Sort of an 'archive' for older items that may have been published previously on this web site...

From April 2008

Dr. Rebecca Koopmann, an Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy, at Union College in Schenectady, NY and distinguished Harlow Shapley Visiting Lecturer, gave two lectures and helped host a star party April 3rd & 4th.  Her first lecture,   The Dark Side of the Universe:  Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Invisible Universe was given at the Museum of Texas Tech.  Another lecture was given the following morning at South Plains College, So You Want to be an Astronomer: Adventures in the Life of an Extragalactic Astronomer with a star party later that night.  Special thanks to Patrice Fay of the Museum and Dr. Phil Anderson of South Plains College helped pull the whole thing off.

From October 2007

Patrice Marshall’s office at the Museum of Texas Tech recently received a call about some stolen astronomy equipment, specifically several expensive Televue brand eyepieces. The items were stolen the week of 10/1 - 10/5, near 50th & Elgin. All items have been reported to the police, and the local pawn shops have been notified as well. No other telescope equipment was taken at the time, giving the impression that the person or persons who took the eyepieces do not know what they are used for. We have been asked to alert club members to be on the look out for these items if they come up for sale.
List of stolen items: Televue brand eyepieces, 15 in all:
2-32mm; 1-22mm; 1-40mm, 2”; 1-40mm, 1.25”; 1-25mm; 1-10mm; 1-13mm; 1-17mm; 1-14mm, 2”; 1-13mm, 2”; 1-19mm; 1-7mm; 1-4.5mm; 1-9mm, 2”; UHC filters; 2 moon filters; several nebula filters; 1 large silver "diamond-surface" case with "Boogge's Eyepieces" painted on the side (some foam is missing from this case); and 1 brown hard plastic case with "Stu's Eyepieces" painted on the side
The folks have recently moved to Lubbock, and are interested in getting back into astronomy after a year hiatus. Contact information is: Martha Palmer, 797-0575; or club members can call the Museum (742-2432) and we'll forward their information on to the Palmers.

From July 2007

From Patrice Fay:
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey has a new project that anyone with a computer and internet access can help with - classifying galaxies. Follow the link below, register and sign in, take the tutorial and then start classifying galaxies. It's real scientific research, and kind of addicting! http://www.galaxyzoo.org/default.aspx

From June 2007

Invitation to Hear John Dobson in Dallas on June 22
The Texas Astronomical Society will be hosting John Dobson at the general meeting, June 22nd at the University of Texas at Dallas. We would like to extend an invitation to your membership to join us for this event. The meeting starts at 7:30pm in the Founder's North Building. Please check our website for last minute details, plus a map to UTD. www.texasastro.org
So we may accommodate all interested visitors, please let us know how many may attend so we will be sure to have a big enough room. I may be contacted at the address below.
Additionally, we are co-sponsoring Astro Day at the University of Texas at Arlington the next day Saturday, June 23rd.
More information will be posted here as it is updated. http://www.uta.edu/planetarium/Pages/Events/index.htm
Hope to see you in Dallas.
Jordan Kaiser
Vice President - Texas Astronomical Society
214-334-8321

Help observe the Trojan binary (617) Patroclus
From Tom Heisey on June 1...
Your mission, should you choose to accept it...
Scientists at the Paris Observatory have put out a call for imagers to help observe (617) Patroclus and Meneotius mutual events over the summer.  Anyone with an astrophotography system that can reach mag 15 and a good watch can assist with the measurements.
For more information, see their site:   http://www.imcce.fr/page.php?nav=en/observateur/campagnes_obs/patroclus
The campaign will end in July when the event will become too faint to be detectable. The site lists all events with a magnitude change of .01 or more through August 1st.
Notice that from June 8 on, there are no more eclipses, only occultation.  The most recent events show a time shift of four hours.
It's a way to do a bit of research while imaging.

Solar alert - Real activity swinging our way
from Tom Heisey on June 1...
It looks like we've got some real activity headed our way this weekend.  Spaceweather had this image http://www.spaceweather.com/images2007/01jun07/eit_column.gif showing the very active limb.  That active region will have us in its sights soon.
SOHO's EIT cameras show the fountains, but the corona cams (LASCO) show almost no activity and the MDI shows no spots at all, but I have a feeling that's about to change: http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime-update.html#top
You might also watch the auroral oval http://www.sec.noaa.gov/pmap/gif/pmapN.gif to see if it extends down towards us over the next few nights.  The oval (blue ring) is already down as far as Kansas.  If a storm hits hard, we might get lucky enough to see a ghostly curtain to the north.
Now if only the weather would cooperate...

From May 2007

Mike Jones Article to be Published in New Magazine
"I have an article on Rosin Astrographs coming out in the May issue of "Astronomy Technology Today". This is a brand new magazine dedicated to the technology and equipment used by beginning to advanced amateur astronomers. The first issue was April 2007, so it is really brand new. Their website and subscription signup (a real bargain) is at http://www.astronomytechnologytoday.com/
Astronomy Technology Today (A-Tech) is picking up the slack left by Sky and Telescope, which basically ceased any interest in amateur telescope making years ago and has become a glossy publication for professional astronomers and equipment advertisers. A-Tech is also a refreshing new magazine to continue on after the years of the great Amateur Telescope Making Journal, which ceased publication in the 90's."

New Observatory Near San Angelo
San Angelo Astronomy Association (SAAA) club members and Mike Jones of Azle enjoyed a great dinner Saturday night, April 21, hosted by Ron and Linda Muir of Christoval, in celebration of the completion of Ron's new "Flint Hill Observatory". Pictures of the construction progress, the finished observatory and telescope with several of the SAAA members that helped, and the observatory dinner fun can be found at http://www.wcc.net/~myastronomy/
Click on "Observatory" to see all the finished pictures of Flint Hill Observatory, with the roof rolled back, the 22" at the center, and all the San Angelo club members that worked on it (Mike Jones took the picture from a tall ladder). Ron's next project is a 12.5" f/3.8 hyperboloidal astrograph, to be mounted in the pier location within the observatory as shown on the website. Mike designed this astrograph for Ron, and will be making the primary mirror for Ron in his Azle optics shop. 
The San Angelo Astronomy Association is a very active group of amateurs living near or out in some very dark skies to the west and south. The Eldorado Star Party is only about an hour and a half's drive from San Angelo. The SAAA website is http://www.angeloastronomy.org/
They would love it if SPAC wanted to have a star party collaboration with SAAA sometime Hint Hint! They have some super dark skies and two really nice observatories now, with the completion of Ron's new site.

From February 2007

New Ash-Dome at 3RF Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus
See their news release here in pdf format: 3RF News Release and more information at http://www.3RF.org

From December, 2006

Kyle Vernon - teaching astronomy in Crosbyton
The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal published an article back in November about our friend Kyle Vernon of Crosbyton. The online version includes a video as well as the write-up. You can see the article and video at http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/112106/loc_112106031.shtml. Way to go, Kyle!

From November, 2006

New Solar Optical telescope
Info from Tom Heisey:
Check out these first light images from Japan's Hinode Solar Optical telescope - They've reached 0.2 arc second resolution!
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/02nov_firstlight.htm?list185042
WOW!

From: Patrice Fay [mailto:patrice.m.fay@ttu.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 8:07 AM
Subject: FW: 2006 Messier Marathon Booklet
In case SPAC club members are interested...
thanks,
Patrice
-------------------------
From: "Rick Harris" <rharris.0205@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2006 22:10:21 -0600
Subject: 2006 Messier Marathon Booklet
ALL,
Messier Marathon 2006 is on March 25, the prime viewing night with the alternate on April 1.  Several members are planning a viewing session at Mankins, TX.  Arrangements are currently being made as to the specific location and time. If you are interested, please respond so that we can get a head count and find adequate space.  Further details will be sent soon.
Also, SOL has produced a 2006 Messier Marathon Booklet and a sample is attached showing the front cover, a suggested observing order page, a object identification chart page and a page from the log sheet.  The booklet is 18 pages total, has a clear protective front cover, black plastic back cover and is bound (handsomely).  Even if you don't attend the Marathon, you may wish to get one for yourself so that you can observe each objects at your own pace.
 Paid current members  - FREE
 Non - members            -$5.00
If you would like one I need to know by WEDNESDAY, March 8 so that I can get them made.
They will be ready for pick-up Saturday, March 9 at Hastings between 1pm and 3pm.
If you live outside the Wichita Falls area or wish to have one mailed, give me your mailing address and I can send them Saturday.  Non-members can order one, send payment now and I will mail it when I get the payment.
Send payment to:
Starlight Observers League
2305 Talunar Ln
Wichita Falls, TX 76301
--
Rick Harris
SOL Secretary

Mars Watch 2005
SPAC will host a Mars Watch event at Tech Terrace Park on November 5 starting at dark. Club members will probably set up around sunset to take advantage of the light, but Mars won't really be up high enough to view well until 10pm; it should clear the trees around 9, but it will still be deep in atmospheric murk. We should have a fair number of scopes and welcome the public.
Given the hype and hoax e‑mail circulating, we'll have to manage some folks’ expectations a bit. Mars is a small object, so we can't hope to match the large images shown in photos. It's also bright, so it's sometimes hard to see surface features. However, if the sky is clear and the seeing good, it's well worth a look and really neat to see surface features.
Rise and transit times: http://marsweb.jpl.nasa.gov/allabout/nightsky/nightsky06-2005.html
Basic observing tips: http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/article_1612_1.asp
We will set up towards the south edge of the park and will have a number of blinking red lights marking our area so the public can find us. If the park is soggy, we'll set up at the dead end of 25th street near Flint.
Parking is available around the neighborhood, but access to 25th along the park is a bit confusing ‑ 25th is blocked at Flint and Gary is blocked at 25th. If you come out, it's easiest to come up from the south on Gary or east on 25th from Indiana.

Special Thanks...
to Patrice and Rick Fay and the Museum of Texas Tech University for inviting SPAC members to have our August meeting in the newly re-opened Moody Planetarium followed by a free showing of the new planetarium show "WSKY: Radio Station of the Stars". SPAC sincerely appreciates the hospitality.

Student Exchange Program Needs Assist
From: HollyEluyah@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 12:13 PM
Subject: Looking for Astronomy Family
I am writing to request your help. I work with an exchange program that brings foreign high school students to the Lubbock area. I have a girl from Vietnam, Hanh, who is 16 years old and will be coming in August for next school year. She is very interested in Astronomy and wants to become a professional Astronomer in the future. I am looking for a family in Lubbock or the surrounding area that would share that interest and could provide a loving home for the 10 months that she will be here.
The students come with their own spending money for personal items, entertainment and school activities and they are insured. We ask the family to provide a bed (they can share a bedroom with a same sex sibling, but need to have their own bed) and meals for the student (breakfast, dinner and groceries available if they choose to take a lunch to school - if they buy their lunch at school or fast food the student pays their own).
I am hoping someone in your organization might be a good match for Hanh so that she could be in a family with similar interests. If you know of anyone or could pass this message along I would GREATLY appreciate it.  I can be reached by email or the cell phone listed below and am available anytime to answer any questions.
Thank you so much,
Holly Nichols
CCI -- Area Representative
806-438-8617

Cool Blast From the Past!
On April 6, 2005, SPAC received an e-mail message from a gentleman named Paul Riherd:
From: Paul Riherd
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2005 12:07 PM
To: Webmaster@SouthPlainsAstronomyClub.org
Subject: Greetings to SPAC
Greetings to everyone in the South Plains Astronomy Club.
I was very pleased to find the SPAC website and to know that SPAC is still in existence. Many years ago I was a member of the club and was even president briefly sometime around 1976 or 1977. At the time the club began around 1959 meetings were in the old planetarium behind the West Texas Museum. Later, meetings were conducted in the new planetarium and also at Haynes Elementary School where long-time member Joe Pierce was principal.
I still retain an active interest in astronomy and hope that some time when I am in Lubbock that I will be able to visit both the SPAC and the P.F Gott Observatory.
Best wishes,
Paul Riherd
Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

Hale-Bopp co-discoverer plans event to mark ten-year anniversary of comet discovery
January 27, 2005; Contact: Alan Hale, Southwest Institute for Space Research (505) 687-2075; Cloudcroft, New Mexico.
July 23, 2005 marks the ten-year anniversary of the discovery of Comet Hale-Bopp, and co-discoverer Dr. Alan Hale is announcing plans for an event to celebrate the occasion. "It seems incredible to think that that much time has elapsed since the discovery," remarks Hale. The comet was at its best in the nighttime sky during the first few months of 1997, a year and a half after its discovery by Hale and independently by Arizona amateur astronomer Thomas Bopp.
The planned two-day event will be held at the Tays Special Events Center in Alamogordo, New Mexico on Friday and Saturday, July 22 and 23. Plans for the event are still in the process of being finalized, however appearances by several prominent guests will be part of the schedule. Some of the guests include well-known astronomers -- including fellow co-discoverer Bopp -- as well as space visionaries and individuals from the science fiction community. An exhibition by a prominent space artist, and a benefit concert featuring at least one internationally-known musical act, are also planned as parts of the festivities.
The event is being planned in part as a fundraiser for the Earthrise Project that Hale has begun developing within the past few years. Earthrise is an effort to establish an astronomical educational facility in the Sacramento Mountains near Cloudcroft, New Mexico, at a location immediately adjacent to the site from which Hale made his discovery of Hale-Bopp. The Southwest Institute for Space Research, of which Hale is Director, purchased the property at the planned Earthrise site in 2004, and is presently engaged in a fundraising campaign to pay off the property loan and begin development. Details about Earthrise can be found at the web site http://www.swisr.org/earthrise.html.
Earthrise is also envisioned as becoming the nexus of an international network of similar facilities, and to illustrate the international nature of Earthrise the anniversary celebration will feature appearances by some of Hale's international colleagues, including some astronomers from Iran whom he met during his two recent trips there. "I still stay in regular contact with the friends I made in Iran during my visits to that country," Hale remarks, adding that "I hope that our example of friendship and collaboration will inspire future participants of Earthrise to form their own international collaborations."
The Southwest Institute is presently seeking organizations and businesses, both within the local area and elsewhere, that are willing to be sponsors for the event. Sponsoring organizations and businesses will be featured prominently as such on program literature and at the Institute's web site, and will be allotted booth space for sales and other activities at the event. Any organization or business interested in being a sponsor for this event is invited to contact the Southwest Institute at (505) 687-2075 or by e-mail at earthrise@swisr.org.
Information about the celebration event and a schedule of activities will be posted at http://www.swisr.org/celebration.html as plans are finalized and as guests are confirmed. "The discovery of Hale-Bopp was certainly a major event in my life, and I invite everyone to come share in this anniversary celebration with me," Hale says.

More about Earthrise Project
Contact: Alan Hale, Southwest Institute for Space Research (505) 687-2075; Cloudcroft, New Mexico
Dr. Alan Hale, co-discoverer of Comet Hale-Bopp which shone in our nighttime skies eight years ago, is announcing a fundraising campaign to help develop an astronomical educational facility at a location immediately adjacent to the site from which he made his discovery. The project, called Earthrise, is eventually planned to contain several telescopes of various sizes and to be able to host students for a variety of astronomical activities. In addition to its on-site capability, the telescopes at Earthrise are also planned for utilization in a remote-control capacity.
Hale notes, however, that the purpose of Earthrise is more than just education. "During my travels in recent years it has become quite clear to me that astronomy can be a very useful tool for breaking down international and intercultural barriers," he remarks. Along these lines, Hale envisions Earthrise as being the nexus of an eventual global network of facilities that will encourage its participating students to form international collaborations for projects and grow to see each other as colleagues and friends. Hale notes that it was his experiences in his recent astronomy-related travels, including two visits to Iran in 1999 and 2000 to view a total solar eclipse and to participate in an international scientific conference, that to a large degree inspired him to begin developing Earthrise. "I still stay in regular contact with the friends I made in Iran during my visits to that country," he says, adding that "I hope that our example of friendship and cooperation will inspire future participants of Earthrise to form their own international collaborations."
Two years ago the Southwest Institute for Space Research, of which Hale is Director, conducted an initial fundraising campaign that was designed to help Earthrise get started. As a result of that campaign, in 2004 the Institute was able to take out a loan for the purchase of the property at the Earthrise site.
With that goal accomplished, Hale and the Southwest Institute are now announcing a new fundraising campaign. The specific goals of this campaign are paying off the property loan ($40,000 which will pay it off in full) and the initial development of the property to the point where initial activities can commence. The Institute already owns the first telescope to be located at the Earthrise site, and with sufficient funding Hale hopes to have this telescope available for use by participating students by the end of 2005.
In conjunction with this campaign, the Southwest Institute is selling various astronomy-related items, including autographed copies of Hale's book "Everybody's Comet: A Layman's Guide to Comet Hale-Bopp;" an e-book, "In Our Skies," that contains on CD-ROM a complete set of the weekly astronomy columns that Hale has been writing for the past ten years; and autographed photos of Majel Barrett (wife of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry), who graciously donated these to the Institute for fundraising purposes. These and other items are available for purchase for $20 each through the Institute's web site, http://www.swisr.org, and all proceeds from the sales will go towards Earthrise.
All contributors of $100 or more will be acknowledged as "Earthrise Founding Contributors" and will be listed as such on the Institute's web page and on a plaque to be erected at the Earthrise site.
Additional information about Earthrise, including daytime and nighttime photographs of the Earthrise site and a description of some of the astronomical activities that will be conducted there once the site is operational, can be found at http://www.swisr.org/earthrise.html.
Hale notes, incidentally, that this coming July 23 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Hale-Bopp discovery, and that he is in the process of planning an event to celebrate the occasion, which will be in part a fundraising event for Earthrise. Information about this event is available at http://www.swisr.org/celebration.html, which will be updated as plans are finalized and guests are confirmed.

From March, 2005

Cen-Tex Astronomy Weekend near Austin
From a recent message from Kelley Knight, Events Chair for the Austin Astronomical Society:
The Austin Astronomical Society is hosting the Cen-Tex Astronomy Weekend April 15-16 at the Eagle Eye Observatory in Canyon of the Eagles Lodge and Nature Park. The LCRA Park is located on Lake Buchanan across from Tow, TX.
We have lined up two great speakers. Dr. Steve Maran, author of “Astronomy for Dummies” and many other books will give a great astronomy talk for all ages and levels. Ann Micklos, an engineer working on the shuttles' thermal protection systems will talk about what it will take to get the shuttles flying and share the astrophotos taken by her and Columbia astronaut Dave Brown.
For the complete schedule and other logistics, please visit, http://www.austinastro.org/centex2005.html.
Kelley Knight
centex@austinastro.org

From February, 2005

3rd High Energy Astrophysics Workshop & Travel Grant Application
From: Aaron Price aaronp@aavso.org
Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2005 1:48 PM
You are all invited to the 3rd High Energy Astrophysics Workshop for Amateur Astronomers.
When: March 21-23, 2005
Where: New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Who: Sponsored by the AAVSO, NMSU, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and Sonoma State University through the NASA SWIFT and GLAST missions.
What:
The goal of this meaning is to educate the public on topics in high energy astrophysics. The focus will be on GRBs, magnetars, magnetic cataclysmic variables ("polars") and blazars. This is a great meeting for amateur astronomers, teachers, students and grad students.
A lineup of high energy all stars is speaking such as Jerry Fishman, Lynn Cominsky, Arne Henden and Phil Plait (author of www.badastronomy.com).
Workshops will be held on high precision CCD photometry, education and public outreach and an introduction to data analysis using free Windows software tools.
A day-long field trip to the VLA is also planned (with a special tour for us, not the regular public tour!).
Travel grants of $450 and $800 are available to residents of the U.S. and an application form is already online. Recipients of the travel grants are expected to share what they've learned with their local community upon return. How this is done can be creative (including online methods). Information is here! If you have any questions feel free to contact meetings@aavso.org.
Clear skies!
Aaron Price

New Mexico Observatories Excursion
SPAC member Patrice Fay wrote in a message dated February 3, 2005
You may be aware that the Museum of Texas Tech and the TTU Physics Department are coordinating a trip to New Mexico to tour three observatories:  Sunspot Solar Observatory, Apache Point Sloan Digital Sky Survey, both near Cloudcroft, and the Very Large Array west of Socorro.  The trip is planned for March 5-6, 2005.  It will be a real "whirl-wind" tour.
All three sites have confirmed our visit for Saturday March 5 and Sunday March 6.  I have coordinated this trip for the past 6 years, and this year will be our first to tour the VLA (my second time there).  We will be taking non-science major college students who are studying stellar astronomy this semester. This trip has been successful each time, and we should have a great time again.
The main costs to each person will be hotel room, gas, and meals (not including free breakfast at the hotel Sunday morning, March 6).
Hotel estimated cost: $18.00 per person, four people per room; or $72.00 per room.  Both prices estimates not including any taxes.
Expected meals (3 total): 2 lunches - Sat and Sun; and 1 dinner - Sat. Complimentary breakfast is included at the hotel Sunday morning.
Car pooling and "convoys" are encouraged for those who are not familiar with the routes.  Maps will be provided as well as an itinerary for the weekend.
If you are interested in joining our group, please let me know by February 18, 2005 at: patrice.m.fay@ttu.edu, or by phone (806)742-2432.
Thanks and see you in New Mexico!
Patrice M. Fay, M.A.
Education Specialist
Education Division
MoTTU
3301 4th Street
Lubbock, TX  79409
806-742-2432
patrice.m.fay@ttu.edu

From January, 2005

2005 Astronomy Highlights
SPAC Member Collin Smith wrote in a message on January 2, 2005:
With 2004 behind us, I want to wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous 2005! Here's a list of astro-events to mark on your 2005 Calendar...
Comet Machholtz, already a faint, naked eye fuzzy "star", will shine its brightest through January in Taurus and Perseus (http://skyandtelescope.com/mm_images/7575.gif)
Thursday night, January 13th, Saturn is at opposition (closest point to earth, rises with setting sun)
Saturday night, April 2nd, Jupiter is at opposition
Friday, April 8th partial solar eclipse for Lubbock (figured from El Paso and Dallas): beginning at 15:23, max at 16:08, ending at 16:49 (http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/OH/LC/LC2005-2.html#2005April08A)
A number of Meteor Showers are scheduled for 2005 (http://www.amsmeteors.org/showers.html#2005). Most notable and favorable, moon-wise, are the Eta Aquarids shower (maximum on Thursday night, May 5th just before a New Moon), the South Delta Aquarids (maximum Thursday, July 28th, Moon at Last Quarter), and the Perseid shower (maximum on Friday night, August 12th, Moon just before First Quarter).
Final weekend of June and Monday, June the 27th, Saturn, Venus and Mercury are all very near each other in the early dusk sky, low in the west.
Monday, July 18th, west of Abilene at about 10:00 PM, the moon will occult Antares in Scorpio (http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/bstar/0718zc2366.htm)
August, 2005, Neptune (7th) and Uranus (31st) are at opposition (yawn - okay, it was filler; get over it!)
Saturday night, at 10:21 PM on October 29th, Mars reaches its closest approach to Earth, as it nears opposition on November 6th. This is a Perihelic Apparition, and as such, Mars is much closer to Earth than during an average opposition. Not as close as in 2003, but very close, nonetheless, and much higher in the sky for Northern Hemisphere observers than in 2003(http://www.tnni.net/~dustymars/2005_MARS.htm)
Hope to see you under the stars this year!

Huygens data nearly missed
SPAC member Collin Smith wrote in a message dated January 21, 2005
I found this story very interesting (http://www.npr.org/dmg/dmg.php?prgCode=ME&showDate=21-Jan-2005&segNum=11&mediaPref=WM&getUnderwriting=1) The Doppler Effect almost fooled the main engineers to ruin Huygens data.

Sloan Digital Sky Survey: Ripples in the cosmic galaxy distribution
SPAC Member, Alan Sill wrote in a message on January 12, 2005:
In the largest galaxy survey ever, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) confirmed the role of gravity in growing structures in the universe, using the result to precisely measure the geometry of the universe.
The SDSS researchers from the University of Arizona, New York University, the University of Portsmouth (UK), the University of Pittsburgh and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, detected ripples in the galaxy distribution made by sound waves generated soon after the Big Bang. http://www.sdss.org/news/releases/20050111.yardstick.html

Deep Impact Launch Coverage
SPAC President, Tom Heisey wrote in a message on January 10, 2005:
When: Jan 12, 2005 13:30-14:00 (GMT-06:00) Central Time
Where: Web & TV
Launch at Wed, Jan 12, 1:47:08 pm
Arrives at comet Tempel 1 on July 4, 2005.
Deep Impact site: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/deepimpact/main/index.html
Launch Coverage (Streaming video from NASA TV) starting at 11am EST: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/deepimpact/launch/vlcc.html

Phenomenal Images of Comet Machholz
SPAC President, Tom Heisey wrote in a message on January 7, 2005:
This is a time-lapse image of the comet over roughly three hours that shows the movement of the dust away from the comet. It's got a 3D quality to the dust and you can see the comet's speed against the background stars. Note that the ion and dust tails are a bit wider than 90 degrees apart, making for a very interesting image.
http://www.astromeeting.de/comets/050104a1024.htm This link takes you to the smaller image that's 1.3mb. The large one is 4.8mb (click the "enlarge" button). Full details of the equipment and types of shots are on the details page.
If possible, get out tonight and take a look as the comet brushes past the Pleiades!

From December, 2004

Texas Star Party Information
SPAC Member Debbie Shelfer submitted the following announcement she received about registering for the 2005 TSP:
2005 Texas Star Party - Sign up Now!
The great tradition of dark sky observing continues with the 27th Annual TEXAS STAR PARTY, May 1 - 8, 2005!
TSP WILL NOT BE MAILING A FLYER this year, so keep this e-mail or print it out!
1. You should submit a Registration/Reservation Request Form to ENTER THE TSP DRAWING before January 17, 2005. This will provide you the highest possible chance of being selected as one of the 700 people who will be able to attend TSP this year. http://www.texasstarparty.org/draw.html
or fill out the Request Form immediately at: http://www.alphadata.net/cgi-bin/forms/forms.cgi?form=3
READ THE REST OF THIS E-MAIL BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR REQUEST.
2. Participants at the TEXAS STAR PARTY can select from a variety of accommodations on the Prude Ranch, including bunkhouses, private cabins, trailer hookups, and campsites with convenient bathhouses. All accommodations include access to a TV lounge, a western-style dining room, and an indoor swimming pool. And of course the convenience of the observing fields!
For rates and more information on ranch and nearby accommodations, please visit: http://www.texasstarparty.org/travel.html
3. The TSP Registration Fee (DOES NOT INCLUDE your accommodations) is $50/person if you preregister before April 1, 2005. (Each additional family member is just $30 more.) For more information about TSP Registration rates and policies, visit: http://www.texasstarparty.org/tspreg.html
The drawing for names is in late January, and if your name is drawn you will get a TSP Registration Form (and optional Prude Ranch Reservation Form) to send in with your payments in February/March.
SIGN UP NOW!
Questions? Visit our website for the latest and complete details! http://www.texasstarparty.org/
We look forward to seeing you next May!
Sincerely,
the volunteers for Texas Star Party

From October-November, 2004

And the winner is...
The Amarillo Astronomy Club recently won an engraved NASA Night Sky Network green laser pointer. One of their club events was selected from among 298 qualifying events logged July 1st through September 30th. The winning event was their club meeting on September 24 where they screened the Origins movie trailer. Congratulations, AAC!

What's Up? at the Museum of TTU
Thursday November 4, 2004, 7:00pm
In a message dated October 14, 2004, SPAC member Patrice Marshall wrote:
While the Moody Planetarium is undergoing renovations, join us at the Museum of TTU on the first Thursday evening of the month at 7:00pm, for "What's Up?". Keep your astronomy skills sharp with this short astronomy program which explores several interesting night sky objects, visible from your very own backyard, many without binoculars. This month, we'll be getting our "exercise" as we search out the Dumbell Nebula, and look for our closest galactic neighbor, the Andromeda Galaxy.
Then, stick around for the FREE astronomy presentation "PLANETS!", which explores the planets in our solar system. Presented FREE of Charge by DK Vision and BBC Worldwide Americas.
For families and astronomy fans of all ages and skill levels. Free of charge. Held in the New Assembly Room of the Museum.
For more information call the Education Division at 742-2456 or check out our website at: www.museum.ttu.edu

Free Sky & Telescope Classics
In a recent message, SPAC member Patrice Marshall wrote:
Hello Astronomers
The Museum Library has several copies of Sky & Telescope all the way back to 1953. If you are interested in looking through them for copies to add to your collection, please contact me at the Museum: 742-2432. These classic issues are free to anyone who wants them.
Thanks,
Patrice
Education Specialist
Education Division
MoTTU
806-742-2432
Patrice.M.Marshall@ttu.edu

From August-September, 2004

World Space Week 2004
In a message dated August 19, 2004, SPAC member Patrice Marshall wrote:
...We are recruiting telescope volunteers for the Space Week Family Day Activities on Saturday October 9, from 1-3pm. Tom (Heisey) has agreed to be a speaker for us on that day as well. Any and all who are interested in helping out can call me at: 742-2432, or e-mail me at: patrice.m.marshall@ttu.edu
This year's theme is: Space and Sustainable Development (or Einstein Meets the Museum)
October 4-10
Join us as we celebrate World Space Week with these amazing astronomy activities:
    School and Public Sky Shows
    Live Demonstrations
    Space Workshops for Families and School Groups
    And Much More!
For More Information: (806) 742-2432
museum.education@ttu.edu, www.museum.ttu.edu, http://www.spaceweek.org/index.html
2004 World Space Week at the Museum is organized by the Museum of Texas Tech University in collaboration with the South Plains Astronomy Club.
Background Space Images: Great Images in NASA - http://grin.hq.nasa.gov/

2004 World Space Week Schedule of Events

Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday, October 5, 6 & 8
Pre-DVD Show School Group Workshop ** (45 minutes)
School Group DVD Show ** (30 minutes)
3:30pm FREE Public DVD Show - Wonders of the Universe*

Thursday, October 7
Pre-DVD Show School Group Workshop ** (45 minutes)
School Group DVD Show ** (30 minutes)
3:30 & 7:30pm FREE Public DVD Show - Wonders of the Universe*

Saturday, October 9
WORLD SPACE WEEK FAMILY DAY
12:30-1:00pm Family Astronomy Workshop***
1:00pm Telescope Demonstration - South Plains Astronomy Club
1 - 3:00pm Astronomy Crafts
2 & 3:30pm FREE Public DVD Show - Wonders of the Universe*
2:30pm Presentation - JPL Ambassador
3:00pm Award Ceremony for Guessing Contest winners
3:15pm Storytelling - Listen with Your Heart

Sunday, October 10
2 & 3:30pm FREE Public DVD Show - Wonders of the Universe*

*** - Family Astronomy Workshop is FREE of charge; maximum enrollment 30; pre-registration required.
** - School Groups Only; pre-registration required; to schedule school groups for pre-show workshops and DVD shows, please call (806)742-2456.
* - Wonders of the Universe is provided FREE of charge by Evans & Sutherland.
For more Information and Registration, please contact the Education Division at (806)742-2432, or by email - museum.education@ttu.edu

From July, 2004

SPAC member Tom Heisey relayed the following items.

HUBBLE PANEL ENDORSES SERVICING MISSION
The stage is set for a showdown between NASA and the US Congress over the future of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). On July 13th a congressionally mandated panel of the National Research Council recommended that the space agency keep open the option of sending another Space Shuttle crew to service and upgrade the orbiting observatory. This contrasts starkly with NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe's mid-January decision to cancel further shuttle missions to the telescope because of concerns about risks to the astronauts in light of last year's Columbia disaster. O'Keefe's announcement was met with a tremendous outcry from astronomers, members of Congress, and the public....
http://SkyandTelescope.com/news/article_1301_1.asp

CASE CLOSED: CELESTRON AND MEADE END LITIGATION
The multi-year legal battles between telescope giants Meade and Celestron have been mutually resolved. In an agreement announced on July 8th, each of the longtime rivals acknowledges the validity of specific patents held by its competitor. The settlement also calls for licensing agreements that allow both companies to continue manufacturing telescopes that were claimed to infringe on various patents, setting to rest earlier fears in the astronomical community that one or both companies might have to stop selling certain model telescopes....
http://SkyandTelescope.com/news/article_1299_1.asp

From June, 2004

Summer Solstice Events at the TTU Museum
In a recent message, SPAC member Patrice Marshall wrote:
Hello Fellow Astronomers
The museum is hosting a Summer Solstice Party on June 17, 2004. The entire event is two hours long, from 1-3pm. Would you be interested in bringing some scopes for solar viewing from 2-3pm (1 hour) at the museum? The plan is to set up scopes either in the courtyard in back of the education division, or somewhere on the front plaza of the museum. Free refreshments will be provided!
Also, that same evening, we are hosting a "Telescopes Anonymous" event from 6:30-8pm. This event if for ages 14 and up, who already own a telescope, and want to learn how to use it. We will be helping folks learn to use their own telescope (non-motorized applications at this session). We would like you to bring your telescopes to show them off, as well as offer advice on simple, non-motorized use of scopes. We can schedule a session later in the year for learning how to use the motors and computers on a telescope.
Please let me know if you can help with one, or both, of these events. Thanks and see you in June!
Patrice
Education Specialist
Education Division
MoTTU
806-742-2432
Patrice.M.Marshall@ttu.edu

From March, 2004

From: Russell Tweed [Russell.Tweed@lowell.edu]
Sent: Monday, March 22, 2004 5:22 PM
Dear Astronomy Club Members,
Lowell Observatory is pleased to announce the 2004 Lowell Star Party. See the description below and the link to the star party website. If possible, please pass this information along at your next meeting or in an upcoming newsletter. Thanks for your help.

What: LOWELL OBSERVATORY ANNOUNCES 2ND ANNUAL STAR PARTY
When: June 17-20, 2004
Where: Lowell Observatory, 1400 W. Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff, Arizona
Full details: http://kraken.lowell.edu

The Lowell Observatory Star Party II unfolds from June 17-20 at the Observatory's Mars Hill campus with observing at nearby Arizona Snowbowl. Highlights include observing on the 24" Clark Telescope, tours of the U.S. Naval Observatory and Lowell Observatory's Anderson Mesa dark sky research site, special talks by astronomers, an astronomy marketplace, and Lowell's spectacular multimedia show.
Kenneth Herkenhoff from USGS will present "Mars Rovers," with the latest from Spirit and Opportunity, by a U.S. Geological Survey scientist directly involved. Talks by Lowell astronomers will include: "Recent Comets," hear about two 2004 comets by expert David Schleicher; "Killer Asteroids," by Brian Skiff, an update on the productive Lowell Observatory Near-Earth Asteroid Search; "Our Variable Sun," an introduction to the seething world behind our Sun's steady light by Jeffrey Hall; and "Big Stars in Small Galaxies," by Deidre Hunter, with current research on effects of massive stars on dwarf galaxies. Project manager Thomas Sebring will present "The Discovery Channel Telescope at Lowell Observatory," a behind-the-scenes look at building the new 4.3-meter, $30,000,000 versatile instrument.
Detailed information is available at http://kraken.lowell.edu. Mark your calendar, and please consider attending the event.
Contact:
Russell Tweed
Lowell Observatory
928-774-3358
Russell.Tweed@lowell.edu
www.lowell.edu

AstroAlert: Closest flyby ever (Whew! Missed us!)
Information provided by Tom Heisey

From: "Roger W. Sinnott" <rsinnott@SkyandTelescope.com>
To: <asteroid@SkyandTelescope.com>
Sent: Mar 17, 2004 21:55
=====================================
This Is SKY & TELESCOPE's AstroAlert for Minor Planets
=====================================
                       CLOSEST FLYBY EVER
Less than 24 hours from the time this message is being issued, a tiny, newly discovered asteroid will make the closest flyby past Earth that has ever been predicted by astronomers.
The object, dubbed 2004 FH, is probably only about 20 meters in diameter (the size of a house). An electronic circular issued late on March 17th by the Minor Planet Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, indicates that it will definitely not hit the Earth. It will pass about 49,000 kilometers (30,500 miles) from Earth's center, which is one-eighth the distance of the Moon.
This object was discovered on March 16th by astronomers of MIT's Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) survey in Socorro, New Mexico. Further observations made on the 17th at Klet Observatory (Czech Republic), Starkenburg Observatory (Germany), and Modra Observatory (Slovenia) helped the Minor Planet Center compute its exact trajectory.
The flyby scenario for 2004 FH goes like this:
   * At 18 hours Universal Time on March 18th, the asteroid will be 12th magnitude as it glides just south of the star Spica in Virgo, heading west.
   * By 22 hours UT on the 18th, it will have brightened to 10th magnitude when it passes closest to Earth in the constellation Antlia.
   * At 0 hours UT on March 19th -- which is around the time darkness falls on the East Coast of North America on Thursday, March 18th -- it will have faded back to 12th magnitude as it shoots by Sirius near the open star cluster Messier 41. By then it will be receding from Earth and heading back into space.
Because 2004 FH will be passing so close, it is not practical for me to include a detailed ephemeris in this message. Its path across the sky depends greatly on an observer's vantage point on Earth (owing to the parallax effect). Observers who wish to locate it in small telescopes should use the Minor Planet Center's Ephemeris Service to make detailed predictions for their own geographic location: http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/MPEph/MPEph.html
According to the orbit calculated by Gareth Williams, associate director of the Minor Planet Center, 2004 FH belongs to the Aten class of asteroids. It circles the Sun in just under 9 months in very nearly the same plane as Earth's orbit. At perihelion it swings well inside the orbit of Venus; at aphelion (as currently) it ranges just outside that of the Earth.
Roger W. Sinnott
Senior Editor
SKY & TELESCOPE
====================================================
AstroAlert is a free service of SKY & TELESCOPE, the Essential Magazine of Astronomy (http://SkyandTelescope.com/).

From Tom Heisey on March 21, 2004
Subject: images of the 2004FH asteroid fly-by

Spaceweather.com http://www.spaceweather.com/ has an animated gif of the 2004FH asteroid:
Actual image link:
http://science.nasa.gov/spaceweather/swpod2004/19mar04/Masi1.gif

Near Earth Object Program news page:
http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news142.html
(Contains larger animation from another source.)

The Liverpool Telescope captured a 5 second image that shows the asteroid as a streak (showing fast movement):
http://telescope.livjm.ac.uk/

Sky&Tel has this article and photo:
http://skyandtelescope.com/news/article_1218_1.asp

The reports say the 30 meter asteroid came within 43,000 km of the Earth's surface - Geosynchronous satellites orbit only 35,800 km!

From February, 2004

On Thursday, February 26, 2004, Alan Sill wrote:
Subject: CNN comet story
...have you heard of these comets?  Nothing on skyandtelescope.com yet...
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/02/25/shc.visible.comets/index.html

On Tuesday, February 17, 2004, Patrice Marshall wrote:
Both our Valentine's / Astronomy events here at the Museum of Texas Tech were a huge success. On Thursday night (2/12) we held our Valentine's Under the Stars for kids and their families. Even with snow and ice that morning, we had some visitors and two telescopes. We plastered the museum staircase with astronomy pictures, and viewed them from down the hall. The kids and parents got a kick out of still being able to use a scope, even in bad weather. And it was nice to see a solar eclipse and the Ring Nebula all in one view.
On Saturday (2/14), at our Champagne Under the Stars for adults, we had over 100 visitors for our fund raiser. It was a clear night, and the telescopes had visitors lined up for the entire 2 hours. It really helped to tell star stories inside so people knew what to look for once they got outside to the scopes. It was a good way to help people learn the sky and understand more about what they were seeing in the telescopes.
Thanks to all the SPAC members who helped out with this event. We could not do astronomy as good without you! Look forward to hosting more astronomy events with the SPAC in the coming year. The next big event is the Summer Solstice Party on Thursday June 17, so mark your calendars.
Thanks again!
Patrice Marshall
Education Specialist, Education Division, MoTTU

In a message dated February 11, 2004, Tom Heisey passed along the following...
From: Solar System Ambassador
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 4:57 PM
Subject: SSA - MESSENGER Scholarship Deadline Approaches
Do you know a space-enthusiast, college-bound student who could use some extra scholarship money?  If so, please pass along information about the MESSENGER Scholarship.
The MESSENGER Scholarship is being sponsored to create interest in the mission and support continuing education.
More information about the scholarship and the application process is at: http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/scholarship/index.html
Don't delay, though.  The deadline for receipt of applications is Monday, March 1.
Questions about the scholarship and/or scholarship process should be directed to Barbara Northrup as referenced on the MESSENGER website.
Kay Ferrari
Coordinator

From January, 2004

Save the Hubble!
On Sunday, January 25, 2004, Tom Heisey wrote:
This week's S&T's Weekly News Bulletin had a section on a letter-writing campaign to save the Hubble Space Telescope. I believe this is an important effort. The Hubble has made incredible scientific discoveries and continues to expand scientific knowledge. Just as importantly, it has also become a national icon and generated vast public interest in science, space exploration, and technology.
The planned follow-on telescopes may not be on line for decades and won't observe in the visual spectrum, so the public interest may wane. Any delays in development or launch could mean a dramatic slow-down in the advancement in science.
Even advancements in terrestrial telescopes won't displace Hubble's usefulness, since the atmosphere absorbs some wavelengths. Hubble never gets interference from clouds, wind, or rain, which is a real bonus. If you feel the same way (or even if you agree with Director O'Keefe), I'd recommend that you read the article and make your voice heard:
HOW TO HELP HUBBLE
Readers of SKY & TELESCOPE magazine and visitors to our Web site have been asking what they can do to help save the Hubble Space Telescope. This follows NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe's January 16th announcement that there will be no more shuttle missions to maintain and upgrade the orbiting observatory. O'Keefe handed down his decision as a fait accompli, so it seemed pointless to object to it. But the astropolitical landscape has been shifting almost daily, and it now seems that an outcry by astronomers, the US Congress, and the public could force O'Keefe to reconsider -- and maybe even reverse -- his decision.... http://SkyandTelescope.com/news/article_1160_1.asp
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
HUBBLE SUPPORTERS FIGHT BACK
Astronomers and their supporters in Congress are beginning to fight back against NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe's surprising decision on Friday January 16th to cancel all further servicing missions to the Hubble Space Telescope. Citing concerns over the ability to fly the Space Shuttle safely to any destination other than the International Space Station, O'Keefe put the brakes on plans to perform maintenance and install two powerful new scientific instruments on Hubble in 2006, saying NASA would operate the telescope only until it becomes hobbled by a system failure, most likely in its pointing-control gyroscopes or its batteries.
As news of the cancellation spread among astronomers worldwide, anger began to set in about the way O'Keefe came to his decision -- behind closed doors, using the same "top-down" management style that the Columbia Accident Investigation Board blamed in part for the loss of the shuttle Columbia last February. As frequent Hubble user Garth D. Illingworth (University of California, Santa Cruz) put it in an e-mail to SKY & TELESCOPE, "A national icon should not be cut down without substantial public discussion...." http://SkyandTelescope.com/news/article_1158_1.asp

More on the Stardust Mission and Aerogel
On January 16, 2004, Tom Heisey wrote:
From NASA - This augments my presentation with more detail about the flight through the coma.
----- Original Message -----
From: "NASA Science News" <snglist@snglist.msfc.nasa.gov>
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 13:12
Subject: Stardust Surprise
NASA Science News for January 16, 2004
When NASA's Stardust spacecraft flew by Comet Wild 2 earlier this month, the probe saw something that surprised astronomers.
FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/16jan_stardust.htm?list778366
Check out our RSS feed at http://science.nasa.gov/rss.xml!
Home page: http://science.nasa.gov

Tom also wrote:
I just checked the Aspen Aerogel's web site http://aerogel.com and they've expanded the product list to include a blanket that is used in extreme weather parkas! I've asked about pricing on the monoliths, just out of curiosity. Interesting!

From December, 2003

In a message dated December 10, Tom Heisey wrote:
Talk about a near miss!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger W. Sinnott" <rsinnott@SkyandTelescope.com>
To: <asteroid@SkyandTelescope.com>
Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2003 9:54 AM
Subject: AstroAlert: 2003 XJ7 ZOOMS BY
This Is SKY & TELESCOPE's AstroAlert for Minor Planets
MINOR PLANET 2003 XJ7 ZOOMS BY
This AstroAlert is being issued right about the time another asteroid has entered Earth-Moon space. The object will pass just 150,000 kilometers from Earth -- 40 percent of the distance to the Moon -- around 19:04 Universal Time December 6th (today). It will then be racing 0.4 degree per MINUTE across Canis Major, heading south.
The interloper was first picked up only yesterday by the LINEAR minor-planet survey in Socorro, New Mexico. Some 19 hours later, amateur astronomer Peter Birtwhistle of West Berkshire, England, reimaged it with his 12-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. He has posted an animated GIF on his Web site at http://www.birtwhi.demon.co.uk/images/2003XJ7_20031206_PBirtwhistle.gif 
LINEAR's and Birtwhistle's measurements allowed Kyle E. Smalley of the Minor Planet Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to compute details of the flyby. In announcing the find on an electronic circular late last night, the center designated the object 2003 XJ7. The Minor Planet Center's Web site is at http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/mpc.html
Smalley calculates that 2003 XJ7 is heading toward the Sun in an orbit inclined 18 degrees to the ecliptic. Every 1.38 years it ranges from 1.82 astronomical units (just beyond Mars's orbit) inward to 0.66 a.u. (the orbit of Venus) and back out again.
Only a half dozen asteroids have ever been observed to pass this close to Earth. The closest of all, 2003 SQ222, came within 78,000 km of Earth's surface in late September. While 2003 XJ7 will miss by almost twice this distance, it is a much larger body -- perhaps 20 meters across.
Because 2003 XJ7 could be potentially hazardous to Earth at some future approach, refining knowledge of its orbit is urgent before it becomes lost in solar glare during the early hours of December 7th (UT). Experienced amateurs who can make astrometric measurements should submit them to the Minor Planet Center -- but you haven't got much time! Southern Europe and Africa may be the last places on Earth from which the object can be imaged as it recedes.
For the next few hours, the ephemeris below gives the asteroid's rough equinox-2000.0 right ascension and declination, distance from Earth, and visual magnitude. But because it is passing so close, it can appear shifted as much as 2 degrees by parallax. Would-be observers should use the Minor Planet Center's online Ephemeris Service to obtain its exact trajectory as seen from their own geographical location.
Roger W. Sinnott
Senior Editor
SKY & TELESCOPE
=========================
2003 UT R.A. Decl. Delta Mag.
h h m o a.u.
Dec 6 15 06 14 +28.6 0.0019 13.9
Dec 6 16 06 24 +21.3 0.0016 13.5
Dec 6 17 06 36 +10.4 0.0013 13.3
Dec 6 18 06 54 -05.9 0.0011 13.3
Dec 6 19 07 19 -27.2 0.0010 13.6
Dec 6 20 07 58 -48.5 0.0011 14.5
Dec 6 21 08 59 -63.8 0.0013 15.5
Dec 6 22 10 32 -72.1 0.0016 16.6
Dec 6 23 12 18 -74.9 0.0019 17.5
Dec 7 00 13 42 -74.6 0.0022 18.2
=========================
AstroAlert is a free service of SKY & TELESCOPE, the Essential Magazine of Astronomy (http://SkyandTelescope.com/). This e-mail was sent to AstroAlert subscribers. If you feel you received it in error, or to unsubscribe from AstroAlert, please send a plain-text e-mail to majordomo@SkyandTelescope.com with the following line -- and nothing else -- in the body of the message: unsubscribe asteroid e-mail@address.com replacing "e-mail@address.com" with your actual e-mail address.

In a message dated December 5, SPAC member Wynne Lienhardt wrote:
Hello to all
I am forwarding a document (click here) outlining a raffle for various items.  One item is a classic telescope.  This telescope has been signed by many cast members and creative staff for the Star Trek movies and television program.  It was signed specifically to raise funds for the Earthrise Project.  The EARTHRISE PROJECT is a worthy endeavor focused on global understanding & outreach through in astronomy.
The Earthrise Project is the brainchild of my friend, Alan Hale, co-discover of the HALE BOPP Comet.  I invite you to learn more about this project by visiting http://www.swisr.org/earthrise.html
Take a look at this and please forward this to all your astronomy &/or Star Trek friends.  It is important that you do so soon as the drawing for these items will be held December 24th.
Keep looking up!!!!!
Wynne

From November, 2003

In a message dated November 11, Alan Sill wrote:
Canis Major dwarf found in 2MASS data - does it explain the SDSS "ring?" and sent this link to an article in Sky & Telescope: http://skyandtelescope.com/news/article_1098_1.asp

Regretfully, it was cloudy here in Lubbock, but here's what might have been...
Total lunar eclipse Saturday evening, 11/8/2003. One can see the eclipse from any location with a clear view of the eastern horizon. Tom Heisey did his homework on this and provided the following information about the eclipse
Here in Lubbock, the eclipse will already be in progress at moonrise. Totality starts at 7:06pm and ends about 25 minutes later. The moon will be 10-15 degrees high during the period of totality. The moon will exit the shadow shortly after 9 o’clock. For those interested in more information, Tom suggests the NASA website  http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/04nov_lunareclipse2.htm?list778366. He also recorded an animated gif file from a computer program he has. Tom points out though, that the timing on his program doesn’t coincide with NASA’s figures and advised that we stick with NASA’s predictions. Anyway, the gif is interesting and available at http://www.tomheisey.com/eclipse-anim.gif

From October, 2003

Sunspot 484 appeared around 10-18/19-2003 and grew into one of the biggest (about the size of the Planet Jupiter) sunspots in years. 484 is now (10/28) about to move away from our view but several others have taken up 484's job.
See http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime-update.html for the latest images!

From September, 2003

Regarding International Space Week, Patrice Marshall with the Museum of Texas Tech writes:
"...dates are Oct 4-10, and the museum will be hosting several events on all those days except for Monday the 5th (museum closed). The theme this year is "Space: Horizon Beyond Earth", and it encourages people to learn about the collaborations going on in space exploration. It also encourages World Space Week participants to discuss the two main activities in space: exploration and utilization."
She adds, "The museum's web site is: www.museum.ttu.edu. People can scroll down to the Education Division's link and click there for more info. We should have our web info posted (hopefully) by the end of July."
The museum's information is now up and located at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/wsw03main.html. The Space Week web site is: http://www.spaceweek.org/.

From August, 2003

On Thursday, August 7, 2003, Ron Wilhelm wrote:
"Hey Guys,
Given this outstanding opposition of Mars at the end of the month I thought that we might want to publicize a big viewing at the observatory. Maybe do the typical rounds to the radio and TV stations.
I am sure that the public is very interested in August 27th since that is the official "closest" approach. That is a Wednesday night (a school night for kids) and with Mars at opposition I am afraid we will really have to start after 9:00 PM. Maybe 9-11. Pretty late for most kids.
SO, I was thinking that maybe we should try to do this on Wednesday 8/27 and Friday and Saturday 8/29 and 8/30. This would allow kids a better chance of coming to view Mars."
Ron, Alan Sill, and Patrice Marshall invite you to come out to the on-campus observatory any or all nights and bring your scopes to help with the public viewing session of this event. It is certainly something you won't want to miss!
A map to IGOR, Texas Tech's on-campus observatory is available at Maps

From July, 2003...

In a message dated July 29, 2003, Kyle Vernon of Crosbyton wrote:
"...FYI: I am coordinating with Bill Bennet (formerly of SPAC) and the Pioneer Memorial Museum of Crosbyton about arranging several star parties at the GSA camp four miles east of Crosbyton. Students from around Crosby county are inveited to attend.  Dates will follow (I don't have them with me) but it's pretty much those Monday evenings that the moon isn't in the way. SPAC is invited to attend.

FYI2: (the short version) I am testing a machine that has a 85% accuracy rate at giving 2-6 hours heads up on major earthquakes around the world. This $10 machine simply measures the repulsion of two magnets across a fulcrum. It even picks up solar storms. My question to you: Have you ever heard of anything like this? The inventor of the device is a retired mining/oil field geologist that worked with magnetometers back in the 1940's. He continues to be active today (he is 94) and still builds seismometers from scratch to donate to schools. Have you ever heard of any device that measures the earth's magnetic field and detects subtle changes in the field strength just prior to a major EQ?

The machines are custom built and calibrated. I have three of the four working devices and I am plotting a network to start this August from SMU to Laredo Community College with one machine here in my classroom.

In a message dated July 26, 2003, SPAC member Patrice Marshall wrote:
Jupiter and Mercury
Last evening July 25, while at IGOR (the TTU On-Campus Directory), we were looking at Jupiter just after sunset low on the western horizon. Much to our surprise, we found another planet in the same field of view! It is Mercury, and both are visible to the unaided eye as well. Mercury is just above and to the right of Jupiter in the sky after sunset for about an hour or so. Both are between 7 and 10 degrees altitude above the western horizon and at an approximate azimuth of 285 degrees. They are on the "western" edge of the constellation Leo the Lion, in front of the sickle.
The field of view at IGOR with the 32mm eyepiece is about 1.5 degrees (will hold the full moon with a little to spare around the edges). The magnification with this eyepiece is about 76x's on the IGOR scope.
Although there was some distortion and fuzziness due to being so low on the horizon, it was neat to see both planets so close. They were both quite visible in the eyepiece, and the moons of Jupiter were on the edge of visibility.
By Sunday July 27, Mercury will have moved to the upper left of Jupiter, heading further into Leo. By August 1, Mercury will be well into Leo, leaving Jupiter behind. By August 15, Jupiter will be below the horizon, and only Mercury will be left.

In a message dated July 21, 2003, SPAC member Art Sucsy supplied the following item of interest.
Subject: Awesome Natural Occurrence - CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH MARS
Never again in our lifetimes will the Red Planet be so spectacular! This month and next Earth is catching up with Mars, an encounter that will culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287.
Due to the way Jupiter’s gravity tugs on Mars and perturbs its orbit, astronomers can only be certain that Mars has not come this close to Earth in the last 5,000 years but it may be as long as 60,000 years. The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles and will be (next to the moon) the brightest object in the night sky.  It will attain a magnitude of -2.9 and will appear 25.11 arc seconds wide.  At a modest 75-power magnification, Mars will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye.
Mars will be easy to spot.  At the beginning of August Mars will rise in the east at 10 p.m. and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m.  But by the end of August when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise at nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30 a.m.  That's pretty convenient when it comes to seeing something that no human has seen in recorded history.
So, mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars grow progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month. Share this! No one alive today will ever see this again.

From June, 2003...

No details are presently available, but a Cub Scout pack was to have visited IGOR on Friday, June 27. We hope all went well with their excursion.

From May, 2003...

Unfortunately, Mercury's transit of the sun has come and gone [May 7 from 12:15am to 5:30am (CDT)] but the SOHO web site has an archive of the event, including some neat movies. Its worth checking out: http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/hotshots/

A lunar eclipse happened on the evening of May 15th from about 8:30pm (twilight) through 1:00am (CDT) of the 16th. It had been cloudy in Lubbock most of the day but the skies cleared allowing local residents a good view of the eclipse. SPAC members hosted an eclipse viewing party for the general public at Texas Tech's on-campus observatory, IGOR. Because the regularly scheduled SPAC meeting fell on the same evening, the one meeting was held at the IGOR site to facilitate attendance at both events. To see more information about the eclipse, Sky and Telescope has a nice page about it:
http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/eclipses/article_923_1.asp

The asteroid Vesta continued its bright tour through Virgo and was likely still visible to those with VERY good eyes. (roughly magnitude 6.6 to 6.8.) Some created a nice observing project by plotting the asteroid's progress - Observing it once a weekend to show visible movement against the background stars. Sky and Telescope has a very nice series of pages that include maps and loads of info:
http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/asteroids/article_895_1.asp