August Beginner Group Observing Session – Friday August 27th -- 7:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy CANCELLED

This is the discussion forum for the Beginners Special Interest Group. Whether you just learned how to spell t-e-l-e-s-c-o-p-e or have years of observing experience you're welcome!

Moderators: defalkner, Sureshks, SEmert

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Sureshks
Posts: 1220
Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:43 pm
Real Name: Suresh Sreenivasan
Location: Hopkins, MN

August Beginner Group Observing Session – Friday August 27th -- 7:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy CANCELLED

Post by Sureshks »

Hi everyone,

The next MAS Beginner observing session is scheduled for Friday August 27th at Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy, near Afton (weather permitting). It will start at 7:00pm (sunset is at 8:00pm that night). If it is cloudy on Friday, the backup night will be Saturday August 28th 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 schedule changes due to weather.

There is no charge to attend a beginner 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 won't rise until after 10:30pm on Friday night (71% illuminated). This means that we will have an hour or two of darker skies with which to view deep sky objects, including many deep sky wonders located in the Summer Milky Way high overhead. Also, Jupiter and Saturn are now visible right after dark. And when the Moon rises, it will present a very good phase for observing craters and other features too!

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

Double Stars:
- Alberio (Beta Cygni) Beta Cyg AB 3.0 and 4.7 at 35"
- Eta Draconis STF AB 2.8 amd 8.2 at 4.4"
- Gamma 2 Delphini STF2727 AB 4.3 and 5.0 at 8.8"

Carbon Stars
- T Lyrae

Deep Sky Objects:
- M17 (Swan/Omega Nebula in Sagittarius)
- M16 (Eagle Nebula in Serpens)
- M22 (Great Sagittarius Cluster)
- M11 (Wild Duck Cluster in Scutum)
- M27 (Dumbbell Nebula in Vulpecular)
- NGC 6934 (Globular Cluster in Delphinus)

Visible Planets:
- Saturn
- Jupiter
- Neptune

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 8/26, based on the weather forecast for Friday 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
User avatar
Sureshks
Posts: 1220
Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:43 pm
Real Name: Suresh Sreenivasan
Location: Hopkins, MN

Re: August Beginner Group Observing Session – Friday August 27th -- 7:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy

Post by Sureshks »

Hello,

Can you tell me your name?

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
roberink
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2021 11:11 am
Real Name: Robert Krukoski

Re: August Beginner Group Observing Session – Friday August 27th -- 7:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy

Post by roberink »

My son Wyatt and me plan on coming out.

Thanks
Rob

Robkrukoski@gmail.com
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gna
Posts: 22
Joined: Sat May 08, 2021 11:56 am

Re: August Beginner Group Observing Session – Friday August 27th -- 7:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy

Post by gna »

Sureshks wrote: Mon Aug 23, 2021 5:04 pm Hello,

Can you tell me your name?

Suresh
Gary Aslakson

Though the weather forecast does not look promising.
Skittlemac
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2021 11:01 am
Real Name: Jim McDonald

Re: August Beginner Group Observing Session – Friday August 27th -- 7:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy

Post by Skittlemac »

Greetings Suresh-- I'm a new member, I'm eager to attend, but yeah, the weather's not helping. My name is Jim McDonald, skittlemac@gmail.com.
User avatar
Sureshks
Posts: 1220
Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:43 pm
Real Name: Suresh Sreenivasan
Location: Hopkins, MN

Re: August Beginner Group Observing Session – Friday August 27th -- 7:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy

Post by Sureshks »

Hello everyone,

Due to the forecasted rains and clouds, I've decided to cancel the Friday 8/27 Beginner Astronomy observing session at Metcalf Field.

I'm holding out hope that we can hold the event during the evening on Saturday 8/28, though the forecast presently calls for an inch of rain that night too. I'll post another update tomorrow, once the weather forecasts are refreshed for Saturday.

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: August Beginner Group Observing Session – Friday August 27th -- 7:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy CANCEL

Post by Sureshks »

Hello everyone,

After reviewing the weather forecasts for both Friday and Saturday nights, I've decided to cancel the B-SIG observing session. The forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies on Friday night, and rain/thunderstorms for Saturday night. We had more than 40 RSVPs for this B-SIG, so it's a bummer that the weather didn't cooperate.

The next B-SIG event is scheduled for Saturday Sept. 18th, back at Metcalf Field. I hope you can make it then!

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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