Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter

Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter Message

Sun, 04 May 2008 19:25:00 GMT

Rainwater E-News 5/4/08 FINDING WATER ON MARS: THE PHOENIX MISSION The next public program meeting of the Rainwater Astronomical Association will be May 9 at 7:00 pm. The presentation will focus on the Phoenix mission that will be landing on Mars May 25. To get more information on the mission go to <a href="http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/">http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/</a> Our May 9 program will look at preparation for the launch, the cruise to Mars, and the seven minutes of anticipation during the entry, descent, and landing. Teachers might want to encourage science students to come learn about the process of getting a spacecraft safely to another planet. The picnic pavilion is available if you want to come early and have a picnic. Weather permitting we&#146;ll have a chance to observe Mars and Saturn after the talk as well as some galaxies and star clusters. COMING EVENTS The web site calendar is now working Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Jackson: June 6, Tell Jim if you can bring a telescope. Astronomy for Teachers: June 8-13 at Rainwater. 3 semester hours credit. www.outreach.olemiss.edu/teachers 662-915-7621 for info. Next year&#146;s Mid-South Star Gaze: April 22-25, 2009 NEWS FROM THE HILL The Sangre telescope is a month old and the learning curve for using it is taking a while. If you are interested in becoming an operator, please let us know. One of the grants we are applying for will be to have a weekend workshop next fall for people to learn how to operate the facility and use it for education and research. We are contacting people who have offered to become part of a &#147;Friends of Rainwater&#148; support group. The plan is to enhance the facilities by adding some gravel RV pads with water and electrical hookups and building a couple of bunk cabins. The group will also help in building financial support and letting people know about our work by arranging field trips for groups and setting up programs for civic groups away from our site. We will need your help to bring all this to reality. Contact us if you would like to be a part of this visionary venture. It looks like the school is going to put higher speed internet to the new dormitory across the creek this summer and we could be able to tap into it and bring it to the Sangre facility. From there we will be able to use the already laid fiber optic cable to bring it to the classroom and set up a repeater to allow the hilltop to be an internet &#147;hot spot&#148;. We&#146;ll have to pay for the switchers and repeaters ourselves. Finally, we are looking for someone to work into a position at the observatory. The opportunities for Rainwater becoming a regional center for astronomy education and research are great, but without more staffing and help we are an &#147;underutilized asset&#148;. Contact us if you&#146;re interested or if you know someone who might be. ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you&#146;d like to share, let us know. MERCURY AND THE MOON: Innermost planet Mercury is emerging from the glare of the sun and putting on its best show of the year. A good time to look is Tuesday evening, May 6th, just after sunset when the crescent Moon glides by Mercury in the darkening western sky. A sky map and photos are available at <a href="http://spaceweather.com">http://spaceweather.com</a>. BIG GALAXIES IN SMALL SPACES Modified from <a href="http://www.spacetelescope.org/news/html/heic0811.html">http://www.spacetelescope.org/news/html/heic0811.html</a> Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered young, surprisingly compact galaxies, each only 5,000 light-years across, but weighing 200 billion times the mass of the Sun--about the mass of our own Milky Way Galaxy. Astronomers looking at distant galaxies found nine young, compact galaxies, a fraction of the size of today's grownup galaxies but containing approximately the same number of stars. Each galaxy could fit inside the central hub of our Milky Way Galaxy. Other galaxies previously seen at similar distances were also small but contained far fewer stars. DEALING WITH MOON HOAX FOLKS There are many web sites debunking moon landing conspiracies and the Bad Astronomy site is an OK one, but the site that stands head and shoulders above the rest is Clavius Moonbase : <a href="http://www.clavius.org/">http://www.clavius.org/</a> If you really want to get into the nitty-gritty of the technical details behind moon hoax claims and why they are wrong, there is no better site. It is maintained by someone who has a real background in the relevant area - aerospace engineering. The site's author was also prominently featured on National Geographic's show on the moon landing &quot;Conspiracy&quot; as part of their&quot;Is It Real?&quot; series. NEW HORIZONS STILL CRUISING TOWARD PLUTO Their spacecraft is cruising through a long stretch of electronic slumber, but New Horizons team members are anything but quiescent. Planning for the Pluto encounter is in full swing, writes Principal Investigator Alan Stern, and a full range of spacecraft system checks and tests are on tap for later this month. Click for the full story <a href="http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/overview/piPerspectives/piPerspective_current.php">http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/overview/piPerspectives/piPerspective_current.php</a>. GLOBULAR CLUSTERS MAY BE LESS EVOLVED THAN THOUGHT <a href="http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/04/28/globular-clusters-are-less-evolved-than-astronomers-thought/">http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/04/28/globular-clusters-are-less-evolved-than-astronomers-thought/</a> EARTH&#146;S CITIES AT NIGHT <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/28/the-earths-cities-at-night/">http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/28/the-earths-cities-at-night/</a> check out these scary images -- This mailing list is powered by Crossroads Computer Consulting. For web site design, hosting, and on-site computer repair in North and Central Mississippi visit: <a href="http://www.crossroadscomputer.com">http://www.crossroadscomputer.com</a> The following information is a reminder of your current mailing list subscription: You are subscribed to the following list: Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter Using the following email: example@example.com You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL: &lt;<a href="http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/u/rainwateren/&gt">http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/u/rainwateren/&gt</a>; If the above URL is inoperable, make sure that you have copied the entire address. Some mail readers will wrap a long URL and thus break this automatic unsubscribe mechanism. You may also change your subscription by visiting this list's main screen: &lt;<a href="http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi?f=list&l=rainwateren&gt">http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi?f=list&l=rainwateren&gt</a>; If you're still having trouble, please contact the list owner at: &lt;<a href="mailto:jhill@rainwaterobservatory.org&gt">mailto:jhill@rainwaterobservatory.org&gt</a>; The following physical address is associated with this mailing list: Rainwater Observatory 1 Fine Pl. French Camp, MS 39745 (662) 547-6377 Mailing List Powered by Dada Mail <a href="http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/">http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/</a>

Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter Message

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:17:00 GMT

Rainwater E-News 4/16/08 FINDING WATER ON MARS: THE PHOENIX MISSION The next public program meeting of the Rainwater Astronomical Association will be May 9 at 7:00 pm. The program will focus on the Phoenix mission that will be landing on Mars in May. Phoenix is going to do the experiments planned for the Mars Polar Lander mission that was lost several years ago. (Thus its name &#150; rising from the ashes) Its primary task will be to try to detect water in the region near the polar ice cap. NASA TV plans to begin briefings on May 13 for the May 25 landing. We&#146;ll be open that Sunday afternoon if you can&#146;t get NASA TV on cable or satellite. <a href="http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/">http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/</a> Info on its arrival trajectory maneuvers is at <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/11/phoenix-spacecraft-maneuvers-for-mars-landing/">http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/11/phoenix-spacecraft-maneuvers-for-mars-landing/</a> Mars is still visible high in the sky in Gemini, but after the talk May 9 we&#146;ll probably be more interested in using the bigger scopes to view Saturn and deep sky objects. Come early and bring a picnic. COMING EVENTS Astronomy for Teachers: June 8-13 at Rainwater. 3 semester hours credit. www.outreach.olemiss.edu/teachers 662-915-7621 for info NEWS FROM THE HILL The Mid-South Star Gaze has come and gone. The weather wasn&#146;t too cooperative, but some good observing was done. The talks were also good and Rex was here from Astro Stuff to meet our equipment needs. Our final registration was down a bit due to the weather at 125, but big plans were made for next year&#146;s event. Dates for the 2009 Mid-South Star Gaze are April 22-25. The big event was the dedication of the Sangre Telescope. The crew from Las Cumbres Observatory spent a total of 51 person nights here to install and get the telescope working. It&#146;s now working and a steep learning curve is ahead to be able to operate it. During the Mid-South we got together with potential area partners to begin organizing a consortium of telescope users. Dr. Summers from Ole Miss, Dr. Keel from Alabama, and Drs Schmelz and Verschuur from Memphis were here and we will be meeting with others before summer. We also began the formation of a &#147;Friends of Rainwater&#148; support group. Modeled after the public radio support foundation, we will to encourage people who are interested in our mission to contribute time or resources. If you are interested in being a stakeholder of such a group or being involved as a member of the advisory committee, let us know. Plans for the next year include adding 6 RV gravel pads with water and electrical hookups, building 2 bunk cabins, and getting higher speed internet access. We will need your help to bring all this to reality. BUILD YOUR OWN SOLAR SYSTEM Some have asked about our solar system walk for your school. Gary Waller reminded me of the Exploratorium web site that has all the info you need. You can set the size of the Sun (we use .86 inches for the Sun for a 100 yard distance from the Sun to Pluto.) and the spread sheet will calculate all the right sizes and distances. <a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/solar_system/">http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/solar_system/</a> ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you&#146;d like to share, let us know. There is an archive of hundreds of thousands of images of the Earth taken by astronauts at <a href="http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/">http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/</a> You can search the data base for where you want to see. Now is a good time to view the other dogs in the sky, Canes Venatici <a href="http://www.space.com/spacewatch/080411-ns-hunting-dogs.html">http://www.space.com/spacewatch/080411-ns-hunting-dogs.html</a> How Much Space Junk is Around the Earth? <a href="http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/04/11/space-debris-illustrated-the-problem-in-pictures/">http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/04/11/space-debris-illustrated-the-problem-in-pictures/</a> The smallest extra-solar planet yet found is only 5 times the mass of the Earth. <a href="http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080409-smallest-exoplanet.html">http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080409-smallest-exoplanet.html</a> NASA Launches a new web site that makes it easy to find information on space missions <a href="http://nasascience.nasa.gov">http://nasascience.nasa.gov</a> The science mission directorate has put a lot of useful info at your fingertips. You might want to put this site on your favorites list. Finally, don&#146;t miss this amazing image of Mars&#146; moon Phobos. It will knock your socks off. <a href="http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/04/09/amazing-image-of-the-martian-moon-phobos/">http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/04/09/amazing-image-of-the-martian-moon-phobos/</a> -- This mailing list is powered by Crossroads Computer Consulting. For web site design, hosting, and on-site computer repair in North and Central Mississippi visit: <a href="http://www.crossroadscomputer.com">http://www.crossroadscomputer.com</a> The following information is a reminder of your current mailing list subscription: You are subscribed to the following list: Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter Using the following email: example@example.com You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL: &lt;<a href="http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/u/rainwateren/&gt">http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/u/rainwateren/&gt</a>; If the above URL is inoperable, make sure that you have copied the entire address. Some mail readers will wrap a long URL and thus break this automatic unsubscribe mechanism. 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Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter Message

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 22:08:00 GMT

Rainwater E-News 3/17/08 &#147;Spring Backyard Astronomy&#148; 7pm Friday evenings in March, 2008. The next program will be Friday March 21 at 7pm.: Spring Constellations with David Teske. This talk will feature stories of Leo, the Great Bear and Little Bear and other star patterns. A full Moon and Saturn will be in the sky to observe after the talk. Dave Teske is a teacher in Winston County and has many years of planetarium experience. Plan to come and bring your friends. See below for the other programs in this series. Teachers please tell your students, and if anyone is planning to bring a group, please contact us or pre-register on our web site under &#147;Backyard Astronomy&#148;. The programs are free and open to the public but donations are welcome. Observing will follow, weather permitting. Registration and info at <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html</a> These events are underwritten by the Mississippi NASA Space Grant Consortium. Rainwater Observatory is located 1 mile east of the Natchez Trace at French Camp. COMING PROGRAMS (Contact us to arrange a program at Rainwater or in your community.) March 17: 8:00pm 50 middle schoolers from Tupelo, help appreciated March 20: 10:30am Montpelier Kindergarten March 20: 11:30am Kosciusko 3rd grade March 21: Constellations of the March Sky, David Teske The winter constellations, Orion and his hunting dogs are still in 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. March 28: Saturn: The Lord of the Rings, Gary Lazich The solar system&#146;s seventh planet has revealed new aspects to the Cassini spacecraft that has been orbiting it for the past four years. Observe the rings as they become almost edge on to our view Mid-South Star Gaze will be April 2-5, 2008. The registration form is up on the web site. Details and speakers will be added. <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/regform.html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/regform.html</a> We have 92 pre-registered so far from 14 states. Astronomy for Teachers: June 8-13 at Rainwater. 3 semester hours credit. www.outreach.olemiss.edu/teachers 662-915-7621 for info NEWS FROM THE HILL The grass is turning green on the hill! By the time you read this the Sangre telescope will be in a truck headed from California to French Camp. March 24 is set for lifting the scope into the dome and beginning the set up. Some folks are arriving for the Star Gaze as early as March 29. There is a lot of prep work to do for the Mid-South so if you are free and like to clean-up/fix-up, please contact me. The mirrors are in for the 20 inch and 32 inch scopes, but they need some tweaking and collimation to be ready for the star gaze. Before and during the Mid-South we plan to get visiting staff of the Las Cumbres observatory together with potential area partners to begin organizing a consortium of telescope users and area support entities. If you are interested in being part of such a coalition or being involved as a member of the advisory committee, let us know. The Johannes Kepler summer course scheduled for mid-June has had to be cancelled, but we hope to work with the Kepler foundation in the future. ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you&#146;d like to share, let us know. Sirius, the brightest star in the sky has quite a history. Learn about it at <a href="http://www.space.com/spacewatch/080314-ns-dog-star.html">http://www.space.com/spacewatch/080314-ns-dog-star.html</a> We have a really interesting book in the library, just about Sirius. You might like to check it out. It is &#147;Sirius: Brightest Diamond in the Sky&#148; by Jay Holberg. Another article about Sirius and how to find it as at <a href="http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/03/10/binocular-astronomy-get-sirius/">http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/03/10/binocular-astronomy-get-sirius/</a> Ever wonder about the new &#148;dwarf&#148; planets&#148;. Get the take on these objects from Mike Brown, the most prolific discoverer of them at <a href="http://web.gps.caltech.edu/~mbrown/dwarfplanets/">http://web.gps.caltech.edu/~mbrown/dwarfplanets/</a> There is even more info at a good Wikipedia article. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf_planet">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf_planet</a> A new study says that meteorites may have delivered lots of pre-biotic organic chemicals to the early Earth. <a href="http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/03/13/meteorites-can-be-rich-with-the-ingredients-of-life/">http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/03/13/meteorites-can-be-rich-with-the-ingredients-of-life/</a> Another story of a star with possible organic material around it is at <a href="http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/03/13/could-aa-tauri-hold-the-biochemical-key-to-extra-terrestrial-life/">http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/03/13/could-aa-tauri-hold-the-biochemical-key-to-extra-terrestrial-life/</a> More discoveries of disks around other stars hint at how our solar system formed. <a href="http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/03/13/a-disk-of-sand-found-orbiting-a-young-binary-system/">http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/03/13/a-disk-of-sand-found-orbiting-a-young-binary-system/</a> A puzzling storm has been spotted by the European Venus Express mission <a href="http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=6733">http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=6733</a> and a new mosaic of images from Mercury has been posted. <a href="http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=6719">http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=6719</a> We keep getting a new biggest telescope every few years. Here is the newest giant scope. <a href="http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/03/10/the-worlds-most-powerful-telescope-sees-first-light/">http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/03/10/the-worlds-most-powerful-telescope-sees-first-light/</a> -- This mailing list is powered by Crossroads Computer Consulting. For web site design, hosting, and on-site computer repair in North and Central Mississippi visit: <a href="http://www.crossroadscomputer.com">http://www.crossroadscomputer.com</a> The following information is a reminder of your current mailing list subscription: You are subscribed to the following list: Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter Using the following email: example@example.com You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL: &lt;<a href="http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/u/rainwateren/&gt">http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/u/rainwateren/&gt</a>; If the above URL is inoperable, make sure that you have copied the entire address. Some mail readers will wrap a long URL and thus break this automatic unsubscribe mechanism. You may also change your subscription by visiting this list's main screen: &lt;<a href="http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi?f=list&l=rainwateren&gt">http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi?f=list&l=rainwateren&gt</a>; If you're still having trouble, please contact the list owner at: &lt;<a href="mailto:jhill@rainwaterobservatory.org&gt">mailto:jhill@rainwaterobservatory.org&gt</a>; The following physical address is associated with this mailing list: Rainwater Observatory 1 Fine Pl. French Camp, MS 39745 (662) 547-6377 Mailing List Powered by Dada Mail <a href="http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/">http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/</a>

Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter Message

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 01:37:00 GMT

Rainwater E-News 3/10/08 &#147;Spring Backyard Astronomy&#148; 7pm Friday evenings in March, 2008. The next program will be Friday March 14 at 7pm.: Selenography, Tim Rich Tonight&#146;s talk will feature the geography of our Moon and the kinds of features you can see in a small telescope. A first quarter Moon and Saturn will be in the sky to observe the features we&#146;ve heard about in the talk. Tim Rich from Rust College will be our speaker. Plan to come and bring your friends. See below for the other programs in this series. The programs are free and open to the public. Observing will follow, weather permitting. Registration and info at <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html</a> These events are underwritten by the Mississippi NASA Space Grant Consortium. Rainwater Observatory is located 1 mile east of the Natchez Trace at French Camp. COMING PROGRAMS (Contact us to arrange a program at Rainwater or in your community.) March 13: 6:00pm 90 Cub Scouts, help needed March 17: 8:00pm 50 middle schoolers from Tupelo, help appreciated March 20: 10:30am Montpelier Kindergarten March 20: 11:30am Kosciusko 3rd grade March 21: Constellations of the March Sky, David Teske The winter constellations, Orion and his hunting dogs are still in 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. March 28: Saturn: The Lord of the Rings, Gary Lazich The solar system&#146;s seventh planet has revealed new aspects to the Cassini spacecraft that has been orbiting it for the past four years. Observe the rings as they become almost edge on to our view Mid-South Star Gaze will be April 2-5, 2008. The registration form is up on the web site. Details and speakers will be added. <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/regform.html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/regform.html</a> We have 75 pre-registered so far from 13 states. Astronomy for Teachers: June 8-13 at Rainwater. 3 semester hours credit. www.outreach.olemiss.edu/teachers 662-915-7621 for info Johannes Kepler&#146;s Astronomy workshop at Rainwater: June 15-20, 4 CEU units. www.johanneskepler.org NEWS FROM THE HILL The Sangre telescope is scheduled to leave Santa Barbara on March 14. It will arrive on March 19 and John Martinez of Las Cumbres Observatory will arrive on March 20 to get final preparations done. March 24 is set for lifting the scope into the dome and beginning the set up. Some folks are arriving for the Star Gaze as early as March 29. There is a lot of prep work to do for the Mid-South so if you are free during the school spring holidays March 8-16 and would like to help get the 20&#148; and 32&#148; telescopes reinstalled, please contact me. Before and during the Mid-South we plan to get visiting staff of the Las Cumbres observatory together with potential area partners to begin organizing a consortium of telescope users and area support entities. If you are interested in being part of such a coalition or being involved as a member of the advisory committee, let us know. ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you&#146;d like to share, let us know. New WMAP Data Reveals Secrets of the Early Universe: <a href="http://wmap.gsfc.nasa.gov">http://wmap.gsfc.nasa.gov</a> Five years of information reveals a hypothesized neutrino background, insights into the first second of the universe, and the end of the &#147;dark ages&#148; when the first stars were born. New Images from the MESSENGER Mission reveal mysterious dark rimmed craters <a href="http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/07mar_strangecraters.htm?list899987">http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/07mar_strangecraters.htm?list899987</a> Saturn&#146;s Moon Rhea May Have Rings: <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/cassini">http://www.nasa.gov/cassini</a> Auroras on Jupiter Tell Us About Space Weather: <a href="http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/03/09/jupiter-has-van-allen-belts-too-just-bigger-implications-for-space-weather-prediction/">http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/03/09/jupiter-has-van-allen-belts-too-just-bigger-implications-for-space-weather-prediction/</a> Jupiter&#146;s radiation belts are thousands of times more powerful than Earth&#146;s. How they interact with the solar wind will help explain the Sun-Earth Connection. -- This mailing list is powered by Crossroads Computer Consulting. For web site design, hosting, and on-site computer repair in North and Central Mississippi visit: <a href="http://www.crossroadscomputer.com">http://www.crossroadscomputer.com</a> The following information is a reminder of your current mailing list subscription: You are subscribed to the following list: Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter Using the following email: example@example.com You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL: &lt;<a href="http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/u/rainwateren/&gt">http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/u/rainwateren/&gt</a>; If the above URL is inoperable, make sure that you have copied the entire address. Some mail readers will wrap a long URL and thus break this automatic unsubscribe mechanism. You may also change your subscription by visiting this list's main screen: &lt;<a href="http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi?f=list&l=rainwateren&gt">http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi?f=list&l=rainwateren&gt</a>; If you're still having trouble, please contact the list owner at: &lt;<a href="mailto:jhill@rainwaterobservatory.org&gt">mailto:jhill@rainwaterobservatory.org&gt</a>; The following physical address is associated with this mailing list: Rainwater Observatory 1 Fine Pl. French Camp, MS 39745 (662) 547-6377 Mailing List Powered by Dada Mail <a href="http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/">http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/</a>

Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter Message

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 14:59:00 GMT

Rainwater E-News 3/2/08 &#147;Spring Backyard Astronomy&#148; 7pm Friday evenings in March, 2008. The first program will be Friday March 7 at 7pm. &#147;Dark Matter-Dark Dark Energy: the Dark Side of the Universe&#148;. We&#146;ll see that astronomers are ignorant of 96% of the normal baryonic matter (stuff) the universe is made of. If you have heard about these strange theories and would like to learn more, please plan to come and bring your friends. Some information on a new experiment to detect &#147;dark energy&#148; is at <a href="http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=6671">http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=6671</a> Each presentation will have a different and engaging speaker. See below for the other programs in this series. The programs are free and open to the public. Observing will follow, weather permitting. Registration and info at <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html</a> These events are underwritten by the Mississippi NASA Space Grant Consortium. Rainwater Observatory is located 1 mile east of the Natchez Trace at French Camp. COMING PROGRAMS (Contact us to arrange a program at Rainwater or in your community.) March 14: Selenography, Tim Rich Tonight&#146;s talk will feature the geography of our Moon and the kinds of features you can see in a small telescope. A first quarter Moon will be in the sky to observe the features we&#146;ve heard about in the talk. March 21: Constellations of the March Sky, David Teske The winter constellations, Orion and his hunting dogs are still in 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. March 28: Saturn: The Lord of the Rings, Gary Lazich The solar system&#146;s seventh planet has revealed new aspects to the Cassini spacecraft that has been orbiting it for the past four years. Observe the rings as they become almost edge on to our view Mid-South Star Gaze will be April 2-5, 2008. The registration form is up on the web site. Details and speakers will be added. <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/regform.html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/regform.html</a> Astronomy for Teachers: June 8-13 at Rainwater. 3 semester hours credit. www.outreach.olemiss.edu/teachers 662-915-7621 for info Johannes Kepler&#146;s Astronomy workshop at Rainwater: June 15-20, 4 CEU units. www.johanneskepler.org NEWS FROM THE HILL The Sangre telescope is scheduled to leave Santa Barbara on March 14. Less than two weeks to go! March 24 is set for lifting the scope into the dome and beginning the set up. Some folks are arriving for the Star Gaze as early as March 29. There is a lot of prep work to do for the Mid-South so if you are free during the school spring holidays March 8-16 and would like to help get the 20&#148; and 32&#148; telescopes reinstalled, please contact me. We are preparing to activate the non-profit status of the Rainwater Astronomical Association. This has been in an inactive mode for the past 9 years since we got our charter and EIN. If you have experience in this and could help with advice and the forms, please let me know. We&#146;d like to get all the state process finished before June and begin the process of getting IRS tax exempt status well under way during the summer. Before and during the Mid-South we plan to get visiting staff of the Las Cumbres observatory together with potential local partners with begin to begin organizing a consortium of telescope users and area support entities. ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you&#146;d like to share, let us know. A new issue of Astronomy in the Classroom has some marvelous information on light pollution and activities to understand and mitigate this problem. <a href="http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/74/74.html">http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/74/74.html</a> Reality strikes on Mars Gullies: A year or so ago images of new gullies on Mars slopes raised hopes of recent flowing water on the red planet. Sorry about that. A new study implies that the flow isn&#146;t water. <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/01/mars-gullies-produced-by-dry-granular-debris-and-not-by-recent-water-flow/">http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/01/mars-gullies-produced-by-dry-granular-debris-and-not-by-recent-water-flow/</a> A new mechanism is put forward to explain how stars much more massive than the Sun can form. <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/29/massive-stars-need-their-smaller-siblings-to-grow/">http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/29/massive-stars-need-their-smaller-siblings-to-grow/</a> If you have broad band internet there is a neat simulation showing the process. New radar maps of the Moon&#146;s polar regions have the best resolution ever seen. A movie showing the Moon&#146;s wobbling can be downloaded <a href="http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/29feb_radarmoon.htm?list899987">http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/29feb_radarmoon.htm?list899987</a> A -- This mailing list is powered by Crossroads Computer Consulting. 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Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter Message

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:24:00 GMT

Rainwater E-News 2/14/08 FEBRUARY 20 TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE Next Wednesday night the Moon will glide into the Earth&#146;s shadow and it will be the last time North America will see such a event until December 2010. Weather permitting we will have the observatory open after supper for anyone who wants to see it here. You won&#146;t need a telescope to appreciate it however. The penumbral eclipse begins at 6:35pm CST in the eastern sky, but you won&#146;t notice much at first. The beginning of the partial phase will be much more noticeable at 7:43. The Moon will finally enter the Earth&#146;s umbral shadow and totality begins at 9:01. Mid-eclipse is at 9:26pm and totality ends at 9:52. From 9:52 until 11:09 the Moon moves out of the dark part of the shadow and the eclipse is over at 12:16. A couple of web sites for more information are <a href="http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/13feb_lunareclipse.htm?list899987">http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/13feb_lunareclipse.htm?list899987</a> and <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/12/get-ready-for-the-february-2008-total-lunar-eclipse/">http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/12/get-ready-for-the-february-2008-total-lunar-eclipse/</a> or <a href="http://www.space.com/searchforlife/08021">http://www.space.com/searchforlife/08021</a> 4-seti-chasing-shadows.html Finally, here is a bit of history that you may not have heard about Columbus and lunar eclipses. <a href="http://www.space.com/spacewatch/080208-ns-lunar-eclipse-columbus.html">http://www.space.com/spacewatch/080208-ns-lunar-eclipse-columbus.html</a> COMING PROGRAMS (Contact us to arrange a program at Rainwater or in your community.) February 16: Girl Scouts at Rainwater February 18: Greenlee Elementary at Rainwater February 20: Full Moon and Total lunar eclipse. February 23-24: Oxford Boy Scouts &#147;Spring Backyard Astronomy&#148; 7pm Friday evenings in March, 2008. The first program will be Friday March 7 at 7pm. &#147;Dark Matter-Dark Dark Energy: the Dark Side of the Universe&#148;. We&#146;ll see that astronomers are ignorant of 96% of the &#147;stuff&#148; the universe is made of. Observing will follow, weather permitting. Registration and info at <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html</a> Mid-South Star Gaze will be April 2-5, 2008. The registration form is up on the web site. Details and speakers will be added. <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/regform.html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/regform.html</a> Astronomy for Teachers: June 8-13 at Rainwater. 3 semester hours credit. www.outreach.olemiss.edu/teachers 662-915-7621 for info Johannes Kepler&#146;s Astronomy workshop at Rainwater: June 15-20, 4 CEU units. www.johanneskepler.org NEWS FROM THE HILL The latest word on the Sangre Telescope is that John Martinez will arrive to prep the pier and scope that will have arrived the day before. The rest of the crew from Las Cumbres will come on Sunday March 23 and the crane will lift the scope into the dome on March 24. The last week of March will be spent fine tuning mechanical parts and installing the computer controls and software. The telescope is planned to be ready to operate in time for the beginning of the Mid-South Star Gaze the first week of April. ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you&#146;d like to share, let us know. Where do the presidential candidates stand on science? Find out at the Bad Astronomer blog. <a href="http://www.badastronomy.com:80/bablog/2008/02/03/what-do-the-presidential-candidates-think-about-science/">http://www.badastronomy.com:80/bablog/2008/02/03/what-do-the-presidential-candidates-think-about-science/</a> A new record distance for a galaxy may have been set. This galaxy seems to have formed within a billion years of the origin of the universe. <a href="http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080212-farthest-galaxy.html">http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080212-farthest-galaxy.html</a> Scientists have found about 200 planets around other stars, but they also look at disks where planets could be currently forming. <a href="http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/02/11/lightweight-disk-could-harbour-planets/">http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/02/11/lightweight-disk-could-harbour-planets/</a> Modern biology has blurred the definition of life. The new field of astrobiology is hoping to find more about what makes something &#147;alive&#148; in Antarctica. <a href="http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/02/08/extremophile-hunt-begins-in-antarctica-implications-for-exobiologists/">http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/02/08/extremophile-hunt-begins-in-antarctica-implications-for-exobiologists/</a> Get another take on the expedition at <a href="http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/07feb_cloroxlake.htm?list899987">http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/07feb_cloroxlake.htm?list899987</a> -- This mailing list is powered by Crossroads Computer Consulting. 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Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter Message 2/4/08

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:49:00 GMT

Rainwater E-News 2/4/08 FEBRUARY 8 MEETING STARTS EARLY: COME AT 6PM Rachel Ross, the education outreach director for Las Cumbres Global Telescope Network, will show us how to use the free Stellarium desktop planetarium software at this meeting. The software can be used to plan observing sessions. She will also introduce us the resources of the LCO network. This meeting will begin at the observatory at 6pm and then move to the computer lab at French Camp. This meeting will be part of &#147;Bringing Astronomy to the Classroom&#148; workshop COMING PROGRAMS (Contact us to arrange a program at Rainwater or in your community.) February 5: Meridian Community College, 6pm Presentation on Dark Matter and Dark Energy February 15-16: Memphis Boy Scouts at Rainwater February 18: Greenlee Elementary at Rainwater February 21: Full Moon and Total lunar eclipse. February 23: Oxford Boy Scouts &#147;Spring Backyard Astronomy&#148; 7pm Friday evenings in March, 2008. We&#146;ll have a different speaker each session: Tim Rich, from Rust College, Gary Lazich from the Davis Planetarium, David Teske from Louisville and Jim Hill will be presenters. Registration and info at <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html</a> Mid-South Star Gaze will be April 2-5, 2008. The registration form is up on the web site. Details and speakers will be added. <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/regform.html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/regform.html</a> Astronomy for Teachers: June 8-13 at Rainwater. 3 semester hours credit. www.outreach.olemiss.edu/teachers 662-915-7621 for info Johannes Kepler&#146;s Astronomy workshop: June 15-20, 4 CEU units. www.johanneskepler.org NEWS FROM THE HILL The weather has been typical Mississippi winter with lots of clouds lately so observing has been sporadic. Delivery of the new scope is still on schedule for the last week in March and we still need to put the 20 and 32 inch scopes back in operation if there is ever a free weekend. ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you&#146;d like to share, let us know. Saturn Explorer: JPL has put up an interactive program so you can take a virtual tour of Saturn as seen from the Cassini spacecraft. It takes about 15 meg of space to install, but it&#146;s worth it now that Saturn is in the evening sky. Check it out at <a href="http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/CASSIE/">http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/CASSIE/</a> More on MESSENGER at Mercury: <a href="http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080204-mm-mercury.html">http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080204-mm-mercury.html</a> Also <a href="http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=6536">http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=6536</a> In addition to this article, we taped the NASA news conference about the flyby and have it in our library to check out. Orion: A nice intro to the main constellation of winter for kids can be found at <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/01/night-lights-astronomy-for-kids-discovering-orion/">http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/01/night-lights-astronomy-for-kids-discovering-orion/</a> Will the Earth Survive the Sun&#146;s Red Giant Phase: See the latest calculations at <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2008/01/31/will-earth-survive-when-the-sun-becomes-a-red-giant/">http://www.universetoday.com/2008/01/31/will-earth-survive-when-the-sun-becomes-a-red-giant/</a> <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2008/01/31/50-years-ago-explorer-1/">http://www.universetoday.com/2008/01/31/50-years-ago-explorer-1/</a> Celebrate the 50th anniversary of America&#146;s first space launch, Explorer 1. <a href="http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/01/28/stars-form-better-in-the-cosmic-suburbs/">http://www.universetoday.com:80/2008/01/28/stars-form-better-in-the-cosmic-suburbs/</a> Tells how stars form better in cosmic suburbs. -- This mailing list is powered by Crossroads Computer Consulting. 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Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter Message

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:30:00 GMT

Rainwater E-News 1/21/08 FEBRUARY 8 MEETING FEATURES INTRODUCTION TO THE LAS CUMBRES NETWORK Rachel Ross, the education outreach director for Las Cumbres Global Telescope Network, will show us how to use the free Stellarium desktop planetarium software at this meeting as well as introducing the resources of the LCO network. This meeting will begin at the observatory and then move to the computer lab at French Camp. COMING PROGRAMS (Contact us to arrange a program at Rainwater or in your community.) January 26-27: Jackson Boy Scouts at Rainwater February 5: Meridian Community College, 6pm Presentation on Dark Matter and Dark Energy &#147;Bringing Astronomy to the Classroom&#148; &#150; February 8-9, 2008. 31 are registered for this workshop on using desktop planetarium programs and image processing. Contact us ASAP if you are interested in attending. <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/handson_copy(1).html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/handson_copy(1).html</a> &#147;Spring Backyard Astronomy&#148; 7pm Friday evenings in March, 2008. We have a different speaker each session. Tim Rich, from Rust College, Gary Lazich from the Davis Planetarium, David Teske from Louisville and Jim Hill will be presenters. Registration and info at <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html</a> Mid-South Star Gaze will be April 2-5, 2008. The registration form is up on the web site. Details and speakers will be added. <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/regform.html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/regform.html</a> Astronomy for Teachers: June 8-13 at Rainwater. 3 semester hours credit. www.outreach.olemiss.edu/teachers 662-915-7621 for info Johannes Kepler&#146;s Astronomy workshop: June 15-20, 4 CEU units. www.johanneskepler.org NEWS FROM THE HILL The latest word on the Sollee Telescope is that it is getting its testing done in the next couple of weeks in Santa Barbara and is scheduled to arrive here and be installed by the Las Cumbres team the last week of March. The plan is to have it in operation in time for the Mid-South Star Gaze so we can have the dedication then. A lot of preparation work still needs to be done by then. We need to fix the 20 and 32&#148; scopes and upgrade the road to the Sangre facility to carry the extra traffic. A group of volunteers have repainted the entrance sign ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you&#146;d like to share, let us know. The MESSENGER mission sends back great images from Mercury. See <a href="http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/21jan_mercuryflyby.htm?list899987">http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/21jan_mercuryflyby.htm?list899987</a> Smith&#146;s Cloud on a Collision course with the Milky Way: Radio telescopes have discovered a huge cloud of gas is approaching the Milky Way at 150 miles/second. It should trigger a burst massive star formation. <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2008/01/11/gas-cloud-on-collision-course-with-the-milky-way/">http://www.universetoday.com/2008/01/11/gas-cloud-on-collision-course-with-the-milky-way/</a> How Large Spirals Form: New Hubble images show that small proto-galaxies coalesce to form large spirals. <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2008/01/10/the-building-blocks-of-the-grand-spirals/">http://www.universetoday.com/2008/01/10/the-building-blocks-of-the-grand-spirals/</a> Plans for the Last Hubble Servicing Mission Released: Hubble may become better than ever. <a href="http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=6453/">http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=6453/</a> Other NASA News this article tells about NASA&#146;s 50 current and 41 proposed missions. The manned missions are taking away from the robotic science missions. <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2008/01/08/a-snapshot-of-nasas-science-plans/">http://www.universetoday.com/2008/01/08/a-snapshot-of-nasas-science-plans/</a> The Sun finally decided to end its period of minimum activity and has begun the slow path toward the next solar max. <a href="http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/10jan_solarcycle24.htm?list899987">http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/10jan_solarcycle24.htm?list899987</a> -- This mailing list is powered by Crossroads Computer Consulting. For web site design, hosting, and on-site computer repair in North and Central Mississippi visit: <a href="http://www.crossroadscomputer.com">http://www.crossroadscomputer.com</a> The following information is a reminder of your current mailing list subscription: You are subscribed to the following list: Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter Using the following email: example@example.com You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL: &lt;<a href="http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/u/rainwateren/&gt">http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/u/rainwateren/&gt</a>; If the above URL is inoperable, make sure that you have copied the entire address. Some mail readers will wrap a long URL and thus break this automatic unsubscribe mechanism. You may also change your subscription by visiting this list's main screen: &lt;<a href="http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi?f=list&l=rainwateren&gt">http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi?f=list&l=rainwateren&gt</a>; If you're still having trouble, please contact the list owner at: &lt;<a href="mailto:jhill@rainwaterobservatory.org&gt">mailto:jhill@rainwaterobservatory.org&gt</a>; The following physical address is associated with this mailing list: Rainwater Observatory 1 Fine Pl. French Camp, MS 39745 (662) 547-6377 Mailing List Powered by Dada Mail <a href="http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/">http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/</a>

Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter Message

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:13:00 GMT

Rainwater E-News 1/10/08 JANUARY 11 MEETING FEATURES TALK ON THE ICY MOONS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM Tereza Nevosadova from the Davis Planetarium in Jackson will give a talk about the moons of the outer solar system at the program Friday January 11 at 7pm. Observing after the program. See Mars and the Oroin nebula as well as the Andromeda galaxy. (weather permitting) COMING PROGRAMS (Contact us to arrange a program at Rainwater or in your community.) Meridian Community College February 5, 6pm &#147;Bringing Astronomy to the Classroom&#148; &#150; February 8-9, 2008. This workshop will feature a chance to learn about robotic telescopes available for students to use from the classroom. Rachel Ross, the education director of the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network will be our clinician. You can obtain 1 CEU while you learn how to process images. Meals and housing are covered by the Miss. NASA Space Grant Consortium. Info and online registration at <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/handson_copy(1).html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/handson_copy(1).html</a> &#147;Spring Backyard Astronomy&#148; 7pm Friday evenings in March, 2008. We plan to have a different speaker each session. Tim Rich, from Rust College, Gary Lazich from the Davis Planetarium, David Teske from Louisville, and Jim Hill will be presenters. Registration and info at <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html</a> Mid-South Star Gaze will be April 2-5, 2008. The registration form is up on the web site. Details and speakers will be added. <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/regform.html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/regform.html</a> Astronomy for Teachers: June 8-13 at Rainwater. 3 semester hours credit. www.outreach.olemiss.edu/teachers 662-915-7621 for info Johannes Kepler&#146;s Astronomy workshop: June 15-20, 4 CEU units. www.johanneskepler.org NEWS FROM THE HILL New additions to the library: &#147;Einstein&#146;s Relativity and the Quantum revolution&#148; 24 30 minute lectures on DVD by Professor Richard Wolfson. Also, we have 13 hours of lectures on cosmology from the Kavli conference at the Univ. of Chicago. We have all the PowerPoints of these lectures as well as VHS video. During the Christmas vacation we added hundreds of pages to the vertical files as well as several new books and videos. Thanks to the MMAP volunteers we w9ill have newly painted signs at the entrance on the highway. OBSERVATORY STAFFING NEEDED: Rainwater has reached a limit in its programming without more staffing. We need a new person to work with the new telescope and do some part time teaching. If you or someone you know might be interested, please contact us. We are also looking for volunteer help to train to do planetarium programs and help with large groups. Another wish would be a college student who would like to work at the observatory for a semester as an intern. If yo0u or someone you know fits this description, please let us know. ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you&#146;d like to share, let us know. Happy Fourth Anniversary to the Mars Rovers: The amazing rovers have driven almost 12 miles and taken hundreds of thousands of science images and spectra. <a href="http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080103-rovers-anniversary.html">http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080103-rovers-anniversary.html</a> New Mercury Mission About to Reach Its Target: The MESSINGER mission has been heading toward the innermost planet for over 1,000 days and still has over 1,000 days to go, but it will make its first flyby as a braking maneuver next week. It&#146;s been over 20 years since a spacecraft did a Mercury flyby and this will be the first time that we&#146;ve seen 2/3 of the planet. Learn more at <a href="http://messenger.jhuapl.edu:80/">http://messenger.jhuapl.edu:80/</a> New Solar Cycle Has Begun: The Sun switches its magnetic polarity about every 11 years. The first sunspot with the reversed polarity has just been seen. Solar cycles usually take a few years to build from solar minimum (where we are now) to Solar Max (expected in 2011 or 2012). It's a slow journey, but we're on our way! For info see <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2008/01/05/new-solar-cycle-begins-with-new-year/">http://www.universetoday.com/2008/01/05/new-solar-cycle-begins-with-new-year/</a> and <a href="http://spaceweather.com">http://spaceweather.com</a> Mars Will Miss a Big Splat: It would have been exciting, but the asteroid headed toward Mars will miss by several thousand miles. <a href="http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080109-mars-asteroid-update.html">http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080109-mars-asteroid-update.html</a> -- This mailing list is powered by Crossroads Computer Consulting. 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Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter Message

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 15:35:00 GMT

Rainwater E-News 1/1/08 HAPPY NEW YEAR! JANUARY 11 MEETING FEATURES TALK ON THE ICY MOONS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM Tereza Nevosadova from the Davis Planetarium in Jackson will give a talk about the moons of the outer solar system at the program Friday January 11 at 7pm. Observing after the program. (weather permitting) COMING PROGRAMS (Contact us to arrange a program at Rainwater or in your community.) &#147;Bringing Astronomy to the Classroom&#148; &#150; February 8-9, 2008. This workshop will feature a chance to learn about robotic telescopes available for students to use from the classroom. Rachel Ross, the education director of the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network will be our clinician. You can obtain 1 CEU while you learn how to process images. Meals and housing are covered by the Miss. NASA Space Grant Consortium. Info and online registration at <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/handson_copy(1).html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/handson_copy(1).html</a> &#147;Spring Backyard Astronomy&#148; 7pm Friday evenings in March, 2008. We plan to have a different speaker each session. Tim Rich, from Rust College, Gary Lazich from the Davis Planetarium, David Teske from Louisville, and Jim Hill. Registration and info at <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/backyard.html</a> Mid-South Star Gaze will be April 2-5, 2008. The registration form is up on the web site. Details and speakers will be added. <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/regform.html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/regform.html</a> NEWS FROM THE HILL The latest word from Las Cumbres is that the Sangre scope will be taken outside soon to test the optics and software. We expect the telescope to be here in mid-February because the engineer that needs to be here will be in England for the next 6 weeks. We are in the process of compiling a strategic plan for the future operations observatory. If you have ideas and/or projects you&#146;d like to see included, please contact us. The highest priority is to find additional staff and add to the endowment. We&#146;ve put a couple of thousand miles on the van in the last month with programs in Fulton, Meridian, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, and Memphis for over 1,000 people. Mirrors recoated for the 32&#148; and 20.5&#148; scopes! The mirrors for two of our biggest telescopes were dropped off at Optical Mechanics in Iowa City on the way to the cosmology conference in Chicago. They stripped and coated the optics and they were picked up in a snowstorm on the way back. We hope to have these big scopes put back together and ready to use shortly. ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you&#146;d like to share, let us know. Election Update: With the election coming up you might like to know the positions of the candidates on space exploration. Only two seem to feel it&#146;s a priority. Check out their statements for yourself. <a href="http://www.space.com/news/071231-candidate-positions.html">http://www.space.com/news/071231-candidate-positions.html</a> Day and Night targets: New Comet: 8p-Tuttle is in the new year sky at magnitude 5.8 and the Sun seems to waking up from its boring visage with a new sunspot group. <a href="http://spaceweather.com:80/">http://spaceweather.com:80/</a> The Quadrantid meteors will peak on January 3. Info and finder chart at <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2007/12/28/quadrantid-meteor-shower-will-sparkle-on-january-3rd/">http://www.universetoday.com/2007/12/28/quadrantid-meteor-shower-will-sparkle-on-january-3rd/</a> The best 10 astrophotos of 2007 are at <a href="http://www.badastronomy.com/bablog/2007/12/13/top-ten-astronomy-pictures-of-2007/">http://www.badastronomy.com/bablog/2007/12/13/top-ten-astronomy-pictures-of-2007/</a> See if you agree with the &#147;Bad Astronomer. Target Mars: There is a small chance that Mars will be struck by an asteroid later this month. Here is the latest info <a href="http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/21dec_2007wd5.htm?list899987">http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/21dec_2007wd5.htm?list899987</a> -- This mailing list is powered by Crossroads Computer Consulting. 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Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter Message

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 15:37:00 GMT

Rainwater E-News 11/23/07 HAPPY THANKSGIVING We received an early Christmas present from Dr. Summers at Ole Miss. By the time his gift of Apple stock is sold our endowment for the observatory will have passed $100,000. If you would like to be a part of helping to ensure the future of Rainwater and its growth as a regional astronomy/science education center, we could use any support of any amount you can spare. Our long term goal is to operate the basic educational, research, and infrastructure needs of the observatory on the income from the endowment and grants. Thanks for your interest and support in the past. DECEMBER PROGRAM WILL FOCUS ON COSMOLOGY The next program meeting of the Rainwater Astronomers will be Friday December 14 at 7pm. The public is welcome. Perhaps the new telescope will be here. RAINWATER WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED IN DECEMBER FOR A WEEK The observatory will be closed from December 5 -11. Jim Hill will be taking the 32&#148; and 20.5&#148; mirrors to Iowa to have them recoated. While they are there he will be going to the University of Chicago for a conference on cosmology and picking the mirrors up on the way back. By Christmas we should have 3 of the 4 biggest aperture telescopes in the state back in operation here at Rainwater. COMET HOLMES ALERT Comet Holmes is still visible to the unaided eye, but it has expanded so much that it is now larger than the Sun, over a million miles in diameter, and its surface brightness is low. It is easy to find near the brightest star in Perseus. Look for it in binoculars because it is almost too big to fit in a telescope eyepiece field of view except for very low magnification. www.space.com has a nice archive if images. Map and more images at <a href="http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=6183">http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=6183</a> and <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2007/11/13/comet-holmes-is-bigger-than-the-sun/">http://www.universetoday.com/2007/11/13/comet-holmes-is-bigger-than-the-sun/</a> BACKYARD ASTRONOMY: GETTING READY FOR SPRING 2008 This fall&#146;s &#147;Backyard Astronomy&#148; attracted over 200 participants for the four events. Our next series will be Fridays in March of 2008. We would like to get your input about the topics you would like to hear about. If there is some area of space science you would like to see included as a topic, please let us know. Any other suggestions about how we could improve these offerings would be appreciated as well. COMING WORKSHOPS (Contact us to arrange a program at Rainwater or in your community.) &#147;Bringing Astronomy to the Classroom&#148; &#150; February 8-9, 2008. Jessica Barton, Education Outreach Specialist for Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network will be here for a workshop that will teach participants how to join the network, operate the new Sangre Telescope, and log on to other telescopes of the network from your classroom You&#146;ll also learn how to work with the data and images obtained and practice image processing techniques. Info and online registration at <a href="http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/handson_copy(1).html">http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs/handson_copy(1).html</a> &#147;AWAY TEAM&#148; OPPORTUNITIES: November 27: Hattiesburg, Lillie Burney School 5:30 pm November 30: Memphis, Meeman-Shelby State Park 6:00 pm Let us know if you can help with away programs. Whenever we have an event in your area, we&#146;ll contact you. If this sounds interesting, email me at <a href="mailto:jhill@rainwaterobservatory.org">jhill@rainwaterobservatory.org</a> NEWS FROM THE HILL We don&#146;t have word on a specific date for the delivery of the new Sangre telescope yet, but we are hoping it will be here before Christmas. The entrance road to the observatory has been graded, widened, and ditched by a volunteer and we will be getting gravel on it before the winter rains come. Inside, office furniture that has been donated and we have replaced several old chairs with a dozen nicer ones. Thanks to Fox-Everett for moving into a new building and making these chairs, book cases, and tables available. ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you&#146;d like to share, let us know Auriga online map and podcast: If you&#146;d like to learn about the Charioteer then this link will get you a map of the constellation and you can download a podcast to listen to and learn about it. <a href="http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=6210">http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=6210</a> Pleiades star cluster revealed to be forming planets. Look to the east and see this old favorite. A UCLA team has evidence of planet formation going on. <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2007/11/14/planets-found-forming-in-the-pleiades-star-cluster/">http://www.universetoday.com/2007/11/14/planets-found-forming-in-the-pleiades-star-cluster/</a> Japanese lunar orbiter snaps high definition images of the Earth rising. WOW! <a href="http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/071113-selene-images.html">http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/071113-selene-images.html</a> New data appears to imply that there is less dark and normal matter than previously thought in the universe. <a href="http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/071112-slim-universe.html">http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/071112-slim-universe.html</a> A new web based system allows amateurs to identify objects in astrophotos will enable real research to be done and shared. Read about this marvelous tool at <a href="http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/071120-star-finder.html">http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/071120-star-finder.html</a> Mars is getting closer and bigger. Here is a map of how to find it. <a href="http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/21nov_marsdoubles.htm">http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/21nov_marsdoubles.htm</a> -- This mailing list is powered by Crossroads Computer Consulting. For web site design, hosting, and on-site computer repair in North and Central Mississippi visit: <a href="http://www.crossroadscomputer.com">http://www.crossroadscomputer.com</a> The following information is a reminder of your current mailing list subscription: You are subscribed to the following list: Rainwater Observatory E-Newsletter Using the following email: example@example.com You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL: &lt;<a href="http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/u/rainwateren/&gt">http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/u/rainwateren/&gt</a>; If the above URL is inoperable, make sure that you have copied the entire address. Some mail readers will wrap a long URL and thus break this automatic unsubscribe mechanism. You may also change your subscription by visiting this list's main screen: &lt;<a href="http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi?f=list&l=rainwateren&gt">http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi?f=list&l=rainwateren&gt</a>; If you're still having trouble, please contact the list owner at: &lt;<a href="mailto:jhill@rainwaterobservatory.org&gt">mailto:jhill@rainwaterobservatory.org&gt</a>; The following physical address is associated with this mailing list: Rainwater Observatory 1 Fine Pl. French Camp, MS 39745 (662) 547-6377 Mailing List Powered by Dada Mail <a href="http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/">http://dada.crossroadscomputer.com/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/</a>