Hi everybody

Here's the latest article from the Astronomy site at BellaOnline.com.

Hidden Universe 3D – book review
Hidden things intrigue, fire the imagination, and move us to uncover them. In "Hidden Universe 3D" you can see what powerful technology has made visible. And you can see it in 3D on a giant screen. A wonderful experience.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art183545.asp

*Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter anniversary*

June 18 is the fifth anniversary of the launch of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). To celebrate, “The Moon as Art” collection of images will be released on the day – with a cover picture voted for by the public. Here's the website: http://lro.gsfc.nasa.gov/MoonArt (I've just noticed that the link didn't work when I put it in the May 28th newsletter. The link underline crept under the full stop at the end of the sentence. My apologies for this slip.)

You can read an account of some of the LRO images by astronomy writer Ian Ridpath here: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art29536.asp

*First American woman in space*

Thirty-one years ago the first American woman went into space: Sally Ride (1951-2012) on June 18, 1983. It was twenty years before that – almost to the day – when Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the very first woman in space. Svetlana Savitskaya followed as the second woman in space a mere nineteen years later!

*Happy Birthday, William Lassell*

Lassell was born on June 18, 1799 in the north of England. He became a wealthy businessman, and with some of his money was able to build his own observatory. Lassell was a prominent figure in 19th century astronomy. He discovered Neptune's moon Triton and two moons of Uranus. The Royal Astronomical Society awarded him a Gold Medal, and he also served as its President.

*Happy birthday, Royal Greenwich Observatory*

King Charles II granted a royal charter for the observatory's founding on June 22, 1675. You can read about this historic observatory here: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art31803.asp

*Happy Summer / Winter Solstice*

The June solstice will occur at 10.51 UTC on June 21st this year. Here is an account of some of the traditions associated with the summer solstice: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art180853.asp and this will tell you more about the winter solstice: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art179016.asp

Please visit astronomy.bellaonline.com for even more great content about Astronomy.

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I welcome your feedback!

Do pass this message along to family and friends who might also be interested. Remember it's free and without obligation.

I wish you clear skies.

Mona Evans, Astronomy Editor
http://astronomy.bellaonline.com

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