82 replies to this topic

[combatdad]

I wonder if they would rent this scope out for the night? 

 

Dave

[Jim Curry]

I wonder if they would rent this scope out for the night? 

 

Dave

 

Now that would be a star party to meet at!

 

Jim

[BigC]

I wonder if they would rent this scope out for the night? 

 

Dave

There must be  quite a few who would pay a modest fee for the opportunity to use  a 6" Unitron or some other big  and /or classic scopes. 

[CCD-Freak]

 

I wonder if they would rent this scope out for the night? 

 

Dave

 

Now that would be a star party to meet at!

 

Jim

 

 

I bet if you contacted Ron or Preston you could get a night arranged.  I might like to join you.

 

John

CCD-Freak

Edited by CCD-Freak, 03 November 2014 - 01:21 PM.

[Jim Curry]

 

 

I wonder if they would rent this scope out for the night? 

 

Dave

 

Now that would be a star party to meet at!

 

Jim

 

 

I bet if you contacted Ron or Preston you could get a night arranged.  I might like to join you.

 

John

CCD-Freak

 

 

I know they hold a well attended public star party the first Saturday of the month, weather permitting.  The program is run by physics and/or astronomy majors.  In addition to the 6" they have two other roll-offs with 8 SCT's and another domed instrument with a 12-16" scope in it.  They collect $5/adult at the door (table off the parking lot).  Don't know if that goes for maintenance or a late night kegger :>). 

 

I'm guessing they collected around $200 the night I was there.  So, if the department head approved of this I'm thinking they only really need one attendant and perhaps a $200 donation. Depending on how much eyepiece time a group would want, say a group of 10 could be formed at $20/each.  The organizer would be on the hook for the fee so prepare to bring a little extra cash for the no-shows...In any case the organizer can get details from the school.

 

I would also recommend bringing your own suite of eyepieces, perhaps one of the Type B Unihex's. Or even a TEC turret so you can have a modern set of parfocal ep's to rotate thru.  I really can't imagine wanting to get into an eyepiece juggling act while sitting on a ladder. 

 

So let's have a show of hands on this to see what level of interest there is.

 

Jim

[combatdad]

Jim,  as with most things, timing is everything. I have a visit to Denton, Texas on my "to do" list, but for next year as a part of a road trip out to Arizona that includes various stops to visit relatives.  Haven't scheduled a date yet.  What time-frame were you thinking?

 

Dave

[CCD-Freak]

Count me in.  I am only about an hour from the UNT observatory.

 

 

John

CCD-Freak

WD5IKX

[twhite]

Heck, I might even make a trip down to Denton for something like this... :-)

[Geo31]

I may be in.  I have family that lives just south of Denton.

 

BTW, if you are planning a trip through Texas, you MUST visit McDonald Observatory.  Really you should try to visit on a Special Viewing Night with the 82" Otto Struve scope.  It ain't cheap, but OMG is it ever worth it.  Breathtaking.  Absolutely breathtaking.

[Jim Curry]

Wellll, perhaps I should ring them up.

 

Jim

[Unknownastron]

If renting the scope for a night becomes a reality let me know.  I would certainly be willing to part with 20 bucks for such an opportunity.  I would suggest we might want to wait a couple of months until Jupiter or Saturn is well placed.  That scope just shouts 'planetary observing'!

Clear skies and clean glass,

Mike

[Jim Curry]

Oh, I agree wholeheartedly.  April/May would be a good time, perhaps time it with a young moon.

 

Jim

[Jim Curry]

Star party update.

 

They do rent the observatory out for star parties.  Up to 10 folks, $100 for 1.5 hours.  $50 deposit.

 

Put your name on the sign up sheet :>)  PM me.

 

Jim

[Jim Curry]

I'm thinking of a spring time frame when Jupiter is up in the east and perhaps a youngish moon.  If interested parties want to start posting possible weekends on this thread we can try to reach a consensus.

 

Jim

[Geo31]

Gotta pay attention to the rainy season. I got caught out first time I went to McDonald.

[combatdad]

You guys who know best work it out.  I'm retired and haven't started planning my trip which can be in the Apr-May time frame.  I'll be making stops in AZ, OK, and TX so have some flexibility....even when I'm on the raod if we have to shift because of weather.  Flexibility is the key to air power! 

 

Dave

[CCD-Freak]

In March Sat 21st is one day after NM and Sat 28th is on day after 1stQ.

in April Sat 18th is NM and Sat 25th is on 1stQ

and May Sat 23rd is 2 days before 1stQ

 

 

John

CCD-Freak

WD5IKX

[Jim Curry]

Getting back to renting the 6" scope.

 

The Rafes Observatory is excited about renting to a bunch of Unitron enthusiasts.  The director is a member of my club, the Ft. Worth Astronomical Society.

 

Rates for usage vary.  For a 1.5 hour exclusive use, $100 for less than ten folks, over 10 people, $10/each.

 

They are also up for a classic telescope star party.  I suggest a one night, 5 hour party (7-12) classic star party.  For 10 or more folks it's $35/person plus a $50 deposit.

 

The reason I'm thinking of a whole evening event is the travel involved for most folks.  A Saturday night party, travel during the day, we rendezvous for an early dinner together in Denton then set up classics on the observatory grounds at 7pm.  This will provide lots of relaxed time for each of us at the 6" plus a few classics on the grass gives the other folks something to do waiting their turn.  I mentioned I'd like to bring my own Super Unihex and ep's and they're good with that, too. 

 

Looking at dates.  Assuming the primary interest is solar system, March 28 with a rain date of April 11 are attractive.  We'll have both Jupiter and the moon rising and transiting during our visit on the 28th, Jupiter only on the 11th.

 

So, anyone want to play with a 6" Unitron?

 

Jim

[twhite]

Very interested, if I can make the dates work.  Unfortunately I won't know until we get closer.  

[Geo31]

My schedule is somewhat fluid at the moment, but I am interested.  As this firms up I will have a definitely yay or nay. 

[CCD-Freak]

I am interested.  At this point I don't have any conflicts that I know of.

 

John

CCD-Freak

WD5IKX

[figurate]

Interesting. I like the idea of a classic star party as a part of the proceedings.

 

Fred

[combatdad]

Jim,

 

I'm a definite for 28 March. Unfortunately given my commitment to NEAF 2015 (16-19 April) and road travel back to Virginia, the rain date on 11 April won't work for me.

 

Dave 

[TexasSky]

I'm in!...heck, I'm less than an hour from there!

bob

[JJK]

 

 

I wonder if they would rent this scope out for the night? 

 

Dave

 

Now that would be a star party to meet at!

 

Jim

 

 

I bet if you contacted Ron or Preston you could get a night arranged.  I might like to join you.

 

John

CCD-Freak

 

 

Preston Starr gave me a tour of that facility last May.