MnAstro Forums

Hi everyone,

The first MAS Beginner observing session of 2022 is scheduled for Saturday May 7th at Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy, near Afton (weather permitting). It will start at 7:30pm (sunset is at 8:30pm that night). If it is cloudy on Saturday night, the backup night will be previous Friday May 6th also at Metcalf Field.

There are presently no COVID restrictions for this outdoor activity. 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!

AC power was reactivated at Metcalf Field earlier this year. So if you need power to run your telescope or other equipment, just bring an extension cord so you can connect!!

The 41% illuminated Moon will be out that night, so we will have an early target to view before sunset. It will set around 2am. The Moon will be at a nice viewing angle for seeing lunar craters along the terminator (day/night line). We will also be viewing the brighter deep sky objects, including several nebulae, clusters and galaxies. Spring is galaxy season, with the VIrgo and Coma galaxy clusters high overhead after dark.

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 weather call on the evening of Thursday 5/05. We will either stay with Saturday 5/07, move it up one day to 5/06 or cancel if both nights looks cloudy. Please check this thread for updates, or e-mail me at: sureshks1@msn.com to stay informed!

Also, 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

FYI

Astronomy Day at ELO May 7 as well. Observatory opens at 1:00, speaker presentations at 3:00, 4:00 and 7:00 with door prize drawing at 8:00.

All weather event.

http://www.mnastro.org/events/astronomy-day/


Merle

Hi Merle,

These events are 70 miles apart. So I doubt there will be much overlap.

Suresh

I would like to attend. My email address is Elizabetharmstrong70@yahoo.com.

Hello everyone,

After reviewing the weather forecast for Friday and Saturday it is clear that Friday May 6th is the better night for the BSIG observing session. We will meet on Friday night at 7:30pm at Metcalf Field.

Please respond here if you coming.

Suresh

I plan on attending.

Jim Sims

Hi Jim,

Sounds good!

Suresh

I plan on being there.

Hi Walid,

Sounds good.

Suresh

We had a great time last night at Metcalf Field at Belwyn Conservancy during our first MAS beginner observing session of the year. We estimated around 45 people attended, and we once again had a wide assortment of telescopes and gear for people to look thru and ask questions of. There was a lot of good conversations going on around the field, and some really good energy all evening long...

I wanted to thank the MAS volunteers who participated last night:

Clayton Lindsey, Phil Ramsay, Jason Asper, Ron Cooper, Alan Touchberry, Andy Harwood, Don Gazdik and Aaron Dossett...

The weather could not have been better. Clear skies and little wind. The temperature started around 71F when we arrived, and only got down to around 50F during the night.

It seemed like many of the visual observers perused the Virgo cluster and several globular clusters during the night. With the good sky conditions a few people also set up to image. The imagers ended up staying after much of the rest of the crowd left around midnight. A few of us actually stayed till near dawn! As we were packing up we saw Saturn clear the treetops and Venus low in the southeastern sky.

A good time was had by all... I am attaching some pics that Jason & Alan send to me during the event.

We'll be back at Metcalf Field on Sunday night May 15th for the special event for the Total Lunar Eclipse.

Come join us!!

Suresh