MONTHLY MEETING ON MAY 16, 2024
MONTHLY MEETING MAY 16, 2024 OUR FAVORITE GALAXY—THE MILKY WAY
San Juan Stargazers have had a restful winter with only monthly meetings, which ended on Monday, April 8,th with an amazing Total Solar Eclipse seen across the entire United States. Club members traveled to western Mexico, to the far northern border of Maine, Texas & many other places. There also were many who stayed here in Pagosa for a surprisingly great view with clear skies. About a dozen people gathered along the river at the amphitheater by the
Solar Domes. The eclipse appeared to be at much more than 66%.
Our August Monthly Meeting which is on Thursday, August 22, will provide an opportunity for everyone to bring your Eclipse pictures & stories to share with the club. If you are not a member, but went to some exotic location, please feel welcome to come & share your experience. {More later.}
Onto how we are gearing up for the summer. On Friday, May 10, we are having a members’ only opportunity that might make it worth your joining the club. We have two very special visitors who will be in Pagosa for 1 day only. Dr. Ellingson from the University of Colorado & a good friend of hers who is an outstanding telescope expert will be here to help Chimney Rock Interpretive Association and the Stargazers prepare for Major Lunar Standstill Activities later this summer. During the day we will be setting up private appointments for members including new ones to get individual help with their telescopes. If you are serious about learning to use your telescope, call 303-995-2888, & leave a message for an appointment. In between, our stargazer telescopes will be fine-tuned by an expert. That day Pueblo tribal leaders will be at Chimney Rock & weather permitting, we will set up telescopes that night for very special sacred stargazing.
On Saturday May 11, we have a special members-only event starting at 8PM at the park on the southern edge of Hatcher Lake right off Piedra Rd. We will have several hours of training on doing “Tours of the Night Sky”. You know what it is like having a person stand there & point out constellations, bright stars, planets etc. We want many of our members to realize that dream. Here is your chance. Judith Jubb who does the “Tours” at the Night Sky Programs at Chimney Rock will be the instructor.
Our Monthly Meeting which is on Thursday, May 14, at 7 PM will be on Our Favorite Galaxy, the Milky Way & presented by member, Kurt Hillman an expert deep-sky photographer. He also will share fantastic Auroa which he recently photographed in Norway. We meet at the Community United Methodist Church on 434 Lewis Street. You can use the parking lot & enter at the side door right off the parking area. (We leave the front doors locked.) We have new members at almost every meeting, so feel welcome. There is a social hour starting at 6PM with coffee/tea and treats. Starting at 6:20 -6:50, if people are interested, Joan Mieritz will present a brief Astronomy 101 Class covering basic astronomy.
Our meeting on June 6th will be on How to use Telescopes with 2 special Telescope Training sessions on June 8th & June 9th.
If you would like to join the San Juan Stargazers you will also receive Reflector Magazine which is the publication of the National Astronomical League of which you automatically become a member. To join both groups & get an excellent astronomy magazine, annual membership is only$25/ family. You can join the club at any of our events or you can join using Paypal on our website: sanjuanstargazers.org. Check out our continuously changing website with new information & fabulous photos.
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