Minutes, October 8 2008 meeting
Location: Headquarters Branch of Central Rappahannock Regional Library, Fredericksburg, Virginia
In attendance:
The meeting was opened shortly after 7 p.m. by Vice-President Michael Masters, in the absence of President Scott Busby.
Members reported on the most recent club star party at Caledon (October 4), the Collegiate School event on the same day, and the Home School event at Caledon the day before. The Big Meadows Star Gaze the week before was cancelled. Joe, Tim, Bart, and two others were at Caledon, with three Dobs and two SCTs. Mike went to the Home School event and reported good turnout and enthusiastic response to the Club PST. Mike and Scott supported the Collegiate School event, which was also well-received.
Mike discussed the guide for first-time telescope buyers that he has circulated for comments. It is intended to serve as a starting point for finding good sources information, with some summaries of information that is available, along with links or other help in finding it. Mike is soliciting suggestions of information to add and mentioned that the guide needs more book titles.
The upcoming event at Hartwood Elementary School on October 24 was discussed.
Mike also reported that he could not put in a preorder request for the club for one of the Galileoscopes planned for the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009). The link for preordering has disappeared from the IYA2009 website.
The club discussed the current disposition of instruments in the club library. Mike still has the Personal Solar Telescope and the astrocamera. Mike will have the PST at the Caledon Home School Day and following events. He is looking for someone else to try the PST after the Hartwood Elementary School Event. He has not yet been able to pass the camera along to James. Tim has the Orion reflector and its GEM mount. This mount's slow-motion controls are still missing. Tim contacted Vernice Gilkey about the status of the Dobsonian reflector and reports that she will try to bring it to the next Caledon Star Party.
Treasurer Tim Plunkett presented his report. He mentioned that he received an inquiry from the Astronomical League about whether the Club is going to renew its membership. He sent a check for $130 for renewal and indicated that future dues notices should be sent to him. He has the member addresses, and it simplifies things not to go through Mark to provide them. He has written the check to reimburse Scott for Club picnic expenses. He expects he will have to mail it to Scott.
None were presented.
Mike reported that Tim Smith of King George Parks and Recreation asked for Club support of a children's nature group. Because they simply want to attend a Club star party at Caledon, Mike went ahead and agreed. Mike will add it to the list of public outreach items.
Nominations for Club officers for next year were made. Mike reported that Scott is willing to run for President and nominated him, seconded by Tom. Mike also nominated Tim as Treasurer, seconded by Tom. Bart agreed to run for Secretary and was nominated by Mike and seconded by Tom. Tom nominated Mike for Vice President, seconded by Joe. The nominations were approved by the members present.
The Club discussed the calendar for 2009 Star Party dates (see Mike's latest draft). Mike explained that desirable weekends were determined by the Moon phase each month. Most months have a clear choice of two Saturdays, one before and one after a new Moon near the middle of the week. January, May, and October have three possible dates, because date of the new Moon falls close to the middle Saturday. The consensus favored the first two of the three Saturday dates in January and May, but kept the third Saturday date in October for an additional Westmoreland State Park backup date. Tim suggested including a comment on the Club website indicating the Star Party dates that are favorable for viewing the Moon early in the evening for visitors who are interested.
No recent events were discussed. Members talked about some interesting astronomy facts and books they had come across recently. Joe mentioned learning that radio astronomy provided the first confirmation of a black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy when he visited the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, WV. Bart mentioned enjoying two books about astrophysics and astronomy: Stuart Clark's The Sun Kings and John Gribbin's The Case of the Missing Neutrinos.
Dan was again unable to attend to discuss radio astronomy. Mike and Tom demonstrated and discussed software for astronomy, the Sky version 6 and MegaStar version 5.
The next meeting is scheduled for November 12 2008, 7:00 pm, at the Pizza Hut near University of Mary Washington..
Barton Billard, for Glenn Holliday, Secretary
Directions to the November elections and pizza meeting: From Route 1 north, turn right onto Powhatan Street, which is two blocks before the light at College Avenue. From College Avenue north, turn left onto Powhatan Street. The Pizza Hut is at 1224 Powhatan Street. It is visible from, but set back from, both Route 1 and College Avenue.