Champaign Urbana Astronomical Association
meeting August 9, 2007, 7:00 pm
Staerkel Planetarium

Meeting conducted by Guy Hampel, V.P.

John Stone mentioned that the Illinois Dark Sky Association website was
having trouble with online registration, but that he's never had trouble
registering in person at their events.

Guy advised the membership that advance registration for several upcoming
star parties ends today (8-9-07).

The Middle Fork skywatch is on Saturday the 11th. We talked about access
to the site and that, since it's a public event, we need members with
scopes. Observing starts at 9, but scope setup starts at 8.

On the 17th CUAS will be holding a publich skywatch at Meadowbrook Park
in Urbana, behind the Prairie Play playground near Windsor Rd. The club
has permission to stay past the official park closing time and to drive
on the grass for scope transport.

On the 18th is the regular family skywatch at the dome.

It was mentioned that many members will be away at star parties on the
day of the September meeting.

Dave Leake, in charge of Staerkel Planetarium, where CUAS meets,
said that he can't be at the October meeting but we can still use the
planetarium. Advance planning is necessary if any equipment is needed
for presentations at the meeting. Nominations for 2008 club officers
are to be made at that meeting.

Guy said that if members have laser pointers, bring them to the Middle
Fork observing on Saturday and be preparted to point out objects in the
sky and talk about them.

He also talked about members giving short presentations at meetings
about articles in Sky and Telescope and Astronomy magazines. He then gave
summaries of some articles in Astronomy magazine, including equator-mania
for profitmaking, double stars, dark matter, and binocular observing. He
suggests 5 or 10 minute presentations at each meeting.

We then discussed the condition of our various pieces of equipment. One
scope was to be tested after the meeting. Scopes in the shed at the
domesite seem to be having problems some thought from fumes from the
gasoline stored there. Guy said that our club scopes are meant to be
used. He also said that new members should start with binoculars and
use club scopes for the first few months before buying a telescope.

Dave then gave the main presentation, a talk using slides scanned into a
Powerpoint project, about the Vermillion River Obersvatory located about
45 miles east of Urbana. The site is still there but the telescopes and
buildings have been torn down for decades. It was a very interesting,
well-presented talk covering some history of astronomy in the area. There
was sincere applause.

The meeting officially ended at 8:20pm, but most attendees stayed around
to talk.

Minutes taken by Phil Wall, webmaster.

My apologies for any significant omissions or misstatements, if
any. --Phil