The Santa Barbara
Astronomical Unit Webpage is here to inform our members and the general
public
about Astronomy related events and activities in and around Santa
Barbara County.
This site best viewed at 1024x768 or higher Last updated 05/13/2012
NASA launches most capable and
robust rover to Mars
During a nearly two-year prime
mission after landing in August 2012, the rover
will investigate whether the Gale Crater region
has ever offered conditions favorable for
microbial life.
Read More at Astronomy.com
The Delta IV launch
originally scheduled for this afternoon from
Vandenberg AFB has been delayed. It is now
planned for Tuesday, April 3 at 4:12 p.m.
Vehicle will launch
the classified NROL-25 payload for the U.S.
National Reconnaissance Office
AUG To be
announced Atlas V SLC-3E
Vehicle will launch
the classified NROL-36 payload for the U.S.
National Reconnaissance Office
DEC 1 To be
announced Pegasus XL N/A
Vehicle will be
air-dropped from an L-1011 jumbo jet flying
offshore. The aircraft will be staged from
Vandenberg AFB.
2012 To be
announced Falcon 9 SLC-4E
Vehicle will launch
a payload for MDA Corp. (Canada)
2012 To be
announced Falcon Heavy SLC-4E
Falcon Heavy demonstration flight !!!!
The above schedule
is a composite of unclassified information
approved for public release from government,
industry, and other sources. It represents
the Editor's best effort to produce a
schedule, but may disagree with other
sources. Details on military launches are
withheld until they are approved for public
release. For official information regarding
Vandenberg AFB activities, go to
http://www.vandenberg.af.mil.
All launch dates and
times are given in Pacific Time using a
24-hour format similar to military time
(midnight = 00:00, 1:00 p.m. = 13:00, 11:00
p.m. = 23:00, etc.).
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If you're interested in satellites or astronomy, you've
come to the right place! Our aim is to provide you with all the information you
need to observe satellites such as the
International Space Station and
the Space Shuttle, spectacular events such as the dazzlingly bright flares from
Iridium satellites
as well as a
wealth of other spaceflight and astronomical information, detailed star charts
showing the track through the heavens.
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As always, just keep in mind that
having a calendar full of events throughout the next 12 months will take
plenty of people power. So, keep that AstroNews close at hand and sign
up to take part in this most active club of ours.
Here are the AU events scheduled so far for May.
To get the latest information on schedules, or
directions, just contact Chuck at 964-8201 or macpuzl@west.net
Thursday,
May 3, setup 5 PM
Solar and radio telescopes for Science Night at the Montessori
School, at 401 Fairview in Goleta from 6 to 8 PM.
Friday, May
4, 7 PM
Monthly meeting in Farrand Hall at SBMNH. Start with a quick
planetarium show by Javier, then hear a talk.
Friday, May
11, 8 PM
Manzanita dormitory at UCSB, at the SW end of the main campus.
When we've gone out for them previously, we've set up at the lagoon, but
this time they want us somewhere closer. I haven't heard all the details
about site and access yet, but I'll send an email when I do. Setup time
is 8 PM.
For Friday's event, we'll be setting up in the central plaza of
the Manzanita
Dorm, at the SW end of campus, off Ocean Road. Setup time is 8
PM.I'm still not sure whether we can drive into the plaza, but we can
definitely unload at the loop at the end of Ocean road. See the attached
map. I'm assured that parking has been arranged for us, but I still
haven't heard where, so I'm going to go a little early to get the lay of
the land for when you arrive.
Saturday,
May 12, 6 PM
Planning meeting in the classroom next to Javier's office at
SBMNH.
Saturday,
May 12, 8 PM
Monthly Public Star Party outside Palmer Observatory at SBMNH.
Thursday,
May 17, setup 4:30 PM
Telescopes for Science Night from 6 to 7:45 PM at Washington
School, at 290 Lighthouse Road on the Mesa, near Lazy Acres. We can
drive around from their front parking lot to the playground. Dinner from
Woody's at 5:15 PM. Let Chuck know if you're coming, so he can get your
dinner order, if any.
Friday, May
18, setup 7:30 PM
Telescopes for the monthly Public Telescope Night at Westmont
College, at their observatory next to the baseball field. We'll also
have a group of Cub Scouts that evening.
Saturday,
May 19, setup 7:30 PM
Telescopes for Refugio Beach State Park. We set up in their day
use parking lot, on the southwest side of the park.
Sunday, May
20, setup 4 PM
Deep (84%) partial solar eclipse viewing at Camino Real
Marketplace. We set up in the plaza by the theater.
Monday, May
21, setup 8 PM
Telescopes for a campout by Carpinteria Family School, at the
Anza group site of El Capitan State Beach.
Tuesday,
May 22, setup 7 PM
Telescope Tuesday at the Camino Real Marketplace in Goleta. We
set up in the central plaza by the theater.
Wednesday,
May 23 - Monday, May 28
Annual RTMC Astronomy Expo at Big Bear Lake. Hang out with 2000
or so of your favorite amateur astronomers at 7000 feet.
Sunday, May
27
Lunar X visible near the terminator from about 6:20 to 9:10 PM.
Thursday,
May 31, setup 4:30 PM
Telescopes for Science Night at Franklin School, at 1111 East
Mason Street in Santa Barbara, from 5:30 to 7:30, so viewing the Sun and
Moon. We usually set up on the playground, getting in through a gate
where East Yanonali ends at the school.
