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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-weight:bold'>International Space Station this weekend</span></font></b><br>
The International Space Station (ISS) passes directly over <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region> 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.<br>
<br>
The orbit of the ISS takes it over southern <st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place>
a few times each month. On Sunday, it passes directly over <st1:City
w:st="on">Cape Town</st1:City>, <st1:City w:st="on">Bloemfontein</st1:City> and
<st1:State w:st="on">Gauteng</st1:State>, moving towards <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Zimbabwe</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
Start looking for it at about 6:48pm if you're near <st1:City w:st="on">Cape
Town</st1:City>, 6:51pm for <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Gauteng</st1:place></st1:State>.
<br>
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. <br>
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. <br>
<br>
The ISS will be visible from all of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region> - map of where to look
is at <a href="http://www.planetarium.co.za">www.planetarium.co.za</a><br>
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 <a
href="http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html">www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html</a><br>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Invitation from the Stellenbosch Stargazers</span></b><br>
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 <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address
w:st="on">Plein Street</st1:address></st1: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. <br>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Introduction to Astronomy</span></b> <br>
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 <a href="http://www.planetarium.co.za">www.planetarium.co.za</a><br>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Next New Moon visible on Sept 19th?</span></b><br>
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.<br>
<br>
By the time the Sun sets in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cape Town</st1:place></st1:City>
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: <br>
* we are half-way between "eclipse seasons", so the Moon is orbiting
parallel to the ecliptic (the path of the Sun);<br>
* we are at equinox, so the ecliptic is at right-angles to our horizon<br>
This means the Moon sets later than normal - 60 minutes after sunset on the
19th (for <st1:place w:st="on">Cape</st1:place> Town) - which increases the
chances of a sighting.<br>
So Moon-watchers should be looking for a thinner-than-usual but
higher-than-usual new crescent.<br>
<br>
Regards<br>
Claire Flanagan<br>
Jhb Planetarium<br>
<a href="http://www.planetarium.co.za">www.planetarium.co.za</a><br>
011-717-1390<br>
<a href="mailto:info.planet@wits.ac.za">info.planet@wits.ac.za</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Claire
Flanagan</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Wits
Planetarium</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>011-717-1391
/ 9</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>076-744-4735</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>011-339-2926
(fax)</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>www.planetarium.co.za</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<table><tr><td bgcolor=#ffffff><font color=#000000><pre><html><p><font face = "verdana" size = "0.8" color = "navy">This communication is intended for the addressee only. It is confidential. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately and destroy the original message. You may not copy or disseminate this communication without the permission of the University. Only authorized signatories are competent to enter into agreements on behalf of the University and recipients are thus advised that the content of this message may not be legally binding on the University and may contain the personal views and opinions of the author, which are not necessarily the views and opinions of The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All agreements between the University and outsiders are subject to South African Law unless the University agrees in writing to the contrary.</font></p></html></pre></font></td></tr></table>