America's first Astronomer Royal, Sir Rob Vanderson, has graciously released for publication a photograph of the new Radio Telescope installed at Starsend Observatory, in Limpia Crossing near Fort Davis, Texas.
The telescope had been unveiled following the barbecue held on site during the 2007 Texas Star Party and was launched on its interstellar voyage of discovery by having a vintage bottle of Beetlejuice cracked on its drive mechanism by Sir Rob, after which a toast to its success was had by the assembled guests.
Initial reports during the running-in period suggest that the instrument is performing brilliantly. Not only has it picked up the background microwave radiation of the Universe, as well as transmissions from Voyager and Cassini, but has given Sir Rob brilliant reception of both the Superbowl and the World Series – events normally hard to see well in the Fort Davis area.
Plans are now being developed to inaugurate a Fort Davis program to revive Operation SETI, a local vote having been taken on the best constellations in which to search for extra terrestrial intelligence and quiet confidence has been expressed that a successful outcome will result, Texans having abandoned their quest to find genuinely intelligent life on planet Earth, outside of the borders of Texas.
Additionally, as part of the Starsend Observatory Outreach Program, Sir Rob has announced a new service which will be provided for amateur Astronomers.
Many amateurs attend star parties for largely social reasons and find this business of standing around a telescope all night a bit boring and sometimes damned cold or uncomfortable.
Accordingly, you can now rent at modest rates Sir Rob, who comes complete with trailer, telescope and two dozen bottles of industrial strength Beetlejuice, to haul to your star party of choice. Merely give him your observing list and head off to join the hard drinking members of the star party.
Sir Rob will observe your objects and present you with a comprehensive observing report the next day over morning coffee. This will enable any amateur to make quite a splash on the amastro discussion list and swank on the `net about stacks of notional observations of those sometimes semi-mythical objects from obscure charts, for example Murrell 1, or observing lists so beloved by many amastro regulars.