Tonight 12/1 Venus, Jupiter & Crescent Moon at Twilight

Space Weather News for Monday, Dec. 1, 2008
http://spaceweather.com

When the sun goes down tonight, step outside and look south. Beaming through the twilight is one of the prettiest things you'll ever see--a tight three-way conjunction of Venus, Jupiter and the crescent Moon. The event is visible from all parts of the world, even from light-polluted cities. People in New York and Hong Kong will see it just as clearly as astronomers watching from remote mountaintops. Only cloudy weather or a midnight sun (sorry Antarctica!) can spoil the show.

The great conjunction offers something extra to Europeans. For more than an hour on Monday evening, the crescent Moon will actually eclipse Venus. Astronomers call such an event a "lunar occultation." Venus emerging from the dark edge of the Moon is a remarkably beautiful sight. Sky watchers across Europe will be able to see this happen.

Visit http://spaceweather.com for photos, webcasts and more information.

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

HST to pass over head Thur Dec 4 7:32pm

Dennis writes;

Dear Astro members..

Thought this was worth noting....
the Hubble Space Scope will pass directly over jupiter this coming Thursday.. Dec 4th...at 7:32.09pm local time of Arizona. This --for other members out of the area will not be available :( . Those living in cottonwood will still have viewing of this rare event -however it is more centrally passing when viewed from sedona area.. Maybe Twotree observing site would be an appropriate location if more wish to see this.
There are TWO passes of HST..on thursday...one at 5.53pm.. this is of course the second pass over head in our area of the woods. The HST can be view about 1minute ahead of time(about 731pm ..to lower right of Jupiter and venus on the day of the event. GOOD Luck and let me know what u see...Could be photo opportunity for those with scopes and digital cameras!!

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

2009 PAS Events

We have some exciting Astronomical Events coming up in 2009 for your attendance and enjoyment! We'd love for you to check them out on the calendar at www.pasaz.org.
Be sure to RSVP your attendance in case an event gets canceled due to weather.
We will see you in 2009!

Terri, Event Coordinator

Currently adding more events.

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

Firefly Gamma Ray

This link comes to me from William.

Enjoy!

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/11/24/firefly-gamma-ray.html

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

ISS Toolbag & Aurora Watch

Space Weather News for Nov. 25th
http://spaceweather.com

ISS TOOLBAG: A backpack-sized tool bag inadvertently dropped from the International Space Station last week is orbiting Earth and has been sighted from the ground. The tool bag is surprisingly bright, about 6th or 7th magnitude, which makes it an easy target for binoculars or a small telescope. Today's edition of http://spaceweather.com offers observing tips, sighting reports and a movie of the bag in orbit.

AURORA WATCH: High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras tonight and tomorrow. Earth is entering a solar wind stream and this could trigger geomagnetic storms around the Arctic Circle.

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

PAS Patches

PAS is designing a Patch.
Your input can be useful and will be appreciated.
Take a look at what we have going so far by
visiting the discussion about it at this link:
http://www.pasaz.org/forums/showthread.php?t=199
Please add your ideas to the forum discussion.

Thanks for your input. Have a super day!

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

PAS Name Badges

See an example of the PAS name badge at this link: http://tinyurl.com/5h3w8q

Deadline to purchase a name badge for only $11 is at the Dec 4th PAS meeting.
Cash or check to PAS, and given to Mike, Treasurer, please. Then, let me know
how you want your name spelled on the name badge. Thank you for your orders.

You can also RSVP for a name badge at this link: http://www.pasaz.org/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=110&day=2008-12-4

But $11 must be received by the Dec meeting to get the special pricing. I'm putting in a huge order, all at one time. At the first of the year, the company I get these name badges through raises their pricing to $15. Get it now, while it is still only $11.

Have a super day!

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

Burried Glaciers Found on Mars

http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20081120/sc_space/buriedglaciersfoundonmars

This link comes to us via Robert. Thank you!

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

PAS Social 2009 Activity Ideas needed

ACTIVITY IDEAS

Does anyone have any ideas for another activity that can be done at a social gathering such as the PAS Social?

A couple years ago, Rod and Sue came up with the Table Decoration game. That was fun for the 2 years we did it. We aren't sure if we can do it this year, again, or not due to not knowing if we will have enough tables for everyone to sit at and enjoy the table decoration on it.

So, this year, I'm thinking we could use a different game. Any ideas?

We have one thing new, you can win a door prize for completing the puzzle that will be sitting on a table in the ZipFizz Liquid Shot box. First to complete it gets a prize. Only one prize being rewarded.

One other change we will be doing this year is that, when you win a door prize, except for the main door prize or others that are kept separate from the rest, you can choose your prize from a table of prizes. This way, you aren't being awarded something you donated. And DONATIONS ARE NEEDED.

Any unused prizes will be used for next year's event. Last year, we found reasons to give away all the prizes we had availalble.

So, send your ideas to me. I'm open for any suggestions. Keep them clean,
and fun... Thanks.

Read about the plans for this year's Social at this link: PAS Social 2009

Terri

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

Bookman's Telescope Workshop 11/16 Event Photos & more

Check out the photos of the most recent PAS event
at http://tinyurl.com/5c6uh5
Be sure to read about this event and others in the
PAStimes Newsletter December Issue
due to be posted on line around Thanksgiving.
And visit this blog to see past event photos.
I"m always adding more photos to our blog.
Enjoy them while you can. I will be moving
them, soon to the PAS website. That doesn't mean
you can't see them any more, but the formatting is different, and
so until I figure out what i'm doing, we may not have captions
or other features I've gotten accustomed to having on this blog.
Enjoy!!!

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