WIld, entirely selfish thought here: Is there any chance that we could arrange some sort of party for UMSFers in LA, preferably in association with JPL & TPS next May ('08) to watch Phoenix's arrival? For me, it's a ten-mile drive to Pasadena, but of course travel and lodging would not be insignificant for most (if not all) of our members, to say nothing of asking JPL & TPS to support us. Again, just a thought...

In the nearer term, I'm thinking about going to Griffith Observatory next Thursday for the Yuri's Night event (which, fortunately for me and the kid, actually begins at noon). Any other UMSF Angelenos planning to attend?

In the longer term, I agree that next time there's a big event at JPL and/or TPS there should be a UMSF gathering. TPS will have some big event sometime in the next two years, I am sure, though I don't know what or when yet.

--Emily

The California Space Authority is holding a conference at LAX in November. I'll probably attend some portion of it for my work. It's not exactly UMSF stuff, but some of our favorite people do attend these things.

In the nearer term, I'm thinking about going to Griffith Observatory next Thursday for the Yuri's Night event (which, fortunately for me and the kid, actually begins at noon). Any other UMSF Angelenos planning to attend?

That sounds like the perfect occasion to visit the newly-renovated Griffith Observatory. I'll try to be there

Emily, please tell us more about this 'night event'. Never been to Griffith, happen to be free that night, sounds interesting!:)

EDIT: Argh, I'm dumb...Yuri Gagarin of couse, it's April now, isn't it?

I won't be able to make the Thursday night presentation, but I'd be willing to drive the 3 hours to attend the May '08 event. I have relatives I can stay with in Valley Village, just a hop, skip and a jump to Pasadena.

http://www.yurisnight.net

--Emily

Another possibility is the 7th Mars conference, which will be held at Caltech in July...

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/7thmars2007/

I'll be able to attend a UMSF gathering if it occurs in NE Ohio, otherwise probably not. But why not come here? We've got NASA Glenn Research Center, and...uh...well, Geoffrey Landis works there, if you've ever heard of him. He's a science fiction writer and a member of the MER science team. In fact, he'll be speaking at my astronomy club's meeting this month. Oh, there's also an astronaut or a few in Ohio...

Ok, so it's not exactly a major hub of space exploration. But hey, it's convenient for me!

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JPL's Open House is on May 19 and 20.