Cape Fear Skies The Cape Fear Astronomical Society Newsletter - Editor Debbi Hayden This Month's Meeting will be: Sunday, September 11, 2005 Featuring a video program by either Tom Jacobs or Terry Herrin, so don’t miss it! Gastronomy! Join us before the meeting for dinner at Indochine Restaurant, located off of Market Street on Wayne Drive at 5:15pm! Meeting Minutes for August 7th, 2005 - by Ben Steelman, CFAS Treasurer The Cape Fear Astronomical Society convened at 7:10 p.m. Sunday, August 7, in Room 100 Morton Hall, UNCW, with President Ronnie Hawes presiding. About 26 members and guests attended. Treasurer Ben Steelman reported a checking account balance of roughly $1,420.00. President Ronnie noted that UNCW professor Brian Davis would address the group again in October, and there was discussion of inviting WECT chief meteorologist George Elliott to give a program in November. Tom Jacobs reported on attending the Green Bank Star Party, July 6-11 at Green Bank, W.Va., which he described as "very laid back.." Much of the observing was devoted to Messier objects. Of interest were reports from staff astronomers from the nearby radio telescope on results of the Comet Tuttle Deep Impact mission, which detected dust but almost no gas or water. The result of the collision might change the image of comets from "dirty snowballs" to "wet dirtballs." Society member Dr. Mary Favaro reported that she was departing for a Planets and Pueblos astronomy course in New Mexico, sponsored by the University of Wisconsin. Alan Hilburn reported on forecasts for the upcoming Perseid meteor shower, with 40-50 meteors per hour expected. The group decided to arrange an informal viewing at the new Mooretown site late Thursday night, Aug. 11, with a rendezvous at midnight at Paul's Place II. Ronnie asked for volunteers to help with a viewing session Aug. 12, to be given for senior residents of Plantation Village at Porters Neck, with rain date Aug. 13. Ronnie also asked for help with a society display, to be set up 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Cape Fear Museum as part of its Community Cornucopia program. Lunch will be provided. Members discussed obtaining a solar filter for some sunspot viewing. The printing of new membership brochures was also discussed. The group discussed an autumn cookout, which will be held a little after 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, on Becky Lewis' family farm in Castle Hayne. Members were encouraged to bring covered dishes. Webmaster Susan B. reported that she is still working on posting the revised Society By-Laws on the Web site and could find no reference to a final decision on electronic voting -- whether it would be allowed or how. Minutes of the June 2005 meeting could not be located. The matter was postponed until absent members could be contacted. Ronnie proposed a public viewing session for Oct. 29 (rain date: Nov. 5) at Carolina Beach State Park to coincide with the close approach of Mars. The absence of outdoor lights will make the site especially good, he said. The group adopted the plan by general consent. Alan Hilburn showed off some new photo prints by Conrad Pope, showing the North American Nebula, Pelican Nebula, Lagoon Nebula and other Messier objects. Members had great fun playing Name That Nebula. Terry Herrin presented the program, Saturn: Lord of the Rings, a 2004 BBC Horizon program that reviewed early findings from the Cassini probe. News Cluster Cookout at Becky Lewis' home is on Saturday, September 17th. We will discuss what to bring at the September CFAS meeting. There may be a viewing session following the cookout, if the weather permits! There will be a viewing session for the Plantation Village community on Friday, September 9th (rain dates of Sept. 10th, October 8th, or October 9th). If you would like to help Ronnie with the session, please let him know! Upcoming items for October: Community Cornucopia (formerly the Spring Science Spectacular) will be on October 15th from 10:00am until 4:00pm, rain or shine. Public viewing session for Mars at the Carolina Beach State Park on October 29th (rain dates Nov. 4th or 5th). Nominations for Society officers will begin at next month's meeting (October), so be thinking about who you would like to vote into a position or taking on a leadership role yourself! Sky Calendar Sept 01 - Photo Opportunity! Jupiter and Venus are 1.2 degree apart this evening Sept 2/3 - CFAS Group Viewing Sessions Sept 03 - New Moon at 2:45pm EDT Sept 09 - Public Viewing Session at Plantation Village (rain dates 9/10, 10,8, 10/9) Sept 11 - CFAS September meeting at 7:00pm            First quarter Moon at 7:37am EDT Sept 14 - Photo Opportunity! Saturn approaches M44 – only 1.0 degree            south-southwest of the center of the 1-1/2 degree wide cluster Sept 17 - CFAS Cookout at Becky Lewis'. Full Moon at 10:01pm EDT Sept 22 - Fall equinox at 6:23pm EDT Sept 25 - Last quarter Moon at 2:41am EDT Sept 30/Oct 1 - CFAS Group Viewing Sessions Fall Brings Cooler Weather and Clearer Skies! We are now approaching the season when the nights become cooler and thankfully less muggy. Nothing cuts an evening of stargazing short like a telescope full of dew! The hours of sunlight also lessen, and daylight savings time comes to an end. Those that don't appreciate this wonderful hobby may not see the joy in that, but we who love the darkness are looking forward to the Fall! There are many things coming up for us: Venus and Jupiter are getting very close together in the early part of September – just look to the west after sunset. They are closest on September 1st, and a crescent Moon joins them on the 6th of this month. Mars is getting increasingly brighter, and should be spectacular in October! Details on the red planet will be easily seen due to its high location in the night sky. Saturn will be passing within 1 degree of the Beehive Star Cluster (M44) on the 14th of September. We will also be getting together for a cookout/viewing session at Becky Lewis' home on September 17th! More details will be discussed at the September meeting on the 11th. This fall should be great for viewing, especially with our new Mooretown site as an option for dark skies! I look forward to seeing you under the stars! ____________________________________________________________ All content unless otherwise stated Copyright (c) 2002-2005 CAPE FEAR ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY. All Rights Reserved.