who we are, what we do​​
M31 - The Andromeda Galaxy
Photo by club member Ara Jerahian
Click to enlarge!
SMA is a community of folks interested in astronomy, a few of us even do that as a job.
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We learn and exchange ideas at meetings that include an astronomy talk and open mic discussions of recent observing experiences or other astro-bites. The tone is light, we're in this for fun.
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We look at (or photograph) stuff in the sky at our star parties, talk about the objects we see, share views and information about our gear.
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We promote dark sky practices both directly and as a member of Dark Sky International.
hot takes
Customized SMA Beanies for $25!
Navy blue/white heathered acrylic-poly blend. The leatherette patch is embossed with our SMA logo.
lending program
Our members have access to a number of high quality telescopes and other accessories. Our Lending Program works like a library card and you get to keep the scope for a month (renewable).
One of SMA's lender scopes
mentoring
We engage in mentorship with interested members as well as students.
star parties
SMA holds star parties involving our members and anyone else interested in the night (or daytime!) sky. Activities include naked eye, binocular, telescopic, or electronically-aided telescopic viewing with the support of trained volunteers, as well as talks or demonstrations focused on the how-to's of observing.
Learning about Hα solar scopes
SMA at Bug Light State Park
meetings
We hold monthly meetings that feature scientists and their current work, or amateur astronomy topics that are often presented by one of our members.
special interest groups
Our members have varied interests. Some do long exposure deep-sky imaging, others like to image planets, some image our nearest star. Visual observers may race in a Messier Marathon or challenge themselves to observe a list of objects. Then there are those that do citizen science.
outreach
SMA holds star parties involving our members and anyone else interested in the night (or daytime!) sky. Activities include naked eye, binocular, telescopic, or electronically-aided telescopic viewing with the support of trained volunteers, as well as talks or demonstrations focused on practical tips for observing.
SMA at Cape Elizabeth High School
we like to know when
our skies will clear
our skies will cloud
we have a chart for that
Clear Sky Chart was developed by Atilla Danko with data from the Canadian Meteorology Center (CMC). Our chart is centered on Rob Burgess' backyard observatory in Brunswick. It should work great for anyone within, say, 50 miles of Brunswick and possibly further.
​Cloud Cover: Predicted cloud cover by CMC.
​ECMWF Cloud: Like Cloud Cover, but from the European model.
Transparency: The sky can be cloudless but hazy. This is often due to a lot of atmospheric water.
Seeing: The sky can be clear but turbulent. Seeing is a measure of how much things in an eyepiece or camera are dancing around and getting distorted. Often stated in arcseconds.