March 19, 2025
Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford
Online & In-Person Business Meeting Minutes
Date:
March 19, 2025
The March 19, 2025 meeting of the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford was called to order over Zoom at 7:33 PM by President Markiewicz. There were 15 people in attendance and 1 of whom was a guest, 6 people were in the community center and 9 were online.
Tonight’s speaker was Member, Secretary & NASA Solar System Ambassador, John A. Sillasen. John’s topic was “Observing in the Cold.” Well timed for a Winter presentation, alas, due to scheduling of other speakers, the talk was given on the cusp of Spring weather. Still, there were positive acclamations made in the feedback and Zoom Chat.
The talk was recorded with permission and is posted on the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford’s YouTube channel with thanks to member William DeNio for formatting and posting.
A link to this talk is here: https://youtu.be/dFX2ZzliLgk
New Members:
Jeff Peck of Meriden is a new member. Jeff has a 10″ Dob and a 76 mm refractor. His interests include both visual and imaging. Welcome to the club, Jeff. You will find many kindred spirits here who enjoy both!
Secretary’s Report:
The Secretary’s report was post to the members section of the ASGH website. A motion to approve was made by M. Ollenschleger and seconded by A. Johnson, Jr,. The report was unanimously approved.
Van Vleck Observatory:
This month’s observing is scheduled for the New Moon Weekend of March 29th. Staffing in attendance will be J. Sillasen, C. Markiewicz, J. Allen, M. Ollenschleger & D. Kavalcovich.
Sturm Memorial Lecture Announced:
The Annual Sturm Memorial Lecture has been posted and will take place April 22nd at 8 PM at the Ring Family Performing Arts Center with Dr. Sheperd Doeleman. He will present “How to take a photo of a black hole.” The ASGH has always had a very healthy presence at the Sturm Memorial Lecture. Please make every effort to attend this free lecture on campus.
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer, C. Barron was locked out of her car and had to wait 3 hours for AAA to get to her. Her report was submitted after the meeting ended. Checking account balance is: $6,204.08. The balance in the Savings Account is: $7,082.47. There are several funds currently in use in Treasury Bonds.
CT Science Fair:
Each year in March, ASGH sends two or more members to evaluate Poster sessions and the science performed by both Junior groups/Middle School and Senior/High School students. This year, members Scott Tracy & Bill DeNio were there on March 15th. Bill DeNio called both Sec’y Sillasen & President Markiewicz to announce there was only 1 Senior poster relevant to our award and no Junior category winners. The motion for funding this award was taken up under Old Business and passed unanimously.
Outreach:
Talcott Mtn Science Center, Avon CT has requested assistance from the ASGH to supoort their star gazing program with their equipment. To sign up for these events send Chris Markiewicz a note at outreach@asgh.org
Dates requested by Talcott Mtn are: March 21, April 2, April 25, May 9, May 16.
For each event the Arrival time is: 6:45 – 7:10 PM
Programming varies. Times 7:40 – 9:00 PM with star gazing generally 8:00 – 9:00 PM.
Space Expo 2025 New England Air Museum Volunteers: C. Markiewicz, A. Johnson Jr., C. Barron & J. Benoit. Saturday 4/26/2025, 9:00am 3:00pm (setup/teardown 7:00am 4:00pm).
Ellington Trails Committee Ellington, CT Volunteers: C. Markiewicz, J. Sillasen, others are welcome! Viewing general Star Party & Perseid Meteor Shower. Tuesday 8/12, 2025, 9:00pm.
Rocky Hill Cub Scout Pack 135 Rocky Hill, CT New, Chris Markiewicz, J. Sillasen & all others are welcome!
Troop is requesting that ASGH provide assistance with their scouts to earn the Astronomy Badge for Scout Troop affiliated with Rocky Hill Pack 135. Specific dates/times TBD.
Suffield Middle School Suffield, CT Volunteers: C. Markiewicz, C. Barron, L. Branco & J. Sillasen. Stargazing with middle school students. Exact number of students is TBD.
date/time TBD but sometime in the Spring of 2025.
Vernon Senior Center Vernon, CT – Need volunteer to do an Event or talk related to astronomy this will probably be a discussion event with the date/time TBD.
New Business:
None
Old Business:
A motion made at the February meeting and tabled until the March meeting was brought forward tonight. The amount request would be ongoing so the membership needed advance notification.
Judge, William (Bill) DeNio noted that in today’s economy, a $150 Senior award and $75 Junior award are severely underfunded and motioned the awards be increased while ASGH has the income to fund the awards at the descretion of the executive board. The awards shall be increased to $500 for the Senior and $300 for Junior award recipients.
In the event there are ties in either or both divisions, the awards shall be halved. J. Sillasen seconded the motion and the tabled motion was called for a vote. The increased award amount was accepted by all members present.
Good of the Organization:
Reminder to the membership – We are more than the Spring of our 2024/2025 season. Officer elections will be held in April. The current officers (President, Vice President, Secretary & Webmaster) have given notice that we will be retiring from our positions at the end of this term. PLEASE consider volunteering for one of these upcoming open positions! Reach out to any of the officers to learn more about what they do if you want to learn more.
See what’s in the night sky this month – NASA’s What’s in the Sky is an outstanding resource and part of our Night Sky Network to have with us for our use and needs.
Bookmark this site if you will. It’s got resources from text to YouTube for what’s in the night sky the current month – from NASA and of course your Night Sky Network!
Check out https://in-the-sky.org/ for a general list of observable objects/events in your area.
The North East Astronomy Forum and North East Astro Imaging Conference, NEAF/NEAIC, are coming up soon – NEAF is April 5 & 6 and for the first time, NEAIC follows NEAF on April 7 & 8. See https://neafexpo.com for tickets, speakers and vendors. NEAF takes place at Rockland Community College in the Field House in Suffern NY. NEAIC is held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Suffern, NY.
Texas Star Party April 20 – 27.
Mercury Western Elongation April 27. 27.4ø preceding the Sun in the Morning. High in the sky.
ISS Transits
Lunar Transit (daytime) Sunday 4/27, 2025, 08:18:00.16am
Solar Transit Monday 4/28, 2025, 07:28:46.35am
Cherry Springs Star Party – June 19 – 22, 2025 in Cherry Springs State Park in Couldersport, PA. The event is hosted by the Astronomical Society of Harrisburg. Registration has not yet been announced at the time of this writing.
A former ASGH member, Richard Sale, has several astronomy books he is looking to donate to our club or to anyone that can give them a good home. He has agreed to bring them to tonight’s meeting. As the ASGH no longer wishes to support a library, please feel free to take these:
Uranometria 2000 volumes 1&2 (star charts)
Burnham’s Celestial Handbook Volumes 1-3
How to Make a Telescope by Jean Texereau
The Amateur Astronomer’s Field Guide to Deep Sky Observing by Tom Lorenzin with Tim Sechler.
Recently, the ASGH has received two 12″ Newtonian reflectors on Dobsonian mounts. One is truss based, the other a tube. Neither has the mirrors in the scopes and need some love and care.
Meeting adjourned at 9:12 PM