Welcome!

On behalf of the Minnesota Astronomical Society's 450 members, welcome to our web site! Please accept our invitation and join us in our explorations of the cosmos, either as a visitor to one of our many events or as a member of the Society.

The MAS is co-sponsoring an Astronomy Campout, in conjunction with REI and Astronomy Magazine, the Weekend of Aug 1-3 at Onan Observatory and Baylor Regional Park.
Astronomy Magazine's information is at their web site at www.astronomy.com --> Community --> Campout With the Stars.
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The August 7 monthly MAS meeting is planned to be held at the Fairview Community Center in Roseville, starting at 7 PM.

Star Party Update

The star party scheduled for Long Lake Conservation Center this evening, Saturday July 5th, is OFF. The Clear Sky Clock indicates below average transparency and poor seeing, and cloud cover at 30% by 10:00 pm, increasing to 90% by 11:00 pm, followed by thunderstorms after midnight.

The next MAS star parties are scheduled for LLCC and Metcalf Observing site on Friday July 11th, with Saturday July 12th as backup.

The next Public Observing Night at Onan Observatory at Baylor Regional Park will be held on Saturday July 12th. Public Nights are clear or cloudy events. Public Nights begin at 7:00 pm and last at least until 10:00 pm - later if it is clear.

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You can call the MAS message line at 952-467-2426 for the status of star parties and events.

Next Meeting

Monthly meetings of the Minnesota Astronomical Society are held on the first Thursday of the month from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm. Visitors and guests are welcome to the meeting as well as MAS members.

The next meeting of the society will be on Thursday, August 7th. We will be holding the meeting at the Fairview Community Center in Roseville, at 1910 County Road B West.

Celestial Events

Sunday July 13th - Saturn, Mars and Regulus appear equidistant in a stright line.
Thursday July 17th - Saturn and Mars less than 1 degree apart.

Astronomical Events of Interest [Dates/times are UTC unless indicated differently]

Mon/Day	Event
07/09	Jupiter at opposition - 08UT
07/11	Mars 0.7 degrees S of Saturn - 06UT
07/14	Antares occultation in S half Australia, New Zealand, Polynesia - 12UT
07/20	Neptune occultation in E Asia, Japan, Alaska, NW Canada - 13UT
07/27	Moon about a degree north of Pleiades (M45) - 16UT
07/28	South Delta-Aquarids meteor shower peak - 20UT
08/01	Total eclipse of the Sun. N Canada, Greenland, Arctic, central Russia, Mongolia, China - 10UT
08/02	Venus 2 degrees N of Moon - 15UT
08/10	Antares occultation in central S. America, S tips of Africa and Madagascar - 19UT
08/12	Perseid meteor shower peaks - 11UT
08/13	Venus 0.2 degrees S of Saturn - 19UT
08/15	Neptune at opposition - 08UT
08/16	Mercury 0.7 degrees S of Saturn - 00UT
08/16	Neptune occultation in NE Africa, E Europe, W and central Asia - 19UT
08/16	Partial eclipse of the moon. Best from Eastern Hemisphere, E S. America - 21UT

News

PayPal Option for New or Renewing Members

New or renewing members can now use PayPal to pay their dues. Visit the membership section of the web (http://www.mnastro.org/membership/join.htm) or click on any 'Join the MAS' link to take advantage of this easy-to-use feature.

MAS Joins JPL's 'Night Sky Network'

The Minnesota Astronomical Society is pleased to announce its acceptance into the 'Night Sky Network'. Visit the MAS outreach page (www.mnastro.org/outreach) for details.