Cape Fear Skies The Cape Fear Astronomical Society Newsletter - Editor Debbi Hayden This Month's Meeting will be: Sunday, August 7, 2005 Featuring a program by Terry Herrin entitled Saturn – Lord of the Rings about the Cassini Mission. Gastronomy! Join us before the meeting for dinner at Wilson's Restaurant on the corner of New Center Drive and Sigmon Road at 5:15pm! Meeting Minutes for July 10th, 2005 - by CFAS Editor Debbi Hayden President Ronnie Hawes called the meeting to order at 7:10pm. Terry Herrin has returned from San Francisco and had a great time! Officers' Reports: Ben Steelman states we have approximately $1400 in the bank. We also still have members who have yet to pay their dues. Old Business: We voted on the issue of staying with the Astronomical League, and the results were 15 in favor of and one opposed. We will be continuing our membership in the AL for another year, and our dues will be $5 per member plus $10 for the club as a whole. The decision regarding the utilization of the so-called "electronic meeting" was passed at last month's meeting, when the description was re-worded by Terry Herrin. A copy of the new Constitution will become available soon. A discussion of a possible cookout at Becky Lewis' home in Castle Hayne was held, and we will be deciding upon some dates in the fall – possibly in October. Chris Babson, Billy Kidney and Ronnie Hawes helped with Cub Scouts at Camp Bowers north of Elizabethtown all last month. There will be more meetings in October and anyone who would like to help is welcomed! New Business: Doug Greene mentioned that he saw an obituary in the newspaper for past member Rick Card. Jane Brewster of Plantation Village would like us to hold a viewing session for their retirement community off of Route 17 North. Tentative dates are August 12, 13, and 14. Alan Hilburn has had a mild heart attack, but he is doing fine now! Thank Goodness! Observing Reports: The planned collision of a projectile from the space craft Deep Impact with Comet Tempel I was not visible from our area, but was broadcast on the television. David Long now has a 20" reflector! Can't wait to take a look through it, Dave! Ronnie asked if there was any other items for discussion, and having none, he adjourned the business meeting at 7:43pm. We then watched a NASA video about the planet Mars. News Cluster Please be thinking of programs you would like to see during our meetings! Many members have various videos and programs available for presentation, as well as a great deal of knowledge on many topics. If you have a program you would like to do and need help with slides or computer issues, don't hesitate to ask our more "seasoned" members for assistance! I will be including a map to the new viewing site in an upcoming newsletter. Keep the crew of the space shuttle Discovery in your thoughts and prayers! We wish them a successful mission and a safe return home! Sky Calendar August 04 - New Moon at 11:05pm EDT August 5/6 - CFAS Group Viewing Sessions August 07 - CFAS August Meeting. Photo Opportunity! The Moon passes 1.2 degrees           north of Venus at midnight EDT. August 12 - First quarter Moon at 10:38pm EDT, Perseid meteor shower peaks this morning August 19 - Full Moon at 1:53pm EDT August 26 - Last quarter Moon at 11:18am EDT August 26/27 - CFAS Group Viewing Sessions (Moon rises between           midnight and 1:00am these nights) What's Up Down Under? (News from our Sister Society in Albury-Wodonga, Australia) ASAW is also involved with local scouts, holding viewing sessions for them as well as for some primary school children. Members are considering the purchase of the Meade Deep Sky Imager Pro for club use. They will also be looking into webcams as a less expensive alternative. President David Thurley is continuing to do "live to air" radio interviews about astronomical topics. Other members may get involved as well! Their Astronomer of the Month was Bill Bradfield, a 76 year old comet hunter from South Australia. ____________________________________________________________ All content unless otherwise stated Copyright (c) 2002-2005 CAPE FEAR ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY. All Rights Reserved.