From the President October 2005

Hooray!!! The fall viewing season has arrived, and hopefully clear skies are in the forecast. The predictable disappointing observing opportunities of this past summer have left me eager for some cool clear dark nights. It is time to dust off the telescopes, and check them out. Walt Hamler and I seized an opportunity to go to Harmony during the first quarter moon last month. Although the moon was bright, many old friends were viewed, and were spectacular none-the-less. It was hard to believe that the last time that I had used the telescope was in Texas last May. If the hurricane season allows, we should have dark sky observing by early October.

The end of October brings Mars to its closest approach to earth. There are several special Mars viewing sessions that you can assist with. CFAS and UCF will sponsor a week of public Mar's viewing the week of October 24th. The Orlando Science Center will host special Mar's viewing on October 29 and 30th. The SCC Planetarium will host a special Halloween Mars viewing on October 29th. Specific information on these events will be posted on our web site.

The Chiefland Fall Star Party starts on October 30th . I encourage each of you consider attending. You need to sign up soon since attendance is expected to be high this year. This star party is one of the best, and is a great opportunity to meet new friends and observe just about every telescope made. There is also a good supply of vendors, and attendees selling equipment they no longer use. CFAS members try to set up in the same area each year. It is a great event that you do not want to miss.

The Orlando Science Center is starting up a new astronomy outreach observing program to assist local schools and other organizations. They have asked for CFAS volunteers to assist in this effort. By combining our program with theirs both organizations should benefit. The observing committee will be supporting this effort. Watch for details on individual events on our web site. Please volunteer for at least one of these events each year.

I am pleased to report that Derek Demeter has taken over the Dark Sky committee, and is establishing a very ambitious program to get CFAS again active in this important work. In the past CFAS has been instrumental in helping local communities establish local lighting ordnances that will greatly reduce local light pollution. I encourage members to join this committee, and assist in this very important area of protecting our night skies.

CFAS officer elections will be held at the October meeting. I have thoroughly enjoyed my two year tenure as your President, and appreciate the support given me. My greatest satisfaction has come from observing the membership reach out to each other and the general public to share their knowledge and experience. It is time however, for me to move on and let someone else take over the reigns. As President, I was able to follow up on the initiatives started by previous President, Frank Sperl, and see the club grow and prosper. I am pleased to report that we have an active membership of over 100 families. We now hold meetings at two convenient locations, thanks to the generosity of the SCC Planetarium and the Orlando Science Center. We have watched the UCF astronomy department grow, and enjoy a close association with the university driven by our Robinson observatory agreement, and the frequent use of UCF astronomers for presentations. Although the SCC gun range is no longer available for observing, our Harmony location is available any night of the week, and the Chiefland Astronomy Village has been gracious in allowing us to hold our CFAS Astrofest on their property.

An observatory fund has been established in order to one day have our own observatory at a dark sky site. We have greatly increased our inventory of CFAS telescopes through the generous donations of our members and prudent use of our operating funds. Eight telescopes are available for member use. We have also become a member of NASA's Night Sky program. We are kept informed through an excellent web site, yahoo group and quarterly Astrolog. I have seen many of our members expanding their astronomy through digital camera and CCD imaging. Many superb images have been captured while enjoying this ever expanding realm of astronomy. The search for our own dark sky site continues. Unfortunately living in one of the fastest growing areas of the US makes finding dark sky areas very difficult to find.

I want to thank all those members who have helped me through these past two years. The officers and committee members have done a superb job, and I am most appreciative of their efforts to maintain and improve the many CFAS activities. It is only through the efforts of these volunteers that CFAS can exist. The new officers will need the continued support of the membership. I still see a few carrying too large a portion of the CFAS workload. If you can, please volunteer to help out on the various committees.

Clear Skies to all...

Ray Jones