Stellarium is a free planetarium program available as a free download in a Mac version, a Windows version or an online version if you don't want to download it. Lauren uses it to research what’s up in the sky and plan observing sessions. Lauren says, “It answers the question...what is there to look and where? When I observe, I try to include 3 or 4 new items to hunt down. If you can include new objects, before you know it you will have seen lots and lots! I credit Stellarim for my having seen about  600 objects. I like using it with luxury of the big screen of my laptop, in my recliner. I can't imagine doing astro planning on a tiny phone or small tablet!”

Stellarium has three main advantages over SkySafari (another popular planetarium program):

1) It’s free

2) You can use it on the big screen of a laptop or desktop computer

3) It’s easier to use than Sky Safari 

Come to our November 20th meeting and let Lauren show you how to use this powerful software to help plan your astronomy outings.

At this meeting we will also have a slide show of the month’s astrophotos.

The meeting is at 7:00 on Thursday, November 20th at the Eugene Science Center planetarium, 2300 Leo Harris Parkway in Eugene (behind Autzen Stadium).

Dues are now due! Our dues year starts October 1st, so it’s time to get your payment in and stay up to date. Dues are still the same low $25 they’ve been for years. We accept cash, checks made out to Eugene Astronomical Society, or PayPal to eugeneastroboard@gmail.com. PayPal users, choose “Friends and Family” option or add $1 to cover fees. Let us know in the comments section who the dues are for! PayPal only reports email addresses. Everyone: please provide any updated contact information along with your dues. Note that joining the email list does not make you a member of the club. You must fill out an application and pay your dues in order to be a member in good standing.