Happenings this Week

*LLCC Member Request
*2024 Budget Vote Results
*February Gemini Link
*Bell Museum Space Fest
* Starry Skies North Star Party

LLCC Member Request

The LLCC Committee is looking for new members!

After many years of great leadership and participation, a few long standing committee members have decided to step down.  We greatly appreciate Ken Hugill, John Marchetti and Jim Talbott for many years of making LLCC out great dark-sky observing site.

The primary responsibilities for the LLCC Committee include:
– Organize and run the Northern Nights Star Fest event
– Perform spring start-up and fall observatory shut-down tasks
– Help coordinate MAS observing weekends
– Upkeep of equipment
– Help out LLCC outreach events
– Planning and budgeting

Please reply on the MAS Forum:
https://forum.mnastro.org/viewtopic.php?t=14571
or to Valts Treibergs on Slack if interested.

Members of MAS in good standing are eligible.

Volunteer!!

Results of 2024 Budget Vote

The 2024 budget passed. Also, the board will be looking into the increasing the membership dues. More to follow from the board on the subject.

Many thanks for the active participation and contributions during the February 1st business meeting.

Your new edition of the Minnesota Astronomical Society’s GEMINI Newsletter is electronically available at the the MAS website.

In the pages of the Gemini – Vol 50 No 1

• Observing Travel Rig Idea for the April 2024 Eclipse – Steve Emert
• “Mom, Dad, I Think I Want a Telescope” – Mentoring New Astronomers – Jay Bruesch
• MAS Patron Members
• MAS Board Minutes
• Loaner Scopes & Astronomy DVDs Available to All MAS Members

Bell Museum Space Fest

Bell Museum is having their annual Space Fest event in February and the MAS is invited. The hours of the event are:

Friday February 16th:  Star Party kick-off from 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm (arrive at 7:00 pm for set up)
Saturday & Sunday February 17th and 18th: 10 am – 4 pm  (arrive by (9:30 am)

The MAS has three tables and will be assisting with the Star Party on Friday night. This is a very popular event and Bell expects in excess of 1600 people to attend.

Volunteers are needed even if you can only commit for some of the time. The biggest need will be Saturday and Sunday mornings.

For more information and/or to volunteer click the link to the forum post below.

Starry Skies North Star Party
Friday, February 16th
Woodland Lake Nature Center
Richfield, MN

Calling all stargazers!  Starry Skies North and Wood Lake Nature Center are hosting a family stargazing party in association with Voyageurs National Park’s Boreal Stargazing Week.  We need volunteers to share their love of the night sky with visitors.  We are looking for naked eye volunteers to point out stars, constellations, and planets, as well as volunteers with telescopes to share telescopic views with the public.  First-time volunteers who would like to increase their own knowledge of the night sky and star lore are especially welcome -come and have some fun and learn from your colleagues.  The event runs 6-8 PM on Friday, February 16^th.  Just email todd@starryskiesnorth.org if you’d like to get involved.

Visit the Wood Lake Nature Center event page here to learn more.