Celestial Savings codes updated April 2, 2019
Celestial Savings codes have been updated and may be used for purchases from participating vendors effective January 18th. See details about the Celestial Savings program here.
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New NASA Observing Challenge Special Observing Award – Apollo’s 50th
In conjunction with NASA, the Astronomical League Observing Program Division has developed a new NASA Observing Challenge Special Observing Award to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo landing on the Moon. This award will have a certificate, but no pin, and is available to members and non-members of the Astronomical League. For more information, check out the award’s webpage: https://test.astroleague.org//programs/nasa-observing-challenges-special-awards-introduction Note that it has a deadline for submission.
Observing Program Announcement: Radio Astronomy Observing Program
If you have not received an award for which you have submitted yourself in the Radio Astronomy Observing Program, please send an email to the current coordinator, Aaron Clevenson at aaron@clevenson.org.
We want to make these awards current. Thanks.
ACEAP 2019 – Applications Deadline Extended
Are you interested in visiting some of the largest and most sophisticated observatories/telescopes in the world? Do you like sharing your knowledge and astronomical experiences with others? The check out the Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program at http://epe.aui.edu/programs/astronomy-in-chile-educator-ambassadors-program/ and APPLY TODAY! Deadline extended to March 24 at 11:59 PM.
The 2019 ACEAP Expedition to Chile will take place July 27 – August 5, and is open to US and international participants. Here are the basics:
- The 2019 ACEAP Team will include a team of 10 individuals,
- It is intended that five (5) slots will be supported by NSF funding (excluding air travel in Chile, and R/T air to Santiago) through the normal ACEAP application and review process. No additional fees will be charged. These 5 slots are open to those in the US or US Territory. Please note that while we anticipate NSF support for the 2019 Expedition, this has not yet been secured. We anticipate confirmation in the near future.
- Four (4) slots will be made available to anyone in the US or abroad who has interest/experience in astronomy education/outreach. Their experience will have to be fully paid for by their institution or self-funded. Cost = $4200 USD excluding R/T airfare to Santiago. These will be filled on a first come first serve basis once initial qualifications have been met.
- 1 slot will be awarded to a Chilean educator who is embedded on the team.
- All 10 Ambassadors will be required to participate in pre-travel sessions and complete the outreach activities when they come home. In return each receives a $500 stipend.
Please visit the ACEAP at http://epe.aui.edu/programs/astronomy-in-chile-educator-ambassadors-program/ and apply TODAY. Application deadline extended to Sunday, March 24 at 11:59 PM.
Members website shutdown
The members website https://members.astroleague.org is being shutdown. Only a few hundred people have ever used the website. All accounts are blocked and will be removed shortly. All personal information on the website will be removed. This website https://test.astroleague.org/ will remain available. The digital Reflector archive is now on this website at https://test.astroleague.org//reflector
Vern
Your Astronomical League is giving away up to eleven Library Telescopes!
Through the vision of the Horkheimer Charitable Fund, the Astronomical League is again offering a free Library Telescope to a lucky Astronomical League club in each of the ten AL regions and to a Member-at-Large.
This wonderful program consists of an Orion 4.5 inch StarBlast Dobsonian or a Zhumell Z114 (or equivalent) and a Celestron 8-24 mm zoom eyepiece (or equivalent), and a name plate commemorating the late Jack Horkheimer. The value of this opportunity is approximately $300; the potential of the program is enormous.
Submit your completed entry form so that the Astronomical League national office receives it by June 30, 2019. If mailed, the entry must be postmarked no later than June 30, 2019. The winning entry for each region will be announced at ALCon 2019 held July 25-29. Full details of this wonderful program can be found at https://test.astroleague.org/library-telescope-program
The Library Telescope Program is a great club project, one that brings members together while benefiting their community. Indeed, it is the perfect outreach program!
Passing of Jerry Sherlin
Credit: The following article is from the Denver Astronomical Society online newsletter.
A memorial service for Jerry Sherlin will be held Saturday, January 12 at 11 am;
Southeast Church of Christ, 14601 E. Yale Avenue, Aurora, CO 80014
Obituary
He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1959, retiring in 1981. In the Air Force, he attended the weather forecasting school and spent most of his career in space weather predictions. He served at the Air Force’s Geophysics Labs (Hanscom Field, MA) for three years, followed by four years at the Air Force Global Weather Central’s Space Environmental department, where real-time reports from solar observatories around the world were received and the data used to forecast the effects of solar activity (e.g. solar flares and CMEs) on NASA-USAF near-Earth space missions and HF radio propagation.
Master Observer Network
If you are a Master Observer, the question is: Are you a member? The Master Observer Network is an electronic network of Astronomical League Master Observers that is available to answer questions by members and non-members as well. We would like all of the Master Observers to be a part of the network. Master Observers choose which queries they want to respond to. When a member of the network, your email address is secure and not available to anyone unless you respond to a query. To join the network, please send your email address and Master Observer number to Aaron Clevenson, the Observing Program Director, at aaron@clevenson.org
Astronomy Before the Telescope Observing Certificate
Announcing the latest addition to the Observing Program Department of the Astronomical League: Astronomy Before the Telescope Observing Certificate. No telescope? No binoculars? No problem! Relive the excitement of exploring the celestial sphere and its mechanics with tools you can easily make yourself.
Astrolabes, Nocturnals, Viking Sun Stones, Cross Staffs, and more!
Check out the website: https://test.astroleague.org/astronomy-telescope-observing-certificate
This is an electronic certificate only (no pin). Upon completion of the requirements (some of these are no small feat) you can earn your certification.
ALCon 2019 Apparel is now Available for Online Ordering
ALCON 2019 apparel will be available only from InfiniTees, using their drop shipment program. Remember the shipping is free and ALCON 2019 apparel makes the perfect Christmas gift by conveniently ordering online.
See the link below!