FEBRUARY 25, 2012 GENERAL MEETING
IT'S TIME FOR THE FAIR . . .
An observing fair, that is. Join the Astronomical Society of Kansas City for its monthly meeting Feb. 25, 2012 at Royall Hall, UMKC Volker Campus. This month's program kickstarts the 2012 observing season with a review of the Astronomical League's observing awards program.
Did you know ASKC members have completed 437 observing awards? The most popular award, the Messier Award, has 99 members who have logged at least 70 objects; 93 have logged all 110 Messier objects. The ASKC is home to 11 Master Observers, and nearly every one of the 37 observing programs has an
ASKC member who has earned the award!
But, when you look at the lists, the same few names show up repeatedly. The purpose of February's meeting is to reinvigorate your commitment to observing the night sky. To accomplish this goal, the meeting will follow a slightly different format. After business needs and a short introduction to the Astronomical League's observing programs, you will have the opportunity to speak with ASKC members who have completed the League's most popular observing awards.
Are you a novice astronomer and wonder what it takes to complete one of the observing programs? Does the thought of observing 100 objects seem daunting? Maybe you started a list but haven't quite gotten the last few objects? Maybe you have a question about the equipment or requirements. Th e county fair format will give you a chance to learn more from experienced observers. Th e February meeting will be the place to get information, see completed logs (they really are simple!) or discuss the finer points. We'll have tips and hints that will get you started.
Why not make a resolution to complete at least one of the 37 observing programs in 2012? Who will be member 100 on the honorary Messier List?
Meetings of the ASKC take place on the fourth Saturday of the month, except December. The next three meetings will be March 24, April 28 and May 26.
ASTRO 101
Stargazing Basics
Astro 101 meets just before the general meeting at 6:00 p.m. in Royall Hall at UMKC. ASTRO 101 sessions are informative and are for those just learning about Astronomy and also those who would like a refresher. Astro 101 starts at 6:00 pm prior to the General Meeting.
For February, ASKC member Kathy Machin will share tips she's learned from her considerable experience observing galaxies. While some galaxies are large and bright, many are not. Some simple tricks can serve to make fi nding galaxies easier and allow you to see more detail in them. Experienced and novice observers will both find Kathy's presentation useful and interesting, so don't miss it!
