Purpose
The Beginners SIG focuses on getting you started in astronomy… from purchasing and getting the most out of your telescope to learning the night skies.
Coordinator’s Welcome
The Beginners Special Interest Group usually gets together on the second or third Saturday of each month to discuss what we’ve been doing, to share ideas, show off our new ”toys” and to listen to a presentation on a topic of interest to Beginning Amateurs. Previous topics have been astronomical terms, constellations, telescope basics, accessories and Messier Objects. Everyone is welcome, no matter what level you consider yourself – beginner, intermediate, advanced, etc. You can regularly check the B-SIG forum in the MAS discussion forums to keep informed of what’s going on with the group.
If you’re new to astronomy, or even just new to MAS, this is a good place to start. You don’t need a telescope or any equipment, just an interest in learning more. Send an e-mail or post in the forum if you have any questions.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
[See ”Events Calendar” at www.mnastro.org/events]
Beginners SIG meetings are held the second or third Saturday of each month, usually starting at 10:00 a.m. Normally we meet at Library around the Twin Cities but we do have several field trips annually that will meet at one of the MAS observing sites on a regularly scheduled MAS star party night. Any changes to the scheduled location will be posted in the Beginner’s Discussion area. The upcoming meetings is posted near the top of the B-SIG forums.
Upcoming B-SIG Meetings
Apr28SatThe April BSIG will be on Saturday April 28th, weather permitting, at the Eagle Lake Observatory.
NOTE: Due to poor field conditions at Metcalf Field, this months B-SIG has been moved to the Eagle Lake Observatory (ELO). Information about ELO as well as directions can be found on the Eagle Lake Observatory web page.
This event is weather dependent. So please send me an e-mail (sureshks1@msn.com) if you are interested in coming out so I can keep you updated… I will plan on making a go/no go decision by 3pm on the day of the event.
May18FriThe May BSIG will be on FRIDAY May 18th, weather permitting, at the Metcalf Nature Center.
The directions to Metcalf are included here: http://www.mnastro.org/facilities/metcalf/
This event is weather dependent. So please send me an e-mail (sureshks1@msn.com) if you are interested in coming out so I can keep you updated… I will plan on making a go/no go decision by 3pm on the day of the event.
Jun30SatThe June BSIG will be on Saturday June 30th, weather permitting, at the Metcalf Nature Center.
The directions to Metcalf are included here: http://www.mnastro.org/facilities/metcalf/
This event is weather dependent. So please send me an e-mail (sureshks1@msn.com) if you are interested in coming out so I can keep you updated… I will plan on making a go/no go decision by 3pm on the day of the event.
Jul28SatThe July BSIG will be on Saturday July 28th, weather permitting, at the Metcalf Nature Center.
The directions to Metcalf are included here: http://www.mnastro.org/facilities/metcalf/
This event is weather dependent. So please send me an e-mail (sureshks1@msn.com) if you are interested in coming out so I can keep you updated… I will plan on making a go/no go decision by 3pm on the day of the event.
Aug11SatThe August BSIG will be on Saturday August 11th, weather permitting, at the Metcalf Nature Center.
The directions to Metcalf are included here: http://www.mnastro.org/facilities/metcalf/
This event is weather dependent. So please send me an e-mail (sureshks1@msn.com) if you are interested in coming out so I can keep you updated… I will plan on making a go/no go decision by 3pm on the day of the event.
Sep22SatThe September BSIG will be on Saturday September 22nd, weather permitting, at the Metcalf Nature Center.
The directions to Metcalf are included here: http://www.mnastro.org/facilities/metcalf/
This event is weather dependent. So please send me an e-mail (sureshks1@msn.com) if you are interested in coming out so I can keep you updated… I will plan on making a go/no go decision by 3pm on the day of the event.
Subscribe to filtered calendar
If you are interested in giving a presentation please contact one of the contacts at the address at the bottom of the page, or use the B-SIG discussion forum.
Useful Resources on the Internet
The following Beginner SIG forum discussion topic lists a number of useful Internet sites. The list of links complied by Steve Emert can be found HERE
Discussion Forum Instructions
The Beginner’s SIG uses a web-based discussion forum to facilitate communication among its members. A link to the B-SIG Forum is found under the ”Special Interest Groups” section. Anyone can read messages, but you must be a registered member of the forum to post.
Suresh Sreenivasan
Contact Information:
For more information regarding this Special Interest Group, please contact:
Suresh Sreenivasan
email: sureshks1@msn.com