Eastern Michigan University

ASTRONOMY CLUB

Member news
This page last updated:  April 24, 2008

* Greta Welke takes the helm Spring/Summer for the club, continuing from Winter term. Saturn is continuing to flatten out ring-wise so this term, especially May- July, will be the best time to see this beautiful world before the planet disappears into the sun's glare and the rings go edge-on by December. The Fish Lake "one-nighter" comes on June 7, 2008, in conjuction with (there's an astronomical term) Mr. Vance's ASTR 378/591 class at Fish Lake. The updated Sp/Su meeting schedule appears on the "Events page". The schedule does not yet show the University Lowbrow meeting in July that takes place at Sherzer in lue of their Ann Arbor meeting- the Art Fair makes parking next to impossible for the Lowbrows so they've enjoyed the use of Sherzer Observatory the past two summers. The most likely date is Friday, July 18- to be confirmed.

* David Sitar will be continuing work on the smaller dome project for spring with Norbert Vance. A Sirius dome drive system has been ordered to allow remote control of the dome along with the Nexstar 8 and camera equipment on the telescope. Installation will commence upon arrival. Jason Gibson continues to take excellent astronomical images with his equipment and is looking forward to trying out the new gear in the small dome. We'll have an overview session for the new system at an upcoming meeting if anyone is interested in learning about how the equipment operates. In the BIG dome, adhesive stair tape with sandpaper surface has been added to the dome drive rail. The annoying sticking issue toward south has been resolved. It runs smoothly through that part of the sky. The 10-inch apo can be guided with the aid of the Astromaster... just a reminder. Tis simple to align. Scope balance for the warmer months has been done as well. Dave will be running routine maintainance on the Dobs and other scopes this term. Please help keep them spiffy looking by handling the scopes with care.

Old but Interesting News....
* The Astronomy Club 25th Anniversary Reunion took place the evening of Saturday, June 5th, 2004 at 6pm in Sherzer Observatory.  Heather Tarvis, Kim Strickland, Bob Topping, Shannon Murphy , and other club members worked hard at making this an enjoyable time!  Thank goodness the Michigan weather cooperated perfectly as mild sunshine gave way to a comfortable evening at the observatory.  There was plenty of food (!), places to sit and converse, and views of the Sun and Jupiter through the big scope.  A "Scrapbook" of club member memories was printed and given away at the door.  If you could not attend and wish a copy of said booklet, then click HERE for the booklet and download the 4 Mb .pdf file.  Tis a great read... enjoy!  Norbert Vance was also graciously given a plaque recognizing his 25 years of involvement with the club and its many members. (Thanks again Heather, Bob, Kim, and Shannon!)

* All current members and alumni, please check and confirm your email address on our "O/M/A" page and send updates to Norbert Vance.  Drop us a line and let us know what and where you are these days to let your cohorts keep in touch.

 We can add personal web page URL's as well if you have one (examples: Pete Alway, Jeff Thrush), as well as news you want to tell.  Let us know!!