August 2008
Previous Editions of the M111:
M111 Fall 07
M111 Late Fall 07
M111 Dec 2007
M111 Jan 2008
M111 April 2008
June/July 2008
Greetings...
Welcome all ye weary travelers to a new type of M111 "On Line". You wanted things to change? Well, now they've changed and you're back to having to contend with just me to update the newsletter. That means maybe you'll get something new... And maybe you won't! So... Let's have at it.
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Words From Da' Prez
First and foremost I want to congratulate everyone on such a fine and successful summer of outreach! When I logged our last outreach programs I couldn't help but notice that Warren Rupp Observatory is NUMBER FIVE in the worldwide standings in public outreach programs! Congratulations to all of you! That's some incredible numbers and I know that we haven't even logged all the programs that have been given with our special outreach "buckets" yet! What a fine group of educators we have become...
Have you noticed just how well attended our Public Nights have become? And why not?! We're having fun! This year has just been super in terms of clear nights and plenty of things to do. It is so much more fun when we have large groups around because a lot of the magic and fun of astronomy is being able to share what we love with others, too. And you know what? Word is beginning to spread! For those of you who have time during the week, I've been contacted by many area schools who look forward to having us visit during the year with the students and all you have to do to get in on the program is either get in touch with me, or volunteer your time when we have an outreach group meeting during one of our normal meeting nights.
But, don't forget... While doing public outreach is a wonderful and rewarding branch of astronomy, study and personal observing is the foundation on which everything is built. Please feel free to make use of clear and wonderful summer nights to visit the Observatory and set up your equipment! Jupiter is giving some outstanding views right now and it won't be long until all the incredible nebula and globular cluster studies of the summer are gone for another season. For those of you working towards your AL observing goals, please continue! I have submitted awards for John Neumann, Kim Balliett and myself and I look forward to presenting them in the near future.
In the mean time? Keep on doing what you love to do best...
Always at your service,
~Tammy
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Starry Nights
If you haven't been at any Starry Nights Programs this year, you've missed an amazing treat! On most years, we've done well to have an audience of perhaps 24 - this year it's more into the 50ish range! We've had the most wonderful participation from Club members and I cannot thank John Boggs, Dave Hartsel, Robert Payne, Kim Balliett, Robert Kocar and Bruce Scodova enough for all of their help and hard work.
Thanks for the super job... You've earned your Outreach Pins this year - and the undying gratitude and admiration of hundreds of teens!
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Rewriting the By-Laws
As you know, we have had a resignation from the Committee and now we need a volunteer. Who's going to step up to the plate? Please contact Keith Moore and Dave Mohrbacher to join the team. We need to get this well-constructed, finished and approved before the end of the year.
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Welcome To Our New Members!
This fellow needs no introduction... He's Robert Kocar! If you don't already know him, you should. Robert's been a regular on many of our public nights and a long standing Hidden Hollow attendee. We'd also like to welcome Paul and Marie Ricciardi to the Club and Steve Carter, too! Come on in... The water is fine!
OutReach Training
Do you enjoy teaching? Would you like to share you knowlege with others? How about just sharing your telescope? If you'd like to train in astronomy outreach, just contact any of our members and we'll be happy to train you to do public outreach! We have lots of fantastic props and outreach materials for you to use. It's a lot of fun and a great way to release the inner "teacher" in you...
For those interested, we'll be giving a program to a nearby camp in Bellville on August 30 and we'll always take as many volunteers as are willing to go! I'll be happy to pass along an email (if i remember), but please volunteer if you read this. I'll be happy to send instructions on how to get there!
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September Public Night
By September Public Night (September 6) the skies are going to be getting dark a little earlier and we're not going to have as many members present. Why? It's the Black Forest Star Party Time! If you aren't going to BFSP, be sure to be present since many of our regulars won't be there for the public. If you cannot, please contact me so we can make arrangements to have some type of program ready. Me? Aw, heck... As much as I love BFSP, I love my own Observatory more. ;)
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