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Desert Skies
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
Volume XLVII, Number 3, March, 2001
Contents
BEGINNERS LECTURE: Mar 2, 6:30 pm at the Steward Observatory Auditorium - Room N210. This month's topic is Into the Looking Glass by Adam Block.
GENERAL MEETING: Mar 2, 7:30 pm at the Steward Observatory Auditorium - Room N210. Topic is Triton, Pluto and the Kuiper Belt by John Stansberry.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING: Monday, Mar 12, 7:00 pm at Steward Observatory Conference room N305.
STAR PARTIES AND EVENTS:
Newsletter Schedule: Deadline for articles: Monday, Feb 12. Printing: Monday, Feb 19. Folding Party: Tuesday, Feb 20. Mailing: Wednesday, Feb 21. The newsletter is scheduled to be in the mail at least one week prior to the following month's General Meeting.
Office Name Phone Email
------ ---- ----- -----
President John Kalas 620-6502 jckalas@aol.com
Vice-President Andy Cooper 795-3585 acooper@pobox.com
Secretary Jane Tongate 623-4056 triton@dakotacom.net
Treasurer Terri Lappin 579-0185 tklappin@earthlink.net
Member-at-Large Robert Callanan 818-1315 tucsonbac@aol.com
Member-at-Large Bill Lofquist 297-6653 wlofquist@aol.com
Member-at-Large Steve Peterson 326-5303 swpeterson@theriver.com
Chief Observer Wayne Johnson
Newsletter Editor George Barber 822-2392 barbergj@flash.net
Star Parties Maggie & Jeff Buzek 760-4578 jeffbuzek@aol.com
AL Correspondent Doug Smith 797-0663 Dsmith71@ix.netcom.com
Astrophoto SIG Dean Ketelsen 293-2855 ketelsen@as.arizona.edu
Computers SIG Rodger Tanner 574-3876 rtanner@seds.lpl.arizona.edu
TAAA Mission Statement
We are a resource for anyone interested in astronomy. It is our mission to nurture a person's natural curiosity about the night sky. By giving people a knowledge and understanding of astronomy, we enhance their enjoyment of the solar system and beyond. Through our public activities and school evening observing sessions, we bring astronomy to persons of all ages. Our regular meetings and observing sessions offer members a forum to meet others with similar interests and experiences and to learn from one another.
Membership in the TAAA
Regular membership $ 23
Senior (over 60) membership $ 21
Student membership $ 15
Add for Family membership $ 5
Add for Astronomical League (optional) $ 3
Add for contribution to Southern Arizona
Section of I.D.A. (optional) $ 3 (recommended minimum)
Add for Sky & Telescope Magazine $ 29.95
Add for Astronomy Magazine $ 29
Rates for membership are given above. Family Membership includes two adults plus minor children. Members may subscribe to Sky & Telescope or Astronomy magazine (or both) at the time of membership renewal, saving substantially over the regular subscription rates. To assure we understand what you are paying for, please identify which class of membership and what options you want. Send one check made payable to TAAA to cover membership dues, magazine subscription(s) and any contributions to:
4 Easy Steps to Membership Renewal
Call the Treasurer if you have any problems. Send address changes to the above address.
Desert Skies Publishing Guidelines
All articles, announcements, news, etc. must be submitted by the newsletter deadline noted above. Materials received after that date will appear in the next issue. All submissions are retained by the editor unless prior arrangements are made. Partial page article submissions should be submitted in Word compatible files via e-mail or on a floppy disk. Full page articles, artwork, and photos should be camera ready. We will not publish slanderous or libelous material! Send articles, announcements, etc. to:
or e-mail: barbergj@flash.net
Desert Skies is published monthly by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, PO Box 41254, Tucson, Arizona 85717
Despite all of the bad weather in February, progress toward planning for the development of the TIMPA Site continues. Again this month, the Kitt Peak work party scheduled for 2/11 had to be canceled due to snow on the mountain. We had intended to transport the support structure for the 16-foot diameter dome from Kitt Peak to TIMPA. We will try again in March. The weather also hampered the marking of the footer trench at the site. Good progress was made by the TIMPA Long Range Planning Sub-committee toward the proposed development of the site beyond the large observatory. John Polacheck is seeking member's opinions about the suggested use of the small 6-foot diameter dome that was recently donated to the club. For all of the details, see the articles in the TIMPA Site News section.
Last month's request for more member photos for the TAAA Website photo gallery generated several submissions. Webmaster, Andrew Cooper, placed a convenient link button called "Gallery" on the main page. Check out the great images posted in the Gallery. There is room for lots more photos, so submit those pictures to Andrew.
As the club prepares to elect new officers for the coming year, I am concerned about the continuation of the many programs that have been initiated over the last several years. I will be stepping down as President in May and will not be supporting many of these activities as I have in the past. Other club officers should not have to cover as many tasks as they currently do. In last month's newsletter, we asked for members to consider the tasks described in the newsletter article and volunteer to help support the club. The good news is that one member stepped forward. The bad news is that eleven other positions remain unfilled. It would be very unfortunate if some of the programs had to be curtailed or even canceled due to the lack of support. I, therefore, ask you again to consider volunteering.
John Kalas
Beginners Lecture
"Into the Looking Glass"
Adam Block
As the Kitt Peak Nightly Observing Program lead observer, Adam Block has shown lots of people the night sky through the observatory's Meade 16" LX200 telescope located at the KPNO Visitor's Center. In the process he has learned lots of tricks to help novice observers see the night sky. Adam will talk about Kitt Peak's Nightly Observing Program and Advanced Observing Program as well as share some of his observing tips with the audience. Most beginners will learn some observing techniques at this lecture, but even our well-seasoned amateurs may pick up a few ideas they could use at a public star party. (For information about the Nightly Observing Program, go to http://www.noao.edu/outreach/nop)
Main Lecture
"Triton, Pluto and the Kuiper Belt"
John Stansberry
The past decade has seen a revolution in our knowledge about the outer Solar System, and in particular about Neptune's moon Triton, Pluto and its moon Charon, and the collection of asteroidal bodies beyond Neptune called the Kuiper Belt. John Stansberry will discuss some of the key experimental and theoretical results that have produced that revolution, and summarize the current state of knowledge about these distant bodies, and their inter-relationship.
John is an Assistant Astronomer at Steward Observatory, and graduated from the U of A in Planetary Sciences in 1994. He is primarily working as part of the Space Infrared Telescope Facility project (expected launch in July 2002). His professional interests include Triton, Pluto, Kuiper Belt objects, and planetary debris disks around nearby stars.
Member News
We welcome the most recent members who have joined the TAAA: William Durboraw, Fred Hagen, Richard Hathaway, Cindy Mayberry, William Tatro, David Thomas, and Matt Ward and we welcome back returning members John Christensen and John Zajac. Glad to have you join! If you haven't already, be sure to pick up a new members pack at a meeting. Hope you'll make it to our star parties or meetings so we can all get to know you.
Member Award
Michael Turner, will be receiving his Astronomical League Double Star Certificate and Pin at the March meeting.
Beginners Lecture Speakers
I've got a few leads on future Beginners Lectures speakers. Please continue volunteering! I would like to have 6 months of lectures scheduled, but I'm not there yet. TAAA members generally give these lectures. The lectures are about 30 minutes long and cover any astronomical subject of interest to Beginners. Speakers aren't expected to be experts in the topic they present. Even beginners can give them. If you want to give it a try, please contact Terri Lappin.
Thanks for Volunteering
By John Kalas
I mentioned in my President's Message earlier in this newsletter that one TAAA Member stepped forward and volunteered to help out with one of the tasks that were published in the February newsletter. I am pleased to announce that Rob Wilson has offered to take on the responsibilities of School Star Party Volunteer Coordinator. This function completes the efforts required to accomplish our important school star party program.
Rob will coordinate the star party activities from the monthly meeting sign-up sheets to the completion of the events. He will collect the sign-up sheets at the end of each meeting and seek out or work with the star party leaders to ensure that the activities are fully staffed and successful. Rob has already developed timesaving shortcuts by using e-mail address groups to solicit volunteers who may not have been able to attend a meeting. With Maggie and Jeff Buzek handling the initial contacts, the master school star party calendar, composing the newsletter "blurbs" and generating the sign-up sheets, Rob's support will help to continue the success of this most important club outreach project. Thanks, Rob.
Nominating Committee
At the February monthly meeting, Michael Turner, Steve Peterson and Sheila Conrad were nominated and unanimously approved as members of the Nominating Committee. Their responsibility is to seek out qualified candidates for the slate of candidates to be voted upon at the May monthly meeting. A slate of candidates must be published in the April newsletter in order to meet the constitutional requirement of advising the TAAA Membership of the candidates' names at least thirty days prior to the election on 5/4. Thanks to Michael, Steve and Sheila for supporting the club in this vital process.
Support Your Club
Please consider volunteering for one of the following activities to support the TAAA. Currently, most of these tasks are being performed by a few officers of the club and they are placing a significant burden on them. By spreading the individual task responsibilities around to more members, the activities will be achieved in a more efficient and timely manner. Descriptions of the following tasks were published in the February newsletter.
Astrophoto SIG Dinner
China Rose
1 March, 7pm
Time for yet another session to talk astro-photography! Last month we had a surprise visit by a Michigan friend of Roger Tanner's, Clayton Kessler, who is now a TAAA member. He had a couple notebooks filled with astrophotos he has taken here and in the midwest. I also showed some of the wide field shots recently taken of the winter Milky Way. Some of these I sent off to Tony Hallas, an expert in digital image manipulation. He is going to lay hands on them, scan, stack and enhance the slides I sent. He says the result will blow us away and hopefully the results will be back in time for this dinner.
Along this same vein, there will be another camera show this month, on Saturday the 24th at the Holiday Inn on Palo Verde north of I-10. These are great places to find photo equipment at used prices. I've obtained all my camera gear there over the years and perhaps the best place other than ebay to get some great deals on manual cameras and lenses. Let me know if you have any questions about the show or the SIG dinner.
Grand Canyon Star Party
16-23 June
Just another reminder that for those joining us the whole week, I'll be taking names for the complimentary campsites starting on March 1st. I expect these to be spoken for quickly and as the last couple years, will likely not be an option for you if you are looking for a site for just part of the week. Check the TAAA website for info on how to make reservations for only part of the week.
The big news is that John Dobson will be returning to the Grand Canyon Star Party. His "handler" Jane Houston Jones has confirmed he will be at the Canyon for part of the event. For those of you who have never met or spent time with him, I think it is worth the drive there just for the experience to hear him speak. He will be giving at least one twilight talk, but unfortunately at this time, I do not know what weekend he will be attending. Let me know if you want to make plans to overlap with him. Don't forget also that he is really the originator of the star party - I saw him there with several scopes bigger than 16" on my first Canyon trip back in '80. Make your plans NOW!
For Your Taxes...
Letters have been mailed to members who made monetary contributions of at least $25 to the TAAA during the last calendar year. If you feel you should've received a letter and haven't, be sure to contact the treasurer.
Steward Observatory Public Evening Lecture Series
Since 1924, Steward Observatory has been hosting public evening lectures in astronomy. The lectures for the Spring 2001 semester will be held on Monday nights at 7:30pm in room N210 of Steward Observatory. Following the talks, there will be opportunities for viewing the night sky (weather permitting) with the use of the 21-inch telescope at the Campus Station of the Observatory operated by undergraduate majors in astronomy and related sciences. All of the lectures and the use of the telescope are free of charge and open to the general public. For more information about speakers and their talks, visit our website at the URL address: http://viking.as.arizona.edu/~taf/pubeve/pub_lect.html or contact Dr. Thomas Fleming at 621-5049 or taf@as.arizona.edu
Date / Speaker / Topic
March 5, Dr. Caty Pilachowski (Kitt Peak National Obs.)
"The Gemini Giants: Twin Telescopes in Chile and Hawaii"
March 19, Dr. Simon Radford (National Radio Astronomy Obs.)
"Millimeter and Submillimeter Astronomy with the ALMA"
April 2, Dr. Daniel Eisenstein (Steward Observatory)
"The Sloan Digital Sky Survey: an Optical Survey for the Digital
Age"
April 16, Dr. Raymond E. White, Jr. (Professor Emeritus Steward
Obs.)
"There is More Astronomy in our Philosophy than We Have Dreamt"
IDA ANNUAL MEETING
MARCH 9 THROUGH 11
Mark your calendars! International Dark Sky Assoc.'s annual meeting is March 9, 10, 11th. Registration fee is only $30.00. International experts will be leading workshops on Circadian Rhythm & Human Health, a special Symposium on Safety & Security Lighting Issues and much, much more. TAAA's are welcome!!! More information & registration is on our web site, <www.darksky.org>. This is the time to meet and talk with people from all over the USA and internationally.
There will be a banquet on Saturday for a cost of $30.00 and everyone is invited.
IDA's goal is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting.
See you there,
Mac Starr Clark
International Dark-Sky Association
ida@darksky.org
www.darksky.org
2001 All Arizona Messier Marathon
Site: Arizona City, AZ
Date: March 24/25, 2001
Solar Data:
March 24
6:33pm Moon set
6:43pm Sun set
8:04pm astronomical twilight
March 25
5:02am astronomical twilight
6:21am Sunrise
7:04am Moonrise
We don't have much choice for the Marathon this year, but OH what a choice! The only date possible is Saturday, March 24, 2001. New moon occurs on this date around 6:25pm MST! The optimal chance for finding ALL 110 entries in the Messier Catalogue is late March, about the 26th through the 29th. So we are within 2 days of the best chance for viewing the entire catalogue.
Worried about not being able to reach high counts? DON'T! Set your own goals; don't bother with trying to reach high counts or competing with everyone else. You decide on what YOU expect, what you want to do and try to reach the goal. And the heck with everybody else! For instance, try 50 objects. If you find them it qualifies you for a certificate. If that's too easy for you then "kick it up a notch or two" and try for 55, 60 or even 70 objects. Counts like these don't require you to be up the entire night; you can crash once your goal is reached. Then you will have enjoyed the true meaning of the Messier Marathon!
How do we keep track of who sees what? We don't, you do. The honor
system is used so if you see the object, mark it and go on to
the next. There are no referees for this exercise. There will
be a check off list available at the site to record your observations.
Be sure to pick one up, preferably before you start marathoning
and fill in the top portion so awards can be made. It is important
to remember that you must turn in your form to one of the Coordinators
before leaving the site or by sunrise at the latest. We cannot
accept any after these times.
The Messier Marathon rules leave the choice of how to locate each
object up to the observer. Methods include star hop, setting circles
or computer control. But you MUST check off each object viewed.
Although it is possible to do the marathon with a 4" telescope we can't really suggest this unless you are an experienced observer. Don't forget to check off each object as it is observed.
Plan on arriving at the site early enough to set up the telescope and allow it to reach thermal equilibrium. Be sure to fill out the heading of the attached form!
There are 6 objects within 15 degrees of the western horizon at evening twilight. They are; M 74-7 deg, M 77-12 deg, M 33-14 deg, and three at 11 deg. There are only 2 objects within 15 degrees of the eastern horizon at morning twilight. They are M 30-1 deg (always the toughie) and M103-9 deg
Your efforts will not go unnoticed, as there will be awards in recognition of effort. People observing 50 or more objects will receive an 8 1/2 x 11 certificate. For first, second and third place there will be plaques suitable for mounting on a telescope. Duplicate awards will be made for ties.
We will need either you or your clubs support to help purchase the awards for its members. Still not interested in the marathon? Come anyway, enjoy a night of observing, astro-photography or just plain old socializing.
AJ Crayon, e-mail - acrayon@primenet.com
Jack Jones, e-mail - spicastar@mindspring.com
Messier Marathon Coordinators
Saguaro Astronomy Club
Whipple Observatory Star Party,
Saturday, March 24
The Whipple Observatory will present an Open House and Star Party on Saturday, March 24. Observing will begin at 7:15 p.m. courtesy of telescopes provided by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association and Sonora Astronomical Society.
3:30 p.m. Visitors Center opens
6 p.m. Informal lecture on astronomy by Observatory staff
7:15 p.m. Observing begins (in parking area next to Visitors Center).
Dress for cool evening temperatures. Small flashlights and binoculars are useful to bring. Please cooperate with staff directing parking when you arrive. The parking spaces nearest the building are reserved for TAAA/SAS members and their telescopes. Visitors should park along the driveway or in the parking area outside the gate or along the road as directed. (Please note: Visitors will be allowed to park cars next to the building in the space usually reserved for telescopes until 5 p.m. At that time, visitors will have to move their cars to other parking spaces so that telescopes may be set up.)
For more information call 670-5707. In case of threatening weather, call 670-5707 after 3 p.m. on the 24th for information about star party cancellation.
The Whipple Observatory, Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, and Sonoran Astronomical Society present this opportunity to see the stars under dark Southern Arizona skies.
How To Find The Observatory Offices: The administrative complex for the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory is 43 road miles south of Tucson and 38 road miles north of Nogales, Arizona.
Progress in Street Lighting
The Arizona Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) hosted an interesting presentation by Jim Havard on February 7, 2001. Jim is a lighting engineer and consultant with 35 years experience, including many years with General Electric. He also chaired the IESNA subcommittee, which just revised RP-8, the Recommended Practice on Roadway Lighting. The meeting was well attended and included 6 members of IDA (International Dark-Sky Association), but more importantly, city officials and local lighting firms/consultants. From my "dark-sky" perspective, there was good news and bad news about Jim's message.
The good news is the industry now agrees that glare and proper illumination are important! He praised cutoff and full cutoff fixtures and explained that light above 90 degrees (horizontal) illuminates nothing on the street and actually hurts vision because of the glare from the unshielded lamps. It was also made clear that maximum light is NOT better, rather an optimum amount to create maximum contrast.
The bad news was he listed numerous studies showing far more accidents occur at night and that street lighting ALWAYS improves safety. I'm not sure how scientific the referenced studies were though, because one claimed "street lights improved safety anywhere from 13 to 75 percent!" Well with that kind of spread, I'm leery of the science used. Several people in the audience also pointed out the increased danger at night may not result from darkness, but drunk drivers, fatigue, etc. These statements were coming from non-IDA members, so more people are questioning the need and usefulness of outdoor lighting and IDA's message IS getting out.
There is still much to be done. Please get informed and involved on the issue. At a minimum, support IDA with a $30 membership, visit their website, and complain about bad lighting when you see it. Many of the new convenience stations in Phoenix are using much-improved canopy lighting, so we ARE making a difference.
I also encourage you to attend the rewarding talks and workshops at the annual IDA conference in Tucson (March 9-11). Learn from experts what constitutes good lighting and how to promote it. I promise you won't be disappointed.
For more information:
Sam Herchak (480) 924-5981
76627.3322@compuserve.com
Galileo's Daughter - A Book Review
By Terri Lappin
Everyone should know that Galileo is credited with turning a telescope towards the night sky, something most of us do on a regular basis. And just like us, he showed others what he saw. But Galileo faced a challenge that we don't face..the public's disbelief in what they saw! Galileo lived at a time when science and mathematics were unrelated subjects. Science, or the observation of nature, had to conform to religious beliefs and mathematics described music, not science. Galileo helped to change all that. Galileo's interpretation of observations using mathematics gave birth to modern day physics. Pick up any modern science text and it's full of mathematical equations. In part, we have Galileo to thank for this.
Galileo's Daughter is a story of science, faith, and love as the book cover states. And, it truly is. Galileo's daughter entered a convent at the age of 13 and later became a nun, leading a sequestered life within the walls of the Convent of San Mateo. From here, Suor Maria Celeste, a well-educated woman, wrote letters to her father. Galileo's responding letters have been lost, but many of his letters to colleagues have survived. Combining letters from Suor Maria Celeste with those Galileo wrote to his colleagues and historical documents, Dava Sobel, tells the fascinating story of Galileo's life. Galileo was a philosopher, a scientist, and a mathematician. He was also a loving father and devout Catholic. This wonderful book tells the story of Galileo, from his earliest observations of the world and heavens to his trouble with the Holy Office of the Inquisition and his later years under house arrest. Throughout the book are excerpts from Suor Maria Celeste's letters telling of life in 17th century Italy. When Galileo goes to Rome to answer to the Inquisition, Galileo puts all his personal affairs into his daughter's hands. The letters from this time are full of reports of Galileo's garden (he loved gardening), the condition of his wine, and business dealings. (Galileo seems to have been wealthy.) But, the book isn't just letters. Some of Galileo's trial is translated word for word and the reader becomes aware of the wedge that had come between Galileo and the Inquisition. The book touches on the practices of the Catholic Church in the 17th century; practices that today, at least to this reader, seem questionable.
From now on, when I look through my telescope at the Galilean satellites, the rough surface of the moon, or a distant galaxy, I will remember what grief such a simple observation caused Galileo and how his observations lead to such a revolution in our understanding of the nature of the universe...and the price he paid for his beliefs.
Since I'm finished reading this book, I will place it into the TAAA library for others to borrow. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
DARK SKIES (no twilight, no moonlight) for Tucson in 24-hour MST: 18=6pm,20=8pm, 22=10pm, 0=12am
RISE, SET, VISIBILITY for sun and bright planets: rise for morning object, s=et for evening object
We/Th 28/ 1 23:30 - 5:30 Su/Mo 11/12 19:51 - 20:57 Th/Fr 22/23 19:59 - 5:02
Th/Fr 1/ 2 0:31 - 5:29 Mo/Tu 12/13 19:52 - 22:01 Fr/Sa 23/24 20:00 - 5:01
Fr/Sa 2/ 3 1:34 - 5:28 Tu/We 13/14 19:52 - 23:03 Sa/Su 24/25 20:01 - 4:59
Sa/Su 3/ 4 2:37 - 5:27 We/Th 14/15 19:53 - 0:03
Th/Fr 15/16 19:54 - 1:01 Su/Mo 25/26 20:02 - 4:58
Su/Mo 4/ 5 3:39 - 5:25 Fr/Sa 16/17 19:55 - 1:56 Mo/Tu 26/27 20:25 - 4:56
Mo/Tu 5/ 6 4:36 - 5:24 Sa/Su 17/18 19:55 - 2:46 Tu/We 27/28 21:24 - 4:55
Tu/We 6/ 7 - - - We/Th 28/29 22:25 - 4:54
We/Th 7/ 8 - - - Su/Mo 18/19 19:56 - 3:33 Th/Fr 29/30 23:28 - 4:52
Th/Fr 8/ 9 FULL MOON Mo/Tu 19/20 19:57 - 4:15 Fr/Sa 30/31 0:31 - 4:51
Fr/Sa 9/10 - - - Tu/We 20/21 19:58 - 4:53 Sa/Su 31/ 1 1:32 - 4:49
Sa/Su 10/11 19:50 - 19:52 We/Th 21/22 19:58 - 5:03
Weekend Sun Sun Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn
Sa/Su Set Rise Rise Vi Set Vi Rise Vi Set Vi Set Vi Vi=Visibility
3/ 4 18:21 6:46 5:29 4 21:03 -4 0:55 1 0:37 -2 23:56 0 -3 brilliant
10/11 18:27 6:37 5:24 4 20:38 -3 0:43 1 0:13 -2 23:31 0 0 conspicuous
17/18 18:32 6:28 5:24 5 20:03 -1 0:30 0 23:51 -2 23:06 0 3 moderate
24/25 18:37 6:19 5:25 6 19:20 4 0:16 0 23:28 -2 22:41 0 6 naked eye limit
31/ 1 18:41 6:10 5:28 7 R:5:30 5 0:02 0 23:06 -2 22:17 1 9 binoculars limit
By Erich Karkoschka
Reynolds Elementary School Star Party Southeast
March 13, (Tuesday) No. of Scopes: 5-6
This star party is actually being coordinated by Sharon and Steve Koerber, our friends from Skyworks. The TAAA's function is to support them with this rather large event. The address of the school is 7450 E. Stella Road. Take Kolb Road south past Golf Links to Stella Road. Go left (east) on Stella and proceed almost 1/2 mile towards Prudence Road. The school will be on your right just before Prudence. The set up area is on the basketball court in the back of the building. Entry is through the grass area on the east side of the schoolyard. Someone will be there to open the gate. Set up is at 6:00pm with viewing from 6:30pm to around 8:30pm. A sign up sheet will be available at the March meeting.
Desert View High School Star Party South-Central
March 15, (Thursday) No. of Scopes: 3
Jim Treat's science class will once again be partaking of the night sky. The school is located at 4101 E. Valencia Road (on the north side of Valencia, east of Alvernon and West of I-10). Set-up will be at 6:00 pm in the faculty parking lot's southeast corner. Observing will run from 6:30pm to 8:30 pm. A star Party leader is needed for this event. A sign up sheet will be available at the March meeting.
TAAA Star Party at Empire Ranch
March 17 (Saturday)
The Empire Ranch has been our normal dark-sky observing site for quite a number of years. Empire Ranch is about 4000 feet in elevation, so be prepared for freezing temperatures and try to arrive before sunset. Stay as long as you like, but let everyone know when you are ready to leave; someone may be taking astrophotos. Bring a telescope if you have one, but you don't need one to attend. Any member would be glad to let you look through their telescope. There are no restroom facilities at the site, so be prepared. Attendees should park their vehicles either perpendicular to the airstrip facing toward the center of the strip or parallel to the airstrip along either side facing west. That way, when you are ready to leave, you will not have to backup and turn on your bright white backup lights. One nice advantage of belonging to the TAAA is the opportunity to observe among friends. Help in finding an object or the sharing of equipment always goes on at our star parties. If you haven't attended a star party yet, you're missing the best part of belonging to the TAAA. See the directions to Empire Ranch on the outside flap of this newsletter.
Coyote Trail Elementary School Star Party Northwest
March 20, (Tuesday) No. of Scopes: 8
This star party is one of a few large star parties for the month of March. Approximately 230 students/parents are expected! The students are from Lynn Hill's 5th and 6th grade classes. The address of the school is 8000 N. Silverbell Road. Take Interstate 10 west to Cortaro Road and turn left (west) on Cortaro Farms. Proceed approximately 1.5 miles to Silverbell Road and turn right (north). Proceed approximately 1/4 mile on Silverbell Road. The school will be on the right past the Fry's food store. The set up area is on the common area inside the school grounds by the courtyard. Set up is around 6:15pm to 6:30pm with viewing running from 7:00pm to about 9:30pm. Lynn Hill, the school contact person, is hoping that someone will be able to provide a brief discussion of the solar system for the students. If you are interested, please contact Lynn Hill at 744-3604. A star party leader will be needed for this event. A sign up sheet will be available at the March meeting.
Our Mother of Sorrows School Star Party Southeast
March 22, (Thursday) No. of Scopes: 6
The school is located at 1800 S. Kolb Road. Take Kolb Road south past22nd Street. The school is located on the west side of Kolb at the first street light south of 22nd Street. The set up area is to be on the basket ball courts located on the school grounds. Set up is at 6:00pm with observing from 6:30pm to approximately 8:30pm. A star party leader is needed for this event and a sign up sheet will be available at the March meeting.
Catalina Council Boy Scouts Star Party Northwest
March 24, (Saturday) No. of Scopes: 2-3
The location of the set up area is at a park in the Continental Ranch area. Take Interstate 10 west to Cortaro Farms Road and turn left (west) on Cortaro Farms. Proceed approximately 1.5 miles to Silverbell Road and turn right (north). Proceed approximately 2 miles to Coachline Road and turn right. Look for the second park on your right. This area will be after you cross over a drainage wash. Take the second driveway into a grassy area. Set up is at 6:30 with viewing running from 7:00pm to about 9:00pm. A star party leader will be needed for this event. A sign up sheet will be available at the March meeting.
TAAA/TIMPA Joint Activity
March 24 (Saturday)
TIMPA and TAAA will have another joint activity. TIMPA will offer free flying instruction to TAAA members and their friends from noon until 5:00 PM. Their radio-controlled trainers have dual controls, so learning to fly is easy, fun and safe !!! Their instructors are most skilled, and more importantly, very patient teachers.
For extra excitement, there will be periodic "combat" demonstrations by the TIMPA pilots. You'll have to pay close attention because these competitions last only about 5 minutes each.
There will be lots and lots of 50 cent grilled hot-dogs, with all the fixings, for sale. Also, a variety of 50-cent cold soda pop. Or, you can bring your own picnic snacks. Feel free to use their grill.
At sunset, 6:38 PM that evening, the usual TAAA star party will "officially" begin. The sky will be darker than usual as it is new moon that night. Don't be surprised if a few of the more skilled TIMPA pilots do a little night flying that night also !!! It's really neat to watch. DRESS VERY WARMLY !!!
Copper Creek Elementary School Star Party Northwest
March 29 (Thursday) No. of Scopes: 10
This large (200-300 people expected!) activity is in support of Project Astro and was a huge success last year. Once again, Marian Shultis is going to need our help to support this event. Take La Canada Drive north past Lambert Ln. and Naranja Rd.. Turn right on Silverleaf and follow it around until it dead-ends at the playground. Turn right down a driveway and then turn left into a gate that leads to the basketball courts. Set-up begins at 6:00pm. Observing starts at 6:30pm, and ends at 8:30pm. A Star Party leader is needed for this event. A sign up sheet will be available at the March meeting.
Telescopes for Telethon Public S.P.
March 30 (Friday)
The 2001 public star party, Telescopes for Telethon, supporting the Muscular Dystrophy Association is scheduled for Friday, March 30th. The event will be held at the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. The evening public star party will start at 6:00 pm and run until 10:00 pm. Set-up of telescopes will be from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. We will set-up telescopes around the tram loop near the ticket booth area. Volunteers will be able to stay until 11:30 pm for personal viewing and cleanup. We must leave Sabino Canyon by midnight. All telescope equipment will have to be carried to the tram loop area from the main parking area access loop. In the unthinkable case that the weather does not cooperate, Saturday, 3/31, has been reserved as a rain/cloud date. This year, Sabino Canyon has approved afternoon solar viewing on the sidewalk from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. If anyone is interested in helping out with the solar viewing, please contact John Kalas at 620-6502.
Volunteers are needed, not just for the telescopes, but to assist will the collection of donations, parking control, and general support, so please consider attending even if you don't bring a telescope. This will be a fun activity. John Kalas is the TAAA coordinator for the event. David and Wendee Levy, developers and national coordinators of the Telescopes for Telethon campaign, will be attending this event. If you would like to volunteer, there will be a sign-up sheet at the March 2nd meeting. If you are unable to attend the meeting and would like to help out, please call John at 620-6502.
Sub-committee Meetings:
Again this month, snow on Kitt Peak resulted in the cancellation of the work party scheduled for Sunday, 2/11. Another attempt to move the structure will be scheduled in March. Construction activities at TIMPA will continue with the marking off and excavation of the ring footer for the observatory planned for February. On Saturday, 2/17, before the scheduled TIMPA Star Party that was clouded out, John Kalas and John Paul Sosville painted the markings on the ground to guide the backhoe operator who will excavate the observatory footer. Bob Schwartz will schedule a backhoe operator to perform the trenching. John and John Paul also took more accurate measurements of the area for use in further planning at the site.
The permanent bathroom facility at TIMPA is almost finished and it looks super! Everything appears to be installed except for some electrical work regarding the lighting fixtures and light switches. All lighting fixtures will be equipped with red bulbs to help preserve our dark-adapted vision during evening observing sessions. What a terrific improvement to the site! Hopefully, they will be operational by our next TIMPA Star Party on 3/24.
TIMPA Long Range Planning Meeting
March 7 (Wednesday)
The TIMPA Long Range Planning Sub-committee has met a couple times in the past 6 weeks. We now have a pretty good working plan for TIMPA. As we lay out the future development of the area, we are preserving (as best we can) the western and southern horizons. We have placed the 16' dome and the 6' dome. Plans call for at least 4 pads (eventually with electricity) to be located along a proposed access road to the observatory. The 16' dome will house the TAAA 16" Newtonian telescope. The 16" telescope was last in use at the Vega-Bray Observatory. It is currently undergoing modifications that will make the telescope easier to use. The 6' dome is ideal for 8" to 12" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes. The TAAA doesn't own such a telescope at this time. Since many TAAA members do, we thought it beneficial to have an empty dome with a pier to which people could mount their own telescopes. The dome would be available by reservation for a few days at a time. This would provide a protected location were a private telescope could be left for a few nights allowing productive astrophotography (film or CCD) to be done. If at some time in the future the TAAA obtains a telescope appropriate for the dome we will readdress the use of this dome.
The next meeting of the Long Range Planning Group will be March 7th, 7 pm at the UA Imaging Technology Lab located at 325 S Euclid, Suite 117. Contact Terri Lappin (see page 2) for directions. All members are encouraged to attend, especially those who use the TIMPA site. This is YOUR chance to give input into what happens at TIMPA. At this meeting we will review our current plan for the site and consider what other development we may want in the future.
AN EMPTY PIER OR A TELESCOPE ??
A small dome, 6 feet, has been generously donated to the TAAA for the TIMPA site.
How should it be used ???
Some members would like to have an empty pier so that they can bring out their own telescope and use it in a dome with a pier. That would make polar aligning easy, especially if they wanted to observe for several consecutive nights (rules to be established).
Other members would like to have a modern, fully computerized telescope (perhaps a new C-11) permanently mounted on a pier in the dome. It would always be polar aligned and simple to use. A TAAA club member could use it any night (rules to be established).
I anticipate that the telescope could be purchased by soliciting individual donations, thereby not using any extra TAAA funds. I already have $1550.00 pledged from 17 members !!!
WHICH OPTION WOULD YOU PREFER ??? If you have a preference (and/or any other ideas) please let me know.
Telephone: 743-1362
E-mail: jpolacheck@attglobal.net
Submitted by John Polacheck
What is TIMPA, Anyway? See the TIMPA Page for more information
Watch the newsletter for announcements about TIMPA activities and how you can help.
TAAA Board of Directors Meeting - Jan 8, 2001
Location: Steward Observatory Conference Room N305 University of Arizona
Call to Order: 7:05 pm
Board Members Present: John Kalas, Andrew Cooper, Terri Lappin,
Jane Tongate, Bill Lofquist, Robert Callanan
Board Members Absent: Steve Peterson
Changes to the agenda - There were three additions to the agenda; Tucson Children's Museum, Club apparel, and the Nominating Committee for next year's officers.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Tongate
Secretary TAAA
TAAA Board of Directors Meeting - February 12, 2001
NOTE: The minutes of the February 12, 2001 board meeting were not available for publication in this edition of the newsletter.
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