Q - Could you let us know about the beginners course, and when the next NAG meeting is?
A - People are discouraged from just turning up to NAG meetings unannounced. That is why I don't publish the day/dates here. If you are truly interested in joining then please send me an e-mail and I can inform you individually. The Intakes are held on different nights to regular meetings because the calendar is booked out with other ASV events. Once the NAG Intake deadline has passed I will send out invites with all the where, when, and what to bring details. There will be a registration form to fill in on the night and payment of the $30 joining fee can be made. You must present your current ASV membership card at the NAG Intake.
Q - We have joined ASV as a family. Can we join NAG for one $30 fee? A - Yes you can, and a few people have done this from time to time. Joining fees cover the cost of materials like the NAG folder, regular hand-outs, and presentation material. This also means you get only one NAG folder to share, and are expected to take only one copy of course notes at each meeting. NAG is not out to make a profit and any excess is plowed back into the course. Eg... I am currently pursuing a Laser Pointer so I can better conduct the NAG observing programme.
Q - In order to join the NAG, do I enroll in the ASV first? A - Yes, you must show your current membership card at the Intake meeting.
Q - Once enrolled in the ASV, do I front up to the NAG enrollment night, to register? A - No, you must e-mail me first with your name and ASV membership number. I will confirm you place, prepare a NAG folder for you, establish you on the NAG mailing list etc...
Q - I have just filled in my ASV application form. Can I get into the coming NAG intake? A - NAG is an official section of the ASV, uses ASV facilities, with guest speakers from the ASV membership. ASV Council has decreed you must be a current member and produce your membership card when joining at the NAG Intake. Sorry but unless you get your card in time I cannot allow you into the current Intake. However I can reserve a place for you in the following Intake.
Q1 - I have recently become interested in the night sky and have looked at it with a skymap. I am finding it difficult to navigate the sky and hoping to get some advice from an experienced Astronomer. Would you or the Society be able to assist? I do not own a telescope and would like to try and recognise bright stars and planets with a view to at least be able to get a position reference by observing the sky.
Q2 - I became interested in astronomy around the middle of last year (deferred from my teens !!) and have been finding my way around the heavens with binoculars over the last few months, and exhausting the contents of the local libraries. Santa brought me a lovely new telescope (Bintel 252 dobsonian), so it would be a wonderful opportunity to meet some fellow newbies and pick up some good habits in using the new light bucket.
A - NAG has an observing program that would help you out here. There are also other sections of the ASV that can help you too. For example there is Deep Sky, Variable star, and Comet sections. I also think helping out with the Astronomy For The People (AftP) programme would teach you a lot too. ASV membership has many benefits other than the New Astronomers Group.
Hope to see you at NAG one day, all members are most welcome to join us.
