October 16, 2024
Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford
Online Business Meeting Minutes
Date: October 16, 2024
The October 16, 2024 meeting of the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford was called to order over Zoom at 7:44 PM by President Markiewicz. There were 16 members in attendance and no guests, 6 were in the community center and 10 were online.
Tonight’s speaker was Chris Markiewicz who did a ‘show and tell’ of two of his favorite online applications, Transit-finder.com and astro hopper. Chris stood up to cover for postponed speaker, Gregory Shanos, PharmD, who had to postpone due to threat of flood devestation due to hurricane presenence at his home in Florida.
Gregory will reschedule for the November meeting.
New Members:
No new members were in attendance.
Secretary’s Report:
The Secretary’s report from September 2024 was approved by the members in attendance as posted to the ASGH website.
Public Observing at the Van Vleck Observatory:
Public Observing took place October 12, 2024. There were approximately 40 guests in attendance. Chairman Sillasen commended his team for their dedication and professionalism in performing public observing at the Van Vleck Observatory with the antique refractor. Next month the public night will be combined with Wesleyan Universities Homecoming Weekend. The telescope will be open from 8 – 10 PM.
Treasurer’s Report:
The treasurer’s report was not available at meeting time.
WebMasters Report:
Marty Ollenschleger reported that the domain name, ASGH.org has been renewed for the maximum period available which is 9 years. Purchasing a domain name back from a ransomer can cost up to $1500!
Outreach:
Library Telescope Loaner Program – Windsor Locks Public Library – C. Markiewicz.
Thursday 10/17 6:30pm Staff Training
Thursday 10/24 6:00pm Patron Intro
Library Telescope Loaner Program – Tolland Public Library – C. Barron.
telescope has been delivered
date/time TBD Staff Training
date/time TBD Patron Introduction
Library Telescope Loaner Program – Hebron Public Library – Dean Kavalkovich
telescope needs to be delivered
date/time TBD Staff Training
date/time TBD Patron Intro
Stargazing Outreach – Kruger Preserve, Haddam Neck – Need multiple volunteers
Stargazing for family groups. Organizer – Dean Kavalkovich. Volunteers – C. Markiewicz, J. Sillasen, A. Johnson
Friday 11/1, Time guests arrive at 5:45 PM. Should setup beginning at 5 PM.
NEAM Public Talk – New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, CT Chris
Talk on History of Astronomy/Stargazing
Tuesday 11/12 10:00am
Suffield Middle School – Suffield, CT need multiple volunteers
Stargazing with middle school students
exact number TBD
November, date/time TBD
Vernon Senior Center – Vernon, CT – C. Markiewicz
Event or talk related to astronomy
this will probably be a discussion event
date/time TBD
Choate Prep School – Wallingford, CT. – J. Sillasen, Lead, E. McNeill, M. Addy, H. Lindo.
Help guide new teacher with process
of evaluation/maintenance of telescopes.
Number of units TBD, schedule TBD
Space Expo 2025 – New England Air Museum – Need multiple volunteeExhibit table, family group interactions
Saturday 4/26/2025, 9:00am – 3:00pm (setup/teardown 7:00am – 4:00pm)
Old Business:
Purchase of two Zhumell Z114 desktop Dobs approved last meeting have come in. Need preparation for use in Library Donor Program.
New Business:
None.
Good of the Organization:
J. Sillasen showed his extra copy of the newly published book by Robert Reeves: Photographic Atlas of the Moon, A Comprehensive Guide for the Amateur Astronomer, (September 2024) & his two Solar Astronomy books, the newer publication, Solar Astronomy edited by Christian Viadritch and published in French originally and translated to English in 2021.
Meeting adjourned at 9:19 PM ET