2003 Calendar

More current calendar events for specific clubs may be found at specific Club Web pages (see AANC Resource Guide).

To events in... Previous Years

Regular stargazing events:

Chabot Space and Science Center - Oakland http://www.cosc.org/--Public observing (telescope viewing) every Friday-Saturday: 7-10 p.m., weather permitting
Foothill Observatory is open for public viewing every clear Friday evening from 9:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. -- Foothill College/Peninsula Astrononomical Society - Los Altos Hills -- http://www.foothill.fhda.edu/ast/pas.htm
Lawrence Hall of Science--Saturday Night Stargazing, every 1st and 3rd Saturday nights, weather permitting - University of California, Berkeley
YOSEMITE Stargazing Events

http://www.aanc-astronomy.org/yearlyevents.html

Other Astronomical Calendars:

Buhl Planetarium's online Astronomical Calendar:
http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/family/planet_calendar.asp
- Southern California Astronomical Events. http://home.earthlink.net/~kd6nrp/astrosked.htm

Index for year:

2003

January, 2003

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January 3,4 & 5. Chabot Space & Science Center--Classic Science Fiction Film Series: 2002: A Space Odyssey. Times are Friday & Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sunday at 4:00 pm. Tickets are $5.
Jan 4 SJAA Deep sky weekend. Sunset 5:02 p.m., 6% moon sets 7:05 p.m.
January 10,11 & 12. Chabot Space & Science Center--Classic Science Fiction Film Series: 2010: The Year We Make Contact. Times are Friday & Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sunday at 4:00 pm. Tickets are $5.
Jan 10 Houge Park star party. Sunset 5:09 p.m., 56% moon sets 1:06 a.m.
Jan 11 SJAA ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
Jan 16 7:30 pm Distinguished Lecturer Series at Chabot Space & Science Center: Dr. Steven Stahler, UC Berkeley, will talk on "How Stars Are Made" in Tien MegaDome Theater. Tickets are $5 at the door, ticketweb.com (510) 336-7373. Obtain brochure for the Series from Denni Medlock at dmedlock@chabotspace.org or (510) 336-7368.
Jan 18 SJAA General Meeting, Houge Park. 8:00 p.m. Dr. Nick Kanas, Of epicycles and unicorns: celestial mapping in the golden age
Jan 19, AANC Board meeting at 10 am at Lawerence Hall of Science (LHS). For directions--http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/GeneralInfo/
Jan 21 (Tue) 7:30 pm Dr. Jack Lissauer (of NASA Ames Research Center) speaks on Earthlike Planets: How They Form and How We Can Find Them (on NASA's Kepler Mission). Benjamin Dean Lecture Series at Morrison Planetarium, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, SF. Info at 415-750-7141.
Jan 23 SJAA ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
Jan 24 SJAA Astronomy class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
Jan 24 SJAA Houge Park star party. Sunset 5:23 p.m., 52% moon rises 0:39 a.m.
Jan 25 SJAA Deep sky weekend. Sunset 5:24 p.m., 41% moon rises 1:47 a.m.
Jan 31 (Fri) 7-9pm Public Viewing Night at Sonoma State University Observatory. Saturn, Orion Nebula. East Cotati Avenue and Petaluma Hill Road, 2 miles east of U.S. 101 at Cotati, inside the football field at the SE corner of the campus. Call before coming if weather may force cancellation: (707) 664-2267. http://phys-astro.sonoma.edu/observatory/pvn.html
Jan 25 (Sat) SMCAS Star Gazing at Crestview Park Dusk to 10 pm. For more info, call or e-mail Bob Black, 650-592-2166 or bob-black@att.net
Jan. 29, (Wed), 7 pm: Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series: Dr. Gibor Basri (University of California, Berkeley) on: "Failed Stars or Supergiant Planets: A Cosmic Identity Crisis" in the Smithwick Theater, Foothill College, El Monte Road and Freeway 280, in Los Altos Hills, California. Free and open to the public. Series hotline at 650-949-7888. Co-sponsored by: NASA Ames Research Center, Foothill College Astronomy Program, SETI Institute, Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Jan 30 (Thu), at 7:00 pm, Exploring Mars--Recent Discoveries and Upcoming Missions by: Michael H. Carr, Planetary Geologist. http://online.wr.usgs.gov/calendar/ -- Thirty years of Mars exploration have revealed a spectacularly diverse planet. Dry river valleys and layered sediments suggest a warm, wet past. Huge floods may have created transient oceans. Towering volcanoes, deep canyons, and global fracture systems dwarf their counterparts on Earth. Two US rovers and a European lander, to be launched this May and reach Mars in January 2004, are expected to shed new light on how the planet evolved. Flyer: http://online.wr.usgs.gov/calendar/Jan03flyer2.pdf - (650) 329-5000. USGS Evening Public Lecture Series contact Amelia Barrales: abarrales2@usgs.gov or telephone (650) 329-5136. U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, MS 919, Menlo Park, CA 94025-3591

February, 2003

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Feb 1, 2003 (Sat), 10 AM 63rd meeting of the NCHALADA (Northern California Historical Astronomy Luncheon and Discussion Association) at the Chabot Space and Science Center. Morning session: History of Astronomy on the Internet, chaired by Bruce R. Mehlman. Afternoon: Astronomical Instruments from 200 BCE to 1600 CE led by Celete Burrows of the Chabot Space and Science Center. For more information about the group, please contact Norm Sperling, nsperling@california.com
Feb 1 (Sat) SMCAS Star Gazing at Crestview Park Dusk to 10 pm. For more info, call or e-mail Bob Black, 650-592-2166 or bob-black@att.net
Feb 1 (Sat) Stockton Astronomical Society High Altitude Star Party Sunset 5:28 pm, Moonset 5:51 pm. Drive east from Jackson on Hwy 88 till yoyu pass the "Elevation 4000 ft" sign. Turn left at "Emergency Heliport" sign and double back parallel to the road about 400' to the helipad. Set up on north side. http://astro.sci.uop.edu/~sas/StarParties.html
Feb 1, SJAA Deep sky weekend. Sunset 5:31 p.m., 1% Moon sets 5:54 p.m.
Feb 7, SJAA Houge Park star party. Sunset 5:39 p.m., 38% Moon sets 11:52 p.m.
February 7, (Fri), SMCAS General Meeting, Jane Houston Jones, President of the AANC, will speak on "The History and Discoveries of Women in Astronomy" Observing with Caroline Herschel and her friends, Bldg. 13, the Planetarium, College of San Mateo, 1700 West Hillsdale Blvd.,San Mateo, California. Park free in Staff Lots 19 & 20A.Call (650) 592-3192, or email MikLR@aol.com for more information.
Feb 8 (Sat) SMCAS Star Gazing at Crestview Park Dusk to 10 pm. For more info, call or e-mail Bob Black, 650-592-2166 or bob-black@att.net
Feb 8, SJAA ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
Feb 15, SJAA General meeting, Houge Park. 8:00 p.m. SJAA flies through the Leonids. Mike Koop, Morris and Jane Houston Jones Elections!
Feb 20, SJAA ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
Feb 20 7:30 pm Distinguished Lecturer Series at Chabot Space & Science Center: Dr. Geoff Marcy will talk on "Planets and Prospects for Life in the Universe" in Tien MegaDome Theater. Tickets are $5 at the door, ticketweb.com (510) 336-7373. Obtain brochure for the Series from Denni Medlock at dmedlock@chabotspace.org or (510) 336-7368.
Feb 21, SJAA Astronomy class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m., Jay Freeman, Binocular observing
Feb 21, SJAA Houge Park star party. Sunset 5:54 p.m., 67% Moon rises 11:41 p.m.
Feb 22, SJAA Deep sky weekend. Sunset 5:53 p.m., 56% Moon rises 12:50 a.m.
Feb 22 (Sat) Stockton Astronomical Society HiWay 4 Star Party Sunset 5:51 pm, Moonset 12:52am. Drive 30 mi east on Hwy 4 from Hwy 99. At the sign for Shirley Road/Telegraph Road, turn right off Hwy 4, then left at the stop sign. You will be heading east, parallel to Hwy 4. Set up at end of road. on north side. http://astro.sci.uop.edu/~sas/StarParties.html
February 25 7:30 p.m. Benjamin Dean Lecture Series, Dr. Alan Dressler Carnegie Institute of Washington The Birth of the Milky Way: The First Step in our Origins Step by step, the astronomical events and processes that led to our world and made possible the emergence of life are becoming better understood. The universe as we see it today began sometime within a billion years of the Big Bang, with the formation of the first stars and galaxies, and the synthesis of the first heavy elements. A goal of astronomy over the next two decades is to observe and understand how stars and galaxies were born by looking back in time to their first appearance. Through this research, with new giant telescopes on Earth, a new space telescope, and powerful computer simulations, we hope to answer the general question of how galaxies formed and tie this to the specific question of how our own Milky Way Galaxy evolved and gave birth to the Sun and its family of planets 5 billion years ago. Purchase in advance recommended. Make checks payable to Morrison Planetarium. Send self addressed stamped envelope and check to: Dean Lecture Series, Morrison Planetarium, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118. Tickets $3.00 per person. http://www.calacademy.org/planetarium/special.html#Summer

March, 2003

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Mar 1 (Sat) SMCAS Star Gazing at Crestview Park Dusk to 10 pm. For more info, call or e-mail Bob Black, 650-592-2166 or bob-black@att.net
Mar 1 (Sat) Stockton Astronomical Society High Altitude Star Party Sunset 5:59 pm, Moonset 4:43 pm. Drive east from Jackson on Hwy 88 till yoyu pass the "Elevation 4000 ft" sign. Turn left at "Emergency Heliport" sign and double back parallel to the road about 400' to the helipad. Set up on north side. http://astro.sci.uop.edu/~sas/StarParties.html
Mar 1, SJAA Deep sky weekend. Sunset 6:00 p.m., 1% Moon rises 6:49 a.m.
March 4 7:30 p.m. Benjamin Dean Lecture Series, Dr. Karl Gebhardt University of Texas at Austin Dark Matter and Black Holes: Shedding Light on Galaxy Formation In the past ten years, we have made enormous strides in our knowledge of how galaxies form and evolve. In particular, two essential components of nearly all galaxies are supermassive black holes at their centers and the dark matter that dominates the outer regions. These are extremely difficult to study since neither gives off any light, yet they are key elements to any theoretical model for how galaxies form. After tremendous efforts from the largest ground-based and space-based observatories, a common picture is beginning to emerge. We are living in a special time in which we are quickly unraveling secrets to the mysteries of galaxy formation. Purchase in advance recommended. Make checks payable to Morrison Planetarium. Send self addressed stamped envelope and check to: Dean Lecture Series, Morrison Planetarium, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118. Tickets $3.00 per person. http://www.calacademy.org/planetarium/special.html#Summer
Mar. 5 (Wed) 7 pm Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series; Dr. Seth Shostak (SETI Institute) talk on: "What Happens After Contact: Responding to a Message from Space" in the Smithwick Theater, Foothill College, El Monte Road and Freeway 280, in Los Altos Hills, California. Hotline 650-949-7888. Co-sponsored by: NASA Ames Research Center Foothill College Astronomy Program SETI Institute Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Mar 7, SJAA Astronomy class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m. Dave on the Moon
Mar 7, SJAA Houge Park star party. Sunset 6:07 p.m., 22% Moon sets 10:40 p.m.
March 8 (Sat) City Star Party at Land's End (Golden Gate National Recreation Area) San Francisco preceeded by SFAA/Sidewalk Astronomers sponsored "telescope clinic" at 5 p.m. geared for new telescope owners. New (or "new again") telescope owners who would like to attend the clinic please send email to clinic@sfsidewalkastronomers.org, or call and leave message at (415) 289-2007. http://www.sfsidewalkastronomers.org/clinic.html
Mar 8, SJAA ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
Mar 8 (Sat) SMCAS Star Gazing at Crestview Park Dusk to 10 pm. For more info, call or e-mail Bob Black, 650-592-2166 or bob-black@att.net
Mar 15 (Sat) SMCAS Star Gazing at Crestview Park Dusk to 10 pm. For more info, call or e-mail Bob Black, 650-592-2166 or bob-black@att.net
Mar 15, SJAA General meeting, Houge Park. Robert Naeye, ASP: Solving the Universe's Mysteries Through Extra Dimensions
Mar 16, AANC Board meeting at 10 am at Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS). For directions--http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/GeneralInfo/
March 16 EAS 79th Anniversary Dinner, Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. Dinner at 6:45 p.m. Awards presentation, door prizes and lecture about 8:00 p.m. Speaker: Dr. Harold Weaver, Professor Emeritus, UC Berkeley. "Movies Made from Observational Data: A New Way to Study the Galaxy." We will also hear from Alexandra Barnett, Chabot's new Executive Director. http://www.eastbayastro.org
March 19 SFAA monthly general meeting, Morrison Planetarium, California Academy of Sciences, in Golden Gate Park 7:30 p.m. http://www.calacademy.org/geninfo/directions.html. Presentation: Leonid Multi-Instrument Aircraft Campaign Mission: Counting Meteors from 40,000 feet, by Jane and Morris Jones-- they recount their adventure aboard the NASA DC-8 airborne laboratory in November 2002.
March 20 7:30 pm Distinguished Lecturer Series at Chabot Space & Science Center: Dr. Sten Odenwald (The Astronomy Cafe') will talk on "Patterns in the Void - Why Nothing is Important" in Tien MegaDome Theater. Tickets are $5 at the door, ticketweb.com (510) 336-7373. Obtain brochure for the Series from Denni Medlock at dmedlock@chabotspace.org or (510) 336-7368.
Mar 22 (Sat) Stockton Astronomical Society HiWay 4 Star Party Sunset 6:19 pm, Moonset 11:53pm. Drive 30 mi east on Hwy 4 from Hwy 99. At the sign for Shirley Road/Telegraph Road, turn right off Hwy 4, then left at the stop sign. You will be heading east, parallel to Hwy 4. Set up at end of road. on north side. http://astro.sci.uop.edu/~sas/StarParties.html
Mar 22, SJAA Deep sky weekend. Sunset 6:19 p.m., 71% Moon rises 11:50 p.m.
Mar 27, SJAA ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
Mar 28, SJAA Houge Park star party. Sunset 6:27 p.m., 12% Moon rises 4:54 a.m.
Mar 29, SJAA Deep sky weekend. Sunset 6:26 p.m., 7% Moon rises 5:20 a.m.
March 29 -- Hercules Stargaze. Dusk or 7:30 pm, whichever is later. Foxboro Park -- 1025 Canterbury Dr., Hercules. Contact David Harris 510-526-5974; 799-8237 (after dusk)
Mar 29 (Sat) MESSIER MARATHON Stockton Astronomical Society High Altitude Star Party Sunset 6:25 pm, Moonset 5:20 am. Drive east from Jackson on Hwy 88 till yoyu pass the "Elevation 4000 ft" sign. Turn left at "Emergency Heliport" sign and double back parallel to the road about 400' to the helipad. Set up on north side. http://astro.sci.uop.edu/~sas/StarParties.html
Mar 29 Sat Super Marathon in Stagecoach Nevada 15 minutes east of Carson City. Contact Scott Tucker at skully454@webtv.com for directions and times and to reserve space. For assistance setting up or operating your telescope, please contact Richard at cingstarz58@juno.com SkyTour will be conducted following telescope workshop as darkness begins. Anyone wishing to bring a telescope is invited to park on the property. http://GWAstro.blogspot.com **$29.

April, 2003

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April 1st to April 8th, National Dark Sky Week 10pm to 12am (EST & MST) and 9pm to 11pm (CST & PST) http://www.nationaldarkskyweek.htmlplanet.com
APRIL 5th, 8:00pm, Mt. Tamalpais State Park Star Program "What Your Astronomy Textbook Won't Tell You" Find out why science's terminology confuses people, what unknowns lurk and why the galaxies you see pictured aren't typical. Norm Sperling, Everything in the Universe. http://www.mttam.net/ (415) 455-5370, (415) 388-2070 Same day Hotlines: (415) 566-2357, (415) 455-5370 (messages after 4:00 pm)
Apr 5 -Sa- SJAA ATM Class at Houge Park. 7:30 pm (new date)
APR 5TH SAT SMCAS STAR PARTY STARTING AT SUNSET http://home.covad.net/~alcoat/smcas/smcas.htm or http://home.att.net/~bob-black/smas.htm
Apr 6 -Su- SJAA Darkness Squandering Time begins at 1 am --> 2 am.
Apr 11 -Fr- SJAA Houge Park star party. Sset 7:39 pm, 72% moon sets 4:33 am. Star party hours: 8:30 to 11:30 pm.
APR 11TH FRI SMCAS AT 7 PM ÔCSM SKYNITEÕ FREE PUBLIC ASTRONOMY SHOW IN College of San Mateo PLANETARIUM. PARKING IN LOT 19 http://home.covad.net/~alcoat/smcas/smcas.htm or http://home.att.net/~bob-black/smas.htm
Apr 12 -Sa- SJAA Previously-announced meeting may be cancelled; the speaker is unavailable. Possible re-schedule Apr.13 evening.
April 12 (Sat) City Star Party at Land's End (Golden Gate National Recreation Area) San Francisco preceeded by SFAA/Sidewalk Astronomers sponsored "telescope clinic" geared for new telescope owners. New (or "new again") telescope owners who would like to attend the clinic please send email to clinic@sfsidewalkastronomers.org, or call and leave message at (415) 289-2007. http://www.sfsidewalkastronomers.org/clinic.html
April 12 (Sat) NCHALADA LXIV will be held in Vallejo. One session will be about T.J.J. See, the Sage of Mare Island, and will be held at Captain See's house. The other session will be a visit to the Maritime Museum in Vallejo. http://nchalada.org.
April 12, at 6:30 PM "The Black Hole at the Center of Our Galaxy" by Dr. Fluvio Melia,from the University of Arizona at Tucson, in the Tien MegaDome Theater at Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland. The talk is free with general admission to the Center. For more information on this and other upcoming lectures and book signings, please contact Denni Medlock at 510-336-7368. Chabot Space & Science Center is located at 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland, off Hwy 13 in the Oakland Hills.
April 13 (Sunday afternoon) SJAA/Bay Area XXIII Annual Auction and Swap Meet
2003
April 15 7:30 p.m. Benjamin Dean Lecture Series, Dr. Fulvio Melia University of Arizona Booksigning to follow The Black Hole at the Center of Our Galaxy Could Einstein have possibly anticipated directly testing the most captivating prediction of general relativity, that there exist isolated pockets of spacetime shielded completely from our own? Now, almost a century after that theory emerged, just such an entity, with a mass of about three million suns, has been found lurking at the center of our galaxy. Excitement is mounting in the astronomical community with the growing realization that we are now on the verge of actually seeing this exotic object within the next few years. http://www.calacademy.org/planetarium/special.html#Summer
Apr 13 -Su-SJAA Auction XXIII (SUNDAY) Noon to about 4 pm.
April 17 7:30 pm Distinguished Lecturer Series at Chabot Space & Science Center: Chabot will present "A Space Child's Mother Goose", a night of rollicking space verse and song for all ages ( Recognizing National Poetry Month) in Tien MegaDome Theater. Tickets are $5 at the door, ticketweb.com (510) 336-7373. Obtain brochure for the Series from Denni Medlock at dmedlock@chabotspace.org or (510) 336-7368.
Apr 19 (Sat) Stockton Astronomical Society HiWay 4 Star Party Sunset 7:45 pm, Moonset 11:47pm. Drive 30 mi east on Hwy 4 from Hwy 99. At the sign for Shirley Road/Telegraph Road, turn right off Hwy 4, then left at the stop sign. You will be heading east, parallel to Hwy 4. Set up at end of road. on north side. http://astro.sci.uop.edu/~sas/StarParties.html
Apr 23, (Wednesday), 7 pm: Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series, Dr. Scott Sandford (NASA Ames) will give a non-technical illustrated talk on: "The STARDUST Mission: Bringing Home a Comet" in the Smithwick Theater, Foothill College, El Monte Road and Freeway 280, in Los Altos Hills, California Free and open to the public. Parking is $2.00. Call the series hot-line at 650-949-7888 for more information.
Apr 24 -Th- SJAA ATM Class at Houge Park. 7:30 pm
Apr 25 -Fr- SJAA Astronomy Class at Houge Park. 7:30, Akkana Peck discusses planetary observing.
Apr 25 -Fr- SJAA Houge Park star party. Sset 7:52 pm, 24% moon rises 4:26 am. Star party hours: 9:00 pm to midnight.
April 25 Friday 9:00 -ÊÊ11:00 Public Viewing Night at the Sonoma State University Observatory Jupiter, Seyfert Galaxies. The Observatory is located inside the football field at the SE corner of the campus located at East Cotati Avenue and Petaluma Hill Road, 2 miles east of U.S. 101 at Cotati.http://phys-astro.sonoma.edu/observatory/pvn.html. Call before coming if it appears possible that clouds or fog may force cancellation:Ê (707) 664-2267
APR 25TH FRI 7:30 PM, FREE ÔART & SCIENCEÕ LECTURE BY PROF MOHSEN JANATPOUR IN College of San Mateo THEATRE, BLDG. 2. http://home.covad.net/~alcoat/smcas/smcas.htm or http://home.att.net/~bob-black/smas.htm
Apr 26 -Sa- SJAA Deep-Sky weekend. Sset 7:52 pm, 15% moon rises 4:52 am.
Apr 26 (Sat) Stockton Astronomical Society High Altitude Star Party Sunset 7:51 pm, Moonset 4:50 am. Drive east from Jackson on Hwy 88 till yoyu pass the "Elevation 4000 ft" sign. Turn left at "Emergency Heliport" sign and double back parallel to the road about 400' to the helipad. Set up on north side. http://astro.sci.uop.edu/~sas/StarParties.html
Apr 26TH SAT SMCAS STAR PARTY , STARTING AT SUNSET http://home.covad.net/~alcoat/smcas/smcas.htm or http://home.att.net/~bob-black/smas.htm
April 26 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/

May, 2003

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May 1-4 Desert Sunset Star Party (Arizona). Early registration deadline April 15 See http://chartmarker.tripod.com/sunset.htm.
May 3 -Sa-SJAA Deep-Sky weekend. Sset 7:59 pm, 7% moon sets 10:23 pm.
MAY 3rd, 8:30pm, Mt. Tamalpais State Park Star Program "Exploring the Meaning of Life" There is evidence for the universal formation of life throughout the cosmos. Dr. Emma Bakes, SETI Institute. http://www.mttam.net/ (415) 455-5370, (415) 388-2070 Same day Hotlines: (415) 566-2357, (415) 455-5370 (messages after 4:00 pm)
May 3 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
May 3 FPOA Solar Program http://www.fpoa.net/
May 9 -Fr- SJAA Houge Park star party. Sset 8:04 pm, 57% moon sets 3:06 am. Star party hours: 9:00 pm to midnight.
May 9 Application Deadline for ASP Project Astro Summer Workshop (Aug 15-16) to begin partnerships between amateur or professional astronomers and 4th-9th grade science teachers. CONTACT PERSON: Becca Sherman bsherman@astrosociety.org -- http://www.astrosociety.org
May 9 Friday 9:00 -ÊÊ11:00 Public Viewing Night at the Sonoma State University Observatory The Moon, Galaxy Clusters. The Observatory is located inside the football field at the SE corner of the campus located at East Cotati Avenue and Petaluma Hill Road, 2 miles east of U.S. 101 at Cotati.http://phys-astro.sonoma.edu/observatory/pvn.html. Call before coming if it appears possible that clouds or fog may force cancellation:Ê (707) 664-2267
May 10 -Sa- SJAA ATM Class at Houge Park. 7:30 pm
May 10 Astronomy Day
May 10 (Sat) City Star Party at Land's End (Golden Gate National Recreation Area) San Francisco preceeded by SFAA/Sidewalk Astronomers sponsored "telescope clinic" geared for new telescope owners. New (or "new again") telescope owners who would like to attend the clinic please send email to clinic@sfsidewalkastronomers.org, or call and leave message at (415) 289-2007. http://www.sfsidewalkastronomers.org/clinic.html
May 10 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
May 15 7:30 pm Distinguished Lecturer Series at Chabot Space & Science Center: Dr. Mike Reynolds for "The History and Lore of Lunar Eclipses" and view the total Lunar eclipse" in Tien MegaDome Theater. Tickets are $5 at the door, ticketweb.com (510) 336-7373. Obtain brochure for the Series from Denni Medlock at dmedlock@chabotspace.org or (510) 336-7368.
May 17 -Sa- SJAA General Meeting at Houge Park. Norm Sperling on his new book "What Your Astronomy Textbook Won't Tell You". 8 pm
May 18, AANC Board meeting at 10 am at Lawerence Hall of Science (LHS). For directions--http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/GeneralInfo/
Wednesday, May 21, 2003, 7 pm: Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series. Noted science writer and film-maker Timothy Ferris will give a non-technical illustrated talk on: "Seeing in the Dark: How Backyard Astronomers are Probing Deep Space and Guarding Earth from Interplanetary Peril". in the Smithwick Theater, Foothill College, El Monte Road and Freeway 280, in Los Altos Hills, California. His talk will be followed by a public "star party" (night-sky observing session) at the Foothill College Observatory, with telescopes and guidance provided by the Peninsula Astronomical Society. Free and open to the public. Parking is $2.00. Call the series hot-line at 650-949-7888 for more information. co-sponsored by: NASA Ames Research Center Foothill College Astronomy Program SETI Institute Astronomical Society of the Pacific
May 22 -Th- SJAA ATM Class at Houge Park. 7:30 pm
May 23 -Fr- SJAA Astronomy Class at Houge Park. 7:30, subject TBA
May 23 -Fr- SJAA Houge Park star party. Sset 8:16 pm, 39% moon rises 2:56 am. Star party hours: 9:30 pm to midnight.
May 23-25, 35th Annual RTMC (Riverside Telescope Makers Conference Astronomy Expo) Riverside, California
May 24 -Sa- SJAA Deep-Sky weekend. Sset 8:17 pm, 27% moon rises 3:21 am.
May 24 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
May 27 7:30 p.m. Benjamin Dean Lecture Series, Dr. Charles Liu American Museum of Natural History The Farthest Stars How did the first galaxies form? That depends on the stars in those galaxies. All right, then: how did the first stars form? The answer to that question can be found only when we find the farthest stars, whose light first shone nearly 13 billion years ago. In our quest to find those first points of light in the cosmos, we are learning not only about stars and galaxies, but also the universe itself -- how it began, how it has aged, and how it will most likely end. Purchase in advance recommended. Make checks payable to Morrison Planetarium. Send self addressed stamped envelope and check to: Dean Lecture Series, Morrison Planetarium, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118. Tickets $3.00 per person. http://www.calacademy.org/planetarium/special.html#Summer
MAY 31st, 8:30pm, Mt. Tamalpais State Park Star Program "How Stars Are Made" How stars form out of diffuse gas clouds is a central problem of astronomy - one that has witnessed remarkable progress within the last few decades. Dr. Steve Stahler, UC Berkeley. http://www.mttam.net/ (415) 455-5370, (415) 388-2070 Same day Hotlines: (415) 566-2357, (415) 455-5370 (messages after 4:00 pm)
May 31 -Sa- SJAA Deep-Sky weekend. Sset 8:22 pm, 1% moon sets 9:15 pm.
May 31 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/

June, 2003

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Jun 6 SJAA Houge Park star party, 9:30 p.m. to midnight. Sunset 8:25 p.m., 43% Moon sets 1:39 a.m
Jun 7 SJAA ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
June 7 (Sat) City Star Party at Land's End (Golden Gate National Recreation Area) San Francisco preceeded by SFAA/Sidewalk Astronomers sponsored "telescope clinic" geared for new telescope owners. New (or "new again") telescope owners who would like to attend the clinic please send email to clinic@sfsidewalkastronomers.org, or call and leave message at (415) 289-2007. http://www.sfsidewalkastronomers.org/clinic.html
June 7 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
June 7 FPOA Solar Program http://www.fpoa.net/
JUNE 7 SMCAS Crestview star party http://home.covad.net/~alcoat/smcas/smcas.htm
June 10 7:30 p.m. Benjamin Dean Lecture Series, Dr. Meg Urry Yale University Black Holes, Jets, and Einstein's Dream Galaxies harbor hidden black holes at their centers, weighing millions or billions as much as our Sun. Some create bright sources of light, vastly outshining the galaxy; in rare cases, the black holes also cause jets to stream outward at nearly the speed of light. Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity --- a theory he dreamed up through thought experiments --- helps explain the very modern phenomenon of jets and over-luminous galaxy centers. Purchase in advance recommended. Make checks payable to Morrison Planetarium. Send self addressed stamped envelope and check to: Dean Lecture Series, Morrison Planetarium, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118. Tickets $3.00 per person.
JUNE 13 SMCAS Planetarium SkyNite http://home.covad.net/~alcoat/smcas/smcas.htm
Jun 14 SJAA General meeting, Houge Park. 8:00 p.m. Scott Sandford, Stardust mission (to be confirmed)
June 17 7:30 pm Distinguished Lecturer Series at Chabot Space & Science Center: - "Mars Mania!" in Tien MegaDome Theater. Tickets are $5 at the door, ticketweb.com (510) 336-7373. Obtain brochure for the Series from Denni Medlock at dmedlock@chabotspace.org or (510) 336-7368.
Jun 19 SJAA ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
Jun 20 SJAA Astronomy class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m. subject TBA
Jun 20 SJAA Houge Park star party. Sunset 8:31 p.m., 552% Moon rises 1:24 a.m. Star party hours 9:30 p.m. to midnight
June 20 (Friday), 8:00 pm: Lick Observatory Music of the Spheres Concert. Ancient Future, featuring Arshad Syed on tablas, Patti Weiss on violin, and Matthew Montfort on scalloped fretboard guitar. This trio specializes in improvisational world jazz and Indian jazz-fusion. Ancient Future is the first and longest running musical organization dedicated exclusively to creating world fusion music. Talk by Dr. Steve Vogt, "The Search for Alien Worlds around Nearby Stars". See http://www.ucolick.org/public/music.html for details.
June 21 (Saturday), 8:00 pm: Lick Observatory Music of the Spheres Concert. Tingstad and Rumbel - Celebrate the summer solstice with Grammy Award-winning instrumentalists Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel. Combining electro-acoustic guitar with a variety of wind instruments, this graceful and solidly crafted music is influenced by nature, and deeply rooted in American tradition. Talk by Dr. Debra Fischer, "Lick Observatory: Hunting for Other Solar Systems". See http://www.ucolick.org/public/music.html for details.
June 21 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
Jun 21 SJAA Deep sky weekend. Sunset 8:31 p.m., 43% Moon rises 1:47 a.m.
June 25-30 Shingletown Star Party. Only 17 miles from Mount Lassen Volcanic National Park. A public star party and community bbq with the great people of Shingletown and Shasta County. is held on Saturday, June 28. Come enjoy small town hospitality, friendliness, and great dark skies. Jim Ster, Director 2003 Shingletown Star Party.
Jun 27 - 29, YOSEMITE Star Gazing--Santa Cruz Astronomy Club
Jun 28 SJAA Deep sky weekend. Sunset 8:32 p.m., 0% Moon rises 5:31 a.m.
JUNE 28th, 8:30pm, Mt. Tamalpais State Park Star Program "Extragalactic Globular Clusters: Insights into Galaxy Formation" Hubble Space Telescope and Keck telescope observations reveal extragalactic globular clusters, giving clues as to how and when galaxies assembled. Dr. Jean Brodie, University of California/Lick Observatory. http://www.mttam.net/ (415) 455-5370, (415) 388-2070 Same day Hotlines: (415) 566-2357, (415) 455-5370 (messages after 4:00 pm)
June 28 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
JUNE 28 SMCAS Crestview star party http://home.covad.net/~alcoat/smcas/smcas.htm

July, 2003

--||--Year 2003 index

Jul 3 - 6, YOSEMITE Star Gazing--Tri-Valley Stargazers
July 5 (Sat) City Star Party at Land's End (Golden Gate National Recreation Area) San Francisco preceeded by SFAA/Sidewalk Astronomers sponsored "telescope clinic" geared for new telescope owners. New (or "new again") telescope owners who would like to attend the clinic please send email to clinic@sfsidewalkastronomers.org, or call and leave message at (415) 289-2007. http://www.sfsidewalkastronomers.org/clinic.html
July 5 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
July 5 FPOA Solar Program http://www.fpoa.net/
Jul 5 SJAA ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
JULY 5 SMCAS Crestview star party http://home.covad.net/~alcoat/smcas/smcas.htm
Jul 10 SJAA ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
July 10, 7:30 pm Thur; Chabot Space & Science Center. Taylor Perron, UC Berkeley; Water and the Martian Landscape; The quest for locating water on Mars is the key to understanding its past, interpreting its present and humanizing its future. Taylor Perron will take us through that journey and discuss the current status of this exploration.Part of Summer of Mars Lecture Series in Tien MegaDome Theater. $7, (510) 336-7373 or TicketWeb.com.
JULY 11 SMCAS Planetarium SkyNite http://home.covad.net/~alcoat/smcas/smcas.htm
July 11; Friday; Lick Observatory Summer Visitors Program ; Lick Observatory Summer Visitors Program ; Doors open 8:00 pm; Talks start 8:30 pm. See http://www.ucolick.org/public/sumvispro.html
July 12; Saturday; Lick Observatory Summer Visitors Program ; Doors open 8:00 pm; Talks start 8:30 pm. See http://www.ucolick.org/public/sumvispro.html
Jul 12 SJAA General meeting, Houge Park. 8:00 p.m. speaker to be announced
Jul 13, AANC Board meeting at 10 am at Lawerence Hall of Science (LHS). For directions--http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/GeneralInfo/
July 18 (Friday), 5-11 p.m. Rocks 'n' Stars: Night Above the Bay
At Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley. Catch the sunset at 8:30, enjoy a drink and a bite to eat. Experience Forces That Shape the Bay, our new outdoor science park, plus stargaze with our astronomers; watch a super-size sand sculpture take shape; learn the secrets of yo-yo's, juggling sticks, and spinning tops with virtuoso Cliff Coleman. Standard admission prices apply: $8 adults, $6 youth, $4 children. Cash Bar. See http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/specialevents/specialevents.html#rocks
Jul 18 SJAA Astronomy class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m. subject to be announced
Jul 18 SJAA Houge Park star party. Sunset 8:26 p.m., 70% Moon rises 11:49 p.m. Star party hours 9:30 p.m. to midnight
Jul 18 - 19, YOSEMITE Star Gazing--Sonoma County Astronomical Society (S.C.A.S.)
July 19 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
Jul 19 SJAA Deep sky weekend. Sunset 8:26 p.m., 68% Moon rises 0:13 a.m.
JULY 19 SMCAS Bob Black's additional Crestview star party for San Carlos Parks & Rec http://home.covad.net/~alcoat/smcas/smcas.htm
July 24, 7:30 pm Thur; Chabot Space & Science Center. Nathalie Cabrol, NASA; Dr. Cabrol is a Planetary Geologist and a Principle Scientist with NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers. She'll provide an update with the latest on the Mars Exploration Rover missions.;
July 24-30, Annual Barcroft High Altitude Star Party -- EAS
July 26 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
Jul 25-26 SJAA Yosemite star party
July 25 (Friday), 8:00 pm: Lick Observatory Music of the Spheres Concert. Ramón Romero, Paraguayan harp soloist, returns to Music of the Spheres with his beautiful hand-carved harp and the music of Latin America. Join us for an evening of melodies and fiery rhythms: samba, bolero, polka, guarania/canción, chacarera, tango and more from South and Central America, performed by a master! Talk by Dr. Raja Guhathakurta, "Galaxies, Time and Light". See http://www.ucolick.org/public/music.html for details.
July 26 (Saturday), 8:00 pm: Lick Observatory Music of the Spheres Concert. Kim Angelis - Join the gypsy caravan of the violin voyager as she blazes a melodic trail through territories of classical, world, and folk music. Her music was highlighted on NBC's worldwide coverage of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Kim is accompanied by flamenco-inspired guitarist Joséf "The Wild Hungarian" Gault. Talk by Dr. Greg Laughlin, "The Future of the Solar System". See http://www.ucolick.org/public/music.html for details.
Jul 26 SJAA Deep sky weekend. Sunset 8:21 p.m., 4% Moon rises 4:16 a.m.
July 26 FPOA/AANC Star-B-Que, at Fremont Peak.
JULY 26th, 8:30pm, Mt. Tamalpais State Park Star Program "A Personal View of the Big Bang" Detection of "radiation echo" from the Big Bang, showing that the universe began in an unimaginably hot, dense, explosive state. Dr. Arno Penzias, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1978. http://www.mttam.net/ (415) 455-5370, (415) 388-2070 Same day Hotlines: (415) 566-2357, (415) 455-5370 (messages after 4:00 pm)
JULY 26 SMCAS Crestview star party http://home.covad.net/~alcoat/smcas/smcas.htm
July 27-Aug 1 Course: Practical Observational Astronomy fro the Sierra Nevada. $200 fee http://www.sfsu.edu/~sierra

August, 2003

--||--Year 2003 index

Aug 1 - 2, YOSEMITE Star Gazing--Central Valley Astronomers, Inc. and Astronomical Society of the Central Coast
August 1 SJAA Houge Park star party. Sunset 8:25 p.m., 17% Moon sets 10:42 p.m. Star party hours 9:30 p.m. to midnight
August 2 (Sat) City Star Party at Land's End (Golden Gate National Recreation Area) San Francisco preceeded by SFAA/Sidewalk Astronomers sponsored "telescope clinic" geared for new telescope owners. New (or "new again") telescope owners who would like to attend the clinic please send email to clinic@sfsidewalkastronomers.org, or call and leave message at (415) 289-2007. http://www.sfsidewalkastronomers.org/clinic.html
Aug 2 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
August 2 FPOA Solar Program http://www.fpoa.net/
August 7 SJAA ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
August 8; Friday; Lick Observatory Summer Visitors Program ; Doors open 7:30 pm; Talks start 8:00 pm. See http://www.ucolick.org/public/sumvispro.html
August 9 SJAA General meeting, Houge Park. 8:00 p.m. Tim Thompson: Astrophysics, cosmology, & the age of the universe
August 9; Saturday; Lick Observatory Summer Visitors Program ; Doors open 7:30 pm; Talks start 8:00 pm. See http://www.ucolick.org/public/sumvispro.html
August 9, 7:00 pm Saturday; Chabot Space & Science Center. Dr. Chris McKay, NASA; Mars: The Search for Life on the Red Planet; Dr. McKay is part of the team that announced the possibility that fossilized microbes exist inside Martian Meteorite ALH84001. He will tell us about that experience and what it means to our understanding of the history of the solar system.Part of Summer of Mars Lecture Series in Tien MegaDome Theater. $7, (510) 336-7373 or TicketWeb.com.
Aug 15 - 16, YOSEMITE Star Gazing--San Francisco Amateur Astronomers, Morris Jones
Aug 15-16 ASP Project Astro Summer Workshop to begin partnerships between amateur or professional astronomers and 4th-9th grade science teachers. CONTACT PERSON: Becca Sherman bsherman@astrosociety.org -- http://www.astrosociety.org
August 15-17 Starry Nights in the Foothills. Begin at Colfax; Saturday night at Big Bend; Sunday night at Sugar Pine Reservoir near Foresthill. If you are willing to participate by showing the heavenly sights through their telescope, please contact me (Don Machholz 530-346-8963). http://www.geocities.com/donmachholz/index.html
Aug 16 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
August 20, Dr. Chris McKay, Planetary Scientist with the Space Science Division of NASA Ames will be the featured speaker at the next SFAA meeting on August 20th. That is a week from tonight, so mark your calendar.
August 21, 7:30 pm Thur; Chabot Space & Science Center. Dr. Margaret Race, SETI; Mars, Astrobiology and Planetary Protection; Join us to hear one of the most renowned experts in planetary protection, the discipline of keeping Earth microbes from contaminating other bodies we visit. Dr. Race will tell us why such protocols are important in our plans to explore our nearest neighbors in the quest to find life.Part of Summer of Mars Lecture Series in Tien MegaDome Theater. $7, (510) 336-7373 or TicketWeb.com.
August 21 SJAA ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
August 22 SJAA Astronomy class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m., subject to be announced
August 22 SJAA Houge Park star party. Sunset 7:51 p.m., 22% Moon rises 2:04 a.m. Star party hours 9:00 p.m. to midnight
August 23 SJAA Deep sky weekend. Sunset 7:49 p.m., 12% Moon rises 3:01 a.m.
August 22-24 2003. Starry Nights in the Foothills. Friday at Nevada City, Saturday at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort and suncay at Dutch Flat. If you are willing to participate by showing the heavenly sights through their telescope, please contact me (Don Machholz 530-346-8963). http://www.geocities.com/donmachholz/index.html
August 28, 7:30 pm Thur; Chabot Space & Science Center. Dr. Tim McCoy and Dr. Cari Corrigan, Smithsonian Institution; Martian Meteorites: What They Tell Us About Mars & Life; Take a look through the eyes of a geo-biologist and a meteorite expert at what rocks from Mars can tell us about the formation of our solar system and the life that may have existed in those early formative periods.
Aug 22 - 23, YOSEMITE Star Gazing--Mount Diablo Astronomical Society
August 22 (Friday), 7:30 pm: Lick Observatory Music of the Spheres Concert. The San Jose String Quartet, led by cellist Peter Gelfand, builds on the great success of last summer's experimental concert blending popular Classic Hits with classic Pop Hits. This year features more greatest Classical Music hits, plus unusually sophisticated arrangements of rock & roll classics by Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles. Talk by Dr. Alex Filippenko, "The Runaway Universe". See http://www.ucolick.org/public/music.html for details.
August 23rd & 30th, The Hercules Stargazers will host two Mars Watch events, on August 23 and 30 at Foxboro Park in Hercules, Ca., at 1025 Canterbury Dr. Both viewings will begin at dusk and go until approximately 12:30 a.m., are free and open to the public
August 23 (Saturday), 7:30 pm: Lick Observatory Music of the Spheres Concert. Great Guitars! Daniel Roest hosts the amazing Muriel Anderson, one of the country's best guitarists! Widely respected as the premier woman fingerstyle guitarist, Muriel Anderson is the first woman to win the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship. She's released many CDs in the US and Japan and her music has been taken aboard the space shuttle. Her passion for music and gentle sense of humor has endeared her to audiences worldwide. Talk by Dr. Mike Bolte, "The Evolution of the Universe". See http://www.ucolick.org/public/music.html for details.
Aug 23 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
Tuesday, August 26 9pm - 1 AM. Mars Mania has hit at Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland and you're all invited to join in!. MARTIAN COSTUME PARTY. Activities include: Mars viewing through the large telescopes, "Return to the Red Planet" planetarium program, Mars Movie Clips in the MegaDome, the new "Mars Encounter" exhibit, activities, food, etc. $11 adult/$8 Youth and Senior ($1 off for Chabot members). PRIZES FOR THOSE SHOWING UP AS THEIR FAVORITE MARTIAN!
Wednesday & Thursday, August 27 & 28th11:00 am - at the Chabot Space & Science Center - "Water, Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink" Join Smithsonian Institution Curator Dr. Tim McCoy as we discover why we explore Mars. 3rd grade - adult. At 1:00 pm "Martian Meteorites and the Search for Life on Mars" 5th grade - adult. Workshops are FREE with general admission.
August 27 & 28th, at the Chabot Space and Science Center - Controversial Martian Meteorite ALH84001 makes a rare appearance and will be on public display August 27 & 28th 2 - 4pm. View it through a microscope! This is a once in a lifetime chance to see the meteorite which may hold evidence of the first life discovered outside of our Earth!
AUGUST 28th 7:30 PM - SUMMER OF MARS LECTURE Tien MegaDome Theater, Chabot Space & Science Center. Hear Dr, Tim McCoy and Dr. Cari Corrigan of the Smithsonian Institution speak on "Martian Meteorites: What They Tell Us About Life and Mars." $7. Join us for viewing Mars after the lecture for an upgrade of $3. Viewing held to 200 people.
August 28-30 2003 Leonid MAC Workshop--International Science Meeting on the Leonid Meteor Storms-- http://leonid.arc.nasa.gov/workshop/. Abstract and registration deadline: July 10, 2003. Location: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett; Training and Conference Center. ...discuss the ongoing data reduction and modeling efforts after the successful 2002 Leonid Multi-Instrument Aircraft Campaign. Topics of discussion include: meteor stream models; composition and morphology of cometary dust; physical processes in meteors; exogenous delivery of organics at origin of life; effect of meteors on the upper atmosphere; the satellite impact hazard
Aug 29 - Sep 1, YOSEMITE Star Gazing--Peninsula Astronomical Society
August 29 Friday 9:00 - 11:00 Public Viewing Night at the Sonoma State University Observatory Star Clusters, Swan Nebula. The Observatory is located inside the football field at the SE corner of the campus located at East Cotati Avenue and Petaluma Hill Road, 2 miles east of U.S. 101 at Cotati.http://phys-astro.sonoma.edu/observatory/pvn.html. Call before coming if it appears possible that clouds or fog may force cancellation:Ê (707) 664-2267
AUGUST 30th, 6:30 PM. SUMMER OF MARS LECTURE. Hear world renowned astronomical author and artist Dr. William Hartmann take us on a tourist trip to the Red Planet in "A Traveler's Guide to Mars." Dr. Hartmann will be available to sign copies of his new book by the same name.
August 30th, 2003: This August's "perihelic opposition" is bringing Mars closer to Earth than it has been in about 60,000 years. Join The Planetary Society and the Mt Tam regulars by participating in MarsWatch 2003 Saturday, August 30 at 8:00pm in the Mt Theater. Dr. Ginny Gulick of NASA-Ames Research Center will discuss the "New Ear of Mars Exploration" which will culminate with the unprecedented confluence of spacecraft encountering their targets in January. The Mars Exploration Rover will touch down on Mars; Nozomi will examine the outer atmosphere of Mars; Beagle 2 will explore the Martian surface; and Mars Express will join Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey already circling the red planet. Wow! What an invasion this will be! Come and hear what scientists are hoping to learn from this intense encounter.
AUGUST 30th, 8:00pm, Mt. Tamalpais State Park Star Program "The New Era of Mars Exploration: Following the Water" With two spacecraft orbiting Mars and three more on their way, have moved into a new era of Mars exploration. Dr. Ginny Gulick, NASA-Ames Research Center. http://www.mttam.net/ (415) 455-5370, (415) 388-2070 Same day Hotlines: (415) 566-2357, (415) 455-5370 (messages after 4:00 pm)
Aug 30 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
August 30, 6:30 pm Saturday; Chabot Space & Science Center. William Hartmann; Travelers Guide to Mars; Internationally known astronomer and artist William Hartmann takes us on a travelogue to the Red Planet in this look at what a tourist to Mars would discover.
August 30 SJAA Deep sky weekend. Sunset 7:40 p.m., 15% Moon rises 9:41 a.m.

September, 2003

Chabot Space & Science Center's large telescopes are open from sunset to 2 am for special Mars viewing on Friday and Saturday nights through the first weekend in September.
September
Sep 4 SJAA -- Evergreen Valley College Montgomery Hill Observatory grand opening ceremony, 3:30 p.m.
Sep 5 SJAA -- Houge Park star party. Sunset 7:31 p.m., 78% Moon sets 2:10 a.m. Star party hours 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Sep 5 SJAA -- Houge Park star party. Sunset 7:31 p.m., 78% Moon sets 2:10 a.m. Star party hours 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Sep 6 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
Sep 6 SJAA -- ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
September 6 FPOA Solar Program http://www.fpoa.net/
Sep 6 SJAA -- EVC Montgomery Hill Observatory star party, 9:00 p.m. Call (408) 223-6784 for reservations
Sep 6 SJAA -- ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
Sep 7, AANC Board meeting at 10 am at Lawerence Hall of Science (LHS). For directions--http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/GeneralInfo/
Sep 11 SJAA -- ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.(no class on the 18th)
Sep 11 SJAA -- ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.(no class on the 18th)
Sep 11,Thur EAS Board Meeting at Chabot, 7:30pm, Soda Board Room, Dellums Bldg
September 12; Friday; Lick Observatory Summer Visitors Program ; Doors open 7:00 pm; Talks start 7:30 pm. See http://www.ucolick.org/public/sumvispro.html
September 13; Saturday; Lick Observatory Summer Visitors Program ; Doors open 7:00 pm; Talks start 7:30 pm. See http://www.ucolick.org/public/sumvispro.html
Saturday, September 13, 6:30-7:30pm in the Mt Theater "Harvest Moon Stories" with storyteller Mary Ellen Hill (no telescopes)
Sep 13, Sat EAS Library Task Force Workparty, 2 - 5 pm in the Library (where else?)
Sep 13, Sat EAS General Meeting at Chabot, 7:30pm, Physics Lab, Spees Building. Speaker:Nick Kanas - Special Event: Mars viewing after meeting at 11:00pm at the large telescopes. Mars transits at 00:00 local DST.
Sep 13 SJAA -- General meeting, Houge Park. 8:00 p.m. Slide and equipment night, board meeting 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 27, 7:30pm in the Mt Theater "Art, Science and the Hubble Heritage Project" by Tiffany Borders of SSU (telescopes)
Sep 13 SJAA -- General meeting, Houge Park. 8:00 p.m. Slide and Equipment night
September 16 7:30 p.m . Book signing at California Academy of Sciences (415) 750-7141 for information with Dr. Phil Plait (webmaster of the Bad Astronomy website http://www.badastronomy.com) - Seven Ways a Black Hole Can Kill You. Phil is the which debunks myths, misconceptions and misuses of astronomy. (415) 750-7141 for information.
September 17, San Francisco Amateur Astronomers monthly meeting 7:30 p.m. Morrison Planetarium. CCD Imaging. Michael Barber, Santa Barbara Instrument Group (SBIG). http://www.sfaa-astronomy.org/sfaa/
Sep 19 SJAA -- Astronomy class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m. subject TBA
Sep 19 SJAA -- Houge Park star party. Sunset 7:10 p.m., 37% Moon rises 12:46 a.m. Star party hours 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Sep 19 SJAA -- Astronomy class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m. subject to be announced
Sep 19 SJAA -- Houge Park star party. Sunset 7:10 p.m., 37% Moon rises 12:46 a.m. Star party hours 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
September 20 at 5:00 p.m. book signing with Laura S. Woodmansee at California Academy of Sciences. Women of Space: Cool Careers on the final frontier. (415) 750-7141 for information.
Sep 20 SJAA -- Deep sky star party at Coyote Lake Park, east of Gilroy. Sunset 7:08 p.m., 25% Moon rises 1:46 a.m.
Sep 20 SJAA -- Deep sky star party at Coyote Lake Park, east of Gilroy. Sunset 7:08 p.m., 25% Moon rises 1:46 a.m.
Sep 20 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
September 23, 7:30 p.m.-- Dean Lecture: Dr. Kim Coble, University of Chicago & Adler Planetarium, " Mapping the Universe From Antarctica" http://www.calacademy.org/planetarium/special.html#dean -- Morrison Planetarium, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park
September 25-28, SJAA Cal-Star star party.
SEPTEMBER 27th, 7:30pm, Mt. Tamalpais State Park Star Program "Art, Science and the Hubble Heritage Project" The Hubble Heritage Project is responsible for turning Hubble Space Telescope data into works of art-a delicate balance between aesthetics and preserving scientific data. Tiffany Borders, Sonoma State University Hubble Heritage Project Intern
September 25, 26 and 27. Third Annual California Star Party (CalStar), hosted by the San Jose Astronomical Association, at Lake San Antonio. Visit http://www.sjaa.net/calstar2003.html for details.
Sep 27 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
Sep 27 SJAA -- Deep sky weekend. Sunset 6:57 p.m., 6% Moon sets 8:10 p.m.
Sep 27, Sat Library Task Force Workparty, 2 - 5 pm in the Library
Sep 27 SJAA -- Deep sky weekend. Sunset 6:57 p.m., 6% Moon sets 8:10 p.m.
Sep 25-28 SJAA -- Cal-Star star party

October, 2003

Oct 2, 2003 (Thursday) 7:00 pm MINGLING PLANETARY MICROBES: Protecting Alien Ecosystems... and Our Own. Speakers: Margaret S. Race -- Ecologist, Planetary Protection, SETI Inst. & NASA; Christopher P. McKay -- Planetary scientist, NASA/Ames Research Center; Sandra M. Dawson -- Risk Communication; NASA/JP. At Morrison Auditorium, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Sponsored by The Planetary Society Bay Area Volunteer Network (http://www.tpsbavn.org) and Morrison Planetarium of the California Academy of Sciences. Admission: $5.00 at the door. 415/750-7144. Advance orders by mail: $3.00. Send a check payable to The Planetary Society, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Planetary Microbes, c/o Ron Peterson, 7410 Stonedale Dr., Pleasanton, CA, 94588. Orders received after Sept. 24, or without SASE, will be held at Morrison Auditorium. Tickets are limited and non-refundable.
October 2 Planetary Society and Morrison Planetarium present Mingling Planetary Microbes: Protecting Alien Ecosystems and our own. October 2 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. http://www.tpsbavn.org/tpsevents.htm
Oct 3 SJAA -- Houge Park star party. Sunset 6:48 p.m., 65% Moon sets 1:08 a.m. Star party hours 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Oct 4 SJAA -- ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
Oct 4, Sat EAS General Meeting at Chabot, 7:30pm, (location to be announced). Event: The Big Bang Band from Sonoma! A night of wacky astro songs
October 4 (Sat) City Star Party at Land's End (Golden Gate National Recreation Area) San Francisco preceeded by SFAA/Sidewalk Astronomers sponsored "telescope clinic" geared for new telescope owners. New (or "new again") telescope owners who would like to attend the clinic please send email to clinic@sfsidewalkastronomers.org, or call and leave message at (415) 289-2007. http://www.sfsidewalkastronomers.org/clinic.html
Oct 4 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
October 4 FPOA Solar Program http://www.fpoa.net/
Oct. 8, Wed, 7 pm: 7 pm Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series; Dr. David Des Marais of NASA's Ames Research Center will give a non-technical illustrated talk on: The Mars Exploration Rover Mission: Following the Water" in the Smithwick Theater, Foothill College, El Monte Road and Freeway 280, in Los Altos Hills, California. Hotline 650-949-7888. Co-sponsored by: NASA Ames Research Center Foothill College Astronomy Program SETI Institute Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Oct 11 SJAA -- General meeting, Houge Park. 8:00 p.m. Speaker to be announced, board meeting 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 (Sun), in Wheeler Auditorium, University of California, Berkeley. Cosmic Explosions Lecture Series. Moderator: Andrew Fraknoi (Foothill College & A.S.P.); Sandra Faber (UC, Santa Cruz): The Big Bang: Truth or Nonsense?; Matthew Malkan (UCLA): Blasts from the Centers of Galaxies; Alex Filippenko (UC, Berkeley): Supernovae: Catastrophic Stellar Death; Shrinivas Kulkarni (Caltech): Death Cries Across the Universe: The Brilliant Gamma-Ray Bursts; Sumner Starrfield (Arizona State University): Nova Explosions: Stars that Go Bump in the Night; Robert Lin (UC, Berkeley): Solar Flares: The Most Powerful Explosions in the Solar System; Kevin Zahnle (NASA/Ames Research Center): Cosmic Calamity: Asteroid and Comet Collisions with Earth. $25 to $35 for the full day. Pre- registration by Sept. 15th. After that, tickets will be sold only on a first-come first-served basis and seating is expected to be very limited. For more information (including other meeting events) and to register, see the web site: http://www.astrosociety.org/events/meeting.html or call 1-415-337-1100 x 109.
Oct 16 SJAA -- ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
Oct 16 (Thu), 8 p.m."Recognizing Life Under Strange and Distant Rocks." Halliday Lecture in Astronomy by USC Geobiologist Kenneth Nealson at UC Santa Cruz, in the Music Center Recital Hall. If life exists on Mars, how would we know? Scientists have been grappling with this deceptively simple question for years.
Oct 18 SJAA -- Deep Sky star party at Coyote Lake Park, east of Gilroy. Sunset 6:27 p.m., 51% moon sets 0:33 a.m.
Oct 18 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
October 21, 7:30 p.m. -- Dean Lecture: Dr. Janna Levin, Cambridge University, " How the Universe Got Its Spots" http://www.calacademy.org/planetarium/special.html#dean-- Morrison Planetarium, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park
Oct 24 SJAA -- Astronomy class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m., subject to be announced
Oct 24 SJAA -- Houge Park star party. Sunset 6:19 p.m., no Moon. Star party hours 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 Oct p.m.
Oct 24 and 25 8:00 p.m. Kronos Quartet presents Sun Rings. Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. Tickets $28/$46 gold circle. Ticket info http://www.sfjazz.org or (415) 766-1999 or box office 3 Embarcadero, Lobby Level, SF 94111
Oct 25 SJAA -- Deep sky weekend. Sunset 6:18 p.m., 1% Moon sets 6:38 p.m.
Oct 25 FPOA Evening Program http://www.fpoa.net/
Oct 26 Darkness squandering time ends at 2 a.m., turn clocks back to 1:00 a.m.
Oct 31 SJAA -- Halloween. Set up at home. Sunset 5:11 p.m., 50% Moon sets 11:06 p.m.

November, 2003

--||--Year 2003 index

Nov 1 SJAA ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
Nov 1, 2003 (Sat), 10:00 AM The Northern California Historical Astronomy Luncheon and Discussion Association will meet at the Chabot Space and Science Center. The morning session, led by Alan Fisher, will be about Human Flight. The afternoon session, History of the Geology of the Moon, will be chaired by Bruce R. Mehlman.
Nov 2, AANC Board meeting at 10 am at Lawerence Hall of Science (LHS). For directions--http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/GeneralInfo/
Nov 6 (Thur) 7:30 pm Ken Croswell, author of the new book Magnificent Mars, at Cody's Books (2454 Telegraph Avenue) at. This event is free and open to all. Cody's phone number is 510-845-7852. For more information, please see http://KenCroswell.com.
Nov 8 (Sat) early evening: The second total lunar eclipse of the year. Moon will rise in full eclipse just like it did in June, except earlier in the evening.
Nov 8 SJAA General meeting, Houge Park. 8:00 p.m. Jane Houston Jones, Observing with Caroline, Williamina, Jocelyn, Annie and friends
Nov 9 SJAA Fall Swap Meet, Hogue Park, Noon SUNDAY
Nov.9 (Sun) SJAA Fall Swap Meet
Nov 10, 7:30 pm Stanford University, Dr. Jill C. Tarter, Director, Center for SETI Research, and Bernard M. Oliver, Chair for SETI. LOCATION: Lecture Hall 200 - The Teaching Center at the Science and Engineering Quad (TCSEQ) @ Stanford University. DIRECTIONS: http://www.nccc.cc/
Nov 12, Wed, 7 pm Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series; Dr. Alan Dressler, of the Carnegie Institution, will give a non-technical illustrated talk on: "The Mystery of Black Holes" in the Smithwick Theater, Foothill College, El Monte Road and Freeway 280, in Los Altos Hills, California. Hotline 650-949-7888. Co-sponsored by: NASA Ames Research Center, Foothill College Astronomy Program, SETI Institute, Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Nov 12 Wed. 7:30 pm SCAS General Meeting at Proctor Terrace Elementary, Santa Rosa; Speaker: Greg Schmidt (Associate Director for Strategic Planning in the Astrobiology and Space Research Directorate of NASA's Ames Research Center) on Astrobiology and NASA
Nov 13 SJAA ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
Nov 14 SJAA Houge Park star party. Sunset 4:58 p.m., 70% Moon rises 9:22 p.m. Star party hours 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Nov 14 Fri. 7:30 p.m. SCAS Young Astronomers meet at Apple Blossom School
Nov 15 SJAA Deep sky weekend. Sunset 4:58 p.m., 60% moon rises 11:29 p.m.
November 15 (Sat) Is There Life Elsewhere? with Special Guest Dr. Frank Drake, In Person at the Exploratorium, Phyllis C. Wattis Webcast Studio; 1pm and online at http://www.exploratorium.edu/astrobiology
Nov 15 Stockton AS star party--Hwy 4
Nov 16 (Sun) Life's Ingredients, With UC Santa Cruz Chemist Dr. David Deamer, In Person at the Exploratorium, Phyllis C. Wattis Webcast Studio; 1pm and online at http://www.exploratorium.edu/astrobiology
Nov. 17 Mon. and Tue. Nov. 18 Leonids meteor shower peaks.
Nov 18 (Tue) 7:15 pm Mt Diablo Astronomical Society has its annual sales meeting. We welcome people to bring items (related to telescope making, photography, CCD and other...) for sale or to come and browse for items to purchase. We only ask that you donate 5% of the sales price to the club. Doors open at 6:45. At the Concord Police Training Center located conveniently near the intersection of Route 4 and Willow Pass Road. For detailed directions, contact me and I will send them. Jim Scala e-mail: jscala2@comcast.net
Nov 18 (Tue) [Extremeophiles--heat-loving microbes, as well as microbes that live in environments that would be extremely toxic to humans and other life forms; With NASA Scientist Jonathan Trent (NASA's Ames Research Center), In Person at the Exploratorium; Phyllis C. Wattis Webcast Studio; 11am and online at http://www.exploratorium.edu/astrobiology
November 18, 7:30 p.m. -- Dean Lecture: Dr. David Spergel, Princeton University, "Taking the Universe's Baby Picture: Results From the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP)"
http://www.calacademy.org/planetarium/special.html#dean-- Morrison Planetarium, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park
Nov 19 (Wed), Extreme Conditions: Life Around Deep-Sea Thermal Vents
Phyllis C. Wattis Webcast Studio; 11am and online at http://www.exploratorium.edu/astrobiology; talk live to a biologist on board a research vessel associated with Wood's Hole Oceanographic Institute, to discuss life around deep-sea thermal vents in the Pacific Ocean. Also NASA Scientist Chris McKay (Ames Research Ctr), In Person at 1pm and online at http://www.exploratorium.edu/astrobiology
Nov 20 (Thu) NASA scientist Natalie Cabrol (Mars Expedition Rover--MER--mission), live from the side of a volcano at
Licancabur, Chile; Phyllis C. Wattis Webcast Studio; 11am and online at http://www.exploratorium.edu/astrobiology; also Life Elsewhere In Our Solar System with Exploratorium Physicist Paul Doherty, In Person at 1pm and online at http://www.exploratorium.edu/astrobiology
Nov 21 (Fri) What about Intelligent Life Outside Our Solar System? Listening for Life at Arecibo Observatory with Astronomer Dan Wertheimer (SETI@home), In Person at the Exploratorium; Phyllis C. Wattis Webcast Studio; 11am and online at http://www.exploratorium.edu/astrobiology
Nov 22, 2003 (Sat), 1-5pm. Chabot Space & Science Center's 2nd Annual "Eyes to the Skies: Telescope Buyers Clinic & Product Expo" -- 20 minute clinic sessions throughout the day covering telescopes, binoculars, accessories, astrophotography, CCD Imaging and lunar observing techniques. Displays & demos by Celestron, Meade, Coronado Filters, Stellarvue, Earth & Sky Adventure Products, and other vendors. Tickets: $20 non-members/$15 Chabot members/$8 Youth 12 & under and Senior. Just want to visit the vendors? General Admission $11/$8 Youth & Senior. (510) 336-7373. 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland.
Nov 22 (Sat), Listening for the Long Term with SETI Director Dr. Jill Tarter
Prerecorded Interview; 11am and online at http://www.exploratorium.edu/astrobiology; also Talking with ET: The Language and Timescales of Interstellar Communication; Prerecorded Interview with Dr. Douglas Vakoch; 1pm online at http://www.exploratorium.edu/astrobiology
Nov 22 SJAA Deep sky weekend. Sunset 4:54 p.m., 1% moon rises 6:37 p.m.
Nov 22 Stockton AS star party--High Altitude
Nov 28 SJAA Astronomy class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m., subject TBA
Nov 28 SJAA Houge Park star party. Sunset 4:51 p.m., 34% moon sets 10:01 p.m. Star party hours 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Nov 29 SJAA ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
Nov 29, Sat EAS General Meeting at Chabot, 7:30pm, (location to be announced). Lecture: The Kepler Extrasolar Planet Search Project, Dr. Gibor Basri (UC Berkeley Astronomy Dept), at Chabot Space & Science Center, Physics Lab, 2nd Floor, Spees Building
Nov 29 Sat SCAS Palmieri Observatory star party

December, 2003

Dec 6 SJAA General meeting at Houge Park 8:00 p.m. Dr. Jeff Moore, NASA, on the Pluto mission
Dec Wed. 10 7:30 pm SCAS General election and Meeting at Proctor Terrace Elementary, Santa Rosa
Dec 13 Stockton AS star party--Hwy 4
December 16, 7:30 p.m. -- Dean Lecture: Dr. Jessica Rosenberg, University of Colorado, Boulder, " Galaxies and What Lies Between Them"
http://www.calacademy.org/planetarium/special.html#dean-- Morrison Planetarium, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park
Dec 18 SJAA ATM class. Houge Park, 7:30 p.m.
Dec 18 (Thu), 2003. 7:30 pm Dr. Rick Norman, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories, speaking on "Gamma Ray and Neutrino Astronomy: New Windows on the Universe." in the Ask Jeeves Planetarium at Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd. Oakland, CA. http://www.chabotspace.org
Dec 19 SJAA Houge Park star party. Sunset 4:53 p.m., 15% moon rises 4:08 a.m.
Dec 20 Stockton AS star party--High Altitude
Dec 20 SJAA Deep sky weekend. Sunset 4:53 p.m., 5% moon rises 5:25 a.m.
December 27 Sat. SCAS Public Star Party, Youth Community Park, Santa Rosa
Dec 21 (Sun), 6-9 pm Saturn Claus Kids Party. Celebrate Winter Solstice. See a planetarium show, make space-related ornaments, meet Mrs. Saturn Claus and a magician, view Saturn through the telescopes. All ages. $11 Adult, $8 Youth/Senior. Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd. Oakland, CA. http://www.chabotspace.org
Dec 27 SJAA Deep sky weekend. Sunset 4:57 p.m., 29% moon sets 10:00 p.m.Jan 2 SJAA Houge Park star party. Sunset 5:02 p.m., 77% moon sets 4:01 a.m. Star party: 7 to 10 p.m.
Dec. 30 (Tue), 7-10 pm. Saturnalia Party (for Adults) Come in costume or
your New year's party duds and revel in the rings of Saturn. make merry,
see a show, enjoy the exhibits and toast the true Lord of the Rings.
Telescopes will be open (weather permitting.) $11 adults & $8 Senior. Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd. Oakland, CA. http://www.chabotspace.org
Dec. 31 (Wed), 3:45 pm. New Year's Eve Balloon Drop,
Mark the New Year at midnight Greenwich Mean Time. A great way for families to celebrate New Years early! 1000 balloons, many with prizes, are dropped from the top of the Rotunda in this great annual Chabot celebration! Free with general admission. Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd. Oakland, CA. http://www.chabotspace.org

--||--Year 2003 index

YOSEMITE ASTRONOMY CLUB PARTICIPANTS

Summer 2003

Jun 27 - 29, Santa Cruz Astronomy Club
Jul 3 - 6, Tri-Valley Stargazers
Jul 18 - 19, Sonoma County Astronomical Society (S.C.A.S.)
Jul 25 - 26, San Jose Astronomical Association
Aug 1 - 2, Central Valley Astronomers, Inc. and Astronomical Society of the Central Coast
Aug 15 - 16, San Francisco Amateur Astronomers, Morris Jones
Aug 22 - 23, Mount Diablo Astronomical Society
Aug 29 - Sep 1, Peninsula Astronomical Society

Additions should be sent to Alan Gould

To events in Previous Years