ATM AstronomyClub Ideas for Joe Campbell

[UC007@aol.com]

Hi Joe,

I am currently VP of the Everglades Astronomical Society in Naples, Florida.
We are just now trying to get an ATM Project off the ground, and I had hoped
to pattern it after the way we did one in Cleveland many years ago (late
'40s). There the Museum of Natural History allowed us, as a group (Junior
Astronomy Club of Cleveland), to use a large room with a concrete slab floor.
There we mounted six or eight pedestals for grinding mirrors. I, having built
a six inch Newt prior to that time while in high school, was the instructor
under the auspicious Dr. Nassau of the Warner Swazey Observatory at Case
University ( now Case-Western Reserve University). Everything went well with
three work sessions scheduled during week nights. Twenty or twenty-five 6"
and 8" inch mirrors were completed before I left for college.

The biggest problem I am having now, is finding space for a group of
interested ATM newbies to work. Each would rather work on his home turf so
he/she can work on his mirror as time permits. It would fall to me to travel
all around the county to help with questions and problems. As much as I would
like to do so, this is impractical so am looking for other solutions. One
member of EAS is building a 10", and I am traveling to his house to help when
he needs it, but one is one thing, twenty is something else.

With regard to utilizing the Public Broadcasting System, last year we put on
a "dog and pony" show for a senior citizen audience. It was well received.
Other projects included members lecturing on Astronomy in the public shools
(one shot programs to spark interest) and we regularly have an open house
night out at our observation (reasonably dark skies) site wherein the public
can observe the wonders of the universe through our telescopes.

Essentially, that covers what we do, except for our Everglades Astronomical
Society home page on the net. URL is http://www.naples.net/clubs/eas. There
we utilize hyper-links to connect to several different sites.

Good luck in your quest,

Bill Fries, EAS
Marco Island, Florida