Current Events in astronomy and space exploration

1. Current Eventsin astronomy and space exploration The Year 2008 in Review December 27, 2008 Theo Ramakers

2. 2008 A representative review of the Chapter’s activities and meetings In 30 minutes

3. Many activities took place during the last year • Our monthly meetings and observing sessions

4. Many activities took place during the last year • Our monthly meetings and observing sessions • Outreach programs

5. Many activities took place during the last year • Our monthly meetings and observing sessions • Outreach programs • Special observing sessions

6. Many activities took place during the last year • Our monthly meetings and observing sessions • Outreach programs • Special observing sessions • Training classes • Ad hoc observing

7. But what a bummer………

8. Our January meeting was snowed out

9. Our January meeting was snowed out

10. 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

15. 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 101 And • Current Events in Astronomy and Space Exploration • The total lunar eclipse on February 20, 2008

18. In August Larry Owens held his long awaited “Imaging Jupiter” course at Oxford College

23. And In the September meeting we did celebrate a special 90th Birthday

25. Our special observing sessions covered this year items such as:

26. Our special observing sessions covered this year items such as: • The total lunar eclipse on February 20, 2008

30. Other observing sessions this year covered items 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

31. Jon Wood’s Image

32. Stephen Ramsden’s Image

33. Other observing sessions covered this year items 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

34. Where’s the shuttle?

35. 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

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

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

41. Other Outreach Events included: Newborn Library Covington Library CE Residential Workshop Wild Summer Days at CE Alcovey High School ….and others. Many included evening and day sessions (Solar)

44. May also brought the exiting events of the landing of the Phoenix Mars Mission After a nine month trip through our solar system

46. We also learned how we could image the International Space Station and Space Shuttles from our observing sites

47. We also learned how we could image the International Space Station and Space Shuttles from our observing sites As “star trails”

49. We also learned how we could image the International Space Station and Space Shuttles from our observing sites As “star trails” And direct images