✨ 👀 Webmaster’s Focus
✨ 👀 May 2024: A Matter of Astronomical Concern
The current issue of Astronomy Year Australia, published annually by Quasar astronomy since 1991, could be the last.
This stupendous annual reference work has been an indispensable night sky aid to amateur and professional astronomers for thirty-four years. My copy is never beyond easy reach – and to lose it would be like losing a limb.
However, the author’s introduction in Astronomy 2024 reads:
“Our future is uncertain at this stage……..Currently, we haven’t made a final decision on whether to continue with our 2025 edition. Although we would like to, we cannot guarantee anything at this point.”
The book was published about seven months ago but there is no reference to the statement on their website. Let’s hope that, despite dwindling sales, the authors will find a way to remain a part of our lives.
Roger Powell
Webmaster
www.macastro.org.au
👨👩👧👦 Macarthur Astronomy Forum
Dr Laura Driessen (USYD)
Monday 20th May
Macarthur Astronomy Forum is open to MAS members, WSU students and the general public. No admission fee (maybe if you come more than a couple of times you might like to think about becoming an MAS member). Gold coin donations appreciated. The Forums are held in the small lecture theatre in the School of Medicine (Building 30), Goldsmith Avenue, WSU Campbelltown Campus. You can find a location map and details by following this link.
📣 Members Event Diary
| DATE | EVENT | DETAILS | PUBLIC |
| Saturday 11th May | Wooglemai At Oakdale C A N C E L L E D | Observing night SS 5.06 pm, MS 7.27 pm | No |
| Saturday 11th May | Stargard At The Oaks C A N C E L L E D | Observing evening SS 5.06 pm, MS 7.27 pm | No |
| Monday 20th May | Macarthur Astronomy Forum at WSU | Guest Speaker: Dr Laura Driessen (USYD) Map. | YES |
| Saturday 1st June | Stargard At The Oaks | Observing evening SS 4.55 pm, MR 1.49 am | No |
| Saturday 8th June | Wooglemai At Oakdale | Observing night SS 4.53 pm, MS 6.12 pm | No |
| Saturday 8th June | Stargard At The Oaks | Observing evening SS 4.53 pm, MS 6.12 pm | No |
| Monday 17th June | Macarthur Astronomy Forum at WSU | Guest Speaker: TBA Map. | YES |
| Saturday 29th June | Stargard At The Oaks | Observing evening SS 4.57 pm, 12.48 am | No |
🟡 For Details of our next Public Stargazing night, please visit our Public Night page.
🔭 Our Observing Sites
Wooglemai is our members prime dark sky observing site located near Oakdale. With clubhouse amenities, sleeping accommodation and unlimited all night viewing hours, the experience provides members with excellent value for money. See our Wooglemai page for site details.
Stargard is our main general purpose observing field at The Oaks. Whilst it does not boast the facilities that Wooglemai does, it provides convenient evening sessions closer to home and free of charge to members. See our Stargard page for site details.
Coming? We need to know who is planning to attend our observing sessions. Members are requested to contact John Rombi at: president@macastro.org.au to reserve a place before travelling to an observing session. For essential information about our observing session protocols, please read our Field Night page.
🌦️ Weather Check
Article: Weather Forecasting for Amateur Astronomers
The Oaks Weather-cam: South facing
The Oaks Weather-cam: North facing
📜 General Notices
Committee Members 2024-25
President: John Rombi
Vice President: Noel Sharpe
Secretary: Roger Powell
Treasurer: Suzanne Adijans
Membership Officer: Frank Alvaro
Committee Member: Greg Bradford
Committee Member: Phil Kidd
Annual Report & Minutes
Observing
Members intending to attend our observing nights must read our Field Night page and Stargard or Wooglemai pages. Sessions are normally scheduled for Saturdays, because we recognise the needs of members who may have weekday jobs to go to. In the event of a doubtful weather forecast, members should check both here and our social media pages.
Laser Pointers
It is a legal requirement here in NSW to register laser pointer ownerships with the Police Firearms Registry. However, as MAS members, you are exempted from this obligation if the laser pointer is only used for astronomy. The Society keeps a register of members who are laser pointer owners and requires you to formally notify the Membership Officer if you have purchased a laser pointer.
MAS Private Messages
Due to privacy laws, MAS is prohibited from releasing members e-mail addresses. The intention of the PM system is to permit an individual member to contact another without initially knowing their e-mail address. You can find the PM System in the Users menu above, after you have logged on.
Membership
Please contact Frank Alvaro (Membership Officer) for all new membership enquiries: membership@macastro.org.au or go to our new membership page.
E-mail is our primary means of direct communication with all our members, so don’t forget to tell us if your e-mail address changes: membership@macastro.org.au.
Member’s Postal Address.
Membership cards are posted annually to the last postal address which you have provided to us, so please contact us with your new details at membership@macastro.org.au.
MAS Postal Address
We no longer maintain a PO Box address. After many years the cost and time did not justify a service that was so rarely used.
If you or a family member are showing any symptoms of covid, influenza or the common cold etc. please do not attend any of our events.