NOTE: Beginning this year, LOG Sessions are never cancelled due to poor weather. In the case of poor weather, the session will be held indoors and additional Power Point images and video will be substituted for live viewing through telescopes. The day of the session, a notice is sent through the AAC-L system by 3 P.M., informing members by email whether to expect an outdoor or indoor session -- based on the weather forecast. If you are unable to check your email, call Bob O'Connell, after 3 P.M., the day of the session, on his cell phone at 352-213-2662.

Although the sessions are not the same as Star Parties, please review the "Star Party Etiquette." The basic etiquette applies at LOG Sessions, except for the use of caffeine. Caffeine is known to reduce night vision -- but this is advantageous for lunar observing. The use of caffeine is encouraged at LOG Sessions, and a hot refreshing brew is always available, with all the associated condiments.

FORMAT
During this two-hour LOG-Lite Session,* club member Sandon Flowers will demonstrate imaging the Moon using two webcams he modified for astrophotography. The converted cameras are the Logitech Fusion and Logitech Pro 9000 - click the links for additional details. Sandon's converted webcams have "...some interesting specifications and features that may provide improvements for planetary, lunar and solar imaging, over other imaging systems."

Sandon's astro-imaging approach offers amateurs, on a budget, a cost effective alternative to more expensive, commercially available systems. The Logitech Fusion Webcam is widely available at stores like Walmart for ~$90, but Sandon paid only $55 for and OEM. Sandon will also discuss the software drivers needed to operate the camersa, as well free imaging software needed to produce the final images.

Because focus is such an important issue for lunar and planetary imaging, as well as astrography in general, we will also be looking at the Bahtinov mask, as well as Sandon's "Cross Hair" mask.

FORMAT
AAC member and LOG Chair, Bob O'Connell, presents a Power Point presentation on lunar cratering outside, under a gibbous Moon. Participants can relax and watch the presentation on a large outdoor screen, armchair style, or use their telescopes to follow along by observing features as they are discussed during the presentation. Several aspects of crater geology will be examined that are used to forensically reconstruct the moment-by-moment sequence of events that formed these upiquitous lunar features. This is the first of four 2010 LOG Sessions on lunar geologic processes.

This session is based on the article Geologic Processes on the Moon, Part I, by Eric Douglas, published in the Journal Selenology, Vol. 25, No. 2, Summer 2006. Members are encouraged to do a little homework before the session by reading the article. After reading the article, members can check their understanding of cratering processes by taking a simple fill-in-the-blank selt test. Cheating is allowed and the answer key is available here.

LUNAR OBSERVING GROUP SESSION

VOLCANISM ON THE MOON

SUMMARY

AAC member Don Loftus presents a PowerPoint show on lunar volcanism under a waxing gibbous moon (11.9d old, 94% illuminated). Participants can relax and watch presentation on a large outdoor screen or use their telescopes to following along by observing features as they are discussed during the presentation. While the last episodes of lunar volcanism are believed to have ended almost one billion years ago, lunar features formed by this geologic process are clearly visible today though modest telescopes

REFERENCE ARTICLE

This is the second of four 2010 LOG presentations on lunar geologic processes. This session is based on "Geologic Processes on the Moon, Part IV Volcanism" (Eric Douglass 2008, Journal Selenology, Vol. 27, No 1, Spring). Members are encouraged to do a little homework before the session by reading this article (pdf)

NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! EVERYONE WELCOME—TELESCOPES PROVIDED

Areas referenced in the presentation will be identified on a live video feed of the Moon to help orient observers before starting the presentation. Features to be discussed include Alphonsus, the Marius Hills and Schröter’s Valley. The presentation screen will be positioned so telescopic observers can follow along through the eyepiece

Refreshments Provided (including Moon Pies!)

GUESTS
Members are encouraged to bring guests and potential new AAC members

LOCATION
Loftus Family Farm
14903 N.W 29 Street • Gainesville, FL • (386) 462-1227

TIME (EDT)

Arrival/Setup/Socializing	8:00–9:00 p.m.
Identification of Features	9:00–9:15 p.m.
Power Point Presentations/Observing	9:15–11:30 p.m.
Closeup/Departure	11:30 p.m.–12:00 a.m.

RAIN DATE
No rain date—if cloudy, we still meet and presentation given indoors using additional images and video to substitute for live observing

FINAL REMINDER
Emailed to all AAC members on AAC-L list by 3:00 p.m. on day of event with a "prediction" on weather and if participants should expect an outdoor or indoor event. So please check your email before the session.

MORE INFORMATION (PDF FILE)
"Summary & Details of Evening's Log Session"

QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS?
Contact Bob O'Connell
Phone (352)475-1586 • E-Mail lunar "at" floridstars "dot" org