Bill, Sorry for the long delay; still at work (9:35 pm) and tired! I'm thinking let's shoot for either the 26th or 27th, whichever works better for you, and see if the weather cooperates! Keep in touch, Richard --- Bill Sprunger <bills@provo.edu> wrote:

Guess I should have considered the moon! Later in the month would work great, but I apologize, I forgot all about UEA weekend, which is from the 19th to the 23rd. The kids will be gone on their break and I don't think that would work. I am supposed to be in nashville on the 28th but could possibly make it work. I know I suggested Fridays, but how about Wednesday the 26th? We could go any day that week other than friday and any day the next week. That time works wonderfully, and the place is wonderful as well. I'm sorry for the confusion on my side, and if we are putting anyone out. Again, thanks.

Bill

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Richard Tenney <retenney@yahoo.com> 10/07/05 1:54 PM >>> Bill,

About all we're going to see next week is moonlight :o)

First quarter is Monday the 10th; Full moon is the following Monday (17). Last Qtr. is the following Tuesday (25th). I'm guessing you'll not want to go very late with this, and so Friday the 21st is probably the first best opportunity if we start before moonrise, say from 8-9:30? The place I was thinking was the new park parking lot at the National Forest Service trailhead, about 3 miles up South Fork, IIRC.

I'm personallly doing a private star party on the 28th for Sundance, so the following friday (28) is out for me, but I've gotten responses from at least 2 others with telescopes, so we should have you covered either way if that's a better date.

That date/location sound okay to you, weather permitting?

--- Bill Sprunger <bills@provo.edu> wrote:

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Thanks so much for your reply. I'm excited that we can do this. I had in mind putting something together during this month (before it gets terrifically cold). South Fork would be great. I am going to try to get all 60 of our students out, and probably 15 or so parents and 3 teachers. As far as dates, I think we would have a better turnout of students if it was on a night after school. Maybe a Thursday or Friday? We will take great care to have our students be cautious with the equipment, and well-behaved. If it works for your people, we could put everything together as soon as this next coming week. But we'd be able to work around your schedule. Once we have a date, I'll sign up parents to drive the kids up, and we could work out the details.

Again, thanks.

Bill Sprunger

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Richard Tenney <retenney@yahoo.com> 10/06/05 3:55 PM >>> Bill,

I think we (UVAA) could come up with something for you. What date range do you have in mind, and how many students/parents are we talking about? Would a trip up Provo/South Fork canyon work out ok as far as a "dark site" goes?

Let me know and I'll put the word out... Regards, Richard Tenney

--- Bill Sprunger <bills@provo.edu> wrote:

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Hi,

My name is Bill Sprunger. I'm a sixth grade teacher at Franklin elementary in Provo. I was looking on the internet for local astronomy groups. I found your name there.

I'm trying to make some contacts in the community about getting my students, who are 11 and 12, to some kind of a star party where they can experience the thrill of actually viewing and talking about the night sky. Out of 60 students in our sixth grade, 2 or 3 have ever looked through a telescope. Although I did a lot of viewing as a kid and have an 8" dobsonian around, I am far from an expert on the subject, and don't feel like I could do something like this on my own with only one scope. Our school could come up with a bus or parent drivers to get out to someplace dark. If we could find some willing local folks to share their knowledge (and telescopes) with our students, we would be thrilled. It would add a whole new dimension to their learning. We may also be able to come up with some funds to reimburse local folks for their efforts. If you are able to help us in any way, or point us in the right direction, please let me know.

Thanks,

Bill Sprunger

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