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Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program
The Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program is now accepting applications! Here’s your chance for that once in a lifetime experience!
The Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program (ACEAP https://public.nrao.edu/look-deeper/aceap/ ) is a collaboration between AUI http://www.aui.edu/ , the National Radio Astronomy Observatory https://www.nrao.edu/ , National Optical Astronomy Observatory http://www.noao.edu/, and Gemini Observatory http://www.gemini.edu/, and is supported by the National Science Foundation http://www.nsf.gov (NSF 1439408). The Program brings amateur astronomers, planetarium personnel, and K-16 formal and informal astronomy educators to US astronomy facilities in Chile. While at these facilities, ACEAP Ambassadors will receive extensive training about the instruments, the science, data products, and communicating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts. When they return home, the Ambassadors will share their experiences and observatory resources with schools and community groups across the US.
The program is open to amateur astronomers, K through college formal and informal educators who teach astronomy as part of their curriculum or program, and planetarium educators, who are U.S. Citizens.
Check it out at – https://public.nrao.edu/look-deeper/aceap
How You Can Help Amateur Astronomy
Our universe is simply awe-inspiring with its vastness, beauty, and mystery that lie before us every time we gaze skyward. Observing is personal and its influence upon us can be profound. It is an activity that is tough to beat.
Support your Astronomical League! The League encourages the active pursuit of astronomy through its various member–directed programs. Your dues and contributions help fund its national recognition awards, the national convention (ALCon), the Reflector, the AL Book Service, and, of course, the many popular observing clubs.
If you enjoy the night sky and want others to discover its wonders, why not give a gift to the Astronomical League today? Mail your tax–deductible donation to the Astronomical League, 9201 Ward Parkway Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64114.
The Astronomical League is a member supported and member driven 501c(3) nonprofit organization. Because of people like you, the League can offer the programs and benefits that enhance your experience under the stars.
Why not give back to the avocation that has given so much to you?
Philae Touchdown
From Lou Mayo (NASA): History will be made today as a spacecraft touches down on a comst! The ESA Rosetta spacecraft has released its Philae lander on target for Comet 67P C-G. Touchdown is expected at around 11am EST. You can watch the feed on NASA TV beginning at 9am EST. Check out the details of this amazing accomplishment in human history at http://rosetta.jpl.nasa.gov/. Also, live coverage can be found here: http://new.livestream.com/ESA/cometlanding
Rosetta at comet, Philae on its way to surface
At roughly 10 AM CST the Philae Lander will touch down on the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. It separated from the Rosetta spacecraft last night. Check out the ESA website: http://rosetta.esa.int/ for live updates and images as they come in.
Comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko / Rosetta Observing – Certificate
The Astronomical League is working with NASA to bring you some special observing opportunities and awards. The second of these is coming up very soon. It is to celebrate rendezvous of Comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko with the Rosetta spacecraft. The target date is November 12, 2014. Submissions must be made to the NASA website by January 12, 2015.
In brief, you need to take a picture of the comet and submit it to the NASA website. You also need to do an outreach event related to this event before January 12, 2015 and note it when you submit your image. There is no pin, this does NOT count towards a Master Observer Certification, but there is a certificate signed by NASA and the AL President.
The NASA website address is:
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/observe67p.cfm
If you have questions, send them to Aaron Clevenson at aaron@clevenson.org.
Observing Program Coordinators Needed
The Astronomical League is looking for a few good men and women to volunteer as observing program coordinators. We are specifically looking for coordinators for the Outreach Program and for the Herschel 400 Program. If you are interested and willing, please contact Aaron Clevenson, a National AL Observing Program Coordinator, at aaron@clevenson.org by the end of December 2014. There may be additional opportunities as well.
Comet Siding Spring and Mars Encounter – Certificate
The Astronomical League is working with NASA to bring you some special observing opportunities and awards. The first of these is coming up very soon. It is to celebrate the flyby of Mars by Comet Siding-Spring. The target date is October 19, 2014. Submissions must be made to the NASA website by December 19, 2014.
In brief, you need to take a picture of the comet and/or Mars and submit it to the NASA website. You also need to do an outreach event related to this event before December 19, 2014 and note it when you submit your image. There is no pin, this does NOT count towards a Master Observer Certification, but there is a certificate signed by NASA and the AL President.
The NASA website address is:
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/challenges.cfm
If you have questions, send them to Aaron Clevenson at aaron@clevenson.org.
Master Observer Netweork
Did you know that the Astronomical League provides a way for you to get answers to your questions from astronomers who have done a good bit of observing? We do. It is the Master Observers Network. It is a list server that sends an email to participating Master Observers, and they will respond to your querries.
To submit a question, use the Observe Tab and select Ask A Question.
If you are a master observer and would like to be added to the list of recipients, please contact Aaron Clevenson at aaron@clevenson.org. We would love for you to join us.
Outreach Downloads from the Astronomical League
The Astronomical League offers posters for clubs to download, then have printed for display at their public events such as Astronomy Day. They range in size from 20 x 30 inch sheets to materials that can be mounted on tri-fold project display boards. Some are available in 8.5 x 11 inch format. These documents can be printed at a local print shop at a rate of about $0.75 per square foot for black and white copies. Please visit https://test.astroleague.org//outreach
A few of the titles offered:
You Are Here — Illustrates our location in the Milky Way galaxy.
Navigating the Spring (or Fall) Night Sky — Gives the novice a tour of the sky.
How is Your Stargazing Knowledge? — Tests the public’s knowledge of the night sky in a friendly, interactive way.
Our Unnatural Night — Confronts the problem of light pollution.
What Telescope is Best for Me? — Guides the newcomer towards a suitable telescope.
How to Find Celestial Objects — Shows the methods amateur astronomers use to locate faint objects with ease.
The Need for Telescopes — Using the moon for comparison, the relative sizes of the planets are shown.
The ABCs of Stargazing — Explains the concepts of angular distance, brightness, and the altitude-azimuth coordinate system.
Is That a Planet or a Star? — Answers the question of how to tell a planet from a star.
If you would like to develop a set of downloadable materials in the style of those already available at Outreach Downloads, please contact Astronomical League President John Goss, president@astroleague.org.