ASTRONOMY UPDATE (17 April 2009)

[Dennis Mammana]

Dennis’ final desert program of the 2008-09 season:
01)   Celestial Overnight in the Anza-Borrego Desert  (Sat/Sun., April 25/26)

Cool sky stuff to check out…
02)   Venus disappears next Wednesday morning (Apr. 22)—DON’T MISS IT!
03)   Space Station passes over Southern California (Apr. 18-25)

Join Dennis on some exciting Cosmic Adventures!
04)   Art, Astronomy & History in Paris (Sept. 17-24)
05)   Norway Northern Lights cruise early discount extended (Nov 10-19)  
06)   African cosmic safari & annular eclipse (Jan 8-19, 2010)
07)   Total Solar Eclipse… in Paradise!  (Jun 28 - Jul 12, 2010) — NEW!


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01)   Celestial Overnight in the Anza-Borrego Desert  (Sat/Sun., April 25/26, 2009)

If you've ever wanted to gaze deeply into a clear, dark desert sky and reach up to capture the stars, planets clusters and galaxies, you’ll definitely want to join me for a relaxing overnight campout under the desert night sky—far from the lights of town.  Program includes telescope stargazing, tips on photographing the heavens with simple camera and tripod, all camping gear, gourmet chuck wagon dinner, full hot breakfast, and an exciting bonus tour through the spectacular badlands of the Anza-Borrego Desert.  All you need to bring is your curiosity and sense of adventure!  Advance reservations are required.   For more information or registration, call toll-free 866.6.EXPLORE or 760.767.1232 (Pacific time), or visit http://www.californiaoverland.com/overnight.html.


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02)  Venus disappears next Wednesday morning (April 22)—DON’T  MISS IT!

Set your alarm early for Wednesday, April 22.  During the pre-dawn hours of that morning there will not only be a meteor shower, but the waning crescent moon will drift in front of the brilliant planet Venus, creating a most unusual cosmic event:  an “occultation”. 

 

Stargazers in San Diego, for example, will see the vanishing act in darkness—around 5:06 a.m. PDT.  From the western U.S., the event will be visible to the unaided eye, but you’ll find it more exciting if you can view it with binoculars or a small telescope.  That way you’ll be able to watch as Venus’ own crescent slips behind the moon’s rocky limb.  Less than an hour later, Venus will reappear on the opposite side of the moon.  From San Diego, for example, this will occur at around 5:54 a.m. PDT.

 

To find the exact times of the event in your area, visit:  http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/planets/0422venus.htm, but remember that these times are tabulated in Universal Time (UT) and must be converted to your local time.  Subtract 7 hours from UT to get PDT, 6 hours for MDT, etc.

 

Always begin your watch at least 10-15 minutes early so you can watch the moon approach the planet in the sky.  Spotting the planet’s reappearance, however, is a little more challenging since its tough knowing exactly where it will emerge.

For more information, visit:  http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/17apr_lyrids.htm?list717892

 

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03)  Space Station passes over Southern California (Apr. 18-25)

During pre-dawn hours this week the International Space Station (ISS) will make several bright passes over Southern California.  To check out the exact times and directions to look from your location, visit:  http://www.heavens-above.com

 

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04)  Art, Astronomy & History in Paris (Sept. 17-24)

Join astronomy historian Dr. William Sheehan—author of MARS: Lure of the Red Planet and In Search of Vulcan—for seven nights in Paris, and an incredible art, astronomy, and art history vacation.  In addition to visiting the historic Meudon Observatories during the week of the Société Astronomique de France and International Astronomical Union’s celebration of Mars observations, you’ll experience all things French:  food and wine, Gothic cathedrals, sun-dappled paths, vineyards and villages, art, history and science.  For more information and full itinerary, call 877.707..7827 or 408.279.5589 (Pacific time), or visit:  http://www.melitatrips.com/france  

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05)   Norway Northern Lights cruise (Nov 10-19, 2009)
EARLY BOOKING SAVINGS EXTENDED THROUGH APRIL!

Cross the Arctic Circle with me as our ship, the MS Midnatsol, weaves along the richest archipelago in Norway—up to latitude 69°N.  During our remarkable journey from Kirkenes to Bergen we'll check out the heavens each night to view and photograph the mystical dancing colors of the aurora borealis—the northern lights.  This is sure to be ONE POPULAR TRIP!  For more information and full itinerary, call 877.707..7827 or 408.279.5589 (Pacific time), or visit:   http://www.melitatrips.com/norway/    Early booking discount continues for only another 13 days, so act soon!


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06)   African cosmic safari & annular eclipse (Jan 8-19, 2010)

Join me and “Astronomy” magazine Editor David Eicher for an exciting trip into the bush of Africa, for a remarkable safari and an even more remarkable annular eclipse of the sun.   For more information on what is already becoming a very popular trip, call 877.707.7827 or 408.279.5589 (Pacific time), or visit:   http://www.melitatrips.com/africa/index.html  


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07)   Total Solar Eclipse… in Paradise!  (Jun 28 - Jul 12, 2010) — NEW!

Join me and “Astronomy” magazine Senior Editor Rich Talcott in the glorious South Pacific as we explore the magnificent Marquesas Islands and the Tuamotus on a state-of–the art freighter, the Aranui III.  In the balmy South Pacific evenings, we’ll turn your gaze skyward—toward the exquisite Southern Cross and the spectacular Southern Milky Way, and on July 11 toward the great total solar eclipse—the most remarkable sky show you’ve ever seen!  Space is VERY limited.  For more details on this rapidly booking trip, call 877.707.7827 or 408.279.5589 (Pacific time), or visit:  http://www.melitatrips.com/marquesas/index.html


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As you requested, I am sending these astronomy notices to you.

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DENNIS MAMMANA
www.DennisMammana.com
www.twanight.org