Upcoming Public September 2012 Events with PAS

Upcoming PAS Events for Sept 2012

The September 2012 PAStimes Newsletter is ready for download. Please help yourself to a copy. http://www.pasaz.org/index.php?pageid=newsletter

Sep 20: FREE Telescope Workshop at PVCC Main Campus 7pm to 10pm. RSVP is required with Terri. When you RSVP, leave name, number in your party & type of scope you need help with. http://www.pasaz.org/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=687&day=2012-9-20&c=1 There is also a public Star Party with this event.

Sep 22: International Observe the Moon Night at Mike's home in Carefree. RSVP is with Mike. Details are on the site. Everyone Welcome. Potluck – bring food and drink to share. Potluck at 4pm, Star Party starts at 6:30pm. http://www.pasaz.org/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=828&day=2012-9-22

Sep 30: Free Telescope Workshop at Bookmans 19^th Ave & Northern 3:30pm to 5:30pm. RSVP required with Terri. When you RSVP, leave your name, number in party, type of scope you need help with. We meet in the Musical Instrument section of Bookmans. http://www.pasaz.org/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=673&day=2012-9-30&c=1

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

Explosion on Jupiter

Space Weather News for Sept. 11, 2012
http://spaceweather.com

EXPLOSION ON JUPITER: Amateur astronomers are reporting a bright fireball on Jupiter--apparently the result of a small asteroid hitting the planet during the early hours of Sept. 10th.  As the fireball fades, attention turns to possible debris around the impact site.  Observers will be monitoring the region in the nights ahead to see what surfaces.  Checkhttp://spaceweather.com for images and updates.

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

Curiosity Rover Landing Aug 5, 2012

Celebrate the Landing of the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover!

The Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover will be landing in Gale Crater on Mars at 10:31pm PT / 11:31pm MT on August 5 / 12:31am CT / 1:31am ET on August 6! 

Curiosity is a rover that will assess whether Mars ever was, or is still today, an environment able to support microbial life. In other words, its mission is to determine the planet's "habitability."  Determining past habitability on Mars gives NASA and the scientific community a better understanding of whether life could have existed on the red planet and, if it could have existed, an idea of where to look for it in the future.  The Mars Science Laboratory rover will act as a robot geologist while it is on the surface of Mars.  The science instruments it carries are state-of-the-art tools for acquiring information about the geology, atmosphere, environmental conditions, and potential biosignatures on Mars.  The one-ton MINI-Cooper-sized vehicle is the largest rover ever sent to land on the surface of another planet.

There are a number of organizations hosting landing events; a map of locations is available at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mars/eventlocations/index.html .  For those of you in the Houston area, the Lunar and Planetary Institute is hosting a free public event with hands-on activities, lectures, and more; information is at http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/space_days/ and a flyer is at http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/space_days/flyers/SkyFest_Flyer_2012_08_001.pdf

Join us Sunday, August 5 - Monday August 6

8:00pm - 2:00am

Explorers of all ages are invited to join us for a pajama party with hands-on activities, scientist presentations, and viewing through telescopes (weather permitting) to watch the landing of the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover on the red planet!

Get resources to help you celebrate this important mission milestone from these NASA websites:

• http://www.nasa.gov/mars.  Resources, recent and archived videos, updates and news, images, podcasts, and more can all be found here!

• MSL pages: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl.  Get the latest about the rover and its onboard laboratory through news, images, and videos.  Find out where the rover is now, and follow Curiosity on Twitter and Facebook!

• Solar System Exploration’s Curiosity: A Big Rover on a Bold Mission website: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/msl_landing.cfm.  Videos, press kits and fact sheets, links to relevant Mars and NASA websites, social media, images, interactives, and resources for teachers and students are all available through this page.

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

Space Weather News for July 28, 2012
http://spaceweather.com

SOLAR FLARES: New sunspot AR1532 is crackling with M-class solar flares, including a brief but intense M6-flare on July 28th.  So far none of the eruptions has been Earth-directed, but this could change in the days ahead as the active region turns toward our planet. Check http://spaceweather.com for updates.

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

June 28 Event is Canceled

Happy Thursday to everyone. Due to lack of interest, the June 28 event at PVCC is canceled. See you at the next event! Have a great June!

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

Space Weather News for June 14, 2012
http://spaceweather.com

DOUBLE CME:  Active sunspot AR1504 is facing Earth and hurling coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in our direction.  A fast-moving CME that left the sun on June 14th is expected to scoop up another CME already en route and deliver a double-blow to Earth's magnetic field on June 16th.  Weak-to-moderategeomagnetic storms are possible when the clouds arrive.  Check http://spaceweather.com for images and updates.

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

Space Weather News for June 7, 2012
http://spaceweather.com

HUBBLE TRANSIT OF VENUS:  Transits of Venus are rare.  Transits of Venus with the Hubble Space Telescope alongside are unprecedented.  Astrophotographer Thierry Legault has captured a historic photo of Hubble crossing the face of the sun right beside the inky-black disk of Venus.  It is highlighted on today's edition ofhttp://spaceweather.com. 

The world's largest collection of Venus Transit images may be found in Space Weather's new realtime photo gallery:  http://spaceweather.com/gallery/

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

Space Weather News for May 24, 2012
http://spaceweather.com

DRAGON RENDEZVOUS: As SpaceX's Dragon capsule approaches the International Space Station for a historic docking on May 25th, amateur astronomers have been taking pictures of the two spaceships converging.  Their photos and more information about the Dragon-ISS rendezvous are highlighted on today's edition ofhttp://spaceweather.com

Readers, are you ready to see the Dragon? Download Spaceweather's Satellite Tracker for a schedule of flybys over your location: http://simpleflybys.com

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

May 20 Solar Eclipse & June 5 Venus Transit

Space Weather News for May 18, 2012
http://spaceweather.com

ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE: On Sunday, May 20th, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, producing a "ring of fire" solar eclipse visible across the Pacific side of Earth from China to the United States. Observing tips, visibility maps, and links to live webcasts may be found at http://spaceweather.com. 

GET READY FOR THE TRANSIT OF VENUS:  Explore Scientific's White Light Solar Observing System offers a great view of sunspots, eclipses, and once-in-a-lifetime planetary transits.  It's available now in the Space Weather Store:http://www.shopspaceweather.com/

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

Sunspots

Space Weather News for May 9, 2012
http://spaceweather.com

RADIO-ACTIVE SUNSPOT: Huge sunspot AR1476 is crackling with M-class solar flares and appears to be on the verge of producing something even stronger. The sunspot's 'beta-gamma-delta' magnetic field harbors energy for X-class flares, the most powerful kind.  Radio operators are recording strong bursts of shortwave static from the sunspot as it turns toward Earth. Visit http://spaceweather.com for sample recordings and forecasts.

SUNSPOT TELESCOPE: AR1476 looks magnificent through a properly-filtered telescope. Explore Scientific's White Light Solar Observing System is perfect for sunspot watching, and it's available now in the Space Weather Store:http://www.shopspaceweather.com/explore-scientific-white-light-solar-observer-system.aspx

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

Super Moon & Meteor Shower this weekend!

Space Weather News for May 3, 2012 http://spaceweather.com Earth is entering a stream of debris from Halley's Comet, source of the annual eta Aquarid meteor shower. The shower peaks this weekend on May 5th and 6th. Glare from a perigee full Moon--a "Super Moon"--will interfere with the display. Nevertheless, observers especially in the southern hemisphere could still see dozens of meteors during the hours before local sunrise on May 6th. More information about the shower and live audio from a meteor radar may be found on http://spaceweather.com

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

Upcoming February - June Public PAS Astronomy Events

Happy Saturday to all!

Here is a list of the upcoming February & June 2012 PAS Events FREE & open to the public. Please be sure to RSVP where requested. Bring the whole family to these events! RSVP for these events by email Events@pasaz.org. Links go to our calendar listing for these events & provide additional info about each event.

Feb 2: PAS Meeting in Library at PVCC 7pm to 9:30pm 32nd Street & Union Hills Rd. Guest Speaker is Chet Schuler "Stellar Spectrums." Bring a snack to share. Bottled water provided by the PAS President.

Feb 9: FREE Telescope Workshop & STAR PARTY at PVCC 32nd street & Union Hills Rd 7pm to 10pm. Set up by Telescope Dome & in G-147. RSVP the type of telescope you wish to have assistance with. Bring scope & accessories. RSVP attendance.

Feb 12: FREE Telescope Workshop at Bookmans - 19th Ave & Northern. RSVP is required. RSVP type of telescope you wish to learn to use. Bring scope & accessories. We meet by musical instrument section inside Bookmans from 3:30 to 5:30pm. No RSVP's may cancel this event.

Feb 23: Special Guest Speaker at the PAS Meeting of the Minds. PVCC G-147 7pm to 10pm. 32nd Stret & Union Hills Rd. NO RSVP needed. Guest Speaker: Leah Sapir "On-line Telescopes." We will begin with Leah's presentation, then do Awards Cermony for NSN Awards, then if there is time, cover topics for the Meeting of the Minds. Bring a snack to share. We make these events a party!

Mar 1: PAS Meeting in Q Building Rm 120A of PVCC 7pm to 10pm. Guest Speaker is William K Hartman "Origin of the Moon." There will be a Book Sale & Signing. 32nd Street and Union Hills Rd. The Q Building used to be the Maricopa County Library there at Grovers Ave on 32nd Street.

Mar 18: FREE Telescope Workshop at Bookmans - 19th Ave & Northern. RSVP is required. RSVP type of telescope you wish to learn to use. Bring scope & accessories. We meet by musical instrument section inside Bookmans from 3:30 to 5:30pm. No RSVP's may cancel this event.

Mar 15: ASU West Open House & Star Party. RSVP is with Paul for this event: paul.schmidtke@asu.edu. Many scopes will be set up by the helicopter pad of ASU West campus 47th ave and Thunderbird Rd for your viewing enjoyment. Event is from 7pm to 9pm.

Mar 22: FREE Telescope Workshop & STAR PARTY at PVCC 32nd street & Union Hills Rd 7pm to 10pm. Set up by Telescope Dome & in G-147. RSVP the type of telescope you wish to have assistance with. Bring scope & accessories. RSVP attendance.

Mar 29: BIG STAR PARTY at PVCC Black Mountain Campus at Carefree Hwy & 60th Street, 7pm to 10pm. RSVP is required. Many telescopes will be setup for your viewing enjoyment.

April 1: FREE Telescope Workshop at Bookmans - 19th Ave & Northern. RSVP is required. RSVP type of telescope you wish to learn to use. Bring scope & accessories. We meet by musical instrument section inside Bookmans from 3:30 to 5:30pm. No RSVP's may cancel this event.

Apr 5: PAS Meeting in Library at PVCC 7pm to 9:30pm 32nd Street & Union Hills Rd. Guest Speaker is Rick Tejera "Astrophotography." Bring a snack to share. Bottled water provided by the PAS President.

Apr 12: FREE Telescope Workshop & STAR PARTY at PVCC 32nd street & Union Hills Rd 7pm to 10pm. Set up by Telescope Dome & in G-147. RSVP the type of telescope you wish to have assistance with. Bring scope & accessories. RSVP attendance.

Apr 26: PAS Indoor & Outdoor Astronomy Event at PVCC Main Campus 32nd Street & Union Hills Rd from 7:30 to 9:30pm. Indoors enjoy hands on demos, Meteorite Man, & handouts. Outdoors, a Star Party for your viewing enjoyment. RSVP is required to attend.

May 3: PAS Meeting in G-147 at PVCC 7pm to 9:30pm 32nd Street & Union Hills Rd. Guest Speaker is Rogier Windhorst "New Cosmos with the New Hubble & with the James Webb Space Telescope." Bring a snack to share. Bottled water provided by the PAS President. This meeting also has the PAS Elections of Officers and a pizza party. RSVP is required to be sure we have enough pizza at 2 slices per person attending.

May 6: FREE Telescope Workshop at Bookmans - 19th Ave & Northern. RSVP is required. RSVP type of telescope you wish to learn to use. Bring scope & accessories. We meet by musical instrument section inside Bookmans from 3:30 to 5:30pm. No RSVP's may cancel this event.

May 24: FREE Telescope Workshop & STAR PARTY at PVCC 32nd street & Union Hills Rd 7pm to 10pm. Set up by Telescope Dome & in G-147. RSVP the type of telescope you wish to have assistance with. Bring scope & accessories. RSVP attendance.

Jun 3: FREE Telescope Workshop at Bookmans - 19th Ave & Northern. RSVP is required. RSVP type of telescope you wish to learn to use. Bring scope & accessories. We meet by musical instrument section inside Bookmans from 3:30 to 5:30pm. No RSVP's may cancel this event.

Jun 5: VENUS TRANSIT - viewing of this special event will be held at PVCC Black Mountain campus 60th Street & Carefree Hwy. We begin the event at 3pm to catch the Sun & Venus, and once the Sun sets, we will do a star party to 10pm. RSVP is required.

We hope to see you at our events. Questions & RSVP;s can be sent to the same email address Events@pasaz.org. Have a super Friday & a Fantastic Weekend!

Terri, Event Coordinator for PAS

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

Upcoming Free Telescope Workshops at Bookmans

March 18th
http://bookmans.com/content/telescope-training-workshop-1

February 12th
http://bookmans.com/content/telescope-training-workshop-0?mini=events/2012-02

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

4 cool astronomy links

Here's an amazing IMAX-quality film of Saturn, assembled from Cassini images. This was created by a single individual, working from his home, and is still a work-in-progress. You may have seen this when it went viral last year, but the filmmaker recently released an updated version:
http://vimeo.com/33933151

New footage (Earth & Moon):
http://vimeo.com/34001144

More info:
http://www.outsideinthemovie.com

There's a great interview with the filmmaker on the latest episode of Planetary Radio (starting at 7m25s), which is how I heard about it:
http://planetary.org/radio/show/00000480/

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

Solar Flare headed our way

Space Weather News for Jan. 19, 2011
http://spaceweather.com

EARTH-DIRECTED FLARE: Active sunspot 1401 erupted today, Jan. 19th, for more than an hour around 16:00 UT. The long-duration blast produced an M3-class solar flare and a CME that appears to be heading toward Earth. Forecasters say strong geomagnetic storms are possible when the cloud arrives during the late hours of Jan. 21st. High-latitude (and possibly middle-latitude) sky watchers should be alert for auroras this weekend. Check http://spaceweather.com for movies and updates.

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

Meteor Shower Wednesday

Space Weather News for Jan. 3, 2012
http://spaceweather.com

FIRST METEOR SHOWER OF 2012: The annual Quadrantid meteor shower peaks on Wednesday morning, Jan. 4th, when Earth passes through a narrow stream of debris from a comet thought to have broken apart some 500 years ago. The shower is expected to be strong (as many as 100 meteors per hour), but elusive, with a peak that lasts no longer than a couple of hours. The shower's radiant near Polaris favors observers in the northern hemisphere. Images, live audio from a meteor radar, and more information are available on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.

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