mas new member orientation 2007. welcome! agenda –introductions –overview of benefits...
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome!• Agenda
– Introductions– Overview of benefits– Specifics of each benefit– Volunteer opportunities– Q&A– Social hour
Introductions• Me• You• Board Members • Other Names to Know
– Ron Schmit (access to library)– Lauren Nelson (programs)– Bill Bynum, Jackie LaVaque (Beginners SIG)– Jon Hickman (Outreach Coordinator)– Ben Mullin, VP (Loaner Telescopes)– Ron Bubany (Gemini editor)– Steve Emert (Membership issues, subscriptions, etc.)
Information Resources• www.MnAstro.org
– Home page messages– Events calendar (www.MnAstro.org/events)
• Info line @ (952) 467-2426– Star party go/no-go
• Gemini
• Discussion forums (www.mnastro.org/forums)
– Announcements forum, SIGs, Onan Discussions, Cherry Grove Discussions
• Monthly meetings
Overview of Benefits• Monthly meetings• Special Interest Groups
(SIGs)• Star parties• Observing facilities• Publications
– Gemini– Reflector
• Discounts– Sky & Telescope– Astronomy magazine
• Loaner telescopes• Outreach opportunities
• Want-ads– www.mnastro.org/wantads– Marketplace/Exchange forum
• E-mail lists• Web page• Discussion forums• Library• Observing programs• Other organizations• Special events
– Astronomy Day– Messier Marathon / Mini-
Messier Marathon / Virgo Venture
Monthly Meetings• First Thursday of every
month• 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.• Science Museum of
Minnesota – Agenda
• Announcements / reports• Program• Social hour
• Occasional changes to time or location– www.MnAstro.org home
page, events calendar, phone message, Gemini
Monthly Meetings• First Thursday of every
month• 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.• Science Museum of
Minnesota – Agenda
• Announcements / reports• Program• Social hour
• Occasional changes to time or location– www.MnAstro.org home
page, events calendar, phone message, Gemini
Monthly Meetings• First Thursday of every
month• 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.• Science Museum of
Minnesota – Agenda
• Announcements / reports• Program• Social hour
• Occasional changes to time or location– www.MnAstro.org home
page, events calendar, phone message, Gemini
Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
• www.MnAstro.org/SIGs– Amateur Telescope-Making SIG
• Ben Mullin
– Beginners SIG• Jackie LaVaque, Bill Bynum
– Observing SIG• Bill Kocken
– Research SIG• Michael Koppleman, Russ Durkee
– Imaging SIG• Craig Cotner
– Roadtrip SIG• TBD
– Others?• Just waiting for interest and someone to lead
ATM SIG• All aspects
– Mirror making– Telescope making– Gadgets– Electronics
• Upcoming topics– CGO drive corrector demo– Chris White's encoder project– Dale Smith's PC control gizmo– Aluminum casting including a live demo
ATM SIG• All aspects
– Mirror making– Telescope making– Gadgets– Electronics
• Upcoming topics– CGO drive corrector demo– Chris White's encoder project– Dale Smith's PC control gizmo– Aluminum casting including a live demo
ATM SIG• All aspects
– Mirror making– Telescope making– Gadgets– Electronics
• Upcoming topics– CGO drive corrector demo– Chris White's encoder project– Dale Smith's PC control gizmo– Aluminum casting including a live demo
Beginners SIG• Are you interested in night sky treasures, but not sure
where to start?• Need help in choosing a telescope or astronomical
accessory?• Do you have a telescope that's giving you fits of
frustration?• Need help with observing skills? Want to learn some
tips and tricks?• Need a good way of introducing yourself to activities
within the MAS?• Would you like to hang out with others who are just
starting out, too?
Research SIG
• Forum-based• Occasional meetings• Current research activities
– Cataclysmic variables– Gamma ray bursts– Binary asteroids– Spectroscopy
Russ Durkee Michael Koppelman
Observing SIG
• Forum-based• Organized Observing
Events– Messier Marathon– Virgo venture– Mini-Messier Marathon’
• Astronomical League observing programs
AL Programs
• Arp Peculiar Galaxy Club • Asteroid Observing Club • Caldwell Club • Deep Sky Binocular Club • Double Star Club • Earth Orbiting Satellite Club • Messier: Binocular and
telescopic• Herschel 400, Herschel II• Outreach
• Lunar Club • The Master Observer Club • Meteor Club • Planetary Observers Club • Southern Skies Binocular
Club • Sunspotters Club • Universe Sampler Club • Urban Observing Club
Star Parties• Friday night primary, Saturday night back-up
– Check info line after 6:00 p.m.
• Four locations– Cherry Grove Observatory (south of Cannon Falls)– Baylor Regional Park / Onan Observatory (near Norwood-Young
America)– Metcalf (near Afton)– Long Lake Conservation Center—LLCC (near McGregor)– www.MnAstro.org/star_parties
• Schedules www.MnAstro.org/events– 3rd Quarter Moon = Baylor – New Moon = Cherry Grove, LLCC– 1st Quarter Moon = Metcalf
• NOT mandatory– A chance you’ll be the only one to attend
Star Party Etiquette• Arrive early / plan your departure• Avoid white light• Avoid vehicle headlights / interior lights• Leave pets / small animals at home• Kids welcome, but...• No littering• Be considerate• Respect others• Full text at
http://www.MnAstro.org/star_parties/etiquette.htm
Publications
• GEMINI– Bi-monthly newsletter of the MAS– Paper version, plus expanded web version of same issue
• Current issue and archives at www.mnastro.org/gemini (.pdf format)
– Submission deadline approximately 3-4 weeks before publication month
• Reflector– Quarterly newsletter of the Astronomical League
• Astronomy / Sky & Telescope– Additional fee, but discounted
Discounts• Sky & Telescope Magazine
– @ joining & renewal– Convert existing subscription
• Sky Publishing - 10%• Astronomy Magazine
– Once a year in the fall
• Astronomical League book service - 10%• Occasional group purchases
– Observer’s Handbook– Ottewell’s Astronomical Calendar– ATM supplies
Loaner Telescopes
• Dobsonian telescopes• 30 days at a time, renewable
if no one waiting• Contact Vice President for
information and to request a telescope
Outreach Opportunities• Scheduled /
Requested– Schools, Scout
Groups, Civic Groups
• Sidewalk Astronomy• Onan Observatory
– Public nights– School, scout, other
groups
• Annual commitment to Long Lake Conservation Center
• Member of the Night Sky Network
E-mail Lists• [email protected]
– Send one line containing the word "subscribe“ to [email protected] & wait for approval
• [email protected]• Other lists:
http://lists.MnAstro.org/MnAstro/listinfo/MAS– OnanNews [Onan Observatory public news and notification service]– Outreach [MAS Outreach activities]
Web Page• www.MnAstro.org
– Copy of MAS constitution (www.mnastro.org/about)– Organizational directory (www.mnastro.org/about/organization.htm)– Consolidated weather sources (www.mnastro.org/facilities)– Membership renewal via PayPal (www.mnastro.org/membership/)– Links to other sites
• University of Minnesota Astronomy
• Minnesota Planetarium Society
• Astronomical League
• Skymaps.com
• Discussion forums (www.mnastro.org/forums/)– Threaded topics– Private messages– Photo album
Library• Books, magazines, 35mm slides, and other reference
material• Located in room 329 of the Eisenhower Community
Center– 1001 Highway 7 in Hopkins– Open 8 AM to 10 PM M-F
• Can arrange to pick-up / drop-off books at front desk of Eisenhower or at monthly meeting
• Contact Ron Schmit (952-946-6327 or [email protected]) for further details
Other Organizations• Astronomical League• International Dark-sky Association• Relationship with Minnesota Planetarium Society• Minnesota Space Frontier Society• Long Lake Conservation Center
Special Events• Messier Marathon
– March 16 / 17 @ Cherry Grove
• Virgo Venture– April 13 / 14 @ Cherry Grove
• Astronomy Day, spring – April 20, 21– Locations
• Onan Observatory• Bailey Elementary Science Night• Other in-town location (pending)
• Astronomy Day, fall– September 14 / 15 @ TBD
• Meteor showers, eclipses, other celestial events
Volunteer Opportunities• Outreach participants• Observing site / observatory work parties• Lead, co-lead or assist a SIG• GEMINI articles, photos, production & distribution• Monthly meeting program• Sidewalk astronomy• Onan keyholder• LLCC outreach commitment• New member orientation