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2009 is the International Year of Astronomy. LVAS is participating in this international celebration through its normal Public and Education Outreach Programs. Already this year we have supported several Public Star Parties at Red Rock Canyon and a number of Science Nights at Las Vegas Valley Schools. We have also supported observing sessions for some international visitors from Japan and Australia. We are also looking forward to our remaining Red Rock Star Parties and other community support opportunities. Join us as we support these and other IYA events throughout the year. See the Events Calendar for specific events and dates. |
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 | As June comes to a close and I look back over the month, it's been a busy month for us. We started the month with a two-evening Education Outreach effort for Jim Bridger Middle School. Geary and Laurie Keilman and Pedro and Sylvia Torres supported the North Rim Star Party, |
while my wife Cindy and I provided star party support for the visitors and campers at Kaibab Lodge. Special Event Report - Several LVAS Members participated in a special Great Basin Star Party on Saturday, June 27th. This special star party took place at the Great Basin National Park Visitor's Center just outside of Baker, NV. The Park reserved campsites for us and provided dinner Saturday evening. I counted 22 telescopes and and the Rangers reported that 250 people participated in this first special Dark Sky event which looks like it will become an annual event. We're putting together a report on this event that will appear shortly here on the LVAS website. Look for the report later this week. There will not be a Public Star Party at Red Rock in July. Our sponsoring Rangers aren't able to support a public event in July; however, after a few members asked me about the possibility of returning to Sandstone Quarry in Red Rock Canyon for an observing session, I have coordinated with the Rangers and obtained the necessary permit/letter of agreement for us to return to Sandstone Quarry on Saturday, 18 July for a private observing session. Although this is intended to be a night of personal observing, we'll need to accommondate any visitors that happen to stop by. Once the visitors have departed, the rest of the evening is available for personal observing. I'll have a copy of the permit/letter of agreement posted on the website for you to print out, to ensure we have at least one copy on-hand that night. I hope you'll look forward to joining us at Sandstone Quarry. I've estimated that we'll have 10 to 30 members there that night. If you plan to attend this evening of observing at Sandstone Quarry, please send me a note, letting me know and how many will be accompanying you, so I can adjust the numbers, if necessary. Remember to check out the Events Calendar and "Upcoming Event Info" for other upcoming events. We're trying very hard to keep the calendar and other features of the website current with up-to-date information. Hope to see you soon. Clear skies, Rob Lambert |
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Last Updated on Friday, 03 July 2009 13:04 |
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Monthly LVAS meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Planetarium at the College of Southern Nevada, Cheyenne Campus - 3200 East Cheyenne. Following a short welcome and business session, a presentation on an Astronomy topic of interest is normally presented by an LVAS member or special guest. Occasionally, the program is the Planetarium presentation of the month Next Meeting Thursday, July 2 Presentation: Building a Home Observatory by Jim Gianoulakis.
Jim's Exploradome Observatory Red Rock Events Saturday, June 27  Join us for an evening of observing the Moon, Saturn, galaxies, and star clusters. Observing will begin at dusk and continue to until approximately 10:30. LVAS members with be on-hand with their large and small telescopes to assist you in discovering the wonders of the night. Star Parties are free and open to the public; however, the Park has begun charging an entrance fee of $5.00 per vehicle until the Park closes. LVAS is attempting to coordinate a waiver with the Park for Star Party attendees. Tell the Fee Station Attendant that you are there for the Star Party. See the Events Calendar for future Red Rock Event dates. Note: Park entrance closes at 8:00 p.m. so please arrive early for the evening activities. Construction at the Red Rock Visitors Center is progressing and has required us to move our observing site to the lower parking lot where a temporary Visitors Center will be located. There will not be an indoor presentation this month; all activities will take place outdoors. |
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Last Updated on Saturday, 20 June 2009 09:20 |
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