| updated 5/4 | A N N O U N C E M E N T S | updated 5/4 | |
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seven men with varied talents and unyielding resolve formed the New Jersey Astronomical Association - a not for profit corporation dedicated to bringing
astronomy to the general public. They devised and executed a plan to build an observatory, bringing the wonders of space to the people.
Today The Paul H. Robinson Observatory - which houses the largest telescope in New Jersey open to the public - is located in Voorhees State Park - stands as a monument to this effort. Our membership consists of people from all walks of life who share a love of astronomy.
Does astronomy in New Jersey interest you or your family?
Stop by the Paul Robinson Observatory on any public evening and see what one of our qualified observers can show you. Click here for hours of operation.
How does an idea to make 10" telescopes result in a domed observatory on a mountain housing a telescope assembly over 4 tons and 15 feet
high? Who were the people that imagined this was possible? Where did the mount - several tons in weight - comes from? A high-precision 26"
mirror? A 19 foot dome? Find out how this enourmous vision came to be the Paul Robinson Observatory and Edwin E. Aldrin Astronomical Center.See a pictorial history of the making of an observatory!
On June 15, 2002, we dedicated our carefully constructed Solar System model. This gift from 3M, in cooperation with Project ASTRO NOVA and Voorhees High
School is designed to educate those who take the 1/4 mile stroll. There are a handful of scale models available for perusal in the U.S., but this new
addition to Voorhees State Park is a real standout. Here is its story and a point and click model.We invite you to point and click your way through the solar system!
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| 5/23 - | Asteroid Sample Return Mission Moves into Development |
| OSIRIS-REx, the $1 billion asteroid sample return mission led by the University of Arizona, reached a major milestone on May 16: The project passed the agency-level confirmation review called Key Decision Point-C, or KDP-C. KDP-C authorized continuation of the project into the next phase of development, giving the team the authority to proceed toward launch in 2016. full story | |
| 5/22 - | Subaru Telescope observations and the CoRoT mission unveil the future of the Sun |
| A team of astronomers led by Jose Dias do Nascimento from the Department of Theoretical and Experimental Physics at the Federal Univeristy of Rio Grande of Northern Brazil has found the farthest known solar twin in the Milky Way Galaxy — CoRoT (Convection, Rotation and planetary Transits) Sol 1, which has about the same mass and chemical composition as the Sun. full story | |
| 5/20 - | Mars Rover Opportunity Breaks US Record for Off-Planet Driving |
| NASA's long-lived Opportunity Mars rover is the new American champion of off-planet driving, breaking a distance record set more than 40 years ago by an Apollo moon buggy. full story | |
| 5/19 - | Meteor crashes into moon, sparks giant explosion |
| The moon has a new hole on its surface thanks to a boulder that slammed into it in March, creating the biggest explosion scientists have seen on the moon since they started monitoring it. full story | |
| 5/18 - | Asteroid 1998 QE2 to Sail Past Earth Nine Times Larger Than Cruise Ship |
| On May 31, 2013, asteroid 1998 QE2 will sail serenely past Earth, getting no closer than about 3.6 million miles (5.8 million kilometers), or about 15 times the distance between Earth and the moon. full story | |
| 5/17 - | Cassini Shapes First Global Topographic Map of Titan |
| Scientists have created the first global topographic map of Saturn's moon Titan, giving researchers a valuable tool for learning more about one of the most Earth-like and interesting worlds in the solar system. full story | |
| 5/16 - | Four colossal Sun flares in 48 hours |
| On Tuesday, it released the biggest solar flare of 2013 so far, an intense burst associated with a huge eruption of particles. When these eruptions reach Earth, they can interfere with satellites and communications systems on the ground. full story | |
The NJAA operates on leased premises administered by The State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry
This is just to donate, to be come a member please click here
May Sky Guide
Planetary Positions
in 2013
Updated 5/1/13
May AstroNotes
Asbury Park Press article about east coast meteor strike
NJAA member interview
Visit the Research Blog
The research group has been doing some great planetary work - check it out!
Astro Photography Blog
April Astronomy for Everyone course descriptions
MEMBERS ONLY
registration begins 3/17
registration begins 3/17
Publication Renewals
MEMBERS ONLY
Heavens-Above Satellite Observing
Participate in AstroNova
NJAA Reservation Calendar
MEMBERS ONLY
Voorhees State Park Clear Sky Clock
Astronomy Picture of the Day
