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

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

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

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

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

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