Peninsula Astronomical Society

We are very pleased to announce that our August 14th PAS virtual meeting will be UCO / Lick Observatory Staff Astronomer Dr. Elinor Gates on the subject: "Lick Observatory in Pandemic times - 1918 and 2020". The ZOOM meeting is scheduled at 7:30pm PDT on Friday August 14th. A reminder will be sent out the week of the meeting. Below are the details to join the ZOOM meeting.... -------------------------- PAS ZOOM MEETING AUG. 14TH 7:30PM PDT Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82628796817 Meeting ID: 826 2879 6817 Passcode: 007585 One tap mobile +16699009128,,82628796817#,,,,,,0#,,007585# US (San Jose) +13462487799,,82628796817#,,,,,,0#,,007585# US (Houston) Dial by your location +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 826 2879 6817 Passcode: 007585 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kc29SoKHBl Additional details to follow. Hope you can join us!

This fire just won't give up. Two days ago Mt. Wilson was deemed (relatively). Not anymore!

While nothing is ever "safe" with embers all around the mountain, Mt. Wilson survived 5 days of VERY close flames and smoke. The aerial tankers and helicopters made a major assault on the mountain yesterday and really drove back the flames. Ground firecrews were awesome, and still protect the facilities from any possible flare-ups. SOOOOO relieved! https://mtwilson.z2systems.com//mtwil/viewOnlineEmail.jsp

Caught the DC-10 Tanker #914 and lead plane circling Mt. Wilson this morning on the HPWREN webcams - http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/cameras/ . Don't know yet where the actual drop was, but will check the track graphs in a moment. Still a lot of activity up there, but the situation looks far better than last night!

Very tense drama last night as flames licked the edge of the observatory property at Mt. Wilson. Maybe not all clear yet, but it looks like the worst is over!

https://www.sfchronicle.com//A-miracle-How-132-year-old-Li

The BOBCAT fire is currently 4 miles from Mt. Wilson Observatory north of Pasadena / Arcadia which houses the famous 100" Hooker reflector, 60" relector, Snow s...olar telescope, two excellent solar towers and countless photographic plates, archives and documents. The fire is ZERO percent contained! Winds are supposed to be rather bad today. Keep good thoughts! Webcam at: http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/cameras/I/wilson-e-mobo-m.html Fire Incident information at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7152/

WOW! Not over yet. https://www.facebook.com/1030414567/posts/10218809390199073/

Very sad news. But they have an excellent plan to more forward. Please help if you can!!! Thank you. ------------------------------ https://charity.gofundme.com//tvs-observatory-rebuilding-f

From Lick Observatory: "Please tune in to this special virtual event, Tues, Aug 25, from 4-4:45 pm. https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/98932317498 Director Claire Max will ...answer your questions about the wildfires impacting Lick Observatory. Mt. Hamilton staff will join her to help provide updates on known damage and potential future repair/science timelines and priorities. We will try to answer questions in the chat, but will prioritize those questions sent in advance to [email protected]. Today's virtual event [Aug. 24] has been moved to the fall. If you would like to support us during this emergency you can donate here: connect.ucsc.edu/ucodirectorfund Picture taken by SLO CITY FIRE PD we are so grateful to their support on the mountain."

I've been watching the real-life drama of the fire line advance toward Lick Observatory since 1am this last morning. All of the Staff and residents evacuated s...afely about 3:30am and had enough warning to gather irreplaceable personal items. CalFire has several crews still up there battling the blazes. They have held off the flames with (so far) very little damage to the homes, structures and Observatory domes on the mountain. Super-stressful time! Hope everyone including all the brave CalFire fighters are safe!!! See more

If you missed last night's PAS ZOOM Meeting featuring Dr. Elinor Gates on the topic, "Lick Observatory in Pandemic times - 1918 and 2020", you're in luck -- the entire presentation was recorded and is now available at: https://youtu.be/swzKnB7JbGg Thank you PAS Board Member William Phelps for making the recording available and moderating the Zoom meeting.

Good primer by noted astronomer Alex Filippenko on the Perseid Meteor Shower this week. https://mailchi.mp//dr-alex-filippenko-perseid-meteor-show

August Full Moon rising. Name for this one? Take your pick! "Corn Moon", "Sturgeon Moon", "Red Moon", "Barley Moon", "Green Corn Moon", "Grain Moon", "Herb Moon", "Wyrt Moon", "Dog Moon"