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Expert: - 6/4/2009


Question
I have loved astronomy since I was a child. How can I get daily emails advising what astronomical events are happening ie: meteor shower,  Aurora Borealis? I don't want to miss these events. I have recently moved to Illinois and don't even know where to go to view these events. I moved from Roanoke, Va. and we would go to Mill Mountain away from the city lights and it was a spectacular view. If you know of anywhere to go (I live  near Wadsworth, Il) I would appreciate that information also.
Have a great day,
Mrs. Cherie Hicks

Answer
Hi Cherie,
You can explore the site
http://www.skyandtelescope.com
For events in the night sky, and even find yourself a club in
that area...there are many astronomy clubs in the Northern Chicago
area at
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/organizations/searchresults?clubType=47...

Anyway, that's the site I use, along with
www.spaceweather.com
is another good site to keep track of events.
So once you locate a nearby club, and make the necessary contacts,
you can find out where they go out observing and go with them.
Oh, another good site I use for the ISS and satellties going overhead is http://www.heavens-above.com

Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA

PS...you can also punch up www.erieastronomy.com
Punch on current events in the night sky
as we have a webpage that lists the nightly events too.
The next big event is the near full moon on Saturday evening
occults the bright star Antares in Scorpius, but the moon is only 10 degrees high in the SE for Chicago area observers that evening.

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Tom Whiting

Expertise

Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years.  Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions.  No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.

Experience

Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.

Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.

Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).

Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions;  Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).

Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.

Education/Credentials
BS  Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.

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