Fieldtrips

Just a reminder folks - we have the joint MSDC - MNCA - NVMC field trip to the mineralogy labs at JMU on Saturday, February 18, 2012.   All the details should be included below.  If you have any questions please get in touch with Tom Tucker.  If you are going to be there, please let him know so that we may have a head count for coffee and buns when you arrive.  

            Field Trip - Mineralogy Laboratories and Museum at James Madison University

                                                            February 18, 2012  9:00 AM

Dr. Lance Kearns has again invited MSDC, along with the MNCA Micromounters and the Northern Virginia Mineral Club to visit the mineralogy labs and the fabulous mineral museum at James Madison University, in Harrisonburg, Virginia.  We'll "pass the hat" so everyone will have an opportunity to make a small donation to the mineralogy department for the furtherance of their activities and  acquisitions, and to pay for the hot coffee and breakfast buns or donuts tat Lance will have awaiting our arrival.

The Museum alone is worthy of a trip to Harrisonburg, being the finest collection of minerals in the State.  There are a dozen or so large wall cabinets filled with minerals from around the world, but with an obvious emphasis on Virginia specimens, like the turquois from Lynch Station, or apophyllite from Centreville or aragonite from Buchanan.  After your visit I'm sure you will have selected your own favorites.  There is also a small room with a stunning fluorescent mineral display.

During the morning Lance will be available to identify those unknown specimens you have accumulated over the years.  I'm sure he will demonstrate the use of the x-ray diffractometer for crystal determinations, and the Ramen spectrometer  The lab has enough stereo microscopes for all those interested to examine their specimens, or perhaps those that others have brought to share on a "freebie" table.  Bring anything you have to share. 

There will be various mineral specimens in all size ranges from micro to cabinet sized,  and numerous books available for purchase at unusually reasonable prices or free will donations - acquired from various donations to the labs.  Arrive early for the best selections.

We will probably go out for pizza at lunch, and return in the afternoon to visit the "micro probe" and scanning electron microscope laboratory, on the other side of the campus.  We might use it to determine the chemical make-up of our unknowns, or to see close-up the crystals at hand.

The mineralogy labs are in the Geology Department which is in Memorial Hall ( the former Harrisonburg High School building ), on South High Street.  For a map of the campus go to the University website: www.jmu.edu, and at the upper right corner request "directions/map". On the index map, the Memorial Area is an inset at the upper right.  Click the small map, and a detailed area map will appear.

Driving directions:  It takes approximately two and a quarter hours to reach JMU from the DC Beltway.  From the Beltway, go west on I-66 approximately 65 miles to its intersection with I-81.  Take the left fork, and go south on I- 81 approximately 54 miles to Harrisonburg.  Take Exit 245, Port Republic Road, and go right about a mile to High Street.  Turn right, and proceed north about a half mile to a light at Cantrell Avenue. Memorial Hall will be to the left, with abundant parking. Being a weekend, parking passes will not be needed, but if you do have a problem, Lance can probably take care of it.

If you plan to attend please let me know the number in your party, so that we can let Lance know how many to expect for coffee and buns.  

See you there.