Category: Meeting Minutes

What a great night on our Nov 12, 2011 Club meeting.

The place was packed and almost every seat was taken with new guests, new members, and the usual suspects 🙂

 

Eric Walker opened the floor to the board and attendees to nominate next year’s staff and voting will be done at the 10 Dec Club Meeting and BANQUET!

President – Bill Engberg

Vice President – Eric Walker

Secretary –Jim Fisher

Treasury – Andy Reed

Immediate Past President – Jim Fisher

Board: Jim Dixon, Carl Freyaldenhoven, John Reed, and Coy Scott.

 

 

After calling Hollywood, I verified there are no Astronomers, nor Prophets on staff that were consulted before making “2012”. I gave a PPT brief about the Mayan Calendar and how it is very cool how they developed it and that CAAS/Little Rock will be aligned with the Mayan Ball Court at Izapa for the (Friday) Dec 21, 2012 Galactic alignment…front row seats!

I think we should throw a big astro-party at CAAS and invite Little Rock (new membership / huge interest)

 

John Reed showed/taught about his excellent (and portable) Nikon DSLR Astro Camera rig…nice!

Roger Gudith gave a wonderful presentation on Astronomy.

Jim D gave a great lesson on the Constellation Perseus, its history and the objects of interest in it.

 

We had many guests Saturday night:

Vikrant Vijay

Amanda Poss

James Lane

David Williams

Nancy Jackman (winner of the Telescope!)

Lorali Brown (?)

 

Other CAAS members there were

Jim Dixon,

Eric Walker,

John Reed,

Rocky and Carol Togni,

Pat and Sandy Morris;

Coy Scott;

Roger Gudith;

Landon Sanders

Aimee Voisin;

William Bryden;

Allen Lee;

Carl Freyaldenhoven;

John Reed;

Tom and Barbara Walker

…and me, your humble scribe.

 

The clouds broke at the perfect time and the “Club built 10-inch scope ” was set up by Carl F. and the gang, for viewing by all of our first time guests.

 

Projects:

Done! Ardent’s new 9’ x 9’ concrete pad was uncovered and unveiled to the club.

 

Done! New driveway is smooth like….like…new concrete butter!

 

Hero!: Allen Lee came up with a great idea to work with PMSP or a school, etc, to advertise a L.R. “Set up your telescope Night” at PMSP or downtown, since so many people are asking CAAS members to help set up. A great membership drive to get Kids (  =  Parents!) and young people into CAAS. Contact Allen if you have ideas or wish to help.

 

—Need a CAAS hero to take care of this small $10 project.

Three…let me emphasize…. THREE different 1^st time visitors at different times said the same thing. When they arrived in the pitch black night, the only light they saw was to the bathroom (I had propped the door open).  They said we need a light above “the door you are supposed to go to, if you’ve never been here before.” For safety/liability reasons, I couldn’t agree more. Recommend a RED “L.E.D. Touch light” / hanging Red L.E.D. Lamp we can reach up and hang on a hook / or some other battery powered (or permanent switch fixture), for people to “home in on” at night, since it is a maze of buildings for 1^st time guests arriving in a sea of darkness. Once we have our 501C status approved, you will get a donation slip for the amount you paid. If you paid $100 for the lamp or permanent switch/fixture, you get a $100  tax write off.  Or, if you can visit some electricians in town, ask if they will volunteer a donation of parts OR labor.

 

—Officers

Need permission for me to buy this $35 HDMI-to-VGA-converter- box so new laptops can run our old projector

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Converter-Support-1080P-Output/dp/B0057UNQ18/ref=lh_ni_t

 

—Need a CAAS super hero who will donate an old computer to permanently plug into the projector, for when people want to run a Presentation. I’ll even donate the Microsoft Office / PowerPoint software. Once we have our 501C status, you will get a donation slip for the amount “you paid for the computer back in 200X.” If you paid $3000 for the computer, you get a $3000 tax write off. Nice.  Contact me if questions.
Blue Skies  
Bill
   Club Scribe     

Monthly Meeting: International Observe the Moon Night

            The Moon took center stage for the October general meeting as Central Arkansas Astronomical Society celebrated International Observe the Moon Night at its October 8^th meeting.   The meeting was called to order by President Jim Fisher shortly after 7 p.m.  There was no business meeting conducted during the general meeting since the Board met earlier in the evening.  Jim gave a Power Point presentation on observing the moon using the Astronomical League’s Lunar Club as the guide.  Jim also explained that InOMN is an astronomy outreach program sponsored by NASA and multiple astronomical organizations. The theme for this year’s celebration is “What does the Moon mean to you?” The goal of InOMN is to instill in the public a sense of wonderment and curiosity about our Moon.  This was the second annual InOMN and CAAS participated in the first 2010 event when it coincided with a Pinnacle Mountain State Park Star Party (PMSP).  So CAAS is now an “old hand” at InMON.

But the highlight of the meeting was after adjournment when everyone hit the observing filed under clear skies and bright gibbous moon as astronomers and sky lovers all around the world had eyes on the moon!

Participants in InOMN activities may download an official Certificate of Participation at the following link:  

http://observethemoonnight.org/ParticipateCertificate.pdf

CAAS members in attendance at the meeting:

Jim Dixon

Bill Engberg

Don & Carolaina Ferren

Carl Freyaldenhoven

Tim Hogue

Ray Jeter

Allen Lee

Pat & Sandy Morris

Coy Scott

Eric Walker

Jim Fisher

Amanda Poss, who has attended the last two star parties at PMSP, attended her first meeting at the River Ridge Observatory.  Amanda is a UALR Criminal Justice Major, a student this semester in an anthropology linguistics class for which she is working on a research paper on the linguistics of amateur astronomers using CAAS members as her Guinea Pigs, er subjects.   Welcome Amanda!  We can’t wait to see your research paper. We think.  J

The Constellation of the Month was Cassiopeia, the Queen.

The following upcoming CAAS events were briefed:

• October 29^th – Star Party at Woolly Hollow State Park, 8 – 10 p.m. Come early, bring candy for the Halloween themed event and costumes welcome (But no face paint!).

• November 12^th – CAAS General Meeting, River Ridge Observatory, 7 p.m. Bill Engberg will give what will surely be a fascinating and entertaining a program on “The Mysteries of the Mayan Calendar” at the November 10^th meeting.   Jim Dixon will present the November Constellation.   

• December 10^th – CAAS Annual Meeting, River Ridge Observatory, 5 p.m.

Three door prizes were awarded.  Jim Dixon won TWO! The first was “Voyages Through the Universe” (Second Edition) by Franknoi, Morrison & Wolff, which was donated to CAAS by Larry Sessions and the second was one of two copies “The Heavens Proclaim His Glory: A Spectacular View of Creation Through the Lens of the NASA Hubble Telescope” compliments of Bill Engberg.  Coy Scott won the other issue “The Heavens Proclaim His Glory.”   Bill is donating 22 more copies of this book (2 per Meeting) over the next 11 months, which will be given away as door prizes.

Observing highlights.   Despite its brightness, the moon was absolutely gorgeous!  The terminator passed directly through Strickard crater creating dramatic shadows below the beautifully lit crater rim.  But the bright moon did not stop observations of Jupiter, the Ring Nebula, Alberio, various clusters and galaxies.  Most also witnessed a tumbling booster rocket through Allen Lee’s 11” Cassegain!  Bill Enberg brought his friend “Ardent”, his 24” Dobsonian which at one point trained on a star field that contained Pluto. Carbon stars were also on the observing agenda for Coy Scott and Tim Hogue.  A few meteors were spotted (perhaps way ward Draconids).  The observing even started early when Jim Fisher set up his refractor with a solar filter and early arrivers for the Board meeting got to see an impressive set of sun spots.  Bill Engberg gave a demonstration on mirror cleaning Class at 5:30 pm and people learned how to clean big or small mirrors “in the box” with alcohol.   For Bill Engberg, Tim Hogue and Coy Scott the observing went on all night!  New member Tom Walker arrived around 11 p.m. and stayed with the diehards Bill, Tim and Coy. Welcome, Tom!

Board of Director’s Meeting

            The CAAS Board of Director’s meeting was called to order by Board President Jim Fisher on October 8, 2011, 6 p.m.   In addition to Jim the following officers and board members were present: 

Vice President Eric Walker

Secretary Bill Engberg

Carolaina Ferren, Immediate Past President

Jim Dixon, Board Member 

Carl Freyaldenhoven, Board Member

Coy Scott, Board Member 

Absent were Treasurer Andy Reed and Board Member John Reed. However, a quorum was present.

Non Board members present:  Don Ferren, Pat Morris and Sandy Morris. 

Board Action. The Board voted unanimously to the following:

• 2012 Arkansas Science Olympiad – April 14, 2012.  The Board voted to support the 2012 Science Olympiad by putting out a call for volunteers.  However, the volunteers for the 2011 said that it was a considerable amount of work and one volunteer said he would not volunteer for the upcoming event as a result.  Volunteers should expect 8 + hours of work prior to the event and a half day of proctoring exams the morning of the event.
•  CAAS grounds & building cleanup and excess storage room contents.  Jim Fisher and Jim Dixon gave a report of the clean-up of the classroom and storage room in September.  Jim Dixon said that the following items were identified as excess:  a 15” CRT Monitor; a microfilm reader; a large carrying case, probably for a Celestron C-11; an Astro-Physics Portable Pier; and a broken homemade observing chair.   The board voted to put a notice out that if not claimed within 30 days, the items will be sold.  CAAS members have right of first refusal.  Any funds collected will be donated to the CAAS Treasury.  Note:  During the observing session Tim Hogue expressed an interest in taking the observing chair and repairing it.  Jim Fisher and Bill Engberg agreed to give it to Tim so that he could attempts repairs.  Tim later reported that his efforts were successful.
• December Annual Meeting.  The Board voted to hold the December Annual Meeting at the River Ridge Observatory.  Social hour and observing starting at 5 p.m., pot-luck dinner starting at 6 p.m., and brief business meeting at 7 p.m.  weather permitting, observing will follow the meeting. 
•  Formal policy establishing location, day of month, and time of CAAS monthly meetings.  The Board voted to formally create the policy that all monthly meetings (January – November) of CAAS occur only at the River Ridge Observatory, on the second Saturday of the month, at 7 p.m., unless inclement weather forces postponement or the Board grants an exception.  The December Annual Meeting will remain a “moveable feast” both in its location, date and time.  
• CAAS Brochure.  The Board voted not to publish a re-designed CAAS Brochure.  The Board voted instead to publish new business cards which will contain the CAAS web-site of www.caasastro.org, , the info@ccaasastro.org email address, and the CAAS mission statement.  The web site will continue to serve as the electronic CAAS brochure.  Jim Fisher said he would contact Vista Print, who sell business cards at a reasonable rate and run a design past the Board before purchasing.  Jim said he will pay for the printing.  The Board thanks members Darrell Heath and Nathan James for their time and talents in re-designing the printed brochure.  
• Berrington Trust.  The Board voted to authorize Jim Fisher to re-draft the Berrington Trust documents removing Chris Lasley’s name as trustee and replacing it with a current CAAS member and then writing Dr. Robert Berrington seeking his authorization for such an amendment to the Berrington Trust.    
•  Insurance.   Jim Fisher gave a report on his liability concerns for activities at the River Ridge Observatory (RRO).   Jim said that based upon his legal research and speaking with other attorneys he was more comfortable that the CAAS’s status as registered non-profit corporation with the Arkansas Secretary of State and the Arkansas Recreational Use Statute provides adequate protection for the organization.   However, he recommended that the Board obtain insurance on the buildings and other property at the RRO and also price a liability umbrella to that policy.  The Board agreed.   The Board asks if a member recommends an insurance agent or agents to provide a quote for property insurance coverage for the RRO.
• Tax exempt status.  The Board voted to contract with Certified Public Accountant Mark Rogers to assist in restoring the section 501-c-3 tax exempt status for CAAS.  We were referred to Mr. Rogers by Wade Van Arsdale.  Mr. Rogers told Jim Fisher that he said that for $200 he thought he could determine with the IRS what was needed to restore the tax exempt status.  Mr. Rogers said he needs the past 3 years of CAAS treasury.
• Call for Officer and Board Nominations for 2012 term.  The Board discussed nominations for the officers and Board members for the 2012.  Bill Engberg was asked by Jim Fisher if was willing to be nominated for President.  Jim said that he had spoken to several members who all mentioned Bill would make an excellent president.  Bill said he would be willing to serve as president.  Jim said he was interested in filling the possible vacancy of secretary if Bill is nominated to be the 2012 president.   After serving both as the president in 2010 and on the Board this year, Carolaina Ferren said she did not wish to be nominated to a 2012 Board or officer position.  No formal action was taken.

The Board of Director’s meeting was adjourned at 6:59 p.m.

Miscellaneous notes.    

Concrete work for “Ardent’s” pad.  Bill Engberg wants to know a CAAS friend or family member that does concrete work and would like to get hired by Bill to enlarge a 3ft square pad to 9ft diameter circle pad. Taking bids, contact Bill directly billengberg@hotmail.com

Lost and found.  A small motor belt was found on the observing field.  It looks like a vacuum cleaner belt, but we think it may be to a telescope motor drive or a large Crayford focuser.  Also found on the shelf next to the restrooms was the primary objective to an Orion 6 x 30 Correct Image, Right Angle focuser.  The optics, once cleaned of dust, are in good condition.   Jim Fisher has both items.  Write him at jrfiaher7@gmail.com to claim.

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Fisher

President (acting as Secretary and using notes compiled by Secretary Bill Engberg)

by Bill Engberg

 

Meteo-rites of Passage

The first right of passage was the “physical challenge” by making it through the telephone pole chicanes of Hwy 300. Done!

 

Then was the “intro challenge” with 5 new members here for the first time last night .and since most of them were college students, Dean Wormer made them pledge ΔTX  “Erik Stratton, Rush Chairman.darn glad to meet you.”   Done!

 

We even had macho door prizes. The full color illustrated astro-photo book “Astronomy” by Chaisson & McMillan was donated by Larry Sessions and was won by a first time guest, new member.Thank you Larry, that book is excellent!

 

A great evening across the board and 21 people were able to enjoy it. If you weren’t there, you are square. Sublime presentation on meteorites by Bill Sanders and Rocky Togni, even had a lot of actual big iron.humongulous samples for people to see. Shooting stars …you could hold in your hand!  We watched a great presentation covering the history of ancient sightings and interpretations; also how to do data collection, and cool science related to big impactors, some very close to Arkansas. The one impact at Meteor Crater Park in Arizona is 4000 feet across and 40 stories deep.   .and it just missed a house and highway leading to it   😉

Thank you for presenting~!

 

After the presentation we all headed out to see the sky through everything from binoculars to telescopes. It was a clear and perfectly cloudless night and there were FIVE (!)  1^st time guests and new members. You don’t need a scope to enjoy CAAS. There are always a dozen people happy to show the universe to you through their excellent equipment. A great way to learn about all the various types of telescopes and how to get started…without spending a penny!

 

Thanks to everyone who helped me roll out Ardent (the 24″ Dobsonian) and set up. John Reed is a super hero for helping me put the right settings into my Argo Navis computer, so it became fully functional again.

I was about to rename it HAL:

Me:  “Take me to Messier 57, the Ring Nebula.”

HAL: “I’m sorry Dave, I can’t allow you to do that.”

Me:  “My name’s not Dave, and you’re not supposed to be able to talk..help!“

 

Some of us stayed until sunrise because the skies were so clear! Things we saw:

• The ISS flyby happened at the same time as an Iridium Flare!! Double Flare action.whooo hooo!
• THE MOON   (all CAPS because I’M YELLING) we still have that image seared into our retinas. Anyone who stepped away from Ardent (even with the 13% Filter) went night blind in one eye for a ½ hour. I just ordered a polarizing filter that is variable down to 1%. My new seeing eye dog is typing this letter. Woof.
• Dumbbell nebula
• Little Dumbbell nebula
• M57 the Ring nebula
• Saturn nebula
• Stephan’s Quintet (could only see 1)
• Wild Duck Globular Cluster
• M31 Andromeda galaxy
• The Blinking Planetary nebula (the core star was so bright, John Reed said he’s never seen it like that before. Agreed.eye candy.Awesome!)
• Blue planetary nebula
• Blue Snowball
• Cat’s Eye nebula
• Neptune
• Uranus
• Mira, a variable Red super giant star.
• M42 the Orion nebula.eye candy
• Alberio (fantastic gold and blue double star)
• Multiple bright and long tailed Perseid Meteors after midnight.
• Perseus Double Cluster / NGC 869.eye candy
• Alcyone the triple star / Pleiades
• Mars
• The sun.as it rose.

 

-Who else was at the Meeting?

Jim and Kathy Fisher
Pat and Sandy Morris
John Reed
Ray Jeter

Britt Jeter  (1^st time guest / New Member – He studies black holes and other compact objects at the University.  Too cool!)

Carl Freyaldenhoven

William and Scott Bryden (New Member + 1^st time guest!)
Roger Gudith
Allen Lee

Josh Thornburgh (New Member/1^st time guest!)

Landon Sanders (New Member1^st time guest!)
Don and Carolaina Ferren

Wade Van Arsdale

Rocky and Carol Togni

Bill Sanders

Bill Engberg .your humble club scribe.

 

 -Upcoming Programs and Events  (as always, see CAASASTRO.org for updates)

Aug 20^{th –} Public Star Party – Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Aug 21^st – Star Gazing Cruise – Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Sept 10^th    12-5pm (time TBD ?)   Grounds/building clean-up day and “Star” B- Que

• 7pm Regular CAAS Monthly Meeting / Program: Mayan Calendar (explaining the 2012 event…very cool!)
  

Sept 17^th – Public Star Party – Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Oct 1^st – Public Star Party – Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Oct 8^th – Regular CAAS Monthly Meeting/International Observe the Moon Night

• 6pm Board Meeting

Oct 29^th – Public Star Party – Woolly Hollow State Park

Nov 12^th – Regular CAAS Monthly Meeting

     Dec?? – Annual meeting, time, location TBD
Blue Skies 
Bill
Club Scribe, Galactic Concierge, Bard of the Bolides