MAS Happenings – July 8 2025

by Kris | Jul 8, 2025 | MAS Happenings

Happenings this Week

Disclaimer: The MAS is not responsible for any neck injuries you may suffer while observing the midnight culminations posted o

n the MAS calendar.

Beyond star parties and events, the MAS calendar also lists the midnight culminations of Messier objects — the moment when these objects reach their highest point in the sky at midnight (for our local meridian). This week, for example, Messier 56 culminates at midnight. M56 is a globular cluster in the constellation Lyra, which, last I checked, is a super annoying constellation to observe at that time of night, at this time of year, if you’re a Dobsonian user.

The Dob hole is real, folks.

So remember, this week the calendar might actually be telling you what to avoid, not what to observe.

While you contemplate heeding or ignoring this advice, here is what’s happening this week:

The Gemini is here!
ELO Public Star Party
ELO Volunteer Opportunity
JJC Keyholder Training
Submit your astrophotography images for the August meeting!

You’ve waited since June and it’s finally here.

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

Here is a sneak peak of what’s inside….

Ten Years of Service (Lilah Shurstein)
Unistellar’s Equinox 2 “Smart Telescope” (Jim Fox)
So You Married an Astronomer (Marie Setnes)
Remembering Dave Tosteson (Charlie Warren)
My Story with the Stars (Jacob Grundhauser)
The Show to Now (James Fish)

Eagle Lake Observatory (ELO)
Public Star Party7:00 – 10:00 PM CT
Saturday, July 12

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

JJC Summertime

Joseph J. Casby Observatory (JJC)

Keyholder Training
Sunday, July 13 at Noon CT

Orientation to Belwin Conservancy (required for new trainees) will start promptly at 12 noon. Keyholder refresher training will begin at 12:30 pm.All MAS members in good standing (18 years and older) are welcome to become JJC keyholders. New trainees and keyholders wanting a refresher are welcome.

Inclement weather or non-interest may result in cancellation. Please check the JJC Observatory Discussion on the MAS Forum for more information, to sign up, and to post questions:

Joseph J. Casby Observatory Discussions

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
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 will 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

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.

Find Out More – MAS Homepage