Hello Randy,

I just received (by mail) the solicitation from the RASC to support the robotic telescope in California.  In general I am greatly in favour of the idea but would like to have further information.  First let me say that I am a retired physics professor who bought and installed a 14: Celestron telescope in the observatory at the University of Guelph in 2005.  I am still somewhat responsible for that telescope.  We purchased an SBIG ST-7XMF CCD camera with colour filter wheel CFW8A.  That camera and filter wheel are not getting much use and I suspect I could loan it to you for a while until you purchase the camera of your dreams.

However, I would like to get a copy of the budget you presented to the board and in particular see how the $100,000 fund raising goal is to be allocated.  Your proposal seems extermely hazy in that the 16" telescope is a "starter" scope and many of the mentioned items are annual expenses.  A breakdown of the costs would be most useful.

Once things are up and running I wouldn't mind doing some remote photography. 

All the best,

Robert L. Brooks

Emeritus Professor of Physics

University of Guelph