CENTRAL VALLEY ASTRONOMERS 2012 CALENDAR

Transcription

1 CENTRAL VALLEY ASTRONOMERS 2012 CALENDAR

2 Waxing Crescent Moon by Clarence Noell Along the Terminator by Clarence Noell COVER PHOTO: The Louis Mendoza 20 Telescope at Riverpark by Casey Chumley Waxing Gibbous Moon by Fred Lusk

3 JANUARY 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday NEW YEARS DAY 8 11:30 PM Noon ~ Moon at apogee (251,418 miles) 5 PM ~ Earth at perihelion (91.4 million miles / 0.98 AU) Quadrantid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 120±) :12:30 AM ~ Latest sunrise of the year ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS 7:00 PM ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) After Xmas Gadget Night Moon diameter = 30.9 arcmin :39 PM :08 AM MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY 17 1 PM ~ Moon at perigee (229,815 miles) 10 PM ~ Mercury at aphelion (0.467 AU) PM ~ Mars: apparent diameter grows to 10 arcsec (mag = -0.1) 11 PM ~ Venus 1.2 S of Neptune (conjunction in RA, 36 E of Sun) 11 AM ~ Comet C/2011 Q2 (McNaught) at perihelion (dist to Sun = 1.35 AU; dist to Earth = 2.27 AU; mag = 13.1) PM ~ Comet P/2006 T1 (Levy) closest to Earth (dist = 0.20 AU; mag = 7.0) CVA Star Party at Eastman Lake CHINESE NEW YEAR 8:10 PM 10 AM ~ Moon at apogee (251,260 miles) 31 Saturn at greatest heliocentric latitude North ( ) DECEMBER FEBRUARY Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone (PST = UT - 8 hr; PDT = UT - 7 hr). Some events will not be visible from California. Times next to the Moon symbols indicate when that phase occurs. See for details about the major meteor showers shown in the calendar. Most meteor showers are strongest in the early morning hours. MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 7: 7:12 AM / 4:59 PM 14: 7:11 AM / 5:05 PM 21: 7:09 AM / 5:12 PM 28: 7:04 AM / 5:20 PM

4 Left to right: NGC 5985, 5982, & 5981 in Draco by Greg Morgan

5 FEBRUARY 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday JANUARY SUPER BOWL XLVI 12 MARCH MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter 1 AM ~ Mercury at superior conjunction Moon diameter = 31.8 arcmin 14 1:54 PM 9:04 AM Alpha Centaurid meteor (max ZHR = 6±) 15 Daytime Capricornid/ Sagittariid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 7±) GROUNDHOG DAY 9 9 PM ~ Venus 0.3 N of Uranus (conjunction in RA, 41 E of Sun) AM ~ Moon at perigee (228,598 miles) 1 PM ~ Equation of time at min (sundials 14.2 minutes late) :00 PM ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) LINCOLN S BIRTHDAY 19 Neptune at solar conjunction 5 PM ~ Mercury 1.3 S of Neptune (conjunction in RA, 6 E of Sun) PRESIDENT S DAY 6 AM ~ Moon at apogee (251,593 miles) ST. VALENTINE S DAY 21 MARDI GRAS 2:35 PM 1 PM ~ Mars at aphelion (1.666 AU) AM ~ Comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) brightest (dist to Sun = 1.76 AU; dist to Earth = 1.31 AU; mag = 6.6) ASH WEDNESDAY WASHINGTON S BIRTHDAY LEAP DAY 5:21 PM Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone (PST = UT - 8 hr; PDT = UT - 7 hr). Some events will not be visible from California. Times next to the Moon symbols indicate when that phase occurs. See for details about the major meteor showers shown in the calendar. Most meteor showers are strongest in the early morning hours. Moon & Venus by Dr. Fred Ringwald CVA Star Party at Eastman Lake SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 4: 6:59 AM / 5:27 PM 11: 6:52 AM / 5:35 PM 18: 6:44 AM / 5:42 PM 25: 6:36 AM / 5:49 PM

6 Double Rainbow over Mt. Stromlo, Australia by Dr. Fred Ringwald

7 MARCH 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday FEBRUARY AM ~ Mercury at half phase 1 PM ~ Mercury 2.4 from Uranus (closest approach) 7 PM ~ Comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) closest to Earth (dist to Earth = 1.27 AU; mag = 6.6) APRIL AM ~ Mercury at eastern elongation (18, evening) MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter 4 PM ~ Mercury 3.1 N of Uranus (conjunction in RA, 17 E of Sun) SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 3: 6:26 AM / 5:56 PM 10: 6:16 AM / 6:02 PM 17: 7:06 AM / 7:09 PM 24: 6:56 AM / 7:15 PM 31: 6:46 AM / 7:21 PM :25 PM 9 PM ~ Mercury at perihelion (0.307 AU) Moon diameter = 32.7 arcmin 15 1:39 AM Noon ~ Mars at opposition (dist = 0.67 AU; dia = 13.9 ; mag = -1.2) 3 AM ~ Moon at perigee (225,174 miles) 7:00 PM ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) 2:00 AM ~ Daylight Saving Time begins 3 PM ~ Venus 3.0 from Jupiter (closest approach) Gamma Normid meteor (max ZHR = 6±) 4 AM ~ Venus 3.3 N of Jupiter (conjunction in RA, 45 E of Sun) 7 PM ~ Mercury 4.6 N of Uranus (conjunction in RA, 8 E of Sun) ST. PATRICK S DAY :37 AM :14 PM ~ Vernal Equinox PM ~ Venus at perihelion (0.718 AU) Noon ~ Mercury at inferior conjunction :41 PM Uranus at solar conjunction MESSIER MARATHON #1 at Eastman Lake 11 PM ~ Moon at apogee (251,154 miles) Venus at eastern elongation (46, evening) 1 AM ~ Venus at half phase Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone (PST = UT - 8 hr; PDT = UT - 7 hr). Some events will not be visible from California. Times next to the Moon symbols indicate when that phase occurs. See for details about the major meteor showers shown in the calendar. Most meteor showers are strongest in the early morning hours. CVA Public Star Party at Riverpark

8 M104, the Sombrero Galaxy, in Virgo by Greg Morgan

9 APRIL 2012 April 21: MESSIER MARATHON #2 at Eastman Lake Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :19 PM 7 APRIL FOOLS DAY PALM SUNDAY 8 Noon ~ Venus passes along S ly edge of the Pleiades Kappa Serpentid meteor (max ZHR = 4±) Moon diameter = 33.3 arcmin PASSOVER begins at sunset GOOD FRIDAY 3:50 AM AM ~ Moon at perigee (222,641 miles) 7:00 PM ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) EASTER AM ~ Saturn at opposition (dist = 8.72 AU; dia = 19.1 ; mag = 0.2; ring incl = ) April Lyrid meteor shower begins (erratic fireballs) 22 7 AM ~ Moon at apogee (252,543 miles) Lyrid meteor (max ZHR = 18±) EARTH DAY VINTAGE DAYS 16 $TAX$DAY$ 23 2:57 AM ASTRONOMY WEEK Pi Puppid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 5 40±) 7 PM ~ Mars: apparent diameter shrinks to 10 arcsec (mag = 0.0) 17 Alpha Virginid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 5±) CVA at Vintage Days by Fred Lusk 10 AM ~ Mercury at western elongation (28, morning) ADMIN. PROFESSIONAL S DAY April 23 29: ASTRONOMY WEEK MARCH ARBOR DAY MAY PM ~ Equation of time is zero (sundials on time) 10 PM ~ Mercury at aphelion (0.467 AU) 12:18 AM 21 7 PM ~ Mercury 2.1 S of Uranus (conjunction in RA, 26 W of Sun) 10 PM ~ Mercury at half phase April 20 22: VINTAGE DAYS at Fresno State Kingsburg Observatory Star Party Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone (PST = UT - 8 hr; PDT = UT - 7 hr). Some events will not be visible from California. Times next to the Moon symbols indicate when that phase occurs. See for details about the major meteor showers shown in the calendar. Most meteor showers are strongest in the early morning hours. MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter CVA Solar Viewing at CSUF 28 ASTRONOMY DAY CVA Public Star Party at Riverpark SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 7: 6:36 AM / 7:27 PM 14: 6:26 AM / 7:33 PM 21: 6:17 AM / 7:39 PM 28: 6:08 AM / 7:46 PM

10 Partial Solar Eclipse (June 10, 2002) by Fred Lusk Sun and Sunspots by Dr. Fred Ringwald Eclipse maps from

11 MAY 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday APRIL JUNE :35 PM 9 PM ~ Moon at perigee (221,801 miles) Moon diameter = 33.5 arcmin 7:00 PM ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) 2:47 PM Eta Aquariid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 65±) 13 6 AM ~ Jupiter at solar conjunction 10 PM ~ Equation of time at max (sundials 3.7 minutes early) MOTHER S DAY 20 Moon diameter = 29.4 arcmin ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE (times are for Fresno, CA) Beg = 5:19:42 PM Max = 6:34:38 PM (90% of solar diameter) End = 7:40:29 PM 27 4:47 PM Daytime Omega Cetid meteor (max ZHR = 8±) Midnight ~ Mercury 0.4 N of Jupiter (conjunction in RA, 6 W of Sun) 28 4 AM ~ Mercury at superior conjunction PENTECOST MEMORIAL DAY RTMC 1:16 PM Eta Lyrid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 3±) VICTORY IN EUROPE DAY Daytime May Arietid & Epsilon Arietid meteor showers peak (max ZHR = 4± each) Alpha Scorpiid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 3±) AM ~ Moon at apogee 5 PM ~ 3 Juno at opposition (dist = 2.37 AU; mag = 10.2) May 23 28: RIVERSIDE TELESCOPE MAKERS CONFERENCE (RTMC), N & S Omega Scorpiid meteor showers peak (max ZHR = 5± each) MOON PHASES 31 New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone (PST = UT - 8 hr; PDT = UT - 7 hr). Some events will not be visible from California. Times next to the Moon symbols indicate when that phase occurs. See for details about the major meteor showers shown in the calendar. Most meteor showers are strongest in the early morning hours. CVA Star Party at Eastman Lake CVA Public Star Party at Riverpark SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 5: 6:00 AM / 7:52 PM 12: 5:54 AM / 7:58 PM 19: 5:48 AM / 8:04 PM 26: 5:44 AM / 8:09 PM

12 2012 Transit of Venus ~ World Visibility of Transit by Fred Espenak, NASA/GSFC 2004 Transit of Venus with Boat by Greg Morgan 2004 & 2012 Transits of Venus ~ Path of Venus Across the Sun s Disk by Fred Espenak, NASA/GSFC

13 TRANSIT OF VENUS From Fresno, the transit will be in progress at sunset. For more info, see Fred Espenak s NASA Eclipse Website : JUNE 2012 Summer Friday nights observing at Downing Planetarium & The Discovery Center Glacier Point Star Party (dates TBA) Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday MAY AM ~ Moon at perigee (222,757 miles) JULY Moon diameter = 33.3 arcmin PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE U1 = 2:59:53 AM Max = 4:04:20 AM (37% of lunar diameter) U2 = 5:06:28 AM 3:41 AM :12 AM MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 2: 5:41 AM / 8:14 PM 9: 5:40 AM / 8:17 PM 16: 5:40 AM / 8:20 PM 23: 5:41 AM / 8:22 PM 30: 5:44 AM / 8:22 PM TRANSIT OF VENUS ~ Series 5 (times are for Fresno, CA) I = 3:06:20 PM II = 3:23:56 PM Max = 6:26:58 PM III = 9:29:34 PM IV = 9:47:37 PM 5:39:30 AM ~ Earliest sunrise of the year 1 PM ~ Equation of time is zero (sundials on time) 8:02 AM Daytime Arietid meteor (max ZHR = 54±) FLAG DAY 2004 Transit of Venus by Greg Morgan 1 2 PM ~ Mercury 0.2 N of Venus (conjunction in RA, 7 E of Sun) 8 9 Daytime Zeta Perseid meteor (max ZHR = 20±) 15 7 PM ~ Moon at apogee (252,129 miles) CVA Courtright Star Party (Friday Sunday) :00 PM ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) CVA Public Star Party at Millerton Lake CVA Star Party at Eastman Lake FATHER S DAY :30 PM 4:09 PM ~ Summer Solstice (solar decl = ) CVA Courtright Star Party (Friday Sunday) 29 CVA Public Star Party at Riverpark 30 7 AM ~ Mercury at half phase Pi Cetid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 4±) June Bootid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 0 100±) Daytime Beta Taurid meteor (max ZHR = 10±) Tau Aquariid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 7±) Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone (PST = UT - 8 hr; PDT = UT - 7 hr). Some events will not be visible from California. Times next to the Moon symbols indicate when that phase occurs. See for details about the major meteor showers shown in the calendar. Most meteor showers are strongest in the early morning hours. 8 AM ~ Pluto at opposition (dist = 31.2 AU; mag = 14.0) 7 PM ~ Mercury at eastern elongation (26, evening)

14 Yosemite National Park: Half Dome and Nevada Fall from Glacier Point (some nights there may not be a star party) by Casey Chumley

15 No CVA meeting this month JULY 2012 Summer Friday nights observing at Downing Planetarium & The Discovery Center Glacier Point Star Party (dates TBA) Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :52 AM AM ~ Venus 4.8 from Jupiter 11 AM ~ Moon at perigee (225,174 miles) PM ~ Venus 0.8 N of Aldeberan Moon diameter = 32.7 arcmin 6:48 PM PM ~ Earth at aphelion (94.5 million miles / 1.02 AU) INDEPENDENCE DAY 6 AM ~ Venus at aphelion (0.728 AU) 9 PM ~ Mercury at aphelion (0.467 AU) 12 July Phoenicid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 4±) AM ~ Moon at apogee (251,496 miles) CVA Courtright Star Party (Friday Sunday) 9:24 PM CVA Star Party at Millerton Lake AM ~ Moon at perigee (228,256 miles) Alpha Capricornid meteor (max ZHR = 5±) Delta Aquariid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 16±) 1 PM ~ Equation of time at min (sundials 6.5 minutes late) North Delta Aquariid meteor (max ZHR = 4±) JUNE :56 AM AUGUST CVA Courtright Star Party (Friday Sunday) Piscis Austrinid meteor (max ZHR = 5±) Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone (PST = UT - 8 hr; PDT = UT - 7 hr). Some events will not be visible from California. Times next to the Moon symbols indicate when that phase occurs. See for details about the major meteor showers shown in the calendar. Most meteor showers are strongest in the early morning hours. MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter CVA Star Party at Eastman Lake 28 1 PM ~ Mercury at inferior conjunction CVA Public Star Party at Riverpark SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 7: 5:47 AM / 8:21 PM 14: 5:52 AM / 8:18 PM 21: 5:57 AM / 8:14 PM 28: 6:02 AM / 8:09 PM

16 Star Trails and Half Dome Silhouette by Fred Lusk Moon, Venus, and Jupiter by Dr. Fred Ringwald M16, the Eagle Nebula, in Serpens Cauda by Dr. Fred Ringwald M1, the Crab Nebula, in Taurus by Dr. Fred Ringwald

17 No CVA meeting this month AUGUST 2012 Summer Friday nights observing at Downing Planetarium & The Discovery Center Glacier Point Star Party (dates TBA) Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday JULY SEPTEMBER MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter 1 8:27 PM Moon diameter = 31.9 arcmin :55 AM Perseid meter (max ZHR = 100±) AM ~ Moon occults Venus 14 9 PM ~ Venus at half phase 15 2 AM ~ Venus at western elongation (46, morning) Eta Eridanid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 6±) 16 5 AM ~ Mercury at western elongation (19, morning) Midnight ~ Mars 2.9 S of Saturn (conjunction in RA, 60 E of Sun) 4 AM ~ Moon at apogee (251,086 miles) 17 Kappa Cygnid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 3±) 24 8:54 AM CVA Courtright Star Party (Friday Sunday) 6:54 AM CVA Public Star Party at Millerton Lake 18 9 AM ~ Mercury at half phase CVA Star Party at Eastman Lake Gamma Doradid meteor (max ZHR = 5±) Noon ~ Moon at perigee (229,761 miles) AM ~ Neptune at opposition (dist = 29.0 AU; dia = 2.5 ; mag = 7.8) 9 PM ~ Mercury at perihelion (0.307 AU) 6:58 AM 6 PM ~ Equation of time is zero (sundials on time) Alpha Aurigid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 6±) Moon diameter = 31.0 arcmin Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone (PST = UT - 8 hr; PDT = UT - 7 hr). Some events will not be visible from California. Times next to the Moon symbols indicate when that phase occurs. See for details about the major meteor showers shown in the calendar. Most meteor showers are strongest in the early morning hours. CVA Public Star Party at Riverpark SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 4: 6:08 AM / 8:02 PM 11: 6:14 AM / 7:54 PM 18: 6:19 AM / 7:46 PM 25: 6:25 AM / 7:36 PM

18 IC 1396 in Cepheus by Greg Morgan

19 SEPTEMBER 2012 September 22 23: PATS Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday AUGUST OCTOBER Pondering the Universe by Fred Lusk MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 1: 6:31 AM / 7:27 PM 8: 6:36 AM / 7:16 PM 15: 6:42 AM / 7:06 PM 22: 6:47 AM / 6:55 PM 29: 6:53 AM / 6:45 PM :00 PM ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) 6:15 AM LABOR DAY 11 PM ~ Moon at apogee (251,193 miles) :11 PM Sept. Epsilon Perseid meteor (max ZHR = 5±) GRANDPARENTS DAY CALIFORNIA ADMISSION DAY 16 6 AM ~ Mercury at superior conjunction CVA Star Party & Star-BQ (Eastman; details TBA) 12:41 PM ROSH HASHANAH begins at sunset PM ~ Moon at perigee (227,282 miles) :49 AM ~ Autumnal Equinox CVA Public Star Party at Riverpark 29 8:19 PM 30 7 PM ~ 2 Pallas at opposition (dist = 1.96 AU; mag = 8.3) YOM KIPPUR begins at sunset Daytime Sextantid meteor (max ZHR = 10±) Midnight ~ Uranus at opposition (dist = 19.1 AU; dia = 3.7 ; mag = 5.7) Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone (PST = UT - 8 hr; PDT = UT - 7 hr). Some events will not be visible from California. Times next to the Moon symbols indicate when that phase occurs. See for details about the major meteor showers shown in the calendar. Most meteor showers are strongest in the early morning hours. Moon diameter = 30.2 arcmin

20 Lunar Halo by Dr. Fred Ringwald

21 OCTOBER 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter Daytime Sextanid meteor (max ZHR = 20±) Oct. Delta Aurigid meteor (max ZHR = 3±) 6 PM ~ Moon at apogee (251,735 miles) Midnight ~ Mercury 3.5 S of Saturn (conjunction in RA, 16 E of Sun) 7:00 PM ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) :33 AM Draconid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 50±) COLUMBUS DAY (observed) 5:02 AM :32 PM 6 PM ~ Moon at perigee (224,119 miles) Southern Taurid meteor (max ZHR = 5±) Delta Aurigid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 2±) Epsilon Geminid meteor (max ZHR = 3±) 25 COLUMBUS DAY AM ~ Comet C/2011 R1 (McNaught) at perihelion (dist to Sun = 2.08 AU; dist to Earth = 2.73 AU; mag = 11.9) 26 CVA Star Party at Eastman Lake 20 7 PM ~ Mars 3.6 N of Antares INTERNATIONAL MOON NIGHT CVA Public Star Party at Riverpark 27 Orionid meteor (max ZHR = 25±) :49 PM Moon diameter = 29.6 arcmin Leo Minorid meter shower peaks (max ZHR = 2±) 2 PM ~ Venus at perihelion (0.718 AU) 10 PM ~ Mercury at half phase HALLOWEEN 2 AM ~ Saturn at solar conjunction SEPTEMBER PM ~ Mercury at eastern elongation (24, evening) NOVEMBER Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone (PST = UT - 8 hr; PDT = UT - 7 hr). Some events will not be visible from California. Times next to the Moon symbols indicate when that phase occurs. See for details about the major meteor showers shown in the calendar. Most meteor showers are strongest in the early morning hours. SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 6: 6:59 AM / 6:34 PM 13: 7:05 AM / 6:25 PM 20: 7:12 AM / 6:15 PM 27: 7:19 AM / 6:07 PM

22 Star Trails by Fred Lusk The Winter Sky by Dr. Fred Ringwald

23 NOVEMBER 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday OCTOBER DECEMBER MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter 4:36 PM Lunar Eclipse by Fred Lusk 1 8 AM ~ Moon at apogee (252,295 miles) 2 5 PM ~ Equation of time at max (sundials 16.4 minutes early) :00 PM ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) 11 2:00 AM ~ Daylight Saving Time ends VETERANS DAY 12 N & S Taurid meteor (max ZHR = 5± each VETERANS DAY (observed) ELECTION DAY :08 PM Total Solar Eclipse (South Pacific) 6:31 AM 14 2 AM ~ Moon at perigee (222,056 miles) Nov. Iota Aurigid meteor (max ZHR = 8±) CVA Star Party at Eastman Lake 17 Leonid meteor (max ZHR = ±) Mercury at inferior conjunction CVA Public Star Party at Riverpark PM ~ Venus 0.6 S of Saturn (conjunction in RA, 29 W of Sun) 8 AM ~ Max lunar libration for 2012 (10.3, tipping S & E into view); max from 1994 to 2015; 13th largest for past 1000 years & 14th largest for next 1000 years Alpha Monocerotid meteor (max ZHR = 5±) 6:46 AM Penumbral Lunar Eclipse (in progress at sunrise) Noon ~ Moon at apogee (252,501 miles) Moon diameter = 29.4 arcmin Moon at max N decl for 2012 THANKSGIVING 29 Nov. Orionid meter shower peaks (max ZHR = 3±) Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone (PST = UT - 8 hr; PDT = UT - 7 hr). Some events will not be visible from California. Times next to the Moon symbols indicate when that phase occurs. See for details about the major meteor showers shown in the calendar. Most meteor showers are strongest in the early morning hours. 30 SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 3: 7:25 AM / 5:59 PM 10: 6:33 AM / 4:53 PM 17: 6:40 AM / 4:48 PM 24: 6:47 AM / 4:45 PM

24 NGC 3268 in Antlia by Greg Morgan

25 DECEMBER 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday NOVEMBER JANUARY Star Trails by Fred Lusk 5 6 MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter 7:31 AM SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 1: 6:54 AM / 4:43 PM 8: 7:00 AM / 4:43 PM 15: 7:05 AM / 4:44 PM 22: 7:09 AM / 4:47 PM 29: 7:11 AM / 4:52 PM AM ~ Mercury at half phase CVA Star Party at Eastman Lake 8 6 PM ~ Jupiter at opposition (dist = 4.07 AU; dia = 48.4 ; mag = -2.8) PM ~ Mercury at western elongation (21, morning) Sigma Hydrid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 3±) 12 3 PM ~ Moon at perigee (221,874 miles) 19 9:19 PM 4:42:36 AM ~ Earliest sunset of the year Phoenicid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 0 100±) Puppid / Velid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 10±) 13 12:42 AM Geminid meteor (max ZHR = 120±) PEARL HARBOR DAY PM ~ 4 Vesta at opposition (dist = 1.59 AU; mag = 6.4) Monocerotid meteor shower peaks (max ZHR = 2±) HANUKKAH begins at sunset Coma Berenicid meteor (max ZHR = 3±) 7:00 PM ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) Elect officers for Ursid meteor (max ZHR = 10±) Pluto at solar conjunction PM ~ Equation of time is zero (sundials on time) NEW YEARS EVE 31 1 AM ~ 1 Ceres at opposition (dist = 1.68 AU; mag = 6.7) 25 1 PM ~ Moon at apogee (252,349 miles) CHRISTMAS Dec. Leo Minorid meteor (max ZHR = 5±) :11 AM ~ Winter Solstice (solar decl = ) 2:21 AM Moon diameter = 29.6 arcmin Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone (PST = UT - 8 hr; PDT = UT - 7 hr). Some events will not be visible from California. Times next to the Moon symbols indicate when that phase occurs. See for details about the major meteor showers shown in the calendar. Most meteor showers are strongest in the early morning hours. 29

26 Central Valley Astronomers, Inc. The Astronomy Club of Central California CVA is a local group of astronomy enthusiasts drawn together by common goals and interests. Goals: Provide a place for those interested in astronomy to meet together to enjoy and share their hobby. Share the wonders of astronomy with the public. Be a local source of astronomy education and information for our schools, the public, and the media. Interests: To learn about astronomy and related topics. To enjoy the night sky with unaided eyes, binoculars, and telescopes; to image the wonders of the universe. To learn from others and to share what we know about astronomy with others. CVA Observing Sites What we do Meetings: Monthly meetings are held at Fresno State (usually) on the Saturday closest to the Full Moon (usually). Star Parties and Public Observing: Monthly star parties are held on the Saturday closest to the New Moon (usually), at Eastman Lake (usually) in Madera County and occasionally at nearby Hensley Lake or Millerton Lake. We hold several star parties each summer at Courtright Reservoir (primitive camping). One weekend each summer we conduct a public star party at Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park. During spring, summer, and fall we conduct sidewalk astronomy at Riverpark Shopping Center on the Saturdays closest to the first quarter moon. Newsletter: Our monthly publication, The Observer, contains articles that share the knowledge and experiences of club members. Everyone is welcome to contribute. Workshops: Learn and share basic and specialized skills related to astronomy through club workshops. CVA at Fresno State Reaching out to others Discovery Center: We participate in events at The Discovery Center as part of our outreach program for the children and families of Central California. Downing Planetarium (CSUF): We are members of the Founders Circle of Donors at the Downing Planetarium. Kingsburg Observatory: We help maintain the observatory at Kingsburg High School and participate in their public events. Local Schools: We do free astronomy programs for schools and non-profit organizations. Come Join Us We always welcome newcomers and visitors. You need no special knowledge or skill to become a member. There is no age limit, and you need not own a telescope. You just need a curious mind. Contacting CVA Check our website, for current contact and membership information and larger maps to CVA activities. CVA is a nonprofit organization. Thanks to Casey Chumley, Fred Lusk, Greg Morgan, Clarence Noell, and Dr. Fred Ringwald, for providing many excellent photographs to choose from. The Calendar Committee: Greg Morgan and Fred Lusk Primary Calendar Sources: U.S. Naval Observatory [ ] Astronomical Tables of the Sun, Moon and Planets, Jean Meeus CalSky [ ] and similar websites International Meteor Organization [ ] Computer programs: WinEphem v1.09, Cartes du Ciel v2.76, etc.