Glad to hear of some success.  I did crawl out of bed about 3:15 and went to sit
in a fairly dark back yard.  40 minutes or so of cool looking toward Leo and
Mars and not one streak - so I headed back to bed.  I guess the drive out to the
GAP should have been on the agenda.

We are so fortunate to have the GAP - and Bird to "manage" the access!
George

--- In vpas@yahoogroups.com, Steve Shellman <steveshellman@...> wrote:
>
> Bird & Bob,
>
> Thanks for a great night last night! Great company and terrific view of
> Orion and about 14 astroids that I saw with 2 or 3 of them being
> spectacular! I'll defer to Bird for the official report on the
> evening....but I am up working after crashing in my bed from 6-9 .... I'll
> post a few freeze frame images later today from my 20 minutes of mallincam
> video I took last night on Orion, Cigar, Bode's, and Crab ... I thought I
> took more shots and video than I did but oh well I checked out the footage
> on the big screen last night before crashing and some of it came out rather
> good.
>
> Steve
>
> On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 7:16 PM, lawrencewtaylor3 <
> lawrencewtaylor3@...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Hey Steve,
> >
> > No worries. I know you're coming. I'll head out in about half an hour. I'm
> > only taking binoculars, sleeping bag, and a chair.
> >
> >
> > Clear Dark Skies,
> > Bird
> >
> > --- In vpas@yahoogroups.com <vpas%40yahoogroups.com>, Steve Shellman
> > <steveshellman@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Cool ....I think I am on schedule ... my car is about 1/2 way loaded
> > ....if
> > > I am late I apologize but I am coming!
> > >
> > > Steve
> > >
> > > On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 5:27 PM, lawrencewtaylor3 <
> > > lawrencewtaylor3@> wrote:
> > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Hey Steve,
> > > >
> > > > I'll be there at 8 pm. Judy just gave me the okay. Now, pedal home pack
> > up
> > > > the Suzuki with a sleeping bag and binoculars. I'll be set.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Clear Dark Skies,
> > > > Bird
> > > >
> > > > --- In vpas@yahoogroups.com <vpas%40yahoogroups.com> <vpas%
> > 40yahoogroups.com>, Steve Shellman
> > > > <steveshellman@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Okay Bird ...I am in if you are ....I can be there by 8 ........I
> > have
> > > > not
> > > > > been out with my scope since my daughter was born in September so I
> > am in
> > > > > real need! Bring your sleeping bag! You know I'll stay out there as
> > long
> > > > as
> > > > > you let me .... I'll probably bring my 14 SCT for observing and mount
> > my
> > > > > 80mm on top with my Mallincam for monitor observing and recording of
> > the
> > > > > shower ...
> > > > >
> > > > > Let me know if you need to cancel: 757-253-7511/ 757-291-9559
> > > > >
> > > > > Steve
> > > > >
> > > > > On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 3:54 PM, lawrencewtaylor3 <
> > > > > lawrencewtaylor3@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hey Steve,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I'm at work and the earliest I could open up the gates is probably
> > 8
> > > > pm.
> > > > > > You're not putting me out. I'd observe every night if Judy and
> > weather
> > > > > > permitted it.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Clear Dark Skies,
> > > > > > Bird
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --- In vpas@yahoogroups.com <vpas%40yahoogroups.com> <vpas%
> > 40yahoogroups.com> <vpas%
> >
> > > > 40yahoogroups.com>, Steve Shellman
> > > >
> > > > > > <steveshellman@> wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Bird,
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I just got the green light from my wife but I don't want to put
> > you
> > > > out
> > > > > > ...
> > > > > > > if we were to go what were you thinking in terms of set-up and
> > tear
> > > > down.
> > > > > > It
> > > > > > > actually looks like a great dark sky observing night as well...
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Steve
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 12:07 PM, lawrencewtaylor3 <
> > > > > > > lawrencewtaylor3@> wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Hey Tom,
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Don't go to the GAP unless you see that we'll be out there. I'm
> > not
> > > > > > going
> > > > > > > > solo.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Clear Dark Skies,
> > > > > > > > Bird
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > --- In vpas@yahoogroups.com <vpas%40yahoogroups.com> <vpas%
> > 40yahoogroups.com> <vpas%
> > > > 40yahoogroups.com> <vpas%
> > > >
> > > > > > 40yahoogroups.com>, "Thomas"
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > > <thomas.l.epps.civ@> wrote:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Wow...I just had a major reversal of fortune, and so after
> > > > playing
> > > > > > lead
> > > > > > > > cheerleader for the Leonids I find that I'll be working tonight
> > > > > > instead.
> > > > > > > > Major Bummer. IF I find myself free in the wee hours I'll get
> > out
> > > > to
> > > > > > the GAP
> > > > > > > > but no promises!
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Tom E.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > --
> > > > > > > Steve Shellman, Ph.D.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > President & CEO
> > > > > > > Strategic Analysis Enterprises, Inc.
> > > > > > > V: 757-253-7511
> > > > > > > F: 757-253-7715
> > > > > > > E: steve@
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > W: www.strategicanalysisenterprises.com
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Director, VIolent Intranational Political Conflict and Terrorism
> > > > (VIPCAT)
> > > > > > > Research Lab
> > > > > > > Institute for the Theory and Practice of International Relations
> > > > > > > College of William & Mary
> > > > > > > E: smshel@
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > W: http://irtheoryandpractice.wm.edu/projects/vipcat/
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > --
> > > > > Steve Shellman, Ph.D.
> > > > >
> > > > > President & CEO
> > > > > Strategic Analysis Enterprises, Inc.
> > > > > V: 757-253-7511
> > > > > F: 757-253-7715
> > > > > E: steve@
> > > > > W: www.strategicanalysisenterprises.com
> > > > >
> > > > > Director, VIolent Intranational Political Conflict and Terrorism
> > (VIPCAT)
> > > > > Research Lab
> > > > > Institute for the Theory and Practice of International Relations
> > > > > College of William & Mary
> > > > > E: smshel@
> > > > > W: http://irtheoryandpractice.wm.edu/projects/vipcat/
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Steve Shellman, Ph.D.
> > >
> > > President & CEO
> > > Strategic Analysis Enterprises, Inc.
> > > V: 757-253-7511
> > > F: 757-253-7715
> > > E: steve@
> > > W: www.strategicanalysisenterprises.com
> > >
> > > Director, VIolent Intranational Political Conflict and Terrorism (VIPCAT)
> > > Research Lab
> > > Institute for the Theory and Practice of International Relations
> > > College of William & Mary
> > > E: smshel@
> > > W: http://irtheoryandpractice.wm.edu/projects/vipcat/
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Steve Shellman, Ph.D.
>
> President & CEO
> Strategic Analysis Enterprises, Inc.
> V: 757-253-7511
> F: 757-253-7715
> E: steve@...
> W: www.strategicanalysisenterprises.com
>
> Director, VIolent Intranational Political Conflict and Terrorism (VIPCAT)
> Research Lab
> Institute for the Theory and Practice of International Relations
> College of William & Mary
> E: smshel@...
> W: http://irtheoryandpractice.wm.edu/projects/vipcat/
>

im trying to find the hours of operation for the planetarium. can i get a price
also. thanks

Hey Tracey,

The only shows are free and open to public on the second Wednesday at 7 pm.
Hampton City Schools doesn't have any paid Planetarium staff. Only volunteers
have run it since the Fall of 2002. We would love to see the Jones Planetarium
open with a Planetarium Director, but that unfortunately is not what the school
system wants. We are thankful that is not being used as only a closet anymore,
either.

We seat the first sixty for all Jones Planetarium presentations, so if you
arrive about a quarter to seven, there should be enough room for you. Shows take
place rain or shine. The only cancelation that I can foresee would be a locked
door from the school.

If you would like to help out please do. The Calendar on the web site has all of
the regularly scheduled events such as observation sessions on Fridays along
with most special events. The Messages section has all of the events including
spontaneous viewing gatherings. Feel free to add astronomy-related information
to the Links and Files sections:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/vpas/

Clear Dark Skies,
Bird

--- In vpas@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey" <desiremejr@...> wrote:
>
> im trying to find the hours of operation for the planetarium. can i get a
price also. thanks
>

As of right now Yes, it's a go. I'll give the CSC a quick check tomorrow to make
sure. Sunset is around 4:53PM so I'll try to be there by 4:30ish to check in
with the rangers.
Rob E.

--- In vpas@yahoogroups.com, William McLean <preciousmyprecious@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Rob. Green to go Sat. 21st ?
>  Carpe Noctem
> Bill McLean
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Rob E <vpas1@...>
> To: vpas@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Mon, November 16, 2009 7:30:08 PM
> Subject: [vpas] Re: YRSP Observing 11-21-09
>
>  
> Sure, No Problem. I'll take it.
>
> --- In vpas@yahoogroups. com, "Daryl" <dubld15@ > wrote:
> >
> > Hey Rob,
> > We have a go from the Park Rangers for next Saturday night.
> > Would you mind taking the helm on this one? It doesn't look like I will make
it down that way. Hope the weather will be favorable!
> > Daryl
> >
>

Stargazers,

I just got home. I'll pack up and try and be at Grunland Astronomy
Park by a quarter after 5 pm. Man, it gets dark early this time of
year. Good news and bad news or better yet, rushed news.

Clear Dark Skies,
Bird

Norfolk Astronomical Society - nas2000@...

Virginia Peninsula Astronomy/Stargazers   - Yahoo Group - vpas@yahoogroups.com

Annalema Society - http://www.analemma.org/contactus.html

Blue Ridge Astronomy Club  - president@...

Dear Astronomical Members:  We have teamed up with Campostella Elementary School delivering Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics through our Journeys. We are seeking partners to join “S.T.E.M. Day” to create interest in astronomy. But in order to make this vision a success, we need your help. We are seeking presenters to go to the school to provide special demonstrations, workshops, lessons, star gazing through telescopes, etc. I was wondering if you could assist with an Astronomy Night celebration in Norfolk VA. The dates are Thursday, December 10th/, December,14th 2009. Please let me know if there are former Girl Scouts or someone that would like to assist with this effort.

Mila Rose
Membership Specialist / Hispanic Outreach

Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast

A Place for Girls
912 Cedar Rd., Chesapeake, VA 23322
757-547-4405 ext. 1287, 757-547-1872 fax

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts ayuda a las muchachas a desarrollar la confianza en sí mismas, el valor y los principios para hacer del mundo un mejor lugar.

Girl power starts with girls, empowered. Help us make a difference in girls’ lives. More choices and more reason to volunteer today. www.gsccc.org

This information is intended for the exclusive use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is proprietary, privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable state or federal law.  You are hereby notified that any unauthorized copying, disclosure or distribution of this information is prohibited.  If you have received this communication in error (or are not an employee or agent responsible for delivering this information to the intended recipient), please immediately notify the sender, do not distribute this email, the information contained in it or any attachments to it, and delete the information and all copies and attachments.  Email transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free, as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses.  The sender, therefore, does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this message or damages caused which arise as a result of email transmission.

Meteorgazers,

We totally struck gold this past Monday night / Tuesday morning out at
the GAP. It was warm with a light fog throughout the night. Steve was
waiting for me at the gates at 8 pm. We set up and started scouring
the skies for streaks of light. We were joined by Matt with a couple
of his buddies after their movie for a while. A couple looking for a
dark sky site joined us, too. Bob set up his scope and searched the
sky with binos. I spent the night with peepers and a peak through the
AstroScan at least until I knocked it over with my swivel chair and
popped the mirror out. It was fun taking it apart out there in on my
magic carpet. I don't think that there is any perminent damage, but I
do need to get what I assume is silicon grease off the surface. Drats.
I was able to reinstall the mirror with its c-clip. Pretty cool that
it can be disassembled in the field with bare hands in the dark. Back
to the meteors...

Steve had quite a portable observatory assembled. The monitor from his
astrocam was awesome. We all really enjoyed watching it integrate
photons. There were some beautiful streaks screaming across the sky. I
wish we'd seen more, but the few big ones were very memorable.

Thank you, Hampton Parks & Rec for the access to such a beautiful
site. I'm so pleased to have shared another Leonid peak with so many
AstroBuddies. Steve and I were the last out at smidgeon before four in
the morning. It made for a looooooooooooonnnnnnngggggg day, but well
worth it. Thanks everyone for coming out and sharing the joy of
astronomy.

Clear Dark Skies,
Bird

It's a definite go. The CSC is looking a bit better than it did yesterday. I
plan to be there around 4:30 to get set up.

Rob E..



--- In vpas@yahoogroups.com, Emily wiggans <horsetrotter94@...> wrote:
>
>
> Is YRSP still on for tonight? My skies aren't great here... but I'm hoping
it's better up there!!!
>
>
> Emily Wiggans
>
>
>
>
>  EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD
> Join me
>

Stargazers,

Astronauts, musicians, artists, life coaches, researchers, scientists,
comedians, wow and a whole host of others inspired and entertained a
herd of almost two thousand yesterday in the Ferguson Center of the
Arts at Christopher Newport University. TED will host the videos over
the next several weeks:
http://www.ted.com/

Thank you TED, Newprot News, CNU and whomever else supported and
enabled this great event. This is and was such a unique event. It is
so special that such a fantastic community gathering with Technology,
Entertainment, and Design (TED) as the main topics. Go online and get
inspired. I spent the day asking others to sit as close to the stage
as possible and thanking them for coming, so I only saw about thirty
minutes of the all-day event.

Clear Dark Skies,
Bird

Stargazers,

Another spectacular night enjoying the expansive Winter Sky. There
were even a few meteors thrown in. I was observing before 5:30 pm out
at the missile site. I was joined about an hour later by Bob, Chris,
Matt, and a short time later by Paul. Very nice temperatures and
severe clear skies filled our views from horizon to horizon. I spent
my night naked eye and LTHI. My main scope time was observing Jupiter
and watching two Galileo Moons orbit into four through out the night.
Awesome. It always amazes me at how quickly the moons zip around such
a huge planet.

Orion, Andromeda, Cassiopeia, and a veritable cornucopia of celestial
delight were spread out on our cosmic plate. Every time I checked my
watch I was amazed to see you much time had passed. I loved being out
under the stars with my AstroBuddies. It was a very welcome end to a
very stressful week and beginning to a relaxing weekend with family
and friends.

Chris led me out and we locked the front gate about a quarter to
midnight. Thanks everyone for sharing the night and for all the great
restaurant suggestions. I hope everyone has a fun and clear night up
at York River State Park tonight.

Clear Dark Skies,
Bird

I checked in with the ranger about 4:45 and started setting up and collimating
my scope. I checked out the Moon and Jupiter  and waited for it to get Darker.

Once it got a bit darker I checked out M57, M56, M27 and Alberio. I moved on
over to the north east and checked out the Double Cluster, M31, M32 and M110.  I
spent a few more minutes taking in the Pleiades before giving up on anyone else
showing up. Despite the decent skies (yes there were clouds but there was also
nice views of the Milky Way) I decided to pack it in around 6:45 thinking I
could observe alone at home.

I love YRSP as my primary observing site but observing just isn't the same
without Astro-buddies or conversation.

Rob E.

Stargazers,

Which is your favorite? Headband light? Smaller than a quarter? Big
light with white, red, and combo beams? My favorite is the Photon
Freedom with a Covert Nose and Red Beam. The Covert Nose has a tube
around the sides of the led to cut down on side glare and directs only
forward lighting. Freedom has variable light settings from bright to
dim and back. I don't like headbands because people always forget that
they have them on and flash you when they turn to talk to ya. I don't
like the muti-color lights, because they invariably are triggered to
white at some point, if not frequently throughout the night. Smaller
the better. The Photon will easily fit on in your Levi's watch pocket
and you can clip it to a zipper on your messenger bag, so that it will
always be with you.

So, what do you suggest and why? I have many different red lights, but
the small clip red beam light is my favorite:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/yagf6dv

Clear Dark Skies,
Bird

Hey Bird,

I use the same Photon light and love it, couldn't observe without it.  Also, I
use the hat clip for hands free convince.  It gives just the right amount of
light for looking a charts and writing logs.

Tom


--- In vpas@yahoogroups.com, Bird Taylor <lawrencewtaylor3@...> wrote:
>
> Stargazers,
>
> Which is your favorite? Headband light? Smaller than a quarter? Big
> light with white, red, and combo beams? My favorite is the Photon
> Freedom with a Covert Nose and Red Beam. The Covert Nose has a tube
> around the sides of the led to cut down on side glare and directs only
> forward lighting. Freedom has variable light settings from bright to
> dim and back. I don't like headbands because people always forget that
> they have them on and flash you when they turn to talk to ya. I don't
> like the muti-color lights, because they invariably are triggered to
> white at some point, if not frequently throughout the night. Smaller
> the better. The Photon will easily fit on in your Levi's watch pocket
> and you can clip it to a zipper on your messenger bag, so that it will
> always be with you.
>
> So, what do you suggest and why? I have many different red lights, but
> the small clip red beam light is my favorite:
> http://preview.tinyurl.com/yagf6dv
>
> Clear Dark Skies,
> Bird
>

This impressive atlas for star hoppers or if you are trying for a AL
certificate. If you print the whole thing it is 571 PDF pages.

See you second week in December,
Bobby
Chickamauga, Ga.

Here's the original post from the AmatureAstronomers group:

Posted by: "Budman_NC"
Sun Sep 27, 2009 8:55 pm (PDT)

Triatlas 2nd Edition:

http://www.uv.es/jrtorres/triatlas.html

This is a link to an online star atlas now in its 2nd edition with your
choice of 9, 11 or 13 limiting magnitude stars. Printable PDF file star
charts down to mag 13. At mag 13, you'll be swimming in stars which may
be overwhelming for beginners and better left to the more experienced
star hoppers. But, this particular data set has all known planetaries,
open clusters & galaxies to mag 15.5 and doubles down to 12.5! But a mag
9 chart would be good for just about everyone.