PAS Indoor/Outdoor Astronomy Event at PVCC - Tonight

PAS INDOOR / OUTDOOR ASTRONOMY EVENTS AT PVCC - G-147

If you plan to attend, and have not already RSVP'd your attendance, please do so by 3pm today.
I wish to be sure to have enough handouts for all who attend. Events@pasaz.org

The plan thus far is that we have a bunch of telescopes who will be set up on the walkway
at PVCC, from Building G & E, south East to Building L. See map: http://www.pasaz.org/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=28.

See the listing on line at http://www.pasaz.org/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=94&day=2009-2-12&c=1
to know the plan for tonight. We have a bunch of fun indoor activities for your enjoyment and learning experience.

We will see you there!

PVCC Campus - 32nd Street & Union Hills
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
RSVP is required for attendance.
Bring a friend & your family.

Public activities begin:
7pm Telescopes outdoors
7:30pm to 9:30pm Indoors G-147

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

Colliding Satellites

Space Weather News for Feb. 12, 2009
http://spaceweather.com

COLLIDING SATELLITES: Experts are calling it an "unprecedented event." Two large satellites have collided in Earth orbit. Kosmos 2251 crashed into Iridium 33 on Tuesday, Feb. 10th, approximately 800 km over northern Siberia; both were destroyed. The resulting clouds of debris contain more than 500 fragments, significantly increasing the orbital debris population at altitudes where the collision occurred. The Air Force Space Surveillance Radar is monitoring the clouds as they pass over the radar facility in Texas. We, in turn, are monitoring signals from the radar and you may be able to hear debris "pings" by tuning in to our live audio feed. This is a story that will unfold in the days ahead as researchers study the evolution of the debris clouds and piece together the details of the collision. Stay tuned to http://spaceweather.com for full coverage.

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

INDOOR ASTRO EVENT 2/12: 7:30pm to 9:30pm

Good morning,

The Indoor Astro Event looks like it will be a blast this time. If you are planning to attend, remember to RSVP with Terri, either as the public, attending, or as someone with a display
or telescope to help out. We could use everyone's help in this.

I wish to thank those who are helping to make this a great event:
Leah
Rod
Don
Bob
Elaine
Mike
Tim
Sonny
Bette
And anyone I missed, or who hasn't RSVP'd yet.

The event is at PVCC in room G-147 by the telescope domes. The public arrives
around 7:30pm. The displays and telescopes should be there by 7pm for set up.

This time we will have an awesome Flashlight display as well as Meteorite Man.
We will have 4+ telescopes outside for evening viewing (weather permitting).
We will have the Solar System brought down to size for your enjoyment.

It will be a fantastic evening. You don't want to miss it.
RSVP by 3pm that day, please, by phone or email.
Thank you!!! See you there!

See the listing of this event on line at Feb 12, 2009 on the calendar, or use the link I just embedded in this sentence.

Have a happy, safe and fun Monday!

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

Lunar Eclipse Monday 2/9 & Comet Lulin

Space Weather News for Feb. 8, 2009
http://spaceweather.com

DUSKY LUNAR ECLIPSE: On Monday, Feb. 9th, the full Moon will pass through the outskirts of Earth's shadow, producing a penumbral lunar eclipse. The event will be visible to the naked eye as a dusky shading of the northern half of the Moon. Maximum eclipse occurs between the hours of 1400 and 1520 UT (6:00 am - 7:20 am PST). The timing favors observers in east Asia, Australia, Hawaii and western parts of North America. Visit http://spaceweather.com for a visibility map, animations, and more information.

COMET LULIN UPDATE: The plasma tail of Comet Lulin, torn off by a solar wind gust on Feb. 4th, has already grown back. Also, observers in dark-sky locations report that the comet is now visible to the naked eye as a pale "fuzzy patch" in the constellation Libra before dawn. The comet is brightening as it approaches Earth for a 38-million-mile close encounter on Feb. 24th. See the latest images in the Comet Lulin Photo Gallery: http://spaceweather.com/comets/gallery_lulin_page7.htm

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

Comet Lulin's Tail

Space Weather News for Feb. 5, 2009
http://spaceweather.com

COMET TAIL: Comet Lulin (C/2007 N3) is approaching Earth and putting on a good show for amateur astronomers. Yesterday, Feb. 4th, observers witnessed a "disconnection event." A gust of solar wind tore off part of the comet's tail in plain view of backyard telescopes. Photos of the event are featured on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com. Activity in the comet's tail and atmosphere will become even easier to see in the weeks ahead as Lulin nears closest approach on Feb. 24th. At that time the comet will lie only 38 million miles from Earth and it should be visible to the naked eye. In the meantime, please note that Feb. 5th-7th, is an especially good time to find Comet Lulin in the pre-dawn sky. The comet is gliding beautifully close to the naked-eye double star Zubenelgenubi. Just point your binoculars at the double star and the comet will materialize right beside it. Visit http://spaceweather.com for photos, sky maps and more information.

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

Wholesale Optics is going out of business - big SALE

Wholesale Optics is in the process of selling their entire inventory at or below wholesale pricing. Your members may be interested in reviewing our online listing of Celestron, Meade, B&L, Tele-Vue, and other brands of scopes, accessories, binoculars, and miscellaneous. We have been authorized dealers in the USA since 1978. Our website is www.astroptx.com

With Kindest Regards,

Frederick Pauli

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

Tonight's MOM"s is CANCELLED!!!

Due to illness on the part of those who run the MOM's tonight,
we are cancelling tonight's meeting. 1/29.
We had 3 topics (see Meeting of the Minds Agenda)
that will wait until next month to be discussed.
Please have a super Thursday evening and
we will see you at the next meeting!!!

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

Tempe Town Lake Saturday Astro Events

Do you want to view through a telescope in the Tempe area?
Check out some upcoming events:
http://sese.asu.edu/traveling_telescope
These events are not associated with PAS.
I was just looking for info on the ASU West star party
that is coming up soon and found these. Thought you
might be interested in attending.

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

Solar Eclipse Mon Jan 26th & Blue Sky Fireball

Space Weather News for Jan. 23, 2007
http://spaceweather.com

SOLAR ECLIPSE: On Monday, Jan. 26th, the Moon will pass in front of the sun producing an annular "ring of fire" eclipse. This is not a total eclipse; the Moon will cover only 93% of the sun's surface. Nevertheless, the Moon's dead-center transit across the solar disk will produce a sight of rare beauty for observers along the "path of annularity." Best views are to be had from islands in Indonesia where the ring of fire will appear to sink into the ocean at sunset. Meanwhile, in Australia, southeast Asia, southern parts of India and South Africa, observers will experience an off-center partial eclipse. Crescent-shaped sunbeams will dapple the ground while high overhead the Moon takes a curved bite out of the sun.

Please visit http://spaceweather.com for eclipse maps, timetables and photos.

BLUE-SKY FIREBALL: Last week a meteoroid of unknown size hit Earth's atmosphere over Denmark and exploded with a flash so bright it turned the nighttime sky daytime blue. A video of the remarkable fireball and eye-witness reports may be found at Spaceweather's fireball sighting page: http://spaceweather.com/glossary/fireballreports_17jan09.htm

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

Quick Reminder from our Treasurer (PAS) about PAS Dues

Good morning All,

If you have paid your 2009 Dues to PAS, then you may delete this email.
If you are unsure, please check the link below for the current as of
1/17/09, PAS Roster.

Mike has asked me to send out a reminder that he hasn't received that many
renewal Dues from our membership. If you haven't already done so, please
download the dues sheet at this link http://www.pasaz.org/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=48
and get those dues to Mike right away!

If you can't get to the link, let me know so i can be sure your
membership on the PASaz.org website has you as a current PAS Member.

And please verify your data within the file is accurate. Send changes to
me or Mike. Thanks.

Please recall, Mike will be providing me with a list of those who have NOT
renewed, and are NOT current PAS Members for which I will use in
changing the status of your membership on the PASaz.org website.
Those who are not members will be changed to Guest.
What does this mean? When you access the website, you will
no longer be able to get to the Member's ONLY info, such as the
PAS roster, to check the status of your membership,
or the PAID star party info. And the list you are currently on
in my email, you will be removed from (which some of you probably
think is a good thing, but then you miss out on all the annoucements
you should be receiving throughout the year).

Jan 31st is the deadline. I asked Mike if we can make a deadline of the Feb PAS
meeting and he agreed that would be a good, last chance, to get your membership
paid up. So, if you haven't paid up, please do so soon.
Download the form, bring it with you to the Feb PAS Meeting, or mail it in
right away to Mike. Let's get everyone who wants to be a PAS Member,
updated and current on your dues.

We hope to see you at all PAS events throughout 2009.
Take care
Happy Tuesday to you!

The current roster has been added to that link, above.
Review it to be sure your info is correct, as well as
that you are paid up. If it doesn't say 2009 in the column on the right labeled PAID,
you are not current with PAS.

If you paid your dues and Mike didn't update the file, please email him
right away to verify he got your dues. Always turn in a dues sheet
when renewing your PAS DUes so there is a paper copy
of your transaction. And if Mike writes you a receipt, hang on to
it until you have confirmation through the website roster that you are paid up.

Thank you for your patience. Check the roster for accuracy of your
phone, address, email, etc.... send changes to Mike or me as soon
as you find the errors. Thanks.

Terri, Event Coordinator
Email written for Mike Marron to membership

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