• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

Bare Facts Copyright 2014 Lake Edun Foundation, Inc. Official Publication of the Lake Edun Foundation, Inc. March 1, 2014 Box 1982; Topeka, KS 66601 ! e-mail: [email protected] ! Website: www.lakeedun.com 38N 58' 7" North; 95N 47' 56" West Additional Board Members Required The Buff Astronomer – March, 2014 Since our Annual Meeting in October of last year, three Sky watching in March promises to have a full range of items members of our Board of Directors were forced to resign due to see. Jupiter is up for most of the night, with a chance to to health concerns and family obligations. Combined with the observe changes as it spins. It sits near Castor and Pollux, the usual turnover that is normal in any organization, this leaves two twins in Gemini and you can count on seeing the red spot our Board in a position where it is currently understaffed. sometime because Jupiter rotates every 10 hours. (a timing th In addition to our need to spread the responsibilities that hint, look for the spot at 10 PM on the 13 ). If you have come with serving on the Board, we also risk being in binoculars you can see an open star cluster, M35, near violation of our lease. A strong, functioning Board of Direc- Castor's foot. With a telescope a distant cluster on the edge of tors is necessary for any organization; ours is no different. M35 is NGC 2158. Unless we get a minimum of 3 additional active board When looking at Orion, also observe Sirius the Dog Star, members our lease will not be renewed. Without access to brightest light of all stars, part of “Big Dog” (Canis Major). Lake Edun, the Lake Edun Foundation would be homeless. Just to the north is Procyon, part of Little Dog (Canis Major). These two stars for a triangle with Betelgeuse in Orion’s right Hundreds of people rely on our special place for relaxation shoulder to form the Winter Triangle. In this triangle is a faint and rejuvenation every season. We absolutely do not want to constellation Monoceros (the Unicorn). lose that. But in order to keep the organization alive, we need additional board members to share the responsibilities. Mars and Saturn rise later in the night, Mars first and then Saturn about 2 hours later. Mars gets bigger until April, when Board members are expected to take an active role to plan and it will be very large (more later). Venus is a “Morning Star”. organize our events. They also help guide and direct the organization and its policies. This is a great group, and a great Even though very hard to see except with giant telescopes, the opportunity for you to help us out. It might also be the last remnant of Comet Ison is now on its way back to the OORT chance to save the Lake Edun Foundation. Cloud. Please let us know IMMEDIATELY if you are willing to Lastly, tips on observing follow: It is easier to make out serve on the board. Our next Board meeting is scheduled for dimmer objects if your eyes are dark adapted. This means no March 9 at 3 p.m. You would be required you to attend – exposure to bright light and adaptation gets better over however, if that day or time is inconvenient, we can change several hours. Some will patch there dominant eye to have it our meeting dates or time to accommodate members’ sched- adapted by the time early viewing starts. Also using a red light ules. for local illumination helps. Some objects that are faint can best be seen looking a few degrees to the side, rather than Spring Work Days Are Critical right at them. Eye fatigue is a factor, and you should rest your eyes after a half hour observing. Also, alcohol diminishes Looking at snow outside our window, it is difficult to realize your ability to see well. that Spring is not far off. There are many tasks that need attention in order to be the superior place we all enjoy. Most Here’s to looking up and all the excitement you can share are not particularly arduous but all are necessary. with the Buff Astronomer. Because Spring weather is unpredictable, we schedule more DON’T FORGET Work Days than we expect to need; we anticipate some will Mar 7; Fri; 8-10; Sauna be ‘rained out’. Mar 9; Sun; 3-5 Board of Directors Sharing the work among many willing hands makes it easier Mar 12; Wed; 7-9; Sauna and more fun for everyone. Please check your schedule and Mar 16; Sun; 7-9; Sauna plant to help us at one or more of the scheduled work days. Mar 22; Sat; Noon-4; Work Day Mar 22; Sat; 8-10; Sauna Whatever your abilities, volunteers find there are enough Mar 29; Sat; Noon-4; Work Day different tasks that we can surely find something any of our Mar 29; Sat; 8-10; Sauna supporters can help out with. Apr 2; Wed; 7-9; Sauna Items We Need Apr 11; Fri; 8-10; Sauna Apr 12; Sat; 12-4; Work Day Please see our website at lakeedun.com for more details. Apr 12; Sat; 4-6; Board of Directors ! Non-motorized boats ! Plastic barrels Apr 13; Sun; 12-4; Work Day ! Working Refrigerator ! Concrete pavers Apr 13; Sun; 7-9; Sauna ! Lawn or lounge chairs ! Aluminum cans, etc Apr 19; Sat; 8-10; Sauna ! Large water storage tank ! Wooden Cable spools Apr 23; Wed;7-9; Sauna North Carolina Considers Discrimination So many people don’t know the difference between nudism and exhibitionism. Both display a naked body, or in the case Once again the female nipple is the culprit, disturbing the of exhibitionism it could be parts of a body, usually genitals, peace of the honest citizenry of an otherwise tranquil North but there is a vast gap between the underlying ideas of the Carolina town. two. The offended in Asheville, North Carolina seek to coerce city An exhibitionist will expose himself or herself amidst clothed and even state government to stop an annual topfree demon- people in order to provoke or shock them. The idea is that the stration. exhibitionist is sexually aroused by that. A group organized by a man from Alabama has held topless This is what Wikipedia has to say about it: “Exhibitionism is rallies downtown in August for the last three years. Women the act of exposing in a public or semi-public context those have been seen topless at other times, too. parts of one’s body that are not normally exposed – for Currently it is legal for both men and women to bare their example, the breasts, genitals or buttocks. The practice may breasts in public in North Carolina, though other cities arise from a desire or compulsion to expose themselves in discriminate by prohibiting women from going topless. such a manner to groups of friends or acquaintances, or to strangers for their amusement or sexual satisfaction or to Enter The Chamber of Commerce who wants lawmakers this shock the bystander.” year to take on the issue of topless woman downtown in response to complaints from businesses. When we look at the online Encyclopedia Britannica it states: The city council has said it can do nothing to stop the prac- “Exhibitionism, derivation of sexual gratification through compulsive display of one’s genitals. Like voyeurism, sexual tice, and the annual topless rallies held at Pack Square, display is almost universal as a prelude to sexual activity in because of state law. animals, including humans; it is regarded as deviant behavior In response The Chamber of Commerce has appealed to their when it takes place outside the context of intimate sexual state senator to get the state to stop the topfree practice. relations. Exhibitionists are usually not dangerous, although A bill put forward by another state senator would have the experience is frequently perceived by the victim as included the nipple in the indecent exposure law’s definition threatening; violence or sexual assault seldom follows the of “private parts.” display.” The change was important because state law already made it When we compare that to Wikipedia’s first words on nudism, a felony for someone to expose her private parts in a public we see a big difference: “Naturism or nudism is a cultural and place in the presence of children for sexual gratification, political movement practicing, advocating and defending something critics of the topeless rallies say has happened. social nudity in private and in public. It may also refer to a lifestyle based on personal, family and/or social nudism.” Police and prosecutors would have more discretion in charging under the clarified law. Or again, the Encyclopedia Britannica: “Nudism, also called naturism, the practice of going without clothes, generally for Interested readers will find the entire article here. reasons of health or comfort. Nudism is a social practice in Exhibitionism ... Really? which the sexes interact freely, but commonly without engaging in sexual activities.” To naturists it’s just a given and seems so simple to know that nudism and exhibition have nothing to do with one another. There is no mention of compulsion or sexual satisfaction in Yet this fundamental understanding isn’t a given for the either description of nudism, just as there is no mention of public at large. For them naturism is a great unknown. culture, a social activity, or lifestyle in exhibitionism. Nudists and naturists don’t seek to shock people. Yes, they When anyone is ignorant of the facts about something as alien like to be naked, but that is for their personal good, not for to their normal experience as naturism, the brain tries to find others to stare at or be intentionally shocked by.

Load more

  6

Copy Link