glFusion Site

Astrophotographer John Chumak in Mount Dora

Francisco — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:16:54 -0500

I received this message from a fellow astronomer...Hope somebody will take the opportunity to go

This is the link of my friend astrophotographer John Chumak from the Miami Valley Astronomical Society in Dayton Ohio go to the Publications tap on the top of the page you will see where his picture made Time magazine's cover.

http://galacticimages.com/catalog/index.php

He will be displaying his astrophotography in Mount Dora Arts Festival

Scheduled for Feb. 4-5, 2012, the 37th Annual Mount Dora Arts Festival is one of the one of the largest in the state with about 285 artists from all over the world.

http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/hometown_highlights/mount_dora_arts_festival.aspx

Clear Skies

Experiencing the Hubble

Gordon — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:45 -0500

Watch Inside the Hubble Space Telescope between now and Thursday, February 9, to go behind the scenes of one of the most revolutionary instruments in modern astronomy!

Arguably, no scientific instrument in history has had a larger impact on astronomy than the Hubble Space Telescope. So what makes it the most sought-after instrument for observing the secrets of the stars above our heads? How does it even work? And what advantages does it have over more traditional, ground-based observatories? In thanks for being our customer, here is a free video lecture: Inside the Hubble Space Telescope , delivered by Dr. David M. Meyer.

Stargazer January 2012

RayJones — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:02:14 -0500

Stargazer Friends:

For the current Stargazer column (topic: "2012 Night Sky Highlights"), go to http://stargazerpaul.com/sg-2012.htm.

Regards, Paul

Stargazer appears twice-monthly in the Waco Tribune-Herald and 60+ other newspapers. Paul Derrick is an amateur astronomer who lives in Waco. To be added to (or removed from) this free e-mail reminder, send your e-mail address (and name and city/state) to paulderrickwaco@aol.com.

*********************************
Paul Derrick
918 N. 30th St. * Waco, TX 76707
254-753-6920 (home) * 254-723-6346 (cell)
See my Stargazer website at:
* * stargazerpaul.com * *

IDA Night Watch Jan 2012

RayJones — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:53:24 -0500

The IDA Night watch article is available below.

Fourth Quarter Astrolog 2011 Issued

RayJones — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:25:01 -0500

THE 2011 FOURTH QUARTER ASTROLOG HAS BEEN POSTED. gOTO THIS SITE: http://www.cfas.org/filemgmt_data/files/Astrolog%20Vol%2036%20Q4.pdf

SKY Tips DEC

RayJones — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:39:28 -0500

This message can be viewed online at http://skytips.mcdonaldobservatory.org/2011/12/

Vol. 10, No. 12: December 2011


	Logo Cap Denim cap with the McDonald Observatory Fort Davis, Texas, mountains and star trails logo stitched patch style on front of cap. $24.95 Order now »

» December Stargazing
» December Radio Programs
» Coming Up in StarDate Magazine
» Wildfire Relief Fund
» Lunar Viewing Program
» Get Social With Us

Venus, the brightest object in the night sky after the Moon, climbs into better view as the "evening star" this month, low in the west at sunset. The next-brightest object, Jupiter, is well up in the southeast at that hour, and climbs high across the sky after Venus drops from view. Beautiful Orion, the hunter, is in view all night, with Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, tagging along behind it.

More stargazing information: http://stardate.org/nightsky

Hear StarDate every day on more than 300 radio stations nationwide.

Premium Audio: Listen to today's program today on-demand with a paid subscription to StarDate premium audio — http://stardate.org/store/premium-audio

December 1-4 Doomed Giant. One of the brightest stars in the night sky is also one of the biggest stars in the galaxy. But it's doomed to end its life with a big explosion — a supernova. Join us for the star Betelgeuse and much more.

December 5-11 Moon Meanderings. The Moon passes by the brilliant planet Jupiter this week, and they're on display for much of the night. It also passes the Pleiades, and it kicks off the weekend with a lunar eclipse. Join us for this and more.

December 12-18 Moon, Mars, and meteors. The Moon passes a bright orange companion this week: the planet Mars. We'll have details. And we'll also talk about a meteor shower that's being eclipsed by the Moon. Join us for these, plus an ancient celebration.

December 19-25 Holiday Skies. We'll help spread some holiday cheer this week with a look at some beautiful sights in the night sky — including a reindeer. And we'll also have the tales of two astronomy pioneers. Join us for this and more.

December 26-31 Planetary Debris. The process of building a solar system leaves behind a lot of debris — material that can turn deadly as the system ages. Join us for planetary bombardments, plus the bounty of the New Year's Eve sky.

December Program Schedule: http://stardate.org/radio/calendars
Find an Affiliate: http://stardate.org/radio/affiliates

The January/February issue will bring you our Sky Almanac 2012, with skywatching tips, events, and charts for the entire year. We'll also debunk a year's worth of astronomical pseudoscience, including the so-called "end of the world" predicted for next December.

http://stardate.org/store/subscribe

The 2011 West Texas fires ravaged hundreds of acres of land. Though the Observatory itself was spared, it was hit with more than $70,000 in fire-related loss. To learn more about how you can help the Observatory end the year well, read this letter from Director David Lambert.

If you're looking for telescope views that will take your breath away, Special Viewing Nights at the Observatory is the program for you. Observe planets, nebulae, galaxies and other deep sky objects through one of the largest telescopes in the world available to the public. We still have seats available in December for our 36-inch telescope programs, as well as our Lunar Viewing Program. We will be posting more dates soon, so check back frequently.

Find out more: http://mcdonaldobservatory.org/visitors/programs/#SpecialViewing

Keep up with all the news and video from McDonald Observatory on all your favorite social media platforms. "Like" us on Facebook, "follow" us on Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Like us on Facebook
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Follow us on Twitter
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Subscribe on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/mcdonaldobservatory
http://www.youtube.com/stardatemagazine

SkyTips is a monthly email newsletter for visitors to McDonald Observatory and StarDate Online. Each issue features stargazing highlights, upcoming StarDate radio program descriptions, and other news. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends and family.

SkyTips is a publication of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory Education and Outreach Office, 1 University Station A2100, Austin, TX 78712. Reproduction of SkyTips content is permitted with proper credit given to McDonald Observatory.

IDA Dec

RayJones — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:33:33 -0500

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

International Dark-Sky Association
Night Watch

02 December 2011 - Volume 3, Issue 15

Safe and Sound

Burglars afraid of the dark? Crime falls when Bristol street lights are turned off

This is Bristol - UK, 25 November 2011

Police in the Bristol area have made a startling discovery - burglars are scared of the dark. Crime has gone down in some areas to the north of the city since street lights have been turned off during the night, because thieves apparently need the light to carry out their crimes.

Parish councillors in Oldland agreed to the switch-off earlier this year which has already saved council taxpayers an estimated £16,000 in electricity bills. Councillor Ron Hardie, who represents Cadbury Heath, said: "The police have told us they have not seen any notable increase in crime. "In fact, in some areas, there has been a reduction of 20 per cent. "I understand from the police that burglars don't like it when it's dark. "They like to be able to see their escape route and they like to 'case' a premises before they strike. "They would attract too much attention if they were using torches."

Police figures show that in Frampton Cotterell, the crime rate has gone down by 50 per cent, in Thornbury by 28 per cent and Bradley Stoke, 17 per cent, compared with a year ago...

Image by Becky Ramotowski

Positive results for part night lighting scheme

South Gloucestershire Council website (UK), 23 Novemver 2011

Measures to conserve energy by switching off South Gloucestershire's street lights between midnight and 5am are reducing the district's energy costs and carbon emissions without compromising community safety, council and police figures show. Council data show that the 4,000 lights now switched to 'part night' lighting are on track to save £55,000 a year in energy costs, while reducing carbon emissions by a quarter. Meanwhile separate police figures reveal that recorded night time crime levels have continued to fall in areas where the scheme has been introduced...

Dimming the lights

By Margaret Hartley, Daily Gazette - NY, USA, 14 November 2011

The police chief of Rockford, Ill., where about 15 percent of the streetlights have been removed, said he's seen no evidence that crime increased when streetlights were removed. But it's something the city will keep an eye on. City managers said they worked with the police and engineering departments to study which streetlights should be removed, the Rockford Register Star reported...

Rockford, IL shuts off streetlights to save money

NPR - USA, 08 November 2011

RAZ: Yes, I mean, 15 percent of the lights, that's a lot because we're talking about a city of 150,000.I'm wondering if there is a trade-off here. I mean, obviously, the city is saving money, but what about public safety issues?

CURRY: You know, there were a lot of questions posed to the police chief. And the police chief told the council that there really are no studies that show direct correlation. And he is of the belief that, directly, the lighting doesn't affect crime...

One People, One Sky,

One App!

SkySafari3: Buy a great app and support a great astronomy organization. From now to 8 December, Southern Stars will donate 40% of SkySafari app sales to Astronomers Without Borders. Get yours today!

Read more >>

Homer Glen, Illinois Becomes
International Dark Sky Community

Homer Glen recognized for excellence in night sky conservation

IDA Press Release - AZ, USA, 29 November, 2011

A primary goal of the International Dark Sky Places program is to improve sky quality relative to an area, and Homer Glen has worked hard to provide a respite to the famously excessive lighting of Chicago. Sky glow prohibits astronomical quality skies, but Homer Glen's statewide leadership and education campaign for smart lighting policy has earned the recognition of this prestigious award...

Darker cities, brighter stars

By Nate Berg, The Atlantic Cities - USA, 01 December 2011

The village has adopted and implemented a new lighting ordinance that focuses on reducing sky glow. Officials have replaced 184 light polluting street light fixtures with lower wattage lights that have shielding to block light from pointing up into the sky...

Homer Glen earns international honor for outdoor light rules

By Michelle Mullins, Southtown Star - IL, USA, 24 November 2011 The village has been working on reducing the amount of light pollution since it incorporated in 2001, said Trustee Margaret Sabo, chairman of the environment committee. In 2007, the village board approved an ordinance regulating outdoor lighting and conserving energy. "I believe this shows that the village is a leader," Sabo said...

Designated IDSCommunities are Flagstaff, Arizona; Borrego Springs, California; Sark Island (The world's first "Dark Sky Island") and Homer Glen, Illinois. More on IDA's International Dark Sky Communities >>

Vote to Help IDA Refresh the Night Sky!

Every year the Pepsi Refresh project gives away tens of thousands of dollars in grants to improve communities. IDA has proposed a project to bring access to the starry night to urban areas. Projects are chosen by popular vote. Please vote EVERY DAY in the month of December and help IDA bring you the night sky though SUBURBAN OUTREACH SITES.

VOTE NOW

The grant will help IDA designate Suburban Outreach Sites around the country. IDA will coordinate action with our Chapters and astronomy clubs to select a safe place with a beautiful nighttime atmosphere. IDA will create "fresh" programming ideas and event coordination, and even offer free materials on how to dim city lights and bring back the stars.

VOTE NOW

Night Sky Protection

BLM holds first meeting to answer questions on proposed mine expansion

By Mark Havnes, Salt Lake City Tribune - UT, USA, 30 November 2011

Keith Rigtrup, district planner for the Color Country office of the BLM in Cedar City, has led the effort to prepare the draft environmental impact statement for the proposed expansion. He said concerns expressed by people Tuesday had to do with traffic and possible light pollution with the mine's proximity to Bryce Canyon National Park...

Mount Pocono borough gets businesses to cut light pollution

By Michael Sadowski, Pocono Record - PA, USA, 28 November 2011

When Mount Pocono was a quiet community, something like light pollution never entered the discussion. Then came the people. Then came the businesses. Then came the lights. The borough took a measure to halt light pollution by passing a light ordinance limiting how bright business parking lots and buildings can be at night...

Council shines to proposed dark sky bylaw

By Louis Tam, Cottage Country Now - Ontario, Canada, 23 November 2011

Gravenhurst is exploring the possibility of passing a new bylaw to keep the stars visible at night. Council passed a resolution during a meeting Nov. 15 to have staff draft a new dark sky bylaw, aimed at reducing the amount of light pollution emanating upwards from the town at night. The decision was made after supportive delegations from Tammy Paterson and Michael Foster, members of the town's environmental advisory committee...

Hong Kong advised on light pollution

Build - UK, 22 November 2011

Carl Gardner, Director of CSG Lighting Consultancy Ltd, was recently invited by the city authorities in Hong Kong to advise them on ways that the city and its local businesses can reduce the problems of light nuisance and light pollution...

Dark skies law would cut light in rural areas

By Dakota Smith, Daily Breeze - CA, USA, 13 November 2011

Newcomers who put up street lights in Cold Creek in the 1970s got a quick lesson in lighting etiquette, according to local legend. The bulbs were immediately shot out by old-timers - a message that a dark sky was preferred over a lit one in this rural Los Angeles County community. Decades later, darkness is still preferred. Passed by the Regional Planning Commission last week, the Dark Skies Ordinance cracks down on overly bright and obtrusive lighting, fining residents whose lights "trespass" onto other properties. The new rules empower homeowners annoyed by a next-door neighbor's barn light, or irked by a nearby high school football field's flood lights. First proposed by Supervisor Michael Antonovich in 2008, the ordinance is intended to preserve the unique character of the county's rural areas, which are increasingly being surrounded by new development, as well as conserve energy...

Video by Princeton Astronomer urges more dark sky friendly fixtures

10,000 solutions.org

Looking Up?

Alien bright lights, big city could reveal ET

By Lisa Grossman, New Scientist - 03 November 2011 Extraterrestrial civilisations could give themselves away by the night-time glow of their cities. And if there is one lurking in the outer reaches of our solar system, we are ready to find it...

Dark Sky Comment

Image by Dave Wymer

Light pollution kills the night

By Joan Trossman Bien, Morepark Patch - CA, USA, 27 November 2011

Truth is, dark skies are the future. It is an environmental movement that has finally captured the attention of the public and is no longer the darling of just the academic and amateur stargazers...

Power outage enhanced night sky's splendor

By Lee Widmer (letter to the editor) The Morning Call - PA, USA, 28 November 2011 We had to scramble and struggle a bit with the generator, but night time brought a wonderful view. No overhead lights from the neighbors causing light pollution so the ensuing darkness created a superb star show...

Resident: Fix new hospital lighting, landscaping

(Opinion) By Shelia Kolesaire, Morristown Patch -NJ, USA, 09 November 2011

In light of this, it is difficult to understand why the hospital and the Board of Adjustment/Town would not consider the Sustainable Jersey initiative called "Reduce Light Pollution Action" as it reviewed the hospital's lighting plans. This action aims to reduce destructive impacts like glare, light trespass and sky glow caused by inappropriate or misaligned light fixtures...

Upcoming Events

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CFAS still has five 2012 Astronomy Calendars available for sale at $7.00. Send email to treasurer@cfas.org or order through PayPal.

Night Sky Network Program

RayJones — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:24:13 -0500

Hello Night Sky Network Members,

We hope you'll join us this Thursday, November 17th for a teleconference all about Exploring the Lunar Atmosphere. Brian Day from the NASA Lunar Science Institute will be sharing updates on a new generation of robotic lunar explorers and how they are revolutionizing our understanding of the Moon. He will also be highlighting an opportunity for the public to participate in NASA lunar science research.

To join the Teleconference on Thursday, November 17th at 6:00 pm PST (9:00 pm Eastern) call the toll-free conference call line:

1-888-455-9236

Call anytime after 5:45 pm the evening of the telecon. An operator will answer and:

- You will be asked for the passcode: NIGHT SKY NETWORK

- You will be asked to give your NAME and the CLUB you belong to, and number of people listening with you. (Central Florida Astronomical Society)

You can download the PowerPoint, view it online, and find more information here:

http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-view.cfm?Doc_ID=483

We look forward to "seeing" you there.

~Vivian