Minutes, September 10 2008 meeting
Location: Headquarters Branch of Central Rappahannock Regional Library, Fredericksburg, Virginia
In attendance:
The meeting was opened at 7:05 pm by Vice-President Michael Masters, in the absence of President Scott Busby.
Treasurer Tim Plunkett presented his report.
Members reported on the most recent club star party and the annual club picnic.
Scott requested reimbursement for picnic food and supplies. The picnic and plan for the club to supply food was approved in advance by the membership, but an amount to spend was not discussed in advance. The total amount being more than $100, Tom moved, Bart seconded, and the club unanimously passed a movement to reimburse Scott per his report of expenses. The details were given to Treasurer Tim Plunkett.
Bill planned to meet with the staff of the Pinnacle Research Station on September 9 regarding using its location for the Big Meadow Star Gaze. No information on that meeting was available at tonight's meeting. The club will plan on observing on the Big Meadow itself. Milam Gap is a backup location if conditions on the nights of the event warrent.
Because arrangements with the Big Meadows staff in prior years have been unstable, the club decided not to promote Big Meadows Star Gaze as an organized event for other clubs this year. Joe said he has seen the Big Meadows Star Gaze mentioned in the Web pages of Northern Virginia Astronomy Club and Mid Atlantic Star Gaze. Secretary Glenn Holliday will forward information to those organizations.
Joe and Tim will be able to cover the October 4 star party at Caledon. Mike and others will be at the Collegiate School star party the same night.
For the International Year of Astronomy, Tom moved, Glenn seconded, and the members passed a motion to pre-order a Galileoscope, an instrument built in the style of Galileo's telescope, for use in public outreach.
The club discussed the current disposition of instruments in the club library. Mike has the Personal Solar Telescope and the astrocamera. Mike will have the PST at the Caledon Home School Day and following events. James plans to use the astrocamer next. Tim has the Orion reflector and its GEM mount. This mount is missing its slow motion controls. Tim will ask Vernice Gilkey about the status of the Dobsonian reflector.
None were presented.
Caledon's Home School day is Friday September 26. Mike will support this. Glenn will be able to come out during his lunch break.
Bart's visit to Westmoreland State Park will be October 24, the night before a planned star party at Caledon. The park staff is expecting us to have a small observing event that night.
Hartwood Elementary School asked us to present astronomy as part of their Fall Festival October 24. Mike, Tom, and Scott will support this event, and solicited other members to assist.
October is our annual nominating meeting. Mike asked if we have a nominating committee. Our bylaws do not require one, though the club may create an ad hoc nominating committee if we wish. We do not currently have one.
Joe discussed, and will email the club information about the Winter Star Party in the Florida Keys.
Dan was scheduled to discuss radio astronomy, but sent word he was unable to attend tonight. Tom described what he has learned about astronomy software while preparing his upcoming program on that topic.
The next meeting is scheduled for October 8 2008, 7:00 pm, at Headquarters Branch of Central Rappahannock Regional Library.
Glenn Holliday, Secretary