MAS Happenings – June 17 2025

by Kris | Jun 17, 2025 | MAS Happenings

Happenings this Week

This observing season is proving to be… challenging? If you’ve been spending more time refreshing your weather apps and checking the airnow.gov site than observing or imaging, here are a few astronomy-themed riddles to while away the time on these less-than-ideal nights.

You thought it was haze, or maybe fog,
But no—it drifts from burning log.
The stars all hide, the sky turns gray,
Your scope stays packed another day.
What am I?

I’ve booked the sky for days on end,
A soggy streak I will not bend.
Your scope stays home, your hopes decline—
I’m nature’s “closed for viewing” sign.
What am I?

While you are sensing a theme in those riddles…here is what’s happening this week:

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

Cherry Grove Observatory (CGO)
Member Star Party

7:00 – 11:30 PM CT
Friday, June 20

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, June 20 6:00 PM – Sunday, June 22 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

6th Annual Members Astrophotography

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

Gemini – Special July Edition!

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.

Click here for more information: 2025 Northern Nights Star Fest – Minnesota Astronomical Society

To register, click the button below:

NNSF 2025 Registration

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 11

Joseph J. Casby (JJC) Keyholder Training:
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 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

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