Blogs

It has been an annual tradition to have a dinner.  This year the Group returns to the Russian Hall in Singac, New Jersey.  The approximate cost will be $30 per person.  This event falls on a Sunday and the dinner lasts four hours.  I anticipate it will start around 1 PM.  It will be a hot buffet.  Drinks will be by the pitcher.  This is fundraiser as well. 
I hope this will be an opportunity to rehash the past and plan for future events.

With two currently functioning orbiters, and five more missions planned in the next year, Earth's Moon may soon have seven active probes operated by five nations, with even more coming soon. NASA's plans to return humans to the Moon by 2020 are moving steadily ahead, with some concrete prototypes and initial designs beginning to emerge. Called the Constellation Program, NASA's vision involves new and upgraded launch vehicles, exploration vehicles, autonomous rovers, new spacesuits, crew and cargo vehicles, and much more.

The IAU has designated "Makemake" a dwarf planet, with Ceres, Eris and Pluto, that brings the total to
four. Makemake (pronounced MAH-kay MAH-kay) is named for the Easter Island creator of humanity.

We are digging in!!.. Trying a fork poke first....        

How would you feel getting poked in the side! LOL    

Not concerned about the lack of Sunspots but more so as to where are the bats, mosquits, and flying insects in general.  Since the report of bats having a white substance on their nose and wings which seems to be the cause of their dying, I have notice that the bats normally flying in my area are no longer here.  They definately kept the mosquitos away.  Last week there were some mosquitos flying around my head (at night), that's when I noticed that the bats were gone.  A couple of nights later, no flying insects.  The street lights had no flying insects around them

Galileo wasnt the first to have or use a telescope, but the first to put it towards the heavens and make use of it for studies in astronomy

The attached power point file offers a great explanation of the evolution of the early use of the telescope.

Sure now I have a solar telescope, a solar shield for my other telescope and the Sun is in the duldrums!!! The last one last 500 years!!!! (Maunder Minimum)   

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/11jul_solarcycleupdate.htm?list880574     

I dont have 500 years to spare !!!

During the May meeting several members suggested we have a party again.  Phil, Jim P, and I have been looking at several restaurants for ideas.  The plan was to decide by the July meeting.  If any of you folks have an idea, please share it with us. 

John

LOS ANGELES (June 25) - Why is Mars two-faced? Scientists say fresh evidence supports the theory that a monster impact punched the red planet, leaving behind perhaps the largest gash on any heavenly body in the solar system.

See full article:

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/scientists-think-big-object-whacked-mars/20...

FORMER miner Trevor Barry scanned the night sky with his backyard telescope and became a star.

The passionate amateur astronomer caught the instant attention of NASA when he observed and photographed an extremely rare celestial event.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23901831-2862,00.html