April Beginner Group Observing Session -- Sat. April 27th -- 7:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy

[Sureshks]

Hi everyone,

The first outdoor MAS Beginner group (B-SIG) observing session of 2024 is scheduled for Saturday April 27th at Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy, near Afton. It will start at 7:00pm (sunset is at 8:14pm that night). This event is weather dependent. If it is cloudy on Saturday night, the backup night will be the previous night (Friday April 26th), also at Metcalf Field.

This event also depends on whether the ground at Metcalf Field completely dries out after the winter and recent rains. We will be check the field condition in the days prior to the event, and will communicate updates here as we get closer. As of now, the field is dry enough for us to use.

If you are planning to attend please respond here (with your e-mail address) or drop me an e-mail at sureshks1@msn.com so I can keep you informed of changes due to weather.

There is no charge to attend an MAS Beginner group 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 to learn how to set up and use a telescope. Volunteers from the MAS will be on hand to answer your questions and show you objects thru their own telescopes.

Bringing a telescope to the event is optional, but if you one, bring it!! If you need help with learning how to set up and use it, we are happy to help. There is AC power available on the east side of Metcalf Field, so if you need power to run your telescope or other equipment, just bring an extension cord so you can connect!!

The gibbous Moon will not rise until close to 1:00am this night. So we will have several hours of Moonless sky to observe deep-sky objects. We will warm up on the Moon as the Sun sets. But once it gets dark, we will turn our telescopes outside of the solar system, as Spring is prime galaxy season. We will peer into the constellations Ursa Major, Virgo, Canes Venatici and Coma Berenices to seek out some of the sky’s best galaxies, such as the Whirlpool, Bode's & Cigar, Markarian's Chain, Sunflower, Black Eye and the Leo Triplet. This is also prime season for viewing globular star clusters, such as M3, M5, M13. Later on in the evening, the Summer Milky Way will clear the treetops in the east, and we can view some of the beautiful open clusters and nebulae embedded within it.

We'll have the goodie table once again!! Feel free to bring something to share, such as cookies or other treats. This is totally optional, and no one should feel obligated to do so.

If you'd like to join us, please bring a lawn chair or blanket. Also, bring a few extra clothing layers in case temps dip at night.
Directions to Metcalf Field: (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 Field, 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 Field, it can be a little difficult to locate the entrance. So please arrive in daylight.

I plan on making the Go/No Go call weather call Thursday April 25th. But if the weather forecasts are iffy, I may wait to give the final Go/No Go as late as Saturday afternoon. So please check this thread for updates, or e-mail me at sureshks1@msn.com to stay informed.
Also, if you'd like to volunteer to help out at this or any future Beginner group events, please let me know!

We hope to see you there!!

Suresh

[Sureshks]

Hi all,

After reviewing the weather forecasts, we've decided to cancel the beginner astronomy program set for Saturday April 27th at Metcalf Field.

The forecast is calling for substantial rain overnight tonight, and then cloudy conditions throughout Saturday until the rain picks up again after midnight and into Sunday.

The next scheduled beginner astronomy session is scheduled for Friday May 17th, back at Metcalf Field.

We hope to see you there!!

Suresh