Bristol Astronomy
Club
Meetings Summary 2008
January 11, 2008
A large turnout-- Terry gave a program about the various types of electronic-imaging eyepieces. He also showed us a few products that his new company is planning to offer. Tentative dicussion about haveing a public viewing session for the upcoming lunar eclipse in February-- no action was taken. Planning to mount the new CGE mount on the pier on Sunday afternoon, weather permitting.
February 8, 2008
Some of the regulars were there: Wayne M., John, and Mike G. There were a significant number of Kingsport folks including Terry, Mark, Mike C., and a few others. Al S. brought a friend (local vet I use for my cat and also a sailboat person) and they enjoyed seeing his adapter plate in action.
George F. (now living in Florida I think) was there. Wayne set up his new big Dob. Terry brought along a few image intensifiers including one he had made. It was very interesting to see M42 and M1 through the intensifiers.
The C14 is now mounted on the CGE mount and is working well for visual use-- still need to do some fine-tuning of the polar alignment before the CCD work begins.
Of course everyone had a look at Mars.
People talked late (about 10:00 PM or so) primarily visiting with George.
March 7, 2008
Tonight the Bristol Club held a joint meeting along with the Bays Mountain Astronomy Club. The meeting was held at ETSU's Harry Powell Observatory.
Gary Henson gave a very good talk about the ETSU facility and their plans for the future. he also mentioned that three other small universiies had joined SARA and so they were going to be able to gain time on a 24-inch telescope at Cerro Tololo in Chile.
Cloudy (as usual) so we did not have the opportunity to do any observing..
April 11, 2008
A sparse crowd attended tonight's meeting. Terry spoke about the telescope that the Greeneville 4-H camp had come into possession of. Tom gave a presentation about the BAC website. Jon told the group about the large TMB refractor that he had recently purchased. Wayne gave his new Meade "MySky" a try. Poor weather so no observing was done.
June 13, 2008.
Had a good crowd. Discussed websites of interest to the amatuer astronomer. The club decied that they would help with a viewing session at the 4H camp at Abingdon in early August. Following the meeting, we went out and looked through the C14 at Mars, and Saturn.
May 9, 2008
Terry gave a presentatation about his recent trip to NEAF in Rockland, NY. Clear skies following the talk so we had a good viewing session with the C14.
July 11, 2008
We had a really good turnout-- 15 people present-- including a visitor from Australia who used to visit the club many years ago. Gained two new members. Discussed the upcoming viewing request from the Bristol, Va Dept. of Socoa; Services at the Abingdon 4-H camp on August 4. Discussed the club's Yahoo group and how to sign up for it. Also mentioned that the annual club picnic will be held in September on the college Student Center's patio.
Wayne and Terry gave a short talk on their trip to the Green Bank "Star Quest."
Amazingly, it was clear-- incredibly so! We used the C14 to view several things and they all looked good. Several people from the Avoca library showed up to have a look through the telescope.
August 8, 2008
Another good turnout. A talk was givien on the various Mars missions that have occured. Some discussion of the upcoming annual picnic as well.
Once again it was really clear. Wayne brught his 15-inch Dobsonian. We worked for quite a while on the C14's polar alignment, but aren't sure that it is any better than it was.
October 10, 2008
Once again, a large turnout. Every chair in the classroom was full-- some members that we haven't seen in a while were there.
Mike C. gave a very interesting talk on the telescopes of George Hale, who built the largest telescope in the world four times. Mike also had some souvenir items relevant to the 200-inch Hale telescope that he shared with us.
Following the meeting, observing was planned, but the clouds had rolled in, as usual. Maybe next month will be clear.
September 13, 2008
Tonight was the annual picnic, which was held, as usual on the back patio of the college's dining hall. This was a Saturday instead of our regular Friday meeting night. Following a delicious meal, everyone gathered inside for a DVD presentation about Kitt Peak.
Some discussion was also made about a club newsletter, a club T-shirt, and club badges-- these items are to be given further thought.
November 14, 2008
Tonight's topic was a talk about the Cincinnati Observatory given by Terry. Folowing that, Tom gave a short picture session about the recent trip to Kitt Peak that he and some of his students took.
Also, the Christmas Party, was discussed. In addition, notice was given about the talk at the Gray Fossil site about the National Radio Observatory at Greenbank, WV.
December 12, 2008
Tonight was the annual Christmas Party. This year, it was held at the college dining hall instead of at the Burke's. It was a success, with many people attending, including a potentail new member.
A very short program was given concerning infrared photometry. Also, some dicusssion was made about the club's 50 anniversary and also club plans for 2009, which is the International Year of Astronomy.
