Star Party

[fluffybunny]

I haven’t played for a couple of weeks now, and not because I’m
uninspired or burned out or unmotivated (and so on). I belong to a
group of people called Texas Master Naturalists,.. the kind that studies
Avialae and Anthophila NOT the kind that studies the birds and the bees.
Anyways, the chapter is going to host a star party locally and I have
been heavily involved in getting that planned and setup, hence (sadly)
no photography.

Ya’ll are all invited. I know we are very geographically disparate, but
we’re all pretty mobile as well so come on by if you’re in my neck of the woods.

The other thing absorbing what little left over time I have is the design
and fabrication of my 16″ f4.5 telescope. I’ve had the mirror set for a
few years but always pushed it to the back. This event may help me
get motivated to start and finish it. I have completed the CAD/FEA
work for a 20″ diameter 65″ long Serrurier truss OTA all in aluminum,
now I just need to start cutting and welding.

Details:

The Rio Brazos chapter of Texas Master Naturalists will be
hosting a star party on September 15, 2012 from 7 to 11 pm at
Acton Nature Center
6900 Smoky Hill Ct. Granbury, TX 76049
We will have a guest speaker at the twilight program under the
pavilion adjacent to the parking lot starting at 7 pm followed by a
short walk down the path to the farmhouse where we will have
telescopes with guides.
If there are too many clouds, we will try again on September 22
Please bring a blanket or chair to sit and enjoy the evening, we
will have water and cold drinks for purchase. Restrooms are
available on site.
We welcome anyone who is interested in sharing knowledge or
telescopes with the public (please contact us at
riobrazos.starparty@gmail.com)

[Barracuda]

I’ll put this on the calendar and see what’s going on as the date gets closer. Granbury isn’t too much of a hike for me, especially if I opt to get a room near Ft Worth for the night and do some photography or a ride out that way the following day.

[fluffybunny]

We’d be glad to have you, hope you can make it.

[chupathingie]

I sure do wish this had come up while I was living in DFW… one of my offices was in Granbury, and I always loved driving out there at night. Great place for a star party.

[fluffybunny]

It may have gotten bigger since you were here (therefore more light pollution), still if you get out of town a ways it gets better. Not Davis mountains better but certainly a useable sky for amateurs.

I sure do wish this had come up while I was living in DFW… one of my offices was in Granbury, and I always loved driving out there at night. Great place for a star party.

[fluffybunny]

We got rained out this last Saturday so we’re going to try again this Saturday.

[ravnostic]

DO post pics if you can! Finished the ‘scope yet? I’d love to get my hands on that piece of glass.

[fluffybunny]

I will post photos but since it is a public event and I am a “telescope operator” it is unlikely that I will be photographing much. One of our members will be doing the photographer part so I hope to get some of his work I can show off.

The 16″ f4.5 is about 70-80% complete.The Suerrier truss frame fabrication from 6061 alloy aluminum is done. I still need to do all “the little things” like complete the primary mirror cell, mount the secondary and spider, mount the focuser, and fabricate the alt/az fork. Someday after that I plan to automate it with a Meade LXD75 Autostar controller and motors.

I am having severe photography withdrawals, and hope to rejoin the party next month when things quiet down a little post September.

[Author]

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