14th June 2009

OGM and BFN 16th May 2009

Those present at the May OGM were entertained by Allan Gould and Peter Bester who presented their evolving astrophotography skills using the Meade DSI camera. After the meeting, about half the attendees converged on Tim and Georgie Napier-Munn's house for a night of double star spotting. It was an instructive experience for those of us unfamiliar with the double star ‘sub-culture'; the availability of Tony Dutton's LX10 and Terry Cuttle's C8 were useful comparative instruments against the greater light grasp of Tim's observatory-based 12" LX200 telescope. Thank you to Georgie and Tim for once again hosting a very enjoyable social and observing night at Bellbowrie Observatory.

DSO 20th June

The venue will be the Harrisville OATS site as described (with navigation instructions) on the AAQ website simply click on Deep Sky Observing under the ‘Activities' tab. Watch the AAQ Forum for any weather cancellations. Brent Joyce is the usual contact for this DSO site.

OGM 27^th June

The Main Item for the June meeting is a talk by Graeme Jenkinson on Historical Observatories. Graeme delivered a short version of this talk at the Combined Societies meeting on 5^th June at Griffith University.  The meeting starts at 4pm in the theatrette at the STBP. For meeting details each month, remember to check http://www.aaq.org.au/cms/index.php/activities/meetings.html

Brisbane Field Night 27^th June

The June BFN immediately follows the June OGM and is hosted by Allan Cooney, our new Visual Observing Director. Note that Allan has prepared his first Visual Observing newsletter article in the June issue. The venue will be the usual Brisbane location at Beanland Street Park, Jamboree Heights. If the weather is dubious, an announcement about cancellation will be made during the June OGM.  You can check each month's planned Brisbane Field Nights (LPOs) on the website at:

http://www.aaq.org.au/cms/index.php/activities/meetings.html .

Combined Societies Meeting

As noted on the front page of the June newsletter, a well-attended Combined Societies meeting was held on Friday 5^th June. The Achievement award went to Jonathan Bradshaw for his occultations research, with each society also receiving an award to recognise their efforts in promoting astronomy by public education during this International Year of Astronomy. Peter Marples justifiably received the Discovery Award for disovering two supernovae within the space of 5 months; AAQ members will recall Peter's excellent presentation at the April OGM.

OAM for Monty

Monty Leventhal, who prepares the Solar Report each month, received the Order of Australia Medal in the Queen's Birthday Awards.  The OAM was in recognition of his contribution to science as a volunteer at the Sydney Observatory.  Congratulations Monty!

Membership

Welcome to our newest members, Catherine Moriarty and Robert Knox. Thank you to those members who recently paid their 2009 fees. A further reminder to some of our long-term, highly valued members who may have procrastinated in paying their 2009 membership fees.