MSRAL-Convention - June 1st-3rd, 2012
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Student Union - Meeting Hall
5100 Cherry Street
Kansas City, MO 64110
816-235-1406
The 2012 Mid-States convention will be hosted by the Astronomical Society of Kansas City and of course will be held in Kansas City. We’ve selected the University of Missouri in midtown for the location. The main events will be held in the new Student Union.
Maps for all locations are Here
All of the Saturday meetings, vendor displays, meals, registration, solar observing and the Banquet and Awards meeting will be in one place.
First thing after breakfast Saturday morning, after the welcome by this year's chairman, Erick Bogatin, is the annual business meeting, then speakers will dominate the rest of the day.
Most of your questions can be answered quickly by going to the FAQs page.
On the same floor as our meeting, we have plenty of space to set up solar telescopes, so bring yours and share the views of our nearest star with everyone.
Star-B-Que
Union Station
30 West Pershing Road
Kansas City, MO 64108
816-460-2020
We are holding the traditional Star B-Que Friday evening and a program at the Gottlieb Planetarium at Science City/Union Station. If you’ve never seen Union Station here in Kansas City this will provide you the perfect opportunity to view this magnificent structure.
Stargazing
On the roof of Haag Hall Annex (see Map)
Weather permitting we’ll view the heavens through the 16 inch Newtonian reflector at the Warkoczewski observatory on the roof at UMKC both Friday and Saturday nights.
This superb 16" Newtonian was built by ASKC member Stan Warkoczewski in the 1950s. With the superb optics in this telescope, Mars and Saturn will be the prime subjects.
Stargazing At
Powell Observatory
Powell Observatory's 30" telescope, drawing thousands to the night sky every year, will be open to the covention exclusively on Friday night. It will also be open on Saturday if you don't mind sharing it with our outreach to the public. Constructed in 1984, and located 37 miles south of UMKC , just north of Louisburg, KS, it is the crowning jewel of the ASKC. Maps to Powell.
Astrophotography
Contest
If you are an astrophotographer, bring your best pictures to put on display and to enter in the astrophotography contest. Convention attendees will vote for the best three images. You can enter up to four images. Please limit the prints to 8.5" X 11" or smaller.
Lodging
Lodging will be available at the Oak Street Residence Hall across the street from the Student Union (see Map). Air-conditioned rooms are available. Each room has 2 single beds with a bathroom shared between two rooms. See the Registration Form for the price range.
Hotels are also available near the UMKC Campus. Click HERE and HERE for a fairly large list.
Amateur Astronomer of the Year
With the 2012 MSRAL rapidly approaching, I thought that it would be a good time to mention Amateur of the Year nominations. As the recipient of the 2011 AOY award, I am also the chairman of the 2012 AOY selection committee.
Now is not to early to start thinking about those individuals within your organization that have contributed to the advancement and promotion of amateur astronomy.
Once you have a nomination in mind, please forward a the nomination letter to my attention so these individuals may be considered and possibly selected for this honor.
I can be reached at board14 at slasonline dot org.
Cook Feldman
St. Louis Astronomical Society