NEKAAL Observer - August-September, 2008, Vol. 2 No. 4 Volume , Issue

	The NEKAAL Observer
August-September, 2008, Vol. 2 No. 4 PO BOX 951, Topeka KS 66619 (785)449-2102 http://www.nekaal.org The official newsletter of Farpoint Observatory and the Northeast Kansas Amateur Astronomers' League

NASA - What's Wrong With The Sun
Dr. Tony Phillips
"Is it just because NEKAAL has had access to several solar telescopes, or is it really a looong time since there have been sunspots? Well, it has been a while, but it isn’t our fault. See [this] article for more on the current solar cycle." - Janelle Burgardt

Announcements
Dale Lee and Janelle Burgardt
Important announcements for members.

Sky Highlights for August and September
Janelle Burgardt
Sorry we did not have enough content to have a June-July issue, but here are your Sky Highlights for the next two months.

Death of a Supergiant
From the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
UV light imprint can tell what a star was like in the moments before it exploded!

Member News
Bill Leifer
Send me news about you and your family members - awards, achievements, even your misfortunes. Brag a little. Gain sympathy or accolades. This is a new feature. This is where members hear about each other. These two news items are an example. Let's keep it going! These items do not have to have anything to do with astronomy.

Pluto Gets a Lollipop
Bulletin from the International Astronomical Union
Like a child who just got a shot in a doctor's office, Pluto just left with a lollipop. Poor Pluto lost his designation as a full-fledged planet. But the consolation prize is getting a whole class of solar system objects named after you. Even a God of the underworld can get his feelings hurt! But he is happy now.

Deep Impact Makes Award-Winning Movie
Another JPL item
Remember the amazing probe, Deep Impact, that took those incredible pictures of part of itself crashing into comet Temple 1 a few years ago and determined the contents of the comet? Well, it has two extended missions which are likely to be spectacular. But on the way, it has photographed the Moon transiting in front of the Earth as several frames, making a movie from 31 million miles away. This is just too cool! You have to go to the link to see the streaming movie.

NEKAAL Election Procedures
From the Manual
Since nomination season will be coming up in a couple of months, it is worth reviewing the election procedure for Board members and also for Astronomer Of The Year (AOTY). This is lifted right out of the NEKAAL manual. Please take a look and consider becoming involved at the Board level. We always need fresh blood...er..meat...I mean, Board members.