From pkohlmil at best.com Fri Sep 1 00:32:37 2006 From: pkohlmil at best.com (Paul Kohlmiller) Date: Fri Sep 1 00:33:04 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] September Ephemeris is now Online Message-ID: <000001c6cd98$cc7a5490$656efdb0$@com> The September issue of the Ephemeris is now available online. You can view it at http://ephemeris.sjaa.net . Note that the latest PDF version of the Ephemeris is available at http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/current.pdf . This link will be updated in the middle of the month. We suggest adding this to your web browser's favorites. Articles for the Ephemeris should be submitted by the 10th of the month. Paul and Mary Kohlmiller -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20060901/49eb0b17/attachment.html From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Tue Sep 5 14:05:45 2006 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Tue Sep 5 14:05:59 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] The GEONET Message-ID: <20060905145735.P36920@koopm.best.vwh.net> Here is an request for CCD imaging support for a high school student from New Jersey. What a fascinating project! If you would like to participate, please contact Daniel directly at: daniel_handlin _AT_ hths.mcvsd _DOT_ org Let me know if you are willing to help him out! Mike *************************************** My name is Daniel Handlin; I'm a high school student in southern New Jersey with the STAR club. In the past few years I've been doing some research on the effect of atmospheric drag on satellite orbital decay. As this is my senior year, I'm planning to do one final research project this year to demonstrate the value of a network of amateur astronomers across the globe for satellite tracking and identification. I wanted to ask if there was anyone in your club who might be interested in joining the study. Basically, a group of amateurs and I are going to try to take synchronized images of geostationary satellites so we can use parallax to determine their precise distances. From that you can get an orbit, and compare it with orbits you would get from single telescopes using classical methods. Assuming that the parallax-generated orbits are significantly more accurate (which they should be), that would demonstrate the value of an amateur satellite tracking network to the professional satellite study community - I think that's a pretty exciting result. I've been able to set up a network of some interested observers across the USA. Currently I have 3 astronomers in Texas and a remote-controlled robotic telescope in New Mexico, plus me. I've been trying to get some more people in California to join up because the parallax would be that much easier. If this sounds interesting to you and if anyone in your group might like to join us, please let me know; I'd love to have you on board. The observations themselves are pretty straightforward; if you're tracking, geostationary satellites will move across a typical CCD field of view in 20-40 seconds, and should be easily detectable on the equipment you have (about mag 12). It's just point-and-shoot; the imaging is a breeze. I'm hoping to be able to extract some shape data from the light curves as well - some professionals with similar experiments have even be able to show things like 'this antenna is bent' or 'some of the mylar insulation is missing'. Very cool stuff. As far as schedule goes, essentially, the sooner we can get these synchronized observations, the better, both because I have both college apps and a deadline to get my research done, plus the guys in Texas have spotty autumn weather. Anyway, if you're interested and available, please drop me an email; it would be great if you could join the network. I think that we're going to get some very exciting results. If you're not, I can still send you some of our observations if you're interested; they should be pretty neat. Thanks, Daniel From doneleyw at msn.com Wed Sep 6 16:12:40 2006 From: doneleyw at msn.com (Doneley Watson) Date: Wed Sep 6 16:13:02 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] The GEONET Message-ID: This reminds me very much of the MOONWATCH group that the government put together when they realized that they had no way of tracking the satellites that were being put up in the late 50's. They enlisted the aid of amateur astronomers to set up groups with 7x50 monoculars to catch passages over their area. The observers were set up in a line with each scope covering a different part of the sky. The group that I belonged to in Cincinnati had a big advantage. They had a 16 or 18 inch Newtonian to catch the faint ones and a Fortran program that was written by a high school student (Tom van Flandern) that could very accurately give timing and position of the satellites as they went by. We were using an IBM7090 at that time. Don Watson From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Sat Sep 9 13:18:34 2006 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Sat Sep 9 13:18:50 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Slide and Equipment Night Tonight! Message-ID: <20060909140632.X68083@koopm.best.vwh.net> SJAA General Meeting: Slide and Equipment Night Tonight! Saturday, September 9th starting 8 PM in the Hall at Houge Park It's time for everyone's favorite meeting, Member show and tell! Have you purchased a new telescope or astro accessory? We love to see it, hear how you made your decision to purchase it, and how it has improved your observing skills! Are you in the process of building a scope or astro toy but have run into a problem you have not solved yet? Bring it on by and tell us about it! Many of our members have run into similar problems. The person with the solution could be sitting right next to you! A slide projector will be available to show some of your latest astrophotography efforts. Please feel free to bring any pictures, even the less successful ones, so that we can all understand the patience and persistence that is required to get the outstanding images we take for granted in the astronomy magazines. Some of our members have been doing astrophotography for over twenty-five years and may offer a pointer or two that may help make your next photographic session more successful. We will have the computer projector there along with a slide projector. Let us know if there is anything else needed. All are welcome to attend and present! Websites with past S&E Nites: http://www.sjaa.net/eph/9810g.html http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/9911/g.html http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/0011/i.html http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/0110/i.html http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/0311/c.html *********************************************** 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 Questions? Comments? Flames? Email: koopm best com From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Sun Sep 10 17:06:27 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Sun Sep 10 17:06:48 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: Dark Energy and the Runaway Universe Message-ID: <004401c6d536$218b5ed0$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Dark Energy and the Runaway Universe Subject: Dark Energy and the Runaway Universe Dark Energy and the Runaway Universe Wednesday, Oct. 4th, 2006, 7 pm: Astronomer Alex Filippenko of the University of California, Berkeley will give a non-technical, illustrated talk on: "Dark Energy and the Runaway Universe" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1998, observations of very distant exploding stars provided intriguing evidence that the expansion of the entire Universe is speeding up with time, rather than slowing down due to gravity as expected. Today, new and completely independent observations strongly support this amazing conclusion. Over the largest scales of space, our Universe seems to be dominated by a repulsive "dark energy" stretching the very fabric of space itself. Dr. Filippenko, who is a leader in the group that has made some of these remarkable observations, will give us a progress report on our "runaway universe." He is Professor of Astronomy at U.C. Berkeley, has written about 500 papers in astronomical publications, and has been voted the "Best Professor" on campus five times. He has been featured in three astronomy video courses published by The Teaching Company, and won the 2004 Carl Sagan Prize for Science Popularization. Co-sponsored by: * NASA Ames Research Center * The Foothill College Astronomy Program * The SETI Institute * The Astronomical Society of the Pacific. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20060910/31584f62/attachment.html From jvn at svpal.org Mon Sep 11 13:35:50 2006 From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland) Date: Mon Sep 11 13:37:03 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Call for volunteer astronomy tutors Message-ID: <4505C8A6.4EF@svpal.org> Cross-post from TAC, where it was posted by Ken Lum, PAS. Dear Friends: Can anyone help? Ken L. ============================== Ken, I'm teaching in the Astronomy department at West Valley Community College in Saratoga, where there is a need for tutors in astronomy. I wonder if anyone in the PAS membership would be interested and have the time to help out. They could contact me or the department chair, Ben Mendelsohn, Benjamin_Mendelsohn@westvalley.edu. Do you think this announcement would be of interest to the members? thanks, Clinton (clewis@speakeasy.net) -- Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association JVN's web site From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Wed Sep 13 17:32:55 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Wed Sep 13 17:33:15 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: Night Sky Network Message: Sept 27th Telecon with "Mr. Eclipse" Fred Espenak Message-ID: <002101c6d795$530d7e50$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> September 2006 - Night Sky Network Newsletter * Get ready for the Mercury Transit - Attend the Sept 27th Telecon with "Mr. Eclipse" Fred Espenak * Quarterly Prize Drawing: Log Your Events! * The Shadows & Silhouettes Toolkits are on their way! * "Honey, I shrunk the solar system!" NSN Members Tackle the Pluto Problem * Back to School, Back to Outreach > Get ready for the Mercury Transit - Attend the Sept 27th Telecon with "Mr. > Eclipse" Fred Espenak Just in time to get your group primed for the November Mercury Transit the Night Sky Network will host a telecon on Wednesday, September 27th featuring Fred Espenak, widely known to the amateur astronomy community as "Mr. Eclipse". This telecon will discuss planet-finding using transits and the upcoming celestial event, the November Mercury transit. These are subjects covered in our latest toolkit "Shadows and Silhouettes" (about to land on the doorsteps of qualifying clubs any day now!). Teleconference: "The Transit of Mercury" by Fred Espenak Wednesday, September 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! > Quarterly Prize Drawing: Log Your Events! One of the best examples of shadows in astronomy is displayed in the monthly phases of our own moon. To compliment our "Shadows & Silhouettes" toolkits our drawing prizes for this quarter are five sets of a lunar globe and a companion book "Max Goes to the Moon"; ideal for those school outreach events (see article "Back to School, Back to Outreach" below). The drawing will be held October 5th. All events logged from July 1, 2006 through midnight September 30, 2006 count in the drawing. Each qualifying event your club logs counts as a "ticket" in the drawing. The more Night Sky Network events your club holds and reports, the more chances your club has to win! For questions about logging and approving events, see the FAQ's on the Participants' site after you log in: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/login.cfm . Gifts are provided by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. > The Shadows & Silhouettes Toolkits are on their way! The toolkits are being shipped and should reach qualifying clubs by September 22nd! The Shadows & Silhouettes ToolKit covers the topics of phases, eclipses, and transits and features NASA's Kepler Mission. The Kepler Mission, due for launch in 2008, is NASA's first mission dedicated to detecting transits of Earth-size planets in the habitable zones of Sun-like stars. Just in time for the Mercury Transit in November, this ToolKit provides activities to make the Transit come alive and spark imaginations about faraway worlds possibly like our own. The ToolKit also provides hands-on explanations to prepare for the lunar eclipse next March. Accompanied by activities to demonstrate moon phases and why eclipses don't happen every month, the ToolKit can be used at almost any star party. > "Honey, I shrunk the solar system!" NSN Members Tackle the Pluto Problem Night Sky Network event logs, discussion board messages and general media buzz all agree: Pluto's demotion is a hot topic! NSN member clubs have been reporting an increased interest in our little lost (now "dwarf") planet and have been fielding questions at their events. Some Network members, like Neta Apple of the StarGarden Foundation, have responded to the need for information by producing materials talking about planets. (HOT TIP! Look for Neta's description of her PowerPoint titled "Honey, I shrunk the solar system!" posted on the Night Sky Network discussion board. Neta has also kindly agreed to share her PowerPoint with other NSN members and it can be accessed at http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/docs/ShrunkSS.ppt ) How has your club been affected by the news of Pluto's demotion? The NSN discussion board has been a sounding board for some of our member's feelings and opinions. Log in today and visit the topic "Pluto" under "Outreach Ideas and Activities" folder. > Back to School, Back to Outreach September means schools across the country are back in session and that can often mean an increase in requests for astronomy outreach opportunities. If your club's doors are not already being knocked down by eager schools looking for astronomy education, they may not know you are there! If you would like to serve the schools in your communities you may need to let them know. Consider placing prominent wording on your club website that your club's outreach program serves schools (and you can tell them that you can serve them in the winter months - rain or shine- because of the many materials, demonstrations and hands-on activities provided by the Night Sky Network. You may even want to contact local school district offices and asking them how they can assist you in getting the word out about your outreach program. Even on a smaller scale you can contact individual schools and let them know you are available. When making contact using email you can include links to the new Night Sky Network video (http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/about.cfm) and a link to your club's listing on the NSN where they can also view to view examples of the kind of events you hold ("Sample Events"). The approach of cooler months does not have to mean a decrease in your outreach activity. Get the word out to your local educational institutions that you and the Night Sky Network are there for them! Clear Skies! Marni Berendsen & Dawn Baird Astronomical Society of the Pacific nightskyinfo@astrosociety.org From robhawley at earthlink.net Thu Sep 14 10:29:08 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Thu Sep 14 10:29:28 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] There will be an SJAA grill at CalStar Message-ID: <000701c6d823$4c1cf920$0300a8c0@robathome> I decided to bring my charcoal packets that I use at Coyote to CalStar. We will set up the grill that looks like it is in the best shape. These are not very large so you should plan on being there about the time it is started. They burn for about an hour. I will start it about 5 PM on Thursday and 1/2 hour before the catered meal on Friday and Saturday. In the past Valley Catering has been willing to cook meals on their grill after the dinner is cooked. I cannot make commitment for them. Rob Hawley From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Thu Sep 14 17:07:59 2006 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Thu Sep 14 17:08:18 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Upcoming Astronomical Events! Message-ID: <20060914180152.M6113@koopm.best.vwh.net> A) Beginning Astronomy Class Tomorrow: Astronomical Sketching with Akkana Peck B) Houge Park Star Party Tomorrow C) Sign Up for Calstar 2006 D) Announcing Fall Swap 2006 ************************************************** A) Beginning Astronomy Class: Astronomical Sketching with Akkana Peck Tomorrows (Friday, Sept. 15th) class starts at 7:30 PM in the hall at Houge Park. Shallow sky Diva, Akkana Peck will be instructing us on sketching astronomical objects. For years, Akkana's sketches have been featured in the Ephemeris. Come learn some of the basic techniques on sketching, which help you become a better observer. 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, in addition to viewing the moon, planets and other deep sky wonders through telescopes. The class is part of a informal monthly series which teaches the basics of observational 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 through out the year. The class is a free public service provided by the SJAA. Akkana Pecks article on sketching in this months Ephemeris: http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/0609/b.html ************************************** B) Houge Park Star Party Friday, Sept. 15th Weather Permitting, 8 to 11 pm Also tomorrow night, the SJAA hosts its in town 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. Weather Info: 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 Rob's Weather Page http://www.sjaa.net/weather/ 10 Cool Things to Observe Tonight! 1) The Blue Snowball: a planetary nebula in Andromeda 2200 ly away. 2) Cr399: The Coathanger. Not a true star cluster since its stars are 218 to 1140 ly away. 3) Gamma Arietis: The star Mesarthim, which consists of two Blue-White Stars at Mag 4.7, 7.8 separation 4) Albireo: Double star, mag. 3.1 and 5.1, 34" apart. 385 LY away, stars are 400 AU apart. 5) Gamma Delphni: the nose of the Dolphin, a double star. Appears Yellow and White at Mags 4.3 & 5.2, 100 ly Away 6) M 11: Wild Duck Cluster. 6,000 LY away and 21 LY across. At least 600 stars 7) M 15: Globular cluster. About 33,600 LY away. Densest of all GC. Black hole in the center? 8) Uranus: The 7th planet from the sun, 1.76 billion miles away. Green in color. Discovered in 1781. 9) Andromeda Galaxy: About 2.3 million LY away, 130,000 LY across. Contains 300 billion stars. 10) Double Cluster: 7200 LY away, 200 stars each. Astro Info: Sunset: 19:15 Civil twilight ends: 19:41 Nautical twilight ends: 20:12 Astronomical twilight ends: 20:43 **************************************** C) Sign Up for Calstar 2006.Reserve your catered dinner by 9/19! The 2006 edition of San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA)s annual star party CalStar will be held at Lake San Antonio County Park on the nights of September 21 through the 23 (Thursday through Saturday). The web site describing the event is available at http://www.sjaa.net/calstar. The website features a lot of new information such as a picture tour of the CalStar site, advice for first time visitors, and a new layout of the viewing areas. Be sure to check it out. Once again Valley Catering will be selling meals on Friday and Saturday night. All Thursday night guests must bring their own food. All Meals must be ordered in advance and prepaid at the time of registration. As a part of the reservation process you will be given an opportunity to either pay for the meals using PayPal or will get a form that you can send to SJAA along with a check. Note that a small handling fee will be charged for the PayPal transactions. Meals are ordered when SJAA receives the money not when the reservation is made. If you are using PayPal for registration then you can reserve a meal until 10AM Wednesday Sept 20. If you decide to mail a check then it must be in the SJAA mailbox by the same time. Payments received after that time cannot be accepted. **************************************** D) Announcing Fall Swap 2006 Sunday, November 5, 2006 at Houge Park Join us for the SJAA astronomical swap meet at Houge Park in San Jose on Sunday, November 5, 2006. The doors open at noon for sellers to set up, selling starts around 1 PM and generally lasts until 3 or 4 PM. Dont be too latethe good stuff sells quickly. If its related to astronomy, you might find it here! Telescopes, binoculars, eyepieces, mountings, mirrors, lenses, clock drives, books, camera equipment, star charts, finders, tubes, diagonals, photographs, space art... you name it. You never know what goodies you can find. Check your garage and closets for anything astronomical you would like to sell. Anyone can buy and sell, it's fun and easy! Get your holiday shopping done early this year! In the past the SJAA charged a 10% commission on all sales. It was brought to our attention that this might prevent your payment from being completely tax deductible and possibly could complicate things for the club. So, payments to the club are now voluntary donationsand thus are definitely tax deductible. In order to make things easier, sellers an option: continue with the 10 % donation (its a donation now, not a commission), or if you wish just make it a flat donation for the table-$10 or $20 is recommended, depending on how much stuff you have and its value. Obviously this has to be on the honor system, or conscious system as the case may be. Just keep in mind this event is a needed fund raiser for the club. So, please be generous. Do you have a large item to sell such as a telescope? Please email swap@sjaa.net with a description and a photo of the item or a link to your own web site for some pre-swap publicity. We will post the information to the swap web page to allow people to do some research before they get to the swap. Do you have only one or two items to sell? A consignment table will be there for your convenience. You can put up to 3 items there and well handle it-you can go shop at the swap and not have to sit there with just a couple of items. The SJAA does it for you! Part of making the swap successful for all is to make sure lots of people know about it. Please pass the word-especially to those who are new to astronomy. For more information and directions, visit our web site at http://www.sjaa.net. The SJAA reserves the right to turn away inappropriate items for the swap. ************************************************************* 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 Questions? Comments? Flames? Email: koopm best com From robhawley at earthlink.net Thu Sep 14 19:31:09 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Thu Sep 14 19:31:04 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Re: private grills at CalStar In-Reply-To: <20060914202505.45668.qmail@web32214.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <000101c6d86f$01a72ae0$0300a8c0@robathome> Mike Koop pointed two problems that I did not think of. 1. LSA is under fire restrictions that time of year. Gas grills are allowed and using the community grill using the park's sorry charcoal grills is allowed, but other fires may not be. 2. We want to minimize the number of fires burning around the site because a charcoal fire emits smoke and heat long after cooking is finished. I think we can make this work if you set up your grill at the site of one of the park grills and it becomes the community grill. Otherwise I request you bring gas, use the grill we set up, or have Valley Catering cook your food. Rob Hawley From robhawley at earthlink.net Sun Sep 17 09:50:02 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Sun Sep 17 09:50:03 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Recommended Observing Lists for CalStar Message-ID: <011601c6da79$5204ebb0$0300a8c0@robathome> Steve Gottlieb has been kind enough to prepare two observing lists for CalStar 2006. The General list should be observable by most people using most scopes The Challenge List is why people bring the big optics http://www.sjaa.net/calstar/#lists Rob Hawley From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Sun Sep 17 10:51:23 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Sun Sep 17 10:51:32 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: [AANC Contacts] Final program of 2006 on MT TAM w/ Chris McKay Message-ID: <000d01c6da81$e4561180$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Subject: [AANC Contacts] Final program of 2006 on MT TAM w/ Chris McKay From: Tinka Ross Date: September 16, 2006 12:49:25 PM PDT Subject: FINAL TAM PROGRAM OF 2006 on 9/23 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 8:00pm will be the final program of the 2006 season on MT TAM. Dr. Chris McKay of NASA-Ames Research Center will present: "The Latest Results from the Huygens Mission to Titan". Last year the Huygens Probe landed successfully on Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. What we saw was not what we expected! Dr. McKay will explain the latest results from the analysis of the data from the probe. Lecture in the Mt Theatre at 8:00pm followed by observing in the Rock Spring Parking Lot, weather permitting of course, with the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers. Weather prospect are good-so come and take a look! If things change and it looks iffy, you can call the hotline: 415-455-5370 after 3:00pm. The tape is changed only if there is a change in the schedule. Or check with the SFAA hotline: 415-289-6636. The 2007 Astronomical Pocket Diary is on its way, but probably won?t make it in time for our final program this year (since we are not going into October). Send me a return request and I?ll send you a copy when they do arrive. Cost is still $10 plus $1 postage and handling if I send by mail. Thanks for supporting our programs- and I look forward to seeing you on the Mountain. Thanks for sharing this information with astronomy enthusiasts. _______________________________________________ Contacts mailing list Contacts@aanc-astronomy.org http://mail.aanc-astronomy.org/mailman/listinfo/contacts From robhawley at earthlink.net Mon Sep 18 18:39:09 2006 From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley) Date: Mon Sep 18 18:39:03 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] CalStar reservations for dark and casual areas closed Message-ID: <01d101c6db8c$6790e010$0300a8c0@robathome> Due to record attendance this year I am no longer accepting reservations for camping in either the dark enforced or casual areas. This is after I expanded each of the areas this year! There is still plenty of room in the "late arrival area". There is supposed to be a toilet over there this year so it should be a reasonable place to spread out. For those expecting to be in one of the inner areas please accept my apology. Also if you have not yet paid for meals your reservation will be automatically cancelled if your check is not in the SJAA mailbox Wednesday morning! Rob Hawley From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Tue Sep 19 17:49:48 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Tue Sep 19 17:49:57 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: Free Space 2006 Lectures Message-ID: <001f01c6dc4e$ace16410$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Interested in learning more about NASA's future space exploration? If so, two free public lectures featured this week at the Space 2006 Conference & Exposition, may be just the ticket. On Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 5:30 p.m. PDT in the San Jose Civic Auditorium, located directly across the street from the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, will host the Pickering Lecture, featuring two NASA scientists discussing "The Cassini/Huygens Mission After Two Years at Saturn." Dr. Jeffrey Cuzzi of NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., and Robert Mitchell of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., will discuss the Cassini/Huygens mission, a joint endeavor among NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Italian Space Agency. The mission's objective is to conduct an extensive investigation of Saturn and its environment, with special emphasis on its large and unique moon, Titan. The mission is being conducted with the Cassini orbiter, now completing the second of its planned four years of orbiting Saturn, and the Huygens probe, which completed its highly successful mission through the atmosphere of Titan to its surface in January 2005. The Pickering Lecture will provide a mission description for each of the two spacecraft, as well as a description of each vehicle and descriptions of some of the rather surprising scientific discoveries to this point. There will also be a preview of what lies ahead for the mission. On Thursday, Sept. 21, at 4 p.m. PDT, also in the Civic Auditorium, Space 2006 Conference & Exposition will feature an Astrobiology Panel, entitled Astrobiology: The Exploration Science. Astrobiology is the scientific study of the living universe; its past, present, and future. Moderated by Keay Davidson, science writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, the panel of scientists, explorers and innovators includes Seth Shostak of the SETI Institute, Lynn Rothschild of NASA Ames Research Center and R. Russell, director of the Center for Theology and Natural Science. Among the topics of the panel discussion will be how important should astrobiology be to exploration? What might be the implications if exploration of space yields evidence of life beyond Earth? From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Tue Sep 19 18:06:14 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Tue Sep 19 18:06:21 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] =?iso-8859-1?q?Rancho_Ca=F1ada_del_Oro_Stargazin?= =?iso-8859-1?q?g_Night?= Message-ID: <005d01c6dc50$f8e61340$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Those not going to Calstar may want to consider this event Friday night. Decently dark skies very close to San Jose. Stargazing Nights Friday, September 22nd at 7:00 pm Rancho Ca?ada del Oro Open Space Preserve Perfect for those of you who love the night sky; join the Open Space Authority at Rancho Ca?ada Del Oro Open Space Preserve on clear, dark nights when the land will be open just for you. Bring your telescope and a blanket, and head out to a place where city lights are left far behind. Experienced stargazers will find a fantastic place to view the constellations. Novices will find people excited to share their knowledge about the night skies. Directions Rancho Canada del Oro >From 101 South or 85 South Take the Bernal Road exit and go Right/West. Turn left on Santa Teresa Blvd. Turn right on Bailey Ave. Turn left on McKean Rd. Turn right onto Casa Loma Road. Follow Casa Loma Road to the OSA staging area. Bob Havner From bhavner at sbcglobal.net Mon Sep 25 18:08:55 2006 From: bhavner at sbcglobal.net (Bob & Brenda Havner) Date: Mon Sep 25 18:09:18 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Fw: Night Sky Network Message: The Transit is Coming! The Transit is Coming! Message-ID: <001001c6e108$5ea22370$60d9fea9@Turtlerock> Subject: Night Sky Network Message: The Transit is Coming! The Transit is Coming! ...and we have the telecon to get you ready for it! Be sure to call in on Wednesday, September 27th and join the Night Sky Network in welcoming NASA's "Mr. Eclipse" Fred Espenak. This telecon will discuss planet-finding using transits and the upcoming celestial event, the November Mercury transit. For more information about the telecon be sure to check out the feature article on the Night Sky Network Club Homepage! Mark your calendar for Wednesday, September 27th at 6:00 pm Pacific (9:00 pm Eastern) The companion PowerPoint to this teleconference is now available at: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/docs/2006Transit.ppt If asked for a pasword use: Username: SJAA_Club password: sjaansky Telecon slides are also available at: http://www.astrosociety.org/nsntelecon/ As an added bonus five NSN clubs that have members attending the November 30th telecon will receive autographed 8x10 inch prints of the 2006 total solar eclipse (photographed by Fred Espenak from Jalu, Libya). A random drawing among those who are on the line will be held at the end of the telecon. 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 Dawn Baird Night Sky Network Coordinator From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Wed Sep 27 15:10:13 2006 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Wed Sep 27 15:10:21 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Save Houge Park for Astronomy! Message-ID: <20060927160804.F47871@koopm.best.vwh.net> This Saturday Sept. 30, from 9:30 to 11:00 AM at the Camden Community center, there will be a meeting to discuss the possible reuse of the building at Houge Park. The city is in a budget crunch and has built new recreation centers through out the city. They no longer have the budget to support the existing neighborhood centers such as the one at Houge Park. They are looking for groups to provide neighborhood services to the community and take the responsibility plus upkeep for the existing buildings. The SJAA has provided input to the city committee asking for continued access to the building at Houge so that we can turn off the lights for our Star Parties and hold our meetings. So far, no tenant has been found for the building. There is even the possibility that the building will be torn down! Ill be making a presentation describing our use of the park and request continued access to the building. I hear that there will be 4 city council members present. Please attend to let them know that the Astronomy Programs at Houge Park are supported by the community. Clear Skies, Mike Koop President San Jose Astronomical Association Meeting Notice: http://koopm.best.vwh.net/ReuseFlyerSeptember2006.pdf San Jose City Website with Information Concerning Re-Use: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/prns/reUSE/reuse.asp Article in the San Jose Mercury News about the Meeting: http://www.sjmercury.com No direct link. Search Archive for Houge Article published on Monday Sept. 25th and should be viewable for free over the next week. Directions: Camden Community Center 3369 Union Avenue San Jose, California Google Map: http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=3369+Union+Avenue+san+jose,+ca&ie=UTF8&z=15&ll=37.264832,-121.931591&spn=0.015745,0.042915&om=1&iwloc=A From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Fri Sep 29 16:54:01 2006 From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop) Date: Fri Sep 29 16:54:12 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] Houge Park Star Party Tonight/Coyote Star Party Tomorrow Message-ID: <20060929174252.F20222@koopm.best.vwh.net> Houge Park Star Party Friday, Sept. 29th Weather Permitting, 8 to 11 pm Tonight, the SJAA hosts its in town 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. With any luck, maybe the fog will hold off for a while. Also, Please Remember to attend the meeting about Houge Park Reuse tomorrow: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/2006-September/000768.html Weather Info: 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 Rob's Weather Page http://www.sjaa.net/weather/ 10 Cool Things to Observe Tonight! 1) First Quarter Moon! 2) Cr399: The Coathanger. Not a true star cluster since its stars are 218 to 1140 ly away. 3) Gamma Arietis: The star Mesarthim, which consists of two Blue-White Stars at Mag 4.7, 7.8 separation 4) Albireo: Double star, mag. 3.1 and 5.1, 34" apart. 385 LY away, stars are 400 AU apart. 5) Gamma Delphni: the nose of the Dolphin, a double star. Appears Yellow and White at Mags 4.3 & 5.2, 100 ly Away 6) M 11: Wild Duck Cluster. 6,000 LY away and 21 LY across. At least 600 stars 7) M 15: Globular cluster. About 33,600 LY away. Densest of all GC. Black hole in the center? 8) Uranus: The 7th planet from the sun, 1.76 billion miles away. Green in color. Discovered in 1781. 9) Andromeda Galaxy: About 2.3 million LY away, 130,000 LY across. Contains 300 billion stars. 10) Double Cluster: 7200 LY away, 200 stars each. Astro Info: Sunset: 18:53 Civil twilight ends: 19:19 Nautical twilight ends: 19:50 Astronomical twilight ends: 20:20 **************************************** Last Coyote Star Party of the Summer, September 30th 8-11 PM This Saturday, September 30th, between 8:00 and 11:00 p.m. the San Jose Astronomical Association and The Astronomy Connection (TAC) will be hosting the last of a series of public star parties at Coyote Lake County 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 short 45 minute drive from Houge Park with only one twisty mountain road section. Through the efforts of SJAA/TAC member Denny Woolaghan, astronomical use of Coyote is free during the year. As part of that agreement, the SJAA and TAC have agreed to provide Star Party support for the Ranger Program during the summer. Since last years Star Parties were such a success drawing people to the park, Ranger Chris Crockett agreed to move the viewing area to the Boat Launch Ramp Parking Lot which is located about 2 miles from the Ranger Station/Visitor Center. The event is being advertised in the local Gilroy papers. If you use Coyote for an observing spot and have not helped out yet this year, please make a point of attending this last star party this summer, helping to maintain good relations with the park rangers. In the past, we have had Star-B-Que Potlucks before the star party. The coals should be ready by 6:30 PM. September 30th Star Party Details: Sunset: 6:52 PM Civil Twilight: 7:18 PM Nautical Twilight: 7:48 PM Astronomical Twilight: 8:18 PM Moon Set: 11:12 PM on Saturday Evening (Note: Local Topography not included!) Directions to Coyote Lake County Park: 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, driving past the Harvey Bear Ranch entrance. 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. Link to Google Map which shows the airplane view of the area: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=gilroy,+ca&ll=37.092957,-121.54251&spn=0.002105,0.005364&t=h&om=1 Web Site for Coyote Lake County Park and Maps: (click Find a Park, Coyote Lake): http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/parks/ ***************************************** Clear Skies, Mike Koop President San Jose Astronomical Association From pkohlmil at best.com Sat Sep 30 20:18:08 2006 From: pkohlmil at best.com (Paul Kohlmiller) Date: Sat Sep 30 20:18:30 2006 Subject: [SJAA-announce] October Ephemeris Online Message-ID: <008c01c6e508$38a0f710$a9e2e530$@com> The October issue of the Ephemeris is now available online. You can view it at http://ephemeris.sjaa.net . Articles for the Ephemeris should be submitted by the 10th of the month. Paul and Mary Kohlmiller -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaa-announce/attachments/20060930/bbb17256/attachment.html