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Astronomical League News
Volume I Number 3
October 21, 2000
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Top News:
>>> LATEST RESEARCH PROVIDES NEW CLUES ABOUT TITAN'S WEATHER.
New research indicates that Saturn's Largest moon, Titan, may have many earth-like properties. The research reveals rain. Not water rain, but methane rain at temperatures of -180 degrees C. A bright spot, about the size of Australia, was seen for just a few hours. Some observers believe this was a methane cloud that rained methane down onto the moon. There are also indications that Titan may have continents that move around, much like Earth's continents do. When Cassini arrives in 2004, its high definition radar will map the surface, and the Huygens probe will directly study the atmosphere.
Links:
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/science/DailyNews/titan001020.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_980000/980088.stm
http://www.discovery.com/news/briefs/20001019/sp_titan.html
http://www.cnn.com/2000/TECH/space/08/23/moons.of.mystery/index.html
>>> ORIONID METEOR SHOWER THIS WEEKEND.
Halley's Comet has left a present for us in the form of the Orionid meteor shower. The shower peaks this weekend. The predicted peak is on October 21, at 2 p.m. CDT (19h UT). The radiant is at R.A. 6h 22m, Dec. +16 degrees. This is between Orion and Gemini, just east of Orion's up-raised right arm. The zenith hourly rate for this shower is only 20, so shower members are not very numerous. The Orionids are also somewhat faint, so a dark sky is a must to see these meteors until the Moon comes up a little after 1 a.m.
Links:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast18oct_1.htm
http://www.amsmeteors.org/lunsford/
(this site also has much information on meteors and meteor showers.
>>> 8.1-METER GEMINI TELESCOPE SHOWS DETAILS OF MILKY WAY GALAXY'S CORE.
Images taken recently by the north half of the Gemini telescope show details of the center of our galaxy. The most interesting find was a fast-moving star that appears to be plowing through the gas and dust of the galactic core. By studying the shockwave formed by the star, astronomers hope to learn more about the center of our galaxy. The images were taken with the 8.1-meter telescope that is the north member of a pair of 8.1-meter telescopes that will eventually be used for extreme precision interferometry.
Links:
http://www.gemini.edu./project/announcements/press/2000-2.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_976000/976972.stm
http://www.spaceviews.com/2000/10/17c.html
>>> Upcoming Events:
Preview: ALCon 2001!
The Astronomical League's 2001 Convention will be held Wednesday, July 25, 2001 to Saturday, July 28, 2001 in Frederick, Maryland. Don't miss the exciting tours, speakers, astronomical vendors, and the League's annual awards banquet!
For Additional Information contact:
Frank Moon, ALCON 2001 Chair
E-mail: ALCON2001CHAIR@aol.com
ALCon 2001 Website:
http://alcon2001.homestead.com/alcon2001.html
>>> Celestial Happenings:
Oct. 20-22 (Friday-Sunday):
Orionid meteor shower (southeast morning sky)
Oct. 20 (Friday):
Last Quarter Moon 2:59 a.m. CDT (07:59 UT)
Oct. 22 (Sunday):
First images of the surface of Venus taken by USSR in 1975.
Oct. 23 (Monday):
Jupiter passes just under 5 degrees north of Aldebaran
Oct. 26 (Thursday):
Check for a very old Moon a little over a half hour before Sunrise. The
sliver crescent Moon is just south of east. From the Central Time zone,
the Moon is only 20 hours before New.
Oct. 27 (Friday):
New Moon 02:58 a.m. CDT (07:58 UT)
>>> Planet Situation Report:
Evening Twilight: 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 A.L. News (November 4, 2000);
Previous Issue of A.L. News (October 9, 2000);
Subscribe to A.L. News E-Mail List;
Index of Volume I of A.L. News;
Index of All Volumes of A.L. News;
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©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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