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<p class="MsoNormal">Folks – see additional information (including attachment) from Alan on the Observational Astronomy course….<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">--Paul<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">================</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:black">The initial response to NOVAC's observational astronomy course has been strong. Comments and questions have suggested that not all the plans were sufficiently clear.
In particular, I had not clarified that the seminar will be virtual. Here are additional clarifications, and the revised seminar invitation and regiatration documents.</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">1) The course will be online and virtual. We intend to use Google Meet (or whatever the name is this week) with connection limited to registrants. We don't have ready access to
a meeting room at this time, and online meetings mean the sessions will be accessible to more members. We'll record the sessions and post them with a link on the NOVAC website for those who might miss a session.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">2) The video portion will not be simply talking heads, but presentation material. As a result, you should plan to view the sessions on nothing smaller than a tablet. Laptop or
full-sized screen would be even better.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">3) Scheduling: The greatest majority of early registrants show a preference for weekday evenings. As we confirm that the seminar will be online, the preferred date and time might
change. Those who already registered can update their preference if they thought this would be an in-person seminar.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">Given the strong response, we should be able to start the week after next (week of July 26). Firm start date will be set when we decide on day and time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">4) We will plan to have a field session (or two) to supplement (not replace) seminar sessions. While there are no specific plans yet, this could be in conjunction with a scheduled
NOVAC event at a dark site. It would begin early so we can review concepts of telescope and accessory design with samples on display. After dark, we would compare various ways of finding target objects. One or two participants will be needed to step up to
get this organized.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">5) The seminar series is open to all, unless there are too many participants and questions or explanations get out of hand. In that case, we would need to scale back to NOVAC members.
The intent is to provide as much information to as many participants as possible. <span style="color:black">A reminder that NOVAC and its volunteers are presenting the series for free, to encourage those with the inclination to stay in the hobby and find a
happy niche.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">6) When you suggest meeting times, remember that at least 10 sessions will take us into the fall. Inevitably, some weekly sessions will be cancelled, so we can expect the series
to last at least 3 months. It is possible we would adjust the schedule after Labor Day, but only if preferred by a large majority of participants.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">7) To keep the number of sessions reasonable for all, but to cover all the bases, the pace will be fairly fast. I hope to start with the most basic concepts but move quickly to
the concepts needed to understand most of visual astronomy. You cannot expect to be skilled with all the concepts based on hearing them described. You will need to practice and study more on your own for your own interests and equipment. I'll slow down when
we hit topics that seem clear to me but not to you. We will cover only the most basic picture taking (I won't attempt to call it astrophotography), because true astrophotography with you in control gets complicated quite fast. I will discuss how and why optimized
equipment for AP is different from equipment for visual observing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">8) We don't have time to be comprehensive in most of the topics -- for example, finding all the major constellations. We hope to give you the tools so that you can learn these
on your own, and point out a few constellations and asterisms (star formations not included in formal constellation shapes) so that you feel more comfortable under the night sky. Constellation stories, mythology, and star names are interesting in their own
right, but not needed to be a better observer. Similarly, considerations for using large amateur telescopes for truly faint objects is not part of an introduction. But we will cover some of the more easily seen galaxies, nebulae, and clusters. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">===================<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">Original announcement:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">Folks -- <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">As announced at the NOVAC general meeting last Sunday, NOVAC will sponsor a class for anyone interested on observational astronomy for beginners. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">This email is being sent <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">-- to provide more detailed information to everyone, and <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">-- to request indications of interest for planning purposes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">An attachment contains a more complete description, an outline of the content, and the slides presented at the last meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">If you might be interested, please FORWARD this message with the information below filled in (without attachments) to <<a href="mailto:VP@novac.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">VP@novac.com</span></a>>.
Don't attempt REPLY or REPLY-ALL; the message will bounce.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">If you are a more experience observer who might wish to present part of the content, please don't be shy and let me know, as well. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">-- Alan<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue""> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">Registration information to be returned</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">(not a
commitment!) to <<a href="mailto:VP@novac.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">VP@novac.com</span></a>>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">(1)</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">Basic information. Please provide so I know
who might participate & when will be best.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">(1.1) Name:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">(1.2) Email address:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">(1.3) Location (city / state):<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">(1.4) Phone for contact:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">(1.5) What days of week and times are you available?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">(2)</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">Additional info. </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">Optional,
but collectively this information will help with planning the content and pace.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">(2.1) What is your level of experience?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">(2.2) About how many yrs in NOVAC?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">(2.3) Member before of other club(s)?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">(2.4) Any relevant training?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">(2.5) What equipment do you have to use?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">(2.6) What would you want to be able to do as an amateur astronomer?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">(2.7) What do you want from this course?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbaadeae6yiv8448135377msonormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"">(2.8) Any specific ideas, suggestions, questions?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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