MAS Happenings – April 21 2026

Happenings this Week

Call me superstitious but this week I’m playing an elaborate game of “opposites” with Mother Nature – i.e. saying the opposite of what I want to happen so that she’ll do the thing I pretended I didn’t want instead of the thing I said I wanted. It’s complicated.

For example, I’m appending the words “are overrated” to my “clear skies” sign off and typing it like I really believe it. As in:

Hi Bob,

Thanks for contacting us about your donation of super expensive TeleVue eyepieces. I’m not 100% sure our club members are that into astronomy gear, but I’ll check and get back to you.

Clear Skies Are Overrated,

MAS Secretary

I’m also going to make a big show of wishing for rain each time I check my weather apps. As in, “Please, please not another drought this year. My perennials could use a DELUGE!”

And posting on Slack that I’m not sure about attending star parties cause Norwood Young America and even Metcalf are SO FAR away, and all that driving is a total pain.

For sure I’m going to neglect to charge any batteries or pack anything into my vehicle.

(Perhaps I charge batteries earlier in the week like it has nothing to do with any particular weekend star party and I just happen to be charging batteries which are lying around ready to be thrown into the car at a moment’s notice when it seems like I really should attend the star party cause the weather is clear even though I hadn’t really thought about attending cause my droopy plants need some TLC but it is clear after all, so I guess I’ll go??)

Play this just right and Mother Nature will ensure the first outdoor BSIG and this year’s spring Astronomy Day go off without a hitch!

Eagle Lake Observatory (ELO)
2026 Spring Astronomy Day
Saturday, April 25

2:00-11:30 PM

The Minnesota Astronomical Society would like to invite you to attend the Astronomical League’s Astronomy Day activities at the Eagle Lake Observatory in Baylor Regional Park. Speakers are scheduled throughout the day and will give talks on astronomy and what there is to see. Door prize drawing will be held Saturday evening and include MAS merchandise, astronomy books and telescopes. The evening will continue with viewing through our array of telescopes observing some of the winter and early spring objects coming into view including the Orion Nebula, Crab nebula, the Sombrero Galaxy, the Whirlpool Galaxy, the Beehive Cluster, the Black Eye Galaxy and Hercules cluster among many others.

Click the button for the full schedule of events:

Beginners Special Interest Group (BSIG) at
Metcalf Field

2026 Outdoor Observing Session
Saturday, April 25 7:00 -11:00 pm CT

There is no charge to attend a beginner 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!

Visit the web site for more details:

Urban Family Star Party

Friday, April 24, 2026

8:00 – 9:30 PM
Pershing Field Park, 3523 W 48th Street, SW Minneapolis

All Ages, Clear or Cloudy. AT NIGHT, Pershing Park is Quiet, Friendly, Comfortable, Conversational, Accessible, Dark Enough for the Moon and Planets, Not Too Dark for safe walking. Kids Riding Bikes, Neighbors Walking Dogs, Easy to walk at Night.

Click the button below for more information:

Open House at Goodsell Observatory at Carleton College

Friday May 1st at 9:30pm

Join us on Friday May 1st at 9:30pm at Goodsell Observatory on the campus of Carleton College in Northfield, MN. Goodsell Observatory hosts open houses the 1st Friday of every month (outside of summer). The MAS has attended a few of these open houses over the past few years, and our members have enjoyed these events. We tried to attend their event last November, but it was cancelled due to clouds. This one is scheduled to run from 9:30-11:30pm and is weather-permitting.

The observatory opened in 1886, and its main dome houses a 16.2″ Brashear refractor (circa early-1890s). The smaller dome houses an 8.25″ Alvan Clark refractor from the same era. It’s amazing to see such vintage telescopes still in use, and in such good condition.

Starting in the 1870s, Goodsell Observatory was one of the most important observatories in the country, since it kept the official time for the major railroads from Chicago to Seattle, covering some 12,000 miles of track. It also published an important astronomical publication, produced some of the best early celestial photographs and was home to one of the nation’s first state weather services. Herbert Couper Wilson was a Carleton alumnus who in 1911 help found the AAVSO (American Association of Variable Star Observers) … one of the most important American amateur astronomical groups of the 20th Century and beyond.

Goodsell Observatory address: 139 Olin Dr, Northfield, MN 55057

Google Maps link:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/kgug9G6M5MZjFQpc6

Website:

Goodsell Observatory – Carleton College

You can read about the history of Goodsell Observatory here:

The Story of Goodsell – Goodsell Observatory – Carleton College

There is the possibility of having dinner ahead of time and also carpooling if enough people are interested. Please respond on the MAS Forum (link below) or email Suresh Sreenivasan with questions: sureshks1@msn.com

The Gemini is one of the best ways we capture the knowledge, humor, and experiences that make the MAS what it is. If you have an observing highlight, a favorite image, a gear lesson, a memorable outreach moment, or even a funny astronomy mishap, consider submitting an article. The bi-monthly newsletter is a chance to pass those things along and let others enjoy and learn from them. Short pieces are welcome too—your contribution might be exactly what inspires someone else.

Click the link below to email a Gemini submission:

The NCRAL “Eastern Iowa Cosmic Conference” hosted by Cedar Amateur Astronomers is scheduled for May 15-17 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Click the button below for full information and to register:

Become a MAS Presenter!

We would like to enhance our monthly meetings and encourage our members to share your work and passion. Put together a 10–15-minute presentation about the astronomy topic that interests you (and quite probably the rest of the MAS).

Topics include – but are not limited to:

* Observing campaigns

* Astronomical objects

* History topics

* Adventures to dark skies and astronomical sites around the world

* ATM projects – show & tell

* Restoration projects

* Outreach projects

* Observing or Imaging techniques

* Research topics

* Software and telescope how-tos

* Manned or robotic space missions

* And even ‘Better Know a Constellation’!

The presentation is best done live at the meeting but can be done through Zoom if you are joining remotely. If you have something to share, please send an email to the Programs Coordinator Ahmed Reda at programs@mnastro.org

MAS on YouTube

The April Monthly Meeting is available in case you missed it. Follow the MAS YouTube channel to watch these meetings and other content you may have missed! Click the button below.

MAS Store

Find MAS logo apparel and items at the new MAS Store on Red Bubble by clicking the button below.

You may still purchase items on Cafe Press by clicking below:

Email Updates
Emails from MAS will be going out on Tuesday’s but only if there are announcements.  If you have something that needs sharing to all please email secretary@mnastro.org by Thursday/Friday for the following Tuesday notice.

Thank you  -Claire Weaverling, MAS Secretary

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