This month’s meeting will be on Friday, August 1, at 8:00PM in room 215 of the Aerospace Engineering Building. Riders from the Montgomery area are welcome to meet at the home  of Russell Whigham, 518 Seminole Dr.,   and carpool over to Auburn.  Plan to be ready to leave for Auburn at 7:00PM. 

At our July meeting, building construction precluded entrance everywhere except the east side (front/S. College St. facing) door.   To further complicate things, the doors automatically lock now at 8:00PM, so if you’re running late, rap on the door nearest our meeting room -- if you can get to it.  And, don’t forget that access to the parking lot is now from W. Magnolia only.

We have two chances for  dark-sky star parties this month.  The first on Saturday, August 2, and the second on August 30, at Cliff Hill’s farm, clouds permitting of course. 

August 1, meeting 8:00PM in room 215 of the Aerospace Engineering Building
August 2, star party at Cliff Hill’s farm,
August 30, star party at Cliff Hill’s farm,
August 6, Favorable ISS pass
August 8, Favorable ISS pass
September 5, meeting 8:00PM in room 215 of the Aerospace Engineering Building
September 27, star party at Cliff Hill’s farm
September 28 - October 05, PSSG'08
October 2, Lecture by Captain James Lovell at Faulkner University
October 4, Forest Preserve Star Gaze
October 8, Space Shuttle Atlantis to service the Hubble for the final time
October 28 – November 2, Deep South Regional Star Gaze XXVI

Underwriter:  $40,000, Two tables for 20 at dinner, 20 VIP Reception tickets 
Diamond: $25,000, Two tables for 20 at dinner, 20 VIP Reception tickets 
Platinum: $16,000, One table for 10 at dinner, 10 VIP Reception tickets 
Founder:  $11,000 One table for 10 at dinner, 10 VIP Reception tickets, 
Presidential:  $6,000, One table for 10 at dinner, 10 VIP Reception tickets 
Executive:  $2,500, Four seats at dinner, 4 VIP Reception tickets 
Associate:  $1,000, Two seats at dinner, 2 VIP Reception tickets
General Admission:  $150, One seat at dinner 

Contact Dean Itson, Faulkner University, 334-386-7136, deaitson@faulkner.edu, for reservations.

As mentioned in the July Astrofiles, the 20X80 binoculars that were recently donated to our loaner collection, needs a suitable mount.  If you are handy with woodworking, please consider making one based on this design:  http://www.burgessoptical.com/Mounts/RedOakMount.html.  All material expenses would be covered by AAS.  Let us know if you can help.

Also, on closer inspection of the donated EXT-90, we discovered that the secondary baffle had loosened from the meniscus lens and had fallen onto the primary mirror.  If you have any expertise with this scope please contact Rhon.
 

Heavens-Above predicts favorable passes of the International Space Station on the evenings of August 6, and August 8.  For Auburn observers, the August 6 pass will reach a   maximum elevation of 52 degrees at 21:00:07, brightening to magnitude -2.0; The August 8 event  will reach a   maximum elevation of 61 degrees at 20:16:32, brightening to magnitude -2.2.  Both will be traveling from northwest to southeast and will be slightly less spectacular for Montgomery area observers, and really good for the folks in Atlanta.

S&T's Jupiter observing guide (with drawings explaining "NEB", "SEB", etc.) can be 
found here: <http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/3304326.html>

Moon transits Earth (infrared) seen from NASA's EPOXI spacecraft.  Scroll down a couple of screens.  <http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=26d_1216359112>
 

Deep South Regional Stargaze XXVI
Tuesday, October 28th - Sunday, November 2nd, 2008
Camp Ruth Lee, Louisiana 

DSRSG Liability Release and Registration forms are in the files section of the Yahoo Group at: 
Checks should be made payable to "DSRSG" and sent to :
Len Philpot
DSRSG Director
110 Choctaw Drive
Pineville, LA 71360

Peach Star Gaze 2008
The online registration for the PSSG'08, September 28 - October 05,  is now available. Many of the website pages have been updated. Vendors, Speakers and more.

Frank Ward has a new 12-inch LightBridge on order.  Frank is hoping for delivery in time for the August 30 star party.

Hoping to see everyone at the meeting,

Russell