September B-SIG Observing Session -- Friday Sept. 25th -- 6:00pm -- Metcalf Nature Center

[Sureshks]

Hi everyone,

The September B-SIG observing session will be held on Friday Sept. 25th at the Metcalf Nature Center, near Afton. It will start at 6:00pm (sunset is at 7:04pm that night). If it is cloudy on Friday night, the backup night will be Saturday Sept. 26th at Metcalf.

Due to COVID restrictions, we need to limit the attendance, so if you are planning to attend please respond here or drop me an e-mail at sureshks1@msn.com so I can add you to the event roster. Please bring a face mask with you, and practice social distancing during the event.

There is no charge to attend a B-SIG event, and you do not need to be an MAS member to attend -- everyone is welcome!! The purpose is to help beginners learn the night sky, and how to set up and use a telescope. Volunteers from the MAS will be on hand to answer your questions and to show you celestial objects thru their telescopes.

We typically have telescopes on hand of all shapes and sizes. If you have a telescope, feel free to bring it. If you need help with learning how to set up and use it, we are happy to help! Otherwise, we'll have plenty of 'scopes available for you to look through.

The main target we will be viewing this time will be Mars, which is big and bright now, and will come closer to Earth in mid-October than it will again till 2035. The Red Planet will rise around 8pm, and will be well placed for viewing after around 10pm. In addition to Mars, we will have plenty of other objects to view, including Jupiter, Saturn and a myriad of star clusters, galaxies and nebulae. The Moon will be near 62% illuminated this night, and will set around midnight. It will be in a nice phase for viewing craters along its day/night line (called the terminator).

If you'd like to join us, please bring a lawn chair or blanket. Also, bring a few extra clothing layers, as temps can dip at night.

Directions to Metcalf: (see this Google Maps link): https://goo.gl/maps/UNkt67YPWg4qAjuP6

Metcalf Field GPS Coordinates: 44.93734 N / 92.82157 W

For more information on Metcalf Nature Center, see here: http://www.mnastro.org/facilities/metcalf/

Directions:
Head east past Woodbury on I-94 to the Manning exit (exit 253). Turn south and then take the first left onto Hudson Road S. Continue east about 1.5 miles and turn right onto Indian Trail. Check your odometer here, and then travel 1.1 miles. You'll see an unmarked chain-link gate on the right side. This is the entrance to Metcalf field. Enter the dirt path and park on the left side. There are 2 small reflectors on poles marking the entrance. If you have a telescope with you, you can also park on the right (north side) of the field.

If you haven't been to Metcalf, it can be a little difficult to locate the entrance in the dark. So please plan on arriving in daylight.

I will make the final Go/No Go call on the evening of Thursday 9/24, based on the weather forecast for Friday night. Please check this post for updates, or e-mail me at: sureshks1@msn.com.

We hope to see you there!!

Suresh

[Wayneman84]

Looks like its going to be mostly cloudy Friday night