The Newsletter of the Miami Valley Astronomical Society * Dayton, OH

June 28th, this is the third of six scheduled groups of “Night Campers” from Glen Helen Ecocamp. They are at John Bryan State Park Observatory on Thursday’s this year. Four telescopes were operational Between 8:30 and 12:30. This week eighteen of the “Night Campers” and three of their leaders enjoyed their time at JB. Our telescopes were focused and operational early because the Moon was an early target. It was a nine-day old Moon so plenty of lunar details could be seen including the “Strait Wall”. Jean-Luc Caillat and Mike Baker set up their telescopes well before dark. Jean-Luc with his eleven inch Cassegrain was able to align on the Moon and then go to Saturn and Mars before they were seen without a telescope! Mike, after aligning his telescope had a great view of Saturn. Mars was too far away to be at its best. The planet was recognized as Mars and if you looked you could tell its phase of about ninety percent. That said Saturn was magnificent! I pulled the sixteen inch Dobsonian telescope outside. Before it got dark. The sixteen worked great aiming on the moon. The “Night Campers” would find out later that the Moon was way too bright to see through the big scope. The “Maury’s Telescope” was opened with help and aligned on Saturn. The scope worked well. I would let them move the scope around and help them if

needed. They quickly learned how to aim the scope using the “Telrad”. I was mostly with the eighteen inch scope and found good views of many objects. M13, M3 M81and M82 were a few of the better targets. Jean-Luc and Mike were all over the sky with their GO-TO telescopes and would invite the “Night Campers” back for another view after they aimed at another object.With hazy skies and a bright Moon we were limited on seeing but were able to show the “Night Campers” many objects in the sky. It was a good group of kids. Snacks were brought in around eleven. They were devoured quickly. Our observatory is not the best but it is very comfortable. Plenty of thanks were shared and they left with good memories.

July 2012

Indiana Family Star Party and Astronomical League GreatCon will be held July 19-22

There are several more Glen Helen Stargazes yet to be done this summer, if you are able to help, please contact

Joe Tarkany

Glen HelenStargaze by Joe Tarkany

Nasa Mothballs

Shuttle Program One

Year Ago This Month

If you missed our speaker at Apollo Rendezvous, you missed a fascinating and informative look at the work involved with astrophotography. The MVAS Library now has Warren Kel-ler’s complete set of computer video tutorials. If you have an interest in astrophotography, or are just curious about this aspect of our hobby, you can check out these computer discs.

IP4AP- Image Processing For Astrophotography - Superd-isk contains 21 video tutorials in the Basics series, and an additional 30 video tutorials take you to the next level of mastering Photoshop for Astrophotography to bring out the best in your images!

Let “Image Processing for Astrophotography - Superdisk” be your guide to the easy and fun way to learn the most sought after techniques in Astro-Imaging. Unleash the power of Adobe Photoshop on your Astro-Im-ages! You’ve made a large investment in equipment - Now make a small one and learn the secrets of producing stun-ning Astrophotographs.

IP4AP has produced three series of quality videos called Photoshop Foundations Basics, Photoshop Foundations Intermediate Part-1 and Part-2 The Five Ss. They’ll convince you.... Visual learning is the easy and fun way to go!Superdisk Features...

Easy to understand lessons are broken into 5-10 minute • segments for learning at your leisure.Video referencing allows you to experience what a • program does by walking the user through each click-by-click function. Self-pacing tutorials permit the user to repeat lessons • or return at anytime for a refresher course. Pause the tutorial and try what you’ve learned on your • own images!

Learn the art of Astrophotographic Post-Processing be-• ginning with the Basics and progress at your own pace.

S/N part 1 = Soup to NutsWarren walks you through Preprocessing, and catches you up to the workspace of Photoshop CS4 and 5, filling in the gap between the latest versions and where the prior series left off in CS2. Also covered are the brand new Astroart 5.0 and MaxIm DL 5.

Catch up to the workspace of Photoshop CS5 See the • many advances over CS2 in which Photoshop Founda-tions (IP4AP Superdisk) was recorded Explains Data Reduction Theory, Understand the effect • Biases, Darks, Flats, and Defect Maps have on your Light frames Covers Preprocessing Monochrome, One-Shot-Color, • and DSLR workflow: calibration, color conversion, align-ment, stacking, deconvolution, DDP and other stretch-es, filters, etc. are discussed. Learn the ins and outs of preparing quality Master file

The library also now has the Sky & Telescope MARS compu-ter disc.

Produced a couple years ago by, and generously donated by club member Mark Stabler, this computer disc contains hundreds of images and videos of Mars. This is an incred-ible close-up look at the work done by the rovers and other NASA missions.

If you are interested in the exploration of our neighbor planet that NASA has been doing over the last decade, check this out. The imagery is awesome.

New In the MVAS LibraryThree new computer discs that run through your web browser by Jim Ventling

Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls Atlantis and the STS-135 crew completed a 13-day mission to the International Space Station and the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program, early Thursday morning, July 21, 2011.

Your help is needed in two areas, the first being with the cutting of the grass at JBO. Grass generally needs cut weekly and an e-mail goes out the first part of the week with when a work party is scheduled for that week. Generally it will be a Wednesday or Thursday evening depending on the weather for that week. We’ve had a great turn out of members to help so far this cutting season, but it seems to be the same group doing so and we thank them for that. Since they are not the only ones who use the compound, we asked that all members help out with this chore, especially key holders. If you read your key holders agreement it does state that you will be asked to help with the yard chores. We do know that there are members who for health reasons just can’t cut grass, that is understanda-ble, and there may be a week that the scheduled night doesn’t fit into your personal schedule, again that is understandable, but we do ask that if there is a week that you can help out that you do so. This way the bur-den doesn’t fall on just a few people, but all who enjoy coming out to JBO.

The second area that your help is needed is when an event does take place at JBO that everyone helps with the clean-up of the yard, hallway, and warm room. To help with the critters lurking around we need to be sure that all food items are cleaned up, along with any caps, cups, plates, napkins and such. If we have an event that food is brought in, that when you leave you take what items you brought with you. What has been happening is that you leave those items and someone has to dispose of them when it’s time to leave.

We also ask that if you are part of the last group to leave that we use the buddy system. Once the compound is cleaned up, someone be responsible for taking down the trash, locking up the front doors, gate to the compound and entrance gate. Please wait with the person who is locking the compound gate, and the person tagged with locking the entrance gate. This way we know all our members are leaving the park safely and all the items have been taken care of cor-rectly. Once again it’s nice to share these responsibili-ties among those who use the JBO compound.

Your help with both of these items is greatly appreci-ated by all MVAS members.

Help Needed at JBO

Enter the Interna-tional Dark-Sky As-sociation’s Darksky Giveaway for an astronomically grand prize— a set of eight TeleVue Ethos eyepieces valued at $5,665, generously donated by Televue Optics.

To enter the IDA’s Darksky Giveaway, you must be an IDA

member before the entry closeout date of August 31, 2012. If you are not a member, joining is easy and the cost of a one-year membership is only $35.00. To join or renew your membership, visit www.darksky.org and select the “Join” tab at the top of the webpage. You can also join by calling the IDA office at (520) 293-3198. Entering to win is also a breeze. Visit darksky.org/giveaway where you can fill out the entry form online and read the official rules.

Individual memberships help IDA perform its mission in stopping light pollution and helps to support its many programs. Through the International Dark Sky Places program, IDA and its partners certify locations with exceptional nightscapes as International Dark Sky Communities, International Dark Sky Parks, and International Dark Sky Reserves. The Dark Sky Parks and Protected Area Program currently works with national parks to help them utilize quality outdoor lighting. IDA’s new Suburban Outreach Sites project partners with astronomy clubs to establish accessible programs for kids and their parents. These programs help IDA to engage communities and to raise aware-ness and ultimately “to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor light-ing.”

IDA members make a big difference in their communi-ties and around the world, which is why IDA is thrilled to offer its members such a premium giveaway from Televue Optics. Make sure you enter the DarkSky Giveaway by the deadline and good luck!

To learn more, visit www.darksky.org.

The winner will be announced at the Pacific Astrono-my and Telescope Show in September 2012, but does not need to attend PATS to win.

Thank you to everyone who attended Apollo Rendezvous this year. Your attendance and support made it one of our best Apollo Rendezvous in several years. The event started Friday night at our dark sky site located at John Bryan State Park Observatory with picture perfect weather. We started the evening with a dinner of hot dogs, beans, chips and cookies. Club members Jim Ventling and Dave Polan, held our workshops on “The Anatomy of a Telescope” and “How to Clean Your Scope”. Good information was given to those who attended.

The night did clear nicely for observing with the many club scopes that were available. Also in attendance that evening was Bill and Tammy Burgess, from Burgess Optical. Bill was thrilled to be able to view the night skies, some-thing he doesn’t get to do often and to be with those who attended that evening.

Several door prizes and a raffle were also held that evening. For a list of winners and items given away, check the MVAS website under Apollo Rendezvous 2012.

Saturday we moved to the Boonshoft Museum for several sessions with Warren Keller giving great information on Astrophotography. The Boonshoft also provided several planetarium shows in their newly renovated planetarium.

Awards were given out by Pat Johnson, our club event coordinator, to club members who go above and beyond in helping with outreach events. Door prizes and raffle prizes were also given out that afternoon, please visit the website for a list of winners.

We ended the event back at John Bryan State Park Ob-servatory again with a dinner of sloppy joes, and a variety of food brought by those in attendance. The evening was perfect again for observing with many scopes set up to view from.

For those who attended we asked that they log on and take our survey with your thoughts of the event.There is a link for Friday and Saturday’s events. Check out Friday’s survey on line: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LH53TFP . Saturday’s survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/sVJ2NJGZ. We will send out an e-mail in the coming months asking what you would like to see at Apollo Rendezvous next year.

Apollo Rendezvous

Wrap UPArticle by Linda Weiss, Photos by Bob Connell

Welcome New MembersWelcome back to Patricia Jordan. Patricia was a member a few years ago, took some time off and has decided to join us again. So we welcome her back and look forward to seeing her at meetings and events.

Welcome to Chris Brumbaugh and Daniel Bellamy. We look forward to seeing and meeting both Chris and Dan at club meetings and events.

Please be sure to see Carl our Membership Director for your membership cards and our next meeting or event. Carl has several members who haven’t picked up their cards. If you haven’t received your membership card, please see Carl to do so. If you need to have your card mailed to you, please send Carl an email asking him to mail it to you. Carl can be reach at membership@mvas.org

Saturday, June 16th was our monthly member’s night for MVAS members and their guest. The weather wasn’t so great, but the fellowship was, with 21 members and a very special guest in attendance. Our dinner was pot luck, which featured sloppy joes, beans, potato skins, chips, salads and desserts. The skies started off cloudy but did clear off later in the evening. With the arrival of our special guest (skunk), we ended the evening hoping we were not going home smelling of skunk perfume. Yes he was that close. Nothing we did sent him on his way. He was there to stay. With this said let me just add that this is the third time we have been visited by special guests. One night several weeks ago there were 3 of them, but they were further out in the compound. Just be mindful of their presents, generally if you leave them alone they won’t bother you and will eventually be on their way. In all the years I’ve been at JB this is the first year I can say they have been very present and not off in the distance. We ask that you keep the food items cleaned up and just be aware that they are present. Our next member’s night will be Saturday, July 21. Watch your e-mail for what’s happening that night.

JuneMember’sNight at JB by Linda Weiss

“The Story of Astronomy” by Peter Aughton From the ancient origins of astronomy to the Co-pernican revolution, and from Galileo to Hawking’s research into black holes, “The Story of Astronomy” charts the discoveries of some of the greatest minds in human history, and their attempts to unveil the secrets of the stars. Peter Aughton’s trademark nar-rative style is to the fore, demystifying some of the biggest breakthroughs in the history of science, and packed full of fascinating nuggets such as why we have 60 minutes in an hour, how the Romans bodged the invention of the leap year and when people really discovered the Earth wasn’t flat (a thousand years before Columbus).And explaining in the most straightforward and compelling of ways what New-ton, Einstein, Hubble and Hawking really achieved.

Richly informative and readable, “Star Sight” is a fascinating journey through 3000 years of stargazing. Included are chapters on: The Origins of Astronomy, Finding Longitude, From Babylon to Ancient Greece, Einstein, The Almagest, Hubble’s Universe, Persian Stargazing, The Microcosm and the Macrocosm, Nicholas Copernicus, Beyond the Visible Spectrum, Tycho and Kepler, Black Holes and Quasars Galileo Stephen, Hawking Newton and The Clockwork, Universe, The Moment of Creation, William Herschel, and The Future.

Book Review Corner by Jim Ventling

Photo Corner

MVAS Officers&

CommitteesPresident -

Robert Connell - 937-367-4688

Vice President -

Jim Ventling - 937-376-2074

Secretary -

Linda Weiss - 937-371-2867

Treasurer -

David Orth - 937-241-3101

Membership Director-

Carl Allen - 937-898-6152

Observatory Committees -

AO - Charles Shirk 937-718-4066

JB - Dave Polan 513-313-3817.

Qualifications Committee -

Dave Polan - 513-313-3817

Events and Outreach Coordinator-

Pat Johnson 937-671-3001

Librarian- / Programs-

Jim Ventling - 937-376-2074

Past President-

Rick Weiss

Astronomical League (Alcor)-

Alan Zucksworth - 937-256-6822

Newsletter Editor-

Rick Weiss

John Bryan Observatory Phone

937-767-8478

M20 – SC8 at f/10 and ISO 3200

Member Image of the Month

Venus Transit Observing at Washington Mill park in Bellbrookwith Dan Gardner

M20 – SC8 at f/10 and ISO 3200 by John Graham

Classifieds Section The Amateur Astronomer now has a classified section. Please consider posting your items for sale or throwing out a greeting to one of your fellow members.

iOptron Cube Pro Goto Mount w GPSholds 12 lbs with included counterweight, 7lbs without counterweight USB cable, AC power cable, 12v battery cable (can also run on AA batteries) used lightly for solar viewing $300Jim Ventling VP@MVAS.org

12.5” F/6 Newtonian telescope on professionally made dual worm gear German equatorial mount.

Coulter Optics mirror, recoated with enhanced alumi-• num (96% reflectivity) by Spectrum Coatings.Square aluminum tube designed for optimum stray • light rejection.JMI Crayford focuser.• Mount designed by Alan Bell won an award at Stel-• lafane in the 1980s. Updated with a dual worm/wheel stepper motor drive. Variable speed controller.Stepper motor driven tangent arm for declination • control.Circuit diagrams provided.• Built in 8 position filter wheel.• Mirror cooling fans.• Outrigger to mount guide telescope.• 50 mm 7x finder.•

Will consider selling mount and tube assembly separately.$1575 will drive up to 300 miles from Dayton Ohio to deliver. Dave Wickholm, email to: my_endgame@yahoo.com

LX200 12” GPSOne of the big benefits included with this scope is that ithas been SuperCharged by Dr. Clay Sherrod (the scope is stamped by him).I am the original owner (have receipts); scope is in excellentcondition, great optics, perfect tracking; selling because I purchased a Planewave from a research grant. Will accept check, money order, cashier’s check. Asking $3000 or best offer. Here are the included items(you can’t beat this price on any 12” Scope):

Supercharge by Dr. Clay Sherrod1. Moonlite focuser with controller box (replaces the 2. original microfocuser)Counter Balance Kit for balancing photographic equip-3. mentPlastic gears replaced with Stainless Steel Peterson 4. Engineering Buck GearsJMI traveling hard case5. Meade Derotator6. Peterson Engineering Get-a-Grip Ergonomic scope 7. handlesFeather-touch micro-focuser (replaces Meade manual 8. focuser knob).JMI Wheeley Bar for moving it from a closed area to an 9. open areaMitty Wedge10. Secondary mirror adjustment screws replaced with 11. Bob’s knobs.Focal reducers (6.3 and 3.3)12. Heavy duty Tripod13. Other accessories (AC adapter and others).14.

See attached pictures. Contact phone: (505)362-1941.Thanks. Tom

Celestron CPC 925 GOTO-GPS with tripod. In addition to original equipment, also includes 2” diagonal, Crayford style focuser, Astrozap dewshield and ADM balance system. Looks new. Great optics. Owners manual and original shipping boxes. Asking $1450. George at 937-866-1976.

Astrozap 250mm X 250mm Baader Visual Film. $39.00 contact linda.weiss@mvas.org

Photo by Ed Novac

Photo by Ed Novac

Photo by Ed Novac

Photo by Dan Gardner

Photo by Jean-Luc Caillat

Photo by Jean-Luc Caillat

Photo by Rick WeissPhoto by Ron Wellman

Apollo Rendezvous 2012Photos by Dick Swan

School Programs None on the Calandar at ths time

At the Boonshoft Friday Night at the Museum Enjoy a stargaze at the Booneshoft Museum! Take a look through the 20” telescope at the Apollo Observatory any clear Friday night after sunset, weather permitting. Often there are also telescopes setup in the parking lot as well.Time: 7:00 - 11:00 PM

Club Meetings General Meetings Held every 2nd Friday of each month except June. Meetings begin at 7:30 PM at the Booneshoft Museum of Discovery. Date: 7/13/2012

Date: 8/10/2012

At John Bryan Observatory Glen Helen Stargazes

Date: Saturday, 7/5, 7/12, 7/19/2012.Club members may come and help with observing.

Camper’s Stargaze This is a public event and will be held in the parking area across from the Day Lodge.

Date: 7/14 and 7/28/2012Time: 8:30 - 11:30 PM

Date: 8/11/2012Time: 8:30 - 11:30 PM

Date: 8/25/2012Time: 8:30 - 11:30 PM

More Events At John Bryan Observatory

Member’s NightDate: 7/21/2012Time: 6:00 - ????? Date: 8/18/2012Time: 6:00 - ?????

Other Important Dates To Consider AlCon 2012 Date: 7/4/2012 - 7/8/2012 Location: Chicago

This is the annual Astronomical League’s convention. This year’s event is in the Chicago area. Several club members are considering attending this event. Please visit the Astronomical League’s website for more details.

Indiana Family Star Party Date: 7/19/2012 - 7/22/2012 Location: Camp Cullom, in Frankfort, INThis is a real nice stargaze with nice skys. Various members of the club have attended this event over the years. Please seek out a club member for more information.

Caesar’s Creek Stargaze Date: 8/11/2012

Events

Editors Note:Editor Rick WeissPlease submit articles, photographs, and other newsletter items to rick.weiss@mvas.org

The Amateur Astronomeris a publication of the

Miami Valley Astronomical Societyof Dayton, Ohio