20120302ACAKBMin
The
Astronomy Club of Augusta held its March
2nd meeting at RPSC. Attendance totaled 9.
Everyone
except Jay was disappointed in the turn out.
Our
President opened the meeting at 7:15.
Stan set up the TeleVue Refractor and the
8" Meade Reflector. John White gave us a telescope primer on various parts
from essential 3-legged base to collimation. Everyone seemed to learn something
new.
Club
business: The club received a
Certificate of Appreciation from NASA for our public observing activities in
2011, including the Challenge for Astronomy Night in the spring and SEED in
October. They were impressed with Stan's video of our efforts.
Tedda
showed us the ASU posters for our proposed collaboration with ASU for an
Astronomy Night on Mar. 3. We discussed
the facebook page given, and finally found it, so we
could check for a cancellation due to rain.
ASU is
also sponsoring a program with Astronaut Kathryn Thornton on Mar.8, 7PM at
Maxwell Theater, ASU.
The
President reminded us that we can sign up for SPACENEWS.com.
At
this time in human history when so much has been accomplished in space which
might inspire the young, we are having to discuss losing youthful interest, the
graying of astronomy members, and how we might inspire new interest.
Kenneth
got a copy of the GA & SC school Standards, and we now are in the process
of getting a list of local teachers. We
hope to inspire them. We were pleased
that the Aiken County Public Schools is now willing to notify science teachers
of our meetings, but were disappointed that not a single teacher, student or
parent showed up tonight.
Several
months ago the Club requested that we arrange a trip to Roper Mountain. With Michelle and Pat's help, we made the
arrangements and now have been offered great opportunities at that that
end. Roper Mountain has set up a private
showing of the 23" Refractor for us, Clemson Planetarium has set up a
private show and tour for us, and Clemson Area Amateur Astronomers have invited
us to be their guests for picnic supper at their private observing site, in
addition to other planned activities for the weekend of April 13-15. Now we seem to be in the position of trying
to increase interest and participation.
It will be disappointing and embarrassing if we, the host club, put in a
poor showing. We would appreciate your
emailing the information requested on the Calendar of Events page, so that we
can get a larger count of participants.
At this time, only Stan, Tedda and Kenneth
have signed up and provided the information requested. Michelle signed up, but we need her
information. Cassel and family are
interested and we look forward to their information. Please consider joining this great trip
opportunity, and let Tedda know ASAP. We will reserve motel rooms and notify our
hosts on March 17.
We
are sorry to learn that one of our newest members <Lalit>
has some serious medical problems. We
hope the doctors can do something about it.
Jay
Dunn gave an entertaining and informative lecture on The Interstellar Medium.
His slides and HR diagrams were helpful in explaining the small amount and
types of matter out there. We had an interesting discussion afterwards with
refreshments. Jay promised to return with a new topic in the future.
Thanks
to Tedda for veggie snacks, cookies and sodas. The
weather was already turning bad with possible tornadoes, so we packed up and
left.
Respectfully
submitted,
Kenneth
Beard
20120317ACAKBMin
The
Astronomy Club of Augusta held its March 17th Star Gaze Observing at 7PM at
Nine Mile Range. Attendance totaled 13.
Due
to the weather forecast there was some uncertainty as to whether we should
meet, but our President expressed reluctance to cancel. It seems in retrospect a wise decision for
those of us who did show up. There was a
brief thunderstorm for early arrivals, so we watched Mark's short DVD of the
BBC program Night Sky, Host Sir Moore. I
especially wanted to see the featured guest Sir Arthur Clarke. The rain knocked some of the dust and pollen
out of the sky, and we looked for bright and fuzzy objects through / not hidden
by the clouds.
So
something good is always going on at Rancho 9 Mile. Gary and Sheri soon joined us after a look at
the 32 three week old kids jumping everywhere, and we talked about lunar
observing beginning next week. We
snacked on pistachio cake, chips and dip and enjoyed the feast of ideas on the
program. Lalit,
Vinay and our own Gemini twins the Pabla’s called and wanted to bring some friends. We said
sure, come on over! And the really know their Messier objects.
When
we began observing, reddish Mars was easy to see in the East. We spotted Polaris in the North, and the Big
Dipper came out nicely later. The West
though was our richest field for
discovery. Jupiter and Venus were in
close proximity of each other. We saw Perseus and Algol, head of
Medusa; the Pleiades, M36, M38, M37 in Auriga, Castor and Pollux, M35,
M44, Leo. I stumbled trying to name the
stars of the Winter Hexagon, but Tedda helped me out,
and Mark gave it a new name, the Heavenly G, and used a laser pointer to
illustrate its shape.
We
were having so much fun, we hope we didn’t keep anyone up too late, but we did
leave late.
We
all wish Lalit well on his upcoming medical
procedure.
Respectfully
submitted,
Kenneth
Beard
20120330ACAKBMin
The
Astronomy Club of Augusta held its March 30 meeting at 7PM at RPSC.
Attendance totaled 13.
President
Tedda Howard welcomed members and guests to our
meeting shortly after 7PM. John White was called upon to ask us three
questions about telescopes. He quickly
entered into the spirit of the challenge,
and refreshed our memories about details of collimation. Stan, Mark, Kolbe, and Gary won prizes. Kenneth
was up next with a short talk about Saturn. He presented the deepening
knowledge of Saturn in chronological order, from what the Ancients saw naked-eye, Early Modern saw through the telescope, and what our generation has discovered via spacecraft flybys.
Mark Moffatt had a stellar dust cloud of
upcoming exciting events: Venus taking
tea with the ladies of the Pleiades, Saturn
in opposition to the sun, meteor showers, the religious Virgo, Lepus the Hare below Orion, before dawn events, essay
prizes offered by Templeton, Hubble hidden treasures offered for data searching
by NASA & ESA, and a challenge to try to observe clouds on Mars. Our third
speaker was Stan Howard. He alerted us to
the probability that our government will take the $140 billion ISS and cut it
up into pieces to be dumped into the atmosphere as a series of meteor like
displays, unless some action is taken. Stan presented us with several better
alternate possible uses. In particular it could be parked near the Moon or Mars
for further research on the effects of space faring on earthlings. Kenneth made a motion that our club write to
our representatives to make our wishes known on the issue. Michelle quickly seconded the motion. The motion carried, and Kenneth
agreed to bring the letter to our next meeting, so that we could all sign
it. Mark told us that this comes under
the authority of Vice-President Biden, and we also decided to include all the
potential Presidential candidates. Gary Senn entertained us with models, diagrams, and computer
programs for the Transit of Venus, ToV. He told us that German scientists came to
Aiken to do measurements at the last Transit, eight years ago, and subsequently
sent us a plaque for our community effort. Gary wanted to keep it at the RPSEC, but
decided that it would spread science fame by having displayed at the Aiken
County Museum. The next transit will be
108 years from now. He invited us to share the ToV at
the RPSEC Observatory on June 5th
at 6PM.
The
President Reminded us of our upcoming trip to Roper Mt., and National Astronomy
Night on April 28th at
RPSEC. Since no one came to help
prepare for NAN, we will bring our telescopes for viewing, use our poster materials
from last year, the new NASA materials for prizes.
The
President opened the discussion of our budget for next year 2012-13 with a
review of last year's budget on the big screen, and listing some new items that
members of the club have asked be purchased.
The Treasurer went over the club budget with us, explaining each item.
After
some input from Michelle and Kolbe, we agreed that we could get a club rubber
stamp if the price does not exceed $25. Kolbe offered to email the web address
where we can get brand materials.
Michelle also has resources to share.
John will get the information, the officers will decide on the stamp
information. We hope to have it in time
to use on materials for National Astronomy Night on Apr. 28.
The
Treasurer recommended the we get a laser collimator for the club for $50-65,
rather than the $100 version, as the club doesn't have a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. Motion passed.
The
President discussed the importance of membership, noting that many clubs have a
VP Membership. We decided that the
President could appoint a Membership Chairman, without changing the by-laws.
John
summarized the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) and its efforts to
bring about more astronomy–friendly lighting policies around the planet. Mark M. raised the question of whether we
should continue to support and pay dues to the IDA, and is duly noted as
opposing the IDA on private property principles. We took a vote: 2 abstentions, 1 opposed, and 8 for
continuing with IDA membership. We will continue to support this worthy cause. Our two guests did not vote.
Gary
O. gave the Nominating Committee report.
Rather than presenting a recommended slate of officers, the committee
reviewed the information they gathered when they contacted the membership. Gary summarized the information from
Virginia's and his list. Mike's group information
was no yet available. They had not contacted anyone for the
President or VP for Observing. Mark said he would do Observing but was happy
when Stan agreed to continue with that position. Dave Dolin would like to be Secretary.
Kenneth agreed to be VP Programs, and John would like to continue as
Treasurer. Tedda
agreed to continue as President, looking forward to greater participation of
the members. Kenneth noted that we have a small club at 50
families, which means we have to share the duties necessary to keeping the club
going. Michelle would like to be our ALCOR and assist the Treasurer next year.
Tedda
noted that we have an interesting speaker for our May 4 meeting, and
encouraged all members to attend so they could vote for 2012-13 leadership and
discuss focus and activities of the club.
You may send an absentee ballot to Gary Osburn,
using the form at the bottom of the Bylaws online. Also, a draft Calendar of Events 2012-13 is
listed at the bottom of the Fairly Complete Calendar of Events 2011-12 for your
convenience.
Many
thanks to Gary and Sheri O. for our refreshments.
A
cloudy night precluded lunar observing.
The
President adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully
submitted,
Kenneth
Beard
