Join us this Saturday July 19th at 8:00pm for the next MAS Beginner Group outdoor observing event. It will be held at Metcalf Field at Belwin Conservancy, near Afton.
There is no charge to attend an MAS Beginner group event, and you do not need to be an MAS member to attend -- everyone is welcome, including children. The purpose is to help beginners learn the night sky, and to learn how to set up and use a telescope. Volunteers from the MAS will be on hand to answer your questions and show you objects thru their own telescopes. We typically have around 50-60 attendees, with 25-30 telescopes of all types set up across the field.
Bringing a telescope to the event is optional, but if you have one, bring it!! If you need help with learning how to set up and use it, we are happy to help. There is AC power available at Metcalf Field on the north and east sides, so if you need power to run your telescope or other equipment, just bring an extension cord so you can connect.
The Moon does not rise until 12:38am this night, so we will have a few hours of dark sky after sunset. We will take advantage of the Moonless sky to seek out some deep-sky wonders. We will start by bidding adieu to some famous Springtime objects, such as Whirlpool (M51), Sunflower (M63), Black Eye (M64) and Sombrero (M104) galaxies. We will then move further to the east to view some amazing globular clusters, such as the Hercules cluster (M13), M3, M4 and M5. Finally, we will move into the Summer Milky Way, which will be high up in the east as darkness falls. Without the Moon's bright light, there are many nebulae, star clusters and star clouds that will be visible to us. A few weeks ago the tall trees to the south of Metcalf Field were cut down, leaving us with an almost unobstructed southerly view. So, for the first time in decades, we will be able to scan for objects located further south, such as Butterfly cluster (M6), the Lagoon (M8) and Trifid (M20) nebulas and the Sagittarius Star Cloud (M24).
Saturn rises around 11:30pm, and should clear the trees about an hour later. The Ringed Planet passed its equinox last March, and its thin rings were nearly invisible. But they are now visible once again thru our telescopes. About a degree to the northeast of Saturn lies Neptune. We will also seek that distant blue world and its mysterious moon Triton. Once the Moon clears the trees we will also view its amazing craters.
So come join us!! As usual, we will again have the goodie table!! Feel free to bring something to share, such as cookies or other treats. This is totally optional, and no one should feel obligated to do so.
If you are planning to come, please bring a lawn chair or blanket and a few extra layers of clothing, in case temps fall a bit overnight.
Directions to Metcalf Field: (see this Google Maps link):
https://goo.gl/maps/UNkt67YPWg4qAjuP6
Metcalf Field GPS Coordinates: 44.93734 N / 92.82157 W
For more information on Metcalf Field, see here:
http://www.mnastro.org/facilities/metcalf/
Driving Directions: Head east past Woodbury on I-94 to the Manning exit (exit 253). Turn south and then take the first left onto Hudson Road S. Continue east about 1.5 miles and turn right onto Indian Trail. Check your odometer here, and then travel 1.1 miles. You'll see an unmarked chain-link gate on the right side. This is the entrance to Metcalf field. Enter the dirt path and park on the left side. There will be 2 small reflectors on poles and a larger white MAS sign marking the entrance. If you have a telescope with you, you can also park on the right (north side) of the field.
If you haven't been to Metcalf Field, it can be a little difficult to locate the entrance. So please plan on arriving in daylight.
We hope to see you there!!
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Afton.
