Guidelines for the
Volunteer GUEST OBSERVER PROGRAM
at Mt.Evans Observatory, Summer season.

Thank you for your interest in the University of Denver's program, in support of organizations like IDA, AAVSO and others. Our goal is to provide observing time at DU's Mt.Evans Observatory -- elevation 14,148 ft, high in the Colorado Rockies -- to well-qualified, League-affiliated amateur astronomers, in support of cooperative research efforts. For details about the observatory, please see our website: www.du.edu/~rstencel/MtEvans.
We offer these categories of participation:
1. on site, selected weeks (June-Sept, to be arranged)
2. remote observers (web/email/phone, arranged nights, Aug-Oct)

Spaces are extremely limited, and will be allocated on the basis of the following preferences:
1. Timely and complete application information (before April 30th for priority consideration; til June 1st for remaining slots as available);
2. Observing project specification (see below).
3. Astronomy club officers, ALCORS and other officer/volunteers (current and recent) will receive extra consideration.
4. In cooperation with the Astronomical League's Youth in Astronomy programs, special priority will be given to applicants who identify a high school student interested in astronomy to come along on the observing run.

The program runs from noon Monday to noon Friday (4 nights) for any one week period from the list below. Lodging near the observatory is provided, but food and transportation will be participant's responsibility. PLEASE SPECIFY WHICH ONE WEEK YOU REQUEST FOR PARTICIPATION. Failure to specify a week will void your entire application, due to oversubscription.
PARTICIPANTS MUST BE: 18 years or older [17 with parent permission], in good health, and provide own transportation. Please do not apply if you have respiratory, cardiac, endocrine or other conditions that could compromise your ability to function at extremely high altitude.
A non-refundable application fee of $35 must be included, to cover processing and mailing costs. Please make check payable to UNIVERSITY OF DENVER, #146215. This fee includes a copy of the Mt.Evans data CDROM by return mail.
Observing project specification: In order to make the best use of limited observing time, applications will also be judged based on the originality and creativity of proposed use of the telescopes (28.5 inch, f/21 Cassegrain, with 3 x 3 arc minute field of view for the primary optical CCD camera and optical spectrometer). Generic projects, like a survey of Messier objects, will not receive high marks, per se. Limit: one page, typed, signed.

CUT AND US-MAIL THE FOLLOWING WITH ATTACHMENTS: 

------------------------Please PRINT or TYPE:----------------------------

Name:							Age: 

Mailing address:



Phone numbers:

Email:

Astronomy club affiliations & length of membership:



Club or organization office(s) held:



Skill level/experience base: (indicate the number of years of study/practice)

_____sky  _____computer  _____electrical  _____mechanical  _____other:

Clarification/details:


Observing project specification - attach one page summary [see above].

IMPORTANT: If you are volunteering to accompany a high school student
on your observing trip to Mt.Evans, please have him/her complete this same 
application as well, and to identify parent/guardian name(s) &
phone.  Mail both in the same envelope.  No fee required if student
involved.

Do you know astronomy club members who are high school students
thinking about college studies in physics and astronomy?      ___ Yes   ___No
Name/email/location of high school (optional):


	OPTION ONE (ON SITE):
	====================
SELECT ONE WEEK (MON-FRI, 4 nights) FOR PARTICIPATION:
(Note: schedule gaps are dictated by full moon, weather patterns, summer
monsoon, etc.  CHECK ONE PRIME(1) AND ONLY ONE BACKUP(2) WEEK:



AVAILABLE WEEKS - THIS SUMMER:
Best observing is during new moon which varies year to year...
! Check with Dr. Stencel regarding details of current year schedule.

JUNE: first half of June still features stormy/blizzard conditions
	maintenance and limited observing
      second half of June usually turns very fine

  ___ 3rd week of June 		___ final week of June 

JULY: begins Monsoon month, maintenance and limited observing*  
	new moon weekend of late June/July - RMSS Starparty, www.rmss.org

  ___ early July, AFTER 7/4	___ mid-July 	___ final week July 
							   
AUG: Monsoon tails off and turning dry*
	new moon weekend of late July/August - WUTS Foxpark starparty

   ___ early Aug  	___ mid-Aug	___ final week Aug

SEPT: often superb, but classes resume on campus, limiting schedule

   ___ first week Sept, AFTER Labor Day  ___ balance Sept/Oct*

*Other times by prior negotiation only... subject to snowy weather

	OPTION TWO (REMOTE PARTICIPATION OBSERVING):
	===========================================
Please identify ONE PRIME AND ONE BACKUP NIGHT from the above list of weeks 
when you can be on-line from sundown to sunup for interactive observing:

Prime night:__________________________	Backup night:____________________

Please note, success with remote/interactive observing depends on many
factors and we cannot guarantee complete satisfaction.  We welcome
those who are interested in trying.  An observing project writeup is
required, with a realistic timeline attached. You may select on-site AND
remote options, but choosing both MAY reduce your priority for an on-site
assignment.  Assume alternating hours of observing time (onsite/remote) on
any given evening.  Final data will be mailed via CDROM if no ftp service.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHECK LIST FOR REQUIRED ENCLOSURES (see above):

___Completed form (above)	___Observing project writeup

___Application fee**		___Photo (optional)

(**app fee waived for prior year guest observers and students ONLY)
============================================================================
Please MAIL your completed application to:  

	Director, Mt.Evans Observatory
	Dept. Physics & Astronomy
	University of Denver
	2112 E. Wesley Ave.
	Denver CO 80208 USA
We regret the fact that we cannot accommodate all applicants, but thank you for your support of IDA, youth in astronomy, AAVSO and the University of Denver Astronomy program.