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Meeting was called to order by Vice President Mark Wagner at 7:30 pm. 13 members and two guests were present. Introductions were made.
The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Karen Broten. The October meeting minutes were read by Mark Wagner.
Mark gave a presentation on the moon, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Uranus, Neptune, Mercury and Vesta
A discussion was held regarding starting times for the public nights.
Jeff Benuzzi gave a report on the Autumn in the Park event at Peck Farm Park
Jim Griffin gave a report on the public outing at Blackberry Maples on November 9th
A reminder regarding the February and December club meetings for an off-site meeting in February at a restaurant to replace the normal December pizza party
The next Public Star party will be at Peck’s Farm the night of November 17th at 8:00pm.
The next club meeting is December 10th at 7:30 pm.
Mark read announcements about the Northwest Suburban Swap Fest on December 21 and the 2008 Midwest
Imaging Conference on June 20-21 in Hoffman Estates.
A discussion on observations of Comet Holmes was held.
Andy Weeks gave a presentation on Digital SLR Camera astrophotography. An open discussion followed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Wagner for
Ed Bianchina
FVAS Secretary
Meeting was called to order by Vice President Jeff Benuzzi. at 7:40 pm. 15 members and two guests were present. Introductions were made.
Jeff presented a book about Mars to Sean Johnston, our September Public Star Party Observing Challenge winner.
The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Karen Broten. Insurance was purchased, being our major annual expense.
The September meeting minutes were read by our Secretary, Mark Wagner.
Jeff gave a presentation on the moon, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Uranus at max 5.7 naked eye at a dark site, Neptune, Mercury and Vesta
A report on the September 22nd Public Star Party was given. A discussion was held regarding possible alternate sites for the public nights.
A discussion regarding the site of the February club meeting resulted in the decision to have a regular meeting in December and an off-site meeting in February at a restaurant to replace the normal December pizza party. The next Public Star party will be at Peck’s Farm the night of October 20 at 8:00pm. The next club meeting is Monday November 12th. The Peck Farm Autumn Fair is coming up in October 13th.
Ron Vann was to coordinate and confirm the trip to Yerkes Observatory for Oct 27th, emailing driving directions and other details. The club members are to meet at Yerkes between 6:30 and 7:00 pm. Ron was to send a link to Mark C. with the directions. Elections were held for club officers and the following were elected unanimously
Mark Christensen - President
Mark Wagner - Vice President
Ed Bianchina - Secretary
Karen Broten - Treasurer
Andy Weeks - Community Relations
Non-Officer Board Members:
Jeff Benuzzi
Mike Foster
Ron Vann
Mark Wagner gave a Power Point presentation on wide field CCD imaging with a hydrogen alpha filter. Herman Zwirn next did a Show & Tell presentation about his new mount.
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Wagner
FVAS Secretary
Meeting was called to order by Vice President Jeff
Benuzzi. at 7:40 pm.
15 members and two guests were present. Introductions were made.
Jeff presented a book about Mars to Sean Johnston, our September Public Star Party Observing Challenge winner.
The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Karen Broten. Insurance was purchased, being our major annual expense.
The September meeting minutes were read by our Secretary, Mark Wagner.
Jeff gave a presentation on the moon, Venus, Mercury,
Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Uranus at max 5.7 naked eye at a dark
site, Neptune, Mercury and Vesta
A report on the September 22nd Public Star Party was given. A discussion was held regarding possible alternate sites for the public nights. A discussion regarding the site of the February club meeting resulted in the decision to have a regular meeting in December and an off-site meeting in February at a restaurant to replace the normal December pizza party
Reminder that the club observing party is scheduled for
October 12 and 13 weather permitting.
The next Public Star party will be at Peck’s Farm the night of October
20 at 8:00pm.
The next club meeting is Monday November 12th. The Peck
Farm Autumn Fair is coming up in October 13th.
Ron Vann was to coordinate and confirm the trip to Yerkes Observatory
for Oct 27th, emailing driving directions and
other details. The club members are to meet at Yerkes between 6:30 and
7:00 pm. Ron was to send a link to Mark
C. with the directions. Elections were held for club officers and the
following were elected unanimously
Mark Christensen - President
Mark Wagner - Vice President
Ed Bianchina - Secretary
Karen Broten - Treasurer
Andy Weeks - Community Relations
Non-Officer Board Members:
Jeff Benuzzi
Mike Foster
Ron Vann
Mark Wagner gave a Power Point presentation on wide field CCD imaging with a hydrogen alpha filter. Herman Zwirn next did a Show & Tell presentation about his new mount.
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted
Mark Wagner
FVAS Secretary
Meeting was called to order by Mark C. at 7:40 pm. 12
members were present including one new member. Everyone
introduced themselves.
The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Karen Broten.
The major expenditure for the year was the payment of our
Liability Insurance last month.
The minutes of the August meeting were then read by Mark Wagner, Secretary.
No one reported of the total lunar eclipse as all were at cloudy sites.
Mark gave a presentation on the moon, Venus, Saturn,
Jupiter, and Mars. Of these, only Jupiter is well placed in
early evening, while Mars is high in sky at dawn. Uranus will be well
placed this fall in Capricorn with a maximum
magnitude of 5.7, making it a naked eye object at a dark site. Neptune
is much more difficult and Mercury is all but
invisible.
Reminder that the club observing party is scheduled for September 14-15 weather permitting.
The next Public Star party will be at Peck’s Farm the
night of September22 at 7:30 PM. In October 20 at 8:00pm
Club star parties are scheduled for October 5-6 and then 12-13.
The next club meeting is Monday October 8th
Twilight in the park is coming up in October. Mark
Christensen will check with Peck Farm Management on mercury
vapor light & new gate.
Report on Astrofest Sept 7-9 was made by Jeff B. The
members were reminded that the Prairie Skies and the Illinois
Dark Sky Star Party at Jim Edgar/Panther Creek State Park the weekend of
September 13-16.
Ron Vann then delivered a report on the projected trip
to Yerkes Observatory. As a firm date of Friday Sept 28 is
available, as are Tuesday evenings. The members voted to try for one of
the Saturdays in October, starting at 930
pm. We will try for Oct 13, 20 or 27th for the tour. Ron and Mark
Christensen will coordinate the email survey
Mark Christensen then gave a presentation on the start of the space race
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Wagner
FVAS Secretary
Meeting was called to order by Jeff Benuzzi at 7:35 pm.
11 members were present. 3 guests arrived at about 8:15
PM. Introductions were not made as everyone knew all
present.
The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Karen Broten. Insurance for the next year will be paid next week.
July meeting minutes were read by Mark Wagner.
Jeff gave a presentation on the moon, Venus, Saturn,
Jupiter, Mars, Uranus, Neptune, Mercury and Vesta.
Total lunar eclipse August 28th totality begins 4:52 am local time
Report on observing sessions at Scott Foster’s in July
13-14 and August 10-11 by Jeff Benuzzi, Jim Griffin, and Mark
Wagner.
Perseid meteor shower reports were made by Herman Zwirn,
Jim Gordon, Mark Wagner., and an email report by
Mark Christensen, who observed the (all-too-few) meteors from
California.
Ron Vann gave a report on the planned trip to Yerkes
Observatory: He has contacted Yerkes for 24” scope tour and
observing session in September. Ron has written to Yerkes asking for
pricing etc. for a private tour for FVAS
members. Head count will be taken via an Email survey.
Reminder that the club observing party is scheduled for September 7-8 weather permitting.
The next Public Star party will be at Peck’s Farm the
night of August 18 at 800pm.
The next club meeting is Monday September 10.
The members were reminded that Club elections are coming
up in October meeting and that candidates are needed
for all elected positions (See the last page of this newsletter for a
list of Officer and Board positions – Ed).
In two major events, Astrofest falls during the weekend
of September 7th through 9th, and the Prairie Skies Star
Party is the following weekend (Thursday through Sunday), September 13th
through the 16th.
Jeff Benuzzi gave a presentation on using binoculars for
astronomical observing, which the members enjoyed.
Hopefully we’ll all get a chance to use his advice soon! Thanks, Jeff.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Wagner
FVAS Secretary
The Meeting was called to order by Mark Christensen at
7:35 pm. 10 members were present, with no guests, so
introductions were not made as everyone knew each other. Mark C. invited
the group to enjoy some donuts that he
had brought (thanks again Mark))
The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Karen Broten and the members
were reminded that annual dues are to be
paid in July.
June meeting minutes were read by Mark Wagner
Mark C. gave a presentation on the moon, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars,
Uranus, Neptune, Mercury and Vesta.
Reminder that the club observing party is scheduled for July 13-14
weather permitting. Mike Foster invited the
group to his brother’s property in Lee, Illinois for the July star
party. The club decided to meet there both nights.
The next Public Star party will be at Peck’s Farm the night of July 21
The next club meeting is Monday August 13
It was revealed that “Twilight in the Park” is scheduled for October 13
this year.
There was a reminder that the August club observing party is scheduled
for August 4-5 and August 10-11 with the
Perseid meteor shower peaking on the night of August 12-13.
Ron Vann reported on the June club star party at Lasher Road. Mark C.
reported that he attended an observing
session with the Northwest Observer’s group. Herman Z. said he was in
Iowa and Jim Griffin said he was in
Wisconsin.
Herman Zwirn gave a presentation on supercharging your telescope through
Dr. P. Clay Sherrod at the Arkansas Sky
Observatory. The presentation was followed by a brief discussion.
Mark Christensen showed a video of a WTTW Chicago Tonight feature on the
NW side Chicago observatory.
Mark Wagner gave a brief presentation on a home-made camera cradle for
an SBIG ccd camera.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted
Mark Wagner
FVAS Secretary
Meeting was called to order by our President, Mark
Christensen at 7:40 pm. 13 members and no guests were
present. Prior to beginning the meeting the attendees introduced
themselves.
The members were reminded that club elections are to be
held in October and that candidates for the offices of
President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Board Members are
needed.
The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Karen Broten and was accepted without comment by the membership.
The only planned upcoming expenditure is the club’s annual insurance premium. The members were reminded that annual dues are to be paid in July.
Next the minutes of the May meeting were read by Mark
Wagner and were accepted without amendment by the
membership.
Mark Christensen then gave a presentation on viewing the
moon, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Uranus, Neptune,
Mercury and Vesta for the month of June.
Mike Foster gave a report on the Bootleg Star Party.
Members are directed to the June Newsletter for a full report by
Jeff Benuzzi.
There was a reminder that the club observing party is
scheduled for June 15-16 at the Lasher Road site, weather
permitting. The next Public Star party will be at Peck’s Farm the night
of June 23. Because a wedding party had
reserved the Orientation Barn we would be using the parking lot in the
Phase III area across the road.
The next club meeting is Monday July 9.
The schedule for the month’s observing was discussed
next, with a reminder that the club observing parties for July
are is scheduled for July 6-7 and July 13-14 at the Lasher Road site
weather permitting. The club discussed using the
Green River sight for either the July and or the August club star
parties. Based on weather conditions, an
announcement will be put out as those dates near.
A brief show and tell took place. Mark Wagner showed a few images from his new SBIG camera. Mark C. showed an adapter for making digital copies of 35mm slides
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted
Mark Wagner
FVAS Secretary
7 members and 1 guest were present.
Meeting was called to order at 7:44 PM, by FVAS Vice President, Jeff Benuzzi
Mark Christensen prepared a presentation for the meeting
containing the following items, which were discussed at
the meeting:
• Welcome and Introductions
• Treasurers' Report
• Minutes of the March meeting
• Moon and Planets this month
• Report of Astronomy Day, April 21 Public Observing
• Upcoming FVAS Activities
• Discussion of what we could do better at Astronomy Day and our regular
monthly public events
In addition, Jeff Benuzzi gave a brief report on the CAS
May Starfest that was held the previous weekend at Vana’s
Farm in Kankakee, and read an observing report from California by Mark
Christensen.
Herman Zwirn reported that he was able to see the
asteroid Vesta near Jupiter. He said that it was brighter than
Jupiter’s moons!
This concluded the evening's activities, and the meeting adjourned at 8:22 PM.
Most of the members sat around and chatted after the
meeting ended, as it was still too light out to do any
observing.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeff Benuzzi – FVAS V. P. of Observing
REMINDER: Club Dues are due in July each year. Dues are
$20 for Individual with E-Newsletter, $26 for Individual
with Postal Newsletter, $24 for Family with E-Newsletter, and $30 for
Family with Postal Newsletter. Please send
your check to our Treasurer at the FVAS Club Address: Fox Valley
Astronomical Society, P.O. Box 38, Wasco, IL
60183
Meeting was called to order by Jeff Benuzzi at 7:35 pm.
13 members of the FVAS were present at the meeting as was one guest; Bill Fowler.
Those present briefly introduced themselves.
Two new members were present – Bob Ray and Harvey McArthur.
The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Karen Broten. It
was accepted without objection by the Society.
March meeting minutes were read by Mark Wagner, which were also accepted
as read.
Vice President Jeff Benuzzi gave a presentation on the
moon, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars and Neptune and
Mercury. It was pointed out that Vesta would be near Jupiter most of the
month. Mike Foster and Jeff discussed the
use of UV and variable polarizing filters to view cloud features on
Venus.
A report was given by Herman Zwirn on the March 24 FVAS
public event at Peck Farm. A Cub Scout Pack from Elgin had tried to come
for three months hoping for clear skies! Despite poor weather they
finally came for an indoor
lecture covering key topics needed for Scouts to earn Astronomy Loop &
Pin.
The event was supported by Herman Zwirn & Mark
Christensen with telescopes and binoculars. The lights on
Kesslinger Rd were used to demonstrate focusing a telescope. Scout
leader passed out copies of our monthly
observing schedule to scouts, encouraging them to come in future months.
A total of 10-12 scouts (Boy and Girl)
and equal number of parents attended – about ½ of what we could expect
if the weather had been clear.
The club report for Globe at Night was reviewed (4 mag skies at Peck Farm).
Upcoming public events were discussed including
Astronomy Day April 21. Volunteers were requested, publicity was
discussed, lecture subjects were agreed to and timing was set.
Twilight in the Park was also discussed. Jeff will contact the Peck Farm person (Jennifer) for the particulars. A PLUTO POLL WAS SUGGESTED for that day. Also the club would set up a telescope in the barn so visitors could have their pictures taken while ‘observing’.
The members are reminded that the club observing party
is scheduled for April 14/15 at the Lasher Road site
weather permitting.
The next Public Star party will be at Peck’s Farm the
night of April 21 Astronomy Day, while the next club meeting is
set for Monday, May 14.
A brief show and tell took place. Mark Wagner spoke
briefly on his new SBIG camera. Herman Zwirn and Ron Vann
discussed the club trip to Yerkes observatory and were met with
unanimous enthusiasm for the trip.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm for an impromptu binocular observing session.
Respectfully submitted
Mark Wagner
FVAS Secretary
REMINDER: Club Dues $20 for Individual with
E-Newsletter, $26 for Individual with Postal Newsletter, $24 for
Family with E-Newsletter, and $30 for Family with Postal Newsletter.
Please send your check to our Treasurer at the
FVAS Club Address: Fox Valley Astronomical Society, P.O. Box 38, Wasco,
IL 60183
The Meeting was called to order by Mark Christensen at
7:37 pm. Mark provided doughnuts, scones and, in honor of
St. Patty’s day, green frosted cupcakes (thank you Mark).
Ten club members were present. Introductions were not
necessary as we all had name tags and no guests were
present. Members should remember to bring their name tags with them to
the next meeting if they took them home.
The Treasurer’s Report was presented by the Treasurer,
Karen Broten. February meeting minutes were read by the
Secretary, Mark Wagner. Both reports were accepted by the membership.
Mark Christensen gave a presentation on the moon, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars and Neptune and Mercury.
The next agenda item was a report of the March 9 event
in Crystal Lake. Mark Christensen and Mike Foster
presented to a Cub Scout Troop which included parents and siblings.
Total attendance numbered 70-100 people.
Lecture covered the topics required for the Astronomy pin & loop, Mike was interviewed by a number of Scouts, while
Mark demonstrated how to focus a telescope. It was a
very successful in eyes of scout leaders despite the poor
weather, which precluded any outdoor observing.
The members are reminded that the club observing party
is scheduled for March 16/17 at the Lasher Road site
weather permitting, and that the next Public Star party will be at Peck
Farm the night of March 24. 8-10 boy scouts
are expected to attend. The next club meeting is Monday April 9.
There are a number of observing events coming up in the
near future. Observing on astronomy day night April 21 at
Peck Farm, with a joint Friday April 20th star party near Huntley with
the Kane County Astronomy Club. See Kane
County forest preserve site for directions. Later in the spring the CAS
StarFest is May 11 – 13 at Vanna’s farm. Our
VP, Jeff Benuzzi will put the star party dates on FVAS web site. The
Following weekend is Mike Foster’s Bootleg Star
Party at Green River conservation site. This year’s
Astrofest is scheduled for the weekend of September 6-9, while
the following weekend is the Prairie Skies event (September 13-17).
Finally, Epoch 2000 in July at the Astroacres
site in Indiana
The lecture this month was a presentation on Radio
Astronomy for Amateurs, delivered by Mark Christensen.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm for an observing session. The club
members participated in the Globe at night
effort by comparing the sky in and around Orion using their supplied
magnitude 3 through 7 star charts. These can
be found at www.globe.gov/gan. We
assessed the skies at being between magnitude 4 and 5.
Respectfully submitted
Mark Wagner, FVAS Secretary
REMINDER: Club Dues $20 for Individual with
E-Newsletter, $26 for Individual with Postal Newsletter, $24 for
Family with E-Newsletter, and $30 for Family with Postal Newsletter.
Please send your check to our Treasurer at the
FVAS Club Address: Fox Valley Astronomical Society, P.O. Box 38, Wasco,
IL 60183
Ten members were present at the meeting.
Meeting was called to order by Mark Christensen at 7:34pm.
The Treasurer’s Report was presented by the Treasurer, Karen Broten. The club remains well in the black.
November meeting minutes were read by the Secretary, Mark Wagner.
Mark Christensen gave a presentation of the Moon & planets for this month.
Pictures of November’s Mercury transit, together with pictures of the occultation of Pleiades by the moon the night of Sunday December 3 and the conjunction of Mercury, Mars, Jupiter on December 10th were shown.
The members were reminded that the next club observing parties are scheduled for Dec15/16 and Dec22/23 at the Lasher Road site, weather permitting.
The next Public Star party will beat Peck’s Farm the night of January 27
The next club meeting is Monday January 8.
A report on the December 5th public star party was given by Mark C. No guests were present but three members observed (Mark C., Mark W. and Jeff B.)
The meeting adjourned and the swap meet and pizza party began at 8:00pm.
Respectfully submitted
Mark Wagner
FVAS Secretary