Decisions Decisions.......

Hi All,

I will be driving to California for a conference at Big Bear Lake in a couple of weeks. After the conference I have about 5 days to drive back before classes restart for the summer. (Should only need 2) That gives me a couple of days to sightsee.

So now I have a decision to make... attend RTMC or visit Palomar?????? Contacts at Palomar will let me do a lot more than just the usual public stuff, but RTMC would be fun!

Which would you do???????

Maurice

I've done both and loved both. If you're moved by science history, you can't beat Palomar (no slight to researchers working there today). It is kind of the "Mecca" of Astronomy so to speak, and I have been very moved each of the few times I've been there. Just one opinion.

It is a busy time.....

The Sunday before RTMC is an annular eclipse--It will have full annularity about four or five hours away from Big Bear. Just a week after RTMC will have the Transit of Venus (of course tht is visible from all over)... Palomar is quite a place to see if you have not seen it. However, there is no more than a few hours of stuff to visit, even if you have some ins.

If you are into science with your telescope, you will want to go to Society for Astronomical Sciences in Big Bear (which may be your original conference), or into astroimaging, the Hap Griffin workshop at RTMC would be of interest.

And if you are in Southern California, remember it is also the home of Mt. Wilson--another daytrip from Big Bear.

Alex

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I have decided to attend a couple of days at RTMC and then shoot down to Palomar for a quick visit. Means I wont have any time for sightseeing along the way, but that cannot be helped as I need to be at Lowell by the Wednesday.

Anyone else from here going to RTMC?

Cheers,

Maurice