Dudley Observations

Volume 8, No2, April 2009

Spread the word!

Dudley Observations, our quarterly newsletter, is now available in a monthly e-mail format. We would like to be good stewards of the environment and try to reduce our use of paper by switching over to the electronic version.  In many cases, we only have one email address per family, so please assist us by adding any email addresses at which you, other family members, and friends would like to receive our news. You can add them in the box on the left.  Thank you for helping in this effort.

Clear Skies,

Janie Schwab
Executive Director

Hessberg Award

Brennen James O'Donnell, a sophomore at Hoosick Falls High School, is the recipient of the 2009 Albert Hessberg II Astronomy Campership Award, and will attend Advanced Astronomy Camp at the University of Arizona.  From the dark sky environment at Kitt Peak National Observatory just west of Tucson, Brennen will explore the sky with research-class telescopes, interact with leading scientists, and explore the unknown.

During the daytime, internationally known scientists speak on current scientific topics, including the latest NASA space missions. Students also build crystal radios, dissect cameras, explore the diverse geology and ecology though hiking, outdoor demonstrations, and travel between mountaintop observatories. By the end of camp all campers are intimately connected with some of the most advanced technology available for cosmic discovery.

The Campership Award honors the late Albert Hessberg II, Esq., longtime member of the Board of Trustees.

Grants & Donations

Stewart's Holiday Match Grant

Stewart's Shops, Inc. awarded us $750 to be used for the development and presentation of programs in conjunction with the Celebration of the International Year of Astronomy. Enjoy Stewarts' Stargazer ice cream!

Capital District Library Council

The CDLC Regional Bibliographic Databases Program (RBDB) has awarded us $2500 to catalog our collection of Observatory Publications. 

Hemenway Letters Found

Scenic Hudson acquired the former Dudley Observatory property in Selkirk for conservation purposes.  While cleaning the buildings, they came upon a trove of letters belonging to former Dudley Director Curt Hemenway dating from the 1930s, as well as a number of books on the history of the observatory. We are delighted to have these in our archives!

 

2009 Pollock Award

The Pollock Award for research in the History of Astronomy goes to Dr. Keith Snedeger, Professor of History, Utah Valley University; Visiting Scholar, African Studies Center, Michigan State University.  Dr. Snedeger will be researching  "A Visual Photometry of A.W. Roberts, South African Variable Star Observer."

Telescopes for Rising Star Interns 2009

Dudley Observatory provides budding astronomers with opportunities to experience the joys of astronomy through the Rising Star Internship program. Congratulation to all finalists, who will be embarking on an awesome adventure navigating the skies.

The 2009 Rising Star Internship student winners are Christoper Lawrence of Tamarac Middle School, Elizabeth Volks of Notre Dame Bishop Gibbons, and homeschoolers Benjamin Palmer, Hannah Smalley, Jason and Kevin Tessolecki.  In addition, the following  teachers were accepted into the Rising Star Internship program;  Shirley Buel ofNeil Hellman School, Charlotte Naples of Saratoga Springs High School, Stephanie Copeland of Lisha Kill Middle School, Sarah Fisk of the Children's Museum of Science &Technology, Bobbi-Jo Morrison of Notre Dame Bishop Gibbons, and Anita Stabrowski of Broadalbin-Perth Middle School.

Events

Albany Astronomy Day - May 2
Saturday, May 2, 2009
12 - 4pm

Astronomy Day coincides with a celebration recognizing the 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson on May 2, 2009. Dudley Observatory will have an exhibit on display, an information table, as well as several Rising Star Interns with telescopes for all to enjoy daytime viewing of the Sun, Moon & Venus

Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center
25 Quackenbush Square
Albany, New York 12207


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How to Use Your Telescope - May 3 
Sunday, May 3, 2009
4:00 - 6:00pm

Do you own a telescope?
Do you know how to use it?
Would you like some help?

COST $20.00 per telescope
free to members of Dudley and Friends of Pine Bush
RSVP - Call Dudley Observatory at 382-7583 to reserve your spot.
Please tell us the make & model of your telescope.

WORKSHOP INCLUDES
All the essentials to get you started using your telescope to observe
the wonders of the universe: Learn to balance and collimate your
telescope, align and use the finder scope, use star maps, and more...

Pine Bush Discovery Center
195 New Karner Rd.
Albany, NY 12205

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SPAC in SPACE - August 14
Friday, August 14, 2009
8pm

Once again, Dudley Observatory and Saratoga Performing Arts Center will be teaming up to bring the Capital Region an out of this world multi sensory experience on the evening of August 14th.  There will be world class music by the Philadelphia Orchestra as well as telescopes on the lawn for all to view the night sky.  

Saratoga Performing Arts Center
108 Avenue of the Pines
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

The weather WILL be getting nicer, so look up while you're strolling under the stars on balmy spring evenings!

Clear Skies,

Janie Schwab
Dudley Observatory