From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Mon Jul 5 00:47:15 2004 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:06 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Coyote Star Party This Sat. (7/10) Message-ID: This Saturday, July 10th 2003, between 9:00 and 12:00 p.m. the San Jose Astronomical Association will be hosting the first of a series of public star parties at Coyote Park. Due to its close proximity to San Jose, Coyote park is the one of the most convenient summer observing sites in the area. It is a 45 minute drive from Houge Park with only one short twisty section. Coyote park is an ideal recreation area at the foothills of the Mount Hamilton Range and offers beautiful lake shore hikes, boating and barbecue pits, picnic tables and year round campsites. Through the efforts of SJAA member Denny Woolaghan, astronomical use of Coyote is free during the year. As part of that agreement, the SJAA has agreed to provide Star Party support for the Ranger Program during the summer. The SJAA is happy to have the opportunity to support the Park Rangers in their public program efforts by setting up our telescopes and sharing views with all those present from the campgrounds during these dedicated public observing nights. The Star Party will be at the Lakeview Picnic Area which is located less than 1/4 mile from the Ranger Station/Visitor Center, not at the usual boat ramp location. Continuing with the Coyote Star Party tradition, we will be hosting a "Pot Luck BBQ". Pot luck begins at 7:00 p.m.- bring a main dish.... anything will do from KFC to sushi to crepe suzette to chef's salad to homemade Enchiladas to side dishes, just make it something you like! Bring enough to share. This is an informal pot-luck. Bring your own paper plates and utensils. We will have one of the BBQ pits fired up and ready at 7 PM. We provide the flame, you provide the grillables. To reach the park, take Highway 101 to Gilroy; Take the Leavesley Road exit; Follow Leavesley Road east 1.75 miles to New Avenue; turn left onto New Avenue and proceed north for .6 miles to Roop Road. Turn right onto Roop Road, which eventually turns into Gilroy Hot Springs Road. The park entrance is approximately 3 miles from New Avenue. Turn left onto Coyote Reservoir Road, the park visitor center/ranger station is about one mile from Roop Road. When you enter the park, tell the ranger you are there to support the star party. They will admit you free of charge. The park office phone number is (408) 842-7800. For a map of the Coyote Park area go to: http://www.parkhere.org/scc/assets/docs/330208Coyote%20Lake%20map.pdf Website for Park: http://www.parkhere.org/channel/0,4770,chid%253D16486%2526sid%253D12761,00.html Come on out and support the star party as your way of thanking the staff for making this great observing site available to us. Mike Koop President San Jose Astronomical Association July Star Party Details: Sunset: 8:30 PM Civil Twilight: 9:00 PM Nautical Twilight: 9:38 PM Astronomical Twilight: 10:20 PM Mars Rises: 1:40 AM Future Coyote Star Parties: Saturday, August 7th (3rd Quarter Moon) Saturday, September 11th (3rd Quarter Moon) From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Thu Jul 8 19:20:02 2004 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:06 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Astro Weather Class and other events this weekend! Message-ID: A) Beginning Astro Class Tomorrow! Astronomy and Weather with Rob Hawley B) Houge Park Star Party Tomorrow! (Friday, July 9, 2004) C) Coyote Star Party Saturday, July 10th D) Delta II/Aura Launch from Vandenberg Early Sunday Morning E) Cassini Telecon on July 14th, 6 PM ************************************************** A) Beginning Astro Class Tomorrow! Astronomy and Weather with Rob Hawley Will these clouds go away at sunset? Why can I not see the bands on Jupiter? Should I drive down to Fremont Peak for a legendary night of observing or will it be fogged over? The San Jose Astronomical Association Observational Astronomy Class is here to help you! This informal monthly series will teach basic astronomy, the constellations, the movement of the sky, and the use of the telescope. It occurs every third quarter moon Houge Park Star Party Night until November. No Reservations needed and you can join the class at any time. The class is a free public service provided by the SJAA. Tomorrows class (Friday, July 9th) starts at 7:30 PM in the hall at Houge Park. Rob Hawley is a member of the SJAA and is currently heading up the Dark Site/Observatory committee. He has posted often about different sites on the internet containing interesting weather information. Rob has had a life long interest in the weather and almost became a meteorologist. Come hear all about Weather Basics, the 3 Seasons of Bay Area Weather, the Forecast Tools available on the internet, Transparency, "Seeing", and the Observing Rules of Thumb. Rob has recently updated the SJAA Weather Page with his recommended sites: http://www.sjaa.net/weather/ This is a do not miss class on how to get the most out of these websites! The class finishes with a "Sky Tour" by SJAA President Mike Koop, pointing out how to find the constellations and planets. Weather permitting, after the class we will be pointing out the constellations, planets, and other deep sky wonders through telescopes. ************************************** B) Houge Park Star Party Fri July 9, Weather Permitting, 9 PM to Midnight Tomorrow, the SJAA hosts public observing session on the grounds at Houge Park. Families are welcome to attend. Feel free to bring your scope and share views with others. We are in the usual summer pattern and expect good weather. Clear Sky Clock for San Jose: http://cleardarksky.com/c/SanJoseCAkey.html?1 NRL Monterey East Pacific & US West Coast Images http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/sat-bin/epac_westcoast.cgi Sunset: 8:30 PM PDT Civil Twilight: 9:01 PM PDT Nautical Twilight: 9:38 PM PDT Astronomical Twilight: 10:20 PM PDT Moonrise: 01:14 on 7/10/2004 10 Cool Things to Observe Tonight! 1) Watch Ganymeds Reappearance (5.7 mag) on Jupiter 2) Two ISS Passes: Pass 1 Starting at 21:39:20 in the South-Southwest Centaurs to Scorpius (Mag -0.2), Mid 21:42:23 just north of Scorpius to Aquila, End 21:45:09 Past Aquila to Pegasus Pass 2 Starting at 23:15:38 in the West Near the haunches of Leo, Mid 23:17:57 just thru the Head of Usra Major End 23:20:17 below Cassiopeia to Andromeda 3) A -3 Iridium Flare at 23:17:04, Altitude 13 Degrees, Azimuth 41 Degrees (NE) Near Andromeda 4) Coma Berenices Star Cluster 80 Mag. 5-6 Stars in a 5 Degree Field. 288 LY away, 400 Million Years old 5) The Sombrero Galaxy M104. The Famous Edge on Spiral Galaxy 50 Million Light Years Away 6) M 13: Globular Cluster, 23,000 LY, > 300,000 stars, 140 LY across. First recorded by Edmund Halley. 7) M57 The Ring Nebula: 2300 Light Years Away, 6000 to 8000 years old, Diameter of about a light year 8) M11: Wild Duck Cluster: 5600 LY away, 21 LY across. At least 600 stars 9) M8: Lagoon Nebula: Bright Nebula bisected by a dark lane 10) M17 The Swan Nebula: 5000 LY away, brightest part is 12 LY long ************************************** C) Coyote Star Party Saturday, July 10th This Saturday, July 10th 2003, between 9:00 and 12:00 p.m. the San Jose Astronomical Association will be hosting the first of a series of public star parties at Coyote Park. The Star Party will be at the Lakeview Picnic Area which is located less than 1/4 mile from the Ranger Station/Visitor Center, not at the usual boat ramp location. Continuing with the Coyote Star Party tradition, we will be hosting a "Pot Luck BBQ". Pot luck begins at 7:00 p.m.- bring a main dish.... anything will do from KFC to sushi to crepe suzette to chef's salad to homemade Enchiladas to side dishes, just make it something you like! Bring enough to share. This is an informal pot-luck. Bring your own paper plates and utensils. We will have one of the BBQ pits fired up and ready at 7 PM. We provide the flame, you provide the grillables. For More Information and Directions: http://www.whiteoaks.com/pipermail/sjaa-announce/2004-July/000339.html ************************************** D) Delta II/Aura Launch from Vandenberg Early Sunday Morning NASA's Aura atmospheric chemistry satellite is scheduled for launch from California's Vandenberg AFB during the pre-dawn hours of July 11. The Delta II rocket carrying Aura is slated to lift-off from Space Launch Complex 2 West at the start of a launch window that extends from 03:01:57 to 03:04:57 PDT (10:01:57 to 10:04:57 UTC). For more information, see Brian Webbs site at: http://www.spacearchive.info/news-2004-05-26-brw.htm ************************************** E) Cassini Telecon on July 14th, 6 PM Just a reminder to forward this message to your club members so they know about the Cassini Mission teleconference NASA has arranged exclusively for Night Sky Network clubs on Wednesday, July 14th at 6 p.m. Pacific Time. Dr. Stephen Gillam of JPL will be our featured speaker on "Does Titan have the recipe for Earth's primordial soup?" Call toll-free: 1-888-791-1856 anytime after 5:45 p.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, July 14th. Any of your club members may call in to join the telephone conference with Dr. Gillam. We encourage you to call in early to avoid waiting to be connected to the conference. You will be asked for the passcode: NIGHT SKY NETWORK You will be asked for the call leader: MICHAEL GREENE You will be asked to give your NAME and the CLUB you belong to. The PowerPoint will be posted for online viewing on July 12th at http://www.astrosociety.org/nsntelecon/index.htm Your club members do not need to be registered on the Night Sky Network to participate in the Teleconference. All your club members are welcome. "See" you there! Marni Berendsen Night Sky Network Administrator ************************************** Directions to Houge Park: Houge Park is in San Jose, near Campbell and Los Gatos. >From Hwy.17, take the Camden Avenue exit. Go east 4/10 mile, and turn right at the light, onto Bascom Avenue. At the next light, turn left onto Woodard Road. At the first stop sign, turn right onto Twilight Drive. Go three blocks, cross Sunrise Drive, then turn left into the park. >From Hwy.85, take the Bascom Avenue exit. Go north 0.2 miles, and turn right at the first traffic light, onto White Oaks Road. Run another 0.2 miles to the first stop sign, then turn left onto Twilight Drive. You will now be passing the park. Turn right at the first driveway, into the parking lot. See Map at http://www.sjaa.net/img/houge.jpg *********************************** Clear Skies, Mike Koop President, SJAA Email any comments, questions, or flames to Koopm at best.com From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Sat Jul 17 12:13:37 2004 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:06 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: [AANC Contacts] Dragon Skies: Astronomy of Imperial China opens Message-ID: <000d01c46c32$29baf760$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Dragon Skies: Astronomy of Imperial China, a new exhibit plus planetarium show, has now opened at Chabot Space & Science Center. Featuring several Bronze Armillary Spheres, Stone Sundials, Oracle Bones, Water Clocks and various other scientific instruments from Beijing Observatory and Purple Mountain Observatory in China, this traveling exhibit takes the visitor through the secret world of Imperial Chinese Astronomy. Explore the tools Chinese astronomers used and learn about their early recordings of comets, meteor showers, eclipses, novas and sunspots. The exhibit, which will run from July 10, 2004 - January 2, 2005, is filled with activities for family members of all ages. Accompanying the exhibit, which was developed by Chabot Space & Science Center and will be traveling to 6 other US cities during its stay in the United States, is a new planetarium program: "Dragon Skies". This show illustrates the differences between Western and Chinese constellations, takes us back to the court of the Imperial Astronomer and emphasizes the influence of early Chinese observations on modern astronomy. Saturday, July 17 at 6:00 pm join us for a lecture by internationally known early Chinese history scholar Dr. David Keightley, from UC Berkeley Institute of Asian Studies, who will be talking on, "Dragons in the Skies: Early Astronomy and Astrology in China as seen in Divinations and Inscriptions of the Shang Dynasty, circa 1299 BC". $5/ticket Center hours are Tuesday-Thursday 10:00 am-5:00PM, Friday 10:00am-10:00pm, Saturday 10:00 am-10:00pm, Sunday 11:00 am-5:00 pm. Telescope observing Friday & Saturday evening free of charge. (weather permitting) For ticket prices, show times and directions go to www.chabotspace.org or call 510-336-7373. -Denni Medlock Astronomy Programs Coordinator From bill at nineplanets.org Mon Jul 19 15:57:53 2004 From: bill at nineplanets.org (Bill Arnett) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:06 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] lost motofocus In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <114F41B4-D9D7-11D8-A24B-000D932CBDE6@nineplanets.org> > > From: LeeBizz@aol.com > Date: July 13, 2004 9:53:59 AM PDT > To: sjaa-announce@sjaa.net > Subject: item found at Coyote > > > Dear SJAA members, > ???? A blue Motofocus hand control box was left at Coyote Res. Sat. > night.? If anyone knows who this item belongs to please notify me so > it can be returned to it's owner. > ???? Thanks, > ???????? Dr. Lee N. Hoglan????????????? Leebizz@aol.com??????????? > 408) 253-1990? off. From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Sat Jul 24 14:00:39 2004 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:06 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] ATM Class Cancelled tonight (7/24) Message-ID: Since I am at Astrocon tonight on the Hornet (and have been all week in support of the SJAA hosted conference) and Dwight is at a star party with the Santa Cruz Astronomy Club, the ATM class for tonight (Saturday, July 24th) is cancelled. Sorry fot the late notice. Mike Koop President San Jose Astronomical Association From jvn at svpal.org Sat Jul 24 13:53:23 2004 From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:06 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Cancel ATM Class on Sat. 7/24 References: <000c01c471ae$b9735c90$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Message-ID: <4102CC43.636D@svpal.org> Hi, All, Mike Koop is running the Astrocon conference, and Dwight isn't available tonight. Since we won't have the tester, water key, hose, supplies, etc., it appears that the ATM class is cancelled. So unless you see a later notice, you have the night off to read Berry, Dobson, Texereau, Howard, the ATM 1,2,3 books, etc. Mike sends apologies for the short notice. -- Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association JVN web site From jvn at svpal.org Tue Jul 27 16:29:47 2004 From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:06 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] ARTICLE: ASTRONOMY magazine renewal time References: <3F2DE460.5CFA@svpal.org> Message-ID: <4106E56B.729F@svpal.org> ASTRONOMY magazine renewal time It's time to renew our group subscription to Astronomy magazine. The rate for 2004 is again $29, or $55 for two years. Please send a check payable to Jim Van Nuland, 3509 Calico Ave., San Jose CA 95124. If you subscribe independently, and your subscription ends during 2005, you may convert to the group rate. Send a check and the renewal card or a mailing label to Jim, and you'll be added to the group for an additional 12/24 months. If you do not subscribe and wish to do so, send the $29/55 and your subscription will begin with the January 2005 issue. I will hold your checks until early October when the renewal package is sent in. Don't worry that your check doesn't clear promptly. Any questions? Call Jim at 408.371.1307, from 10 am to 10 pm, or e-mail to . PLEASE NOTE: this applies to Astronomy magazine, not Sky & Telescope! The latter subscription is paid to Gary as part of your SJAA dues. Good Reading! -- Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association JVN's web site From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Thu Jul 29 13:25:28 2004 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:06 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] General Meeting (7/31) What's up at Lick Message-ID: San Jose Astronomical Association July General Meeting Saturday July 31, 2004, 8:00 pm Tony Misch, support astronomer at Lick Observatory, will be the guest speaker at this month's general meeting. Tony will be speaking on some of the exciting new projects going on at Lick Observatory. Some of the topics are the APF (Automatic Planet Finder) telescope, a new telescope control interface at the Shane, "Two Weeks on Mars", an artistic exploration of the Mars opposition through the "eye" of the Lick Refractor, and how the Venus Transit of 1882 animation came to be. All meetings of the SJAA are free and open to the public. We'll see you on Saturday. Websites of Interest on Tonys Talk: http://www.ucolick.org http://www.ucsc.edu/oncampus/currents/98-99/03-01/kepler.htm http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/sun/article_1187_1.asp http://mthamilton.ucolick.org/public/TwoWeeksOnMars/ The board of Directors for the SJAA will meet at 6:30 before the meeting. Come share your thoughts on how the club is run. ***************************** Directions to Houge Park: Houge Park is in San Jose, near Campbell and Los Gatos. >From Hwy.17, take the Camden Avenue exit. Go east 4/10 mile, and turn right at the light, onto Bascom Avenue. At the next light, turn left onto Woodard Road. At the first stop sign, turn right onto Twilight Drive. Go three blocks, cross Sunrise Drive, then turn left into the park. >From Hwy.85, take the Bascom Avenue exit. Go north 0.2 miles, and turn right at the first traffic light, onto White Oaks Road. Run another 0.2 miles to the first stop sign, then turn left onto Twilight Drive. You will now be passing the park. Turn right at the first driveway, into the parking lot. See Map at http://www.sjaa.net/img/houge.jpg *********************************** Clear Skies, Mike Koop President, SJAA Email any comments, questions, or flames to Koopm at best.com From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Thu Jul 29 14:46:06 2004 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:06 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Volunteer for KTEH on Thursday, Aug 5th Message-ID: The SJAA has been requested to provide volunteer support answering phones for the KTEH pledge drive on Thursday, August 5th from 6:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m. During this shift, all three parts of NOVAs Elegant Universe will be shown, running from 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM. Food is provided. Our club will receive on-air credit for their contributions of time during the shift if we provide 10 or more people. I've done this a couple times. It is hard work, but it's fun, and it's interesting to see the inside of the place. The room can get very noisy, so as a suggestion, bring one earplug for the ear that's not used with the phone. Jim Van Nuland brought along an old operator's headset which worked well for him. The room tends to be cool, so be prepared with a light jacket or sweater. There will be a little training session at 6:00 or so, then we're on the air for under 4 hours in roughly 20minute segments. Originally, this was planned to be a virtual pledge break where the national feed is used to bring in pledges. Due to other programming issues, it will be a live event! Tom Fanella along with another host usually provide the on air talent describing the Thank You gifts and the advantages of pledging. The volunteers get shown on TV if we are on the phone taking a pledge. So, if you have someone at home waiting to see you, have them call in with a pledge! I'll try arranging the volunteers in two shifts: from 6:00 to 9:00 and 8:30 to 11:30, but these times are adjustable. We can have up to 24 people. Email me at koopm best.com if you would like to help out and which shift, early, late, or both! Let me know if you have done this before, but no previous experience is necessary. I'll email you back with the exact details once I get them. Clear Skies, Mike Koop President San Jose Astronomical Association KTEH is located at 1585 Schallenberger Road in San Jose. Exit 880 at Brokaw, head east on Brokaw. Turn Left at the first intersection, Ridder Park Drive. Turn Left at the first street, Schallenberger The station is on the right, the second complex of buildings after the railroad tracks. Park in the station lot or along Schallenberger. Map to KTEH: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?city=san+jose&state=CA&address=1585+schallenberger+rd&zip=95131&country=us&zoom=8 Websites: Novas Elegant Universe http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant KTEH Site: http://www.kteh.org/index.html From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Sat Jul 31 16:38:49 2004 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Fri Jul 29 03:57:06 2005 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: [AANC Contacts] "Strait to the Stars" Star Party at San Pablo Bay Message-ID: <004801c47757$87cb8a60$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kenneth Frank" "Strait to the Stars" Celebration is August 14 Everyone is invited to participate in the second annual "Strait to the Stars" star party and celebration at the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge on Mare Island (near Vallejo) Saturday night, August 14, 2004. The event is part of the Carquinez area's "Celebrate the Strait" festivities and is hosted by Wildlife Refuge Director Christie Smith and coordinated by Bart Paugh, EAS member and Chabot volunteer. All are invited to come out and bring their telescopes (and families) for a wonderful observing opportunity from the grounds of the beautiful and unique National Wildlife Refuge on Mare Island. Cookies and treats are provided starting around 8:30 p.m. and a brief presentation on the Refuge's mission and role will be given along with an overview of celestial objects that can be observed that night. Last year's activities included a "Star Gazing Word Search" and "Skywatch Observation Log." Also, an Environmental Education Specialist spoke on "How the Moon Affects the Tides" and "How Tides Affect San Pablo Bay Organisms." Ken Swaggerty and his granddaughter Lacey Brooke, Bill Singman, Bart Paugh and other EAS and Chabot community members brought telescopes last year and treated the visiting public to spectacular views of Mars and many other astronomical targets. We were invited to stay as long as we liked and were up well past two a.m., locking the gate behind us. "Telescope set-up arrangements are convenient and we have a good horizon," Swaggerty said. "You can drive right up to where you're going to set up." Though it can be breezy and there is always the risk of fog, last year's observing was very good and August 14 promises a moonless night. For more information or directions contact Christy Smith at the San Pablo Bay Wildlife Refuge at 707-562-3000 or Bart Paugh at 510-531-2951 or e-mail to BartPaugh@msn.com.