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Desert Skies
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
Volume XLIX, Number 1, January, 2003
Contents
Main Meeting: Friday January 3, at the Steward Observatory Auditorium - Room N210
Beginner's Lecture: 6:30 pm
Building a Backyard Observatory
Mark Trueblood
Are you thinking about building your own backyard observatory? In this Beginners Lecture, Mark Trueblood looks at what you should consider ahead of time, and shows what he did in the design and construction of his backyard observatory in Sonoita, which can be viewed at http://www.winer.org. Mark has been a member of TAAA since 1990. At the age of 11, Mark read Texereau's book on telescope making and made a 6-inch f/8 mirror at the age of 12. He is an expert on robotic observatories and coauthored the book "Microcomputer Control of Telescopes" (Willmann-Bell, Inc.). Mark, who is the Project Engineer for the Gemini Telescope, will also give the invited lecture later in the evening.
General Meeting: 7:30 pm
Exploring the Universe with the Gemini Observatory
Mark Trueblood
The US is roughly a half partner in two 8-m telescopes, the successors to the 4-m telescopes on Kitt Peak and Cerro Tololo, yet many amateur astronomers who have heard of the Keck 10-m telescopes have never heard of the Gemini telescopes. Mark Trueblood, who works at NOAO to oversee the construction of instruments built in the US for the two Gemini 8-m telescopes, will describe the Gemini Observatory, its science goals, and the instruments being built for the Gemini telescopes, and will present an overview of early science results obtained with instruments on the Gemini telescopes.
Mark attended Brown University as an undergraduate and completed a master's degree in astronomy at the University of Maryland in 1983. Mark's research interests are Near Earth Objects, Minor Planet Astrometry and Photometry, Occultations of Stars by Minor Planets, and Extra-Solar Planet Discovery. From 1985 to 1988 he worked as a Program Manager at Ford Aerospace Corporation on the Hubble Space Telescope control center at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. He has been employed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA, Inc) since 1990, initially as a programmer and systems engineer for the National Solar Observatory Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG). Since 1994 he has been the Project Engineer in AURA's National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) United States Gemini Program, overseeing the construction of instruments for the Gemini Observatory's two 8-m telescopes by US teams.
Mark developed the Winer Observatory near Sonoita and serves as its Scientific Director. The facility was founded in 1983 to perform scientific research and public education in astronomy and light pollution, and just to have a whole lot of fun. Mark is a member of the American Astronomical Society, International Dark-sky Association, International Amateur-Professional Photoelectric Photometry group, International Occultation Timing Association, Friends of the Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy, and the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association. In 2001, the International Astronomical Union named minor planet number 15522 "Trueblood" in his honor.
Board of Director's Meeting: Wednesday, Jan 8 7:00 pm at Steward Observatory Conference Room N305
Star Parties and Events:
Newsletter Schedule: Deadline for articles: Mon, Jan 20. Printing: Mon, Jan 27. Folding Party: Tues, Jan 28. Mailing: Wed, Jan 29. The newsletter is mailed at least one week prior to the following month's General Meeting.
Note: the Board of Directors Meeting is the second Wednesday of the month. The Astrophoto SIG is the first Thursday following the monthly 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
The observing area at TIMPA is approaching usability; the work party in December and another in January should get us there. Thanks to Ray and Nora Toscano, the Scott family, as well as Dean Salman for lending a rake and shovel to the task.
The gravel is still soft to drive, but should pack down with a little traffic on it. The turning circle could probably be a bit larger, but that will require pruning some branches from a small mesquite to get a couple more feet of room. There are two piles of extra gravel strategically placed for future work.
Bathroom light covers and coat-hooks were also installed. I understand that the TIMPA folks have purchased vent fans for the bathrooms; they just haven't installed them yet.
Many thanks to Pat and Arleen Heimann for the light covers. We should have nice red light in the bathrooms for the next star party. Whoever arrives early can step into the bathrooms and set up the red light. The design is simple and effective, just reach up and slide the filter into place.
This month... power to the pads, and then maybe a couple more observing pads. Just one or two more work parties and we will have a very nice observing area to use.
Andrew
Member News
We welcome Edward and Marlys Ross as the newest members to join the TAAA. Glad to have you join! New members should 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.)
Steward Observatory Public Evening Lecture
Since 1924 Steward Observatory has hosted public evening lectures in astronomy. The Steward Public Evening Lectures are held two Mondays each month when classes are in session. The schedule of lectures is not posted as of newsletter printing time, but will begin sometime in the second half of January. Information can be found at http://viking.as.arizona.edu/~taf/pubeve/pub_lect.html or by calling Steward Observatory at 621-2288. The lectures are held in the Steward Lecture Hall (N210), the same room we hold our meetings. Following each lecture, the 21-inch telescope will be available for viewing the night sky (weather permitting). The lectures and the use of the telescope are free of charge and open to the general public.
Small Amounts Add Up - The TAAA Automatic Donation Program
The New Year is here. This is a good time to join other TAAA Members who are contributing monthly to the TAAA using our Automatic Donation Program. It's easy to do. Each month, the TAAA automatically deducts an amount you specify from your designated checking account. The transaction appears on your bank statement as an EFT. If you are interested, there is a form to fill out which authorizes the TAAA to make the EFTs, and we need a voided check. Money can be donated to any of the TAAA funds, including Light Pollution (SA-IDA) and TIMPA. Monthly donations need to be at least $5/month. The agreement can be cancelled at any time with proper notification. Forms are available at every monthly meeting. See the treasurer if you have questions.
Refreshments
The refreshments signup was not at the last meeting, so no one is scheduled to bring them for the January meeting. If you wish to bring them, please call Terri at 579-0185 to find out what is needed. We are seeking refreshment hosts for the next few months, so a sign up sheet will be available in the meeting room if you are interested. Sign up for one or more months at a time.
Refreshment hosts bring cookies, soda, ice, and whatever other supplies are needed to the meeting. The hosts set out the refreshments shortly before the main lecture ends and then cleans up after the feast is over.
Astro-Photo Special Interest Group
9 January 2003
China Rose, 7pm, NE corner Speedway/Rosemont
As normal, we'll again be meeting in the China Rose "Sky Room" on the Thursday after the regular TAAA meeting. It is a great relaxing venue to show off your recent astro-photos, or see what others have been up to over some great Chinese food. There have been a wide variety of images lately, from simple tripod shots to advanced CCD images, so no matter what your level of expertise or interest, there will likely be something for you to enjoy. Come join us!
Lunar Samples at TAAA Meeting
Photo and text by Paul Brown
At our December members meeting, there were genuine rocks embedded in clear plastic. Everybody that wanted to could handle them at our meeting and a crowd did. Just to be clear, these are NASA rocks that came back from the Moon. Value...$200,000 or more, at TAAA!
Loaner Telescope Program
The club has come into the possession of several telescopes over the years that just sit in storage most of the time. These range in size from a 90mm ETX to 8" and 10" scopes. We would like to see these scopes used for the purpose they were intended. To that end we have been considering a loaner telescope program. The whole idea rests on finding a qualified person to administer it. The qualifications we are looking for is a club member with the necessary mechanical knowledge to maintain and fix up the scopes for use and to check out the scopes to club members that wish to use them. The details of the program are not worked out; we would work with this person in establishing the details. We envision using the scopes for long-term loans of 2-4 months so it would not entail much work in any given month. If interested contact Andrew at taaa@seds.org.
Recognition Award
By Andrew Cooper
In recognition of Starizona's continued and strong support of the TAAA a certificate of recognition was presented to Dean and staff by the TAAA's board of directors. Starizona continues to provide a place friendly to amateur astronomers. We wish them a happy and successful Christmas season.
WEBSITES: TRIPS ON THE INTERNET SUPER-SKYWAY
FINDING YOUR WAY
By Rik Hill
In the past this column has talked about freeware planetarium and star chart programs available on the web. But for those who don't want to download and install their own software we have a little holiday gift, interactive (cgi) star charts that you can view with your browser.
The most simple of these is MyStarsLive at:
http://www.mystarslive.com/
It asks some basic questions about your location, time and viewing perspective and then (slowly) plots the sky view.
Similar to this and a bit slower is StarMap at:
http://starmap.causeway.co.uk/
Slowness is probably due to older server machines on the other end.
Starchart Map is a program that plots up individual constellations
at:
http://www.polaris.net/services/starchart/starchart.php
This program operates much faster and even plots a few deep sky objects. However, it leaves the user the impression that it will plot stars to 12th magnitude. It does not. It appears to go to about 6th mag.
The Constellations and their Stars (Chris Dolan's Interactive
Sky Charts) is a good website at:
http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/constellations.html
While the constellations are only plotted to about 5th magnitude there are many links to webpages (many not hosted by Chris) where further information can be found on objects in the constellations and the constellations themselves.
But for me, the best of all the star charting websites is Your
Sky by John Walker of Fourmilab in Switzerland at:
http://www.fourmilab.ch/yoursky/
Mr. Walker is a programmer of some competence as a visit to his
website at
http://www.fourmilab.ch/ will show. I may do one of these columns
on just his other products in the future.
Your Sky is nothing short of astounding. You start with the front page that has a brief introduction to the program and a link to extensive help pages to get you started. Throughout the pages of this program you will find fast links to helps.
The opening page has four sections. The first one is called Sky Map. After filling in your latitude and longitude and pressing the "Make Sky Map" widget, you are led to an all sky view for your location at the time on your computer. Below the map are many customizing options. By clicking on a spot on the large map you get a blow up of that region which you can customize further. The magnitude limit for this mapping program appears to be around 10. This is unfortunate since the HST Guide Star catalog is readily available. Likewise only some of the NGC and IC catalogs are plotted. So for the serious deep sky enthusiast this program will seem limited. But still, for the money (i.e. none) it's a tremendous bargain! Such a program can provide many nights of enjoyable viewing targets and can serve well to make finder charts to some of your favorite objects.
Happy Holidays to all!
--------- + ---------
As always, if you know of a particularly good website you would
like mentioned here, drop me a line at:
rhill@lpl.arizona.edu
A FREE GIFT FOR YOU....
By Rik Hill
Recently, as a by-product of some software I was writing at work, I put together a little thing called TeleTool. It's a widget that runs in Tcl/Tk that, with the input of your telescope focal length, aperture and eyepiece focal length (all in metric or English units), it gives you the options of getting Magnification, Exit Pupil, Dawes Limit, Rayleigh Limit, Limiting Magnitude, and Image Scale. This is free for the download on my Jim Loudon Observatory website at: http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/~rhill/jlobs.html
but you will need to have Tcl/Tk in your machine. This is obtainable for FREE (and worth at least twice that) at: http://www.tcl.tk/scripting/
Desert Sunset Star Party
May 1-4, 2003
The Desert Sunset Star Party scheduled for May 1-4, 2003 at the Kartchner Caverns State Park in Benson, AZ, is an event for amateur astronomers. Our goal for the DSSP is to promote amateur astronomy in southern Arizona annually, to encourage and invite other amateurs to enjoy our dark Arizona skies and the many related attractions in this area.
For those of you who have not been to an event like this, it is a great opportunity to learn and socialize with amateurs from other locations. Unlike the many public star parties that the TAAA hold each year, this event will be closed to the public. But you will still hear the wows, oohs and ahs as someone finds an object for the first time or looks at a familiar object through someone else's telescope.
Prior to dinner, we plan to have a few demonstrations set up near the pavilions. We hope we can get a few of the seasoned amateurs to volunteer to demonstrate specialized techniques and to share their expertise. We will have a swap meet on Saturday afternoon followed by a contest for your homemade innovative astronomy gadget.
After dinner, attendees can listen to speakers at the amphitheater while we wait for the sun to set. We are hoping to have a good selection of door prizes donated from some local businesses and other vendors we have contacted in our star party travels.
During the days, we are encouraging attendees to visit places like Kitt Peak, the UA Mirror Lab and Planetarium, the Air and Space Museum and Titan Missile Museum, and of course the many non-astronomy related sites such as the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum and Old Tombstone.
We hope we can count on many of the TAAA members to assist us with this event. We still have openings for speakers. We can also use volunteers to help with check-in, area orientation and other tasks. Please help us make this event a memorable one. If you have any suggestions or questions, please feel free to contact us. We will be speaking about the DSSP at the January 4, TAAA members night meeting. In the meantime, please check out our website at http://chartmarker.tripod.com/sunset.htm for additional details and registration forms.
Leonid Star Party
Text and Photo By Nicanor Demesa III
A group of children and my family went to empire ranch 7pm 11/18/02 and stayed until 9am 11/19/02. One person from Canada showed up to photograph the meteor shower. I tried to get some images of the meteor shower using a supercircuits .003 lux camera with a fish eye lens. ( Early in the evening that worked ok - until the moon was high). I also decided to point my telescope with CCD at the radiant and have it track with the stars. Attached are a series of three 100 second CCD exposures using my ST237 using FastStar on my Celestron 8".
Grand Canyon Star Party
21-28 June, 2003
North and South Rims
Greetings all! Now that the New Year is upon us, it is again time to make plans for this year's Grand Canyon Star Party. Why the rush to start thinking about attending, you ask? It is because it is very difficult to find motel rooms if you put it off, so unless you are the hardy camping type, you should think about it early and make reservations while you can.
This year's event has been pushed back a little later than we've ever had it in June, and we risk some pre-monsoon clouds, but I've always heard complaints from folks when we have it early in the month because their kids are still in school, so we are pushing it back a bit. The Canyon will be crowded and the sky dark, so make those plans now. By the time you read this the website should be updated with the latest information, including phone numbers of places you can make reservations. That website, of course, is www.63.134.241.238/gcsp.html. And you can always contact me for information as well. For those of you who've been camping with us the last few years, I do expect to receive a number of campsites again to distribute to those staying the full 8 days (Saturday thru Saturday) with us. Signup for those will again be in March, so check for further information in the March newsletter. -Dean Ketelsen 293-2855 ketelsen@as.arizona.edu
TAAA Star Party at Las Cienegas (Empire Ranch)
Jan 4 (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. Expect very cold temperatures this time of year. 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. See the directions to Las Cienegas on the outside flap of this newsletter.
Mountain View Retirement Village Star Party / Northwest
Jan 7, (Tuesday) - No. of Scopes: 2
The folks at the Mountain View Retirement Village are looking forward to a tour of the night sky. Take Ina Rd. to La Canada and turn north. Proceed to just before the next light at Magee. The entrance is on right on La Canada; last entrance before the stoplight. The viewing location will be from the parking lot behind the main building. Set up time is 6.30pm and viewing is from7-8pm. A Star Party Leader is needed for this event and a member sign up sheet will be available at the January meeting.
Old Vail Middle School Star Party / South-Vail
Jan 8, (Wednesday) - No. of Scopes: 6
Old Vail will have seven enthusiastic classes for this event! The school is located at 13299 E. Colossal Cave Rd in Vail. Take I-10 east from Tucson towards Benson and get off at the Vail/Wentworth exit (Exit 279). At the end of the off-ramp turn left (north) and continue until you have crossed the railroad tracks. The school is on the left. Come into the main parking lot and follow the signs near the gym to the set-up location. Set up time is 6.30 pm and viewing will be from 7-8.30pm. Jim Winsky will be Star Party Leader for this event and a member sign up sheet will be available at the January meeting.
Lyons Elementary School Star Party / East
Jan 16, (Thursday) - No. of Scopes: 6
Lyons Elementary will be presenting Family Science Night for all students and parents. Enthusiastic students with a new knowledge of the solar system and deep space are looking forward to close-up views of the night sky. From Kolb and Speedway take Kolb Rd. south, past Golf Links to Escalante. Turn left (east) on Escalante and proceed about 3/4 mile to Evergreen. Turn right (south) on Evergreen and proceed about half a mile to Dogwood, turn right (west). Lyons will be easily visible a few blocks down on the right. The viewing location will be on the grassy area near the northeast playground. Set up time is 6.30 pm and viewing will be from 7-8:30pm. Richard Dougall will be Star Party Leader for this event and a member sign up sheet will be available at the January meeting.
Gallego Elementary School Star Party / South-Central
Jan 23, (Thursday) - No. of Scopes: 5
The 5th graders at Gallego are preparing for a night of viewing Saturn and deep sky objects. From midtown Tucson take Campbell Rd. south. Campbell becomes Kino Pkwy; continue south over I-10, until about 3 blocks past Irvington. Turn right on Wyoming (west) and proceed one block to S. Cherry. Gallego Elementary is on the northeast corner. Set-up location is on the west side of the school building on the playfield or basketball court. Set up time is 6.30 pm and viewing will be from 7-8:30pm. A Star Party Leader is needed for this event and a member sign up sheet will be available at the January meeting.
TAAA Star Party at TIMPA
Jan 25 (Saturday)
Come on out and enjoy the winter skies! TIMPA star parties are great for both beginners and experienced observers. Our novice members can get help with observing issues or equipment problems, as there are many experienced members there who would be happy to help. If you don't own a telescope, come anyways, because there are lots of telescopes set up and everyone is invited to look through them. This is a great way to check out different telescope designs before you make that all-important decision to buy. There is no scheduled talk for this activity, just come out and enjoy. We'll do our best to get you the answers you need. If you have friends or relatives who are curious about amateur astronomy, feel free to bring them along. The TIMPA site features a large parking area, and full restroom facilities. Be sure to dress warmly! Directions to the TIMPA site are located on the outside flap of this newsletter.
** As these Star Parties occur before the February 7 TAAA meeting, they will be included with January Star Party notices**
TAAA Star Party at Las Cienegas (Empire Ranch)
Feb 1 (Saturday)
Here's another chance to enjoy the darks skies at Las Cienegas. See the article for Jan 4, above, for details.
Holladay Magnet School Star Party / South-Central
Feb 5, (Wednesday) - No. of Scopes: 6
The annual Family Science Night for all students and parents will be the major science event of the semester for Holladay Magnet. Students are ready to test their knowledge of the night sky through scopes and binoculars. From midtown Tucson take Campbell Rd. south. Campbell becomes Kino Pkwy after Broadway; continue over Aviation Parkway to 22nd St and turn right (west). Go about a half-mile to Park Ave and turn left (south). Continue on Park about one mile to 33rd St (not a stoplight) and turn left (east). Proceed to the next street (Fremont); the school is on the right (south) side of 33rd, just past Fremont. The viewing location will be southeast of the school buildings on the basketball court. Set up time is 6.30 pm and viewing will be from 7-8:30pm. A Star Party Leader is needed for this event and a member sign up sheet will be available at the January meeting.
TIMPA Work Party
January 18
With one more work party the observing area should be ready to use. In December, with any luck, we will have completed running power to the observing pads. In this third installment we will pour up to four more concrete observing pads for a total of six. So bring water, hats, shovels, rakes and general hand tools. Work starts at 9:00 and with the winter weather the morning should be cool and perfect for outdoor work. See you there!
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