Page 16 Kern River Courier
www.kernrivercourier.com October 4, 2013
Through the Universe
My favorite meteor shower Casey James Courier Columnist This month on October 21st, we are going to get to see one of my favorite meteor showers of the year, the Orionids, one of James the most prolific showers of the year. At peak activity it will produce about 25 meteors per hour and may produce up to 70. The Orionids come from the celestial debris of the well-known, Halley's Comet; though Halley's won't be seen again until sometime in the year 2061. On October 18th, we will get to see a Penumbral Eclipse which occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth's partial shadow, or penumbra. During this type of eclipse the Moon will darken slightly but not completely. The eclipse for us will occur roughly at 4:50 p.m., if you would like a better view of Earth's shadow on our nearest neighbor you can use a pair of binoculars or even a small telescope. I wouldn't miss this because the next eclipse isn't until April 2014. Also this month on October 1st NASA turned 55 years old but is experiencing a near total closure due to the Government shutdown. Mission control will remain open so NASA Astronauts Karen Nyberg and Mike Hopkins currently aboard the International Space Station will not be affected. All satellites and spacecraft currently in space will be maintained though the amazing photos and other data will have to be safeguarded for the duration of the shutdown, while
future launches will be canceled and postponed as work on these projects will come to a stop. Of the 18,000 NASA employees only 600 will continue working as NASA has a fleet of spacecraft and rovers exploring the solar system and interstellar space. Many satellites are in orbit around the Earth to study our home planet, while other probes are orbiting the Moon, Mercury, Mars and Saturn. The Mars rovers, Curiosity and Opportunity are driving across the surface of Mars while Hubble and the Spitzer Space Telescope are looking deep into the universe. Observatories, such as the Solar Dynamics Observatory are studying the surface of the sun. Other spacecraft's are simply in transit, the gap between the planets. NASA's New Horizons spacecraft which launched in 2006 is streaking across the outer solar system for a 2015 flyby of Pluto. Then there is Voyager 1, the farthest manmade spacecraft has ever traveled in history. It entered interstellar space in August 2013 and is now 11.7 billion miles from Earth, far away from the political disputes surrounding the government shutdown on Tuesday. Also for the month of October I will be the featured artist in the Kern River Valley Museum. I will be showing my Astrophotographer and you will be able to see the universe through my eyes. You can come into the museum for the entire month of October and see my photos of the stars and space. I hope to meet and hear from all of you while I'm there. So as always this is your dark skies, through the universe.
■ ■ ■
Calendar,
Continued from page 2 Mountain, on their field. JV 4 p.m. and Varsity 7 p.m. Kick Back in Kernville October 11 and 12 It's the annual car show with vendors, a lake cruise, and a giant raffle. 50's and 60's music and Friday night hot dog feed. For more information, contact 909-754-5270. KRV Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament and Lobster Fest October 12 Tee off at 11 a.m. and lobster tail dinner at 4 p.m. Come one or both. For information and to RSVP call 760-379-5236. An Evening with the Stars October 12 The Pregnancy Resource Center is hosting their fifth annual banquet at the Family Life Center Gym on Saturday October 12 at 6 p.m. The dinner will be catered by Jim Wyly. Tickets are $15 or $120 to sponsor a table. Get them by calling Colleen at 760417-2209 or Nancy at 714-906-7755.
Fish and Game Habitat Club October 16 The Fish and Game Habitat Club meets the third Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Lake Isabella Senior Center, Room 2, 6405 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella. For questions, call 760-376-3178. Toddler story time October 17 The Kern River Valley branch library will have Toddler story time every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. The branch is at 7054 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella. Call 760-5492083 for more information. The Republican Assembly October 17 The Republican Assembly of the Kern River Valley is meeting on Thursday, October 17 at 4:30 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, 6732 Lake Isabella, Blvd. Invite a guest to come with you. Contact Carl Mandernacht at 760-378-3695. KOA Haunted campground October 18 Haunted campground at the KOA. Call 760-378-2001 for more information.
REVA 5th Annual dance and fundraiser, October 13 REVA, Inc. is having its' 5th Annual Fundraiser Dinner Dance and Auction on Sunday, October 13 from 2-6 p.m. at the Lodge at Painted Rock catered by the Chatterbox Café. Tickets are now on sale for $50 each or $95/couple. Call Jesse at 760-793-7195 or 760-378-3101 or Barbara at 760-338-8410 or 760-299-3222.
Kern Valley Broncs Homecoming October 18 KVHS football, playing Rosamond, at home. JV 4 p.m. Varsity 7 p.m.
KRV Friends of the Library Fall Fest and Auction, October 14 Friends of the Library Fall Fest and Auction at the Lake Isabella Main Library on October 14, starting at 2 p.m. Among items to be auctioned will be a hand crafted lap quilt and an October themed movie basket. A few of the auctions items will be on display at the main library, come on by and check them out. Annual membership dues are $10 for 2014. The dues help support the local libraries children's reading programs, educational projects and the purchase of books and supplies.
To include your event in our free Courier Calendar, send the information to us by email or on paper, either in person or by mail (our address is on page 2). Submissions must be received on Tuesday by 1 p.m. in order to make each Friday's issue. Events must be open to the public and if there is any cost, it must be listed. Items submitted for our free Calendar listings may be shortened. Listings are printed in chronological order by event date and space available. Submitted items deemed entirely or mostly business advertising will not be accepted. Some event information gathered from www.kernvalley.com.
Ghost town October 18 GRIT Paranormal will be back at the Silver City Ghost Town. Call 760-379-5146 for more information.
Share your abundant garden & orchard harvest with your neighbors
It’s all Free* in the Courier Marketplace during the month of October. Just submit your ad to us!
■ ■ ■
Use our Marketplace ad form in this issue or contact information on page 2
■ ■ ■
Marketplace *Free Harvest ads are limited to one 5-line Marketplace ad per person, extra lines $1.00 each, picture and border $6.00 additional. Ad must contain a brief description, contact information and must be from a seller residing in the Kern River Valley. Private party ads only, no commercial business or dealers please. The Kern River Courier reserves the right to refuse any advertising that it deems fraudulent, inappropriate or offensive in nature. Offer ends October 22, 2013.
P.O. Box1145 6392 B Wofford Blvd., Wofford Heights, CA 93285 760-376-2860 fx:760-376-2862 office@kernrivercourier.com www.kernrivercourier.com