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 * * * SKY & TELESCOPE's SKYWATCHER'S BULLETIN - February 8, 2005 * * *

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Welcome to S&T's Skywatcher's Bulletin. More information on the items
below is available on our Web site, SkyandTelescope.com, at the URLs
provided. (If the links don't work, just manually type the URLs into your
Web browser.) Clear skies!
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COMET MACHHOLZ

By now the comet is starting to fade a little as it moves farther from
Earth, and the return of the Moon to the evening sky will make the comet
harder to spot. Machholz is circumpolar during February, March, and April
even as it dims from magnitude 4 or 5 to 9. It will remain a binocular
object at least through February and visible in a telescope at least
through May.

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/objects/comets/article_1396_1.asp

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AN ECLIPSING BINARY IN THE TRAPEZIUM

Every 65 days one of the four Trapezium stars in the Orion Nebula is in
eclipse; observers in Europe and eastern North America will have the best
view of the next event on the 15th.

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/objects/variablestars

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CELESTIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2005

Eclipses, conjunctions, and occultations -- as well as plenty of "regular"
activities like meteor showers -- will keep observers worldwide busy
during the upcoming year. Here's a summary of what's in store.

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/highlights/article_1456_1.asp

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SKY AT A GLANCE

Jupiter (in Virgo) rises in the east around 10:30 p.m. To read more about
what's happening in the night sky this week, visit "This Week's Sky at a
Glance":

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/ataglance

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EXPLORE THE SKY FROM OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE EARTH! (Advertisement)

CHILE  Here is your opportunity to view southern astronomical treasures
under possibly the darkest sky in the world. The village of San Pedro de
Atacama, at 23 degrees south latitude in Chile's immense Atacama Desert,
is the perfect base for four nights dedicated to exploring the southern
sky. Join us from May 29th to June 4th, 2005.

ALASKA  View and photograph the northern lights at the fabulous Chena Hot
Springs Resort. Witness spectacular mountains and glaciers, and get a
behind-the-scenes tour of the Poker Flat Research Range, where scientists
launch rockets into the aurora borealis. Act now: this 7-day tour starts
March 7th.

Both tours are led by award-winning astrophotographer Dennis Mammana. For
more information about either tour or to reserve your space, call
TravelQuest today at 800-830-1998 or visit us online:

For southern-sky stargazing in Chile:
> http://www.travelquestinternational.com/Chile2005/ChileHome.htm

For Alaska aurora-watching:
> http://www.travelquestinternational.com/Alaska05/alaskahome.htm

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Copyright 2005 Sky Publishing Corp. S&T's Skywatcher's Bulletin is
provided as a free service to the astronomical community by the editors of
SKY & TELESCOPE magazine. This bulletin may not be redistributed or
republished in any form without written permission from Sky Publishing;
send e-mail to permissions{at}SkyandTelescope.com or call +1 617-864-7360.
More information about astronomical observing is available on our Web site
at http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/.

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