Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford
Online Business Meeting Minutes

Date: October 19, 2022

This meeting was recorded with the permission of the speaker. It is available now on Vimeo here: https://vimeo.com/762225599

The October ASGH Business meeting was brought to order at 7:34 PM EST by President Markiewicz. There were 13 attendees present online over Zoom which included invited speakers and members of their families. There was one new member present, a Junior member, Lucas.

Our featured speaker for the evening was ASGH Member, NASA Solar System Ambassador, Greg Shanos, PharmD. Greg provided part one of a two part program on observing Mars in front of the upcoming Mars Opposition. Tonight’s Part One was on visually observing Mars. It was very well received! Part 2 will be in December as Greg has graciously agreed to allow an upcoming NASA Speaker to take the November slot due to his impending travel conflicts in December.

Secretary’s Report:

The Secretary’s report of the September 2022 Minutes was approved as posted. With support of the Treasurer, the Zoom invoice for the next year has been paid. Updated billing information has been input for Zoom and for Groups.IO which renews next month.

Public Observing at the Van Vleck Observatory, Wesleyan University:

We were clouded out completely for October 1st’s International Observe the Moon Night or IOTMN. We do have a full schedule for the remainder of the year. All members are always welcome.
You must be fully vaccinated including all eligible boosters, be free of Covid-19 symptoms and always were a mask inside the building. It’s also advisable to continue to wear your mask inside the dome. You may remove them when at the eyepiece and when advised to do so by one of the operators.
Our next sessions are:
November 5 from 8 – 10 PM
December 3 from 8 – 10 PM
We will be taking the month of January off with the approval of the Observatory. We will begin again in February. Brrr.

Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurer’s report info related via the Secretary, J. Sillasen on behalf of C. Barron, Treasurer. The banking issues with M&T have been resolved. Cyndi has updated billing information for Zoom and Groups.io, She needs to get together with Marty to update the billing for Go Daddy and for PayPal. Renewing members and New Members paying through PayPal have their money in reserve on the PayPal site. Cyndi needs to work with Marty to update the banking there so the transactions waiting a new destination can be deposited and future payments will be immediately triggered.
Banking Balances are as follows: Checking: $1,246.99. Savings: $24.026.50.

Webmasters Report:

Web Developer, M. Ollenschleger reports he still has a few updates to make and plans to get to them in the next couple of weeks and will meet with the Treasurer, C. Barron when ever she is available.

Outreach Events: (Current Status)

October 4: Cora Belden Library in Rocky Hill (Stargazing Event) Completed
October 15: Cub Scout Pack 13, Hebron, CT (Stargazing Event) Cancelled
October date(s) TBD: Cub Scout Pack 33 Middlefield/Durham (Stargazing)
October 21: Talcott Mountain Science Center, Avon, CT (Stargazing)
November 17: Talcott Mountain Science Center, Avon, CT (Stargazing)
December 8: Talcott Mountain Science Center, Avon, CT (Stargazing)

Observing reports:

Observing opportunities until next meeting
Check out https://in-the-sky.org/ for a list of observable objects/events in your area
Dwarf planet Eris at opposition and perigee 10/18. Should be visible through a 4″ or better aperture in a dark sky. Finder chart is available at
https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20221018_13_100
Orionid meteor shower will peak night of 10/21, best viewing at ~5am. Info at
https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20221021_10_100
Total lunar eclipse 11/8. Moon will set partway through the eclipse.
Leonid meteor shower will peak night of 11/17, best viewing ~7pm. Info at
https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20221118_10_100

Old Business:

None

New Business:

None

For the Good of the Organization:

None

Meeting adjourned at 8:28 PM ET

Minutes provided by Secretary, John A. Sillasen