September 17, 2025
Meeting Minutes
The Sept 17, 2025, meeting of the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford (ASGH) was called to order over Zoom at 7:34 PM by President Chris Markiewicz.
There were 20 people in attendance. 6 people were in the Rocky Hill Community Center and 14 were online.
Tonight’s speaker was Gregory Shanos, PharmD, NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador. Greg’s presentation was “A Century of Relativity: Einstein’s Theory of Relativity Demystified”. Greg gave a fascinating talk, starting with information on Einstein during the period around when he was only 26 years old when he introduced the Special Theory of Relativity. Greg led the audience through pustulates, theory and examples of results of both the Special Theory and General Theory of Relativity. Greg noted that the Special Theory applies to reference frames at fixed speed moving in a constant direction and in contrast, the General Theory of Relativity also applies to accelerating reference frames. Erik Schmitt also offered some illuminating ways to think about both theories. Greg’s talk was very well received, generating many questions and much animated discussion.
Greg’s talk was recorded with his permission. You may see his talk on the ASGH YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rjlp3Fjtyk
The club President, Chris M., welcomed the new and returning club officers and Committee Chairpersons:
- 2025-2026 ASGH Officers
- President: Chris Markiewicz – president@asgh.org
- Vice President: Dean Kavalkovich – vicepresident@asgh.org
- Secretary: Jeff Benoit – secretary@asgh.org
- Treasurer: Cyndi Barron – treasurer@asgh.org
- Webmaster: Bill De Nio – webmaster@asgh.org
- 2025-2026 ASGH Committee Chairpersons
- 20″ Observing Committee: John Sillasen – observing@asgh.org
- Public Outreach: Chris Markiewicz – outreach@asgh.org
- Membership: To be determined.
New Members: There were no new members present.
Secretary’s Report: The Secretary’s report for the May 2025 ASGH meeting was previously posted to the members section of the ASGH website. A motion to approve was made and seconded. The report was unanimously approved.
Van Vleck Observatory: There are currently no new observing dates. Noted that Wesleyan wishes to train more operators and perhaps update some of operational rules.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer, C. Barron reports the balances in the accounts are:
Checking account: $2123.19. Savings account: $5083.89.
Cyndi also stated that the club has $30,000 in treasury bills and will be reinvested as they mature (one in Nov, one in 6 months, one in Sept of 2026). The Treasurer’s report was unanimously approved by all members in attendance. Also noted that ASGH club dues are due this month and can be paid using instructions on the club website, ASGH.org.
Webmaster’s Report: M. Ollenschleger reported that the ASGH website has been updated for 2025, including new officers, and posting of the May 2025 minutes. New Webmaster,
Bill De Nio, will be performing these tasks moving forward.
Outreach:
ASGH Service Project – ‘Orphan’ Telescope Refurbishment for Area Schools. Project Compiled and Headed by Lucas Branco. Lucas has older telescopes from Talcott Mountain for repair, refurbishment and donation. Some need mounts. Will go to schools from ASGH after refurbishing. He has a total of 18 SCTs, 3 refractors, and two homemade Newtonians. Bill D mentioned that ASGH has some eyepieces from the library project that could be used with the refurbished telescopes. ASGH president, Chris M, requested good participation from club members on this worthwhile project.
IOTMN (International Observe the Moon Night – Moon: NASA Science) Auer Farm, Bloomfield, CT <— Hanif, Lucas B.
Moongazing (and other objects as appropriate)
Friday 10/3 7:00pm (note that this is one day before the official IOTMN date of Oct 4th)
IOTMN Brainerd Memorial Library, Haddam, CT <— Lucas B.
Talk followed by Moongazing (and other objects as appropriate)
Saturday 10/4, time TBD.
Solar Observing Outreach -Wethersfield, CT <— Chris M., John S, Rick B (SoVerA), Dick M.
Heirloom Harvest Festival, Comstock Ferre, Old Wethersfield
Saturday 10/11 10:00am – 4:00pm (with cars offsite by 9:30am)
Stargazing South Windsor Public Library, South Windsor, CT <— Chris M., John S,
Talk/Lecture followed by Stargazing for up to 50 participants
Thursday 11/6-time TBD (ending by 7:45pm)
Rain Date Thursday 11/13
Stargazing Suffield Middle School, Suffield, CT <— Chris M., John S., Lucas B, Jeff B. Presentation followed by stargazing
Monday 11/17 6:00pm
Tiger Cub ‘Sky is the Limit’, West Hartford, CT <– Chris M.
West Hartford Tiger Den 161
Activities/Stargazing to fulfill Cub Scout ‘Sky is the Limit’ Patch Requirements
Two dates TBD, Time(s) TBD
Stargazing (multiple evening) Auer Farm, Bloomfield, CT <– ??
Stargazing requested for select group on 1 or 2 evenings in the fall
One or Two Dates TBD, Time(s) TBD – Chris M will get more information.
Observing/News
Report on week at MARS (Maine Astronomy Retreat & Symposium) August 18-24. Washington, ME. Chris M. reported on his attendance at this event. There were astronomy seminars during the day. He did visual observing first night and some astrophotography the last night. A fantastic experience with notable long-term amateurs and NASA astronaut Tom Jones. Images below of the field of telescopes and lodging as well as some astro-images.
Individual Observing Maine. Lucas B reported that he had been observing in Katahdin National Park in Millinocket, Maine. Two nights of observing, one with binoculars and one with telescope. SQM measured at 21.7 – excellent observing.
Saturn will reach opposition on September 21, 2025.
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
New Business:
Library Telescope Program – Chris M. relayed that program is starting up again. Customizations – to be defined by each astronomy club. ASGH wanted to make them rugged. We have no libraries that are waiting as of this meeting date.
Used to get Orion StarBlast 4.5 => Will now be Zhumell Z114 telescope.
Customization supplied by High Point Scientific $320 – a little higher than the Orion’s.
Preorders accepted as of August 2025, shipping expected in October 2025
Good of the Organization:
Angled-head mini flashlight for observing use mentioned as very useful. Noted that these are inexpensive with multiple swappable color filters, clip on clothes and do not roll away when place on a flat surface. Available online or at military surplus stores.
CT Star Partywas coming up on weekend of September 19th. John S., Al J., and Ernie M. were going.
Staunton River Star Party hosted by the Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observing Society will be from October 20 – 26th. This star party is held at Virginia’s first international dark sky park – Staunton River State Park in Halifax County, Virginia. Website with info here: https://chaosastro.org/starparty-home/ John S. will attend.
ASGH Club History: Refurbishment of Hartford High School (HFD) telescope. John S recalled the beautiful refurbishment of an inoperable HFD 10″ Alvan Clark Refractor. The job was awarded to friend of ASGH, Stephen Pielock, who was President of the Arunah Hill Natural Science Center. Stephen was a Planetarium restoration specialist who did a fantastic job. Picture below of the restored telescope and interior of the observatory dome courtesy of Stephen Pielock, as posted on Facebook.
Telescope Workshop – to be held at one of the upcoming ASGH meetings. Either the November 2025 or the January 2026 meetings may be selected. TBD.
Meeting adjourned at 9:34 PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Jeff Benoit, Secretary