With regret

Hi,

Since I had asked some of you if you would be available to assist with this I thought I should post it here.

Unfortunately the International Dark Sky association will not have a stand at this years A&S `Astro Expo`. We had asked on September 30th if we could have a stand or display and did recieve a reply from the organiser Tom Finnegan to say that he would see what he could do. Unfortunately I havent heard back from A&S and it is now too late for me to put a stand together, and certainly too late for me to ask for assistance at the stand from folks here.

Next year the IDA will approach A&S much earlier in the year and we hope that we will be able to have a stand or some form of display next year. Whirlpool, Cosmos and the Connaught star parties have all accomodated us in some way sometimes at short notice, so its a pity that we cannot attend the A&S event. In addition we will also again[1] be sending an article to A&S for publication in their magazine.

The Irish Section of the IDA look forward to starting a productive relationship with A&S in the coming year.

Cheers,
~Al

[1] irishastronomy.org/ilpac/Documents/ilpac-AS.pdf was sent to the Editor of Astronomy and Space in December 2003 but it has not been published, as such in April 2004 the was released into the public domain, please feel free to use. p.s. If you would like an article written for your clubs magazine or to have a talk from someone about light pollution please let me know.

I must say that's very dissapointing.

I can only assume that this is because the astrnomy society that must not be named feel that ILPAC and the IDA are too friendly with IFAS and as such are seen a threat. This is sad and stupid and is IMO a perfect example of how stupid back fighting is buggering up Astronomy in this country.

Albert - I'm pretty new to this site and to IFAS. I started off with a membership to Astronomy Ireland and have kept it going for three years now. I also bought a scope and books from the AI shop and attended the Star b q.

Whilst I do have 'issues' with AI - many of which I have seen verbalised on this website (I thought it was just me!) I, like everyone here, want to see astronomy in Ireland being a success for all.

So, what I see from my pespective is two groups - AI and the rest. I have had a far more productive time on this web site in the last two weeks than I've had over the last 3 years. And I haven't paid anyone here a penny. Infinite value for money! AI on the other hand give a different service - I get a mag posted through the door each month - I know the mag here is free but I guess there are times when I'd rather get away from this infernal PC and read real paper. Other than the mag, all I see is one big sales pitch from AI - even the announcements for the Expo are copiously peppered with references to the shop, half-price books, premium phone line etc etc.

But you know what? AI have a ton of members. And they seem to be surviving and putting in some great work to promote Astronomy in Ireland. The Expo, radio shows, lectures etc etc.

Where does this get us? I'm not sure. In an ideal world without any politics or 'history' (which I know nothing about), AI and all IFAS organisations would get along and work together for the benefit of amateur astronomy in Ireland. Is it that AI is run as a business whilst IFAS is all voluntary? AI would therefore have a vested interest to make money to pay wages and premises etc - I have no problem with that by the way - my subscription is a testament to that. But in the need to raise dosh, they see IFAS as a threat? Perhaps.

Whatever the reasons, the 'situation' can't be a good thing. I think its a real bummer that there is no stand at the Expo or that the (free) article was rejected. What can be done to improve matters?

I certainly don't have any answers but I do have two things I'd like to say:

1. I want to see astronomy flourish in Ireland for my benefit and the benefit of others - and I don't care who does it as long as it happens

2. I will do whatever I can to help.

Dave

PS - I intend to join at least one of the IFAS clubs and pay back a little for all that has been given to me

Dave

I intend to join at least one of the IFAS clubs and pay back a little for all that has been given to me

Join SDAS - it's free!

Welcome aboard Dave and welcome to the site - wait till you see the deluge your response will generate!

Anyone out there surprised that this proposal for a stand was rejected (or ignored)? Hands up. C'mon - there has to be somebody who's surprised! I wonder will the Realians get their stand?

I think Al's response to the "Dunsink proposals" thread is fairly relevant here - Astronomy & Space Ltd has clearly decided to pursue it's own agenda which is not necessarily beneficial to the members of the astronomical community in Ireland. Given the opportunity to promote Dark Skies they have chosen not to, so fair enough - we know where we stand. Let A&S ltd pursue profit while we pursue astronomical Nirvana - SEPARATELY.

BTW Dave, tons of members they do not have. Myself and others here have been reliably informed of the actual numbers, which are a fraction of the 8,000 claimed. One of many ... misdirections ... which have lead to many of us, who like you started out in the entity known as Astronomy Ireland, becoming disillusioned and moving upwards.

Shane
(sick of this circular argument crap and convinced that a revolution will occur. Slowly)

AI have a ton of members.

I'm not sure I'd agree with that.
When AI say "members" do they mean "current members" or everyone who signed up at one stage or another?
Also, are you a "member" of a club or a "subscriber" to a magazine??
Just asking the questions, that's all.

I was a "member" of AI for several years, since the early 90s. In the last couple of years I "discovered" there really was astronomy in Ireland outside of AI.

I haven't looked back since.

Clear skies,

Also, are you a "member" of a club or a "subscriber" to a magazine??

At one stage I thought I'd figured out that you are subscribing to a magazine, since 'membership' of a club is not mentioned on the subscription form. Plus, A.I. is a limited company, not a club.

But a recent email from A.I. has me confused again. Now it appears they are a non-profit organisation;

If you live near our Shop/office in Artane, Dublin 5 and you think a non-profit group like A.I. is doing a good job, then can you give
a little back and spare an hour or two to help us get the December issue out to everyone in Ireland...

Is it a shop, is it an office? - Is it a club, a company, or a charity? Are you a member or a subscriber? So many questions....