Vol. 43, No. 8 August 2011

THE W. A. S. P.NEWSLETTER

The Warren Astronomical Society paper

P.O. BOX 1505WARREN, MICHIGAN 48090-1505

http://www.warrenastro.org

50th Anniversary Year

2011 WAS OfficersPresident: Gary M. Ross

1st VP: Jon Blum2nd VP: Bob Berta

Secretary: Therese OldaniTreasurer: Jonathan KadePublications: Stephen Uitti

Outreach: Dale PartinEntire board:

president@warrenastro.org firstvp@warrenastro.orgsecondvp@warrenastro.org secretary@warrenastro.org treasurer@warrenastro.org publications@warrenastro.org outreach@warrenastro.org board@warrenastro.org

More contact informationhttp://www.warrenastro.org/was/officers.aspx

Astro ChatterThe doomsday reports concerning comet Elenin (C2010 X1) have been so intense, that NASA has issued a press release, in effect, shooting them down. The comet will be closest to Earth on October 16th, at 22 million miles. It will not have any effects on the Earth. It will not block out the Sun. It's small as comets go, with a core about 2 to 3 miles across. Therefore, it's not a “Brown Dwarf”. The doomsday reports are pretty crazy. While there is speculation that it may become naked eye visible, it should be visible from a dark sky site with binoculars in early October.

Astronaut Ron Garan snapped a picture of a Perseid meteor from the International Space Station. Most of us have to look up to see them.

After three years of driving, the Mars rover Opportunity has reached Endeavour Crater. Orbital observations suggest that rocks on the rim are perhaps 3.5 billion years old. At that time, the crater very likely held fresh water.

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has imaged streaks in Newton Crater that are consistent with flowing liquid water.

Since they appear in the summer when the ground is warmest, one idea is that ice that melts and drains down slopes. Any flowing water lies below the surface, because if it were above it, MRO likely would have detected its spectral signature.

1

The SWAP SHOPThis column is for those interested in buying, trading or selling. Ads run for six months. The month and year the ad will be removed is shown. Submit ads to Stephen Uitti, 313 389-5609 publications@warrenastro.org.

FOR SALE: Celestron Ultima 2000, an 8" Schmidt-Cass go-to scope. It's in good shape, works well, and has fine optics. Includes hard case. Asking $900. Contact Bob Zinke, 586-264-0884, email: r1d3z@yahoo.com [7-2011]

FOR SALE: Late 1970's model Criterion RV-6 Dynascope 6" Newtonian reflector. Original owner. Well used, but good condition. Mirrors rarely cleaned and could use another cleaning. Original pier, German equatorial mount, setting circles, finder scope and Ramsden eyepieces. Clock drive motor died & replaced with a hand-made manual slow-motion control. Includes hardware for mounting a camera & solar projection screen. I can no longer lift it and am looking for something smaller and lighter. Asking $200 or best offer. Contact Brian Klaus 586-731-0011 [7-2011]

FOR SALE: Discovery PDHQ 12.5” Dob Telescope, f5 (94% Pyrex mirror reflectivity). 1¼” & 2” Crayford Focuser. Base plus 2x2' platform. 12 Volt Anti-Dew System. Telrad Reflex Sight. Aluminum Foam-Lined Lens Case. Meade Lenses: 40mm super wide, 32 mm super plössl, 8.8 mm ultra wide, 12.4 mm super plössl, 4.7 mm super plössl, 2X “shorty” Barlow. Sirius Lenses: 25 mm plössl, 17 mm plössl, 10 mm plössl. Filters: 1¼” 13%, 25% Moon, 1¼” Variable polarizer (moon), 1¼”, 2” Oxygen III. 1¼” Narrow Band, 1¼” blue, green, red and yellow. 2” fine focus adaptors. Orion Collimating Cheshire, Red Beam Flashlight, Desert Storm “Aluminum” Cover,

Transporting Dolly. Purchase price: $3,500. Asking price: $1,950. Contact Al McDonald, 248 343-1643. [11-2011]

FOR SALE: 14 eyepieces: 5 mm Ortho, 7 mm, 7.4 mm Tele Vue, 8 mm RKE, 12 mm EDSCORP, University 12.5mm illuminated plossl, 16 mm University Konig, 17 mm Tele Vue, 18 mm Criterion, 23 mm & 24 mm University Plossl, 25 mm super plossl, 26 mm, 40 mm University plossl. Barlows: Criterion CP-4 2 No. 2 focal reducer. x, Meade variable tele 2x-3x Video eyepiece, SBIG ST-5C , SBIG ST-7 JMI Moto-focus Scopes: 80 mm refractor - 400 mm FL (below)Meade 102 mm SCT 1000 mm FL. Celestron 45 degree diagonalContact Brian Johnston at 248-622-6612 or Bjohnston47@comcast.net [12-2011]

2

FOR SALE: Large 30” x 40” NASA 1982 framed Manned Space Achievements poster. Starting with Mercury it shows all the teams, logos and descriptions of the flights. NASA stickers that represent the flight logos. Several front pages from these flights including Shepard etc. Can be brought to meeting. nbiz@sbcglobal.net [12-2011]

Snacks FormA new web based form is up as an alternative way to sign up for snacks. Sheila Judd will see it, and use it to coordinate who's bringing snacks when. If there's a conflict, Sheila will contact you.

http://tinyurl.com/6zo6jt6

WAS Club logo wear at WAS meetings

(Photos and modeling by Jon Blum)

Diane Worth, dianewsky-night@yahoo.com or 248-980-7832 sells club logo clothing (hats, shirts, sweatshirts, jackets). Stephen Uitti brings a catalog of available items to meetings.

Astronomical Phenomena - September 2011Day Hour Event (Times in EST) 1 4 Spica 2.1°N of Moon 3 2 Mercury greatest elong W(18°) 4 9 Antares 3.7°S of Moon 4 12 FIRST QUARTER 4 23 Moon furthest South (-23.1°) 6 6 Pluto 2.9°N of Moon 8 4 Mars 5.9°S of Pollux 8 23 Mercury 0.6°N of Regulus10 12 Neptune 5.3°S of Moon12 4 FULL MOON13 8 Uranus 5.6°S of Moon15 1 Moon at apogee16 6 Pluto stationary16 10 Jupiter 4.6°S of Moon19 14 Moon furthest North (22.9°)20 8 LAST QUARTER23 1 Mars 4.6°N of Moon23 4 Equinox24 23 Regulus 5.3°N of Moon25 19 Uranus at opposition27 6 NEW MOON27 20 Moon at perigee28 1 Venus 5.4°N of Moon28 13 Spica 2.0°N of Moon28 15 Mercury superior conjunction29 18 Venus 1.3°S of Saturn

3

Observatory Rules1. Closing time depends on weather, etc.2. May be closed one hour after opening time if no

members arrive within the first hour.3. Contact the 2nd VP for other arrangements,

such as late arrival time. Call 586-992-0498.4. An alternate person may be appointed to open.5. Members may arrive before or stay after the

scheduled open house time.6. Dates are subject to change or cancellation

depending on weather or staff availability.7. Postings to the Yahoo Group and/or email no

later than 2 hours before starting time in case of date change or cancellation.

8. It is best to call or email the 2nd VP at least 2 hours before the posted opening with any questions. Later emails may not be receivable.

9. Generally, only strong rain or snow will prevent the open house... the plan is to be there even if it is clouded over. Often, the weather is cloudy, but it clears up as the evening progresses.

- Bob Berta, 2nd VP

Seven Ponds Open InvitationWAS members are invited to The Seven Ponds

Astronomy Club monthly meetings. More information about upcoming meetings, maps to Seven Ponds Nature Center, etc. is available at at http://bhmich.com/sevenpondsac/. Please let me know if you might attend so that appropriate plans can be made. Any questions, please contact me.

- John Lines

2011 Stargate Observatory Open HouseAug 20, Sept 24, Oct 22, Nov 19, Dec 3

2011 WAS MeetingsCranbrook Meetings: 1st MondaysAug 1, Sept 12, Oct 3, Nov 7, Dec 5

Macomb Meetings: 3rd ThursdaysAug 18, Sept 15, Oct 20, Nov 17

WAS 2011 Upcoming Presentations18 Aug Mark Jeffery Meteorites

12 Sept Phil Martin Mercury's Perihelion

12 Sept Jim Shedlowski

The Way We Found The Universe

15 Sept Gary Ross Participatory Hubble (video)

3 Oct Jonathan Kade Last Shuttle Launch

3 Oct Dale Partin Cosmic Ray Astronomy

20 Oct Dale Ochalek Astro Jeopardy

7 Nov Phil Martin Hawking's Paradox & the Black Hole Mystery

2012 Officer Elections

17 Nov Tom Field Do-able Spectroscopy

5 Dec David Cinabro Golden Age of Cosmology

5 Dec Chuck Dezelah

Open Clusters: The Trumpler Classes

Events9-10 Sept Astronomy At The Beach22-25 Sept Gladwyn – Great Lakes Star Gaze18-23 Oct Beers' Star Party West15 Dec – WAS Annual Banquet 50th Anniversary

Oakland Astronomy Club newsletterhttp://oaklandastronomy.ulmb.com/oacnews.html

Clear skies, - Bill MacIntosh

4

September Cranbrook TalksThe short presentation will be Calculating Mercury's Perihelion Shift by Phil Martin. Phil Martin has been studying (mostly on his own) General Relativity and Cosmology now for 2 years, and is eager to share his learning experience with the rest of the club. While the subjects can be daunting in their reliance on higher mathematics, a complete understanding of the intricacies of tensor calculus and differential geometry are not necessary to get the "gist" of the logic behind the dynamical variables. He continues this series on General Relativity with an explanation of how and why the orbit of Mercury has a perihelion shift.

The main presentation will be The Way We Found the Universe by Jim Shedlowsky. This presentation will describe a fascinating 30 year period beginning in 1898, during which our entire concept of the universe was transformed by a combination of new technologies and the dedicated and inspired men and women who exploited it. Such well known names as Einstein, Hubble and Hale made their major contributions in this time period along with other lesser known, but important contributors such as Keeler, Slipher, Leavitt, and von Maanen.

The presentation will discuss the events, the controversies, the people, the technologies, and the circumstances that revolutionized our understanding of the universe.

September Macomb TalkOn September 15, we return to our normal meeting room at Macomb. We will be in room 221 of the library (still in Building J), instead of the lower-level room that we used during the summer. Enter through the main front doors.

At the Macomb meeting of the Warren Astronomical Society on September 15, 2011, we will have a video presentation by Gary Ross, titled

Participatory Hubble. This video is of the (now) older Hubble Space

Telescope pictures with an original sound track but no narration. There is also a "bonus feature" of space art.

Here is an opportunity to bring your obnoxious laser pointers and make beneficial use! Audience identification of images and assorted instrumentation commentary is what the programme is about. Come: parade your ignorance with the best of them! And not to put too fine a point on it, the views through the orbiting telescope, the most famous and potent portable scientific instrument in the history of science, continue to inspire awe.

What kind of creature is Man who does these things?

NOSTALGIA FOR THE LIGHT In his new masterpiece, director Patricio Guzmán travels 10,000 feet above sea level to the driest place on earth, the Atacama Desert, where the sky is so translucent that it allows astronomers from the world over to see to the very boundaries of the universe. The Atacama is also a place where the harsh heat keeps human remains intact: those of Pre-Columbian mummies; 19th century explorers and miners; and the remains of political prisoners, "disappeared" after the military coup of September, 1973. Melding the celestial quest of the astronomers and the earthly ones of families who still search for their dead and archaeologists who seek ancient civilizations, Nostalgia For the Light miraculously becomes a gorgeous, moving, deeply personal yet cosmic odyssey of the mind and heart. In Spanish with English subtitles. (90 min.) Sunday, August 21 at 4:30 pmhttp://www.dia.org/auxiliaries/event.aspx?id=2739&iid=&aux_id=14&cid=100

5

W.A.S. History S.I.G.Report from the scanning room

A new Special Interest Group (SIG) has been formed to preserve the history of this storied organization -- and have we heard some stories! Right now, we are converting old issues of the Warren Astronomical Society Publication/Paper into PDF files, scanning old photos and other documents, and gathering photos and recollections from members. To aid in the latter, our new email address: history @ warrenastro . org . We welcome any and all to share their memories, fond or otherwise.

To date, we have posted the newsletters from 1969, 1970, 1975-77, 1980-81 and some scattered issues on warrenastro . org . The cover art for these are also posted on the club’s Flickr account: http :// goo . gl / QJQMG

Jonathan Kade & Dale Thieme are working on reaching past members for info on the second 25 years to present at the December Banquet.

- Dale ThiemeTreasurer's Report

MEMBERSHIP: Two new memberships this month: Bob Boswell, of the Ford Club, who joined at our picnic; and Kino Anuddin. No renewals. ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE: We started accepting applications for the Astronomical League membership at the August 1 meeting. Chuck Dezelah and I will be working together to submit the club membership papers.

NONPROFIT STATUS: July was non-productive for the 501(c)(3) effort. I aim to get back on track this month. INCOME & EXPENDITURES: We took in $165 and spent $28.43. We have $7495.53 in the bank account and $211.59 in cash. COSTS & REIMBURSEMENTS: $19.90 for lunch for Mark Kedzior to thank him for his volunteer work at Stargate, for which he supplied the materials. $8.53 for mailing supplies and food to Gary Ross. INCOME New memberships: $50 (some will need to be refunded) Donations: $47.50 (Cranbrook), $36 (Macomb). No snack reimbursement at Cranbrook, snack reimbursement matched donations at Macomb. Merchandise: $13 (patches, glow tape) Special: $18.50 for the desk from Stargate at GLR scrap. - Jonathan

The Astronomical League The WAS offers membership to the Astronomical League (AL). Membership in the AL is optional, and offers benefits described in a WASP article (June 2011). AL membership annual dues cost $7.50. This is pro-rated to $5.62 if joining before September 15. Details at www.astroleague.org. To sign up, contact either Chuck Dezelah (alcor@warrenastro.org) or Jonathan Kade (treasurer@warrenastro.org). - Chuck Dezelah

6

July 21 Macomb General Meeting Officers: Gary Ross, Jon Blum, Bob Berta, Dale Partin, Steve Uitti President: Great picnic, we should do it again next year. 1st VP: Still scheduling speakers, all volunteers welcome. We have one more meeting in the current room, then back to our library room in September. 2nd VP: Next Stargate open house is July 23. Shuttle news continues with many papers and radio stations trying to get interviews with Jonathan and Diane.

Repairs to the dome housing now complete. Treasurer: Dale Partin reported for J. Kade. We have about $7300 in the bank and $200 on hand. Outreach: Kensington's astronomy on the beach, Sept 9,10. A sign up list is being passed around for volunteers to man the table.

Sept 22-25, Gladwin Great Lakes Star Gaze followed by The Cadillac West fall star party, Oct 18-23. Publications: The WASP is out, soon will be posted online. The club Library is now at Cranbrook. Discussion Group: Will convene on Thursday, July 28th. Solar: Sun still kind of active. Star Parties: Coming up: The "No Hope Perseid Meteor Shower" Aug 12 at Stargate .

Kensington Astronomy at the Beach, Sep 9,10. The main speaker will be David J. Eicher, editor of Astronomy Magazine.

Great Lakes Star Gaze, Sep 22,23 and The Cadillac Star Party at Bill Beers, Oct 18-23. History Committee: Jonathan has posted all available issues. Many more to go. The Astronomical League: If we sign up WAS members to the League by Sep 15, membership will be pro-rated to $5.62. Magazines and fliers are available to peruse.

Other Events: "Nostalgia for the Light" documentary showing at the Detroit Film Theater, Aug 12-14,21. In the News: Ken Bertin presented: - Space telescope to create radio eye larger than the earth - Probe target clouds crystal ball for Solar System - Dark energy signature found in ancient radiation - Galactic beacons not formed by inter-galactic crashes - 4th moon discovered around Pluto. Break accompanied by a slide show from Mike O'Dowd of pictures he took at the new Boy Scout observatory at D-bar-A Scout Ranch in Metamora.Gary Strumolo gave a talk on the nature, use and dangers of the green laser Pointers. In the remaining minutes, the break slide show was shown again with commentary by Mike O'Dowd and Bob Berta. 30 in attendance -Dale Partin

7

July 11 Cranbrook Board MeetingOfficers Present: Jon Blum, Gary Ross, Therese Oldani, Jonathan Kade, Dale Partin, Stephen UittiGuests: Marty Kunz, Ken Bertin, Bob Watts, Dick Gala, Brian Klaus

G

President: List of contractors from Internet and the yellow pages to be given to Bob Berta. We must move forward on this with a trade skills man. List of contractors from Internet and the yellow pages to be given to Bob Berta. We must move forward on this with a trade skills man.

Bears worth repeating: list of contractors from Internet and the yellow pages to be given to Bob Berta. We must move forward on this with a trade skills man. Water problem in the dome. We should proceed with vigor.1st VP: Scheduling into first few months of next year. The picnic this past Saturday for 50th Anniversary was wonderful.Treasurer: Renewals announced. Need to come up with fund raising plan for 501C3. See WASP report. Secretary: Won’t be able to be at all the 3nd Thursday’s meetings. Thanks to all those who helped with Picnic at Wolcott this past Saturday. Weather was hot hot hot. Missed Brian Berta and the annual nature.Outreach: Astronomy at the Beach. Dale offered hours to work the table. President offered to be at the table for full shift, 6pm to 11pm. Need volunteers for table.New business: Picnic email suggested future picnic closer to new moon schedule. July 21st is the date for 2012 annual picnic. We encourage the families to come. Picture at 6:30 pm.

Motion to adjourn by Dale P, Stephen U second it. Vote taken and passed. - Therese Oldani

July 11 Cranbrook General MeetingOfficers Present: Jon Blum, Gary Ross, Therese Oldani, Jonathan Kade, Dale Partin, Stephen UittiPresident: Introductions were made. Visitors welcomed. Mighty good 50th Anniversary Picnic we had. We will be tackling a water problem at the Observatory.

O

1st VP: Jon Blum reminded club members of the Macomb meetings now through August will be in room 151. Enter through the North West corner door. Arrive no later than 8:30pm because the door will be locked after that time.

Long talk presentations are filled through 2011 and first few months of 2012. email FirstVP@warrenastro.org if you are interested. Some emails around short talk at last minutes.

Brief introduction of talks for the evening and upcoming meetings were made. Upcoming star parties and hand out available for new members. We need volunteers for snacks.

W

2nd VP: Open house on the July 23rd.

Treasurer: For full report, see WASP. After speaking with lawyer, we are eligible for 501c3.Secretary: Thanks to all who helped with picnic, putting up the canopy, Stephen Uitii for bringing the games, Max helping with the nature walk & the games, Stephen for bringing hot dogs, Stephen & Cody for cooking dogs, folks who brought ice and chest, and all the wonderful members who participated in good times and observation. Donated pencils given to persons with outreach: Bill Berta, Lee Hartwell, and Bob Berta.

B

Outreach: David Eicher from Astronomy Magazine will be the speaker for Kensington Astronomy at the Beach - Sept 9 and 10th, we'll have a sign up for table duty.Special Interest Groups: Discussion: Meet at Gathen home three blocks south of 696, see map on website, every 4th Thursday at 7:30pm.Solar: Moderate Activity

8

Radio: Sun little activity, Jupiter not out during the day. Online journal at mho.5thelement.com.Hands On: observing session was not great due to haze and clouds. We look for better weather conditions on July 23rd . Target to view is IOTA in Casseopia.History Interest group: Update by Dale Thieme on achieves creating a pdf file and posting it for website. 1975 is done. Found among the member list: Ted Williams and Buck Rogers.

According to OCR results, many speakers presented their programs.

p

One member seemed bent on capturing Messier objects in the planetarium.

o

Observations: Jonathan gave a 1minute tease of the observation of last Shuttle Launch with Diane Hall. Presentation to be given in upcoming meeting.

m

In the news: Soviet space shuttle, Tevatron particles shed light on antimatter mystery, black hole in Cygnus., Distant light and space –time

grains., last shuttle lift off picture.Jonathan did a 5 minute statistics of buget cuts

on NASA by federal government. This information included the WEBB telescope cut.

i

Short presentation by Chuck Dezelah on Astronomical League. www.Astroleague.org and presented benefits and services. Ie: Reflector Quarterly publication, Book Service, Observing Programs to help with observing skills, AstroNotes, Conventions, and National Awards.

A

The main presentation, Jon Blum talk wsa Why I Belong to Seven Astronomy Clubs. Jon compared seven clubs, four in Michigan and three on Maui. He discussed their meetings, observing events, members, lectures, sky conditions, officers, social activities, newsletters, logo clothing, and even their snacks. He explained why he joined each club.Attendance: 39 present - Therese Oldani

9