JOINT Astronomy Club SPS Talk TONIGHT! August 31, 2011
Posted by jcconwell in Asteroids.Tags: Asteroid, Eastern Illinois University, EIU, Lowell
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Tonight at 5:00PM , in room 2153 of the physical science building, Tyler Linder will be giving a talk about his REU experience working at Northern Arizona University and Lowell Observatory.
NEW PODCAST UP: Encore, The Magnetosphere August 31, 2011
Posted by jcconwell in Podcast, Solar and Space weather.Tags: 365 days of astronomy, Eastern Illinois University, EIU, magnetosphere, Podcast
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http://365daysofastronomy.org/2011/08/30/august-30th-encore-the-magnetosphere/
Sponsored by the EIU Physics department.
Description: This is a short non mathematical introduction to some important elements of space plasma physics. Stephen plays the role of a confused student to allow a pedagogical dialog to progress.
Bio: Terry did graduate research in space physics at the University of Iowa
AstroAlert: Type Ia supernova in M101! August 25, 2011
Posted by jcconwell in supernova.Tags: M 101, supernova
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(FROM the Bad Astronomy BLOG) Attention all astronomers! There is a new Type Ia supernova that has been seen in the nearby spiral galaxy M101, and it’s very young — currently only about a day old! This is very exciting news; getting as much data on this event as possible is critical.
Most likely professional astronomers are already aware of the supernova, since observations have already been taken by Swift (no X-rays have yet been seen, but it’s early yet) and Hubble observations have been scheduled. Still, I would urge amateur astronomers to take careful observations of the galaxy.
M 101 (From Astronomy Picture of the Day)
We’ll be out at the observatory tonight getting some pictures and spectra.
For more info see the articles on BAD ASTRONOMY and PHYSORG
WELCOME! August 24, 2011
Posted by jcconwell in Observatory, physics.Tags: Eastern Illinois University, EIU, Observatory, physics
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The first week of school here at EIU is under way, and for those interested in Astronomy and Physics we have a few events.
GOMEZ HAMBURGER (HST)
First today, Wednesday at begining at 5:00PM, we have the opening cookout for the Astronomy Club and the Society of Physics Students. It’s at Dr. Conwell’s house at 921 6th Street.
Then on Friday we have the first open house at the campus observatory beginning at about 8:30PM. Hope to see you there.
Enjoy the 2011 Perseid Meteor Shower August 12, 2011
Posted by jcconwell in Astronomy, meteor.Tags: Perseid Meteor Shower
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The naked eye is the best instrument to use. The meteors can appear most anywhere in the sky, but they all appear to be coming from a point in the sky (called the radiant), in the constellation Perseus. Hence the name Perseid Shower.
Where do I look and what direction?
This is the most common question I hear people ask about meteor showers and the answer is very simple.
After midnight, look towards the East/Northeast part of the your sky to find Perseus. To find it look for the easily identifiable constellation Cassiopeia, the big “W” in sky! Perseus is just below Cassiopeia.
You can draw, take pictures and even video the Perseids, but the simplest and most enjoyable thing is to lay back, relax and be patient and you will be rewarded with a great a view.
Perseid in the NE. Just before Midnight August 12, Cental Daylight Time
The best times to look will be in the dark pre-dawn sky on August 11, 12 and 13, 2011.
EIU Astro 