This image of the Little Dumbbell nebula (M76) was taken remotely using the 2 metre Faulkes telescope in Hawaii on the 14th August 2007. This nebula was discovered by Pierre Méchain on September 5, 1780, who reported it to Charles Messier, who observed it on October 21, 1780, determined its position and added it to his catalogue. See the article by David Roberts inside.

CapellaCambridge Astronomical Association and Cambridge Young Astronomers.

www.caa-cya.org Newsletter 128 September/October 2007

Cambridge Astronomical Association and Cambridge Young AstronomersPresident: Dr David Dewhirst Vice President: Jim Hysom Chairman: Brian Lister Secretary: Stanley Trafford Treasurer and Membership Secretary: Steve Joyce Webmaster: Ian Hunter Library: Barry Crellin Telescope hire: Stanley Trafford Tel: 01223-880624Website: www.caa-cya.org or members can book on-line

Committee: Dave Allen, Barry Crellin, Paul Drake, Clive Gilchrist, Clive Holt, Ian Hunter, Anita Joysey, Sue Roser, Phil Salin, and Barry Warman.

Capella: Members should send contributions for Capella to: Ken Day, Cambridge Young Astronomers (both groups): Brian Lister 28 Waddelow Road, Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9LA. e-mail Tel: 01223-420954, e-mail btl21@cam.ac.ukken.day@lineone.net Please make sure e-mail contributions are in .TXT format. .

Chairman’s Comment.While sitting waiting for a train on Ipswich station mid-morning one Thursday in August, I noticed half a dozen male passengers on the opposite platform. As a diesel locomotive came out of the sidings these men sprang into life, out came the cameras and they happily clicked away. But they weren’t passengers, they were train spotters – they’re still alive and well and can be found on most large railway stations. So, I sat and watched the six of them, and as each train passed or paused at the station there was a frenzy of activity as they photographed and recorded details of each loco. Then I realized that most of the engines they were photographing were identical, they were green and yellow “Frieghtliner” diesels – presumably 66 class, as the numbers all started with double six. I also noticed they photographed each end of loco, but to me both ends looked exactly the same. Was I missing something? Probably it would be like them saying to me “All globular clusters are the same!” Maybe these class 66 locos (or whatever they are) do indeed have a “front” and “back.” As I sat and watched these – in my opinion - sad people, it suddenly dawned on me that I was probably saddest person on the entire planet, for I was spotting train spotters! What next, a website with photos of train spotters at different locations, what they’re wearing, who they’re with, etc.

When does a healthy interest in a hobby develop into a raging passion? So to this end I’ve developed the enthusiast’s obsession scale based on a traffic light, a sort of Richter scale for the hobbyist.Green; Generally joins group, club etc to meet like minded souls, more than just a general interest in the subject. But otherwise leads a fairly normal life. For an amateur astronomer, looks up at the night sky occasionally (may not have a telescope), comes to some talks, etc.Amber; Spends large amounts of leisure time engaged in the pursuit of their interest, now starting to affect daily life. E.g. “Oooh, I’ve not missed an episode of Coronation Street in six years!”Red; Totally consumed with their hobby to the exclusion of everything else, behaviour eccentric and can in later life be come “unhinged!”

I think the majority of our members fall into the green zone; I’m happily sitting in the amber zone with several other members. I don’t know if we’ve got any red zone members! Probably one of the best examples of the latter category is William Herschel, who in his heyday observed every clear night, and made telescopes during the day. Such was his enthusiasm, that his sister Caroline was drawn in, she comments in her memoirs that she often had to feed food directly into William’s mouth because he forgot to eat, such was his concentration. Now, all I have to do is to stop myself buying an anorak and nudging towards the red end in later years. Brian

CAA Meetings

Friday 21st September 2007 Dr Scott Chapman. "Galaxy Evolution."

After gaining his PhD at University of British Columbia in 1999 Scott, a Canadian, moved to California where he spent a couple of years at the Carnegie Observatories and four years at the California Institute of Technology, before moving to the IoA here in November 2006 as a Reader in Astrophysics. He has observed extensively using many ground and space based telescopes; CFHT, UKIRT, Keck, Gemini, VLA, HST, XMM, Chandra, and Spitzer to name a few! Scott also has a wide range of research and technical interest’s right across the electromagnetic spectrum, from cosmology, submm and infrared galaxies, star formation, the merger history of galaxies to the fossil records in the local group. He has also been involved with; radio interferometers, submm spectrographs, large mosaic detectors, adaptive optics, infrared instruments and liquid mirror telescopes. In this talk Scott will be showing us how galaxies form and their evolution and how galaxy mergers develop through the history of the Universe.

Friday 19th October 2007 Tom Boles"In Search of Supernovae."

Tom originally came from Glasgow where he spent many happy years as a telescope designer and maker for Charles Frank Ltd, Glasgow. Today, he is a retired computer and telecom support engineer. His passion is extra-galactic supernovae: their physics, appearance, demographics and, f course, their discovery. Tom patrols on every available clear night and monitors some 12,000 galaxies for supernovae. In ten years he has discovered over a hundred supernovae (and one nova in the Andromeda galaxy). Tom lives in Coddenham, Suffolk as it has relatively low light pollution and a good number of cloudless nights per year. His roll off observatory opened in 2001 houses two fully robotic Paramount German Equatorial Mounts carrying 14 inch Celestron Schmidt Cassegrain reflectors. In January 2003 a third robotic telescope was added, this is installed in the dome and can be used in windier conditions. His last supernova discovery was on 19th May 2007.

These meetings are held in the Sackler Lecture theatre at the Institute of Astronomy, Madingley Road and start promptly at 8pm, once the lecture has started the outside doors are shut. If you’re late unfortunately we’re can’t hear your frantic tapping on the door from inside the lecture theatre, although you may be lucky to attract the attention of someone coming out to check on the hot water urn! Doors open at 7.30pm, by which time our library is usually open for customers.

Cambridge Astronomical Association and Cambridge Young Astronomers Coach Trip to London Saturday 29th September 2007

The trip includes; The Royal Observatory, a Planetarium show, the National Maritime museum, a River Thames cruise and an IMAX Cinema show “Roving Mars”

Space still available – a third coach has been booked.Reserve a space – contact Brian

Phone 01223 420954 (evenings) or email btl21@cam.ac.uk (weekdays)

The Day.Three coaches leaving the Institute of Astronomy at 9.45am. Two quiet coaches and one not so quiet, this coach will have onboard entertainment for the CYA members. The coaches will drop us off at Greenwich, where you can go around the Royal Observatory - the visit also includes a planetarium show. A short walk down the observatory hill brings you to the National Maritime Museum and Greenwich pier, where you can board the cruise boat that will take you to Westminster. Here the IMAX cinema is close by, as is the London Eye and the London Aquarium. After seeing the IMAX film the coaches will pick us up from the cinema and drop us off at the IoA at about 9pm. A great day out, with we suspect, and some of you (including a fair number of adults) having a little zzz on the way home!

Royal Observatory, GreenwichThe ROG was commissioned in 1675 by Charles II, and is the home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian line. With plenty to see in and around Flamsteed House (the original observatory building designed by Christopher Wren), which includes the newly completed Time galleries, the 28 inch refractor, the transit circle and London’s only public camera obscura.

Harrison PlanetariumAs part of a £15 million Space and Time redevelopment the Peter Harrison planetarium was opened at the end of May 2007 and has a Didistar 3 projector which gives awesome full dome images. There will be a planetarium show plus a chance to visit the Weller Astronomy Galleries, where there’s lots of hands-on and interactive exhibits.

River Thames CruiseFrom Greenwich Pier you can catch the boat that will take you down to London Bridge. The journey down river takes about 40 minutes, and for those who took the trip last time we visited Greenwich (in September 2002), will notice many changes in the London skyline. Many familiar landmarks will be passed; Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge, Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge, Shakespear’s Globe Theatre, the sharp eyed amongst you might notice the replica Golden Hind.

IMAX Cinema Film “Roving Mars.”Experience the reality of the planet Mars' surface, seen through the eyes of two intrepid robot explorers - Spirit and Opportunity. These rovers have ultra high resolution cameras on board which give amazingly detailed images, which is well suited to the IMAX format. The screen at the British Film Institute’s IMAX cinema is the largest in Britain (as high as five double decker buses), and with digital surround sound system the launch sequence will knock yer socks off!

A Great Day Out.As usual the trip is subsidized by the CAA and with the advantage of group booking means we’ve made great savings on the cost of the day. The cost includes the coaches, a Planetarium show, the river cruise from Greenwich to Westminster and to see “Roving Mars” film at the bfi IMAX. Entry into the Royal Observatory and the National Maritime Museum is free.

Prices: CAA Adult £25 CAA Concession £21 CYA Children £17 Non-members £1.50 extra. Please contact Brian to book your place.

Roswell 60 Star Party. Friday 12th October 2007 at the Institute 8pm

We are having a star party to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of when something very very peculiar happened in New Mexico. If clear, there will be a couple UFO watches, and while we are waiting for any UFOs to appear, we will have a look at some astronomical objects instead. As usual there will be lots to eat (heavy refreshments!) and cloudy weather activities. So come and find out what really happened at Roswell and Rendlesham. It is hoped that as many members as possible will bring their telescopes along to help with the search for UFOs (or astronomical objects).

Please send the reply slip with a cheque made payable to Cambridge Astronomical Association to;Brian Lister,80, Ramsden Square,Cambridge, CB4 2BL

Public lectures in Cambridge.

Tuesday 25th September 2007 Dr Stuart Clark“The Sun Kings.”

This talk is at Heffers Bookshop, Trinity Street at 6.30pm (for a 7pm start) and is open to all – no need to book just turn up. In September of 1859, the entire Earth was engulfed in a gigantic cloud of seething gas, and a blood-red aurora erupted across the planet from the poles to the tropics. Around the world, telegraph systems crashed, machines burst into flames, and electric shocks rendered operators unconscious. Compasses and other sensitive instruments reeled as if struck by a massive magnetic fist. For the first time, people began to suspect that the Earth was not isolated from the rest of the universe. However, nobody knew what could have released such strange forces upon the Earth–nobody, that is, except the amateur English astronomer Richard Carrington.

• Talks and UFO Watches. • 60 years since the Roswell Incident. • Rendlesham Forrest Incident (the British

Roswell). • Refreshments. • Big Screen Astronomy. • Cloudy weather programme. • NASA Shuttle flight simulator. • Remote observing.• Members telescopes • Lucky Ticket draw; win up to £100 000

Tickets: Members £2.50 Non-members £3.50

Society of Chemical Industry Autumn 2007 Programme.All lectures start at 19:00 in the Pfizer Lecture Theatre Dept of Chemistry, Lensfield Road, Cambridge.Doors open 18.30. Arrive early to get a good seat! Please visit their website www.soci.org for updated details.

Thursday 6 Sep 2007 BITING BACK AT BLOOD-SUCKING INSECTSLecture on Insect Science, Dr James Logan, Rothamsted Research.

Friday 28 Sep 2007DO ANIMALS HAVE MEMORIES OF TOMORROW? Lecture on Animal Cognition & Psychology by Professor Nicola Clayton, Department of Experimental Psychology. Thursday 11 October 2007BEAGLE 2 AND BEYOND – THE FUTURE OF SPACE EXPLORATION Lecture on Astronomy by Prof Colin Pillinger FRS, Professor of Planetary Sciences, Open University. 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of space exploration, and he will review the amazing progress that has been made during this period, and the challenges that remain. His research interests at the Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute (PSSRI) of the Open University include the application of stable isotope and organic analysis to planetary, geological and environmental problems using laboratory and space based studies. Prof Pillinger is well known in the media for his involvement in the Beagle 2 mission, a British probe that formed part of the European Space Agency's 2003 Mars Express mission.

Thursday 8 November 2007 FIREWORKS – EXPLOSIVES FOR ENTERTAINMENT! The Science of Fireworks and Explosives, Lecture & Demonstration by Dr Tom Smith, Davas UK Ltd, Kimbolton.

Thursday 6 Dec 2007ARE WE STAR DUST OR NUCLEAR WASTE?Dr Robin Catchpole, Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge,The story of the birth and death of stars is the story of the battle of matter against the force of gravity and the story of the origin of all the elements, apart from hydrogen and helium, which were formed within a few minutes after the Big Bang. Stars like our Sun will first fry their planets before slowly fading away. More massive stars will end their lives in supernova explosions, scattering newly created heavy elements into space, ready to form the next generation of stars. Dr Robin Catchpole, ex Senior Astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich is now at the Institute of Astronomy in Cambridge. His research career was spent at Greenwich and at various observatories in South Africa. His research interests include the composition of stars, galaxies with black holes and the structure of our galaxy.

7 Jan 2008LOOKING NORTH: ARCTIC SCIENCE IN INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR, 2007-2008Prof. Elizabeth Morris, Scott Polar Research Unit, Cambridge.

Members Contributions

Faulkes Telescope part II. by David Roberts

At long last Papworth Astronomy Club has had its second half hour session on the Faulkes telescope in Hawaii on 24 July 2007. We had to go for a mid week session as it appears that there are no more weekend sessions available. Despite the lack of practice we still got pictures of 4 objects although our planning could have been better in that we had something close to 9 minutes of observing and processing we spent a lot of time slewing to the objects that we wished to look at. Must do better next time. However, first we got Arp319 (otherwise known as Stephan's Quintet). The second object was Abell 1151S, a rich cluster of galaxies, followed by M76 the Little Dumbell Nebula and lastly Arp 112, a group of interacting galaxies. Arp 319 looks good but it appears that there is some background “noise” and the picture will be processed to improve it. With Abell 1151S, it is not obvious that we are looking at galaxies: it may be that the exposure time was not long enough. M76 looks great with quite a bit of colour and structure. The last, Arp112 group of interacting galaxies, came out very well but will improve with processing. The pictures are in the archive.

We still have an hour’s observing to do but the telescope is not now available until September. After the session some discussion took place as to doing this hour in one fell swoop. This could mean that a lot of pictures could be obtained and perhaps some longer exposures. We shall see and further update as observing happens.

A Bad Dream Clockas dreamt by Donald Unwin.

This doesn’t have too much to do with astronomy, but ties in well with the CAA trip to Royal Observatory, Greenwich. About a year ago I had a dream in which I imagined a clock with square gearwheels! When I woke up I thought this would be an interesting project and as it occurred at a moment when I was without any major project I thought it might be worth investigating. Some 8 or 9 years ago when giving a talk to a Model Engineering Society at Ipswich I met a member with horological interests. He had invited me to stay overnight in my camper van in his back yard and whilst there had an excellent meal and was shown the many fine clocks, mostly long case, that he had made that filled his house. Next I was taken into his well-equipped workshop and amongst other things was a clock with square gearwheels in the early stages of construction. It tickled me so I took a photograph of it. Sadly a short while after his wife rang me with the news that he had died: I asked about the square clock and she said that it had disappeared. I then forgot all about it until recently whilst looking for something else I came across the forgotten photograph which presumably must have sparked off my dream about a clock with square gearwheels!

Figure1 Figure 2

At the time I wanted another project so decided to see if it was feasible. Firstly would such a mad idea work at all! It seemed that the best way to find out was to make an experimental square gear. Having made the decision to have a try I now had to scheme out how to cut such a square gear. When this hurdle was overcome successfully I proceeded with the thoughts of how the clock movement would be arranged, and then made all the gearwheels. When these were completed they were assembled in a framework of Meccano, (Figure 4). After quite a number of mind changes and modifications I got it to run for short periods, which answered the first question, “would it work?” The next stage was to make it “properly” which took quite some time but eventually the clock ran, albeit unreliably. Overcoming this problem proved to be the longest job of all, involving remaking several parts. It was taken to pieces so many times that it nearly did it on its own! Success was achieved eventually so the two dials one showing minutes and the other hours, were made and fitted so that it could be set-up on a temporary stand.

Figure 3 Figure 4

It was still not totally reliable, however, although the intervals between stops were longer. Eventually I felt that it was good enough to replace the old sash weights I was using with custom made lead ones, square of course, and make a respectable case to house it. (Figure 1.) Needless to say when all this was completed it became troublesome again! However by sitting and watching it closely the trouble spots were isolated and successfully corrected one by one, after which, as a result of the refinements, I was able to reduce the weights considerably. Due to the limitations imposed by square gear wheels, minutes are indicated on a large square dial, and the hours on the smaller dial (Figure 2). The smaller dial actually moves up and down but this is not noticeable, as movement is very slow. Figure 3 is a side view of the movement that shows the escape wheel whose action is quite amusing to watch. Time keeping is better than I had expected it to be, the square gearwheels introducing a slight variation causing it to gain then loose periodicallySo ends “A bad dream clock” that was an interesting and unusual project.

CAA News

Public Observing Sessions at the Institute.These sessions start on Wednesday 10th October 2007 and start at 7.15pm with a lecture from a researcher at the Institute. The lecture on the 10th October is Robin Catchpole on “Are We Alone?” Then if it’s clear there will observing from 8.00pm using the 12-inch Northumberland and 8-inch Thorrowgood refractors. While on the lawn we’ll have our big screen astronomy set-up using a 14 and 8-iinch SCTs and a wide angle lens giving guided tours of the night sky.

Practice sessions carry on every Wednesday at 7.00pm (except the 26th September), and members are welcome to come along and help or watch or shout encouragement! These practice sessions take place even if it’s cloudy, training will be given to anyone who wants to learn how to use these telescopes.

Loan TelescopesWe have five loan telescopes available for hire (a 10, two 9, a 8.5 and a 6-inch Dobsonian reflectors) at £10 for the two month loan period. They are easy to set and use and fit in the back of most cars, and come with a instruction booklet and maps. To book a telescope visit our website www.caa-cya.org there are no long waiting periods, or give Stanley a ring on 01223 880624.

CapellaWe always welcome member’s articles, photos, letters etc. for our newsletter, please send them to Ken Day at 28 Waddelow Road, Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9LA or. e-mail; ken.day@lineone.net Please make sure e-mail contributions are in .TXT format and that you put Capella or CAA in the title other wise Ken’s spam filter will munch it up never for it to see the light of day ever again!

Cambridge Young Astronomers7-11 year olds meetings

Saturday 29th September 2007Coach Trip to London

Have you got your tickets yet? If not and you want to go – you’d better get your skates on. Firstly pester mum, dad or whoever to bring you, of course using all the old tricks; tidying your room, being angelic, telling them repeatedly “It is educational.”, etc. For full details of the trip see page 3

Saturday 27th October 2007“Venus and Mercury.”

These two planets, known as inferior planets, because they are to be found inside the orbit of the Earth, have been known for an awfully long time. Venus which outshines all other planets is easy to find, whereas Mercury is very much dimmer and there are many astronomers who have never seen this elusive member of the solar system. We will be explaining what we know about these bodies and what we hope to learn from them, as several missions are planned to visit both.

This meeting is held at the Hoyle Building, Institute of Astronomy, Madingley Road. 10.00am to noon. There is a parent’s crèche if any adults wish to stay, but they must bring their own entertainment.

11+ age group meetings

Monday 1st October 2007“Supermassive and Superdense Objects.”

We will be looking at very massive stars of more that 100 solar masses and hopefully answering the question – how do they get so big? Stars like the Pitsol star that radiates about as much energy in 20 seconds as the Sun does in a year. Also along with the massive stars we will be investigating the very dense objects from black holes to white dwarfs – the remnants of larger stars once they have used up most of the nuclear fuel.

Monday 12th November 2007“Space Telescopes.”

Please note. This is the second Monday and not the usual first Monday of the month. Brian and the other presenters want to watch the fireworks – it’s Brian really!

The aging Hubble is the best known of all the space telescopes in orbit, but there are many telescopes working at various frequencies in orbit around the Earth. This session we will trace the history of telescopes and observatories that have operated and those still are working in space.

These meetings are held at the Hoyle Building, Institute of Astronomy, Madingley Road. 7.15pm to 8.45pm. Remember if it is clear, we’ll be doing some observing, so bring something to keep your warm.