11 replies to this topic

[grailer]

For those living in or visiting Maine, Southern Maine Astronomers (SMA) have posted their Star Party schedule. We welcome everyone to attend, from newbies to experts. Our site also posts schedules and information about events across Maine, including those in exceptionally dark skies at recognized Dark Sky Sanctuaries.

 

Keep updated on our website at https://www.southern...stronomers.org/ and our Google Groups, linked from the same site.

 

A few things to note:

• All plans are perfect when first written. Will adjust as needed depending on weather, etc. Keep an eye out for updates on our website and soon to be launched Facebook page.
• Volunteer sign-up forms will be available on our website once events are posted
• Field events like this offer few facilities for formal presentations, so any talks will be informal and interactive. The value in these events is the in-person and hands-on interaction.
• We've tried to incorporate partnerships with other groups where possible to encourage broader participation
• Volunteers will arrive ~1hr prior to scheduled start time to help with setup, newbie questions, etc. unless otherwise noted
• We have a diverse roster of observing equipment from EAA scopes like Seestar and Unistellar, large SCTs, refractors, binos, and a large Dob

May 18, 8pm - Cumberland Fairgrounds, Cumberland, ME - Galaxies and Star Clusters
Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA) and Smart Telescopes

 

May TBD - 179 Neptune Drive, Brunswick, ME - SMA Open House
Open house and equipment sale! More details coming soon to our website.

 

June 15, 8pm - Location TBD - Moon and the Summer Skies
Rain Date TBD
Newbie telescope setup, alignment, collimation, etc.

Ask volunteers arrive ~6pm to help with new guest questions, setup

 

July 20, 8pm - Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth, ME - Star Clusters
Rain Date July 27
Star hopping - how do I find objects in the night sky?

 

August 24, 8pm - Cumberland Library w/Library Ice Cream Social, Cumberland, ME - Nebulae
Rain Date August 31
More on Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA) and Smart Telescopes
Using filters for observing

 

September 21, 7pm - Bug Light Park, South Portland, ME - Various
Rain Date September 28
Preserving Dark Skies, Astro software for finding objects & telescope control

 

October 05, 6pm - Mitchell Field w/Harpswell Heritage Land Trust, Harpswell, ME - Various

Rain Date October 06

Preserving Dark Skies

 

November 16, 6pm - Eastern Prom, Portland, ME/Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth, ME/Bug Light, South Portland, ME (TBD) - Planets are back in the evening sky!
Rain Date November 23
The Planets and how to pick/find observing targets (e.g., Messier and other catalogs, etc.)

 

[grailer]

May event RESCHEDULED to Sunday, May 19th @ 8pm, Cumberland Fairgrounds. Saturday's a washout between clouds and possible rain, Sunday looks better right now though possibility of some clouds.

 

 

Theme this month is Galaxies and Star Clusters, though the moon at gibbous waxing may force is to rely on the EAA folks for dimmer objects. Nice views of the moon for visual observers though.

 

 

Fortunately, looks like a great turnout for Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA). Those with EAA scopes will provide tours of the smart telescopes, their capabilities, and benefits.

 

 

Observing - visual with large aperture SCT telescopes and bino-viewers, many EAA "smart" telescopes as well.

 

 

Open to all. Hope to you see there.

[grailer]

SMA are CANCELLING tonight’s star party, 19 May @ 8pm. Unfortunately weather is not cooperating for the event. Heavy fog, mist, and serious cloud cover far to the west and north. Even if there were occasional views, the dew would be so heavy as to make observing difficult on the equipment.

 

Let’s look forward to better skies for June! Currently working on a location near to Portland with some eager partners, so stay tuned..

[grailer]

SMA Star Party, June 15th @ 8pm (rain date June 29th), Bug Light Park, South Portland, ME

 

Southern Maine Astronomers (SMA) is holding their first in-person Star Party of the season! The theme this month will be the Moon and Summer Skies.

 

There will be many telescopes setup for both visual (looking through an eyepiece) and Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA - look on a phone screen or tablet).

 

Due to the late sunset and astronomical dusk, they welcome newbies or anyone who needs help with telescope setup while there's still evening light. That includes collimation, aligning finder scopes, setting up your mount, and finding objects.

 

Be sure to attend their monthly meeting Thursday, June 6th where they'll show how to use programs like Stellarium to identify and find night sky objects.

Please check SMA's website for details and updates here: https://www.southern...stronomers.org/

[grailer]

SMA Star Party, July 20th @ 8pm (rain date July 27th), Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth, ME

 

Southern Maine Astronomers (SMA) is holding their second in-person Star Party of the season! The theme again this month will be the Moon and Summer Skies. All are welcome. Sunset is at 8:15pm, moonrise shortly thereafter at 8:20pm and near full. However, the sky is unobstructed from the site, offering 360° views. Some of the brighter objects like globular clusters will be good targets.

There will be many telescopes setup for both visual (looking through an eyepiece) and Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA - look on a phone screen or tablet).
They again welcome newbies or anyone who needs help with telescope setup while there's still evening light. That includes collimation, aligning finder scopes, setting up your mount, and finding objects.

Please check SMA's website for details and updates here: https://www.southern...stronomers.org/

[grailer]

SMA Star Party, August 24th @ 7:30pm (rain date August 31st), Twin Brooks Recreation Fields, Cumberland, ME

 

Welcome to SMA's August Star Party as they partner once again with Cumberland's Prince Memorial Library. This event always has a great turnout since ice cream sundaes are provided!

 

They'll again peek at the summer skies with many nebula and star clusters still in good viewing. Sunset is at 7:29pm as our days grow slowly shorter, with dark skies as the waning moon doesn't rise until 9:55pm. Brighter objects like globular clusters remain good targets. There will be many telescopes set up for both visual (looking through an eyepiece) and Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA - look on a phone screen or tablet).

 

For those unfamiliar with Twin Brooks, here's how to find it: https://www.google.c...xmvhr?entry=ttu

 

For more information and to keep up to date with upcoming events, be sure to checkout Southern Maine Astronomers' website at https://www.southern...stronomers.org/.

[grailer]

Southern Maine Astronomers (SMA) Star Party, September 21st 7:00pm (rain date September 28th), Bug Light Park, South Portland, Maine.

 

Join SMA and celebrate the equinox as they return to Bug Light Park for a public star party. Weather forecast looks wonderful, with a late moonrise over the ocean, Saturn and Neptune visible, and many fascinating deep sky objects observable including nebulae and star clusters. Not sure what those are? Show up and find out! They’ll also be conducting a laser pointer sky tour for those unfamiliar with the constellations or wanting to learn more.

 

A variety of telescopes and binoculars will be available for viewing, including the latest electronically assisted astronomy telescopes that show images in your phone/tablet.

 

The fun starts at 7pm with sunset at 6:30pm.

 

A reminder for those not familiar with the area, Bug Light is *not* Spring Point Light. Bug Light, formally Portland Breakwater Light, is located here: https://g.co/kgs/GaVzXhV

 

Hope to see you there! For more information and schedule of other SMA events, see their website at https://www.southern...stronomers.org/

Edited by grailer, 16 September 2024 - 06:39 PM.

[grailer]

On October 19th, SMA is hosting their 20th Anniversary Open House and Telescope Sale! Come explore your interest in Astronomy, learn about equipment and maybe even buy a telescope! SMA is selling excess equipment including scopes for beginners up to dream scopes for more advanced observers. Short topic presentations on observing basics, constellations, and the latest innovations in equipment. If sunny we’ll look at the sun through specially filtered telescopes.

 

Date: Saturday, 10/19/24, 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Location: Southern Maine Astronomers HQ, 179 Neptune Drive, Brunswick, ME

 

Rain or shine!

[grailer]

Regrettably, with full cloud cover forecast this Saturday, the event at Bug Light Park is cancelled. Join SMA at their next event on Saturday, October 5th at Mitchell Field in Harpswell or their 20th Anniversary Open House on October 19th in Brunswick. SMA will have telescopes and accessories for sale! Will post more details on both those events shortly.

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SMA Star Party, Saturday October 5th @ 5:30pm (rain date Sunday October 6th), Mitchell Field, Harpswell

 

SMA again partner with the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust and return to Mitchell Field in Harpswell in celebration of Dark Skies. The site offers 360° views, relatively dark skies, and unusual (for the Maine coast) water views to the West for sun and moon set. Parking is plentiful with 'scopes setup in the lot.

 

For those unfamiliar with the area, here's the Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo...h53Wdzy8guxJuYA

 

Sunset is at 6:13pm, the moon is just past new and a waxing crescent, setting at 7:11pm. Should be a beautiful set over the ocean and earlier enough to get some decent observing in. Lots of Messier objects and clusters are visible as planets return to the night sky, including Neptune and Saturn.

 

Hot cocoa will be provided!

[grailer]

Astronomy Club celebrates 20th Anniversary with Open House and Telescope Sale

 

Southern Maine Astronomers, the largest amateur astronomy club in Maine, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an Open House and Telescope Sale at its headquarters at 179 Neptune Drive at Brunswick Landing on Saturday, October 19, from 1 to 3 p.m.  The public is invited to this free event to learn more about astronomy and telescopes.  A variety of telescopes, eyepieces and other accessories will be for sale, suitable for beginners to advanced amateur astronomers.

 

“Our open house will offer an opportunity for people to come meet us and learn about astronomy, stargazing opportunities and telescopes,” said Robert Burgess, President of SMA.  “There’s been a tremendous growth in interest in astronomy this year with the April eclipse, extraordinary auroras and now a new comet in evening skies,” Burgess said.

According to Burgess SMA is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that was established in 2004.  Since that time the club has hosted scores of star parties and school presentations throughout Greater Portland and Midcoast Maine, reaching about 25,000 people. The club is also a strong advocate for protecting Maine’s dark skies and preserving the habitats of animals and insects that depend on darkness.

 

The Open House will display a variety of telescopes and binoculars with club members on hand to answer questions.  With good weather forecast the club will use its special solar telescopes to view the Sun.  There will also be basic instruction on getting started with learning one’s way around the night sky.   A variety of telescopes and accessories, from basic to advanced, will be on sale.   Information on items for sale can be found on the club’s website at www.southernmaineastronomers.org.

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Southern Maine Astronomers (SMA) Star Party, Saturday November 23rd @ 6pm, Bug Light Park, South Portland

 

Hi everyone - welcome to SMA's last scheduled star party of the season!

 

They return to Bug Light Park in South Portland, offering beautiful 360° views over the ocean and Casco Bay islands. Planets are out in full force this November with Saturn and Jupiter offering brilliant views. Time to get in Saturn viewing before the rings become fully edge-on in the coming year. Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto are also visible. The Pleiades (it's always Pleiades!) and some spectacular globular clusters will also be visible as are several Messier galaxies near the zenith, including Andromeda and Triangulum. For double star fans, the famous "Double Double" in Lyra should be a treat with the famous blue and gold pair of Albireo nearby. Views are generally good despite neighbouring Portland's light pollution.

 

For those unfamiliar with the area, here's the Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo...RmLh5LphN2AbyF7

 

Hoping for clear skies - forecast doesn't look optimal, but similar this past weekend, we may get a brief window Saturday night.