UPCOMING SOUTH JERSEY ASTRONOMY CLUB EVENTS..
Welcome to ASTRO ALERT, the calendar and events page for the South Jersey Astronomy Club. 
Here's where you can find out about upcoming meetings, SkyWatches and other club events, including the South Jersey Star Party, as well as club e-mail lists and groups. Just scroll down for more information.
Be sure to check this page for any changes that might occur, too, especially if weather interferes with public SkyWatches or other activities. Thanks for visiting!
SJAC MEETINGS & EVENTS...
July 10, 2008, (Thursday)
MONTHLY SJAC MEETING
The next monthly SJAC meeting will be held on Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 7:30 PM. We meet at the Upper Cape Branch, Cape May Public Library located at 2050 Route 631, Petersburg, NJ. The phone number for the library is 609-628-2607. This is convenient to Exit-26 of the Garden State Parkway (Marmora-OC) and Routes 49 and 50 from points north and west. Check out MAPQUEST for further directions.
All are welcome at the monthly meeting, so whether you're a club member or just getting started in astronomy, feel free to attend! If you are interested in joining SJAC, here is more information.
Auust 1-2, 2008, (Friday-Saturday)
MEMBERS-ONLY OBSERVING AT SOS
There will be a members-only observing run at our SOS facility. This is one of the many, great benefits of joining the South Jersey Astronomy Club!.
If you are interested in joining SJAC, here is more information.
August 14, 2008, (Thursday)
MONTHLY SJAC MEETING
The next monthly SJAC meeting will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 7:30 PM. We meet at the Upper Cape Branch, Cape May Public Library located at 2050 Route 631, Petersburg, NJ. The phone number for the library is 609-628-2607. This is convenient to Exit-26 of the Garden State Parkway (Marmora-OC) and Routes 49 and 50 from points north and west. Check out MAPQUEST for further directions.
All are welcome at the monthly meeting, so whether you're a club member or just getting started in astronomy, feel free to attend! If you are interested in joining SJAC, here is more information.
August 29-30, 2008 (Friday))
PUBLIC SKYWATCH AT BELLEPLAIN
The club will host a public skywatch at Belleplain State Forest on Friday, August 29, 2008. The skywatch begins about 7:30, and admission is free! Once inside Belleplain State Forest, just follow the signs to the public parking lot (free) and then walk the short distance on to the observing field. 
Telescopes will be set up to give us a beautiful view of the spring night sky! Dress appropriately -- it still gets chilly after sunset. If you plan on spending the evening with us, bring along a folding chair, blanket thermos of hot drink and, of course, extra layered clothing. We also suggest a flashlight with a red filter -- cellophane works nicely -- to help you find your way and preserve your night vision. Rain or cloudy conditions on Friday night will move to Skywatch to Saturday. Bad weather on that night, though, will cancel the event. Be sure to check out our TIPS FOR THE SKYWATCH below. Cloudy conditions or rain on either night will cancel this event -- stay in touch with SJAC via this web site, or contact the Belleplain State Forest Ranger Station at 861-2404.
TIPS FOR THE SKYWATCH...
- Dress appropriately. Temperatures drop after sunset, so be sure to wear appropriate clothing. Bring a jacket, hat and wear good shoes. A snack and hot drinks can also help.
- Bring a flashlight with a red filter -- even cellophane will do -- to help you find the way and still retain your vision in the dark. Please avoid shining your light out onto the field when you enter; instead, kindly point the beam down and slightly in front of you. This is a courtesy to others who are on the field.
- We hope to have a club information table set up with literature and other items. Visit the table to learn more about astronomy and the South Jersey Astronomy Club.
- Telescopes will be set up to view planets and other objects. Enjoy the views, and feel free to ask questions.
- You can appreciate the night sky using just your naked eye, or a pair of binoculars. If you already have a telescope, feel free to bring it along. We suggest that you arrive early, though, so that you have adequate time to set up.
- Belleplain is a "camp in, camp out" facility. If you bring anything which can become litter such as paper or plastics cups or wrappers, please take them out of the forest with you.
- A thermos of coffee, maybe a folding lawn chair... and you're set for the evening!
For directions, check out our SKYWATCH page. This event is open to all, and there's plenty of free parking!
September 11, 2008, (Thursday)
MONTHLY SJAC MEETING
The next monthly SJAC meeting will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 7:30 PM. We meet at the Upper Cape Branch, Cape May Public Library located at 2050 Route 631, Petersburg, NJ. The phone number for the library is 609-628-2607. This is convenient to Exit-26 of the Garden State Parkway (Marmora-OC) and Routes 49 and 50 from points north and west. Check out MAPQUEST for further directions.
All are welcome at the monthly meeting, so whether you're a club member or just getting started in astronomy, feel free to attend! If you are interested in joining SJAC, here is more information.
September 26-28, 2008, (Friday-Sunday)
SJAC FALL STAR PARTY
The annual SJAC Fall "no frills" Star Party will be held over the September 26-28 weekend. Weather permitting, we'll be able to enjoy some of the best dark sky views in the region! Pre-registration (only $10 per person!) is now open.
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009
THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY 2009
The INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY 2009 (IYA2009) will be a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, stimulating worldwide interest not only in astronomy, but in science in general, with a particular slant towards young people. IYA2009 will mark the monumental leap forward that followed Galileo Galilei's first use of the telescope for astronomical observations, and portray astronomy as a peaceful global scientific endeavor that unites astronomers in an international, multicultural family of scientists working together to find answers to some of the most fundamental questions that humankind has ever asked.
IYA2009 is, first and foremost, an activity for the citizens of Planet Earth. It aims to convey the excitement of personal discovery, the pleasure of sharing fundamental knowledge about the Universe and our place in it and the value of scientific culture. Visit the IYA2009 web site, and watch the SJAC site for news and updates on planned activities!
Join the SOUTH JERSEY ASTRONOMY CLUB E-MAIL LIST...
Sign up for the SJAC listserv mailing list! Join this free mailing list to be notified by e-mail about upcoming SJAC activities, as well as exciting events happening in our skies!
Contact the LISTMASTER (Gary Fisher)
Return to ASTRO ALERT INDEX
Participate in the SOUTH JERSEY ASTRONOMY CLUB DISCUSSION BOARD...
The club discussion board keeps you current on observations, equipment talk and other topics directly related to astronomy. The board is hosted by Yahoogroups; you can post and read messages from others. All messages can also be delivered to you via e-mail as individual items or in digest form, or you can post and read directly to the board.
