Club Membership Features

Introduction
The EAS consists of a group of about 45 individuals in and around Everett and the Snohomish County interested in Astronomy.
EAS History
The group formed about 1980, after starting out as a few friends who would call each other up on the spur-of-the-moment (clear weather) to go observing.
Reasons for joining
People join to learn about current astronomical topics, to go out observing, to find out about telescopes, to meet and share experiences with other people interested in Astronomy.
Open to public
All our meetings and events are open to the public, and we try to put on events specifically for the public, such as the ‘sidewalk astronomy’ and Astronomy Day.
Meetings
We have monthly meetings where we have speakers or videos or slideshows.
We often have astronomers, especially from the University of Washington, come and talk to us about their work or recent discoveries.
We try to have something for everyone, and have had a diverse range of topics, including for example, such as archeo-astronomy of the Egyptians, Maya, and Native Americans, or demonstration and review of astronomy software programs.
Our meetings are held on the third Saturday of the month at the Evergreen Branch Library in South Everett, at 3:00 pm.
Star parties
One of our other main activities are holding ‘star parties’.
A star party, as you may know, is an observing session that brings many people together at the same place and time to share knowledge of interesting sky objects, and try out other types of telescopes.
EAS regular star parties
Most of our star parties are small and informal affairs held at the home of one of our members who lives deep enough into the suburbs to escape the worst light pollution, near Panther Lake.
Held monthly on dark moon weekend (when weather allows, March through November).
Star party activities
Observing interesting objects, trying to see all of the objects on certain historical lists, such as Messier 102 objects, and Herschel 400 objects.
Trying out telescopes, sharing knowledge are popular.
Some people concentrate on certain types of objects, such as the moon, or planets like Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, or deep space objects like faint 50 million light year away galaxies.
Discount on magazines
A benefit of club membership is a discounted rate for Astronomy or Sky &Telescope magazines.
Club telescopes
Our club has a variety of telescopes, including 10" Dobsonian, several SCTs, and others, that are available to be loaned out to our club members.
This can help someone that has no scope, or just a small one, and give them experience with what to expect before rushing out and buying a scope that might not suit them very well.
Sidewalk astronomy
The EAS likes to share astronomy with the general public, and although we don’t have a major organized activity in this area, we have tried to take advantage of some of the dramatic events of the past few years, such as bright comets, and a couple of total lunar eclipses to hold and publicize observing sessions located where the people are, at parks and marinas and even shopping centers. Most people are very surprised to see.
Light pollution
Light pollution is one of the two main problems confronting amateur astronomers in the Puget Sound area. (the other is the cloudy weather).
The millions of outdoor lights light up the outdoor sky, and make all but the brightest stars invisible.
To escape it completely, you must go 60 miles or more from Seattle, and even stay somewhat away from small towns.
This means traveling to the Cascades or central Washington area. This also helps avoid the clouds.
Regional star parties
During the summer each year, there are annual star parties held in the northwest that attract a large group of amateurs to dark wilderness sites far from city lights.

In our area is the Washington State Star Party held in central Washington.
Each year usually attracts hundreds of enthusiasts, with hundreds of telescopes, many with innovative designs, and some as large as 41 inches in diameter.
It late July or early August. Check the web page here for this years details: http://www.tmspa.com/

Oregon has the Oregon Star Party at Indian Trail Springs in the Ochoco National forest in central Oregon.
About 700 attendees here, very dry, some of the best skies in North America.
Good place for serious deep sky photography. http://www.oregonstarparty.org/

Mt Kobau star party in British Columbia.
Astronomy Day activities
Once a year, there is a day established as ‘International Astronomy Day’.
For several years, our group has setup displays at the Everett Public library during the daytime, and a star party at a park near Mukilteo.
Talking to groups
We also have members that enjoy going out and talking to various school classes, youth groups, and other organizations to present slide shows and current astronomy information and to host special star parties.
This often puts an amateur with a lot of background knowledge together with kids and others with lots of interest and questions.

Special Interest Subjects

Observing
Looking at the night sky with eyes, binoculars, and telescopes and learning what is there.
Speakers
Listening to presentations by astronomers and hobbyists.
Astro-Imaging
Photography and telescopic imaging of sky objects. 
Telescope making
Building telescopes for observing.
Radio Program
88.5 FM National Public Radio has daily broadcasts of "Star Date" by the McDonald Observatory of the University of Texas at Austin
The short 2 minute radio show deals with current topics of interest in astronomy.
Astronomy Travel
Traveling to far away places to see eclipses, comets, etc.
Community Outreach
Club members give star parties and talks to local groups and schools.
Application
To join the club, fill out the application and send it in to us. The address is on the application itself.