Sky watchers at Sand Harbor for the Annular EclipseMay 20, 2012 was a very special day for local astronomers with an annular eclipse passing right through the Reno-Tahoe area.  An annular eclipse is when the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth - blocking the Sun from view and creating an image of a "ring of fire".  Dr. Paul Guttman and Space Science for Schools hosted an annular eclipse party at Sand Harbor Park.  An enthusiastic group of 20 to 30 sky watchers of all ages turned out for the event that started with the beginning of the eclipse at 5:30PM.

Paul and the crew set up two telescopes for viewing: an Orion refractor with an Ha filter and a Coronado solar telescope.  Both scopes provided outstanding (and safe) views of the sun and enabled the viewer to see the sun's spots and flares.  Paul also set up a simple but effective "Solar Scope" consisting of a box with a reflective lens that clearly showed each step of the eclipse (see photo).  Other participants set up telescopes with cameras as well as cameras on tripods - all protected by the appropriate filters.  Viewers also used welding goggles, welding masks, plain square filters and simple solar glasses.  While waiting for the full eclipse, Paul gave a mini-lecture on what to expect.

Learning Aerospace and Aviation through Astronomy is recognized by ING Financial Services. Dee Frewert is honored for creating A Cubed for Space Science for Schools at eTECH on 9/19/11. Student assembled Cougaraircraft display donated by Flying Aces of San Jose, Mike Reynolds and Dee Frewert
Mike Reynolds, Steve Platt(ING), Dee Frewert, Ricci Elkins

I'm also very happy to report that we had great success at our first FLL and Jr. FLL event. We are sure to expand the program and establish a permanent league in northern Nevada. Had a ton of fun! Here are links to recent media coverage:
Sparks Tribune Click First LEGO League Comes to Sparks
Channel 4 Click LEGO Championship
Nevada Appeal- Banana Nauts- FLL Team
Reno Gazette Journal Sparks Lego tourney encourages children to apply research, robotics to biomedical engineering

Second, Rich Williams' Sierra Star Observatory collaboration with the UA SkyCenter is now official. The UA and the Sierra Stars Observatory Network, or SSON, have announced an agreement that will allow users almost anywhere access to the Schulmann 32-inch telescope perched at the top of the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, Ariz. Click on http://uanews.org/node/36778 to view the announcement from Ed Beshore of the UA Sky Center. Paul Guttman was instrumental in introducing Rich Williams to Adam Block of the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter.

I am proud to announce a significant update for Space Science for Schools public outreach education equipment. I have used the Learning Technology inflatable 22' maxi-dome for about a year with mixed reviews. While it worked well with the original analog shadow cylinder projection system, it failed miserably for direct projection content as the surface of the dome is too irregular and bright for clean rendition. Also, the dome was generally too large and tall for most spaces we present programs and was not handicap accessible required by schools.

The Discovery Dome with ADA approved airlock entrance and projection quality cloth interior at 5 meters (16' 8") diameter with 4 side wall rings allow a high spring line to project above the heads of a seated audience! That is right, seated. Big drawback is that adults don't do floor without pain and protest. Gary at e-planetarium recommended the 4 ring side wall model as the dome is above seated audience and chairs can be placed to the wall actually giving more effective interior space. 4 rings will give 54" wall height and less weight for easier set up. Music will also be fantastic in this space! Black is the color of choice. Velcro tabs on the exterior for attaching banners and donor credits. Exterior walls can also function as exhibit attachment points with Velcro. It can be used outside if sheltered from wind and dirt. Check out http://www.go-domes.com/products.html

Congratulations to the Northern Nevada Team, Team "Esperanza": Jamie Poston, Bailey Watkins and Julianna Lucas They took 3rd at the Future Cities National Competition in D.C. on February 16th 2010!
Click here to see the presentation.

Article that appeared in the Tahoe Bonanza on 2/20/09

Those of us dedicated to a sustainable economic and ecological future for our precious Lake Tahoe Basin have long considered that in addition to declining lake clarity, artificial night lighting pollution has seriously degraded our fragile environment. While many communities around our country have successfully adopted sky-friendly night lighting ordinances, we have yet to act upon this easiest to remedy environmental blight.