Rainwater Observatory E-News 2/4/10
THE SECRET LIFE OF STARS
When you look at the sky do you ever wonder how the stars came to be or how they generate light? How long do stars live? How big are they and how far away? Most of all, how do we know what we know? Friday February 5 at 7:00 pm Jim Hill will share what we’ve discovered about these topics. Come and bring your friends and encourage students to come.
The next “Backyard Astronomy” series will begins Friday March 5.
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. If you know someone who might appreciate this workshop, please pass on the word. Get information and register at http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/handson.html John has requested participants to bring 4 D-cell batteries. Please also bring an old CD and the cap from a water bottle of soft drink bottle.
RAINWATER MAKING PLANS FOR A MAJOR PUSH FOR ASTRONOMY EDUCATION
Astronomy is a great way to rekindle kids interest in science. We are making plans to host a series of workshops in the fall that will be for those who currently teach astronomy or would like to include it in their curricula. Between now and then we’ll be surveying teachers and administrators in the region to make contacts and build networking with resources. A possible clinician we have contacted for a workshop is Dr. Larry Krumenaker who can share what he has learned about starting and enhancing astronomy classes. Check out his web site at http://toteachthestars.net/
If this sounds exciting to you or if you or someone you know teachers or would like to teach astronomy, please contact us as we begin building our database and support network.
For more ideas on teaching astronomy topics go to the archives of the Astronomy Education Review. http://aer.aip.org
HAPPENING ON THE HILL
Last fall we had a visit from Jack Herring, a plant taxonomist. He helped us label several dozen species of trees and shrubs and said he would come back in the spring when the leaves come out to identify even more. We have begun to put signs on some of the plants and before long Rainwater will have a full fledged arboretum so visiting groups of scouts and others can learn to identify trees when they visit. We have other plans for beautifying our facility with plantings as time and finances allow. If you’re a green thumb person and would like to be part of this, let us know.
Speaking of help, the kit to upgrade the 32” scope to go-to and tracking has come in from ServoCAT. Computer and mechanically minded helpers would be welcome for this project as well. Call if you’d have time to work on this project in the next few weeks.
The secondary for the Sangre scope came in today so we are now ready to set up a time for putting the scope back together with the team from Las Cumbres.
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.
February 5: “The Secret Lives of Stars” public program at Rainwater 7:00 pm
February 6: Noxubee refuge visitor Center, 5:30 pm program on the Orion Nebula and observing.
February 9: Eupora Rotary Club, noon
February 10: Presentation to MUW Science majors, noon
February 12: Rainwater Astronomers Association public program meeting, 7:00 pm
February 18: Houlka Middle School, afternoon school assemblies and evening star party (helpers with telescopes appreciated)
February 19-20, 2010 “Hands-On Astronomy Activities Workshop” John Frassinelli will be our clinician. http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/handson.html
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
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. We’ll be instituting some special programs for members as the weather gets better. Thanks for your support.
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.
LOOKING FOR AN ONLINE ASTRONOMY COURSE?
Try this. It’s the second semester of a basic astronomy course. http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr162/lect/index.html This course is about stars, galaxies and cosmology. The first semester course is about the solar system and there is a link to it on the home page.
Try this animation of the stages of the life of a solar mass star. http://aspire.cosmic-ray.org/labs/star_life/support/HR_animated.swf
ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you’d like to share, let us know.
You’ve probably heard the news that NASA has been told to abandon the Constellation program after years of development work. It looks like were going to be looking at a Moon with the Chinese on it. Find out what the new priorities are for our space agency at http://www.universetoday.com/2010/02/01/nasa-budget-details-constellation-cancelled-but-where-to-next/ NASA’s budget can be found at http://www.nasa.gov/news/budget/index.html
The Hubble telescope has imaged what might be a collision of asteroids. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2010/02feb_asteroidcollision.htm?list899987
For the climate change deniers, here’s info on the warmest decade since data started being kept in 1880 http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/temp-analysis-2009.html
Finally, for those of you who are cosmology freaks like me, several papers at the AAS meeting reveal new insights into the nature of dark matter and dark energy. http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/newsblog/81035932.html
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