Today we reached out to the 4th graders of the Middle Ridge Elementary school in Covington. Theo presented the science aspects of taking Curiosity to Mars and discussed its mission. Following the presentation it went outside to observe the Sun. The students were able to see the sun in white light and through H-alpha telescopes. They were able to see some small but very nice promenences and filaments. Click here for pictures.

Another great meeting with the feature presentation “Marathon_Du_Messier-StarHopping-2-16-2012″ presented by the AAC’s Board Chairman Dan Herron, followed by Steve Phillips “This Month’s Sky, February 2012″. Rainy weather prevented the observing session after the meeting.Click here for some pictures.
Clear Skies,
Theo

Eight Charlie Elliott Chapter members did participate last night in Hightower Trail’s Space Camp. This was the 8th year for the Chapter’s participation. It was a great event with one slot of the rotation programs in the school being provided by Theo. After the completion of the rotation programs, all students came outside to 5 telescopes and looked at the night sky, and Jupiter while Io was getting ready for its transit. Students liked it so much that many of them, after completing their turn to look, went back in line and wait for a second or third time. Thanks to Gretchen Gault for inviting us and Steve Siedentop, John Town, Annette and Pierre Michel, Frank Garner, Jeff Rebitzke and his son and Theo Ramakers for showing such support for this event.

Marie Lott, Frank Garner and Theo Ramakes went to Panola State Park again, this time to show visitors why NASA launched the Stereo Satellites to observe the sun. In fact the Sun did cooperate today and the 47 visitors were able to see the sun in white light and in H-alpha including a few very nice large prominences. We would like to thank Troop 270 from Cordele GA for coming out and take a first hand look at the Sun. There seem to be some real scientists in this group Here the link to the pictures
Clear Skies,
Theo Ramakers

We did a combined event for the 4th graders at Puckett’s Mill, and one 2nd grade class, a total of about 250 students, parents and teachers. They got to learn about rhe Sun, NASA’s Stereo mission, and about half of the group was able to look at the Sun with a nice solar flare through our Solar Scope. Unfortunaltely the clouds did not cooperate and blocked the sun for the first 2 hours of the event and after 2:00 P.M. We are looking forward to the Science Night event at Puckett’s Mill in four weeks!! Thanks to Mrs. Mary Tharp for asking us to come!! Click here for some pictures.

We will have our next solar and evening event for the Charlie Elliott’s TODS on Tuesday April 27th. Again at 11:00 A.M. setup for the solar session and at 7:30 P.M. for the evening. If you have the time, come and join us. It will be fun as always!
Clear skies,
Theo Ramakers

Because of the weather forecast, the outreach program for tomorrow has been moved to Wednesday April 21st. The solar session will be held at the Dining Hall building. (In the circle behind the visitors center). We will setup in the parking lot after 11:00 A.M. The night observing session will start at Jon Woods Field at dark.
Clear skies,
Theo Ramakers

On Tuesday, October 27th, 6:00 PM Pacific Time, Dr. John Bally will speak to us featuring our November 2009 IYA Discovery Guide theme: The Lives of Stars.
The last decade has seen remarkable progress in our understanding of stellar and planetary birth. Dr. Bally will explain both in detail with his wonderful graphics.   In 2006, Dr. Bally coauthored an extensive textbook entitled “The Birth of Stars and Planets” (Bally & Reipurth, Cambridge).
To log into the Telecon on Tuesday, October 27th, between 5:45 – 6:00pm (Pacific Time):
Use the IYA toll-free conference call line: 1-888-455-9236.    This number will be used for the whole year.
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. Please identify yourself and use Charlie Elliott Chapter of the Atlanta Astronomy Club as the club you belong to.   Find the PowerPoint and more here: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-view.cfm?Doc_ID=391

This is a reminder for tomorrow’s meeting at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center. The main presentation will be: “Heading back out of the Harbor” by Fred Buls, who will discuss NASA’s plans to return to the moon and on to Mars.

Observing after the meeting at CE’s observing field.
The meeting and observing are free and open to everyone.

Clear Skies
Theo Ramakers

The animation of the progression of the “Bird’s Strike” made it on the front page of SpaceWeather.com of today. (August 10th)
http://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=10&month=08&year=2009

Clear Skies
Theo Ramakers