BWB Hello Red Planet in Jamaica

Report by: Errol Rickman

The Astronomical Association of Jamaica participated in the Research Day Expo of the University of the West Indies Mona Campus Lasting two days Thursday 28th to Friday 29th of January 09. This of necessity caused us to set our Mars BWB event to Saturday 30th Jan. Our main theme for the expo was The Galileoscopes to be Given to 400 Schools in Jamaica and we Registered Many new Members of the AAJ .
We invited a number of Persons to attend our Viewing Session of Mars But due to the heavy cloud cover many did not come or left early. At 8.00PM the sky Started to Clear and we ended up with about 9 viewers. among them 4 teens who were overwhelmed with excitement so we viewed Mars and took Pictures through the eyepiece and the Kids were very Proud of this. We did not forget our Galileoscope and as you can see in the Pictures .042JPG.some were looking at Mars But Of course although we saw the White caps in The 8" Newtonian Reflector the smaller scope could not do it Justice. The Moon Just the two days after Full still presented a formidable sight and was bulging out of the scopes even at low power.



Some moments form the event:

BWB Hello Red Planet in Nepal

Report by Riwaj Pokhrel:

An observational program was arranged by Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) on the premises of H.B. complex, Lalitpur on 29th January, 201o from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. The date was chosen as the opposition of Mars. A part from the beauty of Mars, people also enjoyed the marvelous moon, Orion nebula, Pleiades and other celestial bodies. Overall, "Hello Red Planet" in Nepal was a success.

BWB Hello Red Planet in New Zealand

Report by Paul Moss:

We had a Blue Full moon rise with conjunction of Mars, and we projected that image up on to a tent wall, in front of the ecofest crowd, while the bands were playing. It was an Organic River Festival we attended, at Levin, 100km north of our capital city. It was organized by myself, Ron Fisher and Mike White, all of us from Levin Stargazers.


Some photos from the event:

BWB Hello Red Planet in Philippines

By Dr. Armando Lee

Couple of images from the event:






A video:

Hello Red Planet in Maine - USA

A report by –
Joan Chamberlin
Greater Portland Astronomical Society
Maine, USA



On January 26, 2010 from 6:00-8:00 PM I held a BWB-Hello Red Planet event in the parking lot of a small strip mall in Cornish, Maine. The weather was brutally cold (with the wind chill it was about -29--30 degrees F). Even so, about 20 people and kids stopped by to look at Jupiter, Mars, the moon, and the Orion Nebula. They were not dressed for the cold weather, so they shivered and shook, but they did look through the telescope. One little girl said that she LOVES astronomy and wants to be an astronomer. Yeah! After 2 hours, there weren't many people, so I packed up and came home to thaw out.





I did a second BWB event on Saturday, Jan. 30th at the same strip mall in Cornish, Maine. This time the weather was a little warmer. It was 10 degrees F. The event began at 5:30 pm and ended at 8:00 pm. About 18 people came out to look through the telescope. One amazing thing happened. I had invited 2 missionaries to come to observe that night. However, they didn't have use of a car that night, so they walked 4 miles in the dark that very cold night to look through the telescope and to try to get other people in the area to come look. That is dedication! haha. Several people who stopped to observe were very excited about looking through the telescope for the first time. One person asked me to come give a talk at his school. It was a very satisfying and fun time, even though it took a while to warm up.

In one of these pictures you can see the moon and the missionaries. There is also a picture of me with my telescope and the BWB poster. I am dressed for the weather! :-)

Joan the "StarLady" with her telescope

BWB Hello Red Planet in Mozambique

We are having bad weather here in Mozambique. On the 26th we had a radio program program in which we spoke about Mars. It was around 18:00 to 18:30. After that we had some observational moments in one Secondary School and a Public Space (Catholic Church) between 19:00 and 20:30 26 of January was a good day. Since 27 we are having rain and cloud sky. We will be waiting for good sky.

Click here to see the photos of the event.

Ceus limpos!
Claudio Moises Paulo

Some photos:

BWB Hello Red Planet in Brazil

In January 27th, during the Mars closest approach, the Louis Cruls Astronomy Club team organized an event in the Science Center of the city of São João da Barra (Rio de Janeiro State). More than 50 people participated. In our blog many images are available, click here.

Report by Marcelo Souza.


Video produced by the program "Balanço Geral" (TV Record - RJ - Brazil)about the Mars Observation organized by the Louis Cruls Astronomy Club Team in January 27th in the Science Center of São João..

Some photos:

Iraqi BWB - Hello Red Planet

Hello Tiny Red Ball!

-Iraqi Beauty Without Borders, Hello Red planet event
By: Azhy Hasan


It was extremely cold weather, I can say that evening was coldest days of this winter for whole Iraq, and especially for Kurdistan region and Erbil, there was heavy snow falling one day ago over whole mountain region around Erbil and the temperature reached 5 C degrees, but the weather was extremely clear with steady winds.

This was the point of our successful event, the 1st event for Beyond International Year of Astronomy 2009…Beauty without Breders, Hello! Red Planet


A presentation before Observation
To make this event more public, we made a presentation according with Zagros Cultural Center in Erbil on January 27,2010 at 04:10 pm (local) about (BWB/Hello Red Planet) and another part was our campaign of (The Hoax of 2012). All participants invited to joining us with rest of the sidewalk people to observing Mars, Moon and some other selected objects, even with strong street and Moon lights, still there was a very good chance to looking at M45, M44, and the charming sparkling of Sirius through the telescope.


Sidewalk Mars Gazers!
Our major activity began at 07:30 PM (16:30 UT) nearby Ronaky Markets and nearby 40 M Street, first, it was exciting moment to setup the 8" Meade LX200 telescope on the sidewalk near the street, peoples inside passing cars were watching and sure they was asking, what is that and for?, after few minutes we found our self surrounded by too many of them, deferent ages, specially kids are enjoyed so much to observing Mars and Moon for the first time through a telescope.

"Why now? And why today?" this was a question from one of the participants, and sure there was an astronomical answer "This event will hold with 13 nations around the world called BWB/HRP, It is a chance to looking at Mars when the distance between us reaching only 100 million kilometers! Take a look at the telescope, you can see it there, no more like bright red dot, it is a small ball!" Azhy said.

At 09:45 PM (18:45 UT), the street becomes no more crowds because the temperatures continued to falling and reached nearby 0C degrees. Then we decide to pick up our staff and that was the end of that glory evening after we welcomed Mars and also said "Good bye Reddish! Come back again".

---------
Azhy Ch. Hasan
President
Amateur Astronomers Association of Kurdistan / Iraq.


NOTE: Azhy designed the "BWB - Hello Red Planet" poster! A very big thank to him :)

Some unforgettable Iraqi - BWB moments!

"I'm next"

"that's my friends up there is MARS :) "

"yes, yes, I see it! "

a little kid saying "Hello" to the Red Planet!

"see that Red object up there, that's MARS my friend!"

another observer

Azhy with the BWB - Hello Red Planet poster. He designed it :)

packing up. But not for long :)

MARS. Still bright even under strong street light!

Participating Countries

Argentina
Date: 26th to 30th
Time: -
Location: Natural Sciences Municipal Museum of Mar del Plata city.
Organizer: ACHERNAR - Difusión de la Astronomía
Contact: Claudia C. Pérez Ferrer

Martian Opposition 2010. The idea is to make a call to come to watch and show the planet, the Moon, to recognize any constellation. With family, friends and enjoy the sky (if weather permitting us ...)
This will be on 27, 28, 29 and 30 between 21 and about 23:30hs local, from the ramparts of Natural Sciences Municipal Museum of Mar del Plata city.
On 26, we give a brief talk on this subject audiovisual.
Of course, everything is free.



Brazil
Date: 26th to 30th
Time: -
Location:
Organizer: Louis Cruls Astronomy Club
Contact: Marcelo Souza



Germany
Date: 27th
Time: 17:45 onwards
Location: Presidential Observatory Ramersdorf (POR)
Organizer: EurAstro
Contact: Jean-Luc Dighaye

Wednesday 27th January 2010 starting 17:45 at POR with:
Satellite flares at 17:58, 18:34
Moon with immersion of 5 Gem (double star, 5.8mag) at 18:14.8
Planet Uranus
Dinner (optional) till 20:00
Planet Mars after 20:00
Most planetary events will be observed with a Celestron 11 and a wide-field binoviewer yielding x150 magnification.



India
Date: 29th
Time: 7:30 pm - 11:30 pm IST
Location: India
Organizer: S.P.A.C.E. (Science Popularization Association of Communicators and Educators)
Contact: Mila Mitra

SPACE is also providing a live webcast of Mars on 29th night from 7:30 pm - 11:30 pm IST on our website.



Indonesia
Date: 29th
Time: 7 pm - midnight
Location: LAPAN, Bandung
Organizer: Langitselatan
Contact: Avivah Yamani



Iraq
Date: 26th to 30th
Time: -
Location: Kurdistan
Organizer: Amateur Astronomers Association of Kurdistan
Contact: Azhy Hasan



Italy
Date: 26th to 30th
Time: -
Location: San Giuliano Milanese, Italy
Organizer:
Website:
Contact: Sara Pleione

Celestron 130/650
Heyford 60/700



Jamaica
Date: 26th to 30th
Time: -
Location: Jamaica
Organizer: Astronomical Association of Jamaica
Contact: Errol Rickman



Japan
Date: 29-30
Time: 7 - 10 pm
Location: Bisei Astronomical Observatory, Ibara, Okayama, Japan
Organizer: Bisei Astronomical Observatory
Contact: Kazuya Ayani


Maldives
Date: Thursday, January 28, 2010
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Hulhumale' BBQ area
Organizer: Maldives Science Society
Contact: Ajmal Shaheed
Sidewalk Astronomy session.



Mozambique
Date: 26th to 30th
Time: -
Location: Mozambique
Organizer: CAstroMoz
Contact: Claudio Moises Paulo



Nepal
Date: 26th to 30th
Time: -
Location: Nepal
Organizer: Nepal Astronomical Society(NASO)
Contact: Riwaj pokhrel



New Zealand
Date: 28th January 2010 Thursday
Time: 23:30 UT. 10:30 NZDT
Location: Wellington New Zealand
Organizer: Sharing Space // Sidewalk Astronomers Downunder
Contact: Paul Moss

Online meeting with Marcelo Souza in Campos Brazil, sharing skies. peoples comments and questions welcome. 23:30 UT. 10:30 NZDT (Wednesday Night in Brazil, event is 22:00h UT until 24:00h UT) (00:00hh UT of Thursday)
http://connectpro19062456.acrobat.com/gamtest/ just click on URL and make sure you can see and hear ahead of time. Use discussion pod to communicate with hosts and presenters.



Nicaragua
Date: 25th
Time: 7.30pm
Location: Colegio Peirre y Marie Curie. Las Colinas, Managua.
Organizer: ANASA
Contact: Julio Vannini



Pakistan
Date: 30th
Time: 8pm to 10pm Pakistan Standard Time (3 to 5 GMT)
Location: Karachi, Pakistan
Organizer: Pakistan Amateur Astronomers Society
Contact: Khalid Marwat

Sidewalk Astronomy. Discussions; Mars orbit, Retrograde motion, looking for details on Mars' surface. Instruments; Meade 2080, Obsession 18 inch.

Full Moon which is at its closest perigee of 2010 and would thus be big. Being a winter full moon is also very high up in the north; at a good place to observe and photograph.

Algol's minimum and its magnitude variation recording



Philippines
Date: 25th
Time: 6pm to 6am
Location: Our Lady of the Holy Rosary School, Tanza, Cavite Province
Organizer: Astrocamp Educational Tours Services
Contact: Dr Armando Lee

Star Party with telescope viewing of Mars, Moon, etc.


Date: 25th
Time: 7pm to 10pm
Location: Astrocamp Observatory SMBY Park SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
Organizer: Astrocamp Observatory
Contact: Dr Armando Lee

Public viewing session


Date: 29th
Time: 6pm to 6am
Location: Rosario National High School, Rosario, Cavite Province
Organizer: Astrocamp Educational Tours Services
Contact: Dr Armando Lee

High school students will participate from 6pm to 6am the next day
activities: Star Party with telescope viewing of Mars, Moon, ect.


Date: 29th
Time: 7pm to 10pm
Location: Astrocamp Observatory SMBY Park SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
Organizer: Astrocamp Observatory
Contact: Dr Armando Lee

Public viewing session


Date: 30th
Time: 6pm to 6am
Location: Pasay City East High School, Malibay, Pasay City
Organizer: Astrocamp Educational Tours Services
Contact: Dr Armando Lee

High school students will participate from 6pm to 6am the next day
activities: Star Party with telescope viewing of Mars, Moon, ect.


Date: 30th
Time: 7pm to 10pm
Location: Astrocamp Observatory SMBY Park SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
Organizer: Astrocamp Observatory
Contact: Dr Armando Lee

Public viewing session



Romania
Date: 28, 29 and 30
Time: 17:30-20:30
Location: SARM Central Office, Targoviste, Romania
Organizer: The Romanian Society for Meteors and Astronomy - SARM
Contact: Valentin Grigore



Sri Lanka
Date: 28th
Time: 3pm to 7pm
Location: Mount Lavinia
Organizer: Sri Lanka Astronomical Association
Contact: Thilina Heenatigala

Astrophotography session:
Solar
ISS flyby
Mars



Tanzania
Date: 27th and 29th
Time: 1930hrs
Location: Mbezi Sacuveda, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Organizer: UNAWE-Tanzania (Joeline Ezekiel)
Contact: Mponda Malozo



UK
Date: Friday 29th and Saturday 30th
Time: -
Location: Norman Fisher Observatory, at RAF Kenley, Surrey, UK
Organizer: Croydon Astronomical Society
Contact: Paul Harper



U.S.A.
Date: 26th to 30th
Time: -
Location:
Organizer: Sidewalk Astronomers
Contact: Donna Smith


Date: 26th to 30th
Time: -
Location: South Carolina, USA
Contact: Kathleen Horner

Hello Red Planet

Say hello to the Red Planet!

Various groups/individuals, will gather around in their backyards, street or Local Parks, etc… to catch the glimpse of beautiful Red Planet, MARS.

This will be a good time to capture the beauty of Mars:
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Jan 27, 2010
Closest approach of Mars and Earth (0.664 AU = 99.33 million km). Apparent diameter of Mars is 14.105".

Jan 29, 2010
Mars opposition on Earth. Apparent brightness of Mars reaches -1.28 mag in constellation Cancer.
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And not only that, Saturn and the Moon will create a beautiful sight for sky watchers. Thus making a perfect celestial event giving an awesome spectacle, seen and shared globally.



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WHEN:
Start Time: January 25, 2010 at 7:00pm
End Time: January 30, 2010 at 11:00pm
Location: Global
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How to join:
Join this event from anywhere in the world, even if you are going to watch from your deck or backyard. Use binoculars if you haven’t got a telescope.

Get a group of friends, family or the local astronomy club together, and go to the street and enjoy the beautiful views of the Red Planet.

You are welcome to hold an event anytime during 25th to 30th of January 2010. And we also encourage you to use the poster; you are free to add your club logo to the poster and use it at your event.
(If you’d like to get a better resolution poster, please email at: beautywithoutborders.bwb@gmail.com)

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If you are interested please provide us following info:
Date of your event:
Time:
Location:
Organizer:
Website (if available):

You can email the info to beautywithoutborders.bwb@gmail.com When we receive your event details, we will list you as a participant at the BWB website.
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Send us reports:
After your event, please send us a brief report of your event with couple of photos.


Let’s welcome the Red Planet and enjoy some wonderful views!