Online conference registration is now available at the ALCon 2015 website at https://alcon2015.astroleague.org/registration/conference-registration/
Tour registration is available at https://alcon2015.astroleague.org/registration/tour-registration/
Wouldn’t it be great to be young again and to be entering amateur astronomy! Now is the time to start considering the Astronomical League’s youth awards for 2015: the National Young Astronomer Award (NYAA), the three Jack Horkheimer Youth Service Awards, and the Horkheimer/O’Meara Journalism Award.
If you know a young person who has been involved in an astronomy-related research project — either of his or her own doing or though an educational institution — please consider nominating that person for the National Young Astronomer Award. He or she must be between 14 and 19 years of age.
If you know a League member, 18 years or younger, who has brought amateur astronomy to your club or to the public through outreach, presentations, writing, or observing, please consider nominating that person for one of the four Horkheimer Service Awards. One of these awards is more specialized than the others — the Horheimer/O’Meara Journalism Award. It requires a person who is 8 to 14 years of age to compose a 300 to 500 word essay on any science related topic.
Since the deadlines for the National Young Astronomer Award is January 31, 2015 and for the Horkheimer Awards is March 31, 2015, now is the time for potential candidates to work on their projects and to participate in various astronomy activities.
If you are a club officer, nominate them. If you don’t, no one else will! Complete information about each award can be found at test.astroleague.org/al/awards/awards.html
Your astronomy club offers a special value to your community that no other organization provides. After all, how many other groups experience firsthand the wonder, beauty and mystery of this incredible universe – and happily share their views with the public! Why not produce your own video highlighting your club and amateur astronomy? You just might connect with your community. The Minnesota Astronomical Society did just that, creating an impressive work. They enlisted the talents of a young member who needed a community service project to fulfill the requirements of the Eagle Scout program. After viewing this impressive video, wouldn’t you want to become a member of the MAS? http://youtu.be/2PRk_HXGapk
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
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?
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
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.
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.
