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Desert Skies
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
Volume XLVIII, Number 11, November, 2002
Contents
Main Meeting: Friday November 1, at the Steward Observatory Auditorium - Room N210
Beginner's Lecture: 6:30 pm
Double Star Observing for the Beginner
Lou Faix
Often overlooked by deep sky amateur astronomers, observing binary stars can be rewarding. This is one place in the sky where the seemingly unchanging heavens can be seen to change on a human scale. Mr. Faix will present these interesting objects with the help of some computer simulations.
General Meeting: 7:30 pm
Seeing is Believing - The causes and cures of optical turbulence
Dan McKenna, Steward Observatory
Good "seeing" is like driving through town without being stopped by red lights. It's rare and when it happens, it's pure bliss! Seeing is a term used to indicate how steady the image in a telescope appears. Seeing is affected by everything from the jet stream at 30,000 ft, to local geographic features, to heat coming off the telescope mirror or lens. Our speaker this month is Dan McKenna. Dan uses a device called a SCIDAR to measure seeing profiles. He has taken this instrument to various sites in Arizona, including Mt Graham. He is part of the team developing the control system for the Large Binocular Telescope. Dan has also developed adaptive optic systems for the University of Hawaii Institute for astronomy and the Mt. Wilson Observatory. Adaptive optics can create good seeing by correcting for atmospheric turbulence or "bad seeing". (It's comparable to switching the red stoplights to green as you approach them!). Dan is a Principle Engineer at Steward Observatory's Technical Division. When he's not working in astronomy you may find him playing tuba for the Civic Orchestra of Tucson and the Arizona Symphonic Winds or in the Arizona country side looking at rocks.
Board of Director's Meeting: Wednesday, November 13, 7:00 pm at Steward Observatory Conference room N305.
Star Parties and Events:
Newsletter Schedule: Deadline for articles: Mon, Nov 18. Printing: Mon, Nov 25. Folding Party: Tues, Nov 26. Mailing: Wed, Nov 27. 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 Steve Marten 906-0049 steve1636@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
I thank everyone who helped out at ASDM. We had a very successful star party with several hundred attendees. It is important for astronomy to show the public that there is something beyond their everyday life and the television. These star parties are our opportunity to do just that. But these events only happen because so many of you are willing to commit your time to driving out into the dark and showing strangers what wonders the universe really holds. Thank you!
It seems an odd time to go out observing, but many of us are planning an outing for the morning of Nov. 19th. Despite being a weekday and a full Moon it is our last chance to see a Leonid meteor storm. For tips on avoiding the moonlight read my article in this newsletter.
One of the pitfalls of being president is always attending club events like ASDM and not always taking time to go observing for myself. I have to make a point of going out with nothing to do but worry about my own telescope. Hopefully I'll get a chance when the November New Moon comes again.
See you out in the dark...
Andrew
Member News
We welcome the most recent members who have joined the TAAA: Jack and Carol Farmer, John Fry, Dawna and Corbin Gravley, Jim Jordan, Gary Jue, Bob Martino and Larry Petock. 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
Our supply of 2003 calendars is shrinking fast. If you want one, get one soon! They may not be around in December. 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. Whether it's the excellent photographs or the moon data, our members have had good things to say about this year's calendar. Get yours now.
New ALCor
Nick de Mesa has recently been accepted as the new ALCOR for the Tucson society of the Astronomical League. We thank Nick for filling this vitally important position. Nick has been a member of TAAA and TAL for just over two years. If you have questions about the Astronomical League or have observing logs to turn in for awards, be sure to talk to him. His contact information should appear on the second page of this newsletter.
Astrophoto SIG
7 November, 7pm
China Rose, NE corner Speedway/Rosemont
We have had some great presentations the last few months - some great CCD images as well as some film shots too. With the recent good weather, I'm hoping for some new crops of astrophotos. Come join us for some Chinese buffet and great astrophotos too.
TIMPA Work Party
Saturday, Nov. 23rd, 9:00am
Cool weather is here again and we are going to take advantage of it to complete the viewing area at TIMPA. There are already several observing pads poured, but no road to reach them with. So the goal is to spread gravel to make a road. We will call in a couple gravel trucks and have them dump their loads in the appropriate place. Then all we have to do is spread it out into a road and parking areas beside the pads.
Bring water, sunscreen and hat, as well as shovels and rakes to help out. Contact Andrew at taaa@seds.org for more information.
Next step... bring electrical power to the pads.
2002 HOLIDAY PARTY TICKETS
The 2002 TAAA Holiday Party will be held December 14th, at the China Rose restaurant, 5101 East Speedway (at Rosemont). Our hostess, Carol Hunter, has designed for us a generous family-style Chinese dinner featuring eight main dishes including chicken, pork, beef, seafood, and vegetarian selections.
Our guest speaker will be Raymond E. White, University of Arizona Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Astronomy and Astronomer Emeritus at Steward Observatory, who will present a program on "The Inspiration of Astronomical Phenomena: Astronomy and Art". Professor White is one of the original organizers of INSAP, a series of international conferences concerning the many and variegated cultural impacts of perceptions about the day- and night-time sky. His presentation promises to be exciting to a wide range of listeners, including both hard-core amateur astronomers, and those who love them!
The evening's entertainment will of course include the popular annual bonanza of door prizes.
We will begin with a social hour (cash bar) at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6:30. Tickets are $16. If you have any special dietary restrictions, please let us know when you purchase your ticket, and we will endeavor to accommodate your needs.
Tickets will be sold at the November and December meetings, so bring money and checkbooks! 75 tickets will be sold, and a waiting list will be kept. Reservations may also be made by phone or email (order now!) to: Thom Peck 327-7823 tpeck@email.arizona.edu or Sheila Conrad, 529-1750.
Checks for phone/email orders must be mailed by December 1st to Sheila at 7254 E. Crystal Mist Drive, Tucson AZ 85750. If you find you cannot attend, please contact Thom or Sheila so that another member may be given the opportunity to enjoy this function. Refunds will be guaranteed only for cancellations made by December 8th.
BTW, attire for the party is typical Tucson -- anything goes! If you want to dress up in your favorite holiday fancy duds, we will be pleased to admire and compliment you; but if your idea of dressing up is a new astronomical T-Shirt (also for our admiration) and your best Birkenstocks, that's equally acceptable!
HELP WANTED: Donations for door prizes and program volunteers/ideas are solicited by the party planners. We could also use a few people to help with legwork, set-up and other details (no decision-making or deep-thinking involved!). Please contact Thom or Sheila if you can lend a hand with this fun event.
2002 HOLIDAY PARTY
The party-planners are welcoming help from club members:
There will be sign-up sheets at the next two TAAA meetings, but if possible 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
THANK YOU!
Star Party for 50,000
9 November, Arizona Stadium
This year we have another opportunity to have a football star party. The September version worked out great and we had 3 scopes for hundreds of people over the 2.5 hours we were set up. We'll have another great crescent moon for the 9th, so come try it. I usually arrange with anyone who wants to volunteer to drop scopes off at the Mirror Lab the afternoon of the game. I then usually park off campus and bike in the few blocks for the event (5pm - 7:30pm). We can arrange to pick up your scope the next day. Anyway, it is a lot of fun with a crowd that big - hope to see some of you there! Call or e-mail if you want to join in - Dean Ketelsen 293-2855 or ketelsen@as.arizona.edu
2003 TAAA Event Calendar
For those who need a look at the 2003 calendar to plan ahead, here it is. This should be the final version, but changes are possible. Always check the newsletter or the web page for the current calendar.
Date Location Moon* Rise Set Notes
Jan 04 Las Cienegas 7% 19:34
Jan 25 TIMPA 41% 1:54
Feb 01 Las Cienegas 1% 18:21
Feb 22 TIMPA 56% 0:55
Mar 01 Las Cienegas 1% 17:11
Mar 22 TIMPA 71% 23:53 Joint TAAA/TIMPA Event
Mar 29 Messier Marathon 7% 5:31 16:03
Apr 05 TIMPA 16% 22:31 Annual Club Picnic
Apr 26 ASDM 17% 4:03 Public Star Party
May 03 Las Cienegas 6% 21:22
May 1-4 Desert Sunset Star Party Kartchner Caverns State Park
May 15 Telescopes for Telethon 100% 19:06 Total Lunar Eclipse
May 24 TIMPA 30% 2:34
May 24 Kitt Peak 30% 2:34 Restricted signup
May 31 Las Cienegas 1% 6:17 20:14
Jun 21 TIMPA 35% 1:02
Jun22-29 GCSP
Jun 28 Las Cienegas 1% 4:13 19:03
Jul 19 TIMPA 60% 23:30 Possible Monsoons
Jul 26 Las Cienegas 5% 3:46 Possible Monsoons
Aug 23 Las Cienegas 14% 1:35 Possible Monsoons
Aug 30 TIMPA 15% 20:59 Possible Monsoons
Sep 20 Kitt Peak 27% 0:17 Restricted signup
Sep 20 TIMPA 27% 0:17
Sep 27 Las Cienegas 6% 19:31
Oct 18 ASDM 43% 0:00 Public Star Party
Oct 25 Las Cienegas 1% 18:01
Nov 09 100% 17:57 Total Lunar Eclipse
Nov 15 TIMPA 59% 22:51
Nov 22 Las Cienegas 1% 6:39 16:30
Dec 20 Las Cienegas 8% 5:26
Dec 27 TIMPA 27% 22:21 Beginner's Training?
*lunar data for central Tucson
WEBSITES: TRIPS ON THE INTERNET SUPER-SKYWAY
Rik Hill
Among my favorite celestial sights are the globular clusters. I need little excuse to spend an evening looking at these balls of 100,000-1,000,000 stars with any telescope. It's even a joy to use a big telescope to search for them in another galaxy! To start learning about these there are a number of great websites on-line.
A good starting point is the very informative, heavily linked page maintained by the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) at:
http://www.seds.org/messier/glob.html
The amount of information on this page is staggering and will take many nights to fully absorb. There are links to pages about individual objects, classes of object and the topic in general.
For those that want a real challenge, go and search for globulars in one of the nearby galaxies. You can start with M31 "The Great Andromeda Galaxy" with the on-line edition of Paul Hodge's "Alas of the Andromeda Galaxy" at:
http://nedwww.ipac.caltech.edu/level5/ANDROMEDA_Atlas/Hodge_contents.html
The atlas was review in this column in the October, 2000 Desert Skies which can be seen on-line at:
http://www.63.134.241.238/nl200010.html
Hodge lists and identifies, on plates taken with 4-Meter Mayall telescope on Kitt Peak, clusters, nebulae and dark nebulae. The globulars are well identified and with an 11" and a dark sky you should be able to bag some of these.
A page detailing some of these globulars as view by an amateur can be found at:
http://www.angelfire.com/id/jsredshift/gcm31.htm
If you feel confident after an evening of this try going to a few other nearby galaxies with:
http://www.angelfire.com/id/jsredshift/gcextra.htm
Here there is a list of the brightest globular cluster in eight neighbors to the Milky way ranging in brightness from 12.6 to 17.9 magnitude. This should provide targets for telescopes from 5" on up.
Lastly, if this topic and these objects really energize you, then you might want to consider joining the Yahoo "globularclusters" email list. Go to: www.yahoogroups.com and follow instructions. There is not a great volume of mail but when there is I think you will be surprised at the quality of the work being done by amateurs on these balls of stars.
As always, if you know of a particularly good website you would like mentioned here, drop me a line at rhill@lpl.arizona.edu
HANDS ON THE SUN WORKSHOP
Nov. 1 - 3
The second annual Hands On The Sun workshop will be presented by Coronado Instruments, in conjunction with NASA Sun Earth Connection Education Forum. This will be a professional development workshop for teachers and Solar observers interested in optimizing observing techniques and learning more about the Sun. Continuing education credit for teachers through Pima Community College are available.(There will be a small fee payable to Pima Community College for credits.)
The workshop features a tantalizing array of presentations on topics such as solar observing, eclipse chasing, solar physics, and solar photography. The participants will be able to choose from 6 workshops on such items as visible and radio wave solar observation and solar spectroscopy.
Concurrent with the workshop will be H-alpha observing sessions at the Flandrau planetarium. Optional tours and observing sessions at both Kitt Peak and Jack Newton's Sky Village are also available at extra cost.
The registration fee for the workshop is $50.00, payable to Coronado. For more information, or to register contact Loraine Ramirez at Coronado instruments, or e-mail Loraine Ramirez at loraine@coronadofilters.com
Leonids 2002 - Your Last Chance
By Andrew Cooper
If you have looked on the internet, in this month's Sky&Tel or Astronomy magazines, or many other places the Leonids buzz has started again. No wonder, after last year's spectacular show of thousands of fireballs from a true meteor storm. But will there be a repeat?
The predictions say yes! All teams (Jenniskens, Asher/McNaught and Lyytinen/Van Flandern) that called the timing of the peaks perfectly last year are again publishing predictions for 2002. Their predictions for last year may have been a little over exuberant about the numbers, but the timings of both predicted peaks were correct. They are again predicting two peaks for 2002, one at 4h UT and one at 10.5h UT on the morning of the 19th. The 4h UT peak will target Europe while we are still in late evening hours. But the 10.5h UT peak will be perfectly placed for viewing from most of North America occurring at 3:30am MST as the earth passes through debris left by comet Tempel-Tuttle in 1866. At that time the radiant will be well up in the morning sky, about 50 degrees elevation at an azimuth of about 90 degrees, or almost due east.
To add to the urgency is the predictions that these will be the last good appearances of the Leonids for several cycles, probably your last chance for a meteor storm in your lifetime. The problem for 2002 is a full moon, not just near full, but almost perfectly full for the second peak with 99.5% of the face illuminated. Nature can be perverse that way.
Two tactics of moon avoidance present themselves. One is to find a mountaintop to sit upon where the amount of atmospheric aerosols overhead that moonlight can reflect from is minimized, leaving the valley dust below you. Another is to get into the shadow of a mountain where the moon will set early, blocking direct moonlight and the mountain's shadow will block moonlight from reflecting from dust in the air above you. While the full moon will be up it will also be low on the western horizon, at the peak it will be only 35 degrees elevation at an azimuth of 266. This will only improve for the last hours of the night as the radiant climbs higher in the sky.
Personally I like my mountain shadow idea. The moon is setting
almost due west so find a spot due east of the highest convenient
peak. This places the radiant high in the eastern sky, with the
mountains at your back. For Tucson the best available mountains
are Mt. Lemmon (9157ft in
the Santa Catalina Mts.) or Mt Wrightson (9453ft in the Santa
Rita Mts.). Both offer dark sites with little to no lights visible
on the horizon. The shadows of the Santa Ritas are somewhat more
accessible from highway 83 and several side roads are available
to choose from that lead up into the national forest land. For
Phoenix the Bradshaw Mts. are convenient, the east slope is easily
accessible from I-17 and they are quite high (7108ft), so maybe
somewhere above Bumble Bee is the place to be.
You will probably find me in the shadow of Mt. Wrightson with a lounge chair and camera gear on the morning of the 19th!
For more info...
http://comets.amsmeteors.org/meteors/showers/leonidprediction.html
http://leonid.arc.nasa.gov/
Steward Observatory Public Lecture Series
Since 1924, Steward Observatory has been hosting public evening lectures in astronomy. The lectures are usually held on Monday nights at 7:30pm in room N210 of Steward Observatory. (Steward Observatory is located at 933 N. Cherry Ave. near the NE corner of the UA campus. After each lecture, the 21-inch telescope will be open (weather permitting) to view the night sky. All of the lectures and the use of the telescope are free of charge and open to the general public.
Marc Aaronson Memorial Lecture (7:00pm)
Nov. 1 - Dr. Geoff Marcy - The Prospects for Planets and Life
in the Universe (This lecture will be held in the Integrated Learning
Center, Room ILC 120)
Nov. 11 - Dr. Donald McCarthy - The Last Meteor Storm of Your
Lifetime: Leonids 2002
Nov. 25 - Dr. William Boynton - Results from Mars Odyssey
Karl Jansky Lecture (7:30pm) sponsored by the National Radio Astronomy
Observatory
Dec. 9 - Dr. Shrinivas Kulkarni - The Brightest Explosions in
the Universe
Desert Sunset Star Party
May 1-4, 2003
Kartchner Cavern State Park, Benson AZ
Hosted by Chart Markers and More (Pat and Arleen Heimann) and the Arizona State Park Department.
Mark your calendars and watch our website for updates: http://chartmarker.tripod.com
Registration begins the end of November - Limited to 250 attendees. Please help us spread the word. We are requesting volunteers from TAAA to help with security, check-in, cleanup, etc. If you can help, please contact us. We still have openings for speakers. Speaker volunteers should provide a written title and brief description. E-mail to chartmarker@cox.net. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can include your topic in the publicity materials.
Chart Markers and More
Pat and Arleen Heimann
http://chartmarker.tripod.com
NASA's Space Weather Center Comes to Kitt Peak
The Kitt Peak Visitor Center officially opened its newest exhibit on Tuesday, October 8. The grand opening of the Space Weather Center, developed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and the Space Science Institute, was attended by Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup, the Directors of NOAO and KPNO, essay-contest winners from the Indian Oasis Middle School, and numerous representatives of the tourist industry. The Space Weather Center offers visitors an interactive approach to exploring the dynamics of space weather, an increasingly important area of solar science. Vibrant graphics, visitor-operated computer kiosks, and hands-on exhibits combine to present the Sun-Earth connection in a way that is fascinating and informative. Educational materials are also available for teachers, making the exhibit perfect for school field trips. The Space Weather Center is open from 9:00 to 3:30 Monday through Sunday. Admission is $4.00 for adults, $2.50 for children 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under. Please call the Kitt Peak Visitor Center at (520) 318-8726 for additional information.
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
Th/Fr 31/ 1 18:57 - 2:54 Su/Mo 10/11 23:06 - 5:25 Th/Fr 21/22 - - -
Fr/Sa 1/ 2 18:57 - 4:03 Mo/Tu 11/12 0:05 - 5:26 Fr/Sa 22/23 18:46 - 19:29
Sa/Su 2/ 3 18:56 - 5:13 Tu/We 12/13 1:03 - 5:27 Sa/Su 23/24 18:46 - 20:24
We/Th 13/14 1:59 - 5:28
Su/Mo 3/ 4 18:55 - 5:20 Th/Fr 14/15 2:53 - 5:28 Su/Mo 24/25 18:46 - 21:25
Mo/Tu 4/ 5 18:54 - 5:21 Fr/Sa 15/16 3:46 - 5:29 Mo/Tu 25/26 18:46 - 22:28
Tu/We 5/ 6 18:54 - 5:22 Sa/Su 16/17 4:40 - 5:30 Tu/We 26/27 18:46 - 23:34
We/Th 6/ 7 19:12 - 5:22 We/Th 27/28 18:46 - 0:39
Th/Fr 7/ 8 20:05 - 5:23 Su/Mo 17/18 - - - Th/Fr 28/29 18:45 - 1:46
Fr/Sa 8/ 9 21:04 - 5:24 Mo/Tu 18/19 - - - Fr/Sa 29/30 18:45 - 2:53
Sa/Su 9/10 22:05 - 5:24 Tu/We 19/20 LUNAR ECLIPSE Sa/Su 30/ 1 18:45 - 4:01
We/Th 20/21 - - -
Weekend Sun Sun Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn
Sa/Su Set Rise Rise Vi Rise Vi Rise Vi Rise Vi Rise Vi Vi=Visibility
2/ 3 17:31 6:41 6:09 9 6:24 9 4:24 3 0:04 -2 20:25 0 -3 brilliant
9/10 17:26 6:47 6:37 - 5:37 1 4:18 3 23:39 -2 19:56 0 0 conspicuous
16/17 17:21 6:53 Set 4:58 -2 4:11 3 23:14 -2 19:27 0 3 moderate
23/24 17:18 6:59 17:33 - 4:28 -4 4:05 2 22:48 -2 18:57 0 6 naked eye limit
30/ 1 17:17 7:05 17:46 - 4:08 -4 3:58 2 22:21 -2 18:28 0 9 binoculars limit
By Erich Karkoschka
TAAA Star Party at Las Cienegas (Empire Ranch)
Nov 2 (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. Be prepared for cold temperatures once the sun goes down. 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.
Oro Valley Public Library Star Party Northwest
Nov 7, (Thursday) No. of Scopes: 6
The staff of the new Oro Valley Public Library has requested we join their grand opening festivities with a Star Party. Take Oracle Rd North to Ina Rd, go west on Ina Rd until you reach La Canada Drive, take a right on La Canada Dr. and continue north to Naranja; it's on the southeast corner of Naranja and La Canada (just north of the police station on La Canada). The viewing location is next to the tree sculpture on the south side of the library. Set up is at 5:30pm with observing from 6pm to approximately 8pm. A Star Party leader is needed for this event. A sign up sheet will be available at the November meeting.
Donaldson Elementary School Star Party Northwest
November 8, (Friday) No. of Scopes: 10
This is to be a large event and a strong showing on our part is needed; last year we participated with 11 scopes for a truly memorable event. The school is located at 2040 W. Omar Drive. Take Ina Road west from Oracle Road to La Cholla Blvd. Turn left (south) and proceed for 1/2 mile. You will see a gate to the school entrance on the left (east) side of La Cholla. Proceed through the gate and look for the open observing area on the north side of the school buildings. Set up is at 5:45pm 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 November meeting. Note: a $100.00 donation will be provided to the TAAA and free pizza and soft drinks will be provided to all TAAA volunteers!
TAAA/TIMPA Joint Activity
November 9 (Saturday)
Join the fun as the TAAA and TIMPA get together for RC flying, a bar-b-que, and stargazing. The afternoon begins with the TAAA offering flying demonstrations, as well as free flying instructions to TAAA members and their friends until 5:00 pm. Their radio-controlled transmitters have dual controls, so learning to fly is easy, fun, and safe! Their instructors are very skilled, and more importantly, very patient teachers.
There's also the possibility of periodic "combat" demonstrations by the TIMPA pilots. You'll have to pay close attention, because these competitions last only 5 minutes or so each.
For the picnic, bring your own items to grill, and a dish to pass.
After sunset, the usual TAAA star party will begin, and we will get a chance to show the TIMPA members some of the wonders of the night sky. Don't be surprised if a few of the more adventurous TIMPA members try a little night flying, too. It's really neat to watch. Be sure to dress VERY WARMLY, as the temperature will drop rapidly after sunset. Hot drinks can be enjoyable, too.
Emily Gray Elementary School Star Party East
Nov 13, (Wednesday) No. of Scopes: 6
This Star Party will include 7th, 8th and 9th grades. Take Speedway Blvd. east to Houghton Rd. Turn left (north) on Houghton and continue for about 2 1/2 miles. At Prince Rd turn right (east), go approximately 1 mile. Turn left on Melpomene Way and proceed for approximately a half-mile. The school is located on the left side of the street. The viewing location is on the far west field on campus. A member of the staff will meet you at the parking. Set up is at 5:45pm with observing from 6.30pm to approximately 8.30pm. A Star Party leader is needed for this event. A sign up sheet will be available at the November meeting.
Mission View Elementary School Star Party South
Nov 14, (Thursday) No. of Scopes: 8-10
This is one of our larger star parties of the year that prepares a very unique program! There will be five rotating "centers" ("Moon Phases", Moon and Tide Connection", "NASA Moon Walk", "Moon Features", and "Moon Watch".) The telescopes are, of course, the "Moon Watch" center. The school is located at 2700 S. 8th Ave. at the corner of 37th St. and 8th. Go south on 6th Ave. a little over a mile until you reach 37th St. (look for Discount Tire- if you pass the Salvation Army, you've gone too far). Make a right (west) on 37th St. and continue about 2 blocks. Mission View is on the right side of the street, across from the Children's Home. There will be a set of double gates to the playground near the west end of the school. The program will be on the grassy area. Set-up will be at 6pm with observing from 6.30pm to 8pm. Refreshments will be provided to all TAAA volunteers! A Star Party leader is needed for this event. A sign up sheet will be available at the November meeting.
Sewell Elementary School Star Party Central
Nov 19, Tuesday No. of Scopes: 10
Paul Olson, a TAAA member has requested this star party in conjunction with Project Astro. He has arranged to display lunar samples courtesy of NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Education Resources. This promises to be a rather large event! The school is located at 425 N. Sahuara Avenue. Take 5th Street west past Craycroft Rd. and turn right (south) on Sahuara Ave. The school will be on your right. Entrance to the school area is through a gate located just south of the main building through the parking lot. Go to the gate at the west side of the lot (near the dumpster); drive around the school to the NORTH PLAYGROUND. Setup will be on the concrete Basketball Courts at the NORTH SIDE OF THE SCHOOL. Project Astro teachers will offer free pizza and sodas for TAAA volunteers beginning at 5pm! Set up will be at 5.45pm with observing from 6.30pm to approximately 8.30pm. Paul Olson (791-2965) will be the star party coordinator. A sign up sheet will be available at the November meeting.
TAAA Star Party at Las Cienegas (Empire Ranch)
Nov 30 (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. Be prepared for cold temperatures once the sun goes down. 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.
TAAA Board of Directors Meeting
TAAA Board Meeting
October 9, 2002
Board Members Present: Andrew Cooper, Thom Peck, Terri Lappin,
Jane Tongate, Bill Lofquist, Robert Callanan
Board Members Absent: Steve Peterson
Other Members Present: Barbara Callanan, Twila Peck
Meeting opened at 7:20 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Tongate
Secretary
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