Authored by admin on Monday, October 8, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Well it’s been a while and we’re still catching up. In the summer, News in Space went to Starfest, one of the top Star Parties and Astronomy Conventions in North America. Very soon we will have a series of Starfest episodes posted on AstroShorts. I know many of you have been waiting patiently and you will be rewarded. Starfest attracts over 900 astronomy enthusiasts to Southern Ontario, Canada each year. Its diversity of programs means there is something for everyone. I’m impressed by how such a small group of organizers, the North York Astronomical Association produces such a great event.
Authored by admin on Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 8:33 am
October 4th, 1957 was a day that changed our perception of the world. The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 which orbited the earth while announcing its presence for all to see and hear. The event stirred emotions in the western world. Wonder, fear, anger, awe and a sense of challenge stirred the United States and set it on a path that further changed the globe. In 1957 I wasn’t yet born but I do remember the passion for the Space Race of the 1960’s and how it interested the entire world for a decade. The Space Race embodied the western world’s fears of being dominated by a foreign communist state and it also inspired us to reach for highest achievements we could imagine. With a dark soul as well as a noble purpose, the race to the moon seemed to mirror humanity’s unique quality of being immensely dangerous and at the same time incredibly hopeful.
Fifty years later, we find ourselves in a renewed Space Race. The political landscape is more complicated than ever and I’m too old now to think only of the more noble aspects of going back to the moon and beyond. What are your thoughts? Leave a comment or perhaps explore the subject in a video. I’d like to hear from you.
Authored by admin on Monday, September 3, 2007 at 8:27 pm
It’s been in some ways a very short summer. A backlog of material and not enough time to edit and post. Tonight, the finishing touches go on the “Beach Episode” of News in Space. We had a lot of fun filming this one and I liked the humor in it. If it’s not up, it will be posted shortly. Take a look and please comment. We want to know what you like about our productions and what we could improve upon.
We’re still working on a number of episodes to be released throughout the fall. I hope you will enjoy them as much as we did making them.
As of Monday, September 3rd, membership on the site is over 425 people now and rising. Thanks for making us a web destination. Don’t be shy posting to AstroShorts. We want more video from our members. Remember…it’s all about sharing with each other.
Authored by admin on Sunday, July 22, 2007 at 1:11 pm
It really makes me happy to see the ever-increasing number of visitors to AstroShorts but that is only one part of the equation. It is the input of our members that makes a difference. I bet you’ve noticed more than a few videos from AstroShorts member John Crilly who takes some fabulous pictures from his urban observatory. I urge you to explore them all. Thanks John for all your valuable contributions.
I’m equally pleased to report that the good people at Astronomy magazine have posted a series of videos on a wide range of topics related to astronomy. There’s been a great deal of interest from viewers -they’re very popular and we’re really happy to see them available to AstroShorts viewers.
You can upload your own videos too! Don’t be shy. Everyone visiting AstroShorts wants to see. The whole astronomical community benefits every time someone shares their interest of astronomy. That’s why we are here, doing what we do and why you are visiting right now.
Authored by admin on Friday, July 13, 2007 at 8:02 am
The relationship between Science and Science Fiction is a symbiotic one, don’t you think? Casey and I visited a Science Fiction convention in Toronto called Polaris 21 where we explored that relationship. What we found was that Science Fiction fans are keenly aware of the interplay between the two and had plenty to say. We’ll have their insights in an episode of “News In Space” very soon including an interview with Torri Higginson of Stargate Atlantis.
For those of you wondering what’s happened to News In Space, don’t fret -we haven’t forgotten you. We’re working hard to bring our on-line store to AstroShorts and it’s requiring our full attention right now. We will have more coming very soon. On a related note, our wonderful show host, Casey Dee is now providing the voice of IMAGINOVA’s monthly Sky Events Podcast. We’ve featured it on the AstroShorts main page. We’re so proud of you Casey!
The day after the shuttle launch, the good folk of the Brevard Astronomical Society and Melbourne Astronomical Society were engaged in a public event to share views of the sun and other celestial objects. They are wonderful people who really do a great job of bringing the wonder and excitement of astronomy to people of all ages. It was a pleasure to speak with the individual members -we’ll have it all in an upcoming installment of “News In Space”. Of course, we shot some great video at the BCC Planetarium as well. They run many good programs and exhibits from their beautiful location on the Brevard Community College Campus.
We are working on four new episodes of “News In Space” which focus on Florida’s Spacecoast, including the BAS, BCC Planetarium and of course the Kennedy Space Center. I think you’ll enjoy them. If you are visiting that part of Florida, check them out.
Authored by admin on Saturday, June 2, 2007 at 8:07 pm
I want to thank all the wonderful people from around the world who submitted pictures they took on International Sidewalk Astronomy Night. AstroShorts is putting them together into a slide show on behalf of the ISAN organizers so everyone can see them. There are A LOT of pictures so please be patient. We will have them very soon! Also, we’ve received a few video entries and I have to say how happy I am to see them. Please take a moment to visit these entries from Mexico and Australia. It’s important that we bring astronomy to the public and do so on a regular basis. Public events like the International Sidewalk Astronomy Night tap into the natural curiosity that people have. You don’t have to burden people with facts and figures. Just let them experience it. Those who dismiss astronomy as a pastime for eggheads are usually the first to be amazed and delighted when they actually see Saturn or Jupiter in a telescope for the first time. Do you remember your first time? That’s what need to do more of -give people the chance to experience the cosmos in their own way. We need to break down the barriers so people can appreciate astronomy and to do this we need to share more often. This is crucial if we want to attract new people to the hobby and to the science.
Why not upload your own video related to the idea of attracting new people to astronomy? Our IPOD contest is still on but you need to act soon. Perhaps you have some ideas for public events and they’ve worked well with your club. Maybe you have some great video on you last public event or have made an animation that teaches an astronomical concept. It’s up to you. It doesn’t have to be a Hollywood production. Produce it with a web-cam, a handy-cam -whatever! Don’t be shy. Contest closes June 23rd. The winning entry as judged by the AstroShorts community receives an IPOD.
Authored by admin on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Welcome!
It’s the official launch of AstroShorts and I couldn’t be more pleased. About two months ago, AstroShorts started as an idea, a concept of serving the astronomical community with a video-sharing service. Now, instead of traveling the internet in search of astronomy and space video you can find a lot of it right here. Now you can upload your astronomy or space video on this site and find an audience that’s eager to see it.
Register for your own AstroShorts account. It’s easy, it doesn’t cost anything and we don’t share your personal info with anyone. By registering, you can access all the features in AstroShorts, form friendships with other members and share your astronomy or space video. Got a great mod for a webcam? Do you have video of your club’s public event? Do you have an astrophotography technique that you want to share? AstroShorts viewers want to see this.
Win an IPOD!
Right now, we’re running a contest for videos related to attracting new people to astronomy. Got a public outreach idea or a tutorial on how to purchase your first telescope? Upload your video today and you could be the lucky winner of an IPOD! As long as it pertains to attracting new people to astronomy, it qualifies.
Create your Account
To create your free AstroShorts account go to the top right hand corner of the main page and click on “register“. The process only takes a couple of minutes. For security purposes your account will not be activated until you respond to an email from us. You will receive this email within minutes of registering -If your spam filter is aggressive you may want to keep an eye out in the trash or spam folders. Hotmail users take note!
More video is added all the time so please visit often!
