Rainwater Observatory E-News 1/21/10
MARS IS COMING!: “BACKYARD ASTRONOMY” JANUARY 29 WITH TIM RICH
Did you know that there are four space craft operating at Mars at the moment? The red planet is just about to be at opposition which means that it is on the opposite side of the
Earth from the Sun and it will be at its closest to the Earth and at its brightest for the year.
The last in our winter public “Backyard Astronomy” series will be February 5: The Life History of Stars. James Hill will be the presenter.
February 12: Rainwater program meeting, TBA
The next “Backyard Astronomy” series will begin Friday March 5 and each Friday in March.
You can register for these free programs at http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html
HANDS-ON ASTRONOMY ACTIVITIES CEU WORKSHOP FEBRUARY 19-20
John Frassinelli of the Lausanne School in Memphis will be the clinician for this 10 hour weekend workshop February 19-20. This event is meant for classroom teachers as well as anyone who works with young people to explain astronomy. If you know someone who might appreciate this workshop, please pass on the word. The Mississippi NASA Space Grant is funding the workshop so there is no charge for meals, housing, or the workshop. Get information and register at http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/handson.html John has requested participants to bring 4 D-cell batteries.
ASTRONOMY FOR TEACHERS COLLEGE CREDIT COURSE
The “Astronomy for Teachers” class for 3 semester hours credit through Ole Miss is scheduled for June 13-18. This is an intensive week and you must be enrolled in the university to take the course for credit. Call Dr. Don Howie at Ole Miss for more information 662-915-3884.
ASTRONOMY CAMP IN JUNE
A summer astronomy camp is scheduled for June 20-26 in conjunction with the Camp of the Rising Son. This week long event will be for 13-16 year olds. Campers would be at the observatory mornings and evenings and have time in the afternoons for swimming and other camp activities. Astronomy campers will learn to use telescopes for observing and photography and learn about the discoveries of modern and ancient astronomy. Registration information can be found at info@campoftherisingson.com The cost will be $484.00 for the week.
18” OBSESSION TELESCOPE FOR SALE
Two north Mississippi telescope enthusiasts are upgrading to a larger scope and selling their 18” Obsession Classic Dob. It is 4 years old and has had the primary recoated just a year ago. They are asking $5,500. It comes with several accessories as well. Contact Ronnie Harris at rbhsue@bellsouth.net for more information and photos.
HAPPENING ON THE HILL
The primary mirror for the Sangre telescope has been received. However, the secondary has yet to arrive. We apologize if you have had trouble reaching us during the last week. We were at an informal educator’s conference at Marshall Spaceflight Center and when we got back we had no phone or internet service. A mouse had chewed one of the wires in the fibber optic switch. We have service back now, but we have to go to Yahoo to get our e-mails. Please be patient if you don’t get an immediate response from us.
COMING EVENTS: ATTEND A PROGRAM NEAR YOU
If you know a group that would like a program in your community or wants to set up a field trip to Rainwater, contact us. For the next 6 weeks indoor presentations may be best as the winter cold and cloudiness hangs around.
January 22: Vicksburg 1st Baptist Church group here 10 am
January 22-23: Mississippi NASA Space Grant Education Conference
January 26: Walnut Grove School presentations and star party
January 28: Program at 1st Presbyterian in Jackson
February 2: “Backyard Astronomy" program in Meridian at MCC.
March 16: Project WET CEU Workshop: contact Rebecca Jones at the MMNS at 601-352-7303 ext.107 or email rebecca.jones@mmns.state.ms.us
February 19-20, 2010 “Hands-On Astronomy Activities Workshop” John Frassinelli will be our clinician. http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/handson.html
April 14-17, 2010 Mid-South Star Gaze Regional Astronomy Conference and Star Party. Flyers to previous participants will go out this week. Information and online registration can be found at http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/
April 16-17, 2010 “Mid-South Astronomy Conference Educators Workshop”. 1 CEU can be obtained by teachers.
SUPPORT THE RAA BY BECOMING A MEMBER
Rainwater Astronomical Association membership is $15. If you subscribe or renew your subscription to Sky & Telescope magazine through the club, you get at $10 discount. (Make S&T subscription checks out to Sky Publishing for $32.95.) Thanks for your support.
BACKYARD ASTRONOMY AT MILLSAPS
Jim Waltman will be giving a Backyard Astronomy series at Millsaps College Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm from January 26 – March 2. Call 601-974-1130 for more information.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREAT VIOLINS
Did solar changes give us the special sound of Stradivari violins? Check out this link. http://spaceplace.jpl.nasa.gov/en/kids/ulysses/ The space place site has lots of other good activities and info for kids (and adults). T get to the basic site just delete the Ulysses from the above link.
ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you’d like to share, let us know.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has snapped close-up images of the Moon’s Tycho crater. http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/moon-tycho-crater-100119.html
Keck discovers the second smallest exoplanets yet found – it’s only 4 times the mass of Earth.
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=8963
The new Webb Space Telescope was designed to find galaxies forming at the beginning of the universe. It may be an excellent tool to find extrasolar planets. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2010/14jan_planetsafari.htm?list899987
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