QUID NOVI: Newsletter of the Desert Foothills Astronomy Club

Last Updated: Saturday, July 22nd, 2006

About Quid Novi

Past Issues

DFAC Events:

The latest State of DFAC message from your provisional president ...

Stargazing Colleagues: Here's an update on several matters of DFAC business.

Organizational Status:

• DFAC is now a member of the Astronomical League. We are listed on their Member Societies page (http://www.astroleague.org/al/general/society.html). DFAC exists! Even more cool, since they list the clubs in alphabetical order, DFAC is at the top of the list ... at least until somebody starts the AAA (Arizona Astronomy Association). Members of DFAC will now start receiving "Reflector," the League's own quarterly news magazine. If you've never been to their website, check them out. Plenty of good info and links.
• DFAC has received a quote for liability insurance. Seabury & Smith says we will qualify for their minimum rate of $320/year. This is our largest ongoing expense, and we need it to use the BCHS facilities. As the insurance will be activated on the day they receive our check, I'm going to hold off for a few days and see if our checking account builds a bit more. Membership dues are still trickling in. BCHS needs a certificate of insurance some time before our first meeting there, so no huge rush at present.
• Membership dues continue to accumulate. We now have 11/21 members paid, and $365 in our bank account. My calculation of $25 was based on 100% response, so if you haven't yet sent in your dues, please do so as soon as possible. We're counting on you. You can bring your check or cash to our upcoming observing session on July 22nd (if it happens) or, if not attending, you can mail it to me at: 48412 N. Black Canyon HWY, #299, New River, AZ 85087, or Roger at the address listed on the Join DFAC page of this website. Thanks!

Our First DFAC Members-Only Observing Session:

• We cancelled due to clouds and high temps ... no surprises there. Plan B, the movie at Ron Walker's home in Cave Creek was a blast. We watched the sci-fi classic "Forbidden Planet" on his home theater, with surround sound and a huge screen. Popcorn and soda were consumed in mass quantities. Only 4 members showed up, but we had a great time. Resolved: do this again some night when the sky isn't cooperating. Thanks Ron (and family) for your hospitality and a great evening of fun!

Other News:

• With most of our cygni in order, I've started the process of lining up speakers for our DFAC Lecture Series. Although I'm still open to input on this, I think it would be wise to plan our first meeting (Sep 27th) without a guest speaker. Knowing from experience the things that can go wrong the first time at a new venue (locked doors, uncooperative AV equipment, lost DFAC members, etc) I'd hate to inconvenience our guest speaker. Not that I expect anything to go awry. But it might be best to schedule our first guest lecture for October instead. Our September meeting will then be a "members only" event, with a multimedia presentation by yours truly (just to test their AV equipment), and open discussion by members. BCHS faculty & students may or may not be in attendance.
• As you can see from the new heading on this page, we have decided to go totally electronic with our newsletter. It will be Quid Novi. As time goes by, you will see this page evolve to look more like a newsletter, reporting on club activities and business, and including member contributions. I think the flexibility this provides is a good thing. Of course, DFAC members without internet access would receive a copy of Quid Novi via USPS (as they do now). The hardcopy would be a simple printout of the Quid Novi web page(s) ... nothing fancy, but all we really need for efficient communication. This totally redefines the position of Editor (which still needs to be filled). The Editor would need to have internet access, and be provided the means to edit this part of the website. Whether the Editor would also act as the Webmaster remains to be discussed.
• FOR SALE: one aluminum optics case with foam inserts, 18" x 12.5" x 6", never used, $50 at Orion Telescopes, $30 for any DFAC member, first come first served, contact Dan Heim at the usual address (see ... I told you Quid Novi was going to evolve into a newsletter).
• Thanks for reading Quid Novi and staying involved with DFAC. You know where to send your feedback. Clear skies!

Dan Heim
phone: 623.465.7307
email: