The Cape Fear Astronomical Society Newsletter - Editor Debbi Hayden
This Month's Meeting will be: Sunday, March 6, 2005
Featuring Tom Jacobs' program "Leaving the Cradle", a video about the Apollo 8 program, from the NASA DVDs!
Gastronomy! Join us before the meeting for dinner at Chili's Restaurant on College Road, at 5:15 pm.
Meeting Minutes for February 13th, 2005 - by CFAS Vice President Terry Herrin
President Ronnie Hawes called the meeting to order at 7:07pm. Under officers' reports, Terry Herrin reminded everyone to pay their dues.
Under old business, the Yamacraw dark sky site was discussed. It was decided a final decision would be made at the March meeting. In the meantime, Ronnie would follow up with Bill Kidney regarding an alternate site.
Also under old business, Sam Bissette said the sister club project with the Astronomical Society of Albury-Wodonga has completed the start up phase, and is now in place. He read a letter from Wilmington mayor Spence Broadhurst praising the new relationship. He also passed around a hard copy of the first ASAW Newsletter and their new recruiting flyer.
Under new business, the club voted unanimously to renew the club web site for $27.00. Ronnie proposed a staff meeting in the near future to discuss several administrative topics, including updating the society's constitution. All club members are welcome to attend. Susan B. will search through electronic copies of the minutes to determine when the last amendment was made to the constitution.
Continuing new business, Bob Fetterman proposed that Dr. Brian Davis be granted an honorary society membership. It was decided the status of "honorary member" would be discussed and clarified at the upcoming staff meeting. The question of offering Dr. Davis the membership will be further discussed at the March meeting. Concluding new business, Ronnie recognized new members Bob and Patsy Racine.
Under observing reports, Les King said he presented a solar observing session to five third grade classes at North Topsail Elementary School. Ronnie said six people observed at the Holly Shelter dark sky site Friday night. They observed until around midnight. Green lasers were discussed, and all agreed that if you have one, never point it at flying airplanes. Accidentally hitting a plane flying at altitude while using a green laser to point at constellations is highly unlikely, but it's still a good idea to be careful.
Ronnie broke the meeting for ten minutes at 7:55pm, at which time many members took the opportunity to check out a table full of free magazines that Doug Greene brought in to give away.
Tom Jacobs then showed a documentary about the early Saturn 1A and 1B rocket boosters. After the presentation, Ronnie asked if there were any other business, and having none, adjourned the meeting at 9:10pm.
News Cluster
Final reminder to please pay your membership dues! Individual memberships are $20 and only $25 for a family.
INFORMATION NEEDED FROM CLUB MEMBERS: We need a list of observing equipment owned by members of CFAS. i.e. telescopes, photography equipment, computer items, and any other type of equipment (do not include ordinary binoculars) that you use. Please send your data to Sam Bissette : e-mail or by mail him (see Member’s List). No phone calls, please. Thanks for your help. This information will be shared with ASAW, our sister club in Australia.
INDOOR OBSERVING SESSIONS: About ten years ago, Sam Bissette and Robert Price photographed the Northern and Southern hemispheres as a sky survey. Sam hopes to do a couple of night indoor observing sessions locating objects on the sky maps as seen visually on projected color slides. A session can accommodate about 7-10 persons and will be done in his home. Usually 7:30 to 9:30 on an early weeknight. It will help him in inviting club members to know who is interested. If you are, reply by e-mail to or a note in the mail and he shall know who to invite if this project does come to be.
Sky Calendar
Mar 03 - Last quarter Moon at 12:36pm EST Moon occults Antares this morning
Mar 4/5 - CFAS Group Viewing Sessions – Moon rises between 2:00-3:00 am
Mar 06 - CFAS March Meeting at 7:00pm
Mar 10 - New Moon at 4:10am EST
Mar 11/12 - CFAS Group Viewing Sessions
Mar 17 - First quarter Moon at 2:19pm EST
Mar 20 - Spring begins at the equinox, 7:33am EST
Mar 25 - Full Moon at 3:58pm EST
Mar 31 - Photo Opportunity! Jupiter's moons Io, Ganymede, and Callisto
form a compact grouping west of Jupiter near 10:30pm EST
Australia-United States Stamp Issued
You will notice (below) what I thought would be a great logo for our Sister Club Project section. There was apparently a joint issue stamp in the U.S. and Australia on the 26th of January, 1988, celebrating Australia's Bicentenary.
On the reverse of the card holding the stamp is the following:
”The spirit of friendship which has characterized relations between Australia and the United States of America is encapsulated in the joint stamp issue between the two countries. The koala, complete with footy jumper and stockman's hat, and the American eagle wearing an Uncle Sam waistcoat and top hat were selected as easily recognizable symbols.
"Historic links between the two nations date back to the American War of Independence, which forced Britain to seek an alternative place for convict transportation. Americans and Australians flocked to each other's gold rushes in the mid-nineteenth century, and more recently America's role in the Battle of the Coral Sea is remembered by Australians with gratitude.”
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All content unless otherwise stated Copyright (c) 2002-2005
CAPE FEAR ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY. All Rights Reserved.