ASTRONOMY CLUB OF TULSA

OBSERVER

E-mail version

September 1999

ACT, Inc. has been meeting continuously since 1937 and was incorporated in 1986. It consists of approximately 150 members and is a nonprofit; tax deductible organization dedicated to promoting, to the public, the art of viewing and the scientific aspect of astronomy.

WHAT:

The Astronomy Club of Tulsa Meeting

WHEN:

Friday September 24th, 1999 at 7:30 P.M.

WHERE:

Room M1 inside Keplinger Hall, the Science & Engineering Building at TU. Enter the parking lot on the East Side of Keplinger Hall from Harvard and 5th Street. This will take you directly toward the staircase to enter the building. Room M1 is the first room on the left.

FUTURE MEETINGS:

October 29th, and November 19th

THIS MONTH'S PROGRAM:

Last month the club members present decided to retain our current telescope at the RMCC Observatory. There was a lot of discussion about the pressing needs for repair and refurbishment of our facility. Because of these sentiments, this month's program will focus on our observatory: past, present and future. James Liley has graciously agreed to tell about the history of the structure; how the dream became a reality through the diligent and concerted effort of many ACT members. I have asked Gerry Andries to discuss our present use of the building including "observatory etiquette" and use of the sixteen-inch reflector. After these presentations I would like to have a free-form discussion about ways we can improve and enhance our present structure. Please be thinking of some cost-effective and productive suggestions that will help return our observatory to its original state and prepare it for future improvements.

LAST MONTH'S MEETING

Many thanks to Dean Salmon for his great presentation on astro-photography. Dean motivated many of us to give some of the techniques he described a try!

As mentioned earlier, during the August meeting, club members decided that it would be inadvisable at this time to set a goal for replacement of the sixteen-inch reflector at the observatory. Of course, the vote did not preclude the possibility of a new telescope at a future date. The general feeling I ascertained from the membership is that we should secure and repair our present facilities before we consider a new instrument.

Last month's meeting ended on a rather sad note as we said farewell to Club President Rusty Fletcher. He has been a dynamic leader and will be a hard act to follow. We all wish Rusty a great new beginning at his church in Texas, and look forward to a time when we can again share the skies with him.

A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT:

The Astronomy Club has traditionally sponsored a public star party in the autumn and in the spring, most recently at TCC's West location. I would like to propose that we initiate another party for some date in October. The Board will be meeting to discuss this matter at 6:30pm prior to our September meeting and will hopefully come up with a proposal for the membership. We will also be discussing some ideas for renovation and refurbishment of the observatory, both at the Board meeting and in the general session. Please come to share your valuable ideas and suggestions.

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COMET LEE HIGH IN THE NORTH

Comet Lee reaches its northernmost declination this week, while it remains circumpolar (never sets) for latitudes above 31 deg. north. It will be very low in the north-northeast as the end of twilight, but will be 35 to 45 deg. up by midnight. Lee is still about 8th magnitude. This week it will leave southern Camelopardalis and enter Cassiopeia.

SUN CROSSES EQUATOR

The equinox occurs at 7:31 a.m. EDT, September 23rd, when the Sun crosses the equator heading south for the year. This event marks the beginning of fall in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere.

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

1. Jarmin was rescheduled for Tue 9/21 because of clouds on 9/16. There are normally about 200 people at the Jarmin Elementary school, so bring scopes if you can make it at 9015 E 79th St.. Go east on 81st St. from Memorial. Left at 2nd intersection, then right at stop sign.

2. Union School is asking for someone from the club to speak to a science class on the afternoons of Thu 10-14-99 and Fri 10-15-99 about telescopes, astronomy and the club. Please call or email me if you can take this one. HELP! HELP!

09-18-99 Sat 07:30PM Cub Scouts -CANCELED until next Spring

09-21-99 Thu 07:30PM Jarmin Elem (At school across from Meadowbrook)

09-23-99 Thu 07:15PM St Augustine Academy (20)

10-01-99 Fri 07:30PM Glenpool Girl Scouts w/ Steve Neuman

10-08-99 Fri 07:00PM Club star party

10-12-99 Tue 06:30 PM Home school

10-19-99 Tue Back up for 10/12?

11-05-99 Fri 07:15PM Club star party

12-03-99 Fri 07:00PM Club star party

01-14-00 Fri 05:15PM Home School (30)

Gerry Andries, Phone

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Astronomy Club meeting dates for 1999.

The club will meet the last Friday of each month except for November and December when a holiday will interfere with the last Friday. The November meeting will be on the 19th, and the December meeting will be on the 17th.

The dates are:

24 September

29 October

19 November

17 December

That’s all folks…