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Desert Skies
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
Volume XLIX, Number 5, June, 2003
Contents
Main Meeting: Friday, June 6 at the Steward Observatory Auditorium - Room N210
BEGINNERS LECTURE: 6:30 pm
Title: NOFS: US Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station
Speaker: Robert Crawford, Ed Finney
Robert Crawford and Ed Finney will report on the mission and facilities of the US Naval Observatory based on their recent visit to the Flagstaff campus and the optical interferometer on Anderson Mesa. The May issue of S&T has an article on optical interferometry ("Ultrahigh Resolution Astronomy Comes of Age") that you may want to read for an understanding of this cutting edge topic.
GENERAL MEETING: 7:30 pm
Member’s Night
Do you have a subject of astronomic interest you’d like to present? Tonight
is your chance to share the spotlight. Contact Thom Peck if you’d like
to be added to the list of speakers
Board of Director's Meeting: Wednesday, June 11 7:00 pm at Steward Observatory Conference Room N305
Star Parties and Events:
Newsletter Schedule: Deadline for articles: Fri, June 13. Printing: Mon, June 23. Folding Party: Tues, June 23. Mailing: Wed, June 25. 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 Thom Peck 795-3585 thomas.peck@optics.arizona.edu
Vice-President Steve Peterson 762-8211 swpeterson@thereiver.com
Secretary Ken Wheelock 579-9099 kenandclancy@yahoo.com
Treasurer Terri Lappin 579-0185 tklappin@earthlink.net
Member-at-Large Ed Finney 296-9266 cefinney@NetZero.com
Member-at-Large Bill Lofquist 297-6653 wlofquist@aol.com
Member-at-Large Ray Toscano 529-3074 ray_toscano@Earthlink.net
Other Officers for 2003
School S. Party Schedule Coordinator Steve Marten 906-0049 steve1636@aol.com
School S. Party Volunteer Coordinator Robert Wilson 744-0263 rasjwilson@aol.com
Desert Skies Editor George Barber 822-2392 barbergj@flash.net
AstroLeague Correspondent Nick de Mesa 797-6614 demesan@onsetbeach.com
Astrophotography SIG Dean Ketelsen 293-2855 ketelsen@as.arizona.edu
Astrocomputing SIG Roger Tanner 574-3876 rtanner@seds.lpl.arizona.edu
Chief Observer Wayne Johnson 586-2244 mrgalaxy@juno.com
Webmaster Dean Salman 250-0407 E-Mail
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
So a new administration is installed. Much of what has been traditional with the club will remain, though new personalities will undoubtedly modify some things. Beginners’ lectures will continue, with maybe a little more emphasis on observing sessions at TIMPA. We will also make efforts to involve club members as main meeting lecturers for the more advanced astronomical gourmets.
School and community star parties will continue to be high on the club activity list, as will the educating of anyone interested in astronomy.
A special thank you goes to Andrew Cooper for all he has done, and continues to do, for the club and astronomy in general. And thanks also go to John Kalas. I can hardly begin to tell everyone how much John means to the TAAA. There are others to acknowledge: Terri Lappin, George Barber, Bill Lofquist, Robert Calanan, Steve Peterson, Steve Martin, spouses and companions. There are many others.
Coming up? I plan to keep the club running smoothly, especially with the help of the Board of Director and all who are willing to pitch in. I would like to see TIMPA used as much as possible. I want to promote astronomy in all its incarnations. The TAAA 50th Anniversary Party is coming up in January. Look for a really great event.
Get out and observe. Have fun doing it.
Thom Peck
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.
Member News
We welcome the most recent members to join the TAAA: Gene Dickens, David S Levine, Christina Mangosh, and Nancy Statham. 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 most 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
June 12, 7pm
China Rose - Speedway/Rosemont
We'll have our regular meeting to discuss items astrophotographic on the Thursday after the standard TAAA meeting. Last month Gilbert Jones gave an impressive display of the power of stacking hundreds of video images of Jupiter and Saturn. While the video of the planets was pretty good, after stacking and cursory image enhancement, the details visible were nothing short of amazing. All levels of interest are welcome from those first star trail images to the advanced CCD imaging. Come see what your fellow members are doing!
Grand Canyon Star Party
North and South Rims
21-28 June 2003
June is here and you can feel it in the air - star party time! While those in the lowlands melt in the hundred degree temps, we'll be donning jackets to observe with the public in the upper elevations of canyon country. If you've not made plans to join us, but are still interested, you might be able to still get a campsite thru proper channels, but most other housing options are gone unless you try to snag a cancellation from the south rim lodges. Check the website for contact information for camping or lodges (www.63.134.241.238/gcsp.html) for those last minute plans.
For those who are coming, I should have the final mailings of info and fee waivers in the mail the week after the June meeting. If you don't come to the June TAAA meeting, and you don't receive the packet before the 12th, call or e-mail me to make sure I've got a record of your intent to join us. Otherwise I'll hand out packets at the meeting or RTMC. We are in a little state of flux regarding plans for parking at the Yavapai parking lot. To reduce congestion there, the park intends to have all scopes on the west side of the lot and will be blocking those spots for us in the late afternoon. Hopefully that will save us a lot of endless circling as the time nears sunset, but it remains to be seen how one or two people can protect those spots from the horde looking for parking.
Also for those regulars that have one of the coveted complementary campsites, we are doubled up on almost all of them to meet demand, and as you know, parking in those spots is tight, though we are allowed 2 cars per site. I know some of you have also invited friends to join you there, bypassing the official reservation process we've set up over the years. Since we rarely exceed the 10 people per site limit, your friends can join you at your site, but they should park at camper services a short walk away. Parking at the spots should always be available to those that made their intents known to me back on March 1st and 2nd. More on this in the mailing.
T-shirt news: The order has been placed for 110 t-shirts. Many who are not going to the star party have expressed interest in a t-shirt, so I hope I've ordered enough. You have seen Joe Bergeron's design in the April newsletter, and the shirts should be available at the June meeting. The price has gone up slightly from the original estimates (depends somewhat on shirt quality and of course, we went for the best!). To provide a few free ones to the artist and our ranger contacts, we'll be charging $1 over our cost for them. Prices will be $11 each for ash (I've also ordered some in light blue), $12 for 2XL, $13 for 3XL and $14 for 4XL. Note, however, that the 3XL and 4XL are considered special order and if you've not told me you wanted that size, try again next year! There are also a couple long sleeved t-shirts in XL for $14. We also had one lucky attendee that ordered a hooded sweatshirt with design on back, which will put her out $22.
Well, that is about all the news for the moment. As always, if you have questions or concerns, call me (293-2855) or email me (ketelsen@as.arizona.edu). Hope to see you there!
Dean
SA-IDA TO TEST A NEW DARK SKY METER
Saturday, June 21st (early evening)
TIMPA Observing Site
By John Polacheck
During the TAAA Star Party on June 21st at the TIMPA observing site, the Southern Section of the Dark Sky Association (SA-IDA) would like to show off its new dark sky meter. It allows the user to determine the darkness of the sky, which indicates the amount of light pollution. We hope that this instrument will be a useful tool for astronomers, especially amateurs. It is relatively inexpensive and simple to use. After testing the meter thoroughly, we plan to make it available to observers elsewhere, both in the USA and in foreign countries.
At this time, we want to see how "easy" it is for different observers to use this instrument and to test the variability of measurements made by different people.
All TAAA and their guests are welcome to inspect this dark sky meter and make suggestions for improvements.
Come and try it out yourself !!!!!
Mt Lemmon Star Party
June 27
TAAA members are invited to a star party at the Steward Observatory Mt Lemmon Observatory on Friday June 27th. Bring your own telescope and set it up inside the observatory complex near the 40" and 60" telescopes. Arrive anytime after 5pm. We need to leave the mountain by 2 am. Before dark we will be able to see the 40" telescope. There are plans to put the TAAA 30" mirror in the 40" telescope.
Gary Rosenbaum, TAAA member and Steward Observatory Senior Instrumentation Specialist, will be operating the 60" telescope equipped with an eyepiece and everyone is invited to look through the scope. There will be a limit on the number of people permitted in the dome while observing. If you have special requests for objects you want to see keep in mind the 60" has an f/16 focal ratio with a focal length of 24384mm. A Tele Vue 55mm Plossel eyepiece gives a 0.1-degree field of view (6.5 arc minute) with a magnification of 443x. The lowest magnifications work best unless the seeing is absolutely superb.
From Tanque Verde Road, turn north onto the Mt Lemmon Catalina Highway. Stay
on the Catalina Highway until you reach Ski Valley Road. Pay attention to speed
limits and watch for bicyclists – please be careful. Turn right onto the
Ski Valley Road at milepost 24.7. Zero your odometer here. Continue up the mountain
beyond the Ski Valley parking lot to a locked gate (3.2 miles). For the day
of the star party only, we will place a combination padlock on this gate. The
combination is 2001. Enter the combination then squeeze the padlock to open
it. Lock the gate after you go through. Continue to the observatory complex,
another 0.1 miles, then turn right on either the first or second road and go
up to the top of the small hill to the main telescope field.
If you plan to do any hiking, remember that large sections of the forest are still closed due to last year's Bullock Fire. The Mt Lemmon Highway road construction project starts again in June. There may be a section of dirt road to transverse but no weekend traffic delays.
Plan to use battery power to run your telescope. Depending on the number of vehicles you may be asked to set up and then park your car someplace else.
For more information contact Gary Rosenbaum (579-0185, garyr90@earthlink.net).
Star Party Review - Lunar Eclipse/T4T@Flandrau
By Dean Ketelsen
We had a great crowd at Flandrau. I got there right at sunset with Roger Ceragioli and didn't get a chance to count scopes - was too busy setting up. Mike Terenzoni had run out of parking passes for the astronomers, though, so suspect we had 20 scopes or so. I had my newly refigured C14 (second light?) showing Jupiter and Saturn and my 20X120 battleship binoculars on the eclipse. Roger had his 8" refractor mostly on Jupiter.
From the moment the eyepiece was in the telescope we had a constant line, and a lot of people were really impressed. We easily had multiple thousands of people over the course of the night, though we don't know the results of the donations - we were far from the collection buckets collecting for MDA from the Telescopes for Telethon program.
I was really happy with the C14. I obtained it from the Bob Goff estate - no corrector. I was able to obtain a reject corrector (scratch near perforation) from an acquaintance who worked at Celestron, and got a secondary mount from Dean Koenig. The random pairing of primary and corrector left a huge amount of spherical aberration (nearly a wave) that I refigured out of the secondary in mid-May. Tests against a flat in double pass show it to be 20th wave rms when masked to 13.5". The view of Jupiter showed a wealth of band detail on Jupiter, including a brown oval in the NEZ that transited soon after the red spot. This was visible even while the moon of Jupiter showed there was still a little coma left to recollimate out - there just wasn't time with the lines we had.
All in all a great star/eclipse party. I talked to the folks in Utah who run
the north rim Grand Canyon Star Party and they also had a great eclipse and
a great crowd - but as soon as the moon came out of eclipse their sky got totally
overcast. We all lucked out - as you recall, the night before the eclipse it
was cloudy here too!
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).
Telescope Making Class A Possibility?
By Terri Lappin
At a recent general meeting, several members indicated that they were interest in making their own telescope. The TAAA used to offer a telescope making class at Flandrau Planetarium in the 70’s. In fact, that’s how I became aware of the TAAA. Through the TAAA, I ground and polished 6” f/8 and 10” f/5.2 mirrors and assembled two telescopes around these optics. Years ago I decided to regrind my 6” mirror to a shorter focal length. Since starting that project, the TAAA telescope making equipment has been put into storage and my mirror now sits someplace between an f/8 and an f/5. So, I have an interest in seeing a telescope making class become a reality and was encouraged when others expressing this interest.
The TAAA has a lot of telescope making equipment in storage and it’s a shame that it’s not being used. With talk of moving the Flandrau Science Center downtown to the Rio Nuevo center, there may be a chance to once again offer a telescope making class (optics, tube assembly, and/or mount).
Flandrau has assembled quite a team of individuals from all walks of science and technology to put together a superb plan for the new science center. The proposed UA Science Center at Rio Nuevo will serve as a link between the University and Tucson. Physically, it will be strung out along a bridge linking the downtown area with the Rio Nuevo area west of the Santa Cruz River. An IMAX type theater is proposed as well as a state of the art planetarium, called a “Unispherium”. Whether or not any of this becomes a reality depends on several things (money being a big one). The cost of the UA Science Center is estimated at $70 million and will require the approval of several government entities and advisory boards. The final design will be approved later this year. For details about the proposed science center visit http://www.flandrau.org/rionuevo/index.php. (One concern we as astronomers should have is the placement of the “24-hour” observatory. The current plan is to put it northeast of the main complex. Locating the observatory south of the main building would give a less obstructed horizon. Observing would also benefit from better seeing conditions (steadier images) since most observing would be out over dirt rather than concrete.)
Last month all-day workshops were held to gather ideas from the public. I attended one of the workshops and explained that the TAAA was interested in offering a telescope making class through the new science center. I feel this is the most logical place for the TAAA to offer a telescope making class. I encourage other TAAA members who feel the same to make it known to those making the decisions that there is interest in telescope making in our community. Mentioned at the workshop I attended were plans to include classroom space for use by schoolteachers for in-depth science field trips. I would like to see us occupy a classroom for telescope making for at least part of the year. There was also talk of “flex space” that local companies or UA researchers could use to explain their research to the public. Perhaps a business would sponsor (or a grant could support) a telescope making class using the flex space. The UA Science Center plan is very “fluid” right now. Many ideas are being bounced around and those with the most support will most likely be the ones that make it to the drawing board.
I’ll discuss this with anyone by email or phone (tklappin@earthlink.net,
579-0185). Or, grab me AFTER a meeting. (Please not during the meeting when
I’m taking dues.)
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, 5/31/03
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 cool temperatures after sundown. 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.
Steele Elementary School Star Party East
Tuesday, 6/3/03 No. of Scopes: 6
Steele Elementary School will be presenting “Fun and Learning
the Night Sky” at nearby Jesse Owens Park. Proceed east on Broadway from
midtown, past Pantano to Sarnoff and turn right (south). The park is on the
west side of Sarnoff Drive just several blocks south of Broadway. And telescopes
will be on the playground area south of baseball diamond. Contact person Terri
Rosenbalm can be reached at 400-4796 or email TJRosenbalm@aol.com. Also, Pizza
& coke will be available for TAAA volunteers! Set-Up Time: 8:00pm Observing
will be from 8:30pm to 9:45pm. Sunset: 7:26pm, Dark Sky: 9:06pm Moon Phase:
Crescent.
Pusch Ridge Preschool Star Party Northwest
Wednesday, 6/11/03 No. of Scopes: 4
”Our Night Sky Over Pusch Ridge” is the evening event at
Pusch Ridge Preschool 10361 N. Oracle Rd. Go north on Oracle Road past McGee,
the Holiday Inn and Chicago Bar and Grill (on right) and Greenock (on left).
Take 2nd left turn into Pusch Ridge Center (Copper Letters on concrete base).
Bear right into Pusch Ridge School (Rockridge Apts. is on left). If you arrive
at the stoplight with the Conoco on the corner, you have gone to far! Contact
person Rosemary Langlitz can be reached at 797-7527 or email rlanglitz@prpak.com.
Set-Up Time: 7:30 pm. Observing will be from 7:45 pm to 9:30 pm. Sunset: 7.30pm,
Dark Sky: 9.10pm Moon Phase: Gibbous.
Soleng Tom Elementary Star Party East
Friday, 6/20/03 No. of Scopes: 3
Soleng Tom Elementary, 10520 E. Camino Quince, Will be holding a “Star
Gazing Lock-In” for their summer session. Head East on Speedway and turn
left (south) on Houghton. Continue past Broadway and turn left at first residential
street, Camino Quince. Continue to the school and enter at the second driveway.
The gate will be closed but not locked. Contact person Janet Castillo can be
reached at 731-5440 or email janet.castillo@tusd.k12.az.us. Set-Up Time: 8:15pm.
Observing will be from 8:45pm to 10:00pm. Sunset: 7:33pm, Dark Sky: 9:14pm Moon
Phase: (No moon during viewing session.)
TAAA Star Party at TIMPA
Saturday, 6/21/03
Come on out and enjoy the spring skies! The weather is warmer, making for comfortable evenings. 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. Bring a light jacket in case it gets nippy. Directions to the TIMPA site are located on the outside flap of this newsletter.
Whipple Observatory Star Party, FLWO Visitors Center
Saturday, June 28
Observing will begin after 7:45 p.m. courtesy of telescopes provided by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association and Sonora Astronomical Society.
4 p.m. Visitors Center opens
7:15 p.m. Informal lecture by Observatory staff
7:45 p.m. Observing begins (in parking area next to Visitors Center).
On view: Jupiter, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies and more.
Dress for cool evening temperatures. Small flashlights and binoculars are useful to bring. Please cooperate with staff directing parking when you arrive. The parking spaces nearest the building are reserved for TAAA and SAS members and their telescopes. Visitors should park along the driveway or in the parking area outside the gate or along the road as directed. (Please note: Visitors will be allowed to park cars next to the building in the space usually reserved for telescopes until 5:30 p.m. At that time, visitors will have to move their cars to other parking spaces so that telescopes may be set up.)
For more information call 670-5707. In case of threatening weather, call 670-5707 after 4 p.m. on the 28th for information about star party cancellation.
The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory, Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, and Sonora Astronomical Society present this opportunity to see the stars under dark Southern Arizona skies. (See website http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/flwo/visitcenter.html#public for location and background information.)
How to reach the Whipple Observatory Offices and Visitors Center --
From Tucson: Take Interstate 19 south, past Green Valley to exit 56 (Canoa).
At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left and drive east to the eastside frontage
road. Turn right on the frontage road and drive 3 miles to Elephant Head Road.
Turn left and drive east, crossing the bridge. One mile past the railroad tracks,
turn right on Mount Hopkins Road. Drive southeast about 7 miles to the Administrative
offices and Visitors Center.
From Nogales: Taken Interstate 19 north to exit 48, (Arivaca Road/Amado.) Drive
north on the eastside frontage road to Elephant Head Road. Turn right and drive
east, crossing the bridge. One mile past the railroad tracks, turn right on
Mount Hopkins Road. Drive southeast about 7 miles to the Administrative offices
and Visitors Center.
TAAA Star Party at Las Cienegas (Empire Ranch)
Saturday, 6/28/03
In case you missed the Las Cienegas star party in late May, or if you just want
another chance to pursue those springtime galaxies, here’s another opportunity
for observing at Las Cienegas.
DARK SKIES (no twilight, no moonlight) for Tucson in 24-hour MST: 18=6pm, 20=8pm, 22=10pm, 0=12am
RISE, SET, VISIBILITY for sun and bright planets: rise for morning object, set for evening object
Sa/Su 31/ 1 21:03 - 3:40 Tu/We 10/11 2:58 - 3:37 Sa/Su 21/22 21:14 - 1:03
We/Th 11/12 - - -
Su/Mo 1/ 2 21:10 - 3:40 Th/Fr 12/13 - - - Su/Mo 22/23 21:15 - 1:29
Mo/Tu 2/ 3 22:03 - 3:39 Fr/Sa 13/14 Full Moon Mo/Tu 23/24 21:15 - 1:55
Tu/We 3/ 4 22:51 - 3:39 Sa/Su 14/15 - - - Tu/We 24/25 21:15 - 2:24
We/Th 4/ 5 23:34 - 3:38 We/Th 25/26 21:15 - 2:56
Th/Fr 5/ 6 0:13 - 3:38 Su/Mo 15/16 21:13 - 21:21 Th/Fr 26/27 21:15 - 3:32
Fr/Sa 6/ 7 0:47 - 3:38 Mo/Tu 16/17 21:13 - 22:14 Fr/Sa 27/28 21:15 - 3:39
Sa/Su 7/ 8 1:20 - 3:37 Tu/We 17/18 21:13 - 22:59 Sa/Su 28/29 21:15 - 3:40
We/Th 18/19 21:14 - 23:36
Su/Mo 8/ 9 1:51 - 3:37 Th/Fr 19/20 21:14 - 0:08 Su/Mo 29/30 21:15 - 3:40
Mo/Tu 9/10 2:23 - 3:37 Fr/Sa 20/21 21:14 - 0:36 Mo/Tu 30/ 1 21:15 - 3:41
Weekend Sun Sun Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn
Sa/Su Set Rise Rise Vi Rise Vi Rise Vi Set Vi Set Vi Vi=Visibility
31/ 1 19:23 5:16 4:07 6 4:08 1 0:09 0 23:36 -2 20:47 4 -3 brilliant
7/ 8 19:27 5:15 4:02 5 4:08 2 23:53-1 23:12 -2 20:24 7 0 conspicuous
14/15 19:30 5:15 4:04 5 4:10 2 23:36-1 22:48 -1 20:00 - 3 moderate
21/22 19:32 5:16 4:19 6 4:14 2 23:18-1 22:25 -1 19:36 - 6 naked eye limit
28/29 19:33 5:18 4:46 9 4:21 3 22:59-1 22:01 -1 19:12 - 9 binoculars limit
By Erich Karkoschka
TAAA Board Meeting
May 14, 200333
Board Members Present: Andrew Cooper, Terri Lappin, Jane Tongate, Steve Peterson
Board Members Absent: Robert Callanan, Thom Peck, Bill Lofquist
Club Member Present: Gary Rosenblum, Twila Peck, Ed Finney, Ellen Finney,
Ray Toscano, Nora Toscano.
Meeting opened at 7:15 pm.
1. Changes to the agenda: Andrew asked for additions to the agenda, items 8-12 were added.
2. Events: Andrew reviewed upcoming events for the remainder of May and one school star party on June 03.
3. Treasurer's Report: Terri presented her report and reported a slight profit on the club investment. Terri explained the report to the members present. Dean Ketelsen requested an increase in the Grand Canyon Star Party fund to print T-shirts; approved. 17members are delinquent regarding dues. There was general question and answers between the members and Board members. Regarding elections; 62 members voted of the total 86 present. An amendment regarding board elections was ratified by a show of hands. The amendment approved election of Board members if the slate is uncontested. New members will be President-Thom Peck, VP-Steve Peterson, Treasurer-Terri Lappin, Secretary-Ken Wheelock, Members at Bill Lofquist, Ed Finney, Ray Toscano (Ed and Ray were elected).
4. Board Duties: Andrew decided to delay this with the absence of Thom Peck the succeeding President. Andrew has agreed to continue and is a member of the TIMPA Board; will continue the club website and answer email. Other duties were briefly discussed.
5. Semi-Centenary Party: Twila reported the process on this event. Twila and Sheila ???? are progressing. Twila asked for comment and suggestion from the Board. The event is scheduled for January 2004 and is still being developed.
6. AZ Sonoran Desert Museum SP: Andrew reported that this was lightly attended due to a problem with PR. Andrew and Terri will work with ASDM to improve future events.
7. Mt Lemmon SP: Gary Rosenblum reported that this is set to go on Friday, June 27th. Members are welcome to bring a picnic dinner if they wish. There will be a posting in the June newsletter.
8. Digital Projector: Steve Peterson shared some information that he had gathered. There is a need to determine the budget for this item. Board members will review the information provided.
9. Hands on the Sun: Terri is revisiting this event and wondering if the club wants to support it. This event is in October and the Board needs more information. Possibly invite the group out to Empire Ranch. Andrew will follow up.
10. UA Science Center: Terri attended this daylong event at the Tucson Convention Center. Terri did manage to get the idea of the telescope-making workshop noted by the facilitators. Local businesses and interests groups attended the workshop.
11. Website: Terri reported that there is a website with a similar name, only with a “.com” extension, and is concerned about misrepresentation on behalf of the club. Andrew will review the site and report back.
12. Nametags: Terri reported some prices for nametags and suggestion colors and logo. The feeling is that members would not wear them at meetings. Name Tags for star party participants will be considered under the new Board.
13. Old Business: Not reviewed.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Tongate
Secretary
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