Tag Archives: Apollo 11

International Observe The Moon Night – 5 October 2019

Greetings, fellow astrophiles!

Announcements for IOMN 2019 have started coming into our inbox. Whether an event is hosted in the area or you just decide to enjoy the view from your backyard, the moon.nasa.gov page has plenty of information, including maps, event history, and details about the focus of this year’s event – the continued celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing.

About IOMN

International Observe the Moon Night is an annual worldwide public event that encourages observation and appreciation of the Moon. All are invited to observe the Moon, learn about NASA planetary science and exploration, and celebrate cultural and personal connections to our nearest neighbor. Each year, thousands of people participate at museums, planetaria, schools, universities, observatories, parks, businesses, and backyards around the world. Anyone can participate. All you need to do is look up! Any astronomy club, interested group, or individual can host an event; events range from small family gatherings to community events that draw hundreds of visitors!

This Year’s Theme

In 2019, we are celebrating the Apollo 50th Anniversary. 1969 marks the first time humans set foot the Moon, when Apollo 11 landed on the Moon’s surface. The anniversary presents a unique opportunity to discuss past, present, and future lunar and planetary science and exploration and to celebrate all of the people who participated and shared in this human triumph.

See moon.nasa.gov/observe-the-moon/annual-event/overview/ for more information and event hosting opportunities.

Apollo Special Part 2! Free Astronomy Magazine – July-August 2019 Issue Available For Reading And Download

Greetings, fellow astrophiles!

The most recent issue of Free Astronomy Magazine (July-August 2019) is available for your reading and downloading pleasure at www.astropublishing.com (click the link to go directly to the issue).

This month features the second of a two-part series in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 10 and 11 missions that found us first visiting (10) and then landing (11) on the Moon. As if the gorgeous selection of images for the Apollo article was not enough, the issue includes its usual wonderful selection of NASA/ESA/ALMA astronomy and space science articles.

Free Astronomy Magazine (website, facebook) was featured as the first of a series of articles on great free online content for amateur astronomers (see A Universe Of Free Resources Part 1) and we’ll be keeping track of future publications under the Online Resources category on the CNYO website.

You can find previous Free Astronomy Magazine issues by checking out our Free Astronomy Magazine Category (or look under the Education link in our menu).

For those wanting a quick look at what the issue has to offer, the Table of Contents is reproduced below.


July-August 2019

The web browser-readable version of the issue can be found here:

July-August 2019 – www.astropublishing.com/4FAM2019/

For those who want to jump right to the PDF download (20 MB), Click here:

July-August 2019

Apollo Special Part 1! Free Astronomy Magazine – May-June 2019 Issue Available For Reading And Download

Greetings, fellow astrophiles!

The most recent issue of Free Astronomy Magazine (May-June 2019) is available for your reading and downloading pleasure at www.astropublishing.com (click the link to go directly to the issue).

This month features the first of a two-part series in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 10 and 11 missions that found us first visiting (10) and then landing (11) on the Moon. As if the gorgeous selection of images for the Apollo article was not enough, the issue includes its usual wonderful selection of NASA/ESA/ALMA astronomy and space science articles.

Free Astronomy Magazine (website, facebook) was featured as the first of a series of articles on great free online content for amateur astronomers (see A Universe Of Free Resources Part 1) and we’ll be keeping track of future publications under the Online Resources category on the CNYO website.

You can find previous Free Astronomy Magazine issues by checking out our Free Astronomy Magazine Category (or look under the Education link in our menu).

For those wanting a quick look at what the issue has to offer, the Table of Contents is reproduced below.


May-June 2019

The web browser-readable version of the issue can be found here:

May-June 2019 – www.astropublishing.com/3FAM2019/

For those who want to jump right to the PDF download (20 MB), Click here:

May-June 2019

NASA Night Sky Notes: Watching The Late Spring Skies

Poster’s Note: One of the many under-appreciated aspects of NASA is the extent to which it publishes quality science content for children and Ph.D.’s alike. Your tax dollars help promote science! The following article was provided for reprinting by the Night Sky Network in May, 2019.

By David Prosper

Late spring brings warmer nights, making it more comfortable to observe a good showing of the Eta Aquarids meteor shower. Skywatchers can also look for the delicate Coma Star Cluster, and spot the Moon on the anniversary of Apollo 10’s “test run” prior to the Moon landing in 1969.

The Eta Aquarids meteor shower should make a good showing this year, peaking the morning of May 6. This meteor shower has an unusual “soft peak,” meaning that many meteors can be spotted several days before and after the 6th; many may find it convenient to schedule meteor watching for the weekend, a night or two before the peak. You may be able to spot a couple dozen meteors an hour from areas with clear dark skies. Meteors can appear in any part of the sky and you don’t need any special equipment to view them; just find an area away from lights, lie down on a comfy lawn chair or blanket, relax, and patiently look up. These brief bright streaks are caused by Earth moving through the stream of fine dust particles left by the passage of Comet Halley. While we have to wait another 43 years for the famous comet grace our skies once more, we are treated to this beautiful cosmic postcard every year.

While you’re up meteor watching, try to find a delightful naked eye star cluster: the Coma Star Cluster (aka Melotte 111) in the small constellation of Coma Berenices. It can be spotted after sunset in the east and for almost the entire night during the month of May. Look for it inside the area of the sky roughly framed between the constellations of Leo, Boötes, and Ursa Major. The cluster’s sparkly members are also known as “Berenice’s Hair” in honor of Egyptian Queen Berenices II’s sacrifice of her lovely tresses.  Binoculars will bring out even more stars in this large young cluster.

May marks the 50th anniversary of the Lunar Module’s test run by the Apollo 10 mission! On May 22, 1969, NASA astronauts Thomas Safford and Eugene Cernan piloted the Lunar Module – nicknamed “Snoopy” – on a test descent towards the lunar surface. Undocking from “Charlie Brown” – the Command Module, piloted by John Young – they descended to 47,400 feet above the surface of the Moon before returning safely to the orbiting Command Module. Their success paved the way for the first humans to land on the Moon later that year with Apollo 11. Look for the Moon on the morning of May 22, before or after dawn, and contemplate what it must have felt like to hover mere miles above the lunar surface. You’ll also see the bright giant planets Saturn and Jupiter on either side of the Moon before sunrise. When will humans travel to those distant worlds?

You can catch up on all of NASA’s current and future missions at nasa.gov

A view of Apollo 10’s Lunar Module from the Command Module as it returned from maneuvers above the lunar surface. Photo Credit: NASA; Source: http://bit.ly/apollo10view
Try to spot the Coma Star Cluster!  Image created with assistance from Stellarium

The Night Sky Network program supports astronomy clubs across the USA dedicated to astronomy outreach. Visit nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov to find local clubs, events, and more!

TACNY Junior Cafe Scientifique: “Exploring The World Of Electronics – Learn How To Design, Code, Create, And Program Computers And Microcontrollers”

Saturday – January 16, 9:30-11:00am

Milton J Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology – Syracuse, NY


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Talk Overview

Almost everywhere you look in today’s world, you will find electronic devices powering and controlling the world. Everything from stoplights to rockets are made possible by computers and their companion software. Have you ever wondered how any of these devices work? Did you know that you can make many of these devices and systems in your own home for only a few dollars? In this talk, Alex will take you through some of the fundamental principals of electronics development, coding, and the creation of physical electronic devices. By the end of the talk, you’ll have a better understanding of the devices and concepts that run everything from global transportation to finance, as well as the knowledge of how to get started making these devices yourself on a microprocessor that has 372 times more processing power than the computers on the Apollo 11 mission but still costs only a few dollars. Alex will also talk about how his knowledge of electronics led him to be one of the two grand prize winners at the Central New York Science and Engineering Fair and how he won a fourth place award in his division at the International Science and Engineering Fair.

Speaker

Alexander Wulff, a Junior at Skaneateles High School

Biography

2016jan12_17809291_mmmainElectronics and software have been some of Alex Wulff’s passions for many years. After injuring his leg playing soccer the summer of his freshman year of high school, Alex began to experiment with the creation of electronics on the Arduino platform, as he was immobile during his recovery. With this new knowledge Alex has created everything from interactive door locks to wearable assistive devices for the blind, which won the grand prize at our local science fair, sponsored by the MOST, and a fourth place award at the International Science and Engineering Fair. Alex also owns, operates, and maintains multiple websites as well as over 10 mobile apps on the iOS App Store.

About TACNY Junior Cafe Scientifique

TACNY Junior Cafe Scientifique, a program for middle-school students founded in 2005, features discussions between scientists and students about topics in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in an informal atmosphere and seeks to encourage students to consider careers in these areas. Students must be accompanied by an adult and can explore the MOST at no cost after the event.

Technology Alliance of Central New York

Founded in 1903 as the Technology Club of Syracuse, the nonprofit Technology Alliance of Central New York’s mission is to facilitate community awareness, appreciation, and education of technology; and to collaborate with like-minded organizations across Central New York.

For more information about TACNY, visit www.tacny.org.