Volume 11, Issue 10, October 1999
A GLANCE INSIDE

What’s Up in October
NPMAS Elections
A Look Back at September
New Member Welcome Mat
From the Treasurer
NPMAS Nominee Bios 

 WHAT'S UP IN OCTOBER

CRIVITZ OBSERVERS WEEKEND - October 8th - 10th

          This weekend is the weekend for the darkest skies Wisconsin has to offer. Even if you can only make one night - do it! You will be well rewarded.
         A map to Dave Jorgenson's home west of Crivitz was included in last month's newsletter. If you need additional directions or would like to let Dave know your coming, give him a call at 715-757-3296.

MONTHLY MEETING - October 13th

          Please join us at the Neville Public Museum from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. This month's topic is "Optical Phenomena" given by club member Jeff Last. This will also be a joint meeting with members of the Packerland Chapter of the American Meteorological Society present.
          Voting for the NPMAS Board of Directors will also take place. This is one of the more important issues we as NPMAS members have to decide on.  Please join us at the meeting and be a part of the process. Happy Joe's to follow!
 
FALL PUBLIC OBSERVING WEEKEND - October 15th - 16th

          Please join us for the last installment of our public observing season for 1999. Letting someone look through your telescope or binoculars and pointing out a few celestial objects is one of the great joys of astronomy. Even pointing out a few constellations will enrich someone's night.
          We can use all the help we can get even if you don't bring any equipment. Setting up will start at 7:00 PM at the Sanctuary grounds on Danz Avenue. The observing hours for the public will be 8:00 to 10:00PM. Please put up posters somewhere where the public can see them.  Copies can be obtained from Wayne Kuhn or Don DeWitt.

NEWSTAR MONTHLY MEETING - Oct. 20th

          The Newstar monthly meeting will be at the UW Fox Valley Center. If you are interested in going please call Don DeWitt at 920-405-8534 for more details.

BOARD MEETING - October 27th

          A board meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 27th at 7:00 p.m. The place is the DeWitt residence, 1081 Raleigh Street, Green Bay. Agenda items include the NPMAS 2000 Calendar of Events and the 2001 Regional Convention.
          Everyone is invited to attend. Any questions or to add to the agenda, contact Katrina DeWitt at 405-8534 or ddewitt@dct.com
          Hope to see you all there!

NPMAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS
     By Katrina DeWitt

          Starting below in this issue, you will see mini bios from sixteen club members. These brave souls have been nominated for the NPMAS Board of Directors.
          Every two years the society votes for nine individuals to serve on the board. The newly elected board then meets to choose a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. More importantly, the Board convenes to pick the topics and formalize the events schedule for the coming year. If need be, they also convene to make decisions that would have a major implication on the society as a whole.
          What does this mean for the every member? We need your help in choosing which nine individuals will be elected to the board. Our society is continuing to grow and evolve. With that, we need people who are able to generate new ideas to keep our current members interested in astronomy as well as attract new members. Your vote is important.
          Voting will take place at the October 13th meeting. A ballot will be handed out to all current members age 16 years and older. If you absolutely cannot make the meeting, you are still able to vote.
           All absentee ballots must be returned to Don DeWitt by 5:00 PM Wednesday, October 13th. Please write on the outside of the envelope "BALLOT" in big letters so it will not be opened until all ballots are counted on Wednesday night. Under no circumstances will we accept voting via e-mail or phone!
          When all votes are handed in, they will be tabulated and the results will be made known before the end of the meeting. So please vote either by attending or requesting an absentee ballot. The direction and the future of the club rest with your vote. Thank you in advance for your participation.
 

A LOOK BACK AT SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER MONTHLY MEETING

          Thirty-eight people were in attendance for September's meeting at the Neville Public Museum. Club business was carried out in the first hour including the final nominations for the Board of Directors. We have a total of 16 nominees for 9 positions - an excellent degree of participation our club can be proud of.
          The second hour featured Ron Parmentier's talk on "Eyepieces". Ron started out with eyepieces available in the early days of the hobby, many of them homemade. He provided several handouts on eyepiece optics and classifications. This appears to be the first installment of a three or four part series.
          Ron once again displayed his vast knowledge on all aspects of astronomy and we are very fortunate to have him in our club. Thanks Ron!

NEW MEMBER WELCOME MAT

          We had three new members join the club in September. First is Amy Hannon-Drew, 1213 Marquette Avenue, Green Bay, WI 54304. Phone: 920-499-0395.
          Amy has had an interest in astronomy since she was a kid. She feels that her father, who was a photographer and liked to take pictures of comets, influenced her. While attending UW Whitewater she enrolled in an astronomy course to learn more. She knew of our club from posters for public observing events and recently picked up our flyer at the museum.
          Amy is married to husband Chris and has two daughters. She currently has no equipment but is saving up for a good pair of binoculars. Her main goal as a member of the NPMAS is to learn more about the night sky.
          Our second new member is Brad DeMain, 2934 Vercauteren Drive, Green Bay, WI 54313. Phone: 920-339-8421, Email: bjdbrad@aol.com
          Brad, 48, works for Waste Management and is married to wife Bobbie. They have two boys, ages 16 and 19. Brad found our club on the Internet and decided to join.
          He recently purchased a new Celestron 80mm wide-angle refractor to compliment his 8-16 x 40 Nikon zoom binoculars. He looks forward to learning from other club members as well as making new friends.
          Our third new member is Gerry Kocken, 1357 Sand Acres Drive, DePere, WI 54115. Phone: 920-336-8594, Email: gerryk@kockenwi.com
          Gerry is president of Kocken & Associates, an architect firm. Late last year he purchased a Meade LX200 10" SC telescope and has used it quite often since. He keeps it in his garage and rolls it out into the driveway to observe.
          Welcome to the club Amy, Brad, and Gerry!

FROM THE TREASURER
          By Don DeWitt

          Magazine subscriptions have been sent in for those that sent me their renewals. If you did not send me your renewal before, you still can but I cannot guarantee that your subscription will not be interrupted.
          The last couple of months I have been passing around some sign up sheets for three other publications that we order every year. I finally have the pricing information for them as follows:

Astronomy Magazine Wall Calendar $8.00 each.
Space Weekly Calendar $8.00 - $9.00 depending on the number of copies we order.
Royal Astronomical Society Observers Handbook  $12.50 - $13.00 depending on the number of copies we order.

          The more we order, the more affordable they are so order yours today. If you have already signed up at a club meeting, we have your name. If you haven't been able to make it to the meetings just call or email me to order your copies today.

NPMAS NOMINEE BIOS

QUESTION KEY

1. WHEN DID YOU JOIN THE NPMAS? GET STARTED IN ASTRONOMY?
2. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AREA OF ASTRONOMY? WHY?
3. WHAT OTHER SOCIETIES DO YOU BELONG TO, IF ANY? ANY POSITION HELD?
4. WHAT TYPE OF TELESCOPES/BINOCULARS DO YOU OWN?
5. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
 NAME: Gary Baier (current board member) 

1. Fall of 1995. Very young. Former board member of Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society. 

2. Planets, public observing. Can get others interested. 

3. Packerland Chapter of the American Meteorological Society.  

4. 10 x 50 Celestron Ultima binoculars, 4" f/11 Newtonian on equatorial axis. 

5. Why do I do this? 

 

 NAME: Tom Cashman 

1. I got started in astronomy in 1982. I joined the NPMAS in 1994. 

2. Looking at planets, news about space exploration because of all the information they are getting and also information on possible life elsewhere in space. 

3. I belong to the Brown County Beekeepers Association where I am the Secretary/Treasurer. 

4. I have a 6" Newtonian reflector and a 12.5" Dobsonian telescope. Also I have an 11x80 binoculars. 

5. I am very much interested in all the new information coming out about extra-solar planets being discovered and about life in outer space. 
 NAME: Katrina DeWitt (current board member) 

 1. I joined in June of '93. Earlier that year I was watching Star Trek and heard them discussing "Plasma Physics". It intrigued me enough to get an encyclopedia and look it up. Further reading got me hooked on astronomy.  

2. My favorite area of astronomy is going to the star parties and conventions held around the state and the country. It gives me the opportunity to meet new people who enjoy astronomy as well as see and hear the latest news from telescope designs to planetary exploration.  

3. Currently I belong to none. Previously I was a member of Newstar. NPMAS 1993-95 Secretary, 1995-97 Vice President. 1997-99 President.  

4. I own an 8" f/9 Dobsonian nicknamed "The Cannon". I also own a pair of cheap 10x50 binoculars. Jointly owned are a 6" refractor and 11x80 binoculars. 

5. I earned the regular Messier Observing Award, the Lunar Observing Award, the Binocular Observing Award, and the Deep Sky Binocular Observing Award. I am currently in the process of finishing up the Double Star Observing Award & the Planetary Observing Award. All put out by the Astronomical League.

  NAME: Dick Francini 

1. I joined the club with Kerri in November of 1997. I have been interested in astronomy since I was a kid. Kerri's interest got me back involved again. 

2. My favorite area of astronomy are deep space objects. It is amazing we are able to see objects millions of light years away. You are in affect looking back in time. 

3. National Frozen Food Association. Phi Kappa, Psi Fraternity. 

4. Celestron 8" Dobsonian, 20x80 binoculars. Like everyone who owns a telescope, some day I'd like to get a larger scope. 

5. I've really enjoyed getting back into astronomy and would like to get more involved with the club. I guess I have Kerri to thank for rekindling my interest in astronomy. 

 
 
NAME: Jason Johnson 

1. I joined NPMAS June of this year. I've been interested in astronomy all my life. My interest got rekindled last year when I picked up Astronomy magazine. 
 
2. The planets & deep space object interest me the most. I am very interested in seeing the places where new objects are forming and knowing what's going on in a place where no people have been. Also there is always the chance at being the first to see something new.  

3. None. 
4. None as of today, but by September 15th I will have made my final decision and ordered a telescope. I'm leaning toward the Meade 125 ETX scope.  

5. None.  

 NAME: Ted Kordes (current board member)  

1. I joined NPMAS around 1986. I've been interested in astronomy as long as I can remember. 

2. Telescope building, gadgets, meteorites, deep sky observing and solar eclipses. 

3. Green Bay Sail and Power Squadron (Assistant Education Officer).  

4. 8" Dynamax SCT (ashtray), 3" refractor, 10 x 50 binoculars.  

5. Have been a NPMAS board member over 5 years. 

 
NAME: Anthony J. Kroes 

1. Joined in 1996. Interested in astronomy for life! Bought my scope in 1995 and have been happy ever since! 

2. Deep sky, CCD imaging, Asteroids. I love to get images of objects that I can't even see with the naked eye! It really shows you what's out there beyond the physical limits of human body. 

3. None 

4. Meade LX200 8" SC f/6.3, SBIG CCD camera ST-7, Astrovid 2000 CCD Video Camera, Selsi 20x70 Binoculars 

5. Was nominated but didn't make it last year. Lets try again! 

 

 NAME: Jill Last 

1. 1.5 years ago. Took an astronomy course in college and loved it. I have always been interested I astronomy but have finally gotten involved. 

2. Planets and galaxies - planets are so close to us and easy to observe. Galaxies are also easy to observe and are fascinating! I became hooked on them when I found out you can see Andromeda with the naked eye! 

3. Packerland Chapter of the American Meteorological Society, National Chapter of the American Meteorological Society, Wisconsin Alumni Association. 

4. 4.5" Orion reflector. 

5. I would really like to be a board member for two different reasons. The first is that I like to plan things--I am organized, I am great at planning, and I get things done. I can add these skills as a board member. The second is that I want to get more involved with the club. Going to the monthly meetings is great, but GETTING INVOLVED is even better. Getting involved means learning more about astronomy.  
 
NAME: Wayne Kuhn (current board member) 

1. I joined the club around 1995. I have always been very interested in all aspects of the world around me. This appetite for knowledge has lead me to become involved in one hobby after another.  

2. Deep sky objects are my favorite for observing but I am interested in the planets and the moon also. Space exploration is also of great interest to me. 

3. Past member (board of directors) of the Wisconsin Self-service Laundry Association. Past member of the Audubon Society. 

4. Celestron 10 x 50 Pro binoculars, Celestron 10 x 50 Ultima binoculars, Meade LX50 10" SCT 

5. I enjoy working with people in the club and teaching the public about astronomy.  

 NAME: Rueben J. Lear 

1. Check with Ron when I joined. I think in the 70's. I got started in Astronomy when I was 5 years old watching a meteor shower. 

2. Planets - Jupiter with it's changing moons and Saturn's rings. Variable stars - just getting into this. Comets - just finding their location is a challenge. 

3. Brown and Oconto-Marinette County Bee Keepers. 

4. Celestron 8" SCT, Orion 7 x 50 binoculars. 

5. Hoping to get bigger telescope. 

 
NAME: George McCourt (current board member) 

1. Joined NPMAS in 1976. Started in astronomy in 1964 while in Junior High School. Started astronomy club (with person who got me started in astronomy, David Friedman) in Junior High School (The Orion Club) and also one in High School in New York. Firs activities were variable star and meteor observing. 

2. Observing deep sky and planets, comets. Also telescope building. Enjoy finding detail on faint fuzzies. 

3. Current director of NEWSTAR. Former member of Syracuse Astronomical Society, Founding member of Penobscot Valley Stargazers, member of former Buckstaff Astronomical Society. Current chairman of the North Central Region of the Astronomical League. 

4. 10" f/6.3 homemade inclined mirror Dobsonian (1980) reflector, 6" and 8" Vic Hildemann triple axis reflector, 6" f/8 Criterion Dynascope reflector on equatorial mount, 4" f/11 homemade "suitcase telescope" reflector. 

5. Current NPMAS board member (former Vice-President and President). Other interests - telescope building, touring observatories, old refractors, astrophotography, star parties.  

 NAME: Mike Monfils 

1. I joined about 5 years ago - I think! I think Buck Rogers on TV got me interested in about 1958 - 2 years later in 1960 I looked at a star through a telescope and I was hooked. I was 6 years old. 

2. Visual astronomy. 

3. Amateur Radio Relay League 

4. 8" SCT, 80mm refractor, 70mm refractor, 7 x 50 binoculars. 

5. None 

 
 
NAME: Ray Nancoz 

1. Joined April of 1996. 

2. I enjoy group observing since I don't have my own scope finished yet. I enjoy looking at whatever I can steal a look at. 

3. Door Peninsula Astronomical Society. 

4. Celestron Ultima 8 x 56 binoculars, a few good eyepieces, no scope yet. I have been building a 10" Newtonian off and on for the last three years. 

5. I'm in the process of grinding my own mirror. I demonstrate the process at Astronomy Day. 

 NAME: Ron Parmentier (current board member) 

1. Charter member in 1966. I started in astronomy in 1948. 

2. Observing deep sky, planet, the Moon, and double stars. I'm beginning to enjoy CCD images. 

3. NEWSTAR, Mount Wilson Observatory, Friend of ALPO. 

4. 10 x 50 binoculars, 30" Cassegrain, 5" and 6" Astrophysics refractors, 3" refractor (antique), 4" reflector. 

5. It's been great to have seen the changes in astronomy from the 40's to present. Many nice friendships have formed and lots of fun times.  
NAME: Dan Sheber 

1. I joined NPMAS in 1979 when I mentioned to Ron Parmentier that I had just built a 12.5" telescope. I got started with astronomy in 1971 when I viewed Jupiter. 

2. Throughout the years I evolved to deep sky and comet observing. I enjoy locating them and how different each object may appear. I am now approaching 1400 NGC objects. 

3. I was a member of the Chicago Astronomical Society in the early 1970's. 

4. 12.5" f/8 equatorial Newtonian, 8" f/5 Dobsonian, 80mm refractor, 10 x 50 and 20 x 50 binoculars. 

5. I would like to thank all members who helped me with my L.P.R. filter test that I had several years ago for Deep Sky magazine. It was a good team effort. 

 NAME: Steve Wicker (current board member) 

1. Joined in 1994. Got into astronomy as a child in 5th grade. 

2. Deep sky objects. I love searching and observing them with my telescope. 

3. None 

4. I have a 8" Dobsonian and a 12.5" homemade Dobsonian, a 60mm refractor, and 10 x 50 binoculars. 

5. I love to show others objects in my telescope especially people who have never looked through on before.