The clock is running.  The deadline for submission of the 2017 Solar Eclipse Special Observing Award is September 21, 2017; one month after the eclipse.  I hope that you all had a wonderful eclipse and success in taking pictures.  Go to the Award’s web page to see the detailed requirements:  https://www.astroleague.org/solar-eclipse-2017-special-observing-award

Remember that there are three options to include those who were not able to photograph the eclipse personally.

The submission must be in my hands by the end of the day on September 21, 2017.

– Aaron Clevenson, Coordinator

We use the database to determine when people have earned various levels in the Master Observer Progression; from Observer to Platinum.  We have noticed that some of you have more than one form of your name in the on-line database.  Please help us by checking your awards and send me an email (aaron@clevenson.org) if you have more than one form.  If they all have the same form of your name, then no need to email.

For example:  Aaron Clevenson, Aaron B. Clevenson, Dr. Aaron Clevenson, Aaron Clevenson Jr., or Erin Clevenson.

Please let me know the correct form to use and we will get all of your awards in the same form.

Be careful not to claim an award that belongs to someone else (son or daughter, same name, etc.).   🙂

Thanks for your help.

Aaron

Aaron Clevenson

​Master Observer Progression – Coordinator

The Sky Puppies Observing Program has been modified to allow any AL member to sponsor any young astronomer (whether their child or not). They need to be under 11 years old.  This program is specifically designed to help children new to astronomy to dip their feet into astronomy without being overwhelmed by the technical aspects.  For more information and details of the observing program check out the web page:  https://www.astroleague.org//al/obsclubs/skypuppy/skypuppy2.htm

Are you working on an Observing Program or Observing Award with the Astronomical League?  Do you often wonder what some of the requirements mean?  These are now defined for you on the AL Website.  To get information, suggestions, and definitions, please click on the Observe Dropdown.  This will bring you to the Main Observing Programs Web Page.  As you scroll down the page, you will see a section about Terms in Common Usage.  This will provide you with the definitions used by the AL’s Observing Programs for “Highest Level”, Go-To Telescopes, Remote Telescopes, Seeing, and Transparency.  There is also a section to go to suggested simple scales for observers to use when they are making observations for Seeing and Transparency.  Enjoy.  Aaron Clevenson, Observing Program Director

Dear Astronomy Colleagues:

Librarians across the country need your assistance to prepare the public for the August 21st solar eclipse!

Thanks to the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (with additional help from Google,) over two million pairs of eclipse glasses will be distributed free through public libraries in anticipation of the solar eclipse.  More than 2,000 public libraries will receive a package of hundreds of free glasses, plus an information booklet on how to do public outreach about the eclipse (http://www.starnetlibraries.org/EclipseGuide/).

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To all those with rooms reserved at the Parkway Plaza Hotel for the AstroCon 2017 conference:

Your hotel room(s) is still reserved, or in other words, none of you have lost your room(s).

Because of a reservation system change, some of the hotel’s reservation information is incomplete and the hotel needs everyone to contact them by May 1^st to pay for the entire reservation.  For most attendees staying 6-7 nights, this will be $600-$700 plus taxes.  The minimum stay is 4 nights for $400 plus taxes.

Please call the hotel at 1-307-235-1777, Option 0 for reservations, and give them your credit/debit card number to pay for your room(s).  Please identify that you are in the ASTROCON block of rooms.

 We were aware of the May 1^stdeadline as part of a contract with a new owner/manager of the Parkway a few months ago.  Our mistake was not informing all of you about this sooner and we are very sorry for any inconvenience this causes.

 We also want to make sure that we have a correct telephone number for everyone, as a representative of the hotel owner wants to reach out in an effort to confirm everyone’s reservation.

 If you have concerns after contacting the Parkway Plaza Hotel, please contact ASTROCON ASAP.  We look forward to meeting all registered guests at ASTROCON!

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URGENT!!   ALL ASTROCON 2017 GUESTS STAYING AT PARKWAY PLAZA HOTEL IN CASPER

REQUIREMENTS OF PAYMENT FOR ROOMS AT THE PARKWAY PLAZA HOTEL:

In regards to room reservations for Astrocon 2017, the full non-refundable payment for the entire stay are due on or before May 1st, 2017. 

All Astrocon attendees staying at the Parkway were emailed a notice regarding this policy on 4/21.  The Parkway personnel are assuming that each guest has reserved lodging for a minimum of 4 nights.

This directive comes from the owners/managers of the hotel and NOT the ASTROCON committee.

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Spanish Language versions of the Eclipse Checklists for the August 2017 Total Solar Eclipse are now available on the AL website.  Under the Observe dropdown list, click Downloadable Certificates.  Enjoy Safely!