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We are often asked, "What do I (or my
club) get for my (our) dues to the League?" This is
understandable. We All want value for our money. The
Astronomical League offers many services to both individuals
and clubs. It is difficult to remember all of them,
so this sheet is a convenient reminder.
The REFLECTOR
The League Bylaws specify that, "The
League shall produce a publication for distribution
on a regular basis to the membership." That publication
is our quarterly newsletter the REFLECTOR.
It is our major tool for communications, both between
officers and members, and between member clubs. It brings
news of national and regional activities and highlights
local activities that might be of general interest to
our membership. If you have items to contribute to the
newsletter, contact the editors: Vic and Jennifer
Winter, 4907 W 57th Terrace, Roeland Park, KS 66205-2839.
Program Materials Library
A free lending library of professionally
produced video tapes and color slides is available for
the beleaguered club program chair. Selections include
NASA materials, productions from the PBS NOVA series,
news documentaries and papers from national conventions.
When you request an item for a specific date, you can
be certain that it will arrive in plenty of time. The
only cost to your club is the packaging and mailing
of your selection. A full listing of the titles is available
from the Library Chair: Don Garland, c/o Ft. Worth
Museum of Science and History, 1501 Montgomery St.,
Ft. Worth TX 76107.
Publications Committee
Besides overseeing the publication
of the REFLECTOR, this committee publishes
a variety of informational pamphlets about amateur astronomy
clubs and the Astronomical League and publishes our
popular OBSERVE manuals. This series currently
includes: Observe and Understand the Sun, Observe
Eclipses, A Guide to the Messier Objects, Observe the
Herschel Objects, Observe Meteors and Math
for Amateur Astronomers. In cooperation with
ALPO, we also published the ALPO Mars Observers
Handbook. Suggestions for new manuals or improvements
to existing ones are always welcome and should be addressed
to Publications Chair: Sue Wheatley, 950 Brandywine,
Beaumont, TX 77706.
Astronomical League Sales
You can order copies of your OBSERVE
manuals plus a variety of T-shirts, jewelry and patches
bearing the Astronomical League emblem from this office.
Proceedings of past conventions and assorted "specials"
are also offered from time to time as they are available.
See the ad in each issue of the REFLECTOR
or write for current offerings to: Astronomical League
Sales, P.O. Box 572, West Burlington, IA 52655.
StarGate BBS
StarGate BBS is the official bulletin
board service of the Astronomical League. It is a free
service to all members having a computer and modem,
the only cost being the long distance phone call - usually
less than $7.00 per hour during night and weekend rates
from anywhere in the country. Simply call 214-578-7618
with your serial port set to 8 bits, no parity, 1 stop
bit and up to 14,400 baud. StarGate BBS offers over
1,000 files containing 45 megabytes of information including
Sky and Telescope's "Skyline" and "Sky at a Glance,"
IAU circulars and news from NASA. Both IBM and Mac formats
are represented. For further information, call the BBS
or write to SYSOP: John Wagoner, 1409 Sequoia Dr.,
Plano TX 75023.
Education Committee
Each year the Education Committee
helps many clubs begin astronomy education programs
through the use of its publication Astronomy Teaching
Handbook: a Course Planning Guide. The handbook
includes presentation hints, lesson plans and sample
exercises which illustrate the basics of astronomy.
The Committee has produced a slide set and script, "Introduction
to the Universe," to provide clubs with a ready-to-show
program to introduce astronomy to the general public.
For further information, contact Chair: Dr. T. Michael
Flick, 1643 Elder Ct., Ft. Wright KY 41011.
Astronomy Day Coordinator
Astronomy Day is an annual activity
to promote astronomy to the public at large. Each year,
many local clubs set up displays in shopping malls or
other public locations to show how fun astronomy can
be. Our Coordinator assists those clubs with publicity
releases, an Astronomy Day Handbook, answering
questions, spreading ideas among participants and administering
an award for the best club activity during each year's
Astronomy Day. Contact: Gary E. Tomlinson, Public
Museum of Grand Rapids, 272 Pearl NW, Grand Rapids MI
49504.
Book Service
League members can purchase any book
in print related to astronomy for a 10% discount. They
are not limited to the offerings of a specific publisher
or book club. There are no additional "hidden" charges
for postage or handling, the Book Service takes care
of all of that. Send the name of the book, author, publisher,
name of your League member society, your name and address
and a check for list price less 10% to: Paul Castle,
2535 45th St., Rock Island IL 61201.
Observing Awards
One of the Astronomical League's prime
missions is to develop observing skills in its members.
While many of the Observe manuals provide
detailed instruction, this committee rewards dedicated
effort. Our Messier certificate has been awarded to
over 1,000 members who have observed at least 70 of
Messier's famous objects. A certificate is available
to members who observe 50 Messier or Deep Sky objects
with binoculars. An observer wanting further challenge
is invited to observe at least 400 objects from William
Herschel's list to earn a Herschel certificate. Award
programs are also in place for solar and meteor observers.
For further information, see Astro
Note 12 or contact: Scott Kranz, 106 N Darrowby
Drive, Raymore, MO 64083-9181, E-mail: s.kranz1@comcast.net
. For Herschel information, contact: Brenda
Branchett, 515 Glen Haven Dr., Deltona FL 32738.
For binocular awards, contact: John Wagoner, 1409
Sequoia Dr., Plano TX 75023.
National Outstanding Young Astronomer Award
This competitive award recognizes
the astronomical achievements of high-school-age young
astronomers. A national panel of judges examine all
entries based on defined criteria. For full details
and an entry form, contact: Charles
E. Allen III, 1007 Rollingwood Ln., Goshen KY 40026.
Club Liability Insurance
Many parks, shopping malls and other
public areas are requiring proof of insurability before
allowing an astronomy club to host a star party or set
up an Astronomy Day display. This insurance is not inexpensive,
but the Astronomical League has made arrangements for
member clubs to obtain $2 million liability coverage
at a competitive rate. Contact the League President
for further information.
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