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Location: Chemistry/Physics Building, MUN
Time: 8:00 pm
Present: 20
1. Randy's Introduction. Randy gave his usual general introduction to the RASC and our Centre. Gary Case, the Observing Chair, sends his regrets. Garry Dymond will substitute. Randy emphasized that we want our member's input for meetings and activities. He also noted that our next meeting will be our GA.
Our October schedule may be changed (astronaut may be in town). Our November meeting will definitely be changed to the second Wednesday of the month, on November 13. Rajiv "Calendar" Gupta, the National President, will be visiting, and will give a talk.
Randy noted we received some information on a week-long course in the arctic on the Northern Lights. The course costs $1000, plus airfare. Randy also lectured at the library, last night, on backyard astronomy. Along with his talk, the Arts and Culture Centre gave out a nice brochure. Randy showed us the brochure.
2. Christmas gifts and such. Randy noted that now is the time (already!) to start checking on Christmas gifts.
He will report on books at Chapters at the next meeting.
3. Summer Vacation Activities. Garry Dymond gave an overview of Star-B-Que activities. This took place on the Friday to Sunday after Regatta Day. Garry noted we have had some sort of Star-B-Que for more than 20 years now. It was originally a way for members across the island to get together. Since very few outside of St. John's and area came, we moved it to Butterpot. Butterpot also provides much better support for activities, more members come, plus we also give something back to the Park for Observing Group access to the Warm-up building (especially in the winter). Garry has noticed more members come now, and the private BBQ seems to have been a great way for members to come together (especially this year).
Our activities this year have ranged from the standard Solar System walk, less expensive models that can be robbed, to observing sessions. During the day, solar observing through filters was provided, both with and without a scope. Garry gave a talk on meteorites, with 12 examples he brought along. Gary Case gave a talk on how to build an equatorial platform for a Dobsonian, and how to build a barn door mounting for your camera for less than $12. We also had our choir sing at the Park's campfire event, and Wayne Winsor graced us with his rock-and-roll guitar stuff (at least somebody can sing).
Garry figured that during the night observing session about 300 people viewed objects through our scopes, from 60mm to 12.5-inches in size. After the public Star Party was over, members continued observing many objects, including a hunt for Uranus (much smaller than last year), and the meteor shower. We also had a celestial scavenger hunt, with Night Watch as a prize. For the first time in many year, Garry presided over the Order of the Big Dipper: find the Big Dipper and the Pole Star in the sky, kiss the scope, and drink your choice of beverage (Big Dipper was at hand). Garry gave out a number of certificates. There was also a pass by the ISS, earlier in the night, during the public session.
4. Observing. Fred Smith and a number of people have been following the spectacular sun spot groups over the summer (eg. the heart shaped one). Brian Payton was at Trieste, helping a friend to learn with a 3-inch, but unfortunately, there wasn't much clear sky. Garry Dymond has been following two comets, including comet Swan (?) in Leo. Garry visited Jim Gillard in Bayview, Twillingate. He has the top on his 10-foot, 3-story dome, and is working on installing a 12-inch Meade.... Various members have made other observations, but for most the highlight was at Star-B-Que.
5. Florence McNealy wants to remind us that we have a library. She gave a brief book review of three books that we have on hand: Conversing with the Planets, by Avini, Atom: Journey Across the Sub-atomic Cosmos, by Asimov, and Fireside Astronomy, by Patrick Moore. Florence read the preface from Moore's book.
6. Garry Dymond on What's Up. Garry had done up a slide show and took us through some of the highlights of the coming month or so.
Garry showed us some shots he took with his new CCD camera, through his 8-inch Celestron. First was a shot of M57, 25 seconds, no processing. He was quite pleased and surprised at how this turned out. The second was another good shot of part of the Moon.
7. Randy Dodge finished off with some pictures he took at Star-B-Que. The link is http://regulus.ucs.mun.ca/StarBQ02 .
8. Coffee Break. Garry also showed one lady how to use her new scope.
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