June 20 to 22, 2003
Astronomy Club of Tulsa
www.astrotulsa.com/msral2003/2003MSRAL.htmRegistration available online
The 2003 MidStates Regional Convention of the Astronomical League will be held on the campus of the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma June 20 to 22
We have an impressive line of invited speakers for this year’s convention.
Keynote Presenter Dr. William J. Romanishin
Professor of Physics and Astronomy University of Oklahoma
Dr. Romanishin is a Professor in the Physics and Astronomy Department at the University of Oklahoma, where he has been on the faculty since 1989. As a teenager back in Pennsylvania, he made several telescopes, including grinding and figuring two mirrors. After attending Harvard
University, graduating with a degree in astronomy, he received his PhD in astronomy in 1980 from the University of Arizona in Tucson. After graduating from Arizona, he had temporary faculty or research jobs at UCLA, NASA/ Goddard Space Flight Center, and the Arizona State University before settling in Oklahoma.
He has studied a large variety of celestial objects over the past several decades, from asteroids to quasars. For the past 7 years, he has mainly studied Kuiper Belt Objects, objects on the outer fringe of our own solar system. So far in the KBO project, he and his collaborator Steve Tegler (Northern Arizona University) have spent over 120 nights on large research telescopes in Arizona and Hawaii. This includes a dozen nights using one of the Keck 10 meter telescopes on Muana Kea, Hawaii.
Dr. P Clay Sherrod Arkansas Sky Observatory
Dr. Clay Sherrod has devoted over three decades to the advancement of public knowledge and appreciation of the pure and applied sciences. Now retired but continuing private research and outreach programs, Sherrod has published hundreds of papers and documents in scientific journals and publications worldwide plus numerous books in archeology, meteorology and climatology, archeoastronomy, astronomy and biomedical research. Dr. Sherrod is noted for his images of comets and other astronomy events that appear on SpaceWeather.com. He recently observed 19 comets in a single night. Dr. Sherrod will be sharing tips on imaging the great 2003 MARS opposition.
Dr. David J. Lien Visiting Professor of Physics
Oklahoma State University
An astronomer and educator on the collegiate level for over twenty years. Dr. Lien brings energy and enthusiasm to physics and astronomy instruction in various capacities at numerous colleges and universities. His research is varied and includes such topics as: Gas and dust in comets and in diffuse interstellar clouds, theoretical and experimental analysis of light scattering by small, non-spherical particles, science education, and meteorological optics. Dr. Lien will be presenting his current research on computer modeling of comet tails. This presentation will connect cometary observations of amateur and professionals alike with principles of theoretical astrophysics in an understandable clear fashion.
Convention Events Include:
Friday June 20
Registration 3:00 to 6:45 PM
Lodging Check in 3:00 to 7:00 PM
Browse the Vendor Tables 3:00 to 7:00 PM
Western Style Bar BQ Buffet 6:30 to 7:15 PM
Caravan to Observatory 7:30
Return 12:00 AM ? ? ?
Saturday June 21
Continental Breakfast 8:00 AM
Morning Events Include
Business Session & Group Picture
Paper Sessions
Speaker Dr. David Lien - Modeling Comet Tails
Door Prizes ! ! Browsing the Vendors
Break for Lunch on Campus 12:00 PM
Afternoon Paper Sessions
Speaker Dr. P. Clay Sherrod
Tips on Imaging the 2003 Mars Opposition
More Door Prizes and Browsing Vendors
Keynote Speaker Banquet 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Dr. William J Romanishin will share his adventures searching for Kupier Belt Objects beyond the orbit of Pluto and his experiences of over 120 nights a some of the world’s leading observatories.
Final Grand Prize Giveaway – See our great list of vendors.
Return Trip to Observatory 8:30 to ? ? ?
Sunday AM check out
The RMMC Observatory
Our Tulsa club has a nice observatory facility about 40 miles away. Built in 1992, it sits atop one of the highest points in NE Oklahoma. The observatory features a classic 16 inch f 6 Newtonian reflector on an equatorial mount. The telescope is housed in a 22 ft elevated dome attached to a classroom. Surrounding the observatory is about 3/4 acre of land and plenty of parking nearby. Several of our members will have their telescopes set up for viewing and you are welcome to set up your own equipment. If weather permits we plan to caravan to the observatory both Friday and Saturday nights. Coffee and refreshments will be available at the observatory.
http://www.astrotulsa.com/Club/observatory.aspExplanation of Meals and Lodging
Meals will be served in a spacious friendly dinning area on the same level as the lecture hall. Except for the banquet meals are buffet style and will include vegetarian selections. The vendors areas surround the dinning area so you’ll have ample time to visit with friends and look over the selection of items. The Keynote speaker banquet Saturday night is a buffet but they will have people there to help with serving and table needs.
On Campus Lodging
Lodging is available across the street from the TU student center within easy walking distance. The rooms are arranged in three room suites that share a common bathroom area. The shower and toilet areas have privacy doors. Each room has two TWIN beds, a chair and desks. Due to the restroom facilities only persons of the same sex may stay in a suite area. Each floor has three suites and a common area with couches and chairs for visiting. You have the option of sharing a room with another person or paying extra to have a room by yourself. If you would like to share a room with a specific person, please specify this in your registration so we can reserve space. You may bring all your own linens or request a room with linens at additional cost. Linens include only towels and sheets so YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN PILLOW and a light blanket.
Some Suggested Motels nearby
( This is a busy week in Tulsa so make your reservations early. )
Comfort Inn 6730 E Archer - N on Sheridan from 244
Microwave and under 18 free 918-835-4444
LaQunita Motor Inn 35 N Sheridan Road
918-836-3931
Econo Lodge 11620 E Skelly drive
Pool – Continental Breakfast 918-437-9200
Tulsa Points of interest
Tulsa has many things for the visitor to experience.
Two nationally renowned museums: The Philbrook with the nearby Tulsa Rose gardens and Gilcrease with a world famous collection of western art and artifacts.
The Utica Square shopping area is noted for its many exclusive design and fashion shops. The Tulsa Zoo has recently added a penguin attraction and you will see
promotional penguins all over Tulsa. Near TU is Bell’s amusement park and Big Splash water park.Nearby Jenks America is noted for its many antique shops and now includes a new aquarium attraction with the world’s largest surround view shark tank.
Within driving distance are the Will Rogers Museum and the
J M Davis Gun Collection in Claremore. The Woolaroc Museum and animal preserve and the National Tall Grass Prairie. Discovery Land USA outdoor theater runs summer shows of Oklahoma and other plays in a rustic western setting.
We will have brochures available for points of interest.
http://visittulsa.com Tulsa Tourism 800 558 3311Driving Instructions: TU is located at 600 S College in Tulsa, OK about 4 miles east of downtown on 11th St
Yahoo Maps or MapQuest will provide driving instructions
Take the I-244 by N bypass loop - Turn South at Harvard
Take Harvard to E 4th Pl and Turn Right ( West )
Look for
MSRAL Signs to the Allen Chapman Activity Center
Registration information available online
Call for Papers.
By May 1, 2003If you have a half hour presentation that you feel would be of interest to our convention. Please submit a 100 word summary of your topic. Include a paragraph bios of yourself and your club affiliation along with complete contact information.
Please submit Online to Aaron Coyner - krypto@gbronline.com
Astrophoto Contest:
It is traditional to have a judging of the best astrophotos taken during the last year – May 2002 to June 2003.Bring your photos mounted or framed with an index card of information about the photo. Include Subject Title, Date of photo, equipment used, location and exposure data.
Your NAME must be on the BACK ( not front ) of the Index card.
All Digital images should be printed.
Online Logo MSRAL Contest
http://www.msral.org/page6.htmlAt our 2002 convention it was voted to have a design contest for a logo emblem for the MidStates region. You can submit your design at the website above or vote on the designs already submitted. The winning design will be announced at the 2003 convention.
Swap Meet
Although we will have several vendors at the convention. We will hold a swap meet Saturday afternoon after the regular sessions. If you have some surplus equipment you want to sell or just want to barter for a bargain, plan to stop by the swap meet.