| updated 1/29 | A N N O U N C E M E N T S | updated 1/29 | |
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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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| 2/3 - | New Horizons Aims to Put Its Stamp on History |
| New Horizons’ flight to explore the Pluto system in July 2015 will be a historic accomplishment for the U.S. space program, for planetary science, and indeed for all humankind. full story | |
| 2/2 - | Inaugural Vega Rocket Poised at Europe’s South American Spaceport |
| Final preparations are in full swing for the inaugural flight of Europe’s new light launcher – the Vega booster – from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Launch crews are preparing the new rocket for blastoff as early as Feb 9, 2012 from the new Vega launch site at Kourou. full story | |
| 2/1 - | "Cool" Gas May Be At The Root Of Sunspots |
| During the initial stage of sunspot emergence and cooling, the formation of H2 may trigger a temporary "runaway" magnetic field intensification. full story | |
| 1/31 - | Our Planet's Killer Electrons Shoot Toward Space, Not Earth |
| As the sun heads toward its 2013 maximum, the corresponding increase in space weather may temporarily strip the radiation belts around Earth of their charged electrons. full story | |
| 1/30 - | Vesta Likely Cold and Dark Enough for Ice |
| Though generally thought to be quite dry, roughly half of the giant asteroid Vesta is expected to be so cold and to receive so little sunlight that water ice could have survived there for billions of years, according to the first published models of Vesta's average global temperatures and illumination by the sun. full story | |
| 1/29 - | NASA's Kepler Announces 11 New Planetary Systems |
| These discoveries nearly double the number of verified Kepler planets and triple the number of stars known to have more than one planet that transits, or passes in front of, the star. Such systems will help astronomers better understand how planets form. full story | |
| 1/28 - | Astronomers Capture Images of Asteroid 2012 BX34's Close Flyby of Earth |
| Small asteroid 2012 BX34 skimmed past Earth today, January 27, 2012, with closest approach at about 15:25 UT, and it passed only about 59,044 km (36,750 miles) or about ~0.2 lunar distance (or 0.0004 AU) above the Earth’s surface. It was discovered just a few days ago by the Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona. 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
Publication Renewals
MEMBERS ONLY
Planetary Positions
in 2012
Updated 2/1/12
February Sky Guide
January AstroNotes
Astro Photography Blog
Heavens-Above Satellite Observing
Participate in AstroNova
NJAA Reservation Calendar
MEMBERS ONLY
Voorhees State Park Clear Sky Clock
Astronomy Picture of the Day
