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TAAS Meeting Minutes

March 20, 2025, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom

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In attendance: Mark S., Deb F., Gerry K., Jeff D., Lee P., John S., Amy S., Elizabeth S., George B., Leslie B., Brian R.

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Mark asked if anyone had been out observing recently. Mark and Deb observed in Vermont on Tuesday night with the 17 ?” Dob and some neophyte astronomy friends. Lee imaged the Leo Triplet last week. Jeff went out with his daughter with the 127mm doublet that he was testing. They looked at Orion Nebula, Jupiter, and added to his list of carbon stars. He has about 93 more to go for the Astronomical League. Jeff will bring his telescope to Hammonasett.

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Mark called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.

Observing and Outreach report from March 10 Waterford Library

Beautiful night, great turn-out from TAAS (John, George, Brian, Jeff, Leslie), about 20-25 public for the talk on the lunar and solar eclipse, and a few more that wandered through the observing session that followed. There were also children’s activities including painting a Rover, with Diane S, Lucy, and Linda Raffa from STARS to Stem. Unfortunately, it was cloudy for the eclipse in Connecticut. Mark said it was clear in Vermont. ?He was able to see the eclipse and described his unique way of waking up during the various eclipse stages.

Status of Conn College Observatory (Leslie & George)

A crane was used to remove the old 1400 lb. scope and mount on March 12th in less than 2 hours. The process made the front page of The Day and the Hartford Courant. It went amazingly smoothly. It took half the time everyone was expecting. The order has been placed for the Planewave. They need to determine how to mount the Planewave pier to the existing pier. The college will video the installation. Leslie let us know that there will likely be an event at Conn College for first light for Planewave that will include TAAS and invited members.

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USCGA Observatory

Amy hasn’t spoken to Carl, but she contacted him via text or email, and he said he never received any information back from the Coast Guard contact regarding the USCGA Observatory.

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Messier Marathon

This is planned for Friday, March 28, with SAS (3-4 members) and LLT at Salem Propbusters site next weekend.? Mark asked who from TAAS are possibly attending. There are observing lists in groups i.o. files that Mark will bring. When Mark used the list previously, he got about 67 objects. It would be helpful to have some snacks, warm drinks, and handwarmers. Everyone should dress warmly. There will be plenty of scopes if someone doesn’t want to bring their own. Bring comfortable chairs, and more warm clothes. Someone can be a scribe to track our progress towards the 110 objects.

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Night Sky Network status

Mark took an informal poll of who read the articles, links, or uses the calendar?? It sounds like about ? the group look at them, so Deb will keep sending the monthly articles. Deb mentioned that we just had someone contact us via Night Sky Network who is interested in becoming a member. Deb forwarded the information to George, and he will contact her. Mark asked if it would help to cut and paste the short articles into the announcements that Deb publishes in the groups.io postings.? People are accessing them through the links so Deb will continue to forward.

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Treasurers Report George reported 24 paid members with $4885.65 in the bank account. Four or five people have contacted George, and they have joined the groups. i.o. Based on past numbers, twenty-four is historically a healthy membership for the club. ?

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Upcoming Events

1.???? March 21 (TOMORROW) Lyme Land Trust outreach event at Trail 53 Observatory (Mark, Lee & Brian)

2.???? March 28 PM-AM Messier Marathon

3.???? March 29 6:40AM Partial Solar Eclipse

4.???? March 29 Hammonasset Outreach: Mark, George, Gerry, Leslie (sky tour with green laser) SAS will be there also.

5.???? April 5-6 NEAF

6.???? April 16-Dr. John Weaver speaking at Conn College (Leslie will send flyer)

7.???? April 17 TAAS Meeting (Virtual)

8.???? April 22 Wesleyan Sturm Lecture? 7:30-9 PM

9.???? April 25 LLT Outreach observing

10. April 26 Messier Marathon alternate weekend

11. April 29 STEAM night at Catherine Kolnaski (5-7 pm)

12. May 15 TAAS meeting

13. TBD event with Salem School 8^th?grade (Penny Phipps is contact)

14. June 19 TAAS Meeting

15. June 19 Cherry Springs Star Party.? Registration not yet open, but sold out the 800 spots in 10 minutes last year.

May & June TAAS Meetings:

May TAAS Meeting in-person; Leslie will look into Conn College; Waterford Library possible also. June meeting also possible to have in-person.

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Mark wanted to talk about growing TAAS. The December 2024 Reflector magazine (of the Astronomical League) had a brief article entitled Night Sky Network “Tips for Growing Your Club”. Mark mentioned it after last month’s cancelled meeting.? There are some good suggestions which we can use to keep improving TAAS. The three areas the article addresses in more detail are:

1) Engaging your community

2) Like and Subscribe

3) Leadership Turnover

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Mark would like everyone to give some thought to these ideas. This will be the primary agenda item for next month and the topic will be the first item on the agenda.

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Lee has been storing the club’s 5-inch SCT and Leslie has solar scope. If any club member is interested in using either let us know.

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Motion to adjourn was made at 8:30 p.m. by John S./Motion seconded by Leslie B.