Minutes of the monthly meeting of Sangamon Astronomical Society held April 15, 2004 at 7:00 PM at Don Jardine's Observatory.

The members of the Board of Directors are:

Larry Hardy
Mike Robertson
Ray Watt
Fred Pilcher
Glenn Cunningham

Updates

Treasury Report:    We are waiting on an audit of the books and a tax filling with be by May 15th. Bills to be paid are the printing of the brochures and an insurance premium. Both motions passed. The treasurer requested that someone by appointed to speak to the insurance company to make certain coverage is adequete. Ray Watt volunteered.

Planning and Grants:    No Report

Observing Program:  No Report

Public and Private Events: Astronomy Day is Sat. April 24th. Centennial Park in Springfield is reserved for this event, which is open to the public. Club members are urged to be at the site by 3pm to setup. The public is welcome starting at 3:30pm. There will be stations set up to teach the public the basics of setting up a telescope as well as solor viewing early on and evening viewing after dark. The Lions club and Boy Scouts will be on hand with food and refreshments. Presentations will be as follows: Telescope Setup by Tom Garber and Fred Pilcher, Solar Observing by Don Walker, Eyepiece and Magnification by Kerry Wright, Maps-Charts and Planispheres by Jim Rosenthal. There will be a information table and T-Shirt sales manned by Lynn Rosenthal and Clark Woodruff.

Star Party: Star Party brochures were handed out to all members present so they could pass them around to people and businesses. Thanks to Rick Branson for the preparation.

Rick Branson was the event chairman for the Messier Marathon this year which he stated was a success. The 2 night event yielded 12 members participating. Seeing was very good till nearly midnight each night. The spiral galaxy M5 was crystal clear and detail was excellent. The speaks highly for the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Park. Two passes of the ISS were also observed.

Glenn Cunningham also announced that the club now has an Online Star Party Application system in place on the web site and has already produced three entries.

The next meeting will be held at Don's house on May 20th so bring your scopes!!!!

Presentation

Larry Hardy and Ray Watt demonstrated a Celestron 6" F8 refractor which was purchased from an individual in Decatur. The scope may or may not be sold or used by the club.

The meeting was adjourned at 9pm.