Month: June 2011

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Report from the Pinnacle Mountain State Park Star Party, June 25, 2011

Beautiful Pinnacle Mountain State Park and the members of Central Arkansas Astronomical Society hosted an estimated two hundred star party guests on Saturday evening June 25, 2011– many of those returning from previous CAAS events.   The star party guests and CAAS members were treated to a gorgeous evening sky that was included the summer constellations, several satellite passes including 2 Iridium “flares,” the Ring Nebula, the Hercules Cluster, Alberio, Alcor and Mizar, and other double stars, and fan favorite Saturn.   A highlight of the evening was John Reed zeroing in on the super nova in the Spiral Galaxy, M-51 with his 18” Dobsonian telescope. .

CAAS Members in attendance included Susan Staffeld, Robert Brown, Jim Dixon, Samantha Dixon, John Reed, Chelsea Reed, Bill Sanders, Carl Freyaldenhoven, Chris Spotts, Don Lewis, Pat and Sandy Morris, Don and Carolina Ferren, and Jim Fisher.

It was a bitter sweet evening in that we saw Susan Staffeld in her role as State Park Interpreter for the final time.  Next week Susan starts a new job with the Arkansas Highway Commission and we wish her great success as she embarks on an exciting career opportunity.  However, CAAS thanks Susan for her outstanding tenure at Pinnacle Mountain and especially her enthusiastic and expert dedication to the Park’s astronomy related programs.  Well done, Susan!

The good news is Susan is a card carrying member of CAAS and we will see her at future CAAS events in her civvies.

For those who stay to the end, 11 p.m. rolled around way too soon.


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Clear skies!

Jim Fisher

President

Central Arkansas Astronomical Society
www.caasastro.org

Arkansas Chapter Leader
International Dark-Sky Association
www.darksky.org

Twitter @ArkansasSkies
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Minutes from the June 2011 Board Meeting

Attendees:  Jim Fisher, President

Eric Walker, Vice President

Bill Engberg, Secretary

Andy Reed, Treasurer

Coy Scott,  Board member

Jim Dixon, Board

Carl Freyaldenhoven, Board

John Reed, Board

Excused:  Carolaina Ferren

Non Board member attendees;  Samantha Dixon and Darrell Heath (at the beginning of the meeting.  Other members filtered in at various points during the meeting).

1. Arkansas Oklahoma Astronomical Soc. reimbursed to CAAS $100 as seed money for MSRAL Con.  MSRAL finances ended in the red $56.17.  The Astronomical League and AOAS agreed to split the $56.17 debt (or $28.09 each).  Jim F. moved and Bill seconded that CAAS split that part of the debt with AOAS and reimburse AOAS $14.05.  Passed unanimously.

2.  Web domain fees are currently paid by Chris Lasley (approx. $40).  Jim F. moved and Coy seconded that CAAS reimburse Chris the fee and Jim D. be listed as the domain owner in his role as CAAS web master. Passed unanimously.

3. Roger Gudith asked the Board for Observatory Status now that he has been a member for 6 months.  Jim F. moved and Bill seconded that Roger be granted OS status. Passed unanimously.

4.  Jim F. will investigate if Red River Astronomy Clubs wants our help in starting a public star party at Daisy State Park to help RRAC generate new members for its club.

5.  Jim F. reported that basic liability insurance through the Astronomical League’s umbrella insurance policy would be $265.  But we have questions as to whether that is enough insurance.  Jim F. will continue to investigate procuring liability insurance.  Dave Grimmer volunteered to assist by contacting an insurance sales agent that he knows.

6.  Darell Heath reported that UALR has telescopes that it does not currently use and asked through Darrell if we would be interested in using them.  Jim F. said he would speak with Prof. Tony Hall.

7. The CAAS Board discussed the Berrington Trust and it appears that two of the named Trustees – Robert Berrington and Chris Lasley – are no longer CAAS Members and the Trust instrument requires trustees to maintain CAAS membership.  John Reed agreed to speak to Mr.s Berrington and Mr. Lasley.

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Clear skies!

Jim Fisher

President

Central Arkansas Astronomical Society
www.caasastro.org