Good evening, friends, and welcome to April!
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We just had a great East Coast Star Party - and that's no fooling!? Special thanks to:
- Bruce Powers for chairing the ECSP Committee (herding cats in straight lines), obtaining some amazing prizes for the picnic, and coordinating the phenomenal restoration of power to the field and the new restroom!
- Shawn Loescher for being the on-the-spot go-to mover and shaker in getting the field setup and keeping the whole event running smoothly and keeping me sane while we tried to figure out what "endless hotdogs" looked like.
- Jeff Goldstein for his exceptional prowess as our Italian chef and single-handedly pulling off the reprise of the spaghetti dinner!
- Rich Roberts for quietly and patiently supporting the committee's antics, processing an embarrassing?number of small receipts, and swooping in to snatch victory from the jaws of a port-o-potty company's poor communication.
- Kent Blackwell, for starting a legendary party and inspiring a small army to attempt to pull off what he managed on his own!
- Our hosts, Park Manager Trevor Johnston for helping arrange the Party and getting the repairs done, Ranger Joel Morris for supporting a public night of over 50 visitors, and Ranger John Savage for ensuring our spaces were setup, clean, and ready for us!? If you haven't already, please consider recognizing one (or all) of them at:?.
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This week, we will have our monthly club meeting at TCC Virginia Beach's Science Building.? In addition to the usual excitement of business matters, observing reports (including those from the Star Party!) and door prizes, we have two additional key points:
- Our own Vice President, Jeff Goldstein, will be sharing his formidable skills as an Astronomer Outreach coordinator and educator par excellence to teach a topic on Planning and Executing Astronomy Outreach
- The Georgie June Scholarship raffle drawing will take place!? As a reminder, tickets will still be available for $5 each up until the drawing, with a prize of a Celestron StarSense 114AZ newtonian reflector and equipped with a solar filter, a zoom eyepiece and other neat accessories!? After the raffle, we'll still happily accept $5 in exchange for commemorative tickets.
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Upcoming Club and Outreach Events:
- 2 Apr (6pm):? Malibu Elementary School Science Night
- 3 Apr (7:30pm):? Club Meeting at TCC Virginia Beach
- 8 Apr (8:30pm):? Garden Stars at Norfolk Botanical Gardens
- 9 Apr (7:45pm):? Astronomy 101 at Kempsville Rec Center
- 11 Apr (11am):? STEM Day at Deep Creek Elementary School
- 12 Apr (10am):? Saturday SUNday at Elizabeth River Park
- 18 Apr (7:30pm):? Cornwatch at Cornland Park
- 19 Apr (7:45pm):? Skywatch at Northwest River Park
- 19 Apr (6pm):? Earth Day Movie Night at New Quarter Park (Williamsburg, VA)
- 25 Apr (7:45pm):? Cornwatch at Cornland Park (Yes, TWO this month!)
- 26 Apr (7:45pm):? Nightwatch at Chippokes State Park
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Upcoming Astronomical Events:
- 10 Apr:? Venus becomes stationary, then resumes prograde motion
- 22 Apr:? Peak of the Lyrids
- 27 Apr:? Venus (morning star) at maximum illumination
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I strongly encourage anyone who is able to make it to go to an outreach event or two.? Even the newest amateur astronomer can help share your love of the skies and enjoy the warmth of someone else's wonder!
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Eyes up and clear skies!
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Jeremy
