The Southern Astronomical Society celebrates and supports
‘International Year of Astronomy 2009’
http://www.astro.up.pt/caup/eventos/dawn2009/index.php
Conclusion to International Year of Astronomy for 2009
The Southern Astronomy Society has done many events in this special year, to highlight the beauty of the night sky to all the people, who took the time to come along and enjoy a night under the stars.
Over the year, we have shown over two thousand people the night sky, and I would like to thank every member of the SAS, who kindly gave up there time by bringing along there telescopes, and sharing there knowledge of the cosmos to all.
The International Year
of Astronomy 2009
The Largest Science Education and Public Outreach Event in History
*And the Southern Astronomical Society in Australia was part of it*
Please go to the International Year of Astronomy web page, to read all about this incredible achievement by so many professional & amateur astronomers worldwide at: http://www.astronomy2009.org/news/pressreleases/detail/iya1001/
Please find below some photographs from the last IYA event that was held at the Runaway Bay Library on the 17th December 2009. It was a fun children’s event, where everybody make beautiful models of Saturn to take home and hang on there Christmas trees.
I would also like to thank the librarians Raylene Jensen & Sophia Gow at the Runaway Bay library, for all their support and help during this year for astronomy & space; with their help, we have held three events for IYA including the special 100Hrs of Astronomy event…. thank you.
Signing off now for IYA
Noeleen Lowndes
Sophia Gow, children’s librarian at the Runaway Bay Library with our IYA Saturn
display.
Some of the children having fun making their models of Saturn at the Runaway
Bay Library.
Ethan Lawless and Rhiannon Neuman proudly showing off there beautiful models
of Saturn.
Best friends Rhiannon Neuman and Ayla Zoomers had lots of fun making their
beautiful models of Saturn.
Look at our wonderful models of Saturn that we’ve made today for International
Year of Astronomy at the Runaway Bay Library.
Goodbye to IYA 2009 from Noeleen :)
What a wonderful year it’s been for IYA, it’s been all about introducing the general community to the wonders of the nights sky, and to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of when Galileo Galilei first look at the night sky through his newly invented telescope in 1609.
Please go to these two
web sites below to find out more about this incredible scientist.
http://brunelleschi.imss.fi.it/museum/esim.asp?c=300251
http://galileo.rice.edu/
A lovely certificate of appreciation from the 100Hrs of Astronomy organizers
for our 100Hrs event held at the Runaway Bay Library on the 2nd April.
SAS Lunar Star Party for International Year of Astronomy
Our members with their telescopes. We had 20 members turn up to help on the night and over 800 people come along to enjoy looking at the night sky. Thank you to all of our members and friends for your support in sharing your love of astronomy to all the families for International Year of Astronomy.
Thank you also to the Gold Coast Sun newspaper here on the Gold Coast, who took the time to advertise this wonderful event for the community; we appreciate greatly your support…Noeleen Lowndes (President)
The Gold Coast Sun news article for the SAS Lunar Star Party for IYA 2009
Ian Thackwell and his family.
Chris Wheeler with the clubs new G-Star camera & TV.
Renato Langersek and friend.
Duncan Gillespie and his telescope.
Noeleen Lowndes and her telescope.
Perfect evening for a Star Party on the waterfront at Paradise Point.
Michael Adams and his telescope.
Greg Bock and his telescope.
Peter Marples and his telescope.
Mark Gasper and his telescope.
Julie Lancaster and Lyn Ahern helping us on the night.
Colin Drescher and his large binoculars.
Steven Craft showing everybody Saturn on his laptop.
Julie Craft showing Stevens stunning images of the night sky to everybody.
We had a beautiful 12-day-old Moon in the sky and Chris Wheeler was showing
it to everybody with the clubs new G-Star video camera.
Come make a beautiful model of Saturn for IYA
To celebrate International Year of Astronomy bring your children along and hear all about NASA’s amazing mission to Saturn by the Cassini spacecraft and make a beautiful model of Saturn to take home. (All materials provided for you to have lots of fun)
Where: Runaway Bay Library, Lae
Drive Runaway Bay
Date: Thursday 17th December 2009
Time: 11.00 – 12.30 pm
To make a booking please phone (07) 55817220
Proudly presented by Noeleen Lowndes NASA’s Saturn Observation Campaign Member of the Southern Astronomical Society (Gold Coast)
Photo courtesy of NASA/JPL
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/education/saturnobservation/
SAS celebrates worldwide
IYA Galilean Nights from 22nd to 24th October 2009
http://www.galileannights.org/
The Galileo Experience at Runaway Bay Library Thursday 22nd October 2009
I gave a presentation in the library on the incredible life of Galileo Galilei, and all his amazing discoveries of the night sky that he made 400 years ago with his nearly invented telescope. Then we all went outside to experience just what Galileo did 400 years ago and looked at the Moon and Jupiter through telescopes that were MUCH larger than Galileo’s, to the delight of everyone.
Thank you to Kevin Dixon & Julian and Anne Gheno for bringing along their telescopes to help me on the night, everybody had a wonderful evening listening to the presentation and looking through the telescopes. (Please see some photographs in EH from the event)
Sir Thomas Brisbane Plantarium IYA event Saturday 24th October 2009
The support for this event from all the astronomy clubs (SAS, BAS, RAS, SEQAS & AAQ) was just amazing, about 35 members attended with there telescopes. But unfortunately, one of those late afternoon thunderstorms came through to spoil the night for the many people who had come along to enjoy a night under the stars. Some of us persevered with the weather, and were rewarded with some clear sky for a little while to show about 300 people the night sky.
After the event, Peter Franklin and Mark Rigby invited us all into the Planetarium for a thank you supper and a presentation in the theatre on the Zeiss projector, which was very interesting. It is interesting to note, that when this remarkable projector is replaced in the near future, Peter Frankland is going to put it on display with interactive features to show the public how it worked in projecting the night sky on the dome. Peter is to be congratulated in taking this initiative to preserve this remarkable piece of equipment for future generations to appreciate.
Thank you to all our members and friends who came along to help on the night, Mark will be sending you a double pass to come back and visit the Planetarium, he’ll also be giving our club three family passes to use as we wish in appreciation for our support. (Please see some photographs of our members who attending on the night from the night)
Kindest regards Noeleen Lowndes
Runaway Bay Library
Galilean nights logo for IYA. (Permission to use)
A group photo of some of the people who attended the Galilean event at the
Library.
SAS members Julian & Anne Gheno with Andrew and some friends. (Permission
to use)
The Lawless family enjoying the night. (Permission to use)
Kevin Dixon getting Jupiter lined up to show everybody.
Noeleen with Raylene Jensen the head librarian from the Runaway Bay Library.
Photos from Planetarium night:
Group Photo of SAS members at the Planetarium night.
(Brendan, Joe, Noeleen, Sasha, John, Renato, Julian, Duncan, Michael, Ian)
BAS members doing there best to show people the night sky in between the showers.
Our EH editor Julian West helping us to stay dry in the rain :)
Michael Adams is enjoying showing the night sky.
My telescope set up to show everyone the night sky.
Dave Larkin and his friend with his telescope.
SAS members in the theatre waiting for the show.
(Peter Robbins, Renato, Joe, Michael, Ian, Julian, Duncan)
The amazing Zeiss projector in the dome at the Planetarium.
FREE public viewing night at Brisbane Planetarium for Galilean Nights.
The Southern Astronomical Society and other Astronomical societies of South East Qld, BAS, SEQAS, RAS & AAQ are supporting the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium with a FREE public viewing of the night sky for IYA.
Where: Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, BRISBANE
Date: Saturday 24th October 2009
Time: 7.00 – 9.30 p.m.
Many telescopes will be set up for you to view the night sky, so please come along and enjoy a wonderful night of stargazing with all our members.
Please see the flyer below for
all the details on the night or go to the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
web site at: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/planetarium
For more information please contact Noeleen Lowndes on 0407 126452.
The Galileo Experience
at the Runaway Bay Library
For International Year of Astronomy
Thursday 22nd October
6.00 – 9.00 pm
Runaway Bay Library, Lae Drive, Runaway Bay.
You are welcomed to come along and enjoy a presentation on Galileo Galilei, to celebrate 400 years since he looked at the heavens through his newly invented telescope in 1609.
After the presentation we’ll go outside and experience the wonders of the night sky, just like Galileo did 400 years ago to see the spectacular planet Jupiter and the Moon through large telescopes. (Weather permitting)
Presented by Noeleen Lowndes & Kevin Dixon from the Southern Astronomical Society (Gold Coast)
To make a booking please
phone (07) 55817220
Or phone Noeleen on 0407 126452
For more information
on this IYA Cornerstone Project please go to: http://www.galileannights.org/
O’Reilly’s celebrates
International Year of Astronomy
Friday 26th & Saturday 27th June 2009
As part of O’Rielly’s Discovery Program, the rangers will be holding a special Stargazing weekend at this beautiful rainforest guesthouse at Lamington National Park in QLD.
Enjoy presentations and
night viewings hosted by guest speaker Noeleen Lowndes, president of the Southern
Astronomical Society and NASA’s representative for the Saturn Observation
Campaign. http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/education/saturnobservation/
This is a free event in this special year for Astronomy.
Please see the flyer below for
more information or visit:
http://www.oreillys.com.au/discovery-program/discovery-weeks/
Beenleigh Library celebrates International Year of Astronomy.
Come and enjoy an evening of Astronomy & Space presented by Noeleen Lowndes at the Beenleigh Library where we are celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo missions to the Moon.
After the presentation, members from the Southern Astronomical Society will set up a number of large telescopes, for you to view our beautiful Moon (Weather permitting)
Where: Beenleigh Library, Crete
Street, BEENLEIGH
When: Thursday, 2nd July 2009
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Bookings essential Ph:
(07) 38075511
Tea & Coffee will be provided for your enjoyment.
The Southern Astronomical Society members invite you to a Free
*** Lunar
Star Party ***
In celebration
of International Year of Astronomy
*Saturday the 4th July from 5.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.*
At ‘Esplanade North Park’ The Esplanade at Paradise Point on the Gold Coast
(Opposite Nankeen Ave)
Please see flyer below with all the details or contact Noeleen Lowndes on mobile 0407 126452.
Mt. Alford State School Event – 22nd May 2009
The
Mt Alford State School celebrates IYA with a wonderful night of
stargazing with SAS members Noeleen Lowndes and Eric Vandersande.
This lovely rural school near
Boonah is where Eric's children Michael and
Peter attend school, and this special evening was for all the families to
come out under the Milky Way and enjoy looking through our telescopes.
There was great excitement when
we showed the beautiful planet Saturn and
the spectacular globular star cluster Omega Centauri, then we showed
everybody the pretty star cluster in the Southern Cross called the Jewel
Box, Centaurus A (the "Hamburger" Galaxy) the great Eta Carina Nebulae,
and the double star Rigel Kentaurus (or Alpha Centauri), the Southern pointer
to the "Cross"
A great night was had by all and
many of the children thanked us.
(Click on image for enlargements)
Mount Alford kids (click for large image, then pass mouse over faces
for names)
Tara, Todd Joyce, Mitchell
Rebecca, Makarla, Rebekah, Jacob, Mitchell, Shaan (Teacher)
Tara, Mitchell, Claire, Jack, Eric Vandersande
(Click on image for enlargements)
Photo 1
Bella-Luna Fomiatti and her friend Tamaryn Ferrington has a wonderful time
hearing all about the Cassini spacecrafts adventures at Saturn.
Photo 2
Alfie Clipstone is going home to make a model of Saturn to hang up in his
room. Please find the instructions to make this model at:
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/cassini_make1.shtml
Photo 3
Jack Napier had a lot of fun colouring in his drawing of the Cassini spacecraft
exploring the beautiful planet Saturn. You can also do this colouring sheet,
please go to the web site at: http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/Kids/
Photo 4
Jack’s little sister Lola Napier who is only 3 years old also had a lot of
fun colouring in her Cassini spacecraft, what a great job you’ve done :)
************************************************************************
Runaway Bay Library Event - 2nd April 2009
IYA presentation on how Galileo first viewed the heavens and Saturn through his newly invented telescope in 1609, and gave an update on the amazing mission to Saturn by the Cassini spacecraft now 400 years later in 2009. (Due to the torrential rain the viewing of the night sky was cancelled)
Thank you to Kevin Dixon
our SAS member who helped me on the night.
Noeleen Lowndes
Photo 1
100 Hours of Astronomy flyer for the Runaway Bay Library event.
Photo 2
The Runaway Bay Library display, for 100 Hours of Astronomy event.
Photo 3
A group photograph of some of the people who came to hear all about Galileo
and the amazing discoveries that have been made with a telescope over the
last 400 years.
Photo 4
Thank you to the head librarians Raylene Jensen and Renae Philip at the Runaway
Bay Library for all their support for 100 hours of Astronomy.
The Tamborine Mountain Library celebrates IYA2009
With a presentation on the Cassini Equinox Mission at Saturn
Come hear and see all the latest discoveries being made at Saturn by the Cassini spacecraft, along with all the other amazing missions that are currently exploring our Solar System in 2009.
Tamborine Mountain Library
Cnr Main Street and Yuulong
North Tamborine in Queensland
Adult presentation: Time: 1.00 - 2.30 pm.
Children's Session: Time: 3.30 - 5.00 pm. (Fun space activity included)
Presented by Noeleen Lowndes
NASA’s Saturn Observation Campaign member in Australia
Please phone (07) 55405473 to make a booking
*************************************************************
April 2nd 2009
100Hours of Astronomy
Event:
‘400 years of Discovery with Galileo’s Telescope’
Come hear all about how to use and see through this amazing instrument that
was invented 400 years ago by astronomer Galileo Galilei in 1609. After the
presentation a viewing of the night sky will take place for your enjoyment
through a large telescope to see the Moon, Saturn and constellations in the
night sky. Kevin Dixon from the Southern Astronomical Society will also be
kindly bringing along his large telescope to help me on the night.
Place: Runaway Bay Library, Lae Drive, Runaway Bay. Gold Coast.
Time: 6.00 – 7.00 pm: Presentation in library
Viewing: 7.00 – 9.00 pm: In the park just outside the library (weather permitting)
Please phone the library to make a booking on (07) 55817220
This event is also registered
on the 100Hours of Astronomy web page at:
http://100hoursofastronomy.org/component/eventlist/details/66-400-years-of-discovery-with-galileos-telescope?cid=2%3Alecture
Check out: http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/photo-galleries/category/59-100
****************************************************************
April 4th 2009: Postponed till October due to bad weather.
The Southern Astronomical Society on the Gold Coast is supporting the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium with a FREE public viewing of the night sky for 100 Hours of Astronomy.
Where: Sir Thomas Brisbane
Planetarium
Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, BRISBANE
Date: Saturday 4th April 2009
Time: 6.00 – 9.00 p.m.
Many telescopes will be set up for you to view the night sky, so please come along and enjoy a wonderful night of stargazing with our members.
The Rangers at Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island
Celebrate International
Year of Astronomy¹
Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st May from 7.30 p.m.
10.00p.m.
This year commemorates an era in science, which started with Galileo¹s
observations of the heavens through a telescope in 1609, and, 400 years
later, the rangers at Kingfisher will mark the occasion with some
high-powered recreational astronomy on Fraser Island.
(There is a free event for IYA)
Also view the magnificent planet Saturn in the night sky through a large
telescope, seemingly without its trademark rings. This is a rare event,
which occurs every 15 years when Earth passes through Saturn¹s ring plane.
Saturn takes nearly thirty years to orbit the sun, as opposed to Earth¹s
one
and Saturn is tilted 27 degrees on its axis - which enables us to view the
rings from different angles and in this case we¹ll view the rings
edge-on
which makes them seem to nearly disappear out of the night sky.
Presented by: Noeleen Lowndes
NASA¹s Saturn Observation Campaign member in Australia
President of the Southern Astronomical Society on the Gold Coast.
http://www.kingfisherbay.com/kingfisher/events/special-events.cfm
Telephone: (07) 4120 3333
My first event for the 1st
January 2009 was the Dawn IYA2009 project, but unfortunately the day started
off very cloudy and by midday it was 35 degrees with severe thunderstorms
developing, so I was unable to show our magnificent star the Sun to the
community. (Please see photo below of the thunderstorms that hit the Gold Coast
in the afternoon and evening). Another
solar event will be rescheduled in the coming months with our SAS club members
to view our magnificent star, please go to the web site below to see how many
other people worldwide shared there New Years Day with there communities.
Thank you to Ricardo Cardoso Reis, the IYA2009
Solar Physics Task Group member, for organizing this wonderful first event for
IYA2009.
Noeleen Lowndes (President)
http://dawn-iya2009.blogspot.com
Please go the main International Year of Astronomy web pages
below, to find an astronomical event that may be happening near year in this
very special year for astronomy and space.
http://www.astronomy2009.org.au/
http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/