Date: April 11th 2006

Mid-South Star Gaze News 4/11/06

Things are heating up, literally. Expected high temps for the week of the Star Gaze will be about 80 and lows in the 50s. Some of this note is a repeat for the folks who have registered during the last week. Registration has now passed 100 from 11 states.
Here are some reminders
1. If you want a t-shirt, please e-mail us so we can have the right number and sizes. The design is on the web site. http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/
2. If you’re planning on participating in the Saturday morning Hands-On Astronomy Activities workshop from 9-12, let us know, so we’ll have the right amount of materials.
3. Call or e-mail Rex if you have specific things you want to buy so he can bring them for you. rex@americansupply.net or 479-866-0202. Bring lots of money for him and for the special book sale we will be having of several hundred astronomy books. (Think of the books you’ll buy not as a hunt for bargains, but as an opportunity to contribute to the Rainwater Observatory fund : )
4. We have about twice as many folks who are bringing RVs so we are working on getting places ready. The school cancelled the 7 full hookups it was going to build. (Problems with money and permits) We spread $500 of gravel behind the shower house and will be getting some more. There is currently electricity for 6 30 amp circuits and water. (No septic tank) Showers and toilets in the shower house will need to be used. Sorry.
5. The Mid-South Yahoo Group is still up and running at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MidSouthStargaze/ If you want to join or post messages or look at the comments, be sure to sign up. Thanks to Harry Boswell for setting this up.
6. The latest talks and events schedule info is on the observatory web site web site. http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/ There will probably be changes so while you’re here check the bulletin board by the door to the meeting room for messages. We’ll use the classroom for hanging out (the coffee machine is there) and the meeting room may have videos and DVDs going so we’ll keep the conversation out of there so folks can enjoy the “in between” shows going on.
7. Emergency phone or e-mails should go to 662-547-6377 or to jhill@rainwaterobservatory.org

Looking forward to seeing you all in two weeks. Let me know if you have questions. (See the phone and e-mail at number 7 above.

PROGRAM: 2006 Changes and additions will be posted by the meeting room door
Wednesday, April 26:
• 6:15 PM: Stardust Mission Brings it Home!, Jim Hill, NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador.
Thursday, April 27:
• 8:00 AM: Sweet rolls and OJ in planetarium.
• 1:30 PM: Newtonian Collimation Techniques, Jim Fly, Catseye Collimation
• 5:15 PM: Supper at Lodge.
• 6:15 PM: Talk: TBA
Friday, April 28:
• 8:00 AM: Sweet rolls and OJ in Planetarium.
• 12:15 PM: Lunch at the Lodge.
• 1:30 PM: CCD Imaging From the Mississippi Delta, Jay McNeil (of McNeil's nebula)
• Afternoon: Solar Observing and Swap Meet, Fellowship.
• 4:00 PM: Talk: The Life of Baby Stars: Eating, Sleeping, and Spitting Up, Dr. Chad Young
• 5:15 PM: Supper at the Lodge.
• 6:15 PM: Cosmology From A to A: Aristotle to the Accelerating Universe, Dr. Chris Sirola
• 8:00 PM: Sky Lore, Part I, Gary Lazich at the Amphitheater.
Saturday, April 29:
• 8:00 AM: Breakfast at Lodge.
• 9-Noon: Hands-On Astronomy Activities Workshop, John Frassinelli, Christian Brothers School, Memphis
• 12:15 PM: Lunch at the Lodge.
• 1:30 PM: Bringing Astronomy to the Public: The Astronomy Channel, Lonnie Puterbaugh
• Afternoon: Solar Observing and Swap Meet, Hike, Relax.
• 2:00 PM: Tour of Observatory Exhibits, begin in front of planetarium.
• 4:00 PM: Talk: History of Telescopes, Dr. Joan Schmelz
• 5:15 PM: Supper at the Lodge.
• 6:15 PM: Talk: The Invisible Universe Revisited, Dr. Gerrit Verschuur
• 8:00 PM: Sky Lore, Part II, Gary Lazich at the Ampitheater.
Every Night: Observing or "PLAN B" in the meeting room if cloudy.