Mondays with Professor John O'Connor
11:35 Every Second week – University of Newcastle Head of Mathematics &
Physical Sciences Prof John O’Connor discusses Science & Technology
Professor John O'Connor
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/staff/profile/john.oconnor.html
Radio 2nurfm
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/2nur/index.html
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Fun Astronomy Events for the Holidays July
2010
Behind the Scenes Walking Tours at Siding Spring Observatory
When
Sat, July 10, 11am – 1pm
Where
Siding Spring Observatory (map)
Description
School Holiday Activities at
Siding Spring Observatory in July.
The Siding Spring Observatory and Café will be open all July from 9.30 am to 4
pm on Mondays and Fridays and 10am to 4pm on week ends. There will be behind the
scene walking tours on the dates listed below. A guided tour will include a site
tour which focuses on astronomy and the environment and admission to the
Exploratory.
Costs will be: • $10.00 for adults, • $7.50 for children and
Seniors, and • $30.00 for a family (2A,2C)
The dates and times for the July School Holiday Period tours are
as follows: 11 am on Tuesdays: June 29th, July 6th and 13th. 11 am on Thursdays:
July 1st, 8th and 15th. 11 am on Saturdays 3rd, 10th and 17th. Please note it is
quite cold here in July so warm clothes and closed in shoes are essential. The
walk takes place on uneven ground in places, so sensible foot wear is essential.
Bookings are recommended as numbers are limited. Book by calling 6842 6211 or
6842 6399. http://sidingspring.blogspot.com/
www.csiro.au/narrabriobservatory
CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science
Australia Telescope Compact Array
OPEN DAY
This is a rare opportunity to tour the Australia Telescope
Compact Array, the largest and most powerful radio telescope
array in the Southern Hemisphere. Come along and learn about
the cutting edge science and how the telescope works.
Date Sat 17th July 2010
Free entry
Time 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
(Telescope tours)
Where Paul Wild Observatory
1828 Yarrie Lake Road
20km west of
Narrabri NSW
Four of the six antennas of the Australia Telescope Compact Array. Credit: CSIRO
Contact Email: atnf-narrabri-outreach at csiro.au
Phone: (02) 6790 4070 Web:
www.csiro.au/narrabriobservatory
Activities
•• Telescope tours
(flat enclosed shoes
MUST be worn)
•• Astronomy talks
•• Displays & expert advice
•• Hands on science activities
with CSIRO Education
•• Jumping castle and bbq lunch
Newcastle Council has a range of activities for the
July holidays
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Newcastle Mum wins scholarship to the International Space University in
Strasbourg France (ISU)
THE countdown is on for Medowie mum Kim Ellis who blasts off to space school
in less than two weeks.
Scientist and former BHP-Billiton worker said;
"The course counts towards a postgraduate masters degree and the schedule is
solid.
Activities include theme days, workshops, lectures, working in the law
department and excursions."
Ms Ellis will also do a presentation on Australian culture and a contribute to a
group project concentrating on asteroid mining.
In the past students have been taken on anti-gravity flights, participated in
robotics competitions and launched rockets.
The program provides interdisciplinary and intercultural activities designed to
produce a comprehensive analysis and proposal for an international space
project; or work on a topic relevant to the professional space sector.
At ISU, Kim will participate in the Space Studies Program an intensive nine week
course offering an overview of the various space disciplines, and the
opportunity to take part in individual and team projects
She's been on Cloud Nine since her success letter arrived but it's Mars that
Kim's been sinking her scientific teeth into lately. Listen to the interview
with Kim..
http://blogs.abc.net.au/nsw/2010/05/space-student-sets-sights-on-mars.html
Kim's blog that will be updated everyday when she is in France...
http://blog.internationalearthspacetechnology.com/
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NASA Hayabusa Re-entry Observing Campaign
http://airborne.seti.org/hayabusa/
Youtube images of the re-entry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvC59g5X5Wk
Scientists scramble for Japanese asteroid capsule
A capsule that scientists hope will contain a little slice of outer space
after a seven-year journey across the solar system was sitting in the Australian
Outback on Monday waiting to be recovered.
The pod, which was ejected from a Japanese space probe as it burned up in a
spectacular meteor-like display over Australia, could hold the first piece of
asteroid ever brought to Earth. more...
http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-world/scientists-scramble-for-japanese-asteroid-capsule-20100614-y96b.html
Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency
http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html
The Hayabusa (the original code name was MUSES-C) engineering spacecraft was
designed to acquire samples from the surface of near-Earth asteroid 25143
Itokawa (1998 SF36) and return them to Earth. The main objectives of the mission
were to demonstrate the performance of various technical items such as ion
engines, autonomous navigation, sampling of the asteroid's surface, and
high-speed reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. In addition, important
scientific results were expected from this mission.
Scott Alder has tweaked some images from the JAXA website of the asteroid .
link
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NAS
T-Shirts
Alan Meehan has produced a NAS T-Shirt
for sale
anyone can buy one from Alan prices
start at $12.00
Contact Alan
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South Pacific Star Party
The 18th Annual South Pacific Star Party was held at Wiruna over the weekend of 14 - 16 May, 2010.
Each year since 1993, the
Astronomical Society of
New South Wales has hosted the now famous South Pacific Star Party (SPSP),
at it's 107 acre (43 hectare) country property
Wiruna near Ilford,
NSW, between Lithgow and Mudgee about 3 hours north-west of Sydney, through the
Blue Mountains and into the NSW Central Tablelands.
The Star Party provides amateurs with the chance to meet other amateur and
professional astronomers, and observe under dark skies with superb seeing
conditions, through all types and sizes of telescopes.
http://www.asnsw.com/spsp/
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More news links here...
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Barry Clark is selling a carbon tube Celestron telescope,11 inch SCT CGE and its Losmandy G11
mount with Gemini IV for sale for $A 8.0k For full specs email barry.
barryclark at datafast.net.au
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THE LEONARDO DA VINCI MACHINES EXHIBITION - An Exhibition of Genius
Wheeler Place Fri 19th February 2010 -- Sun 16th May 2010 10:00 am
-- 5:00 am
Experience the
incredible inventions of Leonardo da Vinci come to life in this
outstanding interactive exhibition of finely crafted machines by the
internationally acclaimed Artisans of Florence.
The exhibition
presents over sixty machines based on the original drawings of Leonardo
da Vinci, featuring his amazing flying machines, nautical, hydraulic and
architectural innovations, groundbreaking applications of civil
engineering and incredible war machines.
Times
Fridays 10:00am - 7:00pm
Saturdays - Thursdays 10:00am - 5:00pm
Prices
Adult $20 / Conc $15 / Jnr (13yr-) $10 / Family (2 Adults + 2 Jnr) $50 /
Family (2 Adults + 2 Conc) $60
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Southern Observer:
AAO Press release:
‘Out of this World’ Honour for Australian
Astronomer
Professor Fred Watson, Astronomer-in-
Charge of the Anglo-Australian Observatory,
and one of Australia’s best-known
science communicators, has been honoured
for his services to astronomy. On
Australia Day, January 26, Fred was appointed
a Member in the General Division
of the Order of Australia.
‘It’s truly an out-of-this-world experience
to find yourself in the Australia Day honours
list,’ said Fred. ‘We live in an era
when astronomy and space science are
exploding with new discoveries, so it’s
quite easy to spread the excitement
around. This honour reflects the generous
support I’ve had over the years from
friends and colleagues in Australia and
worldwide.’
More: Link here
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REGISTRATIONS for Border Stargaze 2010
(1st – 5th September 2010) are NOW OPEN
ASAW is proud to announce that Border Stargaze 2010 will again be held at The
Wymah Valley Retreat, located in the Greater Hume Shire. The Retreat boasts a
300 acre property with a two - kilometer frontage to Lake Hume .
It is the ideal site for hosting a star party offering high standards of
accommodation and supported by a great management team. Only 30km from the twin
cities of Albury and Wodonga we are also ideally located to major cities.
* Melbourne 350kms (3.5hrs),
* Sydney 560kms (5hrs),
* Canberra 310kms (3hrs) and Adelaide 764km (8hrs).
Event highlights include:
* Guest Speakers
* Astrophotography
* Astro/Science Activities
* Astro (general) Trivia and more….
* Vendors
* Cosmodome (Mobile Planetarium).
* Free Registration for children 13 and under - (Standard accommodation rates
will still apply).
* Free Breakfast to registered guests on the Sunday will be returning courtesy
of ASAW
* Giveaways and door prizes, and so much more……
Check out our website - www.asaw.org.au for the most current information. As
always we welcome your feedback on the registration process or questions about
the event itself.
Importantly, we would like to express our thanks to the many volunteers from
around Australia that supported us in 2009 and invite you to be a part of the
2010 team.
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David Hough's images of his new backyard
observatory ....
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Heaven's Above.com
Site where you can find ISS passes and lots more...
http://heavens-above.com/
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Satellite flyovers made simple
The International Space Station. Hubble. The space shuttle. Astronauts,
taikonauts, and cosmonauts. They fly overhead more often than you think. All you
need to know is when to look.
"Satellite Flybys" turns your iPhone or iPod Touch into an indispensable,
field-tested satellite watching tool. It tells you when spacecraft are about to
appear (with a countdown clock!), which direction you should face, and even
turns down the screen brightness to boost night vision. It also cuts through
much confusion. There are thousands of spacecraft in Earth orbit. "Satellite
flybys" tells you only about the most interesting and newsworthy objects.
Selections are made by Dr. Tony Phillips of spaceweather.com and updated anytime
you're on the internet.
1. A one-week look-ahead schedule of flybys
2. Active flyby alerts. Your phone will ring and prompt you to launch the app
when a series of interesting flybys is in the offing.
3. A flyby countdown clock. This really fun feature helps you know *exactly*
when to look.
4. Pictures and detailed information on each tracked object.
5. Night vision mode. Watch the countdown clock and read more about the
satellite flying overhead--without spoiling your night vision.
http://www.simpleflybys.com/
Jim George
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The Central West Astronomical Society is proud to announce the
2010 CWAS "David Malin Awards"
As usual, this year's competition introduces new ideas, concepts, and
innovations with the view to making the competition more exciting, relevant
and contemporary.
The competition this year will have three sections of entry - General
Section, Open Themed Section and a Junior Section (18 and under).
The General Section is divided into five categories; Wide-field (camera
shots), Deep Sky (telescope shots), Solar System Objects - Hi-Resolution
(<30') and Wide-Field (> 30') - and a new category for Animated Sequences.
The theme for this year's Themed Open Section is "The Moonlit
Landscape".
The Junior Section will have one open category and entries can be of any
subject.
Last year¹s exhibition was a resounding success and was one of the premier
events of the IYA in Australia. People from all walks of life, and all over
Australia, were given the opportunity to view the photographs and appreciate
the efforts and skills of the nation¹s finest amateur astrophotographers.
So, start preparing your astrophotographs for the prestigious 'David Malin
Awards' and share with the wider public the grandeur and beauty of
astronomy.
For more information on the competition, and the conditions of entry, see
the following web site:
http://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/news_events/astrofest/DMA/
Regards, John Sarkissian
2010 CWAS AstroFest Organising Committee
Regards, John,
_______________________________________
John M. Sarkissian
Operations Scientist
ATNF Parkes Radio Observatory
CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science
PO Box 276, Parkes. NSW. 2870. Australia.
Tel No: (02) 6861 1769 (Intl. +61 2 6861 1769)
Fax No: (02) 6861-1730 Switch: (02) 6861-1700
http://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/people/sar049/
_______________________________________
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Saturday 12 November was the NAS viewing night see info on the night
here
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ASTRONOMY 2010 books are now on sale by the
NAS
$20.00 for members - Buy at next NAS meeting from treasurer Bill Abrahams
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NAS member Brad Le Brocque has purchased a number of
astronomy head lamps for members- $20.00 each. If interested enquire at the
February NAS meeting.
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ISS - Visible Passes-
http://www.heavens-above.com
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NAS vice-president wins David Malin Award
In July 2009, the Central West Astronomical Society's astrophotography
exhibition and competition was held again as part of the CWAS AstroFest. Amateur
astronomers and photographers from around Australia were invited to take part in
the exhibition and to submit their astrophotographs for consideration in the
prestigious "David Malin Awards". The exhibited photographs represent the
very best of those received. NAS president David Hough won an award for "Ozone
Eclipse - August 2007" in the Amateur: Solar System section. See David's image
here:
http://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/news_events/astrofest/awards/
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Kincumber Mt Viewing
The NAS held a viewing night at Kincumber Mt
recently link here..
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2010
Total Solar Eclipse
Dear Astronomical Societies,
Some of your members may be interested in the following:
Following Sydney Observatory’s successful Russian Eclipse Tour in 2008, the
next Sydney Observatory Astronomy Tour is to Easter Island and South America
for the 2010 Total Solar Eclipse.
We have been fortunate to include some truly unique astronomical
experiences, including a visit to Chanquillo which is an ancient
astronomical and archaeological site in Peru that is not open to the public,
to learn from an Andean Astronomy Wizard about the Andean beliefs of the
night sky, followed by viewing through telescopes and binoculars of the
night sky. The higher altitudes in the Sacred Valley will provide
spectacular viewing conditions!
The highlight of our tour is a three night stay on Easter Island to witness
one of nature’s most awe-inspiring events – a total solar eclipse. This
combined with the mysterious Moai statues will be an experience not to be
missed!
The weather prospects for our viewing area on Easter Island are highly
favourable. June/July is one of the best times to visit both Machu Picchu
and Easter Island with more dry cloudless days than the wet summer.
An opportunity to visit the east coast of South America has been arranged in
a special Pre-tour option. We will visit the carnival city of Rio de Janeiro
, the mighty Iguazu Falls and dance the tango in Buenos Aires .
For a full itinerary, bookings and tour information please go to:
http://www.sydneyobservatory.com.au/what/eclipse_tour_2010.asp
Please note that there will be an information afternoon for the tour that
will feature a presentation from Scenic Tours’ Louise Hill and Harvey World
Travel, Miranda’s Ibi Selim.
Please RSVP to Melissa Hulbert
by email
melissah at phm.gov.au
or telephone +61 2 9921 3485
Date: Saturday 5th September, 2009
Time: 2pm
Location: Powerhouse Museum
(please meet in the main foyer)
Harris Street
Ultimo NSW 2000
We hope you will join us for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Regards
Melissa
Melissa Hulbert
Astronomy Educator
Sydney Observatory
Ph: +61 2 9921 3485
Fax: + 61 2 9921 3489
www.sydneyobservatory.com.au
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The Sydney Observatory.
For more info..
http://www.sydneyobservatory.com.au/events/whatson.asp
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Laser Pointers
NAS policy and permit form for members who own green laser
pointers available now for more info contact NAS vice-president Chris Bond
Mobile- 0412786846
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Chris Bond interview 13th
March 2009 ABC radio -link to Mp3
An interview on ABC Newcastle Radio about the NAS IYA events.
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NATURE - International Weekly Journal of Science
To mark in 2009 the International
Year of Astronomy and 400 years since Galileo made his first telescope
observations, Nature has commissioned a series of special articles and reviews.
From telescopes to planets, stars, galaxies and cosmology, plus commentary on
the state of the field from top experts, we hope they will make you look at the
universe with new eyes.
http://www.nature.com/nature/focus/yearofastronomy/#curr
Out there a world waits
BY JOANNE MCCARTHY
19/01/2009 8:45:00 AM Newcastle Herald
WITHIN 100 light years of our solar system are a handful of other,
similar-sized star systems.
Only a couple of dozen amateur
astronomers in the world have decided that 100 light years is their
territory, the stars their point of interest, and possible planets
around those stars their obsession.
Dennis Zambelis, of Seaham, is one of them.
He's 46, works as a pathology technician at John Hunter Hospital,
is married and has kids, and some time in the next few decades he
would like to find a planet circling a star far, far away.
"I'd love with a passion to find another planet around a star.
It's tedious, and as an amateur you can never really hope to find
one in your lifetime, but I do anyway."
His wife Michelle, who sounded like a patient and loving woman on
the phone, accustomed to waving her husband off into the dark, to
look at stars, said Dennis was an astronomer from the day he was
born.
"We moved out to Seaham because of astronomy. The sky's darker
here. I'd say it's an obsession," she said.
Dennis doesn't dispute the obsession part, but challenges the
"from the day he was born" bit.
"At seven years old I was presented with a telescope. My mum
bought it for me. I can remember it so clearly.
"I looked up, and something clicked. As soon as I looked at a
star, even at that age, I knew it was going to change my life. I was
a kid of seven with a basic telescope in my hands, and I was
transported off planet earth."
The International Year of Astronomy was launched in Paris last
week, with 2009 chosen because it marks the 400th anniversary of
Galileo's observation, and drawing, of a celestial object the moon
with the aid of a telescope.
On its website the International Astronomical Union said the year
was "a chance to shine a spotlight on astronomy, and a chance for
astronomers to communicate their excitement to the rest of the
population".
Dennis Zambelis, the technical officer for Newcastle Astronomical
Society, is such a person.
Newcastle Herald link...
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Some images from the 'smiley in the sky
'viewing at Nobbys
click
here
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NAS committee member Scott Alder has captured the occultation of Antares by the
Moon on 14th July 2008
view here
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