Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford
Online & In-Person Business Meeting Minutes
Date:
April 16, 2025
The April 16, 2025 meeting of the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford was called to order over Zoom at 7:34 PM by President Markiewicz. There were 24 people in attendance. 13 people were in the community center and 11 were online.
Tonight’s speaker was Physicist, Sarah Bull. Bull is a board member of the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. The center is going through a complete renovation and now will include both a planetarium and an observatory. The original observatories 22″ Maksutov was removed and now lives with friend to the ASGH, John Briggs for as Astronomical Lyceum in New Mexico.
Dr. Bull gave us a complete overview of what the new facility will be when complete and photos of the work done so far. It truly looks like it will be a marvelous facility. She asked what the ASGH may be able to contribute. She received a lot of constructive feedback of where telescopes could be used outside and how to make the new area safe for pedestrians when telescope systems would be using AC power. Either way, it will be a great destination for family friendly astronomy field trips!
The talk was recorded with her permission. The recording of her talk is on the ASGH YouTube Channel under Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford or @ASGH_CT for your searches or directly at this link: https://youtu.be/OahsbOMo47s
New Members:
There were no new members present.
Secretary’s Report:
The Secretary’s report was posted 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 this Saturday, April 19th from 9 – 11 PM.
NASA Solar System Ambassador & Night Sky Network:
J. Sillasen reported and shared his new Solar System Ambassador credentials – his photo ID badge, a jacket patch and a lapel pin. He also reminded members that the NASA Night Sky Network Webinar for tonight is on the Psyche mission. It begins at 9 PM ET tonight following our meeting. 16 Psyche is the 16th asteroid discovered and a mission to observe and study the 1st metal asteroid was launched on Friday the 13th of October in 2023. After a May 2026 flyby of Mars, Psyche the mission spacecraft is planned to arrive at 16 Psyche in August of 2029. The talk was recorded and is available for replay here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmdYY_MAK5s.
Sturm Memorial Lecture Reminder:
The Annual Sturm Memorial Lecture will take place April 22nd at 8 PM at the Ring Family Performing Arts Center at Wesleyan University. The speaker is Dr. Sheperd Doeleman of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian and the Founding Director of the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). He will present “How to take a photo of a black hole.” A reception and observing if clear, will take place at the Van Vleck Observatory.
Nomination Committee:
J. Sillasen announced that nominations for offices are now open and may be submitted from the floor. Offices available are: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Webmaster.
Officer Nominations received from the floor or in person:
President – Chris Markiewicz
Vice President – Dean Kavalcovich
Secretary – None
Treasurer – Cyndi Barron (self nominated)
Webmaster – None
Each nominee accepted their respective nominations. Nominations will remain open until closed at the May meeting just prior to elections.
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer, C. Barron was unavailable for a report at tonight’s meeting.
Webmaster’s Report:
VP M. Ollenschleger reported that both the March & April NASA Night Sky Network Articles were post to the Website. J. Sillasen noted that these are both terrific articles and encouraged the members to read them. They can be found here: https://asgh.org/articles/nsnpartnerarticles/
Outreach:
Talcott Mtn Science Center, Avon CT has requested assistance from the ASGH to supoort their star gazing program with their equipment on April 25th. To sign up for these events send Chris Markiewicz a note at outreach@asgh.org
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).
Heirloom Market at Comstock Ferre – Spring Festival, Old Wethersfield, CT May 24th 10 AM – 3 PM. Solar Observing with Rick Bates of SoVerA. J. Sillasen, C. Markiewicz & C. Barron to attend. Note: Public Observing at the Van Vleck Observatory in support of Commencement/Reunion weekend will also take place the same day at night, open 9 – 11 PM.
Ellington Trails, Ellington CT. August 12th – star gazing and meteor shower observing. C. Markiewicz & J. Sillasen have signed up so far.
Suffield Middle School – this event planned for Spring originally will now take place in October of this year.
Vernon Sr. Ctr. – Vernon, CT. A talk on something astronomy related. Not scheduled as of this writing. TBD.
A request form the Middlesex Land Trust to observe either at their Portland or Haddam Neck locations will be made again. TBD.
The Berlin Land Trust is also interested in an observing/talk at one of their public libraries. TBD.
New Business:
None
Old Business:
None
For the Good of the Organization:
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.
Cherry Springs Star Party: Tickets went on sale, Monday, April 14th at 8 PM and are sold out.
Texas Star Party April 20 – 27.
Mercury Western Elongation April 27. 27.4 preceding the Sun in the Morning. High in the sky.
Member, Mike Simmons proudly displayed his 3D printed parts he made to use the SeeStar S50 on an EQ Wedge! Using a Clarity K1SE printer he made both a simple adjustable wedge and a larger mount with turnbuckles for adjustment and stability. He also printed covers for taking darks, a light illuminated cover for flats and even a Bhatinov mask. All parts were approximately $50 in materials. Looked pretty sturdy and well made if I don’t mind saying so myself!
Several members were anxious to get to the NASA Night Sky Network Psyche webinar starting at 9 PM so President Markiewicz asked if I would like to do that thing I like to do.
I responded brightly, “I’d like to make a motion to the adjourn the meeting.” Several seconds were made just then and all replied yes to adjourn!
Meeting adjourned promptly at 8:57 PM ET.