The current gate closure time is 7 p.m. After that time, a code is needed for park entry (& access to the astronomy field).




Meet our Officers


CEA Board

Steve Siedentop

Steve Siedentop


Director,
Steve Siedentop director@CEastronomy.org

I’m originally from North Carolina and my father was a Marine, so we lived near a military base on the coast.  At the age of 13, we moved to Indiana and that’s what set me on my path to amateur astronomy.  We moved from a large, diverse community to a small town of about 300 people, surrounded by corn fields.  In North Carolina, the city and the base were big enough that light pollution kept me from seeing anything but a few stars that I never paid attention to.  I can remember going outside at night for the first time in Indiana and looking up, wondering what all of those clouds were.  I didn’t know it at the time, but I was looking at the Milky Way.  At some point, I decided to get out a telescope that I had received with a subscription to Ranger Rick magazine.  It was quite pitiful compared to what I use today, but it was mine and it was spectacular to me!  I looked at Saturn and Jupiter, but I think what really hooked me was the Moon.  I would go on to use that telescope to see Haley’s Comet.  A science teacher told me about it, but I had no idea at the time just how significant that opportunity was.

Eventually, cars, girls, and all of the distractions that pull a teen-age boy in different directions would pull me away from that telescope.  Life went on. After college, the Army, more college, marriage, and children, I began wondering about telescopes again and was amazed at what was out there.  About 15 years ago, my wife bought me a small goto Newtonian, and it rekindled my interest.  I spent a good bit of time languishing with it and finally decided to see if there were any astronomy clubs around.  I had been involved with other clubs of varying interests and assumed that there must be astronomy clubs somewhere.  I found Charlie Elliott Astronomy and spent a night on Jon Wood Astronomy with some very kind and welcoming people.  I learned more in one night than I had in a year on my own scouring the internet.


Dennis Ruzeski

Observing Supervisor,
Dennis Ruzeski observing@CEastronomy.org

We’re working on the bio!

Greg Gaugler

Greg Gaugler

Recording Secretary,
Greg Gaugler secretary@CEastronomy.org

We’re working on the bio!

CEA Committee Chairs

  • Outreach Coordinators
    Our outreach efforts fall into two areas: outreach to schools in the area, and outreach connected with programming at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center. One of the challenges we have faced is that many folks who are interested in outreach are not available during the daytime. Therefore, instead of appointing one Outreach Coordinator, we would like to have two.

Chapter Outreach Coordinator
Marie Lott
The Outreach Coordinator handles requests we get (which we are obligated to accept) for programs on Jon Wood Field for groups using the CE Conference Center. A good example is the Becoming an Outdoors Woman programs, which are frequently held at CE, for which we provide evening star parties.  Contact our Chapter Outreach Coordinators at outreach@ceastronomy.org.

  • Program Coordinator
    Ken Poshedly
    The Program Coordinator will identify and schedule guest speakers and will help promote chapter programs.  If you would like to present or have an idea for a presentation, contact Steve at program@ceastronomy.org.
  • Hospitality Coordinator
    Vacant
    The Hospitality Coordinator assists with setting up the regular meeting room, cleaning up the room after our meetings, and coordinating our quarterly potlucks.  The Hospitality Coordinator is also tasked with greeting members and guests and promoting a welcoming culture at regular meetings.
  • Astrophotography Coordinator
    Amy Little
    The Astrophotography Coodinator promotes astrophotography and acts as a resource for advice and guidance to new and experienced astrophotographers.  The Astrophotography Coordinator will, at his or her discretion, give a short presentation at the monthly meeting to suggest imaging targets for members and guests of all levels of expertise and how to produce the best results.
  • Astronomical League Liaison
    David Whalen
    A number of our members are working on Astronomical League Observing Programs.  Several of them have completed many programs over the years, and three of our members have achieved the coveted Master Observer Award!  The Liaison receives program logs and checks them over, and then sends them along to the AL Coordinator for official review.
  • Facilities Coordinator
    Matt Harvey
    This involves checking on our Jon Wood Field facilities on a regular basis to make sure everything is in working order. In addition, this person will inventory and keep track of the club’s several scopes – those stored at the Jon Wood Field as well as those “on loan” to club members.  This position is also the primary point of contact for requesting gates code to Jon Wood Astronomy which is available upon request to Charlie Elliott Chapter members upon confirmation of membership  Please contact Matt at facilities@ceastronomy.org if you have a facilities concern, you need access to Jon Wood Astronomy Field, or to inquire about the availability of a telescope.

Click here to see our Chapter Bylaws

Click here to see the DNR – CEA Memorandum of Understanding

The CEA Officers over the years