Post by fvasprez on Jul 27, 2009 14:08:07 GMT -5
Ok here goes! I got interested in Astronomy way back in 1966! November the 18th to be exact at about 2:00 a.m the morning of.
How can I remember this? Easy when you have approximate 170,000 meteors hitting the atmosphere on that particular morning. (Leonid's Meteor Shower)
So I've been at it now for approximately 42 years now. My first scope was a Tasco 2.5 inch. Then in my 30's I hooked up with the newly established Fraser Valley Astronomers Society. And I've been with this club ever since.
In the beginning (circa 1987) nobody really could afford those Coulter Telescopes. So we went about building our own from scratch. This involved not only building the scopes, but making the mirrors too! With the exception of the secondaries. I think this club has built over the years approximately 110 telescopes with the aid of the late Victor Pollock.
Our 20 inch telescope mirror took 4 years to make, as we only worked on it for a few hours on Thursday nights at Vic's.
I've been President of the society now for approximately 7 or 8 years. And I think I'm the last of the Original members.
We've had our successes as well over the years. But that's a whole other chapter in these past 22 years of this society. And I'll talk about those at some other time.
But we're into educating, school children and special interest groups. We've done countless lectures and field trips. To the Ooh's and Aww's of everyone who attend. It keeps you going!
We've been as heavily involved in the IYA program as we can, thanks to Philippa Williams who is our IYA Director and doing a heck of a job of things. I think if memory serves me right well over 500 G.M. participants with more to come!
Approximately 6 years ago, we headed up the newly developed Merritt Star Quest. With myself taking over for the Original President
who couldn't meet the obligations due to her intense work schedule. So for the following 4 years I worked up a relationship with the City of Merritt, Department of Highways an Department of Forestry. And it's been a grand relationship ever since.
The Merritt Star Quest has been a huge success, and people just can't get enough of it. Your own Ken Hewitt-White came up one year to attend just for a couple of nights. He ended up staying I think for the entire event. Pulling those all nighters, and dragging his tail by around noon. That's one dedicated Astronomer man...!
The only way you could tell that he had had enough was when he raised a glass of sherry in a toast to the dawning Sun! Then he would disappear.
Last years event can be seen on the FVAS website at www.fvas.net/gallery/categories.php?cat_id=44
I am no longer the President of the M.A.S. as I've relinquished that title to Clive Williams who is also very enthusiastic about the event. And visits the observing site on a regular basis.
So there you have it in a nutshell. I'm a busy beaver when it comes to promoting Astronomy to the masses. And I plan on continuing until the big guy calls me up for the Big Tour!!
See you out there!!!!
How can I remember this? Easy when you have approximate 170,000 meteors hitting the atmosphere on that particular morning. (Leonid's Meteor Shower)
So I've been at it now for approximately 42 years now. My first scope was a Tasco 2.5 inch. Then in my 30's I hooked up with the newly established Fraser Valley Astronomers Society. And I've been with this club ever since.
In the beginning (circa 1987) nobody really could afford those Coulter Telescopes. So we went about building our own from scratch. This involved not only building the scopes, but making the mirrors too! With the exception of the secondaries. I think this club has built over the years approximately 110 telescopes with the aid of the late Victor Pollock.
Our 20 inch telescope mirror took 4 years to make, as we only worked on it for a few hours on Thursday nights at Vic's.
I've been President of the society now for approximately 7 or 8 years. And I think I'm the last of the Original members.
We've had our successes as well over the years. But that's a whole other chapter in these past 22 years of this society. And I'll talk about those at some other time.
But we're into educating, school children and special interest groups. We've done countless lectures and field trips. To the Ooh's and Aww's of everyone who attend. It keeps you going!
We've been as heavily involved in the IYA program as we can, thanks to Philippa Williams who is our IYA Director and doing a heck of a job of things. I think if memory serves me right well over 500 G.M. participants with more to come!
Approximately 6 years ago, we headed up the newly developed Merritt Star Quest. With myself taking over for the Original President
who couldn't meet the obligations due to her intense work schedule. So for the following 4 years I worked up a relationship with the City of Merritt, Department of Highways an Department of Forestry. And it's been a grand relationship ever since.
The Merritt Star Quest has been a huge success, and people just can't get enough of it. Your own Ken Hewitt-White came up one year to attend just for a couple of nights. He ended up staying I think for the entire event. Pulling those all nighters, and dragging his tail by around noon. That's one dedicated Astronomer man...!
The only way you could tell that he had had enough was when he raised a glass of sherry in a toast to the dawning Sun! Then he would disappear.
Last years event can be seen on the FVAS website at www.fvas.net/gallery/categories.php?cat_id=44
I am no longer the President of the M.A.S. as I've relinquished that title to Clive Williams who is also very enthusiastic about the event. And visits the observing site on a regular basis.
So there you have it in a nutshell. I'm a busy beaver when it comes to promoting Astronomy to the masses. And I plan on continuing until the big guy calls me up for the Big Tour!!
See you out there!!!!
