September 18, 2024
Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford
Online Business Meeting Minutes
Date: September 18, 2024
The September 18, 2024 meeting of the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford was called to order over Zoom at 7:31 PM by President Markiewicz. There were 13 members in attendance and 1 guest who was our featured speaker.
Tonight’s speaker was Leo Smith, (leo@smith.net). Leo is the Connecticut representative to Dark Skies International. He has been on the board of the International Dark Association before it became Dark Skies International. He serves as a public resource to promote intelligent lighting state wide and shared resources all may use for their own purposes. Most notable is the website www.lightsoutct.org/outreach. This page has several resources available for further education and sample letters you can use to edit for your own use in writing your neighbor, your town official or even a building manager. A 16-page download is available that you may use in assisting with issues of light pollution in your own towns.
A more recent website is https://reducelp.org. This is a group of organizations that’s purpose is ask the Governor of Connecticut to establish a task force to study light pollution in Connecticut and create a plan to eliminate it. Leo’s talk was barely a half hour long – the Q&A lead to the entire hour being used in discussing how to eliminate light pollution.
New Members:
No new members were in attendance. One new member referred via the membership contact on the website, Dave Allen, was forwarded to me. I reached out to the prospect, Jerry Sitko, to learn he was a retiree in Cheshire, CT, looking to purchase his 1st telescope. I counseled that this was not a conversation for an email and that he should join, get a chance to talk with other members, find out what he likes to look at and look at his budget from there. He mailed his application in but was unable to attend the Van Vleck open night last Saturday or tonight’s meeting. Another potential new member actually did go to the Community Center. Not being a member and seeing no signage, he was unable to join via Zoom. We wrote the Secretary and WebMaster. I provided him the link to join and said not being a member he wouldn’t have been notified of the last minute change due to extenuating circumstances. I also told him we had asked the WebMaster to remove the address for the Membership committee until a new appointment had been made.
Secretary’s Report:
The Secretary’s report from May 2024 was approved as posted to the ASGH website.
Public Observing at the Van Vleck Observatory:
Saturday, September 14, 2024 was NASA’s 9th International Observe the Moon Night or IOTMN for short. We have participated in at least 6 or 7 at the Van Vleck Observatory but definitely not all 9 years. This Saturday we had clear skies and 50 guests, many if not half were students at Wesleyan University who happened to notice the dome slit was open. We opened up one hour early and stayed 15 minutes beyond the 11 pm published closing time to accommodate all who came to our door. Many were treated to wonderful views of Saturn as well. The team of Dean Kavalkovich, Cyndi Barron, John Allen & John Sillasen did an outstanding job handling all the traffic, the questions and viewing through the telescope. John Allen even setup his telescope outside for awhile to reduce the traffic in the hallway.
We are supporting Homecoming and Family Weekend Viewing at the Van Vleck on November 2nd. An October date has not yet been established. The time will definitely be 8 – 10 pm as its dark early.
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer, Cynthia Barron provided a report for both Savings & Checking accounts:
Checking account balance: $2,082.61. Savings: $26,333.47.
Two T-Bills matured since the May meeting. She suggested investing $10,000 in a 6 month T-Bill and $10,000 in a one year T-Bill to get the best yield. J. Sillasen made the motion to do as suggested. R. Woodbury, seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Web Developer, Martin Ollenschleger, notes that the Security features purchased to support the ASGH website have come due and Cynthia will pay them via PayPal.
Important notice from the Treasurer to all members:
DUES ARE DUE THIS MONTH! September to May is our fiscal year so members may pay via check or via PayPal on the ASGH Website. Dues are $10 for Seniors and retirees, $20 for regular adult membership and Junior members are also $10.00.
Cyndi notes she will check with the two magazines to verify the subscription prices and astronomy club discounts we may enjoy within the next couple of days.
WebMasters Report:
J. Allen reports no issues have been reported. M. Ollenschleger reported the security features we employ are due for renewal and the NASA Night Sky Network October Article on Andromeda Rising submitted today will be posted within the next couple of days.
Outreach:
Talcott Mtn Science Center – 10/3. They have not asked for staffing yet but it’s not unheard of for them to ask last minute. Provide Stargazing with their provided telescopes.
Solar Outreach at Heirloom Market in Old Weathersfield, CT for Fall Fest, Saturday 10/12/24. Timing is 9 AM to 5 PM. Space allocated is approximately 8′ x 20′ – sufficient for 3 solar telescopes, 3 staff and a table for things such as Solar glasses from Eclipse Ambassador, John Sillasen and a SeeStar S50 for example. J. Sillasen, C. Markiewicz, D. Mozzer & C. Barron have signed up so far. If you have a solar telescope, white light or Ha, & want to share with people please contact either Chris Markiewicz or John Sillasen. Thank you!
Library Donations of Table Top Dob Newtonians for Libaries to Loan to their members is in need of member support for two libraries, Tolland Public Library & Hebron Public Library. Contact, Chris Markiewicz for contact information. The program is to train the trainer on how to use the scope so they may adequately loan the telescope all while instructing their patrons on how to use the loaner telescope.
The end of the Orion Starblast with the demise of Orion Telescopes, Meade & Coronado has lead to exploring alternative 114 mm telescopes. Chris Markiewicz contacted the NH Astronomy club that developed the program for library loaners at least for the NorthEast. They recommended the Zhumell Z114. Another 114 mm table top Dob Newtonian reflector. Like the Orion Starblast, the telescope is housed in a single tube. Unlike the Sky-Watcher, which has a collapsible tube in need of a light shroud.
Library Telescope Loaner Program – Windsor Locks Public Library <== Chris
Thursday 10/17 6:30pm Staff Training
Thursday 10/24 6:00pm Patron Intro
Library Telescope Loaner Program – Tolland Public Library <== An ASGH member representative is needed to train the trainer and be available for first Patron Introduction,
telescope has been delivered
date/time TBD Staff Training
date/time TBD Patron Intro
Library Telescope Loaner Program – Hebron Public Library <== An ASGH member representative is needed to train the trainer and be available for first Patron Introduction,
telescope needs to be delivered
date/time TBD Staff Training
date/time TBD Patron Intro
NEAM Public Talk – New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, CT <== Chris Markiewicz.
Talk on History of Astronomy/Stargazing
11/2 10:00am
November 1 – possible stargazing program either in Portland or Haddam Neck. Dean Kavalkovich will provide details once he has a commitment from them.
It’s an early program so he fully intends to be able to be at the Van Vleck for the HomeComing/Reunion weekend.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
Chris Markiewicz requested we purchase the last quantity of 2 Zhumell Z114 table top Dobsonian Newtonian reflectors at a new discounted price from $239 to $179.00. There is no current library request for telescopes. Chris wants to hedge our bets and have 2 in stock, have the library loaner style modifications performed by Bill DiNeo when he returns from his trip to Iceland and just be prepared for the next request. There is conversational rumors that the manufacturing of these telescopes will be terminated. Just rumors but still…
J. Sillasen made such a motion and C. Barron seconded. The motion passed unanimously by all in attendance.
Good of the Organization:
Observing opportunities recent/until next meeting
Check out https://in-the-sky.org/ for a list of observable objects/events in your area.
Chris showed the website for the ISS Transit Finder, https://transit-finder.com/
J. Sillasen showed cellphone images of two worthwhile books for everyone’s collection.
Robert Reeves, noted Lunar scholar and observer has published a new book that came out September 4th, Photographic Atlas of the Moon: A Comprehensive Guide for the Amateur Astronomer. Most copies have yet to be delivered due to publishing delays from Firefly Books. Reeves received stacks of them that were requested to be autographed by him before being delivered. This 288 page book is a usable as a Field Guide at the telescope and sells on Amazon for $49.30 in Hardcover.
Solar Astronomy, by Christian Vildarich is a singularly newer publication on solar astronomy originally published in France, in French in 2021. It has been translated to English and is hands down a completely updated solar astronomy paperback in 11.5″ x 8.25″ that includes the latest offerings from DayStar plus Spectroheliographs and Spectrohelioscopes. Safe Solar Viewing and solar features are covered in depth in full color. Only available direct at https://solar-astronomy-book.com for 69 Euro which includes all shipping costs including to the US. Expected delivery time is 4 – 12 days from ordering. PayPal and Credit Cards are accepted. This is approximately $76.74 at time of publishing these minutes.
Next Meeting:
October 16, 2024 @ 7:30 PM ET. Featured Speaker is Solar System Ambassador, Gregory Shanos, PharmD. Topic: Performing Citizen Science with an Intellgent Telescope like the SeeStar S50.
Meeting adjournced at 9:31 PM ET