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Star Party Calendar 2009
29°39' N,  82°21' W
Altitude: 50 Meters (more or less)		   Updated Jan. 6. 2009
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Star Party Calendar (2009)

Jan 7  Jan 17  Jan 24  Feb 21  Feb 28  Mar 21  Mar 28  Apr 25  May 2  May 23  Jun 20  Jun 27  Jul 18  Aug 22  Sep 19  Sep 26  Oct 16-17  Nov ?  Dec 5

(Check back often since star parties are subject to revisions during the year)

NOTE: Star parties are sometimes cancelled due to poor weather. Cancellation notices are posted to the AAC-L at 3 P.M. the day of the star party. If you are unable to check your email, call the star party coordinator after 3 P.M. Also, please refresh yourself with appropriate "Star Party Etiquette."
Public Event Public Events
AAC Semi-Private AAC Semi-Private		 Star Party
Details & Web Sites		 Date
(2009)		 Location & Comments
Click Links for Directions/Maps		 Start/End Time
Sunset Times &
Hours of Darkness		 Moon Phase
Moon Phase
Calendars
AAC Event AAC Jan LOG
Star Party		 Jan. 7

No Rain Date

However See Note on Right 		SPECIAL LUNAR OBSERVING GROUP (LOG) SESSION

Observe The 11.5 Day Old Waxing Gibbous Moon (Illum. 86%)
(Lunar Colongitude: 50.2 degrees at 7:00 p.m. ET)

Sun/Moon Altitude for Wed., Jan. 7, 2009
FORMAT
Participants will successively observe four lunar features through telescopes, while simultaneously following along with Power Point presentations on each, displayed on a large screen next to telescopes
SESSION FOCUS
Lunar geology and crater formation

FEATURED OBJECTS
Craters: Messier & Messier A, Plato, Copernicus & Bullialdus

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS ON THESE OBJECTS
Chuck Broward, Bob O'Connell, Don Loftus & Howard Cohen respectively
Live Lunar Feed on TV monitor (Bob O’Connell)

NO RAIN DATE
If Clear: We do it all—presentations & observing
If Cloudy: We just give our presentations & discuss the Moon

No Experience Needed! • Everyone Welcome • Telescopes Provided

HOWEVER NOTE FOLLOWING
  • This session is for people interested in serious, dedicated lunar observing
    (otherwise you may find this event boring, tiring and tedious)
  • This is an outdoor event
    (All observing, presentations and food/drinks will be OUTSIDE not inside)
  • Telescope time may be limited if you do not bring your own
    (So, bring your own scope if can—access to other scopes may be limited)
  • People may need to stand for the duration of the event since scopes may take up most of the available space
  • Please be on time—formal program starts promptly at 7:00 p.m.
  • Arrive early enough to set up scopes and eat before program starts
Read this document for more info, reminders and warnings (Word Doc or PDF)

TIME
Setup Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Start Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Finish Time: 10:00 p.m. ET (or later if you wish)

(AAC Members: Bring Your Scopes If You Can — AC Power Available)

LOCATION
"Kanapaha Observatory" (Cohen Residence)
Meadows of Kanapaha, Phase 2 (Lot #67)
8952 SW 92 Lane, Gainesville, FL
MAP

DINNER
We will provide pizza & soft drinks for a light dinner
Please RSVP so we know how much to order!

E-Mail lunar "at" floridstars "dot" org

SUMMARY OF EVENING'S LOG SESSION
Microsoft Word Document or PDF Document

See FirstLight 2008 May/June, pg. 1, for article on last &
very successful LOG Session

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT BOB O'CONNELL
Phone (352) 475-1586  •  E-Mail lunar "at" floridstars "dot" org 		Sunset approx 5:45 PM EDT 12d Moon
FQ Jan. 4
Public OutreachFlorida Park Service Friends of Paynes Prairie

AAC Event		 Stargazing
at
Hickory Ranch 		Jan. 17 Hickory Ranch at Paynes Praire

Learn more about the stars & planets thanks to the AAC who will supply telescopes. Enjoy sitting around a campfire while sipping hot chocolate & making smores. Bring your family/friends, chairs for relaxing, and your musical instruments for playing 'round the fire.

Public: $5 donation appreciated—Kids free.
RSVP if planning to attend so we know how much cocoa to stir up!
(E-mail info@prairiefriends.org & indicate no. in group)

AAC Members: Arrive 5:00 – 5:45 pm EST to set up
(No entry fee for volunteer AAC members)

Don't confuse this Jan. public star party with our
April Hickory Ranch Star Party for AAC Members 		6:30 PM -
9:00 PM EST

Sunset approx 5:50 PM EST
LQ Jan. 18
AAC Event AAC January
Star Party		 Jan. 24 Newberry Sports Complex

24820 NW 16th Ave Newberry, FL 32669
Directions from Newberry
From State Road 26 (W. Newberry Rd.) & US 27/41 Junction
Go 1.6 mi. North on US 27/41 (Main St. in Newberry)

Google Map

Lat. N 29° 40.1'; Long. W 82° 36.4'

The Recreation Sports Complex - Newberry, FL

Gates open at 5:00 PM for setup.
 Sunset approx 5:55 PM EST
NM Jan. 26
AAC Event AAC February
Star Party		 Feb. 21 Gary Cook's Residence Sunset approx 6:20 PM EST
NM Feb. 25
 Starry Night at the Villages
Public Event 		The Villages
 Feb. 28 The Villages

Public Viewing 7-10PM
(Club members arrive early to set up)		 Sunset approx 6:25 PM EST
NM Feb. 25
AAC Event AAC March
Star Party		 Mar. 21 Loftus Family Farm Sunset approx 7:40 PM EDT
LQ Mar. 18
AAC Event AAC March
Star Party
[Rain Date]		 Mar. 28 Loftus Family Farm

[Rain Date]		 Sunset approx 7:45 PM EDT
NM Mar. 26
AAC Event AAC April
Star Party		 Apr. 25 Hickory Ranch at Paines Praire Sunset approx 8:00 PM EDT
NM Apr. 25
Public Event Astronomy Day at SFC May 2 Astronomy Day at Santa Fe College
Sunset approx 8:05 PM EDT 12d Moon
FQ May 1
AAC Event AAC May
Star Party		 May 23 Chiefland/Duval Sunset approx 8:15 PM EDT
NM May 24
AAC Event AAC June Star Party June 20 Hurricane Harbor
(Bob Jacobs)		 Sunset approx 8:30 PM EDT
NM June 22
AAC Event AAC June
Star Party
[Rain Date]		 June 27 Hurricane Harbor
(Bob Jacobs)

[Rain Date]		 Sunset approx 8:30 PM EDT
FQ June 29
  AAC July
Star Party		 July 18 No July Star Party
  
LQ Jul. 15
AAC Event AAC August
Star Party		 Aug. 22 Loftus Family Farm Sunset approx 8:20 PM EDT
NM Aug. 20
AAC Event AAC September Star Party Sept. 19 Stargate Observatory Sunset approx 7:25 PM EDT
NM Sept. 18
Public Event Museum Night Sept. 26 Starry Night at Florida Museum of Natural History
This is a tentative date, check for updates
Florida Museum of Natural History Annual Event.  There will be presentations & activities.  Watch for details.  Telescope viewing outside Powell Hall with AAC scopes from dark to late evening
 Sunset approx 7:25 PM EDT
FQ Sept. 26
AAC Event AAC October
Star Party		 Oct. 16
& 17		 Gold Head Branch State Park

Lots of details here!
 Sunset approx 7:00 PM EDT
NM Oct. 18
AAC Event AAC Nov.
Star Party		 TBA TBA
  
NM Nov. 16
AAC Event AAC Holiday
Party		 Dec. 5

(Tentative) 		AAC Holiday Party

Celebrating AAC's 22st Birthday!
« Potluck Dinner, Music, Games & More »
 6:00 pm EST
Sunset approx 5:30 PM EST
FM Dec. 2

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