THE DARK SKY OBSERVER

EASTERN MISSOURI DARK SKY OBSERVERS (EMDSO)

EMDSO Meeting Minutes:  Sept 19, 2009 at St. Clair Christian Church in St. Clair, MO

Members Present:

Gary Powers, Ray Mueller, Joe Bougeno, Paul and Rachel Chambers, Jerry Kelley, Sally Brock, Virginia and Ben Kastner and Rick Schwentker

Treasurer’s Report:

There is $ 767.27 left in the treasury

Meeting Highlights:

Big Blue Observatory Road in New Haven is repaired to the rock and parking sight. We discussed leasing a Bobcat for the road repairs up to the 30” site. Rick stated that he talked to someone who suggested getting a dozer to repair the road to the top. Rick will look into getting an estimate as to how much this endeavor would cost.

The breakfast meeting with ECC’s Jon Bauer at Cowan’s Restaurant on September 12, 2009 was interesting. During the meeting, options for the current and the planned new observatory were discussed. Rick explained that Joe Parish had the credentials to teach an Astronomy course and Ray Mueller gave John Bauer a copy of a drawing showing one version of a proposed new observatory. We also discussed a future road that would go through the existing Observatory and potential locations on the grounds where another observatory could be placed.  The College cannot commit to anything at this point but they know our thoughts on the potential of the site.  For the most part the meeting went well and we at EMDSO are holding for any answers that ECC may offer.

The Status of the shutter from the ECC observatory was discussed with no real time table provided.

Discussion was held on having astronomy presentation/discussions on meeting nights where it is too cloudy to do viewing. We have done this and may do it again if we can get someone to prepare viable topics for group discussion.

We discussed possible dark sky places for viewing.

Logo Contest: The logo contest is ongoing until Christmas. Bring your submissions to our December meeting. The next meeting will be October 17 at ECC before the viewing session. The cloud out location will be at St. Clair First Christian Church.

Observing Session Rescheduled: The observing session for the Washington High school students has been rescheduled for Friday October 16. That is the day before the public observing and the club meeting.

What's Up: Observing Highlights for October!

Good Information is available at the following website:  http://stargazing.suite101.com/article.cfm/night_sky_guide_for_october_2009

EMDSO Meetings normally held every third Saturday of the month. October's meeting will be the 17th at 7:00PM at ECC Schmidt-Scott Observatory followed by an observing night, with a cloud out meeting set for St. Clair First Christain Church. Look for an e-mail for an update if there are any changes

Meeting was adjourned and some set up for viewing at the church.

Visit our website at: http://emdso.org

Clear Skies!

RC/JMP