From jani.debruin at mtnsciencentre.org.za Mon Aug 3 11:25:30 2009 From: jani.debruin at mtnsciencentre.org.za (Jani De Bruin) Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2009 11:25:30 +0200 Subject: [AstroNet] Evening talk at the MTN Sciencentre: The Life and Death of Stars Message-ID: Evening talk at the MTN Sciencentre The Life and Death of Stars - Case Rijsdijk Date: Monday 3 August @ 18:30 Venue: MTN Sciencentre, Canal Walk Entrance 5 In this well illustrated talk Case will describe how stars form, how and why they shine and how they eventually cease to exist. The talk will be followed by stargazing from the Canal Walk rooftop parking area. There is no charge to attend, but booking is essential. Phone 021 529 8100 to book your seat. OTHER TALKS AT THE MTN SCIENCENTRE THIS WEEK Living the Antarctic Dream - Daleen Koch Thursday 6 August @ 18:30 From Claire.Flanagan at wits.ac.za Sun Aug 2 20:04:00 2009 From: Claire.Flanagan at wits.ac.za (Claire Flanagan) Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2009 20:04:00 +0200 Subject: [AstroNet] Galilean Nights IYA project + AstronomyOutreachSA discussion group Message-ID: <3756A3D9C306E34E8CDD3F9108BB596206388391@GAIA.ds.wits.ac.za> The international IYA committee is planning a street-astronomy project - "Galilean Nights" - for the 22-24 October. This sounds like a really good project for South Africa to get involved with. More details are at www.astronomy2009.org/globalprojects/cornerstones/galilean The intro to this website is appended below. The local IYA committee has decided to try using a google group both to organize this project, and as a local astronomy outreach discussion group. Please note that AstronomyOutreachSA is intended to be a discussion group, as opposed to AstroNet, which is for disseminating information. In other words, all the discussion about telescope mounts that caused a mass exodus from AstroNet can now be done at AstronomyOutreachSA. We are also hoping that this group will facilitate organization of Galilean Nights and other similar projects. AstronomyOutreachSA is at groups.google.co.za/group/astronomy_outreach_sa To join the group, you need to request an invitation-to-join (on the right, on the website). This is because the discussion will be unmoderated (although we will keep an eye on it and evict anyone who behaves badly). Once you join, you can post, upload files, and invite others to join. If you're worried about being inundated with discussion, select the "digest" option for receiving mails from the group. Street astronomy is enormous fun, and extremely rewarding. On the 22 to 24 October, both the Moon and Jupiter will be visible. Regards Claire Flanagan Jhb Planetarium From www.astronomy2009.org/globalprojects/cornerstones/galilean Following the unprecedented success of IYA2009's 100 Hours of Astronomy (www.100hoursofastronomy.org), which featured hugely popular projects such as a Global Star Party, the live 24-hour webcast "Around the World in 80 Telescopes", a Science Centre webcast, Sun Day and 100 Hours of Remote Astronomy, another series of astronomy events has been highlighted for 22-24 October 2009. This new IYA2009 Cornerstone Project is called Galilean Nights and will see amateur and professional astronomers around the globe taking to the streets, pointing their telescopes to the wonders that Galileo observed 400 years ago. The focus of the project is sidewalk observations of gas giant Jupiter and its moons, as well as allowing members of the public to observe the Sun, our own Moon and many more celestial marvels. Claire Flanagan Wits Planetarium 011-717-1391 / 9 076-744-4735 011-339-2926 (fax) www.planetarium.co.za

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-------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From clint at ipcctv.co.za Mon Aug 3 19:07:48 2009 From: clint at ipcctv.co.za (Clint) Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2009 19:07:48 +0200 Subject: [AstroNet] Galilean Nights IYA project + AstronomyOutreachSA discussion group In-Reply-To: <3756A3D9C306E34E8CDD3F9108BB596206388391@GAIA.ds.wits.ac.za> References: <3756A3D9C306E34E8CDD3F9108BB596206388391@GAIA.ds.wits.ac.za> Message-ID: <003801ca145c$eefd39c0$ccf7ad40$@co.za> Sounds great, our club the west rand astronomy club had a similar event earlier this year and went out to several shopping centres with our telescopes and introduced hundreds of people to a first look through a telescope it will be great to participate in this event. From: astronet-bounces at mail.saasta.ac.za [mailto:astronet-bounces at mail.saasta.ac.za] On Behalf Of Claire Flanagan Sent: 02 August 2009 08:04 PM To: astronet at saasta.ac.za Subject: [AstroNet] Galilean Nights IYA project + AstronomyOutreachSA discussion group The international IYA committee is planning a street-astronomy project - "Galilean Nights" - for the 22-24 October. This sounds like a really good project for South Africa to get involved with. More details are at www.astronomy2009.org/globalprojects/cornerstones/galilean The intro to this website is appended below. The local IYA committee has decided to try using a google group both to organize this project, and as a local astronomy outreach discussion group. Please note that AstronomyOutreachSA is intended to be a discussion group, as opposed to AstroNet, which is for disseminating information. In other words, all the discussion about telescope mounts that caused a mass exodus from AstroNet can now be done at AstronomyOutreachSA. We are also hoping that this group will facilitate organization of Galilean Nights and other similar projects. AstronomyOutreachSA is at groups.google.co.za/group/astronomy_outreach_sa To join the group, you need to request an invitation-to-join (on the right, on the website). This is because the discussion will be unmoderated (although we will keep an eye on it and evict anyone who behaves badly). Once you join, you can post, upload files, and invite others to join. If you're worried about being inundated with discussion, select the "digest" option for receiving mails from the group. Street astronomy is enormous fun, and extremely rewarding. On the 22 to 24 October, both the Moon and Jupiter will be visible. Regards Claire Flanagan Jhb Planetarium From kg at saao.ac.za Thu Aug 13 19:57:51 2009 From: kg at saao.ac.za (Kevin Govender) Date: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:57:51 +0200 Subject: [AstroNet] Breaking news from the IAU general assembly in Rio Message-ID: <4A84541F.9050802@saao.ac.za> Resolutions that have been approved at the International Astronomical Union General Assembly in Rio (currently still underway - typing from the meeting now): Four important resolution in support of IYA2009 have been approved in the IAU XXVII General Assembly: RESOLUTION B1 on IAU Strategic Plan:Astronomy for the Developing World RESOLUTION A1 on Implementing the IAU Strategic Plan RESOLUTION B4 on Supporting Women in Astronomy RESOLUTION B5 in Defence of the night sky and the right to starlight You can find the full resolutions on: http://www.astronomy2009.com.br/08.pdf From: http://www.astronomy2009.org/news/updates/422/ The first one is especially applicable to South Africa and other developing countries. Full strategic plan available on www.iau.org This is big stuff! :) Regards Kevin From khakhuim at webmail.co.za Mon Aug 24 11:37:01 2009 From: khakhuim at webmail.co.za (khakhuim at webmail.co.za) Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:37:01 +0200 (SAST) Subject: [AstroNet] (no subject) Message-ID: <34519.196.13.185.253.1251106621.squirrel@mail.webmail.co.za> hello.my name is mulaudzi immanuel am study computer science and physics ,can i have more information of astronomy .aspecial in honour program. ------------------------------------------- South Africas premier free email service - www.webmail.co.za ------------------------------------------------------------------ For super low premiums, click here http://home.webmail.co.za/dd.pwm From wilhelmcarstens at gmail.com Mon Aug 24 12:11:01 2009 From: wilhelmcarstens at gmail.com (Wilhelm Carstens) Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:11:01 +0200 Subject: [AstroNet] Stargazing with Telescopes (Stellenbosch) Message-ID: The Stargazers Club will be viewing the night skies at Die Braak (or village green) in Stellenbosch on Friday, 28 August and Saturday, 29 August. Die Braak is located near the corner of Mill and Plein Street, with plenty of parking available within walking distance. Remember to dress warmly and take note of the cloud cover on the day, as overcast conditions will prevent activities. We'll be available from 19:00 till late, everyone welcome to join in. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From nassp-admin at nassp.uct.ac.za Tue Aug 25 08:40:33 2009 From: nassp-admin at nassp.uct.ac.za (Nicky Walker) Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:40:33 +0200 Subject: [AstroNet] Post Graduate information Message-ID: <4A938761.3040208@nassp.uct.ac.za> Dear Sir/Madam I refer to your mail below with regard to the honours program in Astrophysics. I'm writing to you from the National Astrophysics and Space Science programme. We host post graduates students for both honours and Master Please visit our webpage for more information at www.star.ac.za. Feel free to contact me again should you need additional information. Kind Regards -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [AstroNet] (no subject) Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:37:01 +0200 (SAST) From: khakhuim at webmail.co.za To: astronet at mail.saasta.ac.za hello.my name is mulaudzi immanuel am study computer science and physics ,can i have more information of astronomy .aspecial in honour program. ------------------------------------------- South Africas premier free email service - www.webmail.co.za ------------------------------------------------------------------ For super low premiums, click here http://home.webmail.co.za/dd.pwm _______________________________________________ AstroNet mailing list AstroNet at mail.saasta.ac.za http://mail.saasta.ac.za/mailman/listinfo/astronet -- Nicky Walker NASSP Programme Administrator Tel: 021 650 2346 Fax: +27 21 650-2334 E-mail: nassp-admin at nassp.uct.ac.za From craigjallen at gmail.com Tue Aug 25 14:15:02 2009 From: craigjallen at gmail.com (Craig Allen) Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:15:02 +0200 Subject: [AstroNet] Calling All Amateur Astronomers: Help Solve a Mystery Message-ID: <1ee82c410908250515q2ce0146di604394b7f0654fa5@mail.gmail.com> Hi Everyone, I got sent an interesting article about a open project looking for help of amateur astronomers around the world. http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/08/citizensky/ http://www.citizensky.org Regards, Craig Allen 083 444 8321 craig.allen at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From odman at strw.leidenuniv.nl Tue Aug 25 17:22:36 2009 From: odman at strw.leidenuniv.nl (=?ISO-8859-1?Q?=22Dr._Carolina_=D6dman=22?=) Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:22:36 +0200 Subject: [AstroNet] Calling All Amateur Astronomers: Help Solve a Mystery In-Reply-To: <1ee82c410908250515q2ce0146di604394b7f0654fa5@mail.gmail.com> References: <1ee82c410908250515q2ce0146di604394b7f0654fa5@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <2A782D53-5880-460A-BDB9-46E2DDCBA6E6@strw.leidenuniv.nl> Dear Craig, This is a very exciting project but from South Africa I believe Epsilon Aurigae never rises very high above the horizon. That would make it difficult to have clear observations to contribute form this far South. The further North in the country or on the continent, the better. Good luck nevertheless! Kind regards, Carolina On Aug 25, 2009, at 2:15 PM, Craig Allen wrote: > Hi Everyone, > > I got sent an interesting article about a open project looking for > help of amateur astronomers around the world. > > http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/08/citizensky/ > > http://www.citizensky.org > > Regards, > > Craig Allen > 083 444 8321 > craig.allen at gmail.com > > _______________________________________________ > AstroNet mailing list > AstroNet at mail.saasta.ac.za > http://mail.saasta.ac.za/mailman/listinfo/astronet -- Dr. Carolina ?dman, Universe Awareness carolina.odman at unawe.org http://www.unawe.org/ IYA2009 Netherlands http://www.jaarvandesterrenkunde.nl/ tel +31 (0)71 527 58 16 mob +31 641 275 298 twitter @carolune skype carolune_ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Maciej at telkomsa.net Wed Aug 26 08:33:35 2009 From: Maciej at telkomsa.net (Maciej Soltynski) Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:33:35 +0200 Subject: [AstroNet] New element to be called Copernicium Message-ID: <821FEA988A1F41B6AD5AB089CFD266C2@mgsp428g> CERN Courier Aug 25, 2009 Element 112 is to be given the name 'copernicium' The team that discovered element 112 at GSI Darmstadt has proposed naming it "copernicium", with the element symbol "Cp", in honour of the scientist and astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) should officially endorse the new element's name in around six months, the period set to allow the scientific community to discuss the proposal. Copernicus, who lived from 1473 to 1543, paved the way for the modern view of the universe when he firmly planted the Earth in orbit about the Sun in his famous work De revolutionibus orbium coelestium. With its planets revolving around the Sun on different orbits, the solar system became a model for other physical systems, in particular the atom, with electrons in orbit around the nucleus. Although this model of the atom soon became surpassed by quantum mechanics, it still provides a strong visual image. In an atom of the new element, 112 electrons surround the nucleus. Element 112 was first observed 13 years ago but has only recently received official recognition from IUPAC. It is the heaviest element discovered so far in the periodic table, being 277 times heavier than hydrogen. Produced by nuclear fusion when bombarding zinc ions onto a lead target, the element rapidly decays so its existence can be proved only with the help of extremely fast and sensitive analysis methods. Twenty-one scientists from Germany, Finland, Russia and Slovakia were involved in the experiments at GSI that led to the discovery. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From odman at strw.leidenuniv.nl Fri Aug 28 12:45:53 2009 From: odman at strw.leidenuniv.nl (=?ISO-8859-1?Q?=22Dr._Carolina_=D6dman=22?=) Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:45:53 +0200 Subject: [AstroNet] Galilean Nights website is up Message-ID: Hi all, The Galilean nights website is up and running and can start taking registrations of events. See here: http://www.galileannights.org/ Cheers, Carolina -- Dr. Carolina ?dman, Universe Awareness carolina.odman at unawe.org http://www.unawe.org/ IYA2009 Netherlands http://www.jaarvandesterrenkunde.nl/ tel +31 (0)71 527 58 16 mob +31 641 275 298 twitter @carolune skype carolune_ From Claire.Flanagan at wits.ac.za Fri Aug 28 13:09:21 2009 From: Claire.Flanagan at wits.ac.za (Claire Flanagan) Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:09:21 +0200 Subject: [AstroNet] Planetarium - shuttle docking with Space Station visible from SA this weekend (?) Message-ID: <3756A3D9C306E34E8CDD3F9108BB59620666265E@GAIA.ds.wits.ac.za> International Space Station this weekend The International Space Station (ISS) passes directly over South Africa on Sunday evening (Aug 30th) - possibly accompanied by the shuttle Discovery! Discovery is scheduled to launch Friday evening (SA time) to deliver crew and equipment to the orbiting station, but has been delayed twice this week due to a technical problem. The orbit of the ISS takes it over southern Africa a few times each month. On Sunday, it passes directly over Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Gauteng, moving towards Zimbabwe. Start looking for it at about 6:48pm if you're near Cape Town, 6:51pm for Gauteng. Look towards the south-west, for a very bright "star" that is moving slowly up over your head, if you are under the path of the ISS. If you're to the north of the path, the ISS will appear in the south-south-west, and will move upwards across the sky to your left. If you're to the south of the path, the ISS will appear in the west-south-west, and will move upwards across the sky to your right. The ISS will be visible from all of South Africa - map of where to look is at www.planetarium.co.za If the Discovery shuttle does launch today, it may be visible as a fainter "star" traveling with the ISS on Sunday as it approaches for docking on Monday - we don't often get to see this, so look out for it! For shuttle launch updates, see www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html Invitation from the Stellenbosch Stargazers The Stargazers Club will be viewing the night skies at Die Braak (or village green) in Stellenbosch on Friday, 28 August and Saturday, 29 August. Die Braak is located near the corner of Mill and Plein Street, with plenty of parking available within walking distance. Remember to dress warmly and take note of the cloud cover on the day, as overcast conditions will prevent activities. We'll be available from 19:00 till late, everyone welcome to join in. Introduction to Astronomy The Planetarium will be repeating this series of four introductory sessions on Monday evenings, starting Sept 21st. Cost is R160pp. More info and registration forms at www.planetarium.co.za Next New Moon visible on Sept 19th? Next new moon is at 8:44pm on September 18th. The Moon is not visible until it has moved on a bit in its orbit, to the new crescent phase. The sighting of the September young moon marks the end of Ramadan, and the celebration of Eid ul-Fitr, so many people will be looking out for the young crescent. By the time the Sun sets in Cape Town on September 19th, the young moon will be 22 hours old, and still a very thin crescent. Normally the Moon needs to be at least 24hr old at sunset to be visible. However, this month two effects make it possible that this very young crescent will be sighted on the 19th: * we are half-way between "eclipse seasons", so the Moon is orbiting parallel to the ecliptic (the path of the Sun); * we are at equinox, so the ecliptic is at right-angles to our horizon This means the Moon sets later than normal - 60 minutes after sunset on the 19th (for Cape Town) - which increases the chances of a sighting. So Moon-watchers should be looking for a thinner-than-usual but higher-than-usual new crescent. Regards Claire Flanagan Jhb Planetarium www.planetarium.co.za 011-717-1390 info.planet at wits.ac.za Claire Flanagan Wits Planetarium 011-717-1391 / 9 076-744-4735 011-339-2926 (fax) www.planetarium.co.za

-------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From red7 at bareket-astro.com Fri Aug 28 20:30:25 2009 From: red7 at bareket-astro.com (Bareket observatory) Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:30:25 +0300 Subject: [AstroNet] Live Deep space Web cast - for those who are blind to Message-ID: <20090828183722.396A229C689@mail.saasta.ac.za> This is a text part of the message. It is shown for the users of old-style e-mail clients -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From burger72 at telkomsa.net Sat Aug 29 14:30:06 2009 From: burger72 at telkomsa.net (Frans Burger) Date: Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:30:06 +0200 Subject: [AstroNet] Subscribe Message-ID: <4A991F4D.000003.03188@GYPSEY4B> Yes thank you. Frans -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 1458 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 31851 bytes Desc: not available URL: