SkyTips: September 2013
Jovian Adventure
Giant volcanoes and lava flows highlight this image of Io, one of the larger moons of Jupiter. Hundreds of volcanoes dot Io's surface, making it by far the most volcanically active body in the solar system. [NASA/JPL/Univ. Arizona]
Giant volcanoes and lava flows highlight this image of Io, one of the larger moons of Jupiter. Hundreds of volcanoes dot Io's surface, making it by far the most volcanically active body in the solar system. [NASA/JPL/Univ. Arizona]
Stargazing Summary
There's plenty to enjoy during the longer, cooler nights of late summer and early fall. Venus, the "evening star," creeps past two bright companions, the star Spica and the planet Saturn. The Milky Way arches high overhead during the evening, putting on a grand display from sites with dark skies. At the same time, the Big Dipper is at its most dipper-like, in the northwest, with its bowl to the lower right of the handle.
More stargazing information »
More stargazing information »
Radio Program Highlights
If you want to start hearing the StarDate program in your area, you can request a station to carry our program by emailing the request to stations@stardate.org.
September 2-8: A New Start. McDonald Observatory got a fresh start 50 years ago this week, and we'll tell you how. We'll also talk about our place in the galaxy, and have an update on a comet that could put on quite a show later in the year.
September 9-15: By the Numbers. It's a numbers game this week, with stories of the two skies visible from the northern hemisphere, a star that's part of two constellations, and a day of the week that's feared for its number.
September 16-22: To the Stars. Scientists, engineers, and dreamers will be meeting this week to think about ways to build a starship, and we'll have details. We'll also "whistle" a tune about lightning, and have all the details on the Harvest Moon.
September 23-29: Foxy Stars. The constellation Vulpecula, the fox, isn't much to look at. But a telescope reveals some beautiful sights — from a not-quite cluster of stars to the last gasps of a dying star. Join us for the fox and much more.
September 30-October 6: Mapping the Stars. A new space telescope will soon take flight. Its goal is to make the most accurate measurements yet of the distances to a billion stars. Join us for Gaia, plus a gentle appearance by a green giant and much more.
September program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on more than 300 radio stations nationwide. Find an affiliate »
September 2-8: A New Start. McDonald Observatory got a fresh start 50 years ago this week, and we'll tell you how. We'll also talk about our place in the galaxy, and have an update on a comet that could put on quite a show later in the year.
September 9-15: By the Numbers. It's a numbers game this week, with stories of the two skies visible from the northern hemisphere, a star that's part of two constellations, and a day of the week that's feared for its number.
September 16-22: To the Stars. Scientists, engineers, and dreamers will be meeting this week to think about ways to build a starship, and we'll have details. We'll also "whistle" a tune about lightning, and have all the details on the Harvest Moon.
September 23-29: Foxy Stars. The constellation Vulpecula, the fox, isn't much to look at. But a telescope reveals some beautiful sights — from a not-quite cluster of stars to the last gasps of a dying star. Join us for the fox and much more.
September 30-October 6: Mapping the Stars. A new space telescope will soon take flight. Its goal is to make the most accurate measurements yet of the distances to a billion stars. Join us for Gaia, plus a gentle appearance by a green giant and much more.
September program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on more than 300 radio stations nationwide. Find an affiliate »
This Month in StarDate Magazine
In our September/October issue, find out how astronomers study the behavior of galaxies in giant clusters hoping to crack the mystery of dark matter. We also bring you fall skywatching tips, the latest astronomy news, and Merlin's cosmic wisdom.
Subscribe today »
Subscribe today »
Join our 75th Anniversary Celebration
In 2014, McDonald Observatory will mark its 75th anniversary. It will be a celebration as grand as the West Texas night sky, and is a milestone that highlights decades of scientific achievement and work in education and outreach. To celebrate, we are holding events at the Observatory, as well as in numerous cities and towns around the state, in the coming months. Want to help us put on the celebration? Sponsorship opportunities are available at many levels.
Learn more »
Learn more »
News From the Observatory
Alan Y. Chow Telescope Dedicated
The new Alan Y. Chow Telescope was dedicated July 27 at McDonald Observatory. Rather than break a bottle of champagne over the telescope, the ceremony included the stomping of a jalapeno. The Chow Telescope will be used during Star Parties and other public programs. It will also give elementary and secondary teachers and students access to a professional instrument for research, and be used to train those teachers at the observatory's summer teacher workshops.
Winget Receives Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award
The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System has chosen Dr. Don Winget from The University of Texas at Austin to receive a 2013 Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award, its highest teaching honor. Winget is the Harlan J. Smith Centennial Professor in Astronomy at the university, and a University Distinguished Teaching Professor.
The new Alan Y. Chow Telescope was dedicated July 27 at McDonald Observatory. Rather than break a bottle of champagne over the telescope, the ceremony included the stomping of a jalapeno. The Chow Telescope will be used during Star Parties and other public programs. It will also give elementary and secondary teachers and students access to a professional instrument for research, and be used to train those teachers at the observatory's summer teacher workshops.
Winget Receives Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award
The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System has chosen Dr. Don Winget from The University of Texas at Austin to receive a 2013 Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award, its highest teaching honor. Winget is the Harlan J. Smith Centennial Professor in Astronomy at the university, and a University Distinguished Teaching Professor.
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About SkyTips
SkyTips is a monthly email newsletter for visitors to McDonald Observatory and StarDate Online. Each issue features stargazing highlights, upcoming StarDate radio program descriptions, and other news. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends and family.
SkyTips is a publication of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory Education and Outreach Office, 2609 University Ave. A2100, Austin, TX 78712. Reproduction of SkyTips content is permitted with proper credit given to McDonald Observatory.
SkyTips is a publication of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory Education and Outreach Office, 2609 University Ave. A2100, Austin, TX 78712. Reproduction of SkyTips content is permitted with proper credit given to McDonald Observatory.
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