Comet Lulin update & Satellite Debris

Space Weather News for Feb. 18, 2009
http://spaceweather.com

COMET LULIN UPDATE: Comet Lulin is approaching Earth and brightening rapidly. Observers say it is now visible to the naked eye as a faint (magnitude +5.6) gassy patch in the constellation Virgo before dawn. Even city dwellers have seen it. Backyard telescopes reveal a vivid green comet in obvious motion. Just yesterday, amateur astronomers watched as a solar wind gust tore away part of the comet's tail, the second time this month such a thing has happened. Lulin's closest approach to Earth (38 million miles) is on Feb. 24th; at that time the comet could be two or three times brighter than it is now. Browse the gallery for the latest images: http://spaceweather.com/comets/gallery_lulin_page8.htm

SATELLITE DEBRIS: More than a week has passed since the Feb. 10th collision of Iridium 33 and Kosmos 2251 over northern Siberia, and the orbits of some of the largest fragments have now been measured by US Strategic Command. Today's edition of http://Spaceweather.com features global maps showing where the debris is located. Only 26 fragments are currently plotted, but that number will grow as radar tracking of the debris continues. Check back often for updates.

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

Weekend Fireballs - Feb 15 & 16th

Space Weather News for Feb. 16, 2009
http://spaceweather.com

WEEKEND FIREBALLS: A daylight fireball over Texas on Sunday, Feb. 15th, triggered widespread reports that debris from a recent satellite collision was falling to Earth. Those reports were premature. Researchers have studied video of the event and concluded that the object was more likely a natural meteoroid about one meter wide traveling more than 20 km/s--much faster than orbital debris. Meteoroids hit Earth every day, and the Texas fireball was apparently one of them.

There's more: On Friday, Feb. 13th, people in central Kentucky heard loud booms, felt their houses shake, and saw a fireball streaking through the sky. This occurred scant hours after another fireball at least 10 times brighter than a full Moon lit up the sky over Italy. Although it is tempting to attribute these events to debris from the Feb. 10th collision of the Iridium 33 and Kosmos 2251 satellites, the Kentucky and Italy fireballs also seem to be meteoroids, not manmade objects. Italian scientists are studying the ground track of their fireball, which was recorded by multiple cameras, and they will soon begin to hunt for meteorites.

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

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