MAS Happenings – July 22 2025

by Kris | Jul 22, 2025 | MAS Happenings

Happenings this Week

If you were a kid before 2006, you probably memorized the solar system with “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas.” And then—suddenly—no more pizza. Just Nachos. Or Noodles? (Not nearly as satisfying.)

Here is a short poll to gauge your emotional temperature before attending Laura Hammerbeck’s talk at ELO on Saturday:

How did you cope with Pluto’s demotion?
☐ Denial
☐ Anger
☐ Bargaining with the IAU
☐ Acceptance (but only technically)
☐ You mean Goofy’s dog??

In addition to her talk, here is what’s happening this week:

CGO Star Party and Keyholder Training
LLCC Observing Weekend
ELO Star Party
ELO Committee
Submit your astrophotography images for the August meeting!

Cherry Grove Observatory (CGO)
Member Star Party7:00 – 11:30 PM CT
Friday, July 25

Join us at CGO for a Star Party! Bring your telescope or use one on-site, including the Starmaster Dobsonian, LX-200, or other scopes!

Not a Keyholder at CGO? Keyholder training will be held during this star party.

Star parties are cancelled if cloudy, so watch here or on the CGO Forum.

Cherry Grove Star Parties are held on Friday nights with Saturday night backups if cloudy.

Member Star Party at CGO

Add a description…

Long Lake Conservation Center (LLCC)
Member Observing Weekend
Friday, July 25 6:00 PM – Sunday, July 27 10:00 AM CT

This is yet another opportunity to visit LLCC. The skies are darker up there. Don’t miss out!Our relationship with LLCC is unique, and these observing weekends are only available to members. Here are a few guidelines:

– Check the LLCC Discussion on the MAS Forum for event details and to register your attendance
– Indicate whether you will need lodging
– This is not an all-weather event and may be cancelled if cloudy

Click the button for full details:

LLCC Member Observing Weekend

Eagle Lake Observatory (ELO)
Public Star Party

7:00 – 10:00 PM CT
Saturday, July 26

Featured Speaker: Laura Hammerbeck

Poor Pluto! Demoted??

Lisa’s topic will be: “Should Pluto be a planet?”

ELO has an array of telescopes to show you the night sky including stars, star clusters, galaxies, nebula, planets, and other objects depending on what is up that night.

Also, this is an all-weather event. Even if cloudy, someone will be there to entertain you on our favorite topic – astronomy!

Click below for full details:

Public Star Party at ELO

Eagle Lake Observatory (ELO)
Committee – Volunteer Opportunity!

A position on the Eagle Lake Observatory (ELO) Committee has recently opened. If you are a member of MAS and interested, please send an email to mas-elo@mnastro.org. The ELO Committee will review applicants and make recommendations to the Board.

ELO is the main public outreach facility for the MAS. The site consists of the Onan Observatory, the Sylvia A. Casby Observatory, and the HotSpot Classroom. Click here for more information: ELO Observatory

6th Annual Members Astrophotography

Here is the live link to submit your images: programs@mnastro.org

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

Observatory Training –
Save the Dates for 2025!

Eagle Lake Observatory (ELO):
Saturday, July 26 – CANCELLED
Saturday, August 16
Saturday, September 13
Saturday, October 11Joseph J. Casby (JJC) Keyholder Training:
Sunday, July 13
Saturday, September 13
Sunday, October 5Cherry Grove Observatory (CGO) Keyholder Training:
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 July Monthly Meeting is be 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.

Watch Previous Meetings

Get Involved, Become a Member, Volunteer!

https://www.mnastro.org/about/beginners/
https://www.mnastro.org/membership/benefits/

MAS Store

Find MAS logo apparel and items at the MAS Store by clicking the button below.

MAS Store

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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to make a donation. Thank you.

Find Out More – MAS Homepage