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Location: Chemistry/Physics Building, MUN
Time: 8:00 pm
Present: 20
1. Randy Dodge's Introduction. Our Library is missing, and so is the Observing Chair (gone with Fred Smith, chief heckler, to a meeting on the Canada-Wide Science Fair). Unfortunately, the coffee room is being waxed, so no coffee tonight. Since there were a lot of new people present, Randy spent some time on an introduction to the RASC, and some of the benefits of membership (Beginner's Observer's Guide [bought separately], SkyNews, the Journal, Centre books and scopes, the proposed Butterpot Universe Centre and our web page). He also noted that the Centre is putting in a bid for the GA, and explained what a GA is. Randy also explained three items that members can vote on (you can give proxies to Mike Crawford). The Centre will also have a possible observing session (to be updated on our web page). Also, the planetarium will be free to members (non-members pay something like $2-3, but don't quote me) on the night of May 28th at 8:30 pm. The session will be somewhere between 1/2 hour and 1 hour, depending on questions. Garry Dymond also started a column on observing, which he passed around. [We should put it on the web, too.]
2. Chris Stevenson on What's New. Chris took us to three different web pages and explained a bit about each.
3. Florence McNeily talked a bit about some of the books available in our library. Tonight she showed us Volumes 2 and 3 of Burnham's Celestial Handbook. This book is grouped by constellations, and shows the major stars, clusters, etc., along with notes. It contains some poetry for each constellation (if available), literary references, and a bit about the legends behind each constellation. Another noteworthy feature is the brief biographies of discoverers. To finish, Florence suggested we should let teachers and school boards know about the library.
4. Observations. Various people had made observations of the conjunction. A possible Northern Lights show on the weekend was rained out. Ben Llewellyn has been observing Jupiter and the moon, amongst other objects. Chris Stevenson has been comet observing.
5. Chris Stevenson on the Planetary Conjunction. Chris brought us to the Sky and Telescope web site. Of note is the fact that this is not an event where, if one blinks one's eyes, it shall be gone. The Dance of the Planets is an extended dance. The site is http://skyandtelescope.com/printable/observing/objects/planets/article_575.asp . WARNING: one shouldn't try to view objects that are anywhere near the sun [even if the sun seems dim] with binoculars, a telescope, or the unaided eye. One split second of solar viewing could do damage to your vision. Although there will be other times when the planets form conjunctions, the next similar one will be in September 8, 2040, when they will be grouped together within 10 degrees of the sky. To take pictures (when the Sun has set), you can use a camera that can lock open the shutter, preferably mounted on a tripod. Focus at infinity, and expose for 5 seconds (use a B setting).
6. Brian Payton spoke briefly on the topic of Skepticism and Astronomy. He drew attention to some articles in Skeptical Inquirer concerning astrology/conjunctions, and cosmology. He is also concerned about the state of the education system, as outlined by SI. On the other side of the argument, some members have had personal experiences that would seem to offer evidence of astrology. [Personally, I would suggest all concerned would enjoy the first chapter in Martin Gardner's Knotted Doughnuts and Other Mathematical Entertainments, concerning chance and coincidence, and also Carl Sagan's The Demon-Haunted World, particularly the chapter on the "Marriage of Skepticism and Wonder".]
7. Randy went over the various important motions at the GA, especially the proposed decoupling of Membership fees and Centre fees. Proxy forms were made available.
8. Garry Dymond on What's Up. Jupiter and its moons will be putting on a display on Friday, May 31 at 825 NDT (kind of hard to see). On June 8 at 1145 NDT there will be another double-moon crossing. This is the month for comets: four are in the sky, and one is visible to the unaided eye. Garry also showed us some photos he took while visiting Jim Gillard at Twillingate. Jim is in the process of building what should be an incredible, jaw-dropping observatory. He has obviously pulled out all the stops and his industriousness is to be commended. One final reminder, Star-B-Que is on August 9-11 at Butterpot this year. Talk to either Gary (one R) Case or Garry (two R) Dymond.
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