Cape Fear Skies The Cape Fear Astronomical Society Newsletter - Editor Ric Longren This Month's Meeting / CFAS Annual Holiday Social - Sunday, December 3, 2006 At the Kidney Residence. (For privacy reasons, please check your newsletter for address and directions or contact us via the Contact page.) The Cape Fear Astronomical Society's 2006 Holiday Social will begin at 5:30 pm with the general meeting to follow. Meeting Minutes for November 5th, 2006 - by CFAS Secretary Letisha McLaughlin President Ronnie Hawes called the November meeting of the CFAS to order at 7:13 PM on November 5, 2006 in the Morton Hall Auditorium. Twenty-three club members attended along with 4 visitors, including a family of three and one lone individual. Officer's Report: Ronnie Hawes reminded the club that the next meeting in Morton Auditorium will be on January 7th, 2007. The December meeting will be held at Billy Kidney's house in lieu of the annual Holiday Social. Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish and to dress to impress as we will take the club photograph. CFAS Treasurer Ben Steelman announced the status of the club's saving's account is approximately $1,800. A couple business items will soon cause this amount to decrease slightly- including the check which must be sent to Clint North and the clearing of the check for the Astronomical League dues. Ronnie Hawes also commented on his recent conversation with Clint North concerning payment for the use of his property for sky watching. Because the matter had just been addressed with Mr. Steelman, no other discussion was necessary. Old Business: November is officially the second month for CFAS officer nominations. Previously, the following were nominated for positions:           President- Ronnie Hawes           Vice President- Terry Herrin           Associate Vice President- Alan Hilburn           Secretary- Letisha McLaughlin           Treasurer- Ben Steelman           Newsletter Editor- No one Nominations began with the announcement that Ric Longren had given permission to include him as a candidate for newsletter editor, despite his absence from the meeting. The club readily nominated Mr. Longren. Billy Kidney was nominated for the presidential position - however, CFAS constitution prevents anyone from being chosen as a possible candidate without he or she accepting in the form of a verbal agreement at the time of the meeting or by some written documentation. Because Mr. Kidney was ill and unable to attend, nor had he given any other club member written permission, this nomination could not be allowed. Club member Susan reminded the club that Mr. Kidney could still be considered for president via write-in voting at the holiday social instead of a traditional nomination. New Business: Susan B., currently the club member voluntarily maintaining the Cape Fear Astronomical Society's website, requested someone else to graciously take over for her. Rich Williams did so immediately. Plans to make this transition are ongoing between the two members for early next year. Viewing Report: President Ronnie Hawes announced he had bought a new Coronado Personal Solar Telescope with hydrogen-alpha and calcium filters. Wednesday, November 8th, Mercury will transit the solar disc beginning around 2:12 PM and ending at sunset. The best place to view this event is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but Wilmington will have some nice observing also. Pictures of former transits are available at the CFAS website. August 20, 2017 presents an opportunity to see a total solar eclipse, according to Mr. Hawes. This event will most likely be best viewed in Charleston, SC. The group also verified that #14 welder's glasses are safe for viewing solar eclipses. The club announced a possible viewing the Sunday following the November meeting. Tom Jacobs excitedly reported that the Mid Atlantic Star Party, or MASP, this year was a great success. Over 400 people christened the new site, including five of our own which were present at the meeting. There was amazing photography and viewing opportunities of planetaries and Messier objects. Mr. Jacobs said there were several large telescopes, but the 30 inch couldn't make it this year. Ronnie Hawes commented that Billy Kidney had purchased Paul Petty's 13.3 inch telescope. Southeastern Camera, located at 1351 South Kerr Avenue, has asked if they would have our cooperation for a possible telescope expo. They are a large telescope and binocular retailer, but focus mainly on photography here in Wilmington. One member inquired if our club could institute a long-term calendar of events. At present, only the current month's events are printed in the newsletter and website. Jonathon Guetta has agreed to begin plans concerning a new CFAS club t-shirt. He and Susan discussed which club logo would be best for printing and where he could access the appropriate one. Ronnie Hawes welcomed new club member Thad Coin. Because Mr. Billy Kidney was ill, the scheduled presentation for the night was canceled. Instead, a video, "Universe," was shown. As Tom Jacobs commented, it was "a video of unknown origins!" News Cluster The CFAS annual Holiday Social will be hosted for the 3rd year in a row by Billy and Kristy Kidney on December 3 starting at 5:30 pm. (directions on the front of Newsletter). Bring your family and a covered dish. Please email Billy and let him know what you will be bringing. Billy will be making a ham for all to enjoy. During the party there will be a short meeting to elect the 2007 CFAS Officers. Nominations are as follows:           President - - - Ronnie Hawes           Vice President - - Terry Herrin           Associate Vice President - Alan Hilburn           Secretary - - - Letisha McLaughlin           Treasurer - - - Ben Steelman           Newsletter Editor - - Ric Longren Write-in votes will be accepted on the ballot provided. Event Calendar for December 2006 Dec 01 - Moon at perigee (227,374 miles), 7:06 pm Dec 03 - CFAS Annual Holiday Social, 5:30 pm Dec 04 - Full Moon, 7:25 pm Dec 12 - Last quarter Moon, 9:32 am Dec 14 - Geminid meteor shower peaks Dec 15/16 - CFAS Group Viewing Sessions Dec 20 - New Moon, 9:01 am Dec 21 - Winter Solstice, 7:22 pm Dec 22/23 - CFAS Group Viewing Sessions Dec 25 - Christmas Dec 27 - Moon at perigee (230,108 miles), 9:19 pm Dec 31 - New Year's Eve All times are EST unless otherwise noted Astronomical History During the Month of December Date - Milestone Dec 03, 1973 - Pioneer 10 flies past Jupiter; first spacecraft to reach the giant planet. Dec 14, 1962 - Mariner 2 reaches Venus; first successful planetary flyby Dec 15, 1970 - Venera 7 lands on Venus; first spacecraft to transmit data from surface of another planet Dec 20, 1996 - Carl Sagan, the 20th century's foremost popularizer of astronomy dies at age 62 Dec 24, 1968 - Apollo 8 astronauts are the first humans to reach Moon (first orbital mission) Meteor Showers in 2007: Name - Peak - Moon's Phase - Prospects Quadrantids - Jan 3 - Full - Poor Lyrids - April 22 - Waxing crescent - Good Eta Aquarids - May 5 - Waning gibbous - Poor Perseids - Aug 13 - New - Excellent Orionids - Oct 21 - Waxing gibbous - Fair Leonids - Nov 17 - First quarter - Good Geminids - Dec 14 - Waxing crescent - Good What's Up Down Under? (News from our Sister Society in Albury-Wodonga, Australia) - Bob Price suggested that ASAW Inc develop an 'award' system (certificate?) to recognize a member's outstanding service to the Club. This matter to be further discussed at the December 06 and/or February 07 meetings. - Bob Price also suggested that ASAW Inc approve a Club badge for members to buy. Carl and Bob to provide further information to be discussed at the December 06 meeting. - John Gurkin presented computerized images of Star Parties and discussed associated matters relating to setting up, facilities and requirements. - Bob Price discussed the mares and craters of the North East quadrant of the Moon. ____________________________________________________________ All content unless otherwise stated Copyright (c) 2002-2006 CAPE FEAR ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY. All Rights Reserved.