The Vera Rubin Observatory, after 13 years of construction, is set to achieve “first light” in August 2024, marking a new era in astronomy. Originally known as the LSST, this observatory will capture the cosmos with an 8.4-meter-wide mirror and the most advanced camera ever built, revolutionizing our understanding of the universe.
Category: Newsletter
Galaxy Zoo Reopens with New Data from ESA’s Euclid Space Telescope!
The Galaxy Zoo is back with an exciting new project. For the first time, the public can explore data from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Euclid space telescope. Every image in this dataset is likely one that no one has seen before, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to scientific discovery. Euclid scientists need your […]
SMCAS Annual Star-B-Q Party: Saturday, Aug. 3 ~ 6 p.m. at Crestview Park
All are invited to the SMCAS Annual Star-B-Q party on Saturday, August 3 at Crestview Park. This is a family friendly event so be sure to bring the kids. It starts at 6 p.m., but feel free to arrive and leave at your convenience since this will be followed by a Star Party. Our gathering […]
Exciting July 3 Star Party
If you haven’t heard yet, July 3’s Star Party was one of the most exciting we’ve had in a while. Besides being one of the most attended, there was a bit of both excitement and a bit of inconvenience when the sprinkler went off, not just once, but twice unusually early! The first time was […]
Celestial Events and Society Updates: An Exciting End to Summer
Greetings to the Society, We are still eagerly awaiting the once-in-a-lifetime event of nova T Coronae Borealis, which erupts spectacularly every 80 years. Astronomers currently predict about a 70% chance that T Corona Borealis will go nova by September and a 95% chance that it will occur by the end of the year. This nova […]
Celestial Wonders and Society Updates: A Stellar Summer for SMCAS
Greetings to the Society, The hits keep coming this year, with the excitement of the aurora borealis being visible in the San Francisco Bay Area on May 11 and 12, 2024, due to a rare solar storm. This spectacular display of natural beauty was a rare treat for our region, delighting both seasoned astronomers and […]
Nominate New SMCAS Board Members!
Nominations for the SMCAS Board of Directors and Officers, opened at our May meeting and will close Friday, July 5 at midnight. Please consider serving!The current Board encourages anyone with an interest in learning more about how SMCAS runs or is interested in participating more actively in planning and helping achieve our goals. It is […]
My Eclipse Journey by Michelle Morales
As many in the Society, I booked nonrefundable flights and lodging to Dallas for the April 8 total eclipse. When I heard and verified that it would be cloudy in Dallas, I started examining satellite shots and comparing weather forecasts for an area that had a chance of clear skies. I wasn’t going to travel […]
In Memoriam of Robert Fies (1939-2023)
By Ken Lum It is with heavy heart that I announce that long-time SMCAS member, Bob Fies, passed away in December 2023. I was informed about this by his niece, Ms. Barbara Brady. He was 84 years old. Bob was best known by the local amateur astronomical community as a kind and generous person who […]
Gear Up for the Celestial Spectacle of the Year!
Greetings to the Society, The anticipation is building for what promises to be the highlight of the year: the total solar eclipse on April 8th, visible across North America! Many of our society members, including myself and my daughter, are venturing to Texas to witness this awe-inspiring event firsthand. We eagerly look forward to the […]