Category Archives: December 2013

From the Director

Posted on November 30, 2013 by ST Editors

By Jeff Bernardis, Director Looking back on the 2013 public observing season at the Simpson Observatory, one cannot help but notice that we had remarkably good luck with respect to the weather this year. The numbers of the public attending … Continue reading →

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From the Program Chair

Posted on November 30, 2013 by ST Editors

by Kate Otto, Program Chair A happy 2013 holiday season to all!  Thanks again to Rex Parker who gave the club a virtual tour of the University of Arizona’s Mt. Lemmon Sky Center at last month’s meeting.  The Mt. Lemmon Sky Center … Continue reading →

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StarQuest 2014 – Volunteers Needed

Posted on November 30, 2013 by ST Editors

by Michael Wright Save the date! We have reserved the Hope Conference Center for the weekend of September 26 to 28 for StarQuest 2014. This weekend is in the sweet spot between the hot, short nights of summer and the … Continue reading →

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Treasurer’s Report

Posted on November 30, 2013 by ST Editors

by Michael Mitrano, Treasurer As of November 29, 2013, paid membership for the current fiscal year is now at 53, which is very close to the membership level of a year ago. If you have not yet paid your dues, … Continue reading →

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Minutes of the November 12, 2013 Meeting

Posted on November 30, 2013 by ST Editors

by Michael Wright, Secretary Director Jeff Bernardis opened the meeting and announced that the club has 2014 Astronomy calendars for sale at $10 each. Program Chair Kate Otto introduced the speaker for the evening, member Rex Parker who presented “Galaxies, … Continue reading →

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Mangalyaan – India’s Passage to Mars

Posted on November 30, 2013 by ST Editors

by Prasad Ganti In the wake of the recent launch of MAVEN, the latest NASA mission to Mars, India’s space program is largely unknown to rest of the world, at least in the popular media.  At the beginning of November, … Continue reading →

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How to Buy Your First Telescope

Posted on November 30, 2013 by ST Editors

by Michael Wright Around the holidays, astronomers get asked by friends and family members about how to buy a first telescope.  In fact, the club received just such a questions last week from someone whose interest was sparked by a … Continue reading →

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The Best of Sidereal Times

Posted on November 30, 2013 by ST Editors

by Michael Wright, Co-editor When we scanned back issues of Sidereal Times for the 50th Anniversary Dinner, Surabhi and I found many lost gems buried in the archive. Occasionally, we will republish some. This is the first installment. In December … Continue reading →

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NASA’s MAVEN Orbiter Soars to Space to Study History of Mars Water

Posted on November 30, 2013 by ST Editors

by Dr. Ken Kremer:  Universe Today & AAAP KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) space probe thundered to space on Nov. 18, 2013 following a flawless blast off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s … Continue reading →

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