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DIRECTIONS TO THE OBSERVATORY

Every year The Des Moines Astronomical Society presents a full lecture series during the spring, summer, and fall months. The lectures are free and open to the public, however the society urges all attendees to please contribute to the operation of the observatory through donations. After each lecture, weather permitting, public observing through Ashton's telescopes will be provided. Several DMAS members bring personal telescopes for public observing. We encourage everyone, member or not, to bring a telescope or binoculars!

The society also offers special lectures, and telescope viewing to schools, scout groups, church organizations, and others throughout the year. Please contact info@dmasonline.org for scheduling information.

Download presentation schedule here (PDF)
[A small donation is appreciated to help fund public observatory programs]

April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | Maps
April (2011)v--- Please click Moon icon for rise/set times ---v
Date Presenter Time Topic
April 9 Dave Lynch 7:00pm History of Astronomy
April 16 ---- 7:00pm Open viewing - no scheduled lecture
April 23
Harry Wood
7:00pm
Meteors
April 30
Rod Williams
7:00pm
Gravity: It's the Law
Meteor Activity in April: Gamma Virginids - Apr 14; April Ursids - Apr 19; Lyrids - Apr 23
May (2011)
DatePresenterTimeTopic
May 14 Herb Schwartz 8:00pm FORCES: Escape to the 10th Dimension
May 21 Ed Ramsell 8:00pm The Andromeda Galaxy
May 28 Norm Van Klompenburg 8:00pm Astronomy 101: Viewing the Night Sky
Meteor Activity in May: Eta Aquarids - May 7; Eta Lyrids - May 10
June (2011)
DatePresenterTimeTopic
June 11 Doug Rudd 8:00pm Get to Know Your Telescope
June 18 Steven Kawaler, PhD 8:00pm Kepler Mission: Search for Extraterrestrial Planets
June 25 Harry Wood 8:00pm The Moon
June 26 Doug Rudd8:00pm Getting To Know Your Telescope
Meteor Activity in June: June Lyrids - Jun 10; June Bootids - June 27
July (2011)
DatePresenterTimeTopic
Open viewing every Saturday; no presentations. Observatory opens at 9:30pm
Meteor Activity in July: Delta Aquarids - Jul 29

April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | Maps
August (2011)
DatePresenterTimeTopic
August 13 Jan Winter 8:00pm What Happened to Pluto?
August 20 Ed Ramsell 8:00pm Binoculars: Good, Bad, and Really Ugly
August 27 Norm Van Klompenburg 8:00pm Dark Skies
Meteor Activity in August: Perseids - Aug 12; Kappa Cygnids - Aug 17
September (2011)
Date Presenter Time Topic
September 10 Bryan Butcher 8:00pm Mars Update
September 17 Ed Ramsell 8:00pm Orbital Mechanics for Dummies
September 24 Vern Naffier 8:00pm The Universe is Relative
Meteor Activity in September: Alpha Aurigids - Sep 01
October (2011)
Date Presenter Time Topic
October 8 Steve Sherrod 7:00pm Stellar Evolution: Proto Stars to Black Holes
October 15 ---- 7:00pm Open viewing - no scheduled lecture
October 22 Dr. J.R. Paulson 7:00pm The Sun
October 29 Bryan Butcher 7:00pm U.F.O. Update
Meteor Activity in October: Draconids - Oct 08; Epsilon Geminids - Oct 20; Orionids - Oct 21
November
DatePresenterTimeTopic
Nov 17 N/ADuskLeonid Meteor Shower
Meteor Activity in November: Northern Taurids - Nov 13; Leonids - Nov 18; Alpha Monocerotids - Nov 21
December
DatePresenterTimeTopic
Dec 13 N/ADuskGeminid Meteor Shower
Meteor Activity in December: Dec Phoenicids - Dec 06; Monocerotids - Dec 07; Sigma Hybrids - Dec 09; Geminids - Dec 14; Coma Berenicids - Dec 19; Ursids - Dec 22

*indicates DMAS General Meeting prior to public night.

April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | Maps

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