Winston-Salem Astronomical League

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What is the Winston-Salem Astronomical League (WSAL)?
Who are the WSAL officers?
Who can join WSAL?
When does WSAL meet?
What types of activities does WSAL sponsor?
Can you help me learn to use my telescope?

Q: What is the Winston-Salem Astronomical League?

A: The Winston-Salem Astronomical League (WSAL) is a Member Society of the Astronomical League, a national non-profit organization devoted to advancing amateur astronomy. WSAL focuses on organized, structured observing activities.

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Q: Who are the WSAL officers?

A: WSAL officers for the 2003/2004 term:

President	Robert Thompson	thompson at wsal dot org	336-725-4549 (h)
Vice President	Robert Graham	robert at wsal dot org
Secretary/Treasurer	Barbara Thompson	barbara at wsal dot org	336-725-4549 (h)
AL Coordinator (ALCor)	Paul Jones	paul at wsal dot org

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Q: Who can join WSAL?

A: Membership in WSAL is open to anyone with an interest in amateur astronomy. You need not own a telescope or have any observing experience. Our members range from relative newbies to experienced observers. Everyone is welcome, regardless of level of experience. Regular WSAL meetings are open to members and guests. You need not be a WSAL member to attend meetings, nor is attending meetings mandatory for WSAL members. WSAL membership dues are currently $10 per person per year. Dues are prorated on the following schedule:

Date Joined	Dues Amount
5 April through 4 July	$ 10.00
5 July through 4 October	$ 7.50
5 October through 4 January	$ 5.00
5 January through 4 April	$ 2.50

(The odd dates result from how the national Astronomical League sets partial-year dues.) WSAL dues are not tax deductible.

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Q: When does WSAL meet?

A: WSAL has formal club business meetings the first Thursday of each quarter, subject to rescheduling due to holidays, field trips, and so on. We also have informal meetings frequently during observing sessions and field trips. Members are notified via email of specific meeting times and locations, as are non-members who have asked to be included on our email notification list. If you want to be notified of meeting times, ad hoc observation trips, and so on, please send email to Robert Thompson (thompson at wsal dot org) requesting that you be added to our list.

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Q: What types of activities does WSAL sponsor?

A: WSAL is first and foremost devoted to astronomical observing. Accordingly, our primary activities are observing sessions. Weather permitting, we spend most clear weekend nights observing. When Luna is up and bright, we stay in town and observe Luna, the planets and double stars, often from one or another member's driveway or back yard. When Luna is new, we travel to one or another dark-sky site to observe faint fuzzies (DSOs). Several times a year on new moon weekends, we schedule field trips to a lodge located at a dark-sky site on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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Q: Can you help me learn to use my telescope?

A: Sure! Although WSAL concentrates on observing rather than on educational activities, there are always experienced members who will be happy to spend some time with you to help you to learn how to use your telescope and to locate objects to observe.

WSAL also schedules "quick start" sessions periodically and as needed. These sessions are designed to help new observers get "up to speed" quickly using their telescopes and locating objects.

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