August Beginner Group Observing Session – Friday August 27th -- 7:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy CANCELLED
Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2021 8:55 pm
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
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