From: LARRY KLAES (ljk4_at_msn.com)
Date: Fri Jan 17 2003 - 18:17:23 PST
Planet-Hunting Auction Opens for Bids
Ever wanted to spend a night at the controls of one of the world's largest
telescopes, searching for planets orbiting distant stars? Now you can join
University of California, Berkeley, astronomer Geoffrey Marcy and his team
for a night at the controls of the Keck I telescope sometime this year --
provided yours is the winning bid in an online auction to benefit the
nonprofit Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Announced last fall, the
fundraising auction began yesterday. The first bid, a generous $12,500,
stood alone as the auction entered its second day.
Contemplating your own offer? Keep in mind that the winner (and a
companion) will enjoy not only a night at the Keck Observatory control
room; the package also includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the telescopes
atop 14,000-foot Mauna Kea, and a five-day/four-night hotel stay, with
airfare, meals, and a rental car included. Furthermore, you can take your
pick of the many nights Marcy will spend chasing planets at Keck this
year; dates are available in February, May, June, and July, with more to
be scheduled later in the year.
> http://SkyandTelescope.com/news/current/article_844_1.asp
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