Sky & Telescope's Weekly Bulletin - Apr 28

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SKY & TELESCOPE'S WEEKLY BULLETIN - April 28, 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:
http://SkyandTelescope.com

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THIS WEEK'S NEWS
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National Park Service Tracks Light Pollution

April 27, 2006 | While astronomy enthusiasts understand the importance
of dark, pristine skies, the science of measuring light pollution is
not well established. Now, researchers with the US National Park
Service (NPS) have released data as part of a program to measure the
impact of light pollution on the relatively unspoiled skies of western
US National Parks. The NPS Night Sky program, the first of its kind,
systematically detects and analyzes night-sky brightness in national
parks to understand current dark-sky quality and identify
light-pollution sources. . . .

http://SkyandTelescope.com/news/article_1717_1.asp

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OBSERVING - SKY AT A GLANCE
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April 28 - May 6

There's a strange event happening on Jupiter. Its long-enduring "white
oval" has reddened to become what observers are calling "Red Spot
Junior." Catch the King of Planets when it's highest in the south after
midnight daylight saving time.

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

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OBSERVING - THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
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Update on Comet Schwassmann-Wachmann 3

This periodic comet, due to fly close by Earth in May, is breaking into
even more pieces. Two fragments may reach 5th or 6th magnitude.
Professional and amateur astronomers are shooting breathtaking images
of the crumbling comet.

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/

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SHOP AT SKY (Advertisement)
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Celestial Sampler: 60 Small-Scope Tours for Starlit Nights
By Sue French

Wondering what you can see with a small telescope? Enough to keep you
busy for a lifetime. Most of the objects presented in this book are
visible in a 4-inch telescope under a moderately dark sky. Start
exploring!

Celestial Sampler $24.95 plus shipping

http://www.shopatsky.com/index.asp?P...=cel%2Bsampler

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Clyde Tombaugh: Discoverer of the Planet Pluto
By David H. Levy

This fascinating biography chronicles the life of one of the giants of
20th century astronomy. His work remains relevant today as astronomers
continue their search for planets in the outskirts of our solar system.

Clyde Tombaugh: Discoverer of the Planet Pluto $13.95, plus shipping.

http://www.shopatsky.com/index.asp?P...yde%2Btombaugh

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