NSAS Minutes: March 2004


The meeting was called to order at 7:17PM. The meeting was held in Witmer 116.

We had introductions and shared what we did for spring break.  

Milly gave his rock talk.  He talked about rocks on Earth and how each type forms and then related it to the rocks found on Mars.  He also talked about cross-bedding and how it is evident in Mars rocks.

Our club will be having a popcorn sale in the Memorial Union on the week of April 26-30th.  We will be selling popcorn from 11-2.  

We also discussed writing a newsletter for our club.  

Kayla talked about the different observing clubs that are sponsored by the Astronomical League.  
To find out more about the various observing clubs go to: http://www.astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/
She also discussed having a club-oriented Messier Marathon during or around the week of spring break.

Astronomy week is April 19-24th.  Astronomy week started when the various clubs around the nation push awareness in the field of Astronomy.  
Astronomy Day is April 24th.  

Yuri's Night is April 12th.  It is a worldwide space party that involves 20 countries.  This is when the world will celebrate the anniversary of the first person in space, Yuri Gagarin; and the first Shuttle Flight, Columbia.  The website for Yuri's night is:  http://www.yurisnight.net/spaceparty.php

Space day is May 6th.  This is an educational initiative that involves 21 countries.  More information can be found at: http://www.spaceday.org/index.html

Our club now has an account at the UND Credit Union.  With the external bank account, we can now set up a PayPal Account, which Mike is currently working on so we can transfer funds much easier for reimbursing people when needed.  To draw money from this account, two things must be done: first, it must be voted on for approval and second, two people are needed for a signature.  

The 11-foot dome needs to find a new home.  It needs to be moved ASAP.  The trailer to move the dome is no longer there so the club needs to decide when and where to move it.  

Milly brings up the need for a vote on how much to pay speakers for the North Dakota Star Party for travel expenses.  Dean made a motion to pay up to $200 for travel expenses for speakers for the North Dakota Star Party.  It was seconded and passed.  

Milly is also working on a new website for the North Dakota Star Party.  
The next club meeting is on April 13, 7PM on the second floor of Leonard hall (south of Witmer).  We will meet in the main lobby next to the triceratops and go from there. The speaker will be Niels Forsman, a planetary geologist, and we will be looking at cross sections of meteorites through microscopes.  This will be a great hands-on educational opportunity and there will be enough microscopes for everyone to use.  

The meeting was adjourned at 9:34 pm.