June B-SIG Observing Session -- Friday June 18th -- 8:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy
Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2021 10:46 am
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
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