Cape Fear Astronomical Society Newsletter - Editor Debbi Hayden Sunday, January 4th, 2004 Meeting The January meeting will be a discussion about the programs we as a group would like to have and possibly present in the coming year, and upcoming Public Viewing Sessions. Don't forget to come with ideas! Join us before the meeting for dinner at Bennigan's Restaurant on College Road at 5:15 pm. There will be a screening of the classic 1951 movie The Thing from Another World after the meeting for those who would like to stay. Meeting Minutes for December 7th, 2003 by CFAS Secretary Terry Herrin President Si Cantwell called the meeting to order at 7:40pm. This month's meeting was held during the annual club Holiday social at Les King's house. Under old business, voting was completed for the new year's club officers. The 2004 officers are: President Ronnie Hawes, Vice President Maria Cantwell, Associate Vice President Alan Hilburn, Secretary Terry Herrin, Treasurer Ben Steelman and Editor Debbi Hayden. Ronnie Hawes won the David Maness Award for outstanding work in the field of amateur astronomy during 2003. Debbi Hayden won the Society Service Award for outstanding service to the club during 2003. Also under old business, Doug Greene stated that he has worked out all of the issues with the club membership with the Astronomical League. The grey club t-shirts and sweatshirts are being worked on. Ronnie discussed the upcoming trip to Johnny Horne's observatory, which is planned for Saturday, 12/14/03. Under new business, Ronnie presented a new proposed club flyer. He also stated that next month's presentation would involve everyone, and it would be a discussion about future presentations. More public viewings were discussed, including quarterly sessions on constellations. Under observing reports, Susan B. recounted her and John's trip to the Coronado Filter conference on solar observing. They were able to observe the recent heightened solar activity. She also showed some of their photographs, and handed out SOHO educational materials. Terry Herrin talked about solo observing at Yamacraw on Saturday, 11/23/03 from 7:30pm to 11:00pm. The site was dry and recently mowed, and the skies were clear and dark. On the same night Ronnie led a small group of observers at the Holly Shelter site Billy Kidney observed at Yamacraw the following Saturday for almost the entire night, and Terry joined him for about an hour. Again the skies were dark and clear, but much colder than the previous week. Alan reminded everyone that the Geminid meteor shower peaks on Saturday, 12/14/03. Alan gave a quick presentation of slides he took of the local aurora display that occurred on the evening of 11/20/03. Afterward, Si officially handed over the presidency by presenting Ronnie with a space pen, and adjourned the meeting at 8:30pm News Cluster Yes, it's that time of year again! Time for you to pay your club dues! Membership is only $20 for an individual, and $25 for a family. The money goes toward the leasing of Yamacraw (which will be utilized much more this year), national society dues, subscription to The Reflector magazine, and the cost of printing, copying, and mailing of the society newsletter. Dues can be brought to the meeting or mailed to Ben Steelman (refer to your recent CFAS Membership List for address.) Thank you for being prompt with your dues! This month's issue includes the address list for all of our current members. Please look over your entry to make certain all information is correct! Thank you! Thank You to Les and Connie King for opening their beautiful home to us for our Holiday Social! We had a great time! Thanks to Ronnie for securing Bryan Auditorium for our monthly meetings: - January 4th - February 1st - March 7th - April 4th Sky Calendar Jan 04 - CFAS meeting at 7:00pm, Mars rover Spirit is due to land on Mars           Quadrantid meteors before dawn, Earth is at perihelion at 1:00pm EST Jan 07 - Full Moon is at 10:40am EST Jan 14 - Last quarter Moon is at 11:46pm EST Jan 16/17 - CFAS Group Viewing Sessions Jan 17th - Mercury is at greatest elongation (24°) west of the Sun Jan 21 - New Moon at 4:05pm EST Jan 23 - CFAS Group Viewing Session Jan 24 - Proposed Public Viewing Session of Saturn #1 Jan 25 - Mars rover Opportunity due to land on Mars Jan 29 - First quarter Moon at 1:03am EST Jan 31 - Proposed Public Viewing Session of Saturn #2 Feb 01 - CFAS February meeting All content unless otherwise stated Copyright (c) 2002-2004 CAPE FEAR ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY. All Rights Reserved.