September Beginner Group Observing Session - Moved to Friday Sept. 20th - 6:30pm - Metcalf Field

[Sureshks]

Hi everyone,

Due to on the uncertain weather patterns this weekend with the clouds from Hurricane Francine coming north, we've decided to reschedule the next MAS Beginner Special Interest Group event to Friday September 20th at Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy, near Afton. It will start at 6:30pm (sunset is at 7:11pm that evening).

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 a few days past full, and will be 81% illuminated this night in Aries. It will clear the treetops in the northeast around 10pm this night. While the Moon will be bright, we will still have a good look at craters thru our telescopes along the terminator (the Moon's day/night line). We can also view some of the summer Milky Way's brighter clusters and nebulue, such as M3, M4, M5, M13, M22 and M92, and some of the fine open clusters and nebulae, 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.

September is the month for planets!! Saturn is now past opposition and will rise before sunset. It will clear the trees in the eastern sky as darkness falls. 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, along with its moon Triton! The blue-green planet Uranus also rises around 9:30pm near the Pleiades cluster, so we can also view that later in the evening. Finally, Jupiter, with it's intricate details and 4 bright Galilean moons, will also clear the treetops around midnight, with reddish Mars coming up right behind it. Jupiter comes to opposition in December, and Mars will do so in early January.

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 as temps can dip a bit this time of year.

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 the evening of Thursday Sept. 19th. 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

[SaxyKennyG]

Looking forward to attending. Planning on bringing some friends and new faces to show them your amazing community! Will keep an eye on the forum in case dates change due to weather

[Sureshks]

Hi Keenan,

Awesome!! Let's hope it's clear...

Suresh

[Sureshks]

The BSIG event scheduled for Saturday Sept. 14th has been rescheduled to Sept. 21st at 6:30pm at Metcalf Field. Please respond here if you are planning to attend on the 21st.

Suresh

[SaxyKennyG]

Thank you for the heads up! Still planning on attending, even bought ingredients for a snack to bring. I will double check with friends to make sure it’s an open day for them. Will keep my eye on the weather too during next week.
Thank you again,
Keenan

[Sureshks]

Hey Kennan,

That's awesome! See you on the 21st!

Suresh

[Sureshks]

Hi all,

The weather forecasts seems to agree that Friday night will be the better night this weekend. So we are moving the upcoming BSIG to this Friday September 20th, starting at 6:30pm at Metcalf Field.

We hope you can join us!!

Suresh