July B-SIG Observing Session – Saturday July 24th -- 8:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 3:55 pm
Hi everyone,
The next MAS Beginner observing session is scheduled for Saturday July 24th at Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy, near Afton (weather permitting). It will start at 8:00pm (sunset is at 8:49pm that night). If it is cloudy on Saturday night, the backup night will be Friday July 23rd also at Metcalf Field.
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 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 Full (99%) this night. Still, there will be plenty of brighter deep sky objects to view, including several nebulae and galaxies. Also, Jupiter and Saturn now rise just after sunset, and are observable during late-evening hours.
Don Gazdik provided this list of objects for attendees to search for during this event with their telescopes.
Double Stars:
- Rasalgethi - Alpha Hercules (mag. +3.4/+5.4 - sep. 4.6")
- Graffias - Beta Scorpii (mag. +4.9/+2.6 - sep. 14")
- Arrakis - Mu Draconis (mag. +5.6/+5.7 - sept. 2.6")
Carbon Stars:
- T Lyrae
Deep Sky:
- M102 Spiral galaxy in Draco
- M80 Globular cluster in Scorpio
- M13 Globular cluster in Hercules
- M56 Globular cluster in Lyra
- M8 Lagoon Nebula in Sagittarius (use OIII filter)
- M20 Trifid Nebula in Sagittarius (use OIII filter)
Planets:
- Saturn (visible by around 10:30pm)
- Jupiter (visible by around 11:30pm)
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 7/22, 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 July 24th at Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy, near Afton (weather permitting). It will start at 8:00pm (sunset is at 8:49pm that night). If it is cloudy on Saturday night, the backup night will be Friday July 23rd also at Metcalf Field.
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 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 Full (99%) this night. Still, there will be plenty of brighter deep sky objects to view, including several nebulae and galaxies. Also, Jupiter and Saturn now rise just after sunset, and are observable during late-evening hours.
Don Gazdik provided this list of objects for attendees to search for during this event with their telescopes.
Double Stars:
- Rasalgethi - Alpha Hercules (mag. +3.4/+5.4 - sep. 4.6")
- Graffias - Beta Scorpii (mag. +4.9/+2.6 - sep. 14")
- Arrakis - Mu Draconis (mag. +5.6/+5.7 - sept. 2.6")
Carbon Stars:
- T Lyrae
Deep Sky:
- M102 Spiral galaxy in Draco
- M80 Globular cluster in Scorpio
- M13 Globular cluster in Hercules
- M56 Globular cluster in Lyra
- M8 Lagoon Nebula in Sagittarius (use OIII filter)
- M20 Trifid Nebula in Sagittarius (use OIII filter)
Planets:
- Saturn (visible by around 10:30pm)
- Jupiter (visible by around 11:30pm)
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 7/22, 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