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Sunday, 3 June 2012
Saturday, 26 May 2012
ISS - Space X, Dragon makes historic space station dock
SpaceX on Friday became the first commercial outfit to send its own cargo capsule to the International Space Station, heralding the start of a new era for private spaceflight.
The berthing marked the climax of the California-based company's demonstration mission to become the first to restore US access to the space outpost after NASA retired the three-decade shuttle program last year.
With no humans on board, the Dragon capsule is delivering about a half ton of supplies and science experiments for the ISS, and aims to return a slightly larger load of gear to Earth on May 31.
More...
SA to host majority of SKA project
World's Largest Radio Telescope to Be Shared by South Africa, Australia
Johannesburg - Two thirds of Square Kilometre Array
(SKA) antennae technologies will be built in Africa, said Science and
Technology Minister Naledi Pandor at a press conference on Friday.
Two thirds of antennae technologies will be built in Africa and a third in Australia and New Zealand, she said.
Pandor said the decision to share was unexpected but SA accepts it in the name of progress.
"This may seem like a compromise, but SA is getting the majority of the project," said Professor Justin Jonas, SKA Africa's associate director for science and engineering.
"We should be proud!"
More,,,
Two thirds of antennae technologies will be built in Africa and a third in Australia and New Zealand, she said.
Pandor said the decision to share was unexpected but SA accepts it in the name of progress.
"This may seem like a compromise, but SA is getting the majority of the project," said Professor Justin Jonas, SKA Africa's associate director for science and engineering.
"We should be proud!"
More,,,
Monday, 21 May 2012
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Transit of Venus - 5/6 June 2012
Click to enlarge image
- Visit the Website
- Local transit times (No! Bloemfontein is not in the deal! )
What is a transit of Venus?
When Venus passes directly between earth and the sun, we see the distant planet as a small dot gliding slowly across the face of the sun. Historically, this rare alignment is how we measured the size of our solar system.
When is it?
The next transit of Venus occurs June 5 or 6, 2012, depending on your location. Observers in North America see it the evening of June 5. This will be the last transit of Venus to occur in your lifetime.
What should I do?
Mark your calendar. Plan your observing location and eye safety. Tell friends. Download and support the ToV phone app. Enjoy the rare sight!
Venus Transformed
John Chumack of Dayton, Ohio, took
the picture on May 14th using a 10-inch telescope.
"I was blown away by the sight of Venus,"
he says. "The planet was 14% illuminated, 47
arcseconds in diameter, and blazing at -4.43 magnitude."
The crescent shape of Venus is easy
to see in good binoculars or small
telescopes. No special observing experience
is required. Just find Venus in the western sky
after sunset (you can't miss it), point and look.
A good tripod to hold the optics steady is recommended.
As the evening wears on and Venus
sinks toward the horizon, the refractive effect
of Earth's atmosphere splits the crescent into the
colors of the rainbow. Kevin R. Witman of Cochranville,
Pennsylvania, observed the phenomenon on May 11th:
"Earth's atmospheric refraction of Venus's
ample light made a
beautiful image through my 10-inch telescope."
More images: from
Mark Marquette of Boones Creek, Tennessee; from
Philippe Vanden Doorn of Rixensart, Belgium; from
Luis Argerich of Buenos Aires, Argentina; from
Tomasz Gołombek of Tczew, Poland; from
Francesc Pruneda of Palamós, Catalonia (Spain);
from
Sadegh Ghomizadeh of Tehran, Iran;
Sourc: Spaceweather
Sourc: Spaceweather
Sunday, 13 May 2012
First announcement: ASSA Symposium 2012
ASSA is pleased to announce this year's symposium, which will be held from 12 to 14 October 2012 at the South African Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town.
The theme of the symposium, "Looking back, looking forward", reflects the significance of 2012. On the one hand, organised amateur astronomy turns 100 this year, which will be duly celebrated at the symposium. On the other hand, hopefully by October a decision on the Square Kilometre Array will have been made. So the symposium focusses on past and future of astronomy alike.
Participants of the symposium will have the opportunity to engage in some outreach activities on 12 October. The symposium itself will start officially with a welcome evening on that day. Talks and workshops will take place throughout 13 and 14 October. In the evening of 13 October there will be a special Open Night commemorating 100 years of amateur astronomy in Southern Africa.
Online registration will be possible from 1 June, but you may submit abstracts for proposed talks before that by sending an email to symposium2012@assa.saao.ac.
The symposium website is at http://assa.saao.ac.za/
The organisers of the ASSA Symposium 2012 are looking forward to welcoming you in Cape Town!
Friday, 11 May 2012
Saturday, 5 May 2012
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Stars & Planets – Sandveld Nature Reserve
15.30: Arrive at hall/lapa in the Sandveld Nature Reserve – the admission at entrance gate will be free of charge for the Stars & Planets guests – please remember to pack your own picnic basket with something to eat, drink and the necessary utensils!
16.00: Everybody will gather for the talk on the rich birdlife of the Sandveld – Speaker to be confirmed
No bar facilities available here – please pack your own drinks and glasses please.
17.00: Welcoming by Me Hettienne von Abo-Moolman from AHI Tourism Desk Free State and introduction of the other speakers
17.15: Me Laetitia van Rensburg – Acting Deputy Director General: Environmental Affairs, Detea FS
17.30: Dr Lindsay Magnus from SKA SA and meerKAT project
18.30: Everybody can unpack their picnic basket and enjoy the contents.
19.00: PowerPoint presentation by Hennie Maas - RSG & Prof Matie Hoffman from Boyden Observatory.
20.00 -21.30: Everybody can go outside to look at the Moon and mars through the telescopes.
The price is R150 per person, R75 pp for pensioners & school learners and free for kids under 6 and includes the following:
· Free entrance at Sandveld
· Bird watching/ game drives
· 4 Presentations
· Knee blanket
· Stargazing through the telescopes
Remember! No restaurant or bar facilities available! – pack your own picnic basket with snacks, food, drinks, water and your plates, knives& forks, glasses etc.
Please book at Rina Greyling – 056 515 3549 or 083 487 5724
Fax: 086 545 8022 of e-mail: louvre@act.co.za
Please finalize booking with payment before Thursday 19/04/2012 at FNB Bothaville
Branch code: 230-136
Acc No: 6219 258 2461
Acc Name: Sakekamer Restourasieprojek
Ref: S&P and your Surname
Please fax proof of payment to: 086 545 8022
Only camping facilities available at Sandveld – alternatively Guest Lodges/ B&B’s in Bloemhof
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