ASTRONOMY UPDATE (26 April 2013)
Dennis Mammana
Judging by my e-mails, I’m sure all
are wondering what happened to me over the past few months… well, after a
three long trips during February and March,
I’ve been so overwhelmed with catching up that I’ve been only able
to keep up with posting brief news items on my official Facebook Page. If you don’t
follow me there, you’re missing a lot!
Please visit today and do so (see #10 below).
A personal note to all my friends and fans: in late December I was diagnosed
with prostate cancer, and now join the ranks of such luminaries (though not by
choice!) as actor Robert DeNiro,
“America’s Mayor”
Rudy Giuliani, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and former N.Y. Yankees
manager Joe Torre. So on Thursday, May 2, I’ll be in San Diego to undergo surgery
and will hopefully have good news to report.
In the meantime… keep looking up!
--Dennis
Fun activities & events…
01) “Desert Stargazing for Beginners” workshop (Saturday, April 27)
02) “Night Sky Photography” workshop (Sunday,
April 28)
03) “Desert Moon Dreams” (Sunday, May
26)
04) Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (June 27-30)
On the web…
05) New aurora photos from up north!
06) Current “Stargazers” column
Come along with me, I’m on my way to a star!
07) The Great Last Eden Total Solar Eclipse (Oct. 31 – Nov. 12)
08) Join me for some arctic northern lights (Feb 28 – Mar 6 and Mar 6-12)
09) Other Cosmic Adventures…
Follow my celestial antics online…
10) Keep up with me on Facebook
11) Bloggin’ across the cosmos…
Definitely worth checking out…
12) New Earth-like planets found
13) How Apollo 13 movie differs from real life
14) Albert Einstein Store
15) Profile of yours truly in the May issue of Astronomy Magazine
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01) “Desert Stargazing for Beginners” workshop (Saturday, April 27)
Ever step outdoors on a dark night and become lost in the maze of stars overhead? Not necessary! Join me for my popular “Desert Stargazing for Beginners” workshop on Saturday, April 27, and 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! Seating is very limited, so register today! http://theabf.org/event/astronomy/desert_stargazing_beginners_2
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02) “Night Sky Photography” workshop (Sunday, April 28)
Want to learn the basics of photographing the nighttime sky? Register now for next Sunday's workshop at Calumet Photo in Escondido, CA. Seating is very limited, so register today! http://www.cvent.com/events/night-sky-photography-with-dennis-mammana/event-summary-a4fd87af5bf94ab8b76e380fec6c763f.aspx
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03) “Desert Moon Dreams” (Sunday, May 26)
She's been known throughout the ages as Diana, Aphrodite, Isis and Levanah. She's inspired us in poetry, art and song, and for centuries has inspired dreams of visiting her in person. Today we know this great celestial goddess as our moon, and tonight we'll explore the many ways we are touched by her magical light. http://www.springsatborrego.com/stars.php
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04) Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (June 27-30)
Join me in Thunder Bay, Ontario during late June as I present several programs at the RASC’s 53rd General Assembly. At this terrific gathering you’ll enjoy some outstanding speakers, social events and other activities designed for astronomy enthusiasts of all ages and stages. https://www.rasc.ca/events/home
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05) New aurora photos from up north!
I spent much of February and March in Norway, Iceland and Alaska, and captured some of the most spectacular images of the aurora borealis ever. You can see many of these images posted over the past few months here: https://www.facebook.com/DennisMammana/photos_stream
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06) Current “Stargazers” column
Keep up with the starry
heavens in my weekly column, now in its 21st consecutive year. And remember, you
can subscribe free to the column via e-mail or RSS
feed… just click the appropriate box at the bottom of the column to do
so. Or if
you’re more “analog” than digital, click the box to let your
local newspaper editor know you’d like them to carry it. http://www.creators.com/lifestylefeatures/astronomy/stargazers.html
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07) The Great Last Eden Total Solar Eclipse (Oct. 31 – Nov. 12)
If you've never experienced a total
solar eclipse―and believe me, you'd know if you have―this is one bucket list item you don't want to put
off! Join me as we journey to west Africa to
explore the ancient and exotic lands of Gabon
and Morocco,
and experience one of nature's most breathtaking sky phenomena. http://melitatrips.com/destinations/2013/africa/africa.html
Or, enjoy the eclipse with my colleague Rich Talcott, Senior Editor of Astronomy Magazine,
on a fantastic safari in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya! http://melitatrips.com/destinations/2013/kenya/kenya.html
For more information on
both exciting journeys, call 877.707.7827
toll-free, or visit the links above. And be sure to mention my name to receive top
priority!
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08) Join me for some arctic northern lights (Feb 28 – Mar 6 & Mar 6-12)
I know you’ve been putting it off, but
we’re now at solar max—the peak of the sun’s activity
cycle—and the northern lights are dancing like they
haven’t for years. Join me for a
truly fun journey to Fairbanks,
Alaska, the Aurora Capital of the
World, and marvel first-hand at Nature’s greatest light show!
Two tours are scheduled next year: one with the dark
of the moon and one with some moonlight.
But don’t wait too long… both will
fill up quickly! http://melitatrips.com/destinations/2014/alaska/alaska2014.html For more information
on both exciting journeys, call
877.707.7827 toll-free, or visit the link above. And be sure to mention my name to receive top priority!
By the way, the next solar max won’t
come until at the earliest 2024!
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09) Other Cosmic Adventures…
While I’d love to have you join me on my cosmic
adventures, many other astronomically-related travel options are also
available. MWT
Associates is one of the best tour companies who specializes in astronomical
travel, and features a stable of some of the world’s finest and most
popular lecturers. I’m honored to have been part
of this “stellar” team for the past 19 years, and I encourage you
to check out which other exciting celestial programs might interest you: http://www.melitatrips.com
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10) Keep up with me on Facebook
To receive more immediate details about celestial events, new
photographs, cool astronomical discoveries and discussion (if you so
choose)—more than I can possibly include in this newsletter—I hope
you’ll join the increasing number of fans that “like” my
official Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/DennisMammana. Just look at the top near my name and click
the “Like” button; that’s it! And if you’re
not a Facebook member, you can still visit and check out my postings—but
you won’t be able to post comments or receive news as I post it.
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11) Bloggin’ across the cosmos…
Lots of things to write about… and
I’d like to invite your thoughts on just what you’d be most
interested in reading about.
General ideas or specific topics are all welcome… just drop me a
note at mam...@skyscapes.com and I’ll do my best to come up with something you’ll
enjoy reading. In the meantime, you’ll find my blog at http://dennismammana.blogspot.com,
and you can subscribe free at the bottom of the page.
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12) New Earth-like planets found
It's only a matter of time, my friends. Only a matter of
time...
http://carnegiescience.edu/news/new_earthlike_planets_found
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13) How Apollo 13 movie differs from real life
Many astronauts seem to like the Apollo 13 movie, but being
technically minded folk they also enjoy pointing out what actually happened during that
so-called “successful failure.” Here, Ken Mattingly
explains how the Apollo 13 movie differs from his real mission. http://www.universetoday.com/101531/ken-mattingly-explains-how-the-apollo-13-movie-differed-from-real-life/
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14) Albert Einstein Store
Now weren't you just saying you really need an Einstein bobblehead? :)
http://einstein.shop.musictoday.com/
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15) Profile of yours truly in the May issue of Astronomy Magazine
Curious about what makes me tick? Most are... :) Read all about me and my work in a six-page story in the May issue of "Astronomy" Magazine, now in the bookstores and news stands. Or you can buy a copy online: http://www.astronomy.com/sitecore/content/Magazine%20Issues/2013/May%202013.aspx?sc_lang=en
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As you requested, I’m sending these astronomy notices to you. Please let me know if your e-mail address changes, or if you ever prefer not to receive these postings. And feel free to pass this newsletter on to friends and encourage them to subscribe. Remember, I
will never sell, trade, lend, or leak your e-mail address to any other individual or organization—and only those who specifically request inclusion are added.
To read these missives online, visit the archive at: http://groups-beta.google.com/group/MammanaGrams
If you wish to reach me, you can do so not by replying to this site, but by my e-mail address: mam...@skyscapes.com
For faster and more complete notices—and much more fun than e-mail—be sure to “Like” me on my official Facebook page: facebook.com/DennisMammana
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DENNIS MAMMANA (TWAN)
DennisMammana.com