ASTEROID 2008 TC3

http://orbit.psi.edu/?q=node/22

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-105942

http://dorigo.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/asteroid-2008-tc3-hits-sudan/

http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2008%20TC3;orb=1

http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=7468

http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00001679/

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1089840/asteroid_2008_tc3_streaks_over_africa.html

http://www.encyclocentral.com/28008-Asteroid_2008_TC3_Spotted_Over_Sudan_Creating_A_Spectacle_As_It_Exploded_Releasing_Light_And_Energy.html

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

Asteroid to hit EARTH tonight!

Space Weather News for Oct. 6, 2008
http://spaceweather.com

ASTEROID 2008 TC3: A small, newly-discovered asteroid named 2008 TC3 is approaching Earth and chances are good that it will hit. Measuring only a few meters across, the space rock poses no threat to people or structures on the ground, but it should create a spectacular fireball, releasing about a kiloton of energy as it disintegrates and explodes in the high atmosphere. At least one expert estimates that atmospheric entry will occur on Oct 7th at 0246 UTC over northern Sudan. Stay tuned to http://spaceweather.com for more information and updates to this developing story.

Sign up for free Space Weather News bulletins:
http://spaceweather.com/services/

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Rock From Space To Burn Up Over Africa

This is an AstroAlert from Sky & Telescope.

October 6, 2008

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A very tiny asteroid, not much more than 10 feet across, will enter Earth's atmosphere over Sudan in Africa tonight, October 6-7, 2008, near 2:46 Greenwich Mean Time. Most likely it will burn up before hitting the ground, but it could produce a spectacular fireball, or bolide, in the night sky equivalent to the explosion of about a kiloton of TNT.

These are the assessments of astronomers Andrea Milani of NEODyS in Italy and Steve Chesley (Jet Propulsion Laboratory). They are concerned that eyewitnesses might misinterpret the event as some type of hostile military action. Says Milani, "The earlier the public worldwide is aware that this is a natural phenomenon, which involves no risk, the better."

The first observatory to capture images of 2008 TC₃ (as it's now designated) were Richard Kowalski and colleagues of Mount Lemmon Observatory in Arizona, about 12 hours ago. Confirming measurements were quickly secured by amateur astronomer James McGaha at Sabino Canyon Observatory near Tucson, and then by Gordon Garrad and others at Australia's Siding Spring Observatory and also Christopher Jacques and E. Pimentel using the Global Rent-a-Scope site in Moorook, near Melbourne.

First to point out that the incoming object was heading right for a collision with Earth's atmosphere was Bill Gray of Project Pluto, in a post earlier today to the Minor Planet Mailing List. Canadian amateur Andrew Lowe has independently calculated the object's point of entry to be over Sudan.

The object's entry might be visible as far north as southern Europe and the Middle East. Its location in the sky, however, is completely dependent on an observer's geographic location. As further details become known, be sure to look at the online version of this AstroAlert at SkyandTelescope.com/AstroAlert for possible updates.

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

Mercury on Oct 6th

Borrowed this from Astronomy Newsletter / Astronomy Magazine

On October 6, Mercury passes between the Sun and Earth in a configuration known as inferior conjunction. That same day, NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft flies past the innermost planet for the second time this year. After inferior conjunction, Mercury moves west of the Sun and becomes visible in the morning sky within 10 days. By that time, hundreds of MESSENGER images should have been returned to Earth, many showing regions of the planet never seen before.

On October 16, Mercury lies 8° above the eastern horizon 30 minutes before sunrise and shines brightly at magnitude 0.5. The key to good views of Mercury is its angular distance from the Sun. All else being equal, the greater this distance, the sooner the planet rises before our star (or the later it sets, in the case of evening apparitions).

Mercury reaches greatest elongation October 22, when it stands 18° west of the Sun. This isn't the largest angular distance Mercury can achieve. The planet passed through perihelion, the closest point in its orbital path around the Sun, just 5 days earlier. Nevertheless, Mercury stands 5° high in the east an hour before sunrise October 22 and climbs another 6° in the next 30 minutes. It shines a full magnitude brighter than it did a week before and will be easy to find.

On October 16, a telescope reveals the inner planet's 8"-diameter disk, which appears 27 percent lit. As the planet heads toward greatest western elongation, its disk shrinks and the illumination increases. By the 22nd, the globe appears 7" across and 55 percent sunlit. Mercury lingers through October's final week, when it will be easiest to see as it continues to brighten.

On October 31, Mercury shines at magnitude -0.9. It lies 8° above the eastern horizon 30 minutes before sunrise. It also lies 4° north of Spica, the brightest star in Virgo the Maiden, that morning. Through a telescope, Mercury's disk is then 83 percent illuminated and 6" across.

To find more observable objects in your sky, visit Astronomy.com's sky events calender.

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

North Mountain Park VISITOR CENTER Star Party - Change of Date!!!

Good morning TEAM,

I just realized that somehow Allyson and I got the dates crossed for this star party
and instead of it being on this Saturday it is TOMORROW Friday... Yipes.
If you can still volunteer for Friday, that would be awesome.

Allyson has 35-40 RSVP's,
and we had 5 telescopes ready for Friday night.

The time will be the same... 6pm to 9:30pm but on Friday 10/3.

I didn't realize she had scheduled it different than what we had discussed.
So, please make a note of it. I'll move it in the calendar today,
so look for the info on Friday, tomorrow's date.

With a crowd like we have, I'd like to have more volunteers.
Terri

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

Do We Live In a Giant Cosmic Bubble?

Received this link from William

enjoy!

http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/10/01/1421206

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

Star Date update on 5 planets

Of the five planets visible to the unaided eye, three are lurking in the shadowy realms of twilight this month. Venus is just climbing into visibility as the “evening star” in the southwest shortly after sunset, while Mars disappears below it. Mercury puts in a meager performance in the morning twilight. Saturn is pulling out of the dawn glow, but is pretty low in the east at first light. Only Jupiter sallies boldly forth, shining in the south at nightfall. Taurus, the bull, is starting to charge into evening skies, while the aquatic constellations that form the celestial sea drift across the south and east.
October Sky Almanac: http://stardate.org/nightsky/almanac
Weekly Stargazing Tips: http://stardate.org/nightsky/weekly.php

SkyTips is a publication of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory Education and Outreach Office, 1 University Station A2100, Austin, TX 78712. Reproduction of SkyTips content is permitted with proper credit given to McDonald Observatory.

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

Upcoming Events from 9/27 - 12/31 of 2008

Please RSVP in the Calendar section of the PASaz.org website if you plan to attend. Email me for more details or questions.

Upcoming Events from 9/27 - 12/31 of 2008
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!

September
27 Noon - ? Deep Sky Star Party – Cuttin' Edge Observatory Mayer AZ – PAS Members ONLY – RSVP
27 4pm - ? Star Party & Lecture 4 of 4 – Galactic Evolution Cowtrack Ranch in Carefree – RSVP Mike

October
2 7 – 9:30pm PAS Meeting – Jeff Hopkins PVCC Library
4 5 – 9:30pm N. Mt Park Visitor Center Star Party RSVP – In parking lot – Volunteers Needed Snacks & Drinks provided by park department - heavy advertising, 29+ public RSVp'd so far.
8 6 – 9pm Desert Cove Star Party at Christy Cove Park RSVP w/ Rod - Volunteers Needed - 125 5th graders plus a couple boy scout troops in attendance.
9 6 – 10pm PVCC Star Party - RSVP PVCC Campus, G-147 by Telescope Dome - Volunteers Needed - 1st Back to School star party on campus.
15 TBA PAID Star Party – PAS MEMBERS ONLY RSVP 2 Days Prior – Limited Scopes Needed - see details in Private Calendar
17 5pm–9:30pm PAID Star Party – PAS MEMBERS ONLY RSVP 2 Days Prior – No Scope Limit - Volunteers Needed - See details in Private Calendar
23 7:30 – 9:30 PAS Indoor/Outdoor Astronomy Event - RSVP PVCC Campus in Room? by Telescope Dome - Volunteers Needed - Those doing indoor activites need to let me know what they are doing, very soon. RSVP for indoors so far: Chet, Mike & Terri. We need more indoor folk. Outdoor we have Don, Chris, Steve, & Rod.
25 Sundown - ? PAS 3rd Quarter Moon Star Party – RSVP High Desert Park in Black Canyon City
30 7pm - 10pm PAS Meeting of the Minds PVCC G-147 No Children Please

November
1 12pm –10pm Anthem Star Party – RSVP –Volunteers Needed Anthem Community Park, Map on Website - All day event. Plan at this time, divide up. Have a daytime group & an evening group, and maybe a combined group. RSVp which you'd like to help with. Daytime activities, include Solar Viewing, games, prizes. Night time is viewing only.
6 7 – 9:30pm PAS Meeting PVCC Library - Speaker Needed
15 TBA 100 Girl Scout Star Party – PAS Members Only Volunteers needed – No Scope Limit - RSVP - Event: 2 hour drive to location, eat dinner 5pm to 6:30pm provided by scouts, then set up 7pm to 10pm. Gas will be reimbursed.
15 6pm to 10pm Meteor Shower Party RSVP REQUIRED – Paradise Valley Park
16 3pm to 6:30 Bookman's Telescope Workshop – RSVP Bookman's Backroom – Speaker: Mike - Volunteers Needed
20 7pm - 10pm PAS Meeting of the Minds PVCC G-147 No Children Please
29 6pm to 10pm Venus & Jupiter Star Party RSVP REQUIRED – Paradise Valley Park - Volunteers Needed
29 Noon - ? Deep Sky Star Party – Cuttin' Edge Observatory Mayer AZ – PAS Members ONLY – RSVP

December
4 7 – 9:30pm PAS Meeting – David Williams PVCC Library
12 6pm to 10pm Full Moon Star Party – Moon Treasure Hunt Paradise Valley Park - RSVP REQUIRED - Volunteers Needed
13 6 – 10pm Meteor Shower Party RSVP REQUIRED – Paradise Valley Park - Volunteers Needed
18 7pm - 10pm PAS Meeting of the Minds PVCC G-147 No Children Please
20 Sundown - ? PAS 3rd Quarter Moon Star Party – RSVP High Desert Park in Black Canyon City
27 Noon - ? Deep Sky Star Party – Cuttin' Edge Observatory Mayer AZ – PAS Members ONLY – RSVP
31 6pm to 10pm Lunar Eclipse Party Paradise Valley Park - RSVP REQUIRED - Volunteers Needed

Note: Star Parties held at PV Park happen only if we have a public RSVP. No public RSVP's cancels these star parties.

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

Helping a friend SELL a telescope & BUY a telescope

Reply to Kevin directly if interested:

Ok well I have another scope that has come up for sale and its here in the
Valley. The scope is a amazing 15" Obsession truss dobsonian. the owner is
the second owner.

It includes: Includes shroud, Telrad, aperture mask, UTA baffle, cooling
fan, wheelbarrow handles. No electronics. Mirrors are virtually pristine

The price is $3200, owner is looking for an 11" Cassegrain here in the
Valley. Let me know if you or anyone is interested in this scope and we will
work the deal. Me cell is 602-999-3731
--
Kevin LeGore
Desert Fire Astronomy
www.freewebs.com/skywardeyes

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

Mike's QUANTUM SPRING THEORY - Sat 9/27

QUANTUM SPRING THEORY

No, that isn't a typo. This is the title of Mike's presentation for tomorrow, up in Carefree, at his home.

The plan at this time is:

4pm start gathering at Mike's home.
5pm dinner - could be at his home, order pizza
could be at Bad Donkey. I suggest if you are attending dinner,
around 4pm give Mike a call to find out where we will be.
6:30 - 7pm set up for presentation and possibly start.
Looks like the weather will be good, so plan to bring your telescope.
Mike's home is dark and wonderful for star gazing.

We will see you there!
If something changes to make this Lecture not happen, watch the Digest or Calendar in the PAS website for news about it.

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

Hoofing it across the ditch

Borrowed from Astronomy Magazine Newsletter 9/26 received by Email

Aries the Ram certainly never stepped on the Moon, but it's fun to imagine that it left a large hoofprint on the lunar surface. By the evening of October 6, the Sun has risen over the fascinating Hyginus, Triesnecker, and Ariadaeus rille complexes. Yet, one thing that catches the eye in this area just north of the lunar equator is the delightful "Aries' hoofprint" feature. The combination of brightly lit mountains and two deep channels of dark lava creates this striking play of light and shade.

It's easy to understand why lunar maps don't label this feature -- physically, it's a jumble of mountains left over from the giant Imbrium impact, with a channel of large, dark plains on either side.

Lunar scientists focus with good reason on the fascinating Hyginus Rille because it almost surely formed from volcanic activity long ago. But at low power with the whole lunar disk in view, the Aries' hoofprint stands out.

Hyginus Crater is a huge collapse pit, the biggest in a chain of smaller pits that sculpt the edges of a long-ago lava channel. The crater spans 6.6 miles and has walls more than 2,000 feet high. It stands out nicely as the Sun rises because one wall lies in bright sunlight while the other remains in shadow.

Within just 24 hours, the Aries' hoofprint and the Hyginus Rille become mere echoes of their sunrise magnificence. By October 8, they'll have gone into hiding under the Sun's increasing glare.

To find more observable objects in your sky, visit Astronomy.com's sky events calender here.

Use Astronomy.com's exclusive interactive StarDome to find other observing targets visible in your sky. Magazine subscribers enjoy additional features with StarDome Plus.

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