The James Webb Space Telescope’s recent discoveries will now be the main program topic for the San Juan Stargazers’ monthly meetings, except when we have guest speakers.
For several years, the San Juan Stargazers have been using seven different Great Courses on various aspects of astronomy as a resource for our monthly educational meetings. We recently completed a Great Course entitled “Experiencing Hubble—Exploring the Milky Way.” Ann Marie Kemp spent much time every month summarizing a 20-page published explanation in the Course Guidebook into a one- to two-page summary given to each person at our programs. (Thank you, Ann Marie.) Many members had a notebook to keep and organize these sheets.
Our next meeting of the San Juan Stargazers will be at the Community United Methodist Church at 434 Lewis St. with the big parking lot and convenient side door into the kitchen. (The main doors to the sanctuary are locked.) The meeting will be held tomorrow, Thursday April 2, and will begin at 6pm with our social hour for visiting and snacks.
At 7pm our program will begin. Great Courses does not have a published program yet on the James Webb. We believe they are working on one. Until then, Joan Mieritz will be creating the programs. Mieritz made the comment a few years ago that James Webb discoveries would be keeping her alive for many extra years to come.
This month we will begin with a 40-minute space ride created by the European Space Agency as if we are passengers on the Webb Telescope. It is wonderful. We travel through deep space with all its wonder, but slowly so we don’t feel sick. We will flow from one amazing sight to the next.
If you would like to join the San Juan Stargazers, you will also receive a regular hard copy of Reflector Magazine, which is the publication of the National Astronomical League of which you automatically become a member. That makes it so you don’t belong to a small-town-sized club, but to a national club with thousands of members and wonderful active opportunities with competitions, awards and money rewards.
To join both groups and get an excellent astronomy magazine, annual membership is only $25 per family. Also ask about our new “Service” membership.
You can join the club at any of our meetings or on our website. Check out our continuously changing website, sanjuanstargazers.org, with new information and spectacular photos.