ASTRONOMY UPDATE (01 September 2014)
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Dennis Mammana
Aug 31, 2014, 8:36:57 PM8/31/14
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01) “Stargazers” Column Begins 23rd Consecutive Year
02) Borrego Night Sky Tours
03) 2014-2015 Public Calendar Now Online
04) A New Celestial Campout Season Begins
05) Night Sky Photo Workshop Coming Up!
06) 20th Annual Nightfall Star Party
07) Come See Me in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley September 3
08) Have Cosmos, Will Travel
09) Astronomical Enrichment Tours
10) Follow Me on Social Media
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01) “Stargazers” Column Begins 23rd Consecutive Year
My popular weekly syndicated column “Stargazers” reached a milestone this week… it began its 23rd consecutive year of helping sky watchers find their way around the heavens—and remains the only nationally syndicated column on astronomy. If you’ve been a regular reader, thank you! If not (shame on you!), you can subscribe free to the column through 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 to see it in print. Check out this week’s article here: http://www.creators.com/lifestylefeatures/astronomy/stargazers.html
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02) Borrego Night Sky Tours
As I begin my third season of the popular Borrego Night Sky Tours, I’ve just put into operation a giant 14-inch telescope, and you can be one of the first to peer through it into the heavens. If you’re planning to explore Southern California’s ruggedly beautiful Anza-Borrego Desert this autumn or winter, why stop at sundown? Unlike a typical group “star party”, my Borrego Night Sky Tour is a personalized and truly inspiring journey across the cosmos above Borrego Springs—California's first and only International Dark Sky Community. I promise this is one voyage you won't soon forget! Dates and spaces are limited... reserve yours now. http://www.BorregoNightSkyTours.com
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03) 2014-2015 Public Calendar Now Online
My calendar of public events for 2014-2015 (and beyond) is online; if you’re planning to visit beautiful Borrego Springs this upcoming season, I hope you’ll time your trip to join us for some (or all!) of these “stellar” events. Links will be updated as details are firmed up. http://www.dennismammana.com/presentations/schedule.htm
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04) A New Celestial Campout Season Begins
The desert summertime heat is finished now, and it’s a great time to get out to Southern California’s Anza-Borrego Desert for an overnight campout, and enjoy a peek at the heavens through a giant 14-inch telescope. Join me and California Overland Desert Excursions for our next exciting Celestial Overnight on Saturday, September 20. Everything is supplied; all you need to bring is a pillow and a sense of adventure! As for the weather… well it just doesn't get much better than this. Warm and dry sunny days and cool, clear nights make for perfect conditions. Don't miss out… make your reservations soon! http://www.californiaoverland.com/
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05) Night Sky Photo Workshop Coming Up!
In early autumn the Milky Way is glorious... no question about it. But have you ever captured a great photo of it with just your camera & tripod? Join me for this special two-day Southern California workshop on the weekend of September 27/28, and learn the secrets to amazing night sky photography from under the clear, dark skies of Borrego Springs, California's only International Dark Sky Community. Save 10% by registering before September 12. Reduced rates for lodging are also available. For more details and enrollment, visit: http://www.dennismammana.com/BSNightSkyPhoto2014.htm
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06) 20th Annual Nightfall Star Party
One of the biggest astronomical weekends in San Diego County occurs in Borrego Springs on the weekend of October 23-26, 2014—the same weekend as the 49th Annual Borrego Days Festival (whose theme this year, by the way, is “Borrego SkyDance”). Lodging is tough to come by if you wait too long, so make your reservations now! For details on these terrific events, visit: http://www.nightfallstarparty.com
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07) Come See Me in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley
On Tuesday, September 3, 2014, I’ll be doing a presentation in Easton, PA; on that evening I’ll be presenting a free program titled “Our Pinhead Solar System,” and demonstrating just how big our cosmic home is and how we fit into the cosmic scheme of things. This is one program that will definitely put things into perspective! For more details, visit: http://www.eastonpl.org/PDFS/DennisMammana.pdf
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08) Have Cosmos, Will Travel
Many of my fans have expressed disappointment that they cannot attend some of my popular presentations and workshops here in Southern California... but don't despair. Groups such as photo clubs, camera stores, astronomy associations, schools, libraries, etc. often host such programs, so if you know of organizations in your area that might be interested, please email me at mam...@skyscapes.com. Perhaps we can put something together in your area!
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09) Astronomical Enrichment Tours
The northern lights are kicking up—have you seen some of the great photos coming out of the north in the past few weeks?—and you know they’re on your cosmic bucket list. But time and space is running out. Less than two months remain until our first aurora borealis tour begins. Remember, the sun is now just past its "solar maximum" phase, and this downturn is just when auroral displays are historically at their best. The next solar max? Maybe in 2025. Maybe. There's debate in the astronomical community if it'll even happen. Don't miss out; act now before space is filled!
Churchill Polar Bears, Northern Lights & Hudson Bay Train (October 25 – November 1, 2014 with Dr. Seth Shostak, SETI ) http://melitatrips.com/destinations/2014/churchill/churchill.html
Norway Northern Lights Cruise (November 7-17 2014 with Dennis Mammana) http://melitatrips.com/destinations/2014/norwaynov/norway.html
Alaska Aurora Borealis (March 7-13 2015) with Dennis Mammana) http://melitatrips.com/destinations/2015/alaska/alaska2015.html
And, if you’ve experienced neither the aurora borealis nor a total solar eclipse, this might just be your ticket… a possible “two-fer”! Iceland for the aurora, and the Faroe Islands for a stunning total solar eclipse! (March 14-23, 2015 with Dennis Mammana) http://melitatrips.com/destinations/2015/faroe/faroe.html
For those looking even farther ahead, check out our Java Sea Eclipse; orangutans AND a total solar eclipse… what could be better! (February 27 – March 10, 2016 with Dennis Mammana) http://www.melitatrips.com/destinations/2016/java/java.html
To learn more these (and other) exciting programs, call MWT Associates at 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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10) Follow Me on Social Media
To receive more frequent and 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 enjoy my postings on social media. Several options are available:
Facebook: Go to my official page (http://www.facebook.com/DennisMammana), look at the top near my name and click the “Like” button; that’s it! (Oh, and hover your cursor over the “Like” button so you can click “Get Notifications”)
Google Plus: Go to my page (https://plus.google.com/+DennisMammana) and add me to your circles.
Twitter: Or keep up in even more real-time with my Twitter feed @dennismammana. Just go to https://twitter.com/dennismammana and click “Follow”.
Blog: There’s always more to write about, so I’ll hope you’ll check out my blog at http://dennismammana.blogspot.com. And, in the meantime I’d like to invite your thoughts on what might interest you for a future blog column.
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As you’ve 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.
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