SCAS Annual Star-B-Que
August 7 at the Robert Ferguson Observatory
No August Meeting at Proctor Terrace School
Come to the SCAS Annual Star-B-Que at the Robert Ferguson Observatory in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park! Get to know your fellow astronomers and their families in daylight! After dark there will be a sky tour, pointing out the different constellations and many interesting features in our Summer Sky. It's a good time for beginners to get help learning the sky or using a telescope. Striking Sparks winners can get help adjusting their new telescopes. Bring your scope and its instruction manual, your planisphere, and a list of questions.
Star-B-Que times and what to bring: We may arrive anytime after noon. Solar viewing will begin at 2 PM. See the 24" reflector in the daylight and have your photo taken with it! The barbecue fire will be started about 5 PM so we can begin cooking around 6 PM. SCAS will provide the barbecue fire and marshmallows. You bring food to barbecue, a favorite potluck dish to share, other food, drinks and utensils, red cellophane for your flashlight, and a measure of good cheer.
To camp overnight: Adjacent to the Observatory is the Group Campground parking area, campsites, running water, large barbecue pits, and outhouses. You may camp overnight (no RV hookups). Everyone must leave by noon Sunday. The Star-B-Que is intended for SCAS and YA members, Striking Sparks winners, their families and a few guests.
Directions to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park: Take Hwy. 12 from Santa Rosa toward Sonoma. Turn left onto Adobe Canyon Rd. just before you reach Kenwood. It is 8.6 miles from Fourth and Farmer's to the Adobe Canyon Rd. turnoff. From Sonoma, it's a right turn after Kenwood. The Park is 3.4 miles further up the mountain.
Fees and Parking: At the Park entrance kiosk, identify yourself as part of the Sonoma County Astronomical Society headed for the Star-B-Que at the Observatory. There will be no individual fees. Pets must be kept on a leash, with a $1.00 charge for each animal. Parking is limited, so carpool if possible. To minimize jarring white light from backup lights after dark, please park by backing in. Park close together, with just enough room to open your door. Parking on pavement is prohibited. If you arrive after 8:30 PM, or if campground parking is full, park next to the group campsite entrance gate, about 100 yards away.
Call Len Nelson at 763-8007 or email lennelsn(at)comcast.net if you have questions. Hope to see you there!
Above photo composite taken by SCAS member and RFO docent Greg Poloynis on July 11, 2010. The Observatory foreground was a 30-minute exposure; long exposure for the starfield. He used an SLR and 400 film. Note the meteor streak at top right.
Many Thanks to Peter Williams for his July presentation on Radio Astronomy
Page last modified July 29 2010