CENTRAL VALLEY ASTRONOMERS 2004 CALENDAR

CENTRAL VALLEY ASTRONOMERS 2004 CALENDAR

Cover Photo ~ M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy By Greg Morgan Left ~ Plato By Dr. Fred Ringwald Below ~ Straight Wall By David Lehman

JANUARY 2004 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday DECEMBER 2003 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 4 FEBRUARY 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 5 6 MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 3: 7:12 A.M./4:55 P.M. 10: 7:12 A.M./5:01 P.M. 17: 7:10 A.M./5:08 P.M. 24: 7:07 A.M./5:16 P.M. 31: 7:02 A.M./5:23 P.M. 1 NEW YEAR S DAY 7:40 A.M. 7 8 9 2 3 10 10 A.M. ~ Earth at perihelion Quadrantid meteor shower peaks 4 P.M. ~ Moon passes 5 north of Saturn 6 A.M. ~ Ceres at opposition (mag. 6.8) 7:00 p.m. ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) 11 12 13 14 8:46 P.M. 15 16 17 18 19 3 A.M. ~ Moon passes 3 north of Jupiter 7 P.M. ~ Moon passes 5 south of Mercury MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY 25 26 27 5 P.M. ~ Venus passes 0.9 south of Uranus 1:05 P.M. 20 21 22 23 1 P.M. ~ Moon passes 4 south of Uranus 10:03 P.M. 28 29 30 31 2 A.M. ~ Mercury at western elongation [24, morning] 24 8 P.M. ~ Moon passes 4 south of Venus CVA Star Party at Hensley Lake 7 P.M. ~ Moon passes 3 south of Mars Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone. Some events will not be visible from California. www.cvafresno.org

M42, the Great Orion Nebula By Greg Morgan

FEBRUARY 2004 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 12:47 A.M. 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 A.M. ~ Neptune at conjunction 8 P.M. ~ Moon passes 4 north of Saturn GROUNDHOG DAY 9 10 11 12 5:40 A.M. 13 14 7:00 p.m. ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) 6 A.M. ~ Moon passes 3 north of Jupiter LINCOLN S BIRTHDAY ST. VALENTINE S DAY 15 1 A.M. ~ Mercury passes 2 south of Neptune 22 16 PRESIDENTS DAY 23 17 18 24 25 5 P.M. ~ Moon passes 5 south of Neptune 1:18 A.M. 19 20 21 7:24 P.M. 26 27 28 6 P.M. ~ Uranus at conjunction CVA Star Party at Hensley Lake WASHINGTON S BIRTHDAY 11 A.M. ~ Moon passes 3 south of Venus 6 P.M. ~ Moon passes 0.9 south of Mars ASH WEDNESDAY JANUARY 2004 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 MARCH 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 7: 6:56 A.M./5:31 P.M. 14: 6:49 A.M./5:38 P.M. 21: 6:41 A.M./5:45 P.M. 28: 6:32 A.M./5:52 P.M. Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone. Some events will not be visible from California. www.cvafresno.org

Mars, Jupiter, & Saturn By Greg Morgan

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter 1 2 A.M. ~ Moon passes 5 north of Saturn MARCH 2004 2 PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTIONS 3 6 P.M. ~ Mercury at superior conjunction 9 P.M. ~ Jupiter at opposition 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 3:14 P.M. 8 A.M. ~ Moon passes 3 north of Jupiter 7:00 p.m. ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) 1:01 P.M. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 2:41 P.M. 1 A.M. ~ Moon passes 5 south of Neptune ST. PATRICK S DAY Noon ~ Moon passes 4 south of Uranus 10:49 P.M. ~ Vernal Equinox MESSIER MARATHON at Hensley Lake 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 9 P.M. ~ Moon passes 4 south of Mercury 1 P.M. ~ Moon passes 2 south of Venus 4 P.M. ~ Moon passes 0.8 north of Mars 28 3:48 P.M. 11 A.M. ~ Moon passes 5 north of Saturn 29 4 A.M. ~ Mercury at eastern elongation [19, evening] 9 A.M. ~ Venus at eastern elongation [46, evening] 30 31 FEBRUARY 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 APRIL 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 6: 6:22 A.M./5:59 P.M. 13: 6:12 A.M./6:05 P.M. 20: 6:02 A.M./6:11 P.M. 27: 5:52 A.M./6:18 P.M. Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone. Some events will not be visible from California. www.cvafresno.org

Star Trails By Fred Lusk Olympus OM-4T camera with Zuiko 28 mm f3.5 lens 3-hour exposure on Fuji 200 film August 23, 2003, from Courtright Reservoir, CA

APRIL 2004 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday MARCH 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 MAY 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter 1 APRIL FOOL S DAY 2 11 A.M. ~ Moon passes 3 north of Jupiter 3 7:00 p.m. ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) 4 4:03 A.M. 5 6 7 8 9 10 2:00 A.M. ~ Daylight Saving Time begins PALM SUNDAY 11 EASTER 8:46 P.M. 18 19 12 13 4:30 A.M. ~ 8:39 A.M. Partial solar eclipse; max at 6:34 A.M. (Sun rises partially eclipsed) 10 P.M. ~ Mars passes 7 north of Aldeberan PASSOVER begins 9 A.M. ~ Moon passes 5 south of Neptune 14 20 21 9 P.M. ~ Moon passes 4 south of Uranus Lyrid meteor shower peaks SECRETARY S DAY Vintage Days at CSUF Astronomy Week (April 19-25) 15 16 22 23 GOOD FRIDAY 3 A.M. ~ Venus 10 north of Aldeberan 6 P.M. ~ Mercury at inferior conjunction 3 A.M. ~ Moon passes 1.5 south of Venus 2 P.M. ~ Moon passes 2 north of Mars 17 CVA Star Party at Hensley Lake Vintage Days at California State University, Fresno (April 15-18) 24 ASTRONOMY DAY 11 P.M. ~ Moon passes 5 north of Saturn Party for the Parkway in Reedley (details T.B.A.) 10:32 A.M. SUNRISE/SUNSET 25 26 27 28 29 30 Astronomy Week 6:21 A.M. 7 P.M. ~ Moon passes 4 north of Jupiter for SATURDAYS 3: 5:41 A.M./6:24 P.M. 10: 6:31 A.M./7:30 P.M. 17: 6:22 A.M./7:36 P.M. 24: 6:13 A.M./7:42 P.M. Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone. Some events will not be visible from California. www.cvafresno.org

M57, the Ring Nebula By Dr. Fred Ringwald

MAY 2004 COMETS May brings two bright (1st mag?) comets: Comet NEAT (C/2001 Q4) and Comet LINEAR (C/2002 T7). NEAT will pass Sirius and Procyon in early May, M44 in mid-may, and enter Ursa Major in late May. LINEAR will hug the southwestern horizon and be difficult to see until mid-june. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday APRIL 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 2 JUNE 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 3 4 MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter 1:33 P.M. SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 1: 6:05 A.M./7:48 P.M. 8: 5:58 A.M./7:54 P.M. 15: 5:51 A.M./8:00 P.M. 22: 5:46 A.M./8:06 P.M. 29: 5:43 A.M./8:11 P.M. 5 6 7 8 1 1 A.M. ~ Venus at greatest brilliancy (mag. -4.5) Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks 2 P.M. ~ Total lunar eclipse (eastern hemisphere) 7:00 p.m. ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) 9 10 4:04 A.M. 11 12 13 14 15 MOTHER S DAY 16 4 P.M. ~ Moon passes 3 north of Mercury 3 P.M. ~ Moon passes 5 south of Neptune 23 24 4 P.M. ~ Moon passes 1.6 north of RTMC 30 5 A.M. ~ Moon passes 4 south of Uranus 9:52 P.M. 17 18 19 20 21 Saturn MEMORIAL DAY 31 Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone. Some events will not be visible from California. 25 26 27 12:57 A.M. 5 A.M. ~ Moon passes 4 north of Jupiter 2 P.M. ~ Mercury at western elongation (26, morning) Comet C2001 Q4 (NEAT) less than 2 west of M44 5 A.M. ~ Moon passes 0.3 north of Venus 28 29 22 9 A.M. ~ Moon passes 3 north of Mars CVA Star Party at Hensley Lake Riverside Telescope Makers Conference (5/28-30) www.cvafresno.org

JUNE 2004 TRANSIT OF VENUS We miss this transit, but the next one (June 6, 2012) will be visible in California and in progress at sunset. COMETS During the second week of June, look for LINEAR low in the WSW as darkness falls. NEAT is in Ursa Major. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday MAY 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 6 JULY 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 7 8 9:20 P.M. 1 2 3 4 1:02 P.M. 9 10 11 Friday nights during the summer ~ observing at Downing Planetarium, Discovery Center, and Clovis Farmers Market 5 12 CVA Star-B-Que (details T.B.A.) 11 P.M. ~ Moon passes 5 south of Neptune 13 14 Noon ~ Moon passes 4 south of Uranus TRANSIT OF VENUS June 7 at 10:06 P.M. June 8 at 4:34 A.M.; max at 1:20 A.M. (first transit since 1882, but not visible from California) 1:27 P.M. 15 16 17 18 5 A.M. ~ Pluto at opposition FLAG DAY 19 20 11 A.M. ~ Mars passes 6 south of Pollux FLAG DAY 21 22 23 24 2 P.M. ~ Mercury at superior conjunction Midnight ~ Moon passes 5 north of Saturn 12:08 P.M. 25 26 CVA Star Party at Hensley Lake 3 A.M. ~ Moon passes 4 north of Mars 5:57 P.M. ~ Summer Solstice FATHER S DAY 4 P.M. ~ Moon passes 3 north of Jupiter 2 P.M. ~ Venus passes 2 north of Aldeberan MOON PHASES 27 28 29 30 Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone. Some events will not be visible from California. New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 5: 5:41 A.M./8:15 P.M. 12: 5:40 A.M./8:19 P.M. 19: 5:40 A.M./8:21 P.M. 26: 5:42 A.M./8:22 P.M. www.cvafresno.org

Radio Telescope at Kitt Peak, Arizona By Steve Henderson

JULY 2004 $$$$ Glacier Point & Courtright Reservoir Star Parties (dates T.B.A.) $$$$ Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday JUNE 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 4 AUGUST 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 5 MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 3: 5:45 A.M./8:22 P.M. 10: 5:49 A.M./8:20 P.M. 17: 5:54 A.M./8:16 P.M. 24: 5:59 A.M./8:12 P.M. 31: 6:05 A.M./8:06 P.M. 6 7 8 1 2 4:09 A.M. Friday nights during the summer ~ observing at Downing Planetarium, Discovery Center, and Clovis Farmers Market 3 12:34 A.M. 9 10 3 A.M. ~ Venus passes 1.1 north of Aldeberan 8 A.M. ~ Moon passes 5 south of Neptune INDEPENDENCE DAY 4 A.M. ~ Earth at aphelion 8 P.M. ~ Moon passes 4 south of Uranus 11 12 13 14 10 A.M. ~ Saturn at conjunction 9 P.M. ~ Juno at opposition 15 16 17 4 P.M. ~ Mercury passes 0.2 north of Mars 7:00 p.m. ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) 4:24 A.M. 5 P.M. ~ Moon passes 8 north of Venus 6 P.M. ~ Venus at greatest brilliancy (mag. -4.5) CVA Star Party at Hensley Lake 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 8:37 P.M. 7 P.M. ~ Moon passes 4 north of Mars 8 A.M. ~ Moon passes 5 north of Mercury 6 A.M. ~ Moon passes 3 north of Jupiter 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 11:05 A.M. 5 P.M. ~ Mercury passes 1.5 south of Regulus 8 P.M. ~ Mercury at eastern elongation (27, evening) 5 P.M. ~ Moon passes 5 south of Neptune Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone. Some events will not be visible from California. www.cvafresno.org

Sagittarius Milky Way By Fred Lusk Olympus OM-1N camera with Zuiko 28 mm f3.5 lens piggybacked on a Celestron C5+, 25-minute exposure on Kodak 400 film, July 25, 2003, from Courtright Reservoir, CA

AUGUST 2004 $$$$ Glacier Point & Courtright Reservoir Star Parties (dates T.B.A.) $$$$ Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 3:01 P.M. 5 A.M. ~ Moon passes 4 south of Uranus 8 P.M. ~ Neptune at opposition Friday nights during the summer ~ observing at Downing Planetarium, Discovery Center, and Clovis Farmers Market 7:00 p.m. ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6:24 P.M. 15 16 17 4 P.M. ~ Moon passes 8 north of Venus Perseid meteor shower peaks 2 A.M. ~ Moon passes 5 north of Saturn 18 19 20 21 CVA Star/Perseid Party at Hensley Lake 22 23 8 P.M. ~ Mercury passes 6 south of Mars 3:12 A.M. Noon ~ Venus at western elongation (46, morning) 10 P.M. ~ Moon passes 3 north of Jupiter 24 25 26 27 28 2 P.M. ~ Mercury at inferior conjunction Noon ~ Uranus at opposition 2 A.M. ~ Moon passes 5 south of Neptune 29 7:22 P.M. 1 P.M. ~ Moon passes 4 south of Uranus 30 31 6 P.M. ~ Venus passes 1.9 south of Saturn JULY 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SEPTEMBER 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 7: 6:10 A.M./7:59 P.M. 14: 6:16 A.M./7:51 P.M. 21: 6:22 A.M./7:42 P.M. 28: 6:27 A.M./7:32 P.M. Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone. Some events will not be visible from California. www.cvafresno.org

M16, the Eagle Nebula, with the Pillars of Creation By Greg Morgan

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday AUGUST 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 5 6 12 OCTOBER 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 LABOR DAY SEPTEMBER 2004 8:11 A.M. 1 7 P.M. ~ Venus passes 9 south of Pollux 2 3 7 8 9 7 A.M. ~ Mercury at western elongation (18, morning) 3 P.M. ~ Moon passes 5 north of Saturn 10 P.M. ~ Mercury passes 0.06 south of Regulus CALIFORNIA ADMISSION DAY 7:29 A.M. 13 14 15 16 Friday nights during the summer ~ observing at Downing Planetarium, Discovery Center, and Clovis Farmers Market 10 9 A.M. ~ Moon passes 7 north of Venus 4 11 17 18 9 P.M. ~ Saturn passes 7 south of Pollux 7:00 p.m. ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) 6 P.M. ~ Moon passes 4 north of Mercury Midnight ~ Vesta at opposition 19 20 21 8:54 A.M. 6 A.M. ~ Mars at conjunction 22 ROSH HASHANAH begins 23 24 CVA Star Party at Hensley Lake 25 5 P.M. ~ Jupiter at conjunction 9:30 A.M. ~ Autumnal Equinox 8 A.M. ~ Moon passes 5 south of Neptune 6:09 A.M. MOON PHASES 26 27 28 29 30 Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone. Some events will not be visible from California. 7 A.M. ~ Asteroid Toutatis passes close to Earth New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter 8 P.M. ~ Moon passes 4 south of Uranus YOM KIPPUR begins SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 4: 6:33 A.M./7:22 P.M. 11: 6:39 A.M./7:12 P.M. 18: 6:44 A.M./7:01 P.M. 25: 6:50 A.M./6:51 P.M. www.cvafresno.org

Total Lunar Eclipse By Fred Lusk 5-inch SCT with Olympus OM-4T camera May 15, 2003, from Fresno, CA Young Moon By Don Miller

OCTOBER 2004 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday SEPTEMBER 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 NOVEMBER 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 2: 6:56 A.M./6:40 P.M. 9: 7:02 A.M./6:30 P.M. 16: 7:08 A.M./6:21 P.M. 23: 7:15 A.M./6:12 P.M. 30: 7:21 A.M./6:04 P.M. 1 2 7:00 p.m. ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) 3 4 5 3:12 A.M. 6 7 8 9 9 A.M. ~ Venus passes 0.2 south of Regulus Noon ~ Mercury at superior conjunction 3 A.M. ~ Moon passes 5 north of Saturn 10 11 12 13 7:48 P.M. 14 15 16 Noon ~ Moon passes 4 north of Venus Noon ~ Moon passes 1.6 north of Jupiter COLUMBUS DAY (traditional) 8 P.M. ~ Partial solar eclipse (NW Pacific Ocean areas) 2:59 P.M. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 CVA Star Party at Hensley Lake 24 25 26 27 Total Lunar Eclipse 2:00 A.M. Daylight Saving Time ends HALLOWEEN 31 Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone. Some events will not be visible from California. 8:04 P.M. P1= 5:05:32 P.M. U1= 6:14:23 P.M. U2= 7:23:25 P.M. Max= 8:04:04 P.M. U3= 8:44:41 P.M. U4= 9:53:42 P.M. P4= 11:02:42 P.M. 2 P.M. ~ Moon passes 5 south of Neptune Orionid meteor shower peaks 28 29 30 1 A.M. ~ Moon passes 4 south of Uranus Midnight ~ Mars passes 3 north of Spica www.cvafresno.org

NGC 2685, the Helix Nebula By Greg Morgan

NOVEMBER 2004 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 9:53 P.M. 5 6 7 8 9 14 15 16 ELECTION DAY 8 A.M. ~ Moon passes 1.0 north of Jupiter 6 P.M. ~ Moon passes 0.2 south of Venus Noon ~ Moon passes 5 north of Saturn 10 8 P.M. ~ Moon passes 0.5 south of Mars 17 1 P.M. ~ Venus passes 0.6 north of Jupiter 11 2 A.M. ~ Mercury passes 2 north of Antares VETERANS DAY 9:50 P.M. 18 19 6:27 A.M. 12 13 7:00 p.m. ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) 7 P.M. ~ Moon passes 0.9 south of Mercury CVA Star Party at Hensley Lake 20 1 A.M. ~ Venus passes 4 north of Spica 7 P.M. ~ Moon passes 5 south of Neptune Leonid meteor shower peaks 21 22 23 24 25 5 A.M. ~ Moon passes 4 south of Uranus 12:07 P.M. 26 27 5 P.M. ~ Mercury at eastern elongation (22, evening) THANKSGIVING 28 29 30 6 P.M. ~ Moon passes 5 north of Saturn OCTOBER 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 DECEMBER 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 6: 6:28 A.M./4:57 P.M. 13: 6:36 A.M./4:51 P.M. 20: 6:43 A.M./4:47 P.M. 27: 6:50 A.M./4:44 P.M. Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone. Some events will not be visible from California. www.cvafresno.org

French Alps from Pic du Midi By Dr. Fred Ringwald

DECEMBER 2004 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday NOVEMBER 2004 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 JANUARY 2005 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 5 6 7 MOON PHASES New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter 1 2 3 4 8 9 10 11 4:53 P.M. 11 P.M. ~ Venus passes 1.3 north of Mars 7:00 p.m. ~ CVA meeting at CSUF (East Engr 191) Elect officers for 2005 5:29 P.M. 3 A.M. ~ Moon passes 0.3 north of Jupiter PEARL HARBOR DAY HANUKKAH begins 4 P.M. ~ Moon passes 2 south of Mars 9 P.M. ~ Moon passes 4 south of Venus Midnight ~ Mercury at inferior conjunction CVA Star Party at Hensley Lake 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 8:40A.M. 9 A.M. ~ Pluto at conjunction Geminid meteor shower peaks 19 20 21 3 A.M. ~ Moon passes 5 south of Neptune 22 23 1 P.M. ~ Moon passes 4 south of Uranus 24 25 4:42 A.M. ~ Winter Solstice 1 P.M. ~ Venus passes 6 north of Antares CHRISTMAS 7:06 A.M. 26 27 28 29 30 31 SUNRISE/SUNSET for SATURDAYS 10 P.M. ~ Moon passes 5 north of Saturn 9 P.M. ~ Mercury passes 1.2 north of Venus 1 P.M. ~ Mercury at western elongation (22, morning) NEW YEAR S EVE 4: 6:56 A.M./4:43 P.M. 11: 7:02 A.M./4:44 P.M. 18: 7:07 A.M./4:46 P.M. 25: 7:10 A.M./4:49 P.M. Dates and times are for the Pacific Time Zone. Some events will not be visible from California. www.cvafresno.org

Central Valley Astronomers, Inc. The Astronomy Club of Central California The 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 come 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 naked eye, binocular, and telescope. To learn from others and to share what we know about astronomy with others. What we do Monthly Meetings: Meetings are usually held on the Saturday closest to the Full Moon. Star Parties: Monthly "Star Parties" are on the Saturday closest to New Moon. We regularly observe at Hensley Lake in Madera County. We spend one weekend each summer observing at Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park. 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. Loaner Telescope Program: The club owns two telescopes (a 6" and an 8" reflector) that we loan to members who do not own a telescope. Cedar To Hwy s 99 & 41 Parking = Barstow Gym East Engineering Room 191 Shaw Ave. Rd 29 Ave 26 Ave 21 Eastman Lake Rd 26 Madera * Rd 29 ** Raymond Rd *** Rd 603 Jackson Police / Info Maple Downing Planetarium C.V.A. meeting site * *** ** 99 Raymond Rd 407 Rd 400 Rd 33 145 41 Ag Unit Woodrow Ave Coarsegold Chestnut Hwy 168 Rd 400 = River Road Hensley Lake Observing Site: Buck Ridge Recreation Area Reaching out to others Clovis Farmer's Market: Telescopes are set up for free public viewing every Friday evening (May through September) at the Clovis Farmer's Market at Pollasky and Fourth Streets in Old Town Clovis. Discovery Center: We participate in events at The Discovery Center as part of our outreach program for the children of central California. Downing Planetarium: We are members of the Founders Circle of Donors at the Downing Planetarium on the CSUF campus. Kingsburg Observatory: We help maintain the observatory at Kingsburg High School and participate in all of their public events. Local Schools: We do free astronomy programs for schools! 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. Our only requirement is that you have a curious mind. Contacting CVA Check our website, http://www.cvafresno.org, for current contact and membership information. CVA is a nonprofit organization. Thanks to Greg Morgan, Dr. Fred Ringwald, Don Miller, David Lehman, Steve Henderson, and Fred Lusk for providing many excellent photographs to choose from. The Calendar Committee: Greg Morgan and Fred Lusk Calendar Sources: Astronomy's Explore the Universe, 10th Edition, 2004 Skywatch '04 (Sky & Telescope) Stars and Planets, Jay M. Pasachoff (Peterson Field Guides) U.S. Naval Observatory [ http://aa.usno.navy.mil ] JPL Space Calendar [ http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/calendar/ ] CalSky [ http://www.calsky.com ], et al