MASNew Member Orientation

2007

Welcome!• Agenda

– Introductions– Overview of benefits– Specifics of each benefit– Volunteer opportunities– Q&A– Social hour

Introductions• Me• You• Board Members • Other Names to Know

– Ron Schmit (access to library)– Lauren Nelson (programs)– Bill Bynum, Jackie LaVaque (Beginners SIG)– Jon Hickman (Outreach Coordinator)– Ben Mullin, VP (Loaner Telescopes)– Ron Bubany (Gemini editor)– Steve Emert (Membership issues, subscriptions, etc.)

Information Resources• www.MnAstro.org

– Home page messages– Events calendar (www.MnAstro.org/events)

• Info line @ (952) 467-2426– Star party go/no-go

• Gemini

• Email

– MAS@MnAstro.org

– MASBoard@MnAstro.org

• Discussion forums (www.mnastro.org/forums)

– Announcements forum, SIGs, Onan Discussions, Cherry Grove Discussions

• Monthly meetings

Overview of Benefits• Monthly meetings• Special Interest Groups

(SIGs)• Star parties• Observing facilities• Publications

– Gemini– Reflector

• Discounts– Sky & Telescope– Astronomy magazine

• Loaner telescopes• Outreach opportunities

• Want-ads– www.mnastro.org/wantads– Marketplace/Exchange forum

• E-mail lists• Web page• Discussion forums• Library• Observing programs• Other organizations• Special events

– Astronomy Day– Messier Marathon / Mini-

Messier Marathon / Virgo Venture

Monthly Meetings• First Thursday of every

month• 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.• Science Museum of

Minnesota – Agenda

• Announcements / reports• Program• Social hour

• Occasional changes to time or location– www.MnAstro.org home

page, events calendar, phone message, Gemini

Monthly Meetings• First Thursday of every

month• 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.• Science Museum of

Minnesota – Agenda

• Announcements / reports• Program• Social hour

• Occasional changes to time or location– www.MnAstro.org home

page, events calendar, phone message, Gemini

Monthly Meetings• First Thursday of every

month• 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.• Science Museum of

Minnesota – Agenda

• Announcements / reports• Program• Social hour

• Occasional changes to time or location– www.MnAstro.org home

page, events calendar, phone message, Gemini

Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

• www.MnAstro.org/SIGs– Amateur Telescope-Making SIG

• Ben Mullin

– Beginners SIG• Jackie LaVaque, Bill Bynum

– Observing SIG• Bill Kocken

– Research SIG• Michael Koppleman, Russ Durkee

– Imaging SIG• Craig Cotner

– Roadtrip SIG• TBD

– Others?• Just waiting for interest and someone to lead

ATM SIG• All aspects

– Mirror making– Telescope making– Gadgets– Electronics

• Upcoming topics– CGO drive corrector demo– Chris White's encoder project– Dale Smith's PC control gizmo– Aluminum casting including a live demo

ATM SIG• All aspects

– Mirror making– Telescope making– Gadgets– Electronics

• Upcoming topics– CGO drive corrector demo– Chris White's encoder project– Dale Smith's PC control gizmo– Aluminum casting including a live demo

ATM SIG• All aspects

– Mirror making– Telescope making– Gadgets– Electronics

• Upcoming topics– CGO drive corrector demo– Chris White's encoder project– Dale Smith's PC control gizmo– Aluminum casting including a live demo

Beginners SIG• Are you interested in night sky treasures, but not sure

where to start?• Need help in choosing a telescope or astronomical

accessory?• Do you have a telescope that's giving you fits of

frustration?• Need help with observing skills? Want to learn some

tips and tricks?• Need a good way of introducing yourself to activities

within the MAS?• Would you like to hang out with others who are just

starting out, too?

Research SIG

• Forum-based• Occasional meetings• Current research activities

– Cataclysmic variables– Gamma ray bursts– Binary asteroids– Spectroscopy

Russ Durkee Michael Koppelman

Observing SIG

• Forum-based• Organized Observing

Events– Messier Marathon– Virgo venture– Mini-Messier Marathon’

• Astronomical League observing programs

AL Programs

• Arp Peculiar Galaxy Club • Asteroid Observing Club • Caldwell Club • Deep Sky Binocular Club • Double Star Club • Earth Orbiting Satellite Club • Messier: Binocular and

telescopic• Herschel 400, Herschel II• Outreach

• Lunar Club • The Master Observer Club • Meteor Club • Planetary Observers Club • Southern Skies Binocular

Club • Sunspotters Club • Universe Sampler Club • Urban Observing Club

Star Parties• Friday night primary, Saturday night back-up

– Check info line after 6:00 p.m.

• Four locations– Cherry Grove Observatory (south of Cannon Falls)– Baylor Regional Park / Onan Observatory (near Norwood-Young

America)– Metcalf (near Afton)– Long Lake Conservation Center—LLCC (near McGregor)– www.MnAstro.org/star_parties

• Schedules www.MnAstro.org/events– 3rd Quarter Moon = Baylor – New Moon = Cherry Grove, LLCC– 1st Quarter Moon = Metcalf

• NOT mandatory– A chance you’ll be the only one to attend

Star Parties

Metcalf

Metcalf

Baylor / Onan

Baylor / Onan

Baylor / Onan

Baylor / Onan

Cherry Grove

Cherry Grove

Cherry Grove

Cherry Grove

LLCC

LLCC

LLCC

Star Party Etiquette• Arrive early / plan your departure• Avoid white light• Avoid vehicle headlights / interior lights• Leave pets / small animals at home• Kids welcome, but...• No littering• Be considerate• Respect others• Full text at

http://www.MnAstro.org/star_parties/etiquette.htm

Publications

• GEMINI– Bi-monthly newsletter of the MAS– Paper version, plus expanded web version of same issue

• Current issue and archives at www.mnastro.org/gemini (.pdf format)

– Submission deadline approximately 3-4 weeks before publication month

• Reflector– Quarterly newsletter of the Astronomical League

• Astronomy / Sky & Telescope– Additional fee, but discounted

Discounts• Sky & Telescope Magazine

– @ joining & renewal– Convert existing subscription

• Sky Publishing - 10%• Astronomy Magazine

– Once a year in the fall

• Astronomical League book service - 10%• Occasional group purchases

– Observer’s Handbook– Ottewell’s Astronomical Calendar– ATM supplies

Loaner Telescopes

• Dobsonian telescopes• 30 days at a time, renewable

if no one waiting• Contact Vice President for

information and to request a telescope

Outreach Opportunities• Scheduled /

Requested– Schools, Scout

Groups, Civic Groups

• Sidewalk Astronomy• Onan Observatory

– Public nights– School, scout, other

groups

• Annual commitment to Long Lake Conservation Center

• Member of the Night Sky Network

Want-ads• Web page (www.MnAstro.org/wantads)• Discussion forms

– Marketplace / Exchange

• Gemini

E-mail Lists• MAS@MnAstro.org

– Send one line containing the word "subscribe“ to mas-request@MnAstro.org & wait for approval

• MASBoard@MnAstro.org• Other lists:

http://lists.MnAstro.org/MnAstro/listinfo/MAS– OnanNews [Onan Observatory public news and notification service]– Outreach [MAS Outreach activities]

Web Page• www.MnAstro.org

– Copy of MAS constitution (www.mnastro.org/about)– Organizational directory (www.mnastro.org/about/organization.htm)– Consolidated weather sources (www.mnastro.org/facilities)– Membership renewal via PayPal (www.mnastro.org/membership/)– Links to other sites

• University of Minnesota Astronomy

• Minnesota Planetarium Society

• Astronomical League

• Skymaps.com

• Discussion forums (www.mnastro.org/forums/)– Threaded topics– Private messages– Photo album

Web Page

Web Page

Library• Books, magazines, 35mm slides, and other reference

material• Located in room 329 of the Eisenhower Community

Center– 1001 Highway 7 in Hopkins– Open 8 AM to 10 PM M-F

• Can arrange to pick-up / drop-off books at front desk of Eisenhower or at monthly meeting

• Contact Ron Schmit (952-946-6327 or rschmit@fargo.com) for further details

Other Organizations• Astronomical League• International Dark-sky Association• Relationship with Minnesota Planetarium Society• Minnesota Space Frontier Society• Long Lake Conservation Center

Special Events• Messier Marathon

– March 16 / 17 @ Cherry Grove

• Virgo Venture– April 13 / 14 @ Cherry Grove

• Astronomy Day, spring – April 20, 21– Locations

• Onan Observatory• Bailey Elementary Science Night• Other in-town location (pending)

• Astronomy Day, fall– September 14 / 15 @ TBD

• Meteor showers, eclipses, other celestial events

Volunteer Opportunities• Outreach participants• Observing site / observatory work parties• Lead, co-lead or assist a SIG• GEMINI articles, photos, production & distribution• Monthly meeting program• Sidewalk astronomy• Onan keyholder• LLCC outreach commitment• New member orientation

QUESTIONS?

Thank you!