Information is becoming available regarding the AL-Con in 2019 in Florida commemorating the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11. This initial release flyer is an early heads-up with information on this very special AL-Con. AL-Con 2019 Flyer
Both the International Astronomical Union’s commission on light pollution (C.B7) and the International Dark-Sky Association’s Education Committee are trying to glean what light pollution educational activities are happening in North America. We are asking for your help in completing this VERY short survey asking you if you lead any educational program teaching K-12 about light pollution (and how you do that). Perhaps you used the Quality Lighting Teaching Kit or Globe at Night or another light pollution citizen-science campaign.
We are also interested in other types of “educational” events such as going before city council to change lighting ordinances, working with urban designers or engineers to put in responsible lighting or conducting dark sky festivals, even a star party that advocates preserving dark skies. There is a range of efforts that bring awareness to the public on issues and solutions surrounding light pollution.
We would like to hear from you!
Some of the information collected in this form may be used as a part of a presentation to IAU Conference attendees in Vienna, Austria in late August, 2018.
Please respond by August 24th. Please feel free to share the link with a colleague who does this type of outreach. Thank you!
Are you ready to go Nova? The latest addition to the Observing Program family is here: The Nova Observing Program. For full details, check out the web page.
The What’s Up Tonight, Doc? spreadsheet has been updated and now includes all of the Astornomical League Observing Programs, including the newest, Nova!
To access the spreadsheet and the latest What’s Up Doc? Newsletter, go to this website: https://www.humbleisd.net/Page/81224
For more information, contact the author, Aaron Clevenson (an AL Observing Program Director) at: aaron@clevenson.org
The AL Council approved a new Observing Program at this year’s AL-Con. It is the Nova Observing Program. The website will be up shortly. Keep an eye on the Observing Programs lists. More information to come.
This wonderful program consists of an Orion 4.5 inch StarBlast Dobsonian (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, 2018. If mailed, the entry must be postmarked no later than June 30, 2018. The winning entry for each region will be announced at the annual Astronomical League Business meeting held at ALCon 2018 in Minneapolis about July 14. 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!
The June digital edition of the Reflector Magazine is now available online. If you are currently a member of an Astronomy League affiliated club, patron member, lifetime member, or a member-at-large you were sent an email notice on May 31st at about 12:15 pm.
If you did not receive a notice it was most likely because
The June issue and older digital issues of the Reflector are available online at the members.astroleague.org website. If you do not already have an account you may request one on the members webserver at https://members.astroleague.org/request_account . Enter your email address and press the “Send account information” button near the bottom of the page. In a few minutes you should receive an email with instructions and a link to create your account.
The postal edition of Reflector Magazine have been sent out for delivery. If you have subscribed to the postal edition you should receive it sometime in the next several days. Members of the Astronomical League may elect to receive the digital edition, postal edition, or both. You may contact your club ALCor or treasurer to let them know your preference if you have not already done so.
We have added two new Observing Challenge Certificates: TESS and Mars InSight. These activities have deadlines in 2018. For more information, checkout the webpage: https://test.astroleague.org//programs/nasa-observing-challenges-special-awards-introduction
You do NOT need to be a member of the Astronomical League to participate in these Observing Challenges. Certificates will be awarded, but there are no lapel pins.
This apparition of Mars is underway. This is a brief reminder to anyone planning on working on this Observing Program, now is the time to get started. This will be a serious challenge. Good luck.
