As an astronomy event that everyone can take part in, we encourage all to view the partial solar eclipse which takes place on Sunday, May 20. Here’s the info specifically for San Diego:

Start of partial eclipse at 5:27:46 pm
Maximum partial eclipse (about 75%) at 6:39:57 pm
End of eclipse at sunset at 7:43:29 pm

The map below shows the path of totality and participial eclipse.

Warning! REMEMBER, DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN during the eclipse. Use ONLY approved solar eclipse filters or create a pinhole projection with a piece of cardboard with a tiny hole punched in. This works great for a lot of people to see it all at once.

Kyle Stock, Newsletter Editor and astronomy buff, is going hike to the summit of Black Mountain in Rancho Penasquitos. Anyone is welcome to join him. He’ll have different equipment for safe viewing. Contact Kyle for more information.

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Location:
San Diego Air & Space Museum (map)
2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA

The San Diego Air & Space Museum will host its 9th Annual Space Day celebration. Space Day will feature demonstrations, giveaways, and hands-on activities with local and national space experts. Astronaut Woody Spring will be presenting and do a photo signing.

SD Space, along with the Mars Society – San Diego, will be there with displays, the Mars Astronaut Marsha White and the Mars Rover yard for all to enjoy.

Other invited presenters include NASA, Virgin Galactic, SDAA (San Diego Astronomy Association), DSN (Deep Space Network), JPL, SETI, UCSD EarthKAM, Sally Ride Science, The Planetary Society, and many others.

The Museum’s Space Galleries are open for viewing throughout the event.

We had to share this awesome photo of San Diego taken from the ISS. Posted by UT San Diego.

4:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Location:
Auditorium, Natural Sciences Building,
Revelle College, UCSD

SPEAKER: Planetary Scientist Ralph Harvey, Ph.D. of the Department of Geological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University.

BIO: Ralph P. Harvey is an Associate Professor of Geological Sciences at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. A graduate of Beloit College with a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, he has been the Principal Investigator and field team leader for the US Antarctic Search for Meteorites program since 1991. He is an author or co-author on more than 100 publications on diverse topics in the planetary sciences, ranging from micrometeorites to icesheet dynamics to the history of Mars.

Dr. Harvey is a principal investigator in NSF’s Office of Polar Programs as well as NASA’s Cosmochemistry and Mars Fundamental Research programs. He is a frequent contributor to science instrument and landing site definition panels for NASA’s Mars Exploration Program and was recently a member of the preliminary examination team for the STARDUST sample return mission. Both an asteroid and an Antarctic mountain now bear his name.

FOR UPDATES PLEASE VISIT: casgc.ucsd.edu

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LECTURE: Please contact Tehseen Lazzouni

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Location:
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (map)
1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA

San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering 2012
Drifting on Alien Winds — Special Event

Mike Carroll author of “Drifting on Alien Winds: Exploring the Skies and Weather of Other Worlds” presents in the Heikoff Dome Theater followed by a screening of BLACK HOLES: The Other Side of Infinity. Books available for purchase and signing after the presentation. Free telescope star gazing sponsored by Oceanside Photo and Telescope outside after the show, weather permitting.

Adults $12, Junior/Seniors $10. No discounts, reservations or vouchers allowed.

Purchase online in advance. Seating is limited.

6:30 pm to 9:30 pm

6:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Location:
Balboa Park (map)
El Prado & Village Pl, San Diego, CA

At dusk on the first Wednesday of each month, following the monthly “Sky Tonight” planetarium show in the Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater, members of the SDAA set up telescopes west of the Fleet on The Prado, for free public sky viewing.

The Mars Society San Diego and the San Diego Space Society set up displays near the telescopes. Stop by and say hello, or contact events@sdspace.org if you’re interested in volunteering.

On Saturday, October 16th, Derek Nye and several SD Space members led a telescope building workshop at the Space Activities Lab in South Park. Five students attended the free hands-on activity, the second in a series offered by SD Space.

Before starting the build project, the students learned about telescopes from Phil Blanco, a local astronomy professor and Project ASTRO leader. They talked about how telescopes work, Galileo’s discoveries with them 400 years ago, and the kinds of things one could see with the Galileoscope (which has far better optics than Galileo’s telescope!).

After completing their new telescopes, everyone had fun trying them out in the lab, and then looking up and down the street. With a telescope mount – such as a camera tripod, some of the night time objects that can be observed in the next couple of weeks include: craters on our Moon, Jupiter and its moons, and even a special appearance by comet Hartley 2. We’ll be getting together at the Emporium soon to do just that when we have a clear night.

Contact projects@sdspace.org if you’d like to participate, or if you’re interested in attending future workshops.

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Location:
MiraCosta College (directions)
Oceanside, CA

Observing at MiraCosta College is always free and open to all ages!

Bring yourself, dressed appropriately for cold weather, and feel free to stay for as little or as long as you like. Regular star parties are scheduled for the first weekend (Friday and Saturday) of the month during the long semesters.

Please understand that astronomical observing is weather-dependent. Check the MiraCosta Astronomy website for updates.

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Location:
MiraCosta College (directions)
Oceanside, CA

Observing at MiraCosta College is always free and open to all ages!

Bring yourself, dressed appropriately for cold weather, and feel free to stay for as little or as long as you like. Regular star parties are scheduled for the first weekend (Friday and Saturday) of the month during the long semesters.

Please understand that astronomical observing is weather-dependent. Check the MiraCosta Astronomy website for updates.

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Location:
MiraCosta College (directions)
Oceanside, CA

Observing at MiraCosta College is always free and open to all ages!

Bring yourself, dressed appropriately for cold weather, and feel free to stay for as little or as long as you like. Regular star parties are scheduled for the first weekend (Friday and Saturday) of the month during the long semesters.

Please understand that astronomical observing is weather-dependent. Check the MiraCosta Astronomy website for updates.