December 20, 2023
Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford
Hybrid Online/In Person Business Meeting Minutes
Date: December 20, 2023
The December 20, 2023 meeting of the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford was called to order over Zoom and in person from the Rocky Hill Community Center in Room 1C, around 7:35 PM by President Markiewicz. The recording secretary was hospitalized but still recorded the meeting and launched the Zoom for attendees. Therefore all times are approximate. There were 19 people in attendance. 6 were in the room at the Rocky Hill Community Center and 13 were online over Zoom.
Tonight’s Goddard Space Flight Center speaker, Donya Douglas-Bradshaw, Development PM, spoke to us over Zoom with the presentation title: “Innovation in Adversity: Lucy’s Triumph.” Applause was viewed throughout the room and on Zoom. President Markiewicz summed up her talk with these words, “That was great!” I hope you get a chance to view it on our YouTube channel.
If you were unable to make the meeting, you should take the time to watch this one on the ASGH YouTube Channel! Link to replay on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNHgtI4aZno
New Member:
One new member, Richard Grew. He’s a telescope owner by having one on order. A 2 time attendee member has also attended but has not had his welcome packet, Mike Simmons. Dave Allen will check with Cyndi on these members.
Secretary’s Report:
The November meeting minutes were approved as posted by the membership in attendance.
Public Observing at the Van Vleck Observatory:
Chris & John Allen reported a successful evening despite high clouds that threatened the observing session. The Moon aside, Jupiter, Uranus, M42 (the Orion Nebula), the Blue Snowball and Herschel’s Garnet Star were all observed. The latter being very dimmed and ruddy in color due to high clouds.
Treasurer’s Report:
No report was available at the time of this meeting.
WebMasters Report:
Nothing new to report.
Outreach:
None at this time for the December & January time frames. One April request come in.
Old Business:
NONE
New Business:
Library Loaner Scopes – ASGH has funded and delivered 4 telescopes for the library loaner program. This means ASGH trains a trainer at the library, usually a librarian. The feedback to date is that the program is going well. The librarians are able to show the users how to operate the telescope and loan it to a person in their public who uses it provides positive feedback upon its return.
There are two more libraries that need support. One, Tolland Public Library, has funded and purchased their own telescope. Ernie McNeill has offered to be their point of contact for training once the telescope has been modified for public use for the Tolland Public Library.
The second library telescope is for Hebron. The Hebron library has gone through several personnel changes of late. Once an operator point of contact is selected, ASGH will be assisting with training and the modifications for the scope for public use. Chris Markiewicz will be the training Point of Contact for the Hebron Public Library.
Chris Markiewicz will be asking Bill DeNio if he willing and able to perform the modifications.
It is likely we will receive more requests in 2024 for library loaner telescopes. We will need to have a discussion about how much we are willing to support and spend. Hartford, Glastonbury, New Britain and Hebron are all current library programs we are supporting.
Cosmic Cultures II (2023-2024):
The Request for Proposal, RFP, has been received from the State of Connecticut. Steve Polosi and Sciece4KidsCT are putting together the proposal. This is our official notice to members to have a vote at the next Business Meeting in January whether or note to continue as their ‘Fiscal Agents.’
Good of the Organization:
J. Sillasen has entered more than the required Outreach events into NASA’s Night Sky Network Events program, turning the ASGH once again into an Active participant. Therefore, we are allowed to award Outreach participants who have actively supported 3 or more Outreach events in 2023. John will be awarding several at a future meeting.
Upcoming Speakers:
January 2024 – Leonard Specht, Past and future director of the Gengras Planetarium & for Part II. Leonard was a long-time director of The Gengras Planetarium at the West Hartford Childrens’ Museum. He designed and put on many of the laser/music/astronomy shows that the Planetarium became famous for. Leonard is presenting a plan to build a new ‘world-class’ Gengras Planetarium in the Hartford area in partnership with area organizations, including ASGH.
February 2024 – Brendan Hall, Nature Documentary Film Marker.
Brendan is a crew member on the future SpaceX ‘dearMoon’ project. It will be the first all civilian Lunar Orbital Flight using the SpaceX Falcon Heavy Launch system. Brendan was originally scheduled to speak with us last Spring but had to reschedule.
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM EST