Thinking about observing up at Mt. Tamalpais this year with SFAA? If you plan on going to any public or member only star parties at Mt. Tam in 2008, SFAA would like your help.

To keep the programs going up at Mt. Tam, SFAA needs volunteers. Gatekeepers are particularly needed. No, you don't have to sit by the gate the whole time! Basically, you need to make sure that the gate stays closed during the viewing time so the public doesn't enter, and when members want to leave, they need to be escorted to the gate. Generally people are led down in groups so that you only need to go down a couple of times. You'll spend most of your time observing the night sky. So, if you’re going to plan on viewing up at Mt. Tam once or twice this year, why not consider getting trained as a gatekeeper and helping out?

If you don't want to be a gatekeeper, there are many other ways you can help at the public star parties. Don't have a telescope? No problem. Either help with naked eye observing, bring some binoculars or borrow a club telescope. If you borrow a club scope, guess what, you can keep it for a month! Did I mention it’s FREE to borrow a club scope? Don't know the sky that well? That’s okay too, there are plenty of other things to do that would help out. As a bonus, if you help out at a Mt. Tam public star party, members are allowed to stay to observe after the public leaves!

Training for gatekeepers will take place Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 3:00 pm at the Pantoll Ranger Station. Training is conducted by the Mt. Tam State Park staff and will take approximately 2 hours. Snacks will be provided. After training, join us for the all night Messier Marathon!

If you need more information, please contact Barbara Arrighi .