FUTURE ACTIVITIES: Due to COVID 19 Social Distancing, all pending observing sessions are postponed
City of Portland Parks and Recreation?
Girl Scouts
CREA Star Party, Topsham, August?
Brunswick Topsham Land Trust, Brunswick, August?
(Updated Mat 17, 2020)
_________________________________________________________________________________PAST ACTIVITIES: You thought 2018 and 19 were bad, 2020 not much better!
Westbrook High, January 30, 2020
Astro 101, with Sky Maps and evening viewing. Classroom activity with Sky Maps and viewing after the presentation.
Cape Elizabeth Land Trust, January 25, 2020 (Jan 18 was Cancelled)Astro 101 with Sky Maps and "Hands-On" with the Library Telescope. Location will be at the Thomas Memorial Library and time of event begins at 7:00 PM.
Stars and S'mores at LL Bean, Freeport, ME, October 26, 2019
A great time was had by an estimated 600 folks; 350 viewed the Sun, during daylight hours and 250 viewed the evening sky, after an Astronomy 101, with Sky Maps, presentation in the Discovery area.
We had members with Solar scopes and Radio Astronomy equipment; helpers to answer questions and cover for breaks, (some stayed all day), and scope set-ups for the evening viewing.
Crystal Springs Farm, Brunswick, ME, August 11, 2019
A number of SMA Members set up various different equipment for folks to view the Planets, Jupiter and Saturn and a few dark sky objects. We were hoping to see a few Perseids but the Moon was very bright and washed out many possible streakers. Attendance had not been as great as in years past but we had a great time, just being able to be out observing, again.
Maine Wildlife Park, Gray, ME August 3, 2019.
We had a successful event at the Wildlife Park! Earl, James, Russ and Ron represented SMA and we gave the attendees a tour of the night sky, observed the Planets Jupiter and Saturn and there were lots of OOOH's and AHHH's. A good time was had by all. Estimated at 250 by Ranger.
Twin Brooks Recreational Area, Cumberland April 9, rain date, April 10 CANCELLED X2
The Cumberland 8th Graders and Families will gather at Twin Brooks for a brief "Astro 101" with Sky Maps and then viewing the night sky. SMA volunteers will set-up telescopes for viewing various celestial objects. RESCHEDULED for April 25.
April 25th was a success! We had eight SMA scopes, two binoculars and the school had two scopes.A good time was had by all !
Bradbury Mountain State Park, February 22, 2019
Kerry hosted the event and a good time was had by all. The group hiked to the top of Bradbury and Kerry gave a "Sky Tour" of the constellations after a brief intro to the Sky Map for February. I cannot remember if Kerry gave me the approximate number in attendance. (30)
SMA Participants: Kerry Kertes
Patten Free Library in Bath, February 1, 2019
Astronomy 101, using sky maps, planning the evening viewing. Displayed the Library Telescope and gave "Hands-On" training on the use of. Approximately 30 in attendance, kids and parents. Sarah, from Cornerstones, brought an additional telescope for the group. The library had three pair of binoculars to share. Cold but FUN!
SMA Participants: Ron Thompson
City of Portland Parks and Recreation, in December or January, 2019...CANCELLED
November, 2018, Brunswick Junior High School, SOLAR Viewing CANCELLED 4 times!
Jon Wallace and Ron Thompson were "shut out" all four scheduled days for solar viewing! Ron did give a "Safe Solar Viewing" presentation to the 8th graders, on Monday the 19th, in preparation for viewing in the Spring. Jon loaned diffraction slides and different lamps to view the various different spectrum.
Harpswell Land Trust, Bailey Island, Land's End, October, 2018
About 40 attended a good night of viewing, finally. They were given a laser tour of the constellations shown on their sky map, and views of Jupiter, Saturn and Mars plus a few deep sky objects in the two Library telescopes, in Bob P's Refractor, Bob D's 10" SCT and Ron's Refractor.
SMA Participants: Bob Page, Bob Dodge and Ron T.
All Day at LL BEAN in Freeport, October 13, 2018Partially successful! No sun and no solar viewing but we did have the Astronomy 101 class followed by viewing the night sky. We were fortunate to have had clearing skies that evening. There were 24 adults and youth at the Astro 101 but over 200 folks got to see a few objects in the night sky!
About 40 attended a good night of viewing, finally. They were given a laser tour of the constellations shown on their sky map, and views of Jupiter, Saturn and Mars plus a few deep sky objects in the two Library telescopes, in Bob P's Refractor, Bob D's 10" SCT and Ron's Refractor.
SMA Participants: Bob Page, Bob Dodge and Ron T.
All Day at LL BEAN in Freeport, October 13, 2018Partially successful! No sun and no solar viewing but we did have the Astronomy 101 class followed by viewing the night sky. We were fortunate to have had clearing skies that evening. There were 24 adults and youth at the Astro 101 but over 200 folks got to see a few objects in the night sky!
Crystal Springs Farm in Brunswick, October 6, 2018 CANCELLED
October, 2018, Brunswick Library and Friends of Merrymeeting Bay
Astronomy 101 for 25 members of FOMB.
Displayed the Library Telescope, distributed and explained use of sky maps to help find your way around the night sky. Curtis Library estimated 600 participants attended the "How-To" fair. Cornerstones had an adjoining table with STEM items.
SMA Participants: Ron T.September 18, Topsham Library with Highland Green Residents Cancelled, Rescheduled for ?
Yarmouth Library...August...Staff and Patrons Workshop
Successful workshop with 6 in attendance, 3 to 5PM. Astronomy 101 and "hands-on" with the Library Telescope. Ron ThompsonMaine Wildlife Park...August 18...Gray Animal Park Many activities, from 7 to 9PM
CANCELLED, Weather...maybe next year.
Joint SMA and ASNNE with author of "Tides"...Confirmed for August 3rd, USM Rm 165
There were 52 members in attendance, to hear Jonathan White. Members were about even, between ASNNE and SMA. Jonathan and Michael were pleasantly surprised at the response of the group, questions asked and books sold. It was a great presentation on a different perspective of how our Sun and Moon affect the tides.Donnabeth Lipman Park, July 21, Windham, ME...Scouts and families...fire pit and S'mores.
We had clearing and a quarter Moon but the planets viewed were Jupiter and Saturn. Venus was behind trees and Mars came up later and awed the remaining adults. (About 40 kids and parents)
SMA Participants: David Manchester and Ron T.
LL Bean "Scout-O-Rama"...May 12
It was supposed to rain but the daytime event went extremely well...just cloudy. Clouds did not break for the evening Astronomy viewing, sad to say.
SMA Participants: Ron T.
SPACE DAY, 20th Anniversary at Brunswick Jr. High School, May 4th
This was the 20th Anniversary of Space Day, in Maine, and the day was a huge success. Over 20 Presenters, Scientists and Engineers from the aerospace industry and six members of SMA participated in the event.
SMA Participants: Joan Chamberlin, Rob Burgess, Jon Wallace, Kirk Rogers, Forrest Sumner, and Ron T.
Cumberland, April 25, at Twin Brooks Recreational Area, 7 to 9:30
The skies cleared just enough and timely for SMA to set-up seven telescopes and one from the school, to view the night sky...even with a bright Moon! A good time was had by all the eighth graders and their families...and a few teachers. Thanks to all the SMA folks who volunteered to set-up for this event.
SMA Participants: Dwight Lanpher, Greg Thorup, Earl Raymond, Forrest Sumner, Bob Dodge, Mike Simmons and Ron T.
Harpswell Land Trust...in March 2018...Both Dates CANCELLED X2
As always, we have been scheduled for an activity and have been rained out, clouded out, snowed out and just plain shut out from seeing meteorites, aurora and whatever else there was available.
Harpswell Land Trust, Bailey Island, Land's End, October 21, 2017
Over 50 attended a good night of viewing, finally. They were given a laser tour of the constellations shown on their sky map, and views of Saturn plus a few deep sky objects in the two Library telescopes and in Bob's Refractor.
SMA Participants: Bob P., Ron T.
September 16, 2017, Brunswick Library "How To" Fair
Displayed the Library Telescope, distributed and explained use of sky maps to help find your way around the night sky. Curtis Library estimated 800 participants attended the "How-To" fair.
SMA Participants: Ron T.
Harpswell Land Trust, Bailey Island, Land's End, August 24, 2017
Over 50 attended a cloudy night viewing but were given a one hour, Sky Map tour of the night sky and an abbreviated Astronomy 101 presentation.
SMA Participants: Bob P., Ron T.
Solar Eclipse preparations for the August 21st "Great American Solar Eclipse"
LL Bean Patio set-up for observing the Solar Eclipse. Two Pre-Eclipse presentations and safe viewing briefings with distribution of 700 pair of solar glasses, one per family. Many shared their glasses on the Patio viewing area. By LL Bean count, over 1500 folks stopped by on the patio and over 475 attended the presentations. (300 had signed up).
SMA Participants...MANY
August 19, Cape Elizabeth Library
Ninety six folks, Men, Women and Children, were in attendance for the Pre-Eclipse presentation and safe viewing briefing. 60 pair of glasses were distributed, one pair per family.
SMA Participants: Ron T.
August 10, Brunswick Library
Fifty four Adults and six staff received solar glasses at the Pre-Eclipse and safe viewing presentation SMA Participants: Ron T.
August 7, Windham Library
Two, Pre-Eclipse presentations and safe solar briefings. Safe viewing with a PST Solar Telescope and Solar Glasses. 37 pair of glasses were given.
SMA Participants: David M. and Ron T.
June 12th Solar viewing at Durham Elementary School
Thirty eight students and two teachers participated at the safe solar viewing presentation and looked through three filtered telescopes, two Ha and one white light. Forty pair of solar glasses were distributed.
SMA Participants: Jon W and Ron T.
June 2nd Science Fair at Cape Middle School
Over 250 students stopped by the SMA table to learn about the Eclipse coming in September. They also learned safe solar viewing techniques and used their glasses and the Solar Telescope to view the sun. Over 250 pair of glasses were distributed.
SMA Participants: Ron T.
May 5th Space Day at Oxford Hills Middle School
A great time was had by all. SMA participants: Rob B., Joan C., Kirk R., Forrest S., Ron T.
Rockland Library: March 7, Patron workshop and hands-on with the Library Telescope
A great time was had by all, even though we had inclement weather. Ron T
Scouts at Camp Hinds: March 4; Astro Badge class...evening viewing
Scouts and parents enjoyed the evening and the beautiful night sky, even at 7 degrees F. SMA Participants: Forrest S., Ron T
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Observing Site
Cumberland Fairgrounds
SMA has permission to use the Cumberland Fairgrounds for star gazing, unless there are scheduled events; ie: Craft Fair, Cumberland Fair or any other event using the grounds. Should YOU plan to gather with friends on some evening, please contact the Club via YAHOO Groups:
southern_maine_astronomers@yahoogroups.com
We have access between the Exhibition Hall and the Grandstand for the least light pollution and very much clear sky. When there is snow, (bring a shovel), we can set-up just off the roadway. Watch for announcements via Club mail. More than likely, some will be at the last minute.
Reminder for non-members: Please remember to travel in with just parking lights, if possible, when you enter the main gate. Please use RED flashlights for night vision.
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STAR GAZING
STAR GAZING
Telescopes are not required to enjoy the night sky, not even binoculars. Your two eyes will give you the expanse of sky you need to see the Milky Way, constellations, meteor showers, some deep sky "fuzzies" (in really dark skies) and the views can be breathtaking!
Binoculars allow a deeper peek at those faint fuzzies, especially the Andromeda Galaxy, the Double Cluster, the Orion Nebula and the Pleiades open cluster, as these objects begin to appear in the night sky. Get out your star charts or planispheres to learn the night sky and to determine what time of the year it is for viewing these different objects.
e.g., In Winter/Spring, you can see ORION but not in the evenings of Summer!
When you are familiar using binoculars and navigating the night sky, you can really narrow your field of view and enjoy looking at the evasive deep sky objects that still look like fuzzies in the binoculars, by looking through a telescope.
When you gain some experience, you may consider buying your own telescope. Before buying a telescope, attend a club meeting, a star party and look at and look through the many different types there are available. Speak with other Amateur Astronomers at club meetings and at star parties for helpful information.
Visit your local library and ask them about the STAR (Sharing Telescopes And Resources) Program and their loaner telescope. Some may have binoculars and planispheres. There are many resources at the libraries to learn the constellations and the night sky.
Have FUN...Clear Skies,
Ron
