Upcoming Meetings: Meetings held at the ASU Planetarium on the 1st Monday.
Next meeting is Monday, March 1st at 7pm-- Visitors Welcome!
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Points of Interest, Angelo Astronomy Activities  and  Other Sky  Events
>>>>>>>>>>> May 2010 <<<<<<<<<<<

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May 5 -- The Eta Aquarid meteor shower peak
This is the first of two showers that occur each year as a result of Earth passing through dust released by Halley’s Comet, with the second being the Orionids. The point from where the Eta Aquarid meteors appear to radiate is located within the constellation Aquarius. Sadly, this location is a bit of a detriment to observers, because this area of this sky only rises an hour or so before morning twilight begins.
Every year, the earliest Eta Aquarids can be seen around April 21 and they persist until about May 12; however, the number of meteors you are likely to see will be low until around the time of the peak on May 5/6. At this time, observers in the Northern Hemisphere are likely to see about 10 meteors every hour, while Southern Hemisphere observers will see about 30 per hour.
There are other, weaker meteor showers going on around the same time as the Eta Aquarids. The Eta Aquarids generally appear to move fast. When you see a meteor, mentally trace it backwards. If you end up at Aquarius then you have probably seen an Eta Aquarid meteor! FMI: http://meteorshowersonline.com/eta_aquarids.html

May 7 – Lockheed Martin Space Day, FMI: www.spaceday.com

MAY 7, 8 -- Possible SAAA Star Party dates at Nova Hill

May 9 - 16 -- Texas Star Party, near Fort Davis, TX. FMI: www.texasstarparty.org/

May 13 -- New Moon

MAY 14, 15 -- Possible SAAA Star Party dates at Nova Hill

 

(All times for Central Time Zone unless noted)