UW-S CAMPUS ASTRONOMY CLUB

'STAR TROOPERS'

The UW-S campus astronomy club was organized during the fall of 2007. Our MISSION STATEMENT is: "To promote the pleasures and science of astronomy among our members, and among the community at large".

Below are the current officers, and members".

OFFICERS

            Jeff Voland                     Katie Brecht            Kyle Thompson                Harald Schenk

             (President)                      (Treasurer)                (Secretary)                        (Advisor)

MEMBERS

        Dana Ebbers                     Justin Ramm               Michael Knaak                  Chad Fox

       Ondjrea Krueger                     Sam Vander Velden          Mark Hermann

                          /Jamie Eirich

Lin Dowe (not shown)

STAR TROOPERS searching for the International Space Station

20 October, 2007 (Saturday)

    The last Maywood observing session of 2007 took place under clear skies. We saw the ISS pass over Sheboygan twice in one night. The Moon was just past first quarter. We viewed the Andromeda galaxy, the Pleiades star cluster, the Ring nebula, and the globular star cluster M-13 in Hercules.

    A new observatory is within driving distance of the UW-S campus. It is located at Harrington Beach State Park. Public observing sessions are on Friday evenings when the Park is open.

The observatory at Harrington Beach has a roll-off roof.

Public observing sessions are on Friday nights during warm weather.

November 09, 2007 (Friday)

    Comet Holmes is in our evening sky. From the vicinity of the asteroid belt, it has brightened to 2nd magnitude. Our first attempt to photograph this comet was made by Peter Schenk. Three images are shown below.

November 15, 2007 (Thursday)

    Middle school teachers from the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers (District 3) attended a Forum in the Physics Lab after 4:30 PM. STAR TROOPERS were on hand to let them observe the Moon with telescopes. Unfortunately, clouds prevented observing. After the teachers left, the Moon and Comet Holmes appeared from behind clouds.

December 6, 2007 (Thursday)

    The planet Mars was closest to Earth by Christmas 2007. STAR TROOPERS invited the public to view the planet on this date. Hot chocolate and coffee was available inside the Science Building. Unfortunately, snow forced the session to be cancelled. Upcoming plans will have to wait for the spring semester.

April 1, 2008 (Tuesday)

    Campus students and staff were invited to see the new film THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. The event began at 7 PM in the Physics lab. Refreshments were provided by the Sheboygan Astronomical Society. During the presentation, visitors were treated to TWO passages of the International Space Station (ISS), and the European Jules Verne craft as they appeared in formation in Sheboygan skies. We also saw one Iridium flare.