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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AAAA Newsletter - Spring 2004Transit of Venus - June 8, 2004 plus Comets T7 LINEAR and Q4 NEATMay 27, 2004 - The Spring 2004 edition of the American Astronomer, the Quarterly Newsletter of the American Association of Amateur Astronomers, is at the printer, and will be in your mailbox soon. As usual, AAAA members have been busy, and not only does this edition report on the exciting astronomical events that are in the news, but we also include stories about AAAA members and their many activities. The latest issue of The American Astronomer newsletter is a benefit for current members of the AAAA. However, a PDF archive of issues more than one year old can be found on the AAAA website. http://www.astromax.org/a4-news/ The world of amateur astronomy seems to stay busy. And what a great treat it is for amateurs in the early 21st century not only to be able to view rare and interesting astronomical events, but also to have the equipment to make worthwhile observations, and the opportunity to travel to distant locations whenever necessary. It is rare indeed to be able to say you have viewed a Transit of Venus. This is an opportunity that comes once a lifetime. The last observable transit was 1882. Observers in most of the world will be watching this event. But, too bad for us in the US only those astronomers on the east coast and in eastern Canada will be able to participate in observations of the transit. The rest of us, those without a plane ticket, that is, will have to content ourselves with TV reports and Internet postings. But before you start to feel too bad, buck up and go outside instead and view the wonderful comets that are visiting our neck of the Solar System these days. Look quick or you will miss T7 LINEAR, but Q4 NEAT will be around all summer, and it should put on quite a show for telescope observers as it passes through Ursa Major and across Polaris this summer. Use the finder charts in this issue to help locate these comets. What great work it is that AAAA members are doing with their equipment. With today’s digital cameras, personal computers, and high quality optical equipment, back yard astronomers can make astronomical images that were beyond the capabilities of even professional astronomers just a few years ago. To see what I mean, just take a look at some of the great images AAAA members have contributed to this issue of the American Astronomer. ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE INCREASES DUES On July 1, 2004, The Astronomical League will increase its annual membership dues to $5.00 per person. In order to continue offering AL membership as a benefit of the AAAA, we will also have to increase our annual membership rate, to $25 per year, starting July 1, 2004. You can renew your AAAA membership through June 30, 2004, at the current rate of $20, and we will extend your membership another year, even if you do not yet need to renew. RENEW YOUR AAAA MEMBERSHIP NOW – SAVE MONEY Send your name and address along with your check for $20.00 ($25.00 family) made payable to AAAA, to:
AAAA Renew Online: www.astromax.org/aa01007.htm If you are not already an AAAA member, you can join easily on the AAAA website. Or you can send a check for $20 ($25 family) to AAAA, P.O Box 7981, Dallas, TX 75209-0981. We look forward to hearing from you so you can receive future issues of the AAAA newsletter and get the REFLECTOR the quarterly newsletter from the Astronomical League. We will include a copy of this issue of the newsletter as part of your new member kit. The Universe DVDThe Universe DVD is now available through AstroMax, the AAAA online Store. The Universe DVD is by Tim Tully of California. He used NASA images from Hubble, SOHO, TRACE and other orbiting telescopes to create an amazing journey from the sun to distant galaxies. The DVD has its own original musical score and an interesting and informative narration. http://www.astromax.com/universedvd.htm Sincerely: Ed Flaspoehler, President The American Association of Amateur Astronomers has had an active presence in the amateur astronomy community since 1996. As the AAAA continues to grow and expand, it is having a wider and wider influence among amateur astronomers, and continues to refine the use of the internet as a tool to promote amateur astronomy to the widest possible audience. Through the medium of its own web page, an online store devoted to carefully chosen astronomy merchandise, our own quarterly newsletter, reciprocal links with other astronomy web sites, the creative use of online resources such as eGroups, Listbot and banner advertising, affiliate programs such as Amazon.com, and partnerships with well recognized astronomy organizations such as Sky Publishing, Kalmbach Publishing, Bushnell Sports Optics and the Astronomical League, the American Association of Amateur Astronomers has become an important source of astronomy information on the World Wide Web. For More Information Contact:
American Association of Amateur Astronomers
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