The Astronomical League is pleased to bring you a free introductory text book in astronomy.  It covers Planetary Astronomy as well as Stellar and Galactic Astronomy.  It is designed to be used in High School Astronomy classes and Astronomy classes at Community Colleges.

It may be distributed widely, may be printed, and you can request a price check of a printed copy at cost from the author, Aaron Clevenson, at aaron@clevenson.org.

It is available on the Astronomical League website on the Night Sky Tools page:  https://test.astroleague.org/navigating-the-night-sky-guides/

The October Sky Tools are now available on he Astronomical League website:

https://test.astroleague.org/navigating-the-night-sky-guides

Congratulations to the Okie-Tex Star Party on their 40th anniversary.
To see more:
https://test.astroleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Okie-Tex-SP.pdf

The AL Council approved the pins for the 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipse Challenges.

The downloadable certificate (“I saw the annular solar eclipse”) is now available on line:

https://test.astroleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Solar-Eclipse-Certificates-full-set-2023-v2.pdf

For more information on the Challenges:

https://test.astroleague.org/solar-eclipse-observing-challenges/

Tune in for “Real Observing” with John Goss.

For more information, https://test.astroleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AL-LIVE-20230804.pdf

or click the Read More to get an active link to the announcement.

Two new updates:

• Imaging – Caldwell:  This Observing Program has been changed to allow for imagers to earn the “Silver” Level of only 70 objects.  Click https://test.astroleague.org/imaging-caldwell-observing-program/.
• Additional Eclipse Resources have been added:  Checklists for the Annular Eclipse (October) as well as the Total Eclipse (April).  They are in color or black & white, and also English and Spanish.  Click https://test.astroleague.org/timely-information-about-upcoming-major-celestial-events/.

As ALCon nears, the beautiful Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center has graciously offered to extend the special ALCon room rate until July 20th! If you haven’t yet booked your room, be sure to do so before this low rate expires.

Room Cutoff date has been extended until July 20th
Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center
201 Lafayette Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70801  

Standard Rooms
 ALCON Group Rate: $139.00, 
Booking Website:
https://book.passkey.com/e/50386606˜

In an effort to make the Imaging – Caldwell Observing Program (OP) better aligned with the Caldwell OP, the Astronomical League now offers a 70 object level as well as the complete 109 object level for this OP.  Details are on the Imaging – Caldwell web page: https://test.astroleague.org/imaging-caldwell-observing-program/

Eclipses are special and rare.  On October 14, 2023 there will be an Annular Solar Eclipse in the USA and April 8, 2024 there will be a Total Solar Eclipse in the USA. But to view the eclipse safely, proper eye protection is a MUST! Do you have eclipse glasses? The Astronomical League can help. Check out our announcement and the AL Store to get a pair.

ALCon Chair Steven Tilley reminds everyone to book their rooms! Here is the website for the discounted rate …

Standard Rooms
ALCON Group Rate: $139.00
Booking Website:
https://book.passkey.com/e/50386606