Just Don't Call It West Coast NEAF

Here's some great news for those of you on the West Coast. The Riverside Telescope Makers Conference, Inc. — the same folks who bring us the world-famous RTMC Astronomy Expo every Memorial Day weekend in Big Bear, California — has announced a new astronomical event.

They're calling it the Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show (PATS), and from the sound of things it will closely resemble the very popular Northeast Astronomy Forum held every year in Suffern, New York. Taking a cue from its East-Coast doppelganger, PATS is scheduling two full days of activities including workshops, lectures, and other special events.

You've got some time to plan for this one. The inaugural PATS isn't until September 13–14, 2008. It will be held at the Pasadena Convention Center in downtown Pasadena, California. The space reserved for the RTMC crew can accommodate some 100 vendors, so be sure to bring your wallet. And if you've ever visited the RTMC Astronomy Expo, you'll probably agree that it will be nice to find so many astrobargains at a dust-free indoor venue.

We'll report more information as it comes in.