June B-SIG Observing Session -- Friday June 18th -- 8:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy

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Sureshks
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Real Name: Suresh Sreenivasan
Location: Hopkins, MN

June B-SIG Observing Session -- Friday June 18th -- 8:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy

Post by Sureshks »

Hi everyone,

The next MAS Beginner observing session is scheduled for Saturday June 19th at Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy, near Afton (weather permitting). It will start at 8:00pm (sunset is at 9:03pm that night). If it is cloudy on Saturday night, the backup night will be Friday June 18th also at Metcalf Field.

COVID restrictions have been lifted, so we no longer need to limit attendance to 50 persons. If you are planning to attend we still need you to 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 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.

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!

Please note: Metcalf Field presently does not have A/C power. It was removed over the winter by Xcel Energy when the old storage shed was removed. We are working with them to have it added back. So if you need power for your telescope, bring a DC battery.

The Moon will be 2 days past First Quarter and 77% illuminated this night. This is a nice angle to view lunar craters along the terminator (day/night line). We will also be viewing the brighter deep sky objects, including several nebulae and galaxies. If we stay later, the planets Jupiter and Saturn each rise around midnight and are observable in the early morning hours.

Don Gazdik provided this list of objects for attendees to search for during this event.

- Moon -- this is a nice phase to look at features such as Mare Imbrium, Plato, Copernicus and Clavius, as well as around the far southern lunar latitudes
- Double Stars: Cor Caroli (Alpha Canum Venaticorum), Izar (Epsilon Bootes) and HR 4893 (Camelopardalis)
- Carbon Stars: Y Canum Ventaticorum (aka "La Superba")
- Galaxies: Lots to choose from, including M51, M100, NGC 4565, M106 and M94
- Globular Clusters: M13, M3, M5, M92 and M53

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 will make the final Go/No Go call on the evening of Thursday 6/18, based on the weather forecast for Saturday night. Please check this thread for updates, or e-mail me at: sureshks1@msn.com.

If you'd like to volunteer to help out at this and future Beginner group events, please let me know.

We hope to see you there!!

Suresh
Suresh Sreenivasan
B-SIG/FB/Metcalf Comm

Refr: AP 130mm GTX/SW 120mm/Borg 4"/Unitron 150 4"/Jason 2.25”
Dobs: ATM 16"/Orion 12”
Newts: Cave 8" RFT/Criterion RV6/Astroscan 4"/Orion 3.6" TCT
SNs: Meade 6"/Celestron 5.5"
SCTs: Celestron 9.25"/8”/B&L Criterion 4”
Maks: SW 7"/Quantum 4"/Meade 3.5” ETX
Cass: Vixen 8” VISAC/Simmons 4.5"
RC: MallinCam 10"
Sol: Lunt 80mm DS/PST
Bino: Vixen 12x80/Nikon 10x50
Mounts: CGX/EQ6r-Pro/AVX/GDPX/Porta II
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DMadsen
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Real Name: Dan Madsen

Re: June B-SIG Observing Session -- Saturday June 19th -- 8:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy

Post by DMadsen »

I plan on attending
dmadsen05@gmail.com
dossett
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Real Name: Aaron Niskode-Dossett

Re: June B-SIG Observing Session -- Saturday June 19th -- 8:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy

Post by dossett »

I plan to attend. dossett@gmail.com
"Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another." -- Plato

Skywatcher 100mm on a Celestron AVX mount
Celestron 9.25" Evolution SCT
10x50 Midas G2 binoculars
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Sureshks
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Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:43 pm
Real Name: Suresh Sreenivasan
Location: Hopkins, MN

Re: June B-SIG Observing Session -- Saturday June 19th -- 8:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy

Post by Sureshks »

Sounds good. I'll see you both there!

Suresh
Suresh Sreenivasan
B-SIG/FB/Metcalf Comm

Refr: AP 130mm GTX/SW 120mm/Borg 4"/Unitron 150 4"/Jason 2.25”
Dobs: ATM 16"/Orion 12”
Newts: Cave 8" RFT/Criterion RV6/Astroscan 4"/Orion 3.6" TCT
SNs: Meade 6"/Celestron 5.5"
SCTs: Celestron 9.25"/8”/B&L Criterion 4”
Maks: SW 7"/Quantum 4"/Meade 3.5” ETX
Cass: Vixen 8” VISAC/Simmons 4.5"
RC: MallinCam 10"
Sol: Lunt 80mm DS/PST
Bino: Vixen 12x80/Nikon 10x50
Mounts: CGX/EQ6r-Pro/AVX/GDPX/Porta II
User avatar
Sureshks
Posts: 1220
Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:43 pm
Real Name: Suresh Sreenivasan
Location: Hopkins, MN

Re: June B-SIG Observing Session -- Friday June 18th -- 8:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy

Post by Sureshks »

Hello everyone,

After reviewing multiple weather forecasts, I've decided to move the upcoming B-SIG event to Friday June 18th. Saturday night's forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with a 50% chance of rain after midnight.

We will still meet at Metcalf Field at 8:00pm on Friday evening.

I hope you can join us!!

Suresh
Suresh Sreenivasan
B-SIG/FB/Metcalf Comm

Refr: AP 130mm GTX/SW 120mm/Borg 4"/Unitron 150 4"/Jason 2.25”
Dobs: ATM 16"/Orion 12”
Newts: Cave 8" RFT/Criterion RV6/Astroscan 4"/Orion 3.6" TCT
SNs: Meade 6"/Celestron 5.5"
SCTs: Celestron 9.25"/8”/B&L Criterion 4”
Maks: SW 7"/Quantum 4"/Meade 3.5” ETX
Cass: Vixen 8” VISAC/Simmons 4.5"
RC: MallinCam 10"
Sol: Lunt 80mm DS/PST
Bino: Vixen 12x80/Nikon 10x50
Mounts: CGX/EQ6r-Pro/AVX/GDPX/Porta II
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gna
Posts: 22
Joined: Sat May 08, 2021 11:56 am

Re: June B-SIG Observing Session -- Friday June 18th -- 8:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy

Post by gna »

New member here. I would like to attend.
gnarator@gmail.com
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