MAS
New 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 / MiniMessier 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 masrequest@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!