Current Events in astronomy and space exploration

The Year 2008 in The Year 2008 in ReviewReview

December 27, 2008December 27, 2008

Theo RamakersTheo Ramakers

20082008

A representative review of the Chapter’s activitiesand meetings

In 30 minutes

Many activities took place during the last year

Our monthly meetings and observing sessions

Many activities took place during the last year

Our monthly meetings and observing sessions Outreach programs

Many activities took place during the last year

Our monthly meetings and observing sessions Outreach programs Special observing sessions

Many activities took place during the last year

Our monthly meetings and observing sessions Outreach programs Special observing sessions Training classes Ad hoc observing

But what a bummer………

Our January meeting was snowed out

Our January meeting was snowed out

During Our Monthly meetings our members and guests were honored to be able to listen to lectures from distinct presenters such as:

Dr. Richard Schmude, Fred Buls Paul Tankersley Rich Jakiel Our own members And others

Up to May Clevis and Steve did their monthly presentations

And After the election of new officers, Jon and Theo continued the practice and started doing their own

versions of the:

Observing 101And

Current Events in Astronomy and Space Exploration

The total lunar eclipse on February 20, 2008

In August Larry Owens held his long awaited “Imaging Jupiter” course at

Oxford College

And In the September meeting we did celebrate

a special 90th Birthday

Our special observing sessions covered this year

items such as:

Our special observing sessions covered this year

items such as:

The total lunar eclipse on February 20, 2008

Other observing sessions this year covereditems such as:

The total lunar eclipse on February 20, 2008

Observing the launch of STS123 Endeavour on March 11 from the CE Observation field at 2:28am

Jon Wood’s Image

Stephen Ramsden’s Image

Other observing sessions covered this yearitems such as:

The total lunar eclipse on February 20, 2008

Observing the Launch of STS123 Endeavour on March 11 from the CE Observation field at 2:28am

And on November 14st because of clouds between Florida and Atlanta, we were not able to see the launch of STS 126 from CE

Where’s the shuttle?

The monthly Current Events covered Space Exploration with missions like the first

European ATV docking on the ISS

And the expansion of the International Space Station with first European Space

Laboratory Columbus by STS Atlantis

This year’s outreach programs started with the 4th Space Camp of High Tower Trail Elementary

In Covington

The Chapter’s participation in Jakes Day on May 17th brought H-alpha, and visible color views of the sun to the visitors

Other Outreach Events included:

Newborn LibraryCovington Library

CE Residential WorkshopWild Summer Days at CE

Alcovey High School ….and others.

Many included evening and day sessions (Solar)

May also brought the exiting events of the landing of the Phoenix Mars Mission

After a nine month trip through our solar system

We also learned how we could image the International Space Station and Space

Shuttles from our observing sites

We also learned how we could image the International Space Station and Space

Shuttles from our observing sites

As “star trails”

We also learned how we could image the International Space Station and Space

Shuttles from our observing sites

As “star trails”

And direct images

Because of Larry’s course on how to image Jupiter…..

Because of Larry’s course on how to image Jupiter…..

the second part of the year showed a good number of improved Jupiter images

Jim Honeycutt

STS126-ISS.wmv

Theo Ramakers

Theo Ramakers

And even a few images of the

new apparition of Saturn

And not to forget some nice deep sky objects

Tim Geib

Jon Wood

And an occasional Iridium Flare

And an occasional Iridium Flare

And after many $$ in equipment,

Stephen (The Sun Dawg) Ramsden

Discovered his niche in solar observing.

And 2008 was the year

where serious, and not so serious

Awards

Were hard earned …….. or given away for fun

However, the most notable change, to the external world, for the Chapter was a new

WebsiteCEastronomy.org

However, the most notable change, to the external world, for the Chapter was a new

WebsiteCEastronomy.org

It received a complete new overhaul,With an Alert section, Gallery,

up to date Club Informationand a Picture of the Month

An Excellent way to reach outTo the members and the general public

CEastronomy.org

Thanks to the team members to make this happen!!!

Thanks to the team members to make this happen!!!

Clevis Jones, Ken Poshedley, Jon Wood, Theo Ramakers but most of all to

Larry Owens!

Overall 2008 was a very active year for Charlie Elliott’s Chapter of the AAC

Overall 2008 was a very active year for Charlie Elliott’s Chapter of the AAC

Thanks to all members for being part of thisand……

We wish that 2009The International Year of

Astronomy

may even be better for you than

2008

The End

The Milky Way over Charlie Elliott……