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Saturday, February 16, 2008

LUNAR ECLIPES Feb 20th

There will be a Lunar Eclipse on Wed Feb 20th. We will be at PVCC park for viewing. The eclipse will begin around 5:43 pm Arizona Time. Then Moon will go into the much darker umbral shadow at around 6:43 Arizona Time. The Eclipse will end around 9:30pm Arizona Time. Only problem, from what i've seen on the weather channel is more clouds moving in for Wednesday. Watch the blog for further info.


Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society

MARS PARTY SATURDAY

Well like usual, the weather is keeping us from another week-end viewing.
Tonights Mars Party is canceled. Again due to weather tonights
mars party is canceled.



Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society

Friday, February 15, 2008

Be sure to view 2/20 Total Lunar Eclipse 7pm to 10pm

There will not be another total lunar eclipse visible from Phoenix until December 2010.


Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society

Eclipse info for Feb 20th Total Lunar Eclipe


http://media.skyandtelescope.com/images/
Eclipse+path+Feb20+2008+f.jpg


Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society

Feb 20th's Total Lunar Eclipse

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/
observing/home/15357796.html

Enjoy!


Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society

ISS Sightings

Received this info from Leah. Enjoy!

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/view.cgi?country=United_States&region=Arizona&city=Phoenix

THE FOLLOWING ISS SIGHTINGS ARE POSSIBLE FROM TUE FEB 12 TO SUN FEB 24

SATELLITE
LOCAL
DURATION
MAX ELEV
APPROACH
DEPARTURE

DATE/TIME
(MIN)
(DEG)
(DEG-DIR)
(DEG-DIR)






ISS
Thu Feb 14/07:02 PM
2
15
10 above N 15 above NE
ISS
Fri Feb 15/07:21 PM
3
46
11 above NW 46 above NE
ISS
Sat Feb 16/07:43 PM
1
36
27 above W 33 above SSW
ISS
Mon Feb 18/06:50 PM
3
44
42 above WSW 12 above SSE
ISS
Tue Feb 19/07:11 PM
<>
11
11 above SW 10 above SSW






ONLY DAYS WITH SIGHTING OPPORTUNITIES ARE LISTED

THE FOLLOWING SHUTTLE SIGHTINGS ARE POSSIBLE FROM TUE FEB 12 TO SUN FEB 24

SATELLITE
LOCAL
DURATION
MAX ELEV
APPROACH
DEPARTURE

DATE/TIME
(MIN)
(DEG)
(DEG-DIR)
(DEG-DIR)






SHUTTLE
Thu Feb 14/07:02 PM
2
15
10 above N 15 above NE
SHUTTLE
Fri Feb 15/07:22 PM
3
46
11 above NW 46 above NE
SHUTTLE
Sat Feb 16/07:44 PM
1
36
27 above W 33 above SSW
SHUTTLE
Mon Feb 18/06:51 PM
3
43
41 above WSW 12 above SSE
SHUTTLE
Tue Feb 19/07:08 PM
<>
12
12 above SW 10 above SSW






ONLY DAYS WITH SIGHTING OPPORTUNITIES ARE LISTED

THE FOLLOWING PROGRESS SIGHTINGS ARE POSSIBLE FROM WED FEB 13 TO MON FEB 25

SATELLITE
LOCAL
DURATION
MAX ELEV
APPROACH
DEPARTURE

DATE/TIME
(MIN)
(DEG)
(DEG-DIR)
(DEG-DIR)






PROGRESS
Thu Feb 14/07:21 PM
2
21
10 above NNW 21 above NNE
PROGRESS
Fri Feb 15/07:42 PM
2
46
11 above NW 46 above NW
PROGRESS
Sat Feb 16/08:06 PM
<>
19
18 above WSW 19 above WSW
PROGRESS
Sun Feb 17/06:50 PM
5
82
11 above NW 11 above SE
PROGRESS
Mon Feb 18/07:14 PM
2
21
21 above SW 11 above S






ONLY DAYS WITH SIGHTING OPPORTUNITIES ARE LISTED



Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society

Satellite renetry will produce spectacular fireball

Malfunctioning spy satellite USA 193 has been in the

news lately because of expectations that it will reenter

Earth's atmosphere in March and turn into a spectacular

fireball. Reentry has not yet begun, but sky watchers are

already noticing the satellite as it zips over Europe and the

United States shining as brightly as a first or second magnitude

star. Typical photos are shown on today's edition of

http://spaceweather.com.

In fact, USA 193 may never reenter--at least not in one piece.

Today, the Pentagon announced it will attempt to blast the satellite

with a missile before its orbit decays. This would lessen the chances

of dangerous satellite debris and fuel reaching the ground while increasing

the population of space junk in low-Earth orbit.

Would you like to see USA 193 with your own eyes? It is about to make

a series of evening appearances over many US towns and cities, beginning

this weekend and continuing until the Pentagon intervenes. Flyby timetables

may be found at Heavens Above (http://heavens-above.com). You can also

receive telephone and email alerts when the satellite is about to fly over your

backyard by subscribing to Spaceweather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com .



Thursday, February 14, 2008

MARS PARTY SATURDAY

Be sure to watch the Blog site to see if the Mars party is a go or not. You need to RSVP now, if there are not any RSVP's then the party will be canceled. RSVP now.
RSVP @ rod_sutter@yahoo.com




Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society

Star Party

The star party at PVCC was canceled due to heavy clouds.
Check out our web-site for next party.



Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society

PVCC STAR PARTY

OK, Here's the plan, I will be there at PVCC, but no guarantee about the viewing tonight. I will be there around 6pm.


Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society

PVCC STAR PARTY

Well folks, you should know by now, it seems like anytime we have a Star Party scheduled, the clouds show up. I have emailed Dave at PVCC, waiting his response about tonight. I will keep everyone informed about tonights Star Party.



Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society

ISS Passes over Phoenix Friday night 7:22pm


Heavens-Above is showing
that the docked Space Station
and Shuttle will
make a favorable pass over
Phoenix on Friday night from
7:22 to 7:24.
It will appear over the
northwest horizon, pass just
above Polaris,
and then disappear in the Earth's
shadow just before reaching
Castor and
Pollux. Might be worth stepping
out into the parking lot for this
one.




Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Name the Space Telescope !!!

I received this from a gentleman in EVAC. But I thought you may be interested as well.

Would you like to name the next great space telescope? Here's your chance: NASA is inviting members of the general public to suggest a new name for the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope before it launches in mid-2008.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/08feb_namethattelescope.htm?list972119

Check out our RSS feed at http://science.nasa.gov/rss.xml!




Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society

A slew of astronomy links from Steve

Enjoy!!!


3D breakthrough with updatable holographic displays
http://www.spacemart.com/reports/3D_breakthrough_with
updatable_holographic_displays_999.html

Case builds for water on Saturn moon
http://www.saturndaily.com/reports/Case_builds_for
water_on_Saturn_moon_999.html

Europeans Eager to Launch Orbital Science Lab
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080206-sts122-
columbus.html


Atlantis en route to space station
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/02/07/spaceshuttle.
ap/index.html
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080207-sts122-
launch-day.html

Hard-To-See Meteor Shower Observed from Arctic
http://www.space.com/searchforlife/080207-seti-
quadrantid-mission.html

Coming Feb. 20: Total Eclipse of the Moon
http://www.space.com/spacewatch/080207-lunar-
eclipse.html

Boston University Astronomers Map Full Extent Of
Mercury's Comet-Like
Tail
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Boston_University_
Astronomers_Map_Full_Extent_Of_Mercury_Comet_Like_Tail_999.html

Fresh Cargo Ship Arrives at Space Station
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080207-
expedition16-progress28-dock.html

NGC 4013 and the Tidal Stream
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080207.html
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0802/lrg_ring_ngc4013_
gabany.jpg

Astronauts to check shuttle for damage
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/02/08/space.
shuttle.ap/index.html

How a Lunar Eclipse Saved Columbus
http://www.space.com/spacewatch/080208-ns-lunar-
eclipse-columbus.html

Shuttle's Heat Shield Appears Undamaged, NASA Says
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080208-sts122-
update.html

Mystery of Saturn's Watery Moon Solved
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080208-enceladus
-geysers.html

Progress M-63 Docks With ISS
http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Progress_M_63_
Docks_With_ISS_999.html

NASA Probe Begins Hunt for Alien Planets
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080208-deepimpact
-planethunt.html

The Bay of Rainbows
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080208.html
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0802/iridium_100407
friedman.jpg

Atlantis on Pad 39A
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080209.html
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0802/atlantis_sts122.jpg

Shuttle Flight Back on Track After Astronaut's Illness
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080210-sts122-focused
-inspection.html

Still Grinding After All These Years Makes For Much
Opportunity
http://www.marsdaily.com/reports/Still_Grinding_After_
All_These_Years_Makes_For_Much_Opportunity_999.html

Spacewalkers anchor new lab to space station
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/02/11/space.shuttle
.ap/index.html

'Star Trek' Movie gets Science Advice
http://www.space.com/entertainment/080211-star-trek-
advisor.html

Russian Proton Rocket Launches Norwegian Satellite
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/sfn-080211-proton
-thor5-launch.html

Two Canadians to blast off into space in 2009
http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Two_Canadians_to_
blast_off_into_space_in_2009_999.html

Racing Ahead At The Speed Of Light
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Racing_Ahead_At_The_
Speed_Of_Light_999.html

Terby's Dream Land
http://www.space.com/imageoftheday/image_of_day_
080211.html

New Cosmic Theory Unites Dark Forces
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080211-mm-
dark-unification.html

Saturn's Moon Epimetheus from the Cassini Spacecraft
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080211.html

Astronauts to Open Space Station's Newest Lab
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080212-sts122-
columbus-debut.html

Spitzer Catches Young Stars In Their Baby Blanket
Of Dust
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Spitzer_Catches_
Young_Stars_In_Their_Baby_Blanket_Of_Dust_999.html

Light Echoes Whisper The Distance To A Star
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Light_Echoes_
Whisper_The_Distance_To_A_Star_999.html

How Lunar Landers Sandblasted the Moon
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080212-st-
lunar-sandblast.html

Space Spies Revealed in New Documentary
http://www.space.com/entertainment/080212-astrospies
-mol.html

Farthest Galaxy Found, Perhaps
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080212-farthest
-galaxy.html

Russia, China Challenge U.S. Space Arms
http://www.space.com/news/ap-080212-space-weapons.html

Shuttle Endeavour Moves Closer to March Launch
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/ft-080212-sts123
-rollover.html

Echoes from RS Pup
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080212.html
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0802/RSPup_kervella.jpg

Shuttle Astronaut to Return to Spacewalk Duty
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080213-sts122-
second-spacewalk-preview.html

Jules Verne ATV Launch Approaching
http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Jules_Verne_ATV_
Launch_Approaching_999.html

The Poincare Dodecahedral Space Model Gains Support
To Explain The
Shape Of Space
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/The_Poincare_
Dodecahedral_Space_Model_Gains_Support_To_Explain
_The_Shape_Of_Space_999.html

Elliptical Galaxy NGC 1132
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080213.html
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0802/ngc1132_hcst
_big.jpg

Loneliest Observatory in Antarctica Looks to the Stars
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/080213-tw-plato
-antarctica.html

Amateur astronomer shows the Space Shuttle, advancing
on the
international space station
http://www.space.com/imageoftheday/image_of_day_080213
.html
http://www.space.com/images/080213-iod-shuttle-04.jpg

German astronaut walks in space
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/02/13/space.shuttle
.ap/index.html



Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

newsletter deadline

The deadline to submit articles for the March newsletter is Thursday February 14. I cannot guarantee that all articles will make it as the newsletter is already looking very full, but I will get in as many as I can. And I reserve the right to edit them for length.


Don Boyd
PAStimes newsletter editor
editor@pasaz.org

2/12 to June Events at PVCC

UPCOMING PVCC EVENTS

Dave and I were discussing these events and I was verifying with him that this is what we have scheduled between now and June at PVCC. I just thought since I made the list for him to confirm, that I'd also share it with you.

Feb 14 PVCC Star Party by domes 6pm - 10pm
Feb 28 Assembly Party at MOM for Mayer Event G-147 7pm to 10pm

Mar 6 PAS meeting in Library 7pm to 9:30pm
Mar 13 PVCC Star Party by domes 6pm - 10pm
Mar 27 MOM G-147 7pm to 10pm

Apr 3 PAS meeting in Library 7pm to 9:30pm
Apr 10 G-147 Indoor Event & Viewing Set up 7pm - Public 7:30 to 9:30pm
Apr 24 MOM G-147 7pm to 10pm

May 1 PAS meeting in Library 7pm to 9:30pm
May 2 Astro Day ? - 10pm (Start time to be decided - probably set up at noon)
May 8 PVCC Star Party by domes with Photo Shoot 6pm to 10pm
May 29 MOM G-147 7pm to 10pm

Hope to see you all at these events and many others PAS hosts!


Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society

Monday, February 11, 2008

Photos from this past weekends PAS Events 2/9 & 2/10

Please check these links out for photos of this past weekend's events.

Bookman's 2/10 http://tinyurl.com/2ktkkw taken by Terri
No one showed up at the Bookman's event from the public, so no photos were taken,
however, Bruce's birthday party at Carlos O'Briens was very fun and here are the photos
to that event.

PAS Social 2/9
140 photos, in two folders, taken by Terri
Link 1: http://tinyurl.com/34t896
Link 2: http://tinyurl.com/2n8tm7

Chris took these photos of the PAS Social http://gallery.mac.com/ozy311/100103.

See these and a few more photos taken by Don in the March Newsletter.

Enjoy!


Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society

THIS WEEK'S EVENTS 2/14, 2/16, 2/20, 2/24 RSVP TODAY!

TO HAVE EVENTS OR NOT TO HAVE THEM? THAT IS THE QUESTION AT HAND....

Happy Monday to you.

This week and next we have 4 events we need to discuss.

2/14 is a PVCC Star Party from 6pm to 10pm. If the weather holds out and the temps stay as warm as they were for this past weekend, we should have a very good turnout. Rod is the RSVP, and Rod, Chet and Don will be doing this star party. If you plan to attend, let Rod know, today. Visible that night: Sunset 6pm, Moon 5pm, Mars 6:30pm, Saturn rises 7pm. We may wish to set up at 5:30 to catch the setting sun. Rod can make this decision when you RSVp. WEATHER PERMITTING!!!
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=85032&hourly=1&yday=44&weekday=Thursday


2/16 is a Mars party at PV Park, 6pm to 10pm. Rod has mentioned that if no public RSVP's are received by him by 4pm that day, he will be canceling the star party. If you plan to help out, please let him know so he can cancel with you if needed. Visible that night: Sunset 6pm, Moon, Mars 6:30pm, Saturn rises 7pm.

2/20 TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE - If there are no RSVP's Rod will be canceling this star party. The idea is that you can see it from your home, and so, if you didn't want to see anything BUT the eclipse, as far as details on the moon or other objects that night, you don't have to drive to PV Park 6pm to 10pm where the star party will be held. Send your RSVp to Rod today, and watch for a cancellation by 4pm this day.
Visible that night: Sunset & Moon rise 6:10pm, Mars 6:30pm, Saturn rises 6:30pm. The eclipse lasts from Moon rise to 10pm-ish.

2/24 Bookman's. Rod is the RSVP for this telescope workshop. Please let him know you can assist or are attending. I will not be available for help at this workshop. RSVP today. 4:30 to 6:30pm. Dinner after will be decided by group attending, as it may not be at Carlos O'Briens. Email Rod with your suggestions for dinner. Rod_Sutter@yahoo.com


Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society