Sky & Telescope's Weekly Bulletin - May 5

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SKY & TELESCOPE'S WEEKLY BULLETIN - May 5, 2006
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Welcome to SKY & TELESCOPE's Weekly Bulletin. Images, the full stories
abridged here, and other enhancements are on our Web site at
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THIS WEEK'S NEWS
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COMET-LIKE ASTEROIDS

Two astronomers have uncovered a new class of objects orbiting the Sun
between Mars and Jupiter: comets disguised as asteroids. They throw a
new puzzle into solar-system formation theories. . . .

http://skyandtelescope.com/news/article_1719_1.asp

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C'MON OUT FOR ASTRONOMY DAY!

"Bringing Astronomy to the People" - that's what hundreds of
astronomy clubs, observatories, museums, and planetariums worldwide
will strive to do for the annual Astronomy Day celebration Saturday,
May 6th. See our directory, and check out the contacts in your area to
see what they're up to. . . .

http://skyandtelescope.com/news/article_1721_1.asp

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COMET TO CROSS RING NEBULA SUNDAY

Amateur astronomers everywhere have been following the double comet
Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, well up in the east in late evening. Its two
largest pieces are currently 7th or 8th magnitude - not as bright as
was hoped, but still visible with good binoculars through a
not-too-badly light-polluted sky. On Sunday night, May 7th, the comet's
brightest piece will pass right across the famous Ring Nebula in Lyra!
Don't miss this event. . . .

http://skyandtelescope.com/observing...cle_1722_1.asp

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OBSERVING - SKY AT A GLANCE
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May 5 - 13

Mars and Saturn shine with Gemini in the west, while Jupiter blazes in
the southeastern sky just past opposition.

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing...icle_110_1.asp

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OBSERVING - THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
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BRIGHTENING DOUBLE COMET

The two main pieces of Comet Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, and a whole lot of
tiny ones, are crossing from Hercules into Lyra.

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/

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SHOP AT SKY (Advertisement)
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VISIT NEAF!

Don't miss the huge Northeast Astronomy Forum & Telescope Show this
weekend in Suffern, New York. It features exciting speakers, workshops,
and more than 75 vendors of everything astronomical.

http://www.rocklandastronomy.com/neaf.htm

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ICELAND: FIRE, ICE, AND AURORA

Join TravelQuest and Sky & Telescope for 8 days in Iceland. Enjoy a
wealth of natural wonders by day and the amazing aurora borealis at
night.

http://www.tq-international.com/Icel...land06Home.htm

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Stuart Goldman
Associate Editor http://SkyandTelescope.com
Night Sky Magazine http://NightSkyMag.com
49 Bay State Rd.
Cambridge, MA 02138

"COMET TO CROSS RING NEBULA SUNDAY

Amateur astronomers everywhere have been following the double comet
Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, well up in the east in late evening. Its two
largest pieces are currently 7th or 8th magnitude - not as bright as
was hoped, but still visible with good binoculars through a
not-too-badly light-polluted sky. On Sunday night, May 7th, the comet's
brightest piece will pass right across the famous Ring Nebula in Lyra!
Don't miss this event. . . . "

Might make for some interesting pictures.
-Rich

Unfortunately, it's moving very fast; it passes M57 about 10 minutes before
it rises on Sunday out here in Arizona.

Jim
"Rich" wrote in message
oups.com...
"COMET TO CROSS RING NEBULA SUNDAY

Amateur astronomers everywhere have been following the double comet
Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, well up in the east in late evening. Its two
largest pieces are currently 7th or 8th magnitude - not as bright as
was hoped, but still visible with good binoculars through a
not-too-badly light-polluted sky. On Sunday night, May 7th, the comet's
brightest piece will pass right across the famous Ring Nebula in Lyra!
Don't miss this event. . . . "

Might make for some interesting pictures.
-Rich