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We Observe - by A. Mallama

Update January 13, 2008

January 2008 Edition

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm on January 7 at the Rookery. 14 members were present. Unusually warm weather this night - 60 degrees.

Officer Reports

Secretary:

Minutes from the November meeting are on the CVAS website. No additions or corrections were noted by the members present .

Treasurer:

Steve provided the following financial data:

Cash in Bank - $1,881.44, Petty Cash - $48.00, Total Cash - $1,929.44

For the month, we paid, telephone in the amount of $50.00, electricity $5.66. The balance of the land loan after the $300.00 payment also made this past month is $3,900.

Vice President:

Dan R was in charge of the meeting this evening in Tom Q’s absence.

Observatory Director:

Marty provided the following report via email:

Here is the news from Lake Woe-be-gone for the month of December:

Installed two sheet rubber "mud flaps" on the rear wall of the North Obs. to weather seal the areas by the roof tracks.  They seem to be doing a good job of keeping the snow out of the building.

Added an old handheld hairdryer to the inventory in the North Obs.

Removed the pier for Denny's 10 inch from the concrete base and replaced it with a blank 4 inch 150lb pipe flange.  Pipe flange was courtesy of David Bevan and ControlCo Inc.  Stored the pier in the North Obs for the winter.

Repaired a problem with a broken solder joint on the shutter control for the dome.  This was preventing the shutter from being opened with the control toggle switch in the dome.

Changed the dome configuration so the "home" position for the shutter is now one panel North of the door.  Hopefully this will keep the door and lock from getting wet and freezing this winter.

The Hill received a Christmas gift of a small wet-dry shop vacuum.

Russ Swaney and I imaged from the Hill the night of 01/03.  Cleared about 8-10 inched of snow from the drive and parking area.  The Temps. were in the low teens by mid evening.  The scope in the dome and in the North Obs were both remotely controlled from the warm room in near shirt sleeve comfort.  All PCs, scopes and other equipment worked without problem

Editor:

No Report...

Visitors

Joe & Michelle Kovach.

Old Business:

1. We had another inquiry about the 14 1/2" scope in December, but no sale. . .
   
2. Dan reviewed the list of equipment recently donated to the club by Earl Green.

New Business:

1. Steve F added the equipment in the North observatory to our insurance policy. The equipment was valued at $7,000.00 for insurance purposes. The increase in the annual premium amount is $22.00. A motion was made to insure this equipment. The motion was seconded, and approved by the members present.
   
2. Dan R noted that he observed the winter solstice sunrise at Frohring Meadows. .

Director of Observations:

Bob reviewed his monthly report for January. For his complete observation report, please visit the Monthly Sky Calendar on our website.


Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.

After the meeting Bob Modic and Aaron Whorley showed us pictures of Mars they took with their CCD cameras.