CHAMPAIGN-URBANA ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
MEETING MINUTES
February 11, 2010

* President Guy Hampel called the meeting to order at 7:25pm with only
   eight members present.   The paper newsletter had been mailed to those
   who requested it in this format, but Dave Leake forgot to send the
   electronic version, which he immediately sent to subscribers.

* There is a dark sky session this coming Saturday at the dome, but beware
  of getting stuck in the soft ground.  The Family Skywatch is a week from
  this Saturday.

* Out at the dome, Willard reports that the Mercury vapor lamp at the
  UI Field Station is back on again.   Williard (with Dave’s help)
  has ordered two RAB fixture shields, which should arrive in the next
  two weeks.  We need to order the digital setting circles for the 16-inch
  Dob, which also has to have its mirror recoated.  The 10-inch “duct
  tape” telescope is currently being stored at Guy’s house while we
  wait on weather to improve so that the shed can be fixed.  This mirror
  also needs recoated.

* Dave brought up the club possibly sponsoring the Hubble Space Telescope
  Viewspace program.   If the start start-up costs were roughly $800, the
  thought was to have the club split this with the planetarium, then the
  planetarium would maintain this by a lower annual fee.   In exchange, the
  planetarium would place information in the self-updating show to publicize
  the club and club events.  A vote on this will be taken at the March
  meeting and Dave will set-up a short demo in March to preview the program.

* We’re in need of some assistance to for a telescope viewing session
  for Unit #4 schools’ eighth grades.   The dates are February 17th and
  18th at 6:30pm with the 18th being the rain date (only used if we cancel
  the 17th).   The event will be held outside of the Staerkel Planetarium
  where the lobby could be used as a warm up area.   Even if you staff
  one of the 10-inch Dobsonians, it will be a huge help!

* Dave reports that there has been a lot of activity recently regarding
  the Chicago Astronomical Society and their work at the Walnut Point
  State Park.   They are going for several ecological grants to try to
  upgrade the area.

* Dave attempted to provide the program for the evening (looking at the
  stars and planets for 2010).  But two bulbs blew out (Mercury and Venus)
  making it impossible to continue the demo.

- Dave Leake, CUAS Secretary