| MVAC UPLINK |
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| A Publication of the Mission Valley Astronomy Club |
| August 30, 2003 Club picnic and 2003 Mars watch The MVAC annual club picnic and star party was on August 30, and started at 4:00 PM this year. Every thing went very well. There was more than enough food for everyone. There were two people that joined the club at the picnic. There was around 45-50 people that came for the picnic and to view the sun that afternoon, Mars and other celestial objects throughout the evening. We had around 20 members present and around 25-30 guests from ages 7-70, for a total of 50 people. Also this year the MVAC picnic was a multi-club event. There were members from the Missoula club the WMAA, and the BSAC from Kalispell that joined us with their telescopes and expertise. All together there were 10 telescopes of different sizes and types. There was a lot of ooh's and wow's as many people got to view things that they never knew existed. Although Mars was clearly visible we could not see much detail on the surface because of atmospheric disturbance. Around midnight we had an unexpected visitor, a very large and bright green/orange meteor burned through the atmospher to the north of us and left a big bright trail and lit up every thing around us with a greenish glow for a couple of seconds. The meteor exploded into many pieces (no sound) right after entering the atmosphere. By the looks of the aerial dissintegration there was not enough left of it for any of it to have hit the ground. It was such a spectacular sight that even the experienced astronomers were going "WOW!!". Unfortunately all the astrophotographers camers were pointed in the opposite direction photographing Mars at that time. Every night spent stargazing has it's own rewards, just so happens that this night had a very special reward for us. Activities ended around 3:00 AM. A very good time was had by all. We are looking foreward to next year already to see what surprise awaits us. ________________________________________________________________________________________ July 26, 2003 MVAC FLOAT ENTERED IN THE ST. IGNATIUS GOOD OLD DAYS PARADE The MVAC float Vice president Mike Hawkaluk driving. President Leoanrd Lahaye, Sr. pointing the telescope. On the tailgate are club members Corinna and Melissa, official Candy throwers. |
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| The Club's printed news letter , the StarQuest is being changed from the monthly edition to this simpler format to resemble the MVAC Uplink e-news letter and will be printed as needed. This has become necessary because there are not enough contributing writers or contrubited articles to maintain a regular monthly edition, the club does not have access to a photocpier at this time. With out a photocopier printing a full news letter is cost prohibitive. |
| January 1, 2004 NASA/JPL Night Sky Network The MVAC has been accepted as a member of the NASA/JPL Night Sky Network. The Night Sky Network is a public out reach program sposored by NASA/JPL. |
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