MAS Happenings – March 18 2025

by Kris | Mar 18, 2025 | MAS Happenings

Happenings this Week

Using my amazing powers to peer directly into the future, with absolutely no reliance on the MAS Secretary Inbox, the MAS calendar, or meteorology (which our weather apps reveal as a pseudo-science in any case) …here is what I predict will happen this week:

* The JJC & Metcalf Committee, feeling understaffed, will request some of you to join them

* Though still grieving for Dill Prickles (RIP), the LLCC Committee will host their first member observing weekend of the season

* ELO will hold yet another Star Party (those party animals!)

* If you are reading this on Slack, there may be wonky (unpredictable!) formatting

Join the JJC & Metcalf Committee

The Joseph J. Casby (JJC) & Metcalf Committee is still open to adding new committee members.

The primary responsibilities for the JJC & Metcalf Committee include:
– Planning and budgeting for JJC & Metcalf
– Helping coordinate and perform training and mentoring
– Upkeep of equipment and the grounds
– Attending, planning, and organizing work parties

Please send your interest in joining to the JJC & Metcalf Committee to mas-jjco@mnastro.org

More information on these sites can be found here:
Joseph J. Casby Observatory – Minnesota Astronomical Society
Metcalf Field – Minnesota Astronomical Society

Long Lake Conservation Center (LLCC)
Member Observing Weekend

Friday, March 21 to Sunday, March 23

Dill Prickles, the much beloved porcupine, rests in peace. Though MAS members may still encounter Chewbarka the Beaver dragging tree branches to and fro. The skies are darker up there. Don’t miss an opportunity to visit!

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

ELO Public Star Party

Our ELO Committee is possibly still sleep-deprived from losing that hour (Daylight Savings!) and then staying up all night to watch the Total Lunar Eclipse. Yet they are at it again! Here are the details for their next public shindig:

Saturday, March 22
7:00 – 10:00 PM
Eagle Lake Observatory (ELO)

This is an all-weather event. If cloudy, someone will still be there to open the observatory and entertain you. No registration is required.

Click the button for more information:

ELO Public Star Party

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

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Find Out More – MAS Homepage