On the web at http://www.nhastro.com/

Observer StaffEditor & Publisher:Paul Winalski

Newsletter of the New Hampshire Astronomical Society

Vol. 2008 No. 5 “All the news that fits in print” May 2008

NEAF and Astronomy Day

Panorama of this year's NEAF vendor area. (Tom Cocchiaro photo)

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Now that summer is closer ourschool public observing programslows down, but our Astro 101 and201 courses are going strong, withthe rescheduled Astro 101 “Stars”,Astro 101 “Collimation” and“Deep-Sky Objects” and the Astro201 “Carbon Stars” coming up onthe calendar. All these courses willbe held at Young’s Farm ObservingSite (YFOS) and weather permittingthere will be actual observingafterwards.

I will not be running the MayNHAS business meeting this monthas I am in Oregon for a weddingand some much needed vacation.V.P. Mike Townsend will handlethe meeting and I'm sure all will gowell. I’ll see you all when I get backat the end of the month.

� Gardner Gerry

NHAS President 2008

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Bad weather has forced many of theAstro 101 and 201 courses to berescheduled. We now have a veryfull calendar of Astro 101 and Astro201 events scheduled for May andJune. Check the club calendar (or

the reminder at the end of thisnewsletter) for details.

NHAS has received a substantialgrant from the New HampshireCharitable Foundation for thepurchase of equipment to furtherour public education and outreachprograms.

The NorthEast Astro ImagingConference (NEAIC) and NorthEastAstronomy Forum (NEAF) tookplace April 24-27. Several NHASmembers attended, and their reportsare included herein.

NHAS celebrated Astronomy Dayon 3 May, as part of ChristaMcAuliffe Planetarium’s“Spacetacular Saturday”. The nightbefore, there was a special Astro101 course for the public—a clinicon “How To Use Your NewTelescope”.

� Paul Winalski

NHAS Secretary 2008

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We have four new members sincelast newsletter...

Alfonso Navarro of ManchesterNHNorman Williams of Bow NH

Andy Fan of Cambridge MARebekah Kibbee of Concord NH

Please introduce yourself andwelcome these new members whenyou see them at Club Events.

NHAS hosted a “How to use yourtelescope” presentation at the CMPskywatch on May 2nd. This wasplanned as a presentation followedby field work under the stars. Theclouds didn't cooperate but thedome was a nice 2nd choice. Wehad about a dozen attendees, twobrought telescopes.

We have had several weatherrelated push outs for Astro 101/201events this spring. Thesereschedules have resulted in a verycompressed workshop schedule inMay and June. Talk about anembarrassment of riches...

May 16th: John Bishop presents anAstro 201 course on “Measurementof Astronomical Distances” at St.Anselm after our Business Meeting.

May 23rd: Paul Winalski presents“Deep Sky Observing: Stars” at7:30PM at YFOS (registrationappreciated).

May 30th: John Bishop presents“Collimation” at 7:00PM at YFOS(registration appreciated).

2 The NHAS Observer May 2008

June 6th: Paul Winalski presents“Deep Sky Observing: Clusters,Galaxy and Nebulae” at 7:30PM atYFOS (registration is appreciated).

June 27th: Paul Winalski presents anAstro 201 course on “Carbon Stars”at 7:30PM at YFOS. (registration isappreciated).

� Alan Shirey

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There have been no meetingsrecently of the AstrophotographyCommittee, but as always memberscontinue to post amazing images inthe “Pictures!” section of theMembers’ Forums section of theNHAS website. Be sure to checkthem out. And to post any imagesof your own.

� Gardner Gerry

NNNHHHAAASSS rrreeeccceeeiiivvveeesss $$$555000000000

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Tom Cocchiaro worked extremelyhard to land this grant for us. Mythanks to him on behalf of all of us!

About a year ago NHAS applied tothe New Hampshire CharitableFoundation for a grant to purchaseequipment to aid in our educationaloutreach activities. GPCF hasgranted us $5000 which we intendto use to purchase a PC, projector,and solar scope for use in publicpresentations and sky watches. Thiswill definitely help out or publiceducation program.

� Paul Winalski

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Two major annual events foramateur astronomers are theNorthEast Astro ImagingConference (NEAIC) and NorthEastAstronomy Forum (NEAF), whichtook place this year April 24-47.NEAF, in particular, is a majortrade show where vendors ofastronomical equipment fromaround the globe show off their newwares. Here are some reports, withpictures, from NHAS members whoattended these conferences.

� Paul Winalski

Check out the following for a list ofthe NEAIC presenters--some reallyneat people, work and techniques.

http://www.rocklandastronomy.com/NEAIC/

Most impressive were Jay GaBany,Ken Crawford and Thierry LeGault(solar imager). OK, so that's agiven. I've been all three yearsthey've offered it and have comeback with a notebook full ofmaterial. Also got a chance to talkpersonally for a while with CraigStark (PHD, Nebulosity, etc.)Really nice guy, very helpful andaccommodating.

All right, now for the intrigue andequipment reviews—WilliamOptics, four new scopes—a 70mmdoublet (nearly colorless, tacksharp—William was trying to getrid of the floor model for $430cash—luckily the ATM ran out);FLT98mm, carbon fiber body, redanodized trim, beauty, FPL-53glass, tack sharp, colorless—only100 will be made, get yours whileyou can, $2,000; a beautiful gold ongold 110mm—didn't get a chance tocheck it out, and an FLT157mm, amonster—now you won't have towait in line for an AP.

Bob Denkmayer and RussLederman of DenkmeierBinoviewers parted company inJuly of 2007. This year a newcompany turned up at NEAFoffering sexy black and gold trimbinoviewers suspiciously similar tothe Denkemeiers. The company,EarthWin—the president, BobDenkmayer—more to come.

Andy Lunt and Lunt SolarSystems—if you put your order inquickly, you can get a 60mm,double-stacked solar scope with aBF-1200 blocking filter suitable forastrophotography (<.5A) for $1,500.But you’ll need to order quickly. Ifyou're fast, and you order it fromLunt directly, you can get it by July.If you wait to order it from anauthorized dealer, you’ll go to theend of the line and not likely getyour hands on one until Christmasor after.

Found an 80mm, carbon fiber tripletfor $600 made by APMTelescopes—not sure whether or

not this was a show special. Ever so,almost imperceptible color with a10mm eyepiece pointed at the grillof one of the overhead gym lights.Could read the numbers on a $5 billtaped to the concrete wall on thegym overlook nearly 100 yardsaway. Chase McNiss and Mike

O’Shaughnessy went aroundchecking all the doublets andtriplets of this particular model—several were on the floor. Mikeeven went so far to make the phonecall to Cathy to get permission topurchase one of them he was soimpressed with the performance—as was I. Not sure if he ever got achance to snag one as they weredisappearing fast off the floor.

David Back appears to be partneringwith APM Telescopes—looks likehe is going to be supplying TMBoptics for the scopes. David is thebrother of the late Thomas M. Back.Apparently he is going to try andkeep the brand alive.

I purchased a bunch of eyepiecessome of which I may end up selling.Bought three versions of 5mmeyepieces—a straight VixenLanthanum 5mm, a VixenLanthanum LVW 5mm and a TMB5mm. Will see which one I likebest, I think it will probably be theLVW 5mm (read some glowingreviews on it). Also got a BaaderHyperion 8mm modular eyepiece ata steal price and two TMB 10mmeyepieces for my new binoviewer.Bought the full boat Denkmeierbinoviewer direct from RussLederman—the new and improvedmodel spotlighted in this past issueof Astronomy Technology Today.Got 20% off the going price for thewhole Universal kit which includesall the OCS pieces needed for myMeade SN10 and WO FLT110.Also picked up a pair of Oberwerk10.5x70 binos from KevinBuskarow of Big Binoculars—theyare supposed to be some of thesharpest to the edge, flatest fieldbinos around this side of Zeiss—butfor 1/7 the price. These appear to bethe same ones offered by Garrett intheir Signature Series. When will Ilearn not to bring plastic to NEAF.

May 2008 The NHAS Observer 3

Will be interesting to see if CloudyNight plans on posting the webcastfor others to see, but I expect thatbeing there is way better thanwatching it on TV. Accomplishedone of my must dos as well, shookhands and talked with Dr. HeidiHammel of Science Channel fame(Shoemaker-Levy collision segmentshowing her behind the computermonitor shrieking at the incomingvideo of the bombardment ispriceless). She is as exuberant andanimated in person as she is on TV.

Jealous yet?

� Tom Cocchiaro

NEAF photos by Rich Schuller:

Gardner Gerry, Joe Derek, Chase

McNiss, and Mike Townsend on

the NEAF exhibit floor.

Marc Stowbridge (here with

Gardner and Rich), demonstrated

creating an analemma using a

goto scope, stakes and laser

pointers.

Gardner couldn't stop smiling

seeing this El Capitan mount.

This was his goal of the day. I

think he’s got some ideas brewing

there.

Rich has a few ideas of his own. I

did make the bolt pattern this

size, now if I can only convince

the wife about the combo. (Will

the observatory fit it?)

� Rich Schuller

And more NEAF images from Tom

Cocchiaro:

Andy Lunt shows off his new line

of solar scopes.

Lots of telescopes and

publications at this year's show.

Howie Glatter talks to passersby

about his laser collimators.

� Tom Cocchiaro

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We had a productive Friday eveningat the Scope Clinic. The rain andovercast skies eliminated the skywatch aspect but the dome wascomfortable.

Our audience numbered over 12people. NHAS members that cameto help included Chase McNiss,Bill Steele, Gardner Gerry andmyself.

Two people brought scopes. Onecouple seemed to have a timepressure and although they weredutifully taking notes during thetalk, they left prior to the helpsession.

We did have fun with an CelestronAstroMaster Telescope, and helpeda family with guidance on how touse it. This is a curious littleNewtonian reflector that is indicatedas a 114mm F8.77 with a FL of1000mm. The tube length is onlyabout 18 inches, so the FL wasachieved with the help of a barlowintegrated into the focuser

mechanism.

Overall, despite the overcast andinability to do field work, it was agood session.

� Alan Shirey

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While the weather was almost theworst it could be for Spacetacular

4 The NHAS Observer May 2008

Saturday, May 3 at the ChristaMcAuliffe Planetarium, there werea number of hardy and curious soulswho came out for the event. Someeven stopped by the NHAS Tent tovisit and talk about Astronomy.

Photos by Tom Cocchiaro:

The NHAS Tent, albeit a little

soggy.

A young lady who stopped by

during he day to pick up

information and ask questions.

John Bishop explains something

to visitors. (Gardner Gerry photo)

Under the NHAS tent. (Gardner

Gerry photo)

� Tom Cocchiaro

� Gardner Gerry

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My thanks to Matt Amar for takingminutes, as I was late to the meetingand didn’t arrive until after thebreak.

ATM

Larry Lopez reports that an old-style mount fixed up by Steve

Forbes is available.

YFOS

Larry reports that the porta-pottyneeds to be pumped, and its lightdoesn’t work.

Membership

Gardner Gerry reported that theAstro 101 talk on “Collimation” hasbeen rescheduled for 9 May. TheAstro 101 talk on “How To UseYour New Telescope” will be 2May at CMP.

Astrophotography

Gardner reports that the committeehasn’t met recently. Herb Bubert

has published five years of hisSaturn images on the website.

Radio Astronomy

No report.

Public Observing

Marc Stowbridge reported thatthere are several sky watches, andsidewalk observing sessions, in theworks.

Webmaster

No report.

Astronomy Day

Gardner has a list of volunteers.We will be setting up between thetrees along the road just in back ofthe Planetarium.

Other Business

Paul Winalski presented ananimation of a close pass (1/2 solardiameter) of Mercury and the Sun atsuperior conjunction, courtesy ofthe SOlar and HeliographicObservatory (SOHO) C2coronagraph.

Joel Harris gave a most impressivewalk-through of his CMP domedesign proposal in SolidWorksCAD software. Unfortunately,CMP had already committed to adesign by the time the presentationwas ready for submission.

Scope of the Month

Mike Townsend brought a Vixen103mm f/7.7 (785mm focal length)2 element ED apochromaticrefractor. It has a 2” focuser,carrying handle, and 9x50 finder. Ithas good optics, with 1/8 wavespherical correction and good colorcorrection.

Evening Program

Dave McDonald gave us apresentation on the CMP dome ofthe Dutch documentary “Dawn ofthe Space Age”. CMP has the onlyhigh-definition copy in the USA.Using computer-generated graphics,this film presents the entire historyof mankind’s exploration of space,from Sputnik through Apollo.Coming from the Netherlands, itgives a very balanced presentationof both the US and USSR spaceprograms. I highly recommend thisif you haven’t seen it.

� Paul Winalski

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Starting Balance: $5293.65

Deposits/Credits: 99.00Accounts/Paid: 77.70(Handy House, USPS/stamps)

Net Account Balance: $5314.95

Petty cash drawer: $100.00

Cash Balance: $5414.95

2008 Membership: 131

New members:Rebekah Kibbee, Concord, NHAndy Fan, Cambridge, MA

� Chase McNiss

DEADLINE June 2008 Issue: 5 PM June 13E-mail articles to the Editor.CHANGE OF ADDRESS – Notify the Treasurer of changes to postal or e-mail address.

How to Join N.H.A.S.Write to us: Send E-mail to:NHAS info@nhastro.comP.O. Box 5823Manchester, NH 03108-5823 Use our web site:Attn: Treasurer http://www.nhastro.com/

This month's contributors:Gardner Gerry, Tom Cocchiaro, Alan Shirey, Rich Schuller, Chase McNiss

New Hampshire Astronomical SocietyP.O. Box 5823Manchester, NH 03108-5823

Event Date Time Location

Astro 101: Stars May 23 7:30 PM YFOS

Astro 101: Collimation May 30 7:00 PM YFOS

CMP Public Sky Watch June 6 7:00 PM Christa McAuliffe Planetarium

Coffee House Night June 6 5:00 PM YFOS

Astro 101: Deep Sky Objects June 6 7:30 PM YFOS

Spring Cleaning Session June 7 12:00 PM YFOS

NHAS Business Meeting June 20 7:30 PM Christa McAuliffe Planetarium

Astro 201: Stellar Evolution June 21 7:00 PM Grainger Observatory, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter NH

Astro 201: Carbon Stars June 27 7:30 PM YFOS

NHAS Upcoming Events

2008 OfficersPresident: Gardner Gerry

VicePresident: Mike TownsendTreasurer: Chase McNissSecretary: Paul Winalski