Total Lunar Eclipse Dec 10, 2011

For Total Lunar Eclipse Dec 10, 2011
Click on to go to Lunar eclipse Blog
http://lunareclipses.blogspot.com

Live Internet Telescope Project

26 Oct,2011 to 2 Nov,2011 
SPACE is proud to bring the ‘Internet Telescope’ project for the first time to India. SPACE is conducting this project in collaboration with IASC, International Astronomy Search Collaboration. A pilot test was conducted in July 2011 and a second pilot test will be conducted from Oct 26th to Nov 2nd, 2011. These pilot projects will enable us to launch Internet Telescope as a big Project in April 2012 with about 80 participants from across India.

The project will be using a 16" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes located at the Ironwood North Observatory.  This is a privately-owned observatory located in Queen Creek, AZ.  The students will be remotely commanding a CCD camera on the telescope to take images of asteroids, comets, and deep sky objects.  The deep sky objects include star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae.For some spectacular images taken using the internet telescope, please go to the link: https://picasaweb.google.com/109156850798846600382/InternetTelescopeProjectOctNov2011 

PSLV Launch today

PSLV Launch on 12th October at 11:00 am IST

Watch it live at http://www.isro.org/scripts/livewebcast.aspx

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, commonly known by its abbreviation PSLV, is an expendable launch system developed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It was developed to allow India to launch its Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites into sun synchronous orbits, a service that was, until the advent of the PSLV, commercially viable only from Russia. PSLV can also launch small size satellites into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). The PSLV has launched 41 satellites (19 Indian and 22 from other countries) into a variety of orbits to date.


The Launch Authorisation Board (LAB) for PSLV-C18/Megha-Tropiques mission, which met on October 9, 2011 at Satish Dhawan Space Centre(SDSC) - SHAR, Sriharikota has cleared the launch of PSLV-C18 at 11:00 hrs (IST) on Wednesday, October 12, 2011.

The 50 hour countdown commenced at 09:00 hours today (October 10, 2011). During the Countdown, propellant-filling operations of the liquid propellant second stage (PS2) and fourth stage (PS4) of the launch vehicle will be carried out. Mandatory checks on the launch vehicle and spacecraft including charging of batteries and pressurisation of propellant tanks will be performed. Readiness of various ground systems such as tracking radar systems and communication networks will also be checked.

PSLV-C18 will inject Megha-Tropiques satellite into an orbit of 867 km altitude at an inclination of 20 deg with respect to equator. PSLV will also inject SRMSat from SRM University, Chennai, JUGNU from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and Vesselsat-1 from Luxembourg.

 SOLAR ECLIPSE CONFERENCE 2011 
Dec . 15th - 17th 2011   
The Solar Eclipse Conference (SEC India), celebrates the pursuit of mankind to unravel the phenomenon of Solar Eclipses one at a time, and chase the umbral shadow across the surface of the Earth. SPACE is bringing the SEC 2011 to India for the 1st time this year.
The Conference provides a common platform for:

• Travel Enthusiasts;
• Avid Photographers;
• Those who value Scientific Research and Recordings;
• Those who like to delve in the history of this event and understand the cultural implications;
• Those who want to create awareness among the people by demystifying this phenomenon;
• Finally, for those who simply want to participate for the sheer joy of witnessing this event.

The agenda of the conference is spread over three intensive days that will cover Travel, Education, Research, Science, Culture, Mythologies, Public Outreach, Pro-Am linking and Student learning possibilities.

Date : 15th (Thursday) to 17th (Saturday) of December 2011

Venue: Vishwa Yuvak Kendra, 
Rama Krishna Bajaj Auditorium, 
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.

http://www.eclipsechasers.in/about_sec_india.html

Great Indian Star Count, Oct 14th to28th
Great Indian Star Count will be conducted by SPACE as part of and in collaboration with Great Worldwide Star Count.

Count the stars in the constellation Cygnus overhead or using the pipe method and quantify light pollution in your area. All participants will receive a participation certificate.

 

Details and registration through SPACE at:

www.projectdarkskies.org

 

Great Worldwide Star Count:

http://www.windows2universe.org/citizen_science/starcount/index.html

world space week 2011 - talk at russian centre delhi

 EQUINOX DAY - Sept 23rd, 09:04 AM UT (14:34IST)

PROJECT PARIDHI 

On Equinox Day, join us in PROJECT PARIDHI - A citizen science project to measure the circumference of the earth with shadow measurements

SPACE is embarking on yet another international citizen science project to measure the size of the earth with shadows measurements – “Project Paridhi – measure the earth again”. Under this project students will replicate and in fact take actual measurements of the shadows made by sun to gather the size of earth and its shape as done 2300 years back by astronomer Eratosthenes. This project involves reading of shadows at local noon by pair of teams on the same longitude on the globe. Eg cities like New Delhi, Banglore and Alma-ta in Kazakhstan fall almost with one degree of longitude and readings taken at the same time from these cities can tell us about the size and shape of the earth. Starting on 23rd September on the autumnal equinox day, this project initially will have a pan-Asian presence by having readings from India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, china and Russia. The observation base will be extended to global arena by next winter solstice in December 2011. This project is a showcase for proving that science can be best learnt by doing.
Register and find out more here: http://www.space-india.org/paridhi

Another Provisional Discovery

A Provisional Discovery -- At Last!!

Congratulations to T. Makwana & N. Koralkar from Coinstar.  Their preliminary discovery of AHSH25 made on August 2nd has been followed-up with a second observation.  It is reclassified as the provisional discovery 2011 AP4.

A provisional discovery is followed by the Minor Planet Center for a number of years (typically 3-6 years).  During that time any further observations will be used to fully define the orbit.  When the orbit is fully defined, the asteroid is numbered and placed into the world's official minor planet cataloged maintained by the International Astronomical Union (Paris).

Fireballs in the Sky - Perseids Meteor Shower

PERSEIDS METEOR SHOWER 
August 13th, in 2011 estimated around 07:00 Universal Time (12:30 IST on Aug 13th).

The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower's peak usually occurs on August 12& 13, but you may be able to see some meteors any time from July 23 - August 22.These typically fast and bright meteors radiate from a point in the constellation Perseus the Hero. But you don’t need to know Perseus to watch the shower. The meteors appear in all parts of the sky. Look to the northeast after midnight.

The Perseids are considered by many people to be the year’s best shower, and often peak at 50 or more meteors per hour – in years when the moon is out of the sky.

Unfortunately, the full moon will spoil 2011′s Perseid display, obscuring all but the brighter meteors, during the shower’s actual peak. But you will see Perseids in the weeks leading up to the peak, too, if you have dark skies. These typically fast and bright meteors radiate from a point in the constellation Perseus the Hero. You don’t need to know Perseus to watch the shower because the meteors appear in all parts of the sky. The Perseids are considered by many people to be the year’s best shower, and often peak at 50 or more meteors per hour – in years when the moon is out of the sky.

Peak on:
 August 13th, in 2011 estimated around 07:00 Universal Time (12:30 IST on Aug 13th)

Greetings from the International Astronomical Search Collaboration

Preliminary Discoveries

So far in the current All-India Asteroid Search Campaign, there are 21 preliminary Main Belt asteroid (MBA) discoveries.  Congralutations to all of you!!  The complete list is:

Object        Students        School                            Location        Status  Date    Linked
TOV46E  H. Saxena       Arwachin Bharti Bhawan Ser. Sec. School, Vivek Viha     India   Preliminary     07/10/11        ABB0001
TOV477  P. Chawla & S. Saini    Bal Bharti Public School, Rajinder Nagar        India   Preliminary     07/12/11        SOU9903
TOV47R  A. Kaushik & R. Khurana Bal Bharati Public School, Rohini       India   Preliminary     07/21/11        ABC0002
TOV48A  G. Singh        Ryan International School, Noida        India   Preliminary     07/26/11        RIS0010
TOV484  S. Hill, A. Soisson, A. McNeely, & C. Fletcher  Notre Dame QuarkNet     USA-IN  Preliminary     07/26/11        K09A50G
TOV486  S. Hill, A. Soisson, A. McNeely, & C. Fletcher  Notre Dame QuarkNet     USA-IN  Preliminary     07/26/11        QND0001
TOV49B  C. Satija & M. Chawla   Ryan International School, Vasant Kunj  India   Preliminary     07/27/11        MAC1001
TOV48N  P. Chawla & S. Saini    Bal Bharti Public School, Rajinder Nagar        India   Preliminary     07/27/11        K06QG4O
TOV509  G. Singh        Ryan International School, Noida        India   Preliminary     07/29/11        RIS0021
TOV50A  G. Singh        Ryan International School, Noida        India   Preliminary     07/29/11        RIS0020
TOV49Y  R. Aggarwal, S. Jain, & P. Baldev       Delhi Public School, Rohini     India   Preliminary     07/29/11        DPS0012
AHSH20  A. Agarwal & A.K. Singh City Montessori School, Chowk Branch, Lucknow   India   Preliminary     08/01/11        CMS0013
TOV51D  A. Agarwal & A.K. Singh City Montessori School, Chowk Branch, Lucknow   India   Preliminary     08/01/11        CMS0012
TOV51C  A. Agarwal & A.K. Singh City Montessori School, Chowk Branch, Lucknow   India   Preliminary     08/01/11        CMS0010
AHSH18  A. Agarwal & A.K. Singh City Montessori School, Chowk Branch, Lucknow   India   Preliminary     08/01/11        CMS0011
TOV51E  H. Saxena       Arwachin Bharti Bhawan Ser. Sec. School, Vivek Viha     India   Preliminary     08/01/11        K08U53L
TOV50U  S. Hill, A. Soisson, A. McNeely, & C. Fletcher  Notre Dame QuarkNet     USA-IN  Preliminary     08/01/11        K03QA4F
AHSH23  S. Singh & A. Sivadas   Indirapuram Public School, Ghaziabad    India   Preliminary     08/02/11        IPS0035
TOV4A9  Anandhi, Shivmahadev, & Amruthavarshini Shri Natesan Vidyasala MHSS     India   Preliminary     08/04/11        SNV0003
AHSH32  H. Saxena       Arwachin Bharti Bhawan Ser. Sec. School, Vivek Viha     India   Preliminary     08/04/11        ABB0074
CGS1315 S. Devgun       SPACE  Team - II        India   Preliminary     08/04/11        SRI00008

IASC follows the preliminary discoveries very carefully to see if they are followed up by the international sky surveys.  If and when that happens, you will be immediately notified.

Update from Patrick Miller on Aug 9th

Source: SPACE.com: All about our solar system, outer space and exploration

7 MBA Discoveries

Greetings from the International Astronomical Search Collaboration

7 MBA Discoveries

That is correct.  There are 7 discoveries:

1.  H. Saxena from Arwachin Bharti Bhawan Ser. Sec. School, Vivek Viha discovered TOV51E.  This discovery was linked to K08U53L in the image set 2011 OR15-0801-32.

2.  S. Hill, A. Soisson, A. McNeely, & C. Fletcher from Notre Dame QuarkNet (United States) discovered TOV50U.  This discovery was linked to K03QA4F in the image set P100RBK-0801-24.

3.  S. Singh & A. Sivadas from Indirapuram Public School, Ghaziabad discovered AHSH23.  This discovery was linked to IPS0035 in image set P100SZU-0802-32.

However...the following 4 MBA discoveries were made by A. Agarwal & A.K. Singh from City Montessori School, Chowk Branch, Lucknow.  This is an IASC record...congratulations!!



   AHSH20 linked to CMS0013

   TOV51D linked to CMS0012

   TOV51C linked to CMS0010

   AHSH18 linked to CMS0011


All of you have done outstanding work!!  Congratulations.

Image Sets Available

Image sets from July 29 and 31 are available.  Also sets from August 1 and 2 are available  Check you school folder.  There are important NEO observations and possible MBA discoveries to make.


Happy Hunting!!

3 New Preliminary Discoveries
AIASC Phase II
A. Kaushik & R. Khurana from Bal Bharati Public School, Rohini discovered TOV47R.  This was linked to their observation ABC0002 in the image set 2011 KC15-0722-24.

G. Singh from Ryan International School, Noida discovered TOV48A.  This was linked to his observation RIS0010 in the image set P100PBJ-0726-32.

C. Satija & M. Chawla from Ryan International School, Vasant Kunj discovered TOV49B.  This was linked to MAC1001 in the image set P100PKX-0727-32.

Important Discovery - TROJAN ASTEROID DISCOVERED AS PART OF AIASC 2011

The following was announced at a meeting of Global Hands on Universe yesterday, by Prof. Patrick Miller. This is the 1st time a TROJAN ASTEROID HAS BEEN DISCOVERED IN THE HISTORY OF IASC:

P. Chawla & A. Aggarwal are two students from Bal Bharti Public School (New Delhi), Rajinder Nagar. On June 29th they discovered the asteroid 2011 MV9 that was confirmed and moved from preliminary to provisional status.

Yesterday, the Minor Planet Center announced that 2011 MV9 is not just any ordinary asteroid. It is a very rare type of asteroid that astronomers call a "Trojan." 

The Trojain asteroids come from the Main Belt but have been captured gravitationally by Jupiter. These objects move 60 degrees ahead of and behind Jupiter in its orbit

This is an outstanding discovery...a wonderful accomplishment. Congratulations!!  

Prof Patrick Miller, 
Director, 
IASC

Important Discovery

P. Chawla & A. Aggarwal are two students from Bal Bharti Public School (New Delhi). On June 29th they discovered the asteroid 2011 MV9 that was confirmed and moved from preliminary to provisional status.

Yesterday, the Minor Planet Center announced that 2011 MV9 is not just any ordinary asteroid. It is a very rare type of asteroid that astronomers call a "Trojan." The Trojain asteroids come from the Main Belt but have been captured gravitationally by Jupiter. These objects move 60 degrees ahead of and behind Jupiter in its orbit

This is an outstanding discovery...a wonderful accomplishment. Congratulations!!
 -----------------------------
This discovery was part of AIASC Phase I, being conducted in India by SPACE in collaboration with IASC.

Provisional MBA Discovery

Congratulations to P. Chawla & A. Aggarwal from Bal Bharati Public School, Ganga Ram Hospital Marg, New Delhi.  They made the provisional MBA discovery 2011 MV9.  They made their original discovery during the All-India Asteroid Search Campaign conducted May-July 2011.  It was TOV44A discovered by the two studnets on June 29th, which has now moved to the provisional status.  Good job!!


AIASC Phase I now has 2 PROVISIONAL DISCOVERIES, and 21 PRELIMINARY DISCOVERIES.

INTERNET TELESCOPE PROJECT

SPACE and IASC bring you ‘Internet Telescope’

July 16^th, 17^th, 2011

SPACE is proud to bring the ‘Internet Telescope’ project for the first time to India. This is in collaboration with IASC, International Astronomy Search Collaboration. This is a pilot test for Global Astronomy Month in April 2012...Astronomers Without Borders. In April 2012 this project will be conducted with about 80 participants during Global Astronomy Month.

The Pilot test in July 2012 will be conducted with 16 participants, dates and sessions are listed below.

The Project Description
The project will be using a 16" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes located at the Ironwood North Observatory.  This is a privately-owned observatory located in Queen Creek, AZ.  The students will be remotely commanding a CCD camera on the telescope to take images of asteroids, comets, and deep sky objects.  The deep sky objects include star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae.

For the asteroids and comets, images will be taken 1-hour apart then blinked to see the moving object against the fixed background stars.  For the deep sky objects there will be three images of each taken...one with the red filter, one with the green filter, and one with the blue filter.  The three images will be combined into a color image of the deep sky objects.

This is the first time this project is bring brought to India, and this will give the students the opportunity to be part of a international project and use hands on techniques to control a telescope in real time and understand how to identify a target, how to plan the exposures and how to analyse the data.

Session Plan:
Groups of 4 students each will be placed at one location with a laptop with skype, and share their desltop.  Each group will work 2 hours at the workstation using the telescope taking asteroid, comet, and deep sky images.

Venue: SPACE Office, WZ-19, Asalatpur, Janakpuri

Session #1
Saturday, July 16th        9:30am  - 11:30am IST (session 1, 4 students)
                                    11:30am- 1:00 pm IST  (session 2, 4 students)

Session #2
Sunday, July 17^th           9:30am  - 11:30am IST (session 3, 4 students)

                        11:30am- 1:00 pm IST  (session 4, 4 students)

Two Preliminary Discoveries

Two Preliminary Discoveries

Congratulations to A. Gosain & P. Lekhi from Navy Children School, New Delhi - Team  I.
On July 6th they discovered two Main Belt asteroids, TOV44T and TOV44W.  These were linked to NCS0056 and NCS0057 in the image set SN9D478-0706-32.

IASC updates - Its raining Asteroids!!!!

Triple Discovery!!

On July 5th, P. Chawla from Bal Bharati Public School, Ganga Ram Hospital Marg, New Delhi made three preliminary asteroid discoveries in one image set.  This student found TOV44M, AHSG06, and AHSG05.  These three discoveries were linked to the observations BBP8110, BBP8107, and BBP8815 in the image set SN9C83D-0705-32.

This is a spectacular accomplishment.  Congratulations!!!!

In addition to the triple asteroid discovery by P. Chawla from Bal Bharati Public School, Ganga Ram Hospital Marg, New Delhi, there are two more discoveries from July 5th:

1.    A. Arora & D. Bansal from Ryan International School, Vasant Kunj discovered TOV454.  This discovery was
linked to ABD0001 in the image set 2011 MW2-0705-24.

2.    S. Arya, S. Kesari, P. Kumar, & R. Jain from S.P.A.C.E. - Team I discovered TOV457.  This discovery was linked to SPA0061 in the image set 2011 MT-0705-24.

AIASC PHASE II WORKSHOP

AIASC PHASE II WORKSHOP

7th JULY, 2011

TIMING: 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM

LOCATION:
Bal Bharati Public School (GRH Marg)
Ganga Ram Hospital Marg, Pin - 110060, New Delhi

All selected participants must join us at the AIASC Phase II workshop as listed above.
AIASC Phase II will commence on July 11th, 2011 and continue till Aug 29th, 2011.

IASC updates

Image Sets Available

Image sets from July 1, 3, and 5 are available in the school folders.  All schools have at least one set.  Check your folder!!

The current campaign concludes on Friday, July 8th.  It was extended by a week since the weather at the ARI Observatory has been a persistent problem.  There is still time between now and Friday for your students to make important NEO observations and possible MBA discoveries.

Another Preliminary MBA Discovery!!!!

Preliminary MBA Discovery

Congratulations!!  P. Chawla & A. Aggarwal from Bal Bharati Public School, Ganga Ram Hospital Marg, New Delhi made the preliminary discovery of the Main Belt asteroid TOV44A.  This discovery was linked to their observation BBP8100 in the image set 2011 MV1-0701-24.

Several of you have asked about when a preliminary discovery is considered to be lost.  Usually, after 7-10 days if the discovery is not observed and measured a second time, it is lost.  However, on occasion IASC has received notification of the second observation as long as 90 days after the original preliminary discovery.

IASC maintains accurate records of the student observations and discoveries.  If a follow-up is received and the preliminary discovery is moved to provisional status by the MPC, you will be immediately notified.

Image Sets Available

Image sets from June 30, July 1, and July 3 are available in the school folders.  The images from June 30 are 5 days old, and will be removed from the school folders in the next few hours.  If your students have not yet looked at these images, it is important that they do so...soon!!

Happy Hunting!!

IASC updates - new preliminary MBA discovery

Preliminary MBA Discoveries

On June 30, R. Arora & Y. Gupta from Step by Step School, Noida (India) made the preliminary discovery of the Main Belt asteroid TOV440.  This discovery was linked to SBS0003 in the image set 2011 MY2-0630-24.

Provisional Status to preliminary discovery

Congratulations!!  C. Betrabet & U. Bhatia from Ryan International School, Sohna Rd, Gurgaon made the preliminary discovery of the possible near-Earth object (asteroid) TOV444.  This discovery  has been confirmed a second time and is now in provisional status.  Its new designation is 2011 MP4.

As more and more observations are made of 2011 MP4 and its orbit is fully determined, this asteroid will become numbered.  At that point C. Betrabet & U. Bhatia can propose a name to the International Astronomical Union (Paris).  It sometimes takes 3-6 years before sufficient observations are made...so patience is very important.

IASC keeps track of all the student asteroid discoveries that become numbered and placed into the world's official minor planet catalog.  Since IASC started in October 2006, there have been 12 numbered asteroids discoveries by students.

Again congratulations to C. Betrabet & U. Bhatia for your discovery.  Good job.

8th preliminary discovery!!! AIASC updates

C. Betrabet & U. Bhatia from Ryan International School, Sohna Rd, Gurgaon (India) made the preliminary discovery of TOV444.  This discovery was linked to the observation RIS0047 in the image set 2011 MV1-0630-24.  This is discovery is of high interest, which means it might be a near-Earth object (NEO).


Remember a preliminary discovery must be observed a second time within 7-10 days.  IASC monitors the second observations, and will notify you immediately of any change in status of your discovery.

The Discoveries & Observations page on the IASC web site at http://iasc.hsutx.edu/index_files/Page786.htm will be updated in the next few hours.  All student observations will be listed.

Image Sets Available

Image sets from June 28 and 30 are available.  There is at least one image set in each of the school folders.  Check your folders.

AIASC Extended for One Week

Greetings from the International Astronomical Search Collaboration

Some Image Sets Available

Image sets from June 25 and 28 are available in some (but not all) of the school folders.  As more sets become available they will be put into the school folders.  Just in case, check your folder!!

Extended One Week

The current All-India Asteroid Search Campaign is scheduled to end in two days on June 30.  However, with the problems we have had with the skies at the ARI Observatory, the campaign will be extended by one week until July 7.  This will give your students additional time to make important NEO observations and possible Main Belt asteroid discoveries...hopefully making up for the bad weather.

Happy Hunting!!

updates on AIASC

Greetings from the International Astronomical Search Collaboration

Skies continue to be overcast at the ARI Observatory (Westfield, IL).  This is the reason there have been no image sets in the past several days.

However, the Tarleton State University Observatory located in Stephenville, TX has agree to provide survey images along the ecliptic for use in the All-India Asteroid Search Campaign.  The skies are clear in Texas for the moment, and image sets from the 32" RC telescope should be available momentarily.

Your students will need to use a new configuration file, TSU.cfg, which will be provided in each of the school folders when the image sets from Tarleton State become available.

Be patient...there will soon be image sets from Texas.  The skies will clear in Illinois and sets will again be available from the ARI Observatory, as well.

SPACE Celebrates "SUMMER SOLSTICE DAY "

SUMMER SOLSTICE DAY

Tuesday, June 21^st, 2011

Longest day of the year!

June 21st will mark the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere and is called the summer solstice. It is the longest day for people living in the northern hemisphere. In 2011, the solstice occurs in the Northern Hemisphere on June 21, at 17:16 UT (22:46 IST).

June 21 is a very important day for our planet in its relationship with the sun. June 21 marks the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere and is called the summer solstice. It simultaneously heralds the beginning of winter in the southern hemisphere. It is the longest day for people living in the northern hemisphere. In 2011, the solstice occurs in the Northern Hemisphere on June 21, at 17:16 UT (22:46 IST).

The name is derived from Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still), because at the solstice, the Sun appears to stands still in its movement during its motion (it appears to travel slowly).

The earth spins around its axis, an imaginary line going right through the planet between the north and south poles. The axis is tilted somewhat off the plane of the earth's revolution around the sun. The tilt of the axis is 23.5 degrees; and thanks to this tilt, we enjoy the four seasons. For several months of the year, one half of the earth receives more direct rays of the sun than the other half. Days are longer in the summer for the northern hemisphere due to the tilt of the Earth's axis allowing for more sunlight to be projected onto the surface.

At the June solstice, Earth is positioned in its orbit so that the North Pole is leaning 23-and-a-half degrees toward the sun. As seen from Earth, the sun is directly overhead at noon 23-and-a-half degrees north of the equator, at an imaginary line encircling the globe known as the Tropic of Cancer. The sun's rays are directly overhead along the Tropic of Cancer (the latitude line at 23.5° north, passing through Mexico, Saharan Africa, and India). This is as far north as the sun ever gets. This results in the longest day of the year. For example in New Delhi, sunrise on summer solstice day in 2011 will be at 5:24 am and sunset will be at 7:22 pm making it a day which is almost 14 hours duration.

When the axis tilts towards the sun, as it does between June and September, it is summer in the northern hemisphere but winter in the southern hemisphere. Alternatively, when the axis points away from the sun from December to March, the southern hemisphere enjoys the direct rays of the sun during their summer months. All locations north of the equator have day lengths greater than 12 hours at the June solstice. Meanwhile, all locations south of the equator have day lengths less than 12 hours. Around December 21 the solstices are reversed and winter begins in the Northern hemisphere.

Cultures around the world, starting from historical times, mark this special day in celebration of the sun’s powers.

Summer Solstice Event conducted by SPACE Foundation:

To celebrate the summer solstice, SPACE Foundation will perform public outreach at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on Tuesday, 21^st June. SPACE team would also celebrate a Solar Fest where a small skit would be performed. All media and public are invited to attend this event.

Details:

Summer Solstice: June 21, 22:46 IST (17:16 UT)

Event: SPACE will conduct Public Outreach and Solar Fest (solar observations through pin-hole camera and ball projectors)

Location: Jantar Mantar, New Delhi

Date and Time: Tuesday, 21^st June, 2011; 11 am to 2 pm

For more information log on to www.space-india.org

Contact Apoorva 09212669953 or Aakanksha 09212669920.

updates for AIASC

Image sets from June 16th are becoming available.  Already some of have been uploaded into the school folders.  Not all schools will have one of these image sets, but will receive new sets in the coming days.

Sets from June 12th are in some of the folders.  These have not all been analyzed.  Just to be sure, check your folder.


Happy Hunting!!

AIASC Phase II - Selected List of Participants

     School                                                                                Participant
1. Genesis Global School, Noida -                              Zeba Shakil, Ishan Anand
2. Navarachana School, Sama -                                  Tejas Gopal krishanan, Vansil Shah
3. Delhi Public School, Greater Noida -                       Jaivrat Saroha, Sucheta Dey
4. Delhi Public School, Rohini -                                  Saksham Jain, Rishabh Aggarwal, Pranay Baldev
5. The Air Force School, Subroto Park, Delhi Cantt.  -    Gurek Singh, Neil Singh
6. Ryan International School, Noida -                         Gobind Deep Singh, Arnav Saini
7. KIIT World School, Pitampura                                Kirti Gupta & Komal                   
8. Navy Children School, New Delhi -                         Anubhav Kashov, Kartik Ranjan
9. Indirapuram Public School, Ghaziabad -                   Akshay Sivadas, Shardul Singh
10. St. Columba's School, Ashoka Road, CP -             Shiv Singhal/Vibhu Narayan
11. Venkateshwar International School, Dwarka -        Ayush Jaiswal/Karandeep Singh Mann
12. Bal Bharti Public School, Rajinder Nagar -             Souhard Saini/Vikramaditya Bansal
13. Bal Bharati Public School, Rohini -                         Ritika Khurana, Aashirya Kaushik
14. Apeejay School, Saket -                                        Akhil Raina, P. Paritosh
15. Ryan International School, Sec. 218, Faridabad -   Amar Chopra, Rahil Kavin Sannoo
16. G.D. Goenka Public School, Rohini -                      Manu Chopra, Shubham Chawla
17. N K Bagrodia Public School,Sec.-9, Rohini -          Raghav Jogodia, Sonpreet Singh
18. Ryan International School, Vasant Kunj                   Mihir Chawla & Chhayank Satija             
19. St. Joseph's Public School, King Koti, Hyderabad - S. Sashin Shreyas, Jeffrey Daniel
20. Convent of Jesus and Mary School -                        Anushka Goel, Sachi Sanghavi
Bangla Sahib Marg, New Delhi
21. Shri Natesan Vidyasala MHSS                                 P.Praveen Prabhu, V. Praveni
22. City Montessori School, Chowk Branch, Lucknow -Ajay Kumar Singh , Agam Agarwal
23. Bluebells School International, Kailash -                   Abhay Sharda, B. Chaitanya Srinivas
24. Amity International School, Sec. 46, Gurgaon -        Suhail Nagpal, Anirudh Bansal
25. Bal Bharati Public School, Pitampura -                      Sharanjeet Singh, Vaibhav Sapra
26. Arwachin Bharti Bhawan Ser. Sec. School, Vivek Vihar - Himanshu Kumar, Uma Shanker
27. Indraprastha International, Dwarka                              

INDIVIDUALS/ORGANIZATIONS
28. Trushit Makwana, Naval Koralkar
29. Fergusson College -                                                   Asmita Bhandare, Sherry Chhabra
30. Astronomicans - Team II-                                          Prafull Sharma, Amol Garg
31. Astronomicans - Team III                                           Aman Singh, Yukti,Suvriti
32. SPACE  Individuals                                                    Medhavi Haseja, Srijan Devgun

Watch Lunar Eclipse on 15th June, 2011 right here

Live Webcast of Lunar Eclipse - Watch it here:



A live webcast of the eclipse will be broadcast by ECA (Eclipse Chasers’ Athaenium), the Eclipse wing of SPACE from 10:30pm IST (17:00 UT) onwards here. Tune in to watch and comment:

ECA Live Webcast of Lunar Eclipse

Chand ka Langar - Feast in the Shadow of the Eclipse

Join the mass movement with SPACE Foundation and break the myth. Eat and fest when the moon hides behind the earth shadow. Add a scientific dimension to Indian society!

SPACE Foundation invites all the mediaand public  to come and join us in the myth breaking movement on the night of total lunar eclipse on 15th June 2011. Come, observe and break the myth in one of the longest total lunar eclipses.

The youngest eclipse chasers Asmi & Chavvi who are only 10 & 7 years will initiate this movement for irradiating the myths behind the eclipses. Asmi is the youngest eclipse chaser to witness the eclipse. These two kids have witnessed 2006(Turkey), 2008 (Russia) & 2009(China) total solar eclipses and have exposed themselves in the shadow of the total solar eclipse for 10 minutes in totality.

The eclipse chasers will break the myth at 00:00 hours at SPACE Foundation office on June 15th, when the moon will hide in the earth’s shadow. SPACE will be mobile throughout the eclipse night and will throw a “LANGAR” at Nehru Planetarium & Noida Film City, sec 16 A.
Come and witness the mass movement and explore the scientist in you.
Beat the fear and feast the eclipse!

For further detail feel free to call SPACE Foundation on:
9212669920: Aakanksha Sinha (PR Executive)

Eclipse the Eclipse Myth

Join us to break the Myth during the Total Lunar Eclipse

SPACE Foundation wants to invite people from all across India to join in a mass movement to break a myth by ‘feasting during the eclipse’. 

Lunar eclipse is a scientific phenomenon and it has nothing to do with the food one eats. Therefore, we would like to call all Indians to participate in this campaign and break these undying myths which have been passing from one generation to another.

Just observe the eclipse and feast on something at the same time. Get together with your friends, neighbours and family and make it a party! You can do this from anywhere.

People who are interested can register themselves at https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGowQUQyNFdEX3ZVQ0tDUTk2Vno0TWc6MQ

The supporters of this campaign have to eat during the eclipse and click their photographs.  Send in a report to info@space-india.org. 

The report should contain pictures, description of event and general medical report reporting any adverse medical health which was previously not present, starting from 1 day prior to 7 days later. Report to be sent to SPACE Foundation by all the participating campaigners at info@space-india.org. A cumulative report with analysis would be then drafted and sent to UNESCO and other scientific organisations. Please join us to create a MEGA participation to make this one of the BIGGEST public outreach science events.

Please spread the word and register now!

Total Lunar Eclipse on June 15th (One of the longest in duration)

On 15^th June, 2011, India will witness a lunar eclipse in totality.

This is the first of two total lunar eclipses in 2011, the second occurring on December 10.  This first lunar eclipse of 2011 occurs at the Moon's ascending node in southern Ophiuchus about 7° west of the Lagoon Nebula (M8). The Moon passes deeply through Earth's umbral shadow during this rather long event. It is a relatively rare central eclipse where the moon passes in front of the center of the Earth's shadow. It will be visible completely over Africa, and Central Asia, visible rising over South America, Western Africa, and Europe, and setting over Eastern Asia, and Australia. 

The total phase itself is long, and lasts 100 minutes. The last eclipse to exceed this duration was in July 2000. The Moon's contact times with Earth's umbral and penumbral shadows as seen from Delhi:

Penumbral Eclipse Begins:22:55                             Alt:+34,          

Partial Eclipse Begins:23:53                                  Alt:+37           

Total Eclipse Begins: 00:52                                   Alt: +37,         

Mid Eclipse:  01:43                                              Alt:+34           

Total Eclipse Ends: 02:33                                     Alt:+29,          

Partial Eclipse Ends: 03:32                                   Alt:+21           

Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 04:31                              Alt: +11

SPACE observes Eclipse:

SPACE Foundation will conduct an observation of the lunar eclipse from its office building on 15^th June. This is open to the public and media. Details of Observation:

Location – SPACE Office roof

WZ-19, Asalatpur, A-3 Block, Janakpuri

New Delhi - 58

Timings – 15^th June, 8 pm onwards

Webcast:

A live webcast of the eclipse will be broadcast by ECA (Eclipse Chasers’ Athaenium), the Eclipse wing of SPACE from 11:30pm IST  (17:00 UT) onwards here. Tune in to watch and comment:

ECA Live Webcast

IASC updates +NEO confirmations june 9, 7:00 pm

Greetings from the International Astronomical Search Collaboration

Image Sets Available

Image sets from June 6, 7, and 8 are available in the school folders. If your students have not already done so, they need to check their folder and analyze the sets.

NEO Confirmation

Congratulations to R. Arora & Y. Gupta from Step by Step School, Noida. In addition to their MBA preliminary discovery on June 7th in P100BXR-0607-32, they also had an NEO confirmation of a comet C/2011 L4. The measurements made by these two students were perfect!!

As more image sets become available, you will be immediately notified. In the meanwhile, keep an eye on your folder and...

Happy Hunting!!

Preliminary discoveries + NEO confirmation observation

Congratulations to P. Chawla & A. Aggarwal from Bal Bharati Public School, Ganga Ram Hospital Marg, New Delhi for the NEO confirmation observation of C/2011 L3 in the image set SL5FB87-0606-24.  Observed on June 6th, it was linked to BBP8035.


There are three Main Belt asteroid (MBA) preliminary discoveries made on June 7th:

1. A. Arora & D. Bansal from Ryan International School, Vasant Kunj discovered TOV42V in P100BXS-0607-32.

   The discovery was linked to ABD0003.

2. R. Arora & Y. Gupta from Step by Step School, Noida discovered TOV433 in P100BXR-0607-32.

   The discovery was linked to SBS0003.

3. A. Gosain & P. Lekhi from Navy Children School, New Delhi - Team  I discovered TOV431 in P100BWM-0607-32.

   The discovery was linked to NCS0014.

Congratulations to all of you!!

updates - AIASC june 6 8:20 pm

Greetings from the International Astronomical Search Collaboration



Image Sets Available



Image Sets from June 4th and 6th are available in the school folders.  All schools have at least one image set.  Check your folder.



Your students need to download and analyze their sets using Astrometrica.  There are important NEO observations and possible MBA discoveries waited to be made.

New Preliminary Discovery

New Preliminary Discovery

Congratulations!!  P. Chawla & A. Aggarwal from Bal Bharati Public School, Ganga Ram Hospital Marg, New Delhi made the preliminary discovery of the Main Belt asteroid TOV42I.  They made this observation on June 4th in the image set SL1EBD7-0604-24, linked to BBP8027.

A preliminary discovery is the first observation of a Main Belt asteroid (MBA).  It must be observed a second time in the coming 7-14 days; otherwise, it is considered to be lost by the Minor Planet Center (MPC).  IASC keeps a close watch on second, follow-up observations.  If one is made you will be notified immediately.

updates - AIASC 2:50 am

Greetings from the International Astronomical Search Collaboration

Image Sets Available

Image sets are available in all of the school folders.  The most recent sets are dated June 4th.  Check your folder.  Your students need to download and analyze their image sets.  There are important NEO observations and possible MBA discoveries to be made.

This is the second year that SPACE and IASC have conducted the All-India Asteroid Search Campaign.  This summer a total of 60 schools from India will participate.

Updates on correction and possible second preliminary discovery

Greetings from the International Astronomical Search Collaboration



Mistake Corrected



In the image set 2011 KH4-0602-24, C. Singh & I. Singh discovered the Main Belt asteroid TOV42C.  This is a preliminray discovery that requires a follow-up observation in 7-14 days.  A mistake was made in listing their school.  They are from K.R. Mangalam World School, Vikas Puri.



In re-checking their results, a second discovery was detected.  These two students also observed the Main Belt asteroid TOV42A.  This was linked to CSA1004 in their MPC report.



Remember a preliminary MBA discovery needs to be observed that second time.  If it is then the Minor Planet Center changes the status from preliminary to provisional.  If it is not observed a second time, it is considered to be lost.  IASC monitors the second observations.  If these come in, you will be notified immediately.



Congratulations!!  And, sorry for the mistake.  In the meanwhile...


Happy Hunting!!

Dr. Patrick Miller

AIASC updates june 3, 11:00 am

Greetings from the International Astronomical Search Collaboration



Discoveries & Observations



Congratulations!!  Looking at the image set 2011 KH4-0602-24, C. Singh & I. Singh from K R Manglam School, Vikas Puri made the preliminary discovery of the Main Belt asteroid TOV42C.  Their observation was linked to IND0034.



A preliminary discovery must be observed a second time within 7-14 days.  If that happens the asteroid is designated as a provisional discovery by the Minor Planet Center.  If it is not observed a second time, the preliminary discovery is considered to be lost.



IASC will watch very carefully the status of TOV42C.  If that changes to a provisional discovery, you will be notified immediately.



B. Rishi & A. Goel from Manav Sthali School,  New Rajinder Nagar made the NEO confirmation of 2011 KN17 in the image set BZ250253-053132.  Their observation was linked to MSS0001.



An NEO confirmation is not a discovery but the second observation of a near-Earth object.  This observation is important because it confirms the existence of the NEO, refines the orbit calculations, and better assesses the impact risk with Earth.



Image Sets Available



There are image sets available from June 1st and June 2nd in some (but not all) of the school folders.  If your students have not download and measured their sets, they need to do so.  There are important NEO observations and possible Main Belt asteroid discoveries waiting to be made.



Again, congratulations to C. Singh & I. Singh  and B. Rishi & A. Goel.


Happy Hunting!!

Dr. Patrick Miller

IASC Updates 2 June, 3:15 AM

Greetings from the International Astronomical Search Collaboration

Image sets from May 30th, May 31st, and June 1st are available.  There is at least one image set in each of the folders.  Some (but not all) have two.

Check your folder.  There are important NEO observations and possible MBA discoveries just waiting for your students to make.

Happy Hunting!!

Dr. Patrick Miller

NEO Confirmation -- IASC

 Congratulations to S. Arya, R. Jain, S. Kesri, & P. Kumar from S.P.A.C.E. - Team I.  On May 30th they confirmed the near-Earth object (NEO) 2011 JP29.  This observation was linked to SAC0001 reported in BZ47838-0530-24.


2011 JP29 is an Amor class asteroid.  This type of asteroid has an orbit between the orbits of Earth and Mars.  This particular object comes within 0.08 AU (1 AU = 150,000,000 km) from Earth.

An NEO confirmation is not a discovery.  It is the second observation of an NEO, and is important since it confirms the existence of the NEO and better assesses the risk that it will impact Earth.  For the foreseeable future 2011 JP29 does not pose an impact hazard.

Congratulations to these four students, and...

Happy Hunting!!

Dr. Patrick Miller

IASC Updates 1 June, 3:15 AM

Greetings from the International Astronomical Search Collaboration

Image Sets Available

All school folders have at least one image set for your students to analyze.  These images are dated May 30th and 31st, and come from the ARI Observatory located in Westfield, IL.

The ARI uses a 24" and 32" prime focus telescope, and takes images every night when the skies are clear and dark.

Check your folder...

Happy Hunting!!

Dr. Patrick Miller

IASC Updates 31 May, 6:25 AM

Greetings from the International Astronomical Search Collaboration

Some Image Sets Available

Image sets dated May 30th are available in some (but not all) of the school folders.  The skies are expected to be clear again this evening, so additional image sets should be available on May 31st.

Check you folder, and...

Happy Hunting!!

Dr. Patrick Miller

Asteroid Search Phase II begins on July 11th

All India Asteroid Search Campaign Phase II starts from
July 11 - Aug 26th 2011

Limited spots are left.
Check the SPACE Technologies website at
http://www.stepl.org/aiasc_2011.html

Please register through here as soon as possible.

First set of NEO Observations!

Hello Asteroid Hunters,

Congratulations!
Several of you have your name in the 'NEO Observations' list! Observations means the 3rd or 4th observation of a NEO that has been discovered. Observations allow further refinement of the orbit.

See the Discovery and Observation list here on the IASC page:
http://iasc.hsutx.edu/

I hope most of you have sorted out installation and other issues with Astrometrica by now. If you still have any problems, please contact
Technical Contact: Poonam Sharma 9212669908

Do remember these points while creating a report:
1. Please look at data only in your folder
2. Please send only 1 report per team.
3. Put in a line with image set name, that is the same name as the directory name.
4. Name of the file should be the same as the image set

PLEASE REMEMBER TO CC ALL REPORTS To SPACE AT the following, since SPACE needs to check and track all reports. If you have any doubts, please clarify with us before you send it to IASC.

Email to SPACE here:aiasc@space-india.org

Regards and HAPPY HUNTING!
Mila Mitra

IASC Updates 27 May, 12:00 AM

Greetings from the International Astronomical Search Collaboration

The Discoveries & Observations page at the IASC web site has been updated.  You and your students can check it out at http://iasc.hsutx.edu/index_files/Page786.htm.

So far, there have been no Main Belt asteroid discoveries in the All-India Search Campaign, but there have been many near-Earth object observations.  These observations are important as they allow the Minor Planet Center (Harvard) to further refine the orbits of these potentially Earth-threatening rock boulders.

There are some Main Belt asteroid discoveries made earlier by the students participating in the Xinglong Asteroid Search Campaign (China).  You will find these listed on the IASC web site.

There are no new image sets from the ARI Observatory due to continued unsettled weather across the Midwestern United States.  There are earlier image sets available in the school folders dated May 22nd and May 25th.  If your students have not yet analyzed these sets, have them download them and use Astrometrica to conduct a search.

When new image sets are available, you will be notified immediately.  Keep an eye on your folder, and in the meanwhile...


Happy Hunting!!

Dr. Patrick Miller

IASC Updates 26 May, 2:00 AM

Greetings from the International Astronomical Search Collaboration

Image Sets Available

There are image sets available from the ARI Observatory.  These are dated May 25th.  All schools now have at least one image set in their folders.  Check your folder!!

Happy Hunting!!

IASC Updates 23 May, 7:00 AM

Greetings from the International Astronomical Search Collaboration

Check your school folder.  There are some image sets available dated May 22nd.  Your students need to download and analyze these sets within 72 hours (i.e., by May 25th).

Not all of the schools have an image set but more sets should be coming this week.  As they are available, you will be notified and the image sets will be uploaded into the folders.

The skies are darker and the fainter Main Belt asteroid discoveries are just waiting for your students.


Happy Hunting!!

Dr. Patrick Miller