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PRESIDENT'S CORNER
(From the June 2008 Observer)

Wayne Green, president of the DAS

he last general meeting was another Show and Tell where we learned some great ideas for use with telescopes , astro-imaging and observing in the field. There are some good star parties in the area this year, Rocky Mountain Star Stare (RMSS) and Weekend Under The Stars (WUTS) are two of the best ones.

DAS does not hold a regional star party, but there is no reason not to do so! I suggest we hold a star party for the DAS this summer at our Dark Sky Site. Sometime in July or August it is possible to see all the planets (even Pluto) in one evening, and I think we should go for the gusto! A early evening cookout on the road near the Dark Site (no fire at the Dark Site remember) and down to business. We will have to start right at sunset and continue into sunrise to observe all the planets. Our party will most likely be on the third-quarter moon weekend as we can nail Pluto early in the evening, and the other planets are bright enough that we don’t have to worry about moonlight getting in the way. We also have the annual picnic on July 12th at Observatory Park. Bryan Wilburn has graciously agreed to head the herd again this year. Please chip in and make the work go easy! Contact Bryan for details.

Work at Chamberlin has commenced in earnest. There are boards on the windows, and marks on the walls where new safety features will be added. Window reconstruction should be evident at the next open house. Our thanks to DU, Historic Denver and ourselves for patience with the work. If you ask politely, Aaron Reid, Chamberlin’s Coordinator may show you the drawings.

The SAS conference at Big Bear this year was a real blast. I cut the RTMC part short due to weather and a desire to get back home and start working on my own telescope! I’ll bring the proceedings to the next meeting.

- Wayne Green, DAS President
 

DAS 2008 Event Calendar Card

KEY:
GM = general meetings
OH = open houses
DSW = dark sky weekends
EB = executive board meetings
* = Details of general meetings
+ = Details of open houses

For a printable high resolution PDF version of this DAS calendar wallet card, please click HERE.