Rainwater Observatory E-News 3/31/10
NEXT RAINWATER PUBLIC PROGRAM MEETING APRIL 9 AT 7:00 PM
We have one more public talk/program before the mid-south Star Gaze begins. In last 15 years about 450 planets have been discovered around other stars. The next Rainwater public program will look at the history of this quest, what we’ve learned so far, and what the future might bring. Now that the weather is getting nicer, you might plan to come early and bring a picnic or get supper at the Council House Café on the Trace.
MID-SOUTH STAR GAZE & ASTRONOMY CONFERENCE ALMOST HERE
The official dates are April 14-17, but we will be having folks start arriving on April 10. Registrations are up to 80, so if you plan to come, please register ASAP. Last minute arrivals are OPK, but it’s easier on us if you pre-register. The Bunk Room is filled, but there is still plenty of cabin space and a few Lodge rooms.. Meals must be ordered before Easter to ensure we have enough food.
GREENWOOD PROGRAM FOR THURSDAY APRIL 1 POSTPONED
The Cottonlandia Museum program we had scheduled for April 1 has been postponed until fall. Come to our program here at Rainwater on April 9.
NOVA ALERT
Tuesday April 6 and 13 AT 7:00 PM NOVA will broadcast a program titled “Hunting the Edge of Space”.
NEWS FROM THE HILL
It’s Alive! Well almost. Thanks to John Martinez of Las Cumbres, Jim Coker, and Jarrod Marsh the Sangre telescope is back from its coma. The drive now works and the 6” refractor is aligned with the main scope. The recoated mirror is in and is finely collimated. But, we are swapping the CCD camera for another one and the secondary focusing crashes the program when we try to use it so the MallinCam can’t be used until the focus works. At some point we will need to redo the T-Point since the pointing is now a few arc minutes off. Instructions are coming from Santa Barbara shortly that we expect will fix the problems.
In the last week we’ve done “away” programs for over 200 school students. Coming home at midnight is starting to wear, but it’s exciting to hear kids say “Wow!” when looking at Saturn or the Moon.
COMING EVENTS: ATTEND A PROGRAM NEAR YOU
If you’d like a program in your community or want to set up a field trip to Rainwater, let us know.
April 9: Rainwater Astronomical Association public meeting. Extrasolar Planets.
April 10: at Camp Seminole Cub Scout Camporee, (HELP APPRECIATED FOR THIS EVENT)
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. Call for more information
EDUCATIONAL PLANS FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR
The Mississippi NASA Space Grant consortium has included Rainwater in its budget for the 2010-2011 school year to help promote space science education in Mississippi. We plan to hold one weekend workshop after Christmas with Dr. Larry Krumenaker on how to set up and enhance high school astronomy classes. Please contact us if you or someone you know would like to be a part of this event. We will also be setting up other one day workshops focusing on hands-on astronomy activities around the state for CEU credit. If your school or district would like us to come present such a workshop in your area, please contact us so we can start planning.
ASTRONOMY FOR TEACHERS SUMMER COLLEGE CREDIT COURSE
The “Astronomy for Teachers” class for 3 semester hour 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. Information at www.outreach.olemiss.edu/teachers If you have questions contact Jonnie Fitch at Ole Miss jwfitch@olemiss.edu 662-915-7158
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. Registration information can be found at info@campoftherisingson.com The cost is $484.00 for the week.
THIS WEEK IN SPACE
If you have a fast connection and 30 minutes to spare, this is a great round up of space news.
http://www.universetoday.com/2010/03/28/this-week-in-space-episode-12/
SUPPORT THE RAA BY BECOMING A MEMBER
Rainwater Astronomical Association membership is $15. Thanks for your support.
ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you’d like to share, let us know.
Here’s a trailer for the new Webb Space Telescope. Stay tuned for a new vision of the universe. http://www.universetoday.com/2010/03/24/sexy-new-james-webb-space-telescope-trailer/
Astronomer’s find that 90% of the galaxies in the early universe may have been missed in surveys up to now. http://www.universetoday.com/2010/03/24/astronomers-find-90-more-universe/
New HiRise images of Mars show details as small as 10 inches per pixel. http://www.universetoday.com/2010/03/24/mro-sees-opportunity-on-the-edge-of-concepcion-crater-and-more/
Here’s an astronauts view on why we should return to the Moon. http://www.universetoday.com/2010/03/30/astronaut-explains-why-we-should-return-to-the-moon/
Squires hasn’t given up on freeing Spirit. The plucky robot is hunkered down to survive the Martian winter. http://www.universetoday.com/2010/03/28/spirit-freezing-we-will-move-her-if-we-can/
Cassini takes the “death star’s” temperature. http://www.universetoday.com/2010/03/29/pacman-eats-the-death-star/
Finally, a look at the volcanic eruption in Iceland with nice music. A view of a lifetime. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8CHSThR-Mo
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