ASTRONOMY UPDATES (13 December 2012)
Dennis Mammana
As our tiny blue world completes yet another journey around its life-giving star, I’d like to wish each of my readers, fans and friends a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, Festivus, or whatever brings you joy in this wonderful season. I truly hope that your stars shine ever more brightly in 2013, and that our paths cross many times during the new year! --Dennis
01) New sky photos from Down Under
02) Follow ol’ St. Nick’s journey!
03) Join me for some arctic northern lights!
04) Learn the basics of night sky photography
05) Night sky photography workshops coming to Alaska
06) Looking for a unique and cosmic holiday gift idea?
07) 2012-2013 Public Calendar now online!
08) Subscribe free to the cosmos!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
01) New sky photos from Down Under
It’s been a couple of weeks since returning from my eclipse trip Australia & New Zealand, and I’ve finally managed to process and post most of my sky images. Here are links to two of my favorites:
And, the most unique of all—titled “Umbra World”—will be featured on NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) site on Friday. Be sure to check it out here! http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
02) Follow ol’ St. Nick’s journey!
It’s getting exciting! Less than 2 weeks remain before the jolly ol’ elf sets off from the North Pole on his annual round-the-world journey. Thanks to the good folks at NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), their watch for intruders in our skies will also allow them to show the path of Santa in real time.
This year, track Santa’s voyage on Christmas Eve (http://www.noradsanta.org) so you’ll know when he’s getting close!
Ho Ho Ho!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
03) Join me for some arctic northern lights!
Less than 2 months from now, we’ll be on our
first northern lights tour of 2013—to Norway. From February 9-17
we’ll be aboard the ms Finnmarken cruising
along the spectacular coastline of Norway,
up above the Arctic Circle (melitatrips.com/destinations/2013/norway/norway.html. Next up—from February 16-23—is
the stunningly-beautiful country of Iceland (http://www.melitatrips.com/destinations/2013/icelandfeb/iceland.html).
And, while I’m leading an aurora tour to Alaska, my colleague Liz Kruesi,
associate editor of Astronomy Magazine,
will be leading another aurora trip to Iceland (http://www.melitatrips.com/destinations/2013/iceland/iceland.html).
Since we’re nearing the top of the solar
activity cycle, we may be seeing the best displays in years. I know
you’ve been putting it off… :-)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
04) Learn the Basics of Night Sky Photography
If you’ve ever wondered why anyone would take a camera outside on a clear dark night, you might like to take my Night Sky Photography Basics workshop to get you started in this fun-filled and addicting pastime on January 18/19, 2013. http://theabf.org/event/workshops/night_sky_photography_basics
Or, if you’d like to learn even more details and specialized tricks of the trade, consider a personalized tutorial under the stars where you’ll be guided in the fine art and science of creating beautiful TWAN-style photos. Gift Certificates are available! See Item 4 below.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
05) Night sky photography workshops coming to Alaska
Live in Alaska and wish you could take my night sky photography workshops here in the Desert Southwest? Never fear, the show is coming to you! On Friday and Saturday, March 8 & 9, I’ll be in Juneau, on Saturday, March 16 in Fairbanks, and on Saturday, March 30 in Anchorage. Details to come, but be sure mark your calendars!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
06) Looking for a unique and cosmic holiday gift idea?
The holidays are racing toward us like an out of control sleigh. This
year, don’t just promise the sun, moon and
stars… deliver!
Treat yourself or that special someone to a personal tour of the universe above
Borrego Springs, California's first and only International
Dark Sky Community, and one of
"USA Today’s" 10 great stargazing sites! http://is.gd/SuxrW1. Sky tours typically run for two
hours, depending on interest level and weather.
Or learn the fine art and science of night sky photography with a personalized tutorial. This is more intensive, hands-on and detailed than the in-class workshop.
Check out both of these great opportunities! http://www.dennismammana.com. Gift Certificates are available!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
07)
2012-2013 Public Calendar now online!
Make plans now to join me for a
variety of lectures, workshops and events during the next year… visit my
public calendar and be sure to mark yours!
http://www.dennismammana.com/presentations/schedule.htm
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
08) Subscribe free to the cosmos!
Keep up with the starry heavens in my syndicated weekly column, now in
its 21at 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 of an analog person 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
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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
___________________________
DENNIS MAMMANA (TWAN)
DennisMammana.com