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Desert Skies
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
Volume XLIX, Number 4, May, 2003
Contents
Main Meeting: Friday, May 2 at the Steward Observatory Auditorium - Room N210
Beginner's Lecture: 6:30 pm
The Life of James Nasmyth
Andrew Cooper
Another foray into the past to discuss the life of James Nasmyth, an amateur astronomer and engineer from the 19th century.
General Meeting: 7:30 pm
The Indian Observatory at Hanle - World's Highest
Peter Wehinger
This month's lecture will be presented by Peter Wehinger from Steward Observatory. Peter will talk about the Indian High Altitude Observatory, which is located in the Ladakh region of India only about 25-30 miles from the boarder with Chinese-occupied Tibet. The sparsely populated region is primarily made up of people who are Buddhists and are closely related to their cousins in Tibet.
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Bangalore began site testing at in 1992. In 2001 a 2-meter reflecting telescope was installed at 14,800 ft (4500 m), made by EOS Technologies here in Tucson. They now have a long slit spectrograph made by the Copenhagen University Observatory, plus two CCDs and an infrared camera. A project in collaboration with Washington University, in St. Louis, is being set up with two 50 cm reflectors (one in Sonoita, AZ and the other at Hanle) so that objects can be monitored nearly 24 hr per day. The site communicates with the outside world by a satellite link through an Indian geosynchronous satellite.
For more details about the Indian High Altitude Observatory, go to www.iiap.ernet.in and click on Hanle.
Peter Wehinger grew up in Goshen, New York and majored in physics at Union College in Schenectady, NY. He did graduate work in astronomy at Indiana University (MS) and Case Western Reserve University (Ph.D.). He has been on the faculty of the University of Michigan, Kansas, Tel-Aviv, Sussex (UK), Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, and University of Arizona. He also has been on the staff of the Royal Greenwich Observatory (UK), the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (Heidelberg, FRG). He has observed from such places as Kitt Peak, Cerro Tololo, Wise (Israel), European Southern Observatory, Mauna Kea, Calar Alto (Spain), Mt. Stromlo (Australia), and the Anglo-Australian Observatory. His research has included spectroscopy of comets and imaging and spectroscopy of quasars and quasar-host galaxies. Currently he is involved in fund raising for the Large Binocular Telescope Project and in finding clients for the Mirror Lab.
Board of Director's Meeting: Wednesday, May 14 7:00 pm at Steward Observatory Conference Room N305
Star Parties and Events:
Newsletter Schedule: Deadline for articles: Friday, May 16. Printing: Tuesday, May 27. Folding Party: Wed, May 28. Mailing: Thu, May 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 first Wednesday after the monthly meeting. The astrophoto SIG is the first Thursday after 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 tongate@u.arizona.edu
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
This will be the last President's Message I write. Those of you who have read last month's newsletter will have noticed that my name does not appear on the ballot. Time to let another step in and bring with them the renewed enthusiasm that the club needs. Not that I will disappear, I hope to remain very involved with the club. Helping out with star parties, giving lectures and throwing in a hand when needed. This should help whoever succeeds me, spreading the load so they may concentrate on what needs being done.
This is in the tradition of the club's past presidents and helps us keep the entire club's many projects and events going. My many thanks to the previous presidents who are still active and vital club members, the help they gave me made everything possible. Terri Lappin, who served several years as president, and now fills the most important function of the club, Treasurer (Yes, more important than President!) Dean Ketelsen, who handles the Grand Canyon Star Party, the Astro-Photo SIG and other events. And John Kalas, who lends needed advice and handles the successful Paid Star Party Program that provides the funding we need for our other projects.
The club is its member's, those who give their time to provide the opportunities to us all to grow and learn, and also to give a little back to our community. My thanks to you all; our lives are richer for it.
Andrew
Constitutional Amendment
By Andrew Cooper
In an effort to streamline our procedures the TAAA board is proposing a constitutional amendment. We will be voting on this at the May main meeting. The full club constitution can be found at http://www.63.134.241.238/constitution.html
Change to Article 4 Section 6 add a new item to Subsection A
6) In the event that the election ballot for the Board of Directors has no contested positions a simple show of hands shall be made to approve or disapprove the board as nominated. An official count of the votes shall be made for the record. This is in lieu of a secret ballot. Any absentee ballots shall be added to the count. If the result is negative a secret ballot shall be taken.
Officer Nominations for May Elections
By John Kalas
With the addition of Ken Wheelock, candidate for secretary, the Nominating Committee, consisting of Ed Finney, Thom Peck and John Kalas, has completed the slate of officers for the upcoming club election at the May monthly meeting. The elected officers would then start their terms June 1st.
The following is the list of candidates:
President - Thom Peck
Vice President - Steve Peterson
Treasurer - Terri Lappin
Secretary - Ken Wheelock
Member-at-Large - Bill Lofquist
Member-at-Large - Ed Finney
Member-at-Large - Ray Toscano
The club constitution requires that slate of candidates be published at least 30 days prior to the election. Since Ken Wheelock was not a candidate at the time of the April newsletter, he will be considered a "write-in" candidate on the ballot.
On behalf of the entire club, the Nominating Committee would like to thank Andrew Cooper, Jane Tongate and Robert Callanan for their dedication and service to the TAAA. Their efforts and achievements are greatly appreciated.
If any member of the club, with at least one year of membership, is interested in any of the officer positions, they should contact Ed Finney at 296-9266, Thom Peck at 327-7825 or John Kalas at 620-6502. Floor nominations at the May meeting will also be accepted.
Member News
We welcome the most recent members to join the TAAA: Dale Hazelwood, Catt Kestler, David and Janine Klein, Gary Neilson, and James Walter (a receipt of a TAAA science fair award). Glad to have all of 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 to any member at the regular meetings, so pick one up if you need it.)
Refreshments
The sign up sheet for Refreshment Hosts will be in the back of the meeting room. Please sign up, as you are able. Hosts bring cookies, soda and other necessary supplies to the meetings. They also set up the refreshments and clean up after the feast is over. Costs are reimbursed up to $25/month. Bring the receipts to the meeting for reimbursement. Arrangements can be made if you need help carrying the supplies into the meeting room. Call Terri (579-0185 or tklappin@earthlink.net) if you have questions.
5Oth Anniversary Slogan Design
We're thinking about commemorative T-Shirts and other items for our 50th birthday, and need some creative help! So let's get those brain cells buzzing around and hopefully we can come up with something really sharp. We'd like to see all kinds of ideas for slogans, graphics, whatever. If you can't draw, sketch out your ideas (stick people are fine!) or describe them in prose. And bring them to a TAAA meeting or mail them to Thom Peck, 2121 N Ralph Ave, Tucson 85712. Be sure to put your name, address, email, phone, etc. on them. THANKS!
Astro-Photo Special Interest Group
Thursday, 8 May, 7pm
China Rose - Speedway/Rosemont
As always, we will be meeting the Thursday after the main meeting for Chinese food and astrophotography. Of course, everyone is welcome, and all levels are invited to show their work. See you there!
May 10 Astronomy Day at Flandrau!
Here are two chances in one day to promote the TAAA and Astronomy with the Flandrau Science Center on Astronomy Day, Sat. May 10. From noon-5 p.m. show the general public our star the Sun. Home made displays about astronomy, telescope making, the TAAA or most anything astronomy related are welcome. Also, solar powered devices or hands on activities that teach about the Sun are also welcome. Tables and chairs will be provided for those with displays and telescopes. Members who wish to bring canopies for shade, etc. are welcome to do so.
Also, from 7-10 p.m. show the public Jupiter, Saturn (until around 9 p.m.) and the nine-day-old gibbous Moon. Lights on the mall will be specially turned off for the evening viewing. Parking on the grassy portion of the mall near or at the observing area will be allowed with permission, in advance. If you intend on helping out (or have special parking needs) please let Michael Terenzoni at Flandrau know via e-mail (miket@ns.arizona.edu) or phone (621-3646); Parking permits are normally easily obtained. A sign up sheet will be available at the May meeting.
Telescopes for Telethon 2003
By John Kalas
It's almost here. The TAAA will be supporting the Muscular Dystrophy T4T activity again this year on Thursday, May 15th. This date was selected because the moon will rise in full lunar eclipse that night. Solar viewing will take place from 3:00 to 6:00 pm with evening observing running from 6:00 to 10:00 pm. David and Wendee Levy will be hosting the event. Starizona, Sky Works, Stellar Vision and Coronado Instruments will also be participating.
Several changes are planned for the event this year. There will be two venues: the Sabino Canyon Recreational Area and the Flandrau Science Center, so lots of members will be needed to cover both places. Unfortunately, permission was denied from Sabino Canyon to allow the collection of donations of the waived parking fee from visitors entering the area all day long.
John Kalas is the TAAA coordinator for the event. There will be signup sheets at the May meeting. Many volunteers will be needed to operate telescopes (solar and evening), staff donation areas and assist in general public support at both locations. Wendee Levy and Liz Kalas are coordinating the publicity for the activity. Please consider supporting this worthwhile event. If you are unable to attend the meetings to sign up, please contact John at 620-6502 or via e-mail at jckalas@aol.com.
May 15 Telescopes for Telethon at Flandrau!
If you live closer to the University of Arizona, why not join with the Flandrau Science Center to help host Telescopes for Telethon, Thurs. May 15. As many telescopes or more will be needed at Flandrau as at Sabino Canyon! From 3 p.m. until around sunset show the general public our star the Sun. From 7-10 p.m. show the public Jupiter, Saturn (until around 9 p.m.) and, of course, the eclipsed Moon. Lights on the mall will be specially turned off for the evening viewing. Parking on the grassy portion of the mall near or at the observing area will be allowed with permission, in advance. If you intend on helping out (or have special parking needs) please let Michael Terenzoni at Flandrau know via e-mail (miket@ns.arizona.edu) or phone (621-3646); Parking permits are normally easily obtained. A sign up sheet will be available at the May meeting.
TAAA Spring Star-B-Cue at Kitt Peak
May 24 (Saturday)
The TAAA has scheduled a star party and pot-luck barbecue at the picnic grounds up on Kitt Peak on Saturday, 5/24, starting at 4:00 pm. A maximum of 70 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.
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 May 3rd 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 May meeting, phone and e-mail reservation requests will be taken on a first come, first serve basis after 9:00 am Saturday, 5/3. 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.
PlanetQuest Projects Have Arrived
By Terri Lappin
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) has developed informal education activities to support upcoming NASA missions looking for earth-sized extra-solar planets. The TAAA has been selected as one of a handful of clubs doing alpha testing of these activities. The kit, which contains three activities, was only recently received and hasn't been fully inspected yet. Here are a few quick notes to let our members know something about the kits. Alpha testing of these kits will be conducted through the end of June. The kits are as follows:
Kit 1: Where are we searching for Other Planets?
Mentally construct a model of the galaxy. Where is the sun in
this model? What portion of the galaxy has been searched for stars
with planets? Indoor activity, 6th grade and up, takes 10 to 30
minutes depends on depth and which optional activities are covered.
Especially good prior to a star party where Milky Way is visible.
Kit 2: Where are the Distant Worlds?
Using star charts, locate naked eye stars that are known to have
planets. Activity designed for 8 years and up, small groups of
1 to 4 per star chart. Length of activity depends on how many
constellations and stars you want to locate. There are 14 stars
in the list; more than half are brighter than about 5th magnitude.
Excellent activity for any star party setting.
Kit 3: Is our Solar System Unique?
Compares a scale model of our solar system to other known planetary
systems. For ages 5 and up, best for groups of at least ten participants.
Activity takes about 30 minutes. This is similar to the Earth
as a Peppercorn (1000 Yard Solar System) activity (but covers
a shorter distance) usually covered in Project ASTRO training,
but adds models of other planetary systems for comparison. Daytime
activity.
These projects don't have too much pre-activity prep work but there is some. A VHS video training tape was supplied as well as a CD that contains supporting information, such as Power Point presentations and animations to help explain concepts. Anyone interested in looking over the materials can do so at the May meeting.
These activities will be loaned out to anyone who wants to try one out. In this alpha testing phase, the ASP requests that at least one other person be present when the project is tested, so that should be easy to do. Try it out on your own kids. To assist the ASP in improving the activities there are evaluation forms for the presenter and the audience to fill out. I can help you on the use of the materials if it's your wish. I'll be looking over the materials before the May meeting and can discuss them at length with anyone with an interest in the alpha testing. If you can't make the May meeting, please call me or email me (579-0185, tklappin@earthlink.net).
REACH FOR THE STARS YOUTH PROGRAM GROWS
Bill Lofquist
The TAAA Reach for the Stars program for young people makes it possible for young people in the Tucson area to learn as much about astronomy as they are interested in learning. It links TAAA members as mentors with small groups of young people who meet on a regular basis to increase their knowledge about astronomy and to sharpen their observation skills. Where there is interest, they may become involved in a telescope-making workshop. As they learn, they can teach other young people how to observe. As a result, this sustained observation with mentoring enables them to develop a lifelong interest in astronomy.
We now have two Reach for the Stars clubs under way. One club has nine young people, ages 12 to 16. The other has three young people, two age 10 and one age seven.
One of the 10-year-old members, Carter Smith, attended the Messier Marathon on March 29 and checked 106 objects on his list. He will be recognized for this remarkable accomplishment at the May TAAA meeting. Carter is interested in joining the member volunteers who bring their scopes to school star parties next year.
In order to help the Reach for the Stars program continue in its growth, we have three challenges. First, we need to attract more interested young people into the program. Our early experience suggests that a club of five or six members is the optimum size. Second, we need several volunteer mentors to help with the clubs. It is desirable for each club to have two co-leaders as mentors. Third, I would like to have a co-coordinator as we expand the program.
Reach for the Stars goes beyond the brief exposure to astronomy that young people get through our school and other star parties. It provides enjoyable opportunities for TAAA members to work with enthusiastic young people as they expand their knowledge and skills.
If you are interested, please contact Bill Lofquist, Reach for the Stars Coordinator, at 297-6653, or email at wlofquist@comcast.net.
Grand Canyon Star Party
21-28 June 2003
North and South Rims
We had an overwhelming response for the complimentary campsites last month and for all purposes we are "sold out". If you have a friend who wants to join us and camp, at this point they need to make their own campsite reservations! We are full up!
Valet parking will be used to reserve parking lot scopes on the right, or west side of the parking lot, hopefully keeping the crowd on that side, leaving room for cars and buses to get thru. Park rangers will start late in the afternoon and rope off the west side of the parking lot and reserve it for astronomer use only. So hopefully we will have a lot easier time to get a parking spot. We are going to try it and see how it works out.
Now for t-shirt news. We have the artwork; we have permission from the NPS, so looks like it will happen. The quotes I've gotten locally (6-color, one side) are about $8.50 to $9.00 assuming we get 100. I will probably submit the order in early May, so if you have an unusual order (for instance, a sweatshirt or long sleeved t-shirt for extra fee) or are an unusual size, I'll get a standard distribution of sizes in likely an ash color shirt. I'm submitting a copy of the art with this note; so if the editor has space, look for Joe Bergeron's effort in B&W in this issue.
That's about all the Grand Canyon news for now. We are pretty much full up on twilight speakers and most everything is falling into place. If you have any questions or comments, please feel to e-mail or call - see you there!
Dean Ketelsen
ketelsen@as.arizona.edu
Newsletter Deadlines
By George Barber
Due to the Memorial Day holidays, the newsletter deadline has been advanced for May. Newsletter articles should be forwarded to me by May 16. This will allow me to assemble the newsletter before I leave town for the weekend. The folding party has been delayed to Wednesday, May 28. The newsletter will then be mailed on Thursday, May 29.
I am planning to attend the Grand Canyon Star party in June, and this will affect the deadlines for the July newsletter. Be sure to watch next month's newsletter for changes.
Desert Sunset Star Party - May 1-4, 2003
We have them all, plus scheduled tours and lots of area attractions. Check us out - the Desert Sunset Star Party May 1-4, 2003. We have over $1500 in door prizes to give away to our registered guests. There are campground sites still available. We prefer you to pre-register but walk-ins will be welcome this year. http://chartmarker.tripod.com/sunset.htm
Chart Markers and More
Pat and Arleen Heimann
http://chartmarker.tripod.com
WEBSITES: TRIPS ON THE INTERNET SUPER-SKYWAY
HOW GOOD IS IT.... REALLY?
By Rik Hill
Have you ever been out on a number of nights with your telescope, had less than satisfactory performance and wondered if it was the instrument or the sky? Why not test this and find out. You have many good light sources, the stars, and all you need besides that are some instructions and possibly some simple tools.
To get you started, a good basic tutorial on star testing your
telescope can be found at:
http://www.astunit.com/tutorials/startest.htm
An even better, though more involved page on star testing (with
great graphics) can be found here:
http://www.skywatchertelescope.com/EducationST.html
These can get you going toward understanding what is the dominant
factor that troubles your observing. With a little practice you
will be able to quickly figure out seeing from optical aberrations,
and even which aberrations are temperature related. For a deeper
analysis, another good page containing star test images with telescopes
of various designs from the old 2.4" refractor to a 10" cassegrain
is found at:
http://aberrator.astronomy.net/scopetest/
Lots of helpful links and information on general alignment and
testing on specific product lines is at the bottom of the page
at URL:
http://www.backyardastronomy.com/chapter6/1.html#Anchor-Sup-1737
There is a simple but more detailed test that can tell you even
more about your optical system. This is the ronchi (ron-kee) test.
It is used in the optical lab to test optics as they are being
fabricated but the easy-to-make, simple wire grating can be inserted
in an eyepiece barrel (or film can) and used on the telescope
outside with a bright star as the light source. To make a grating
you will find instructions here:
http://www.btinternet.com/~mike.hanlon/ronchi_ep.htm or here: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/9601/ronchi.htm
To do the ronchi testing you can follow the instructions at:
http://www.orionoptics.co.uk/testing.htm
There was one page I found that had excellent ronchi test patterns that you can use as comparisons to what you see. Its URL is: http://schmidling.netfirms.com/etron.gif
By the time you finish with these, and it will take a couple nights to do the study in full detail, you will understand a lot more about your optics, sky and how they vary during the course of a night.
If all this has intrigued you and you want to go deeper into the subject of how your telescope behaves under the night sky, then consider getting a copy of Star Testing Astronomical Telescopes by Richard Suiter. It's a very authoritative and exhaustive work on the matter. As always, if you know of a particularly good website you would like mentioned here, drop me a line at: rhill@lpl.arizona.edu
TAAA Star Party at Las Cienegas (Empire Ranch)
Saturday, 5/3/03
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 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.
Kino Learning Center School Star Party Northwest
Saturday, 5/3/03 No. of Scopes: 4
Kino Learning Center School is hosting "Stargazing" at 6625 N. 1st Ave. Go north on 1st Ave past Orange Grove and turn left into the main parking lot, at south end find dirt road to the Kino Learning School Animal Center, which is southwest of the school. Viewing location is in the area adjacent to the Animal Center parking lot. Contact person Judy Keller can be reached at 297.7278 or email jkellersprint@earthlink.net. TAAA Volunteers are invited to the barbecue! Set-Up Time: 7:15pm. Observing will be from 7:45pm to 9:00pm. Sunset: 7:07pm, Dark Sky: 8:37pm Moon Phase: Crescent.
Amphi Middle School Star Party Central
Tuesday, 5/6/03 No. of Scopes: 4
The Annual Star Party at Amphi Middle School, 315 E. Prince Rd promises to be a fun event for all. From Speedway take Stone north 2.5 miles to Pastime (two blocks north of Prince), turn right (east). Halfway down the block on right side is the gated entrance to the Amphi football field (between Stone and 1st) where observing will be conducted. The gate will be unlocked. Contact person Marta Spears can be reached at 696.6284 or email mspears@amphi.com. Set-Up Time: 7pm. Observing will be from 7:30pm to 9pm. Sunset: 7.08, Dark Sky: 8.39 Moon Phase: near First Quarter.
Sewell Elementary Star Party Central
Monday, 5/7/03 No. of Scopes: 8
Enthusiastic teachers and students will host the Sewell Elementary Star Party at 425 N. Sahuara St. From Speedway & Craycroft go South to 5th Street, Turn Left (East) to Sahuara then Right (South) to the main school entrance. Enter the Playground next to the dumpster and drive around back of school to the NORTH Playground. Set up will be at the Basketball Courts on the NORTH playground. Contact person Paul Olson can be reached at 791-2965 or email broker84@cox.net. Pizza & coke will be available for TAAA volunteers! Set-Up Time: 7:30 pm. Observing will be from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Sunset: 7:09, Dark Sky: 8:40 Moon Phase: near First Quarter.
Old Vail Middle School Star Party Vail
Thursday, 5/8/03 No. of Scopes: 6
Old Vail Middle School's Fun and Learning the Night Sky at 13299 E. Colossal Cave Rd in Vail is planned to be a well-attended event. Their last star party suffered clouds and threatening rain; they hope May weather will allow their event to be a success. 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. The observing are will be on the north side of main school buildings (follow signs). Contact person Jim Winsky can be reached at 794-5898 or email jawinsky@raytheon.com. Set-Up Time: 7:00 pm Observing will be from 7:30 pm to 8:30pm. Sunset: 7:09, Dark Sky: 8:41 Moon Phase: First Quarter.
Mary Edell Elementary Star Party Three Points
Monday, 5/12/03 No. of Scopes: 4
"Starry Night" will be presented by Mary Edell Elementary at 16350 W. Ajo Way. To avoid construction woes on I-19, take 22nd St west to La Cholla, turn left (south). Proceed to Ajo, turn right (west) and continue on Ajo past Ryan Airfield to Three Points. School is on the right. Viewing will be on the basketball court on the side of the school. Contact person Nancy Johnson can be reached at 822.1133 or email njohnson@avsd.org. Set-Up Time: 7:00pm. Observing will be from 7:30pm to 8:45pm. Sunset: 7:12pm, Dark Sky: 8:45pm. Moon Phase: Gibbous.
Immaculate Heart Academy Star Party Northwest
Wednesday, 5/14/03 No. of Scopes: 4
Immaculate Heart Academy has again prepared their "Trip to the Moon" event at 410 E. Magee Rd; their event was "clouded-out" in April. Go north on Oracle, past Ina to Magee, turn east (right) on Magee, go to the stop sign, and continue about 1/4 mile. The school will be on your left, through the iron gates. Contact person Michelle Meyer can be reached at 297-6672 or email riegalmeyer@aol.com. Set-Up Time: 7:15 pm. Observing will be from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Sunset: 7.14, Dark Sky: 8.47 Moon Phase: near Full Moon.
TAAA Spring Star-B-Cue at Kitt Peak
May 24 (Saturday)
See article in the Club News section.
TAAA Star Party at Las Cienegas (Empire Ranch)
Saturday, 5/31/03
Here's another chance to enjoy the dark skies at our east side observing site. See the directions to Las Cienegas on the outside flap of this newsletter.
***** June Events before the June TAAA Monthly Meeting *****
Steele Elementary School Star Party East
Tuesday, 6/3/03 No. of Scopes: 7
Steele Elementary will be presenting a summertime "School Fun and Learning the Night Sky" at nearby Jesse Owens Park. Proceed east on Broadway from midtown, past Pantano to Sarnoff Drive and turn right (south). The park is on the west side of Sarnoff Drive just several blocks south of Broadway. Viewing will be on the playground area south of the baseball diamond. Contact person Terri Rosenbalm can be reached at 400-4796 or email TJRosenbalm@aol.com. Refreshments will be available for TAAA volunteers! Set-Up Time: 8:00pm. Observing will be from 8:30pm to 9:45pm. Sunset: 7:26, Dark Sky: 9:06 Moon Phase: Crescent.
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
We/Th 30/ 1 20:34 - 4:09 Su/Mo 11/12 3:20 - 3:56 Th/Fr 22/23 20:56 - 1:37
Th/Fr 1/ 2 20:35 - 4:07 Mo/Tu 12/13 3:53 - 3:55 Fr/Sa 23/24 20:56 - 2:07
Fr/Sa 2/ 3 20:36 - 4:06 Tu/We 13/14 - - - Sa/Su 24/25 20:57 - 2:34
Sa/Su 3/ 4 21:23 - 4:05 We/Th 14/15 - - -
Th/Fr 15/16 TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE Su/Mo 25/26 20:58 - 3:00
Su/Mo 4/ 5 22:20 - 4:04 Fr/Sa 16/17 - - - Mo/Tu 26/27 20:59 - 3:26
Mo/Tu 5/ 6 23:15 - 4:03 Sa/Su 17/18 20:51 - 21:33 Tu/We 27/28 21:00 - 3:42
Tu/We 6/ 7 0:06 - 4:01 We/Th 28/29 21:01 - 3:42
We/Th 7/ 8 0:53 - 4:00 Su/Mo 18/19 20:52 - 22:39 Th/Fr 29/30 21:02 - 3:41
Th/Fr 8/ 9 1:35 - 3:59 Mo/Tu 19/20 20:53 - 23:36 Fr/Sa 30/31 21:03 - 3:41
Fr/Sa 9/10 2:12 - 3:58 Tu/We 20/21 20:54 - 0:24 Sa/Su 31/ 1 21:03 - 3:40
Sa/Su 10/11 2:47 - 3:57 We/Th 21/22 20:55 - 1:04
Weekend Sun Sun Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn
Sa/Su Set Rise Set Vi Rise Vi Rise Vi Set Vi Set Vi Vi=Visibility
3/ 4 19:04 5:33 19:28 - 4:20 0 1:06 0 1:15 -2 22:23 1 -3 brilliant
10/11 19:09 5:27 Rise - 4:16 1 0:52 0 0:50 -2 21:59 1 0 conspicuous
17/18 19:14 5:23 4:42 - 4:12 1 0:38 0 0:25 -2 21:35 2 3 moderate
24/25 19:19 5:19 4:21 7 4:09 1 0:24 0 0:01 -2 21:11 3 6 naked eye limit
31/ 1 19:23 5:16 4:07 6 4:08 1 0:09 0 23:36 -2 20:47 4 9 binoculars limit
By Erich Karkoschka
April Executive Board Meeting
9 April, 2003
Board Member's Present: Andrew Cooper, Thom Peck, Terri Lappin,
Robert Callanan, Steve Peterson
Member's Present: Gary Rosenbaum
Minutes kept and submitted by Andrew Cooper
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