MORE ON THE MOON SHOT AND PALOMAR'S PLACE IN IT

The sixty-year old 200-inch Hale Telescope on Palomar Mountain was one of many telescopes across the globe and in space that were called into action to watch the impact of NASA’s LCROSS mission. LCROSS, short for Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, was intentionally crashed into a dark crater near the south pole of the Moon. It is believed that craters such as this one, which never receive sunlight, might harbor large quantities of water ice. It was hoped that the impact would dredge up dust, rock and vaporized ice into a giant plume of material that would be visible hear on Earth with telescopes as small as 12-inches in aperture. Astronomers could then analyze the ejected material in attempt to confirm or deny the possibility of water ice being located there. Unfortunately no impact plume was visible from any telescope that observed the impact.

The best observations of this event were clearly made with the Hale Telescope on Palomar. The old 200-inch was using an instrument that removes any blurring affects caused by turbulence in our atmosphere, giving it a resolving power greater than that of the Hubble Space Telescope. Tension and excitement in the data room at Palomar grew as the clock ticked to the impact at 4:31 a.m. on Friday, October 9. It was standing room only as the scientists were joined by interested members of the observatory staff and a film crew from the BBC, which traveled halfway around the globe just to witness the event from Palomar.

The telescope and its observing system performed flawlessly, yet as the impact time came and then passed there was no obvious sign of the impact. A live video feed from the control room at NASA’s Ames confirmed that the impact had occurred as scheduled. Other observatories soon began to confirm that nothing was seen.

First images from the probe and the observatories monitoring the event were shown off at NASA’s 7:00 a.m. press briefing. Although the impact was not observed, it was obvious at that time that Palomar’s images were the sharpest from any telescope that observed the event.


The photos show: Astronomers at Palomar Observatory review the images and data collected as NASA's LCROSS mission crashed into the Moon near the lunar south pole and a film crew from the BBC interviews lead scientist Antonin Bouchez (sitting facing camera) shortly after LCROSS crashed into the Moon.

ANOTHER PRIZE WINNER

Gary Pay, president of the Valley Center Lions Club, says he has got the president's prize beat. "Months ago someone from our club grabbed the morning bell as a gag, and as a result I've been awarded the 'No Bell' prize."

MOON SHOT MONITORED FROM PALOMAR

NASA'S LCROSS moonshot to determine if there might be water on the Moon was monitored closely from a number of locations, but Palomar Observatory on Palomar Mountain probably delivered the highest resolution images of this event.

According to Scott Kardel, public information officer for the observatory, "No water detected yet, but that might come from elsewhere. No plume was seen from Palomar or elsewhere." Kardel spent a sleepless night on Thursday as the event unfolded.

Palomar likely delivered the highest resolution images of this event from any telescope on the planet. The BBC news came to the observatory to cover the event.

The lunar shot was aimed at the lunar crater. Cabeus crater was the target of the NASA LCROSS mission because it was thought to contain a substantial amount of ice. It was hoped by the LCROSS mission team that the impact would send an ejecta plume above the lunar surface, which could be observed from ground-based telescopes, but no plume was observed.

Pictures and some more info are up at:

http://www.astro.caltech.edu/palomar/lcross.html

BILBRAY TO HOLD A HEALTH "TOWN HALL" FOR SENIORS

Congressman Bilbray Town Hall on ‘Health Care for Seniors’ at La Costa Glen Retirement Community

Congressman Brian Bilbray, CA-50, who represents part of Valley Center, will hold a Town Hall Meeting with residents of La Costa Glen Retirement Community, 1950 Silverleaf Circle, this Monday, Sept. 28, starting promptly at 4:30 p.m.

Congressman Bilbray will discuss the status of health care reform, especially as it affects seniors and those on Medicare/Medicaid or Medicare Advantage.

IF YOU NEED TO EVACUATE YOUR HORSES . . .

Because San Diego County is currently under a high alert for fire danger, the Del Mar Fairgrounds has placed evacuation instructions and the intake form for large animals on its Web site. Should an emergency occur, horse owners and trainers can quickly check the Web site for instructions and the form. The Fairgrounds recommends that during times of high fire danger, horse owners download the form (one for each horse) and have them ready.

The Del Mar Fairgrounds was the main evacuation center for large animals during the 2007 wildfires, safely sheltering more than 2,200 horses and other animals.



The 22nd District Agricultural Association is a State of California agency that owns and operates the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Surfside Race Place, Horsepark Equestrian Center and the Del Mar Golf Center. The 22nd DAA produces five events each year: The San Diego County Fair, the Del Mar National Horse Show, Professional Bull Riding (PBR), The Scream Zone and Holiday of Lights. The Fairgrounds hosts more than 350 events annually, the largest of which is the live horse racing meet each summer, which is operated by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club for the 22nd DAA and the State of California. For more information, visit www.sdfair.com

WRITING WORKSHOPS

The Write Stuff, an ongoing series of workshops for writers, sponsored by the Friends of the Valley Center Library, will offer its fourth session on Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m.–noon. Published author and attorney HelenKay Dimon will be discussing “The Business of Writing: Behind every book there is a plan” with a limited number of participants. Visit the library for a flyer, register at the library book store, or for more information, e-mail writer.workshop@yahoo.com
No on-site registration will be taken the day of the event. There is a $10 fee and refreshments will be provided. VC Library is located at 29200 Cole Grade.

A Man Who Likes His Work!

On the first day of school Valley Center High School Principal Ron McCowan dressed up kind of like Tarzan and swung out onto the gym floor to wild applause from the students. The athletic McCowan, who frequently pumps iron with the athletic students in the weight room in the early morning, obviously enjoys his work and enjoys getting the students pumped up for the new year. Thanks to yearbook adviser Robert Conrad for the photos!