About East Dome Scheduling
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Updated 08/27/2005 |
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About Our Obligations
with the George Observatory
The Fort Bend Astronomy Club owns and operates an 18" fork
mounted Newtonian telescope housed in a 16' dome at the George Observatory
located in Brazos Bend State Park. In agreement with the Observatory, we are
obligated to provide telescope operators for public and special viewing nights.
In return, club members are allowed access to the facility on all
nights.
About Our Telescope and the
East Dome
The telescope is an 18" f/4.5 Newtonian on an equatorial
fork mount. It is driven by a Quadrant model Q1 telescope controller and has
"Go-To" capability. Included in the dome are star charts, eyepieces, a computer
with charting programs, and a SBIG ST-7 CCD camera. The telescope and cameras
are available to any club member who has been trained in the safe and
responsible use of the equipment and who volunteers at least once per quarter in
a club related activity.
We offer quarterly scheduled training nights, as
well as individual training by special request. The East Dome and telescope
operation is quite simple, but training is required for your safety and the
responsible use of club owned equipment. Contact us at fbac_edsched@yahoo.com
for further information.
Volunteering on Public and Special Observatory
Nights
Anyone who volunteers on a public or special night is automatically
entitled to use the scope for the remainder of the night. Where more than one
person volunteers on those nights, we expect those persons to share the scope
for the remainder of the night.
First time volunteers are paired with an
experienced operator until such time as the volunteer feels comfortable using
the telescope and facility. Until you are comfortable with the surroundings, we
recommend observing with one of the trained individuals or groups instead of
going solo. Safety is always first!
On a typical Saturday night we are in
contact with 200 or more people of all ages and astronomical experience. This
gives our club a unique opportunity to entertain a vast number of people, while
also educating them about what we do.
It is important for all club
members to make an effort to volunteer at least once per quarter on the
telescope.
Security of the George Observatory
After safety, security
is the next important aspect of using the facilities at the observatory. The
George Observatory Building Managers are responsible for securing the building
and domes before they leave on special viewing nights and on Saturday nights.
This includes all domes, all doors of the facility, the dob shed and the golf
cart shed. If you are observing in the East Dome after the public leaves, the
building manager team will let you know they are leaving and will confirm with
you that you are familiar with how to secure the dome and the premises. If you
unlock a door to the main facility, you must be sure to lock the door before you
leave. Check all other doors and leave the East Dome in its proper "shutdown"
condition. There are lists inside the dome to assist you with this.
Scheduling a Night
on Our Telescope
To schedule a night at the FBAC East Dome, send an e-mail
to: fbac_edsched@yahoo.com
with your name and requested date(s).
You may check the East Dome Calendar for
currently available dates.
The East Dome is scheduled by Keith Rivich, with
Cynthia Gustava and Dennis Borgman as scheduling backup.
The George
Observatory Event Calendar
Click George calendar to see the current schedule for private group viewing at
the George Observatory. These are groups scheduled on nights other than
Saturdays. The cost for these groups is $8.00 per person. (See "Other General
Information")
Note: Click on the link in the calendar to see information about the
group.
The George Observatory Clear Sky Clock
The George Observatory
Clear Sky Clock may be viewed here: CLEAR SKY CLOCK
Other General Information
The dark-moon scheduled
period runs from a few days prior to Third Quarter moon until a few days prior
to First Quarter moon. Scheduling for this period does not include Saturdays.
Saturdays are always scheduled as public viewing nights. Special nights at the
George include all other nights of the week and may coincide with individual or
team use nights. Friday nights are scheduled as needed by Cynthia Gustava, if
there is no one already scheduled for the dome, such as members of one of FBAC's
research teams. During the bright moon period, the scope is seldom used except
on public and special nights. Those nights can be used as available after the
public event, so please check the
East Dome Calendar to see available dates.
HEAT
(High Energy Astronomy and Transits) nights are scheduled by Bill Dillon to
allow observers to practice setting up the cameras and equipment for the purpose
of observing gamma ray burst afterglows, variable stars or any other phenomena
that require a "quick response". These sessions are open for all club members
and are a good way to start learning how to set up and use the CCD camera and/or
the telescope. Contact us at fbac_edsched@yahoo.com for further
information.
It is also recommended you call the Observatory for the gate
code before driving out for your scheduled night. The gate code is usually
posted on the board downstairs in the volunteer area and on a white board by the
sink, but they may not be current. The number at the observatory is
281-242-3055. If you cannot get in touch with anyone, please call me @ 281-468
8491. If you get stuck in the park without the gate code, find the camp-host in
the camping area. They will be happy to give you the code, provided you identify
yourself and explain that you have been working at the observatory.
If
you reserve a date, and find you cannot make that date, then please make an
effort to switch with another member or contact us at fbac_edsched@yahoo.com so the telescope may be
offered to fellow prospective users.
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