From pkohlmil at best.com Sat Jul 1 18:38:18 2006 From: pkohlmil at best.com (Paul Kohlmiller) Date: Sat Jul 1 18:38:45 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: July Ephemeris Online Message-ID: <005d01c69d78$33311990$0400a8c0@eclipsys.lan> July Ephemeris OnlineThe July issue of the Ephemeris is now available online. You can find it here: http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/ Paul Kohlmiller -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20060701/a4d44ea5/attachment.html From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Mon Jul 3 18:24:36 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Mon Jul 3 18:24:49 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] =?iso-8859-1?q?Fw=3A_Stargazing_Nights_at_Rancho?= =?iso-8859-1?q?_Ca=F1ada_Del_Oro_Open_Space_Preserve?= Message-ID: <001001c69f08$9deeb760$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Subject: Stargazing Nights at Rancho Ca?ada Del Oro Open Space Preserve Hello, In the upcoming months the Open Space Authority will be hosting Stargazing Nights at the Rancho Ca?ada Del Oro Open Space Preserve. The preserve is located in the western foothills of Santa Clara County (just south of Calero County Park.) We invite you to attend, or to pass this information on to anyone you know of who might be interested. Our goals are; to introduce this beautiful public property to new users, to provide an alternate opportunity for folks to come out and enjoy the outdoors during these hot summer months, and to provide an opportunity for the general public to learn about and appreciate the natural environment (including the night sky.) The upcoming Stargazing Nights will take place on Friday July 28th (8pm meeting time), and Saturday August 26th (7:30pm meeting time.) Our staff will be on hand to direct parking and set-up. We do hope to attract both experienced astronomy buffs who are interested in sharing their knowledge, as well as novices who are just becoming interested in the night skies. Attached you will find a flyer with a bit more information. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. As this is the first time we are hosting Stargazing Nights, we would be ever so grateful to folks who can provide us with help on getting the word out about this event, as well as folks who are interested in sharing their knowledge and/or telescopes on the night of the event. Thank you! Michelle Acuna Volunteer Coordinator Open Space Authority 6830 Via Del Oro Ste. 200 San Jose, CA 95119 (408)224-7476 _______________________________________________________________ CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE The information contained in this e-mail message is privileged, confidential, and protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution, or copying is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail message in error, please e-mail the sender at info@openspaceauthority.org or telephone (408) 224-7476. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.8/380 - Release Date: 6/30/2006 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20060703/2fe116fd/attachment.html From robhawley at earthlink.net Wed Jul 5 19:06:13 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Wed Jul 5 19:06:17 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Albert Highe talks to SJAA on building lightweight scopes Message-ID: <005f01c6a0a0$c2276110$0300a8c0@robathome> SJAA is pleased to have Albert Highe as our Guest speaker Saturday night. He will be speaking on the Design of Lightweight Telescopes. The presentation will be at Houge Park at 8PM. For more information or directions please consult our website www.sjaa.net/gotstars Albert is a personal friend of mine and I personally own two scopes he designed; a Plettstone built Mark III and a version of his Mark IV travel telescope. Albert may not be able to bring any scopes so anyone that has one of his scopes is asked to bring it to the meeting. I will be bringing my travel scope. Rob Hawley From robhawley at earthlink.net Wed Jul 5 19:11:52 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Wed Jul 5 19:11:52 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] FW: Shuttle pass Message-ID: <006201c6a0a1$8c7e3ce0$0300a8c0@robathome> For those that do not subscribe to TAC here is a gem from Ken Lum of PAS. Dual passes of the ISS and shuttle are very rare (I have only seen one before). I saw the ISS last night. It passed over downtown right as the fireworks were going off. Rob Hawley -----Original Message----- From: sf-bay-tac-bounces@seds.org [mailto:sf-bay-tac-bounces@seds.org] On Behalf Of Kenneth Lum Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2006 6:33 PM To: San Mateo County Astronomical Society; East Bay Astronomical Society; The Astronomy Connection; mahan-linda and norman Subject: [TAC] Shuttle pass The predicted times for Discovery's visible pass over the area tonight have changed slightly - the shuttle should appear about 1 minute earlier than the times in my previous message. Discovery (STS-121), magnitude -1.8 Reaches 10? altitude at 21:53:48, azimuth 299? (WNW) Maximum altitude at 21:55:43, altitude 47?, azimuth 221? (SW ) Enters shadow at 21:55:46, altitude 46?, azimuth 214? (SW ) ISS, magnitude -0.2 Reaches 10? altitude 22:02:58, Altitude 10, Heading 298 (WNW) Max altitude 22:05:43, Altitude 43, Heading 223 (SW) End of pass 22:06:23, Altitude 35, Heading 185 (S) (data from www.heavens-above.com) -- What TAC's Mailing List Is About - http://www.observers.org/Join.shtml From jvn at svpal.org Thu Jul 6 14:35:49 2006 From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland) Date: Thu Jul 6 15:18:35 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Telescopes for sale, prices reduced. Message-ID: <44AD8235.2112@svpal.org> Hi, All, Dan and Edie Stokes have reduced their asking price for their telescopes. LX200, 10 inch, motorized GO-TO telescope. Great condition, superb optics. $1350 Celestron C-5, excellent condition, great optics, Table plus tripod, 9-volt drive. $550. Call 831-751-9704, Salinas, CA. -- Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association JVN's web site From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Fri Jul 7 18:46:10 2006 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Fri Jul 7 18:46:26 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] ISS transit across the moon tonight in San Jose Message-ID: <20060707193518.R75576@koopm.best.vwh.net> I just got this message from Jim Albers via his friend, Bryan Murahashi. The ISS/Shuttle will be ging across the face of the Moon at 9:17:18 on Friday, July 7th. Jim provided these plots: http://koopm.best.vwh.net/WAGoogleMap.jpg http://koopm.best.vwh.net/GoogleMap.jpg http://koopm.best.vwh.net/ISSMOON.gif Note that this is a very positional situation. Mountain View is not on this line, so the station will appear to go above the moon. You can use Heavens-Above to see if you are on the line. Make sure to enter your Lat - Long accurately. Here is the link for Houge Park: http://www.heavens-above.com/main.asp?lat=37.25746&lng=-121.94131&loc=Houge+Park%2C+San+Jose%2C+CA&TZ=PST I wish I could push the chart over further, but you get the idea. Good Luck! Mike Koop President San Jose Astronomical Association Jim's Message: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 07 Jul 2006 14:01:36 -0700 From: "Albers, Jim" Subject: FW: ISS transit across the moon [tonight] > Tonight ! > Example Skymap plot using two latest TLEs from nasa.spaceflight.gov from 37.3394, -121.8939, 27m (San Jose). <> > -----Original Message----- > From: Murahashi, Bryan > Sent: Friday, July 07, 2006 9:22 AM > To: Albers, Jim > Subject: ISS transit across the moon > > from calsky > > http://www.calsky.com/cs.cgi?mlevel=3&obs=81484535949221&cha=12&sec=16 > &sub=1&startDay=7&startMonth=7&startYear=2006&startHour=21&startMin=17 > &startSec=15&startHSec=44&timebuild=&interval=0.000115740740740741&ste > p=2.3148148148148e-06&mainbody=10&elongation=0&table=on&Go.x=14&Go.y=1 > 2 > > and loading into google maps : > > <> > <> From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Mon Jul 10 16:35:04 2006 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Mon Jul 10 16:35:22 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] July 21/22 Dark Sky Party at Willow Springs Message-ID: <20060710172935.B93905@koopm.best.vwh.net> Join the San Jose Astronomy Association and Bob Ayers on Friday and Saturday July 21/22 for some serious deep sky observing. In May we had an attendee-count limit and we hit it and had to turn people away. This time we hope to accomodate all who wish to attend by getting creative with the space and transportation options. We may open additional areas or encourage car-pooling. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED so please send an email to craig@funastro.com so we know how many are coming. We need to know so we can prepare the site and, if necessary, encourage car-pooling. This will be a free star party. The site? Bob's 40-acres of ridgetop land in "Willow Springs" southeast of Hollister at 3000 feet in the Diablo Range, two hours drive from 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 What can you expect to see? The darkness of the sky makes it possible to see an amazing amount of naked eye detail in the Milky Way. Simple 8x40 binoculars will give even more remarkable views. We even think we have seen the Milky Way cast our shadow against Bob's white shipping container. These reports are confirmed by other Willow Springs observers. The SQM is 21.5 as compared to 21.9 for the Texas Star Party, but the above observations are more informative than any number we could give you. If the weather-pattern is normal, it will stay warm at the site all night and the seeing will be very good after 10 pm or so. How do you get there? We'll be sending a "directions" flyer to the registered attendees the week before the star party. The last 2 miles are dirt road, but everybody made it up there OK in May, so we don't think you will have any problems ;) The SJAA will provide a rented toilet at the site (a $5 donation is suggested to help cover the $160 cost). We invite you to camp overnight (we certainly plan to do this). There is no running water or other amenities at the site so be sure to bring your own. The terrain at the site is pleasant during the day and early evening, although summertime temperatures can be hot. Consider arriving early enough to walk around and enjoy the scenery: http://www.sjaa.net/ws/ridge_panorama.jpg Craig Scull on behalf of the SJAA, Bob Ayers and Rob Hawley From jvn at svpal.org Thu Jul 13 14:59:01 2006 From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland) Date: Thu Jul 13 15:07:51 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] For sale: C-5 Message-ID: <44B6C225.7739@svpal.org> Hi, All, Edie and Dan have added a solar filter and two eyepieces to their C-5 offer, and lowered the price. Paul: Can you get this into the August Ephemeris? I did not promise that you could. If not, try for September. FOR SALE: Celestron C-5, excellent condition, great optics. Table plus tripod. 9-volt drive, solar filter, two eyepieces. $550. Dan and Edie Stokes. Call 831-751-9704, in Salinas. -- Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association JVN's web site From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Sat Jul 15 10:49:17 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Sat Jul 15 10:49:30 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: [AANC Contacts] Astronomy job in SF Message-ID: <006801c6a836$ff007c00$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Subject: ...astronomy job in SF Hi, I am trying to spread the word about a job that could be of interest to amateur astronomers. It's a full-time astronomy staff position at San Francisco State University. The new staff member will play a central role in the observatory, planetarium, and laboratory facilities which support introductory courses, degree programs, and outreach activities in astronomy at SFSU. Details can be found at http://www.physics.sfsu.edu/Jobs/AstroTech.html Adrienne Cool _______________________________________________ Contacts mailing list Contacts@aanc-astronomy.org http://mail.aanc-astronomy.org/mailman/listinfo/contacts From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Tue Jul 18 17:29:43 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Tue Jul 18 17:30:02 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: VISION FOR SPACE EXPLORATION EXPERIENCE -- JULY 27-30 (Reminder) Message-ID: <003501c6aaca$6ea12c90$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> VISION FOR SPACE EXPLORATION EXPERIENCE -- JULY 27-30 (Rem Subject: VISION FOR SPACE EXPLORATION EXPERIENCE -- JULY 27-30 (Reminder) COME TAKE A VIRTUAL REALITY FIELD TRIP TO THE MOON, MARS , AND BEYOND The "Vision for Space Exploration Experience" is coming to NASA Ames Research Center July 27-30, 2006. It will be located behind the white tent of the NASA Exploration Center (Bld. 943-A), and open to the public between the hours of 10 am to 4 pm. Housed on a 53-foot-long trailer, the traveling exhibit will inspire space enthusiasts as they embark on a simulated journey to the farthest reaches of the solar system. From interactive holographic control panels to 3D imagery, visitors will discover what it might be like to live and work on the surfaces of the moon and Mars and to travel to Saturn's moon, Titan. From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Tue Jul 18 20:43:36 2006 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Tue Jul 18 20:43:52 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] MM3 launch Tonight 7/19 1:01 1AM Message-ID: <20060718213301.T87031@koopm.best.vwh.net> Jim Albers has reminded me that there is a Minuteman III launch tonight. He has created finder charts for the San Jose Area that you can see here: Finder charts: http://dgilbert3.home.mindspring.com/060719_MM3.htm **************** More information on the launch and how to view it can be seen on Brian Webb's Launch Alert Email List for this specific Launch: http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/launch-alert/2006-July/000335.html Excerpt: MINUTEMAN III LAUNCH Vandenberg AFB News Release 2006 July 17 VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is scheduled to launch from North Vandenberg Wednesday morning as an operational test to demonstrate the weapon systems reliability and accuracy. The six-hour launch window is from 1:01 to 7:01 a.m. PDT. *************************** A few general viewing tips from previous launches: http://observers.org/tac.mailing.list/2005/Sep/0073.html Let me know if you had any luck! Mike From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Wed Jul 19 17:06:26 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Wed Jul 19 17:06:39 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] =?iso-8859-1?q?_Stargazing_Nights_at_Rancho_Ca?= =?iso-8859-1?q?=F1ada_Del_Oro_Open_Space_Preserve?= Message-ID: <003d01c6ab90$5896dc80$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Subject: Stargazing Nights at Rancho Ca?ada Del Oro Open Space Preserve Info and directions for this event can be found at: http://www.openspaceauthority.org/Hikes_and_Activities/Hikes_and_Activities_main.htm The upcoming Stargazing Nights will take place on Friday July 28th (8pm meeting time), and Saturday August 26th (7:30pm meeting time.) Our staff will be on hand to direct parking and set-up. We do hope to attract both experienced astronomy buffs who are interested in sharing their knowledge, as well as novices who are just becoming interested in the night skies. Attached you will find a flyer with a bit more information. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. As this is the first time we are hosting Stargazing Nights, we would be ever so grateful to folks who can provide us with help on getting the word out about this event, as well as folks who are interested in sharing their knowledge and/or telescopes on the night of the event. Thank you! Michelle Acuna Volunteer Coordinator Open Space Authority 6830 Via Del Oro Ste. 200 San Jose, CA 95119 (408)224-7476 From robhawley at earthlink.net Thu Jul 20 09:57:12 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Thu Jul 20 09:57:37 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] SJAA Star Party Friday July 21 Message-ID: <006e01c6ac1d$8c51d4c0$0300a8c0@robathome> Friday July 21 Houge Park Observe the brighter deep sky objects and Jupiter through our telescopes at Houge Park (White Oaks Drive and Twilight Drive, San Jose) from 9:30 PM to midnight. Families are welcome. There will also be a beginner astronomy talk at 7:30 PM. Free. www.sjaa.net or call 408 559-1221 From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Fri Jul 21 18:28:05 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Fri Jul 21 18:28:33 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: HVAG schedule reminder Message-ID: <005101c6ad2e$156fff00$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> The Halls Valley Astronomical Group has scheduled starparties at Grant Park on the following dates: July 22nd at Halley Hill August 26th at Halley Hill September 23rd at Halley Hill October 21st at Halley Hill November 18th at Telescope Row December 16th at Telescope Row For additional information, including directions to the park, check our website: http://www.hallsvalley.org/ If you would like to be removed from this mailing list or would like to receive HVAG updates at a different address, please contact hvag@hallsvalley.org. From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Sat Jul 22 09:20:20 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Sat Jul 22 09:20:26 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: LICK 2006: Additional volunteers needed! Message-ID: <004e01c6adaa$ba96ac00$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Subject: LICK 2006: Additional volunteers needed! There are a few nights open to volunteer for the Lick Summer Programs in the coming weeks. If you are interested in joing us for this great opportunity contact the Lick volunteers at lick@hallsvalley.org include contact info along with date and position you are interested in. Below is a list of the volunteer positions that are currently unfilled for the rest of this summer's programs. If you were unable to volunteer earlier or would like to volunteer for additional programs please consider joining us for one of these programs. If you have a friend or relative that might be interesting in helping feel free to pass this information on. Friday, July 28th (SVP): 1 Refreshment Table volunteer Saturday, July 29th (SVP): 1 Outside Telescope volunteer Friday, August 4th (MOS): 1 Wine Glass/Mug Distribution volunteer Saturday, August 5th (MOS): 1 Outside Telescope volunteer Friday, August 18th (SVP): 1 Inside volunteer, 1 Refreshment Table volunteer & 1 Outside Telescope volunteer Saturday, August 19th (SVP): 1 Refreshment Table volunteer Saturday, September 16th (MOS): 1 Refreshment Table volunteer About the Refreshment Table and Wine Glass/Mug Distribution volunteer positions: these are non-rotating positions meaning the person doing them stays in same place (except for breaks) all evening. The Refreshments Table volunteer hands out coffee and brownies to the visitors and keeps an eye on the donation box. The donations from the refreshments table will go towards visitor services projects including a terrestrial viewing telescope to be mounted near the flag pole. The Wine Glass/Mug Distribution volunteer hands out the complementary wine glasses and mugs to concert-goers at the MOS programs. From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Sun Jul 23 17:26:40 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Sun Jul 23 17:27:00 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: Night Sky Network Message: Coming Soon! Search for Habitable Worlds Telecon! Message-ID: <007501c6aeb7$d5ecec40$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Just a reminder about the upcoming telecon with Dr. Geoff Marcy. The accompanying power point can be found at the NSN website: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm Login with Username: SJAA_Club password: sjaansky Go to Toolkit Downloads > Tele-Conference > Geoff Marcy, "Searching for Habitable New Worlds and for Life in the Universe" Telecon July 27th: "Searching for Habitable New Worlds and for Life in the Universe" Join the Night Sky Network and award winning scientist Dr. Geoff Marcy for a teleconference sure to open up a world of possibilities. Dr. Geoff Marcy is one of the "heavy-hitter" scientists of the astronomy community with several awards under his belt: The Shaw Prize (2005), Discover Magazine: Space Scientist of the Year (2003), NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement (2003), California Scientist of the Year (2000) to name only a few. Perhaps his greatest distinction is the fact that he and his team have discovered more than half of all the extrasolar planets discovered so far! This is your opportunity to participate in a teleconference with one of the most knowledgeable and accomplished scientists in the fiels of astronomy and physics today. Be sure to send this along to all your club members! Teleconference: "Searching for Habitable New Worlds and for Life in the Universe" by Dr. Geoff Marcy Thursday, July 27th 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 bhavner at sbcglobal.net Sun Jul 23 17:33:57 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Sun Jul 23 17:34:09 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] =?iso-8859-1?q?Stargazing_Nights_at_Rancho_Ca=F1?= =?iso-8859-1?q?ada_Del_Oro_Open_Space_Preserve_Friday_July_28?= Message-ID: <008401c6aeb8$da232670$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Open Space Authority will be hosting Stargazing Nights at the Rancho Ca?ada Del Oro Open Space Preserve. The preserve is located in the western foothills of Santa Clara County (just south of Calero County Park.) The upcoming Stargazing Night will take place on Friday July 28th (8pm meeting time), Our staff will be on hand to direct parking and set-up. We do hope to attract both experienced astronomy buffs who are interested in sharing their knowledge, as well as novices who are just becoming interested in the night skies. There have been discussions with the management about having this site available to the SJAA as an observing site. We will try to schedual viewings throughout the year if this program works out. Info and Directions can be found at: http://www.openspaceauthority.org/Hikes_and_Activities/Hikes_and_Activities_main.htm . From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Wed Jul 26 20:54:13 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Wed Jul 26 20:54:24 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: Night Sky Network Message: Call in tomorrow night! Message-ID: <003501c6b130$53eaef50$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Dr. Geoff Marcy has graciously agreed to join the Night Sky Network the evening of July 27th to discuss the search for habitable new worlds and for life in the universe. This is an awesome event so be sure to 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. The companion PowerPoint to this teleconference is now available at: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/docs/marcy_nsn.ppt Telecon slides are also available at: http://www.astrosociety.org/nsntelecon/ Teleconference: "Searching for Habitable New Worlds and for Life in the Universe" by Dr. Geoff Marcy Thursday, July 27th 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 Jul 27 16:07:56 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Thu Jul 27 16:08:13 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Ephemeris Delivery Survey Message-ID: <000001c6b1d1$7fa3f2d0$0300a8c0@robathome> Do not reply using the reply button on your mail program. Instead forward your response to membership@sjaa.net. As you are aware the folks that worked on the Ephemeris for many years are no longer doing it. The board is evaluating how we handle the entire backend process of getting you the newsletter. One key part of that is to see when the newsletter arrives in various cities. We are particularly interested in Los Gatos (95032), Sunnyvale/Mountain View(940xx), Santa Teresa (95123), and anyone outside of northern CA. Others can reply, but this sample will be the most representative. We are going to be performing some experiments over the next couple of months. Hopefully these changes will reduce the time between when we mail and when you receive the newsletter. Thus I will probably ask you again as we make changes. Again if you could let me know by forwarding a copy of this message I would appreciate it. Rob Hawley Membership Chairman From robhawley at earthlink.net Fri Jul 28 02:44:02 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Fri Jul 28 02:44:06 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Coyote Star Party Saturday July 29th Message-ID: <003101c6b22a$5c05eaa0$0300a8c0@robathome> Public star party at Coyote Lake County Park, east of Gilroy. Sunset at 8:18, start time 9:00 until very late. The small 22% moon sets at 10:40 pm. We will be using the boat dock again. There will be a BBQ staring at about 7:30. Rob Hawley From mojo at whiteoaks.com Sat Jul 29 21:30:39 2006 From: mojo at whiteoaks.com (Morris Jones) Date: Sat Jul 29 21:30:38 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Yosemite star party photo album Message-ID: <44CC35EF.2030205@whiteoaks.com> Here is my photo album from the 2006 Yosemite Star Party at Glacier Point with SJAA. You'll be the first to see it. :) Caption suggestions and corrections are hereby invited. http://photo.whiteoaks.com/2006-07-21-yosemite/ Best regards, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://www.whiteoaks.com Old Town Astronomers: http://www.otastro.org From pkohlmil at best.com Sun Jul 30 17:45:56 2006 From: pkohlmil at best.com (Paul Kohlmiller) Date: Sun Jul 30 17:46:22 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Ephemeris now available online Message-ID: <000001c6b43a$af6ff250$0e4fd6f0$@com> The August issue of the Ephemeris is now available online at http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/ The online Ephemeris contains a PDF version and an HTML version. The PDF version can be found at http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/0608/EphAug06.pdf The PDF version is generally available two weeks before the HTML version. It can be found at the same location substituting the correct year and month. For example, the September issue will be at http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/0609/EphSep06.pdf but do not check until August 15. Paul and Mary Kohlmiller -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20060730/148f112c/attachment.html From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Mon Jul 31 17:28:47 2006 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Mon Jul 31 17:28:58 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Stardust@home: The Search Begins! Message-ID: <20060731172743.B26518@koopm.best.vwh.net> Stardust@home Launches on August 1, 2006 ========================================= You've been waiting, and beginning August 1 you can start searching for interstellar dust! Think you have the right stuff to spot interstellar dust? We are looking for volunteer detectives to be part of Stardust@home, an opportunity for internet users everywhere to search for microscopic interstellar dust particles captured by NASA's Stardust spacecraft. Data will be available starting at 11 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, Tuesday, August 1, 2006. To participate, please point your browser to: http://stardustathome.ssl.berkeley.edu Once on the Stardust@home site, look under "Get Started" on the left side of the page. If you already have a username and password, you can click on "login" and begin searching for interstellar dust grains. But remember: even if you have previously completed the training course, the Stardust@home team recommends you refresh your skills by training again. New focus movies are now available in the training section, where the tracks are more realistic but harder to detect. Test your skills before trying the real thing! Want to know more about this exciting project, go to: http://planetary.org/programs/projects/stardustathome/ There was an excellent presentation made by Dr. Bryan Mendez about Stardust at Home for one of the Night Sky Network Telecons back in April. All the material is on line including a MP3 Audio file of the presentation along with the powerpoint slides. Take advantage of your SJAA membership and learn about Stardust at home: The files can be found at the NSN website: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm Login with Username: SJAA_Club password: sjaansky Go to Toolkit Downloads > Tele-Conference > Click on Stardust with Bryan Mendez - Telecon Audio Recording for the MP3 file. Download the Powerpoint slides or Conference Transcript using the next two links down. Discover an Interstellar Particle Today! Good Hunting! Mike From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Mon Jul 31 18:30:59 2006 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Mon Jul 31 18:31:07 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] August 25/26/27 Dark Sky Party at Willow Springs Message-ID: <20060731192850.I26518@koopm.best.vwh.net> Join the San Jose Astronomy Association and Bob Ayers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday August 25/26/27 for more deep sky observing. Once again, we hope to accomodate all who wish to attend thanks to some of the extra space that our friend Rob "weed eater" Hawley valiantly carved out for us last time. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED so please send an email to craig@funastro.com so we know how many are coming. We need to know so we can prepare the site and, if necessary, encourage car-pooling. In your email please also let us know: -What nights you plan to attend -Whether you plan to stay overnight each night -What kind of telescope you'll be bringing so we can be sure you are in a good area (e.g. dobs need flatness) -Whether you will be doing any imaging -If you need room for a tent The site? Bob's 40-acres of ridgetop land in "Willow Springs" southeast of Hollister at 3000 feet in the Diablo Range, two hours drive from 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 If the weather-pattern is normal, it will stay warm at the site all night and the seeing will be very good after 10 pm or so. The SJAA will provide a rented toilet at the site (a $5 donation is suggested to help cover the $160 cost). We invite you to camp overnight (we certainly plan to do this). There is no running water or other amenities at the site so be sure to bring your own. The terrain at the site is pleasant during the day and early evening, although summertime temperatures can be hot. Consider arriving early enough to walk around and enjoy the scenery: http://www.sjaa.net/ws/ridge_panorama.jpg Craig Scull on behalf of the SJAA, Bob Ayers and Rob Hawley -- What TAC's Mailing List Is About - http://www.observers.org/Join.shtml From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Mon Jul 31 20:11:39 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Mon Jul 31 20:11:55 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Lick Observatory Concert ticket still Available Message-ID: <005e01c6b518$35514940$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> There are still plenty of tickets available for the last of the summer concerts at Lick Observatory 2006 Lick Observatory Music of the Spheres Concert Dates . Tickets at UCSC Box Office To Purchase Tickets: Phone: 831-459-2159 Hours: Tues.- Sat., 12 - 4 pm August 4 (Friday) Oscar Reynolds and the Karumanta Ensemble: Andean flute master Oscar Reynolds leads the Karumanta Ensemble, performing South American folk and Bolivian fusion music with traditional flamenco and Afro-Peruvian influences. Oscar plays a variety of bamboo flutes and intricate guitar melodies. Lalo Izquierdo punctuates with polyphonic rhythms on the caj?n (box drum), and Jose Ruiz Reynolds adds elegance with high pitched charango strings. Their soulful and energetic performance captivates audiences, exploring the blending of South American musical traditions and cultures. "New Worlds, Yellowstone, and Life in the Universe" Speaker: Geoff Marcy Doors open: 7:30 pm Concert starts: 8:00 pm August 5 (Saturday) Kurt Ribak Trio: Composer and bass player Kurt Ribak formed this trio specifically to perform and record music that he has written over the past 20 years. His compositions, while mostly jazz, incorporate elements of Latin, blues, reggae, and even "cliches from horror movie scores." Veteran jazz and dance band keyboardist Greg Sankovich lays down the grooves, while drummer Tim Solook adds driving jazz rhythms and hard bop sensibility, and Kurt adds depth on upright bass. The result is a melodic, accessible, and rhythmically driving performance. "A Journey Back to the Big Bang" Speaker: Raja Guhathakurta Doors open: 7:30 pm Concert starts: 8:00 pm September 15 (Friday) Great Guitars: Daniel Roest & Muriel Anderson: Classical guitarist Daniel Roest opens for prolific songwriter and vocalist Muriel Anderson. A highly skilled instrumentalist, Muriel is the first woman to win the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship. She performs folk, classical, bluegrass, and international music on nylon, steel-string, and harp-guitars. With sense of humor and a contagious joy of music, she charms audiences worldwide. Her recordings have also "circled the globe" entertaining Space Shuttle astronauts. "New Worlds, Yellowstone, and Life in the Universe" Speaker: Geoff Marcy Doors open: 7:00 pm Concert starts: 7:30 pm September 16 (Saturday) Great Guitars: Daniel Roest & Peppino D'Agostino: Classical guitarist Daniel Roest opens for Peppino D'Agostino, a world-class solo fingerstyle guitarist and composer. A charismatic entertainer, Peppino plays steel string guitar with dazzling virtuosity. His repertoire includes contemporary acoustic, classical, open tuning, and percussive music with influences as diverse as Paco de Lucia's flamenco and the Beatles' pop sensibility. Peppino has produced eleven CDs and has collaborated and performed with various rock and jazz icons. "Black Holes: Hearts of Darkness" Speaker: Alex Filippenko Doors open: 7:00 pm Concert starts: 7:30 pm