[Chaos-l] [Fwd: Re: STAY HOME TONIGHT]

[Robert Nielsen]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Re: [Chaos-l] STAY HOME TONIGHT
Date: 	Sat, 09 Feb 2008 09:45:11 -0500
From: 	Robert Nielsen <robertnielsen at nc.rr.com>
Reply-To: 	robertnielsen at nc.rr.com
To: 	chucktc at gmail.com
References: 	<mailman.570.1202520771.26425.chaos-l at rtpnet.org> 
<532322.93264.qm at web38812.mail.mud.yahoo.com> 
<00c001c86b20$6453d400$2cfb7c00$@com>



Everyone,

I just send a note to Mickey Sorrell (at the planetarium) asking her for 
the name of a contact and suggestions.   I know for a fact that when the 
planetarium does their stuff down at Ebenezer, they have a park ranger 
THERE and he closes up afterwards.   They might even have to pay him!   
But perhaps we can figure out a way to get usage of Farrington again.   
I think whoever mentioned the sexual foolishness on Jordan Lake is right 
... that probably stepped up the ranger patrols, and they are doing 
things according to the "letter of the law".

Until we can get a permit, or this blows over, we need to find a new 
place to congregate.   Some of our club members have pretty dark yards 
... and someone mentioned Bynum Bridge (which was good the other day).   
We wouldn't necessarily have to carry everything out to the middle of 
the bridge ... that was just for the folks in town there.   I will ask 
the gentleman that invited us if we can use the bridge more often.

Oh ... and that standing invitation with the RAC?   I've been there a 
couple of times ... and then (a few years ago) there was some sort of 
"tiff" between the clubs, and they stopped letting us use it (as I 
remember) ... which is fair.  If you want to use it, you need to pay 
dues to the RAC.   They can't use our dark site unless they pay our dues.

Robert (who is always amazed at how astronomers are not considered when 
"decisions" are made)

Chuck Cook wrote:
> In past years CHAOS members had a standing invitation to observe at Bigwoods
> with the RAC.  CHAOS officers even had a key to the site.  I'm not sure what
> became of that arrangement.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: chaos-l-bounces at rtpnet.org [mailto:chaos-l-bounces at rtpnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Kumar Pandya
> Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2008 12:11 AM
> To: chaos-l at rtpnet.org
> Subject: Re: [Chaos-l] STAY HOME TONIGHT
>
> Well, I reached Farrington point at around 9.30pm.  I
> found Steve Meister and two other gentlemen with their
> scopes all set up..bathed in the powerfull headlights
> of a car (that turned out to be a cruiser).
> As I joined the group, I noticed a Park Ranger, and
> Steve told me that we were all being evicted.  The
> details seem similar to what Mark said in his post:
> THe parking lot is strictly for use for Boaters only. 
> Any other use is prohibited as per regulations. 
> Observing on the asphalt (we were on grass) was
> prohibited, and having a boating license meant
> nothing.
>
> We thought we might as well try out FPG school in the
> hopes that we might catch Robert Nielson and others,
> and perhaps get some observing.  On arrival at the
> FPG, we were not able to locate any vehicles (around
> 10.00pm). SO we decided to call it a night.
>
> Here are some more ideas for future observing
> sessions. 1) Raleigh club has an aggreement (with the
> jordan lake Gods) that allows them access to a gated
> field.  Perhaps we can come to a similar agreement to
> use that gated field.
> 2) We can join the RAC and have a joint observing
> session with them.  I looked up their website, and it
> mentions that the Big Woods site gate will be open at
> 6.30 pm....so it seems quite straight forward.  And it
> sure would be fun to observe with a large group of
> people.
> 4) Same as above with Alamance County Astronomy Club
> 3) Bynum Bridge might be another possibility.  I  have
> never been there, but Steve mentioned that one has to
> walk to the middle of the bridge, so that might be a
> bit cumbersome for those with large scopes.
> 4) Does any body know whether Falls lake in Durham
> might have an amenable spot for observing.  Allthough,
> I suspect the same Jordan Lake rules might apply to
> that lake also.
>
> Any more thoughts and suggestions?  Perhaps we should
> earmark some time on Tuesday to discuss this
> situation.
>
> Its unfortunate that this should occur so close to the
> very succesfull Astronomy Days event.
> Kumar
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