Amherst Area Amateur Astronomers Association

MEETING MINUTES

Meeting Date:

I. Call To Order:

Meeting called to order at 8:00 p.m. by President Tom Whitney.

II. Old Business:

None.

II. Minutes of Last Meeting:

Tom Petray gave the secretary's report that the minutes of the last club business meeting on January 8, 2010, were online at the 5As website.  Click on 'Meeting Minutes.'

IV. New Business:

Tom Whitney asked if there was any new business.  
Upcoming Club Events and Information - Tom mentioned several upcoming events such the Winter Star Party at Arunah Hill scheduled for February 13 and the possibility of opening up the Observatory for observing on February 14 and 26.  Also, Vesta opposition takes place on Feb. 18th so some of us might want to catch this.  

Presentation – “Astronomy in World Culture” presented by Judy Young, Dept. of Astronomy at UMass Amherst
Tom read her bio including many awards she has received. She is creator of the Foundation for Astronomy and Spirituality. Set up the only sun wheel at any institution of higher learning at UMass.  She is the daughter of Vera Rubin, discoverer of dark matter.  She last spoke to the club in 1999, before the sun wheel had been set up.  

Presentation bullets included: 

Astronomy Connects all people.  
?	Connects all people to the sun and moon… Astronomy provides great beauty
?	Astronomy has predictive power; when will sun rise and set, etc.  

Culturally Astronomy provides
?	Connection to past and future… Beauty of all to enjoy
?	Cycles & patterns in movement of sun moon and stars
?	A way to keep track of time

What is a Sun Wheel?
?	Original Observatory or an outdoor astronomy exhibit
?	A stone Circle like Stonehenge, could be an original Calendar

How does It work?
?	Sun indicates day of the year
?	Standing Stones line up with the rising sun at the Solstices and Equinoxes

Sun Wheels Worldwide
?	Thousands found worldwide, Some up to 7000 years old
?	Examples Big Horn Medicine wheel

Stonehenge
?	5000 years old, latitude 51 degrees, solar and lunar observatory, only latitude for 90 degree angle, axis tilt change UMass Sun wheel

Callanish, Scotland
?	Latitude 58 degrees
?	Standing Stones mark direction to Summer Solstice Sunrise & Northern moonrise
?	At Major lunar standstill, full moon at summer solstice is LOW, 3 ½ degrees above horizon

Chichen Itza, Mexico
?	El Castillo pyramid aligned to solstices
?	Serpent heads at base of the stairs illuminated at sunset on the Equinox
?	Intentional serpent shadow is shown, also 260 day Venus Calendar
?	El Caracol at Chichen Itza, The Mayan Observatory, cups to see reflection of stars, for stellar observations 

Chaco Canyon, New Mexico
?	Fajada Butte, Sun Dagger at noon on summer solstice, 1000 years old
?	24 inch telescope housed by sun dagger site 

Big Horn Medicine Wheel
?	Astronomical Calendar, Over 500 years old
?	Alignments, Summer solstice sunrise & sunset, directions to bright star risings 

UMass Sunwheel
?	12 years old, a 21st century sunwheel
?	Solar & lunar observatory, idea came from Montana sunwheel on former Blackfeet land, moonstones inspired by Anasazi Hovenweep 18.6 year lunar cycle 
?	Astronomy Teaching Tool-experience the sky
?	Cultural Learning Experience-symbol of the connection between our modern society & our past
?	Public Outreach-to enhance science literacy & create community, K-12 outreach, where does sun rise on your birthday  700 people attend seasonal sunrise & sunset programs on solstices & equinoxes each year
?	65’ in radius Viewing area in center, located near stadium in Hadley
?	Astronomical Requirements 4 solstice stones, 4 moon stones, Chester Granite co.
?	Mark sunrise and sunset at solstices and equinoxes, light and shadows 

She passed out flyers to announce this year’s events.  

The meeting ended at 9:26 and those attending visited and enjoyed refreshments.  Twelve members and guests were present. 

Respectfully submitted,
Tom Petray, Secretary

Contact Us: EMAIL or Call...	The Club has been visited 330959 times on the web.
Tom Whitney, President (413)-256-6234 / Kevin Collins, Vice-President (413)-586-2395	Updated: 3/11/2010, c. Kevin Collins 2010