BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID:-//Meetup Inc//RemoteApi//EN VERSION:2.0 METHOD:PUBLISH CALSCALE:GREGORIAN X-ORIGINAL-URL:http://meetup.warrenastro.org/calendar/10694725/ical/Stargat e+Observatory+Open+House/ X-WR-CALNAME:Events - Stargate Observatory Open House BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Stargate Observatory Open House DESCRIPTION:Warren Astronomical Society\n\nBoxing Day Astronomy!\n\nIt's ou r mostly-monthly public open house: you get to use our equipment and our vo lunteers' knowledge to see what's out there in the sky tonight. \n\nWe usu ally stay as long as the skies are clear and there are interested observers - usually around midnight\, but on nice nights even later. \n\nYou don't have to stay the whole time - though we ask that you aim your headlights aw ay from the observing field in case you have to leave early. Feel free to email us if you have any questions.\n\nWe only require a few things for you r safety and enjoyment:\nAstronomical twilight will begin around 7 PM\, so please plan to be at the observatory earlier. Be careful with headlights o n your way in\, especially after sundown. Make sure to turn the dome light s off if possible\, and park your car facing away from the observing field if you have running lights.\nPlease don't use white light flashlights when others are observing. Others will have flashlights\, but if you'd like to bring your own\, you can easily make a red-light flashlight that will help you get around in the dark and is safe for night vision. I make reasonably decent ones with a red marker and an index card*\, but you can read other ideas here. \nNo alcoholic beverages are permitted.\n\nOther advice to help you make the most of your evening:\nWeather\, especially in Michigan\, is unpredictable. We are always (some might say irrationally) hopeful\, but i f there's a solid chance of an extended downpour we are not likely to do an y observing! If you're not sure about the weather\, call Bob Berta\, Marty Kunz\, or Jonathan Kade to check if the open house has been canceled.\nObs erving is an outside activity\, so dress accordingly - a little warmer than the temperature would indicate. Even in the summer\, it can get surprisin gly chilly at night. Like any other activity\, the key to lasting is layer s\, layers\, layers! In the wintertime and early spring\, plan to wear at least two layers of every garment: socks\, pants\, and a shirt. Core tempe rature is important too\, so pay extra attention to keeping your torso warm - an insulated vest can work wonders. \nIn the winter months\, it pays to have a thermos of a warm beverage. Coffee has its drawbacks\; less-caffei nated drinks like tea and hot cocoa can be more enjoyable. Die-hard observ ers who need to keep warm have been known to drink hot liquid gelatin - it keeps one very warm\, at the cost of only a few taste buds. \nWe are curre ntly offering the observatory as a warm room\, so if it's too chilly outsid e you can warm up for a bit inside. We use a member's propane heater when is is available and normal ceramic space heaters otherwise\, so we can only get the temperature up to around 30 degrees over the outside temperature - not bad if it's 30F outside\, rather cold if it's 2F. \nImportantly\, the Camp Rotary grounds have full-service public restrooms\, with warm running water and other modern conveniences.\n\nIf there's something specific you'd like to see\, we'll do our best to make it happen. We have safe\, filtere d solar telescopes to look at the sun in amazing detail before it gets dark \; if you're interested in seeing our local star\, let us know and we'll tr y to make a telescope available. \n\n* Take a cheap drugstore flashlight - preferably not too bright to start with. The omnipresent Eveready $1 plas tic flashlight works well. Screw off the plastic cap and pop out the clear plastic "lens" (aka bezel). You can paint the bezel with translucent nail polish\, use a red permanent marker\, or red cellophane. For better light blocking\, you can trace the disk on a sheet of white paper or an index car d. Cut out the disk of paper\, line it up with the bezel\, and screw the c ap back on.\n\nRay\, MI 48096 - USA\n\nSaturday\, December 26 at 6:00 PM\n \nPhoto: http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/6/7/5/event_9762613 .jpeg\n\nAttending: 16\n\nDetails: http://meetup.warrenastro.org/calendar/1 0694725/ LAST-MODIFIED:20100108T044209Z UID:event_10694725@meetup.com CLASS:PUBLIC CREATED:20090620T144639Z DTSTAMP:20100312T011338Z DTSTART:20091226T230000Z DTEND:20091227T010000Z GEO:42.51;-83.06 LOCATION:Stargate Observatory @ Camp Rotary in Wolcott Mill Metropark - 205 05 29 Mile Rd\, (1.8 miles east of Romeo Plank Rd) - Ray\, MI 48096 - USA URL:http://meetup.warrenastro.org/calendar/10694725/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR