Astronomy Club

To the Shasta Astronomy Club/Network:

Greetings from your astronomy club. Our attempt to show the Sun at the Turtle Bay Solstice party last Saturday was a bust. There was no Sun most of the day due to clouds which produced a lot of lightning and rain. Most unusual, but the whole year has been strange, weatherwise. First a freeze on April 20, then a very dry spring, a very hot spell in May and now a huge lightning storm on June 21. Can you say "normal variation" or can we say "climate change". Maybe we'll try again next year. A couple of our folks were ready with scopes if needed and no doubt will be again. Thanks guys.

We'll try for a star party this Saturday, June 28 at our usual place. The Mines, Trailhead Parking Lot at Whiskeytown Lake Park about half an hour after sunset. However, with all the smoke around this week, it may not happen. If it's as smoky then as it is now don't attempt the drive up there. There are hundreds of fires in all directions from us and it may be weeks before clearing. In the mean time there may be more storms later this week. Play it by ear, as they say. The last star party up at the lake on June 7 came off quite well according to Tom Richards. A good crowd with lots of well behaved children and enough club scopes for everyone in attendance. 

The annual Shingletown Star Party is scheduled for June 30--July 7 at the Shingletown airport with the free night being on Saturday, July 5 this year. It's run very well and is very worth attending. The attendance will be down a little due to a competing star party over the hill in far northeast CA called the Golden State Star Party for the people in San Jose and Frisco. They don't see the sky much down where they live. I wonder how much it will cost these days to haul a large dob on an 800 mile round trip. I bet gas is about 5 bucks over there. The cost of fuel is definately going to effect events such as these from now on. No free night on that one. Shingletown is the one to attend, nice people and it's close. A lot will also depend on whether the smoke has abated by then. 

Ice is found on Mars. Not unexpected but very interesting. Now, what's in that ice. Maybe, just maybe there will be remnants of primitive life forms that may have existed long ago. It so, that will be one of the greatest moments in the history of our species on Earth. It would mean we're not alone. At least for our primitive, single cell ancestors, that is. We may know soon or it may take more Mars landers in the future to tell us for sure. Keep watching the news for this.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/33475/title/ice_on_Mars 

Arecibo joins global network to create 6,800 mile wide radio telescope: That's one big scope for mankind. Imagine what can be done with that. Might see some LGM's ( little green men) out there. http://www.astromart.com/news/news.asp?news_id=842 

Enjoy your summer and clear skies, Bob