READY FOR THE SUMMER

To say the very least, activity in LASS has been limited over the past 6 months.  Personally, I was in Colorado for 3 months during last fall and then weather just seemed to frown on our schedule every time we set out to do a little observing.  We did get in one public star party event at the 7R Ranch near Gordon, Tx in April but that is about it. Several members found time to observe in other locations and that kept things alive but there is nothing that takes the place of a down home gathering. Our monthly event was set for Saturday June 4 and we had a very good turnout. The sky was favorable even tho there was a smattering of high thin clouds that obscured parts of the sky most of the evening.  What made me feel good about the evening was our turnout of club members. We had 12 regular members and 2 guests.


One of the major observing events was Omega Centuri,  one of the finest globular clusters that you could ever want to see.  It was low on the southern horizon----when is it not low on the southern horizon?---and we had to move around the observing area to avoid some trees but we did get some very good looks. We didn't get any looks thru telescopes but there were some good binos available. In contrast we also looked a M13---the great hercules globular---which is one of the finest in the northern hemisphere. In my 20 inch DOB it was easy to break out a lot of individual stars in M13.  My brother, who is from the Houston area where the light dome is so bright he does well to see the moon, was impressed. He also thought that Mike's go-to scope was really neat.  He said that sitting in a chair and looking into the eyepiece is much better than climbing up a ladder to look.  I can't imagine what he was referring to.  This morning he remarked that he was really impressed with the overall astronomy knowledge that our club members poured out on him.  I like that kind of comment--- POUR IT ON GUYS.


During the course of the evening we had the opportunity to observe the Hubble telescope as it passed overhead.  Later there was a Iridium satellite with its "flare" and a smattering of other unidentified satellites.  There was a "super nova" in the vicvinity of M51 that has been getting a lot of press in astro circles lately and Doug & Russ were able to locate it in the new 18 inch DOB they are sporting around these days.  Those two guys have it made.  As represenatives of the 3 Rivers organization, they get to "borrow" this fine telescope to use as long as they keep reminding folks of the 3 Rivers organization and its activities.  It's one of those "PR" things that has paid off for them and the group that they represent.  It is kinda like getting free ice cream for just telling folks how good it tastes.


During some of the slow times of the evening the discussion turned to a couple of major star parties that are coming up in the fall.  Namely, Eldorado and Okie-Tx.  These events are scheduled so that you could go to both of them if you were so inclined. I know it is a little early to start thinking to seriously about events like that but if you don't start planning now you will likely forget and put something else on your schedule.  I probably need to devote a little time to blogging about events like these and trying to help everyone who hasn't attended one understand what goes on and what you might gain be attending one.


Again, if you are reading this blog and are interested in astronomy observing---AND IF YOU AREN'T ASSOCIATED WITH A LOCAL CLUB---get with the program. You might be the very pesron that the club needs to fill a void in its membrship.  Remember this---everyone is a contributor---no matter what you may think you know or don't know about observing.  You need the club and the club needs you.