conditions: Dark skies all nights. After twilight I
estimated the skies as 5.5+ magnitude.
Equipment: Celestron Ultima 9x63 binoculars, 5.4 deg
FOV on a paralleogram tripod mount.
Guides: I used the Astronomical League, Messier
Objects: A Beginner's Guide and Astro Cards.
Results: I logged 53. Only 40 are necessary for the
certificate. Some were very challenging; I only
glimpsed a wisp of nebulosity with averted vision.
List in numerical order:
M 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
M 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19,
M 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29,
M 31, 32, 33, 34, 39,
M 40, 49,
M 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56,
M 62, 63, 64, 65, 66,
M 71,
M 80, 81, 82, 83,
M 92, 94,
M 103,
M 110

Narrative:
I started on Wednesday at 10:30PM working through the
Messiers in Ursa Major and working south, then east
and finally into Ophiuchus at 3:00. I logged 16 the
first night. On Thursday I started with M83 in Hydra
and into the Milky Way in Scorpius. The highlight for
me was seeing (or recognizing) dark nebulae for the
first time. M24, wow! It was a treat to see the open
clusters and nebulae after spending the first night on
galaxies and globular clusters with unresolvable
stars. I finished with M54 & 55 in Scorpius. I was
packing in for the night around 3:00 when I realized
M31 was up. I was stunned by the view as M31 was
clearly visible for 3 deg in the binoculars! What a
treat before bedtime. I logged 22 Messier this night.
On Friday I started with M29 and some of the Messiers
that were near azimuth by the time I went to bed the
previous night. A highlight was identifying M32 and
M110 near/in M31. John Whitehouse and I hunted down
some help for positive identification. I finished the
night with the open clusters in Cassiopeia and M33 in
Triangulum. I logged 12 by 3:00 Saturday morning when
I quit. Saturday was the public star party, so I
switched to the 8" LXD-55 Schmidt-Newtonian. (The
public doesn't want to look through bino's when there
are scopes around.) Between 1:00 and 2:00 I logged
four Messier galaxies in Ursa Major with the
telescope. The last night I was getting tired. I used
the telescope to work on my starhopping. I find star
hopping much more difficult with the telescope than
with bino's. I had bought a Rigel QuikFinder earlier
in the day. It definitely is a big help, but I still
struggled. My surprize was that while using the bino's
to help the star hopping with the telescope I found
and logged M66, 65 and 49 in the bino's. I hit the
wall around midnight and went to bed.

I really enjoyed the star party. My thanks and
appreciation go to Jim Ster who was the driving force
behind the move to Shingletown.

Carpe Noctem!
(Seize the Night!)

Michael Huster
Simpson College


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I'll be at the meeting. But I can't stay for
observing. Sorry, but I've got to get back home. We
had new floor put in, the house is a wreck and 10
relatives are coming in week. :^o


--- Jim Ster <sterjf@...> wrote:
> Hey Michael,
>
> That's great.  The meeting is at 10:30am this
> Saturday in the
> Shingletown Non-Profits office, which is located at
> the intersection of
> Hwy 44 and Manton Rd, right across the street from
> the library in the
> same building as the bank and video store.
>
> Are you going to try to go observing Saturday
> evening?
>
> -Jim
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Michael Huster [mailto:mehuster@...]
> > Sent: Friday, June 06, 2003 12:08 PM
> > To: tac-shasta@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: Re: [tac-shasta] Shingletown OI 6-7-03
> >
> > Jim,
> >
> > I can come to the meeting tomorrow. Where will it
> be?
> >
> > Michael Huster
> >
>
>


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Hey Michael,

That's great.  The meeting is at 10:30am this Saturday in the
Shingletown Non-Profits office, which is located at the intersection of
Hwy 44 and Manton Rd, right across the street from the library in the
same building as the bank and video store.

Are you going to try to go observing Saturday evening?

-Jim

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael Huster [mailto:mehuster@...]
> Sent: Friday, June 06, 2003 12:08 PM
> To: tac-shasta@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [tac-shasta] Shingletown OI 6-7-03
>
> Jim,
>
> I can come to the meeting tomorrow. Where will it be?
>
> Michael Huster
>

Jim,

I can come to the meeting tomorrow. Where will it be?

Michael Huster

--- Jim Ster <sterjf@...> wrote:
> There is a planning meeting for the 2003 SSP this
> Saturday, June 7th at
> 10:30 am up in Shingletown.  Weather permitting;
> I'll be heading to the
> Shingletown Airport for some observing that evening
> with the 30".  Hope
> to see you there!
>
> Clear Skies,
> Jim Ster
>
>


__________________________________
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Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM).
http://calendar.yahoo.com

There is a planning meeting for the 2003 SSP this Saturday, June 7th at
10:30 am up in Shingletown.  Weather permitting; I'll be heading to the
Shingletown Airport for some observing that evening with the 30".  Hope
to see you there!

Clear Skies,
Jim Ster

Hey Guys,

Check out the latest updates to the SSP webpage.  Mark Wagner has been
busy keeping the content updated.  The SSP sponsors are jumping on board
and the list is growing fast.  Please take a minute to visit:

http://www.shingletownstarparty.org/shingletown.prizes.html

and see the growing list of vendors who are serious about supporting
amateur astronomy and specifically, our star party!

Please don't forget to take the time to visit these folks when you're
looking for those special Astro-goodies.  There are links set up on the
SSP sponsors page to the vendor's websites, so all you have to do is
click on the sponsors name and you're there.

Clear Skies,
Jim Ster

There will be a planning meeting for the 2003 Shingletown Star Party
this Saturday, March 8th at 10:30am in the Shingletown Non-Profits
office in Shingletown, CA.

All are welcome.

Clear Skies,
Jim Ster, Director Shingletown Star Party

Jim,

Thanks for the update. This year I will actually be
around for the party. Please sign me up for a
volunteer. Also, If you have any coordination meetings
coming up, I would like to attend.

What is the policy for our local astronomy club
members attending? In the past Bob Thompson didn't
give the Lassen star parties must press bcause of???
Don;t know for sure. We have several dedicated
observers who might like to pitch in.

Michael Huster
Simpson College and Graduate Schools
mehuster@...

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Hey TAC'os!

I'm pleased to announce that the 2003 Shingletown Star Party Web Page is
officially up and running and registration is now under way!  Check out:

http://www.shingletownstarparty.org/

5-DAY EVENT PASS PRICE PER ADULT (18 years and older, no charge for
minors)


     Date                            	 Check    Paypal
     Before March 16, 2003          	 $30.00   $32.00
     March 16 - June 15, 2003      	 $40.00   $42.00
     After June 15 - pay at gate    	 $50.00    not accepted

This year there will also be a $25 per adult single day/night pass which
can be purchased at the gate.

The dates and times for the 2003 SSP are noon on Wednesday, June 25th
through Noon on Monday, June 30th.  And once again, we'll be putting on
another public star party on Saturday, June 28 to thank our hosts, the
great people of Shingletown and Shasta County for all their wonderful
hospitality.  I'm very pleased to announce that Norm Sperling will be
returning once again as our guest speaker for the evening.

We are in need of volunteers to help out with things such as check in,
gate security and canopy set up as well as the tear down and site clean
up after things are all over and done with.  If you can help out, please
use the comment section of the registration form to let us know when
you'll be available to help out.  I thank you all in advance.

Please take some time to check out the website and take a look at Images
link to see some of the fun pictures from last year:
http://www.shingletownstarparty.org/shingletown.images.html
Click on the thumbnails to see a larger image.  I'm sure they will bring
back some great memories for you too.  We'll be making lots more
starting in about129 days!

There is also a special link to the latest SSP updates:
http://www.shingletownstarparty.org/shingletown_update.html
Please check this link periodically and especially right before the
event for the latest SSP announcements.

And I'd like to take this opportunity to say a special thank you to Jane
Smith for putting this year's website together for us.  She took the
great page that Mark put together for us last year and added all the new
stuff and made it all work.  It really looks great.  Thanks Jane!  You
get many Astro-Goddess Bonus Points for this one! (Jane, by the way, is
expecting her new 18" Starmaster with GOTO any day now!)

Clear Skies,
Jim Ster, Director 2003 Shingletown Star Party

Hey John,

It's good to hear from you.   I've cc'd this reply to all the TAC groups
so they know what's going on and can contact you directly about all the
great photos you shot at the SSP.;)

I look forward to seeing you next month at the kickoff planning meeting
on the 21st and discussing your plans for next year.  It's going to be a
hoot!

Clear Skies,
Jim

> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: John Przypek [mailto:jprzypek@...]
> >Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 5:24 PM
> >To: Jim Ster
> >Subject: Shingletown Star Party
> >
> >Jim,
> >
> >Going on to the Astronomy Connection web site and browsing through
the
> >July postings regarding the Shingletown Star Party, it looks as
though
> >some people had asked about a hi res version of the group photo.
> >
> >I have a copy saved as an 8x10 TIFF file ... 200 dpi at 9.17 MB.  It
can
> >be printed at up to an 11x14 borderless.  The 8x10 picture I gave you
> >was printed from the file.
> >
> >Are they looking for photos of the group picture?  I can supply same.
> >
> >For SSP 2003, I will follow the group during the week for activity
> >photos ... beyond those that I took at the airport.  My intent is to
> >offer a slide show CD of the Star Party.  The CD will also include
all
> >of the photos in a separate file (8x10 at 150 dpi JPEG) so that
prints
> >could also be made of all of the activities.  The group photo would
also
> >be saved as a separate, larger 8x10 TIFF file.
> >
> >John Przypek
> >DIgital Images
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >

I went up to Whiskeytown - the Shasta Mines parking
lot - this morning at 4:15 to look at the Perseids.
The night was very clear. When we first got up there
we saw about 1/minute, but it seemed to taper off. We
left at 5:30 when it was getting pretty light.

I am going up again tomorrow morning. I plan on
arriving around 3:30 and setting up the LX-200 to get
some CCD camera practice in.

It's lonely, and company is welcome.

Directions: From I-5 take 299 East through Redding.
About five miles east of town, turn left at the
Whiskeytown Lake Visitors Center sign. At the dam go
STRAIGHT for about another mile to the Mt. Shasta Mine
Trail parking lot, right off of the road.

Michael Huster
Carpe Noctem


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Hey Guys,

I'm going to observe at Lassen (Bumpass Hell) on Wednesday and Friday
evenings this week.  I'll be at the Shingletown Airport Thursday evening
and then drive on down to Monitor Pass for Saturday evening.

Hope to see you there!

Clear Skies,
Jim Ster

Jim Ster wrote:
> FYI, there is a bunch of folks from TAC coming up to observe from
> Bumpass Hell in Lassen Park on the weekend of August 10.

I'm going.  The gang will be there the evenings of August 7th through
August 10th, if anyone wants to show up.  There will be 20 or so
scopes set up in the Bumpass Hell parking lot near the south entrance
of Lassen Park.

Randy Muller
TAC-SAC

FYI, there is a bunch of folks from TAC coming up to observe from
Bumpass Hell in Lassen Park on the weekend of August 10.

I'm not going to make it up there that weekend.  I've already made
plans to go to Monitor Pass.

Clear Skies,
Jim Ster, TAC-SAC

OK boys and girls.

There seems to be quite a lot of interest in the Karaoke gig scheduled
for the Friday evening group feed at Big Wheels.  Mags and I went up
this past weekend to do a bit of final prep work on the SSP and while we
were there, we met the guy doing the Karaoke at Big Wheels and picked up
his entire catalog of available selections for you guys to choose from.
Rather than post the entire list to the group (it's huge), if you have
some favorite that you're dying to entertain us with, drop me a line and
I'll put you down for it if it's available.  As it would probably
constitute cruel and unusual punishment, I think we should refrain from
doing any song more than once.  So sign ups for tunes will be on a first
come first served basis.

Also, there is a fair amount of ZZ Top music on the list to choose from,
but I've already reserved it all for Randy "ZZ" Muller, so don't ask for
one of those.  If possible, we'd like to reserve Twinkle, Twinkle,
Little Star so we can do a group rendition of it.  We've alerted all of
the local dairies within a 10 mile radius about the impending
sing-a-long.  We don't want any of their herds drying up........

One last thing.  I met with the owner, Carla, of the Big Wheels Resort
yesterday and she asked me to let you guys know if there is ANYTHING
special you'd like the bar to keep in stock while you're there, let her
know and she'll pick up whatever makes you happy!  She's already picked
up some "Black Vodka", called "Bladka", which would probably make for
some good "Dark Matter" Screwdrivers or in Black Hole Martini's.

Would anyone be interested in doing some kamikaze shots?  You know,
where they lean you way back in a recliner and pour the shots directly
into your mouth?  She'll get us a recliner or barber chair if we need
one.  Whatever you guys want, she's up for.  With any luck, maybe we'll
get some clouds one evening and have to party at Big Wheels all night
instead?;)

Clear Skies,
Jim Ster

Hey Guys,

I thought I'd pass on an article that was printed in this weeks Ridge
Rider News up in Shingletown about the upcoming SSP.  I though you'd all
enjoy hearing about what the community is doing up there to support our
cause.

Hope to see you there.

Clear Skies,
Jim


=====================================================


Ridge Rider News
Shingletown, CA
Published June 17, 2002

"STAR GAZING PARTY:  A RARE TREAT FOR SHINGLETOWN"
By Vera DeWitt


Shingletown has been chosen by a group of dedicated and knowledgeable
astronomers to be the site of an important "Star Gazing Party".  Headed
by Sacramento astronomer Jim Ster, the group, titled "The Astronomy
Connection" (T.A.C.) is inviting the public to be part of the activity
which will take place at the Shingletown Air Strip from Wednesday, July
10 through Monday, July 15th.  Astronomers will be attending from all
over California and beyond.  Previously, they met in Lassen Park, but
have outgrown that venue.  Wanting to stay in the North State, they were
looking for a more suitable site, and discovered that Shingletown had
all of the amenities needed to stage a successful event.  Ster
approached the Shingletown Activities Council and the Shasta County
Board of Supervisors, and with the support of Trish Clarke and Shasta
County Representative, Dan Kovacich, secured permission to use the Air
Strip, also the necessary County permits.

Next, the Activities Council pursued the concept to draw in the local
non-profit organizations and businesses to participate.  The non-profits
have been given the opportunity to provide some hospitality to the group
that will be camping at the Air Strip including cold drinks and morning
continental breakfasts.  They will keep the profits from these sales for
their individual treasuries.  The businesses will present special
dinners and entertainment.  On Thurs. evening, Pioneer Hillside Pizza
will serve up all you want to eat Star Gazing pizza.  Friday night, the
Big Wheels Resort will offer an outdoor barbecue.  Outside karaoke will
take place from 5 to 8 PM, then move inside.  Saturday, from 10 to 2,
the Shingle Shack will feature a special Star Gazers brunch buffet.  All
of these are open to the public as well as to the astronomers, and every
one is cordially invited to come and enjoy a very tasty meal with the
star gazing participants.

Activities at the Air Strip will be limited to the astronomers
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but the real excitement will take place
on Saturday when the general public is invited to come to an
extraordinary event, a terrific Star Gazing Party!  The gates will open
at 4 PM, and from 5 to 8, a barbeque dinner will be featured at the
hospitality center on the north side of the Strip.  The Bear Creek Band
will be playing their toe-tapping brand of music, and several special
happenings will take place, including a 50-50 drawing opportunity and
the winning ticket for the Hawaiian Flyaway Vacation will be drawn by
Supervisor Trish Clarke.

Prior to the public being invited to view the heavens, a notionally
known astronomer, Norm Sperling, will have a presentation and slide show
to acquaint the audience with what to look for through the telescopes.
Mr. Sperling has an extensive reputation in the in the astronomy world,
including ownership of a store in San Francisco called "Everything in
the Universe", which sells anything connected with the heavens.  He has
also directed planetarium activities.  When the sky is totally dark, the
T.A.C. members and others will invite those who are interested to look
through the powerful telescopes, answer question and explain what they
are seeing many, many light years away from Planet Earth.  This is a
wonderful opportunity to learn your sky!

There are several suggestions that T.A.C. is making to accommodate their
needs and those of the viewers.  Bring binoculars and folding chairs for
the presentation.  There are many sky sights that can be viewed through
the binoculars and you will become acquainted with what to look for in
the night skies.  If you should bring a flashlight, BE SURE that the
light is covered with red cellophane or a piece of brown paper bag.
Secure the cover with a rubber band.  It is absolutely necessary to
eliminate any light from the entire viewing area.  Should you come after
dark, T.A.C. suggests that you stand by your car to acclimate your
vision before walking down to the east end of the runway, where all the
activity will be taking place.  There will be members of the Sheriff's
support group to assist with parking.  Walk only on the paved runway to
avoid stumbling over obstacles, but do not park on it.  The entire west
end must be kept open and free in case there should be an emergency,
bringing someone in who will need to have helicopter transport.

There will be several other local activities that will be in conjunction
with the Star Gazing Party.  There will be a 2-day yard sale sponsored
by the Shingletown Volunteer Fire Department on the Alward Way-Hwy 44
station grounds.  This will take place on Friday and Saturday, July 12
and 13.  On Saturday, July 13, the annual Gourd Festival will be in full
swing at The Log Cabin Gift Shop.  Cathy Kamp's 'Among Friends Gift
Shoppe' will be holding an outside sidewalk sale, also on Saturday the
13th.  These activities will attract the visitors to the Star Gazing
party as well as local residents, so be sure to support the special food
offerings and all other activities.

Shingletown has been selected to participate in a most unique and
fascinating activity which will be attended by many astronomers who have
been drawn by the excellent air and sky quality.  The planning committee
has been extremely impressed by the cooperation and hospitality shown by
those groups who have become involved in assisting with the presentation
and the special events that have been planned.  Everyone is urged to
take advantage of this unparalleled opportunity to participate in an
experience that will bring new and interesting knowledge of the night
skies.

=========================================================

Thanks, Jim. I'd like to talk to you about imaging
some time. I'll be on vacation for the next 10 days,
so I'll get back in time for the big ol' moon.

It was great to meet some of the TAC observers. I'll
pass along to Bob Thompson of the Shasta Astronmy club
that the locals can come free to the Shingletown Star
Party.

See ya!
Michael Huster


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FYI, I've contacted Atilla Danko, the gentleman who runs the Clear
Sky Clocks, http://cleardarksky.com/csk/prov/California_clocks.shtml,
and had him add TAC-Shasta as the primary users of the Shingletown
Airport site.


There is also going to be an article about our inagural TAC-Shasta
star party last weekend at George and Thea Temples in the Shingletown
Ridge Rider Newspaper this week.

Clear Skies,
Jim Ster