Desert Skies

Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association

Volume L, Number 2, February, 2004

Contents

Calendar of Events

TAAA MEETING DATE: Friday, February 6 at the Steward Observatory Auditorium – Room N210

EARLY LECTURE: 6:30 pm
Speaker: Thom Peck

The State of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association--a quick look at the present. And then on into the future.


GENERAL MEETING: 7:30 pm
Speaker: David Levy
Title: Voyage to Darkness at the Bottom of the World: The Antarctica Eclipse of the Midnight Sun

David Levy, of multiple comet discoveries, including the most famous Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 which plunged into Jupiter a few years ago, will be speaking at our February meeting. David and his wife Wendee were two of a handful of people to make the historic trip to Antarctica for the recent eclipse of the midnight sun. David will be telling us of their adventures on the trip, which will include the solar eclipse itself.

David received a MA in English from Queen’s University, Kingston Ontario, in 1979. David also holds three honorary doctorate degrees, one each from Queen's University (1994), Acadia University (1995), and McGill University (2003). His is an adjunct scientist and member of the Senior Advisory Board for the Flandrau Science Center. He also serves on the board of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. He has authored several books, is the science editor for Parade magazine, and writes the “Star Trails” column which appears monthly in Sky & Telescope. It is with great pleasure that we also mention that David is a past president and current member of TAAA. We look forward to his evening with us.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING: Wednesday, Feb 11, 6:30 pm at Steward Observatory Conference Room N305

STAR PARTIES AND EVENTS:
03 Feb - Lyons Elementary Star Party
10 Feb - Manzanita ES Star Party
12 Feb – TAAA Astrophoto SIG
14 Feb – TAAA Star Party at TIMPA
15 Feb - UofA Astronomy Students Star Party
17 Feb - Catalina Foothills Astronomy Club Star Party
19 Feb - Wakefield Middle School Star Party
21 Feb – TAAA Star Party at Las Cienegas
24 Feb - Desert View High Star Party
26 Mar – 27 Mar – Telescopes For Telethon


NEWSLETTER SCHEDULE: Deadline for articles: Sat, Feb 21. Printing: Mon, Feb 23. Folding Party: Tues, Feb 24. Mailing: Wed, Feb 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.

General Information





		
             Office               Name                Phone        Email
             ------               ----                -----        -----
             President            Thom Peck          327-7825     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
			 Equipment Loan Coordinator (ELC)        Jerry Penegor       320-1872   penegor@dakotacom.net
			 Club Sales                              Ann Scott           749-4867   lbscott61@cox.net
TAAA Mission Statement

Membership in the TAAA

Desert Skies Publishing Guidelines

Desert Skies is published monthly by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, PO Box 41254, Tucson, Arizona 85717

President's Message

Club News

Member News

We welcome the most recent members to join the TAAA: Bill and Sue Hosley, Vivian Lewis (former member from way back when), Joe and Leslie Perkumas, Wilkey Richardson, Brad and Pebble Richwine, and John J Robinson. 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.)


Nominating Committee
It’s that time of the year when we need to think about upcoming elections. We will be selecting a three-member Nominating Committee at the February meeting. This committee serves through May, although most of the work should be completed by the end of March when the slate of nominees is announced in the April issue of Desert Skies. Committee members serve as a contact point for members wanting to run for an office and they seek out potential board members who may need a bit of a nudge before they will run for an office. It gives you a chance to participate in the future direction the TAAA will take as it enters its 51st year. If you are willing to serve on this committee, please contact a board member before the February 5th meeting.


Support TAAA with Basha’s Thanks a Million Program

Basha’s shoppers can now designate the TAAA to receive up to $1 for each $100 spent when they use their Basha’s “Thank You” card. We now have 12 members participating in the program and our donation is growing each time they buy groceries. We appreciate your support! To participate, Basha’s shoppers should give the cashier our 5-digit number (23178) when they check out. You only do this one time. Bring your first receipt, which will show the TAAA as your benefactor, into a meeting for $1 off club apparel or membership dues. If you have questions contact Terri Lappin at 579-0185, tklappin@earthlink.net.


E-mail Address for Star Parties

Please note a change of e-mail address for Steve Martin, our star party coordinator. The new address is TAAAStarParty@aol.com .


Thank You!

I want to thank the TAAA for allowing me to win the telescope last night at the 50th Anniversary banquet. I don't think that David could have drawn out the winning name(s) any more than he did. I put the scope through its paces, in the living room, and then took it outside to focus on some clouds. This scope is quite a bit different than my 10 year old 8 inch LX-200 Classic. People seem to find names for almost everything that they own, so I have named this scope the "TAAA 50th Anniversary Telescope".

Brother Guy's talk was really great. Listening to the Past Presidents was quite a history lesson. It was good to hear what each one had to say about "their most enjoyable action".

Thanks again
Clear Skies (eventually?), Michael & Mary


LAST CHANCE FOR LIMITED EDITION TAAA 50TH ANNIVERSARY T-SHIRTS!!

Long-Sleeved T-Shirts and Sweatshirts and Out-Of-Stock Sizes May Be Special-Ordered NOW!!

Sales have been hot, and in fact the full-figured sizes are sold out! If there is enough demand, we will place another order. We can also take special orders for LONG-SLEEVED T-SHIRTS, SWEATSHIRTS and TANK TOPS, at the following prices:
Long-Sleeved Tee, Sizes Adult Small to XXL -- $16.00
Sweatshirt, Long-Sleeved, Crew Neck, Sizes Adult Small to XL -- $18.00
Sweatshirt, Long-Sleeved, Crew Neck, Sizes XXL and XXXL -- $20.00
Men's Tank Top -- $11.00
Women's Tank Top -- $12.00
Regular T-Shirts, Sizes Adult Small to XXXXXL -- $13.00

Any other item you'd like? Ask Twila. Would you like an item in another color besides Royal Blue? Ask Twila.

I have on hand a limited number of Adult Small, Medium, and Large regular T-Shirts, so if you want one or more of these, please contact me immediately. If this supply runs out before I place the final order, I can of course order more in these sizes also. I will bring what I presently have left to the February meeting.

The shirts are nice quality 100% cotton Beefy T's (very minimal shrinkage) in Deep Royal Blue, with a front design featuring a golden-yellow oval outlined in silver behind a black star-studded diamond with "TAAA" in large white letters; "TUCSON AMATEUR ASTRONOMY ASSOCIATION" in black lettering surrounds the oval; and the years "1954-2004" and the slogan "50 YEARS -- 18,262 NIGHTS" appear in black below the logo.

IF YOU WANT ANY 50th Anniversary Logo Items, please contact Twila Peck (520-327-7825 or twilap@email.arizona.edu) IMMEDIATELY. I can mail items to you if you cannot be at a meeting to pick them up. I would like to place this final order early in February so that shirts can be delivered at the March
meeting; so the sooner I hear from you, the better; and thanks!


TAAA Celebrates its First 50 Years
By Sheila Conrad

You had to be there. I hope you were there. The efforts of many people came to fruition, resulting in the TAAA 50th Anniversary Banquet, held at Hidden Valley Inn on January 23, 2004.

The evening was a celebration of the longevity of our club as well as a nostalgic look back at what was accomplished as the club matured over the years. Assisting with the walk down memory lane were our Past Presidents, who each spoke about the highlights of his or her tenure. Regrettably, Past President Duane Niehaus could not attend. But the roster was otherwise complete, with appearances of all other living Past TAAA Presidents; Don Strittmatter, Tom Caudell and Dennis Nendza (who both travelled from out of state to be with us), David Levy (also the evening's MC), Ron Ferdie, Tim Hunter, Dean Ketelsen, Terri Lappin, John Kalas, Andrew Cooper, and with an eye to the future, our current President, Thom Peck.

The keynote speaker for the evening was Brother Guy Consolmagno of the Vatican Observatory. His was a
thought-provoking and entertaining look at how creative, inventive and clever, astronomers had to be in those early years before computers did the number-crunching and 3-D modeling for them; when imagination was the means of arriving at the "eureka moment", the moment when the giant leap was made from unknowing curiosity to clarity and understanding.

Next was the telescope raffle. Mike and Mary Turner, who recently returned to Tucson and TAAA from a year in San Diego, were the big winners. Congratulations to you, Mike and Mary!

Collectively, as club members, we owe many thanks, not only to the Past Presidents who have guided the TAAA over these last 50 years, but also to the members, the behind-the-scenes folks who make things happen. Concrete gets poured to make telescope piers and footers. Cement blocks become bathrooms. It takes muscle, focus and commitment to turn goals and ideas into reality.

In that same spirit of thanks, please give pats on backs to those who made the 50th Anniversary Banquet
such a success. Thanks to Liz and John Kalas for organizing the telescope raffle. Thanks also to Twila Peck for making special edition T-shirts available, Terri Lappin for her computer expertise in organizing registration materials and for her desktop publishing skills in the design of the compilation of Past President recollections. Thanks to Ed and Ellen Finney, Deb Soule, Mae Smith, Steve Peterson and Ken Wheelock for helping me do whatever needed to be done.


Last, but certainly not least, my thanks to the TAAA Board of Directors for supporting this endeavor. We
threw a party for 179 people. It was planned and executed with teamwork and efficiency, by people who
gave of themselves to serve the group.

Fifty years and counting. We all should be proud.


Telecope Raffle – A Huge Success!
by Liz Lalas

The telescope raffle held in conjunction with the TAAA’s 50th Anniversary Banquet was a huge success thanks to the generosity of the members. Donations totaling $2200. were received. The funds will be used to help pay for the banquet expenses. Congratulations to the winners of the 10” Meade LX200GPS telescope; Mike and Mary Turner! Thanks to everyone who participated.

Telescopes for Telethon 2004
by John Kalas

The TAAA will be supporting the Muscular Dystrophy T4T activity again this year on Friday and Saturday, March 26th and 27th. The activity on Friday, March 26th involves two-telescope teams at each of five different Wal-Mart stores around Tucson from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Saturday’s activity will have solar viewing taking place from 3:00 to 6:00 pm with evening observing running from 6:00 to 10:00 pm at the Sabino Canyon Recreational Area. Last year we also had telescopes at Flandrau Science Center and, at this time, it is possible that we will do that again this year on Saturday, 3/27. David and Wendee Levy will be hosting the event. It is anticipated that Starizona, Sky Works, Stellar Vision and Coronado Instruments will also be participating.

John Kalas is the TAAA coordinator for the event. There will be signup sheets at the February and March meetings. Many volunteers will be needed to operate telescopes (solar and evening), staff donation areas and assist in general public support. 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@cox.net.


The TAAA List Servers Announcements and Forum

The TAAA has two email distribution lists, both hosted by Yahoo®!Groups. Members of the “TAAA Announcement List Server” receive last minute information and reminders about meetings and other TAAA business. This gives the TAAA board and officers one-way communication with our general membership. List members can not post messages to other TAAA members. The “TAAA Forum” is available for any TAAA member to communicate with other members and to reply to list messages. These messages are seen be all members of the Forum. The TAAA Announcement List Server averages about a dozen messages each month. The TAAA Forum debuted in January and it looks like we will finish off the first month with about 40 messages. TAAA members can join either or both of these lists. Since Yahoo®!Groups hosts these list servers, they do insert ads into each email. The TAAA has no control over the content of these ads; however, some email programs or network protection software may strip the ads from the emails so you won’t see them. It is also recommended that you visit the Yahoo®!Groups website before joining either list server to learn of their privacy policy if such things are of concern to you.

To join the TAAA Announcements List Server, send an email to: tucsonastronomy-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

To join the TAAA Forum, send an email to taaaforum-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Your TAAA membership will be verified before your membership on these list servers will be granted. If your name can’t be guessed based solely on your email address, please send an email directly to Terri Lappin stating that you want to join a list server and what your email address is.

For more information, contact Terri Lappin at tklappin@earthlink.net, 579-0185.


JPL Selects TAAA Representative to Attend JPL Open House

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) has selected a representative from the TAAA to attend the JPL Open House this coming May 15 – 16 as a way of showing its thanks to those who provided feedback during the beta testing phase of the Planet Quest Toolkit. Over the past year Terri Lappin made several Planet Quest presentations groups, so she will be representing the TAAA at the JPL Open House. Feedback was provided via the Night Sky Network which officially debuted last month after under going testing by the TAAA and about 20 other astronomy clubs scattered across the US. The Night Sky Network, which is dedicated to amateur astronomy clubs doing outreach activities, creates an environment where an exchange of ideas between amateurs across the country can take place. The TAAA is a charter member of the network. Any TAAA member who is interested in participating in the Network should contact Terri Lappin, (tklappin@earthlink.net or 579-0185) for more information.

 

Items of Interest

WEBSITES: TRIPS ON THE INTERNET SUPER-SKYWAY
By Rik Hill

We've had a lot of cruddy weather in the last two months. It's sure taken a bite out of my observing time, and I'll bet it has with yours too. Time to do some indoors astronomy.

More and more today amateur astronomers are dabbling in astrophysics. When doing doing work like this it's handy to have a lot of data at your fingertips. Recently, while looking to see if ASTROPHYSICAL QUANTITIES, an invaluable reference, was online I came across the Astro-Physical Calculator:
http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constants/calc.html
Here are tables of physical constants and planetary data along with a Java script scientific calculator that can use these values. Pretty handy especially for the student.

If you just want certain constants about the major planets then the Planetary Calculator (which is not truly a calculator but a look-up table) is for you. It can be found at:
http://janus.astro.umd.edu/astro/pcalc.html
and will allow you to look up just about any of the parameters you would want to know about the planets in our solar system.

But, maybe your needs and curiosity are not quite that technically orientated? Then you might enjoy the Astronomical Distance Converter at:
http://www.ioncmaste.ca/homepage/resources/web_resources/CSA_Astro9/files/html/distance_calculator.html
At this very long URL you can convert miles, meters and light distances into each other in just a couple seconds. (I must say that I was dismayed at not finding furlongs and rods.)

You can take this knowledge an apply it to the Astronomical Distance and time calculator at:
http://janus.astro.umd.edu/astro/distance.html
How long will it take you to get to Mars at 65 feet per second? Thislittle program will tell you that. Have fun figuring out how long your hypothetical space trip will take. Sadly, no furlongs or fortnights.

For the CCD buffs there's a Signal to Noise (S/N) calculators at:
http://www.tass-survey.org/richmond/signal.shtml
http://wise-obs.tau.ac.il/~eran/Wise/Util/SNcalc.html
These will help you get a better idea of what you need to do to improve your CDD imaging quality. Then again they may just give you an idea of what you have yet to learn about your CCD camera!

Well, that's enough to keep you going for a night or two as the winter clouds roll by. As always, if you know of a particularly good website you would like mentioned here, drop me a line at: rhill@lpl.arizona.edu

Ed Vega, Our Miracle Man
By Sharon Koerber, Sky Works


When we got the call in December 2001 that Bob Goff had passed away, we were very surprised because we had just been told that Ed Vega, our buddy from Vega-Bray Observatory/Sky Watcher Inn, had been diagnosed with cancer. We had heard that the prognosis wasn’t good. We expected to hear the dreadful news about him instead.

And now almost exactly two years later we are told that Ed is gone. We are so stunned. We can’t believe he has left us.

Our first meeting with Ed was not a particularly pleasant event. He walked into the shop and immediately asked, “Do you really think that Tucson can handle a third telescope shop?” He was the fifth person in less than a week to ask that question and I’d pretty much heard it one time too many. I said to him “No sir, I don’t think it can. We are trying to wipe out our pensions, inheritance and lose our house.” I don’t know exactly how he took it but he did not leave the shop for another half an hour.

When we opened Sky Works in 1998, we decided to always give away freebies to everyone on their first visit. Since this was his first time in, I gave him the freebies—a pen and a bookmark. He had just seen me give a child a tiny glow-in-the-dark star in addition to the other articles. He asked could he have a star too, maybe two or three. He had not introduced himself so I didn’t know who he was, but gracious shopkeeper that I am, I gave him four stars—one of each color. As he was leaving, a young couple came in and the man said to him, “Hi, Doctor Vega.” I instantly realized who he was. And said a silent “whew” for have given him the stars without raising a fuss and felt enormously guilty for having treated him with disrespect and lack of patience.

So to make up for all my transgressions, the second time he came in I gave him large glow-in-the-dark stars since he was a man of prestige!

“No, I don’t want the big stars, I want the small ones.” He stated emphatically.

“But, Dr. Vega, I gave you the small ones last time and I think you should get the large ones this time,” I said back to him.

“No, I want the small ones!”

In the heat of the moment, I said, “You sure are a whiney little thing aren’t you? Whiney Eddie Vega!” He laughed his soft yet hearty laugh and I knew it was ok. I had no idea at the time that people called him Eddie too.

Several weeks later Kathleen came in and introduced herself. She told me that Eddie had sent her into our store to buy some things for a guest at the inn and other things for his own use. We were delighted that he had honored us in this fashion. We were the “baby” among the telescope stores in Tucson and he was sending guests to us! We were so proud. But I still felt a little guilty. So I confessed to Kathleen about the stars. I could never repeat, until now about the other. She laughed and said that it sounded just like him. She told us that “he uses the stars beside the light switches at the inn”. We had been to Vega-Bray one evening in 1998 but neither Steve nor I remembered any stars on the light switches. I’m told they were there but that was before Sky Works supplied them.

A couple of months later a stunningly gorgeous woman walked into our shop. Dark hair and eyes and the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen. And her skin! Perfect! I didn’t know who she was. She said she wanted to buy a present for Ed Vega for his birthday. We selected some things and then I told her the “whiney” story. She laughed and laughed and said she was going to have to call him that too because he sometimes deserved it! Then she told us who she was. Mrs. Dr Eddie Vega! Again I was mortified but realized that it was really ok. In my ignorance, I had figured out the delightful character of Ed Vega. And the wonderful relationship that Pat and Ed shared with each other.

Over the years, he sent guests of the inn and associates into our shop to buy telescopes and supplies. Everyone spoke so highly of him. Every so often he came in himself just to say hi and other times to buy things for himself or get Christmas gift certificates for his employees at the observatory. Because of him we became the dealer of several different astronomy products that he wanted to buy. He could have gotten them himself as a “dealer” but he wanted us to “make a little money.” And how he did it—“Steve, this is what I want and this is who you get in touch with to become a dealer. Let me know when it comes in and I’ll pay you. Or do you want me to pay you now?”

Once he met his electrician at the shop to help him purchase a telescope. Another time when he had just gotten back from one of his many trips to the Dominican Republic he told us that they had just started an astronomy club there and he wanted to get some books for their “library”.

And when he published his book, Comet Dis’Aster, he came striding in with a dozen of them tucked under his arm. He said to me “they are self-published so there are some errors.” And as we were helping him unload his arm, I said “and they are self-delivered, as well!” Which brought another laugh I’d come to love. He gave us a signed copy of the book. We left it on the counter for everyone to look at. Someone bought it by mistake so when I had to call Eddie to ask him to sign another copy for us, he reprimanded me for about a half a minute and then said it would cost me a dozen little stars!

When we went to Bob Goff’s memorial, Eddie had just come from his radiation treatment. We saw each other across the room and he briskly walked over to me and gave me a great big hug and whispered in my ear, “I’m radiating you!” I told him I didn’t care. I was just glad to see him.

And the night of the last TAAA picnic at the inn, I took him a little packet of stars. You know, as a further joke. He was surrounded by a dozen or so astronomy geeks while he was working with his newest software program that ran the ccd camera and the 20 inch Mak. I stood silently against the wall of the tiny room built for no more than 5 or so. I was completely hidden by all the sequoia sized men huddled around the computer screen. Suddenly the men shifted just as he turned and looked sideways. I took that opportunity to thrust the package toward him. He opened it and those eyes lit up like a full moon night! He literally dove through the throng to hug me! There was so much joy in that man! And then the crowd shifted again and I left the room.

He has had many ups and downs in the past two years and we are all glad that he has been with us for this extra time. His MRIs have shown him cancer free for quite a while but his system just couldn’t take the continued stress of infections and pressure on his body.

He is our friend. We will not forget him. And I think maybe he might just be relaxing up there with Bob in Orion as he passes through the universe maybe to Vega, his own personal star. He was so many things. A doctor, an astronomer, an innkeeper, a husband, father, a grandfather, shepherd and mischievous child, he was all these things and a lot more. He did everything with passion until the operation to save his life. Then the passion diminished but enough of it remained to make the last days of his life extra special to all of us who knew him. Whiney Eddie Vega lived and still lives in our hearts. He indeed is our miracle man!

 

WEBSITES: TRIPS ON THE INTERNET SUPER-SKYWAY
Monsoon Maintenance
By Rik Hill

The web is now full of Mars pictures, the best I have ever seen from amateur astronomers in my 45 years of being one. Some are just breathtaking, like those of Ed Grafton:
http://www.ghg.net/egrafton/

Many such images can be seen at the ALPO Mars Section page:
http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/~rhill/alpo/marstuff/recobs.html

But some images are not the same high quality just due to poor focusing. In some cases, like at my house, it's due to plain bad seeing. I'm plagued by it. But often it's instrumental. So what is a good way to get that telescope focused? There is a device based on the optical test called the Hartmann Test that makes accurate focusing a breeze. The most simple and straightforward explanation for this device can be found at:
http://www.pinn.net/~dhahne/focusing.html

All you need is a sharp knife and some cardboard. The mask does not have to be all that fancy, even a crude one will serve well. You can see one such mask, made in minutes, at:
http://velatron.com/dca/articles/focus/

There are a variety of variations on this theme that you can see at:
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/pete/Focus.htm
http://www.laughton.com/paul/rfo/focus/focus.html
http://rao.150m.com/Focusaid.html
http://www.isomedia.com/homes/cvedeler/scope/focus.htm
http://www.astropix.com/HTML/I_ASTROP/I08/I0819/I0819.HTM

There is even one that you can use on your camera lenses. Bet you never thought of that one:
http://www.astropix.com/HTML/I_ASTROP/I08/I0817/I0817.HTM

I have seen too many great 35mm slide astrophotos ruined by poor focus. It must be awful to guide for an hour only to be defeated by focus.

Well this is a lot of reading material, but the point is that only a few minutes and the side of an old cardboard box is all you need to get that $1000 camera in focus!

As always, if you know of a particularly good website you would like mentioned here, drop me a line at: rhill@lpl.arizona.edu

The Universe for cheap, a Holiday gift for you.

Once in a while I come across a chunk of software that is a must-have for every amateur astronomer. This month I will tell you about just such a program. This is Hallo Northern Sky or HNSky written by Han Kleijn.

HNSky is a planetarium/sky atlas software program that is FREE and will equip you as well as som those software packages that sell for over a hundred dollars. It is designed for the Windows environment from 3.1 to present, comes complete with the SAO, PPM and Tycho star databases, taking you to 12t magnitude, and a deep sky database that contains 26,000 objects that includes real images of some of these objects that can be plotted TO SCALE on the atlas. Images of the Moon and planets are used in the same manner. If this is not enough for you there's the ability to use the Guide Star Catalog (available from the Space Telescope Institute for a small cost) and the USNO star catalog both from CDROM. This will take you down to something like 16th magnitude.

The program can be used for telescope control using the ASCOM package. Recently I even talked the author into including the General Catalog of Variable stars in the software. He tells me this has now been done. Buried in all this are some astrophotography helps including a spreadsheet to help you get orgainized . There is a lot that this package can do and a lot of documentation to go with it. Han even includes hi email address on the website and will answer questions in 24 hours in most cases. There's the obligatory FAQ available in the form of "answers to problems with...." for the various versions for different operating systems. There's even a help file in ASCII format, and a newsletter that you can sign up for that will keep you up on changes to the software.

So what's the catch? Downloading. There's a lot to this program and it will take you at least one full evening to download it all. But it is definately worth it., especially if you don't own one of the packages like The Sky, or MegaStar.

To get this go to Han's website at: http://www.hnsky.org/software.htm


I can't begin to tell you all this can do. It's been a labor of love for Kleijn for some time and it is time well spent. Take the time to learn all about what this FREE software can do for you. You will be amazed!

As always, if you know of a particularly good website you would like mentioned here, drop me a line at rhill@lpl.arizona.edu


New Vistas In Astronomy
Smithsonian Institution
Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory

The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory takes pleasure in presenting its 34th year of public lectures on astronomy and astrophysics for the Southern Arizona community. The series presents recent discoveries in astronomy, local research projects, and modern methods used to explore the universe.

Thursday, January 22, 2 p.m.
The Truth About VERITAS
Deirdre Horan, Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory

Thursday, January 29, 2 p.m.
Collapsed Stars, Megamagnetism, and the MMT
Gary Schmidt, MMT Observatory

Thursday, February 19, 2 p.m.
The Dark Side of the Universe
Trevor Weekes, Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory

Thursday, February 26, 2 p.m.
Life in the FAST Lane: Galaxies Galore
Emilio Falco, Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory

All lectures are held in the Green Valley Recreation Center West Auditorium, Green Valley, Ariz. Each 45-minute illustrated lecture is nontechnical and intended for the interested layperson. A question-and-answer period follows each lecture. Admission is free and open to the public . For more information, call the Whipple Observatory Visitors Center at 670-5707. Co-sponsored by Green Valley Recreation, Inc.

Star Parties and Events

Lyons Elementary Star Party East
Tuesday, February 3, 2004 No. of Scopes: 6

Lyons Elementary, a Project Astro school, will be hosting Family Science Night at 7555 E. Dogwood St. From Pantano and Speedway take Pantano Rd south, past Golf Links and Escalante. Take the first right (west) on Dogwood and proceed about ½ mile to Lyons Elementary, on the right and just past Heather Place. Viewing will be behind the school at the northeast side. Richard Dougall is the Project Astro astronomer. Contact person Sandra Blitz can be reached at 584.6653 or email sandra.blitz@tusd.k12.az.us. Refreshments will be available for TAAA volunteers! Set-Up Time: 6:30pm. Observing will be from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Sunset: 5:59pm, Dark Sky: 7:22pm Moon Phase: near Full Moon.


Manzanita ES Star Party Foothills
Tuesday, 10 February, 2004 No. of Scopes: 5

Manzanita Elementary will be celebrating Fun and Learning the Night Sky at 3000 E Manzanita Ave. Go north on Campbell past Sunrise and turn left at Manzanita to school. Viewing will be on the basketball courts (near the parking lot adjacent to the school). Contact person Jody Slania can be reached at 577.5320 or email Mijodama@aol.com Pizza & Coke will be available for TAAA volunteers! Set-Up Time: 6:30 pm. Observing will be from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Sunset: 6:05pm, Dark Sky: 7:28pm Moon Phase: (no moon during viewing).

TAAA Star Party at TIMPA
Saturday, 14 February, 2004

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 prepared for cold temperatures. Directions to the TIMPA site are located on the outside flap of this newsletter.


UofA Astronomy Students Star Party
Sunday, February 15 , 2004

The TAAA will support the first of two star parties in 2004 for astronomy students from the UofA. The event will be held at the Saguaro National Park West in the parking lot at the Visitors Center. The activity runs from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Set-up will start at 6:00 pm and must be completed before 7:00 pm when the students arrive by vans. Approximately 100 people are expected to attend. This is a fun event. The students are very interested and appreciative and will be asking lots of questions to complete their assignments for the evening. John Kalas is the coordinator. There will be a sign-up sheet at the February 6th meeting. If you are interested in helping out but are unable to attend the meeting, please give John a call at 620-6502 to volunteer. Take Speedway Blvd. west past I-10 and continue about 3.5 mi. where Speedway becomes Gates Pass Road. Go over Gates Pass and continue about 5 mi. west to Kinney Road. Turn right (northwest) on Kinney Road and continue past the Desert Museum. The National Park entrance will be on your right. Observing will be in the parking lot of the Visitor Center. Sunset: 6:09pm, Dark Sky: 7:32pm Moon Phase: Last Quarter.


Catalina Foothills Astronomy Club Star Party Foothills
Tuesday, 17 February, 2004 No. of Scopes: 3

Catalina Foothills Astronomy Club will be planning their first Star Party at 4300 E Sunrise Dr. Proceed north on Swan to Sunrise, turn left. At next stoplight, turn left into school. Viewing will be On the football field. Contact person DaNel Hogan can be reached at 577-5090 or email dhogan@fc.cfsd.k12.az.us. Set-Up Time: 6:30 pm. Observing will be from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Sunset: 6:11pm, Dark Sky: 7:33pm Moon Phase: (no moon during viewing).


Wakefield Middle School Star Party South-Central
Thursday, 19 February, 2004 No. of Scopes: 4

Wakefield Middle School will be hosting “Starry, Starry Night and the Arts” at 101 W. 44th St. Go south on 6th Ave., pass under I-10, and continue to 44th street; turn right (west) on 44th St. about one block to Wakefield (in back of Southgate Shopping Center). Viewing will be on the field adjacent to the school. Contact person Eduardo Silva can be reached at 225.3800 or email nsilva3@aol.com. Set-Up Time: 6:30pm. Observing will be from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Sunset: 6:13pm, Dark Sky: 7:35pm Moon Phase: (no moon during viewing).


TAAA Star Party at Las Cienegas (Empire Ranch)
Saturday, 21 February, 2004

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. Las Cienegas is at 4000 feet so be prepared for very cold temperatures after sunset. 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.


Desert View High Star Party Southeast
Tuesday, 24 February, 2004 No. of Scopes: 6

Desert View High will be holding another “Desert Sky View” at 4101 E. Valencia Road. From Speedway and Alvernon, proceed south and continue past I-10 and Benson Hwy. At Valencia turn left (east) and continue about ½ mile to school on left (north) side of street (on Valencia between Alvernon and I-10). Viewing will be Set-up will be in the grassy field north of the school. Enter through the east parking lot and drive north past the dumpsters and mobile home on the east end of the building. Contact person Jim Treat can be reached at 545.5210 or email jimt@susd12.org. Set-Up Time: 6:30 pm. Observing will be from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Sunset: 6:17pm, Dark Sky: 7:39pm Moon Phase: Crescent.

 

Dark Skies for February 

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   3:49 -  5:54         Tu/We  10/11  19:28 - 22:43        Sa/Su  21/22  19:50 -  5:38
                                   We/Th  11/12  19:29 - 23:48                                   
Su/Mo  1/ 2   4:44 -  5:54         Th/Fr  12/13  19:30 -  0:55        Su/Mo  22/23  20:50 -  5:37
Mo/Tu  2/ 3   5:37 -  5:53         Fr/Sa  13/14  19:31 -  2:05        Mo/Tu  23/24  21:48 -  5:36
Tu/We  3/ 4    -   -   -           Sa/Su  14/15  19:31 -  3:15        Tu/We  24/25  22:46 -  5:35
We/Th  4/ 5    -   -   -                                              We/Th  25/26  23:43 -  5:34
Th/Fr  5/ 6    Full Moon           Su/Mo  15/16  19:32 -  4:22        Th/Fr  26/27   0:41 -  5:33
Fr/Sa  6/ 7    -   -   -           Mo/Tu  16/17  19:33 -  5:22        Fr/Sa  27/28   1:38 -  5:32
Sa/Su  7/ 8  19:26 - 19:35         Tu/We  17/18  19:34 -  5:42        Sa/Su  28/29   2:35 -  5:31
                                   We/Th  18/19  19:35 -  5:41                                   
Su/Mo  8/ 9  19:27 - 20:37         Th/Fr  19/20  19:35 -  5:40        Su/Mo  29/ 1   3:29 -  5:30
Mo/Tu  9/10  19:28 - 21:39         Fr/Sa  20/21  19:36 -  5:39        Mo/Tu   1/ 2   4:19 -  5:29


Weekend    Sun   Sun      Mercury     Venus      Mars     Jupiter    Saturn                       
Sa/Su      Set   Rise     Rise Vi    Set  Vi   Set  Vi    Rise Vi   Set  Vi    Vi=Visibility      
                                                                                                  
31/ 1     17:54  7:16     6:09  5   20:59 -4   23:57 1   20:38 -2   5:14  0    -3 brilliant       
 7/ 8     18:01  7:11     6:22  7   21:11 -4   23:50 1   20:07 -2   4:45  0     0 conspicuous     
14/15     18:07  7:05     6:33  9   21:22 -4   23:44 1   19:36 -2   4:16  0     3 moderate        
21/22     18:13  6:58     6:43  -   21:33 -4   23:38 1   19:05 -2   3:48  0     6 naked eye limit 
28/29     18:18  6:50     6:51  -   21:44 -4   23:33 1   18:33 -2   3:20  0     9 binoculars limit

By Erich Karkoschka
Meeting Minutes

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