Letter from the President -- Alcon 2007
Thanks to all that attended our national convention, ALConExpo 2007, which was held in Portland, Oregon on Aug 3rd and 4th. The event was a tremendous success thanks to the efforts of The Rose City Astronomers, speakers, and volunteers. We will have pictures and additional information about the convention available shortly. We hope to see you in Des Moines, Iowa on July 18-19, 2008 (more information will be available soon).
The Astroleague Store is now open! You may now conveniently purchase items securely online with your favorite credit card. There are several new items available so be sure to check it out.
Terry L. Mann
President Astronomical League
September 15, 2007 Astronomy Day
Don't forget our September 2007 Astronomy Day is fast approaching! Do you need information on how to hold an event or wish to have your event listed? Be sure to visit our Astronomy Day webpages for all your information needs. Have a look at Worldwide Astronomy Day page devoted to our members and their excellence in outreach during our April 2007 Astronomy Day events!
The Great World Wide Star Count

Join us this coming October for an exciting new citizen science campaign – the Great World Wide Star Count (www.starcount.org). This international event encourages everyone to go outside, look skywards after dark, count the stars they see in certain constellations, and report what they see online.
This inaugural Windows After Dark event is designed to raise awareness about light pollution and the night sky as well as encourage learning in astronomy. All the information needed to participate is available on the Star Count Web site. The Star Count uses a simple protocol and an easy data entry form. At the conclusion of the event, the submitted data will be analyzed and a map will be generated highlighting the results of this new citizen science campaign.
Mark your calendars and plan on joining thousands of other students, families, and citizen scientists counting stars this October! The Great World Wide Star Count will be held from October 1st through October 15, 2007.
Please help us get the word out to all interested star counters! Download our flyer at
fwww.starcount.org/GWWSC2007_flyer.pdf For more information visit
www.starcount.org or contact
starcount_info@ucar.edu.
October 13 - International World AstroCast

In addition to the British Astronomical Assn. (UK) and the Society for Popular Astronomy (UK) providing support for World AstroCast the Astronomical League has also agreed to assist in this world first by circulating amongst its members notification of the event. Other national organisations have been contacted and are expected to follow suit. An all star speaker line up is programmed for the first World AstroCast, Scheduled for 13th October 2007. Up to 22 recipient sites worldwide will be able to take part in the first live amateur astronomer telecast.
Currently the following high-profile speakers have agreed to participate Stephen J. O'Meara, John Dobson, Martin Ratcliffe, Phil Harrington, Tom Boles.Tony Vanmunster. A total of nine celebrity speakers are being recruited. The event is being hosted by the Northamptonshire Natural History Society –Astronomy Section (UK). It is intended that there will be simultaneous translation in to four languages. Countries participating will be Australia, New Zealand, India, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Ireland, USA, Canada. It is expected that between 1000 to 2500 amateurs will be participating in the event. The programme starts at 08-00hrs UT and continues till 20-00hrs UT on the 13th October. This is all part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the astronomy section in the Society.
We are actively looking for partner recipient sites in the USA for this world first event. Please review our website at
http://www.nnhs.info/wac.htm
WATCH The Universe Tuesdays at 9pm/8c only on The History Channel ™® .
From the planets to the stars and out to the edge of the unknown, history and science collide in the new series The Universe. Fifty years have flown by since man first ventured into outer space, but the heavens are only now yielding their greatest secrets. Robotic rovers give us eyes on the red rock of Mars. NASA probes slam into comets at hyper speed. Deep space telescopes capture violent images of the birth of stars and their collapse into black holes. All of these have significantly changed the way we look at ourselves. As our own planet churns with the effects of global warming, it's natural to look into the heavens and wonder about the rest of the real estate. Is there anywhere else out there that that can support life? Or, is there truly no place like home?
Using cutting-edge computer graphics, this series brings the universe down to earth to show what life would be like on other planets, and to imagine what kind of life forms might evolve in alien atmospheres. Each episode will examine how the discoveries were made and the fascinating stories of the scientists and explorers who dared to venture into the uncharted territory of the universe.
Observing Club News
The Outreach Club gives recognition to those that extend our hobby to the general public. Be sure to check the FAQs page!
A Message for Our Regional Officers
Want to maintain your own section of the regional information pages on the main website ? Regional officers, read this important announcement.
Changes for Roster Updates
The Astronomical League database maintenance function is now being handled by Mitch Glaze in our League Office. Please contact Mitch at ALOffice@earthlink.net
Astronomical League National Headquarters
9201 Ward Parkway; Suite 100
Kansas City, MO 64114
ALOffice@earthlink.net
1-816-333-7759
www.astroleague.org