From bhavner at earthlink.net Mon Jan 5 20:57:12 2004 From: bhavner at earthlink.net (Bob Havner) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:05 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: [AANC Contacts] Magnificent Mars: Ken Croswell speaks at Chabot Jan. 31 Message-ID: <000c01c3d411$8da15940$25cdf7a5@default> Title of talk: Magnificent Mars Speaker: Dr. Ken Croswell Sponsor: Chabot Space and Science Center Date: Saturday night, January 31, 2004; 6:30 pm Location: 10000 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland Phone: 510-336-7300 Web site: http://KenCroswell.com The planet Mars has long offered the prospect of another living world in the solar system. Tonight, with an armada of spacecraft scrutinizing the red planet as never before, Harvard-trained astronomer and author Ken Croswell shows you the best color images of Mars and describes the planet from pole to pole, exploring Martian geology, the Martian atmosphere, Martian volcanoes, and Martian water, all organized around the four great elements of Mars: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Along the way you'll see nearly every image from Dr. Croswell's new book Magnificent Mars, including volcanoes over twice as tall as Mount Everest, canyons that could stretch from Ohio to California, and floods of water far greater than any known on Earth. Billions of years ago, on a world warmer and wetter, Mars may have given rise to life whose fossils await discovery today. Ken Croswell earned his doctorate in astronomy from Harvard University and is the author of several highly acclaimed books, including The Alchemy of the Heavens, Planet Quest, Magnificent Universe, See the Stars, and The Universe at Midnight. "Our little neighbor Mars will be the first New World of the century that has just dawned. Ken Croswell has done a superb job in outlining what is known, and what is suspected, about the next home of mankind beyond the Moon." --Sir Arthur C. Clarke "At last, a work that synthesizes the latest discoveries on the red planet into an accessible yet accurate form. Magnificent Mars is a magnificent book." --Robert Zubrin, author of The Case for Mars and president of the Mars Society More at http://KenCroswell.com . From bhavner at earthlink.net Tue Jan 6 20:33:09 2004 From: bhavner at earthlink.net (Bob Havner) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:05 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: TFC Reporter/Christi Morales Mars story Message-ID: <001801c3d4d7$5cf62c00$edf856d1@default> I was contacted by Christi about this and asked to forward it. Anyone interested should contact her directly. Bob Havner San Jose Astronomical Association Hello, my name is Christi Morales and I am a reporter from ABS-CBN International's The Filipino Channel (TFC). We do a weekly TV newscast and right now, I am following the story about NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Mission. I am looking to interview an amateur astronomer or astronomy enthusiast, but specifically someone who is Filipino-American; I am interested in finding someone who has been following space exploration missions, such as NASA's current mission on Mars and get their comments or views about this milestone. If there is someone who fits that profile, please e-mail me as soon as possible or if you could refer me to that person, I would greatly appreciate it. I can also be reached at 650-504-2773. P.S. My deadline is Thursday @ 5:00 pm. Thank you, Christi Morales From valz at earthlink.net Wed Jan 7 13:00:01 2004 From: valz at earthlink.net (Valerie Zeller) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:05 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] winter question Message-ID: <410-220041372101400@earthlink.net> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20040107/e3296f47/attachment.html From jane at whiteoaks.com Wed Jan 7 22:45:25 2004 From: jane at whiteoaks.com (Jane Houston Jones) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:05 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Next AANC meeting Message-ID: <3FFCFC85.3080000@whiteoaks.com> At our last AANC meeting in November 2003 we set the first 2004 meeting to be on January 11th. At that time we hoped to select a President and VP and set the next meetings for 2004. We asked each representative to ask their clubs or organizations for volunteers. The next bi-monthly Board of Directors meeting of the AANC will be held this Sunday, January 11th at 10:00 a.m. in room 119 of the Lawrence Hall of Sciences. This is the last meeting of the year. We really need some of you to help out by helping to lead the AANC. It's not a time consuming job. We meet 6 times a year for 2 hours, and we are done before the local football games get underway. :-). We have a Treasurer, Don Stone and a Secretary, Alan Gould. These are the two hard jobs and Alan and Don have done the job well for many years, and thankfully, they are willing to continue again this year. The President and VP positions need to be filled. I was president since 1999, and as a result of being president of the AANC I got a really great job after only 5 years on the job! It could happen to you, too! But we live outside the borders of northern California now, or I'd still be President. And so it is time to share the wealth. The AANC has been an active group since 1973. Please step up and keep the group going with your leadership. At the very least, please take a look at your groups reference on our astronomy resource guide and send in any updates. The resource list is widely used, and linked all over the place. http://www.aanc-astronomy.org/aanc-resourceguide.html And take a look at the calendar too, http://www.aanc-astronomy.org/AANCclndr.html and please send in your events! And post them on the AANC lists for members and newsletter editors to use, include and pass on. * contacts@aanc-astronomy.org (larger list, includes AANC club editors) * editors@aanc-astronomy.org (AANC member club editors only) I'll post this agenda and hope that some of you read the last meeting announcement in November and are willing to help out by becoming President or Vice President. http://www.aanc-astronomy.org/AANCminutes/AANCminutes.html The next bi-monthly Board of Directors meeting of the AANC will be held this Sunday, January 11th at 10:00 a.m. in room 119 of the Lawrence Hall of Sciences. I can try to get a telecon set up for those who would like to attend but can't make it in person. Let me know ASAP, like Thursday 1/8/03 and I'll set up a number and give the particulars to those who RSVP to me at jane@whiteoaks.com 1. Call to order, Roll call and introductions 2. Minutes of previous meeting - see link at bottom of agenda 3. AANC Treasurer's Report and membership 4. AANC 2004 Membership 5. Nominations for 2004 officers, including new president 6. Solicit AANC award participants http://www.aanc-astronomy.org/AANCawards.html - to be awarded at *Astrocon2004 * 7 Set 2004 meeting dates 8. Club Reports - send them first to Alan Gould adgould at comcast.net 9. Current and new business * Status of AL/AAVSO/ALPO/ASP July 20-24 2004 meeting, hosted by AANC, EAS and SJAA http://www.astrocon2004.org/ 10. Other agenda items and announcements Ajourn 11/2/03 minutes. http://www.aanc-astronomy.org/AANCminutes/AANCminutes.html -- Jane Houston Jones 34.2048N 118.1732W, 424.0 meters jane@whiteoaks.com http://www.whiteoaks.com From bhavner at earthlink.net Thu Jan 8 18:42:13 2004 From: bhavner at earthlink.net (Bob Havner) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:05 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Volunteering at Mars exhibit Message-ID: <003f01c3d65a$313ba8e0$58f756d1@default> mars exhibitHere is a great opportunity to be involved with NASA Ames. They are looking for volunteers to help at the Mars Visitors Center. Interested parties can email Barbara Patterson at bpatterson@mail.arc.nasa.gov and can also learn about volunteering on our Web site: http://teamnasa.arc.nasa.gov. We are looking for Volunteers to work at the Mars exhibit The Mars Exploration Rover missions are ambitious and fascinating journeys of exploration. As they gather key scientific information and return dramatic images from their travels across the surface of Mars, they will surely capture the interest and imagination of the public. NASA Ames is addressing the public's desire to know more about these missions and to share in the experience of discovery. On December 29, 2003, NASA Ames opened a new visitor center devoted to these missions and the planet they are exploring. Visitors to the new Mars Center at Ames are able to view live transmissions from mission control at JPL as well as from the cameras aboard the Rovers. Visitors try their hand at directing a rover across a simulated Martian terrain, enter a walk-in Mars dome to experience an immersive environment of the Martian landscape, compare geological specimens from a variety of worlds including Mars and our Moon. There are continuous loop videos on relevant topics, a Mars topographical globe, poster displays, computer room with established Mars web sites and more. Visitors will discover more about the Mars missions and the fascinating planet Mars. The exhibit will remain open until the first part of June 2004. It is located just outside the main NASA Ames gate in the large white tent. Special Events We are planning several special events at the center, many of these will be scheduled in the evenings and we will be asking for volunteer help as we firm up the dates. Some examples are: Teachers Reception -- January 9, 2004. 6:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. We will need volunteers with a background in Astronomy and other sciences to guide the teachers through the exhibit, enhancing their experience and answering questions. Refreshments will be served for this event and teachers will receive educational materials to be used in their classrooms. Family Nights - A series of Family Nights have been scheduled for students and their parents to visit the center together providing the opportunity for parents to share the learning experience with their children. The following dates have been scheduled: January 7, 13 and 22, 2004 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. More Family Nights will follow based on their success. JASON Project - January 26 - 30 and February 2 - 6, 2004. Twelve thousand third through eighth grade students, teachers and chaperones will be visiting NASA Ames. Most of these students will also visit the Mars exhibit. Hours of Operation The Center will be open to the public from 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. weekdays and 12:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. Saturdays and Sundays. (Hours are subject to change as we gain an understanding of public interest.) Shifts During the weekdays, we will have several shifts of approximately 3 hours each (some will overlap). Saturdays and Sundays the shifts will be 2 hours. Volunteers may work more than one shift per day if they choose to. Bay area schools will be attending Monday through Friday. The general public can participate during the week and on weekends. Star parties will be planned, weather permitting. Interested parties can email Barbara Patterson at bpatterson@mail.arc.nasa.gov and can also learn about volunteering on our Web site: http://teamnasa.arc.nasa.gov. -- **************************************** Barbara Patterson Education Support Manager Team NASA Volunteer Program Manager voice: 650 604-0494 Fax: 650 604-6485 e-mail:bpatterson@mail.arc.nasa.gov NASA Ames Research Center M/S 226-4, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000 Web site: http://TeamNASA.arc.nasa.gov Planners Collaborative **************************************** -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20040108/1a887eb4/attachment.html From bhavner at earthlink.net Thu Jan 8 19:04:35 2004 From: bhavner at earthlink.net (Bob Havner) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:05 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] SJAA General Meeting Saturday Message-ID: <009401c3d65d$51748840$58f756d1@default> Dr. Elinor Gates to speak at the January SJAA Meeting. Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics at Lick Observatory Houge Park Meeting Hall Saturday, January 10, 2004 8:00 pm. Dr. Elinor Gates is a support scientist at the University of California's Lick Observatory, specializing in natural and laser guide star adaptive optics instrumentation and operations. Under ideal circumstances, large telescopes have higher resolution than small telescopes. However, the Earth's atmosphere is turbulent and blurs images, so that even the largest telescope typically sees no more detail than an 8" backyard telescope. Either you can put the telescope above the Earth's atmosphere to avoid the blurring, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, or you can use adaptive optics. Adaptive optics (AO) is a technique where the atmospheric turbulence is measured in real time and corrected using a deformable optic. Lick Observatory and the Center for Adaptive Optics are at the forefront of the field in designing and applying AO systems and techniques to astronomy. Dr. Gates will describe the Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics system at Lick Observatory, as well as some of the current astronomical AO research results from the Shane 3-meter telescope. Bob Havner bhavner@earthlink.net From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Sat Jan 10 17:30:52 2004 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:05 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Green Lasers available for sale at the meeting Tonight Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.0.20040110172855.02ee8ec0@koopm.best.vwh.net> Just a reminder on the SJAA General Meeting tonight with Dr. Elinor Gates on AO...... Also Daniel Stefanescu will have 8 green lasers available for sale at the meeting tonight. The unit normally sells for about $160, but Dan is able to offer the unit to club members for $120 based on volume-discounted purchasing. The laser unit is marketed as the "StarPoint Laser". Its quality optical components are manufactured in Taipei and the laser is a conventional double-crystal YAG that emits a ~4.9mW constant-wave beam at 532nm (green). It is powered by two AAA batteries; rechargeable cells are recommended for frequent users. This laser pointer also exhibits some unique refinements designed with the amateur astronomer in mind, such as: an ergonomic ABS plastic casing, an easy to find on/off button, and a lanyard that protects the unit from accidental falls during use while keeping the laser close for easy access. Picture: http://koopm.best.vwh.net/greenlaserpointer.jpg Bring your checkbook tonight if you are interested. Dan will also bring them to the next Houge Park Star Party if there are any left From jvn at svpal.org Tue Jan 13 15:41:58 2004 From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:05 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] ETX 105 EC for sale References: Message-ID: <40048246.7AD@svpal.org> Julian Lecomte is selling a telescope. Any interest? contact information at the bottom. -- Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association JVN's web site > Meade ETX 105 EC bought new in June 2002. Includes: > > - Meade #497 Autostar Computer Controller > > - Fully adjustable #884 Deluxe Field Tripod with carry bag > > - Meade Series 4000 Super Plossl eyepieces 26mm and 6mm > > - Celestron #93506 Ultima 2x Barlow lens (3-element apo) > > - ProStar 1.25" Visual Back > > - Glass Solar Filter Class-A > > - FlexiFocus (replaces standard focus knob) > > - Meade #675 Dew Shield > > - Hard Carry Case #776 for ETX 105 > > - Fine latitude adjustment > > The telescope was supercharged by Dr. Clay Sherrod (Arkansas Sky > Observatory) in August 2002 (see http://www.arksky.org for more > details). > > GO TO accuracy is amazing, tracking accuracy is very good (good enough > to do at least 30 seconds unguided exposures at F/9). > > Great high resolution pictures taken with this telescope at > http://astroccd.free.fr > > Total investment around $1400.00 > > Price: $800.00 > > > Buyers will be able to actually try it if they want to. > > Contact: julien (dot) lecomte (at) scalix (dot) com > or 650-212-8335 (work) ? > 408-719-9284 (Home) > From rpseguin at yahoo.com Tue Jan 13 21:23:59 2004 From: rpseguin at yahoo.com (Ralph Seguin) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:05 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Scopes and people needed for Jan 23 or Jan 24 In-Reply-To: <06fd01c3da41$c05919a0$cfa23442@pavilion> Message-ID: <20040114052359.32034.qmail@web13910.mail.yahoo.com> Sorry for resending this message, but I got no replies at all the first time. A friend has asked for my help in setting up a small star party at Almaden Country School (elementary school) (South Bay Area in San Jose) for the night of January 23rd or January 24th (depending on how many people we can get). He would like to have 8 or more scopes and people piloting them. Please email me at: ralph@mybrain.org if you are interested in helping. Thanks. -Ralph __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Hotjobs: Enter the "Signing Bonus" Sweepstakes http://hotjobs.sweepstakes.yahoo.com/signingbonus From bhavner at earthlink.net Fri Jan 16 17:13:28 2004 From: bhavner at earthlink.net (Bob Havner) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:05 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Family Astro Moon Mission Message-ID: <003201c3dc97$1f4cb8c0$37d4f7a5@default> The ASP Family Astro program will be hosting a leader training for the upcoming Moon Mission programs. Anyone interested should fill out the attached application and return to Kristin Nelson by February 9th. Bob Havner bhavner@earthlink.net Free Family Astro Leader Training Moon Mission Saturday, February 21, 2004 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Astronomical Society of the Pacific?s Office (390 Ashton Ave., San Francisco) What is Family ASTRO? Family ASTRO is about making science fun! No previous astronomy knowledge is necessary! Our goal is to train teachers, astronomers, and museum and community group educators to help children and adults explore astronomy together. Participants will learn to lead family astronomy events focusing on the Moon. At the February 21st "Moon Mission" Event Leader training you will: ? learn hands-on astronomy activities that are fun for the whole family ? find out how to organize and lead a successful family workshop ? receive a free leader kit and 10 free activity kits for families about the Moon ? meet other Bay Area educators with similar interests To apply for the February 21st workshop, fill out the attached application and return to Kristin Nelson, Bay Area Family ASTRO Coordinator, ASP, 390 Ashton Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112. Fax: (415) 337-5205. Space is limited, so please submit your application by Monday, February 9, 2004. (Late applications accepted only if space is available) If you have any questions, please call Kristin at (415) 337-1100 ext 101 or e-mail knelson@astrosociety.org. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: FAFlier.PDF Type: application/pdf Size: 417332 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20040116/6bc139c9/FAFlier.pdf -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: FAApp.PDF Type: application/pdf Size: 313019 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20040116/6bc139c9/FAApp.pdf From nowicki at batnet.com Sat Jan 17 11:25:38 2004 From: nowicki at batnet.com (Ron Nowicki) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:05 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Death of Hubble? Message-ID: <5.2.0.9.0.20040117111835.00a058c0@pop.batnet.com> How sad! http://wires.news.com.au/special/mm/030811-hubble.htm From rpseguin at yahoo.com Fri Jan 23 11:10:41 2004 From: rpseguin at yahoo.com (Ralph Seguin) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:06 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] School star party tonight, call for observers/presenters In-Reply-To: <020b01c3e1c3$29d9d580$1e00a8c0@desktop500> Message-ID: <20040123191041.26480.qmail@web13909.mail.yahoo.com> This is a reminder notice that there is a star party tonight at Almaden Country School http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Typ&name=Almaden+Country+School&desc=(408)+997-0424&csz=San+Jose+CA+95120&country=us&mag=8&cs=9&ed=jMNlZa160SwOO.HGW8Old8XukmuvOcmgUJ0e6HNbEwexnfsQ_eJja7Fq4o41sYkRHu3Ntg-- We are trying to get people to bring scopes and willing to talk to the children. The first session for kids is at 6:30pm, so showing up early to set up would be good. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Dan Carter at: 408-893-7174 (cell phone) Thanks. -Ralph __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free web site building tool. Try it! http://webhosting.yahoo.com/ps/sb/ From jvn at svpal.org Mon Jan 26 23:14:29 2004 From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:06 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Virus caution Message-ID: <40160FD5.2B51@svpal.org> Hi, All, I just got an e-mail whose from address is . It isn't from S&T. It contained a .ZIP file, which in turn had a file named DOCUMENT.PIF but in fact was a .EXE file, containing the newest virus, W32/Mydoom@MM (McAfee name). This had been mentioned on the 10 o'clock news; the thing had been detected earlier today. There was no text in the message, just an attachment named document.zip. It smelled totally suspicious, and I had to update virus definitions to get McAfee to tell me it was a virus. I already knew that; just wanted to know its name. The from address, file name, etc., will probaby vary. First time I got a first-day virus. Whooppee! Clear scans! -- Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association JVN's web site From pkohlmil at best.com Tue Jan 27 00:22:32 2004 From: pkohlmil at best.com (Paul Kohlmiller) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:06 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] February 2004 SJAA Ephemeris available online Message-ID: <005101c3e4ae$b6ae8940$0300a8c0@SJWSLAPTOPPK> The February 2004 issue of the SJAA Ephemeris, newsletter of the San Jose Astronomical Association, is available online here: http://ephemeris.sjaa.net Paul and Mary Kohlmiller -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20040127/8d1006d0/attachment.html From bhavner at earthlink.net Tue Jan 27 19:44:00 2004 From: bhavner at earthlink.net (Bob Havner) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:06 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: [AANC Contacts] Journey to Mars Events EXTENDED at the Exploratorium Message-ID: <001901c3e550$f8200be0$e6d0f7a5@default> Journey to Mars EXTENDED Live at the Exploratorium >From Robots and "Mars Yards" to Live Webcasts Every Tuesday-Sunday through February 29 In museum and online at http://www.exploratorium.edu/mars Spirit and Opportunity, the new, rugged Mars Exploration Rovers (MERs), have landed on Mars to find out what happened to the water once believed to be on the red planet. Due to popular demand, the rest of the month of January and all of February at the Exploratorium will continue to be dedicated to this Mars exploration. Look for everything from a visitor-controlled robot that can go on missions in a "Mars yard" in the museum, to daily NASA press conferences and related images Tuesdays through Sundays at the Exploratorium, to mission updates on Saturdays that will also be webcast live to the public. Information, links and Mars highlights will be available on our website, http://www.exploratorium.edu/mars. Go to: http://www.exploratorium.edu/pr/documents/04-1Journey3.html