This Happenings correspondent is back from a short hiatus, having spent several weeks in Europe. It was a great trip—though sadly, not an astronomy one. The closest I got to stargazing was a glimpse of the Emporia Shopping Center in Malmö, Sweden. Its glass façade almost mimics the northern lights… if you drive past fast enough at night and use averted vision.
There was one celestial highlight though: Ireland‘s Eurovision 2025 entry, Laika Party, a touching, glittery tribute to Laika—the Soviet space dog who orbited Earth aboard Sputnik 2. The song brings a tear to the eye (and a disco ball to the sky) while asking: What if Laika never died?
I hope Laika never died and that she spins around us still And that she has a party in the air and always will I hope that she is dancing every night among the stars I hope Laika is alive — Laika party in the sky! Bam-bam, Ba-da-dam-bam-bam-bam-bam-bam
In addition to having this stuck in your head all week (you’re welcome), here’s what’s happening:
ELO Public Star Party and Keyholder Training
JJC Keyholder Training
Submit your astrophotography images for the August meeting!
Eagle Lake Observatory (ELO)
Public Star Party7:00 – 10:00 PM CT
Saturday, June 14
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.
This event will include a Keyholder Training.
Also, this is an all-weather event. Even if cloudy, someone will be there to entertain you on our favorite topic – astronomy!
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.
Please check the JJC Observatory Discussion on the MAS Forum for more information, to sign up, and to post questions:
You may have been scanning the skies (or your inbox) for the June Edition of the Gemini. Alas, publication was once again intercepted… by our persistent editorial gatekeeper: a highly opinionated, astronomy-loving squirrel.
Father Brown is currently at work on a full July Edition. In the meantime, negotiations continue with the squirrel, who is still insisting we run his piece titled “I Will Not Be Silenced: The Trumpler IV, 2, m, n Conspiracy — What Berkley 86 Isn’t Telling You.”
Thank you for your patience—and keep your eyes peeled for the July release!
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, June 14
Saturday, July 26
Saturday, August 16
Saturday, September 13
Saturday, October 11Joseph J. Casby (JJC) Keyholder Training:
Saturday, June 14
Sunday, July 13
Saturday, September 13
Sunday, October 5
Cherry Grove Observatory (CGO) Keyholder Training:
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 June 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.
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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