Wyoming Star Summit

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The first "Wyoming Star Summit" will be held this SEPTEMBER 9th -12th at CURT GOWDY STATE PARK. This well established recreation area is located on highway 210 between Cheyenne and Laramie Wyoming.  This location has a lake elevation of over 7000 feet.  With Wyoming's low population, high elevation, and dry climate, you can expect excellent observing conditions.

This star party will also be featuring an impressive line of speakers, presenters, vendors, and NASA presentations.

The University of Wyoming in Laramie will also be participating in this event.  The University owns and operates one the worlds premier Infrared observatories on Jelm mountain only 40 miles from Curt Gowdy State Park.  This 2.3m telescope was at one time the largest infrared facility in the world.  It still ranks in the top 10 of it's type.  An open house and tour of the facility is tentatively scheduled.  Availability will be limited and there will be an additional fee for this tour.

Wyoming has some of the regions most beautiful autumn scenery and weather.  Yes, we do occasionally have snow at this time of year, but this is also true for June.  On average however, Wyoming's autumns are more pleasant than it's spring and early summer.

All together, with the line up of excellent speakers and presenters, fantastic seeing conditions, beautiful scenery, and great facilities at Curt Gowdy, we feel that the "Wyoming Star Summit" will be a truly exceptional star party and weekend get away.  Please make plans to attend one of Wyoming's best astronomical events!

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LOOK WHO'S COMING TO DINNER!

Participating Vendors

• Software Bisque
• JMI
• DFM

1. WHAT'S ON THE MENU?
2. THURSDAY, SEPT. 9TH
3. 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
• PAUL CRIPS;      CAREY JR. HIGH,                 NASA STARDUST MISSION
• SCOTT MECCA;   CHEYENNE CENTRAL H.S. NASA CASSINI-HUYGENS MISSION
• Mr. Crips and Mr. Mecca have been selected to NASA's educational and public outreach programs for interplanetary science.  They will be presenting aspects of the two spacecraft's design and mission.
4. 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
• STEVE EDBERG; JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
• Mr. Edberg has an excellent reputation as a leading space scientist and an amateur astronomer.  His topic of discussion will center around his work at JPL and will provide some excellent information on interplanetary science.
5. FRIDAY, SEPT. 10TH
6. 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
• SOFTWARE BISQUE; SOFTWARE WORKSHOP
• Tom Bisque will be present to put on a workshop for their popular astronomy software.  The applications covered will be THE SKY, CCD SOFT, RAS, T POINT, and, ORCHESTRATE.  If you own one of these programs, this will be a great opportunity to ask those questions that you need help with.  If you don't own one of these programs, YOU SHOULD!  Make sure that you attend this session to learn the full potential of these excellent programs.
7. 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
• CAROLYN COLLINS PETERSEN;    SKY & TELESCOPE MAGAZINE
• Ms.  Petersen's topic of discussion is titled, "Astronomy in the New Millennium" -- a look at the old century and what's up for YOU in the new!  I had the pleasure of meeting Carolyn in Toronto this past July.  She is a pleasant individual and a dynamic speaker.  She has an impressive reputation and list of accomplishments which you can review at SKY & TELESCOPE's web site.  Carolyn will add a great dimension to our event and we are glad to have her.
8. SATURDAY, SEPT. 11TH
9. 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
• DR. ROBERT HOWELL; UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
• For several years Dr. Howell has been a mentor for us at the Cheyenne schools.  His reputation as an astronomer is well known.  He specializes in Infrared astronomy and the quality of his work has allowed him to work with the Keck telescopes.  He will present some of his work in Infrared astronomy with respect to volcanic eruptions on Io.  Make sure that you allow time to visit with Dr. Howell!
10. 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
• CAROLYN SHOEMAKER; USGS and LOWELL OBSERVATORY
• Not enough can be said about Mrs. Shoemaker.  Her contributions to astronomy have been an inspiration and a joy for all of us.  I must admit that I can not tell you what the subject of her presentation will be.  She has been out of the country all summer and we have not been able to pin her down.  What ever it is, I'm sure that we all will enjoy this remarkable lady!  We have saved her the center stage at prime time for this star party.  If you miss this, you will be missing one of the true gems that we all have been blessed with.

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12. DON'T' MISS OUT !
13. Please fill out our REGISTRATION form, or contact Scott Mecca by email at:
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15. scmecca@wyoming.com
16. or call at:
17. 307 635-1511
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19. FEES:
20. STAR SUMMIT:                                                     $20.00
21. WYOMING INFRARED OBSERVATORY TOUR:         $  5.00    (PENDING & LIMITED)
22. CURT GOWDY CAMPING FEE:                                   $  4.00 / NIGHT
23. PTSB RECERTIFICATION CREDIT                             $25.00
24. HOLIDAY INN ROOM RATES                                      $55.00 / NIGHT    307 638-4466

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26. WHAT ELSE?
27. We assume that many of you are veteran star party attendees.  We hope that you will plan for both cold evening viewing and hot, daytime recreation.  Also, please follow the standard star party procedures for keeping the location as dark as possible.
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29. Curt Gowdy State Park is a well organized facility.  The park has rules which we will need to follow.  There is a full time park ranger on patrol at all times.  This should offer you an added assurance of security.  We will locate on the south side of Granite reservoir in the Sherman Hills area for the evening viewing.  The speakers and workshops will be held at Gilchrist Elementary school 10 minutes east of the park.  Check in and fee payment will be at the fee booth at the entrance of the park.
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31. If you or your club has a need for a gathering site, the park has a natural amphitheater that is available.  Anyone wishing to present some of their work, ideas, or experiences, is welcome.  This location also offers an excellent site for a swap.
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33. Curt Gowdy offers many recreational opportunities.  There is a lighted boat ramp and a lighted dumping station.  These lights cannot be turned off.  They are located on the north side of the lake.  If you would like a totally dark location, you may camp at a self contained site in the north west region of the park.  Please contact us if this is something that you prefer.

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35. A BIG THANKS!!!
36. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS FOR HELPING TO MAKE THIS EVENT POSSIBLE.
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38. LARAMIE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1
39. SOFTWARE BISQUE
40. UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
41. WYOMING.COM
42. GREATER CHEYENNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
43. CHEYENNE AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

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