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Welcome.

On behalf of the Minnesota Astronomical Society 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.


MAS Member Orientation - Saturday June 1, 2013


You are invited to a Minnesota Astronomical Society member orientation session on Saturday, June 1, 2013. It will begin at 10:30 and will last until approximately 12:30.

We'll provide an orientation presentation and discussion for new and prospective members - and a refresher for anyone else who wishes to come.

During this orientation we will cover an introduction to all our observatories and observing sites as well as updates on the new facilities being completed. We will talk about the benefits of your membership in the MAS - observing sites, special interest groups, opportunities for outreach, discussion lists and mail lists, library, meetings and more.

The Meeting location will be at the Golden Valley Library, located at 830 Winnetka Ave. No., Golden Valley.

NOTE: The Orientation date has been changed from the original date of May 25, due to room availabilty at the Golden Valley Library.


Comet PANSTARRS visible now!!!


Although fading, comet PANSTARRS (C/2011 L4) is still visible in the evening sky. Currently circumpolar and visible all night in the constellation Cepheus. PANSTARRS, is at 7th magnitude and will be fading as it moves away from us. By the end of May it will be 5 degrees from the north star and dimmer than 9th magnitude, but still within reach of our telescopes.

In the next several weeks, PANSTARRS will continue its northerly path, passing through Cepheus, Draco and into Ursa Minor. Visit the 2013 Special Events page for information or follow this link to the most recent chart showing its celestial path through May 2013.

You can also follow the PANSTARRS discussion on the MAS Discussion Forums HERE.
 

Planet Update (rev. May 21, 2013)




Mercury has moved into the evening sky, at an altitude of more than 10 degrees above the horizon at sunset. It is quickly gaining altitude, at nearly one degree each night. From May 22 to May 27, Mercury will be very near Venus and Jupiter making a nice triangular grouping. Mercury will be very well positioned for observing as it approaches greatest elongation in mid June. On June 10th, it make a nice grouping with the moon and Venus in the evening sky. On June 19 Mercury will be less than 2 degrees from Venus, on its way to inferior conjunction in early July. From mid May through June will be the best time to see Mercury in the evening this year. If you've ever wanted to see what this speedy little planet looks like, now's the time.


Venus (magnitude –3.9) is nearly as far away from us as it can get. Showing nearly a full disk of 10 arc seconds, less than 1/6th the diameter it has when it is near inferior conjunction. Venus is currently more than 10 degrees above the horizon at sunset as it slowly gains altitude in the evening sky. As Venus gains altitude, it will be within 2 degrees of Mercury from May 22 to 26. On May 26th, Jupiter will also be within 2 degrees of Venus to form a planetary triangle in the evening sky. On evenings of May 27th and 28th, Venus and Jupiter will pass within 1.25 degree of each other.


Mars, is virtually lost in the glare of the sun in the morning sky, less than 4 degrees above the horizon at sunrise. Mars' apparent disk size is currently at 3.8 arc-seconds. Mars will slowly gain altitude in the morning sky, by the end of June it will be 11 degrees in altitude at sunrise and by the end of July only 21 degrees.


Jupiter is visible in the evening, currently less than 15 degrees in altitude at sunset. Jupiter is currently 33 arc-seconds in apparent diameter and at magnitude -2.0, it is an unmistakable object in the constellation Taurus. Jupiter should remain visible in the evening through May as it gets closer to the setting sun. Look for Jupiter to form a nice grouping with Mercury and Venus in the coming weeks (see above). On June 19, Jupiter will literally pass behind the sun as it moves into the morning sky. On July 22, Jupiter is less than 1 degree from Mars as both are gaining altitude in the morning sky.


Saturn is past opposition and is visible all night. At an altitude of 22 degrees at sunset, Saturn is at its best for viewing for the remainder of spring and summer. Saturn will spend the year on the boundary between the constellations Libra and Virgo, about half way between Spica and Zubenelschemali, the 'northern claw' of Libra


Uranus at 5.9 magnitude, rises at 3:36 am and is about 20 degrees in altitude at sunrise. Uranus will spend the year in Pisces more than 35 degrees east of Neptune. Uranus reaches opposition on October 3.


Neptune rises at 2:20 am and is about 28 degrees in altitude at sunrise. About 35 degrees to the west of Uranus, Neptune spends 2013 in the constellation of Aquarius, reaching opposition on August 27.


Star Party Update

Next Onan Public Night




Saturday, May 18th - Onan Public Star Party. This is an All Weather event
Saturday, June 1st - Onan Public Star Party. This is an All-Weather event
Saturday, June 29th - Onan Public Star Party. This is an All-Weather event

Public Star Parties at the Onan Observatory usually begin at 7 pm and last until 10 pm or possibly later. Public Observing Nights are held whether it is clear or cloudy, with the possible exception for hazardous weather conditions** (see below). There is no fee for attending and members, guests and visitors are all invited. Please note that Carver County parks may charge a nominal parking fee. For additional information or directions, click the link below or visit the Onan Observatory web page.

The full 2013 Onan Observatory Public Star Party Schedule has been posted HERE.

Upcoming Star Parties at Cherry Grove (CGO) & LLCC



June 7th/8th is a CGO star party

June 7th/8th is a LLCC star party

Please remember that star parties both at CGO and LLCC are no longer officially called ON or OFF due to the weather. Members need to use their own judgment as to whether the weather is acceptable or unacceptable.



For Additional information on our observing sites, visit the MAS Facilities page HERE or select a link below.

Directions to Baylor Park and the Onan Observatory
Directions to Cherry Grove
Directions to Metcalf
Directions to LLCC



Please note, all Onan public star parties are ‘’all weather’’ events (unless otherwise noted). Even if it is cloudy, someone will be there to show a video, give a presentation, give a tour of the observatory or answer any astronomy questions you may have. However, there may be a need to cancel due to **hazardous weather conditions such as severe thunderstorm, tornadoes and/or snow storms. If any of these conditions are threatening, please check the MAS website homepage and/or the MAS info line at 952-467-2426, after 4:00 pm the day of the event for cancellation notices.

Unlike Onan Public Observing Night events, attendance at MAS Star Parties at Cherry Grove and LLCC is entirely optional. As a result there could be dozens of people also with you at the star party, or there is a remote chance you could find yourself alone! MAS Star Parties at Cherry Grove are generally Friday night events, with Saturday being the backup night. LLCC star parties are both Friday and Saturday night. All MAS Star Parties are ''clear weather'' events and would be cancelled if cloudy.

Star parties at Cherry Grove and LLCC are no longer officially called ''ON'' or ''OFF'' based on the weather. The use of Onan, Belwin and Metcalf are left up to the observer's discretion.



Click on Wunderground box below for Minneapolis weather forecast.



Clear Sky Charts for MAS Observing Sites. Click banner for added detail.

Onan                  

Cherry Grove          

Casby/Belwin/Metcalf  

LLCC                  



Next Meeting

June 6th, 2013 at Fairview Community Center, 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Speaker: Dr. Paul Woodward - University of Minnesota
Topic: 'Nucleosynthsis and Stars Like the Sun Near the End of Their Lives'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meeting Location: Fairview Community Center
1910 County Road B West - ''Great Room''
Roseville, MN 55113

Celestial Events


Lunar Phase

Solar Activity

Aurora

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.

 

MAS Merchandise

Check out all the great MAS merchandise & support your Society in style!

Next Star Party

Baylor Regional Park

06/27/08

Status:

Pending

Check back day of the star party for 'go / no-go' information.

Clear Sky Chart (click for details)

Wx Link | Directions