gavinm
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/26/05
Loc: Auckland New Zealand
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School Observatory closing down
#5473671 - 10/16/12 05:35 PM
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Usual story, lack of funding, lack of support from management etc etc. So I've resigned and moving to a new school. Watch this space - in a few years there may be a Dilworth School Observatory...
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MRNUTTY
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/22/11
Loc: Mendon, MA
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: gavinm]
#5473794 - 10/16/12 06:43 PM
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That's a crying shame when you have the dome, scopes and mounts already, all the bucks are spent. Except payroll 
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ZeroID
sage
Reged: 04/21/10
Loc: Auckland, New Zealand
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: MRNUTTY]
#5474016 - 10/16/12 08:50 PM
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Oh bummer !! That's just down the road from me and I'm an Old Boy ( a long time ago, 1962-5 ?? ). I always wanted to have a look inside. Wasn't sure what if anything they were doing and eben whether it was being used. Found the link to the website about 18 months ago and was pleased to see it had plans but now to hear this ....
Any idea what they will do with all the equipment ?
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gavinm
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/26/05
Loc: Auckland New Zealand
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: ZeroID]
#5474130 - 10/16/12 10:26 PM
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That's the worst thing - like most educational establishments (especially universities) they won't part with any gear - no matter how much dust it gathers. I could offer to buy all the equipment and keep it running myself, but I know the answer the Business Manager would give me.
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Lorence
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/15/08
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: gavinm]
#5475420 - 10/17/12 04:36 PM
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Quote:
Usual story, lack of funding, lack of support from management etc etc. So I've resigned and moving to a new school. Watch this space - in a few years there may be a Dilworth School Observatory...
Where does lack of interest fit into the equation? Don't get me wrong, it's sad to see a school closing an observatory. Unfortunately funds for extracurricular activities are getting scarcer all the time, everywhere. What is available is going to go to the most popular activities. Don't blame the management, blame the taxpayers and to some degree blame the astronomy community.
Astronomy has been in decline for a long time now. Many of the young aren't interested in what the hobby has to offer them. Maybe it's time for the astronomy community to start adapting to them while there is still enough of an astronomy community left to adapt.
By the way don't respond with an "I know a couple of young people interested in astronomy" because I'll point you at a million that aren't interested for every one that is.
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gavinm
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/26/05
Loc: Auckland New Zealand
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: Lorence]
#5475459 - 10/17/12 04:57 PM
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No, I'm going to blame the management. I can fill a classroom easily with the Astronomy Club here - there is no shortage of students.
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ZeroID
sage
Reged: 04/21/10
Loc: Auckland, New Zealand
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: gavinm]
#5476082 - 10/17/12 11:19 PM
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Have to agree with you Gavin. I am seeing an upsurge of interest with things space and astronomical. Between Brian Cox and the Dragon launch and Hubble and other big scope news on exoplanets plus the avialabilty of better scopes and digital capabilities both photographically and in processing I see a lot more awareness in most people these days. A lot of people still seem to have confused ideas for sure but a much greater interest in what is going on nowadays. I got a lot of interest during Venus transit when I brought a scope in so people could view. My picture wall at work always gets comments and generates questions when people stop by.
Facebook groups, online astronomy courses (free!), just heaps of information out there. I know it is always going to be somewhat of a niche hobby but it is growing amongst those who quest knowledge.
How about DSLR cameras now with equatorial tracking built in ....!! If there wasn't a need they wouldn't be making them.
Good luck where ever you end up, I hope you can satiate the need of youngsters elswhere that seek knowledge.
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Mary B
Vendor - Echo Astronomy and Electronics
Reged: 05/21/10
Loc: Minnesota
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: gavinm]
#5476147 - 10/18/12 12:30 AM
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Never know until you actually ask!
Quote:
That's the worst thing - like most educational establishments (especially universities) they won't part with any gear - no matter how much dust it gathers. I could offer to buy all the equipment and keep it running myself, but I know the answer the Business Manager would give me.
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gavinm
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/26/05
Loc: Auckland New Zealand
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: Mary B]
#5476189 - 10/18/12 01:18 AM
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Here's a scenario. The management asks me to put forward a budget towards astronomy with a variety of funding levels based on academic goals and observatory strategic planning... Result? All rejected....nothing...
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gavinm
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/26/05
Loc: Auckland New Zealand
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: gavinm]
#5476202 - 10/18/12 01:34 AM
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The irony is (I'm stopping sounding grump and cynical now) is that I've had way more support from people who actually have to earn a living from their products, like SBIG, Bisque, Astro-Physics and ADM...people who understand the importance of astronomy I guess... c'est la vie
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BPO
sage
Reged: 02/23/10
Loc: South Island, NZ
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: gavinm]
#5476370 - 10/18/12 05:06 AM
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So is the board closing the observatory and barring its use, or are they just not paying somebody to use it?
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Goodchild
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/31/08
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: BPO]
#5477014 - 10/18/12 01:48 PM
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I would think that money offered is going to be tempting, even to a school, especially in this day. Like Mary said, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
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gavinm
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/26/05
Loc: Auckland New Zealand
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: Goodchild]
#5477060 - 10/18/12 02:09 PM
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They're not paying for upgrades, they're not even paying for repairs and maintenance...
I'll ask.
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Glen A W
sage
Reged: 07/04/08
Loc: WEST VIRGINIA USA
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: gavinm]
#5477175 - 10/18/12 03:03 PM
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I believe there are good forces at work that intentionally keep astronomy down so that those of us who are genuine in our interest can enjoy it. I do not view it as a big group activity intended for the general public or for most students. The ones who will be astronomers will find it regardless, and what more could we ask?
I do regret your loss there but schools in most western countries are "support apparatus" for sports teams so it's to be expected. GW
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gavinm
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/26/05
Loc: Auckland New Zealand
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: Glen A W]
#5477254 - 10/18/12 03:35 PM
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....but schools in most western countries are "support apparatus" for sports teams...
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Lorence
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/15/08
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: gavinm]
#5477335 - 10/18/12 04:21 PM
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They're not paying for upgrades, they're not even paying for repairs and maintenance...
I have been involved in organized sports at the community club level for over fifty years as a player, a coach and a league organizer.
There was at time many years ago when it seemed like unlimited funds were available for everyone. That didn't last. I was going to say unfortunately it didn't last but in retrospect I think it was fortunate.
Like many other groups we expected funding to carry on. As funding dwindled we were faced with the choice of folding up or raising the money ourselves. The doors are still open, it wasn't easy but in the long we were better off for it.
You say you have enough participants to fill a classroom. If they and their families are really interested get them organized and fill a bank account.
Instead of going to management with your hat in hand go to them with cash in hand and a financial plan to keep the facility open.
We may live in a free world but that just means we are free to pay our own way. If you want a handout from the public purse you better be very rich or very poor.
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mikey cee
Postmaster
Reged: 01/18/07
Loc: bellevue ne.
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: Lorence]
#5477718 - 10/18/12 08:50 PM
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"blame the taxpayers" yeah you bet we can all keep up with the spending habits of the "system"!!  Mike
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Keith Howlett
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/06/07
Loc: Northumberland, UK
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: mikey cee]
#5477871 - 10/18/12 10:24 PM
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...I think that's more or less the opposite of what Lorence was saying? 
--Hi Gavin,
Schools in England get credit with the school inspectors for engaging with their local community. If it is in any way similar there, and public access (or donating the scope) is an option there may be a way forwards. Best of luck with it, IIRC you have a nice 16" LX200 there that should be put to good use.
Cheers,
Keith
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gavinm
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/26/05
Loc: Auckland New Zealand
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: Keith Howlett]
#5478173 - 10/19/12 01:56 AM
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I'm not down and out.... just at a new school... now I know how to do it, Version 2.0 is going to be even better 
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BPO
sage
Reged: 02/23/10
Loc: South Island, NZ
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Re: School Observatory closing down
[Re: BPO]
#5478181 - 10/19/12 02:12 AM
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So is the board closing the observatory and barring its use, or are they just not paying somebody to use it?
Hi. Was my question answered and I missed it? I read through the thread but couldn't find any reply that appeared to directly reference the query.
Most schools, clubs and other organisations have purely voluntary "staff" maintaining and operating observatories and equipment.
Did the school outright forbid any further access to and use of this facility, or is it that they simply can't or won't fund a paid staff member?
Again, sorry if this question has already been addressed and I missed seeing the answer.
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