On Thursday, Sept. 4, the San Juan Stargazers will hold their monthly educational meeting, and we invite everyone to a going away party honoring Ann Marie and Rex Kemp.
The meeting will include a going away party to honor and thank the Kemps at 6 p.m. during our social hour.
We meet at the United Methodist Church at 434 Lewis St. Please use the convenient parking lot and side door that leads into the kitchen and then fellowship hall. (We keep the front doors to the church sanctuary locked.)
The Kemps have been hardworking members since 2016, especially at the club’s summer night sky programs at Chimney Rock. But, most importantly, Ann Marie Kemp has been our education director in charge of our use of the Great Courses.
The educational handouts at our meetings are not published by Great Courses; they were written by Ann Marie Kemp using the book and video presentations. She did a tremendous amount of work and probably learned more than anyone else in the club.
The Kemps will be greatly missed, but will be moving to Wisconsin to be near their children. If you have known them, please feel welcome to join us to wish them the best.
At 7 p.m. we begin our educational program, which this month will be a presentation from the Great Courses. It is the program that we did not do in August because we got sidetracked by the night sky program. It will be exceptionally interesting about the beginning of our solar system.
A star is formed when the critical mass is achieved for a nuclear reaction to begin. The material that remains becomes the planets of the solar system, and the interesting part is how this happens. How do the planets form? In what order? Is it by location or size? There are a hundred questions to be answered, including if it happens the same way for every solar system. This will be a very exciting presentation and, I think, an unforgettable one.
Night sky programs
We still have two more night sky programs at Chimney Rock National Monument.
Our only Saturday night program will be on Aug. 30, with the gate opening at 6:30 p.m.
Our last night sky program will be on Sept. 19, with the gate opening at 6:30 p.m.
These are not only for out-of-town guests, but locals are always welcome and do not need a reservation. If the monsoon rains continue, we can use the visitor center since we never cancel our programs.
The loss of a member and a family activity
I have sad news to share that member Wayne Walls passed in August. Wayne and Nancy Walls always came with their son since astronomy was their family hobby.
That is a great idea to have an activity for everyone to do together. Our club is also especially good for kids who are home-schooled.
The Stargazers provides access to extraordinary science learning opportunities not only for the value of education, but valuable togetherness for the family to share having a “big picture of life in our universe.”
Joining the Stargazers
If you would like to join the San Juan Stargazers you will also receive Reflector Magazine (again with hard copies), which is the publication of the National Astronomical League of which you automatically become a member.
To join both groups and get an excellent astronomy magazine, annual membership is only $25 per individual or family. You can join the club at any of our meetings or on our website.
Check out our continuously changing website, sanjuanstargazers.org, with new information and spectacular photos.
We can be your connection to our extraordinary universe.
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