Minutes of Meetings

In person meetings of the SJAC at Rockwood Park Interpretation Centre resumed in person September, 2022.
Masks are encouraged.
Meetings are generally the 1st Saturday of each month.

SJAC Meeting November 3, 2022~

Recap of November meeting
1. Curt N gave a presentation on the planet Mercury (in the room physically, though)
2. Observing reports were given
3. Phil W displayed and praised his Celestron StarSense telescope as part of Show & Tell
4. Business: We will keep our bank account with the same approved signers as an executive for that purpose. For meeting operations we will share duties as required. For now, Phil W will look after opening and closing the building, Trudy A will chair the meetings, and June M will take notes.

SJAC October 8, 2022~

Recap of October Meeting:
1. Business: Discussion about the difficulty to get people to volunteer for the executive and for giving talks. No one offered for the executive. In addition, Meg is stepping down as Secretary and social media coordinator, and Jim is stepping down as Webmaster. Thank you to both for your past support and diligence. There was a discussion on possible replacements. Ideas were proposed for a public workshop and for purchasing loaner telescopes.
2. Show & Tell, Buy & Sell: June M gave away a tripod and a 2021 RASC Observer’s Handbook. Chris C drew names for eyepiece cases, won by Yolanda K and Rob G. Chris and Paul O will combine two refractors and mounts for later for sale or as prizes.
3. Observing Reports: Mike P had been monitoring huge Sunspot AR3112, and he saw a horizon-to-horizon fireball on September 28. Trudy A reported on the Mount Carleton Star Party, and she had done an observing event with Curt N for the Hampton HS astronomy class. Chris is looking for outreach assistance at upcoming events.
4. What’s Up: Chris reviewed the What’s Up calendar.

Updates for September and August yet to be posted~

SJAC July 2, 2022 ZoomMeeting~

Attendees: 13

1. Opening remarks
2. Your Astronomy Questions: see DATES I took on paper! Paul asked when he thought in person meetings may start again…we did not have an answer for him.
3. Astronomy Talk: No one offered; therefore, this will be skipped.
4. Show and Tell: Linda is giving away a copy of the 2022 Observers Handbook; Renate took it! Curt showed his eyepiece…he is hoping for excellent quality views. Paul explained some of the piece’s flexible applications. Mike recently purchased a telescope with his eye on the mount. Paul got a new filter that will allow him to focus on specific color bands.
5. Buy and Sell: Paul has a 180mm Skywatcher 8” MAC CAS Telescope (planetary/bright targets) for sale, contact him for details if interested. Phill is selling Celestron binos, comes with screw on Barlow and 2 lenses for $150.
6. Observing Reports: Yolanda saw the 5 planets lined up in the very early morning; Curt saw them as well, Mike captured the planetary line up as well, Curt saw the K2 PanStarrs, Mike showed us his photo of a good-sized sunspots on the June 23rd showing success with a new camera filter
7. What’s Up: Yolanda presented what will be in the sky over the coming month with a delightfully themed presentation about what the planets and stars will be up to while school is out!

8. Announcements: Paul has a 10” Dobsonian that is available to borrow from the club (base, tube), it is functional but still needs to be cleaned, Paul spoke about the two upcoming star party invites that will be extended to RASC members who would like to attend; Curt gave us a star quiz!
9. Commitments for next month
Talk: Curt
What’s Up: Curt
(September: Yolanda?)
10. Closing

SJAC June 4, 2022 ZoomMeeting~

Attendees: 12

1. Opening remarks
2. Your Astronomy Questions: It was decided that a name, phone number, email, and date to return should be given/agreed upon before signing equipment out.
3. Astronomy Talk: Matt presented “The Pale Red Dot”.

Matt says, watch the show!
Journey to the Pale Red Dot.
4. Show and Tell: Matt suggested checking out the astronomy content on amazon prime if you have it.
5. Buy and Sell: Renate has her own art exhibit called Resilience at the Sunbury Shores Arts and Nature Center (Sunbury Shores Arts and Nature Centre Inc.), Renate Roske-Shelton Fine Art (renateart.com)
6. Observing Reports: Yves was to the Kouchibouguac star fest spotting sunspots, Curt was doing outreach at a school spotting and sketching sunspots,
7. What’s Up: Since no one volunteered to give a What’s Up, June kindly presented about the history of seeing things on Mars.

8. Announcements:
A return to in person meetings was discussed…more questions were raised than answered.
9. Commitments for next month
Talk: No one offered; therefore, this will be skipped.
What’s Up: Yolanda.
10. Closing

SJAC May 7, 2022 Meeting~

Attendees: 16

1. Opening remarks
2. Your Astronomy Questions: No one had any questions.
3. Astronomy Talk: Curt presented on Lunar cycles and Eclipses.

4. Show and Tell: Mike showed us the moon; Yolanda showed us her eclipse cookies
5. Buy and Sell: No one had anything to buy or sell
6. Observing Reports: Curt tried to view two comets, however one may have broken up, but he was able to see the other! Mike showed us sunspot activity he was able to capture; Phil viewed the constellation hydra, a planetary nebula, and other targets regardless of the location’s light pollution
7. What’s Up: June presented what will be in the sky over the next month.
8. Announcements: No one had anything to announce. Rob showed us his finished photo of Cassiopeia!
9. Commitments for next month:
Talk: Dr. Parshati Patel OR Matt (The Pale Red Dot)
What’s Up: No one offered (July: Yolanda)
10. Closing

Webmaster’s Note: I am behind on posting Minutes of Meetings.

SJAC November 6, 2021 Meeting~

Attendees: 16

SJAC October 2, 2021 Meeting~

Attendees: 13
1. Opening remarks (Matt)
2. Your Astronomy Questions (None)
3. News/Meeting Format Change: Matt explained there had been feedback re meeting format – 2 sides were presented. Some did not want any changes to the meeting agenda, while others felt the meeting should be shortened: keep the announcements, what people are doing, club business, eliminate talks, but keep the “What’s Up”. Discussion ended with the decision to drop the astronomy news & keep only 1 or 2 talks, including the “What’s Up”. It was suggested that the Zoom meeting be opened at 6:30 pm to allow people to chat & catch up, then start the meeting officially at 7 pm, thus cutting out too much chit-chat at the beginning. Someone would have to be able to do that if Meg was unavailable. June volunteered, if Meg needed someone to open Zoom early. Matt mentioned that SJAC elections for the executive would be next month, Nov. 6. Since the executive had been in place for 2 years due to Covid, it is time for a change.
4. Astronomy Talk: Matt presented “CO2: its origins/sources, importance & presence in the Solar System”.
5. Show and Tell: Chris showed his Sky Watcher Heritage 130 telescope, trus Dob, 5.1”, F5; Mike P. picked up a ZWO 32 mm guide scope/camera combo; Matt is replacing his Plossls- bought Explore Scientific 62 degree series, 15 mm wide angle eyepiece, replaced his 6.5 plossl with a Meade HD 60 6.5 mm
6. Buy and Sell: Bob bought a ZWO 240 planetary color camera; Cathy bought the same item plus a JMI focuser. Stephane picked up a camera lens with a low F stop – F2-3. Cathy mentioned she has had good luck buying items on the “fredmoranda.com” equipment site; it’s a lot like Astro buy & sell site. She will post it on the club Facebook page.
7. Observing Reports: skipped this section due to time constraints
8. What’s Up: Curt presented what will be in the sky over the following month
9. Announcements (None)
10. Commitments for next month
Talk: Curt will give a talk on the Big Dipper
What’s Up (Stephane)
11. Closing remarks: None

SJAC September 4, 2021 Meeting~

Attendees: 13
Agenda:
1. Opening remarks (Phil)
2. Your Astronomy Questions (No questions)
3. News (Phil)
• Discussed the Moon’s effect on rising tides
• US dark sky parks closed due to wildfires this summer
•Smart phone telescope becoming more popular
4. Astronomy Talk (Yolanda): Ophiuchus: The Serpent Bearer
5. Show and Tell (none)
6. Buy and Sell
• Len has an eyepiece to sell
•A discussion regarding binos and their mounts which led to Chris showing his new mount
7. Observing Reports: Paul observed winter constellations
8. What’s Up: (Curt)
9. Announcements:
• Sept 19–1st of 8 live YouTube astro photo tutorials with Paul Owen and SkyNews, see SkyNews website for more info
10. Commitments for next month:
News (Phil)
Talk (Matt)
What’s Up (??)
11. Closing remarks (Phil)

SJAC August 7, 2021 Meeting~

Attendees: 15
Agenda:
1. Opening remarks (Matt)
2. Your Astronomy Questions (No questions)
3. News (June)
• Scientists seeing light from behind black hole
• Nancy Grace Roman Space telescope to be launching in 2025
• Russian space craft connected however shortly tried to disengage itself from space station
• NASA is working on problem of laundry in space, have partnered with Tide
4. Astronomy Talk (Renate): The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli
• Renate discussed how the book combines many disciplines, weighing heavily on physics, to explain the nature of time.
5. Show and Tell (nothing to share)
6. Buy and Sell:
• Phil has an older tripod with dovetail mount (for 60-90mm scope), free
•Matt has a pair of 25X70 binos he is gifting to Rob Gaudet
7. Observing Reports:
• C. Adams has been taking astro photos, shared photos of Saturn, Jupiter and the Sun
• R. Gaudet shared photos he took using his new mount and tracker: nebula, constellations and much more, with beautiful colours and details
• Matt tried to see Venus and other planets in between cloudy weather
8. What’s Up: (Matt)
9. Announcements:
• Jill MacDonald told us the Maine star Party is still happening
10. Commitments for next month:
11. Closing remarks (Phil)

SJAC July 3, 2021 Meeting~

Attendees: Unknown
Agenda:
1. Opening remarks (Phil)
• Curt had an article in the Telegraph Journal about Cygnus
• UFOs are now UAP–Report released by US military now available online
2. Your Astronomy Questions (None)
3. News (June)
• Largest Comet ever seen, found on survey images, 100-200km in diameter. Estimated by reflectivity, in the Oort Cloys C/2014 UN271.2031, may reach 11th Mag.
• Russia/China collaboration on a Moon base. Inviting other countries, complete by 2036. Lunar exploration and launch point for solar system exploration.
• June 13, Hubble stopped working. Degraded payload computer memory module which coordinates the instruments. Trying to fix it by switching to backup hardware.
• ESA inviting astronauts to join the next recruitment drive.
• Hole-punch clouds. Supercooled liquid water either condenses and descends or it evaporates and leaves a hole.
• Venus quakes
•UY Scruit is the largest star ever identified. 1700X the Sun. Would extend to the orbit of Jupiter. Near centre of the Milky Way–a hyper giant
• Fermi Bubbles: Colossal structures above and below the plane of the Milky Way: Blobs of gas
4. Astronomy Talk (Matt): Volcanos on Venus
5. Show and Tell
• Yolanda has a new telescope– a Meade ETX 90:
6. Buy and Sell
• Stephane is selling a 125 Meade ETX: eyepieces, barlow, finder. $500 deal for club members
7. Closing remarks (Phil)

SJAC June 5, 2021 Meeting~

Attendees: 19
Agenda:
1. President’s opening remarks (Phil)
-discussed place to watch eclipse from (Xerox on Technology Dr.) for club members
-eclipse Thursday June 10th starts at 5:38am (6:35am max), lasting for 2 hrs (northeast)
2. Your Astronomy Questions
-No questions!
3. Astronomy Talk (Dax): Gravitational Waves
– Black Hole Classifications: Making Improvements by Combining Identification Methods
Investigation into combining spectroscopy and gravitational wave analysis
4. Astronomy Talk (June): The Body in Space- Adapting for the Future
5. Show and Tell- Skipped due to time
6. Buy and Sell- Skipped due to time
7. Observing Reports
8. What’s up for June (Linda)- Linda presented what will be in the sky over the upcoming month
9. Announcements
– More discussion about eclipse viewing
– Maine August star party invitation
– 6” Dob available to borrow?
10. Commitments for next month (Phil)
-News (June)
-Talk: Volcanos on Venus (Matt)
-What’s Up (Yolanda)
11. Closing remarks (Phil)

SJAC May 1, 2021 Meeting~

Attendees: 20, hosted by Chris Curwin via Google Meet
Agenda:
• Paul Owen presided, President and VP were unable to attend
• Introduction of guest speaker Florida State University Assistant Professor of Physics Eric Hsiao was made. Dr Hsiao’s presentation was about an unusual supernova exploding and is known as “supernova LSQ14fmg”. It was discovered by a 37-member international research team lead by Dr. Hsiao.

You can read more about the FSU-led research team discovery here.

• Show and Tell~ Mike Powell has a new scope.
• Observing Reports~
–Curt had observed Venus and Mercury, his 101st consecutive apparition of Mercury
“An apparition is a period during which an object is observable. Mercury catches up to Earth every 116 days so it has 3 morning and 3 evening apparitions each year, and sometimes  an extra one if the first starts in early January. I might see Mercury several times in an apparition. I saw it this evening from where I was sitting last night, the second observation of this apparition.”
–Robert Gaudet observed the Whale Galaxy.
• What’s up for May~ (Curt)
• Announcements~
–Curt Nason has about 10 RASC 2021 calender’s to give away. Please contact him via email.
• Commitments for next month, Saturday June 5 via Google Meet~
—Talk 1: Gravity Waves (Dax West)
—Talk 2: The Body in Space (June MacDonald)
—What’s Up (Linda Friars)

Note: If you wish to join, contact Linda for the link.

SJAC April 10, 2021 Meeting~

Ingenuity will text fly tomorrow. Successfully dropped on the surface and is
•ESA used Gaia Scope to review data of a region of hot blue stars that was previously believed to be empty. Furthest mapped stars. Giant OB stars—rarest hottest largest stars. Producers of higher elements used in planetary formation and higher life.
•Remapping and renaming of regions of the Milky Way is in progress. Orion Spur may be upgraded to the Orion Arm.
•Satellite collision warning for this past Friday. Russian rocket junk and an American satellite. 33 feet apart.
•Artemis mission involves Canadian components (CANADA 3 ARM). 2-3 Canadian astronauts in the program. Possibly the second flight. Build a space station (Gateway) over the Moon to support missions. Artemis 1 in 2021?? Artemis 2 in 2023 Artemis 3 in 2024.
•Venus mission planning underway.
•Asteroid Apophis likely will not strike Earth in the next 100 years.
•AstroScale Japanese company developing a satellite to clean up space junk. De-orbit spent satellites.
•Lego models of Shuttle Discovery available.
•Jupiter’s Red Spot was shrinking. Amateur and professional astronomers have been monitoring storms that have been tearing pieces off. It seems to be getting stronger as it gets smaller.
•Astronomers looking for and mapping ideal inhabitable regions in the galaxy. Middle section, where we are, is ideal due to low radiation and stellar activity.
3) Your Astronomy Questions
•June: Question– Solar eclipse in June. Why do maps show a wide view?
4) Astronomy Talk (Phil): Magnetic Field Flip
•The Spinning Magnet
•Quirks and Quarks show
•42,000 ybp there was a short term flip of the magnetic field
•Dropped to 0, flipped, dropped to 0, and flipped back
5) Show and Tell
•Phil: Good/terrific lens. Good eyepiece 23mm 63 degrees good eye relief for $13 Ali Express. Svbony.
•Matt: Seymour Solar filter for 80mm refractor
•Curt: 70mm astro binocs
6) Buy and Sell
7) Observing Reports
•Phil: March 20 -7C through the porch window.
•Stephane: Jupiter and Saturn at 4am starting to see Cassini division. No bands on Jupiter yet
•Matt and Paul: Lunar photography
•Robert NGC 2169 looks like the number 37 open cluster
8) What’s up for April (Yolanda)
•Dancing across our April skies
•Apr. 4 First quarter, New Apogee Moon xxth, Full Perigee Moon 20th
•Libration will show more of the Moon but not favourable
•Straight wall 20th
•April 6th near Saturn
•April 7th near Jupiter
The Planets~
•Mercury in the morning sky early in month
•Venus late in the month low in twilight
•Mars in Taurus
•Red triangle with Betelgeuse and Aldebaran
•Jupiter in morning twilight 5am
•Double shadow transits during first half of month
•Uranus fades into twilight
•Neptune in the morning twilight late in the month
Facing North~
•Lyra and Hercules
•Draco near Hercules
•Ursa Major upside down
•Cygnus and Milky Way arriving late in the evening
Facing South~
•Gemini
•Virgo
•M13 and the Beehive cluster
•April 22 Lyrids 1st quarter moon
•Comet 292 R1 Atlas moving quickly
•Sun no spots. Rising earlier and setting later
9) Announcements
•Penobscot Star Gazers: Tuesday 8pm ADT. Presentation on gravitational waves. jill_e_mcdonald@icloud.com
•Should we have a club google meets account? $22/mo
10) Commitments for next month (Phil)
Please sign up for a talk, the news, or What’s Up!
Just click here.
11) Closing remarks (Phil)

SJAC March 6, 2021 Meeting~

Attendees: 22
Agenda:
1) President’s opening remarks (Phil)
2) Astronomy News (Jim)[above~ Click the pic to read in pdf with clickable links]
3) Your Astronomy Questions (email them to Matt)
•What about the 73% eclipse ENE 5:30am
• The Zoo property: Meg offers to type up a proposal if Mike and Chris can get her the info.
• Where is Star Man? Won’t make it to Mars orbit.
4) Astronomy Talk (Paul): Constellation of the Month
• Cassiopeia (the Queen)
• Circumpolar therefore up all year every night
• Opposite the Big Dipper with Polaris between. One rising while the other is setting.
• Together they work like a year clock 1 Saturday, March 6, 2021
• Any star in the handle of the Big Dipper through Polaris points to Cassiopeia
• Mythology: Greek queen boasted she was more beautiful than the neirieds. Vanity causes her to be bound to a throne.
• W or M shaped constellation
• 2 Messier objects including M52 (Globular Cluster) and M103 (last object in original catalog 8500 ly Cluster dominated by a triangular shape of stars) binocs or small scope
• NGC 7789 : Old cluster where many blue stars have become red super giants. 8in scope for the best views
• Heart Nebula and Soul Nebula, ET (Owl) Cluster, Double Cluster (naked eye or binocs between Cass and the Milky Way.
• Cassiopeia A supernova remnant
5) Show and Tell (forward pictures to Matt)
[above~ The Show and Tell section (Phil Webb’s scope)]
6) Buy and Sell (forward pictures to Matt)
7) Observing Reports
• Paul and Mike are live stacking images on the Sunday Night Astronomy Show
• Curt Mercury 6:20am with Jupiter and Saturn
• Robert shots of Orion and Mars with the Pleiades
8) What’s up for March (Matt with special guest Curt)
[above~ Click the pic]
9) Announcements
• Maine Star Party– Edmunds, Maine in August, 2021.
10) Commitments for next month
• News: June
• Talk: Phil – Magnetic Field Flip
• What’s Up: Yolanda 2 Saturday, March 6, 2021
11) Closing remarks (Phil)
Next Meeting–April 10, 2021 via Google Meet.
To sign up to do the News, a short talk or the What’s Up click here.

February 6, 2021 Meeting~

Attendees: 20
Above~ virtual meeting via Google Meet of the SJAC Feb. 6, 2021
Agenda:
1) President’s opening remarks (Phil)
2) Astronomy News (Jim)[above~ Click the pic to read in pdf with clickable links]
3) Your Astronomy Questions
4) Astronomy Talk (Matt: Celestron StarSense Explorer LT review)[above~ Click the pic to view on our YouTube channel]
5) Show and Tell
6) Buy and Sell
7) Observing Reports
8) What’s up for March (Curt)Above~ Curt Nason presenting the What’s Up for February 2021
9) Announcements
10) Commitments for next month (Phil)
Closing remarks (Phil)

January 9, 2021~

Attendees: 16
1st meeting since Covid-19 restrictions have been in place.
Meeting was held virtually via Google Meets and hosted by Chris Curwin.
Agenda:
1)  President’s opening remarks (Phil)
2)  Astronomy News (Chris)
• The test launch of the SpaceX Star Ship
• Update on the James Webb telescope
• Using AI to identify and classify craters on the Moon
• Kate Reubens growing radishes on the ISS
3) Your Astronomy Questions
• Is it possible to have a telescope live feed during a SJAC meeting?
• Answer~ Yes! We’ll plan to do this if ever the sky is clear on a meeting night, just like we used to set up telescopes before and after meetings at Lily Lake.
4) Astronomy Talk (Curt)
• Dead Stars: White dwarfs, red dwarfs, black dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. What they are and where you can look for them in Orion, Eridanus, Taurus, Sirius, and Cygnus.
5) Show and Tell

[above: A universal mount for binoculars presented by Phil. Available from Amazon and other sources]
Phil’s comments:
“Based on my experience and that of other on line buyers, it will easily work for barrel size and the weight of 10 X 50 binoculars. I have, as well, pushed the mount by putting larger and heavier binos, 25 x 70 ones, on it and using them without issue. That use however I cannot absolutely say will work for you. For your average binos this mount is a very convenient and quick way of mounting them on a tripod or monopod using a mounting plate”.
• All I want for Christmas is Lego!
6) Buy and Sell
• Wanted: A new computerized power supply (Mike)
7) What’s up for January (Matt)
8) Commitments for next month (Saturday, Feb. 6 via Google Meets

Due to Covid-19, in person meetings were suspended after March 2020.

March 7, 2020~

Agenda:
1. Introduction (P. Webb)
2. Who’s Here and Astronomy News (J. Cartwright)
3. Business – Borrowing of Scopes, Books, DVDs Talks for Next Meeting (P. Webb)
4. My Telescope (Paul Owen)
5. Presentation: Creating Night Time Lapses (Tom Raithby)
6. Observing reports
7. Show & Tell / Buy & Sell (any new equipment or books to flaunt or astronomy gear to sell?)
8. Imaging reports
9. What’s Up (M. West)

February 1, 2020~

Attendees:  39
1. Astronomy News: J. Cartwright discussed current astronomy news.
2. Business: Borrowing club telescopes, books, DVDs
• M. Arsenault brought many years of astronomy magazines to give away.
• M. West explained new equipment borrowing procedure:
L. Morgan will be accepting equipment rental requests via email.
3. My Telescope: P. Owen brought in Orion 80mm telescope (above) that he has encompassed by extras to make it maintain automation in his observatory (“imaging rig”) and showed us his first photo taken with it (the Orion nebula and running man).
4. Presentation: M. West presented “Lucy in the Sky with Trojans”. The Trojans are two clusters of large asteroids that follow in Jupitar’s path. Lucy is a NASA mission that is going to visit the Trojans. They are hoping Lucy will offer insight into early planetary evolution. Launches October 2021.
References:
• http://lucy.swri.edu
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jupiter_trojan
• https://twitter.com/plutokiller (Mike Brown’s Twitter account)
• https://twitter.com/KonaSkies (Amateur astronomer)
• https://twitter.com/NASALucy2Trojan (Official Twitter account)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57aLfX3ZX2I (Mission overview)
• http://lucy.swri.edu//LucyAmbassadors.html (Asteroid Ambassadors—GET INVOLVED!)
• http://lucy.swri.edu//occultations.html (YOU can participate!)
List of other small body missions to follow:
• OSIRIS-REx – Sample Return Mission to Asteroid Bennu (2016)
• Hayabusa 2 – JAXA Sample Return Mission to Asteroid Ryugu 1999 JU3 (2014)
• PROCYON – JAXA Small Satellite Asteroid Flyby Mission (2014)
• Dawn – NASA Orbiter of Asteroids Ceres and Vesta (2007)
• Rosetta – ESA Comet Mission, flew by asteroids Steins and Lutetia (2004)
• Hayabusa (Muses-C) – ISAS (Japan) Sample Return Mission to Asteroid Itokawa 25143 (2003)
• Genesis – NASA Discovery Solar Wind Sample Return Mission (2001)
• Stardust – NASA Comet Coma Sample Return Mission, flew by asteroid AnneFrank (1999)
• Deep Space 1 – NASA Flyby Mission to asteroid Braille (1998)
• NEAR – NASA Near-Earth Asteroid Rendezvous with 433 Eros
5. Observing Reports: L. Morgan spotted a sun spot; M. Powell observed the moon and Venus; A. Rahman observed Venus and other targets
6. Show & Tell/Buy & Sell: A. Huskins has various items for sale: Chris Hadfield’s book, mini telescope for a cell phone, a sun spotting device, a 32mm eye piece, a 10mm eye piece, brand new moon nightlight, mini red light flashlight that attaches to a 9 volt battery, a red dot finder scope, Celestron 15 x 70 binoculars; D. Oldford showed a panel from Fabricville of a space scene
7. Imaging Reports: R. Gaudet showed many amazing photos including nebulas; T. Raithby showed his panoramic image of the night sky taken from a lake, 26 images stitched together over 8 hrs of work
8. What’s Up: Matt West presented what’s in the sky over the upcoming month

January 4, 2020~

Attendees:  49
1. Astronomy News: J. Cartwright discussed current astronomy news.
2. Business: Borrowing club telescopes, books, DVDs
4.5” Dob: Cy Monahan
6” Dob with NexYZ adapter: L. Sulaiman
8” Dob with camera adapter: Jim and Bonnie Eadle
90ml Refractor: Wendy Barron
Solar Scope: Len Morgan
11×80 Binos: Yolanda Kippers
Camera Adapters: P. Owen, L. Sulaiman, P. Dionne, L. Daltrop
Library: Linda Friars
Equipment: Len Morgan will be looking after the club equipment (equipment list with pictures)
3. My Telescope: Phil Webb and Mike Powell presented BinoViewing, as well (above) M. Powell presented his Celestron 6 inch SE scope.
4. Presentation: Paul Owen presented on Photography vs. Astrophotography and the difference between the two. A detailed presentation, jam packed with useful and practical information.
5. Observing Reports: C. Nason observed approx. 14 meteors and a Panstarrs comet; J. Stewart saw many constellations and star clusters with his neighbors; M. West practiced locating winter constellations with the naked eye; L. Salaiman and family shared the full moon with their neighbors; T. Almon observed the moon and some meteors; Y. Kippers observed Kimble’s Cascade constellation; P. Owen saw a fireball from constellation Perseus
6. Show & Tell/Buy & Sell: Paul Owen has a C-Gem equatorial mount for sale $1400 (completely dressed), Malcolm Bird has a DuoT (SkyTee) altazimuth mount for sale $150, M. West and P. Webb gave away a telescope minus the mount to M. Burley,
7. Imaging Reports: R. Gaudet showed his own photos including Cassiopeia, Orion, Orion nebula, NGC 74, 79, Pegasus; T. Almon (21.41 dark sky rating at her house) showed, earth shine, moon, Venus, full moon with washboard clouds, slim crescent moon
8. What’s Up: Matt West presented what’s in the sky over the upcoming month.
References:
Comet Borisov: https://theskylive.com/c2019q4-info
Betelgeuse dimming: https://www.astronomerstelegram.org/?read=13365
JPL What’s up: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources
Planet rotation animation: https://buff.ly/2PTeyTH

~2019~

[in reverse order]

December 2019~

Attendees:  35
1. Business: Borrowing club telescopes, books, DVDs
4.5” Dob: Cy Monahan until January
6” Dob with NexYZ adapter: L. Sulaiman
8” Dob with camera adapter: Jim and Bonnie Eadle
90ml Refractor: Wendy Barron (Bob Touchborne wants to borrow this)
Solar Scope: Meg Burley
11×80 Binos: Lorne Daltrop until January
Camera Adapters: P. Owen, L. Sulaiman, P. Dionne, L. Daltrop
Library: Linda Friars
Equipment: Len Morgan will be looking after the club equipment (equipment list with pictures)
2. Presentation: Joe Cartwright presented various new items: satellites to be orbiting the earth, methane in California, China on Mars in 2020, the lowest mass black hole has been found, and more.
3. My Telescope: M. Bird presented his 3/5 Quester (above) and donated an EQ3 Equatorial Mount to the SJAC
4. Presentation: J. MacDonald presented the club survey results and will do a follow up survey. Discussion on coordinating 12 months with long weekends. What is your level of expertise and what equipment do you use? What kind of astronomer will you be?
5. Show & Tell/Buy & Sell: J. MacDonald showed an illuminous blue white cloud picture; P. Owen had a piece of material with the solar system on it as well as pictures of Mercury and nebulas
6. What’s Up: Matt West presented what’s in the sky over the upcoming month

November 2019~

Agenda:

1. Business: Borrowing club telescopes, books, DVDs. Talks for next meeting.
2. Transit of Mercury outreach.
3. Verification / Nomination for club Executive
4. Presentation: Club survey results (J MacDonald)
5. Presentation: Be stars (M West)
6. Observing reports
7. Show & Tell / Buy & Sell (any new equipment or books to flaunt or astronomy gear to sell?)
8. Imaging reports
9. What’s Up (M West)

October 2019~

1. Business: 8″ Dob/camera adapter (B&J Eadle); 90mm refractor (W Barron); 4.5″ Dob (J Boyle); 11×80 binos (L Daltrop); 6″ Dob (A Huskins); Solar scope (D Branch); camera adapters: P Owen, A Huskins, P Dionne, L Daltrop.
Election: President TBD, VP (P Webb) Treasurer (C Curwin) Secretary (M Burley)
2. Observing Reports: Members discussed the event at the INP. B&J Eadle had a great summer with the club 8″ Dob. M&A West attended the star party at Kouchibouguac.
3. Presentation: A West gave a talk on time dilation.
4. how & Tell, Buy & Sell: A Huskins selling an observing chair (sold). C Nason was contacted about telescope making supplies (8″ mirror blank, grinding materials). M West looking for a small refractor. Copies of “50 Things to See on the Moon” for sale $20 (C Curwin, J McDonald), M West displayed ” First to the Moon” DVD.
5. Imaging Reports: T Raithby showed time-lapse aurorae at Loch Lomond. A Gordon showed photos of the Milky Way, M45,Saturn and Jupiter at Fundy NP.
6. What’s Up: M West presented what to look for over the month, and showed a JPL video on the Solar System.

September 2019~

1. Business: 8″ Dob/camera adapter (B&J Eadle); 90mm refractor (W Barron); 4.5″ Dob (J Boyle); 11×80 binos (L Daltrop); 6″ Dob (B Touchborne); Solar scope (M West); camera adapters: P Owen, A Huskins, P Dionne.
2. My Telescope: M Bird presented his Meade LX200.
3. Observing Reports: J Cartwright attended UNB public observing of Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon at Queen Square. in Fredericton. M Burley was observing the Sun with the club PST. C Curwin gave a report on the Fundy star party. Public observing events were also held at Oak Bay, St. George, Hampton and Rothesay.
4. What’s Up: C Nason covered what to look for over the month and the final 18 Messiers, most of which are in Sagittarius.
5. Imaging Reports: R Gaudet displayed his images of the Moon, Jupiter, M16, the Coathanger cluster, Milky Way, M13, Herschel’s Garnet Star, M76, M31, M20 and the Bowtie Nebula.
6. Website: J Stewart showed aspects of the website that volunteers could assist with.
7. Outreach opportunities: C Curwin described outreach opportunities via live, including those with school connections and a weekly Sunday evening events over the winter with two others, plus looking ahead to offering observing for cruise ship visitors and building a local observatory.

August 2019~

1. Business: 8″ Dob/camera adapter (B&J Eadle); 90mm refractor (W Barron); 4.5″ Dob (J Boyle); 11×80 binos (B Touchbourne); 6″ Dob (C Lawton, S Felix); Solar scope (M Burley); camera adapters: P Owen, A Huskins, P Dionne.
2. My Telescope: M Bird presented his GoTo alt-az mount
3. Presentation: Missions to Mars – P Webb related a history of the Mars missions.
4. Show & Tell, Buy & Sell: R Leathley selling his 10″ SkyWatcher Dob (sold later); M Bird selling a duo-t (sky t) alt-az mount head for $100; R Gaudet selling Alstar 2″ SCT diagonal, 99% reflectivity, coated ($180); L Morgan selling telescope for club donation (sold); M West selling equatorial mount for club donation (sold); P Webb donated binos / tripod for club donation (sold).
5. Imaging Reports: A Gordon captured 6 of Saturn’s moons; R Gaudet imaged Alpine lunar range, Milky Way, M57 central star, M27, ET cluster.
6. What’s Up: M West covered what to look for over the month.

July 2019~

Unavailable.

June 2019~

Unavailable.

May 2019~

1. Business: 8″ Dob (B&J Eadle); 90mm refractor (W Barron); 4.5″ Dob (J Boyle); 11×80 binos (L Daltrop); 6″ Dob (J Davidson); 4″ Mak (P Owen); camera adapters: P Owen, A Huskins, P Dionne.
2. My Telescope: C Curwin presented his pimped 12″ Dobsonian.
3. Observing Reports: M Powell and C Nason observed a sunspot. J Stewart observed a Messier object, and Y Kippers added three to her list. L Morgan and L Friars saw the Southern Cross and other southern stars on a cruise.
4. Presentation: The Far Side of the Moon – P Webb showed how the far side differs from the near side (far fewer maria) and related a theory for the discrepancy.
5. Show & Tell, Buy & Sell: J MacDonald had a poster holder to give away – P Owen claimed it.
6. What’s Up: M Powell covered what to look for over the month.
7. May Messiers: C Nason showed where to find 15 Messier objects in the Hydra-Virgo-Coma Berenices regions (posted to our website.

April 2019~

1. Business: 8″ Dob (B&J Eadle); 90mm refractor (W Barron); 4.5″ Dob (J Boyle); 11×80 binos (L Daltrop); 6″ Dob (J Davidson); 4″ Mak (M Powell); camera adapters: P Owen, A Huskins, P Dionne.
2. My Telescope: P Webb presented his short-tube 90 mm Meade refractor that lives part-time on his deck.
3. Observing Reports: T Raithby and T Almon tried for aurorae, got clouds. D McCashion and E O’Reilly got 30 Messiers on a marathon attempt. J Stewart did the January Messiers plus lunar observing. R Gaudet observed some nebulae and captured some images. C Curwin and M Powell offered lunar views at Saints Rest, and they and several others did observing for a group at Meenan’s Cove.
4. Presentation: Hyperstar – P Owen demonstrated the use and advantages of imaging using the Hyperstar lens by Starizona.
5. Show & Tell, Buy & Sell: A Gordon displayed a rechargeable power pack and camera dew shields he had bought.
6. Imaging Reports: R Gaudet displayed some of his astroimages.T Raithby showed a shot of Orion and some aurorae time lapse videos.
7. What’s Up / April Messiers: C Nason covered what to look for over the month and where to find 11 Messier objects in the Canes Venatici – Coma Berenices regions (posted to our website).

March 2019~

1. Business: 8″ Dob (L Morgan-returned)); 90mm refractor (W Barron); 4.5″ Dob (M West storing); 11×80 binos (B Gaudet Feb/March); 6″ Dob (J Davidson – Jan/Feb); 4″ Mak (M Powell); camera adapters: P Owen, A Huskins, P Dionne.
2. My Telescope: P Owen displayed his Celestron 6″ NexStar SCT
3. Observing Reports: Y Kippers saw a lunar 22 degree halo and another that could not be identified. D Branch saw Mars and Uranus together in binos. L Morgan found Mercury after sunset. A Gordon had photos of M42 and a meteor. P Owen imaged Betelgeuse. J Davidson saw a satellite flare.
4. Presentation: Impact Craters and Greenland – Webb talked about impact craters, and M West discussed whether a recently discovered crater in Greenland is related to the Younger Dryas cooling period of 12,000 years ago that led to extinction of megafauna and possibly the Clovis people.
5. Show & Tell, Buy & Sell: C Nason brought a RASC 150 coin. C Curwin displayed a clip-on eyepiece adapter for phone cameras. D Eastman donated several books on optics and optical design for anyone who wanted them. Thank you Daniel!
6. What’s Up / March Messiers: C Nason covered what to look for over the month and where to find 10 Messier objects in the Leo-Ursa Major regions (posted to our website).

February 2019~

1. Business: 8″ Dob (L Morgan – Jan/Feb); 90mm refractor (W Barron); 4.5″ Dob (M West storing); 11×80 binos (B Gaudet Feb/March); 6″ Dob (J Davidson – Jan/Feb); 4″ Mak (L Morgan); camera adapters: P Owen, A Huskins, P Dionne.
2. My Telescope: M Powell proudly displayed his Mikegyverized orange anodized Celestron 9.25″ SCT. He also drew for his photo contest gift basket, won by L Morgan.
3. Observing Reports: M Burley’s elementary school students saw Venus in daytime from the classroom. J Davidson and B Gaudet were observing lunar features.
4. Presentation: New Horizons at Ultima Thule – J MacDonald gave an entertaining recap of the New Horizons mission to Kuiper Belt Object Ultima Thule, and threw in some pictures of Pluto.
5. Show & Tell, Buy & Sell: Skipped this for cake.
6. Imaging Reports: Skipped this too.
7. What’s Up / February Messiers: C Nason covered what to look for over the month and where to find 9 Messier objects in the Lepus-Canis Major-Puppis-Cancer regions (posted to our website).

January 2019~

1. Business: 8″ Dob (L Morgan – Jan/Feb); 90mm refractor (W Barron); 4.5″ Dob (M West storing); 11×80 binos (M Burley); 6″ Dob (J Davidson – Jan/Feb); 4″ Mak (L Morgan); camera adapters: P Owen, A Huskins, P Dionne.
C Curwin, M Powell and P Owen are planning a series of workshops for beginners this winter. M Powell offered a challenge to report observations for a chance to win an astronomy-themed gift basket.
2. My Telescope: C Curwin gave a tutorial on using Dobsonians based on his 10″ truss tube and 4.5″ StarBlast.
3. Observing Reports: P Owen, T Almon, M Bockus and C Curwin saw comet 46P/Wirtanen.
4. Presentation: Cetus – J Cartwright gave a talk on the features of the constellation Cetus.
5. Show & Tell, Buy & Sell: M Powell got Astronomy Lego. C Nason got a 3D printed Moon that lights up.
6. Imaging Reports: None
7. What’s Up / January Messiers: C Nason covered what to look or over the month and where to find 9 Messier objects in the Orion-Taurus-Auriga-Gemini regions (posted to our website).

Note: The meetings are always informal. All are welcome–no experience necessary.