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From Hawaii ( On Topic even! )
In like a Lion and Out like a Pizza!
*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-: Greetings Fellow Stargazer, Don't miss this month's Star Party because Venus, Mercury, and Saturn will fit within a circle 2° across just after the sun sets. Also, for all you Leo's out there, this is another month to get a great view Leo. One of the most enduring stories of western mythology is the tale of Hercules, the half-mortal son of Zeus, the king of the gods of Olympus. His divine heritage provided great strength and courage. But it also brought great sorrow. Zeus's wife, Hera, caused Hercules to go mad and kill his wife and children. As punishment, he was assigned 12 labors, each of which would have been impossible for a normal man. Hercules and his labors are commemorated in the stars. Hercules himself stands clear of the eastern horizon by nightfall. The constellation is defined by a lopsided square of fairly bright stars known as the Keystone. One of his labors was to kill a ferocious lion, represented by the constellation Leo. The lion stands high in the sky in the evening, nose diving toward the western horizon as the night lingers on. Several hundred years ago, astronomers drew a minor constellation next to Hercules to represent his conquest of Cerberus, a three-headed dog that guarded the entrance to Hades and who was in one of the Harry Potter movies. Pluto, the god of the underworld, allowed Hercules to fight the beast, but using only his bare hands. Hercules won the battle and brought Cerberus to the surface, then had to return him because no one on Earth wanted this most hungry critter around. The stars of Cerberus were few and faint, so the constellation never caught on. Today, its stars are incorporated into the outer regions of Hercules. Hercules is home of one of my favorites... M-13, the Hercules Globular Cluster. Speaking of Globs... you should find a glob of tomato paste, a glob of some cheese and put it on some dough, cook it and bring it to a Star Party. Speaking of Star Parties, you are invited to one on the 25th! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Star Party Invitation for June 25th, Sponsored by the Hawaiian Astronomical Society http://www.hawastsoc.org Dillingham Airfield - before sunset 7:17ish pm) (Star Party Directions are at the end of this message) Bring: http://bishopmuseum.org/exhibits/pla.../06/june05.pdf Here is where I go to check the weather on a Star Party Night: http://www.wunderground.com/radar/ra...&scale=1&noclu tter=0&ID=HMO&type=N0R&lat=0&lon=0&label=you If it is clear, you will be able to see many astronomical sights. It's now that time of year to see Jupiter, Omega Centauri, Leo the Lion, Scorpius, Virgo and the Southern Cross. If you won't be in Hawaii, fear not. Check this link for a Star Party near you! http://SkyandTelescope.com/resources/organizations/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= If you miss this month's HAS Star Party then join us at the next: ***** 2005 ***** August 6th August 27th September 24th October 22nd December 3rd ***** 2006 ***** January 21st =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Hercules Globular Cluster M13, is called the "Large Globular Cluster of Hercules", is one of the most remarkable clusters and most known of the Northern celestial hemisphere. Edmond Halley, who discovered it in 1714, when it was dark enough to be visible with the naked eye when the sky was clear and the Moon absent. Charles Messier cataloged it as Messier Object 13 on June 1, 1764. With the distance of 25 100 light-years, its angular diameter is of 23', which corresponds to 165 light-years. It contains some 100 000 stars; Timothy Ferris, in its work Galaxies , even advances "more than one million". In the central area, the density is approximately 500 times higher than that of the stellar environment of the Sun. The age of M13 was evaluated by Sandage to 24 billion years and by Arp to 17 billion in 1960; later, in 1962, Arp brought back this figure to 14 billion (raised in Kenneth Glyn Jones). According to Kenneth Glyn Jones, M13 has the characteristic to contain a young blue star, Barnard No.29, of spectral type B2. the membership of this star to the cluster was confirmed by the measurement its radial speed, although this is surprising for a so old cluster; it would be rather about a star captured in the stellar field. The globular cluster M13 was selected in 1974 like target for one of the first radio messages transmitted by the large radio operator telescope of Arecibo and was addressed to possible extraterrestrial intelligent beings. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Leo, the Lion Leo is the fifth Sign of the Zodiac. A line extended southward from the pointer stars of the Big Dipper passes into the midsection of Leo, the Lion. Covering some 60 degrees in longitude in the sky, it is one of the largest constellations. Leo assumed great significance during the Age of Taurus, between 4000-2000 B. C. when many of the constellations were named by people living in Mesopotamia and/or Egypt. During the summer dry season lions of the desert would come into the valley of the Nile at the time it flooded, close to summer solstice, hence the symbolic importance of the sun in Leo at summer solstice. The face of a Lion was always carved in the gates that opened irrigation canals of the Nile valley. Many found in Mediterranean cities had water gushing out of the mouths of lions in their fountains. The Egyptian Sphinx may also have the symbolism of a lion. During the Age of Taurus, the solstices and equinoxes were marked by four major stars, the so-called Royal Stars: Aldebaran; the brightest star of Taurus, Regulus, the brightest star of Leo; Antares the "heart" of Scorpius, and Fomalhaut near Aquarius. At certain latitudes, Fomalhaut was too low to be easily seen, and Altair in Aquilla was used as the star of winter solstice. The resulting synthesis of animals became the Griffin, hind legs and wings of an eagle (Aquilla) head and forelegs of a lion (Leo), and the tail of a scorpion (Scorpio). The lion was the symbol of absolute sovereignty power, and kingship. The sun in the lion carried out that symbolism. At summer solstice near the tropic of Cancer, the solar lion controlled the zenith of the heavens at noon. Regulus, the Heart of the Lion in the constellation Leo. A backward question mark of stars curves up from Regulus to represent the Lion's chest, majestic mane and head, this pattern is also called the Sickle. Regulus being very close to the ecliptic can commonly be seen pairing with the Moon or a bright planet. In ancient cultures Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, has been associated with the concept of royalty or kingly power. It is also known as the Ruler, the Lawgiver. It has been said that Regulus focuses the energy of Sirius toward the Earth. Regulus acts as a regulator for the evolutionary energies of Sirius and the Christ consciousness. The Sickle has the ability to cut through confusion; the Royal, Lion-Hearted Lawgiver can then stimulate a response in humanity that expresses the Christ consciousness, the quality we call Love. The Sirius/Leo Festival that occurs each year during the Full Moon in the Sun sign of Leo, July 21 * August 20, aligns us with the Sirius/Leo energies. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The Wanderers (The Planets) this Month Mercury will reach its highest point of the month during the 3-planet grouping on the 25th -27th, almost 20 degrees from the western horizon. Venus moves into the evening sky after being hidden by the sun. This brightest planet hangs low in the western sky. Venus is easily spotted in the west at dusk and remains in the sky until almost 9:00 p.m. Mars doesnąt rise until after midnight this month, and has been temporarily overshadowed by the early evening planets. Jupiter is very near zenith as darkness falls. The gas giant has enjoyed the status as being the brightest planet in the sky for months, but now Venus has come back to the night sky to take that title. This is a good time, though, to compare the two planets since they are both in the sky for a couple of hours. By July Saturn will be even lower in the evening sky than both Mercury ad Venus at sunset, but there is still time to see Saturn higher in the sky in June. Next to the constellation Gemini, Saturn is relatively bright, brighter than the brother stars Castor and Pollux that mark the heads of the twins. Saturn sets around 10 p.m. in early June, and by 8:30 p.m. June 30. Uranus and Neptune (magnitudes 6 and 8, respectively, in Aquarius and Capricornus) are well up in the southeast to south before dawn. Pluto (magnitude 14, in Serpens Cauda) is well placed in the south-southeast after dark. Use at least an 8-inch scope if you want to try and find it. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Annual Meteor Showers Quadrantids: January Virginids: March/April Lyrids: April Scorpiids: May Delta Aquarids: July Perseids August Piscids: September Orionids: October Leonids: November Geminids: December =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Find what is moving overhead after sunset: http://www.bester.com/ http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/RealTim.../JTrack3d.html Check out when the next Iridium Satellite is available for you to see: http://www.heavens-above.com/Neighbo...PlaceID=593409 (for non Oahu Star Gazers...) http://www.heavens-above.com/selectt...p?CountryID=US =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Check out: http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/12months/m-apr-i.html and bring the above list... As for the rest of the Messiers, check out http://www.hawastsoc.org/deepsky/messier.html It also has a link to: http://www.hawastsoc.org/messier/index.html (all the Messier Objects as photographed by HAS's local Jay Wrathall) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Star Party Directions (http://www.hawastsoc.org/directions/dillingham.html) To reach the Dillingham observing site, take the H2 to the end at Schofield Barracks. Drive past Schofield and follow the signs to Waialua. At the Y intersection at Waialua, bear left and pass under the bridge. Drive out of town a few miles until you reach Dillingham Airfield. Dillingham is several miles long. It has three gates. You need to drive to the far end to the third gate (marked as Gate 1 on the color map). When you enter the gate, the road will curve left behind some hangars. It will then take you through a very sharp S curve. 1/4 mile beyond that is a stop sign in the middle of nowhere. Turn right at the stop sign, and you will be there. You can find me by looking for the big red telescope in the corner with a table with lots of pizza on it. You will need to reach the site before sunset in order to find the gate open!!! A few words on light. We try to maintain dark conditions at the site. Therefore we have certain rules about light. First, no white flashlights. The only flashlights that you should use are not too bright, red ones. When entering and exiting the site, do not use headlights. Some cars now can't turn off their headlights. If you have a car like that please park nearer the windsock then the telescopes. Point it away from the telescopes. Headlights make you lose your night vision for up to 30 minutes. It immediately ruins any astro photography that might be in progress. Bring some warm clothes, something to sit on, some real powerful bug spray, a dim or red covered flashlight and some munches to share with your friends. Remember there is an absolute need to remain clear of the runway, and anyone attending the star party needs to remain in the immediate star party area. Do not be wandering around in areas where we are not permitted. Especially near any planes (parked or moving)! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Bishop Museum Planetarium Happenings Daily Planetarium schedule: (808) 848-4136 for pre-recorded planetarium schedule. 11:30 a.m. The Stars Tonight (40 Minutes) 12:30 p.m. Explorers of Polynesia (in Japanese, (30 Minutes) 1:00 p.m. Deep Impact: Rendezvous With a Come, (30 Minutes) 2:30-3:15p.m. Observatory is open for solar viewing 3:30 p.m. Explorers of Polynesia (in English, 45 Minutes) Barry Peckham will host the Sky Tonight program on the first Friday of each month. Reservations are required as there is limited seating in the planetarium. Call 848-4168 for information and reservations. Tickets cost $4 for adults, $3 for kids, free to Bishop Museum members and Hawaiian Astronomical Society members. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= After Dark with Stars in the Park Waikele Community Park OR... Kahala Park (Weather permitting) ***** 2005 ***** July 9th August 13th September 10th October 8th November 5th December 10th ***** 2006 ***** January 7th FROM DUSK to 9:30 PM Bring your children! Tell your friends! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Visit the cosmos via: The HAS HomePage: http://www.hawastsoc.org/ or go to (or show up at meeting 7:30pm first Tue of month) and check out the Bishop Museum Planetarium Home Page http://bishopmuseum.org/exhibits/pla...anetarium.html and the Institute for Astronomy Colloquia/Seminars http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/ http://apollo-society.org/launchpad39_A.html =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Keep Looking Sky Ward...Gary Ward http://homepage.mac.com/macyoda/PhotoAlbum6.html =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -- The Lone Sidewalk Astronomer of Rosamond Telescope Buyers FAQ http://home.inreach.com/starlord About my Car http://www.bishopcarfund.netfirms.com/ |
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