Rose City Astronomers (RCA)
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About
Club Info
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General Meeting Videos
Special Interest Groups
RCA Book Library
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Observing
Star Parties
Observing Best Practices
Observing Videos
AL Observing Award Programs
Member Observing Awards
Astrospheric App
Observing Site Committee
SIGs
About Special Interest Groups
Astro-Imaging
Astro-imaging Class Materials
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Haggart Observatory
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Dark Sky Advocacy - Get Active!
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Light Pollution School Curriculum
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Young Astronomy Awards
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Go to Forums
Trouble getting on forums?
Join the RCA Discord server
Contact
News
/
About
/
Club Info
Donations
Past Meetings & Speakers
Terms of Use
Membership
/
Membership
Info for New Members
General Meeting Videos
Special Interest Groups
RCA Book Library
Telescope Library
Discount Magazine Subscriptions
Merchandise
Observing
/
Star Parties
Observing Best Practices
Observing Videos
AL Observing Award Programs
Member Observing Awards
Astrospheric App
Observing Site Committee
SIGs
/
About Special Interest Groups
Astro-Imaging
Astro-imaging Class Materials
Cosmology & Astrophysics
Dark Sky Preservation
Downtowners
Haggart Observatory
Telescope Workshop
Outreach & Youth Programs
/
Outreach and Education
Volunteering
Dark Sky Advocacy - Get Active!
Haggart Observatory
Light Pollution School Curriculum
Sister Clubs
Young Astronomy Awards
Calendar
/
Forums
/
Go to Forums
Trouble getting on forums?
Join the RCA Discord server
Contact
/
Ca. 1988
Observing Program Survey
News
/
About
/
Club Info
Donations
Past Meetings & Speakers
Terms of Use
Membership
/
Membership
Info for New Members
General Meeting Videos
Special Interest Groups
RCA Book Library
Telescope Library
Discount Magazine Subscriptions
Merchandise
Observing
/
Star Parties
Observing Best Practices
Observing Videos
AL Observing Award Programs
Member Observing Awards
Astrospheric App
Observing Site Committee
SIGs
/
About Special Interest Groups
Astro-Imaging
Astro-imaging Class Materials
Cosmology & Astrophysics
Dark Sky Preservation
Downtowners
Haggart Observatory
Telescope Workshop
Outreach & Youth Programs
/
Outreach and Education
Volunteering
Dark Sky Advocacy - Get Active!
Haggart Observatory
Light Pollution School Curriculum
Sister Clubs
Young Astronomy Awards
Calendar
/
Forums
/
Go to Forums
Trouble getting on forums?
Join the RCA Discord server
Contact
/
Observing Program Questionnaire
1. How long have you been an RCA club member? (Check one)
< 1 year
1 - 3 years
3 -8 years
> 8 years
2. The most important aspect of my RCA membership is:
a) Special Interest Groups
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
b) Group observing opportunities
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
c) Book/Video Library
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
d) Astronomical League membership
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
e) Monthly general meeting
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
f) Telescope Library
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
g) Club Forum
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
OBSERVER EXPERIENCE/GOALS
3. Do you use optics to observe the night skies?
Yes
No
4. If yes, which optics to you use for observation?
Binoculars
Digital Camera
Telescope
CCD or other equipment
5. Rate your personal level of observing skills and experience: (Check one)
Beginner (just starting)
Novice (Know enough to help a beginner, but still much to learn)
Intermediate (Know enough to rarely need help)
Advanced (hardly need a book to find anything)
Expert (could write a book about where to find everything)
6. What are your current observing objectives?
a) Visual Observer (no “go-to” scope)
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
b) Electronically-assisted Viewing
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
c) Astrophotography
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
OBSERVING HABITS
7. At observing events, what type of accommodations do you use?
a) I usually don’t stay overnight
b) Tent camping
c) Sleep in RV
d) Sleep in my car or truck
e) Sleep in trailer
f) Stay in local inn/hotel/motel
8. Do you observe in the winter months?
Yes
No
9a. Approximately how many RCA-sponsored star parties have you attended within the past year?
9b. Approximately how many RCA-sponsored star parties have you attended within the last 3 years?
10. Which RCA-sponsored star parties have you attended within the past 2 years? (Check all that apply, incl. number of visits)
Stub Stewart
Rooster Rock
Maupin Airfield
Camp Hancock
Trout Lake
11. Do you visit other observing site locations? (e.g., Golden Acres, Indian Springs Trail); (Name all that apply along with number of visits in last 2 years)
OBSERVING PROGRAM SATISFACTION
12. Do the RCA-sponsored star parties satisfy your desire for dark sky site observing?
Yes
No
13. What are the reasons that you don’t observe or observe more often?
a) No interest
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
b) I don’t have transportation
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
c) There are no dark sites close enough to home
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
d) Frequent poor weather
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
e) No 24/7 drop-in sites with truly dark skies
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
f) Insufficient site amenities
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
g) Insufficient free-time
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
h) I can’t manage the equipment alone
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
i) Unable to stay overnight
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
j) Cost-prohibitive
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
k) No electric hookup
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
l) Mosquitos
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
m) other
14. How could RCA improve its current star party locations to satisfy your observing needs?
a) Concrete pads
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
b) Bunkhouse(s)
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
c) Improved road access
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
d) Restrooms
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
e) Water Utilities
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
f) Cell phone/wifi coverage
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
g) Storage
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
h) Electric Utilities
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
OBSERVING SITE PREFERENCES
15. RCA currently has about $29,000 in its Observing Site Fund. How would you like the fund to be used?
a) Put it towards acquiring a new observing site(s) in fee title
b) Lease or rent property
c) Make improvements to existing RCA observing site(s) through legal agreement(s)
d) Create partnership with other astronomy club to share acquisition/lease costs
e) Establish an LLC among several club members and charge RCA rent or user fee
f) Set up an observatory with fixed telescope at a dark sky site for club-only operation
g) other
16. How far would you drive to view a Bortle Class 3 or 4 sky? (note: Bortle Classes range 1-9, with “1” being the darkest and “9” downtown Los Angeles; Stubb Stewart is “4”; Portland “6”) (Answer in minutes or miles)
17. How far would you drive to view a Bortle Class 1 or 2 sky? (note: Trout Lake and Camp Hancock are “2.”) (Answer in minutes or miles).
18. If you want to submit a comment, we are always glad to hear from members.
Thank you!
