ASTRONOMY UPDATE (19 May 2013)
Dennis Mammana
I want to thank all for the wonderful kindnesses so many have extended to me over the past few weeks. In addition to all the supportive e-mails I’ve received, I’ve had friends schlep me around to appointments and shopping, bring me delicious homemade food, and run errands for me. Good people all, and I’m so very grateful and proud to call you my friends!
While side effects of the surgery remain—it is only 17 days out, after all—I am moving forward in a sensible and efficient manner and, as a result, recovering gradually. On today’s schedule is another brief walk in the warm dry desert air, writing next week’s newspaper column, and starting a pot of tomato sauce brewing in the kitchen—for an Italian’s home without the Sunday aroma of sauce is like a day without sunshine!
But now it’s time to gaze skyward once again. Don’t miss the amazing planetary promenade in our western sky at dusk over the next two weeks (01). Join me for my last public program of the season (02) and, if you haven’t yet read the profile of me in the May issue of “Astronomy Magazine”, I’ve linked to the full six-page article (04) Hope you enjoy this glimpse into who I am and why I do what I do.
Fun activities & events…
01) Amazing sky show over the next two weeks!
02) “Desert Moon Dreams” (Sunday, May 26)
03) Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (June 27-30)
On the web…
04) Profile of yours truly in the May issue of Astronomy Magazine
Come along with me, I’m on my way to a star!
05) The Great Last Eden Total Solar Eclipse… filling fast! (Oct 31-Nov 12)
06) Join me for some arctic northern lights (Feb 28 – Mar 6 and Mar 6-12)
07) Other Cosmic Adventures…
Follow my celestial antics online…
08) Keep up with me on Facebook
09) Bloggin’ across the cosmos…
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01) Amazing sky show over the next two weeks!
If you've been putting off stargazing until
something really cool happens in the heavens, this is definitely your week!
Three planets will be dancing beautifully in the western sky over the next two
weeks. And the best part of the story is that you
won't need to leave the brightness of the city, nor will you need to stay out
late, to enjoy the show. Check it out in
my weekly “Stargazers” column at: http://www.creators.com/lifestylefeatures/astronomy/stargazers/planetary-promenade.html
And to get a preview of upcoming sky events in a handy
calendar format, along with a current sky map, be sure to visit my friends at
the Abrams Planetarium and check out their monthly Sky Calendar! http://www.pa.msu.edu/abrams/SkyCalendar/
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02) “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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03) 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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04) 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 this six-page story in the May issue of "Astronomy" Magazine! http://www.dennismammana.com/AstroMagMay2013.pdf
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05) The Great Last Eden Total Solar Eclipse—filling fast!
(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. But you’ll
need to book soon… only four spaces remain! 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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06) 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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07) 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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08) 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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09) 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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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