Keep Looking Up! Get Started Right in Astronomy

February 17, 2015 Leave a comment


By Tom Fitzgerald
Ever look up in the evening and wonder about the night sky?  What is all that cool stuff that you see on a dark night here in Eastern Nebraska?  People of all ages are invited to attend Northeast Nebraska Astronomy Club (NENAC) at 7pm this Friday at the Lyons Library and 7pm this Saturday at the Decatur Sears Center.  There you will get a smart start into the universes’ greatest hobby, astronomy!  The evening’s discussion will be led by Tom Fitzgerald, an avid amateur astronomer for over 50 years from Arlington NE.  Bring a pencil, a flashlight and a curious mind and Tom will present your smart start in astronomy in three easy steps.  In six months time, you will be the neighborhood astronomy expert!
Following Tom’s discussion, Astronomical League observing programs will be explained and offered, star charts will freely be distributed to all and a computer tour of the February night sky will whisk you away into the cosmos!  Then weather permitting, Friday we will look through a large astronomical telescope at Bill Hedges’ “Lost in Space Observatory” in Lyons, and Saturday the viewing will be offered at Decatur’s “Fugman Observatory”.  You are encouraged to bring your binoculars and or telescopes to NENAC as well.  Please dress warmly as February temperatures can fall quickly after sunset.
For more information on this and future NENAC presentations, google “nenacstars” or call pastor Gary Fugman at 349-1953, and as always,
Keep Looking Up!

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Keep Looking Up!

January 15, 2015 Leave a comment


“Your Lunar Learning Curve; Get Started Observing the Moon” By Gary Fugman

 

Photo Courtesy of Gary Fugman.

Photo Courtesy of Gary Fugman.

Happy New Year!  How about starting 2015 with a fun project that cam be accomplished in just four weeks?  This fun project will teach you much about our nearest neighbor in space, the Moon.  The project is well suited for young or inexperienced observers and develops your visual, binocular and small telescope skills.  Besides, after this experience, you could take your “date” outside on a perfect evening, promise him/her the Moon and stars…and really deliver!
This Friday, January 16 at 7pm at the Lyons Library and Saturday, January 17 at 7pm at the Decatur Sears Center, Northeast Nebraska Astronomy Club (NENAC) with Pastor Gary Fugman will lead a discussion on completing a one month Astronomical League project to observe the Moon.  We will explain what features on the Moon can be seen with the naked eye, binoculars and a small telescope.  Then the discussion will center on what particular features to observe the third week of January, before 1st quarter Moon, the last week of January, 1st quarter Moon, the first week of February, full Moon, and the second week of February, 3rd quarter Moon.  Lists of lunar craters, seas, mountains and other features will be explained.  Ways to log and sketch your lunar observations will be discussed.  Moon maps will be made available and how to obtain your Astronomical League lunar certificate and pin will be explained.  Plus, you’ll be ready on Saturday, February14 to give your Valentine the Moon and the stars!
Later in the evening the January evening sky will be shown to all on free stars charts.  Weather permitting, Friday we will go to the Cory and Tracie Martin residence 3 miles south of Lyons and Saturday to Fugman Observatory on the south side of Decatur to observe the night sky through large, astronomical telescopes.  You are invited to bring your binoculars and telescopes as well.  Please dress warmly as winter evenings cool quickly.
For more information on this and future NENAC programs, google “nenacstars” or call Pastor Gary Fugman at 349-1953 and Keep Looking Up!
Questions to Consider:
Why are humans so intrigued with the Moon?
When you look up at the Moon, why are some areas white and some areas grey?

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Keep Looking Up!

November 19, 2014 Leave a comment


“Christmas Gift Guide for Your Local Astronomer!”
Photo courtesy of Nenacstars/Gary Fugman

Photo courtesy of Nenacstars/Gary Fugman

Northeast Nebraska Astronomy Club (NENAC) this fall has had 29 of its members join the Astronomical League!  Joining the Astronomical League opens up all kinds of certified observing programs to local amateur astronomers.  Many of the new League members are looking for star atlases, binoculars and sturdy, sensible telescopes to begin these observing programs.  With Christmas just after Thanksgiving, what are the best gifts for enthusiastic amateur astronomers?
The public is invited this Friday, November 21 at 7pm to the Lyons Library and Saturday, November 22 at 7pm to the Decatur Sears Center.  There Pastor Gary Fugman will present and discuss examples of quality star atlases, binoculars and telescopes for your star gazer.  An emphasis will be made to bring you to know about great telescopes for under $200.  These are not cheap, flimsy telescopes you see in department stores.  These are solid instruments with good optics, all for under $200!  Also, outlines of 5 Astronomical League observing programs to get you “star”ted in astronomy will be discussed.  These programs will include the “Sky Puppy Program”, “Lunar Program” and “Deep Sky Binocular Program”.  Wow!  What fun with getting to know the night sky!
Then, weather permitting, after discussing free star charts, Friday at 9pm we will observe the evening sky at Bill Hedges’ Lost in Space Observatory in Lyons and Saturday at 9pm at Fugman Observatory in Decatur.  You are encouraged to bring your binoculars or telescope to these observing sessions.  Please dress warmly for our colder evenings.
For more information on this and future NENAC presentations, including NENAC’s 2015 calendar of events, google “nenacstars” or call Pastor Gary Fugmanat 349-1953 and Keep Looking Up!

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Keep Looking Up

September 24, 2014 Leave a comment


Keep Looking Up! by Bill Hedges
 
“Intelligent Beings Exist on Mars…”
or so maintained astronomer Percival Lowell in 1893, trying to explain the “canals” thought to be seen through telescopes of the time.  If there were life forms on Mars, they would have witnessed an alien flying saucer from Earth landing there in 1976.  However, the Viking 1 lander photographed no Martian civilization and was inconclusive about microbial life existing there.  Today astronomers and space scientists armed with more advanced technology are continuing to search forextraterrestial life on other planets and their moons, listening with radio telescopes for ET phone calls and, in the not too distant future, looking for signs of life in other solar systems.
All are invited to Northeast Nebraska Astronomy Club (NENAC) this Friday, September 26 at 8pm at the Lyons Library and Saturday, September 27 at 8pm at the Decatur Sears Center.  There Bill Hedges will lead a discussion on the search for extraterrestial intelligence.  Free star charts for September will be given and September’s night sky will be discussed.  Also, continued, official enrollment in NENAC and the Astronomical League (observing programs, newsletters, book discounts) for $5 per person per year will continue this weekend and through October.
Then, weather permitting, all are invited at 9pm Friday to the Hedges “Lost in Space” Observatory in Lyons and at 9pm Saturday to Fugman Observatory in Decatur.  There large astronomical telescopes will be used to give you a close up view of the universe.  Will you see signs of intelligent beings?  You are invited to bring your binoculars or telescope to observe the sky, too!
For more information on this and future NENAC events, google “nenacstars” or call Pastor Gary Fugman at 349-1953, and Keep Looking Up!

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Keep Looking Up

August 27, 2014 Leave a comment


“Monster in the Middle of the Milky Way”
By Pastor Gary Fugman
We look into the evening sky in late summer and see the marvelous Milky Way Galaxy that we live in arcing overhead.  Even with the unaided eye, here in eastern Nebraska we can tell that our galaxy is a combination of stars, bright material and dark material.  What do we know about the structure of our home galaxy?  What do we know about what holds our home galaxy together?  And, what about the evidence of a monstrous black hole residing in the middle of our Milky Way?
This Friday, August 29 at 8pm at the Lyons Library and Saturday, August 30 at 8pm at the Decatur Sears Center, Pastor Gary Fugman will lead a discussion on the galaxy we call home.  Images of giant stars zooming around the center of the galaxy indicating the presence of a monstrous black hole will also be seen.  Star charts will be given and the August-September night sky will be displayed.  We offer to those who desire to officially join Northeast Nebraska Astronomy Club (NENAC) and the Astronomical League with observing programs, newsletters and book discount benefits, the opportunity to bring a check made out to the Astronomical League for $12.50 annual dues.
Then, weather permitting, Friday 3 miles south of Lyons at the Cory and Tracie Martin residence and Saturday on the south side of Decatur at Fugman Observatory, we will observe deep sky objects that define the center on our Milky Way Galaxy.  You are encouraged to bring your binoculars or telescope to observe this fascinating part of the sky as well.
For more information on this and future NENAC meetings, google “nenacstars” or call 349-1953, and Keep Looking Up!

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Your Astronomy to the Next Level

July 22, 2014 Leave a comment


Keep Looking Up! by Pastor Gary Fugman
Bill and Joel with the C11 telescope in Hedges Lost in Space Observatory. Photo Courtesy of Nenacstars.

Bill and Joel with the C11 telescope in Hedges Lost in Space Observatory. Photo Courtesy of Nenacstars.

OK.  So, you look up at the night sky and are familiar with some of the constellations.  Maybe you have come to a NENAC (Northeast Nebraska Astronomy Club) meeting or two and have learned more about some of what you see in the night sky.  So, what could help you take your interest in astronomy to the next level?

All are invited to this Friday, July 25 at 9pm at the Lyons Library and Saturday, July 26 at 9pm at the Decatur Sears Center to this month’s NENAC.  There Pastor GaryFugman will lead a discussion on the opportunity for you to participate in observing programs for children, new observers and experienced telescope owners alike.  Wow, all this in one evening!  The Astronomical League, a national organization, has an observing activity for everyone interested in astronomy.  Options for joining the Astronomical League will be investigated at NENAC this weekend.  This month’s night sky will also be discussed complete with free star charts.
Then, weather permitting, at 10pm Friday we will travel 3 miles south of Lyons to the Cory and Tracie Martin residence to observe Saturn and deep sky objects through Cory’s powerful telescope.  Saturday, we will travel to the south side of Decatur to observe through Pastor Gary’s powerful telescope.  You are encouraged to bring your binoculars or telescope as well.
For more information on this and future NENAC presentations, google “nenacstars” or phone Pastor Gary Fugman at 349-1953, and Keep Looking Up! 
Questions to Consider:
What would help you to increase your interest in the night sky?
How can you share with others and learn from others’ experience in astronomy?

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Keep Looking Up

May 29, 2014 Leave a comment


Keep Looking Up! by Bill Hedges
“See the Entire Universe This Weekend!”
What does it take to understand the size of the universe in which we live?  It is difficult to comprehend the scale of the cosmos.  There is not only the “macro cosmos”, the universe that is larger than we can see; there is also the “micro cosmos”, the subatomic world that is smaller than we can see.  By using the scaling powers of 10, this weekend we will take a visual journey in both these directions and see the smallest and largest structures of the universe with everything in between!  Our space ship for this journey will be the IMAX movie “Cosmic Voyage”.
 
People of all ages are invited to Northeast Nebraska Astronomy Club (NENAC) Friday, May 30 at 9pm to the Lyons Library and Saturday, May 31 at 9pm to the Decatur Sears Center.  There Bill Hedges will describe and present the scale of the universe.  After your “Cosmic Voyage”, all will receive free May star charts and the May night sky will be discussed.  Then, weather permitting, we will observe the red planet Mars, the ringed planet Saturn and deep sky objects with the Hedges telescope in Lyons Friday and the Fugman telescope in Decatur Saturday.  You are encouraged to bring your binoculars or telescope to the observing sessions.
 
For more information on this and future NENAC presentations, please call Bill Hedges at 687-2125 or google “nenacstars”, and Keep Looking Up!

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