Lay Astronomy isn't lame astronomy! David Medici Meeting location change by Ken Wilson

The July and August meetings will be held in the Eureka Theatre located on the third floor.

Last meeting by Gary Cowardin

Share table and member observing

Jim Blowers, our treasurer, announced that you can now pay your dues online via PayPal. Jim and Dave Credicott explained the process, and a link can be found on the web site, under Make Payments. There is no extra cost for you to make payments this way. An article was placed on the table about RAS member Martha Arnette's 50th wedding anniversary. Congratulations, Martha! Ken Wilson had flyers on Iridium and ISS timings. He also mentioned the new Earth like planet that was discovered and announced today. There will also be a special "Deep Impact" SkyWatch at the SMV from 9-11 pm on Sunday, July 3,2005. (Ken is looking for help with that). There will be a TV link from NASA in the SMV. Impact is around 2 am! Some 'art work' displaying the track of the furthest object in our solar system was shown and discussed. Gary Cowardin mentioned the renovating of UVA's Clark telescope in the McCormick Observatory (article from tonight's Times Dispatch). Terry needs help for the 7/6/05 Wed. SkyWatch in Jamestown for 150 4-H'ers. Joe Hetmanski discussed the Malvern observing location, indicating the light near at the nearby house is now gone. It was also mentioned this was a great place to see shuttle launches. John Raymond discussed observing some double stars from his front yard using 700x magnification. John Barnett had a great observation of Mars from the RAS Observatory early Monday, 6/6/05 using 450x. Jerry Zaun observed the sun with his new telescope. Gary Cowardin reported the RAS Observatory had been used for Mars and the sun lately. Gary also requested anyone requesting RAS Observatory training contact him. Terry discussed his recent 1950's UFO book purchases and the Caldwell Objects list book by Stephen O'Meara. Roger Rigby introduced and welcomed a visitor, Doug Greer. Doug discussed his astronomy interests. Welcome, Doug! For our 'Short Talk', and introduced by her father: Mary Dickirson, a freshman at JR Tucker High School, gave a very good short talk and audio-visual presentation on light pollution. Mary has won many awards, including a $1,000 a scholarship! After the break, RAS member Mark Campell introduced his friend, Dr. Felix J. Lockman, Director of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Greenbank, West Virginia. Dr. Lockman gave a slide presentation on the hisotry of the observatory, and also showed some slides of recent discoveries made by the telescope.

Skywatches and other events:

July 6-9, Green Bank Star Quest II Star Party, more info at www.gb.nrao.edu/epo/starquest.html July 6, 4-H skywatch at Jamestown July 11, pre-meeting dinner, 6:00 pm, Pizza Hut July 11, RAS meeting, 7:30 pm, SMV July 15, SMV Skywatch July 26, Brandermill skywatch Aug. 5-6, Stellafane, more info at www.stellafane.com Dues are due by Jim Blowers

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