The Stockmar Chronicles John Barnett Last meeting by Charlotte Talley

Share table:

Ken Wilson brought in a sign up sheet for the lunar eclipse on 10/27. The eclipse starts at about 9:00 pm ad lasts until 1:00 am. Please bring scopes!. Cindy Bowers had Astronomy Magazine calendars for sale. She also reminded us about the VAAS convention, coming up 10/16 in Charlottesville! Since we always want a good showing when we host the VAAS, we strongly encourage you to attend this one! Roger Rigby is looking for people who have not picked up their name tags yet--look for him at the next meeting, and you can get yours.

Reports and observing:

Dave Credicott gave us an update on the library--four books were doated to the library by Richard Bagwell--thanks, Richard! Ken Wilson has done some recent observing at Powhatan. Jim Petty and Randy Tatum were at the observatory early Sunday morning, and had good viewing of the sun. John Raymond has done some recent observing in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Bill Dickinson announced that his daughter, Mary Kathryne, won first place at the regional(?) science fair. This was out of 2,000 entrants!. Norm Guenther presented the Astronomical League Messier Award to Jerry Zaun, for observing all 110 objects. Charlotte Talley greeted two visitors--Tiffany Little, and David Clements. Roger Rigby informed us that the board is looking into another site to put up an observatory. We're looking for a darker site.

Skywatches and other events:

Oct. 8, Chesterfield County Skywatch at Clover Hill, 7:30 pm Oct. 8-9, East Coast Star Party. You can get more info at: http://www.masp.org/ Oct. 16, VAAS, Charlottesville. More info at: http://www.cvilleastro.org Oct. 13-17, Peach State Star Gaxe. More info at: http://www.atlantaastronomy.org/PSSG04/ Oct. 15, SMV skywatch Oct. 15-16, Malven Hill skywatch Oct. 23, Ras picnic, SMV skywatch Oct. 30, Swap Meet, Hands-On Optics. More info at www.handsonoptics.com/swapmeet.html

Norm Guenther gave our main presentation entitled "Messier: Whole Notes and Half Notes." It was very interesting and informative for anyone thinking about doing the Messier Group. Some very good details and examples on how to describe what you see for each object. This would apply to anything else you might make notes on also. Very good presentation.

Picnic by Terry Barker

Yes, we have selected a site for our picnic--it will be held Oct. 23, at the Walton Lake Clubhouse. You can get clubhouse information at www.waltonlake.com. If you'd like to bring food, please make an entry at http://www.pipeline.com/~aviatrix/RASpicnic.htm.

Directions--Take the Powhite south, take the Courthouse exit (after Midlothian). Take a right onto Courthouse, and then a left at the light at Lucks Lane.

You can also get to Lucks Lane by taking 288 south, and taking the Midlothian east exit. You would then take a right on Courthouse, and then another right at Lucks Lane.

You'll come to a 4 way stop after a couple of miles. Take a right onto Walton Bluff Pkwy. Walton Lake Drive is the first right after you cross the bridge on the lake in the center of this map (further down in the newsletter). Start time is 4 pm, and we will be staying after dark for the skywatch. You can check up on the food situation by contacting Susan Brubaker with any food updates, or see the food webpage:

Swapfest by Gary Hand

Back by popular demand. We are having a Full Moon Autumn Swapfest. Everyone is welcome to bring anything astronomy related time to sell or trade. Free space will be available to everyone. Please bring your table if possible. Local clubs are welcomed to set up a table represent your group. Please call ahead and reserve space. Hot and cold drinks will be provided.

Hands on Optics

26437 Ridge Rd.

Damascus MD 20882

(W77.12.268, N39.17.400)

Toll free 1-866-SCOPES-1 (1-866-726-7371)

www.handsonoptics.com

astroguy@ handsonoptics. com

Dues are due by Cindy Bowers

Your 2005 dues can be paid to our treasurer, Cindy Bowers, at any of the meetings, or by mail. Please use the form enclosed in this newsletter.

VAAS update by Larry Eicher, CAS secretary tuzlu@att.net

This is the latest update on the VAAS Conference 2004 to be held in Charlottesville, Virginia on Saturday, October 16, 2004 starting at 9AM at St. Anne's-Belfield School, Upper Campus. As time goes on, we will further update you on additional updates as plans are finalized. Go to the Charlottesville Astronomical Society website (http://www.cvilleastro.org) to register, and pass this information on to other members of your club/society, especially the officers and your newsletter editor. We hope to have a great turnout. With great speakers and observing at Fan Mountain, this should be a memorable VAAS conference for all.

The 28th annual convention of the Virginia Association of Astronomical Societies (VAAS) will include fantastic speakers, door prizes, vendors, swap tables and solar observing during the day followed by a night of observing at the University of Virginia's Fan Mountain Observatory. This event is open to astronomy clubs, teachers, students and the interested public across Virginia.

This Year's Outstanding Group of Speakers

Steven J. Dick, Ph.D., Chief Historian for NASA. Dr. Dick is a well-known expert in the field of astrobiology and its cultural implications and he has served on the panel to examine the societal implications of possible life in the Mars rock. Zolt Levay, Imaging Resource Lead for the Hubble Space Telescope. Mr Levay processes digital images from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) for presentation to a broad public audience via print and electronic news media and the Internet. Kathryn C. Thornton, UVa Professor and Three-Time Space-Shuttle Astronaut. For her space-walk on the Hubble telescope repair project and other missions, she was awarded NASA's Distinguished Service Medal. Dr. Thornton is interested in developing educational programs to improve the teaching of science and mathematics from kindergarten through high school and to encourage more women to enter these fields. Edward Murphy, Ph.D., University of Virginia Professor of Astronomy. Dr. Murphy coordinates the educational outreach and curriculum development program in the astronomy department and devotes much of his time to public outreach. Philip A. Ianna, University of Virginia Professor Emeritus. Dr. Ianna will lead the convention's round-table discussion on fighting light pollution in Virginia. Dr. Ianna's primary research interests have been in astrometry, in particular what may be learned from the accurate measurement of stellar positions and their changes with time. Dr. Ianna has been very active in the fight for dark skies and led the lobbying effort that eventually resulted in the Albemarle County Outdoor Lighting Ordinance.

Vendors, Door Prizes and Swap Table. So far door prizes have been generously donated by Celestron, Lumicon and many others. Each registration will include a door prize ticket and a limited number of extra tickets may also be purchased.

Catered Lunch-- Lunch will be provided so that astronomers and amateurs from around the Commonwealth will have more time to fellowship and exchange ideas. Those who stay for lunch will also have an extra opportunity to win a door prize!

Star Party. Daytime observing with solar hydrogen-alpha filters will be available during breaks. Nighttime observing from the University of Virginia's dark-sky site atop Fan Mountain, thirty minutes south of Charlottesville, will begin at S unset.BRBRCASmemberswillalso be providing a hamburgers and hot dogs at Fan beginning at 7 00pm.The cost of this meal is $2.00 per person.

Open to conference attendees only. Directions to Fan http://www.cvilleastro.org/casdirections.php.

Registration Registration form packets will be provided to VAAS member clubs soon. Shortly thereafter, an online form will be provided on this website. The basic registration fee is $15.00.

There is a $5.00 discount for early registration (received by October 9).

There is also a $5.00 discount for students and teachers with school photo id.

One door prize ticket is included with each registration.

Registration Fees

Early Registration - General $10.00 Early Registration - Students and Teachers $5.00 After October 9 - General $15.00 After October 9 - Students and Teachers $10.00

Lunch Tickets--Available to early registrants for $8.00. Includes an extra door prize ticket.

Additional Door Prize Tickets -- Available at the door for $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00.

Contact-- The chief coordinator for this year's VAAS event is CAS Member Mark Klosinski. Please send comments and questions to Mark at klosinski@adelphia.net, or http://www.cvilleastro.org/vaas/klosinski@adelphia.net.

East Coast Star Party by Kent Blackwell

2004 EAST COAST STAR PARTY

October 8-9

Hampton Lodge Camping Resort - Coinjock, NC (252-453-2732). Approximately 45 miles south of Norfolk/Virginia Beach, VA area. Driving north on US 158, take Waterlilly exit before crossing the Joseph Palmer Knapp Bridge at Coinjock. Follow signs. Driving south on US 158, cross the Joseph Palmer Knapp Bridge at Coinjock. Turn left at foot of bridge. Waterlilly exit Campground is approximately 7 miles down Waterlilly Road. Follow Star Party signs.

OBSERVING SITE: THE CEDAR TREES @100' TO THE LEFT AFTER CAMPGROUND ENTRANCE GATE. JUST FOLLOW THE SIGNS. PLEASE OBEY CAMPGROUND 10 MPH SPEED LIMIT. No campfires allowed anywhere in the cedar trees area. Showers and restrooms located 1/4 mile from observing area. You may camp near your telescope. RV owners will have to camp outside of observing field. AC is available at the regular camping areas only. No AC is available in the observing field.

Though the sky provides 6th magnitude stars be aware the horizon is approximately 20 degrees obstructed. The campground is officially closed at this time of the year, but the gate will remain open all night for ECSP participants.

ADMISSION $10.00 PER PERSON. Please register and pay Kent Blackwell at the telescopes site, not at the campground store. Pay at the door, no need to pay in advance. Non-registered guests are welcomed, but must leave before midnight. Only registered guests are eligible for door prizes.

ITINERARY

FRIDAY: REGISTRATION: BEGINS AT 2:00 PM

6:00 CASUAL STARGAZING BEGINS Coffee and snacks served all night.

SATURDAY: REGISTRATION: BEGINS AT 10:00AM. 4:00 PM COOKOUT AT OBSERVING SITE. KENT WILL SUPPLY HAMBURGERS, HOT DOGS, SOFT DRINKS - YOU MAY BRING A DISH IF YOU WISH. 5:00 PM DOOR PRIZE DRAWINGS. OBSERVING BEGINS AFTER COOKOUT. Coffee and snacks served all night.

Door Prizes To Be Announced.

Kent Blackwell, Organizer. 1169 Old Kempsville Road. Virginia Beach, VA 23464. 757-495-4663 e-mail: kent@exis.net.

Mid Atlantic Star Party by John Raymond

Star Party; telescope, stars and astronomers. October 12 thru October 18, 2004 (North Carolina)

The Mid-Atlantic Star Party, a gathering of amateur astronomers and star gazers, will be held in the "Dark Park" South of Robbins, NC. There will be guest speakers, a swap meet (astronomy flea market), commercial vendors, contests, side trips and six nights of star gazing! This site can tent camp thousands, will permit motor homes at the observing site and there is lodging nearby in Southern Pines and Sanford. A formal program and swap meet are scheduled for Saturday October 16 followed by an awards ceremony and a night of star gazing on the hill (red lights only). A "white light permitted" parking area is provided out of sight of the observing hill for those who must depart in the dark. Come for a day (Sat) or stay the entire week.

For registration information: www.masp.org, or send a SASE to: MASP, 244 Deerfield Rd. Apex, NC 27502, phone: 919 362-5194, or email: info[at]masp[dot]org