Aug. Beginner Group Observing Session -- Sat. Aug. 26th -- 7:00pm -- Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy

[Sureshks]

Hi everyone,

The next MAS Beginner group (B-SIG) observing session will be on Saturday Aug. 26th at Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy, near Afton (weather permitting). It will start at 7:00pm (sunset is at 7:59pm that night). If it is cloudy on Saturday night, the backup will be the previous night (Friday Aug. 25th), 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 Beginner group 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 and show objects thru their telescopes.

You do not need to bring any equipment to attend. But if you have a telescope, bring it!! If you need help with learning how to set up and use it, we are happy to help. There is AC power available on the east side of Metcalf Field, so if you need power to run your telescope or other equipment, just bring an extension cord so you can connect!!

The Moon will be illuminated 78% this night, which is a great phase for viewing craters along the lunar terminator (day/night line). It will be positioned in the teapot of Sagittarius, and will set soon after midnight.

Saturn will be the main event, as it comes to opposition this night. This means that it will rise as the Sun sets and will be well placed for viewing in the southeast as darkness falls. As we saw at last month's event, Saturn's glorious rings are getting closer to being edge-on (which will happen in 2025). At this viewing angle, the Ringed Planet's moons are having interesting interactions with one another and with the planet's globe. After we finish with Saturn, we will saunter over to Neptune and its moon Triton, which are now roughly 20° to the east of Saturn. Jupiter and its 4 Galilean moons will then clear the treetops in the east and come into view around 11:30pm.

As the Moon gets lower in the sky after around 11:30pm, we will turn our attention to the the myriad deep-sky objects that are visible this time of year. We will seek out some of the Milky Way's brightest emission nebulae, open clusters, supernova remnants, planetary nebulae and globular clusters. The enormous Andromeda Galaxy will also be rising in the northeast, and will make a tempting target for our telescopes.

Last month, we re-started the goodie table... and it was a hit!! So feel free to bring something to share, such as cookies or other treats. This is totally optional, and no one should feel obligated to do so.

If you're coming out this night, 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 will be a small reflector on a pole and a white MAS sign 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 plan on making the Go/No Go call weather call Thursday August 24th. But if the weather forecasts are iffy, or if there's a lot of smoke in the air, I may wait as late as Saturday afternoon to give the final Go/No Go. 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 or any future Beginner group events, please let me know.

Suresh

[Sureshks]

Hello all,

The weather forecasts all look good for Saturday night. The BSIG event at Metcalf Field is a GO!!

We'll start up at 7:00pm. Come join us!

Suresh

[Sureshks]

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We had approximately 40 people at our BSIG event last night at Metcalf Field. Despite forecasts that it would be clear by around 10pm, we only experienced a few brief segments of mainly clear skies, with high clouds dominating about 80% of the time.

Still, people were having a good time. Andy Harwood, Ian Behar, Kurt Casby, Alan Touchberry, and other MAS volunteers gave out telescope advice, and also helped newbies with setting up and learning how to use their telescopes. We also helped some new imagers with understanding their equipment. Between clouds, we observed the Moon, Saturn, the Andromeda Galaxy, M13, M15 and several other objects.

We ended the session just after midnight because of the pesky clouds. About 5 miles in any direction if was clear much of the night... which was weird, and frustrating!

Attached are some pictures from last night's event. We hope to see you at the next BSIG event on Sat. Sept. 9th. Communications for that event will be posted next week.

Suresh

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