d1anderson
sage
Reged: 10/11/07
Posts: 263
Loc: North Central Texas
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I second that suggestion....
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Dewayne
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Z12 dob
MEADE DS2130AT NEWT 494goto
MEADE NG60 REFRACTOR
A Bunch of supplied Eye Pieces
The more you look the more you'll see! 
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Zebra24601
Postmaster
Reged: 10/09/05
Posts: 7384
Loc: San Gabriel Valley, CA 91770
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I would suggest changing the title of the Astro Outreach, Star Parties, etc. forum to include this "Scope Buddies" thing. As it is, Outreach gets very little traffic. I think they could handle the extra visitors. And if it gets overwhelmed, the scope buddies thing could then be split off on to its own forum.
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Zebra24601
Meade 8" SCT w/UHTC * Celestron 100ED * Celestron C11 * Barska 15x70 binoculars
Meade LXD55 mount * Orion Sirius goto mount * Bushnell Voyager 4.5" Compact Reflector
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midnite4blues
super member
Reged: 11/21/05
Posts: 192
Loc: Denville, NJ
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I think this is a great idea. Its kind of funny, I saw this thread, but never opened it before today because I thought it was about a product (maybe I thought it was Scope Buggies) that didn't sound interesting to me...
Anyway, the first thing I thought about was how much this sounded like musician boards. Like the diving analogy, playing music is another hobby that revolves around people getting together to enjoy a common interest. I have met, both on-line and in-person, some great people to jam with in my area that I never would have met if it hadn't been for various musician-finder sites. My wife thinks I'm crazy that I would meet with complete strangers in some pretty unsavory places (rehearsal studios in otherwise empty industrial parks, you know, the kind of places you see in mob movies where they...settle their differences) but I have never had a problem with it. I've had people that want to meet up at a bar ahead of time and thats cool too.
One option that works well for musicians, is a board where you list some info about yourself as kind of an open invitation for people to contact you. Since its completely optional, you only post what you want people to know about you/your equipment. Maybe its a matter of you having a scope that someone else is interested in checking out before buying or someone needs help with collimation. Its simply a way to say that you are open to being contacted and possibly meet in person.
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Ted
Orion 180mm Mak-Cass
Orion SpaceProbe 130ST
Antares EQ-5 mount
Desert Sky DSV-1 mount
Stellarvue BV3 binoviewer
Eyepiece pairs: 25mm TV Plossl, 23mm SV FMC, 16mm Meade S5k SWA
Single eyepieces: 32mm & 7.5mm Orion HL Plossl, 26mm Meade S5k Plossl, 6mm & 4mm B/TMB Planetary
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RussL
Music Maker
Reged: 03/18/08
Posts: 1608
Loc: Cayce, SC
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Still ain't skeered!
I hear ya midnight4blues. I'm a working musician myself. I've played in symphonies in the safe crowd and I've played in dives with the scary crowd. Seen a few fights and stopped a few, too. I've also ridden a motorcycle around some crowds whose names I won't repeat here (don't ask). Sure there's some risk, but I don't base my endeavors on worrying too much (well, but then you don't have to be STUPID either--like wearing the wrong patch in the wrong territory or playing a tune that you know will cause trouble).
Everyone: I know security's a concern. I'm not against it. Everybody's different in how they feel about it. If we implement some reasonable security measures, then everyone will be happy, including the ones who don't worry about it. (Just carry a .45 and a Crocodile Dundee bowie and all will be merry.  --just kidding). But really, if we do this thing, we should consider each other's needs, and some may truly need more than others whether for health reasons or whatever. Me.....
I ain't skeered of nobody.......'cept the DENTIST! 
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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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Hambone
sage
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 442
Loc: Martin, TN
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I have owned a scope now for tree years and have just found someone to view with on non meeting nights at the club. Some of my frinds are intrested in my scope but when invited they say yea I will come and never show. I like to view with someone else, especially someone with a bigger scope than I have!  I think this is a great idea. Although Im not greatly concerned about security my self I can see why some would be. As said by some before me if some common sense is used along with a little security for the ones who need it to feel safe I think this idea would be a great asset to Cloudy Nights!
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8" Sky View Pro
60MM Meade (used very little now)
Golden Pond Kentucky
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Dain
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/24/05
Posts: 590
Loc: Upstate New York
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UPSTATE NEW YORK, WHERE ARE YOU!?!?! 
I think this is a great idea actually. I've been looking for some 'scope partners for a few years on here now and have pretty much only found one person so far within an hour and a half of me. We have an astronomy club in the area that doesn't seem to be as active as it use to be. I actually sort of felt like an outcast anyways being the younger fella ( and a newbie at the time ) around folks much older and experienced then I. Also, sometimes I guess I didn't feel the warm welcome.
So, if there are any fellow members in the upstate NY area, get in touch! Thanks much.
Regards,
A CN friend,
Dain
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Regards,
Your CN Friend-
Dain
You can't reach for the stars.....if you can't see them. Fight Light Pollution.
Adirondack Public Observatory
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cnstarz
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/22/07
Posts: 538
Loc: Kentucky, USA
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Something else that might work: enlist the help of regional and local clubs and have them host a CN meet and greet night.
These meets could be scheduled on evenings that don't conflict with normal club events. Since many CN members are also Club members this type of cooperation could boost membership all the way around. Meet & Greet nights would differentiate themselves from normal outreach by attracting serious observers while also offer a level of security that most would feel comfortable with. Eventually folks might make arrangements on their own, but the M&G nights could continue to draw beginners and old salts alike.
This could be a regular feature in the beginners or some other thread where meet and greets that have been planned could be announced on a monthly sticky. The host organization could submit an announcement to the moderators who would then place that in a read only sticky. There might be more ideas along this line especially in areas where a club doesn't exist, might even be a way to get one started.
Anyone else have some ideas please share them.
Cheers,
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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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droid
rocketman
Reged: 08/29/04
Posts: 3121
Loc: ohio
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Quote:
Most of us here can afford a couple of spare dollars, or else we wouldn't own the equipment we need to feed our addiction.
I for one couldnt afford to replace my equipment if it was stolen...............that said .......Id love ot meet others in my area who are into astronomy.And think this a great idea.
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andy
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katodog
Supreme Grandmaster
Reged: 03/31/06
Posts: 2301
Loc: Carol Stream, Illinois
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Quote:
I like it, though, I wonder how many people we have around my area. Still, good idea.
Chris
I'd tend to agree with this. I think there's about 6 people in Illinois, and we all live about 5 billion miles away from each other. At the least, I can recommend cruising the Chicago Astronomer website for people around here...
Chicago Astronomer
The guy who runs the site is a telescope operator at the Adler, and is a pretty cool guy. The site isn't anywhere near this one as far as members, but it's a nice little place to hang out and chat.
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The only stupid question is the one that goes unasked
12" Starhopper / Coronado PST
Stellarvue 20x85mm Binocular / LXD75 Mount
Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Sigma 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 DC OS
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM
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Protheus
Vaguely offended
Reged: 09/01/07
Posts: 4654
Loc: Illinois, US
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Quote:
I'd tend to agree with this. I think there's about 6 people in Illinois, and we all live about 5 billion miles away from each other. At the least, I can recommend cruising the Chicago Astronomer website for people around here...
Hey, I'm close enough to Indiana that some of those would count, too.
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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Lucky13
sage
Reged: 10/21/07
Posts: 281
Loc: Ashtabula, Ohio
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I like this idea. The other forums I'm on (car clubs) have regular weekend-ish meetings where we'll work on each other's cars, hang out, play pool or poker, etc. etc.. I like that since it makes it less like a chat room and more like a local club.
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Sean
A Z10 and some other stuff
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Out of Focus
sage
Reged: 09/23/07
Posts: 232
Loc: Roseville (Sac) CA
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Anyone in my area with a new Obsession 18" UC who would like to meet this weekend for a wonderful night of stargazing, just shoot me a PM.
PS. If you have an Ethos bring that too. ;-)
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Orion XT10i w/FT
Orion XT6
Orion Mini Giant 15X63
Orion ST80-A
24mmHyperion,13mmEthos,
9mmNagler
AO series 160 &
L10 Microscopes
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Blue Canyon, Placer Co. CA
 
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Out of Focus
sage
Reged: 09/23/07
Posts: 232
Loc: Roseville (Sac) CA
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Post deleted. TOS violation.
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Orion XT10i w/FT
Orion XT6
Orion Mini Giant 15X63
Orion ST80-A
24mmHyperion,13mmEthos,
9mmNagler
AO series 160 &
L10 Microscopes
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Blue Canyon, Placer Co. CA
Edited by Snaproll (05/24/08 10:14 AM)
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Kevin R
sage
Reged: 03/29/08
Posts: 306
Loc: Fl.
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I would say there's enough interest here to seriously consider giving it a go... Mods?
Kevin
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If you want to see the most beautiful girl in the world, click here!
Lakeland, Fl
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sully14
member
Reged: 04/18/08
Posts: 29
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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I'm in.
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The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool.
-Richard Phillips Feynman
8" Lightbridge Deluxe
Celestron Skymaster 15 X 70
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Protheus
Vaguely offended
Reged: 09/01/07
Posts: 4654
Loc: Illinois, US
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That's a lot of friendly astronomers...
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
Edited by Snaproll (05/24/08 10:15 AM)
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Out of Focus
sage
Reged: 09/23/07
Posts: 232
Loc: Roseville (Sac) CA
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Deleted. TOS violation.
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Orion XT10i w/FT
Orion XT6
Orion Mini Giant 15X63
Orion ST80-A
24mmHyperion,13mmEthos,
9mmNagler
AO series 160 &
L10 Microscopes
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Blue Canyon, Placer Co. CA
Edited by Snaproll (05/24/08 10:17 AM)
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Out of Focus
sage
Reged: 09/23/07
Posts: 232
Loc: Roseville (Sac) CA
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Deleted.
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Orion XT10i w/FT
Orion XT6
Orion Mini Giant 15X63
Orion ST80-A
24mmHyperion,13mmEthos,
9mmNagler
AO series 160 &
L10 Microscopes
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Blue Canyon, Placer Co. CA
Edited by Snaproll (05/24/08 10:18 AM)
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typhus
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/06/04
Posts: 667
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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I think this is a great idea also. You have my vote, if it counts.
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Shane
Orion XT10i
10x50 Binoculars
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Hambone
sage
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 442
Loc: Martin, TN
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Quote:
Anyone in my area with a new Obsession 18" UC who would like to meet this weekend for a wonderful night of stargazing, just shoot me a PM.
PS. If you have an Ethos bring that too. ;-)
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8" Sky View Pro
60MM Meade (used very little now)
Golden Pond Kentucky
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