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Desert Skies
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
Volume XLVII, Number 9, September, 2001
Contents
Beginner's Lecture: Sept 7, 6:30 pm at the Steward Observatory Auditorium - Room N210. This month's topic is Astrophotography and Guiding by TAAA member Robert Crawford.
General Meeting: Sept 7, 7:30 pm at the Steward Observatory Auditorium - Room N210. Topic is TAAA Demo Meeting by various TAAA members.
Board of Director's Meeting: Tuesday, Sept 11, 7:00 pm at Steward Observatory Conference room N305.
Star Parties and Events:
Newsletter Schedule: Deadline for articles: Mon, Sept 17. Printing: Mon, Sept 24. Folding Party: Tues, Sept 25. Mailing: Wed, Sept 26. The newsletter is mailed at least one week prior to the following month's General Meeting.
Office Name Phone Email
------ ---- ----- -----
President Andy Cooper 795-3585 acooper@pobox.com
Vice-President Thom Peck 327-7825 thomas.peck@optics.arizona.edu
Secretary Jane Tongate 623-4056 triton@dakotacom.net
Treasurer Terri Lappin 579-0185 tklappin@earthlink.net
Member-at-Large Robert Callanan 818-1315 tucsonbac@aol.com
Member-at-Large Bill Lofquist 297-6653 wlofquist@aol.com
Member-at-Large Steve Peterson 326-5303 swpeterson@theriver.com
Chief Observer Wayne Johnson 586-2244 mrgalaxy@juno.com
Newsletter Editor George Barber 822-2392 barbergj@flash.net
Star Parties Maggie & Jeff Buzek 760-4578 jeffbuzek@aol.com
AL Correspondent Doug Smith 797-0663 dsmith71@ix.netcom.com
Astrophoto SIG Dean Ketelsen 293-2855 ketelsen@as.arizona.edu
Computers SIG Rodger Tanner 574-3876 rtanner@seds.lpl.arizona.edu
TAAA Mission Statement
We are a resource for anyone interested in astronomy. It is our mission to nurture a person's natural curiosity about the night sky. By giving people a knowledge and understanding of astronomy, we enhance their enjoyment of the sun, moon, and stars. Through our public activities and school evening observing sessions, we bring astronomy to persons of all ages. Our regular meetings and observing sessions offer members a forum to meet others with similar interests and experiences and to learn from one another.
Membership in the TAAA
Annual Dues
Family Membership includes two adults plus minor children. Persons under 18 may join at a special Reduced Family Membership rate ($15/yr) upon parental or guardian acknowledgement of participation in TAAA activities. Call the Treasurer to request the required form.
Options (add to above membership rates)
Donations are accepted for any of the TAAA funds: SA-IDA/Light Pollution, TIMPA, Education, 30" Telescope & Land, or General Fund.
Renewal Information
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
PO BOX 41254
Tucson, AZ 85717
Mailing Address or Email Changes
Send changes to the above address or email the treasurer.
Desert Skies Publishing Guidelines
All articles, announcements, news, etc. must be submitted by the newsletter deadline noted above. Materials received after that date will appear in the next issue. The editor retains all submissions unless prior arrangements are made. Partial page submissions should be submitted in Word compatible files via e-mail or on a floppy disk. Full-page articles, artwork, and photos can be submitted camera ready. We will not publish slanderous or libelous material! Send submissions to:
c/o George Barber
15940 W. Ridgemoor Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85736
or e-mail: barbergj@flash.net
Desert Skies is published monthly by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, PO Box 41254, Tucson, Arizona 85717
As I write this, the first crack has appeared in the string of overcast nights and monsoon season appears to be ending. There may be more storms, but hopefully not the complete shutout of observing as we have suffered through this last two months. It has become desperate enough that I have asked for a day off in the middle of the week to get a good night's observing before the moon dominates the night sky. But soon the clouds will end and the club can start again, ending the pause in activities that comes each summer. We had a wonderful night atop Kitt Peak supporting the Optical Sciences Department with their annual picnic wandering the summer Milky Way and catching a last glimpse of comet 2001 A2 Linear before it heads back out into the night.
The schedule for next year is in the works, to be completed well in advance so we can all plan our schedules. As usual the best moon is reserved for Empire Ranch (most months), with the second weekend used for TIMPA, usually last quarter or a very young moon. Two events at the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum are planned, one spring and one fall. We are planning on scheduling another Kitt Peak Picnic for spring and again in the fall. Special events are also planned for meteor showers or eclipses.
Progress continues at TIMPA with concrete having been poured for the 6-foot dome as well as two observing pads. Work parties are scheduled each month to continue this. This month a group will ascend Kitt Peak to retrieve the support structure for the 16' dome and bring it to TIMPA.
Let's continue this progress and pitch in to create something we can all use and appreciate!
Andrew
Beginners Lecture
How to Align and Guide Your Telescope for Piggyback Photography
Speaker: Robert Crawford
Even modest telescopes can be used successfully for piggyback photography. In this first of two beginner's lectures, Robert Crawford will explain how to polar align an equatorial telescope, how accurate this must be for piggyback photography, and what equipment you will need to guide your photographs successfully. In October, we will see how a 4.5" reflector was modified to carry a 35 mm camera and used to take detailed astrophotographs.
Main Lecture
Demo Meeting
For September we are doing something a bit different. The beginner's meeting will follow the usual format, but after that we will break up to visit the exhibits in the lecture hall and the lobby of the Steward Observatory. Thus there will be no main lecture. Demonstrations will be shown on subjects like astronomical software and amateur telescope making.
Also available will be a swap table! Dig into you closet and bring that stuff you aren't using to see if you can trade for something you can use! If you have anything that you think would make a good exhibit, contact Andrew at taaa@seds.org.
Member News
We welcome the most recent members who have joined the TAAA: Mike and Judy Bosnos, Bruce Jenks, Larry and Nancy Lebofsky, Mark Milton, Robert, Jennifer, Kyle and Makala Rascon, Gary and Pat Vandewege, and Gary and Jane Wenk. Glad to have you join! If you haven't already, be sure to pick up a new members pack at a meeting. Hope you'll make it to our star parties or meetings so we can all get to know you.
Construction at the UA
Good News! Cherry Avenue is open from Speedway to 6th for the first time in 2 years! We have permanently lost the parking lot on the south side of 2nd St at Cherry, but the lots north of there are available for parking. Parking southeast of Steward Observatory in the parking garage should be possible after 5pm and access to Steward from this direction is much improved now that the construction is complete. Handicapped parking is available in the small lot immediately northwest of Steward Observatory and along Hawthorne to the east of Steward Observatory. (According to signage, you are supposed to have a UA handicapped permit to use these spaces.) Thank you for putting up with all the construction obstacles over the last couple of years. Those using the new facilities greatly appreciate it, I'm sure.
Calendars for 2002
We are now selling calendars for 2002. Kalmbach Publishing who publishes Astronomy Magazine produces these stunning calendars each year. They will be sold until our supply runs out. Almost a quarter of our supply sold at the August meeting! The cost is $10 each (~$2 off the regular selling price), or $9 each for more than one. They make great gifts. This calendar, which features a full-color astronomical photo, image, or painting each month, has daily information about astronomical events, both historical and observational...plus space for adding important events you need to remember. This year there are a number of European Southern Observatory images and a super Hubble image of the area near Eta Carina.
Proceeds from the sale of these calendars will be used appropriately as decided by the board. Thank you to all who support the TAAA through the purchase of the yearly calendars.
Astrophotography SIG Dinner
6 September, China Rose, 7pm
While we are still suffering under the continuing onslaught of the monsoons, it is time to review some images of clear skies past.
Come join us at the China Rose at the NE corner of Speedway and Rosemont for dinner and some pretty pictures. Bring some to share, or hopefully there will be some on display. Lately we have even had a computer projector, so electronic images on CD or floppy are encouraged! See you there!
Dean Ketelsen, 293-2855
Star Party for 55,000!
22 September
Arizona Stadium, 5pm
For the 3rd time in 4 years, I'm resurrecting this event. Mostly I set up a telescope a couple hours before game time at the UA when there is a crescent moon in the sky. It is a lot of fun amazing folks with a simple view of the moon. This is the only game this fall with a crescent moon in the sky, so come join me! Planning is key - there is no place to park within a half mile of the stadium, so if you want to join me, let me know and we can drop off scopes at the Mirror Lab where I work earlier in the day. Get dropped off to do the star party, and get the scopes again afterwards or the next day. Come on by and try your hand at sidewalk astronomy for the masses!
Dean Ketelsen 293-2855
11-INCH TELESCOPE FOR TIMPA
By: John Polacheck
Last week, Bob Goff and I went to Starizona check out the new Celestron 11 inch NexStar Telescope. Although the weather conditions were poor, we were able to find enough objects between the clouds to confirm that the optics of this telescope are more than adequate. Set up and use of this GPS/Automatic telescope are truly remarkable. It is a perfect telescope for novices, but in addition, with capabilities for the more experienced viewers also. The telescope is sure to be a great addition to our club.
Andrew Cooper has spearheaded a small group of construction workers. The pier and the slab are now in place at the TIMPA site. Andrew expects that the dome will be repaired and set up in the near future.
Plans are in progress for a dedication party, hopefully sometime this autumn !!!
Almost all the funds for this telescope have already been pledged. However, a few more pledges are still needed. It is exciting that we are now so close to making this dream into a reality.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PLEDGE FOR THE CLUB'S NEXSTAR-11, PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Telephone: (520)-743-1362
Mail: 4530 W. Camino Pintoresco, Tucson, AZ, 85745
E-mail: jpolacheck@attglobal.net
Beginners Lecture Speakers Needed
Have you ever considered giving the Beginner's lecture? It's not as hard as you might think. The club is always looking for someone who is willing to share the benefit of their experience. And, if you can't come up with a topic, Ray has a number of topics, which would greatly benefit those who are new to astronomy, as well as the seasoned astronomer. This gives you a chance to learn something new, as well as help others. So, step up to the spotlight! Give Ray a call at 586-2244, or e-mail at mrgalaxy@juno.com.
Astronomer volunteers and teachers needed for Project ASTRO - Year Six!
The NOAO Educational Outreach Office is now accepting applications from TEACHERS (grades 3 -- 9) and ASTRONOMERS (professional, amateur, and students) who wish to take part in Project ASTRO's sixth year in Tucson. This program forms partnerships between scientists and teachers and provides training, materials, and support for teaching astronomy through hands-on classroom activities. Partnerships will take place this coming academic year (2001/2002) and the training workshop is scheduled for September 28-29, 2001. The workshop includes an evening at the Kitt Peak Visitor Center 16" telescope and presentations by authors of the book Moon Journals: Art, Writing and Inquiry through Focused Nature Study. Over the year, the astronomers make at least four visits to their partner school, working with the same teachers and students over time.
Consider applying as an astronomer partner and get involved in this worthwhile science education program. Applications will be accepted through September 7. For more information about Project ASTRO, its workshop and application forms, visit this web page,
http://www.noao.edu/education/astrotucson.html,
or contact Connie Walker at cwalker@noao.edu or 318-8535.
U of A Kitt Peak Star Party Review
By: John Kalas
John wrote the following to Barbara Myers at U of A:
Barbara,
I just wanted to let you know that the TAAA volunteers supporting your annual activity on Kitt Peak last night really enjoyed themselves. The large turnout and the great dinner made the evening. The skies were pretty cooperative, as well. Many of the volunteers were suffering from cabin fever as far as observing because of the very active monsoon season this year. George Barber was telling everyone that his telescope was suffering from "photon deprivation". I don't think it was the telescope that was suffering.
Thanks again for inviting us up to an enjoyable outing. We look
forward to supporting the Optical Sciences Dept. in the future.
Take care,
John
Required Grand Canyon Reading!
By: Dean Ketelsen
Though there was not space to run it in last month's roundup of the Grand Canyon Star Party, there was an excellent article written about the event by Jane Houston Jones, regular contributor to Amateur Astronomy magazine. Fortunately the two articles and 17 pages of captioned photos are on the San Francisco Sidewalk Astronomers website at
http://www.sfsidewalkastronomers.org/gcsp2001/.
"Four Dobs and a Dobson" recounts the adventures of attending the event with John Dobson himself, who traveled with Jane, husband Mojo, and friend Barry Peckham. The other article, "Bird watching in the Grand Canyon" takes us through the bird constellations visible from the star party as well as some of her special real-life bird observations from the rim.
Check them out - they really shouldn't be missed!
Board Meeting Date Change
To accommodate board member schedules we have changed the board meeting night to the second Tuesday of the month starting in September. The next executive board meeting will be on September 11th. As usual, any member may attend a club board meeting, if you have business to discuss please contact Andrew Cooper at taaa@seds.org to get on the agenda.
Preliminary Club Schedule for 2002
The board has been preparing the schedule for 2002. We wanted to get it published well ahead for everyone. The schedule shown here is PRELIMINARY, subject to change as we confirm events, particularly those that involve other organizations such as the Desert Museum and Kitt Peak. Continue to watch the newsletter for changes to this as dates grow closer. And if you have any suggestions please send feedback to Andrew Cooper taaa@seds.org.
Jan 05 TIMPA Last Qtr Jan 12 Empire Ranch New 13th Feb 09 TIMPA Last Qtr (Joint TIMPA event) Feb 16 Empire Ranch New 12th Mar 02 TIMPA Moonrise 2227 Mar 09 Empire Ranch New 13th Mar 16 Desert Museum 3 day moon Apr 06 Annual Picnic Last Qtr Moonrise 0342 Apr 13 Empire Ranch New 12th May 04 Kitt Peak Moonrise 0218 May 11 Empire Ranch New 12th Jun 01 TIMPA Last Qtr Jun 08 Empire Ranch New 10th Jun 10 Solar Eclipse Watch Occurs 1844 local Jul 06 Empire Ranch New 10th Jul 13 TIMPA 3 day moon Aug 03 TIMPA Last Qtr Aug 10 Empire Ranch New 8th Sep 07 Empire Ranch New 6th Sep 28 Kitt Peak Moonrise 2249 Oct 05 Desert Museum Nov 02 Empire Ranch New 2nd Nov 09 TIMPA 5 day moon (Joint TIMPA Event) Nov 16 Leonid Watch Moonset 0439 Ast Twilight 0529 Civil Twilight 0627 Nov 30 Empire Ranch New 4th Dec 07 TIMPA 3 day moon
The solar eclipse on Jun 10th is an annular when seen from La Paz on the south tip of the Baja Peninsula, and will be a deep partial, occurring late afternoon for those of us in Tucson. The Leonids are competing with a nearly full moon this year. Most predictions for meteor storm conditions are the morning of the 18th, which is a Monday morning. But the moon is even worse than our scheduled event on the morning of the 17th, which allows for at least a little full dark before the dawn.
WEBSITES: TRIPS ON THE INTERNET SUPER-SKYWAY
Barsoom!
By Rik Hill
The Occult.
There are probably some of you reading this that don't know what an occultation is, or an appulse. But I'll bet you know what an eclipse is. Well you have a rare opportunity to possibly see an occultation and if not, it's a sure thing you'll at least see an appulse.
An occultation is when something in our solar system passes in front of a star. It can be the moon, a planet, asteroid or another planet's moon. It's similar to an eclipse where an object in a given solar system passes in front of another object in the same solar system. (I say it that way because it not only pertains to the or earth moon in front of the sun, which you're most familiar with, but also in the case of binary stars that take turns passing in front of each other.) Like an eclipse, though, a occultation has a specific path on the earth mostly defined by the size of the occulting body. On Sept.8 (evening of the 7th) at around 2:10 UT (7pm MST) Titania, a moon of Uranus, will pass in front of or "occult" a 7th magnitude star. This is rare. You can find out more details about it at:
http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/~rhill/planocc/titania.html
Yes, that's one of my web pages because I work with a team that chases these events. In this case we are going to Madeira Island off Portugal chosen on the basis of being in the path and having the best weather of anyplace in the predicted path. On the web page above you will find a plot of the occultation path across the earth. Notice two things. First, the 'uncertainty' of the path is a bit wider than the path. That means it could occur that much further north or south and no one would be very surprised...just frustrated. Second, if it is in error to the north, Arizona could well see an occultation! A near miss is called and appulse, which are fun to watch because you can, if conditions are right, see the motion in real time.
Astronomers are going to watch this for one reason: to see if Titania has an atmosphere. When Voyager went past Uranus it was winter there. The frozen moon was covered by ice and frost. But now it's early summer. Will the frosts sublimate and form a temporary summertime atmosphere (at 60 K or -210 C!)? By doing careful photometery on the star before, during and after it passes behind the moon we hope to determine that. Some graphs on the website show what we might see depending on amounts of atmosphere there.
The brightness of the star makes it worth going out and trying to see it in the twilight. To see what this kind of observation can look like when you are in the path you can go to:
http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/~rhill/planocc/tr176.html
On this page we show graphs of what the photometry looked like as the moon Triton (of Neptune) passed in front of a star. This is what we hope to see this time. But even if it doesn't show atmosphere you as a backyard observer can enjoy this with a pair of 10x50 binoculars, or maybe even smaller. It would be better if you could get a telescope on Uranus such that you could separate the planet from the star at closest approach when they will only be separated by something like 10". You don't need to see Titania. In fact, it's better if it is too faint since then the star will wink out altogether when the occultation occurs.
If, after trying this one, your interest is piqued, then I recommend you go to:
the home of the International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA) and particularly go to the IOTA Lunar Occultations, Eclipses, and Asteroids Site where you will find predictions for occultations coming up in our area.
So now as the monsoons are starting to abate, get out the telescope or binoculars and see if you can catch one faint point of light as it passes over another point of light.
--------- + ---------
As always, if you know of a particularly good website you would like mentioned here, drop me a line at rhill@lpl.arizona.edu
Invitation to Biosphere2 Presentation
By Katy Garmany (new TAAA member)
The following astronomy talk may be or interest to some TAAA members. I have some comp tickets that I'd be happy to share: Bio2 charges $10 for these programs!
Dr. Travis Rector of NOAO will speak on "Art in Astronomy: How astronomical images are made" Saturday, Sept 22, 7 PM at Biosphere 2. Dr. Rector produced the image of the Rosette nebula that has been seen many places. Following the talk the 24inch telescope will be available for viewing. The cost is $10. For more information, please call 896-6251.
DARK SKIES (no twilight, no moonlight) for Tucson in 24-hour MST: 18=6pm,20=8pm, 22=10pm, 0=12am
RISE, SET, VISIBILITY for sun and bright planets: rise for morning object, s=et for evening object
Fr/Sa 31/ 1 - - - Mo/Tu 10/11 19:59 - 23:39 Fr/Sa 21/22 21:37 - 4:50
Sa/Su 1/ 2 - - - Tu/We 11/12 19:57 - 0:34 Sa/Su 22/23 22:20 - 4:51
We/Th 12/13 19:56 - 1:36
Su/Mo 2/ 3 FULL MOON Th/Fr 13/14 19:55 - 2:44 Su/Mo 23/24 23:06 - 4:52
Mo/Tu 3/ 4 - - - Fr/Sa 14/15 19:53 - 3:55 Mo/Tu 24/25 23:57 - 4:52
Tu/We 4/ 5 - - - Sa/Su 15/16 19:52 - 4:46 Tu/We 25/26 0:49 - 4:53
We/Th 5/ 6 20:06 - 20:34 We/Th 26/27 1:44 - 4:54
Th/Fr 6/ 7 20:05 - 21:04 Su/Mo 16/17 19:50 - 4:47 Th/Fr 27/28 2:39 - 4:55
Fr/Sa 7/ 8 20:03 - 21:36 Mo/Tu 17/18 19:49 - 4:48 Fr/Sa 28/29 3:34 - 4:55
Sa/Su 8/ 9 20:02 - 22:12 Tu/We 18/19 19:47 - 4:48 Sa/Su 29/30 4:28 - 4:56
We/Th 19/20 20:19 - 4:49
Su/Mo 9/10 20:00 - 22:52 Th/Fr 20/21 20:57 - 4:50 Su/Mo 30/ 1 - - -
Weekend Sun Sun Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn
Sa/Su Set Rise Set Vi Rise Vi Set Vi Rise Vi Rise Vi Vi=Visibility
1/ 2 18:46 5:58 19:42 6 3:24 -3 0:10 -1 1:15 -2 23:31 0 -3 brilliant
8/ 9 18:37 6:02 19:37 5 3:36 -3 23:58 0 0:53 -2 23:05 0 0 conspicuous
15/16 18:28 6:07 19:28 5 3:49 -3 23:48 0 0:30 -2 22:38 0 3 moderate
22/23 18:18 6:11 19:15 6 4:02 -2 23:39 0 0:07 -2 22:11 0 6 naked eye limit
29/30 18:09 6:15 18:56 7 4:14 -2 23:32 0 23:43 -2 21:43 0 9 binoculars limit
By Erich Karkoschka
AAA Star Party at Empire Ranch
Sept. 8 (Saturday)
The Empire Ranch has been our normal dark-sky observing site for quite a number of years. Empire Ranch is about 4000 feet in elevation, so be prepared for cool temperatures, the possibility of mosquitoes, and try to arrive before sunset. Stay as long as you like, but let everyone know when you are ready to leave; someone may be taking astrophotos. Bring a telescope if you have one, but you don't need one to attend. Any member would be glad to let you look through their telescope. There are no restroom facilities at the site, so be prepared. Attendees should park their vehicles either perpendicular to the airstrip facing toward the center of the strip or parallel to the airstrip along either side facing west. That way, when you are ready to leave, you will not have to back up and turn on your bright white backup lights. One nice advantage to belonging to the TAAA is the opportunity to observe among friends. Help in finding an object or the sharing of equipment always goes on at our star parties. If you haven't attended a star party yet, you're missing the best part of belonging to the TAAA. See the directions to Empire Ranch on the outside flap of this newsletter.
TAAA Star Party at TIMPA
Sept. 15 (Saturday)
What makes this event special is that our novice members can get help with observing issues or equipment problems. There will be experienced members present who would be more than happy to help. If you don't own a telescope, don't worry. There will be lots of scopes set up and everyone is invited to look through them. This is a great way to check out the different telescope designs before you make that all-important decision to buy. There is no scheduled talk for this activity. Just come out with lots of questions and we'll do our best to get you the answers you need. Arrive at about 7:00 pm for a group question and answer session. It should be dark enough to observe by 8:00 pm. If you have friends who might be interested in amateur astronomy, bring them along. Be prepared for mosquitoes, a warm evening, and the possibility of a rain shower.
TAAA Work Party at TIMPA
Sept. 29 (Saturday)\
As you've read, the support frame for our main observatory has been transported from Kitt Peak to TIMPA. We now need to continue preparations for setting up the main observatory dome, as well as our smaller dome for the future 11" Celestron Nexstar. If you'd like to help, be sure to sign the list at our next monthly meeting, or contact Andrew Cooper.
TIMPA Work Party Report, 28 June 2001
By: Andrew Cooper
This time it was concrete that was the challenge. The forms for the 6' dome just needed leveling and addition of some rebar and conduit. The forms for two observing pads were dug out and readied before the truck arrived at ten. It wasn't clear that the final set of forms would be ready, but everyone threw in and they were done just in time. (It helped a little that the truck was late) Of the 5 yards of concrete ordered, 4-3/4 were used in the pours. Under Steve Furlong's expert guidance the pours went smoothly. Finishing a little less so, none of us had much experience, so it was on the job learning. Paul and John-Paul screed and floated the concrete smooth for the 6' dome while Steve Ratts and John broomed the observing pads for a high traction surface. To my relief and several others voiced amazement my curved masonite forms held the enormous weight of 16" deep wet concrete. The heat took its toll, at times I felt the heat stress and had to retreat to shade and water. But we managed and all three pours should serve the club well in the future. Hosing down the concrete would help the curing, but from the sound of rain on the roof tonight Mother Nature is doing that for us.
Many thanks to Robert Callanan, Steve Furlong, John Kalas, Steve Ratts, John-Paul Sosville and Paul Weber for helping out. Our goal of one concrete step towards our final plan each month continues.
TIMPA Work Party Report, 25 August 2001
By: John Kalas
Finally! On Saturday, 8/25, thirteen TAAA Members and friends trekked up to Kitt Peak to transfer the large observatory support structure to TIMPA. Claude and Teresa Plymate coordinated our visit with NOAO and led us down to the "meadow". Once again, Gerson's Used Building Materials donated the use of their large flatbed truck. Jim O'Grady, a manager at Gerson's, expertly drove the vehicle down the winding, rutted road to the "meadow" where the structure was stored. Traveling with Jim in the truck were TAAA Member, Rich Watson, and his friend Jason Young, who guides tours at the Flandrau Planetarium. Phil Hollis brought the power in the form of a nifty generator. Tom Alexander used his Sawsall power hacksaw to cut one side of the structure and Steve Furlong used his handheld band saw to cut the other side. It was like butter.
Once the structure was cut in half, all thirteen volunteers hoisted the two pieces onto the bed of the truck where they were securely fastened. Now came the real test; driving the loaded truck back up the steep, narrow, rutted road. All went well and it was down the mountain to the TIMPA Site. At TIMPA, the pieces were unloaded and set on the ground adjacent to the footer trench for the observatory. Other TAAA Members who volunteered their Saturday afternoon were; George Barber, Ed Finney, Robert Crawford, Thom Peck and John Kalas. Many thanks to all of the volunteers in helping our club move a step closer to the exciting realization of our own observatory.
TAAA Board of Directors Meeting - August 13th, 2001
Board Members Present: Andrew Cooper, Thom Peck, Terri Lappin,
Steve Petersen, and John Kalas
Call to Order 1910
Adjourned 2050
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