Kevin R
sage
Reged: 03/29/08
Posts: 305
Loc: Fl.
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I had made this suggestion in the Feedback forum and it was suggested I make it here to see what response the idea got, so here it is…
When I used to scuba dive it was not uncommon for a person to show up to a dive and have his partner cancel on him or her. This led to the environment where two people who are complete strangers might end up spending the day together. By doing this, many a days diving was saved and many more new friends were made. Today, I am still friends with some of the people I met off the cuff.
So the idea was to set up a forum for ‘Scope Buddies’ or whatever you want to call it. This would allow people to get together without the constraints of a club environment or waiting weeks or months for a star party to roll around. Someone looking to go out (especially us newbies) could find people to view with and become more educated. It also would give an outlet for people who are on vacation or just in town and need to get the skinny on good viewing sites and perhaps just someone to view with.
A forum that is not so visited would not be helpful for this, but this forum is extremely active, so it might be beneficial to the people involved here.
So what do you all think?
Kevin (2)
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If you want to see the most beautiful girl in the world, click here!
Lakeland, Fl
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saxmaneagle
super member
Reged: 08/21/07
Posts: 174
Loc: Saint Francis, MN
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....I second the motion
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AstroRealtor
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/26/08
Posts: 538
Loc: Terra Firma
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I'll be in Vero Beach during the full moon starting on the 20th until the 27th. I wonder how far I will be from Lakeland? I am going to bring my 3.5" refractor and a small tripod. I was hoping to at least see the Southern Cross and Omega Centauri.
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Clear Skies, Jim
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Discovering: Messier objects, Deep sky treasures, NGCs, Double stars, & Nebulae of all kinds.
Televue 85 "Polaris" Mount
Custom Crafted Newtonian Dob 8" f7 w/Feathertouch
Celestron Cometron Reflector 114mm f8
Zeiss Diafun 8 X 30 Binos
Zeiss 10 X 56 Binos
 Aldrich Astronomical Society
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rd56
sage
Reged: 12/17/06
Posts: 285
Loc: Central New Jersey
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Quote:
So what do you all think?
Actually, I think you have a very good idea there  . If I found that someone from my area was looking to get out, I'd certainly be game.
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-Orion SkyQuest Intelliscope XT8
-Meade ETX-105 Maksutov-Cassegrain
-Antares 8X50 RACI Finder
-Alt-Az/EQ mount with Autostar Go-To
-Meade Super Plossl Eyepieces: (9.7mm,15mm,26mm,40mm)
-SkyChart (Cartes du Ciel) software
Ron
E quindi uscimmo a riveder le stelle
(And so we came forth and once again beheld the stars)
Dante's Inferno
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LLD
Lucky so far
Reged: 11/14/05
Posts: 1684
Loc: MASS.
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Sounds like a good idea to me! I've met a few local CN'ers Dave ( Bowmoreman) & Dave (Siriusly) and have had contact with a few other local CN'ers who hope to join us someday , We now have a group of 5 that meet at our local dark sky site's! We welcome any CN'ers who would like to get together for a night of observing to join us!
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LLD. Meade 16 inch dob. Meade 60mm Polaris refractor 76mm Bushnell reflector
Meade ETX60-BB,Meade 70MM / USB color camera
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AstroRealtor
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/26/08
Posts: 538
Loc: Terra Firma
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Hey LLD,
I'm new here. Having some fun! I live in Central Mass. Where in Mass do you guys meet? Jim
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Clear Skies, Jim
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Discovering: Messier objects, Deep sky treasures, NGCs, Double stars, & Nebulae of all kinds.
Televue 85 "Polaris" Mount
Custom Crafted Newtonian Dob 8" f7 w/Feathertouch
Celestron Cometron Reflector 114mm f8
Zeiss Diafun 8 X 30 Binos
Zeiss 10 X 56 Binos
Aldrich Astronomical Society
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RussL
Music Maker
Reged: 03/18/08
Posts: 1575
Loc: Cayce, SC
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I like the idea. I'd love to actually get to meet some CNers. 
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--Russell
"Akita mani yo." Observe everything as you walk. (--Lakota)
Celestron Celestar 8 Standard SCT, f10
Celestron 80mm Wide View ref., f5
Criterion RV-6 Dynascope, Newt., f8, (c. 1962)
Sears Discoverer 60mm ref., f7, (c. 1973)
Celestron Ultima DX 10x50, 6.5 TFOV
Tasco 7x35 wide
Several mediocre eyepieces
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panhard
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/20/08
Posts: 2530
Loc: Markham Ont.
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Sounds good. Although it would be another forun to monitor.
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Orion xt10i
8 & 17mm Hyperion eye pieces
koning 32mm 25mm skywatcher eyepieces
lumicon 0111 & antares variable polarizing filters
12x50 binos
A love for this hobby
"What goes around comes around."
"She who must be obeyed."
Herb c
cloudy nights my # 1 site
43.53°n 79.17°w
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Protheus
Vaguely offended
Reged: 09/01/07
Posts: 4637
Loc: Illinois, US
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I like it, though, I wonder how many people we have around my area. Still, good idea.
Chris
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"To tread the sharp edge of a sword;
to run on smooth-frozen ice,
one needs no footsteps to follow..."
"Well, people sometimes ask me 'how did you get involved in astronomy?' I said 'I got born, what's your problem?'" -- John Dobson
"In discussing the large-scale structure of the cosmos, astronomers sometimes say that space is curved, or that the universe is finite but unbounded. Whatever are they talking about?" -- Carl Sagan
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dgs©
Postmaster
Reged: 03/29/04
Posts: 13835
Loc: West Monroe, Louisiana
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Small world... my wife was born in Lakeland, Florida.
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- david
8"Ø Newtonian on SVP, Moonlite CR2, Telrad
PST Oberwerk Ultra 15x70 Orion Ultraview 10×50
Hand-me-down Sears Refractor (Discoverer) 60mm×900mm
"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world, remains and is immortal." --Albert Pike
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Johnny D
sage
Reged: 12/11/06
Posts: 229
Loc: Brooklyn, NY
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Quote:
So what do you all think?
I like it.
I'm thinking about the possible formats (in increasing order of complexity):
1. A simple forum where people post "Going to location X on date Y." People can post replies or PM the poster.
2. A forum with one thread for each "location" (city, region, etc) and a way to subscribe to a specific thread. A person could post to the "Western Mass" thread. People would see the post or be alerted via a subscription.
3. Ideally, the posts and subscriptions should also be available on a Google Earth map where people can post planned viewing sessions up to about a week in advance, and they are automatically removed after the date. This would allow people to search the map for events in their area.
Anybody got a little extra time on their hands?
-John
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Celestron C6 on a William Optics EZ Touch mount (with homemade slewing handle)
12" LightBridge
8" Meade LX90 classic
Celestron C5 on a Vixen Porta mount
Canon 15x50 IS binocs
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LLD
Lucky so far
Reged: 11/14/05
Posts: 1684
Loc: MASS.
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Jim Sent ya a PM ! We are in eastern Mass and observe in the Easton, Sharon area. And sometimes At least once a month in the Westford area! I'll bet that as more member's see this thread the more will like the idea!
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LLD. Meade 16 inch dob. Meade 60mm Polaris refractor 76mm Bushnell reflector
Meade ETX60-BB,Meade 70MM / USB color camera
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saxmaneagle
super member
Reged: 08/21/07
Posts: 174
Loc: Saint Francis, MN
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For what its worth....I live 45 mins drive north of Minneapolis, MN....and ANY clear night, thurs-saturday I'm game for viewing
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Meade 16" Lightbridge
TV Paracorr
Glatter BLUG
2" Infinity XL & TeleCAT XL
10x50 Meade binos
20x80 standard Oberwerk binos
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"Inside us all are such Wonders. Search yourself, find them...share them...and Dream, of a better tomorrow"
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cnstarz
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/22/07
Posts: 538
Loc: Kentucky, USA
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I like this idea, I have a really inflexible work schedule which has me working on the weekends nearest the new moon, all this year. My club meets once a month, guess when... 
I'd like to get together with people in my area too. 
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Matt
Apogee 50mm BB scope
ETX-60 BB
Meade 70-az
5" DIY Newt (wip)
C6-N on CG-4 GEM
Gallery
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jhors
Riddle me this
Reged: 07/16/07
Posts: 737
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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I think it's a great idea!
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-Josh
Florence Junction:
Antenna:
10" Dob
10 x 50 Bino's
I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars -Walt Whitman
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varmint
I invite more abuse
Reged: 02/10/07
Posts: 765
Loc: Pacifica, CA, USA
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"Ditto" comes to mind for me... 
I have tried a few normal posts to see if folks were in the areas I was visiting while on Business or Vacation but unfortunately I didn't quite give enough time.
But I think a dedicated forum would be beneficial, at least to try it out.
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Clear Skies,
Jim
--
"Do, or do not. There is no try."-Jedi Master Yoda
Scopes: CGE925, Orion 80ED (w/ADM MDS&Rings)
EPs: Naglers: 31, 22, 17, 9, 3.5 Pan’s: 15
Misc: Telrad, 2x&4x Powermate, Sol/OIII/UHC/Var Pol. Filters
Imaging Gear: Pentax K100D, SPC900NC
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saxmaneagle
super member
Reged: 08/21/07
Posts: 174
Loc: Saint Francis, MN
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A thought....
Down below, under the heading 'Specialty Forums', there is a topic.... "Astro Outreach, Clubs and Star Parties"
Perhaps an option, is to make a post like "Scope buddy - date - place"....then in the body state where, when u looking for a partner ?
In a way, guess you could say 2 ppl is a Star party ?
.....just a thought.
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Meade 16" Lightbridge
TV Paracorr
Glatter BLUG
2" Infinity XL & TeleCAT XL
10x50 Meade binos
20x80 standard Oberwerk binos
---------------------------------
"Inside us all are such Wonders. Search yourself, find them...share them...and Dream, of a better tomorrow"
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Kevin R
sage
Reged: 03/29/08
Posts: 305
Loc: Fl.
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The Outreach forum seemed to me as more of a group thing. What I am suggesting here is a way to make astronomy more accessible by allowing just one or two people to get together on a personal basis. Star parties and clubs are great; don't get me wrong, but they are also few and far between.
To go back to my diving analogy from earlier, diving is has a few cardinal rules. Chief among them (after don't screw up the environment) is that you don't go out alone. The inherent dangers of diving require that someone be there to get your back should an emergency arise. This one precaution has had the benefit of bringing countless friends together because NO ONE wants to spend the time and effort and money (and it can be more expensive than astronomy) then have to cancel because someone didn't show or had a gear failure or some such nonsense. That is how the atmosphere has developed that people can hook up, even though they might be complete strangers. If you go to any of the major diving sites, or read Florida Scuba News (one of the diving periodicals), check the dive shops, or just show up at the boat, you will find people who are wanting to dive, but need a partner and want to find people who are in the same situation. This is not out of desperation, but out of love for the sport. Google the term 'Dive Buddies' and you'll see what I mean.
Here's a great example...
Dive Buddy Listings
I believe that kind of situation is also available here. There is no proscription against going out solo, but it sure is fun to go with another person. People just don't have a place to get the word out...
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If you want to see the most beautiful girl in the world, click here!
Lakeland, Fl
Edited by Kevin R (04/15/08 02:14 AM)
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saxmaneagle
super member
Reged: 08/21/07
Posts: 174
Loc: Saint Francis, MN
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Kevin, I totally understand.
I love your idea and the analogy is perfect.
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Meade 16" Lightbridge
TV Paracorr
Glatter BLUG
2" Infinity XL & TeleCAT XL
10x50 Meade binos
20x80 standard Oberwerk binos
---------------------------------
"Inside us all are such Wonders. Search yourself, find them...share them...and Dream, of a better tomorrow"
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MacRoberts
sage
Reged: 08/25/05
Posts: 325
Loc: Redlands, CA
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What a great idea! I'm in if CN wants to give this a try.
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Jim
"And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: He made the stars also." Genesis 1:16
NP-127, TV-85
Naglers, Pentax XWs
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THEPLOUGH
Nailed Again
Reged: 01/11/08
Posts: 3908
Loc: Carlisle, Cumbria, ENGLAND
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I kinda like the idea. Got to be care full though, that we don't turn it into one of "THOSE" chat rooms. Their are a few vulnerable people on CN. and it's not as if it's a private members club...... SORRY to be playing Devils advocate........  
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Geoff...
Nexstar 8SE -- 9X50 RACI Finder scope... 6.3 F/R.-- 13 & 17mm Hyperion EPs.. 25mm Celestron E- Lux EP.. 2X Celestron X-Cel Barlow----- Celestron solar filter + A few bits and pieces..
Never give up on any one..... MIRACLES happen every day....
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chanda7
super member
Reged: 08/06/07
Posts: 148
Loc: Southeast TN
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I guess I'm just cynical. When I have met people I didn't know from the Internet, it has been in a very public setting during daylight hours. In addition, only those people posting they were coming got the details (location, specific times) sent to them in a private way.
It seems a little dangerous to be meeting people I don't know in the dark, probably in a remote place, with hundreds (if not thousands, for some of you) of dollars of equipment...I think you know where I'm going with this.
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Chanda
Orion XT8 Classic, ultra-cheap 10x50 binoculars
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Kevin R
sage
Reged: 03/29/08
Posts: 305
Loc: Fl.
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I don't think I would meet anyone from anywhere for the first time in a dark out of the way place. However, we are moving into 'what if' territory here. The same common sense rules apply here as anywhere else. Things like don't give your address out over the web to anyone.
If you do not trust the format, then you do not have to use it. That's the beauty of the internet. You get to choose how you participate. It's been my experience though that most people are cool and want nothing more than what they say they are, in spite of what the papers and TV would like you to believe. It's all in how you look at it. What's the saying? Trust but verify? 
Kevin (2)
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If you want to see the most beautiful girl in the world, click here!
Lakeland, Fl
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AstroRealtor
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/26/08
Posts: 538
Loc: Terra Firma
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Quote:
I guess I'm just cynical. When I have met people I didn't know from the Internet, it has been in a very public setting during daylight hours. In addition, only those people posting they were coming got the details (location, specific times) sent to them in a private way.
It seems a little dangerous to be meeting people I don't know in the dark, probably in a remote place, with hundreds (if not thousands, for some of you) of dollars of equipment...I think you know where I'm going with this.
Those are very good points and we all need to use common security tactics.....the logistics can be worked out in such a way so that anyone interested in meeting can feel comfortable about everyone they are meeting. It's a good idea if people even prove their club memberships or some other form of identification to assure another level of adherrance to a sort of code of ethics if you will. I think it is generally a good idea if the details can be worked out.
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Clear Skies, Jim
--------------------------------------------------
Discovering: Messier objects, Deep sky treasures, NGCs, Double stars, & Nebulae of all kinds.
Televue 85 "Polaris" Mount
Custom Crafted Newtonian Dob 8" f7 w/Feathertouch
Celestron Cometron Reflector 114mm f8
Zeiss Diafun 8 X 30 Binos
Zeiss 10 X 56 Binos
Aldrich Astronomical Society
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Mister T
sage
Reged: 02/01/08
Posts: 200
Loc: Upstate NY
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I'm game!
I live in the Elmira/Corning NY area.
I am currently trying tohook up with the guy from our local Club but I would LOVE to be able to spend some quality startime with anyone even only slightly more experienced than I!!
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Tony
"After the Laws of Physics, everything else is opinion"
-Neil deGrasse Tyson
Oberwerk 11x70 Binoc
old camera tripod
mags and books
Meade 60mm refractor
Elmira-Corning Astronomical Society,
http://www.corning-cc.edu/visitors/observatory
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AstroRealtor
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/26/08
Posts: 538
Loc: Terra Firma
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Tony,
I think Arunah Hill is within your range. (google it) It's a Natural Science Center in the foothills of the Berkshires and skies have been so dark at times that the milky way has truly been mistaken for a cloud! This is unheard of in Massachusetts. Even though snow has been gone in these parts for weeks; Arunah still had two feet of snow as of last week so I won't be going there any time real soon. I will be going there over the next couple months though. We had a guy from an Albany Area Astronomy group join us there once so it is doable from where you are. More to follow. Clear skies!
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Clear Skies, Jim
--------------------------------------------------
Discovering: Messier objects, Deep sky treasures, NGCs, Double stars, & Nebulae of all kinds.
Televue 85 "Polaris" Mount
Custom Crafted Newtonian Dob 8" f7 w/Feathertouch
Celestron Cometron Reflector 114mm f8
Zeiss Diafun 8 X 30 Binos
Zeiss 10 X 56 Binos
Aldrich Astronomical Society
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pops
sage
Reged: 12/22/07
Posts: 330
Loc: Cadiz, Kentucky
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Could it be listed as just another topic of this forum? Sounds like a great idea for me because I camp a lot during the summer and am always visiting different areas. Sometimes, campgrounds - due to the nature - don't have great viewing sites. It's disappointing to leave and then see a place you might have used. As on eBay, a ***** idea! 
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Golden Pond Kentucky
10" Zhumell
Sky Commander
Celestron 114EQ
Telrad
Stratus 21mm
Stratus 13mm
Stratus 5mm
"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28231
Loc: montana
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Quote:
Quote:
I guess I'm just cynical. When I have met people I didn't know from the Internet, it has been in a very public setting during daylight hours. In addition, only those people posting they were coming got the details (location, specific times) sent to them in a private way.
It seems a little dangerous to be meeting people I don't know in the dark, probably in a remote place, with hundreds (if not thousands, for some of you) of dollars of equipment...I think you know where I'm going with this.
Those are very good points and we all need to use common security tactics.....the logistics can be worked out in such a way so that anyone interested in meeting can feel comfortable about everyone they are meeting. It's a good idea if people even prove their club memberships or some other form of identification to assure another level of adherrance to a sort of code of ethics if you will. I think it is generally a good idea if the details can be worked out.
Very good points indeed; remember, you do not have to be a CN member to read the forums; anyone with access to the internet may view these forums.
Carol
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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rocco13
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/29/06
Posts: 1544
Loc: Phoenix, Arizona
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I like the idea presented by the original poster.
My main observing buddy is a single guy who's about 20 years younger than me, so he obviously has better things to do than hang out in the middle of the desert with me! And during the new (or even 3/4) moon weekend, our schedules aren't always in synch. I don't really know any others locally, and would love to know that my 2+ hour drive to the dark sky site would not be in vain. If I could know in advance that several people are going to be at a particular site for some informal observing, that would be great. I definitely would head out with the scope out more often.
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Rocco
Super C8 (1984 vintage)
Celestron 102 f/5
and a cheap pair of binoculars
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alienux
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/17/08
Posts: 673
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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