Rainwater Observatory E-News 3/10/09
“BACKYARD ASTRONOMY” IN MARCH: 3 PROGRAMS REMAIN
This Friday night Friday night Tereza Nevasadova of the Davis Planetarium in Jackson will share about a beautiful connection the Sun has with the Earth, the auroras. The Sun breathes off a wind that interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field to produce colorful glowing atoms in the sky. Sometimes it is even visible in Mississippi when the Sun is active. Jim Waltman, adjunct at Millsaps College will present the March 20 talk about some of the most influential discoverers in the history of astronomy. The last program will be by David Teske, former Assistant Director of the Davis Planetarium in Jackson. He’ll be sharing the stories of the spring constellations.
After the talks, weather permitting, an observing session will be held using Rainwater’s collection of telescopes. The planetarium can be used if outdoor observing is clouded out.
Rainwater Observatory and Planetarium is located 1 mile east of the Natchez Trace Parkway on MS Hwy 413 near the village of French Camp in central Mississippi.
March 13: The Sun Earth Connection, Auroras: Tereza Nevasadova
The Sun is constantly showering the Earth with electrically charged particles. This is the cause of one of the most beautiful sights, the aurora. It is rare but can be seen in Mississippi.
March 20: Giants in the History of Astronomy, Jim Waltman
In the development of our view of the cosmos certain names stand out. Come to this talk and find out “who’s who” in the history of astronomy and what they discovered that changed our view of the universe.
March 27: Constellations of the Spring Sky, David Teske
The winter constellations, Orion and his hunting dogs are leaving the western sky and the spring galaxy filled groups like Leo and Ursa Major are high overhead. Learn to find them and about their lore.
Go to http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html for information and an online registration form.
COMING GROUPS AND EVENTS The web site calendar shows more events and programs. If you or some group you know needs a program or wants to set up a field trip, contact us.
March 13, 20, and 27, 2009: Spring Backyard Astronomy: Fridays in March http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html
March 12: Sun-Earth Day telecom 5pm
March 13: Back Yard Astronomy & Wedding Rehearsal group
March 16: Nebraska Bike Adventure group
March 19: Grenada Exchange Club, noon
March 20: Back Yard Astronomy and Spring Equinox/Sun-Earth Day
March 23: Visitors from Chicago
March 27: Back Yard Astronomy, NW Rankin Astronomy Club, Pack 9 from Meridian
March 27-28: Jackson Astronomical Association mini-stargaze at Rainwater.
April 22-25, 2009: Mid-South Star Gaze http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/
June 7-12, 2009: Astronomy for Teachers Summer School class through Ole Miss for 3 semester hours credit. http://www.outreach.olemiss.edu/summer/teacher_workshop/
CLOCKS IN THE SKY: THE STORY OF PULSARS
Every now and then a book we’ve added to the library is especially worth sharing. “Clocks in the Sky” by Geoff McNamara, is a wonderfully told history of the theoretical prediction and eventual discovery of these strange cinders of stars and what they tell us. The author has tracked down many of the primary researchers involved and his interviews make the scientific story come alive. I would rank it up there with Robert Preston’s “First Light” as an adventure in how the science of astronomy is done.
WORM MOON:
Tonight's full Moon has a special name--the Worm Moon. It signals the coming of northern spring, a thawing of the soil, and the first stirrings of earthworms in long-dormant gardens. Step outside tonight and behold the wakening landscape. "Worm moonlight" is prettier than it sounds.
Speaking of the Moon. Since it is March Madness time. Can you find the basketball player in the Moon?
http://www.universetoday.com/2009/03/09/the-basketball-player-in-the-moon-catch-it-tonight/
NEWS FROM THE HILL
The high speed internet connection now works in the meeting room. Tim Rich used it in his presentation last Friday. For the moment it has to be on our computer but we’re hoping to make it open shortly.
We have a need at the observatory. The copy machine that we were given a few years ago has finally given up the ghost. If you know of some one or some company that is upgrading and wants to find a home for an old copier please let us know. We’ll pick it up.
We’ll be doing paint-up fix-up during the spring break March 13-21. Any volunteers welcome.
ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you’d like to share, let us know.
NASA will soon begin streaming video from the International Space Station
To view the streaming station video and for more information about the station and its crew, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/station
To find out when the station will be visible over your city, visit:
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/sightings
The space station will become brighter than Venus when the new solar panels are attached during the next mission. http://www.universetoday.com/2009/03/09/iss-will-soon-be-2nd-brightest-object-in-the-night-sky/
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has turned its HiRise camera outward and taken some nice images of Mars’ moon Deimos. http://www.universetoday.com/2009/03/09/hirise-nabs-deimos/
In our last issue we put in a link to the Kepler mission to find earthlike planets. The launch last weekend went fine and it’s now on its way to an Earth trailing orbit around the Sun to commence its search. Don’t expect results soon. We’ll be hearing the findings in 3 or 4 years. Whether it finds a lot of “earths” out there or not, the results will fill a void in our understanding.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/06mar_keplerlaunch.htm?list899987 or http://www.universetoday.com/2009/03/06/success-kepler-lifts-off-to-look-for-other-earths/
Finally,in the spirit of the IYA here are the first two of a series of videos by Dave Eicher of
Astronomy Magazine about ”The Day Galileo Changed the Universe. They are about 5 minutes long each. Enjoy!
Part 1: http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=7879
Part 2: http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=7978
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