ANNOUNCEMENTS & NEWS

Attendance was light for "National Astronomy Day /Family Scinece Day on May 10, but all who turned out enjoyed both astronomy, and other science demonstrations, Segway rides, planetarium shows, Keynote speaker Dr. Peter Backus of SETI, and Sam Sweiss' Scope City raffle !

We also took photos through the 20" RC telescope during "Jazz Under The Stars." All images were one minute exposures, with processing in CCD Stack software. Here are the images taken Saturday night:  

Needle Galaxy -NGC 4565 in Coma Berenices

Globular Cluster -M13 in Hercules

Sombrero Galaxy -M104 in Virgo

Whirlpool Galaxy -M51 in Canes Venatici
     

"Jazz Under The Stars May 10 "Jazz Under The Stars" was attended by about 80 night sky observers. We viewed the first quarter moon and Saturn through dobsonian scopes on the deck, and the 140mm TEC in the main observatory. We also took a few images with the 20" RC telescope. See above. Jazz Under The Stars is a free monthly event dedicated to viewing the night sky from CSM's rooftop observatory. We hope you'll join us for this popular, free event hosted by CSM, San Mateo County Astronomical Society, and KCSM-FM 91.1   Email questions or comments    First Quarter Moon

SMCAS 
San Mateo County Astronomical Society holds their monthly speaker meetings on CSM campus, Bldg. 36.  General meetings, with refreshments and conversation, are held in the Integrated Science Center room 36-110 across from the planetarium, at 7:30 pm. Guest speaker follows in the planetarium at 8:00 pm. Parking is free in lots 7 & 8.

Founded in 1960, the San Mateo County Astronomical Society is a non-profit organization for amateur astronomers. Family memberships are open to the public, and visitors are cordially invited to the Society's meetings which are normally held on the first Friday of the month, August through June. For additional information call Ed Pieret: 650-592-3192.

Monthly Planetarium Show Our hybrid planetarium sytem is up and running. The dome is filled with stars, planets, & videos enjoyed by CSM students and the public. Our next "The Sky Tonight" show is Friday May 9, 7:30 pm, with 2nd show (if needed) at 8:20 pm. Hosted by Professor Stanford. Planetarium shows are free. Parking in lots 7 & 8 is free during planetarium shows.

Saturn, Teapot, Jupiter, and Scorpius on the dome.

Available Online—CSM Observer Newsletter!
Each semester, we produce our newsletter "CSM Observer." This publication lets the public know what new and cool things are happening in our department. To download the Spring '08 edition, click on CSM Observer

Dark Sky Association
This year marks the 20th anniversary of IDA, The International Dark Sky Association.
Check out their website:  http://www.darksky.org/mc/page.do