February 2021 President’s message
by Steve Siok
Hello again everyone.
Well, on this last day of January as we wait for the great 2021 Nor’easter, I have two topics I want to share. First is our meeting this coming Saturday. Our speaker is none other than our member John Briggs. He will be talking about his project in New Mexico, The Astronomical Lyceum. It is a museum of telescopes and astronomical books and ephemera. Any of you who remember John from his time in New England will recall that he was always enchanted by old Alvan Clarks. And he would do his best to acquire any old scope that needed a home. Thus was born the seed of his museum. But like most amateur astronomers, an interest always seems to become an obsession. That is what John will share with us on Saturday. Please everyone, the weather this week will not allow you to anything else Saturday night so I hope to see many of you then. The Zoom link will be sent to all members this week.
The first time Kathy and I met John was at the AAVSO convention at Maria Mitchell Observatory on Nantucket. He was a high school summer intern that year and made history by becoming the first male to intern at the summer program. (Reverse discrimination averted!). John was an active member of the New Bedford Astronomical Society and later joined Skyscrapers. His astronomical interests took him all over the country and world. I remember the talk he gave at Seagrave about wintering in Antarctica. And I also remember visiting John in Sunspot, New Mexico as he worked on the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Lots of memories and I guess many of you will also want to reminisce with him.
Secondly, I want to shout out for Jeff Padell. Jeff has been spearheading the efforts to expand the Skyscrapers presence with The Astronomical League, the umbrella of astronomy clubs nationally. YOU can benefit from the many opportunities offered by participating in the League’s Observing programs. I scanned the list and counted 75 different tasks you can get involved in. Most efforts allow you to earn recognition with a personal certificate and lapel pin. Consider getting involved, especially as the weather gets warmer. I would like to point out that there are projects for observers of all levels and observers with all levels of equipment (even no equipment). And now is the time to start thinking and scheming about your Messier Catalog Marathon Run. In March and April it is possible to observe all 110 Messier objects on one night! You will need a dark sky with good horizons, so you might want to observe during the new moon. The new moons this year occur on March 13 and April 12. SO start thinking about it and tie your project to the Astronomical League program!
That’s all for now. Please stay safe and wishing you clear skies.
