Starcatcher Report May 2007
A state permitting clear perception and understanding; the area that may be seen distinctly or resolved into a clear image.

Bert Stewart – 3RF Educational Specialist

We have a new Moon! Last September an asteroid traveled too close to Earth on its voyage around the sun and became entangled in the Earth’s gravitational field. Don’t worry; this moon is not going to change the oceanic tides. It is an asteroid that is only a meter in diameter and was discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona. The team of astronomers thinks that the object will complete a third orbit of Earth before whizzing back off into space in June.
In addition to Earth temporarily possessing a second moon, May will dazzle star gazers with stunning solar system objects. Venus will continue its reign in the West after sunset and will say goodbye to the winter constellations such as Orion. During the week of the thirteenth through the nineteenth, the last quarter crescent moon dancing past Venus in the early evening will be a beautiful sight.
Saturn accompanies Venus high in the Southwest at dusk and Jupiter will be raising in the East. For those up before sunrise, Mars is a visible red object just above the horizon. The brightest asteroid in our solar system, Vesta, is visible on May 30th near Jupiter.
Of other interest, Three Rivers Foundation has recently sponsored an area youth baseball team named the Starcathers. The team is competing in the eleven and under age bracket and is composed of boys from Vernon, Northside, Electra, Quanah, Davidson, and Crowell. We are very excited about the talented team and wish them the best of luck this season. For more information on Starcathers Baseball visit http://www.starcatchersbaseball.org/ .
If you ever get lost in the Universe and need directions, feel free to contact Three Rivers Foundation (3RF). 3RF works to increase science and math awareness to students and the general public. If you would like additional information about programs at Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus, contact: www.3rf.org or call (940) 684-1670.

We have a new Moon! Last September an asteroid traveled too close to Earth on its voyage around the sun and became entangled in the Earth’s gravitational field. Don’t worry; this moon is not going to change the oceanic tides. It is an asteroid that is only a meter in diameter and was discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona. The team of astronomers thinks that the object will complete a third orbit of Earth before whizzing back off into space in June.

In addition to Earth temporarily possessing a second moon, May will dazzle star gazers with stunning solar system objects. Venus will continue its reign in the West after sunset and will say goodbye to the winter constellations such as Orion. During the week of the thirteenth through the nineteenth, the last quarter crescent moon dancing past Venus in the early evening will be a beautiful sight.

Saturn accompanies Venus high in the Southwest at dusk and Jupiter will be raising in the East. For those up before sunrise, Mars is a visible red object just above the horizon. The brightest asteroid in our solar system, Vesta, is visible on May 30th near Jupiter.

Of other interest, Three Rivers Foundation has recently sponsored an area youth baseball team named the Starcathers. The team is competing in the eleven and under age bracket and is composed of boys from Vernon, Northside, Electra, Quanah, Davidson, and Crowell. We are very excited about the talented team and wish them the best of luck this season. For more information on Starcathers Baseball visit http://www.starcatchersbaseball.org/ .

If you ever get lost in the Universe and need directions, feel free to contact Three Rivers Foundation (3RF). 3RF works to increase science and math awareness to students and the general public. If you would like additional information about programs at Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus, contact: www.3rf.org or call (940) 684-1670.