I went to Chile with the Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassador Program. I share here my experience and the perspectives of others in my 2018 ACEAP cohort:
John Goar: I was captivated and thrilled. I was a northerner seeing the southern skies for the first time. If you have ever had the opportunity to see the southern hemisphere sky, then you might have shared my experience. That night at Cerro Tololo in Chile, all at once, I got to see all the sky territory that, for me, was unknown — alien. With a sky full of new constellations, I used naked eyes and binoculars to explore. I knew beforehand that it would be overwhelming, but I also knew it would be amazing. The Magellanic Clouds, 47 Tucanae and Omega Centauri, Centaurus A, the holy Southern Cross — and the gems kept coming. So beautiful are the far reaches of the Milky Way!
Are there one or more people in your life that are age 10 or younger? Would you like to get the “into” astronomy but are not sure where to begin? The Astronomical League has an Observing Program created just for them. We are now providing this program in conjunction with the NASA Solar System Education Consortium. If you would like more information, check out the Astronomical League website at:
https://www.astroleague.org//al/obsclubs/skypuppy/skypuppy2.htm
or contact the Coordinator, Aaron Clevenson, at aaron@clevenson.org to request copies of the Sky Puppies Obsersving Manual and Workbooks. The Observing Program must be completed before their 11th birthday.
Have you ever wanted to start and complete more of the Astronomical League’s observing programs but just didn’t know how? Mike Hotka’s new book, Exploring Amateur Astronomy – Goal Oriented Observing, will not only help you start more observing programs, but will also share an observing methodology to help you get more out of your observing sessions. Mike is a Platinum Master Observer and has completed all but four of the currently existing observing programs. In his book, he shares tips and tricks he learned throughout the years of how to overcome some of these program’s learning curves, so that you can start recording observations sooner. He wrote this book because of his love of astronomy and his desire to share his knowledge of observing celestial objects with others.
Deadline is fast approaching. If you are interested in becoming a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, there are only a few days left to apply for this year.
Last Week to Apply to Become a Solar System Ambassador The annual application period ends on September 30, 2018. If you want to join the program in 2019, you only have a few days left to submit your application. Click here for the Announcement of Opportunity and application form. https://solarsystem1.jpl.nasa.gov/ssa/home.cfm
https://solarsystem1.jpl.nasa.gov/ssa/aoapplication.cfm
Aaron
Based on some input and suggestions from our Master Observers, we have found a need to update the Herschel Hustle and the Herschel 2400 list. These updated lists are now on the Herschel Society pages on the Astronomical League website. If you are pursueing any of the related certifications, please use the msot recent lists. https://www.astroleague.org/astronomical-league-herschel-society
Some of our members already are, but many have not applied. Do you enjoy doing outreach? Would you like a direct line into resources and information from NASA? They are currently accepting applications (September 1 to September 30, 2018) for a new crop of Solar System Ambassadors. How about you? Click here to go to the Solar System Ambassador Application page.
Information is becoming available regarding the AL-Con in 2019 in Florida commemorating the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11. This initial release flyer is an early heads-up with information on this very special AL-Con. AL-Con 2019 Flyer
Both the International Astronomical Union’s commission on light pollution (C.B7) and the International Dark-Sky Association’s Education Committee are trying to glean what light pollution educational activities are happening in North America. We are asking for your help in completing this VERY short survey asking you if you lead any educational program teaching K-12 about light pollution (and how you do that). Perhaps you used the Quality Lighting Teaching Kit or Globe at Night or another light pollution citizen-science campaign.
We are also interested in other types of “educational” events such as going before city council to change lighting ordinances, working with urban designers or engineers to put in responsible lighting or conducting dark sky festivals, even a star party that advocates preserving dark skies. There is a range of efforts that bring awareness to the public on issues and solutions surrounding light pollution.
We would like to hear from you!
Some of the information collected in this form may be used as a part of a presentation to IAU Conference attendees in Vienna, Austria in late August, 2018.
Please respond by August 24th. Please feel free to share the link with a colleague who does this type of outreach. Thank you!
Are you ready to go Nova? The latest addition to the Observing Program family is here: The Nova Observing Program. For full details, check out the web page.
