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* CONTACT * Newsletter for Gunnison Valley Astronomical Society (GVAS) PO Box 818, Lake City, CO, starmanlakecity@msn.com, 970-328-8361, 08/30/2005 GVAS (Gunnison Valley Astronomical Society) 2005 Calendar of Astronomy Events (GVAS sponsored activities appear in bold type; also included are dates for Black Canyon Astronomical Society (BCAS), for Carbondale Astronomy Group (TRAC), and for Palisade Astronomy Connection (PAC).
July 7 GVAS observing @ Elk Creek Visitors Center
Many thanks to all who participated in
last night's event. Besides BCAS and GVAS members
and the National Park Service staff, I had a count of 37 very
inquiring folks who saw one heck of a night sky! When
I drove home to Lake City, I always stop at Nine Mile Hill which
is a very nice dark sky spot along the highway. I
looked up in the sky and I thought for sure I saw two new
constellations - one that looked like John Pool's pipe and the
other like a Bob White chocolate bar! Whew, when I
go any time past midnight, I really start to imagine some pretty
wild happenings! Hope to see
all of you at a future "heavenly" event!
- Phillip Virden
Comment by Adam Sherman John Pool- A Dangerous Man A warning to all involved with this man. He's known to cause sleep deprivation, sore neck syndrome, strained eyeballs, tired legs and extreme exhaustion. I had vowed to leave no
later than 2am, usual John starts to dig up the fun stuff around
midnight and ropes you in for hours. I of course made it
home just in time to watch the sun peek over the mountains
nearby. Thank God I was able to sleep for 2 hours before
my 5 year old had to be in daycare so I could pick up the Uhaul and
'move' until 12:30 am-you're the greatest John. July 7-10 Rocky Mountain Star Stare in Colorado Springs
July 14 BCAS observing @ Heddles Rec Center in Delta
July 16 PAC program @ Vega Park
Greetings Everyone!
My "astro prime time" viewing is in the early morning
hours. Although the skies have been quite clear
lately, the sky has been relatively "quiet" regarding
meteor activity. However, this morning, there was brief
flurry of meteoric activity from 4:00 AM to 5:00 AM.
Although nothing like the Perseids, the Delta Aquarid meteor
shower has started and I was witnessing about one meteor every
five minutes. Probably nothing to get out
of bed for but, if you are a meteor nut like I am, these
"shooting stars" get one's blood going;
especially since the last meteor shower was about two months
ago.
The Delta Aquarids are suppose to peak around July 28.
Unfortunately, a waning gibbous Moon will hamper viewing somewhat.
There is a ton of meteor information on the web. One
that is always reliable is www.skyandtelescope.com
and good to observing>celestial objects>meteors.
And, of course, the granddaddy of meteor showers, the Perseids,
will be due to peak around August 10-13.
- Phillip Virden
GVAS
August 5 TRAC observing @ Spring Gulch
August 10 BCAS observing @ BCNP
August 11 GVAS Perseid Meteor session @ Windy Point (south of Lake City) Gunnison Valley Astronomical Society NewsThis is a placeholder for Gunnison Valley Astronomical Society news and updates.Note from PhillipGreetings Everyone!What a way to start the week! After yesterday's disappointment of overcast skies and the mess up with the prediction of the seeing the International Space Station, I was treated to a spectacular experience this morning. The skies were "autumn crisp clear" as I went out for a very dark walk from 4:30 AM to 5:50 AM. During that time, I got to see the Summer Triangle sinking into the west, Orion rising in the east, and a dozen very bright meteors. To top it off, I got to see the incredible sight of the Space Shuttle Discovery (still in space due to NASA's decision to delay landing until tomorrow) and the International Space Station coming up from the southern horizon! They went high overhead and, at one point, a "second" summer triangle was formed from the Shuttle, ISS, and planet Mars! I've witnessed a lot of things in my years of being an amateur astronomer and this morning's experience will be ranked on my "top ten list". I just wish all of you could have joined me in seeing what I saw. As a matter of fact, if any of you were crazy enough to get up at this time of the day and saw what I saw, let me know. It's always nice to have someone confirm what others think might be a "tall tale". I hope your Monday will have as good a start as mine. - Phillip Virden 08.08.05 Back To EarthGreetings (again),After this morning's "sky high experience", I'm afraid I need to get my feet back here on Planet Earth to tend to upcoming business. So, a reminder to all of you that: GVAS Perseid Meteor Watch & Stargazing will take place Thursday, August 11, 2005 @ Windy Point Overlook (located approximately 7 miles south of Lake City on Highway 149) from 8 PM to Midnight Weather forecast for Thursday evening calls for temperatures to start in the upper 60s with mostly cloudy conditions. Chance of showers is around 40%. Not a good forecast but we all know that can change. I'll bring you an update on the weather later in the week. - Phillip
August 11 BCAS observing @ Heddles Rec Center in Delta
August 12 TRAC Perseid observing @ Spring Gulch
August 20 PAC solar observing program @ Vega Park
September 2 TRAC observing @ Spring Gulch
September 12 BCAS observing @ Heddles Rec Center in Delta
September 30 TRAC observing @ Spring Gulch
Greetings Everyone! GVAS and BCAS will cosponsor one more stargazing event at Elk Creek Visitor's Center. It will be on Thursday, October 6 at will begin at 7 PM. We will have a thin crescent Moon descending into the west and bright Mars will be ascending in the east. And, of course, if the weather cooperates, we could have some crisp, clear autumn skies for very nice deep sky viewing. Elk Creek is located about 14 miles west of Gunnison on Highway 50. We will set up telescopes in the parking lot. Hope to see as many of you out for what will probably be our last Elk Creek event this year! - Phillip Virden
October 28 TRAC observing @ Spring Gulch Autumn 2005 - Tentative season for opening of Gunnison Observatory For further information, please contact Phillip Virden @ starmanlakecity@msn.com.
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