Meetings - Ames Area Amateur Astronomers

Regular Monthly Meeting

The AAAA and the Story County Conservation Board host monthly educational programs for the public from January to November. Meetings are on the 3^rd Saturday of each month, except December, at 7:30 PM. Visitors are encouraged to join us. A list of the programs for this year can be found below.

All programs will be held at the Story County Conservation Center at McFarland Park unless noted otherwise in the program for that month. Afterwards, weather and and sunset permitting, we will move to the club's observatory located just East of the Story County Conservation Center for astronomical observing. Telescopes and binoculars will be available for your viewing pleasure.

At each of our meetings we include a short description of a few of the astronomical sights that can be seen during the coming month.

2008 Programs

May 17
Subject: The Many Faces of Astronomy

Join us for a picnic starting at 5:00 PM. Following that will be a “mini trade fair” with different exhibits to introduce you to various aspects of amateur astronomy. This will include Observing Tips, Kinds of Telescopes, Astrophotography Media Resource, Solar System Scale Model, Sketching, and others.
June 21
Subject: The Sun and Solar viewing
Presenter: Jim Gohman

The Sun provides us with a close up view of an average star and thus a window to the mechanics of the universe. The changes the Sun undergoes on a regular basis have profound effects on the Earth. We will explore these and go over the requirements for safe solar viewing.
July 19
Alcon 2008
No Regular Meeting at Story County Conservation Center.
Join us for Alcon 2008, July 17 - 19 at the Marriott Hotel in Des Moines. The Astronomical League Convention (Alcon) has multiple activities which you can join.
August 16
Subject: Hobby Eberly 9.2m telescope
Presenter: Rich Schuler

The Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) located in Texas is among the largest optical telescopes in the world. Rich Schuler, the former optical-mechanical technician for the HET, will present the design and operation of the telescope, as well as his experiences on the mountain.
September 20
Subject: Keeping Starwatch
Presenter: Norma Cutsforth from Cedar Amateur Astronomers

Norma, will read from her collection of essays, Keeping Starwatch. The life of a working mother melds with nights (and some days) spent under the sky. Travel, history, geography, time, and relationships are woven into the thread of astronomy that runs throughout the book.
October 18
Halloween Hike

As part of the Conservation Center's Haloween Hike, the AAAA will provide observing and/or an educational program.
November 15
Subject: Unknown Astronomers
Presenter: Drew Sorenson

Drew will introduce us to some of those important Astronomers who have made contributions to Astronomy but haven't received the fame.

We hope you can join us!