As a local, community based astronomy club, the San Jose Astronomical Association mainly focuses on night time activities. After all, this is when the stars are out and viewing celestial objects is best.
There are, however, opportunities to conduct astronomical viewing during the day. Some people challenge themselves by trying to view brighter planets during the day. Or they see if they can view or even photograph the International Space Station against a blue daytime sky. But there is one huge object that sometimes doesn't get its due when it comes to amateur astronomy, that being our own star that powers us all, the Sun.
A post this week by SpaceWeather.com alerted readers to a huge sunspot that recently developed. The alert noted that "[o]ne of the biggest sunspot groups in many years has just emerged over the sun's eastern limb. The sunspot's magnetic canopy is crackling with M-class (medium-sized) solar flares and seems poised to launch even stronger X-class eruptions. The sunspot, named AR1339, is not yet directly facing Earth but it will be turning toward our planet in the days ahead." After a long time with little solar activity, it seems that the Sun is starting to wake up again, and sun spots and prominences will again be regular events viewable from the surface of the earth by amateur astronomers.
Lately, the SJAA Board of Directors has been discussing acquiring a solar telescope for the club's use. While it would not be slated as part of the Loaner Program fleet of telescopes, it would be available for club use during events such as school star parties, swap meets, auctions and other events. The board has a committee made up of Rich N. and Robert A. that is reviewing the options of solar scopes currently on the market. As always, the board welcomes input from SJAA members, so if you have suggestions, ideas or questions related to our solar scope acquisition effort, please reach out and contact the board in general or any individual member. Here's where to do that:
http://www.sjaa.net/contacts.shtml
It's your club, so we hope to hear from you!
Now that the sun is starting to show some activity, the SJAA aims to bring our closest stellar neighbor into our focal plane, in addition to the fabulous sights of the night time sky.
See you in the dark (and maybe sunlight)!
Rob Jaworski
Secretary, San Jose Astronomical Association
04 November 2011
29 August 2011
Celebrate Cambrian Festival 2011
Every year, the city of San Jose holds a festival of sorts in the Cambrian Park area of San Jose, which is roughly the south- south west area of the city. It's called Celebrate Cambrian and it was held yesterday at the Camden Community Center on Union Avenue.
The San Jose Astronomical Association was represented there with a booth that was manned by Rob Jaworski and Robert Armstrong, the club's treasurer. We had several telescopes on display, from Orion's popular XT series to a big 20 inch Obsession. We also had a Televue refractor with a solar filter set up so that participants could do a bit of impromptu solar viewing.
Members of the public were really excited to see the sun, for nearly all of them it was their first time. We were lucky to be able to easily see two sunspots the entire day, along with another two that appeared near the limb of the disc in the morning, then later disappeared in the mid afternoon.
This event provides some great publicity for the organization. Many people are not aware that we hold the nearby Houge Park star party events but are definitely interested in checking it out some time. Some folks said they were aware of it, but hadn't gotten around to coming out, so this was a great reminder. There were lots of families that stopped by our booth, and they learned that they could even borrow telescopes through our telescope loaner program, one of the best benefits the SJAA offers.
Big thanks to Dr. Armstrong for helping with this event despite the fact he was out observing the night before until the wee hours, and for bringing a lot of the equipment, most notably his solar viewing gear!
The San Jose Astronomical Association was represented there with a booth that was manned by Rob Jaworski and Robert Armstrong, the club's treasurer. We had several telescopes on display, from Orion's popular XT series to a big 20 inch Obsession. We also had a Televue refractor with a solar filter set up so that participants could do a bit of impromptu solar viewing.
Members of the public were really excited to see the sun, for nearly all of them it was their first time. We were lucky to be able to easily see two sunspots the entire day, along with another two that appeared near the limb of the disc in the morning, then later disappeared in the mid afternoon.
This event provides some great publicity for the organization. Many people are not aware that we hold the nearby Houge Park star party events but are definitely interested in checking it out some time. Some folks said they were aware of it, but hadn't gotten around to coming out, so this was a great reminder. There were lots of families that stopped by our booth, and they learned that they could even borrow telescopes through our telescope loaner program, one of the best benefits the SJAA offers.
Big thanks to Dr. Armstrong for helping with this event despite the fact he was out observing the night before until the wee hours, and for bringing a lot of the equipment, most notably his solar viewing gear!
26 July 2011
SkyTools Offer from SJAA
Hello SJAA members and friends,
The San Jose Astronomical Association is a non profit 510(c)3 educational organization, bringing the science and wonderment of the science of astronomy and the night sky to the public. We encourage people to go out at night to observe firsthand the many amazing features that are visible and readily available from not just dark locations, away from the city lights, but also many from our own back yards.
It's not uncommon for people to use a set of tools when they go out at night, from the basic gear such as binoculars and telescopes, to sky charts, red lights, green lasers and even astronomy software. The SJAA is proud of the loaner program that has been operating for many, many years.
http://www.sjaa.net/loaners.shtml
It's a great way for beginners to try out and become familiar with telescopes, or to try something new.
Observing software is also very useful to help plan observing sessions and make the most of your time. To that end, the SJAA will be coordinating a group purchase of SkyTools 3, "a complete suite of software tools designed specifically for astronomical observing." Learn more about it here:
http://skyhound.com/skytools.html
And be sure to watch the demo, here:
http://skyhound.com/demos/ST3NPVis.html
The SJAA will be accepting orders for SkyTools 3, either the Standard or the Professional edition, between now and end of September. The cost will be either $50.78 for standard or $90.79 for pro version. To take advantage of this opportunity, please send a check made payable to "SJAA" and send it to:
San Jose Astronomical Association
P.O. Box 28243
San Jose, CA 95159-8243
Please be sure to write SkyTools in the memo line of your check.
This offer will be limited to 25 orders and made available only to SJAA members. If we do not reach that level of orders, checks will either be returned or destroyed. If you are not a member of the SJAA, this is a perfect opportunity and reason to join! Memberships start at only $20 (tax deductible) annually and you can send the membership application and fee in the same envelope. Forms are available on the last page of the print version of the Ephemeris, our monthly newsletter, and you can find it here:
http://www.sjaa.net/eph/1107/EphJul11BW.pdf
Remember, orders will be accepted up to September 30, 2011 and you must be a current SJAA member. The software will be distributed at a general meeting or other public event after we receive the shipment.
Thanks, and let me know of any questions.
See you in the dark,
Rob Jaworski
Secretary, San Jose Astronomical Association
The San Jose Astronomical Association is a non profit 510(c)3 educational organization, bringing the science and wonderment of the science of astronomy and the night sky to the public. We encourage people to go out at night to observe firsthand the many amazing features that are visible and readily available from not just dark locations, away from the city lights, but also many from our own back yards.
It's not uncommon for people to use a set of tools when they go out at night, from the basic gear such as binoculars and telescopes, to sky charts, red lights, green lasers and even astronomy software. The SJAA is proud of the loaner program that has been operating for many, many years.
http://www.sjaa.net/loaners.shtml
It's a great way for beginners to try out and become familiar with telescopes, or to try something new.
Observing software is also very useful to help plan observing sessions and make the most of your time. To that end, the SJAA will be coordinating a group purchase of SkyTools 3, "a complete suite of software tools designed specifically for astronomical observing." Learn more about it here:
http://skyhound.com/skytools.html
And be sure to watch the demo, here:
http://skyhound.com/demos/ST3NPVis.html
The SJAA will be accepting orders for SkyTools 3, either the Standard or the Professional edition, between now and end of September. The cost will be either $50.78 for standard or $90.79 for pro version. To take advantage of this opportunity, please send a check made payable to "SJAA" and send it to:
San Jose Astronomical Association
P.O. Box 28243
San Jose, CA 95159-8243
Please be sure to write SkyTools in the memo line of your check.
This offer will be limited to 25 orders and made available only to SJAA members. If we do not reach that level of orders, checks will either be returned or destroyed. If you are not a member of the SJAA, this is a perfect opportunity and reason to join! Memberships start at only $20 (tax deductible) annually and you can send the membership application and fee in the same envelope. Forms are available on the last page of the print version of the Ephemeris, our monthly newsletter, and you can find it here:
http://www.sjaa.net/eph/1107/EphJul11BW.pdf
Remember, orders will be accepted up to September 30, 2011 and you must be a current SJAA member. The software will be distributed at a general meeting or other public event after we receive the shipment.
Thanks, and let me know of any questions.
See you in the dark,
Rob Jaworski
Secretary, San Jose Astronomical Association
19 July 2011
Congratulations to Rick Morales, FPOA
We had a great general meeting for the month of July 2011 this past Saturday night, the 16th. Our guest speaker was Rick Morales of the Fremont Peak Observatory Association.
Jack Zeiders, a long time member and twice past president of the SJAA gave a few introductory remarks about the FPOA and Rick and his long term history with the FPOA. He then presented Rick with the SJAA's Dr A. B. Gregory Award.
Rick certainly deserves the award, given his support of amateur astronomy at Fremont Peak over his years there as a ranger of the state park.
He pulled out his slide projector and provided us with a slide show about the history of Fremont Peak State Park and the observatory that was built there in the mid 1980s.
At the end of the presentation, which brought back memories of many good times to many people in the audience, we asked that some of the people present who were involved in the construction of the observatory come up so we could get a picture of all of them together.
From left to right are Bob Fingerhut, Paul Mancuso, Jack Zeiders, Chris Angelos, and Rick Morales.
Congratulations to Rick and to the long history of the FPOA!
He pulled out his slide projector and provided us with a slide show about the history of Fremont Peak State Park and the observatory that was built there in the mid 1980s.
At the end of the presentation, which brought back memories of many good times to many people in the audience, we asked that some of the people present who were involved in the construction of the observatory come up so we could get a picture of all of them together.
Congratulations to Rick and to the long history of the FPOA!
22 June 2011
Public Star Party and Astronomy Class Friday, 24 June 2011
Hello SJAA Members and Friends,
Happy Summer Solstice! The San Jose Astronomical Association will be holding a public star party this Friday, June 24 at Houge Park from about 9:30PM to midnight.
Saturn and showy objects of the summer sky will be featured.
The weather has been great, but there might be some increasing cloudiness, but it should not deter us! Keep an eye on it here:
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=mtr&smap=1&textField1=3...
ALSO: We will hold a beginners astronomy class that same night, starting at 8:30PM. The topic will be about gear: Eyepieces, filters, finders and accessories. Perfect timing, to help you get ready for GSSP next week!
Bring your friends, family and neighbors, it's fun and it's free!
Directions to Houge Park are on the website, we set up near the tennis courts.
http://www.sjaa.net/directions.shtml
Coordinates: 37.2575,-121.9423
See you in the dark!
Rob Jaworski
San Jose Astronomical Association
www.sjaa.net
twitter: sj_astronomy
http://sanjoseastronomy.blogspot.com/
Happy Summer Solstice! The San Jose Astronomical Association will be holding a public star party this Friday, June 24 at Houge Park from about 9:30PM to midnight.
Saturn and showy objects of the summer sky will be featured.
The weather has been great, but there might be some increasing cloudiness, but it should not deter us! Keep an eye on it here:
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=mtr&smap=1&textField1=3...
ALSO: We will hold a beginners astronomy class that same night, starting at 8:30PM. The topic will be about gear: Eyepieces, filters, finders and accessories. Perfect timing, to help you get ready for GSSP next week!
Bring your friends, family and neighbors, it's fun and it's free!
Directions to Houge Park are on the website, we set up near the tennis courts.
http://www.sjaa.net/directions.shtml
Coordinates: 37.2575,-121.9423
See you in the dark!
Rob Jaworski
San Jose Astronomical Association
www.sjaa.net
twitter: sj_astronomy
http://sanjoseastronomy.blogspot.com/
14 June 2011
Lecturers, Speakers and Guests
The San Jose Astronomical Association has a long history of inviting guest speakers to come and give astronomy themed talks at the monthly general meetings. The list of guest speakers have ranged from fellow SJAA members discussing their experiences with certain aspects of amateur astronomy to NASA research scientists working on never-been-done-or-seen before work. We keep a table of the lecturers that we have had the honor of hosting over the past several years. You can see just from the titles of the talks the wide range of areas that we bring to the membership.
I would like to talk this opportunity to recognize the amazing amount of behind the scenes work that goes on to bring these speakers to the meetings, month after month. For several years, longtime club member Dave Smith worked tirelessly to source, track down, make contact, schedule and coordinate an entire host of speakers. We really do appreciate his efforts in making the monthly meetings and speaker series really top notch.
Several months ago, Dave decided he needed a break and so handed the reins over to the SJAA board of directors. Though we have been able to keep the program going with the same high caliber of speakers, it's time that we asked for some help.
Going forward, we'd like to open this up to everyone. Here's how we envision it working.
Anyone, and I mean that literally, can contact a potential speaker to determine their interest in giving a presentation to the SJAA. But there cannot be a commitment made on behalf of SJAA before first getting approval from the president and vice president (Mark Wagner and Greg Claytor).
On the SJAA's Google Calendar Mark will maintain the General Meeting schedule, which anyone will be able to peruse, containing confirmed speakers. This will allow us all to see what dates are open.
Our goal is be to have firm speaker commitments for six months minimum, more if possible.
If there are any interesting individuals you'd like to see come and speak at the SJAA, please feel free to reach out to them! If you need any help or support, or just have questions, please feel free to contact me, Rob Jaworski (rob <dot> jaworski <at> sjaa <dot> net) or any of the SJAA board members.
On behalf of the SJAA board and the entire member community, Thank You!
Rob Jaworski
San Jose Astronomical Association
I would like to talk this opportunity to recognize the amazing amount of behind the scenes work that goes on to bring these speakers to the meetings, month after month. For several years, longtime club member Dave Smith worked tirelessly to source, track down, make contact, schedule and coordinate an entire host of speakers. We really do appreciate his efforts in making the monthly meetings and speaker series really top notch.
Several months ago, Dave decided he needed a break and so handed the reins over to the SJAA board of directors. Though we have been able to keep the program going with the same high caliber of speakers, it's time that we asked for some help.
Going forward, we'd like to open this up to everyone. Here's how we envision it working.
Anyone, and I mean that literally, can contact a potential speaker to determine their interest in giving a presentation to the SJAA. But there cannot be a commitment made on behalf of SJAA before first getting approval from the president and vice president (Mark Wagner and Greg Claytor).
On the SJAA's Google Calendar Mark will maintain the General Meeting schedule, which anyone will be able to peruse, containing confirmed speakers. This will allow us all to see what dates are open.
Our goal is be to have firm speaker commitments for six months minimum, more if possible.
If there are any interesting individuals you'd like to see come and speak at the SJAA, please feel free to reach out to them! If you need any help or support, or just have questions, please feel free to contact me, Rob Jaworski (rob <dot> jaworski <at> sjaa <dot> net) or any of the SJAA board members.
On behalf of the SJAA board and the entire member community, Thank You!
Rob Jaworski
San Jose Astronomical Association
13 June 2011
New Loaner Telescopes Are Going Out
I am happy to report that of the seven new Orion telescopes that the SJAA acquired at the end of last year, we now have five of them out on loan. This was a long time coming, and I would like to thank not only the Board members for supporting and putting in time, but also other members who helped assemble and tune the scopes.
As a reminder, at the end of 2010, the SJAA found itself in a situation where we had to spend a certain amount of money by the end of the year. We decided that it was high time to invest into new, updated equipment. We created a list of scopes, all Dobsonian reflectors in the XT line from Orion, that met the spending criteria we had, and then placed the order. We not only purchased the scopes, but we assembled complete starter kits, including sky maps, Barlows, red LED lights, books and other accessories to make observing sessions as enjoyable as possible for budding new amateur astronomers.
If you are interested in taking advantage of this excellent program, please review the loaner program web page for details. It is also important to know is that you need to be an approved member of the club, so please be sure that your membership is up to date. If you are unsure of your status, please contact me (Rob Jaworski), as I am the membership chair (you can email me at rob <dot> jaworski <at> sjaa <dot> net). If you would like to join the SJAA, it's quick, easy and inexpensive.
Again, let me recognize all the effort that went into the loaner program revamp, and I hope that the people who are borrowing them are enjoying them!
See you in the dark!
Rob Jaworski
San Jose Astronomical Association
As a reminder, at the end of 2010, the SJAA found itself in a situation where we had to spend a certain amount of money by the end of the year. We decided that it was high time to invest into new, updated equipment. We created a list of scopes, all Dobsonian reflectors in the XT line from Orion, that met the spending criteria we had, and then placed the order. We not only purchased the scopes, but we assembled complete starter kits, including sky maps, Barlows, red LED lights, books and other accessories to make observing sessions as enjoyable as possible for budding new amateur astronomers.
If you are interested in taking advantage of this excellent program, please review the loaner program web page for details. It is also important to know is that you need to be an approved member of the club, so please be sure that your membership is up to date. If you are unsure of your status, please contact me (Rob Jaworski), as I am the membership chair (you can email me at rob <dot> jaworski <at> sjaa <dot> net). If you would like to join the SJAA, it's quick, easy and inexpensive.
Again, let me recognize all the effort that went into the loaner program revamp, and I hope that the people who are borrowing them are enjoying them!
See you in the dark!
Rob Jaworski
San Jose Astronomical Association
06 June 2011
SJAA Blog
This is our welcome blog post, from the San Jose Astronomical Association. We have our various email lists and website, but I thought we were still missing some vital components to a true Web 2.0 presence for the club.
Here, you can subscribe to this blog where I plan to post write ups about some of our events, such as our public star parties, beginner astronomy classes and speaker events. You can keep track of upcoming events, too.
Please feel free to post comments and suggestions. We are really interested in hearing what our membership thinks where the club should be going, what it should be focusing on, and this could be a very good way to start and continue the conversation!
Look forward to posting more here soon. In the meantime, clear skies, and I'll see you in the dark!
Rob Jaworski
San Jose Astronomical Association
Here, you can subscribe to this blog where I plan to post write ups about some of our events, such as our public star parties, beginner astronomy classes and speaker events. You can keep track of upcoming events, too.
Please feel free to post comments and suggestions. We are really interested in hearing what our membership thinks where the club should be going, what it should be focusing on, and this could be a very good way to start and continue the conversation!
Look forward to posting more here soon. In the meantime, clear skies, and I'll see you in the dark!
Rob Jaworski
San Jose Astronomical Association
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