Astronomy Irelands so-called 'fundraiser'

Now getting the other half actually interested in astronomy is something I have yet to manage

:lol: tell me about it!! When Comet Machholz was at its best I brought herself out to take a look at this magnificent sight!! All she could muster the enthusiasm to say was 'Ooh its blurry!!"

:sheesh:

Buy her (and yourself) a woolly hat and a good pair of warm boots - that'll do the trick!

Very good advice!



The well dressed astronomer

Bart - the money you pay to AI is for the 'club membership'. The magazine is free. None of your money goes to pay for the magazine - right? When I last joined, that's how it was advertised.

Now, how does the magazine get paid for? Hmmm. A&S are re-imbursed - more hmmmms....

Can anyone say 'transparency and accountability please'?

As for hot drinks - hmmm. Stumbling around in the dark - what if I walked into a telescope? As a health and safety professional, I can list loads more risks that would do more harm than a cup of tea. Can anyone say 'look at all those cars'?

Sorry for being sarcastic Dave G. I know you really get the brunt of this and I'm sorry for that. Its not personal though. And I know you're committed to astronomy so you're a cool guy in my book

Al - no cool gizmos? A tragedy...

All the best

Dave McD

Something else that comes to mind that I really think dramatically muddies the water is that David Moore is both AI and A&S. He is the man who holds the reigns in both.

Why is this a problem? Other people run astronomy clubs and astronomy businesses too.

"support your club, buy from our shop"

As I said before Bart, AI could not exist without A&S. A&S provides AI with the means to supply its members with a full colour magazine. Many years ago before A&S, AI could not meet its obligation in that regard and almost went under. So by supporting A&S you support AI too. Yes its all 'marketing speil' but thats all it is.

As for hot drinks - hmmm. Stumbling around in the dark - what if I walked into a telescope? As a health and safety professional, I can list loads more risks that would do more harm than a cup of tea. Can anyone say 'look at all those cars'?

I was just suggesting something that crossed my mind. As I said I'll suggest this to the SBQ organisers. As for walking into a telescope, every telescope is supposed to my staffed to ensure this doesnt happen, but you are right there are lots of other risks.

The big problem with star b q's is weather. From my experience if the weather is good everyone is well pleased. If it ends up cloudy and we all know too well how easy that can happen even with a perfect forecast, then people understandably dont have such a good time.

Al - surely half of you would be cold with that setup? And how do you pee? Better rephrase that. How would one pee?

Dave - when I showed her indoors the moon, she said 'all I can see are funny clouds' . Yes, they're craters and Maria dear... :lol:

Since then, she's moved on and is now at the point where she's determined to get my ETX70 out and have a go at it. :shock:

Dave McD