Astronomical League News
Volume II Number 6
May 8, 2001

Top News:

>>> BLACK HOLE FOUND THAT DOES NOT HAVE A LARGE APPETITE.

Black hole XTE J1118+480 just does not "eat" enough. The latest observations from the Chandra X-Ray Telescope and the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer telescope. Working together, the two telescopes have discovered that the accretion disk that surrounds the black hole does not extend as close to the event horizon as expected.

The two x-ray telescopes were observing XTE J1118+480 in different bands of the electromagnetic spectrum when it went into outburst. The resulting data showed that the inner edge of the accretion disk gets no closer than 600 miles from the event horizon, where matter disappears into the black hole. This is a far cry from the 25 miles that some astronomers had expected. This provides us with a better understanding of how energy is released when matter spirals into a black hole.

Links:
http://wwww.space.com/scienceastronomy/astronomy/chandra_disk_010508.html
http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/space/05/08/black.hole/index.html
http://www.msnbc.com/news/570553.asp

>>> COMET C/2001 A2 (LINEAR) SPLITS.

This comet, which underwent a rapid brightening last month, has split in two. The brightening seems to have been a result of the split, which exposed new surface material to the heat of the Sun. This allowed more dust and gas to be boiled off the surface of the comet, adding to the coma of the comet. The two pieces of the comet are about 3.5 seconds of arc apart.

Links:
http://www.skypub.com/news/news.shtml#linearsplit

>>> ASTRONOMERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE ASTEROID IMPACT.

Astronomers, both amateur and professional, have discovered over 1,100 asteroids and comets that come near the Earth. These discovered Near Earth Objects (NEOs) are only a part of the population of objects that come near the Earth. There are many that have not been discovered yet, and one of these may someday hit the Earth. Astronomers are trying to create a more coherent process for dealing with the possible discovery of an Earth-impacting object.

During the first days after discovery, the orbit of one of these objects is uncertain, and the possibility of an impact would not be certain for a substantial period of time. It is this period of uncertainty, and who would take the lead in dealing with the impacting object that is under discussion.

Links:
http://wwww.space.com/scienceastronomy/solarsystem/asteroid_document_wg_010507.html
http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/space/05/08/asteroid.impacts.ap/index.html
http://www.msnbc.com/news/569850.asp

>>> ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE NEEDS SECRETARY.

The Astronomical League needs someone to run for the office of Secretary. This position is open to any A. L. member. The duties include taking minutes at all official meetings. The Secretary is a member of the Executive Committee and, as such, directs the League when Council is not in session. If you are interested, e-mail Nominating Committee Chair Bob Gent at rlgent1@aol.com. The office of Executive Secretary is also up for election this year. The current Executive Secretary cannot run for re-election.

>>> ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE WEBMASTER RESIGNS.

The Astronomical League Webmaster has resigned to pursue other astronomical activities, like searching for minor planets. If you would be interested in this position, please contact A. L. President Chuck Allen at cea@compuserve.com.
 

>>> Upcoming Events:

ALCon 2001!

It's almost here! 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:

May 11 (Friday):
Mars stationary 10 a.m. CDT (15h UT).

May 15 (Tuesday):
Last Quarter 5:11 a.m. CDT (10:11 UT).

May 16 (Wednesday):
Mercury 3-degrees north of Jupiter 12 p.m. CDT (17h UT).

>>> Planet Situation Report:

Midnight: None

Morning Twilight: Venus, Mars

>>> This message is brought to you by Astronomical League Sales

Are you going to a formal observing session? What you need is our Astronomical League Golf Shirt! The shirt is white with the AL Logo embroidered in navy blue on the upper left side. Check it out at http://www.astronomicalleague.com/News2.htm and get our special newsletter price.

While you are there take a look at all the other goodies you can get directly from the Astronomical League!

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