NEKAAL Observer - December-January, 2007-2008, Volume 2, Issue 1 Volume , Issue

	The NEKAAL Observer
December-January, 2007-2008, Volume 2, Issue 1 PO BOX 951, Topeka KS 66619 (785)449-2102 http://www.nekaal.org The official newsletter of Farpoint Observatory and the Northeast Kansas Amateur Astronomers' League

NEKAAL Ballot
Dale Lee
Here is the official ballot. Nominations are a little sparse, but feel free to write in anyone. Their name does not have to be listed here. Please print and fill this out and mail to Dale Lee or bring it to Bill Leifer's house for the Election/Party/Year-end Meeting on Dec. 9. See the directions provided by Bill in this issue of the Observer.

The Kessler Building Dedication
Bill Leifer
The formal dedication of the Kessler Building was held in place of the usual General Meeting on Nov. 15. It was very well attended. Here are some pics from the event and the formal dedication language as seen on the photo now on permanent display in the Kessler Building.

The Red (Hot?) Planet
Patrick L. Barry
This is the NASA Space Place article from October. Mars is dotted with volcanoes, and recent THEMIS imaging shows that the last eruption was a mere 1 million years ago. The THEMIS imager will be looking for evidence that vulcanism remains active on Mars today.

The Tombaugh Telescope
Gary Hug
Few astronomy clubs have such a magnificent instrument. Gary summarizes the accomplishments of NEKAAL using the Tombaugh and those who made it possible. It is for you to use, now. What would you like to do with it? The sky is the limit.

Open House Dates and Club Observing Weekend Schedule - 2008
Jan Burgardt
Download this schedule and post it on your desktop or bulletin board. These are the weekends of major NEKAAL activity for 2008.

Going My Way?
Diane K. Fisher
In this NASA Space Place article for November, Diane Fisher describes the New Millenium Program (NMP). Not many endeavors require that you plan the mode of transportation before you even know what it is you are transporting. But weighing the physics and economics of getting any sort of cargo to space is a major part of designing a space mission.

Directions To Dec. 9th Christmas Party / NEKAAL Elections
Bill Leifer
These instructions and map were in an earlier NEKAAL Yahoo Group message, but here they are again. Lynne and I are excited to host the event this year and show you our new home built to our weird specs by NEKAAL member and master builder, Mark Borton. I am sure you will agree that it is suitable for alien life forms. Though we are far from Roswell, New Mexico, Area 52 is true to its namesake. See you there. Remember, it is pot luck. Bring food. 3PM to around 5 or 5:30

Sky Highlights For December and for January, 2008.
Janelle Burgardt
Another desktop essential for your computer or for your bulletin board.

A cool link from Graham Bell
Graham Bell
Graham provides this link to an animated .gif of a comet being struck by a coronal mass ejection from the sun. This is just about as neat a thing as you can ever hope to see. Just enter this URL into your web browser.Thank you, Graham.