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Discover the Universe: Clute, Texas

Posted 13 years ago by Bill Andrews

Astronomy magazine’s Discover the Universe program is all about the idea that if people are unable, unwilling, or unmotivated to go see the stars, why not bring the stars to them? I’ve just heard back from John Klebenow of the Brazosport Astronomy Club, south of Houston, Texas, a group that took this idea and ran with it. John explains: Our Discover the Universe event was a great success! The nine intrepid club members who took part did a great job covering the multi-day event. The ...

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So long, space

Posted 13 years ago by Bill Andrews

With the safe landing of STS-135, the final space shuttle mission, yesterday morning, the program is officially over. Barring some kind of crazy, last minute, Hail Mary mission, we’ll never see another space shuttle actually shuttle anyone to space. The United States can no longer do that feat on its own. As our present spacefaring abilities shrink, lawmakers in Washington, D.C., are working to diminish our future space-related capabilities, too. The U.S. House of Representatives is...

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Atlantis’ emotional landing

Posted 13 years ago by Mike Reynolds

The press site at the NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility was filled with working press, NASA employees, contractors, and many others for this morning’s landing of space shuttle Atlantis. I had not seen nearly that many reporters and others at the Shuttle Landing Facility since the STS-7 landing attempt — the first scheduled to land the shuttle at Kennedy Space Center, which was waived off to Edwards Air Force Base. (Oh well, my “Welcome Home STS-7: First...

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Boom! goes the night

Posted 13 years ago by Michael Bakich

A while ago, astroimager John A. Davis from Dallas, Texas, sent me the file of a fireball (a meteor bright enough to cast a shadow) he caught on video. You may know John’s name because of the many images of his that we’ve published in Astronomy magazine. He allowed us to post the video here so you can enjoy it, too. He captured the fireball on his meteor camera, a Watec video camera with an f/0.8 lens, June 20, 2011, at 11:47 P.M. CDT, at BuckSnort Observatory in central Texas. He u...

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Discover the Universe: Barcelona, Spain

Posted 13 years ago by Bill Andrews

Astronomy’s Discover the Universe program typically involves astronomy clubs or groups eager to share their knowledge and expertise with the crowds. But individuals with a healthy appreciation for the skies and technical ability can take part, too! Last week, Spanish astrophotographer Joan Català and fellow volunteer Xavier Cabanach took to the public square to show the people what they were missing. Joan elaborates: July 7 was a clear and bright evening in Sant Cugat, just north o...

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Ask Michael — on Twitter

Posted 13 years ago by Karri Ferron

For years, Astronomy magazine has run the popular column “Ask Astro.” Many readers have submitted astronomy-related questions and seen them answered in print. In the age of social media, however, we can go a step further. You can see your question answered immediately. On Thursday, July 14, Astronomy magazine Senior Editor Michael E. Bakich, known for his extensive observing knowledge, will be online via Twitter to answer questions from 2 to 3 p.m. CDT. Follow along at Twitte...

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The emotions of the space shuttle’s final launch

Posted 13 years ago by Mike Reynolds

With STS-135 underway and Atlantis safely in orbit, I began to personally reflect on what this last-of-an-era launch and mission means to me as well as to the leader in space exploration: the United States of America. I have been fortunate enough to be present for some 65 space shuttle launches from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Most were from the press site, while a few were from the NASA Causeway site when I used to teach high school and bring students down for launches. Thos...

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T-31 seconds and holding … and counting!

Posted 13 years ago by Mike Reynolds

The countdown to Atlantis' liftoff was one of the most surreal space shuttle countdowns and launches I have witnessed. Despite the weather forecasters best prognostications, the weather continued to improve up to launch. The conditions were right on the edge of being no-go; the Shuttle Training Aircraft continued to make approaches to the Shuttle Landing Facility literally up to launch. The last mission director “go” for launch was for the conditions at the Shuttle Landing F...

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T-2 hours and counting …

Posted 13 years ago by Mike Reynolds

I left my hotel in Orlando, Florida, (could not get a room any closer to the shuttle Atlantis launch site than that!) at 5:45 a.m. EDT. Traffic going to NASA's Kennedy Space Center was heavy but moving at the speed limit … until I got to Gate 2. It took me more than 30 minutes to get through that security check point, with two more to go. Arriving at the press site around 7:30 this morning, it did not seem as crowded as I expected. (Press at the earlier shuttle launches, like ST...

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Celebrating the space shuttle

Posted 13 years ago by Karri Ferron

With space shuttle Atlantis scheduled to launch tomorrow on the final flight of the U.S. shuttle program (although weather forecasts for Kennedy Space Station in Florida currently don’t look too promising), I reflected on the truly remarkable feat of engineering that is this fleet of spacecraft. The space shuttle is the Apollo program for my generation. It’s all we’ve ever known. In fact, the original trials and tribulations of the shuttle were before my time (I was only 1 yea...

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T-1 day … and raining!

Posted 13 years ago by Mike Reynolds

As I stood at NASA's Kennedy Space Center press site today at 11:26 a.m., the rain was falling steadily from heavy clouds and there was even some lightning. And that's the summary for tomorrow's weather forecast for the first space shuttle Atlantis STS-135 launch attempt. At this morning's countdown status briefing, Kathy Winters, the space shuttle weather officer, said the odds of good weather were still only at 30 percent. The shuttle's Rotating Service Structure,...

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Summer space cinema

Posted 13 years ago by Bill Andrews

It might be no shock to the careful reader of Astronomy, but I’m a bit of a fan of movies. I don’t catch every movie ever, but apparently I see more than my share — especially if it’s about a subject I enjoy, like space. This summer, though, has made things a little difficult. Space-themed movies abound these hot months, but I haven’t the resources (neither financial nor temporal) to see all of them. I’ve already caught some of the first wave, including Thor ...

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IceHunters: Find a space mission’s final target

Posted 13 years ago by Karri Ferron

The Zooniverse (the group behind Galaxy Zoo, Moon Zoo, and other citizen science projects) is bringing people around the world another opportunity to participate in astronomy research. This time, though, it comes with an even more exciting potential result: influencing a space mission. With the help of a team at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the Zooniverse has added IceHunters (http://www.icehunters.org) to its family of websites. The challenge? Discover Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) ...

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California’s biggest astronomy show

Posted 13 years ago by Michael Bakich

In a few months, I will once again head to Pasadena, California, to attend the Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show (PATS). The fourth annual version of this event occurs September 17 and 18 in the city’s convention center. And this year, Astronomy magazine is one of the sponsors. But I’m not just attending; I also will be giving a talk. The subject I’ve chosen is “How to Buy Your First Telescope.” Ordinarily, my talks are not so basic, but the vast majority of vis...

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Get ready for Astronomy magazine’s 2011 Star Products

Posted 13 years ago by Michael Bakich

In the September issue (on sale August 2), Astronomy magazine will once again present its Star Products awards. As before, Contributing Editor Phil Harrington and the Astronomy editorial team put their heads together and came up with a terrific list. The items in 2011’s Star Products constitute the most innovative astronomy gadgets and gizmos on the market today. Each offers something special, and all reaffirm that it’s a great time to be an amateur astronomer. This year, we chose ...

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A martian profile of Gandhi

Posted 13 years ago by Bill Andrews

Ah, Mars. We’ve always enjoyed looking up and imagining what’s there, and thanks to the latest technology, we can see it in pretty surprising detail. Imagine my surprise to find out what’s been staring right back at us the whole time: Gandhi! Yes, after Googling one of the most improbable phrases of all time (“Gandhi on Mars”), you too can read all about the face of the famed Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi appearing amidst some rocky outcroppings on the martian surf...

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Getting people excited about astronomy

Posted 13 years ago by Liz Kruesi

Last week, I attended a “double feature” at the Milwaukee Public Museum’s IMAX theater. The main movie was Tornado Alley (in addition to astronomy, I find weather fascinating), but the opening film was a planetarium show called Earth, Moon, and Sun. The film discussed concepts about these familiar objects, but in a creative and funny way. After viewing the movie, planetarium guests left with an understanding of solar and lunar eclipses, in addition to how the Moon and Earth mov...

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Activities planned for next transit of Venus

Posted 13 years ago by Michael Bakich

I just received the following letter related to public and educational activities that amateur astronomers can participate in related to the June 6, 2012, transit of Venus.Many of you have seen and responded last March to the appeal of Bill Sheehan for your involvement in the Transit of Venus Project. You are well aware of the unparalleled opportunities offered by the 2012 transit of Venus to promote astronomy education and public outreach.The next transit of Venus is only one year away. We seiz...

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Discover the Universe: Ottawa, Canada

Posted 13 years ago by Bill Andrews

International Astronomy Day was May 7, and I’ve just heard back from the Ottawa Valley Astronomy & Observer’s Group about their festivities for the day as part of Astronomy’s Discover the Universe program. Group member Jim Thompson explains: The Ottawa Valley Astronomy & Observer’s Group (OAOG) began in 1994 with local amateur astronomers Rock Mallin and Don Fougere, who love sharing their enthusiasm for astronomy with the public. Once a year, the OAOG organizes...

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Guest blog: Panama inaugurates its first astronomical observatory

Posted 13 years ago by Karri Ferron

We first learned about Panama’s growing astronomy enthusiasm when Astronomy columnist and contributing editor Stephen James O’Meara spent a few days in January there to attend the 1st Congress of Panama Amateur Astronomy 2011. At that time, the Panamanian Amateur Astronomy Association (APAA) had received the gift of an observatory telescope, the facility of which was under construction. Since that time, the observatory has been completed, and Captain Luis A. Velásquez, preside...

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On the Road: American Astronomical Society May 2011 meeting, Wednesday recap

Posted 13 years ago by Bill Andrews

Somehow, the third and final full day of the 218th meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) has come and gone. It seems like just yesterday that I got to beautiful, if not quite sunny, Boston, Massachusetts! The day began with an unusual talk, “Demographics in Astronomy and Astrophysics.” James Ulvestad of the National Science Foundation (NSF) was careful to stress he was giving his own views and didn’t speak for the NSF as a whole. He spoke about the growing fragme...

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On the Road: American Astronomical Society May 2011 meeting, Tuesday recap

Posted 13 years ago by Bill Andrews

After recovering from Monday’s exertions, I began my second day at the 218th American Astronomical Society (AAS) meeting feeling fresh. Science, especially relating to the worlds around other stars, seemed to be more in focus Tuesday, though amateurs still had their moments to shine. For instance, the first of the day’s talks, “The Pan-STARRS Wide-Field Imaging Survey” by Nicholas Keiser of the University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy, ended with a quest...

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Space shuttle Atlantis launch scheduled

Posted 13 years ago by Liz Kruesi

Get ready to say goodbye to the space shuttle program. NASA just announced that the Atlantis launch is scheduled for Friday, July 8. This will mark the very last flight of the program. I haven’t followed the space flight program extensively. Perhaps that’s because the shuttle era began before I was even born. (I guess that just gave away my age.) But, watching the launch of Endeavour last week sent chills down my spine. It’s a pretty amazing accomplishment to launch humans int...

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On the Road: American Astronomical Society May 2011 meeting, Monday recap

Posted 13 years ago by Bill Andrews

There was something for everyone Monday at the first full day of the 218th meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) in Boston, Massachusetts, held jointly with the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). Fittingly, both AAVSO Director Arne Henden and AAS President Debra Elmegreen handled the first talk, the Welcoming Address (which is about as close to the “official bell” I still naively expect at the opening reception). As it turned out, the scientist/amat...

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On the Road: American Astronomical Society May 2011 meeting, Sunday recap

Posted 13 years ago by Bill Andrews

The 218th meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) officially began Sunday, with the opening reception taking place in Boston’s Fairmont Copley Plaza (just a stone’s throw from the famous Boston Common, and right next door to the shapely Hancock tower). It’s a real thrill staying and, ostensibly, working so close to one of Beantown’s most famous landmarks, and really helps drive home that I’m back in familiar territory. The reception, as in years past, w...

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On the Road: American Astronomical Society May 2011 meeting preview

Posted 13 years ago by Bill Andrews

Once again the time has come for a meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS), and this time I’ll be the one heading out to cover it for Astronomy. Officially starting on Sunday, astronomers from all over the country will converge on Boston, the self-styled “Hub of the Universe," to discuss all the latest findings in planetary science, exoplanet research, high-energy astrophysics, cosmology, and so on.I’ll be blogging and tweeting coverage, sporting the hashtag #AA...

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Guest blog: Beginning of the end of the shuttle program

Posted 13 years ago by Karri Ferron

Brenda Culbertson, a friend of Astronomy magazine, has been at Kennedy Space Center in Florida for 3 weeks to cover the final launch of space shuttle Endeavour. She’s now returning return home to Kansas, but not before she captured photos of one more key shuttle program event. On the morning of May 17, 2011, NASA ceremoniously completed the last orbiter rollover. Space shuttle Atlantis was slowly rolled out of the building where it has been awaiting its final launch and brought to to the ...

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So long, shuttle launches

Posted 13 years ago by Bill Andrews

Well, it’s official — the space shuttle Endeavour successfully launched Monday morning on the STS-134 mission to the International Space Station, and we’re all that much closer to a world without any more shuttle launches. As some of us at Astronomy magazine have previously noted, it was easy to root for the delays that kept dogging STS-134 to continue. Now that Endeavour’s off on its final mission, Atlantis’ potential launch in early July 2011 (for mission ST...

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Guest blog: Successful launch of space shuttle Endeavour

Posted 13 years ago by Karri Ferron

On May 16, Brenda Culbertson, an observational astronomer, astrophotographer, and outreach educator from Kansas, as well as a friend of Astronomy magazine, finally witnessed a space shuttle launch 17 days after Endeavour was scheduled to lift off from Kennedy Space Center. She has been kind enough to share her adventures while representing the magazine (see the list of her blog entries below), and her report indicates her patience paid off. The Rotating Service Structure (RSS) rolled away from ...

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Guest blog: Tour of Kennedy Space Center buildings

Posted 13 years ago by Karri Ferron

While waiting in Titusville, Florida, for the launch of space shuttle Endeavour, Astronomy’s volunteer launch representative, Brenda Culbertson, was able to explore all Kennedy Space Center had to offer. On May 14, NASA offered a tour of Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to members of the media. I, of course, took advantage of the opportunity to see more of the KSC area, the buildings, and the visible history that was in place. Our guide for the tour was Greg Hale, a retired NASA employee who ...

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