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Horkheimer Library Telescope reminder
Your Astronomical League is holding a drawing to give away ten Horkheimer Library Telescopes. To win, though, your club must first enter. Entries must be received by the deadline of July 30! For details of the program, please see the entry form and visit
This program is made possible by the vision and generosity of the Horkheimer Charitable Fund, Orion Telescopes, and Celestron.
Another reason to attend ALCon 2016
Yet another great reason to attend ALCon 2016 is what’s happening at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, which is where one of the ALCon tours will boldly go.
http://blog.nasm.si.edu/behind-the-scenes/enterprise-model-on-display/
Open Cluster Program Adds Imaging
The Open Cluster Program now allows imaging and has been changed based on inputs from imagers. Check it out!
ALCON 2016 Washington DC – A CapitAL CONvention
August 10 through August 13 features the Astronomical League’s national convention coming to the NRECA Center in Arlington, VA. Hotel accommodations are available at the beautiful Westin Arlington Gateway (703-717-6200) and at the nearby equally attractive Hilton Arlington on the Metro Line (703-528-6000). Be sure to ask for the special ALCon rate.
Download a PDF of the promo to share with fellow members and friends.
Celestial Observations: Stargate Asterism
By Bill Pellerin, Houston Astronomical Society
The first time I ever heard of the Stargate asterism was when I picked up a copy of John Wagoner’s observing list at the Texas Star Party some years ago. The asterism was mentioned by the well-known observer Philip Harrington in a May, 1998 article in Sky and Telescope magazine, but John tells me that he’s the guy who created the identifier ‘Stargate’ for this collection of stars.
Transit of Mercury
Reminder: Tomorrow morning (in the US) is the Transit of Mercury across the face of the Sun. This is a somewhat rare event and if your skies are clear be sure to check it out. Don’t ever look at the sun without proper protective filtering. Mercury will be too small to see with welder’s glass or eclipse glasses.
Also, remember that we have a Special Observing Award for the transit:
https://test.astroleague.org//PlanetaryTransit_Venus2012
Good luck. Aaron
Mars
Thanks to one of our Observing Program Coordinators, Vince Foster, this is a link to a great article on the Apparition of Mars (going on now…).
http://www.alpo-astronomy.org/jbeish/2016_MARS.htm
Enjoy. Aaron
Observing Program Director – going off-line
From now until the end of August, if you have any needs related to the Astronomical League’s Observing Programs and Awards, please work directly with the Coordinators. If you have needs that they can’t solve, then please address all emails to the other Observing Program Director, Cliff Mygatt at cliffandchris@wavecable.com. Thanks. have a great summer, and do lots of observing. Aaron Clevenson