SAS Activities
Activities
Moderator:
Matt Dahl
Astrophotography SIG
This group explores all types of digital cameras and astrophotography, including capturing star trails, starscapes, constellations, the moon, planets, and deep sky objects.
Moderator:
Aaron Yoon (he/him)
Banquet
Let's come together for a night of astronomy, community, and celebration at the 2023 SAS Annual Banquet. New friends and longtime SAS members are welcome!
We're thrilled to welcome JPL Fellow, Brian Muirhead, with his talk entitled "Take Risk, Don't Fail: The Power of Exploration from Space", and Melissa Rice! Dr. Rice leads the Western Mars Lab which is a planetary geology research group for NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover.
There will be the return of the astrophotography auction which everyone loved last year. This year includes more calendars and a an astro jigsaw puzzle.
Warren Dunes will provide vibrant music and entertainment for the evening.
Visual Observing
Visual Observation of the Night Sky.
One of the primary activities of amateur astronomers is visual observation of the night sky and the vast assortment of objects it contains. One can participate in this activity using the unaided eye or by using telescopes and binoculars of varying sizes and designs.
Workshops
SAS Workshops are held periodically at Theodore Jacobsen Observatory (TJO) on the UW Campus. Workshops are designed to help you become more acquainted with amateur astronomy and help you meet other SAS members. Free parking is available on campus after 12:00 noon on weekends but the parking lots near TJO may be crowded. A good alternative is lot N16 on the east side of campus below Padelford Hall. Refreshments will be set up by 30 minutes before the meeting, so arrive early, have a cookie, and get to know us.
Outreach
Moderator:
Wendy Froggatt
How To Volunteer
The official mission of the SAS includes outreach as one of the main efforts of the organization. The goal of outreach is to share the observational, educational, and social aspects of amateur astronomy with the greater community.
There are many opportunities available members who would like to volunteer, such as virtual talks with schools and scout troops, and support at star parties.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please email outreach@seattleastro.org or mark your interest below. We would love to have you on the team!
Moderator:
Aaron Yoon (he/him)
Telescopes for All
Telescopes for All is one of our outreach programs to help make telescopes and astronomy more accessible.
Community
Astrophotography Contest
Each quarter the Seattle Astronomical Society highlights an especially wonderful photo submitted by one of our members.
Each photo is displayed on the SAS Facebook page, where votes are submitted by simply "Like"ing the photo. Voting is open to both members and the public. The entry with the most votes/likes by the deadline will be our Facebook and Twitter cover photos for the whole season, as well as permanently memorialized here on the SAS webpage. Send any questions (or your entry - preferably in .jpg format) to contest@seattleastro.org.
Moderator:
Alan Spurgeon
New Members Orientation
New member orientation meetings are held two or three times a year to welcome new and prospective members to the club. This is an opportunity to meet other society members, to learn about the basics of visual observing and selecting equipment, and to find out more about the activities of the Seattle Astronomical Society.
No signup is necessary. If you have questions, please email Alan Spurgeon at membership@seattleastro.org
Moderator:
Mary Anderson
Through the Clouds
Through The Clouds, a Google group and SAS discussion forum, is a great place to find and interact not only with other SAS members but also with astronomers from around the world! There is no need to be a SAS member to join, though. Membership in Through the Clouds is open to all humans on Planet Earth with no requirement to live in Seattle or to join the Seattle Astronomical Society. (SAS) To join this discussion group, click on the Through the Clouds link above, and you will be taken to the registration page.
