Martian Chronicles
Newsletter of the Museum Astronomical Resource
Society Astronomy Club
March 2008 Volume 26 Issue 3
March's Meeting : Annual Star Party at FOO
Attention! Up Coming Club Events
Next M.A.R.S. Club meeting
March 8th at Farr Out
Observatory. March:
8th Monthly Meeting at Farr Out
Inside this issue:
Observatory (FOO)
15th SkyWatch at MOSI Sundown
The Scope of Things 2
to 10 PM
The Night Sky 3
Neil DeGrasse Tyson Seminar 4 April:
11th Monthly Meeting at MOSI 7:30
PM
12th SkyWatch at MOSI Sundown
to 10 PM
**Your Article, Story, . . . could be here.
This Newsletter is for all M.A.R.S. Club
members. Please send your Newsletter
contribution to newsletter@marsastro.org by
the 25th of the month **
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The Scope of Things
Dennis Farr
President
The Scope of Things
It’s March and time for the M.A.R.S. Club annual Star Party.
Once again this year, the event will be at the ‘Farr Out Observatory’, aka. FOO.
For those of you that have not been there, the facility is in a relatively dark part of Pasco
County, just South East of Dade City. The property is situated in the middle of farm
land, and just on the West edge of the Green Swamp. However, since it is about 80 feet
above the level of the swamp, it is high and dry.
There is an old double wide trailer with bathrooms and flush toilets. The water there
coming from the well has been tested and certified safe. The ‘event building’ has a
microwave and refrigerator/freezer.
The observing field is approximately one half acre with electrical outlets spaced every 50
feet apart.
Another area is available for tent camping. The area is situated behind a building from
the observation area and a small camp fire will be kept going most of the night.
The gates will open at noon, and a pot luck dinner will be served at 5:30pm. Sunset is at
about 6:30. Also, that is the night for day light savings time to kick in.
At 4:00, we will be having an informal get together to discuss what will be in the evening
skies and perhaps get some ideas of what to look for during the night.
If you are coming, please respond via email, or call me at (813) 833-3918 to RSVP and
let me know what you will be bringing for the pot luck dinner. Also, let me know if you
are planning on spending the night or leaving before sunrise. There are motels in Dade
City that are about 20 minutes away if you are interested.
Hope to see you there.
Dennis Farr
President
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The Night Sky as seen at 10 PM for Tampa Fl on January 15th, 2008.
Courtesy of heavens-above.com
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For those that have watched his programs on
PBS stations or in the Discovery series the
Universe, this is an opportunity to see and
listen to him in person. An event that will well
be worth the trip to St. Petersburg to see.
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NEWSLETTER OF THE MUSEUM ASTRONOMY
RESOURCE SOCIETY ASTRONOMY CLUB
M. A. R. S. Astronomy Club
Dennis Farr
Phone: 813-833-3918
Email: president@marsastro.org
A.
M.A.R.S. Club’s Website 2008 M.A.R.S. Club Officers
www.marsastro.org President—Dennis Farr
(president@marsastro.org)
Vice President— James Daggett
Newsletter of the Museum Astronomical Resource Society (vicepresident@marsastro.org)
Martian Chronicles is published monthly by the Museum Secretary—Carolyn Oivero
Astronomical Resource Society (also known as M.A.R.S. (secretary@marsastro.org)
Astronomy Club), to provide club news and other items of Treasurer—Frances Ferguson
interest to its member. MARS is sponsored by MOSI Tampa (treasurer@marsastro.org)
Florida. Annual club membership dues are $15.00 single
and $20.00 for families. Dues can be paid to any club officer Directors: Craig MacDougal
at a meeting or event or mailed to the Club Membership/ Bob Stelmock
Renewal Address listed below. Newsletters are available to
Alvin Dozier
nonmembers by requesting a complimentary issue. Please
send all inquiries, comments and newsletter contributions to
the address below. The deadline for submitted contributions Committees:
is the 25th of the month prior to the next issue. Newsletter Editor— James Daggett
Contribution (newsletter@marsastro.org)
may be delayed in publication due to available space. Web Master— James Daggett
Membership/Renewal (webmaster@marsastro.org)
Make checks payable to: Frances Ferguson, (Club Treasurer) Astronomy Day Coordinator—
M.A.R.S. Alvin Dozier
C/O Frances Ferguson Librarian—Elizabeth Mueller
1527 W.RiverLn (librarian@marsastro.org)
Tampa, Fl 33603 MOSI Contact— Steve Nipper
( SteveN@MOSI.org )
Membership/Renewal
Make checks payable to: Frances
Ferguson, (Club Treasurer)
M.A.R.S.
C/O Frances Ferguson
1527 W. River Lane
Tampa Florida 33603
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