August Beginner Group Observing Session -- Saturday Aug. 10th -- 7:30pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy

[Sureshks]

Hi everyone,

The next MAS Beginner Special Interest Group event is scheduled for Saturday August 10th at Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy, near Afton. It will start at 7:30pm (sunset is at 8:26pm that evening).

This event is weather dependent. If Saturday is cloudy, this event may be moved up to Friday evening (August 9th). So, 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, including children. 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 at Metcalf Field, so if you need power to run your telescope or other equipment, just bring an extension cord so you can connect.

The Moon will be 35% illuminated this night in Virgo, and it will set around 10:30pm. So, we will start the evening by viewing craters along the lunar terminator just after dark. Once the Moon sets we will turn our telescopes towards some of the nice globular clusters that are visible this time of year, such as M3, M4, M5, M13, M22 and M92. The Summer Milky Way will be well up too in the eastern sky too as it gets dark, and we can view some of the fine open clusters and nebulae that lie within it, such as the Lagoon (M8), Wild Duck Cluster (M11), Swan (M17), North America (NGC 7000), Crescent (NGC 6888), Ring (M57) and Veil (NGC 6960) nebulas.

Saturn will rise around 9:30pm and it should clear the tree tops an hour or so later. The Ringed Planet is approaching an equinox next May, so its rings are seen nearly edge-on now. This reduces some of their brightness, making it slightly easier to seek out some of Saturn's smaller moons, such as Dione, Tethys, Enceladus and Mimas, in addition to the two largest ones Titan and Rhea. The blue planet Neptune lies just to the east of Saturn, and will make another inviting target for our telescopes.

We will once again have the goodie table!! 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 planning 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 on Thursday Aug. 8th. 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,

The weather forecasts agree that Saturday night should be mainly clear.

The beginner astronomy event at Metcalf Field is a GO!!! We'll start up at 7:30pm on Saturday evening.

Once the Moon sets around 11:00pm, we'll also have a darker sky for viewing the Perseid meteor shower, which peaks on Sunday night. So come with a blanket or lawn chair and a warm beverage to watch the show!

We hope to see you there!!

Suresh