[The background above is part of an image by the Hubble Space Telescope of the Crescent Nebula.]

WHERE: AT EXPLORIT Science Center, 3141 5th Street, Davis.

WHEN: Saturday, April 27 at 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: at Explorit

Let’s explore how native people in our area interpreted the night sky. The cultures that Europeans encountered in the Sacramento Valley area included the people of the Patwin, Maidu, and Pomo groups. These people shared an orientation to the night sky, sometimes called (by scientists) the Kuksu cult. Priests who were familiar with the ceremonies of ancestors tried to show people how their modern problems or situations should be interpreted. We will be taking a very simple look at some of the constellations and stories about the sky – as they have been preserved by modern story tellers. Our principal source will be a collection of Native American myths assembled by Dorcas S. Miller in her book, Stars of the First People: Native American Star Myths and Constellations (1997). We’ll also see if we can see similar patterns in the night sky.

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Night of Two Stars: or what happened at the March 30th meeting? We had a great meeting! Approximately 20 amateurs appeared, the sky was clear and calm.

Our second evening "Star" was Tim Feldman who assembled for the first time, a 6 inch Bushnell telescope that Explorit had received from a generous benefactor. (Snapshots of Tim, and Dennis!)

Tim talked about the man who designed the type of mount used on the scope. John Dobson is now almost a living legend among amateur astronomers, and helped Tim get started in amateur astronomy and telescope building in San Francisco. Tim kept us amused and amazed by turns. The scope was quickly, efficiently assembled and when taken outside, provided good views of Jupiter, Saturn and other delights of the spring sky. Thank you Tim!

So you see, this was a "Night of Two Stars," both of the first magnitude!

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Yosemite Under the Stars. Are you aware of the AANC? The Astronomical Association of Northern California coordinates activities among amateur groups and more. Its internet site is: http://www.aanc-astronomy.org/. The following is part of an e-mail from the president, Jane Houston-Jones, which may be of interest to some of our members.

"What could provide a better backdrop for the summer Milky Way than the granite splendor of Yosemite? Yes, every summer, from the fourth of July to Labor Day, Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park is star party central. Once the road is open to Glacier Point, usually around July 1, rangers provide a star and constellation sunset talk at the point itself. But on these selected weekends, the rangers will be joined by between 10 and 30 amateur astronomers with their own telescopes which are set up in or around the amphitheater at Glacier Point. If you plan a trip to Yosemite during the summer, why not pick one of these weekends and come up with your red flashlight to Glacier Point at sunset. You cannot believe what the sky looks like from Glacier Point!

"These star parties are offered as a public service by the national park and the astronomy clubs, and you are welcome to attend. To bring a telescope, you must be a member of the sponsoring astronomy club, and believe me, the few slots fill up quickly. It is one of the benefits of astronomy club membership. But you can come up as a visitor to the park and enjoy the looks through all the telescopes any weekend.

July 5 and 6 - San Jose Astronomical Association and Central Valley Astronomers

July 12 and 13 - The Tri-Valley Stargazers from Livermore

July 19 and 20 - San Francisco Amateur Astronomers

August 2 and 3 - Mount Diablo Astronomical Society

August 9, 10, 11 - Peninsula Astronomical Society...Perseid Meteor shower too!

August 16 and 17 - Sonoma County Astronomical Society

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Clear Skies to all!

To Receive These Bulletins via E-mail Contact Dennis Smith at: d2smith@pacbell.net

The Astronomy Club is hosted by Dennis Smith with the assistance of Tim Feldman and other eager astronomy buffs. The club is for everyone - adults, children, knowledgeable or ignorant. Come to listen, look and learn, or to share your expertise or experience.