ASTRONOMY UPDATE--21 February 2009
Dennis Mammana
01) “Spring Stargazing” (Tues., Feb. 24)
02) Comet Lulin reaches its brightest (Feb 22-28)
03) Moon/Venus conjunction (Fri., Feb. 27, dusk)
04) Celestial Overnight in the Anza-Borrego Desert (Sat./Sun., Feb. 28/Mar. 1)
05) “Cosmic Illusions” (Sat., Mar. 7)
06) “Stargazing at the
Springs” (Sunday, March 8)
07) “Desert Stargazing” class (Sat., Mar. 14)
08) Chinese total solar eclipse cruise (July 13-26, 2009)
09) Northern Lights cruise (Nov. 10-19, 2009)—NEW ADVENTURE!
10) African cosmic safari (Jan. 8-19, 2010)
11) Astronomy & Photography programs at Borrego
Ranch Resort & Spa
12) The switch to digital will eliminate the Big Bang Channel
…and, by the way, wildflowers in the Anza-Borrego Desert should become good really soon! (http://www.abdnha.org/03flower_main.html)
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01) “Spring
Stargazing” (Tues., Feb. 24, 6:30– 8:30 p.m.)
Ever wonder how astronomers can peer into the starry night sky and know
exactly what they’re seeing? Join Borrego astronomer Dennis Mammana at
the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association Library this evening as he
reveals their secrets. In this entertaining and enlightening class
you’ll learn how to read a star map, how to use your eyes like a pro, and
how to find those seemingly impossible star patterns that have eluded you all
your life! Afterwards, try out your new skills under the night sky and take a
peek through a telescope at the wonders of the heavens, weather permitting. Reservations
are strongly advised. Call 760.767.3098 (Pacific time) or visit: http://www.abdnha.org/pages/07/0902.htm#stars
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02) Comet Lulin reaches its
brightest (Feb 22-28, 2009)
Stargazers have another treat right now, as Comet Lulin appears to
be arcing among the stars of Virgo and Leo. This celestial wanderer is
easily visible with binoculars and may become bright enough to see with the
unaided eye from a dark sky location. The best time to look for it will
be late at night after it rises high above the eastern horizon. On the
nights of February 22 and 23 it will pass by Saturn, and by the 26th
and 27th will lie not far from Regulus, the brightest star in
Leo. To learn more about the comet, visit: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/35992534.html
and to see great new photos, visit: http://www.spaceweather.com
And if it’s cloudy where you
are—or you can’t get to a clear dark site—the Coca-Cola Space
Science Center in Columbus, Georgia, plans to webcast the comet’s
close encounter through their 16-inch telescope. The webcast begins at 8:30 a.m.
PST on Monday, Feb. 23rd and will continue until 2:00 a.m. PST on Tuesday the
24th. Tune in here: http://www.ccssc.org/observatory/darksky_cameras/darksky_cam.html
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03) Moon/Venus conjunction (Fri.,
Feb. 27 at dusk)
Be sure to step outside at dusk next Friday, when the moon will
nuzzle up against the brilliant planet Venus and create a beautiful sight for
stargazers and sky photographers alike. If you missed similar pairings over
the past few months, you won’t want to ignore this one. Since Venus is
about to swing over to the “morning side” of the sun, this will be
the last such early evening conjunction of 2009.
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04) Celestial Overnight in the Anza-Borrego Desert (Sat/Sun., Feb 28/Mar. 1,
2009)
If you've ever wanted to gaze deeply into a clear, dark desert
sky and reach up to capture the stars, 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 shooting
the heavens, 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!
Wildflowers should be reaching a crescendo around this time too! 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
and http://www.californiaoverland.com/Celestial2_popup.html
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05) “Cosmic
Illusions” (Saturday, March 7, 7:00 p.m.)
The heavens are not always what they appear; in fact, much of
what we see in the sky is merely an illusion. Explore some of these intriguing –
and maddening – cosmic illusions, and discover why we frequently see
things that just aren't there! The
fifth of my popular outdoor "Desert Skies" Lecture Series occurs at
7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the Anza-Borrego Desert
Visitor Center
outdoor amphitheater. As always, this program will be followed by telescope
viewing of the moon and the remarkable desert sky (weather permitting).
Suggested donation: $5.00 Wear warm clothing and bring a blanket to
sit on—the cement seats can be chilly. For more details, call
760.767.4063 (Pacific time) or visit: http://theabf.org/event/lectures/cosmic_illusions/012809
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06) “Stargazing at the
Springs” (Sun., Mar. 8, 6:30 p.m.)
Join me on Sunday evening, March 8, for an entertaining guided tour of the
heavens at the Springs at Borrego RV Resort. We'll start with a light
dinner and your choice of beverages followed by a fun-filled preview of the
February night sky, then it's out to the Astronomy Park
and Observatory for some great telescope viewing. Call the RV desk
for tickets or details at 760.767.0004 (Pacific time). Admission is $15. These
events are open to the public, and no RV is necessary to join in the fun!
For more information, visit: http://www.springsatborrego.com/stars.htm
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07) “Desert
Stargazing” class (Mar. 14, 2009, 12:30 – 9:00 p.m.)
So successful was my February
“Desert Stargazing” class that we had to add a second! This
full-day program at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center is
designed for beginning stargazers interested in exploring the enjoyable and
mind-expanding hobby of amateur astronomy, and includes telescope viewing of
some of the desert sky wonders. Advanced registration is required. If you got bumped from this
popular class, this is the time to act. For more information or to register,
call 760.767.4063 (Pacific time) or visit http://theabf.org/event/astronomy/desert_stargazing_beginners_class_3/012809
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08) Chinese total solar eclipse
cruise (July 13-26, 2009)
The longest total solar eclipse of anyone’s remaining lifetime occurs on
July 22, 2009. But it’s nearly sold out, so if you’ve been
thinking about joining me and other internationally-known astronomy lecturers
on this summer's one-in-a-lifetime eclipse journey to China, now's the time to
act. The trip is ranked in one of Travel & Leisure’s top
ten lists: http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/the-worlds-top-10-stargazing-spots/2
This
is not the one to miss!
For more information and full itinerary, call 877.707.7827 or 408.279.5589
(Pacific time), or visit: http://www.melitatrips..com/china/index.html
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09) Northern Lights cruise (Nov.
10-19, 2009)—EXCITING NEW ADVENTURE
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/
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10) African cosmic safari (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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11) Astronomy &
photography programs at Borrego Ranch Resort & Spa
An exciting new resort has opened
in Borrego Springs—the Borrego Ranch Resort & Spa—in the
location of the former La Casa Del Zorro. In addition to charming new
grounds and facilities, Borrego Ranch is offering a terrific selection of
special classes and workshops, including a variety of astronomy and photography
classes by… you guessed it, yours truly. So if you’re looking
for a great relaxing getaway to one of the most beautiful areas in California, check it out
at http://www.borregoranch.com
and visit the Programs & Activities calendar.
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12) The switch to
digital will eliminate the Big Bang Channel
The switch from analog to digital television broadcasting signals in
the United States,
which was originally scheduled for February 17th has been postponed
until June 12, 2009 (http://www.dtvanswers.com).
To those anticipating the higher-quality picture and more reliable signal that
this switch will afford, the delay is surely a downer, though some stations may
begin broadcasting digital signals before this date. You may be surprised,
though, that the change in signal may no longer allow you to see leftover
radiation from the Big Bang in the static on your television screen. To learn more,
visit here: http://www.universetoday.com/2009/02/16/the-switch-to-digital-switches-off-big-bang-tv-signal/
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____________________
DENNIS MAMMANA
www.DennisMammana.com
www.twanight.org