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 Keynote
Speaker
| Programs
and Events
| Accommodations
Local
Attractions
| Call
for Papers
| Schedule
of Events
The Christian Association of Stellar Explorers (CASE) hosted the
52nd Annual Convention of the Mid-States Region of the Astronomical
League, June 7, 8 and 9, 2002, on the campus of John Brown University in
Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
This year's theme was "It's All About the Photons!" A
fine turnout of more than 60 amateur astronomers from the Mid-States
Region of the Astronomical League attended.
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The convention officially began on Saturday morning with the
annual meeting of the Mid-States Region of the Astronomical League. AL Executive
Secretary Jackie Beucher from Kansas City gave a quick overview of the
Astronomical League and the benefits it offers to clubs and their individual
members.
During the rest of the day, there were numerous papers presented on such
topics as Attracting Youth to Astronomy by Beth Longnecker and a special
presentation by the International Dark-Sky Association. Other presentation
included Public Education and Your Club by David Cater, NEO's and Other Space
Rocks by Gary Hug, Design and Construction of an Equatorial Telescope Mount by
Paul Spanski, and Confessions of a Binocular Fanatic by Ed Jones.
Attendees had fun at the BBQ Dinner which was held on Friday evening at the
newly built Heavenview Observatory, run by the CASE astronomy club. This
observatory is located only 5 miles from the convention site, on the property of
New Life Ranch in Eastern Oklahoma. In addition to the good food, fun and
fellowship, there was plenty of time for observing at the observatory and it's
dark site. Since this year's convention coincided with the new moon, many people
brought their own scopes!
There were plenty of door prizes supplied by astronomical vendors from local
region. AAAA even donated some door prizes, including copies of the Astronomer’s
Journal, which it has just reissued.
During the banquet on Saturday evening, June 8th, many awards and
door prizes were presented. Patrick Carr, convention chairman, was designated
the MSRAL Astronomer of the Year for his work not only with MSRAL but for his
enthusiasm working with CASE and their new observatory, as well as the programs
he runs for both the general public and students at JBU.
The banquet speaker was Dr. Paul Benoit of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Center for
Space and Planetary Sciences. He presented a talk entitled "Hera and
Andromeda: New Insights into the Evolution and Formation of the Solar
System." Dr. Benoit is a professor in the Cosmochemistry Group at the
University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He works on a variety of problems in
space and planetary science, including the design of instruments for optical
dating to be placed on spacecraft and on NASA’s Hera mission to take samples
from three near-Earth asteroids.
Convention accommodations were provided in the new student dorm at John Brown
University. They were very nice and inexpensive.
Convention Photos by AAAA President Ed Flaspoehler
Click on Photos for Enlarged View
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Friday Night
Bar-B-Que at HeavenView Observatory
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HeavenView Observatory
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Signs Everywhere!
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On the Observing Field
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CASE President Patrick Carr Shows off Telescope
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The CASE 16-Inch Refractor
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Cathy Machin and Jackie Beucher enjoy Bar-b-que. John Hand strolls by as Rex
eats in background
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St. Louis AS Members Jim Small and John Beaury Join Marion Bachtell
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"Sittin' Around
the Ol' Campfire"
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"A Whole Lot of
Visitin' Goin' On"
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Saturday Convention
Activities
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Convention Site:
Pat and William Walker
Student Center
John Brown Univ.
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Inside the Student Center:
Bob Haler of Lymax
Talks to Ed Jones from Springfield, MO
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George Allen, Bob Allen, and Gil Machin
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Rex's Astro Stuff |
Marion Bachtell Strikes a Pose |
Astronomical League Sales |
Paul Spanski Describes
His New Telescope Mount |
Gary Hug
Discusses NEO |
AL Executive Secretary Jackie Beucher Promotes League |
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Proposed MSRAL Logo
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Saturday Night Awards Banquet
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Dignitaries at Banquet: Jackie Beucher, Gary Pittman, David Cater
and Patrick Carr |
AL Exec Sec Jackie Beucher Presents MSRAL Amateur of the Year Award to
Patrick Carr |
Banquet Speaker:
Dr. Paul Benoit,
University of Arkansas |
MSRAL Chairman Patrick Carr
Addresses Banquet |
ASKC Member Nancy Walker wins AAAA Door Prize: The Astronomer's Journal |
Clive Cadle Presents
Special Award
to James Roe |
Visiting in the Lounge |
ASKC's Jackie Beucher and Elliot Neel from Fayettville, AR |
Linda Pittman and
Beryl Cadle |
Carroll Iorg, Bob Allen, Marilyn Hand and John Hand |
John Hand, Patrick Carr, David Cater and Bob Allen |
Marilyn Hand from Tulsa |
Cathy Machin and Betty Iorg enjoy Clive Cadle's Alaska Photos |
A Room in the New Dorm |
Nice Bathroom |
Views of the School and Around
Town
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Welcome to
John Brown University |
Chapel in
the Nearby Cemetery |
A Local Residence |
The Crown Hotel,
Downtown Siloam Springs |
A Bridge over
Untroubled Waters |
Siloam Springs |
