Category: Meeting Minutes

by Bill Engberg

The Apr meeting was a really good time.  Many folks showed up for the meeting…standing room only! Rocky Togni made a great presentation about Variable Stars that go from dim to bright over the course of hours or days, what causes it and showed many examples. Educational, interesting and beautiful pictures and explanations.

“There are over 30,000 known variable stars that have been catalogued with many more suspected. With modest equipment any amateur astronomer can make observations that are a valuable scientific contribution.  Not only is Rocky a long time member of CAAS, a variable star observer for 20 years, he is also the Variable Star Club Coordinator for The Astronomical League. True Star Power right here at the River Ridge Observatory!” –Jim F.

Wade, Eric and I arrived early and worked on some volunteer projects to improve the grounds and buildings. Eric took photos for the awnings he will hope to have built over the entrance ways. Wade and I pressure washed the chairs and power stripped paint in preparation to repaint the observatory building. Check out the website so you can volunteer to mow the grounds just one time (CAAS has the mower etc) and you will be a CAAS Volunteer Super Hero! Volunteers make CAAS a home run!  🙂

We had 9 awesome guests:

Ken Z., Bruce K., Leonard L., Mike & Dawn E., Alan & Lei P. & their 2 kids.

Hope to see you back!

 

-Who else was at the Meeting?

A bunch of people were here tonight:

Eric Walker

Wade Van Arsdale

Rocky & Carol Togni

Chris Spotts

Coy Scott

Bill Sanders

John Reed

Pat & Sandy Morris

Darrell Heath

Roger Gudith

David Grusvold

Carl Freyaldenhoven

Jim Fisher

Dave Grimmer

Tim Hogue

Susan Staffeld

Don and Carolaina Ferren

Jim Dixon w/ Samantha and Brandon

and me…your humble scribe.

-Want to Join CAAS  -or-  buy a CAAS TShirt   -or-  make Tax Deductible Donations?

Download the membership form from our website. People can mail a check + form to our treasurer:  

Andy Reed, 312 Maranes Circle, Maumelle, AR  72113

TShirts are $19 for Large and $20 for XL. $8 shipping if we have to mail it…come to the meeting and no ship fee 🙂

-Upcoming Events ( caasastro.org calendar LINK )

Apr 16^th – Arkansas Science Olympiad at UALR, PHYS 101, “Astronomy” event, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., and the “Solar System” event, 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Apr 29^th – Star party for Japanese science students’ tour group at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Stuckey Field, 7 p.m.   (the field WEST of the highway, opposite Pinnacle Mtn.)

May 7^th – National Astronomy Day at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Visitors’ Center, 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.    ( pinnacle mountain s.p.  LINK )

May 14^th – Boy Scout’s Merit Badge University astronomy merit badge class, 9 a.m. – 12 noon

May 14^{th –} CAAS Monthly Meeting at River Ridge Observatory, 7 p.m.

May 20^th – 22nd –  Mid-States Region of the Astronomical League conference and star party at Mulberry Mountain Lodging and Events resort, Ozark, Arkansas  (aoas.org LINK )

June 11^th – CAAS Monthly Meeting at River Ridge Observatory, 7 p.m.

June 25^th – Star Party at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Visitors’ Center, 8 p.m.
Blue Skies
Bill
Club Scribe

by Bill Engberg

—- All lock Combos have been changed !!! —-

Contact Andy Reed andy.reed72@gmail.com and if you’ve paid 2011 dues, you’ll be given the new gate/bathroom combo.

Photographing Diamonds in the Sky

A great night at CAAS was had by all. John Reed gave an amazing Presentation with a ton of pictures and instruction on how to use a regular camera to do Astrophotography! It was an AMAZING lesson and images. Thank you for sharing such a great and teachable talent!
Andy Reed our heroic Treasurer has built a Google Checkout function that will soon be implemented on the website by Jim Dixon, to receive donations, dues and payments…waaaay faster than mailing checks!
Sandy Morris garnered many accolades when she recommended we have our new Mailbox put up next to our gate… in case Guests/Emergency/Green Martians are ever looking for our property address.
Wade Van Arsdale is putting up the mailbox and leading the spring clean up with Juan’s Lawns who will do the annual “heavy” grounds keeping on Monday. Please come up and help them, Monday.

-Who else was at the Meeting?

Visitors: Susan Staffeld (our heroine from PMSP!), Roger Gray (first time visitor)…welcome!

Paul Deeter
Jim and Samantha Dixon
Don and Carolaina Ferren
Jim Fisher
Carl Freyaldenhoven
Roger Gudith
Ernie & children William and Ayla Justice
Allen Lee
Don Lewis
Pat and Sandy Morris
Andy Reed
John and Carol Reed
Coy Scott
Chris Spotts (first time visitor and New Member…welcome!)
Wade Van Arsdale
Eric Walker
Bill Engberg…your humble club scribe.

-Upcoming Events (as always, see website for updates/directions)

· Mar 25th, (Friday) West field of PMSP is having an impromptu Star gazing event. Telescopes are welcome! Check the website for some other great events coming up in the next 2 weeks www.arkansasstateparks.com/pinnaclemountain/

· Mar 26th – Woolly Hollow State Park Star Party, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. – our first public event of 2011!

· Apr 9th – CAAS Monthly Meeting at River Ridge Observatory, 7 p.m.

· Apr 29th, (Friday) – Star party for Japanese science students’ tour group at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, 7 p.m.

· May 7th – National Astronomy Day at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.

· May 14th – CAAS Monthly Meeting at River Ridge Observatory, 7 p.m.

· May 20th – 22nd – Mid-States Region of the Astronomical League conference and star party at Mulberry Mountain Lodging and Events resort, Ozark, Arkansas

Blue Skies
Bill
Factotum of the Interstellar Medium, Club Scribe, Bard of the Bolides… 🙂

The CAAS Board of Directors met on February 12^th, just prior to the February monthly meeting.

The general topic of the meeting was River Ridge Observatory (RRO) grounds security and visitor safety with the aim of establishing a policy on who may access to the RRO grounds and buildings during non-meeting or event dates. The Board unanimously voted to change the main lock combinations. All dues paying CAAS members will be given the new combination.  The Board also voted to provide training to all members on the lock-up procedures and security policies.  The Board also left unchanged the policy that only members with “Observatory Status” may check out club owned equipment for personal use.  Also, President Jim Fisher announced the appointment of Vice-President Eric Walker as Observatory Chair.  Jim said that he will also ask Wade Van Arsdale and another non-Board member volunteer to the Observatory Committee. The Observatory Committee will be asked to develop future RRO grounds policies and make recommendations for maintenance and upgrades. The Board approved these appointments. The Board asked Jim to investigate the need for and cost of liability insurance.  Jim will make his report at the next Board meeting.  Jim – wearing his lawyer hat – asked that until a decision is made on liability insurance that no public events be held at the RRO.  If you are interested in serving on the Observatory Committee please email Jim at jrfisher7@gmail.com