The British National Space Centre (BNSC) is at the heart of UK efforts to explore and exploit
space. BNSC co-ordinates UK civil space activities and brings together representatives
from Government, science, academia, industry and education. BNSC promotes advances in space technology and science to ensure the UKs investments in space are made to maximum benefit.

Space can inspire young people and play a key role in the teaching of science, technology,
engineering and mathematics. BNSC also co-ordinates the UKs relations with the global civil space community. This co-operation includes projects with European partners, including the European Space Agency (ESA), bilateral agreements with an increasing number of other nations, and extends to bodies such as the United Nations and the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS).BNSC believes space technology should benefit everyone on Earth and that international collaboration is crucial.

For more information, please visit http://www.bnsc.gov.uk

Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the Space and Science Research Center (SSRC) is the leading science and engineering research company internationally, that specializes in the analysis of and planning for climate changes based upon the “Theory of Relational Cycles of Solar Activity,” also called the RC Theory. The SSRC maintains active communication channels with some of the world’s best experts in the field of solar physics and climate research pertaining to the matter of the next climate change.

In addition to conducting its own research, routine and often daily contact with some of the world’s most experienced researchers keeps the SSRC abreast of new developments. The SSRC also updates key US government leaders of the status of climate change activity centered on its area of expertise. Because of the mission of SSRC to provide unbiased, objective research and opinions and in view of the polarized, extremist nature of the current climate change debate, the SSRC presently does not accept requests from coal, oil and gas, utility companies, or environmental organizations or their intermediaries.

For more information, please visit http://www.spaceandscience.net

The Memphis Astronomical Society is a non-profit, public service organization promoting interest and education in astronomy and related sciences. Founded in 1953. The Memphis Astronomical Society logo represents the diversity of their interest. The study of astronomy spans the science of physics from the microcosm to the macrocosm, from subatomic particles to the farthest celestial objects. Astronomy also embraces the fields of chemistry, exogeology, and mathematics. The Memphis Astronomical Society, or MAS, is a public service organization which promotes understanding of the science of astronomy through free public lectures and demonstrations.

Members are seldom professional astronomers. They work in many different occupations, some in the sciences, but most in other fields. They are amateurs in the basic sense of the word: they study astronomy because they love it. They seek to learn more about it through reading, conversation with other astronomers, professional as well as amateur, and especially through direct observation of celestial objects. Astrophotography is another area of interest for many amateurs. With today’s cameras and techniques it is possible for amateurs to make spectacular photographs of celestial objects.

For more information, please visit http://www.memphisastro.org

Radio astronomy has profoundly changed and enlarged their understanding of their Universe, enabling new discoveries, opening new celestial windows, revealing an otherwise invisible Universe. Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community.

NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

For more information, please visit http://www.nrao.edu

The Panhandle Astronomy Club is an amateur astronomy club based in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. The club was founded in the Fall of 2005 for anyone interested in sharing and learning about astronomy. They enjoy observing the sky and educating others about astronomy. Their membership is open to the public. Most of their members are from the Wyobraska Panhandle. Their members have varying interests from learning to identify the constellations to Deep Sky Observing. They welcome anyone who has an interest in and a desire to learn about astronomy.

Club observing sessions are held monthly (weather permitting) at a local dark sky site or at one of the private observatories owned by club members. A variety of public events including Astronomy Day, Public Star Parties and Outreach Events are held throughout the year to foster awareness of and promote the science of astronomy. The annual Western Nebraska Star Gaze provides dark skies supplemented by daytime clinics and children’s activities.

For more information, please visit http://www.panhandleastronomyclub.com

The British National Space Centre (BNSC) partnership is at the heart of UK efforts to explore and benefit from space. Space is an essential part of all of their lives: a whole range of modern technologies, from satellite navigation to the internet, depend completely on it. It even helps us to answer fundamental questions about life. BNSC was established in 1985 to co-ordinate space policy and programmes. BNSC has about 30 staff at its headquarters, which is hosted by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). Many of these staff are on secondment from our other partners, who are not part of the BIS.

BNSC receives advice on policy and co-ordination from the UK Space Board, which comprises those BNSC partners who provide the main funding for UK space activities – STFC; NERC; BIS; the Met Office; and the MoD. From satellites monitoring the weather to spacecraft exploring the depths of the Universe, the UK is involved in more than 40 on-going space missions. The UK Space Board is advised by representatives of all their partners, through the Space Advisory Council and by BNSC’s five advisory boards that co-ordinate thinking on European space projects, satellite monitoring, space science, space technology, and telecommunications and navigation.

For more information, please visit http://www.bnsc.gov.uk

The SJAA is an amateur astronomy club based in San Jose, California. Their activities include frequent star parties, observing classes for beginners, mailing lists, meetings featuring speakers on a wide variety of astronomy and space topics, school star parties, and an active telescope loaner program. SJAA meetings and activities are open to all who are interested. You don’t have to be a member to come to our meetings, classes, or star parties, though membership does have other benefits.

Many years ago, the calendar on the first page of our newsletter was marked “Ephemeris”, to mean a table of coming events. Before they talk about membership, please note that all activities are open to all who are interested, and you are most welcome to come along and participate in any and all of them. Be assured that you are most welcome at all observing sessions. The only thing amateur astronomers like better than looking through their telescopes is to have other people look through their telescopes!

For more information, please visit http://www.sjaa.net

They have accomplished observers, scope builders, astrophotographers, and occultation specialists. We also have beginners in astronomy, young and old, and everything in between. So, if you are looking for a hobby that involves observation of the heavens with anything from binoculars to a 17 inch dobsonian scope, read on. They invite you to join us (observing is free), then if you wish to join for member benefits, then by all means do. Here is all the information you’ll need to get you acquainted with the West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers. If you are just interested in astronomy they invite you to join them for a meeting.

This group attracts amateur astronomers from all over Western Kentucky and Tennessee. So come check us out, and by all means bring your telescope if you have one. Newcomers should read through the Newcomer Survival List so you’ll know what to expect. The 20th Annual Twin Lakes Star Party 2009 is hosted by the West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers and is held each year at Pennyrile Forest State Park near Dawson Springs, Kentucky. This is a prime dark sky location with broad horizons near a pristine Kentucky wilderness area. We invite you to come join us for a week of observing fun.

For more information, please visit http://wkaa.net

On October 1, 2003, the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL) and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) were merged into one independent administrative institution to be able to perform all their activities in the aerospace field as one organization, from basic research and development to utilization. The independent administrative institution is the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA.) As space development and utilization, and aviation research and development are steps to achieve the nation’s policy objectives, their contribution to problem solving is an important mission for them.

JAXA proposed its long-term vision, “JAXA2025,” to realize their own mission. Under their corporate message “Reaching for the skies, exploring space,” JAXA is pursuing great possibilities in various aerospace fields and is striving to succeed with various research and development missions in order to contribute to the peace and happiness of humankind. JAXA has been working under its five-year, second-stage mid-term plan since April 2008. Regrettably, they experienced serious accidents and failures during the initial phases of the first-stage. However, thanks to efforts by the entire organization that collaborated on these problems, JAXA was not only successfully able to launch and operate eight H-IIA rockets, three M-V rockets and nine satellites, but it also smoothly privatized the launch operations of the H-IIA and contributed to the commercialization of civilian aircraft.

For more information, please visit http://www.jaxa.jp

The Italian Space Agency came into being in 1988. Its purpose was to coordinate all of Italy’s efforts and investments in the space sector that had begun in the 1960s. Within twenty years’ time, ASI became one of the most significant players in the world in space science, satellite technologies and the development of mobile systems for exploring the Universe. Today, ASI has a key role at the European level where Italy is the third contributor country to the European Space Agency. It also is involved at the international level. For example, ASI has a close working relationship with NASA, which has led to its participation in many of the most interesting scientific missions of recent years.

One of the most fascinating projects has been the construction and activities of the International Space Station where Italian astronauts are by now at home. In addition to providing the means to study the Universe, from space you can observe Earth to predict and prevent environmental disasters, ensure rapid intervention in crisis-stricken areas and measure the effects of climate change. Italy is also in the forefront in this area. For example, Cosmo-SkyMed, the jewel in the crown of ASI programmes is aimed at improving our knowledge of the Earth. Now more than ever, from essential questions on understanding the universe, the origin of life to experimenting new technologies, space is where humans can broaden their horizons, increase their knowledge and ensure a better future on Earth. Because of ASI’s efforts, Italy is playing a major role in this exemplary human enterprise.

For more information, please visit http://www.asi.it