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.

Press Release

For Immediate Release:

NASA’s Driven to Explore Mobile Exhibit Parked at Air & Space Museum Through Wednesday

Free exhibit explores the significance of human space exploration and allows visitors to touch a 4-billion-year-old piece of moon rock

San Diego, CA – May 14, 2012 – San Diegans now have the rare chance to touch a nearly 4-billion-year-old piece of moon rock at NASA’s Driven to Explore traveling exhibit, a multimedia experience that immerses visitors in the story of NASA. The exhibit will be at the San Diego Air & Space Museum on Monday, May 14, Tuesday, May 15, and Wednesday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The centerpiece of Driven to Explore is the opportunity to touch a lunar rock sample brought to Earth by the astronauts of Apollo 17 in 1972, America’s last human mission to the moon. The rock is one of only eight lunar samples made available for the public to touch.

Driven to Explore allows visitors to learn why we explore, discover the challenges of human space exploration and how NASA provides critical technological advances to improve life on Earth. The exhibit also details the accomplishments of the space shuttle and the International Space Station.

Since the retirement of the space shuttle, NASA is investing in the building blocks of a more capable approach to space exploration, including research and development to increase space travel capabilities. In support of these efforts, NASA is performing field tests, designing surface systems and conducting advanced human research to ensure that future missions are safe, sustainable and affordable.

For more information about NASA exploration, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration

For more information about the San Diego Air & Space Museum please call (619) 234-8291 or visit www.sandiegoairandspace.org.

The San Diego Air & Space Museum is California’s official air and space museum and education center. The Museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and it was the first aero-themed Museum to be accredited by the American Association of Museums. Now on display, “How Things Fly,” a special exhibition that examines the wonder of flight through four fun and interactive zones. The Museum is located at 2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101. The Museum and gift store are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with admissions until 4:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

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.

SD Space Directors and key members will attend the annual Strategic Planning Retreat in the beautiful countryside outside of Warner Springs. The Retreat will continue to lay the framework for a 10 year development plan starting with a review of last year’s goals and plans then focusing on the year ahead and the interim five year goals.

We continue to be excited about the future of SD Space and we endeavor to bring new and exciting opportunities to our members and the community at large.

To find out how you can contribute to the future of SD Space, contact info@sdspace.org

Email spacewalk@sandiegospace.org for submission guidelines and here for further details.

6:30pm – 8:00pm

Location:
Space Travelers Emporium (map)
1947 30th St. San Diego, CA 92102

No plans for the evening and wondering what to do? Join us at the Space Travelers Emporium for one of our theme nights. Each week day it’s something new.

Tea Party on the Moon – Tuesday night come and enjoy a relaxing cup of tea while learning about 1 of the moons in our solar system. What is it this week? Stop by or email us for the moon of the week.

Fourth Rock Cafe – On Wednesday fill your belly while chatting with good friends about the newest developments in space travel.

Zero-G Cinema – Thursday night watch exciting new documentaries or thought provoking science fiction films.

Bottles and Rockets – quaff a tasty beer, a savor a nice glass of wine, and share your recommendations for fantastic space travel related books.

If you are interested or have questions, contact emporium@sandiegospace.org for more information.

Location:
Space Travelers Emporium (map)
1947 30th St. San Diego, CA 92102

The San Diego Space Society and the Space Travelers Emporium are hosting a space art show.

If you are an artist that has space art or are interested in creating space art for the show, contact spacewalk@sandiegospace.org for submission guidelines and further details.

Artists can also donate their work and all proceeds will go towards the Space Travelers Emporium renovation fund and are tax deductible. The San Diego Space Society is a 501c3 non-profit organization.
 

12:44 am

Location:
Space Travelers Emporium (map)
1947 30th St. San Diego, CA 92102 

Launch Aborted at Engine Start.  Rescheduled to May 22nd.

Historic launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Rocket and first docking of the Dragon Spacecraft.

The launch of the SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule has been rescheduled to May 22nd at 12:44am PDT.  When it launches, it will become the first commercial company in history to attempt to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station.

Our launch viewing will begin at 10pm, May 21st at the Space Travelers Emporium. During that time, participants will:

• Play SpaceX Jeopardy (yes, it’ll be better than Yuri’s Night Space Jeopardy)
• Watch SpaceX videos
• Create SpaceX collage artwork
• And the big finale, we’ll watch the launch live on our Mission Control screen

9:00 am to 4:00 pm

9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Location:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (map)
4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA

The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is holding their annual Open House.

This popular event celebrates JPL’s accomplishments with exhibits and demonstrations about the Laboratory’s ongoing research and space exploration. Many of the Lab’s scientists and engineers are on hand to answer questions about how spacecraft are sent to other planets, how scientists utilize space technologies to explore Earth and how researchers are searching for planets beyond the solar system.

The Open House is a fun and educational experience for children too, with special hands-on activities designed for kids. Admission and parking is free.

See the official JPL Open House page for details.

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San Diego Space Society members are planning a trek to Pasadena for the annual JPL Open House. Interested members should email events@sdspace.org to coordinate the rides/carpool/caravan.

6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Location:

Space Travelers Emporium (map)
1947 30th St. San Diego, CA 92102

SD Space officers meet to discuss the day-to-day operations of the organization.