What’s Up In The Sky, July ‘08
It was an experience! What a wonderful afternoon Friday in Quail Ridge Park with fellow amateur astronomers from around the mid-west. This was my first convention, and I enjoyed talking with everyone I met. Given a weather menu to chose from no one could have topped the day we had either, for sure something would have been left out.
From the recesses of my mind a poem popped up as my wife and I were headed for the St. Charles Community College. " Now I lay me down to sleep, the speaker is dull the subject deep…" This was not the case. The speakers had done their home work, knew their topics well ,and they were well presented.
Gregg Ruppel was clear and candid about taking pictures of an eclipse. Everyone appreciated Gregg telling us what he did wrong and what he did right. From the responses to his one man show "Astronomy as Art" at St. Peter’s Arts Center, he has a lot of credibility. If you haven’t seen this art show, it is well worth you time. It is on display until July 13th.
Wayne Clark’s talk on volunteering at the ASP / AAS convention was interesting, Wayne, I envy you getting to hear Dava Sobel. I hear Wayne is preparing a manual for first time Metro Link riders.
Jim Small presented information about the Year of Astronomy 2009. Next Doug Kniffen had us all wanting to root through our old 35 mm camera filters. The effect didymian filters have on light pollution is amazing. Clark Van Scoyk held my attention. He is doing out reach with the Star lab. I did that for several years and found it very enjoyable, too.
After lunch Mary Masterman gave her presentation about her making a spectograph. In my notes I only had one word "WOW!" Our wish for her is that the promise of greatness remains with her!
Our own Mark Shea had the crowd’s attention as he spoke about building a binocular telescope. It was an intrigued group that followed Mark into the lobby to examine his home built binocular scope. Another member of our group, Jim Melka, our go to guy on Mars, proved again what a difference there is between looking through a telescope and observing through one. Jim can find details!
Gil, good guys do win! Congratulations to Gil Machin, Amateur Astronomer of the Year for Outreach!
If Mary Masterman is a breath of fresh air, Dr. Pamela Gay is a Tornado!! We all enjoyed her after dinner talk on what amateurs can do to help the Science of Astronomy. Her pointed remarks laced with good humor were on the mark.
Our ASEM members can be satisfied on a job well done!! There was a lot of work done behind the scenes that make everything to smoothly. Jim and Yvonne Roe can be proud of the work they accomplished. A special "thank you" to Stacy Thater for letting us use the St. Charles Community College. Thank you to Annette Rolls and Wayne Clark for getting all the attendance prizes. Thank you to Nancy Clark and Barb Stewart for helping with registration. A thank you to all others who pulled through when help was needed.
Things to look for this month:
02 New Moon.
04 Earth is at aphelion, 94,500,000 miles from the Sun.
09 Jupiter reaches opposition, 3 a.m. CDT.
10 First quarter Moon.
Mars 0.64 deg ssw of Saturn
14 The Moon,at apogee, passes south of Antares.
18 Full Moon
25 Last quarter Moon
27 Delta Aquarid meteor shower peaks. Look low in the southwestern sky around 2 am.
31 The Moon passes 0.9 deg south of Ceres Midnight.
