Just checking to see if any one does astronomy in Southern Illinois. I live outside of Johnston City, north of Marion, North East of Carbondale. I observe with a 10" DOB out in my back field. I've searched Google, but have had no luck in my search.

If your out there, please post.

Gordo

I don't live in the area, but I know there is an astronomy club in Carbondale.  It's called the Astronomical Society of Southern Illinois (or something close to that).  That might be a start for you.  I've had a fondness for that part of the state since I spent a good chunk of time crawling around under the landscape down there in my youth.

Good luck with your search, Gordon.

TD

 Hi there, I just joined this forum and found your message.

I live in McLeansboro, that's not too far away.

I used to belong to the Carbondale group when they were meeting at John A Logan College, but they moved their meeting place farther south and I drifted out.  They have a Yahoo group, I can give you a link if you haven't found them yet.  They are a great bunch of folks, I'm sure they would love to see you at the next meeting.

I have been toying with the idea of forming a group up this way, It's a big drag driving all the way down to Carbondale all the time.  You are a little closer to them than to me, but would you be interested?  What I have in mind is more of a "hey, lets get together and observe" type thing rather than a "lets all pay dues and have officers and busness meetings" type of thing. Just an idea.

My equipment list is pretty modest.  I have an old Mead 8" newt I bought back in 1981.  It was an EQ mount but I built a Dob mount for it a few years ago.  I haven't used it much in the last few years, but am eager to get back into it.  In fact, I'm in the process of trying to convince Wife that we need a new scope.  I have my sights on the Orion SkyQuest XX12 IntelliScope Truss Dobsonian.  That's pushing my luck a bit, but I think she's starting to wear down. 

Les

 Hey Les and everyone.

Well, it's good to see at least one person here in Southern Illinois has a telescope and does some Astronomy. I've been into it since I was 8. I live in a rural area with 10 acres of darkness. My equipment is a 10" Zhumell DOB. It's nothing fancy, but I like it that way.

 I learned the night sky a long time ago, and even now I need a refresher course from time to time. Sometimes as you know, it's pretty hard to go out and do some observing here in the summer. We get all the heat and humidity, and the mosquitos!! But I always find a way to bear it for a while.

I agree, I would like to get in with an Astronomy group that just gets together and observes. No fees, club meetings presidents and all that stuff. Just a group of people getting together. Couldn't find anyone in Carbondale now. I guess they all left or just got out of the hobby.

 Here is their Yahoo group:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/AASI/

They used to be fairly active, I don't know about their recent activities.  I do know of a couple of other folks interested in an informal group, I'll keep you posted if we come up with anything.

There is also a group of folks who meet at Dolan Lake near McLeansboro to observe.  They are pretty much an "Obsession" group though, I don't know how exclusive they are.  Also I haven't heard anything about them the last several years so I'm not sure if they still meet or not.

So, are you saying that you have a good dark site?  If so would you be agreeable to hosting a few observing sessions? 

Have you found a club in Southern Illinois yet? I recently met a high school junior in Harrisburg has a serious interest in an astrophysics career, I am encouraging him to join a local club.

We are in Nashville TN, and too far for him to travel monthly.

Thanks.

Rocka