20150711ACAROMin

Officer Business Meeting:

The Officers of the ACA met at NMR-DSO on July 11, 2015, Friday at 5:30 at NMR. Several items were slated to be discussed. In attendance were Mark Moffatt (President), Kenneth Beard (VP Programs), Stan Howard (VP Observing), and Ray Owens (Secretary), and John White (Treasurer).

Item #1 – Establishing a Laser pointer Policy for the ACA. John started us out by reading a statement drafted by him to explain why such a policy is needed. Next the NMR-DSO Responsible Light Usage Policy was presented with only minor concerns in the wording which can be accepted as is with the understanding that communication in the field during observing would help clear up any misunderstandings. It was the consensus of the Officers present that John would draw up a policy with the statement that he read to give reasoning for such a policy followed by the NMR-DSO Light Usage Policy with only minor word changes and present the finished policy to the Officers at the next business meeting.

Item #2 – John will be coordinating with Tedda H. (Web Editor) regarding the outline and information he used for the Cave-Man Presentation he gave at the last business meeting as to where it might go on our web page. (Note: Ubzug the cave man - the first astronomer is in the historical section)

Item #3 – Misc. Items. Kenneth reported that the October and November business meetings still need a speaker. Mark volunteered as a last resort but requested a week or two notice. Ray mentioned meeting the President of the Midlands Astronomy Club at the State Museum and will contact him for possible speakers. John also mentioned he would talk with John Jarvis for help in this area. It was also brought up that we need to encourage our members to please catch up on their membership dues.

Finally, a short discussion on the Annual Picnic. Officers and members are encouraged to look at the web site to see the items they can bring to the picnic, which will be held at NMR-DSO on August 8, 2015, and let Tedda know what items they may or may not be able to bring. Eating time will be 6:30.

After all those discussions you can imagine how hungry we all were getting! No worries. What a spread our Host and Hostess had prepared for all. Grilled chicken, squash casserole, fresh sliced tomatoes, zucchini bread, watermelon, and to top it all off – blueberry cobbler with fresh blueberry toppings and a variety of ice cream flavors to choose from. What a meal!!! Thank you Stan & Tedda.

Respectfully submitted,

Ray Owens – Secretary

 

 

20150711ACAROMin

The Astronomy Club of Augusta met for its monthly star gaze at the NMR-DSO site this evening.  Amateur astronomers and their guests began arriving around 8:15-8:30 pm.  Nineteen 19 people were in attendance.

Lots of excitement and camaraderie was in the air.  As dusk began setting on us we all gathered together outside to listen to John demonstrate and explain his working on the new scope he put together for the club. John used the old Genesis Tele-Vue mount and an old 8” Meade reflector thought to be circa 1982 and combined them into one fine scope.  He explained how just a few drops of dish detergent, some 70% rubbing alcohol and a couple quarts of water was used to clean the old mirrors to practically brand new status.  Thank you John.  You’re a real asset to the club with not only your knowledge of the stars and heavens but of building and repairing telescopes.  We even had the scope pointed up at Venus and all who wanted saw a beautiful crescent Venus.  Clouds were all around us but that even made the image at times even better.

Yes clouds were all around us.  But know worries.  We astronomers know we have to be patient when the weather doesn’t cooperate.  And like our web site says we have lots of things we can do.  We all gathered in the big T.V. room and watched the making of Interstellar (the movie).  Snacks were available, water melon, drinks, and great fellowship and not to mention a very interesting movie.  Everyone was polled at the end saying they enjoyed and learned from it.  Just in time too…the skies started clearing.

By now it was around 10:30 and everyone moved back outside.  Steve M. set up his 6” telescope to do some imaging and viewing.  We also still had the 8” Meade set up for viewing. Those that stuck around enjoyed a sky tour of the stars and constellations headed up by Tedda.  Plenty of naked eye viewing and binoculars were also brought out.  Discussions on various astronomy topics filled the air.  The double stars of Mizar and Alcor in the handle of the Big Dipper looked beautiful as did Saturn and its biggest moon Titan.  Also Albireo in Cygnus was observed. We reviewed the eight 8 stars of the Teapot asterism in Sagittarius, pouring Milky Way steam on the stinger of Scorpius (Shaula and Lesath).  Several satellites were seen.  At midnight several people were still around.  A great time was had by all.  THANK YOU Stan & Tedda for being great hosts!!!  

As Secretary I think the highlight of the evening was all the fine folks who showed up to participate. And oh yeah….the crescent Venus looked really nice tonight too.

Our next meeting will be our monthly business meeting at GRU on July 24. Hope to see you there, and remember to catch up on your membership dues if needed. Our next star gaze will be at our annual picnic on Aug. 8. Hope to see everyone at both events. Clear Skies!!!

Respectfully submitted,

Ray Owens

ACA Secretary

 

20150724ACAROMin

The Astronomy Club of Augusta held its monthly meeting on July 24, 2015 at 7:00pm at GRU. A total of 27 people attended the meeting.

 

A table was set up to welcome those attending and encourage signups for future events. Thanks Tedda, Maryglenn, and Tom V. for your support. John passed out a Treasurer's Report to members. Lots of chatter before the meeting. Stan gave out “UFOs” (squash) to a few lucky winners in a numbers drawing. Afterwards our President Mark M. got the night rolling.

 

The evening began with our Annual Award presentations which are done each year. Ervin D. won the Attendance Award. Although he was not able to attend this night, Ervin has been a regular attendee at our meetings, and an interesting contributor to our knowledge, lack of knowledge challenges, setup and take down at our Star Gazes and outreach programs. Tedda H. received the Observing Award. She arranged for the donation of the Sparks Telescope (Meade LX200 12”). She prepares us for our meetings and star gazes as our web editor, conducts naked-eye orientation to the stars, and helps organize and present outreach programs. Michael A. was presented with Best Program Award for winning the Astronomy Jeopardy contest hands-down, and preparing and presenting our first station program about the New Horizons Mission at SEED last October. Our President Mark M. presented co-winners John W. and Dan W. the club plaque for the President’s Award for their contributions to the maintenance and repair of the clubs telescopes. Mark also gave out Awards to all the new Officers for their support and dedication to the club. Thanks to all the Officers for their time and knowledge in keeping the ACA alive and well in the CSRA!!!

 

The evening continued on with a talk by Mark M. on “The Race to Planet X”. A history of some of the well-known early astronomers and contributors to the field was first presented. Galileo, Newton, Hershel, Kepler, among others was discussed briefly. Mark went on to tell us about the Lowell Observatory and how it came to be built in 1894. It was at this observatory that Clyde Tombaugh first discovered the dwarf planet Pluto. The 24 inch Alvin Clark Telescope is still in use today for educational purposes. It wasn’t until July of 1978 that Pluto’s largest moon, Charon, was discovered by James Christy. Mark also informed us that the recently seen heart shaped region on Pluto has been named Tombaugh Regio. Even with technical difficulties throughout the presentation, Mark was able to keep our attention and turned out to be a very informative talk on Pluto. Mark also mentioned some reference books that may interest those who are thirsty for more information: Out of the Darkness, Planet X, The Pluto Files. Thanks you Mark!

John W. then had a quick pop quiz for us on Pluto and gave out Starburst candies to those who answered correctly.

 

Everyone was eager to get to the refreshments provided by Morris M. Thanks Morris! It provided a pleasant opportunity for informal discussion with new members and guests. Steve M. showed us his beautiful series of lunar photos. It wasn’t a very clear night, so we didn’t go to the amphitheater area for observing. However, right out the door we enjoyed seeing an orange half-moon appear out of the clouds.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Ray Owens

ACA Secretary