The Sioux Empire Astronomy Club is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We are a group that is interested in Astronomy, teaching public or private school students and the general public the basics of astronomy.

We offer family participation and public involvement in the wonders of the night sky. Our club offers public viewing sessions on a monthly basis and are open to the general public.

Visit our Store for Caps and Shirts with our logo. SEAC Store

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Category: Misc Posted by: e107 on Monday 18 January 2038 - 21:14:07
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Well here it is again, the start of another winter in the northland and all my astro stuff is sitting in my home office storage area just waiting for action. Let’s see we had freezing rain, heavy snow, blizzard conditions, snow drifts and a little teasing of warm weather.
I am hoping to get out and work with my equipment. Heck I forgot how to set it up. Maybe with all the technological advancements in astronomy (computerized mounts and dslr camera), one has to be on top of the game.

I hope my wife does not read this article, yeck she probably already knows about my “Purchases” with UPS and FedEx delivering these boxes. Let’s see what I have invested into Astrophotography.
1. Celestron CG-5 mount
2. 120ST and 100ST scopes
3. Battery pack
4. Canon DLSR
5. Laptop
6. Dual Core Desktop PC (image processing)
7. Numerous USB Cables
8. Heaters
9. Web cam(s)
10. Deep Sky Software (controls Celestron Mount)
11. Book on astro-imaging
12. Imaging processing software
13. Case for storage

Wow, how much use did I get out of the items listed above. Let’s see I have only set it up 3 times, last two with problems. I need to get familiar with the set up, (polar alignment what is that?) so next time I will not have any surprises.

My several winter projects to do:
1.) Work on battery pack,
2.) Heaters for scopes
3.) Permanent pier (at home and hope fully at Hodgson’s)
4.) Case for my scopes and mount
5.) Laptop table

I guess I better start bugging Jim and John to help me out with these projects. I am sure they would be more than excited in helping out. I will be ready to rock when the weather finally “warms” up!

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Category: Misc Posted by: Admin on Friday 02 January 2009 - 12:06:55
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Sertoma Park Outdoor Campus will be hosting thier yearly Hallowween Trial Hike on friday Oct 17 and Saturday Oct 18. We will set up our telescope about 6:00pm. If you have any question contact Jim

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Category: Misc Posted by: Admin on Saturday 04 October 2008 - 10:19:59
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Saturday May 10 is ASTRONOMY DAY, our club will have a booth and telescopes set up at SERTOMA PARK starting at 10:00am. Our club members will be available to answer any questions about Astronomy. We will have an informational booth set up on the east side of the main entrance to the Sertoma Park Building.

We will also have some Solar telescopes set up to view the sun. ( WARNING: DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY WITHOUT USING ANY FILTERING DEVICE ON YOUR TELESCOPE OR BINOCULARS/ SEVERE DAMAGE COULD OCCUR TO YOUR EYES LEADING TO BLINDNESS.) Our telescopes are set up with SOLAR Filters to protect your eyes from any damage, we also have an alternative device to view the sun with out looking through a telescope.

Stop by to visit and pick up your Monthly SKYCHART and other astronomy handouts. Hour booth hours are from 10:00am till 4:00 pm.

MEMBERS we are planning to set up btwn 9:15 and 9:45am.

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Category: Misc Posted by: Admin on Monday 05 May 2008 - 12:36:45
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Little Mercury is reaching elongation in the middle of May. It will be seen as the evening star just after sunset. The best time to view it will be the week of May 11th through the 17th. Maximum elongation will be on the 14th of May. Look to the West, West North West right at sunset. Mercury will be about 20 degrees high above the horizon. Mercury should appear slightly gibbous.

For data on Mercury apparitions see this link: ** Link **

This is a sky chart for the 14th of May at 8:30pm.




Good luck chasing fleet little Mercury!

JJ

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Category: Misc Posted by: John E. Johnson on Tuesday 29 April 2008 - 16:37:56
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