Rainwater Observatory E-News 3/19/09
“BACKYARD ASTRONOMY” TWO PROGRAMS LEFT IN THE SERIES
Jim Waltman, adjunct at Millsaps College will present the March 20 talk about some of the most influential discoverers in the history of astronomy. Learn about the contributions of Galileo, Kepler, Newton, and others. Come early for your last look at a crescent Venus. It is about to pass between the Earth and the Sun and won’t be visible in the evening sky for several months. The last program of our March series will be on March 27 by David Teske. 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 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 20, and 27: Spring Backyard Astronomy: http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html
March 20: Spring Equinox/Sun-Earth Day
March 23: Visitors from Chicago
March 27: Back Yard Astronomy
March 27: NW Rankin Astronomy Club
March 27-28: Pack 9 from Meridian
March 27-28: Jackson Astronomical Association mini-stargaze at Rainwater.
March 31: Tupelo Middle School
April 10: Rainwater Public Program Meeting
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/
June21-27: Youth Astronomy Camp at Rainwater for 10-12 years olds. Call for information
NEWS FROM THE HILL
The weather has been icky lately, but it looks like a break is coming. The peach tree is blooming in the picnic area and the red bud is blooming. We had to use the weed eater yesterday, so mowing is just around the corner. Fire ants are popping out too. Goody, something else to do.
The wireless router is ordered and should be installed shortly. This will allow folks to access the internet and check the weather from their laptops on the observing field.
As soon as the ground dries out we hope to get the roads graded and get gravel on the entrance road, the drive to the Sangre facility, and more gravel for RVs behind the meeting building.
ASTRONOMY CAMP AT RAINWATER BEING PLANNED FOR JUNE
Plans are being made to have a week long astronomy camp June 21-27. Campers will get to learn how to use telescopes, and do hands-on activities during the mornings. After lunch there will be opportunities for swimming and other camp activities. After supper will be time for observing and learning constellations. If you’re interested in a child participating, contact us. We will have a flyer and registration information available shortly.
ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you’d like to share, let us know.
Hubble captured a rare set of images of four of Saturn’s moons transiting across the face of the planet. Yu can download a video with narration of the event at http://www.space.com/common/media/video/player.php?videoRef=SP_090317_saturn_moons
If you’re into “The Andromeda Strain” the Indian Space Agency has sent a balloon to the edge of space and come back with never before seen species of ultraviolet resistant bacteria living in the upper edges of Earth’s atmosphere. Get the info at http://www.universetoday.com/2009/03/16/indian-balloon-experiment-nets-three-new-bacteria/
Thanks to Edwin Faughn for this link to a U-Tube video of astronomical images with space music by Vangelis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHaQnTMwKSQ
We are fortunate to have copies of two classic publications by Kalmbach in our library: “Deep Sky” and “Telescope Making”. They are being re-released in digital format to down for $3.95 each. Check www.astronomy.com for info.
If you’ve forgotten about the New Horizons mission to Pluto, here is a report. It is 1/3 of the way to its goal.
http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/overview/piPerspective.php?page=piPerspective_3_19_2009 More info on the Pluto “debate” is at
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/090316-mm-pluto-debate.html
Astronomy has a problem explaining 96% of the mass-energy of the universe, but the standard model of particle physics had seemingly explained how normal atoms were made. Maybe not. A new particle found at Fermilab may throw a monkey wrench into the current model. See http://www.universetoday.com/2009/03/18/new-particle-throws-monkeywrench-in-particle-physics/
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