Salt LakeAstronomical Society news release This month promises to be a greatone for members of the public with an interest in astronomy. Not only will theSalt Lake Astronomical Society dedicate a new observatory for the world’slargest amateur telescope, but between now and the end of the month, sevensolar- and star-parties are planned plus a general meeting with the Sun as itstopic. All are welcome without charge.Families will especially enjoy the experience. Events will be held weatherallowing. The dedication of the newly-erectedKolob Observatory at Stansbury Park, Tooele County, and the Clements Telescopethat it houses is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, at theclub’s Stansbury Park Observatory Complex (SPOC), Stansbury Park, TooeleCounty. Club members, contractors and donorshave been working for more than a year planning and constructing theobservatory. Mike Clements, the Salt Lake County man who conceived, designedand built the ‘scope, will be present for the ceremony as will other expertsand dignitaries. SPOC is about 30 miles west of SaltLake City. To reach the site from the capital city, drive west on I-80 and getoff the freeway at the Tooele-Grantsville turnoff, Exit 99. Go south on Utah36; at the third traffic signal turn right onto Stansbury Parkway. Continuewest until the “Plaza” sign in the center median strip, and turn left ontoPlaza. Park at the lot next to the skateboard park and walk to the observatory,which is west of the park (to the right as one faces the park). Observatory director Rodger Frysaid that following the dedication, club member Dale Wilson will host abarbecue, 6-8 p.m. (Those wishing to purchase barbecue fixin’s should contactWilson well before at dalel2112@yahoo.com or801-518-7859.) A credit card reader will not be available. From 8 p.m. until midnight, thetelescopes at SPOC, both club-owned and private, will be available for thepublic’s viewing delight. These include the Cements, which when aimedhorizontal is about 35 feet long, 11 1/2 feet wide and 16 feet high. Astronomical events in Julyinclude: ** Saturday, July 8, 9 a.m. tonoon, a sun party at Winchester Park, Jordan River Parkway, 6400 S. 1100 West. Club members will provide expertise and telescopeswith special protective filters that allow the public to safely view our localstar. ** Friday, July 14, a star party at Wheeler Farm, dusk until 11 p.m. Aswith all star- and sun-parties, club members will be on hand with theirtelescopes to explain the fascinating views. The location is 6351 S. 900 East,Salt Lake County. ** Saturday, July 15, a star partyat SPOC from dusk until 11 p.m. ** Wednesday, July 19, the club’smonthly general meeting in the Calvin L. Rampton Building, Salt Lake CommunityCollege Taylorsville-Redwood Campus, northeast corner, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thelocation is near 4600 S. Redwood Road and tentatively the subject is the sun,with a movie about the nuclear furnace at the center of our solar system. Freeparking is available in the adjacent Q Lot. As long as supplies last, thesociety will offer safe eclipse-viewing glasses at $1 a pair, exact changeonly. ** Saturday, July 22, thededication, barbeque and star party at SPOC, 4 p.m. to midnight. ** Wednesday, July 26, a starparty at the Magna Public Library, 2675 S. 8950 West, sunset until 11 p.m. ** Friday, July 28, a star partyat the Cougar Harmons Store, 4874 W. 6200 South, Salt Lake City, dusk until 11p.m. ** Saturday, July 29, a star partyat SPOC, dusk until 11 p.m. For details,see the society's web page at http://slas.us/ --30-- Members of the news media areinvited to cover any or all of the events. For more information, contact SLASVice President Joe Bauman at josephmbauman@yahoo.com or801-913-3588.