From the President
March 2004
February has provided many clear nights, so I hope all of you have had a chance to get out and observe. Unfortunately our Harmony night was cancelled due to weather, but the following Saturday at the SCC Star Range provided many hours of exceptional viewing. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that our March Star Party will provide the same clear skies.
The CFAS Astrofest will be Friday and Saturday nights at the SCC Star Range and will be held on March 19th and 20th. David Furrow is taking reservations on the internet, so please send in your information early. This will help the planning effort. Check out the schedule on our web site. Volunteers are needed to help out in a few areas, so sign up for something when you register. Also appreciated are astronomy items for the drawing, and remember to bring a dessert to share. It should be a fun time. For those of you looking for something else to do on Saturday during the day, there is a lake on the property and fishing is allowed (catch and release). The caretaker says the bass run to 8 pounds!!
Paul Kronenwetter has taken over as web master. Many, many thanks to Kevin Nardini who did wonderful job in upgrading and maintaining the web for the past several years. The transfer has been seamless which is a credit to both of these members. Paul is also a Board Member at Large, and is the coordinator for the NASA Night Sky Network (http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/), a new free program specifically designed for amateur astronomy clubs.
Clubs selected for membership belong to a national coalition of amateur astronomy clubs bringing astronomy and the excitement of NASA missions to local communities. This is an opportunity to:
* Enhance the public outreach.
* Encourage more members to participate in outreach
* Increase the confidence of those who are interested in outreach
* Earn national recognition for our outreach efforts
Members of the Night Sky Network will receive free Outreach ToolKits of materials to convey a variety of astronomy and space-related topics. The program is jointly developed by NASA, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP), and an advisory team of amateur astronomy club members. The program includes:
* Training in the use of Outreach ToolKit materials
* Special opportunities for contact with NASA scientists and educators
* Access to a dedicated website for communicating with other Night Sky Network members
The Outreach ToolKits, designed and tested by amateur astronomers, make it easy for any interested amateur, of any experience level, to enrich and expand their role in public star parties, club meeting presentations, school visits, and youth or community group events.
Paul Kronenwetter is taking names of those CFAS members who wish to participate in this activity. We will be receiving our first materials in the next few weeks.
Our March meeting program will highlight Dr. Woodney. Dr. Woodney is a recent addition to the faculty at UCF, and is the new director of the Robinson Observatory. The presentation will be on her comet research. Remember the meeting will be at the Orlando Science Center. Plan on attending, and giving Dr. Woodney a warm CFAS welcome.
Laurent Pellerin has agreed to do a short presentation on each month’s sky during our meetings held at the SCC Planetarium. Laurent’s program “Tonight’s Sky” is an excellent way to learn the constellations. If you have not attended one of these presentations I highly recommend it to you. What you learn can be taken directly to the field, and compliments Todd Parker’s Basic Observing Course. Check out the planetarium schedule on the planetarium website: http://www.scc-fl.edu/planet/showdescriptions.htm.
Next Month’s Harmony observing session will be held at a new location out on the golf course. Watch for signs as you enter the development. The generator is now mounted on a small trailer that will enable us to carry it to the new area. You will be able to set up on the golf cart path. A portable toilet is at the site. After dark please use parking lights when indicated by a sign. Once at the site turn around so you will not have to back up to depart. In April our observing night will be in conjunction with the Harmony “Dark Sky Festival”. Bob Vogel is coordinating this event, and will be posting information as it becomes available.
CFAS is in the process of purchasing CFAS Polo shirts. They are Navy blue and have a CFAS LOGO. They should be available for sale at our Star Party this month.
On the personal side, I have spent the last two months putting together an 18 inch f/4.5 dobsonian. I used the Dave Kriege & Richard Berry’s book “The Dobsonian Telescope” which I found to be about 95% accurate. Several CFAS members helped out with good advice and assistance. All worked out well with the first big test coming at the SCC Star range. Much to my delight everything worked superbly. The views were the best I have seen in any telescope, but then I am biased ! I recommend this project to anyone in the club. It is most rewarding. I will willingly share my experience with all, and point out those 5% errors in the book.
SEE YOU AT CFAS ASTROFEST!!! Ray Jones