February 15, 2023
Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford
Online Business Meeting Minutes
Date:
February 15, 2023
This meeting was recorded with the permission of the speaker. It is available now on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gidiiUonzCo. YouTube is now the official home for posting live and recorded presentations at ASGH meetings. Past meetings can be found by searching YouTube for the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford or use this link: https://www.youtube.com/@ASGH_CT. (I have not found abbreviations to work but using the full name of our organization works every time – Secretary).
The February business meeting of the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford, (ASGH), was brought to order at 7:31 PM EST by President Chris Markiewicz. There were 20 people in attendance over Zoom.
Our featured speaker tonight was past Connecticut resident and ASGH Member, Tom Hoffelder, now a resident of Norway, Maine. Tom was instrumental in determining that all 110 objects in the Messier Catalog could be observed in one night if the observer was very diligent. To that end the Messier Marathon was born. Tom’s talk ran for an hour and was an eye opener and enthusiastically received by many attendees as to just what a true marathon would be and how many variations there are now in Messier Marathon’s – including the armchair Virtual Messier Marathon using online only telescopes. (Tom has agreed to come back to us in the Fall to do a talk on Meteorites as he has become quite an authority and enthusiast. – Secretary).
Secretary’s Report:
The Secretary’s report of the January 2023 meeting minutes was approved as posted by the membership in attendance.
Public Observing at the Van Vleck Observatory, Wesleyan University:
J. Sillasen, Chair, reported that 50 attendees braved the cold February 11th chill to observe both Mars and Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF. C. Markiewicz set up an 8″ Newtonian Dob for showing the comet outside to attendees. John Allen readily found the comet in hand held binoculars so while or if the weather holds, you can observe it with just about any telescope. (Our next public date is March 4th 8-10 PM – J. Sillasen scheduled post meeting).
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer, Cyndi Barron reports that the balances in the ASGH accounts are as follows: Checking balance: $1,718.40. Savings balance: $27,551.12. She reports that the Federal tax return has been filed and the Annual State of Connecticut filing has also been done. Her report was accepted by the members in attendance.
Webmasters Report:
Webmaster, John Allen, stated that there were no problems to report with the website. Web Developer, Marty Ollenschleger reported he would need to get together with the Treasurer, C. Barron, soon as the renewal for the Web Hosting via Go Daddy would be due for renewal shortly.
Outreach: Upcoming
June 22: Town of Ellington Trails Committee (Stargazing Event)
August 10: Town of Ellington Trails Committee (Stargazing Event/)
Date(s) TBD: Cosmic Cultures II (Classroom Activity / Stargazing)
Old Business:
All 4 library telescopes and accessories have been purchased. The amount came in slightly under budget too. Libraries are the Hartford Public Library, New Britain, Glastonbury and Hebron. ASGH members to do overview with designated library staff are in place. Telescope modifications are currently in progress.
Cosmic Cultures II document is now within legislative committees out for approval.
New Business:
The Vimeo subscription will auto-renew in September at $230. President, C. Markiewicz has been paying for this resource out of pocket. Secretary, J. Sillasen made a motion to cease the use of Vimeo immediately in favor of using YouTube to host our meeting presentations. In addition, he adds that B. DeNio has agreed to be the Owner of the project with C. Markiewicz and J. Sillasen acting as Managers. This is a zero cost motion to ASGH. Motion passed with no dissentions.
Connecticut Science Fair – Scott Tracy and Bill DeNio have again agreed to be judges for the ASGH Charles Hammond Memorial Connecticut Science Fair Award. There are both Junior and Senior categories. Bill added that he and Scott will be traveling to Quinnipiac University on March 15th to view the finalists and see if any presentations. Question of funding the awards came up and VP Marty Ollenschleger reminded us the award amounts were approved without need for a motion to approve as long as the awards do not exceed $250 per award.
Nathan Hale – R. Zwyno has volunteered to do a site survey for both outreach events and ASGH private observing star parties. In particular the questions are how far is the parking lot from the observing field in order to drag equipment. How far are the rest rooms from the observing field and how far is a power tap and can we drag power cords on to the observing field. This is a follow up survey to the meeting J. Sillasen & C. Markiewicz held with the managing and site staff at the Nathan Hale house last year.
6 Month Treasury Bill (T-Bill)
Ray Zwyno made a motion that ASGH purchase a 6 month Treasury Bill (T-Bill) in the amount between $10,000-$20,000. The motion was seconded by Bill DeNio. The current T-Bill offering ends in June of this year, so our funds would be tied up from the time of purchase (post March meeting) until June 2023 when the T-Bill matures. The current T-Bill discount rate is 4.42% at the time of the meeting, meaning that we would be earning 4.42% APR on our money until maturity date.
After significant discussion the motion was tabled for notification of the membership by the President and/or the Secretary that a significantly large expenditure is to be voted on in Old Business at our next meeting, March 15, 2023. You will be asked to vote on the dollar amount to invest in a 6-month Treasury Bill between $10,000 – $20,000, not to exceed $20,000.
More information on T-Bills can be found online via any search engine, or by following the links at the U.S.Treasury site for Marketable Securities:
https://treasurydirect.gov/marketable-securities/
Member Observing Reports:
None
For the Good of the Organization:
President C. Markiewicz notes we are still in need of a March presentation and is open to hearing from any member suggestions.
Astronomy Shows – NEAF and NEAIC see https://www.neafexpo.com/ NEAF – the North East Astronomy Forum will take place this year in person at the Rockland Community College on April 15-16, 2023. NEAF 2 Day Admission is $69.00. One Day Only Admission is $38.00. A Special 2 Day Admission with Souvenir Package is $99.00. The additional souvenirs include a NEAF 2023 T-Shirt & Coffee Mug plus a 20 page program. Rockland Astronomy Club states this is a $120.00 value. https://www.neafexpo.com/tickets
NEAIC, the North East Astro Imaging Conference, precedes NEAF and will take place April 13-14.
Ticket sales for NEAIC are open now at https://www.neafexpo.com/neaic
NEAIC is held at the Crowne Plaza Conference Center in Suffern, NY. Ticket prices for NEAIC include a 2 day NEAF pass so NEAF tickets do not need to be purchased separately. Registration for NEAIC cost $350.00. Evening workshops are $85.00 each. There are two Thursday and two on Friday. Workshop details are still TBD. Many speaker topics are already being displayed. Hotel reservations if desired are a separate expense.
Meeting Adjourned at 10:09 PM EST