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Desert Skies
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
Volume XLVIII, Number 9, September, 2002
Contents
Main Meeting: Friday, September 6, at the Steward Observatory Auditorium - Room N210
Beginner's Lecture: 6:30 pm
School Star Parties
Terri Lappin
As we prepare for the school star party season Terri will discuss how to go about presenting a good public viewing session.
General Meeting: 7:30 pm
Solar Astronomy for Amateurs
David Lunt
As the only star on which we can directly study physical phenomena and due to the modern day, pragmatic requirements for understanding 'space weather,' the Sun is becoming an increasingly important target for the professional astronomer. We will look at some of the interesting solar events that are within the observing capability of the amateur and describe the instrumentation and techniques necessary to do this.
After studying Math, Physics and Astronomy at Harvard, David Lunt changed careers and has spent forty years developing optics, coatings and their processing techniques. Specific emphasis has been in the areas of Fabry-Perot etalons, very high-energy laser optics and x-ray Synchrotron components. Coupled with his interest in solar astronomy, these techniques have led to advances in solar instrumentation from the Orbiting Solar Observatory in the mid-sixties to the more recent GONG system.
Nick de Mesa will host refreshments after the meeting. Remember to thank him for his time. We have filled the refreshment host slots through December. A sign up sheet will be available at the December meeting if you want to host the refreshments next quarter.
Board of Director's Meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 10, 7:00 pm at Steward Observatory Conference room N305
Star Parties and Events:
Newsletter Schedule: Deadline for articles: Mon, Sept 16. Printing: Mon, Sept 23. Folding Party: Tues, Sept 24. Mailing: Wed, Sept 25. The newsletter is mailed at least one week prior to the following month's General Meeting.
Office Name Phone Email
------ ---- ----- -----
President Andy Cooper 795-3585 acooper@pobox.com
Vice-President Thom Peck 327-7825 thomas.peck@optics.arizona.edu
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 586-2244 mrgalaxy@juno.com
Newsletter Editor George Barber 822-2392 barbergj@flash.net
Star Parties Maggie & Jeff Buzek 760-4578 jeffbuzek@aol.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 sun, moon, and stars. 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
Annual Dues
All membership rates given above are for 1 year. Family Membership includes two adults plus minor children. Parents/guardians of minors interested in astronomy may request Family Membership at $15/yr. Contact the Treasurer at tklappin@earthlink.net for information.
Options (add to above membership rates)
Donations are accepted for any of the TAAA funds: SA-IDA/Light Pollution, TIMPA, Education, 30" Telescope & Land, or General Fund.
Renewal Information
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
PO BOX 41254
Tucson, AZ 85717
Mailing Address or Email Changes
Send changes to the above address or email the treasurer.
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. The editor retains all submissions unless prior arrangements are made. Partial page submissions should be submitted in Word compatible files via e-mail or on a floppy disk. Full-page articles, artwork, and photos can be submitted camera ready. We will not publish slanderous or libelous material! Send submissions to:
c/o George Barber
15940 W. Ridgemoor Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85736
or e-mail: barbergj@flash.net
Desert Skies is published monthly by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, PO Box 41254, Tucson, Arizona 85717
A quick glance at the calendar will show that the school star party program is starting up again. Last spring we had some ideas and started to put some into place, but this fall should really give us a chance to do this right. Some training, and getting a mentor program underway will be the first items to concentrate on. Let's get this important and successful club program started off right and show our city the stars.
Our fall Kitt Peak star party is confirmed for Sep 28th! Look for a sign up sheet for the meeting. As usual expect this popular event to fill up quickly. Moonrise is at 2249 so most of the evening will be dark with over three hours of full dark after the barbecue. As usual we have to leave around 2300 anyway so no loss.
We are also preparing for the large public star party for ASDM on Oct 5th. Be sure to mention this to those who ask when they can come look through a telescope. We will be putting out the message to the newspapers and radio station again, but I really think word of mouth can be more effective in getting our invitation out to the city to come see what wonders the sky has to offer.
Andrew
Member News
We welcome the most recent members who have joined the TAAA: Casey R Berent, Jerry Carney, Nelson de Jesus, returning member Brian D Harris, Ron Ohm, Phil and Jeanne Oholendt, Dennis B Schultz, Timothy Takahashi, and Jessica Towslee. Glad to have all of 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. (Updated membership lists are available at the regular meetings, so pick one up if you need it.)
Calendars for 2003
We will be selling calendars for 2003 beginning at the September meeting. The calendar selected this year comes from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The cost is $10 each (~$7 off the regular selling price), or $9 each for more than one. They make great gifts. This calendar, which features full-color astronomical photos taken by amateur astronomers, has daily information about astronomical events, including moonrise and moonset information, plus space for adding important events you need to remember. Calendars will be sold at our meetings this fall until supplies are exhausted. Be sure to get yours soon!
Astrophoto Special Interest Group
12 September, 7pm
China Rose, NE corner Speedway/Rosemont
Another gentle reminder that our monthly astrophotography SIG meeting will be getting together over dinner at the China Rose 12 September at 7pm. Last month we had a great presentation about asteroid hunting by Roy Tucker and Dean Salman showed us some of his latest great images.
Speaking of Dean, he donated an H-alpha filter to the SIG for those who want to try their hand at chasing down HII regions. The 52mm filter (fits most Nikon lenses) when combined with 2415 Tech Pan hypered film is the ultimate for recording faint extended gas clouds. Let Dean Ketelsen know if you would like to borrow it. Also as a reminder, the TAAA also has a Nikon 8mm F/2.8 fisheye lens on long-term loan from the UA. It is currently on loan with on the waiting list, but will become available eventually. Hope to see you on the 12th!
Dean Ketelsen
Star Party for 55,000
14 September, 5pm
NE corner Arizona Stadium
This will be the 5th year I've planned a session of public observing at a home UA football game. It is a lot of fun if you enjoy public observing, though there are complications since parking is generally not available because of the game. Of course, if you are attending the game, you are all set! If you would like to join me, we need to coordinate efforts and perhaps drop your telescope off at the Mirror Lab early that day. When you find your way onto campus at 5pm or before, we can set up to show families and kids the 8 day old moon as they arrive. By game time at 7pm, the crowd trickles to zero and off we go after serving up lunar views to hundreds of people. We have another opportunity in November, but lets see how this one works out first. Let me know if you'd like to join me!
Dean Ketelsen
TAAA Fall Star-B-Cue at Kitt Peak
September 28 (Saturday)
The TAAA has scheduled a star party and pot-luck barbecue at the picnic grounds up on Kitt Peak on Saturday, 9/28, starting at 4:00 pm. A maximum of 60 TAAA Members and families will be allowed to participate. The ramada gas-fired barbecue grill will be fired up starting at 4:30 pm and members are invited to cook their dinners between 4:30 and 6:30 pm. Bring a dish to share with other members. The grill will be turned off at 6:30 pm. Telescope observing will commence after sundown and will be concluded by 11:30 pm. All members must be heading down the mountain by midnight. Be prepared for cool temperatures.
Thanks to TAAA Member, Claude Plymate, permission has been granted to allow 30 attendees to visit the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope to view the setting sun. Since this activity will occur toward the end of the barbecue period, anyone interested in attending the activity will have to eat early. To minimize the number of vehicles driving up to the telescope site, carpooling will be required. Further details will be available at the meeting.
There will be a sign-up sheet with the school star party sign-up sheets on the table at the back of the lecture hall at the start of the September 6th meeting. Because of the popularity of this event, attendance will be initially limited to TAAA Members and their immediate family members only. If, after all TAAA Members have had an opportunity to sign up, there are any openings or cancellations, the attendance of guests will be considered. If you are unable to attend the September meeting, phone and e-mail reservation requests will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis after 9:00 am Friday, 9/6. Contact Steve Peterson at 762-8211 or via e-mail at swpeterson@theriver.com.
It is very important for all attendees to abide by the rules established by Kitt Peak and respect the facility. Adherence to the rules will help to continue TAAA activities on Kitt Peak in the future.
2002 HOLIDAY PARTY
Hey, we know it's barely September, but it's never too soon to start panicking! The party-planners are welcoming help from club members at this time in two ways:
Please contact one of the following people ASAP: Twila Peck 327-7825 twilap@email.arizona.edu; Tom Peck 327-7825 tpeck@optics.arizona.edu; Sheila Conrad 529-1750
TAAA Land Search Questionnaires
In June, a questionnaire was published for all TAAA members regarding our search for a site to develop a permanent observing facility. The September meeting will be your final opportunity to submit your questionnaire to one of the land search committee members: Andrew Cooper, John Paul Sosville, George Barber, Paul Olson, Steve Ratts, or Terri Lappin. We plan to compile the results in September with an article summarizing them in October.
Astronomical League Correspondent Needed
We are looking for someone to take over the Astronomical League Correspondent (ALCor) responsibilities for the Tucson society of the Astronomical League (TAL). The ALCor is very important as he or she serves as the contact between the Astronomical League and the club, providing information to our members regarding AL benefits. These benefits include the observing awards, regional and national conventions, and any other League information that is received. Most importantly, the ALCor is responsible for keeping the AL informed of membership changes by sending a complete list of TAL members to the AL 4 times a year. This information is obtained from the TAAA treasurer, but it is the ALCor's responsibility for getting it to the AL.
If you want to learn more about the position, go to http://www.astroleague.org/al/general/alcors/dutyalcr.html or talk to Terri Lappin (contact info on page 2). You must be a member of the TAL to hold this position.
(Members of the TAAA may join the TAL which will entitle you to receive the quarterly publication the Reflector, participate in the AL Observe program, purchase astronomy related books at a 10% discount (with no shipping and handling charges), and to take part in other AL benefits. All this will cost you only $3.50. For more information about the Astronomical League, go to http://www.astroleague.org.)
Beginners Lecture Presenters Needed
Have you ever considered giving the Beginner's lecture? The club is always looking for someone who is willing to share the benefit of their experience. And, if you can't come up with a topic, Andrew has a number of topics, which would greatly benefit those who are new to astronomy, as well as the seasoned astronomer. This gives you a chance to learn something new, as well as help others. So, step up to the spotlight! Give Andrew Cooper a call at 295-3585, or e-mail at acooper@pobox.com.
New School Star Party Coordinator
Hats off to Steve Marten, who has taken on the position of School Star Party Coordinator. His phone and e-mail are on page 2.
Looking for Astrophotos
Our newsletter cover needs you! Get your pride-and-joy astrophotos out of mothballs and onto the cover of our monthly newsletter. Send them to George Barber, with a short write-up on the technique and equipment used.
Grant Money
Two of our fellow club members have received grants from The Planetary Society to assist in their work in finding and monitoring asteroids, in particular potentially hazardous near earth objects. James McGaha received $10,000 to upgrade the facilities at Grasslands Observatory (http://www.3towers.com/). Roy Tucker received $2,950 for computer equipment and software for his Goodricke-Pigott Observatory (http://gpobs.home.mindspring.com/gpobs.htm) to aid in the analysis for the enormous amount of data gathered by his "three-shooter". James and Roy are among five amateurs awarded Shoemaker Near-Earth Object (NEO) grants this year.
Roy presented images and information on his project at the August astrophoto SIG meeting where he discussed the issues involved with analyzing the sheer amount of image data his equipment generates. He is currently looking to enlist help in searching these images for asteroids. So if you don't have a telescope and CCD set up for asteroid searching, but do have a computer and are interested in helping you can contact Roy at gpobs@mindspring.com. This is a fairly technical task and does require acquiring some advanced skills.
WEBSITES: TRIPS ON THE INTERNET SUPER-SKYWAY
The New Season on TV
In Dec. 2000 I did one of these articles on video astronomy for the amateur astronomy and what could be achieve with that kind of observing. What a difference a year and a half makes! There are less limits to video astronomy today than ever before. New lines of cameras have come out that are more sensitive, have better color and are easier to use.
The first place to always go is the home of video astronomy the VIDEOASTRO website run by the manager of the videoastro email list:
This site shows off the usual solar, lunar and planetary images but now there are a whole section of deep sky images of objects like M82, M81, M51, M57 and globular clusters! In 1995 I bought the GBC505e, which was at the time the most sensitive video camera available. Current cameras are more than 10x better than this camera and one-third the price!
The hottest video item right now is the Deep Sky AstroVid Stellacam EX. This one is not cheap but is the most sensitive on the market. Details on this are at AstroVid s website at:
(No, I m not making a commission, but I wish I were at these prices!) Some of the breathtaking work being done with this camera can be seen at:
http://aaobc.com/Stellacam/ http://www.lafterhall.com/avastellacamex.html
http://home.att.net/~nightsight1/wsb/html/view.cgi-photo.html--delay-5-SiteID-367938.html
Getting a little more cost conscious, there's the video work of Thomas Williamson using an 8" telescope and an $80 video camera! The work is as good or better than what was being done with 16" telescopes only 15 or 20 years ago. See:
There is an excellent how-I-did-it page by Bob Pilz of North Carolina at:
He documented everything including his reasoning being going ahead with video instead of CCD or photography. It s a great site that you will want to bookmark if you are thinking about doing video astronomy.
If you do get turned on to video astronomy, you might want to order a copy of the book Video Astronomy by Steve Massey, Thomas A. Dobbins, and J. Douglass. I have yet to get one for myself but if it is anything like the work of Steve Massey it should be a good read. See his work at:
So there is something good on TV this week, but you may have to put it there. Video astronomy is a relatively inexpensive means of permanently capturing your evenings under these Arizona skies.
As always, if you know of a particularly good website you would like mentioned here, drop me a line at rhill@lpl.arizona.edu
New Public Program at Kitt Peak
How do astronomers search the night skies for asteroids and comets? Now you can find out on September 13 with the Asteroid Hunting program at Kitt Peak National Observatory. Participants are first treated to a tour of the Spacewatch facilities, including a presentation by Spacewatch staff: http://spacewatch.lpl.arizona.edu/. Find out how professional astronomers search for Near-Earth-Objects and what hazard these objects present to our planet. Participants are then introduced to the Visitor Center's equipment and its uses, receive an introduction to the night's observing, and assist in imaging "randomly" along the ecliptic in search of asteroids. Participants learn about the software and the taking and reducing of data. Also included are a box meal, Astrometrica software, a copy of all data collected during the program, and a 10% discount on related books. Of course, because the program involves an actual search of the night sky, it is possible that participants will take part in a discovery! Call (520) 318-8726 for additional information and reservations.
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, set for evening object
Sa/Su 31/ 1 20:14 - 0:05 Tu/We 10/11 21:20 - 4:42 Sa/Su 21/22 - - -
We/Th 11/12 22:00 - 4:43
Su/Mo 1/ 2 20:12 - 0:56 Th/Fr 12/13 22:44 - 4:44 Su/Mo 22/23 - - -
Mo/Tu 2/ 3 20:11 - 1:55 Fr/Sa 13/14 23:33 - 4:44 Mo/Tu 23/24 19:41 - 19:44
Tu/We 3/ 4 20:10 - 3:00 Sa/Su 14/15 0:27 - 4:45 Tu/We 24/25 19:39 - 20:13
We/Th 4/ 5 20:08 - 4:10 We/Th 25/26 19:38 - 20:44
Th/Fr 5/ 6 20:07 - 4:38 Su/Mo 15/16 1:24 - 4:46 Th/Fr 26/27 19:37 - 21:19
Fr/Sa 6/ 7 20:05 - 4:39 Mo/Tu 16/17 2:23 - 4:47 Fr/Sa 27/28 19:35 - 21:59
Sa/Su 7/ 8 20:04 - 4:40 Tu/We 17/18 3:22 - 4:47 Sa/Su 28/29 19:34 - 22:46
We/Th 18/19 4:19 - 4:48
Su/Mo 8/ 9 20:07 - 4:41 Th/Fr 19/20 - - - Su/Mo 29/30 19:32 - 23:40
Mo/Tu 9/10 20:42 - 4:41 Fr/Sa 20/21 FULL MOON Mo/Tu 30/ 1 19:31 - 0:41
Weekend Sun Sun Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn
Sa/Su Set Rise Set Vi Set Vi Rise Vi Rise Vi RiseVi Vi=Visibility 31/ 1 18:47 5:57 19:50 5 20:38 -3 5:24 - 3:24 -1 0:28 0 -3 brilliant
7/ 8 18:39 6:01 19:34 6 20:24 -2 5:18 - 3:03 -1 0:03 0 0 conspicuous
14/15 18:29 6:06 19:09 9 20:09 -2 5:11 8 2:42 -1 23:37 0 3 moderate
21/22 18:20 6:10 18:34 - 19:51 -2 5:04 7 2:21 -2 23:11 0 6 naked eye limit
28/29 18:11 6:15 18:00 - 19:31 -1 4:58 6 1:59 -2 22:44 0 9 binoculars limit
By Erich Karkoschka
TAAA Star Party at Las Cienegas (Empire Ranch)
September 7 (Saturday)
Las Cienegas (formerly Empire Ranch) has been our normal dark-sky observing site for quite a number of years. Please 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. Mosquito repellent is also advised. 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 back up and turn on your bright white backup lights. One nice advantage to 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 Las Cienegas on the outside flap of this newsletter.
Girl Scouts of America; Hacienda Program Northern Foothills
September 13 (Friday) No. of Scopes: 5
Take Tanque Verde east to Sabino Canyon Road. Turn left (north) on Sabino Canyon. You will see the Tack Room Restaurant on the right. Turn left at the 2nd possible left turn after the Tack Room. It will say Hacienda Program on the gate sign. Drive onto the property and go right all the way around the back of the building to park. Check in at the main building for set-up. The observing area will be the cleared dirt area north of building. Set-up will be between 7:30 and 8:00 pm. Observing will run from 8:00 pm to about 9:00 pm. A Star Party leader is needed for this event. A sign up sheet will be available at the September meeting.
Friends of Sabino Canyon Star Party Northern Foothills
September 28 (Friday) No. of Scopes: 3
This event will be held at Sabino Canyon to celebrate the courage and hard work of area fire fighters that battled the fires in the Catalina Mountains this summer. For those who haven't been to Sabino Canyon: Take Tanque Verde Rd. east. Turn left at Sabino Canyon Rd. and continue north. The park is located on the right just north of the corner of Sunrise and Sabino Canyon. We plan to set up near the tram loop between 6:30 and 7:00 pm. Observing will run from 7:00 pm to about 9:00 pm with a break between 8 and 8:30. A Star Party leader is needed for this event. A sign up sheet will be available at the September meeting.
TAAA Fall Star-B-Cue at Kitt Peak
September 28 (Saturday)
See article in the Club News section.
TAAA Board of Directors Meeting
TAAA Board Meeting
August 13, 2002
Board Members Present: Andrew Cooper, Thom Peck, Terri Lappin, Jane Tongate, Steve Peterson, Robert Callanan, Bill Lofquist,
Meeting opened at 7:15 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Tongate
Secretary
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