Happenings this Week

* ELO Public Star Party
* BSIG Observing Session
*Submit Social Media Images
* Observatory Training Schedules & Information

Public Star Party

Eagle Lake Observatory

July 27 @ 7:00 pm CDT

Join us to show the public the wonders of the night sky

Guest speaker: Laura Hammerbeck, NASA Solar System Ambassador
Title: Exploding stars!

Summary: Never seen an exploding star? This year, you have a chance! T. Coronae Borealis, predicted to erupt soon, is a once-in-a-lifetime event. It’s a recurrent nova, and people around the world will be able to see it themselves.
Why does this happen, and when? Where should you look? Join NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Laura Hammerbeck on an exploration of nova, supernova and even kilonova. Explosions in space…what could be more fun?

Keyholders can volunteer by checking for a post requesting star party keyholder signup for this event in the ELO Keyholder forum here.
Note: you must be a keyholder to access this forum..

For more information click the button below.

Beginner Special Interest Group (BSIG)
Observing Session @ Metcalf Field

Are you new to MAS?  Do you have a new telescope, but need some help setting it up?  Join us for the Beginner’s Special Interest Group’s Observing Session.  This is a free event, and open to all who want to learn!

For more information click the button below.

Call for Astro Images

Our social media coordinator, Kris Bethea, would like astronomy images from our members to post on our social media sites, https://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaAstronomicalSociety and Minnesota Astronomical Society (@minnesotaastronomical) to help promote our club and events. You can submit your images to socialmedia@mnastro.org. Be sure to watermark your images before sending them to Kris.

Observatory Training Calendar

Eagle Lake Observatory

August 10 ——– Afternoon – Schedule 1 (See below)
August 17 ——– Evening  –  Schedule 2  (See below)
September 28 — Afternoon – Schedule 1
October 05 ——- Evening  –  Schedule 2

Schedule 1      Keyholder Orientation
Onan Building (2023)
Visual Platform/LX 200
SA Casby
Star Party Preparation and Teardown

Schedule 2     Keyholder Orientation
Onan Building (2023)
Imaging Platform (2023)
20″ Obsession
SA Casby

August 10th & August 17th ELO Training Information

An Eagle Lake Observatory keyholder training will be held on August 10th in the afternoon and August 17th in the evening.  It is not necessary to attend both weekends depending on the equipment you choose.

Training consists of orientation, building operation, telescope operation, and public star party preparation.  Since there is a lot of material it is suggested that you only sign up for a couple of telescopes.  Get familiar with those then be trained on other telescopes at later training sessions.

Sign up for training at https://www.mnastro.org/facilities/eagle-lake/elo_keyholder_training/

The class will be limited to 15 people.

ELO General Training Information

Training is divided into 8 modules, one of which is required. Select the modules for your training and click Submit Request at the bottom.  You will be contacted at a later date with more information.

Joseph J. Casby Observatory – All dates are tentative until confirmed

Sept 21
Nov 16

Training to start at 12:00 noon. Promptness is appreciated.
Training will begin with the mandatory Belwin Conservancy Orientation

Observatory refresher Training to startsat approximately 12:30

Cherry Grove Observatory

July 27  ******** CANCELLED  **********

October 5 (before MAS Mini Messier Marathon – 4M)

NOTE: These are Saturday dates with Friday backup – weather permitting

More information will be forthcoming on the Cherry Grove Observatory  Discussion Forum.

LLCC Training

August 28
August 29
August 30
August 31
September 1
September 2

More information will be forthcoming on the LLCC Discussion Forum.

MAS Store

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