I was feeling remiss in sending out the Happenings each week without myself having been to a star party this spring. Thankfully the weather cooperated, and I made it to CGO for a fine night of observing. I even made a sketch of one of my favs…Camelopardalis. Not to toot my own horn, but my drawing looks EXACTLY like how this constellation looks with your own naked eyes. Feel free to use my sketch to star hop to Kemble’s Cascade and NGC 1502. Both are well worth a look!
Here is what else is happening this week:
Join us for the next MAS Monthly Meeting
Planets in the Park
Star Party at Cedar Creek
Spring Astronomy Day at ELO
Next observing night for the BSIG
Thursday, May 1
7:00 – 9:00 PM CST
This month’s featured speaker will be Chuck Allen, Astronomical League.
Please join us in-person or on Zoom!
More information on how to attend this meeting can be found here:
Friday, May 2
8:30 – 10:00 PM CST
Beginners’ astronomy lesson, laser sky tour, sky legends from around the world. Family friendly, all ages!Pershing Field Park, 3523 W 48th Street
Saturday, May 3
7:30 – 11:00 PM CST Public Star Party at Cedar Creek
Each star party starts with a brief astronomy presentation. A number of telescopes will be available for night sky viewing after the program. You do not need a telescope to attend, and the cost is free.This is a weather-dependent event, and more information will be posted on the link below.
Spring Astronomy Day
Eagle Lake Observatory (ELO)
Saturday, May 3
2:00 – 11:00 PM CST
The Minnesota Astronomical Society would like to invite you to attend the Astronomical League’s Astronomy Day activities! There will be a lot going on rain or shine. Click below to view the entire schedule of events:
The MAS invites everyone to the next Beginners Special Interest Group (BSIG) event at Metcalf Field.
There is no charge to attend, and you do not need to be an MAS member. Everyone is welcome, including children. The purpose is to help beginners learn the night sky, and to learn how to set up and use a telescope. Bringing a telescope is optional, but if you have one, bring it. Volunteers from the MAS will be on hand to answer your questions and show you objects through their own telescopes, or to assist you with your scope if you’re still learning to use it.
This event is weather dependent and will be cancelled if cloudy. It may also be moved to Friday if that forecast is more favorable.
The MAS Board would like to announce that we are seeking volunteers to be part of the newly expanded Outreach Committee – an official standing committee of the MAS. This effort will include expanding the outreach process into Slack, holding new training sessions, and creating tools and information resources that will broaden outreach even further. Outreach is a great way to contribute to the MAS, and it is a lot of fun to do. Join us!
If you are interested in being part of the Outreach Committee, please send an email tooutreach@mnastro.org.
NNSD Drone Shot. (c) Bill Kocken – used with permission
Northern Nights Star Fest (NNSF)
August 20-25, 2025
Registration is still open!
We know you’ve been waiting. Don’t miss one of the best MAS astronomy events of the year.
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
Observatory Training –
Save the Dates for 2025!
Eagle Lake Observatory (ELO):
Saturday, May 17
Saturday, June 14
Saturday, July 26
Saturday, August 16
Saturday, September 13
Saturday, October 11Joseph J. Casby (JJC) Keyholder Training:
Saturday, May 10
Saturday, June 7
Sunday, July 13
Saturday, September 13
Sunday, October 5
Cherry Grove Observatory (CGO) Keyholder Training:
Friday, May 23
Friday, June 20*
Friday, July 25*
Friday, September 19
Friday, October 17*
Site training dates are for the Warming House, Observatory, LX-200, and Big Aperture Dobsonian (BAD). Dates with asterisks are training dates for the imaging rig.
Long Lake Conservation Center (LLCC):
Keyholder training will be part of the Northern Nights Star Festival (NNSF) on Wednesday, August 20-Monday, August 25
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.
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
The Minnesota Astronomical Society welcomes your tax deductible donation to help fund the operation of our sites and our outreach programs. Use the QR code above or go to https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CBYSD2Z6339D4
to make a donation. Thank you.
