Cape Fear Astronomical Society Newsletter - Editor Debbi Hayden September 7, 2003 Meeting Featuring Tommy Puckett sharing his experiences on a recent trip to beautiful Alaska! Join us before the meeting for dinner at Giorgio's restaurant in Monkey Junction, at 5:15 pm. Please email Debbi Hayden if you plan to come to Giorgio's, so she can make reservations. This month's after-meeting movie is Destination Moon, winner of the 1950 Academy Award for Best Special Effects. Meeting Minutes for August 3th, 2003 by CFAS Secretary Terry Herrin President Si Cantwell called the meeting to order at 7:03pm. Under officer's reports, Ben Steelman reported that $146.50 has been paid to the Astronomical League to cover the club's membership dues. Ben also presented the club's bank balances, which are as follows: $715.27 in checking, $317.31 in savings, and $1,144.93 in a CD. Under old business, the club set three dates for public viewing of the Mars opposition. The dates are 8/23/03 and 8/30/03 at Ft. Fisher, with a viewing of the closest approach on 8/27/03 at Snipes Elementary School. Club banners were discussed, and the club voted unanimously to purchase one 2' x 3' flag for $60. The flag will have the standard club logo on a white background. The club also voted to reimburse Tom Jacobs $31.91 for the new Yamacraw lockbox. 20th anniversary t-shirts are still on sale. Please see Joe or Shelley Callahan if you have ordered a t-shirt, or would like to order one. Under new business, Tom discussed the club's Messier Marathon Field Guide. Several members expressed interest in purchasing a copy, and Tom will be taking several copies to the Mid-Atlantic Star Party. Tom elaborated on the event, which will take place 10/22/03 to 10/27/03 this year. Ronnie Hawes talked about the two probes currently on their way to Mars, Spirit and Opportunity. He also said every Planetary Society member's name would be going to Mars for a second time. Also under new business, Les King announced he is selling a Celestron GPS 11" telescope. He also demonstrated a new device from Ray-O-Vac which straps to the head and has both red and white lights. Becky Lewis said the club's 6" Newtonian f/8 telescope is available for anyone who would like to use it. Alan Hilburn discussed Dr. Brian Davis giving a presentation on asteroids, and possibly one on archeology. Conrad Pope may give a presentation in November showing his astrophotography pictures. Ronnie said he could do a program on the 29th anniversary of a message sent from the Arecibo Radio Telescope. The anniversary will be on 11/16/03. Under observing reports, Ronnie and Tom observed at the Holly Shelter site starting at 9:00pm on Saturday, 8/2/03. It was partly cloudy, but the Milky Way was still visible. The meeting broke for ten minutes at 8:00pm. Alan Hilburn then gave a presentation on the upcoming Mars opposition. After Alan's presentation Si asked if there was any other business, and having none, adjourned the meeting at 8:50pm. News Cluster A big thank-you to everyone who participated in the spectacular Mars viewing sessions! What a turnout! We really did a great service to the public and we all had a great time doing it! Well done! Extra thanks to Ronnie for coordinating everything! Get ready for the Mid-Atlantic Star Party (MASP)! This is a wonderful opportunity to get together with other astronomy enthusiasts under very dark skies relatively close to home. It is held each year in Robbins, NC and will be from October 22nd - 27th this year. For more info, go to www.masp.org Speaking of dark skies, we will be discussing whether or not we want to renew the lease for our dark sky site Yamacraw. We currently spend $100 per year for access to the site, but it has not been used much for various reasons. If the interest is there to utilize Yammie regularly, we should renew the lease. We have been asked to put together a program for some students who will be making a trip up to Morehead Planetarium. More info to follow at the meeting. Please participate and share your enthusiasm for astronomy!