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Location: Chemistry/Physics Building, MUN
Time: 8:00 pm
Present: 16
1. Randy's Introduction. Observations. People saw the moon. Saturn occultation was clouded out. Paul Piercey: earthshine. Ben Llewellyn: moon, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn (with his Meade). He is getting binoculars for Christmas (10x50). Still looking hard for Uranus and Neptune. Gary Case: had some good nights over the last month. Saturn was excellent (rings giving a 3D effect). Also viewed Jupiter. Some of the best views of Jupiter and Saturn he has seen. Garry Dymond: saw the naked eye comet Linear WM1, with a very faint tail with binoculars. Vesta is bright and noticeable and easily tracked over several nights. Garry finally has pictures developed from Star-B-Que, also ones of Comet Linear A2, and the Space Shuttle and the ISS together. Calendars are for sale.
2. Some discussion of the various scopes available around town, specifically at the Price Club. Everyone seems to agree that the Meade 60 AT Auto ($289), is a pretty decent little scope, with an excellent computer guidance system. Garry has helped so many people with them that he went out and bought one for himself. Garry finds the wide-field view good, especially on M31. Wayne Winsor has also bought one, but not had the time to play with it yet. The 4-1/2" Orbiter at the Price Club is too shaky on its mount. It was agreed most of the other stuff around town is junk.
3. What we want for Christmas. Apart from Ben's binoculars, there seems to be a real dearth of Christmas gift giving. Perhaps members should be more vocal with their close relatives. Also of note, Fred has recently helped Phil (PJAM) obtain an 8" Dobsonian. According to him, Phil doesn't mind if we make use of it until his arrival next spring.
4. Next Meeting: how to use your newly acquired astronomical toys. Garry will explain how to use the Meade 60mm.
5. Wine and Cheese. (Including bits of dead things.)
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Please send any additions or corrections to:
David Bourgeois: mailto:dbourgeo@nl.rogers.com