MAS Happenings – March 11 2025

by | Mar 11, 2025 | MAS Happenings

Happenings this Week

Using my amazing powers to peer directly into the future, with absolutely no reliance on the MAS calendar, meteorology, or even astronomy…here is what I predict will happen this week:
* A Total Lunar Eclipse!

* Budget discussions will melt away while talk of where and how to observe this astounding astronomical event will grow so hot that our team at ELO will open their observatory doors to the public for the first time this season (weather permitting, I can’t predict that…)

* Rebecca will hold a New Member Orientation

* YOU are intrigued and wanting to read more below…
The 2025 Budget Has Passed
It’s less than a week since MAS members who participated in the budget meeting online or in-person cast their votes, yet the budget discussion on Slack has been retired, and MAS President Valts Treibergs had these words to post, “Thank you all for your review of the budget and all of your comments.  The Board respects and takes note of your comments.  The 2025 budget passed in the business meeting by unanimous member vote.”

For members who love examining each line item in detail (we know you’re out there!), no worries. MAS Treasurer Noha Reda will continue to deliver her Monthly Treasurer Reports at each of our meetings. Budget questions are welcome any season of the year!
Eagle Lake Observatory Presents:
Total Lunar Eclipse!
Our own moon, sun, and Eagle Lake Observatory (ELO) Committee are conspiring to get some of us off our couches for the first time this winter. This is a show you’ll want to binge watch to the wee hours.
Thursday, March 13 into Friday, March 14
9:00 PM – 3:00 AM

Here is some information about start times so you can plan your viewing or imaging accordingly:

* Penumbral phase begins at 10:58 PM
* Umbral phase begins at 12:10 AM
* Totality lasts from 1:26 AM to 2:31 AM

Click the button for an explanation of these terms from NASA:
NASA Diagram
This event is cancelled if cloudy. Cancellation will be posted on the MAS Forum. Click the button for full event details on the MAS website:
ELO Star Party: Total Lunar Eclipse
New Member Orientation
Rebecca Messer will be conducting this as an in-person only meeting. Here are the details:

Saturday, March 15 at 10:00 AM

Kaposia Library
131 7th Avenue North
South St. Paul, MN 55075

This approximately 2-hour meeting will introduce the leadership of the MAS, discuss public and member star parties, provide a look at all our observing sites, discuss all the means of communications within the Society, and provide an overall description of all the benefits of membership in the MAS.

Rebecca looks forward to seeing you there!
NCRAL 2025 Convention
Our own MAS will be hosting NCRAL Conference attendees for a Friday night Star-B-Q at Eagle Lake Observatory (ELO) on April 25. Guests can head to Eagle Lake to enjoy dinner, a tour of the observatory, and listen to a brief presentation by Greg Bragg, acknowledged camera and telescope insider, on “The State of the Astronomy Industry.”

More information on the full NCRAL Convention and how to register is available by clicking the button at the bottom.

April 25-26, 2025
Marriot Southwest
5801 Opus Parkway, Minnetonka, MN
Presented by the NCRAL Convention Committee
Theme: “First Light – New Frontiers, New People“
Visit the NCRAL Conference website or Facebook page
by clicking the buttons:
NCRAL 2025
NCRAL 2025 on Facebook
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, April 19
Saturday, May 17
Saturday, June 14
Saturday, July 26
Saturday, August 16
Saturday, September 13
Saturday, October 11

Joseph J. Casby (JJC) Keyholder Training:
Saturday, April 12
Saturday, May 10
Saturday, June 7
Sunday, July 13
Saturday, September 13
Sunday, October 5

Cherry Grove Observatory (CGO) Keyholder Training:
Friday, April 18*
Friday, May 23
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 March MAS Budget Meeting IS AVAILABLE. 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
Copyright © 2025 Minnesota Astronomical Society, All rights reserved.

Loading