Southern Maine Astronomers
Events
Outreach and other public events
You can also see our events calendar on the NASA's Night Sky Network!
SMA Monthly Directors Meeting 9/20/23
Upcoming- Wednesday, September 20th, 2023, 7pm.
Feel free to join us for our September directors meeting. Please reach out via dropping us a note down below for the meeting code.
Date: September 20th
Time: 7PM
Location: Zoom
The Zoom link will be sent out to our Google Group. Please use the "Contact Us" form or join our Google Group for the Zoom link, if you don't have it!
Come join us at Neptune Drive for an evening of astronomical observation !
Upcoming- September, 23rd 2023
Topic: Come enjoy naked eye, binocular and telescopic views of the night sky and laser pointer tours of constellations, with knowledgeable observers. Rain or shine! Free and open to the public.
Interested in volunteering? Click here to sign up!
Date: Saturday, September 23rd 2023
Time: 7:30-9:30 PM
Location: 179 Neptune Drive, Brunswick Maine
Phone: 207-751-4651
Hope to see you there!
SMA Monthly Club Meeting with Guest Speaker Alan Brizard of St. Micheals College(ZOOM Only)
Upcoming- October 5th, 2023
Date: Thursday October 5th 2023
Time: 7:00PM
Location: Zoom
Phone: 207-751-4651
Hope to see you there!
Come join us for an evening of astronomical observation !
Upcoming- October 14th, 2023
Topic: Come enjoy naked eye, binocular and telescopic views of the night sky and laser pointer tours of constellations, with knowledgeable observers. Free and open to the public. Rain or Shine (if inclement, astronomy talk and telescope demos to be held indoors).
Interested in Volunteering? Click here to sign up!
Date: Saturday October 14th 2023
Time: TBD
Location: 179 Neptune Drive
Phone: 207-751-4651
Hope to see you there!
Come join us at Harpswell Herritage Land Trust for an evening of astronomical observation!
Upcoming- October 18th, 2023
Topic: Come enjoy naked eye, binocular and telescopic views of the night sky and laser pointer tours of constellations, with knowledgeable observers. Free and open to the public.
Interested in Volunteering? Click Here to sign up!
Date: October 18th 2023
Time: 6:00pm-9:30pm
Location: 1410 Harpswell Neck Rd, Harpswell, ME 04079
Phone: 207-751-4651
Hope to see you there!
Come join us for an evening of astronomical observation !
Upcoming- November 18th, 2023
Topic: Come enjoy naked eye, binocular and telescopic views of the night sky and laser pointer tours of constellations, with knowledgeable observers. Free and open to the public. Rain or Shine (if inclement, astronomy talk and telescope demos to be held indoors).
Interested in Volunteering? Click here to sign up!
Date: Saturday November 18th 2023
Time: TBD
Location: 179 Neptune Drive
Phone: 207-751-4651
Hope to see you there!
SMA Monthly Club Meeting with Guest Speaker Dr. Hanz Morris Guenther (ZOOM Only)
past- Thursday, September 7th, 2023, 7pm. Social "half-hour" starts at 6:30pm.
Join us with Dr. Hanz Morris Guenther, who is working as a research scientist at MITs Chandra X-ray center!
Date: September 7th, 2023
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: zoom
Phone: 207-751-4651
The Zoom link will be sent out to our Google Group. Please use the "Contact Us" form or join our Google Group for the Zoom link, if you don't have it!
Come join us for an afternoon of music and solar observation !
past- September 9th, 2023
Topic: Come enjoy music, free lunch, and telescopic views of the sun at the Brunswick Mall! The sun is currently in an active phase with lots of coronal mass ejections and sunspots, so dont miss out!
Interested in Volunteering? Click here to sign up!
Date: Saturday September 9th 2023
Time: 10AM-2PM
Location: Brunswick Mall
Phone: 207-751-4651
Hope to see you there!
Upcoming Events in the Works
Upcoming- November 18th, 2023
Below is a list of possible events for this fall, but we need volunteers to make this happen. If any of these events are of interest to you please consider volunteering to help us make these happen.
Click here to sign up
- Maine’s First Ship in Bath – Oct or Nov
- Maine Coast Heritage Trust at Woodward’s Point in Brunswick – Oct or Nov
- Brunswick Topsham Land Trust – Oct or Nov at Crystal Spring Farm
- Common Ground Country Fair in Unity – supporting a booth and solar observing with Dark Sky Maine
Gallery
Photos & videos from members. Click each image for a larger view and description.
The Team
Our team of awesomeness combines experience with passion, creativity, and dedication. From rural back roads to corporate boardrooms, SMA is committed to supporting our members and the public in all things astronomy.
Robert Burgess
President
For
rest Sumner
Vice-President
Ron Thompson
Treasurer
Dr. George Bokinsky
Secretary
Secretary
Committees
We've got a top notch team! While each of these committees is staffed by Club Directors, any member can join and assist these committees in their club objectives. We welcome participation! Support your Club!
Membership
This committee is focused on increasing membership and improving member experience.
Purview includes club meetings, greeting members and guests, following up with new people, providing refreshments. It will be the point of contact for club clothing and such. This committee will coordinate with the Program Committee to ensure we are offering speakers and topics that square with the needs and desires of members. It will also liaise with other clubs, including student organizations, and encourage developments between clubs.
Director Member: Al DiSabatino, Kevin Kane
Outreach
Acting as the point of contact for the public, for things like star parties, speakers, etc., and for coordinating the club’s response.
This committee responds to groups looking for star parties and such events; would determine if it’s a request the club can accommodate; would organize club members willing to attend/staff the event. This committee also provides formal notice to news organizations and public bulletin boards and other third parties of club meetings and events.
Director Member: Kerry Kertes, Carson Hanrahan, Maame Andoh, Russ Pinizzotto
Club Member: Ron Thompson
Program
Planning for meetings, finding speakers, coordinating publicity.
This Committee seeks speakers in contemporary topics of astronomy and space exploration that are of interest to the membership. The Committee ensures other engaging content to appeal to beginners as well as seasoned amateurs to improve their knowledge of the night sky, telescope equipment, observing techniques and astrophotography.
Director Member: Russ Pinizzotto, Maame Andoh
Equipment
Managing club equipment, purchased and donated, to fulfill the club's outreach and educational mission.
Club assets include purchased and donated equipment. This committee determines what best suits club needs and then seeks to sell or otherwise dispose of excess equipment with funds received used to support the club. This committee also manages the Club's Equipment Lending Program that makes more sophisticated equipment available to club members for use.
Director Member: Kevin Kane, Ara Jerahian
Dark Sky Advocacy
Liaising with Dark Sky Maine, IDA, and other groups interested in controlling light pollution.
Advocating for dark sky-friendly zoning and other regulations to control and reduce light pollution. This Committee hope to develop a recognition program for organizations and municipalities who undertake improvements in light pollution control.
Director Member: Rob Burgess, Howie Marshall
Club Member: Paul Howell
Finance
This Committee is responsible for administration of club finances.
Responsibilities include management and reconcilement of club finances and bank statements, tax filings, club insurances, etc. Recently, the club decided to undertake fundraising. This new venture will examine club short and long term goals and then find sources and develop strategies to support those goals, including the establishment of an endowment fund.
Treasurer & Chair: Bob Dodge
Fundraising Subcommittee: Rob Burgess, Bob Dodge, Russ Pinizzotto
Executive Committe
Director Members: Rob Burgess, Bob Dodge, Russ Pinizzotto, Ara Jerahian
Affiliations
