Web site has a face-lift

Did you notice the new web site design? On Monday morning of October 14th (around 3am) I launched the new version of the OCA web site. You should find the site is easier to navigate and it has even more content and information available at your fingertips. We have the students from The Art Institute of California - Orange County for their dedication and assistance in making this happen. Full story is available on the web site.

Call for Outreach volunteers

Unfortunately we did not have any time at the October meeting for announcements. I know that Jim Benet was planning to give a short presentation and a further request to the membership for some new outreach volunteers. Please consider joining the special group of OCA Members who volunteer to share their telescopes and their time on the public outreach events that are organized throughout the month. You do not have to be a life-time expert at this hobby. The MOST important attribute is simply your passion for astronomy and your willingness to share that enthusiasm with the public. I can say from my own personal experience that it is one of the most rewarding things to get involved with. Please email Jim Benet if you want to be added to his list of volunteers . 

News on the Kuhn

Following on from last months big news regarding the Kuhn Telescope - thanks to the dedication of Dave Radosevich we are making very rapid progress on the repairs. We are looking to possibly have the scope operational for the December star party.

AstroImage 2002 Conference CD's

Those of you who attended the AstroImage 2002 conference in August should have already received your conference proceedings CD which was shipped out through the help of the AstroImage 2002 conference committee and especially Charlie Oostdyk. Thanks go to Dave Kodama for bringing the CD contents together and creating a truly remarkable resource for you all to refer to.

If you did not manage to attend the conference - you can purchase your own copy of the conference CD for only $15. In addition we have also created a special CD containing nearly 13 hours of video of the presentations. Details of course are on the web site.

AstroImage 2003 planning…..

While the AI 2002 committee were working together stuffing all the conference proceedings CD into envelopes - we couldn't help but start talking about AstroImage 2003. For some reason the bunch of us decided to start planning for the next year's conference. This year Darren Thibodeau (our very own Sirius Astronomer Editor) has stepped forward to take the turn at keeping us all in line as the conference chairperson. Thanks Darren! Check the web site for more information on the conference next year.

OCA Elections 2003

All this talk about things happening next year brings up the topic of the OCA board elections for 2003. The nominations for board members will be formally opened at the November OCA general meeting. Please consider if you would like to stand for a board position and help the club with your drive and enthusiastic support of this hobby. Any member can be nominated for a board position as long as they are over 18 years of age and have been a member for a year or more.

Liam Kennedy
"every day we are connecting ever more photons of light from distant galaxies to the eyes, hearts, minds and imaginations of our members and others in our community."