By Joan Mieritz
San Juan Stargazers
The San Juan Stargazers will be meeting on Thursday, April 22, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the same member’s home we met at on Sept. 17, 2020. (We cannot use the Visitor Center because of the voluminous musical event happening right outside of the conference room.)
We will follow the COVID regulations for Archuleta County and Colorado for that date. Bring a mask and, of course, respect each person’s decisions for their safety. An email will be sent to each member with the address. If you want to be a visitor that night, please call (303) 995-2888 before April 21 to leave a message. Someone will return your call before the meeting.
We are inviting people to come early at 6 p.m. for coffee, tea and a special treat provided with appreciation by the Chimney Rock Interpretive Association. We will look over the San Juan Stargazers’ 2021 summer schedule at Chimney Rock National Monument, which includes several new activities, including club-member-only star parties with everyone using their own telescope for practice and training. If you don’t have a telescope, we have extras available with prearrangements.
On Thursday, you will also have an opportunity to look at and purchase observing manuals. This summer, we will be learning enough to make up for our COVID-hiatus. These observing manuals are reasonable in price and are the newest and best available. If you have not used one, you will find out how helpful they are. Please bring cash or checks since the club cannot do credit cards.
We will have a brief program on Messier objects. Since April 22 is Earth Day, we are asking that each person prepare a few sentences on “my favorite place on Planet Earth.” Bring a picture, if possible.
If you would like to join the San Juan Stargazers, we can still add your name to the list of people receiving Reflector Magazine, which is the publication of the National Astronomical League of which you automatically become a member. To join both groups and get an excellent astronomy magazine, join at our April 22 meeting. Annual membership is only $25/family and needs to be renewed each July.
The San Juan Stargazers Club is part of the Astronomical League, which includes clubs from all over the U.S. Our club has a website, www.sanjuanstargazers.org. We are still working to fix our former club phone number and email address. Wish us luck since, at the moment, we can’t access any messages.
We welcome all members and visitors to learn more about our amazing universe.
