Going Nova!
Are you ready to go Nova? The latest addition to the Observing Program family is here: The Nova Observing Program. For full details, check out the web page.
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What’s Up Tonight, Doc? spreadsheet is now completely up-to-date
The What’s Up Tonight, Doc? spreadsheet has been updated and now includes all of the Astornomical League Observing Programs, including the newest, Nova!
To access the spreadsheet and the latest What’s Up Doc? Newsletter, go to this website: https://www.humbleisd.net/Page/81224
For more information, contact the author, Aaron Clevenson (an AL Observing Program Director) at: aaron@clevenson.org
Newest Observing Program – Nova!
The AL Council approved a new Observing Program at this year’s AL-Con. It is the Nova Observing Program. The website will be up shortly. Keep an eye on the Observing Programs lists. More information to come.
Your Astronomical League is giving away up to eleven Library Telescopes!
Through the vision of the Horkheimer Charitable Fund, the Astronomical League is again offering a free Library Telescope to a lucky Astronomical League club in each of the ten AL regions and to a Member-at-Large.
This wonderful program consists of an Orion 4.5 inch StarBlast Dobsonian (or equivalent) and a Celestron 8-24 mm zoom eyepiece (or equivalent), and a name plate commemorating the late Jack Horkheimer. The value of this opportunity is approximately $300; the potential of the program is enormous.
Submit your completed entry form so that the Astronomical League national office receives it by June 30, 2018. If mailed, the entry must be postmarked no later than June 30, 2018. The winning entry for each region will be announced at the annual Astronomical League Business meeting held at ALCon 2018 in Minneapolis about July 14. Full details of this wonderful program can be found at https://test.astroleague.org/library-telescope-program
The Library Telescope Program is a great club project, one that brings members together while benefiting their community. Indeed, it is the perfect outreach program!
June Reflector – digital edition is available
The June digital edition of the Reflector Magazine is now available online. If you are currently a member of an Astronomy League affiliated club, patron member, lifetime member, or a member-at-large you were sent an email notice on May 31st at about 12:15 pm.
If you did not receive a notice it was most likely because
- we do not have an email address for you yet
- the email address we have is incorrect
- your internet service provider marked the notice as spam
- you have opted out of receiving the digital additon
The June issue and older digital issues of the Reflector are available online at the members.astroleague.org website. If you do not already have an account you may request one on the members webserver at https://members.astroleague.org/request_account . Enter your email address and press the “Send account information” button near the bottom of the page. In a few minutes you should receive an email with instructions and a link to create your account.
The postal edition of Reflector Magazine have been sent out for delivery. If you have subscribed to the postal edition you should receive it sometime in the next several days. Members of the Astronomical League may elect to receive the digital edition, postal edition, or both. You may contact your club ALCor or treasurer to let them know your preference if you have not already done so.
2 New NASA Observing Challenges: TESS and InSight
We have added two new Observing Challenge Certificates: TESS and Mars InSight. These activities have deadlines in 2018. For more information, checkout the webpage: https://test.astroleague.org//programs/nasa-observing-challenges-special-awards-introduction
You do NOT need to be a member of the Astronomical League to participate in these Observing Challenges. Certificates will be awarded, but there are no lapel pins.
Mars Observing Program – apparition in progress
This apparition of Mars is underway. This is a brief reminder to anyone planning on working on this Observing Program, now is the time to get started. This will be a serious challenge. Good luck.
Attention Master Observers!
The officers of the League would like to again give special recognition to Master Observers who attend ALCon 2018 in Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota.
At the awards banquet on Saturday evening a special wall plaque will be presented in commemoration of your accomplishment. It does not matter what year you became an MO. We only require that you be present at the banquet to receive this recognition – and have not received the award at an earlier ALCon ceremony.
Over the last three years we have presented Master Observers with special plaques and it will be our pleasure to repeat the honor again, as well as at future ALCons. If you will be attending, please contact vice president William Bogardus at wfbogardus@yahoo.com before June 11, 2018.
Lunar Images Needed
The Astronomical League is considering whether or not it should offer a special moon map showing the features included in the Lunar and Lunar II Observing Programs. We are looking for high quality images of the 3 or 4 day old moon, the 8 day old moon, the 21 day old moon, and the 25 day old moon. These images will be used to guide users to specific program features.
If you have something you’d like to contribute, please contact John Goss, president@astroleague.org.