Cape Fear Skies The Cape Fear Astronomical Society Newsletter - Editor Ric Longren This Month's Meeting will be: Sunday, April 8, 2007 Meeting minutes by Terry Herrin, acting CFAS Secretary Meeting Minutes for Mar 4th CFAS Meeting The monthly meeting of the Cape Fear Astronomical Society was called to order by President Ronnie Hawes at 7:05pm. Officer’s Report Treasurer Ben Steelman stated the club is "in the black" with over $2,000 in the checking account. Ben said he also sent a thank you letter to Rusty and Mary Jo Holt for their donation of a 4.5" Jason telescope to the club. Ronnie and Associate Vice-President Alan Hilburn inspected the telescope and found it in good shape. It has a wooden tri-pod, finder and equatorial mount. The telescope is available for any club member who would like to use it. Alan will research the value of the telescope in case the Holts wish to deduct the value from their taxes. Alan said he will be contacting Johnnie Horn regarding a future presentation. Tom Jacobs reminded the members that he will be presenting next month. Old Business Since John Guetta was unable to attend the meeting, the-shirt discussion was tabled until next month. Astronomy Day is Apr 21st, and members debated either going to Ingram Planetarium in Sunset Beach or having a public viewing at Ft. Fisher. A vote was taken, and members decided to the have the viewing at Ft. Fisher starting at 7:30pm behind the museum. Finishing up old business, Ronnie said he would contact Clint North about the combination at the Yamacraw site. New Business Ronnie received a letter from UNC-W stating that the club may not be able to use the Morton Hall auditorium after May 2007. Ronnie will follow up with UNC-W for details. He will also contact Dr. Brian Davis to discuss options. Christa Johnson said there is a nice dark sky site near Kerr, NC. Several members expressed interest in going up there one weekend to check it out. Observing Report News Cluster ?The next meeting of the Cape Fear Astronomical Society is Apr 1 starting at 7:00 pm. Following the meeting, Tom Jacobs will present: “The Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies" ?The Charlotte Amateur Astronomers Club (CAAC) will host the 21st annual Southern Star Astronomical Convention in the Blue Ridge Mountains on Apr 27-29, 2007.For more info visit www.charlotteastronomers.org/southernstar. ?Mark your calendar on Apr 21st for Astronomy Day. Come out and support CFAS and promote Astronomy. The free public viewing begins at 7:30 pm on the grounds of the Fort Fisher Civil War Museum. Bring you ‘scopes. A special thanks to Tony Cortese for this year’s CFAS Astronomy Day announcement flyer. Copy attached. Print it out and post at work, school, church etc. ?Lee Jackson, once a CFAS member in great standing, has passed away. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Event Calendar Apr 1 - CFAS May Meeting 7:00 pm Apr 2 - Full Moon, the smallest of the year 1:15 pm Apr 3 - Moon at apogee, 4:38 am, 252,481 miles Apr 8 - Easter Sunday Moon passes 6 º south of Jupiter, 5:00 am Apr 10 - Last quarter Moon, 2:04 pm Apr 13/14 - CFAS Group Viewing Sessions Apr 16 - Tax Returns Due Apr 17 - New Moon, 7:36 am - Moon at perigee, 1:58 am, 221,914 miles Apr 22 - Lyrid meteor shower peeks Apr 20 - CFAS Group Viewing Session Apr 21 - Astronomy Day Viewing, Ft Fisher 7:30 pm Apr 24 - First Quarter Moon, 2:36 am Apr 30 - Moon at apogee, 4:38 am, 252,407 miles All times are EDT unless otherwise noted For the latest news from down under, check out our sister society’s web site at www.asaw.org.au. Astronomical History During the Month of Apr Date - Milestone Apr 3, 1947 - The largest sunspot observed. 36 times the surface area of the earth. Apr 12, 1817 - Charles Messier, French comet hunter, dies. Apr 20, 1972 - Apollo 16 Lunar Module Orion lands near crater Descartes, carrying astronauts John Young and Charles Duke. Apr 24, 1932 - Discovery of asteroid Apollo, the first asteroid known to cross the Earth’s orbit, by German astronomer Karl Reinmuth. Apr 26, 1962 - First impact on the moon by a US spacecraft, Ranger 4. ____________________________________________________________ All content unless otherwise stated Copyright (c) 2002-2007 CAPE FEAR ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY. All Rights Reserved.