August 11, 2022 FIRST MEETING ON THE WEBB PHOTOS
August 11– PHOTOS FROM THE JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE WILL BE VIEWED & DISCUSSED
August 12–THE PERSEID METEOR SHOWER CAN BE ENJOYED FROM CHIMNEY ROCK LOCATIONS
The San Juan Stargazers are adding a new program for an amazing educational opportunity for all of Pagosa. Starting on August 11, at 7pm at the United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall (use the parking lot door) we will be meeting once a month (the second Thursday) for the program titled HUBBLE & THE WEBB. We are hoping that many students & their parents will attend this free & very exciting program. We welcome participant involvement. If you would like to download the Webb pictures &/or you can find information to present. Please bring books to share or other references. Astronomy Club Members will be the backup to insure accuracy. Webb photos will be the priority, but if there is time, we will study Hubble’s Greatest Hits, a video program explaining some of the best discoveries made by the Hubble. You will learn the very latest information in Astronomy.
In September, (date to be announced later, hopefully the 2nd Thursday) Bob Mitchell who worked on the James Webb Space Telescope will be in Pagosa to share amazing stories of its development & assembly. It appears to be the first PERFECT thing that humanity has produced. It is a million miles from earth & CANNOT be visited by astronauts for corrections or repairs. It had to be perfect when it left the earth on December 25, 2021. There were several delays, but it successfully launched & after getting to its special gravity location & unfolding, it has functioned perfectly. It will hopefully be sending new information to earth for the next 30 years.
There will also be a night of special viewing at Chimney Rock National Monument on Friday, August 12, of the Perseid Meteor Shower. The cost is a donation to the National Monument. We have a special area of incredible viewing for adults with lawn or carry- along chairs. We have an area for tarps & inflatable mattresses. There are many parking places with space beside the car for chairs. As each group arrives, we will together assess the needs & find the best place for the group members.
The gate will open at 7PM & in the upper parking lot on the “hurra-durra” arts & crafts activities will be available for both children & adults. It is a perfect opportunity for fun & creativity. Astronomy Club Members are encouraged to set up their telescopes at the regular location on the upper level of the upper parking lot. Moving around to various activities will be allowed until 9PM, at which time each person must be in & stay in their assigned area for Meteor Shower viewing. After 9 PM the only walking will be as an emergency to the restroom or to your car to leave. It may be a wonderful night, weather permitting. As usual, we will be modifying & adjusting as needed. The gift shop will be open from 8-9 PM. The Monument will close at midnight.
If you would like to join the San Juan Stargazers, our new membership year begins July 1. You will also receive Reflector Magazine which is the publication of the National Astronomical League of which you automatically become a member. To join both groups & get an excellent astronomy magazine, annual membership is only $25/ family. This year there is a fabulous special gift for new & renewing members. It will help you become the astronomer you have always dreamed of being. You will LOVE it! You can join the club at any of our events or mail in with information from our web-site.
The San Juan Stargazers Club is part of the Astronomical League celebrating its 75th year of service which includes over 250 clubs from all over the US. Our local group also has a web-site—www.sanjuanstargazers.org. CHECK IT OUT for more information & beautiful Hubble photos. We welcome everyone to learn more about our AMAZING UNIVERSE. Hope to see you soon!