Our First Annual Inter-Club Picnic - July 25

The Warren Astronomical Society invites Michigan astronomy club members and their families to our annual picnic and the grand reopening of Stargate Observatory.

WHAT'S UP?

Family day and family night
Games, nature walks, fishing, sky tours – for club members and their families only!

Camping
Bring your tent or your pop-up trailer and spend a night under the stars!

Observing
It's a new-moon weekend, so bring your biggest scope and test the limits of our skies.

Stargate
Take a peek through our classic, hand-built 12.5” classical Cassegrain telescope under an all-new roof and freshly refinished dome, or use all 22” of the Big Dob's aperture.

Messier Contest
Twenty-five summer objects chosen by WAS Awards Chair Larry Kalinowski will be your targets. There are two entry groups: for those using computer assist and for those using manual telescopes.

All you have to do is slew to the correct object, get it in the center of the eyepiece, and call out for a judge, who will check it off your list. You will have one hour to complete the course, earning fame (a Messier Contest Winner badge from Larry) and fortune (half of the gate receipts). If the hour elapses before anybody finishes, shame on us - but the observer with the most finds will win.

The entrance fee is a measly single dollar. Preregistration is requested but not required.

WHEN?

July 25th, from 2 PM to the wee hours.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

Your own:

• chairs
• tables
• picnic blanket
• picnic basket
• maybe a dish to pass.

We will provide soft drinks, shelter, hot dogs, condiments, snacks, and grills. Tents/campers optional.
NO ALCOHOL PLEASE.

Contact Therese Oldani ( ), WAS Picnic coordinator, for more information or if you have anything to contribute.

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Stargate Observatory Reroofing - Plan of Action

Here's the plan, as it stands, for improving the roof on Stargate Observatory. It's a full moon weekend, so the perfect time to work on the observatory. We are going to fix Stargate's roof once and for all so we can put our 12.5" telescope back into full action. Work will begin at approximately 12 noon daily.

Steps:

• having the dome lifted with a crane


• removing all the shingles and the top boards


• adding 2x6s to raise the dome a bit higher


• adding flat boards at a steeper angle to help water roll off more easily


• reshingling


• replacing the dome

Proposed schedule:
July 3 we will be removing the dome and starting tearoff work.
July 4 we will begin to add the new supports and replace the sheathing.
July 5 we will complete the shingling and hopefully replace the dome.
Of course, we'll get as much done as we can each day.

Equipment needed:

• extension cords


• shingle rippers


• belt/disc sanders


• etc.

We have a portable table saw, cordless circular saw and sawzall, cordless and corded power drills, various hand tools, etc. Suffice it to say that it will be better to have extra tools than to have to go and retrieve/buy more tools.

There have also been rumors that a grill or two may be fired up for sustenance, but we'll figure that out later.

Obviously, this is not primarily a recreational event, but if you have experience doing roofing work (or just a desire to help), we would love to have your assistance. Right now, three members are signed up for the work - the more volunteers, the quicker, more enjoyable, and more successful it is likely to be.

Help of any kind is appreciated, whether you can bring tools, snacks, or just yourself. But PLEASE RSVP so we can make sure everybody is present, so you don't have to stand around waiting.

Currently, the dome sits on a flat roof:

The flat part collects a lot of water, which means leaks:


(The drawing is not to scale - the flat part isn't quite so large in reality.)

The plan is to remove the shingles and the flat board, then add 2x6s to the 2x12s which will raise the dome 5.5 inches.





We will then add the sheathing on top of the new 2x6s, which will help water stream off.


Here are some additional angles on the existing structure:



In the end, the new roof will look something like this:


Once the structural changes are complete, we will add new white shingles.

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Blaine McCullough, R.I.P.

We are saddened to report that "Astro" Blaine McCullough, thirty-year Warren Astronomical Society member, former W.A.S. President, and a key member of the W.A.S. family, had a severe stroke last week and passed away Tuesday morning, June 30.

Though Blaine had had health issues for some time, he showed great dedication to the Society and to observing, attending open houses and meetings regularly. He joined us for his last star party up in Cadillac two weeks ago and spent several happy days among friends. We will miss him.

Funeral arrangements:
Visitation:

Sunday July 5th 5-9pm
Monday July 6th 1-9pm

at:
Lyle Elliott Funeral Home
31730 Mound Rd - just south of Chicago (13 1/2 mile)
Warren MI 48092

The funeral is Tuesday at 10:00 AM. Contact us for details.

Photo by Rick Gossett.

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