Planetarium a Wat Tyler Country Park

[zakkhogan]

Hi all.

So, recently i e-mailed Basildon council leader Tony Ball regarding the street lights going off (or staying on), it was just on a whim but i suggested that the big street light switch off could be used as an educational tool to educate youngsters and adults alike in the would of astronomy. 

I suggested that if a Planetarium was built at Wat Tyler Country Park in pitsea it would sever not only as an education center but also as a safe observing site.

An article went in the Yellow Advertiser Thursday just gone and since then i have had over 40 responses via e-mail, test message and facebook  from people supporting the idea, some of these people i have never met but have gone out of their way to contact me.

If any would like to help (even if you not from Basildon as this project would server all of Essex not just Basildon please e-mail Cllr Ball on tony.ball@members.basildon.gov.uk saying that you support the idea of a planetarium at Wat Tyler.

Thank 

Craig

[knobby]

You the man, loving your work !

Will email today

[knobby]

Emailed

 

Also emailed Chris Lintott, see if he can spread it around.

What you should now do Craig is maybe suss out any costs involved to put to the council before they reject the idea as being too expensive.

Any ideas anyone ?

[Blazar]

Good work Craig. I have emailled Mr Ball as well. 

Probably the only way to fund it would be for a small observing fee to be charged. though would ask what you exactly had in mind....something like Kielder / or the one in Scotland.....or just an area set aside for astronomers to use...

[Reeny]

Maybe get the local tourist board / or chamber of trade involved to drum up support.

An observing site would attract new visitors into the area to spend money.

[zakkhogan]

I will be completely honest, I didn’t think this through at all, I didn’t think that it would drum up as much interest as it has, but I am thrilled that it has momentum

[dan_uk]

Just emailed.

What an a great turn of events, nice work Craig!

[bamus]

Great work Craig! However I belive that Wat Tyler Country Park would be best location due to huge Light Pollution from refinery in Cavey and  new container port with huge logistic park in the future in Coryton. Perhaps location north from Basildon or Wickford would be more suitable. After street light switch off this should be quite dark place.

[bamus]

I have just noticed that said that Wat Tyler Country Park would be, It should be would not

[zakkhogan]

ive created a FB page that can be found here https://www.facebook.com/WattylePlanetarium 

[knobby]

Have you sent a link to the council ?

[zakkhogan]

not yet, However in the last 9 hours i have received over 160 followers.

Adam, it may not be the 'ideal' location for astrophotography however it is the ideal location for an astronomical education center. 

When the lighst do go out, there is going to be a massive opportunity for eveyrone's own backgarden, this will offer an astronomical education to everyone who wants it 

[knobby]

<a class='bbc_url' href='https://m.facebook.com/WattylePlanetarium?id=636761789705398&refsrc=http%3A%2F%2Flink.tapatalk.com%2Fapi%2Fclick&_rdr'>https://m.facebook.com/WattylePlanetarium?id=636761789705398&refsrc=http%3A%2F%2Flink.tapatalk.com%2Fapi%2Fclick&_rdr</a><br />

206 likes now...

[zakkhogan]

theres going to be a follow up story in this week paper and also in a small magazine coming March

[Blazar]

Nice. just liked the FB page. Keep at it Craig, don't let the momentum stop. Nice picture by Mr Simms on there.

[zakkhogan]

if anyone on here has a twtter or facebook and wouldnt mind sharing the page i would really appreciate it 

https://www.facebook.com/WattylePlanetarium

[zakkhogan]

pete lawerence just shared the link on he's twitter

[knobby]

Result

[Dave Dubya]

I posted up the link on the NEAS facebook page, and I think it's also been tweeted too.