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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 president@dmasonline.org for scheduling information.


2008
April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | Maps
Aprilv--- Please click Moon icon for rise/set times ---v
Date Presenter Time Topic Moon
April 5* DMAS Members 8:00pm No presentation. Observatory is open to the public.
April 12 Norm Van Klompenburg 8:00pm TIPS ON STARGAZING
April 19 Rod Williams 8:00pm WHAT'S IMPOSSIBLE ACCORDING TO PHYSICS
April 26
Dr. Han Om Vats
8:00pm
LUNAR ECLIPSES
Meteor Activity in April: Lyrids - Apr 21 @ 18:17 CDT
May
DatePresenterTimeTopicMoon
May 3* DMAS Members 8:00pm No presentation. Observatory is open to the public.
May 10 Doug Rudd8:00pm GET TO KNOW YOUR TELESCOPE
May 17 Herb Schwartz 8:00pm THE BIRTH OF STARS
May 24 Herb Schwartz 8:00pm THE DEATH OF STARS
May 31 DMAS Members 8:00pm No presentation. Observatory is open to the public.
Meteor Activity in May: Eta Aquarids - May 5 @ 13:14 CDT
June
DatePresenterTimeTopicMoon
June 7* DMAS Members 8:00pm No presentation. Observatory is open to the public.
June 14 Harry Wood8:00pm THE SIZE OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM
June 21 Dr. Han Om Vats 8:00pm SOLAR ECLIPSES
June 28 Harry Wood 8:00pm STONEHENGE
Meteor Activity in June: None
July
DatePresenterTimeTopicMoon
July ? Members Only5:30 PMDMAS Annual Picnic
Meteor Activity in July: Southern Delta Aquarids - July 27 14:29 CDT
August
DatePresenterTimeTopicMoon
Aug 2* DMAS Mebers 8:00pm No presentation. Observatory is open to the public.
Aug 9 Ed Ramsell 8:00pm ARMAGEDDON: NEAR EARTH ASTEROIDS
Aug 16 Ed Ramsell 8:00pm SATURN'S RINGS: UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
Aug 23 Mark Sutter 8:00pm WHY ASTRONOMY?
Aug 30 DMAS Mebers 8:00pm No presentation. Observatory is open to the public.
Meteor Activity in August: Perseids - Aug 12 @ 01:21 CDT
September
Date Presenter Time Topic Moon
Sep 6* DMAS Members 8:00pm No presentation. Observatory is open to the public.
Sep 13 JR Paulson 8:00pm LUNACY
Sep 20 Bryan Butcher 8:00pm MARS UPDATE
Sep 27 Vern Naffier 8:00pm IS THERE SUCH A TING AS A MULTIVERSE
Meteor Activity in September: Delta Aurigids - Sep 8 @ 04:53 CDT
October
DatePresenterTimeTopicMoon
Oct 4* DMAS Members 8:00pm No presentation. Observatory is open to the public.
Oct 11 Norm Van Klompenburg
and Ed Ramsell
8:00pm CHOOSING A CHRISTMAS TELESCOPE
Oct 18 Terry Haimann 8:00pm GREAT ASTRONOMERS
Oct 25 Bryan Butcher 8:00pm ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS
Meteor Activity in October: Orionids - Oct 20 @ 22:48 CDT
November
DatePresenterTimeTopicMoon
Nov 16DMAS MembersDuskLeonid Meteor Shower
Meteor Activity in November: Leonids - Nov 17 @ 03:09 CST
December
DatePresenterTimeTopicMoon
Dec 13DMAS MembersDuskGeminid Meteor Shower
Meteor Activity in December: Geminids - Dec 13 @ 17:00 CST
* Indicates monthly business meeting coincides with public night <
April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | Maps




Ashton Observatory


2008 Public Night Schedule
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