[AANC Contacts] FETTU Amateurs Needed, Andy Receives Award, Dawn of Creation Lecture, SJAA Big Weekend, Dean Sold Out & Galileoscope Orders

[Kenneth Frank]

Hello All,

FETTU Request for Amateurs
During IYA 2009, the exhibit From the Earth to the Universe (FETTU) will debut around the 
Greater Bay Area. In the next few months we'll be requesting solar scopes and basic 
interpretation of two roving exhibits of images from earth and space based telescopes. The 
first venue where amateur astronomers are requested is in Dublin, CA
at the St. Patrick's Day Festival. Two solar safe scopes for each venue are requested. Six 
available positions open are: March 14th and March 15th  9am to 1pm, 11- 3 and 2 to 6. 
Directions: http://www.dublinstpats.com/directions.htm    For this and future events 
please email Darlene Mendoza with "FETTU Volunteer" in the subject line, the time and 
venue slot you'd like to: dmendoza at sofia.usra.edu


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Andy Receives Award
Foothill College Astronomy Instructor Andrew Fraknoi is one of four community colleges 
teachers to be named recipient of the 2009 Hayward Award for Excellence in Education by 
the California Community College Board of Governors. The four faculty members were 
selected from across the state for their commitment to professional excellence in their 
fields as well as their contributions to their community.
http://www.foothill.edu/news/newsfmt.php?sr=2&rec_id=1478

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Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series:
The Dawn of Creation--The First Two Billion Years, tonight at Foothill
http://www.foothill.edu/news/newsfmt.php?sr=2&rec_id=1452

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The SJAA has a BIG weekend.
Come down and enjoy these free events.  Friends and families welcome!
STAR PARTY
Friday night we'll try to have a public star party, from 7 to 10 p.m., depending on sky 
conditions, of course.  If its too cloudy or looks like rain, the star party will cancel. 
  Watch the web-page and your e-mail for a decision by 5 p.m. Friday.
BEGINNER CLASS
Also on Friday night is a beginner's class.  This month we are treated to a hearing the 
editor of the SJAA Ephemeris, Paul Kohlmiller, speaking on galaxies.  There's a lot to 
learn about them, types, sizes, how to observe them.  Come and hear Paul speak and answer 
your questions.  Following the galaxy talk, I'll give a short "What's Up" presentation for 
beginners about targets to observe in Leo, Cancer and Gemini.
GENERAL MEETING
Saturday night is the SJAA's General Meeting. This month's featured speaker is  Dr. 
Christopher Mauche of Lawrence Livermore National Labs.  His topic will be "The X-ray 
Universe".   In the hall at Houge Park beginning 8 p.m.  We've had a series of great 
talks, as can be attested to here:
http://www.sjaa.net/lecturers.html

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The March 16 Dean Lecture with Sandra Faber is sold out.
Please note that parking will not be available in the Music Concourse Garage on the 
evening of Monday, March 16, due to a deYoung Museum event. Free parking is available 
along Middle Drive at the back entrance of the Academy of Sciences and along J. F. K. Drive.

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The Galileoscope
A high quality, easy-to-assemble and easy-to-use telescope at an unprecedentedly low price 
— is now available to order. The plastic telescope is a Cornerstone Project of the 
International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009), Orders can now be placed for delivery 
beginning in late April:
https://www.galileoscope.org/gs/