Purpose

Satelloid - A small moonlet which orbits an asteroid or a young celestial explorer who belongs to and orbits with a much larger body of young explorers.
 
 
Purpose of Satelloid Young Astronomer's Clubs
The goal of Satelloids is to provide an inexpensive club where students of all ages can explore, discover, and enjoy the night sky.  It is done by providing observing awards, a chance to take and share observations with others, the excitement of participating in "real" science, and through our newsletter.  We provide a programmatic means for students to explore and be rewarded for their interest in space in the hope that one day they'll consider choosing a science, math, or engineering field as a career, or simply pass on their wonder for the night sky to the next generation.  We keep up with astronomy events and the program, creating an easy way for teachers, parents, and others to help students pursue their interest in space.  For adults, it's a correspondence course into learn practical amateur astronomy.
 
Where did Satelloids come from?
My Passion....
 My name is Stephen Meeks, the founder and Chief Astronomer of Satelloids.  I've always been fascinated by nature.  I love chasing thunderstorms, repelling into a cave, or taking a leisurely walk through the forest.  My greatest passion, however is for the stars.  I have seen all of the planets, numerous asteroids and comets, and many deep sky wonders, such as galaxies and nebula.  I regularly participate in science expeditions to gather astronomical data.  While at other times I simply enjoy a beautiful night in a national forest exploring the dark skies though my telescope or binoculars.

Astronomy Presentations...
 I have been presenting astronomy programs to groups from kindergarten through senior citizens for more than a decade.  I have also taught astronomy college classes.  There is nothing like seeing the expression on someone's face (no matter the age) the first time they see Saturn or the moon through a telescope.  

In my programs I try to get people excited about the night sky and show them how they can get started on their own.  Why do I do it?  I want students to explore science so they will consider it a possible future career or at the very least they will continue to explore, discover, and enjoy the beautiful universe we've been given.

The Problem....
 While all of us are born with a sense of curiosity, a lot of it is lost in the busy-ness of life and the multimedia competing for our attention.  The average age of astronomy hobbyist today are in their 50's (the moon landing generation), 40% of America's PhD's are foreign born, and from personal experience, the average adult knows as much astronomy as 6th graders.  

I enjoy watching young people get excited about space when I present programs.  The problem is I don't have any practical way to follow-up and that excitement is lost.  While most of the teachers I present programs for do a wonderful job trying to encourage their students in space, they have a full plate.  It is hard for them to keep up with all of the events and discoveries in astronomy and try to develop an observing program for interested students, along with all of their other duties.

Satelloids...  The Solution
 For some time now I have struggled with trying to find a way to become a better resource for teachers and those wanting to learn about the night sky.  One day while reading the IOTA (International Occultation Timing Association) newsgroup, I came across a discussion concerning the naming of asteroid moonlets.  While several names had been suggested the one that seems to have gained the greatest acceptance is satelloids.  I got to thinking that it would be a great name for a club.  I started borrowing from my experience with youth based organizations and the Satelloid Young Astronomer's Clubs were born.

 
About our Logo:
On August 28, 1993 the Galileo spacecraft, bound for Jupiter, flew past and imaged the asteroid Ida on its' way through the asteroid belt.  This was one of the first asteroids ever to be  imaged up-close. (Gaspra was first, in 1991; by Galileo also)  It became an even more historic event when it was discovered that Ida was not alone. Images revealed Ida had a companion, a tiny 1.6 km (1 mile) wide moonlet that orbits about 90km (56 miles) away.  Dactyl, became the first known moon of an asteroid.  In our logo, the large asteroid to the left is Ida, its' moonlet or satelloid Dactyl is the tiny rock in the dot over the "i" in our name.