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WHAT: A joint outing between the SAS and the University of Washington Department of Astronomy to the UW's Manastash Ridge Observatory facility near Ellensburg. The trip will involve an overnight stay at the observatory. Depending on the level of interest some may be able to sleep indoors, while others camp. WHEN: Weekend of June 20--21, 2009 This is the weekend immediately prior to the New Moon, so the moon should be a relative non-issue. The weather is usually cooperative in June although unpleasantness isn't unheard of. Depending on how the first trip goes, we may have a chance to do another one in September. MRO FACILITIES: The ground around the building is hard, but can be camped on. There's also a deck upon which one could set up suitable tents and sleep. The observatory building has three bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen and living room. There is running water and electricity for charging batteries, etc. The site has WiFi networking and internet access. The building can sleep 10 people. There will be some UW students there at the same time that we are, and they'll be using some of the living space, so the amount available to us will be reduced and camping may be necessary. The UW can assist with transportation with vehicles from the motor pool. It may be necessary for us to caravan there with some of our own vehicles for transporting camping and observing gear although it's recommended that those vehicles not go all the way up the rugged road to the observatory proper, but rather be parked at a lower parking area, from which we can ferry people and gear to the observing site in groups aboard UW vehicles with UW-approved drivers. IF YOU WANT TO ATTEND: Please send email expressing your desire to attend to jerrykuch@gmail.com. If interest turns out to be greater than the facility can support, we'll have to give out slots on a first come, first served basis. If this trip is successful, it may be possible for us to organize another one in September. |