Download New Members` Handbook - Amateur Astronomers, Inc.

New Member’s Handbook 2016-2017
Welcome to Amateur Astronomers, Inc., where our mission is to share our love of the stars through
outreach, education, and research.
Now that you are a member, you may be thinking “now what?” Different people from all walks of life
join our organization for a wide number of reasons. Some are “armchair astronomers” who come to hear
our talks and socialize with likeminded individuals. Some are drawn to observing and are always at the
eyepiece, while others have traded their eyepiece for the digital camera. Others still are into the raw
science and participate in cutting edge research. Most members are a mix of the above groups.
We encourage our members to share their skills through participation in our activities, our committees,
and our governing body, the executive committee.
Recurring Activities:
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Fridays at Sperry: Every Friday evening rain or shine throughout the year we have an open house
at Sperry Observatory, featuring a talk about astronomy at 8:30 and observing on our 2
telescopes, weather permitting.
Third Friday, September through May: The only exception to the above is the third Friday of the
month, September through May, when we meet at the Roy Smith Theatre for a business meeting
at 8:00 pm followed by a special guest speaker at 9:00. We then go to Sperry at 10:00 for coffee
and cake, and observing (weather permitting).
Saturday afternoons from 1:00 till 2:30 at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Watchung
Reservation we have Solar Observing for the public, weather permitting. This program runs
spring thru early October.
Special Activities:
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We occasionally have special events on Saturday nights to celebrate important celestial events
with talks and observing.
We occasionally have star parties at Watchung Reservation.
We host an annual Astronomy Day presentation at Trailside during the day followed by observing
and presentations at Sperry at night.
We participate in an annual tree decorating event at Trailside which supports needy families
around Union County.
All of the above activities are provided free of charge to our members and the public at large. They cannot
happen, however, without the active participation of you, the member! We need trained observers to
operate telescopes, speakers to present talks, and members willing to plan special events.
The hard work of all our committees is where this magic happens. Following is a brief description of each
of our standing committees, including how participation in each contributes to our mission. The first three
are intrinsically linked and form the core of our observing outreach.
IQC: The instrument Qualification Committee is the body that trains our Qualified Observers in the use
of the 24” reflector and the 10” refractor at Sperry, as well as a general training course in astronomy. This
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allows us to maintain 5 teams of observers to operate the telescopes on public nights and intelligently
answer any questions the public may have. The QO course begins every September and is a prerequisite
to operating the 24” telescope. It is open to all members in good standing regardless of age. After
completing the course, you will be placed on one of 5 teams and will be expected to help operate the 24”
when the public is present of Friday nights or on a Special Open House Event.
Research/Astrophotography: The AAI Research Committee promotes and encourages astronomical
research and related activities for its membership. This includes projects in astronomical imaging,
photometry, spectroscopy, lunar occultation measurements, solar and lunar eclipse studies, solar flare and
sunspot monitoring as well as studies of an historical and archaeoastronomy nature. We also present two
workshop classes each year for AAI members on techniques such as astrophotography and spectroscopy.
We report on our projects at the May meeting each year. There is a very active email list for members to
ask questions and report their observations with the Sperry 24” telescope, the Jenny Jump 14” telescope,
or with personal telescopes. Recent observations have included lunar mosaics, deep sky imaging,
exoplanet transits, and low resolution spectroscopy. See our website
(http://www.asterism.org/jsp/research.jsp) to read the monthly reports of research activities and admire
some of our amazing images.
Technical and Telescope Services: This committee is responsible for the design, construction, and
maintenance of the Sperry Observatory telescopes and other astronomical equipment (including off-site
facilities) as designated by the Executive Committee. The committee ensures that knowledge of the
operation of such equipment is transmitted to the Instrument Qualification Committee. No person other
than a member of the committee, or one authorized by the chair of the committee, will attempt to repair or
modify any astronomical equipment belonging to the corporation or housed in the Observatory or other
off-site facilities. The committee also provides leadership to the membership in the design, construction,
testing, and adjustment of their personal telescopes and other related instruments. It assists the
membership in all aspects of optical, mechanical, and electronic design and fabrication as well as act as a
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consultant to the general public. The committee is also responsible for the care and maintenance of our
shop tools and equipment. Historically, the committee has provided training in the safe use of our shop
equipment, and hopefully we can resume this service in the near future. The Technical Committee
mailing list keeps members informed of what work is being done by the committee, and is the forum
where specific technical questions can be asked. We have a number of experienced members as our panel
of “experts”, as well as members who just like to keep abreast of the latest developments. If you have
skills to offer this committee, or just want to keep informed, membership to this committee is open to all
members.
Library: The A.A.I. library supports the research, general reading, and viewing activities of the club
membership. The library has approximately 1000 volumes covering all aspects of astronomy as practiced
by the amateur. Like public libraries, there are books for general circulation and for reference. Books for
general circulation may be borrowed for eight weeks. The library is open on Friday nights. There is also
an archive section which is in the large case behind the sales and promotion counter. This has many
interesting items. To use the library, ask the club librarian.
Sales and Promotion: This committee operates the sales desk at the entrance to Sperry Observatory.
Over the years we have provided educational merchandise, books and materials to engage both children
and adults in their astronomy hobby. We carry a variety of specially embroidered apparel with the AAI
logo, as well items that put the fun in science (such as our Einstein finger puppet/fridge magnet!). We
have recently refreshed the inventory and streamlined procedures, such as accepting credit cards as well
as cash for payment. We love input from members about ideas for new merchandise and opportunities to
display and sell it. We encourage folks to assist in operating the desk on a Friday of their choosing.
Newcomers are in a very good position to meet and greet folks coming to Sperry, as well to become more
acquainted with other club members. If you enjoy people, this committee may be for you.
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Computers: The committee is responsible for the maintenance and operation of such computer-related
equipment as required by the corporation. In addition, the committee is responsible for the Computer
related contents in the Sperry office.
Club Newsletter: This committee will restart the newsletter for the members that is published on the
website and includes articles by the committee and members, upcoming astronomical events, scientific
updates and current research, and information important for the members. If you enjoy writing this
committee may be for you.
Education/Children’s Activities/lecture presentation: This committee, also known as Displays and
Presentations or D&P, is responsible for providing a program for the weekly “Fridays At Sperry” series of
informal lectures except for those Fridays when the monthly meetings are held. It is also responsible for
maintaining all club-owned presentation equipment and any pictures and displays that are on the walls of
the Observatory classroom. The committee is also responsible for the monthly updating and re-arranging
of the display case in the main lecture room, which is handled by Bonnie Witzgall.
In addition this committee handles the planning and preparation of the yearly Astronomy Day event
which is held in the spring. It also oversees any outreach programs with schools or other organizations
requesting volunteers to come and give an astronomy presentation at their location. Volunteers are needed
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to help with setup, answering questions about AAI and any other assistance needed at these events and
outreach programs.
By prior arrangement, youth groups can request suitable presentations at 7:00 p.m. on Fridays. Often
these are scout groups. Volunteers are needed to give presentations to these groups and help guide the
youth through the 2 domes for observing through the telescopes. Volunteers will be trained in giving
these presentations and are assisted by other volunteers during the evening. Note: It’s great to see how
excited some of the children get when they come to the Observatory. For many it’s their first real
experience in astronomy and observing through a telescope! They get to listen to a presentation usually on
the solar system, ask questions, and participate in an activity related to learning about binoculars or how
to find constellations in the sky. Then they get to do observing through our 2 large telescopes. Come and
volunteer some of your time to this committee and experience the night sky through the eyes of the youth!
It’s also a great way to meet other members of AAI and make new friends!
Education is the committee responsible for educational programs for the public. This committee works in
conjunction with the Displays & Presentations Committee on youth presentations and outreach programs
and events. We are always looking for volunteers with new ideas for programs or to help with running
these programs.
Sidewalk Astronomy/ Solar Observing: This committee organizes and publicizes astronomical
activities for members, the public, other astronomy clubs and/or groups and entities that may be interested
in these activities. Activities are impromptu star parties, planned observation activities other than at
Sperry Observatory, sidewalk astronomy, fields trips, and the like. This committee shall coordinate its
activities with the Observation Committee and D&P Committee, so as to not conflict with any previously
scheduled AAI public presentations. This committee also runs solar viewing at Trailside on Saturdays
from April to the beginning of October. Members are encouraged to bring their own telescopes to these
activities to observe with the public. Volunteers are needed to help organize these activities and to assist
with observing with the public.
Public Relations: This committee distributes Information about upcoming programs at Sperry
Observatory. This is sent to over 55 libraries, several newspaper sources, UCC, over 20 school districts,
Trailside Nature and Science Center, The Patch and TAP. Most is done via email, although hard copies
are sent to local libraries to ensure posting on their Community Access Boards. In addition use of social
media such as Facebook and other similar media outlets are being used or researched to help us publicize
AAI and information about us. If you have skills in these areas this committee may be for you.
Executive Committee: This committee consists of the officers (President, Vice President, Recording
Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer) and the chairs of the standing committees. The
Executive Committee meets once a month at the Observatory on the Thursday 1 week (8 days) before the
General meeting. General meetings are held on the third Friday of the month from September through
May. During the summer months when there are no General Meetings, the Executive Committee is
scheduled as if there were General Meetings. Meetings usually begin at 8:30 pm during the school year
and at 8:00 pm in the summer months. The officers and standing committee chairs work on behalf of AAI
discussing items of importance and interest to the club.
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UACNJ: Did you know AAI owns and operates more telescopes than the two we have at the Sperry
Observatory? AAI is a member of United Astronomy Clubs of NJ. United Astronomy Clubs of New
Jersey, Inc. (UACNJ) was formed in 1988 as a loosely associated networking group for New Jersey area
amateur astronomy clubs. UACNJ itself is not a club, but a consortium of a dozen and a half clubs united
to support, coordinate, and communicate ideas among over 1400 individuals who make astronomy their
hobby, in and around the state. UACNJ helps promote and support amateur astronomy in the New Jersey
area by representing its member clubs with its astronomical displays at major area events. UACNJ is a
club of clubs that's located in Hope NJ at 1100' altitude at some of the darkest skies in NJ.
As an AAI member you get the opportunity to use this location. UACNJ is open to all every Saturday
night from April to October. If you choose to become an observer at UACNJ, you can have full access to
the facilities including the C14 Edge HD AAI owns 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Come and check out
the wonderful dark skies. Make sure to check you are interested in being a field observer on your
application. http://www.uacnj.org/
For more information on these committees or our activities, including a schedule of upcoming events,
please check our website: http://www.asterism.org
Clear skies!
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