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A
"IYA 2009" FRIENDLY
OBSERVING
CHALLENGE
ACTIVITY |
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Don't Get
Caught
Actual Pin looks better than this photo!
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From the NASA IYA2009
Site: |
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OUTREACH
RESOURCE KIT |
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In addition to the INFINITY Challenge, there will be at least three
other astronomy challenges introduced in the months ahead: (1) A
Challenge For YOUNGSTERS 16 Yrs and Under;
(2) COMBATING LIGHT
POLLUTION; (3) WHY ASTRONOMY OUTREACH?
2009
INTERNATIONAL YEAR of ASTRONOMY
This observatory (Palominas Starhaven
Observatory) is offering, at NO COST to those who accept
this challenge,, a ONE-OF-A-KIND ' I Observed Infinity' cosmic
astronomy metal lapel pin and printed certificate to help
commemorate IYA2009.
This challenge, open to amateur astronomers only, is to observe and
document 1 or more optical wavelength astronomical objects that are at 1.3
Billion (Bn) light years OR more approximated distance from Earth, and to convince the judging committee that the
observations did indeed take place. Entries can be submitted from film or
digital photographs, CCD images, visual observation, artwork, DVD video, or other realistic mediums. Each
valid entry that is submitted will be rewarded with an Infinity pin and a registered certificate.
Please, only one entry per challenge applicant. Each entry MUST include an
object designation that matches an astronomical object with a suspected, or
known, redshift value greater than 0.10000. A recommended website for
determining this fact is named NED
(NASA Extragalactic Database) . It is strongly urged that all observing
sessions or events associated with this challenge be conducted as a Astronomical
Outreach Gathering among Public, Friends or Family (large or small).
To read a recent document about the estimated age of the Universe, visit this
link:
http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/universe/uni_age.html
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If you would like more information regarding the challenge, please email me and we'll work the
details out! |
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Here are two links to the official IYA2009 organization and websites:
Global Link - http://www.astronomy2009.org
U.S. Link - http://www.astronomy2009.us
NASA Link - http://astronomy2009.nasa.gov/
contact me: doug.snyder@astronomyyear2009.com
OR: starhaven@palominas.com
More Information if you so
desire:
Cosmic Greetings! - My name is Doug Snyder.
I own and operate a southern Arizona observatory
named Palominas Starhaven Observatory. I am a passionate amateur astronomer
and am the co-discoverer of Comet Snyder/Murakami (C/2002E2). A main belt asteroid has been named in my honor (for
successful anti-light pollution efforts) and I am very proud of that!
This asteroid is designated (15512) Snyder.
I also belong to a local astronomy club of which I served as President for
several years. I am also a contributor to NASA's Night Sky Network
through my
astronomy club in Arizona, and the club is also a participating
organization of the Astronomical
League. I am also very proud to be a member of the
Astronomical Society of the Pacific and IOTA
, as well as the IDA.
A 'just' award is $1,000.00+ (USD) to the observer winning the challenge. No
purchase from this website or observatory is necessary and the deadline for
entries is 30 OCTOBER, 2009.
The challenge starts on 1 JULY, 2008 (07/01/2008) and, for each of the months of
September through December, 2008, there is an additional $100 added to the award
prize. Each entry is valid only if they are distinctly independent astronomical
objects. There are no age limitations
for this challenge.
Why 1.3Bn l.y. distance, you ask? That is based upon approximately 10% of
the age of the Universe, as estimated by many professional astronomical
entities. Can we measure infinity? I think not., but where does your -infinity-
begin? Did you know that just 1 light-year equals ~5,900,000,000,000
miles (that's 5.9 trillion) or ~9,500,000,000,000 kilometers! Have you ever read
the book "One...Two... Three...Infinity" by George Gamow. (first
published in 1947) Such an inspiring work to many.
Okay, you ask.....what objects can
be observed from here on Earth by amateur astronomers that are estimated to be
at about 1.3 Billion light years away (or more). That distance approximately
corresponds to a redshift value of 0.1 . "The edge of the visible universe
is at redshift infinity." And it is reported that the most distant Quasar
has a redshift of 6.4. Most recently, GRB's as far away as 7.5 Billion light-years
have been detected and observed (a 'z' of 0.94). [GRB 080319B].
See this site: http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/redshift.html
Okay, here is a short list that I am currently compiling as the year of 2009
draws nearer:
Quasar 3C 273 in the constellation of Virgo. This quasar is between 2 and 3
Billion l.y.'s away.
It's 'z' value (redshift) is 0.158
Quasar 3C 295 in the constellation of Bootes; the 'z' value is 0.461
.
There are more than 10 additional Quasar's that have a magnitude of 15.0 or
brighter.
Some of the members of the Galaxy cluster Abell2065 in the constellation of Corona Borealis;
this cluster is about 1.5
Billion l.y.'s. distant.
(See http://www.saguaroastro.org/content/Abel-Galaxy-Clusters.htm
)
Certain GRB's that become optically visible for a time (Gamma Ray Bursts - see
above)
I am quite sure there are many other objects between the boundaries of 1.3Bn and
13.7Bn l.y.'s, but can amateur astronomers observe and document them? I
think so.....I'll be trying also. Good Luck!
For many other deep-space challenges , visit this great web site. However, note that not all objects qualify for being at 1.3 Billion l. y. away or more.
Doug Snyder
P.O. Box 981
Palominas, AZ 85615
(520) 366-5788
doug.snyder@astronomyyear2009.com
starhaven@palominas.com