CAPE COD ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY

Minutes of April 2, 2009 Meeting

ATTENDANCE: Total: 23 Members: 20 Guests: 3

President Gary Derman opened the meeting at 7:30pm at the DY High School Library

Tom Leach, Program Director, solicited Gary’s assistance in introducing speaker Bill Boyd, a longtime CCAS member.

PRESENTATION

Bill Boyd provided a very interesting visual history of his induction into astronomy and his eventual involvement in the creation of what became the Werner Schmidt Observatory located on the campus of the Dennis -Yarmouth Regional High School. Much of the observatory’s history is featured on the CCAS website, including the establishment of the Cape Cod Astronomical Foundation along with the leadership of Werner Schmidt and a group of five foundation members who spearheaded bringing Nigel Atkins’ vision of a Cape Cod Observatory to fruition. Bill engaged knowledgeable members in discussion the sighting search that went from the initially selected Nickerson State Park, which fell through, to the land grant agreement with DYHS officials to establish the observatory on school property.

Bill also recounted all the construction assistance provided by Cape Cod Technical High School and CCAS members, especially Kelvin Parkinson and others who built the facility and installed the telescope. Bill recounted all the many fundraising activities by the members and the substantial contributions made by Cape Cod businesses. Special mention was made of Werner Schmidt who paid to upgrade the telescope from a 12” to a 16” aperture and of Jon Greenberg who donated the proceeds of his successful astronomy evening course at Nauset Regional High School. The dedication ceremony for the Werner Schmidt Observatory with its Meade LX200 GPS 16” telescope was held on April 30, 2004.

Again, the pictures and accompanying discussion were great. Peter Kurtz, First Light, Editor, volunteered to archive Bill’s presentation and other documents on the history of the Werner Schmidt Observatory.

BUSINESS MEETING

The March 2009 meeting minutes were approved without comment.

Treasurer, Kelvin Parkinson, reported a balance of $1138.93 which is unchanged from last month. An anticipated charge of approximately $165.00 is expected for janitorial support of our International Year of Astronomy activities on May 2, 2009 at DYHS.

NEW BUSINESS

Jim Carlson mentioned Sandy Cashens of DYHS is providing excellent liaison services for CCAS with the school.

IYA Planning:

Peter gave an update on Executive Board planning for CCAS IYA activities. The main focus now is the May 2, 2009 events at DYHS with an encore planned for July 22, 2009. Tom Leach and Mike Hunter will be doing publicity and Peter has prepared a poster announcement that CCAS members can access on our website. The announcement and other materials, such as the CCAS brochures are meant for wide distribution. Peter also discussed members leading other spring/summer Cape festivals that CCAS should join.

Observatory Report:

Mike Hunter, Observatory Director, indicated all telescope (18”, 16”, 2-8”) are ready for use at the April 4, 2009 star party. The GPS capability is on-line. Note: The 18” is in “push-to” mode but, Bernie Young is working on implementing “go-to” mode. The CCD camera is being installed. Mike requested more members join in on supporting star parties and other telescope maintenance activities.

Visits/Trips/School Activities:

Paul Cezanne reported briefly on his trip to the New Hampshire Astronomical Club for their Messier Marathon.

Mike Hunter received a call from Brian Bates of the Charter School for to arrange a star party to coincide with a unit on astronomy he is teaching. They have not yet connected via telephone.

Sky Image Presentation:

Tom showed several images form NASA’s website and the Cape Cod Times

photographer, Stephen Heaslip, as well as club members Paul Cezanne and

Christopher Cook.

OUTREACH:

Gary indicated CCAS has been invited to participate in the Cape Cod Maritime Museum Festival on June 13-14, 2009. This will be discussed at the next Exec Board meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 9:23pm.

Submitted by Stanley Rivers