Temecula Valley Astronomers

Yet another interesting Pluto tid-bit in the news.

The International Astronomical Union approved new names for Pluto’s recently discovered tiny moons. Now Nix and Hydra are offically on the list.

Link to the story below, Just in case anyone wants to read it.

http://www.universetoday.com/2006/06/22/plutos-new-moons-are-named-nix-and-hydra/

Ed

Heads up to all. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is scheduled to decide on the planetary status of Pluto at their meeting in August. Depending on what they settle on for a definition of a planet, we might have 8, 10, or even up to 20 planets in our solar system.

Any thoughts on what the definition of a planet should be?

Ed

Link to story below.

http://www.universetoday.com/2006/06/22/plutos-planethood-will-be-decided-shortly/

I liked this article.

Interesting article: Stargazing in Iran

I like this part: "If there is some important astronomy to be done, Kabiri just gets the authorities to cut the town's electricity -- all the better to see the skies."

Here is something I'm going to try out soon. Projet Roddier (in French)
A simple method of optical testing that can produce results similar to an interferometer.

A recently posted amazing image showing an interstellar dust cloud,
reminds me of another dust cloud image from Chile by Loke Tan