Page 11 - 2008 DT 12 issues

have put the future of leap seconds in appreciate it if you would drop us Armstrong; Brian and Jared Wolfiss;
question. Yet without them, astronomers a line at forrcnews@cox.net. We Phillip and Karin Sanderson; Jordan
and satellite tracking stations would will suspend mailing until you return, and Wendy Chong; Josh and Zack
have a hard time. unless you would like it mailed to your Millard; Jake Stodghill; Peggy Grover;
To ensure the accuracy of UTC, “away” address. Please note that the Corey and Jerry McNeish; Andrew
the atomic second is measured against Desert Trumpet will not be forwarded Miller; Dane and Paul Lindquist; Chris
Geiser; and Michael Salsman.
a scale known as International Atomic by the Post Office, because it is mailed
Time (TAI), a calculation of over 200 ce- under a nonprofit permit. The Post Everyone did a fantastic job! — Barb
sium or hydrogen atomic clocks around Office will return it to us with a first Jorgensen
the world. At least now, we can relax class mail charge.
knowing that we’ve nailed that second If you still wish to receive your Red Rock Volunteer Training
down— precisely! Desert Trumpet at your vacation ad- Schedule **Corrections**
But wait! What about optical atomic dress, email us with the date you are
clocks? They use an optical “lattice” to leaving and the date you will return. 2/2 —Tortoises and Red Rock—1p.m.
constrain the motion of atoms, reducing We’ll mail to the “away” address. The to 3 p.m.
systematic errors that need to be man- Desert Trumpet mails between the 2/16 — Hiking at Red Rock — 9 a.m.
th
th
aged in today’s standard atomic clocks. 25 and 27 of the month. It usually to 11 a.m. — Carleton and Carol
takes two or three days to be delivered,
(What errors?) The mercury ion optical depending on where you live. If you are Gamet, RRCIA Naturalists
clock has been found to tick “more pre- not sure of the exact dates, please let us 2/23 — Native American and other
cisely” and is, so far, the most accurate. know and we’ll hold up mailing it until History of Red Rock — 9 a.m. to
Hold on, though! The strontium clock you return or until we hear from you. Noon.
has better resolution. It’s rumored, too, Members can also ac -
that the ytterbium clock will be the “next cess the Desert Trumpet on line Orchids in the Desert
big thing.” (You’d better not reset your at friendsofredrockcanyonlv.org
watches yet, these clocks all still in test- by Dan Wray
ing.) So . . . when someone asks if you Red Rock Campground
have the correct time, don’t fret. You nce upon a time, or rather a few
can equivocate without embarrassment. would like to take this opportunity years ago, I had the privilege of
“It depends.” to thank Ron Duprau from Boy Oattending a volunteers’ train-
Time? `It’s all about as curious as it I Scout Troop #912 for choosing ing course run by Dr. O’Leary. I had
can be,’ said the Gryphon. q Red Rock Canyon Campground as the attended one before at Willow Spring
site for his Eagle Scout Project. Ron,
Moving? Vacation? his family and friends, worked very and had enjoyed it very much, except
Drop us a line . . . hard—on a chilly Saturday morning, for the fact that Dr. O’Leary would tell
December 15—putting a fresh coat of us about a particular plant and some
e never want to lose contact paint on all the restroom doors, door time later would say to one of us, “You
work on the desk at Red Rock, don’t
with our Friends members. If jambs (18) and trash containers (17). you? Could you tell me what this plant
Wyou are moving, let us know is?” This technique certainly kept us on
when you’d like us to stop mailing to our toes, but it was a little intimidating
the old address. You can do this well in and eventually, one volunteer hit on the
advance, because we know you’ll be idea of saying something like, “No. Red
very busy. Just email us at forrcnews@ Rock? Never heard of it.” In all serious-
cox.net. Then send your new address ness, the session was great fun and we
after it is registered with your new Post
Office. Either an email or a change-of- all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
address postcard addressed to Vicki Eagle Scout project workers But let’s get back to the story . . .
Sudduth, Friends of Red Rock Canyon, It was one of those hot summer days
PO Box 94, Blue Diamond, NV 89004 THANK YOU – Ron Duprau; Trevor and possibly the members of the class
will be sufficient. We’ll make sure Ibarra; Heather Olson; Aaron and John were looking forward to a presentation
you don’t miss an issue of the Desert Bull; Jeromy and Jeff Guest; Joshua in the cool of the Friends’ Room. They
Trumpet. and Mark Schussler; Worth, Gerald and were about to be disappointed for Dr.
If you are going on vacation Atticus Bierbaum; Brad Thompson;Ron,
or to a summer place, we’d really Jen and Moni Duprau; Pete Salcido; TJ Orchids, continued on page 5

FORRC/February/2008 Page 3