Our September 8, 2004 meeting was "officially" started at 7:39 p.m. by Society President Bernie Zelazny, after he had been showing a trailer of a program to be aired that night on the PBS Nova program on "How the Earth was formed". It was a very enlightening "early bird special" for those arriving early for the meeting.
           Chuck Dobbins did a presentation on "Planets, Planets, Everywhere" that dealt with exo-planets that are being found surrounding other near-by stars (20- 60 Light-year distances). To date, nearly 140 planets have been discovered (detected) by various methods. Several of the night-time stars were pointed out as being harbingers of these gas giant planets (some as close to the parent star as .05 A.U.'s!)
           Bernie had some "quick news update" material for the members present, including the fact that the Genesis capsule crashed in Utah that day when the parachute failed to open.

           Jim Walker was recognized for his leadership and long-time association with the Big Bend Astronomical Club (he was one of the "Founding Members" of our Society). His talents will be sorely missed but we hope to continue to see his smiling face at upcoming meetings and at our Star Parties!
           At the beginning of the year (2005) Bernie Zelazny will become President/Vice President, and Chuck Dobbins will become Secretary/Treasurer as our club is getting smaller and it's hard to get anyone to volunteer to be an officer.
           IF ANY OF YOU HAVE AN IDEA ABOUT A PRESENTATION FOR THE CLUB AT AN UPCOMING MEETING, PLEASE LET BERNIE KNOW, OR IF YOU WISH TO PRESENT A PROGRAM !
           Bernie discussed an outreach kit he'd just received from the Night Sky Network and was looking for a second program coordinator to assist him with presentations at kindergarten thru college classrooms. There was no volunteer so the Society has regretfully withdrawn from the program until a second coordinater comes forward.
           A brief discussion was held about the "all new" upcoming public Star Parties and several ideas were put forth as to where the star parties could be held since we want to get into holding more public star parties in an attemp to increase our membership. Our next Star Party is scheduled for Friday, 22 October 2004 with the cloud out date Sunday, 24 October. It is to be held at the Big Bend Event Center north of Alpine on Highway 118.
           Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 and a social hour followed with cake and cookies in Jim Walker's honor.