In celebration with the release of NSN’s latest ToolKit, Life in the Universe: Are We Alone?, the NSN is pleased to engage you with Dr. David Morrison, presenting his passion for astrobiology. Dr. Morrison is the senior scientist at the NASA Astrobiology Institute, NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field in California: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/club/news-display.cfm?News_ID=430
To log into the Telecon on Thursday, July 28th between 8:45 – 9:00pm (Eastern Time):
Use the toll-free conference call line: 1-888-455-9236
An operator will answer and:
• You will be asked for the passcode: NIGHT SKY NETWORK
• You will be asked to give your NAME and the CLUB you belong to, and number of people listening with you.
Find the PowerPoint and other download links here soon: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-view.cfm?Doc_ID=476
Hope to hear you on the telecon Thursday evening.
Clear skies,
Theo Ramakers

We have expanded our website with an additional page “The Chapter’s Outreach Program” which explains in text and pictures to the visitor, what activities/tools we use in our outreach program to make astronomical concepts easier to understand for the novice. This page is linked to from our “Outreach” page through a clickable link. We also have added a link on this page where visitors can request an event, by completing the “Request Event page” of the Night Sky Network. We hope that through this page readers will be encouraged to contact us if they have an interest in astronomy.
I appreciate any feedback.
Clear Skies,
Theo Ramakers

Because of an emergency, the field dedication of the Jon Wood Astronomy field scheduled for tomorrow is postponed until our next meeting on July 30th. Details will follow as soon as we have the information. There is no change to the schedule or details of the meeting tomorrow. See you there.
Clear Skies,
Theo Ramakers

This is a reminder for the monthly meeting at Charlie Elliott Visitors Center, Saturday, June 2nd at 5:00 P.M.
We also will have the dedication ceremony of the Jon Wood Astronomy Field at the observing field at 7:00 P.M. Please come out and help us celebrate the naming of our observing field to Jon. The weather looks good, so let’s extend this with a great evening of observing and fun.
Clear skies,
Theo Ramakers

Chapter meeting this coming Saturday June 4th at 5:00 P.M., and remember, we will elect a new Chapter Director for the next season. During last meeting we did not receive any definite nominations. I have stepped down as director, so this position is vacant at this time.

Marie Lott, Chapter Secretary, will present Dr. Jeff Van Cleve’s NSN presentation “Stargazers, Starfarers, and Kepler”. The forcast is good for Saturday evening so bring your scope for a night of observing after the meeting.
Clear Skies,
Theo Ramakers

We’re reaching out to the Counselors of the summer camps at Charlie Elliott tomorrow evening. If you have time, join Frank and me to let these instructors see the nightsky through your scope. There will be a presentation in the Visitors center around 7:00 P.M. for them, where we will show them what our inside programs looks like. Than we will take them to the field at dark and let them do some stargazing.
Clear skies,
Theo Ramakers

In order to make it easier to access the last (current) observing presentation made by our observing supervisor, I have added a page to our website. The page can be accessed by clicking the first link on the observing page. You will be presented with a list of all presentations since 2010 and we will update the list as time goes on. Older observing lists can be seen at Steve Bieger’s lists from 2007-2008 which is the last link on the observing page.
Clear Skies,
Theo Ramakers

Our next chapter meeting and observing is on Saturday June 4th starting at 5:00 P.M. in the Vistors Center at CE. Marie will be sharing the presentation “Stargazers, Starfarers, and Kepler“ about the search for exoplanets, originally given by Dr Jeff Van Cleve as part of the Night Sky Network teleconference series.
From NSN: “The Kepler Mission is specifically designed to survey a portion of our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover dozens of Earth-size planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. The challenge now is to find terrestrial planets (i.e., those one half to twice the size of the Earth), especially those in the habitable zone of their stars where liquid water and possibly life might exist.
So come on out and enjoy the nice presentations and join us at the Jon Wood Field after the meeting to observe the night sky.
Clear Skies
Theo Ramakers

NSN Telecons are your chance to talk directly with scientists and outreach specialists working with NASA Missions, like the upcoming telecon with Dr. Jeffrey Van Cleve!
http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/club/news-display.cfm?News_ID=409
To join the Teleconference on May 19th at 9:00 P.M. Eastern, call the toll-free conference line: 1-888-455-9236 . Call anytime after 8:45 P.M. Eastern the evening of the telecon. An operator will answer and:
- You will be asked for the passcode: NIGHT SKY NETWORK
- You will be asked to give your NAME and the CLUB you belong to, and number of people listening with you.

Charlie Elliott’s management has handed us a copy of the new Safety Zone around the Jon Wood Field. Check out the new borders of the zone and some pictures of the activities last Saturday posting some new signs.
Clear Skies,
Theo Ramakers