What’s up at HGO?
by Perry Preston Porter
For those of you that have been hibernating for the winter, it’s time to wake up, rub the sleep from your eyes, have some coffee, or in my case, some hot cocoa. “Why” you ask? Well you need time to unbury the telescope that’s in the back of the closet or the far reaches of the garage so you can dust off that mirror, clean the eyepieces, or maybe, buy that new tele-toy you have wanted for years.
The days are now getting longer, so soon it will be time to head up the hill to Blue Canyon for the monthly SVAS Members’ “DARK SKY” **Star*Parties**. That is one of the perks of being a Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society member.
I plan, weather permitting of course, on being at HGO (Henry Grieb Observatory) and having the door open every DARK SKY (New Moon) Saturday each month, so General Members can have access to the warming room, coffee area, and most important the telescope observation deck, where the SVAS has two telescopes ready for its members’ use.
Ah, your asking yourself “Who is this guy??? Let me introduce myself, I’m the new Observatory Director, Perry Preston Porter. I don’t have a lot of experience with star hopping, since my personal telescope is a Meade LX 90, 12” SCT with GoTo capabilities. But, I am willing to learn and with the SVAS’ 16” RC mounted and ready to show me, and you, the sights- it’s just the incentive I need. So if you want a good laugh, come watch while I learn!
Good news- the HGO work group has got the dome fixed! Many improvements have been made to the dome and inside the dome area and it is now available for your use whether it be eyepiece observing or astrophotography. Current Observatory Members will need some additional training in proper use of the dome, so contact me to set up a time. Not an Observatory Member yet? No problem, dome use instruction will be given at the same time as your other Observatory “training”. One thing to keep in mind- you must supply, at your expense, your own pier adaptor mounting plate for your telescope. I have helped several members with the design and fabrication of plates and would be happy to assist you, if needed. So get your training, supply your plate and enjoy the dome!
I will be asking for volunteers in the spring for various “projects” that need to be done in and around HGO, more on that later.
I will try to keep you updated via the Observer Newsletter and the yahoo groups about what’s happening at “your” Observatory!!!
Hope to see lots of SVAS Members at BC/HGO this year.
SVAS Member “Dark Sky” Star Party Calendar: 2010
January 16th; one day after the New Moon.
February 13th; one day before the New Moon
March 13th; two days before the New Moon
April 17th;three days after the New Moon.
May 15th; one day after the New Moon.
June 12th; night of the New Moon.
July 10th; one day before the New Moon.
August 7th;four days before the New Moon. This is also STAR-B-Q weekend, so bring your solar scope and lots of sun-block!
September 11th; three days after the New Moon.
October 9th; two days after the New Moon.
November 6th; night of the New Moon.
December 4th; one day before the New Moon.
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