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About Us
Founded in 1978, the Northeast Kansas Amateur Astronomers’ League Inc. is made up of amateur astronomers from around the area. Members come in all ages and all expertise levels, from “beginner” to “practically a pro”.
What We Do
NEKAAL members observe, draw, photograph, document, discover and enjoy astronomy. We have given hundreds of educational presentations, had articles published in scientific journals, participated in projects of research and discovery, and have introduced hundreds of people to the wonders of the night sky through “Star Parties” at Farpoint Observatory and across the area.
Observatory
NEKAAL owns and operates Farpoint Observatory, located on the grounds of Mission Valley High School approximately 30 miles southwest of Topeka, Kansas.
NEKAAL, Inc. is an educational and scientific nonprofit corporation approved by the federal and Kansas state governments. Our FEIN number is 48-1068689.
NEKAAL is a member society of the International Dark Sky Association, the Night Sky Network and the Astronomical League.
NEKAAL Officers
| Officers 2016 | |
|---|---|
| President | Russell Valentine |
| Vice President | Justin Prochaska |
| Secretary | Janelle Burgardt |
| Chair | Janelle Burgardt |
| Treasurer | Paige Caudle |
| NEKAAL Board | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bruce Caler | Gary Hug | Dr. Edwin Woerner |
| David Cromer | Carolyn Kaberline | |
| Roger Heaton | Brandy Whitten | |
| Support Positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Education/Outreach Coordinator | Janelle Burgardt | |
| Facilities/Observatory Coordinator | Gary Hug | |
Russell Valentine(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)Board Position: President
Ocupation: IT, Agriculture
Astronomy Interests: Visual observing and the applications of mathematics, electronic engineering, and physics into the field of astronomy.
Favorite observing targets: Veil Nebula, Milky Way
Justin Prochaska(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)Board Position: Vice President
Occupation: Electronics Tech 1 @ Northrop Grumman
Astronomy interest: Galaxies, Moon, and Planetary Bodies, Nebula's
Favorite observing object: Jupiter and Saturn
Janelle Burgardt(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)Board Position: Secretary, Board Chair
Occupation: computer security specialist
Astronomy interests: Astronomy education; working with novice astronomers, especially visual and binocular observing; mythology of astronomy
Favorite observing targets: star clusters, moon
Board Position: Treasurer
Occupation: Senior Accountant
Astronomy interest: this history of astronomy, reading articles on new discoveries
Favorite observing object: Orion, Milky Way, and Jupiter
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David Cromer(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)Board Position: Member
Occupation: Principal - Mission Valley High School
Astronomy interest: Everything
Favorite observing object: Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, NEOs
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Gary Hug(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)(nbsp)Board Position: Member
Occupation: Machinist
Astronomy interest: astrometry of asteroids and comets especially Near Earth Objects, imaging galaxy clusters, telescope and astronomical equipment fabrication.
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