Monthly Archives: February 2015

Heads Up for GSSP

2015 Golden State Star Party (GSSP)

Wednesday, July 15
To Sunday, July 19 (4 nights)

GSSP

GSSP is an imagers haven

The biggest and darkest skies you’re likely to encounter are there, about 6 hours drive from the south bay. Lots of great amenities, friendly people, wonderful gracious and open locals in an interesting and little-visited part of the state.

Last year’s obsidian hunting outing, led by Bob Czerwinski, was a fun highlight for me. I’d like to do it again. Lava Beds and Mount Lassen nearby are great day trips, as are the many hot springs in the area.

I really encourage checking it out and making the effort to attend. It is MUCH easier to be there than the uninitiated think.

Early (and less expensive) registration is on through March. Check it out: http://www.goldenstatestarparty.org
Dark skies beckon!

Regards,
The Astronomy Connection (TAC) Team and SJAA

GSSP-Group2009b

Posted in Articles


SJAA Annual Meeting + Potluck = Stellar

SJAA Annual Meeting and Potluck

CLICK ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE

01-SJAA-2015Annual

Elections were held, food served, and a few members were recognized for making SJAA shine. Greg Claytor did an outstanding job of noting all that our clubs does – and his son took the above picture of SJAA members in attendance. The Elected Board members for open seats in 2015 were Teruo Utsumi, Ed Wong, Lee Hoglan and Michael Packer. The Board has one seat open. If you wish to nominate yourself or another member please contact any board member.

Below are the folks who were awarded for their SJAA efforts. Each recipient also got a bonafied astronomy cup that shows the constellations when it’s heated up with coffee, tea, coco, broth… you get the idea.

07-SJAA-2015AnnualTeri Rogoway given the SJAA Recognition Award by Greg Claytor for helping SJAA secure dark sky observing sites, late at night, and outside city lights. Much thanks Teri.

05-SJAA-2015AnnualGary Chock has showed up and shared the night sky at just about every dark sky event SJAA hosted last year – Wow – Thanks Gary!

06-SJAA-2015AnnualSukhada Palav has taken it upon herself to stock an Astronomy Library with books and magazines that both kids and adults can enjoy/utilize. Last year the Library really came to life! Thanks Sukhada.

04-SJAA-2015AnnualGreg Claytor and Teruo Utsumi receive awards on behalf of Marianne Damon and Tom Piller (not pictured). In addition to her outreach, Marianne was the reason every SJAA meeting had coffee and snacks last year. SJAA recognized Tom Piller for his outreach last year his editorship of the SJAA Ephemeris News Letter. Thanks to you both! Below is a pic of three recipients in attendance – you might call these mug shots – seeing as they are holding their cups!

02-SJAA-2015Annual

We also retroactively handed out constellation mugs to SJAA’s last year award recipients:

03-SJAA-2015AnnualLeft to Right: Jim Van Newland, Teri Kahl, Paul Mancuso, Bill O’Neil, Carl Reisinger

Below are a few more pics of the evening. Thanks to all of you for making SJAA a fun place to reach for the stars. And great food btw!08-SJAA-2015Annual09-SJAA-2015Annual10-SJAA-2015Annual

Posted in Articles, Blog, General Meeting