CAAS Monthly Meeting Minutes

Submitted by Jim Dixon

February 9, 2003

 

Don Lewis called the meeting to order. There were 14 members present.

Old business:

  • Business cards – I showed the group the proposed addition of the Cassiopeia constellation to the website logo. Everyone liked this change and the new vertical business cards using this were approved. The new logo is visible on the CAAS site. I will see about producing some new business cards before the next meeting.
  • As it is now February, Don reminded the group that dues were due as of January. For all practical purposes, dues are this group’s only source of money to pay the bills so it is vital that all members pay their dues in a timely manner. These dues will pay the bills for an entire year. If you haven’t yet sent in your dues and are unsure of how much to send or where, please take a look at the “join” page. The dues structure can be found there and the mailing address of the treasurer can be on the membership application.
  • John Reed talked about the progress on the East Observatory renovation. He is currently working on a cost estimate for raising the floor and waterproofing the building better. During the recent brush clearing some water damage was found on the back of the building.

New Business:

  • Don Lewis informed us of the new House Bill 1282 from the Arkansas General Assembly. This bill, if approved, will require the shielding of of certain outdoor lighting in order to reduce light pollution in Arkansas. Sandy Morris proposed a motion that CAAS compose a letter to the author, Representative Ledbetter, to show him how appreciative we are. Currently, this is just a bill, sitting on capitol hill, but maybe someday it will be a law.
  • Sandy Morris talked about the upcoming Astronomy Day Star Party at Pinnacle Mountain. She has recently been in contact with a teacher at the Mablevale school who is teaching an astronomy class.
  • Treasurer’s report: Pat Morris reported that we have received $*** in dues since the January meeting and have had an electric bill of about $**. A once a year land payment of about $*** will be due soon and that will take a lot out of our bank account unless members pay their dues for 2003.
  • Don Lewis talked a little bit about the K12 grant application that he has been investigating. This is a NASA grant to organizations that help spread the word about space to the public. If we could get it, this would be a grant for as much as $5000 to buy or build equipment and facilities to house the equipment to be used for research that we would perform and report back to NASA and, of course, educate the public.

Presentation:

  • John Reed delivered his presentation on “How to Find It”. He started with the use of planispheres to show what’s up. From there he moved to the Peterson Field Guides, then to magazines such as Sky & Telescope and Astronomy for their monthly sky charts. From there he moved up to official sky atlases such as the Skelnate Plaso Atlas of the Heavens and the current de facto standard Sky Atlas 2000 and Uranumetria 2000. After this he moved on to the ultimate, computer based star charts such as those listed on our “Links” page. Finally, he showed us the techniques used to star hop our way to the “Whirpool Galaxy” M51 using star charts generated from one of those computer planetarium programs.
  • After the presentation, an impromptu discussion of eyepieces, mirrors, and their care and feeding ensued.

As it was very cold, cloudy, and there was snow and ice on the ground, the meeting let out.

CAAS Monthly Meeting Minutes

Submitted by Jim Dixon

January 11, 2003

 

Don Lewis called the meeting to order. There were 18 attendees including, I think, 7 new members and 2 guests. Don welcomed the new members and guests.

Old business: Business cards – I presented some ideas that used the CAAS website logo seen at the left. Everybody seemed to like the vertical version but it was suggested that we incorporate the outline of the constellation of Cassiopiea into the design as it was a part of the old CAAS logo.

As it is the first month of the year, membership dues are due. The dues structure was discussed.

Don told us about the donation from the UALR planetarium of a number of videos. These cover a number astronomy related topics and will be available for member use.

Don outlined several presentations and topics for upcoming meetings. These included: Collimation, building digital setting circles, binocular astronomy, and CCD imaging for beginners.

Because large number of new members, Don provided a new member orientation including a tour of the facility.

Since the only thing of interest in the sky was a lunar halo, the meeting was informally adjourned after the facility tour.

CAAS Monthly Meeting Minutes

Submitted by Jim Dixon

December 14, 2002

 

Because of the season, the December meeting included a potluck dinner and was held at John Reed’s home.

The meeting was called to order by President John Reed. There were seven members present. The major item on the agenda was the election of officers and board members. The new officers and board members are as follows:

  • President: Don Lewis
  • Vice-President: Lenny Bradberry
  • Treasurer: Pat & Sandy Morris
  • Secretary: Jim Dixon
  • Board Members: John Reed, Carl Freyaldenhoven, Mark Wilson and Danny Flippo

Besides the election of officers and board members, these other topics were discussed:

  • Although still developing ideas, John Reed shared some of the ideas he has had for the renovation of the “6 inch” building.
  • Light pollution was discussed, apparently the utility company in Cabot is making progress toward using more sky-friendly lighting fixtures.
  • Security at the site was discussed. There is some evidence that the combinations to the pad locks have spread to nonmembers. We discussed simply changing the combinations or securing the keys in a key accessed building. No decision was made.
  • Out of state star parties were discussed.