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 […]
Category: Newsletter
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 […]
The Annular Eclipse in Roswell, New Mexico
Although I had been told and warned that the annular eclipse wasn’t as dramatic or even as good as a total eclipse, because during a total eclipse it briefly becomes night during the day, still I had to make the assessment for myself and trekked out to the annular path that was not close. As an […]