|
|
|
Charlie
Elliott
Chapter Meeting Minutes
See photos
and additional information about the meeting here. |
|
ATTENDANCE: Twenty-three guests and members attended the October meeting at the Charlie Elliott Visitor’s Center. BUSINESS: Director, Larry Owens, began the meeting with project and equipment status. The meeting dates for 2008 were set (listed below). Programs Scheduled: November meeting: “Mars” by Dr. Richard Schmude, Jr., December meeting: Pot Luck and Planetary Imaging Workshop by Larry Owens SUNSET ALERT was given. 2007 remaining schedule for the CE Meetings is: November 3 (back to 3 p.m. for the winter), December 15. 2008 schedule for the CE Meeting is: Jan. 19, Feb. 9, Mar. 8, Apr 5, May 17 (JAKES DAY & Election of Officers), Jun. 7, Jul. 26, Aug. 30, Sep. 27, Oct. 25, Nov 29, Dec. 27.
FEATURE PRESENTATION: “My 200-INCH Backyard Telescope” by Patrick Durusau. http://www.durusau.net/general/background.html Patrick is such a tease – he doesn’t “have” a 200-inch telescope “in” his backyard: it’s better than that! He asked us to consider the definition of “in” his (or your) backyard. Would “access” work for in your backyard? For Telescope, would untold terabytes of data gathered by over 12,000 resources that include Earth-based (even that 200–inch one) and space-based telescopes of all kinds do? Now wait a minute you say – being spread all over and above the world presents (assuming you could even get access) problems of language, including how all those sources format their data (i.e., I call it the Moon in English, another may call it Luna in Chinese, another may ref to it by some database number, not to mention all the computer operating system languages). So, how can you possibly have enough time or knowledge to search all the databases of all those resources? How do you get results? As a former lawyer, academic, and now standards and mark up language developer for the Internet, being able to achieve results from among all those languages is exactly Patrick’s passion. The breakthrough is the establishment of standards in company with computer language tools that allow all those databases to shake hands in order to smooth the way for your search for particular data via the information highway. Right! Now I can spend the rest of my life wallowing in terabytes of data I’ve gathered. How do I … Funny you should ask: the software tools to assist in satisfying your quest are available too, free. This allows anyone to correlate a search through all databases, making them usable, and accessible through an Internet connection. There is no telescope expense to justify, no fights with your local ordinance police. Patrick has pointed to the fertile waters, and handed out bait and tackle. Your quest of discovery can be for personal pleasure or contributions to science – but getting results is up to you … you and your pals … your class at school … your astronomy club … Patrick featured the following two access points to whet appetites: Stunning! Thank you, Patrick! US National Virtual Observatory http://www.us-vo.org/ & The Aladin Sky Atlas http://aladin.u-strasbg.fr/ Note: Missed the meeting, did you? Not to worry. We have asked for, and Patrick has agreed to, another presentation soon! Watch the CE Web-site ( www.CEastronomy.org ) for date and time.
What’s Up Tonight Steve Bieger presented his list of Peach Fuzzies and upcoming sky events. His Featured Constellations section concentrated on Pegasus and included various charts for observing purposes. He also demonstrated software called “Where is M13” from http://www.thinkastronomy.com/ Data and charts from his presentation will be uploaded to the CE Web-site.
Current EventsClevis Jones covered Sputnik, SELENE, Mars Rovers and the Arisa Mons caves, comet Encke vs. the Sun, recycling two spent satellite probe missions, Zodiacal Light, DAWN, Finland’s super-bolide, an astronauts explanation of the most asked question, and Discovery & STS-120.
OBSERVING SESSION: ANOTHER GREAT SHARING OF THE NIGHT SKY! Two Girl Scout troops joined us for the meeting and some observing – the girls were wonderfully inquisitive and ably guided through the night sky by Jon Wood, Theo Ramakers, Steve Bieger, and others (sorry, I didn’t get names) – THANK YOU ALL. The girl’s favorite was the Tea Pot with its steaming spout. They were enthralled with the views through the telescopes of Jupiter, Uranus, M13, 57, 31, the Jewel Box as well as the Tri-fid Nebula, the Blue Snowball and Alberio - not to mention the satellite and the meteor.
MEETING DATES AND PROGRAMS: November 3 meeting is a TIME CHANGE to the 3:00 p.m. – the winter scheduleFeature Presentation by Dr. Richard Schmude, Jr.: “MARS” Closest to Earth the night of December 18/19, opposition on Dec. 24th. Dr. Schmude’s presentations are not to be missed: always the teacher, they are fact filled and entertaining, and bring your thinking cap. Place: Charlie Elliott Visitor’s Center December meeting: Pot Luck and Larry Owens Planetary Imaging Workshop For Meeting updates, Directions, Links, & Live broadcasts: PLEASE check the CEastronomy website for the most current information ! Submitted: Clevis Jones, CE Recording Secretary Secretary@CEastronomy.org
|
     |
|
Last Updated Thursday, October 11, 2007 |
