From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Mon May 1 18:21:11 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Mon May 1 18:22:18 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: [AANC Contacts] The Universe, 10 pm this Wednesday, May 3rd on KCSM-TV Message-ID: <002501c66d86$b3ae07d0$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Subject: [AANC Contacts] The Universe, 10 pm this Wednesday,May 3rd on KCSM-TV Dear Astronomical Association of Northern California, Universe Productions is pleased to announce that a special edition of its DVD, The Universe, will be broadcast at 10 PM this Wednesday, May 3, 2006 by Public Television affiliate KCSM-TV. Based at the College of San Mateo, KCSM TV partnered with myself, Tim Tully, producer and writer of the original DVD, to create a new, Public Television version of the remarkable video tour of the cosmos. In this special edition, sponsored by Lockheed Martin Space Systems, each area of the cosmos it visits is introduced by a prominent astronomer: Alex Filippenko, UC Berkeley professor; Karel Schrijver, Lockheed Martin solar astrophysicist; Seth Shostak, SETI Senior Astronomer; NASA Space Science and Astrobiology Division Chief, Yvonne Pendleton; and NASA astrophysicists, Diane Wooden and Dale Cruikshank. I believe members of the AANC would be very interested in this broadcast. If you or your webmaster would post a notice on the AANC website calendar, it would be most appreciated. I have attached a press release for more information. Sincerely, Tim Tully, producer The Universe FYI Two hours prior to "The Universe", at 8 pm is the 2-hour Nova special "Einstein?s Big Idea". _______________________________________________ Contacts mailing list Contacts@aanc-astronomy.org http://mail.aanc-astronomy.org/mailman/listinfo/contacts From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Tue May 2 17:38:05 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Tue May 2 17:38:21 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: [AANC Contacts] Dr. Geoffrey Marcy May 11 at SCAC Message-ID: <005c01c66e49$d8963b30$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Dr. Geoffrey Marcy will give his talk entitled : New Worlds, Yellowstone, and Life in the Universe, at the May 11 meeting of the Santa Cruz Astronomy Club. The meeting begins at 7:30 PM. in the Scouthouse located in Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz. Dr. Marcy is famous for the discovery of planets beyond our own solar system. He also confirmed the discovery by Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz's of the first know extrasolar planet 51 Pegasi b. Marcy received a Bachelor of Arts double major in physics, and astronomy at UCLA. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1976. He received PhD in Astrophysics from University of California, Santa Cruz in 1982. He then held teaching positions at the Carnegie Institution of Washington as a Carnegie, San Francisco State University. Today he is an adjunct professor at San Francisco State University and a Professor of Astronomy at UC Berkeley. You can read more about Dr. Marcy at http://astro.berkeley.edu/~gmarcy/cv.html and on the Santa Cruz Astronomy Club website http://astronomy.santa-cruz.ca.us/scouthouse.html To learn more about extrasolar planets visit the website, http://exoplanets.org/ Directions and a map to Harvey West Park can be found at http://astronomy.santa-cruz.ca.us/scouthouse.html and the club schedule and late breaking information is recorded on the club's telephone message center at 831-335-2423. Harvey West Park is easily accessed from the southern end of Highway 17 were it intersects River Street (Highway 9) in the city of Santa Cruz. Turn North onto River (9). Turn left onto Fern Street. Go over the railroad tracks, take an immediate left onto Limekiln Street. Turn right onto Harvey West Blvd. The Scout House is located about 1/2 mile up on the left, just before the Pool House and after the baseball fields. It is best to park on Harvey West Blvd. You might find yourself parked behind a locked gate after the meeting if you use parking spaces inside the park. Parking near the Scout House is sometimes limited by the other activities on going on at the park. --Chris Angelos, SCAC ````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Return address: christopher_a_95067@frys.com _______________________________________________ Contacts mailing list Contacts@aanc-astronomy.org http://mail.aanc-astronomy.org/mailman/listinfo/contacts From robhawley at earthlink.net Wed May 3 20:29:29 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Wed May 3 20:30:16 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Houge Park Star Party Friday night Message-ID: <014501c66f2a$f3ee5430$0300a8c0@robathome> Friday May 5 Houge Park Star Party Observe the Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn thru our telescopes at Houge Park (White Oaks Drive and Twilight Drive, San Jose) from 9 PM to midnight. Families are welcome. Free. www.sjaa.net or call 408 559-1221 Rob Hawley From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Thu May 4 18:22:36 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Thu May 4 18:23:10 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: Lecture on May 24, 2006 -7-9 p.m. Message-ID: <006801c66fe2$650646c0$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Lecture on May 24, 2006 -7-9 p.m. Subject: Lecture on May 24, 2006 -7-9 p.m. Please join us for a free evening lecture at NASA entitled, "Life Out There: What Happens If We Find It?" On Wednesday May 24, 2006 from 7-9 p.m., the NASA Research Park Exploration Lecture Series will present a lecture and panel discussion featuring a team from SETI Institute. The speakers will include SETI Senior Astronomer Dr. Seth Shostak, Principal Investigator Dr. Cynthia Phillips, and Director of Interstellar Message Composition Dr. Douglas Vakoch. The SETI team will discuss the cultural, social, technological and other issues that would arise if life is found elsewhere in the universe. The event will take place in Bldg. 943, the Eagle Room, at NASA Ames Research Center. For more information call 650-604-1286 or visit http://researchpark.arc.nasa.gov. To reach NASA Ames, take the Moffett Field exit off U.S. 101 and drive east toward the main gate. Before you reach the gate, turn right into the large parking lot near the NASA Exploration Center, the large white dome. Building 943 is located directly across the street from the dome. To receive notices about NASA lectures in the San Francisco Bay Area, send an e-mail with the word "subscribe" in the subject line to: NASA-lectures-request@lists.arc.nasa.gov. To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to the same address with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20060504/4951b42f/attachment.html From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Thu May 4 18:20:39 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Thu May 4 18:27:32 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: Announcement: May 17th Astronomy Lecture: The Gamma-ray Burst Boom Message-ID: <003701c66fe2$1f6fa3e0$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Announcement: May 17th Astronomy Lecture: The Gamma-ray Sent: Thursday, May 04, 2006 9:53 AM Subject: Announcement: May 17th Astronomy Lecture: The Gamma-ray Burst Boom Event Announcement ================= Wednesday, May 17th, 2006, 7 pm: Astronomer Joshua Bloom of the University of California, Berkeley will give a non-technical, illustrated talk on: Giant Cosmic Explosions: The Gamma-ray Burst Boom -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- as part of the Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures in the Smithwick Theater, Foothill College, El Monte Road and Freeway 280, in Los Altos Hills, California. Free and open to the public. Parking on campus costs $2. Call the series hot-line at 650-949-7888 for more information and driving directions. No background in science will be required for this talk. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Bloom will discuss the brightest explosions in the universe, which were discovered accidentally by spy satellites in the 1960's. Called Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRB's), these explosions involve mind-boggling amounts of energy. New satellites in orbit around the Earth are allowing scientists to monitor these sudden bursts and to watch the afterglow that follows the explosions. Dr. Bloom will recount the history of how astronomers have been learning about these bursts and their connections with the deaths of stars and the births of black holes. He will also discuss new research about a kind of GRB's that results when two star corpses collide. Dr. Bloom is assistant professor at UC Berkeley, having joined the faculty in 2005. He has been working on various aspects of the GRB mystery since 1994. He has an undergraduate degree from Harvard, a masters degree from Cambridge University, and a PhD from Caltech. His other research areas include exploding stars and black holes. Co-sponsored by: * NASA Ames Research Center * The Foothill College Astronomy Program * The SETI Institute * The Astronomical Society of the Pacific. To receive notices about NASA lectures in the San Francisco Bay Area, send an e-mail with the word "subscribe" in the subject line to: NASA-lectures-request@lists.arc.nasa.gov. To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to the same address with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20060504/23f62bea/attachment.html From astronomy at craigcolvin.com Fri May 5 07:41:30 2006 From: astronomy at craigcolvin.com (Craig Colvin) Date: Fri May 5 07:58:08 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] ATM Workshop in Sunnyvale May 9th Message-ID: AMATEUR TELESCOPE MAKERS WORKSHOP Tuesday May 9th, 6pm-10pm at The Sawdust Shop in Sunnyvale (www.sawdustshop.com) This month's project - Observing Chairs Free Workshop for astronomy related woodworking projects, such as building - Telescopes - Equatorial Platforms - Binocular Mounts - Laptop Stands - Observing Chairs. The ATM Workshop will be held every 2nd Tuesday of the month and is free provided that you are working on an astronomy related wood project. Our goal in doing this is to create an ongoing gathering of local Amateur Telescope Makers where we can get together to share ideas, solve problems, and of course show off our creations. Don't know what to make? Each month we will provide plans and guidance for an ATM project. This month's project is Observing Chairs. Come join us and make your own Observing Chair, or work on any other ATM project that you wish. Meetings will be held at The Sawdust Shop, a Do-It-Yourself Woodshop where you can work on your own woodworking projects in a 4000 sq-ft woodshop. The Sawdust Shop also has woodworking classes and a full woodworking retail store. It is located near Lawrence Expressway and Hwy 101 in Sunnyvale at 452 Oakmead Parkway. Details about the ATM Workshop and The Sawdust Shop can be found at www.sawdustshop.com/atm.asp or by calling Craig Colvin at 408-992-1004. From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Fri May 5 20:59:01 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Fri May 5 20:59:18 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: [AANC Contacts] Dr. Claire Max to recieve the Chabot Science AwardMay 20th Message-ID: <005401c670c1$69b00460$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Chabot Space & Science Center is pleased to announce Dr. Claire Max, Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of California, Santa Cruz and Astronomer at UC Observatories, as this year's recipient of the Chabot Science Award, to be presented at the Center's Gala on May 20, 2006. The $5,000 award honors excellence in the field of scientific and technological discovery and is in recognition of her work in adaptive optics, a technology that can remove the blurring effects of turbulence in the earth's atmosphere, allowing telescopes on the ground to see as clearly as if they were in space. Dr. Max has been active in the development of advanced adaptive optics systems for current and future large ground-based telescopes and has observed nearby active galactic nuclei (galaxies with black holes in their cores), the planet Neptune, and Saturn's moon, Titan. Dr. Max graduated from Radcliffe College and earned her doctorate at Princeton University. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Physical Society. "We are extremely proud to have this opportunity to honor Dr. Max for her outstanding contribution to science," said Dr. Edward Penhoet, chair of the selection committee and a member of Chabot's Board of Directors. "Not only is the use of adaptive optics useful in learning about space objects and understanding the universe, her research also promises to provide new tools for the diagnosis of eye disease, and for improving the correction of vision via laser surgery and contact lenses." Max is also the Director of the Center for Adaptive Optics at UC Santa Cruz, one of a number of Science and Technology Centers funded by the National Science Foundation. The center is involved in the design of a ground-based 30-meter telescope, to be equipped with adaptive optics (a giant segmented mirror telescope, or GSMT). Once completed, the telescope will be able to make distant-galaxy images that are more than ten times sharper than those of the Hubble Space telescope, detect planets around young stars in the closest "stellar nurseries," and to see more clearly what is happening close to the million-solar-mass black hole in the core of our own Milky Way galaxy. Stars twinkle at night because their light is distorted by air currents in the atmosphere. Unless a telescope has an adaptive optics system, the images received will be blurred and fuzzy. This same blurring can occur in the living retina. The use of adaptive optics technology can compensate for these aberrations, enabling a new era in astronomy and human eye research and vision correction. The cost of building the land-based Keck Adaptive Optics telescope was about twenty times less than the cost of building the Hubble telescope; yet Keck has a larger light gathering area and a better resolution. Adaptive optics utilizes a high speed computer to actively compensate for the changing distortions that cause blurring of images. Additionally, the system requires precision optics, special sensors and deformable mirrors. Chabot's Gala is a fund raiser to support the Center's public and schools educational programs, as well as its teacher training programs. Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, a special fund has been established to benefit the next two recipients of the Chabot Science Award. The theme of this year's Gala is "Reach for the Stars," and highlights the achievements of students in the Galaxy Explorers program. Galaxy Explorers targets under served and under represented youth, ages 14 to 18, with a goal to develop leadership and professional development skills through meaningful, visible and challenging work experiences within the Science Center and in outreach presentations. The Gala will also include presentation of the Accenture Teacher of the Year Award. The Gala will begin at 6 pm with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner, award presentations and a live auction. Chabot Space and Science Center, a Smithsonian affiliate, is a 501c3 nonprofit teaching and learning center focusing on astronomy and the inter-relationships of all the sciences. Its observatory, planetarium exhibits, and natural park setting are a place where a diverse population of students, teachers, and the public can imagine, understand, and learn to shape their future through science. For more information, call (510) 336-7300, or visit www.chabotspace.org Media Contact Judyth Collin 510-336-7310 jcollin@chabotspace.org _______________________________________________ Contacts mailing list Contacts@aanc-astronomy.org http://mail.aanc-astronomy.org/mailman/listinfo/contacts From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Sun May 7 14:14:18 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Sun May 7 14:14:33 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: [AANC Contacts] Dark sky outreach opportunity Jun 24 to July 2 Message-ID: <00d201c6721b$3461dcb0$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Dark sky outreach opportunity Jun 24 to July 2 ----- Original Message ----- From: Carter Roberts To: aanc Sent: Sunday, May 07, 2006 9:56 AM Subject: [AANC Contacts] Dark sky outreach opportunity Jun 24 to July 2 Hi all, I have been contacted about an outreach opportunity near Quincy. My likely candidates can't make it although Dave Rodrigues will probably help them for one night. Please circulate this among those you know who are really good at explaining the sky and would enjoy a week under the stars. I would appreciate hearing back about success. Thanks, Carter Roberts From: "Camps in Common" To: Subject: Oakland Feather River Camp Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 10:14:14 -0700 Thread-Index: AcZu1QByhSk83k1ISuiEBcUtZRj58g== X-ELNK-Info: spv=0; X-ELNK-AV: 0 X-ELNK-Info: sbv=0; sbrc=.0; sbf=0b; sbw=000; Hi Carter, I operate Oakland's Feather River Camp and am looking for a volunteer or two who would be interested in being guest instructors for our Science, Space and Sky week June 24 to July 2. They will get free room and board for themselves and their families in exchange for sharing their knowledge with campers. I'd like to talk to you about our needs and see if you know of anyone who might fit the bill. I can be reached at 510-336-2267. Thank you and I look forward to speaking with you. Terry Cullinane, Director Camps in Common -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ Contacts mailing list Contacts@aanc-astronomy.org http://mail.aanc-astronomy.org/mailman/listinfo/contacts -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20060507/30053352/attachment.html From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Sun May 7 14:16:32 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Sun May 7 14:16:41 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: [AANC Contacts] DeAnza Planetarium event in October Message-ID: <00f301c6721b$845d5370$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> New AANC calendar entry... 28 Oct 2006 (Saturday) "A NIGHT OF MAGIC - A PARTY OUT OF THIS WORLD", 5 to 10 p.m. at De Anza College. Join us and "go where no one has gone before" -- as you support the De Anza Planetarium renewal project, including the install of the new Konica-Minolta Infinium S star projector. The evening will feature a dazzling laser light extravaganza, premium local wine and beer tasting, silent and live auctions, a scrumptious dinner, dancing the night away with lively music from "Swingshift" and, of course, star viewing. Questions? Call 650-949-6230 or click on http://www.deanza.edu/planetarium/night_of_magic.html to learn more and reserve your space on our secure website. _______________________________________________ Contacts mailing list Contacts@aanc-astronomy.org http://mail.aanc-astronomy.org/mailman/listinfo/contacts From astronomy at craigcolvin.com Tue May 9 14:39:44 2006 From: astronomy at craigcolvin.com (Craig Colvin) Date: Tue May 9 14:41:08 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] REMINDER - ATM Workshop in Sunnyvale TONIGHT Message-ID: <3bbca21255dd4d6a93cdfc3315cfc806@craigcolvin.com> Just a reminder that the ATM Workshop is tonight at 6pm. Directions can be found at http://www.sawdustshop.com/location.asp > -----Original Message----- > > AMATEUR TELESCOPE MAKERS WORKSHOP > Tuesday May 9th, 6pm-10pm > at The Sawdust Shop in Sunnyvale (www.sawdustshop.com) > > This month's project - Observing Chairs > > Free Workshop for astronomy related woodworking projects, such as building > - Telescopes > - Equatorial Platforms > - Binocular Mounts > - Laptop Stands > - Observing Chairs. > > The ATM Workshop will be held every 2nd Tuesday of the month and is free > provided that you are working on an astronomy related wood project. Our > goal > in doing this is to create an ongoing gathering of local Amateur Telescope > Makers where we can get together to share ideas, solve problems, and of > course show off our creations. > > Don't know what to make? Each month we will provide plans and guidance for > an ATM project. This month's project is Observing Chairs. Come join us and > make your own Observing Chair, or work on any other ATM project that you > wish. > > Meetings will be held at The Sawdust Shop, a Do-It-Yourself Woodshop where > you can work on your own woodworking projects in a 4000 sq-ft woodshop. > The > Sawdust Shop also has woodworking classes and a full woodworking retail > store. It is located near Lawrence Expressway and Hwy 101 in Sunnyvale at > 452 Oakmead Parkway. > > Details about the ATM Workshop and The Sawdust Shop can be found at > www.sawdustshop.com/atm.asp or by calling Craig Colvin at 408-992-1004. > > > > From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Wed May 10 18:31:35 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Wed May 10 18:31:54 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: [AANC Contacts] Giant Cosmic Explosions Talk at Foothill May 17th Message-ID: <000901c6749a$a4fa23c0$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Event Announcement ================= Wednesday, May 17th, 2006, 7 pm: Astronomer Joshua Bloom of the University of California, Berkeley will give a non-technical, illustrated talk on: Giant Cosmic Explosions: The Gamma-ray Burst Boom -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- as part of the Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures in the Smithwick Theater, Foothill College, El Monte Road and Freeway 280, in Los Altos Hills, California. Free and open to the public. Parking on campus costs $2. Call the series hot-line at 650-949-7888 for more information and driving directions. No background in science will be required for this talk. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Bloom will discuss the brightest explosions in the universe, which were discovered accidentally by spy satellites in the 1960's. Called Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRB's), these explosions involve mind-boggling amounts of energy. New satellites in orbit around the Earth are allowing scientists to monitor these sudden bursts and to watch the afterglow that follows the explosions. Dr. Bloom will recount the history of how astronomers have been learning about these bursts and their connections with the deaths of stars and the births of black holes. He will also discuss new research about a kind of GRB's that results when two star corpses collide. Dr. Bloom is assistant professor at UC Berkeley, having joined the faculty in 2005. He has been working on various aspects of the GRB mystery since 1994. He has an undergraduate degree from Harvard, a masters degree from Cambridge University, and a PhD from Caltech. His other research areas include exploding stars and black holes. Co-sponsored by: * NASA Ames Research Center * The Foothill College Astronomy Program * The SETI Institute * The Astronomical Society of the Pacific. ================================ Andrew Fraknoi, Chair, Astronomy Program Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos Hills, CA 94022, USA Telephone: (650) 949-7288 E-mail: fraknoiandrew@fhda.edu ================================ _______________________________________________ Contacts mailing list Contacts@aanc-astronomy.org http://mail.aanc-astronomy.org/mailman/listinfo/contacts From robhawley at earthlink.net Wed May 10 22:46:42 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Wed May 10 22:47:02 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Memorial Weekend Dark Sky Party Message-ID: <00f901c674be$486896e0$0300a8c0@robathome> Join the San Jose Astronomy Club and Bob Ayers on Saturday May 27th for some serious deep sky observing. The site? Bob's 40-acres of rolling land in Willow Springs (2 hours drive south of San Jose). How dark is it? The light pollution maps say it's a full magnitude darker than Fremont Peak: http://www.sjaa.net/ws/light-pollution-map.html OK. So what can you expect to see? * Barnard's loop (6" RFT) * Gegenshein (naked eye on a good night) * Horsehead (10" with filter) * Omega Centauri - well resolved (in 16"). The southern sky is dark down to a wide low horizon. And we could go on... these reports are also confirmed by other Willow Springs observers. The SQM is 21.5 as compared to 21.9 for the Texas Star Party and 21.9 for the Mauna Kea visitor's center, but the above observations are more informative than any number we could give you. How do you get there? * We'll be sending a "directions" email next week. The last 2 miles are dirt road, but a Porsche 911 has made it up there unscathed, so we don't think you'll have any problems. Sites you can set up at: -The Flat- (270 degree view, north blocked by ridge. This is the most popular spot and also where a sound proofed generator is, so it's best for astrophotographers that need power.) -The Ridge- (360 degree panoramic view. Sometimes windy.) -The Camping Bowl- (Large area. Horizons are not as great. Best for camping and overflow observers.) A rented toilet will be placed at the intersection of the observing areas. We invite you to camp overnight (we plan to do this). There is no running water so be sure to bring your own. This is a free star party. No commitment or reservations are necessary, but please let us know if you are interested so we can plan ahead. Bob's site is at 3,000 ft elevation, the views are gorgeous. We suggest you arrive early enough to walk around and enjoy the scenery: http://www.sjaa.net/ws/ridge_panorama.jpg Bob is exploring the idea of making this site available on a regular basis. A second email will introduce this potential opportunity in more detail. Craig Scull & Rob Hawley PS from Craig: Warning. the Willow Springs area can be addicting. I have not observed from anywhere else in the past year! Rob Hawley From robhawley at earthlink.net Wed May 10 22:49:32 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Wed May 10 22:49:41 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Bob Ayers Prospective Land Donation to SJAA Message-ID: <00fb01c674be$ad586ee0$0300a8c0@robathome> The sky quality in the public parks near San Jose is degrading as the Bay Area continues to grow. For almost 20 years the San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA) has been considering the purchase of land for use as a dark sky observing site. Until this year none of the leads have worked out. Last January Bob Ayers approached the board and suggested his property in Willow Springs might be suitable. Both Bob and the board of SJAA are waiting to see how much interest there is before proceeding with the donation. The "Memorial Weekend Dark Sky Party" is the first of what we hope to be a series of star parties to help us gauge your interest in the land as a site for deep sky observing and astrophotography. This is basically a "use it or lose it" opportunity. Those of us who have observed from Bob Ayers site are very excited about it and we hope that others will join us there to give the skies a "test drive." Want to learn more? You are invited to attend a 30 minute presentation we are giving at the upcoming SJAA General meeting this Saturday May 13th at Houge Park. http://www.sjaa.net/directions.html We are scheduled for the later part of the meeting (around 8:30pm) so we can continue the discussion with any interested parties after the meeting ends. The presentation is also accessible online: http://www.robhawley.net/May06_presentation.pdf At this point we are actively soliciting input. If the board and the donor do not feel there is sufficient interest from observers like you then this offer will lapse. Please contact us if you desire further information or wish to express interest. We'd love to hear from you. Craig Scull craig@bluerim.com Rob Hawley robhawley@earthlink.net From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Sat May 13 09:15:54 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Sat May 13 09:16:08 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: [AANC Contacts] Chance to be an Astronomical Hero in Your LocalSchools Message-ID: <005e01c676a8$83c6b960$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Subject: [AANC Contacts] Chance to be an Astronomical Hero in Your LocalSchools BE A HERO TO KIDS IN YOUR LOCAL SCHOOLS BY BECOMING A "VISITING ASTRONOMER" Get Free Training and Materials with Project ASTRO Project ASTRO is looking for amateur or professional astronomers who would like to spend a little time working with teachers and students in 4th - 9th grade classrooms during the next school year. This is an opportunity to help kids learn science, sharing your love of astronomy with the most receptive audience you can find (and sharpening your teaching or communication skills in the process.) Through Project ASTRO, you will be paired in a one-on-one partnership with a Bay Area teacher at a school near you. Together, astronomer and teacher partners first attend a two-day summer training workshop where they learn effective hands-on astronomy activities and receive a copy of Project ASTRO's rich curriculum resource book, "The Universe at Your Fingertips" (with materials to lead a wide range of hands-on activities.) The project emphasizes ongoing partnerships, not just one-time class visits. During the school year, astronomers make at least four visits to their adopted classroom at mutually convenient times. The program has been operating for 11 years in the Bay Area, and previous participants often report that it has been one of the most satisfying volunteer endeavors they have undertaken. Astronomer applications are now being accepted for the 2006 - 2007 school year. The deadline is May 31st and space is limited. All participants must attend a hands-on training workshop, which will be held August 4 & 5, 2007, at the San Mateo County Office of Education in Redwood City. More information and astronomer application forms are available on line at: http://www.astrosociety.org/baprojectastro.html Or feel free to contact: Vivian White, Project ASTRO, A.S.P. 390 Ashton Avenue San Francisco, CA 94112; Tel. 415-337-1100 ext. 101; E-mail: white@astrosociety.org (Project ASTRO, a program of the nonprofit Astronomical Society of the Pacific, began with support from the National Science Foundation and the NASA Office of Space Science. It has now expanded to 14 other sites around the country and has trained over 2500 astronomer-teacher partnerships.) ================================ Andrew Fraknoi, Chair, Astronomy Program Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos Hills, CA 94022, USA Telephone: (650) 949-7288 E-mail: fraknoiandrew@fhda.edu ================================ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ Contacts mailing list Contacts@aanc-astronomy.org http://mail.aanc-astronomy.org/mailman/listinfo/contacts -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20060513/237eaca6/attachment.html From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Sun May 14 18:31:07 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Sun May 14 18:31:18 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: Night Sky Network Message: The Scoop on Hubble and much more! Message-ID: <001b01c677bf$3dbea140$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> NASA Night Sky Network members: It's almost time to get the latest scoop on what's up with Hubble! and much more... In this issue: * NSN Telecon May 18th: "Latest from Hubble" with Dr. Michael Regan * Update to Free Night Sky Magazines Offer * Now Available on NSN: SS Ambassador Telecon on Hawaiian Astronomy * ASP Convention * Reporting Your Events: In Your Own Words > NSN Telecon May 18th: "Latest from Hubble" with Dr. Michael Regan Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 18th, 2006, 6:00 pm Pacific (9:00 pm Eastern) for the next Night Sky Network Telecon. Find out about the latest image release from Hubble which, combined with the same target from Spitzer and Chandra, completes this amazing multiwavelength image of one of our favorite telescopic sights. TAKE NOTE!! Includes a special update on Comet 73P/Schwassmann Wachmann!!! Toll-free conference call line: 1-877-917-1549. Call anytime after 5:45 pm the evening of the telecon. An operator will answer and: - You will be asked for the passcode: NIGHT SKY NETWORK - You might be asked for the call leader: MICHAEL GREENE - You will be asked to give your NAME and the CLUB you belong to, and number of people listening with you. The companion PowerPoint slides will be posted to the Night Sky Network site no later than May 17th. An announcement to NSN members will be made when the file is uploaded. > Update To Free Night Sky Magazines Offer Night Sky Magazine is very grateful for all your efforts in getting Night Sky into the hands of so many people at your astronomy events. We wanted to let you know of changes to this program: 1. Each member club of the Night Sky Network may receive 200 copies in one year, no more than 100 at one time. You may spread the 200 issues out over a year any way you like. The method of ordering your magazines has not changed - as outlined in the prior post. 2. Display a link to a free digital issue of Night Sky Magazine on your club website. For more information on this generous offer from Night Sky magazine, how to set up the link, and how to order your free magazines, log into the Night Sky Network (http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/) and click on "Discussion Board", then on "Announcements". BREAKING NEWS! The latest issue of the Night Sky Magazine is now online! Copy and paste this link into your browser: http://www.nightskymag-digital.com/nightskymag/200605/?utm_source=NSN%2Bmember%2Bclubs&utm_medium=NS%2Bdigital%2Bissue&utm_content=NS%2Bmay-june&utm_campaign=NS%2BMay%2BJune%2BDigital%2BIssue Interested in bringing attracting new club members? Notice there is an article in this issue on reasons to join an astronomy club! > Now Available on NSN: SS Ambassador Telecon on Hawaiian Astronomy The Night Sky Network has recently uploaded the MP3 for the Solar System Ambassador Telecon on Hawaiian Astronomy. If you missed this interesting and informative telecon be sure to take a look in the NSN ToolKit Download area, Tele-Conferences under "SS Ambassador Telecon on Hawaiian Astronomy". Or you can download it directly from: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/docs/telecon-4-18-2006.mp3 > ASP Convention The Astronomical Society of the Pacific annual Convention will be held in Baltimore, Maryland September 16-18. The theme is: "Engaging the EPO (Education and Public Outreach) Community: Best Practices, New Approaches". The Program Committee is inviting proposals for: * 90-minute Interactive Workshops/Panel Sessions * 30-minute Awareness-Building Presentations * Poster Presentations For more information and to register: http://www.astrosociety.org/events/2006mtg/conference.html > Reporting Your Events: In Your Own Words You may have noticed when you visit the Night Sky Network website that in a majority of the articles we publish, both in the public page and the members page, we often use quotes from the Night Sky Network events that you submit. Help us give our website articles a personal touch by giving us your stories and anecdotes from your outreach events. Every event has a special story like the one posted on NSN: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/ Read the lead article on Astronomy Day to see if we used one of your stories or photos. Then log your events and take a few minutes to give us the latest scoop on your astronomy adventures! Marni Berendsen & Dawn Baird Astronomical Society of the Pacific nightskyinfo@astrosociety.org From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Mon May 15 20:01:44 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Mon May 15 20:02:34 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: [AANC Contacts] JPL open house this weekend Message-ID: <000c01c67895$11052d50$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Subject: [AANC Contacts] JPL open house this weekend This weekend, May 20 and 21, is JPL's annual Open House. Here is information about it. http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/ If any of you are planning to visit JPL, be sure to stop by the Cassini display and say hello. We'll have a 1/2 scale model of the Cassini spacecraft, which you can see in the image on the JPL website link provided above. Around the spacecraft will be 1/2 scale people, and some full size Cassini volunteers too, including me. Actually there is a half scale model of me too. So you can say hello to both of us. :-) Under a large tent near the spacecraft model will be recent Cassini images, a huge radar strip from the recent titan flyby, with radar instrument team members as interpreters. There will also be a full scale Huygens Probe model set in a Titan-like landscape so you can take your picture on Titan. Also multimedia showing on plasma screens, and even Saturn tattoos (temporary ones), for kids of all ages. All the volunteers in the display area are from the Cassini Program, so say hello to them! There will be a Moon walk, Saturn style, of images of the moons of Saturn leading from the display area on the main mall to a theatre, where Ring World 2 will play all day both days. Many of the other past , present and future missions will have displays too, from Voyager, to Ulysses to Deep Impact to Stardust, to missions studying our own Earth and to missions studying Mars. The Deep Space Network, our technology divisions and more will be on display for our guests. There will be solar telescopes, and an educational office too. Last year we had 40,000 visitors over the two days. Food and beverages will be available, along with space souvenirs and NASA and JPL merchandise. Admission and parking is free. No backpacks or ice chests are allowed, with the exception of small purses and diaper bags. Visitors, vehicles and personal belongings are subject to inspection.Temperatures are expected to be in the 90's so bring your hat, sunscreen and water bottle. Hope to see some of you - I always run into a few Northern California amateur astronomers who are visiting or volunteering. If not this year, perhaps in a future year. Jane -- Jane Houston Jones Senior Outreach Specialist, Cassini Program JPL - 4800 Oak Grove Drive, MS 230-205 Pasadena, CA 91109 818-393-6435 jane.h.jones@jpl.nasa.gov Cassini Saturn Observation Campaign http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm _______________________________________________ Contacts mailing list Contacts@aanc-astronomy.org http://mail.aanc-astronomy.org/mailman/listinfo/contacts From robhawley at earthlink.net Wed May 17 17:29:34 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Wed May 17 17:29:47 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Houge Park Star Party and Beginning Astro Class Friday May 19 Message-ID: <013101c67a12$235b16d0$0300a8c0@robathome> **** Beginning Astro Class ***** Our Beginning Astronomy Class will be held Friday May 19th in the meeting room at Houge Park at 7:30 PM. Dave North will be giving a talk on Observing the Planets. This will happen regardless of the weather. For directions see www.sjaa.net/gotstars **** Houge Park Star Party**** SJAA will host its public observing session at Houge Park from 9:30 PM to midnight. Families are welcome to attend. Feel free to bring your scope and share views with others. Come see views of the Saturn, Mars, and brighter deep sky objects. Weather for Houge Park: http://www.sjaa.net/weather/sites.html#Houge-Park Note that SJAA will only automatically cancel the star party if rain is hitting the ground. Rob Hawley From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Wed May 17 18:57:13 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Wed May 17 18:57:23 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: Night Sky Network Message: May 18th Telecon on Hubble and new links! Message-ID: <003a01c67a1e$6247d480$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Night Sky Network Members: Thursday, May 18th is the "Latest on Hubble" telecon and we have just uploaded the companion slides and M82 toolkit tips sheet to the Night Sky Network website. PowerPoint slides are available at: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/docs/M82_regan_nsn.ppt Telecon slides are also available at: http://www.astrosociety.org/nsntelecon/ Be sure to check out the worksheet on how to use the new Hubble image of M82 with the NSN Telescope Toolkit available at: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/docs/M82TelescopeToolkitTips2.doc Get the word out to your club members to call in and participate in this informative teleconference and the Q&A session to immediately follow. Remember that Night Sky Network member clubs and their members can call from the comfort of their home, work or anywhere else! Teleconference: "Latest on Hubble" by Dr. Michael Regan ADDED BONUS! A special update on Comet 73P/Schwassman-Wasserman by Dr. Matthew Bobrowsky. Thursday, May 18th 6:00 pm Pacific (9:00 pm Eastern) Toll-free conference call line: 1-877-917-1549. Call anytime after 5:45 pm the evening of the telecon. An operator will answer and: - You will be asked for the passcode: NIGHT SKY NETWORK - You might be asked for the call leader: MICHAEL GREENE - You will be asked to give your NAME and the CLUB you belong to, and number of people listening with you. If you have any questions or are having any difficulties logging into the Night Sky Network, send an email to nightskyinfo@astrosociety.org See you at the teleconference! Dawn Baird Night Sky Network Coordinator nightskyinfo@astrosociety.org From robhawley at earthlink.net Thu May 18 17:15:46 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Thu May 18 17:16:02 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Memorial Weekend Dark Sky Party (update) Message-ID: <019c01c67ad9$606b6260$0300a8c0@robathome> We want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of the people who have sent us their words of interest, encouragement, and to those who will be attending the May 27th star party in Willow Springs. The response to the star party has been more than we anticipated so we cannot accept any more people at this time. If you have already contacted us then you can expect to receive an email with directions and the final site logistics by Wednesday evening. If all goes well on the 27th, we are hopeful that we may be able to organize additional star parties in Willow Springs. We will keep you in the loop as to further developments at this site. Clear skies, Craig Scull & Rob Hawley From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Fri May 19 17:29:32 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Fri May 19 17:29:46 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Upcomming Events Message-ID: <003e01c67ba4$7824f9e0$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> NASA Research Park Exploration Lecture Series presents Life Out There What happens IF we find it? A lecture panel and discussion with the SETI Institute's Senior Astronomer Seth Shostak, Principal Investigator Cynthia Phillips, and Director of Interstellar Message Composition Dr. Douglas Vakoch Open to the public FREE ADMISSION Date: Wednesday, May 24 2006 Time: 7:00-9:00 pm Location: NASA Ames Research Center Bldg. 943, Moffett Field Presented by Planners Collaborative Co-Sponsored by the SETI Institute http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/events/2006/nrplecture-life.html CELEBRATING SCIENCE FOR THE FUTURE at the SETI Institute You are invited to a day of science and innovation at the SETI Institute. - Fun for the whole family. - Hands on demonstrations. - Meet real scientists. ADMISSION IS FREE. Where: 515 N. Whisman Road Mountain View, CA 94043 When: June 10, 2006 10am to 4pm http://www.seti.org From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Fri May 19 17:33:37 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Fri May 19 17:33:47 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: [AANC Contacts] EAS/Chabot's "Explore the Universe" exhibition features astronomy photos by Conrad Jung Message-ID: <007401c67ba5$091acf10$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Conrad Jung is recognized by the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, where three of his photographs are currently on display in the "Explore the Universe" exhibition. Check out Conrad's media release by Judyth Collins: http://www.chabotspace.org/aboutus/press/releases/2006/05.17.06ConradRelease1.pdf http://www.chabotspace.org/vsc/observatory/astrophotos.asp _______________________________________________ Contacts mailing list Contacts@aanc-astronomy.org http://mail.aanc-astronomy.org/mailman/listinfo/contacts From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Tue May 23 05:57:07 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Tue May 23 05:57:33 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Hangar One hearing set for tonight Message-ID: <001401c67e68$66ce1c00$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Hangar One hearing set for tonight Come to the public meeting Tuesday evening, May 23, at 7 p.m., to tell the Navy what you think of their recommendation to demolish Hangar One! This is our last chance to tell the Navy face-to-face to preserve the hangar. The meeting is in the NASA public affairs building, just outside the Moffett Blvd. entrance to Moffett Field. There's plenty of parking. It's adjacent to the former Space Camp tent. Here's the agenda: a.. 5:00-6:45 p.m.: Open House and Poster Session b.. 7:00-7:30 p.m.: Navy Presentation c.. 7:30-8:55 p.m.: Public Comments d.. 8:55-9:00 p.m.: Navy Closing Comments The Navy built Hangar One to house the gigantic airship U.S.S. Macon in 1932 on land donated by Bay Area communities. It is a monument to innovation and service, an icon of the Peninsula, and one of the world's largest free-standing structures. Unfortunately, some of the materials used in its construction are now known to be toxic. To eliminate the environmental risk, the Navy proposes to demolish Hangar One for $12 million . but Navy studies also show that it would cost only $12 million more to replace the toxic materials instead. We believe it's worth the extra $35 per square foot to preserve Hangar One for future generations. Information at: http://www.nuqu.org/20060522/208/ From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Tue May 23 09:26:40 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Tue May 23 09:26:52 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Night Sky Magazine Available Online Message-ID: <20060523162640.26469.qmail@web80321.mail.yahoo.com> The SJAA has been recieving a limited number of copies of the Night Sky Magazine for free to members. It is now free to SJAA members online. This months issue. May/June, can be found at: http://www.nightskymag-digital.com/nightskymag/200605/?utm_source=NSN%2Bmemb Enjoy -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20060523/42c98d65/attachment.html From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Wed May 24 17:08:30 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Wed May 24 17:08:43 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: HVAG schedule reminder Message-ID: <005201c67f8f$5b07da50$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> The Halls Valley Astronomical Group has scheduled starparties at Grant Park on the following dates: May 27th at Halley Hill June 24th at Halley Hill July 22nd at Halley Hill August 26th at Halley Hill September 23rd at Halley Hill October 21st at Halley Hill November 18th at Telescope Row December 16th at Telescope Row For additional information, including directions to the park, check our website: http://www.hallsvalley.org/ From pkohlmil at best.com Fri May 26 23:10:08 2006 From: pkohlmil at best.com (Paul Kohlmiller) Date: Fri May 26 23:10:35 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] June Ephemeris Online Message-ID: <006f01c68154$35125e30$0300a8c0@eclipsys.lan> The June Issue of the SJAA Ephemeris is now available online at: http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/ Paul Kohlmiller -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20060526/f08a4b43/attachment.html From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Mon May 29 18:53:49 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Mon May 29 18:54:07 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: [AANC Contacts] Mt Tam Astronomy Program Sat 6/3, 8:30pm Message-ID: <001901c6838b$e6064060$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Mt Tam Astronomy Program Sat 6/3, 8:30pm ----- Original Message ----- From: Tinka Ross To: tam3 Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2006 8:39 PM Subject: [AANC Contacts] Mt Tam Astronomy Program Sat 6/3, 8:30pm MT TAM ENTHUSIASTS - Have you noticed all those brilliant stars the past few nights? Hopefully the weather will continue to cooperate for our next astronomy program on Mt Tam, Sat June 3, 8:30pm The mission of the SETI Institute is to explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe. For more than four decades astronomers have been searching for some signs of intelligent life beyond earth, but so far they have heard nothing. Is this a quixotic mission, or could there soon be proof that someone is out there? Seth Shostak will give us the "Latest Skinny on SETI" as scientists try to find someone in space who's at least as clever as you are. Following the lecture, members of the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers will provide telescopes for viewing in the Rock Spring parking lot. Viewing continues until about 10:30pm, weather permitting. This program is part of a series of FREE programs sponsored by the Mt Tamalpais State Park. Lectures and viewing are held each Saturday evening between a new and a first quarter moon through September. The general public is welcome. Families and school and youth groups are encouraged to attend. For driving directions and additional information call the hotline: 415-455-5370 or check out www.mttam.net. If the program is cancelled, the hotline tape is updated around 3:00pm on the program date. Thank you for forwarding this to anyone interested. Please send a return email with "unsubscribe" if you wish to be removed from this list. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ Contacts mailing list Contacts@aanc-astronomy.org http://mail.aanc-astronomy.org/mailman/listinfo/contacts -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.7.4/351 - Release Date: 5/29/2006 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20060529/3bc503a3/attachment.html From robhawley at earthlink.net Tue May 30 16:07:27 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Tue May 30 16:07:42 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] SJAA Star Party Saturday @ Coyote Lake Message-ID: <006801c6843d$d254c480$0300a8c0@robathome> We will be setting up at the >>>>boat dock<<<<<. This is the place we usually set up when observing privately. We have now been given permission to hold the star party there. Officially the party begins at 9:30 PM and there is no limit to how long you can stay. The moon sets about 1:50 AM on Sunday morning so darkness is going to take a while. Rob Hawley From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Wed May 31 17:01:58 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Wed May 31 17:02:10 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Re: [AANC Contacts] Odds & Sods: AANC Calendar Update References: <447DFE64.2020405@planitarium.net> Message-ID: <001501c6850e$9ab35c40$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Summer solstice is rapidly approaching. If you're wondering what to do for the next few months here are some suggestions: You can check out other club activities by checking their respective newsletters. Here's an example from Marion Weiler of SMCAS http://home.covad.net/~alcoat/smcas/6-06june/june.htm#June_General_Meeting or Mt. Tam Lecture series http://www.mttam.net/Default.aspx?tabid=843 JUNE Grand Canyon SP June 17th http://www.tucsonastronomy.org/gcsp.html SSP starts June 21st http://www.shingletownstarparty.org/ Yosemite SP June 30th thru Sept 4th http://aanc-astronomy.org/yosemite.html JULY AANC Board Meeting (Alan Gould is working on a telecon if you can't physically make it) July 9th 10:00 am LHS http://aanc-astronomy.org/AANCminutes/AANCminutes.html BTW, please submit to Alan your Clubs nominees for this years AANC awards for: Amateur, Professional, Commercial and Special awards by June 30th. Jane H. Jones' Cassini talk SCAS on July 12 http://www.sonomaskies.org/ BTW do check out their new spiffy website. Stellafane July 28th http://www.stellafane.com/ AUGUST Annual Barcroft High Altitude Star Party EAS Aug 18th http://www.eastbayastro.org/index/refractr.htm FPOA 20th Year Anniversary Party, John Dobson Day & Night and AANC Awards Star B Q Aug 26th http://www.fpoa.net/ SEPTEMBER CalStar Sept 21st http://www.sjaa.net/calstar/ NOVEMBER Mercury Transit Nov 8th Randall Museum http://www.randallmuseum.org/ If you have more calendar updates, please let Alan know. As John Dillon says, "See you in the dark" Ken _______________________________________________ Contacts mailing list Contacts@aanc-astronomy.org http://mail.aanc-astronomy.org/mailman/listinfo/contacts