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2008 RTMC Astronomy Expo (Riverside Telescope Making Conference)

I normally don't like large gatherings of people that share a common interest — this is just me, but I do like RTMC. Forty years ago, it was a telescope making conference but now it is MUCH more. Over 1500 people attend this 3 day event that occurs over Memorial Day weekend every year at the top of the San Bernardino mountains near the town of Big Bear, CA. There is something astronomy related for everyone, kids to experienced amateurs. Try it at least once or find a similar event in your area.

RTMC has many talks for beginners and intermediate amateur astronomers. There are activities for kids and you can eat on site or dine in town.

Amateurs set up their scopes, from small to large, some over 30 inches in diameter and viewing is always free. Don't know the constellations? There are people who will help you with that!

On Saturday, from 7 to noon, a swap meet is held for folks to sell or buy telescopes and related stuff.

There are lots of vendors that sell anything from meteroites to book to scopes and even domes! Many have specials, which just might tempt you to buy that item that you have been holding off on.

 

 

Click here for a link to the RTMC site.

See you there next year.

PS. It was really cold this year and it snowed — that is why you see the picture of the snowman. Normally it is a balmy 80 degrees or so.


Questions about the Sky or Astronomy?
• • • Need Telescope Advice?
If you have a question about astronomy or
would like advice on buying a telescope or accessories,
please email me at ASTROINFO.
No charge, no obligation, no hassles.


JUNE SKY

New Moon: Tuesday, June 3 — First Quarter: Tuesday, June 10
Full Moon: Wednesday, June 18 — Last Quarter: Thursday, June 26

Location of Planets when it FIRST GETS DARK:
Mars
is low in the west and is before the Sickle in Leo.
Saturn is low in the west and in Leo. It is higher than Mars.
Jupiter rises in the east at about 10:30pm in Sagittarius.
Venus
cannot be seen.

Constellations visible when it FIRST GETS DARK:
Rising in the east:
Aquila
At the southern horizon:
Libra
At the top of the sky:
Bootes
Setting in the west : Leo

Clock position
of the bowl of the Big Dipper when it first gets dark is 10:00 o'clock.

Meteor Shower: Next up are the delta AQUARIDS which peak around July 29. During this shower, 20 meteors per hour can be seen.

Want a really nice star chart of the night sky
that also details celestial events?

Visit SkyMaps.

Great Astronomy Sites to Visit
Astronomy magazine
Sky & Telescope magazine
SkyNews in Canada
Space.com
NASA
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Lunar Picture of the Day
Satellite Tracking

Rainbows & other neat things in the sky
Daily Sunspot Count & other Space Weather (comets plus)

Spacecraft Mission Sites
Images from the Hubble Space Telescope that orbits Earth
Rovers on MarsSpirit and Opportunity
Phoenix Mars Mission to analyze soil for life
Cassini spacecraft orbiting Saturn
Messenger spacecraft going to Mercury
New Horizons spacecraft going to Pluto



Questions? • • • Need Telescope Advice?
If you have a question about astronomy or
would like advice on buying a telescope or accessories,
please email me at ASTROINFO.
No charge, no obligation, no hassles.


JULY SKY

New Moon: Wednesday, July 2 — First Quarter: Thursday, July 10
Full Moon: Friday, July 18 — Last Quarter: Friday, July 25

Location of Planets when it FIRST GETS DARK:
Mars
& Saturn are very low in the west in Leo.
Jupiter is low in the east in the constellation Sagittarius.
Venus
can just be seen for a short time after sunset, very low in the west.

Constellations visible when it FIRST GETS DARK:
Rising in the east:
Pegasus
At the southern horizon:
Scorpius
At the top of the sky:
Hercules
Setting in the west : Leo behind

Clock position
of the bowl of the Big Dipper when it first gets dark is 9:00 o'clock.

Meteor Shower: The delta AQUARIDS peak around July 29. During this shower, 20 meteors per hour can be seen. The Perseids peaks August 12 and fall at the rate of 1 a minute.



Astronomy Books & Star Charts

Ken Press publishes a series of popular
star charts and beginning astronomy books
for adults and children. Click here for product info.
Click here for a PDF brochure
.
Contact Ken Press at (520) 743-3200 or email.



Finally, Science Fiction that has real science!

“Time-driven as it is, Moonquake is a fast-paced story
that is never boring. The author is very effective at mixing technological issues with human narratives. Fans of hard science fiction will eat this up like addictive candy.”

Ben Nault, President, Tucson L5 Space Society, Moon Society, Tucson Outpost



Moonquake

by Dr. Alan Binder

328 pages. $7.99. Ken Press. Paperback.
Read Chapter Excerpt
Orders: (520) 743-3200.
Signed copies available.

ORDER TODAY

A SCIENCE-FICTION novel by Dr. Alan B. Binder who was the catalyst and brains behind the Lunar Prospector space mission to the Moon. He is the noted discoverer of water at the lunar poles. In this, his first science fiction novel, NASA has blown it again with another shuttle disaster. They are put on a short leash to establish the first lunar base. But, it is difficult for a moving behemoth to change direction. As might be expected, the moonbase does not meet the approval of everyone involved. Normally this might be okay but space is fraught with many unknowns and dangers so it is better to err on the side of robustness than “adequate.” Things get shaken up a bit and there is a race to avoid death.

 


Children's Star Chart

This is the chart that appears in the May 2007 issue of
Family Fun Magazine.

The David H. Levy Guide to the Stars Children's Star chart is an inexpensive way to introduce youngsters to the night sky. This quality star chart is printed in color and made of durable coated card stock paper. The back is loaded with information including Moon facts, Meteor Showers, Space History, Binocular Objects and additional instructions. Price is $4 each (shipping is $4 for 1, 2 or 3 and $7 for 4 or more). To order, Click Here for instructions.


Click on image below to enlarge.


Bargain Hunters
Ken Press has a limited number of slightly damaged books and star charts for sale.
To order, call (520) 743-3200. Prices are as follows:

What's Out Tonight (1). Retail $39.95/Two pages torn out. $12 shipped
The Next Step (2).
Retail $29.95/Like New, $15 shipped
The Next Step (1). Retail $29.95/Spine slanted, $10 shipped
Touring the Universe (5) . Retail $27.95/ Look used, $14 shipped
Student's Guide to the Stars (2). Retail $4/Damaged $1

Check out our new Atlas of the Heavens. Available Fall 2008.

 

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