From the Programs Committee Chair...

What to do with a comet?

JFahey

A massive two-mile-wide comet will be visible from Earth in late 2013, possibly appearing brighter than the moon during November and December, according to astronomers.

I would like to brain storm with all members on what ASN could due during this time period.

Jim Fahey

Star Party at “ The Nature Conservatory” in Minden.

JFahey

With just basic word of mouth, Chris Johnson pulled off the impossible for a Thanksgiving Friday star party. 25 people showed up for a peek through ASN members' telescopes. This is a nice dark skies area. The ¾ moon was too bright to have real deep sky viewing. Chris did a wonderful job. Dwayne, the director of the Conservatory, was little kid happy with the turnout. Next time The Nature Conservatory will open its doors with hot drinks. We met Suzie Parker, an ASN member who just uses our web site for her viewing. She is tickled pink that there will be an annex in Minden. Chris will give more details. We have a winner down there with happy people.

Annular Eclipse Round Up

JFahey

One year ago ASN voted to go big in promoting the eclipse. We would work in partnership with the Planetarium. Our goals were to:

Develop a power point or lesson plan on what an eclipse is, and how to safely watch the eclipse.

A contact person for each of the organization listed above.

The contact person will present the lesson on the eclipse.

Provide technical help to capture this event on video, digital, or film equipment.

To help the local press and public, the central assembly area will be the Redfield Campus observatory.

Purchase Solar Glasses to safely watch the eclipse. The temple supports will have the planetarium and ASN logos and web site. They will have the date and time of the eclipse and the date for the transit of Venus (June 5, 2012).

Dan Ruby recommends that we buy 5,000 solar glasses. These glasses can them be resold at a whole sale price to the organizations and retail price to the public.

Our goal is to be the first point of contact for Washoe County area. We will provide scientific and technical information for the public enjoyment of this celestial event.

Obtain grant money to buy solar viewers for WCSD 8^th graders; approximately 5000.

We accomplish all the objectives listed above. In doing this promotion our outreach included all of WCSD, Pyramid Lake High School, Portola High School, Yerington Elementary School, Austin Elementary School, Boys and Girls Club, Galena Creek State Park, The Discovery Museum, Gordon’s Photos, The Nevada Historical Society, and the local Girl Scouts of America. American Assay Laboratory in Sparks provided funding for the 8^th graders. The Boys and Girls Club provided tables and chairs for the dinner after the eclipse. Channel 5 KNPB provided Dean Regis and Sid the Science Kid along with members only dinner. What a rush!

Our outreach on safety was so successful that we made the news with the long lines at the planetarium to buy solar viewers. We sold over 2,000 solar viewers. The planetarium over 30,000!

I, Jim Fahey, wish to thank Dan Ruby for his leadership and knowledge guiding ASN in promoting this astronomical event. To all who sold solar viewers, thank you. There are 2,000 notices to the Truckee Meadows that there is a Astronomical Society of Nevada.

Attention Teachers:

JFahey

The Astronomical Society of Nevada has received 2 of 11 “Kits” from NASA suitable for classroom teaching. The first is “Our Magnetic Sun” and the second is “Life in the Universe.” If you are a member or a school member you may check out these classroom training aids for your science class. Contact Jim Fahey (356-0102) for check outs. We are getting some lesson plans, and CD’s from NASA with “neat stuff” too. We have a nice lesson plan for Astronomy/Chemistry of atoms. This spring ASN is participating in a research project. If you wish your students want to help please call Jim. Next November (2013) Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) will become the brightest anyone has ever seen (Astronomy p16 December 2012). Therefore adjust your lesson plans for this great event.

The Astronomical Society of Nevada is making an outreach to the schools in the local area. From UNR, TMCC, WCSD, Portola and Douglass County we have several people who can assist your science needs.

Jim Fahey
Outreach Director