This is a call for telescopes for Friday evening April 23 before dark for an outreach event at:
Summerour Middle School
585 Mitchell Road
Norcross, GA 30071

We will do a presentation inside the school followed with observing on the field next to the school. The school expects about 150 students and parents. Call me when you get there and don’t see where to setup. For directions click here.
Thanks for participating.
Theo

Because of the weather forecast, the outreach program for tomorrow has been moved to Wednesday April 21st. The solar session will be held at the Dining Hall building. (In the circle behind the visitors center). We will setup in the parking lot after 11:00 A.M. The night observing session will start at Jon Woods Field at dark.
Clear skies,
Theo Ramakers

Charlie Elliott’s Outdoor Discovery School has requested our participation in their first TODS event of the year. We will have a solar event starting at 11:00 A.M on Tuesday April 20 at the Discovery Building and also an evening event at Jon Wood’s Observing field at dark. So if you have time to come out and let the kids enjoy the sun or night sky, send me an email that you’re coming and bring your scope.
Thanks for your consideration.
Clear Skies
Theo Ramakers

The website has been updated with the information about the outreach program at Hightower Trail and the Meeting/Observing from yesterday as well as the dates and program for the mext meeting. All available presentations so far can be viewed by clicking on the blue links. Please note that next month is election month and all Chapter officer positions are open and available. So please send me an email indicating your willingness to run for one of these offices. We have a great Chapter and you can be instrumental in bringing it to the next level. It does not matter if you are an oldtimer or you just joined the group!!
Clear Skies
Theo Ramakers

This is a reminder for this Saturday’s meeting and observing. We will have four mini presentations this month all related to astronomy from how to build your own scope to polar align your EQ mount without seeing Polaris to a quick rundown of using PhD Guiding for astro pohotography. This will be a very interactive meeting. Following th meeting we will continue some of the activities onto the observing field such as capturing the data for some planet images. In addition, this will be the last time Jim Soboleski will be at the meeting before he goes off to Afghanistan, so come on out and wish him good luck and a safe return!
Clear Skies,
Theo Ramakers

Quick update since this is the last night of the first half of GaN for 2010. The last three days have been cloudy an hour after sunset but we have pretty clear skies right now heading into twilight. Sunset is 19:47 for our latitude so the optimum time got the GaN measurement would be 20:47 or close thereafter. AND, the moon is still merely a tiny sliver so no interference there.

We’ll start another run tomorrow and go through March 31. Enjoy Orion while we can!

The Atlanta Astronomy Club changed the membership rules a few years ago and wants members to renew their membership in March of each year. Members who enrolled during the year can take credit for the months that overlap in the new year.

Members who want to renew their membership can follow the instructions on the Membership form. In addition, the AAC will accept dues posted through Pay-Pal: go to http://www.PayPal.com and post payment to AACDues@AtlantaAstronomy.org (Note, this is case sensitive – please type exactly as written.). Then e-mail membership form to Treasurer@AtlantaAstronomy.org or mail it to:
Atlanta Astronomy Club, Inc.
PO BOX 76155
ATLANTA GA 30358-1155

Clear Skies
Theo Ramakers

This is a reminder for our potluck dinner meeting with observing after the meeting this Saturday at 4:00 P.M. at the Charlie Elliott’s visitor center. (Enter through the door at the side of the building). Stephen Ramsden will present a new discussion about the Sun. For details go to our home page.

For our menu we have so far:
Crock-pot baked beans – Marie Lott
Drinks and cups – Stephen Ramsden
Goulash – Theo and Romaine
Broccoli Dish – Debbie and Clevis
Beef Stew, corn and/or cuban bread – Dan Schmitt
Plates and utensils – Jim Soboleski

We need more entrees and deserts.
Please let me know what you will be bringing and I will add it to the menu.

Clear Skies
Theo Ramakers

As Theo said in the post a few days ago, GLOBE at Night (GaN) starts tonight and runs on March 3 – 16. There is a second run between March 17 and March 31 if you want to collect more data. The whole idea is to collect data from real sites all around the world in an effort to document light pollution. So you don’t need to fly out to Arizona to get your data! Your own yard is perfect. All you need is a place to see the constellation Orion about one hour after sunset.

I’ll be keeping a running tab during the month based on whatever observations we gather. Make sure you check the directions at the GLOBE at Night web site – http://www.globeatnight.org/index.html. The data should include latitude and longitude of the site, local conditions such as street lights and house lights. Seeing and transparency would also be a good thing to record. I suggest we use the Clear Sky Clock as a reference for the time being.

You can submit your observations directly to the GaN if you wish. However, please share your data with the Chapter so we can compare our results. We’ll have a first look at the data at the next meeting, on March 13th.

Just received a NASA news release regarding their new website to provide a better understanding on Climate Change.
http://climate.nasa.gov/warmingworld/
Theo Ramakers