Astronomical Society of Northern New England (Kennebunk, ME)
Central Maine Astronomical Society (Whitefield, Lincolnville & Damariscotta)
Downeast Amateur Astronomers (Pembroke, Calais, ME)
Penobscot Valley Star Gazers (Bangor, ME)
Southern Maine Astronomers (Portland, Brunswick, ME)

New Hampshire Astronomical Society

Gloucester Area Astronomy Club (Gloucester, MA)

Hello: Acadia Astronomical Society (Mt. Desert Island, ME) Astronomical Society of Northern New England (Kennebunk, ME) Central Maine Astronomical Society (Whitefield, Lincolnville & Damariscotta) Downeast Amateur Astronomers (Pembroke, Calais, ME) Penobscot Valley Star Gazers (Bangor, ME) Southern Maine Astronomers (Portland, Brunswick, ME) New Hampshire Astronomical Society Gloucester Area Astronomy Club (Gloucester, MA) We’re now just a week out from this year’s Maine State Star Party. Again, no need to preregister. When you arrive at the main gate just tell them you are there for the Maine State Star Party and they will give you a tag for your car and directions to the site. With 13 acres total at our site, there will be plenty of space for everyone. There have been some questions about the field. Those of you that were there last year surely remember the muddy access road that resulted from a preceding week of rain. (At least it wasn’t the sea of mud that the 2023 Burning Man Festival experienced.) Yes, that was a mess and we have made a few adjustments: This year Charlie also reserved far in advance, the group camping area across the road. With its solid ground for heavier trucks and campers, so there will not be a need to put heavy vehicles in the field. Charlie has arranged a new entrance point over dry ground for the observing field and the mowed field is being moved further east, again to more solid ground. And I understand that some remediation work is being done at the old entrance, that we will not be using. We held the event in that field the previous year (along with the other group camping area) without incident; but, the previous week of rain last year certainly didn’t help. We think we have addressed the necessary issues. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that we’ll have no hurricane this year. Weather permitting, Matt Marulla is planning to bring his spectroheliograph. He will be on the solar field on Saturday with a demonstration tentatively scheduled for noon for those interested. This is Matt’s Spectroheliograph mounted on an 80mm William Optics APO refractor The Spectroheliograph’s main structure is 3D printed I saw the Cook Spectroheliograph at Stellafane a few years ago. I found it fascinating that it is possible to observe specific wavelengths of light using a prism arrangement instead of an etalon/blocking filter. I’m really looking forward to his demonstration. Last year’s Maine Astronomer of the year, Collin Cassie, will be back again this year as a participant: I plan to bring the 12" f/3 I used last year (and silvered the next day). I plan to not do a silvering demo, as fun and exciting as it is, but will just be an attendee...unless I hatch a new idea. Maybe a planetary scope too. Someone else can bring a big aperture monster. Paul Butler should have the big aperture monster covered with his 16” LX-200. But, maybe someone will show up with a something approaching an 36” Obsession… it once happened at the Acadia Night Sky Festival. (Paul also claims to have memorized all of the answers to Astronomy Jeopardy game. But I think Sophia Davis is working on circumventing that. 😊) She’s going to have some great new prizes for this year’s game. Joshua Roth from Glouster MA, who gave last year’s presentation on “Night Myopia and Stargazing Glasses” is looking forward to being back to enjoy the star party. I’ll bet he’ll have some “flippers” with him again so that you can test your ideal diopter adjustment for your observing glasses. Also he asks “Is anyone is planning a small group meteor watch for Perseid night later the next week?” Courtesy of Greg from Southern Maine Astronomers, here is a Period Table of Messier Objects. Add that to the back of your astronomers package. If anyone misplaced theirs, let me know and I’ll send you another copy. See the attached for a readable full size version of this table. As Electronic Assisted Astronomy is finally becoming a real product, I look forward to seeing the Dwarf Labs, Unistellar, Vaonis and ZWO units I mentioned in the Astronomer’s Information Package. More information is finally arriving about the Celestron Origin. To see an early comparison, go to Youtube and search for “Comparision of Celestron Origin, Unistellar Equinox, and SeeStar”. Again, I’d love to see a Celestron Origin at this year’s MSSP if anyone knows of a unit in our area. My Verspera Pro arrived at the end of June and is likely responsible for the extended interval of cloudy weather. Unfortunately, I didn’t spring for the optional “Clear Skies” package warrantee. With it now being just over a month since its arrival, perhaps the cloud affects have finally worn off. I did see a large swarth of blue skies over the Western U.S. so hopefully clear weather will be arriving in time for next week’s event 😊. Charlie concurs with the predictions he’s seen. Charlie Sawyer reports that “The State of Maine has added their Dept of Conservation Logo on our Flyer and have put on Maine Events!! Should be a great year for the MSSP. Fingers crossed for clear skies all.” Bureau of Parks and Lands Maine State Star Party - August 9-11 at Cobscook Bay State Park Division / Program: Parks and Lands Date: August 9, 2024 - August 11, 2024 Location: Cobscook Bay State Park, 40 S. Edmunds Road, Dennysville, ME 04628 State Park: Cobscook Bay Event Type: Nature Exploration, Special Event Founded in 2006 as an effort to bring together the Maine stargazing community and all those with a passion for astronomy, the Maine State Star Party is a free-to-the-public annual gathering of astronomers across the state and the greater New England area. This event is open to astronomers of all levels. There is a shared free camping space, scopes for free viewing, trivia, games, and prizes for all ages, and more! See the attached flyer for the schedule of events. Contact Name: Charlie Sawyer, President Downeast Amateur Astronomers Contact Email: csawyer7@roadrunner.com Cost: Free with park admission: Day use: $1.00 ages 5-11, $4.00 Maine residents age 12-64, $6.00 non residents age 12-64, $2.00 non residents 65+; persons under 5 & Maine residents 65+ free Co-Sponsor: Downeast Amateur Astronomers Related Documents: See attached flier As Charlie said, It’s should be a great year for the MSSP. ---Dwight -- Celebrating the starlit skies of Maine & New England -- Dwight M. Lanpher, Club Liaison P.O. Box 472, 1 Summit Road Northeast Harbor, ME 04662 Member: Dark Sky Maine DarkSky International (formerly: International Dark Sky Association) Illuminating Engineering Society, Member Emeritus Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Life Member Member: AAS, ASNNE, ATMoB, BSIA, CMAS, DEAA, GAAC, NHAS, NSAAC, PVSG, SMA, TVS Telephone: (207) 276-5350 "Good friends are like stars. Although you may not see them you know they're always there." -Christy Evans.