Constellation of the Month
The constellation of the month for May was Draco and was presented by Steve Long

Program- Protecting yourTelescope and Accessories
Protecting your telescope and accessories includes protection from moisture, dirt, excessive heat and cold, bumps, and improper cleaning.  First, there is moisture.  It is inevitable that your scope and accessories will get wet if you use them. We are on Delmarva – between two bays and subject to changing weather.  Most damage is done after the viewing session.  You come home late and are tired – you go to work in the morning and forget to put your equipment where it can dry. Or you bring your cold equipment indoors to a HEATED room and condensation forms in the internals of the equipment.  Schmidt-cass scopes and electronics are damaged most by this scenario.  Bottom line, put your equipment in a place where air can circulate around it and where there will be no sudden changes in temps – especially cold to hot.  Remember what happens to a cold soda taken from the fridge on a hot day – Condensation! Dirt and grime collect on our equipment when there are dusty conditions on the field, when we allow drinks and food near the equipment, and when we allow star gazers to touch surfaces with oily/sweaty/dirty hands.  A roll of paper towels for personal hygiene is a welcome addition to the tool bag.  Do not allow a gazer to hold a drink in one hand while observing – prevent spills and goo on your scope.  Use covers to prevent the collection of dust and other foreign matter.  An occasional vacuuming of storage cases and washing of fabric covers will help prevent crud buildup on the equipment.
Foam rubber is great for preventing bumps to your equipment but it will collect moisture like a sponge on those dewy nights.  Make sure it has plenty of time to dry before you close the lid on it and your precious equipment. If you store your scope in the garage take precautions.  There should be no lead-acid batteries, gasoline cans, or lawn mowers close to the scope.  Open the garage door before you start your car to prevent exhaust gases accumulating (this is a good idea even if you don’t have a scope in the garage).  Invest in a cover to prevent the usual pollen, dust, and other garage dwellers from collecting in your equipment.
On the observing field please caution your fellow star gazers to avoid starting their auto engines to “warm up”.  It is dangerous for humans to go to sleep in an idling car.  The exhaust collects on the observing field and gasses those still observing plus it puts a heavy layer of auto exhaust/moisture on every surface in the area -–including your optics!
A few words about cleaning.  Less is better than more.  Cotton is softer than paper and manmade fibers (even though “microfiber” feels extremely soft because of the diameter/denier of the fiber it is still a very hard material – my opinion is the tiny hard fibers just make smaller scratches…), distilled water and soap are better than spigot water and alcohol, (rubbing alcohol actually has oils in it).  Eyepieces should be cleaned with a damp Q-tip and dried with a clean Q-tip.  Never pour cleaner onto the eyepiece – it will run down the edge of the lens and collect between the lenses!  And use real Q-tips…some store brands don’t have 100% cotton and some don’t have as much cotton as Q-tips.
Most of this is common sense – prevention is better than the cure but if you must “cure” please do it infrequently and avoid harsh chemicals and fibers.
Good luck…

From the President’s Desk....
May 7, 2003 Delmarva Star Gaze IX is over and history.  For four nights and five days amateur astronomers gathered in Tuckahoe State Park and enjoyed the best of our hobby.  We enjoyed beautiful days, a Park in full springtime bloom, the company of each other, an abundance of food and drink, and occasionally some skies that unveiled their treasures for our viewing pleasure through instruments that were only dreams for us a few years ago.  We are very fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in an event that allows us to come together and experience the pleasures of amateur astronomy.

I sat in the pavilion and watched families picnicking together, watched children running and playing in a non-threatening country setting, and listened to Nature’s forest critters’ symphony.  I observed old friends talking and new friendships being cultivated, memories being made…all of this would not have been possible except for Delmarva Star Gazers’ efforts.  Delmarva Star Gazers, you did well.  I am proud of your efforts and success. I want to thank each Star Gazer who volunteered their time, skills, and good will, to ensure this event’s huge success.  Without your outstanding effort, Star Gaze IX would have been a less satisfying experience.  Thanks again – I can hardly wait for No-Frills.
We, Delmarva Star Gazers, have completed our 10th year!  As we begin the 11th we look forward to better times, better instruments, increased opportunities for learning more about our world and sharing our knowledge with every person who demonstrates a will to learn and become a part of amateur astronomy.  I often hear comments from newcomers that ours is a friendly environment.  Let’s strive to keep it that way…let’s continue to do the right things the best we can and respect each other while doing the right things the best we can.
Last night we accepted nominations for officers for 2003-2004.  The nominations were: for secretary, Keith Lohmeyer; for treasurer, Kathy Sheldon, for vice president, Lyle Jones, and for president, Don Surles.  Since there were no other nominations, these people will be your officers for 2003-2004.  Congratulations!  These folks have demonstrated their competence and dedication to Delmarva Star gazers for years.  Please support them as they carry out the day-to-day duties of their office.
It is time to finalize our goals for 2003-2004.  We are scheduled to meet at Kathy and Frank Sheldon’s home June 8 to review Delmarva Star Gaze IX and I will present an outline of  proposed 2003-2004 activities for consideration.  Please email or call if you have suggestions for “go-do’s” in the coming year.
We will begin final polishing of our 22 inch mirror May 17.  If you would like to participate please email or phone – my phone number is 302-653-9445.  Here is the proposed schedule for polishing:
22” MIRROR POLISHING AND FIGURING
Proposal: Polish during full moon weeknds; Saturday or Sunday afternoons 1:00 thru 6:00 or until pizza or liquids.
Where:  My garage or basement depending on temperature