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Astronomical League News
Volume I Number 2
October 9, 2000
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Top News:
>>> ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE'S WEBSITE NOMINATED FOR THE WEB BUSINESS AWARD.
"Globalbizshows.com" announces the Astronomy Show, an online event running October 1 to October 31, 2000. As it is part of their mandate to raise the awareness of the online community, they are recognizing companies and organizations for their efforts in the astronomy field. The Astronomical League stands out from the rest of the field as having made major contributions online. As such, they have placed the Astronomical League Website in nomination for the "Web Business Award".
During the Astronomy Show, all attendees will be invited
to visit the nominees' websites and vote for their favorite site. You
can cast a vote for the Astronomical League's website by visiting:
http://www.globalbizshows.com/current/justbecause/index.html.
At the end of October, all the votes will be counted
and the winners will receive a formal award for display on their site
as well as global recognition, listings in their monthly newsletter, and
a booth in an upcoming online tradeshow.
>>> LOOSE PLANETS DISCOVERED IN SIGMA ORIONIS NEBULA.
In the Sigma Orionis star cloud/nebula, astronomers have discovered 18 planet-like objects drifting in the same bright nebula that forms the background for the Horsehead Nebula in Orion. These planets are still in the process of forming, and will probably be five to fifteen times the size of Jupiter.
Current theory holds that planets form out of a proto-stellar nebula as part of the formation of a star. These "free floaters" upset the current theory and may indicate that the lower limit on the mass required to form an independent star or planet may be much lower than previously thought.
The discovery was made by a team of Spanish, German and American astronomers who used visual and infrared filters on telescopes in Spain and the Canary Islands to detect the objects using telescopes in Spain, the Canary Islands, and Hawaii.
Links:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_957000/957518.stm
http://www.msnbc.com/news/472783.asp
http://www.discovery.com/news/briefs/20001005/sp_planets.html
http://www.cnn.com/2000/TECH/space/10/06/space.planets.reut/index.html
>>> Upcoming Events:
October 20-22, 2000: Starry Nights Festival
The Annual Meeting of the Western Region of the Astronomical
League and I.D.A. California Meeting, at Yucca Valley, California. Guest
speakers David Levy and Carolyn Shoemaker, dark sky observing, and astronomical
vendors. For additional information, contact: 2000 Starry Nights Festival,
Town of Yucca Valley, Attention: Frank Sheckler, 57090 29 Palms Highway,
Yucca Valley, CA 92284, (760) 369-7212.
>>> Celestial Happenings:
Oct. 13 (Friday):
Full Moon 3:53 a.m. CDT (08:53 UT)
Oct. 15 (Sunday):
Moon near Saturn, Jupiter and Aldebaran
Oct. 16: (Monday):
Moon near Jupiter and Aldebaran
>>> Planet Situation Report:
Evening Twilight: Mercury, Venus, Uranus, Neptune, PlutoMidnight: Saturn, Jupiter
Morning Twilight: Mars
>>> This message is brought to you by Astronomical League Sales
Stop by the Astronomical League Sales Website at http://www.astronomicalleague.com to see David Levy’s 16-inch planisphere. Designed from the ground up by David Levy and Ken Graun, this is the large and easily read planisphere. Lots of useful information is on the back, including yearly meteor showers, planet facts, the Moon, and binocular objects. There are summer and winter sky tours on front. For northern latitudes 30° to 60° and made in the USA of 100% durable plastic. Ink cannot be scratched off. Great for the beginning astronomer, as well as the seasoned stargazer!
While you are there take a look at all the other goodies you can get directly from the Astronomical League!
Next Issue of AL News (October 21, 2000);
Previous Issue of AL News (October 3, 2000);
Subscribe to AL News E-mail List;
Index of Volume I of A.L. News;
Index of All Volumes of A.L. News;
Return to Astronomical League Home Page.
©2000 by the Astronomical League. This page is maintained by Matt Ganis for the Astronomical League. Comments, corrections, and suggestions can be addressed to webmaster@astroleague.org. This page last updated January 10, 2001.
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