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.
Uncategorized
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.
Mars is here – are you ready to battle the god of war?
This apparition of Mars has begun. It is still a bit small, and still a morning object (yawn), but now is the time to start honing your skills to meet the demands of the Mars Observing Program. The Astronomical League developed this observing program to take advantage of Mars’ closest approach (opposition in July). To accomplish the requirements, you need to begin observing as soon as possible. Some requirements may take some time to acquire. If you miss this opposition of Mars, the next one is in 2020.
The Mars Observing Program can be found on the alphabetical listing of observing programs under the Observe dropdown menu, or you can go directly there: https://test.astroleague.org/mars-observing-program. This is a challenging observing program but we are hopeful that many of you will accept and conquer the challenge. We look forward to reviewing your accomplishments. It is time to “go to Mars.” Join us on this journey.
Aaron Clevenson – Coordinator
Astronomy Day 2018
Be sure to list your Astronomy Day events on
https://test.astroleague.org//al/general/news/request.html
Wouldn’t it be great if clubs were recognized for their innovation and efforts in putting amateur astronomy directly in front of the public? The Astronomical League, with help from Sky and Telescope and the American Astronomical Society, presents three $150 cash awards, one each for the best event in a large, medium, and small populated service area. In addition, $50 is awarded to a club that consistently holds a quality event.
The Astronomical League is here to help. Wouldn’t it be great if there were helpful aids assisting clubs and individuals in their Astronomy Day and outreach endeavors? There are – download the Astronomy Day Handbook. Wouldn’t it be great if there were materials answering many common questions the public may likely ask? There are – download the numerous Astronomical League Outreach Downloads in either handout or poster format.
With all the great reasons for participating in Astronomy Day (and other outreach activities), what might be the most important one is also one of the most critical for the continued success of our hobby: Light pollution awareness. Simply put, the more the public knows about the sky and its marvels, the more they will appreciate dark skies, and the more likely they will actively speak out against senseless outdoor lighting. This is a great opportunity for you to affect the course of our hobby and to help benefit your community.
During the weekend of April 21 bring the sun, the moon, the planets, and the stars to the people on Astronomy Day. You may very well cause a few of them to want to experience more. You will have touched their lives!