As you know, maintaining a dark sky environment is absolutely crucial for the success of these observing sessions. Even the slightest amount of white light can ruin the darkness needed for optimal stargazing and astrophotography. White light causes our eyes to lose their dark adaptation, severely limiting what we are able to see in the night sky.

These rules(below) are being implemented/enforced due to some unfortunate incidents that have occurred at recent events, where people arrived after dark and drove onto the observing field with their headlights on, went the wrong way, and even drove onto the owners’ field. Additionally, some attendees turned their headlights off without guidance, putting others and their equipment at risk. We cannot allow these types of unsafe and disruptive behaviors to continue.

To that end, we have the following strict rules in place that we ask all attendees (members and their guest) to adhere to:

• The gates to the Deerlick Astronomy Village will be open during the day to allow access to the field. However, the gates will automatically close and lock at sunset. Once the gates are locked, there will be no ability to access the field, as there is no parking available outside the gates. All attendees must arrive before sunset in order to participate.

• No white lights or other light-polluting devices will be permitted on the observing field. All lighting must be red/amber in color. This includes flashlights, phone screens, camera displays, etc. Maintaining the dark sky is paramount. Astrophotographers must take every possible precaution to ensure their screens remain covered/filtered and do not affect others

• Also going forward we will ensure a member of the club will be onsite with the responsibility to run the event.  I have recently not been able to attend some of the Dark Sky Observing sessions due to family commitments. I did not want to cancel events just cause I was unable to attend but going forward if we are unable to have a volunteer to run the event it will be officially cancelled (although any members with a gate code would still be able to go)

We are guests at the Deerlick Astronomy Village, and many attendees have driven long distances to enjoy the pristine dark skies.  And those that live out there have put a lot of time and money to enjoy the dark skies. We must be respectful of the property and considerate of others.

We appreciate your full cooperation in following these rules. They are in place to ensure we can provide the best possible dark sky conditions for our observing sessions.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Clear skies, 

Daniel Herron

Observing Chair (observing@atlantaastronomy.org)

Atlanta Astronomy Club

February Focal Point is now available! 

Table of Contents

Page 1… CE Chapter February Meeting, AAC February Meeting 

Page 2… AAC January Meeting Report 

Page 3… AAC Meeting Photos, DAV Rates and Policy Changes 

Page 4… Rosette Nebula by Eugene Rush, Bullseye Galaxy 

Page 5… The Horsehead Nebula by Richard Jakiel. Mars occultation. 

Page 6… Moon and Venus plus ISS by Tom Faber 

Page 7… Bullseye Galaxy (Cont), Memberships, Contacts 

Page 8… Calendar, AAC List Serv Info, Focal Point Deadline  

New to astronomy and have a few question on where to start? Check out our new Beginners Guide to Astronomy. Check back frequently as we add more information and tips.

All current members of the Atlanta Astronomy Club are eligible to join the Night Sky Network. The Night Sky Network is a nationwide coalition of amateur astronomy clubs bringing the science, technology, and inspiration of NASA’s missions to the general public.

You can use the Night Sky Network as a resource to locate astronomy events around the country, download handouts, presentations, hands on learning tools etc, and see what other clubs are up to.

Joining the network will allow you to get reminders of upcoming events which may interest you (if you want to, you can always opt out of the reminders during signup).

First, join the Atlanta Astronomy Club!  The treasurer will register you in the Night Sky Network, and send you a link to activate your Night Sky membership.

Join the network now!