Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford
Online & In-Person Meeting

MAY 20, 2026
Meeting Minutes

The MAY 20, 2026, meeting of the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford (ASGH) was
called to order over Zoom at 7:43 PM by President Chris Markiewicz.

There were twenty people in attendance. Twelve people were in the Rocky Hill Community
Center and eight were online.

The May 2026 ASGH meeting speakers were recipients of the Charles H. Hammond Memorial
Award for Excellence in Astronomy or Astro-Physics from the Astronomical Society of Greater
Hartford.

ASGH member Scott Tracy introduced the first speaker, Mia Jakubowsky, First Place, High
School.

Mia’s presentation was on her work on “Predicting Detectability of Transiting
Exoplanets: A Python-based Signal-to-Noise Ratio Model.”

Mia explained that the aim of her research was to develop a user-friendly tool that enables
nonprofessional astronomers to detect and study transiting exoplanets, expanding participation
in exoplanet research. A Python model was created to predict the minimum detectable transit
depth, using transit photometry, of an exoplanet for any given telescope and camera system by
calculating the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) for stars of different magnitudes and converting it into
a corresponding detection limit. Details mentioned by Mia included that studying exoplanets
helps us learn about how solar systems form and evolve and that there are currently
approximately 8000 candidate exoplanets. Mia walked the ASGH audience through other details
of her method, data and modeling, as well as photographs of her telescope equipment. See the
meeting video for Mia’s presentation for this additional fascinating detail.

ASGH Webmaster Bill DeNio introduced the second speaker, Ishanvi Jaiswal, Honorable
Mention, High School.

Ishanvi’s presentation was on her work on “A Robust Computational Framework for Solar
Particle Event Detection: Integrating Convolutional Neural Networks with Multivariate Physical
Proxies”

Ishanvi explained that the objective of this investigation was to develop a high-precision
predictive system for Solar Particle Events (SEPs). Ishanvi tested if a hybrid model, synthesizing
convolutional neural network (CNN) analysis with custom physics-derived features, could
isolate SEP signatures from background solar wind noise. Results demonstrated a validation
accuracy of 85.1% and a storm-event precision of 0.89, outperforming standard threshold
models. Ishanvi noted that Solar Particle Events can result in errors in satellite microelectronics
and other satellite operational issues resulting in additional need for reliable early warning
methods. Current prediction methods are hampered by issues such as sensor saturation that
blinds detection hardware to some of the key data needed. Ishanvi’s project aimed to address
this need. Ishanvi walked the ASGH audience through other details of her predictive
framework, data sources and architecture development, model training, performance,
benchmarking and validation. See the meeting video for Ishanvi’s presentation for this additional
fascinating detail.

Mia’s and Ishanvi’s talks were recorded with permission. You may see these talks on the ASGH
YouTube Channel at this link: CT Science Fair: Charles Hammond Award for Excellence in
Astronomy Award Winners, 2026-05-20

Talks from prior ASGH meetings can be found on the ASGH YouTube Channel here:
Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford – YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@ASGH_CT

Note that Charles H. Hammond Junior Award winners, Sean O’Marra and Alius Santiago-Stra,
were unfortunately not available to present a talk on their project: “Detecting Astroparticle Flux
Under Different CME Strengths Using Household Materials”. A brief summary of their winning
submission is here:

By measuring the variety and quantity of solar particles detected under changing geomagnetic
conditions, this project aims to raise awareness about the types and levels of particle exposure
people experience. A homemade cloud chamber with dry ice was used to detect cosmic particles
on different days with different geomagnetic indices forecasted. 

New members:
Noted that the those honored with the ASGH Charles H. Hammond Memorial Award for
Excellence in Astronomy or Astro-Physics were also provided with ASGH membership.

Secretary’s Report:
President Chris M reported for Secretary, J. Benoit, that the minutes for the April 2026 ASGH
meeting were previously posted to the members section of the ASGH website. A motion to
accept the minutes as posted was made, seconded, and unanimously approved.

Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer, C. Barron, reported that the balances in the club accounts were: Savings $3983.30,
Checking $6,486.94, and T-bills of $30k. Cyndi noted that she had made a payment for $260 for
club insurance that will reduce the noted checking account balance by this amount when it clears.
Cyndi also noted that a T-bill for $10k will mature 1-October-2026, another will mature 18-
March-2027, and the third will mature 11-June-2027. A motion to accept the Treasurers Report
as discussed was made, seconded, and unanimously approved.

Webmaster’s Report:
The Webmaster report was not discussed, but no problems have been noted.

Officer Elections for 2026/2027:
Club President Chris Markiewicz noted that this May business meeting is when club officers are
nominated and elected for the upcoming club year. Chris noted that the current club officers
were running for their respective offices again:

President: Chris Markiewicz
Vice President: Dean Kavalkovich
Secretary: Jeff Benoit
Treasurer: Cyndi Barron
Webmaster: William DeNio

C. Markiewicz then asked if there were any additional nominations for the officer positions.
Hearing none, a motion was made to close nominations. This motion was seconded and approved
without objection.

Jeff Benoit as Secretary then cast a vote for the slate of officers as presented.
President C. Markiewicz then congratulated and thanked the officers for their ongoing service to
the club and noted that they were effective immediately.

Outreach:
Heirloom Market Spring Festival – Old Wethersfield, CT <==NEW, RAIN >90%
Solar viewing
exact number TBD
Saturday 5/23/2026, 10:00am – 4:00pm

Ellington Trails Committee – Ellington, CT
Star Party & Perseid Meteor Shower viewing
exact number TBD
Wednesday 8/12/2026, 9:00pm

Old Wethersfield Porchfest – Old Wethersfield, CT <==NEW
Solar viewing
exact number TBD
Saturday 8/29/2026, 10:00am – 5:00pm

Cedar Hill Cemetery – Hartford, CT
Star Party for family groups
Fund raiser for Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation
Tuesday 9/15/2026, 7:30pm – 11:00pm

Heirloom Market Fall Festival – Old Wethersfield, CT <==NEW, Tentative
Solar viewing
exact number TBD
Saturday 10/10/2026, Time TBD

Observing/News:

Photo courtesy of John Sillasen, taken with Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G, on May 19, 2026 9:03
PM Eastern. Photo from bottom shows Venus, the Moon, Jupiter, and then Castor and Pollux at
top of the frame.

May 20 – The Moon and Venus made a close approach, passing within 3°00′ of each other in the
constellation Gemini.

May 28 – The globular cluster Messier 4 (M4) will reach its highest point in the sky at around
midnight local time, and on subsequent evenings it will culminate four minutes earlier each day.
At magnitude 5.4, M4 is easily observed using binoculars or a small telescope.

May 31 – Blue Moon!

June 18 – The Moon, Saturn, and Neptune will make a close approach, passing within 2°58′ of
each other. The trio will lie in the constellation Pisces.

Observing opportunities recent/until next meeting
Check out https://in-the-sky.org/ for a list of observable objects/events in your area

Old Business:
None discussed. Time was running out and we needed to vacate the room.

New Business:
Proposal for ASGH to sponsor an award at CT Science and Engineering Fair. John Sillasen
made a motion for the ASGH to entertain sponsoring an award and a judge at CT science and
Engineering Fair. Initial discussion of gathering information over the summer, discussing at the
September meeting and then voting on it at the October or November meeting. Motion seconded
and approved.

Good of the Organization
Restarting our Van Vleck Partnership: Certification training pending. Awaiting further input
from Wesleyan.

Potential next ASGH star party: Date TBD, but October / November time frame is likely.

2026 Stellafane Convention: The 90th Convention of Amateur Telescope Makers On Breezy
Hill in Springfield, Vermont will be Thursday-Sunday, August 13th-16 th . Schedule and tickets
are available on their website: Stellafane | astronomy convention (https://www.stellafanevt.org/)

Next meeting is scheduled for 16-September-2026. Details to be sent out with the meeting
invitation.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:30 PM.