NWSF Friday 2011

NWSF 2011 Friday Night
NWSF 2011 Friday Evening
NWSF 2011 Friday Evening
NWSF 2011 Friday Audience
NWSF 2011 Saturday PM
NWSF 2011 Sunday AM

Star Fest Information
Join us at the 23rd annual Northwoods Starfest, August 26th through 28th, 2011, at Hobbs Observatory near Fall Creek, Wisconsin.

Hobbs Observatory is part of the Beaver Creek Reserve (BCR). Recreational possibilities include the Eau Claire County Youth Camp, the Wise Nature Center, hiking trails, and bicycling.

Hobbs Observatory has two domes, one with a 24-inch f/5 reflector and the other with a 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain. There is a large meeting area where some talks and presentations take place. There is a large auditorium located south of the highway at the Nature Center. There is a large field in front of the observatory to set up for observing. The skies are quite dark.

C.V.A.S. has reserved the Youth Camp for Starfest use. The camp has five cabins and the Cedar Lodge. The cabins sleep 20; the lodge, up to 40. Cabins have bunk style beds and mattresses. You will need to bring sleeping bags and pillows. Showers are available for all guests, but bring your own towels. Tenting and camper spaces are also available.

If you are interested in a swap fest, bring whatever astronomical goodies you want to get rid of. Also, if you have slides, a talk, or a video that you would like to show, please let us know on the registration form.

Look around the CVAS web page for more information about the C.V.A.S. and Hobbs Observatory.

5:30pm -- Brats and Hot Dogs in front of the observatory
Cost not included in the registration fee!

Michael Bakich
Senior Editor - Astronomy Magazine
Kalmbach Publishing
Waukesha Wi.

We all want to become the best amateur astronomer we can be. Some hobbyists pursue this quest by upgrading their telescope or accessories. Others enter the realm of astroimaging. But one surefire method of becoming better is by gleaning gems of knowledge from other observers. This talk presents at least one such tip for every letter in the alphabet. Beginners will find much wisdom here, and even advanced amateurs may hear tidbits they’ll want to try during their next night under the stars.

Michael has been fascinated with the stars all his life. His astronomical journey began when he was in third grade, after his parents bought him a set of constellation flash cards. From that day forward, Michael’s goal was to become an astronomer.

Michael realized that goal in 1975, when he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in astronomy from the Ohio State University. Rather than continuing on a research-oriented track, Michael attended Michigan State University, where he received a Master of Arts degree in planetarium education (one of only six such degrees ever awarded) in 1977.

During the past two decades, Michael has worked in seven planetaria and has served as a consultant in the planetarium field. He joined Astronomy as associate editor (and photo editor) in February 2003.

Prior to joining the staff of Astronomy, Michael’s days revolved around serving as a planetarium consultant, lecturing, and writing. Michael has written three books for Cambridge University Press. His first book was The Cambridge Guide to the Constellations. The planets were the focus of his second book, The Cambridge Planetary Handbook. Michael’s third book, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Amateur Astronomy, deals with all aspects of amateur astronomy.

Late last year, Springer published Michael’s most recent book, 1,001 Celestial Wonders to See Before You Die (New York, 2010, ISBN 978–1–4419–1776–8). It’s part of the publisher’s “Patrick Moore’s Practical Astronomy” series.

Because of his popular appeal, engaging style, and vast astronomical knowledge, Michael is a much sought after “tour guide” to eclipses, sky events, and historical astronomy sites. Michael has conducted many tours, including two to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico to study the astronomically related ruins of the Mayas, several to space shuttle launches, a cruise to see the 1986 appearance of Halley’s Comet in Tahiti, and total solar eclipse trips in the United States, the Baja Peninsula in Mexico, and Peru. Since joining the staff of Astronomy, Michael has led a group to South Africa to observe the 2004 transit of Venus, and has headed up total eclipse expeditions to Tahiti, Europe, Russia, China, and Easter Island.

In his spare time, Michael enjoys woodworking, science-fiction movies (with particular emphasis on giant monsters such as Godzilla), and book collecting. This last passion has led him on a lengthy search for 19th-century, first-edition astronomy books. Currently, Michael’s collection numbers more than 450 individual 19th-century first editions — one of the largest private collections anywhere.

Possible tour of the Rock Elm Meteorite Impact Crater - Ask for details during check in

Paul J. Thomas
Professor of Physics and Astronomy
University of Wisconsin

Fred Whipple's Solar System

"Earth, Moon and Planets", by Fred Whipple - first published in 1941 - was a standard text on the solar system for the interested lay person. It was updated and continually published into the 1970s - a time of tremendous change for our knowledge of our planetary neighbors. Much of Whipple's book still is on point, and much that has changed tells a fascinating story of our discoveries in the field of planetary science. This talk will cover both aspects of the book, including an up to date review of current planetary exploration missions. I'll also discuss the 70-year career of Iowa-born Whipple, whose contributions to space exploration are vital to every comet mission we fly today.

Paul Thomas has been a member of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UW-Eau Claire since 1989. He has a Ph.D from Monash University in Australia and has research interests in computer modeling of comet and asteroid impacts on planets and the nature of the the solar system's "other ocean", under the surface of Jupiter's moon, Europa.

He received the 2010 University of Wisconsin Regents Teaching Excellence Award.

Paper Session
An informal paper session is planned for Saturday afternoon. If you have something to share: slides, a video tape, a unique telescope, or anything else that people might enjoy, we encourage you to sign up.

Registration
The registration fee is $55 per person until July 31st (postmark date) . The fee is $65 after July 31st. Children 17 and under are half price, and children 10 and under are FREE. The fee includes registration, meals and snacks, lodging or camping fees, and speakers' fees. No refunds allowed after August 15th, 2011.

Tee Shirts - This year, Northwoods StarFest T-shirts will be available by pre-order at the time of registration only.

If you plan to bring a camper, park in the field adjacent to the observatory. There are a few electrical outlets available outside the observatory for your use. WE NEED TO KNOW IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO BRING AN RV SINCE WE HAVE LIMITED SPACE FOR THEM !!

Please let us know if you have any other special needs before Starfest and we'll do our best to accommodate them. For hotel/motel information for the area call the Eau Claire Visitors Bureau at (715)-831-2345.

Please let us know in advance if you are attending to help us with meal planning.

Last revision 08-31st, 2011
by Ben

Counter started 08-31st, 2011 hitscounter

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Comments welcome

Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society (C.V.A.S.)
Northwoods Starfest
Aug 26-28th, 2011

Northwoods Starfest 2011

Hobbs Observatory

Beaver Creek Reserve

Fall Creek, Wisconsin

Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society (C.V.A.S.) Northwoods StarfestAug 26-28th, 2011

Northwoods Starfest 2011

Hobbs Observatory

Beaver Creek Reserve

Fall Creek, Wisconsin

Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society (C.V.A.S.)
Northwoods Starfest
Aug 26-28th, 2011