Published by the Astronomical League Vol. 71, No. 4 September 2019

THE BLUE PLANET REPORT FROM STELLAFANE

7.20.69 5 PERSPECTIVE ON APOLLO YEARS APOLLO 11 HOW TO GAIN AND RETAIN NEW MEMBERS 2020 Calendar

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+30° AURIG A +30° Fast Facts TAURUS Orion +20° χ1 χ2 +20° GE MIN I ated winter nights are domin ο1 Mid ξ ν 2 What’s Your Pleasure? ORIO N ο ion. This tion Or +10° by the constella 1 a π Meiss λ 2 μ π +10° 2 φ1 attended by his φ 3 unter, α γ π cosmic h Bellatrix 4 Betelgeuse π d ω Canis Major an ψ ρ π5 hunting dogs, π6 0° intaka aurus the M78 δ M , follows T 0° ε and Minor Alnitak Alnilam h ζ σ η vens eac EROS ross the hea MONOC M43 M42 Bull ac θ τ ι υ ess pursuit. β –10° night in endl Saiph Rigel –10° κ The showpiece of the ANI S C LEPU S ERIDANU S ion MAJOR constellation is the Or ORION (Constellation) –20° wn here), –20° Nebula (M42,sho ion 5 hr; Location: Right Ascens a region of nebulosity ° north 4h Declination 5 5h 6h 7h a: 594 square degrees and starbirth just 1,300 Are 3 4 5 6 0 1 2 -2Symb-1ol: The Hunter way that is Orion Nebula); light-years a ...... Notable Objects: M42 ( 4 024 e as a President’s Corner la); NG C 2 aked ey M78 (planetary nebu visible to the n (Flame Nebula) ion’s sword. ebula); cloudy patch in Or Barnard 33 (Horsehead N sy stem) ide the winter Trapezium (multiple star Positioned astr is (Betelgeuse, o Brightest Stars: α Orion , Orion is home t ” a; β Milky Way Arabic for “armpit of Orion leg of th, sprawling From Famous Observatories to Solar Eclipse rionis (Rigel, Arabic for “ prodigious starbir O , and Orion”) regions of nebulosity o ok at extreme stars. Here is a l de rs the treasures within the bor MORE THAN A HUNTER ter sky...... has long 4 rion’s hourglass shape of this icon of the win Library Telescope Giveaway O l y an form, most durab onjured images of a hum c ld at the read y, hunter, club poised, shie that of a venly spaced ng from a belt of three e OLOR and sword dangli s. EHEAD OF A DIFFERENT C ve seen other pattern HORS rs. But other cultures ha nebula also sta boonkeoni ni, orsehead Nebula, a dark rica’s Ojibwe people see Bi The famous H ust and North Ame rion ’s s a notch of obscuring d cient Aztecs identified O known as Barnard 33, i d the Wintermaker; an t nebula IC 434, a clou ng the wood sticks ated in front of the brigh as Mamalhuaztli, representi TLAS gas loc ust sou th Belt esian ocean MOLECULAR CLOUD A ized hydrogen. It can be seen j t a ceremonial fire; Polyn of glowing ion gth s used to ligh t ion Molecular Alnitak. In visual wavelen ionakeiki because i Orion is home to the Or of the leftmost belt star, voyagers called it Heihe ng regions pears as a silhouette. at’s cradle game. complex of star formi , top) the Horsehead ap embled the string of a c Cloud, a oss. (below g from the Hubble res ndreds of light-years acr Infrared imagin spanning hu ver, peers isible in this image. Space Telesocpe, howe Many portions are v r, ...... below the belt he background matte 5 Orion Nebula appears through t Library Telescope Update The ble, e ring it invisi bove Orion’s two feet; th eectively rende stars and a f the lame Nebulae surround and shows the clouds o Horsehead and F ed bda ead as though illuminat Take Your Pick From These Tours the leftmost belt star; the Lam Horseh ’s “head”; and directly (bottom). Orionis region is at Orion circles the Barnard’s Loop nearly en us arc. constellation in a nebulo

March 2020 S M T W T F S ...... 4 5 6 7 5 2020 1 2 3 Full STEAM Ahead January 14 8 9 10 11 12 13 19 20 21 M T W T F S 15 16 17 18 S 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 22 23 24 25 1 0 0 31 10 1 2 29 3 8 9 0 6 7 2 5 uary 18 r 16 17 b 14 15 e Sav 12 13 F 25 19 20 21 22 23 24 e 26 27 28 29 30 31 Saturday 2 y Y5%DS y Frida PROLIFIC PROPL y Thursda of Wednesda ET s home to dozens Tuesday First Qtr Moon 8:42 PM The Orion Nebula i Monday de lyds for short), Sunday February Sky Gui 1 tary disks (prop sily glimpsed low in protoplane an be most ea th cury , elusive as ever, c th 3 . wborn stars • Mer set betwee n the 10 and 1 nal incubators for ne In 1880, the Orion Nebul est-southwes t after sun the fi a the w stern sky tems. These disks ight all month in the s outhwe heir planetary sys • Venus is a stunn ing s ok for a young and t became the rst nebul r ing about 30° high. Lo aporatin g a night falls, appea th scent stars are ev as ar on the 27 ...... surrounding na cent Moon passing ne ever photographed; sinc cres 6 m other lin e 30° long in the Observe the Moon Night radiation fro e form a diagonal Missile Agency torted by er, and Sa turn t), 6: Army Ballistic or being dis • Mars , Jupit an d farthest right (wes 195 eca use then, M42 has become th as t. Mars is highest (ABMA) established $ oplyds glow b predawn southe Saturn is farthest t Titan I launch tars. Some pr e ddle, and 1959: Firs during nearby s ter is brightest and in the mi ses near huttle Columbia destroyed Travel Down Under to visit top ppea r most photographed dee Jupi zon. Th e Moon pas 2003: S e rs a cl osest to the hori th ntry; seven astronauts di stars within, and othe p left (east) and th Saturn on the 20 . ree 14of the new th ter on the 19 , and atter beh ind sky object Mars on the 18 , Jupi dark because of bright m . Australian Observatories orm the basis for 8 f them. The.95 proplyds often 7 ng the stars. 6 planetary systems orbiti 4 5 Vesta 0.5° south of Moon 2 3 IFER WISEMAN JENN 1828: Jules Verne born , thered spacewalk b 4 mission ends, last d n gine 1984: First unte 1974: 84-day Skyla As an undergra 1966: Luna 9 lands on Moo First test of Apollo SPS en st comet probe launched py Skylab n nger launched 1965: hed 1999: Stardu crew to occu Wis ema 1984: STS-41B Challe 967: Lunar Orbiter III launc 1: Alan Shepard hits TS-98 Atlantis launched S-130 Endeavour launched o Jennifer covery launched 1 n Moon 197 2001: S 2010: ST Dis s o nched sics 1994: STS-60 ileen 1971: Apollo 14 land on Moon 2008: STS-122 Atlantis lau r les y -63 Discovery launched; E 0 uses gravity of Venus to Heavy launch observatories, including Siding 95: STS ariner 1 Falcon studied ph 19 ilot 1974: M 2018: First 17 PM ET e shuttle p its trajectory to Mercury Last Qtr Moon 5: at MIT, wher the ISS launch n adjust ...... 2006: Astronauts aboard 1906: Clyde Tombaugh bor 15 d onary 7 she discovere SuitSat satellite Juno stati 4 s uth of Moon 1 Deep-Sky Objects 0.6° so t Groundhog Day Juno 13 the come ation 2 - Mercury at greatest elong 1 October 1–9, 2019 114P/Wiseman 2:33 AM ET 11 n Full Moon (18° E) 10 Ski . She the Moon at perigee . 9 earned a Ph.D y in astronom PAGE 7 d alilei born at Harvar 1564: Galileo G craft . una 20 launched r 10 University. Dr 1972: L 1973: Pionee lt s 0: Solar Max launched ass through the asteroid be e nese satellite launched 198 stem portrait to p r Chelyabinsk, Wiseman studi 1970: First Japa 1990: Voyager 1 solar sy 2013: Meteor explodes ove shuttle landing at KSC elects contractor to build yer born steroid Eros people r 1984: First 1963: NASA s 1852: Johan Dre to 2000: NEAR orbits a Russia, injuring 1,500 ns in ou TS-82 Discovery launched ler Transporter nd Jähn b y n g regio opes 1997: S nched the Craw Mars 1937: Sigmu Valentine’s Da star formi io telesc 0: STS-99 Endeavour lau : Mars 5 enters orbit around d rad raft passes by Venus 200 bservatory 1974 oid Eros e k 1990: Galileo spacec 2010: Solar Dynamics O 2001: NEAR lands on aster galaxy. She us piter Spring and “The Dish” at Parkes. t s of dense dar the last on its way to Ju launched Moon 22 n, f to map lamen Apollo 14 returns from Moo st Atlas II launch Pluto 0.7° north o form behind 1971: 1992: Fir 9° north of Moon orth of Moon 21 s now post-mission quarantine Jupiter 0. Saturn 1.7° n gas where star is ars 0.8° south of Moon 20 . Dr. Wiseman S A’s M 19 Orion nebula hysicist at NA ry stationary 18 a senior astrop n Mercu 17 i ght Center i e 16 Goddard Space Fl rves as th w here she se the Maryland, ect scientist rfo ...... j . senior pro 7 e lescope ts record The Year in nched; se Wanderers in the Neighborhood osmos 110 lau Hubble Space T 1966: C : John Glenn becom n space (22 days) 1962 for dogs i launched to orbit Earth : First Navstar GPS satellite rd 2 launched ts the Moon, returns ket launched in 1978 nched 1959: Vangua 1965: Ranger 8 impac 1931: First liquid-fuel roc 1996: STS-75 Columbia lau 65: Ranger 8 launched Pluto discovered hs 19 aunched 1930: speed record n photograp it Europe 1996: NEAR spacecraft l 970: HL-10 sets lifting body 3: Nicolaus Copernicus bor Clementine enters lunar orb ecraft launched 1 t of space shuttle 147 unched 1994: , 2007: THEMIS spac 1977: igh 1986: Mir space station la d Kuiper discovers Miranda acecra Uranus 4° north of Moon 1948: Gerar 2009: Dawn sp Enterprise Moon 29 of Uranus ts’ Day Venus 6° north of moon Presiden pogee 28 965: Saturn SA-9 launched ion Moon at a 7 Go wine-tasting, hike in nature 1 ercury in inferior conjunct 2 M 25 26 New Moon 10:32 AM ET 23 24

: Discoverer 1 launched 1959 ew, Bassett and 1966: Gemini IX primary cr See, killed in plane crash 97: Bernard Lyot born : STS-36 Atlantis launched ack Lousma born 18 ody altitude record 1990 s by Jupiter 1936: J ed 1970: HL-10 sets lifting b 2007: New Horizons passe 1968: Discovery o : Camille Flammarion born 00 feet hed 1842 t launched of 90,3 1969: Mariner 6 launc 1966: First Saturn 1B rocke rnova 1987a explodes a spac rs ” 1987: Supe stem 2007: Rosett “upside down : Pioneer 11 leaves solar sy TS-133 Discovery launched ere see Orion ...... 1990 t module 2011: S ern Hemisph Kvan outh 9 1997: Observers in the S n as the All Things Astronomical e Fun Fact: sterism know pac an a Year In S ntation, they visualize reserves, and explore eclectic Syd- h in the sky; in this orie three belt stars. ig e when it’s h rd, and whose base is th YOUNG ass of d handle is Orio n’s swo LIVE FAST, DIE s known, 20 times the m Saucepan, whose angle Social Media is one of the largest star - Follow @YearInSpace on Orion’s left shoulder, orbit of Jupiter. The long Orange Betelgeuse, h to extend beyond the iameter—large e noug s shedding material om un and 1,000 times its d stable red giant, which i www.YearInSpace.c the S tail ed view of this un a image (left) is the most de s ejections have created wavelength as a supernova. Past mas ate and is destined to die s through space. at a prodigious r the star (right) as it move k, that travels ahead of ney and Australia’s capital, Can- SPwave front, orA bow shoc CE 10 ...... Telescope Targets for Halloween 2020 berra. Plus: Stargaze under south- Wall Calendar 10 ...... Celestial Savings Program ern skies. Options to Great Barrier Reef and Uluru or Ayers Rock. 12 ...... Perspective on Apollo

skyandtelescope.com/australia2019 14 ...... NCRAL Report Enjoy this award-winning, large-format space calendar all year long! Uluru & Sydney Opera House: Tourism Australia; observatory: Winton Gibson PAGE 14 16 ...... Report from Stellafane • Over 120 space images • Sky events, space history, & more! 20 ...... ALCon 2019 Reports Astronomy Across Italy • Group discounts available May 3–11, 2020 23 ...... Coming Events See more at YearInSpace.com As you travel in comfort from Rome to Florence, Pisa, and Padua, 27 ...... New Award Programs

visit the Vatican Observatory, the Galileo Museum, Arcetri 27 ...... Top Award Finishers Observatory, and more. Enjoy fine food, hotels, and other classic ...... Italian treats. Extensions in Rome and Venice available. 29 Observing Awards ...... skyandtelescope.com/italy2020 PAGE 16 31 National Young Astronomer Award Winners: Where Are They Now?

S&T’s 2020 solar eclipse cruise offers 2 2020 Eclipse Cruise: Chile, Argentina, Cover image: Andrew Klinger (Texas Astronomical Society) minutes, 7 seconds of totality off the and Antarctica took this image of IC 1396 from a dark site in Texas using coast of Argentina and much more: Nov. 27–Dec. 19, 2020 a William Optics GT81 (reduced to f/4.7, 382mm) with a Chilean fjords and glaciers, the ZWO ASI1600MM-Cool CMOS camera. legendary Drake Passage, and four days amid Antarctica’s waters and icebergs.

skyandtelescope.com/chile2020

Patagonian Total Solar Eclipse The Astronomical League Magazine December 9–18, 2020 Vol. 71, No. 4 • ISSN: 0034-2963 • September 2019 Come along with Sky & Telescope to view this celestial spectacle in A FEDERATION OF ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETIES the lakes region of southern Argentina. Experience breathtaking A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION vistas of the lush landscape by day — and the southern sky’s incompa- To promote the science of astronomy rable stars by night. Optional visit to the world-famous Iguazú Falls. • By fostering astronomical education, skyandtelescope.com/argentina2020 • by providing incentives for astronomical observation and research, and See all S&T tours at skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-travel • By assisting communication among amateur astronomical societies. Astronomical League National Office: 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64114 THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 3 We are also seeking someone with successful hank you, Horkheimer Charitable Fund, with the library patrons. In fact, the library direc- the art of telescope making is losing its foothold fundraising experience, at the local, corporate, T Zhumell Telescopes, and Celestron, for tor, Roseanne Butler-Smith, has provided funding in this hobby. As a board member of Sidewalk President’s Corner and national levels, to help your League attain making this wonderful program possible! to procure two more Library Telescopes and make Astronomers, this has been difficult to watch over some future goals, including growth of the them available to the patrons of other branches of the past several years. Now with AL welcoming QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE Congratulations to the 2019 winners: ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE he weather is turning cooler, the trees are outreach programs, expanded website, monthly the Amherst library. me on board, I am addressing the graying of the Issued by the Astronomical League in March, June, September, and T changing color, and the summer constel- digital Reflector, collaboration with additional Miami Valley Astronomical Society, GLRAL —Jim Zappa, AL Member-at-Large hobby as a whole by planning a telescope-making December, Reflector (ISSN: 0034-2963) is sent directly, either by postal mail or via a digital link, to each individual member of its lations are getting lost in the glow of sunset. It citizen science programs, and many more. We St. George Astronomy Group, MARS workshop at the AlCon Jr. in 2020. After all, it does affiliate societies and to members-at-large as a benefit of League do everything we do with an operating budget of fit under the STEM/STEAM umbrella. membership. Individual copies of Reflector are available at the must be time for autumn, which means ALCon Kansas Astronomical Observers, MSRAL following subscription rates, payable to the League’s national office. 2019 is a recent memory and we are knee-deep in about $100,000. Imagine what we could do with Door Peninsula Astronomical Society, NCRAL Full STEAM Ahead Right now, Rob Teeter of Teeter’s Telescopes PAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS: preparations for ALCon 2020. an extra $50,000 or $100,000 in grants! and the Astronomical Legaue have partnered to USA & possessions: $3.00 each or $10.00 per year (4 issues) Olympic Astronomical Society, NWRAL Canada: $5.00 each or $16.00 per year The 2019 convention was a wonderful and Remember, this is your League and only you BILL BOGARDUS’S VISION generate telescope making kits for students and Mexico: $6.00 each or $22.00 per year Atlanta Astronomy Club, SERAL Other countries: $7.00 each or $25.00 per year unique experience, especially for first-time can help make it better. FOR THE ASTRONOMICAL families to assemble. Rob has spent hours figur- DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS: cruisers. Food was plentiful (actually, endless), Astronomers of Verde Valley, SWRAL All countries, possessions, and territories: $10.00 per year —Ron Kramer, League President LEAGUE’S LEGACY ing and calculating as well as offering to lead the and we enjoyed very calm seas and ports-of-call t ALCon 2017 in Casper, Wyoming, Bill ATM workshop. Rob will be cutting all the wooden REFLECTOR AND CLUB ROSTER DEADLINES in Nassau and CocoCay (Bahamas). There were pieces out of high-quality wood, individually March issue January 1 ÃBogardus offered me the youth coordinator June issue April 1 several great presentations and two interesting Editor’s Note position that had been empty for over a decade pre-boxing all his parts, and shipping them to September issue July 1 December issue October 1 panel discussions which will benefit both the Library Telescope on the Astronomical League Council. I was New Mexico when the time is right. (Little did I Written and graphic material from this publication may be reprinted only League and individual clubs and societies. Many know that Rob won a telescope-making award at for non-profit benefit of interested parties, provided specific credit is given s you may have noticed, the most recent honored and shocked at the same time, since to the writer(s), Reflector, and the Astronomical League. Any other use of thanks to Carroll Iorg, Maynard Pittendreigh, and Update Stellafane when he was a student in the 1990s). material, including graphics and photographs, is subject to express ̃issues of the Reflector have arrived late. I had just asked the council what were they doing others for a great time. A permission from the Editor and the Astronomical League. In addition, Pat Murnaghan, of Coulter Optical, We express our sincere apologies. The Reflector is to stop the “graying” of the clubs. Quite frankly, I am pleased to report we are on a sound Odyssey, and e-Scopes has waived the $25 per kit NATIONAL OFFICERS managed and produced by a small team of Astro- s the winner of the 2108 member-at-large I thought I was going to be asked to leave the shipping cost because of our bulk order. Pat told President financial footing with an approved balanced bud- nomical League volunteers. Producing each issue ̃̃category for the Library Telescope meeting. But Bill liked my suggestion about Ron Kramer A me he believes in and wants to support what we 9520 Dragonfly Avenue • Las Cruces, NM 88012 get for the next fiscal year. Three new observing requires a significant amount of time and effort, Program, I am sending you this update. opening up the national conferences to families 520-500-7295 • [email protected] programs are being added to our current offerings are trying to do. I told Pat that I hoped this would and the availability of each member of our small The Library Telescope was presented to the and students so that instead of just older kids Vice President and we have a very bright future ahead. Of course, be a yearly activity for AL and create a “renais- Carroll Iorg staff can adversely affect our timeline. board of directors for the Amherst Public Library, coming with one parent, the whole family would 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 • Kansas City, MO 64114; sance” of amateur telescope making in the United 816-444-4878 • [email protected] we can always use a few more volunteers. Also, choose an ALCon as a yearly summer event since We are changing our processes and expanding Amherst, New York, on May 8, 2019. States. Secretary if you have any ideas or comments, pass them it would include the younger children. the Reflector team with the goal of mitigating this Bryan Tobias along. Astronomical League National Headquarters issue and ensuring we deliver the Reflector to you At the Minneapolis ALCon in 2018, Bill he goal is to offer these telescope kits at a 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 • Kansas City, MO 64114 We now can set our sights on Albuquer- [email protected] or [email protected] on time. Thank you for your understanding and continued to move forward on an ALCon Jr. T reasonable price, but with quality mirrors, Treasurer que, New Mexico, and ALCon 2020. Mark your family STEAM conference for 2020. He supported and solid wooden bases; we hope to fund half of Bill Dillon patience. 190 Settlers Road • Fincastle, VA 24090 calendars for July 15 (council meeting), July 16 funding the calendar that I created for the council the cost. Currently, the ATM telescope kits cost 703-674-8484 • [email protected] to 18 (conference days), and July 19 (VLA tour), to see what I was recommending. Bill and Ron approximately $400, and we plan offer these Executive Secretary Maynard Pittendreigh plus a chance for your youngster to build their Kramer worked together to secure the funding to telescope kits, ready to assemble, for $200. So, 3208 Little Oak Way • Orlando, FL 32812 Library Telescope 770-237-2071 • [email protected] own 6-inch telescope with our very first ALCon Jr. make this calendar happen. It was agreed that the for every $1,000 of calendar profits, we will be National Office STEAM conference. More details are still to come, profits from the calendar would support activities able to cover five telescope kits. The Astronomical Mike Stoakes, Office Coordinator but be sure to check out the advertisements in Giveaway Astronomical League National Headquarters and resources for families and students at the League has 750 calendars at the League Store. See 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 • Kansas City, MO 64114 this issue of The Reflector. The online application 816-DEEP-SKY Albuquerque ALCon in 2020. Bill told me he loved the goal here? In addition to this ATM workshop, National office: [email protected] form will be available soon. my passion and ideas and felt this was a great new there will also be astronomy STEAM activities Society rosters: [email protected] hrough the vision of the Horkheimer League sales: [email protected] In addition, we are starting to plan the 2024 T Charitable Fund, the Astronomical League venture for AL and encouraged me, to which I gave planned for elementary students and will also National Observing Program Coordinators him a hug and kiss on the cheek and thanked him include an Astro Camp for Saturday Night during Cliff Mygatt Aaron B. Clevenson convention (another great solar eclipse is coming again offered a free Library Telescope to a lucky [email protected] [email protected] our way), and news will be forthcoming. Astronomical League club in each region, plus one for his vision and support. the adult banquet. Astronomical League Historian to a member-at-large. Mike Stewart 913-240-1238 • [email protected] t looks like we have found a new information o here we are, working on this 2020 ALCon Jr. I want to note that this telescope workshop is technology manager, and he has been sitting The Library Telescope consists of a 4.5-inch S conference with the new AL 2020 Calendar. best suited for middle school and older students, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR I Send to [email protected] with subject line “letter to editor” under our noses all this time. John Martin, who Dobsonian Z114 Zhumell reflector fitted with an Back when it was suggested, I was told to get parents with their upper elementary (third- to 8–24 mm zoom eyepiece and a nameplate com- Amherst Library Director Roseanne Butler-Smith introduces NASA images and I said, “no, everyone does fifth-grade) children, and teachers with students. REFLECTOR STAFF works in IT at a major hospital (and is presently the Library Telescope to a young patron. The telescope was editor of the Reflector) has agreed to become memorating the late Jack Horkheimer. The value prepared and presented by Astronomical League member-at- that – I want it to be amateur astronomers from Since we do not know how the calendar sales will Managing Editor Assistant Editor large Jim Zappa, not pictured. Ron Kramer Kevin Jones our new IT and webmaster maven effective in the of this opportunity is approximately $200; the the membership.” Last year’s calendar introduced go, this will be on a first-come, first-served basis Mobile: 520-500-7295 [email protected] me to the great imagers and sketchers from the [email protected] very near future. We can’t expect John to wear too potential is enormous. The Library Telescope was sponsored and sup- with a slot assured with a payment for half of the Design/Production Editor Michael Patterson many hats, so he will be retiring as editor. So, if The Library Telescope program was initiated ported by Astronomical League member-at-large League, and I was overwhelmed by their support telescope costs. Because the facilities are still John Martin [email protected] for Bill’s vision. I was highly encouraged and so I [email protected] you have publishing experience, including the use ten years ago by the New Hampshire Astronom- Jim Zappa. In addition to the telescope, Zappa do- being worked out, it is uncertain how many kits Advertising Representative Photo Editor Carla Johns of the Adobe and Microsoft Office suites, and are ical Society and has grown into a nationwide nated books, constellation maps, a planisphere, continue to move the ball forward. we will be able to assemble, but we are pursuing Dan Crowson 970-567-8878 [email protected] [email protected] willing to handle this critical task, please let me presence. A club donates an easy-to-use portable and a map of lunar features. You see, the graying of clubs is everywhere, as many as we can fit comfortably in the space Assistant Editor Coming Events Editor know at [email protected]. This volun- telescope with quality optics and a sturdy mount The Library Telescope has been in circulation and is noticeable in organizations that were once provided. Kristine Larsen John Wagoner [email protected] [email protected] teer position is very important to the continued to their local library. Patrons can then check it out since mid-May 2018, and feedback from the filled to the brim with amateur astronomers and I encourage those interested 1) students, to success of the League. as they do books. library staff is that the telescope is very popular telescope makers. The crowds are dwindling and start mowing extra lawns, or babysitting, dog " THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 5 4 REFLECTOR ✶ SEPTEMBER 201 9 walking, and so on; 2) parents, hold a garage sale; the Moon large and bright, it rewards observers countries and agencies have successfully sent Night Sky Network program, you can schedule to 360,000 Suns. The cluster also contains the and 3) teachers with students, encourage your with its regularly changing appearance through- orbiters, landers, and rovers, including Russia, your upcoming event to the NSN’s calendar first planetary nebula discovered in a globular star parent-teacher associations to host a bake sale out the month. While most astronomers find the Japan, India, China, and the member nations of and it will be automatically cross-posted as an cluster, Pease 1. The nebula was discovered by specifically for a school telescope. Remember, Moon’s brilliance in the night sky a nuisance, the European Space Agency. It’s getting busy on International Observe the Moon Night event – just Francis Pease in 1927 using a photographic plate this is only a plan and won’t become reality unless since its light drowns out observations of faint the Moon, and with humans returning in just a few make sure that “Moon” is in the title and that the made with the 100-inch telescope at Mt. Wilson. the 750 Astronomical League 2020 Calendars fuzzies, the Moon’s brightness is a strength for years it’s bound to get even more exciting. event is public. If October 5 is inconvenient, you y image of M15 was taken with an 8-inch fly out of the League Store. To club presidents: outreach. Its brilliance makes it a perfect object So how can you participate in International can host an event any date between September 28 M̃f/6.4 Ritchey–Chrétien reflector using an please consider placing a bulk order for your club to share with the public, especially folks who have Observe the Moon Night for 2019? Find recom- and October 13. The times, dates, and locations of SBIG ST-2000XCM CCD camera. The exposure was members and even to sell to attendees at your never looked through a telescope, or even binoc- mendations and resources on the official website, public events will appear on the International Ob- 30 minutes. In the image, north is up and east to star parties since these are packed with astro- ulars. Seeing the fine details in a galaxy, cluster, moon.nasa.gov/observe. There is an observer’s serve the Moon Night event map; private events the left. The image spans 25 arcminutes in right nomical information and trivia. I was informed or nebula takes experience as an observer, but the map of the Moon in the phase it will be on October can also be registered and will appear on the map ascension, and most of the stars in the image that if they sell quickly, we might have an option Moon shines so brightly through an eyepiece that 5, featuring areas of interest visible with the without specific information. belong to the globular cluster. The brightest star to order more. I personally buy a dozen calendars its details are much easier for novices to identify. naked eye and through binoculars and telescopes. If you prefer to visit rather than host, and in the image (with the diffraction spikes) is a for my family and close friends for Christmas off Plus, you can tell if your telescope’s visitor has want to attend an event, or even drop in on magnitude 7.6 foreground star, SAO 107179, the Internet. But not anymore – they get this one a good view by spotting the moonshine glinting several events, you can check out the map to find located approximately 200 light-years away. The with all the information they always ask me about from their eyes. one near you. Or you can mark your observing faintest stars in the image are magnitude 17. throughout the year. I also sell these at the star his year’s International Observe the Moon spot on the map as an individual lunar observer. The yellow arrow points to the almost-re- parties I attend and my Broken Arrow Sidewalk TNight is a great opportunity to commemorate Please share your takes, photos, and experiences solved planetary nebula Pease 1, estimated Astronomy sites every month. the 50th anniversary of the Apollo program with using #ObserveTheMoon on social media. Find lation’s lack of open clusters – M15. magnitude 15.5. It can be imaged with an 8-inch So, in the spirit of Bill Bogardus and his your family, friends, and community. Celebrate everything you need to know on the official Inter- he French astronomer Jean-Dominique Mar- telescope using narrowband filters or seen in a vision, I want to thank you in advance for your humanity’s first steps on another world and share national Observe the Moon Night website, aldi discovered M15 in 1746 while searching 14-inch telescope under dark skies with an O-III support in fulfilling his legacy. Full STEAM ahead! the inspiring story of how we went there while moon.nasa.gov/observe. T for the de Chéseaux comet. His countryman nebula filter, but it takes a 32-inch telescope to observing the Moon. Share your own story of how —David Prosper and Andrea Jones Charles Messier independently found M15 in resolve any detail in the nebula! All telescope and —Peggy Walker the Apollo program touched your life and ask oth- 1764 and added it to his now-famous catalog. binocular owners should visit M15 this fall. Those ers about their memories of that historic time. You with large light buckets will enjoy the challenge can even share your Apollo story with NASA and Oklahoma City Astronomy Club member Peter Khor helped M15 is easy to find. Start at the magnitude visitors “Walk on the Moon” during their International of capturing its planetary nebula! Night Sky Network hear others’ stories at nasa.gov/apollostories. 3.5 star Baham (Theta Pegasi) and go 7.5 degrees Observe the Moon Night event by sending live video from his Deep-Sky Objects northwest to the magnitude 2.4 star Enif (Epsilon —Dr. James R. Dire Discussions of Apollo’s triumph often turn to telescope’s eyepiece to a projector pointing to the ground from a tall tripod. Pegasi). Continue in the same direction another Kauai Educational Association for hopes and dreams for future lunar exploration. THE BEST STAR CLUSTER IN PEGASUS four degrees to M15. A side note: although Enif Science and Astronomy People often ask why humans haven’t gone back, There are slide sets presenters can use, activity ne of the most recognizable constellations is given the designation Epsilon Pegasi, it is and while the answer is a bit complicated, we can recommendations, event evaluation materi- ̃in the autumn evening sky is Pegasus. It actually the brightest star in the constellation. For now answer that we will be going back, and soon! als, and more. The Night Sky Network recently O is located far from the Milky Way and high above most constellations, the bright stars are labeled Wanderers in the You can discuss the Artemis program – NASA’s released a new toolkit of Moon resources in honor Polaris when it transits, and its main stars are in descending order of brightness: Alpha (the plan to return to the Moon with crewed missions of Apollo 11 that your club may find handy at ob- serving events at bit.ly/nsnmoon, and additional easy to see, even with moderate light pollution. brightest), Beta (the next brightest), Gamma, Neighborhood in orbit and on the surface. Humans have robotic The constellation’s most notable asterism is the Delta, and so on. Enif is a tenth of a magnitude emissaries there, right now, that are helping us Moon-related NSN resources are at Great Square, formed by the stars Markab, Sheat, brighter than Alpha Pegasi, also called Markab. prepare for the next set of boot prints in that bit.ly/nsnmoonnight. Algenib, and Alpheratz. Alpheratz is technically This assumes you ignore “Delta Pegasi,” which THE BLUE PLANET CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL dusty soil. NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter ou can register your event by adding it to part of the constellation Andromeda, but some is brighter than all of them, but really isn’t in ith the demotion of Pluto to a dwarf OBSERVE THE MOON NIGHT is currently in orbit and has been mapping the the official International Observe the Moon Y older star charts give Alpheratz the dual designa- Pegasus. It’s a confusing constellation! planet, Neptune once again became ook skyward and find the Moon on Saturday, lunar surface in rich detail for 10 years. Other Night event map. If your club participates in the W tion of Alpha Andromedae and Delta Pegasi. L̃̃October 5, 2019! You’ll join millions around M15 is a beautiful star cluster and is one the most distant planet from the Sun in our Solar the world celebrating our planet’s nearest Pegasus doesn’t contain a plethora of bright of the richer and more compact globulars. The System. The color of this blue planet is not due neighbor during the 10th annual International deep-space objects. Almost all of the 319 New cluster’s integrated magnitude is 6.2 and it has a to liquid water like on the Earth, but from trace Observe the Moon Night. Anyone can participate General Catalog (NGC) objects in the constella- diameter of 18 arcminutes. It can be spied in bin- amounts of methane and other substances in anywhere, and there are many ways to join the tion are galaxies. Of those, only 15 are brighter oculars but will require a 3- to 4-inch telescope its hydrogen and helium atmosphere. Neptune festivities. Individuals can attend a nearby Moon than magnitude 12, and only one is brighter with good magnification to begin to resolve the is the Solar System’s third most massive planet viewing party, host their own observing session, than magnitude 10. That outlier is NGC 7331, the individual stars. An 8-inch telescope will resolve after Jupiter and Saturn. These three, along with or simply take a quick peek up during their busy Deer Lick Galaxy, a decent magnitude 9.5 spiral. it into countless stars and reveal its intense Neptune’s neighbor Uranus, make up the local day to appreciate our neighbor’s quiet beauty. Many of the remaining galaxies are brighter than brilliant central core. population of gas giant planets. magnitude 15. So anyone with a 14-inch or larger International Observe the Moon Night is one M15 contains scores of RR Lyrae class variable Neptune is the densest of all the gas giants. telescope in dark skies can score many of them, of the most successful annual outreach events in stars. These stars enable M15’s distance to be Its mass of 17 times the mass of Earth is just including the famous Stephan’s Quintet. the world. The Moon is the most easily observed determined fairly accurately. The cluster lies slightly more than that of similar Uranus. The object in our skies, and, unlike almost any other There are three open clusters in Pegasus, all 33,600 light-years away. This distance shows the gravitational pull of Neptune’s higher mass causes object, it can be seen both day and night, in even loosely scattered and unimpressive. However, true diameter of the cluster to be 175 light-years. its atmosphere to be more compressed than that there is one very impressive globular cluster in Approximately 100,000 stars reside in that spher- of Uranus, making Neptune physically smaller the most severely light polluted skies. Not only is Griffith Observatory was host to a large public star party held by the Los Angeles Astronomical Society during International Observe the Moon Night 2018. Photo by Todd Kunioka Pegasus that more than makes up for the constel- ical region of space, with a brightness equivalent than its twin. " THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 7 6 REFLECTOR ✶ SEPTEMBER 201 9 the Sun, Neptune is an active place that astrono- disk they discovered a ring of gas streaming largely of iron and nickel. mers will observe as long as we have the facilities from a solid body, like a comet’s tail. This gas “If it was pure iron it could survive where it to do so. Hubble spied a new dark spot forming in could either be generated by the body itself or by lives now, but equally it could be a body that is 2018–2019. Hubble will keep watching to see how evaporating dust as it collides with small debris rich in iron but with internal strength to hold it to- it will evolve and how long it will last. within the disk. gether, which is consistent with the planetesimal —Berton Stevens The astronomers estimate that this body has being a fairly massive fragment of a planet core. to be at least a kilometer in size, but could be as If correct, the original body was at least hundreds large as a few hundred kilometers in diameter, of kilometers in diameter because it is only at that All Things comparable to the largest asteroids known in our point planets begin to differentiate – like oil on Solar System. water – and have heavier elements sink to form a Astronomical metallic core.” hite dwarfs are the remains of stars The discovery offers a hint as to what planets like our Sun that have burned all their W may reside in other solar systems, and a glimpse HEAVY METAL PLANET FRAGMENT fuel and shed their outer layers, leaving behind into the future of our own. SURVIVES DESTRUCTION FROM a dense core which slowly cools over time. This DEAD STAR particular star has shrunk so dramatically that the r. Manser said, “As stars age, they grow into fragment of a planet that has survived the planetesimal orbits within its sun’s original radius. D̃red giants, which ‘clean out’ much of the A ̃death of its star has been discovered by Evidence suggests that it was once part of a larger inner part of their planetary system. In our Solar University of Warwick astronomers in a disk of body further out in its solar system and is likely to System, the Sun will expand up to where the Earth debris formed from destroyed planets, which the have been a planet torn apart as the star began its currently orbits, and will wipe out Earth, Mercury, star ultimately consumes. cooling process. and Venus. Mars and beyond will survive and will The Hubble Space Telescope took these images of a dark spot on Neptune’s surface as it slowly shrank over two years. In 2015, the spot’s long axis was 3100 miles long. By 2017, the spot The iron- and nickel-rich planetesimal sur- ead author Dr. Christopher Manser, a research move further out. had moved further south and lost some of its energy, shrinking to only 2300 miles long. It also lost some of its color. Image credit: M.H. Wong and A.I. Hsu (UC Berkeley)/NASA/ESA vived a system-wide cataclysm that followed the L̃fellow in the Department of Physics, said, “The general consensus is that 5–6 billion death of its host star, SDSS J122859.93+104032.9. “The star would have originally been about two years from now, our Solar System will be a white Neptune is the only planet not visible to the Unlike the Great Red Spot on Jupiter, which el-iron. The mantle sitting on the core is a hot Believed to have once been part of a larger planet, solar masses, but now the white dwarf is only dwarf in place of the Sun, orbited by Mars, Jupiter, naked eye, with an apparent magnitude of 7.7. has been around for over two hundred years, fluid of water, ammonia, and methane forming its survival is all the more astonishing as it orbits 70 percent of the mass of our Sun. It is also very Saturn, the outer planets, as well as asteroids and Even being 3.88 times the diameter of the Earth, Neptune’s dark spots only last for a few years. a water-ammonia ocean. This fluid has a high closer to its star than previously thought possible, small – roughly the size of the Earth – and this comets. Gravitational interactions are likely to Neptune’s remoteness provides a telescopic disk A dark spot found in 2015, for example, was 3100 electrical conductivity and probably provides the going around it once every two hours. makes the star, and in general all white dwarfs, happen in such remnants of planetary systems, that is only 2.4 arcseconds across at its largest. miles long at discovery, but by 2018, it had moved electric current to form Neptune’s magnetic field. The discovery, reported in the journal Science, extremely dense. meaning the bigger planets can easily nudge the Earthbound views of Neptune never showed any toward the south pole, had shrunk to only 2300 The top of the mantle is an ocean of liquid carbon is the first time that scientists have used spec- “The white dwarf’s gravity is so strong – about smaller bodies onto an orbit that takes them close detail in its atmosphere – it was just a blue dot. miles long, and was fading. with hailstones of diamond falling from the sky. troscopy to discover a solid body in orbit around a 100,000 times that of the Earth – that a typical to the white dwarf, where they get shredded by its The diamond hailstones form when methane In 1989, the Voyager 2 spacecraft on its Most of Neptune’s storms have been found white dwarf, using subtle variations in the emitted asteroid will be ripped apart by gravitational enormous gravity. higher in the atmosphere decomposes and the “Grand Tour” of the outer Solar System made a in its southern hemisphere, because it is now light to identify additional gas that the planetesi- forces if it passes too close to the white dwarf.” “Learning about the masses of asteroids, or flyby of Neptune, providing the first close-up summer there. Neptune’s poles are tilted 28.3 carbon atoms are compressed at high pressure to mal is generating. Professor Boris Gaensicke, coauthor from the planetary fragments that can reach a white dwarf views of its atmosphere. Uranus had not shown degrees to the ecliptic, so Neptune goes through form diamonds. Using the Gran Telescopio Canarias in La Pal- Department of Physics, adds, “The planetesimal can tell us something about the planets that we Voyager 2 much activity, and with Neptune seasons like the Earth. The southern hemisphere he atmosphere over the carbon ocean consists ma, Canary Islands, Spain, the scientists studied a we have discovered is deep into the gravitational know must be further out in this system, but we receiving less of the Sun’s energy than Uranus, it has been tilted toward the Sun since 1962, and ̃of 80 percent molecular hydrogen and 19 T debris disk orbiting a white dwarf 410 light-years well of the white dwarf, much closer to it than we currently have no way to detect. was thought that Neptune would also have a bland this tilt reached a maximum in 2003. So, for all percent atomic helium, with traces of methane to away, formed by the disruption of rocky bodies would expect to find anything still alive. That is disk. the time we have been able to observe Neptune, give Neptune its color. Uranus’s atmosphere has a ur discovery is only the second solid composed of elements such as iron, magnesium, only possible because it must be very dense and/ ̃planetesimal found in a tight orbit But Voyager’s images showed that all was not the southern hemisphere has been in spring and similar composition but it is only a pale blue. The “O silicon, and oxygen – the four key building blocks or very likely to have internal strength that holds around a white dwarf, with the previous one found quiet on Neptune. The most obvious feature was summer. As the planet continues around its orbit, vivid blue of Neptune must be due to an additional of the Earth and most rocky bodies. Within that it together, so we propose that it is composed because debris passing in front of the star blocked a spot in the southern hemisphere dubbed the summer will move to the northern hemisphere and trace component of its atmosphere. some of its light – that is the transit method wide- Great Dark Spot, similar to Jupiter’s Great Red we can expect to see dark spots form there. Higher clouds in Neptune’s atmosphere cast ly used to discover exoplanets around Sun-like Spot. Neptune’s atmosphere also contained cloud he spots and clouds ride on one of three their shadows on the lower, more solid cloud deck. stars. To find such transits, the geometry under streams, bands and smaller storms, showing that ̃jet streams circling Neptune. There is a The lower cloud deck is composed of chemicals T which we view them has to be very finely tuned, it was active despite the weak sunlight. westward jet stream around the equator where like ethane and ethyne that are formed when which means that each system observed for sev- the winds howl at 900 miles per hour. Near each ultraviolet light from the Sun breaks down meth- hile Voyager 2 has been the only space- eral hours mostly leads to nothing. The spectro- pole, an eastward jet stream travels at over 500 ane. Most of the action in the atmosphere occurs W craft to visit Neptune, when the Hubble scopic method we developed in this research can miles per hour. Neptune has the fastest winds between thirty and seventy miles above the cloud Space Telescope became operational, astronomers detect close-in planetesimals without the need measured in the entire Solar System, with winds deck. The atmosphere is somewhat warmer than began regularly monitoring Neptune’s atmo- for a specific alignment.” sphere. They found dark spots like the Great Dark speeds in the storms reaching 1300 miles per would be expected if it was only receiving energy Manser and Gaensicke were supported by the Spot were common. These anticyclonic storms hour, an almost supersonic speed in Neptune’s from the Sun. There is an internal energy source, European Research Council under the European (clockwise in the northern hemisphere, counter- atmosphere. probably gravitational, that adds energy to Nep- Union’s research and innovation program (grant clockwise in the southern hemisphere) churn up Neptune’s atmosphere is only the thin top tune’s atmosphere and helps power the storms we see from time to time. agreement 320964). darker material from deeper in the atmosphere as layer of the planet. At its heart is a rocky core, A planetary fragment orbits the star SDSS J122859.93+104032.9, leaving a tail of gas in its wake. they move with the upper atmosphere. probably composed of silicates and solid nick- While it is hard to see this gas giant far from Credit: University of Warwick/Mark Garlick — University of Warwick Press Release THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 9 8 REFLECTOR ✶ SEPTEMBER 2 0 1 9 Saturn, and Mars are visible starting in twilight. For the next few Halloweens, Jupiter and Saturn NOMY TRO TO Telescope Targets are well-placed for evening viewing. The best op- S TH Celestial Savings A G E N P portunity to show Mars will be in 2020 when it is I E G O nearly at opposition. One may show children the N P I for Halloween Program L R double star Albireo or a terrestrial object in the E B distance as well. One of the distant objects I have ne of my fondest childhood memories shown in the daytime is the steeple at the top of ALL LEAGUE MEMBERS QUALIFY ASTRONOMY DAY is the Halloween tradition of trick-or- O the First Methodist Church in Barnesville, Georgia. FOR SPECIAL DISCOUNTS at participating treating. Halloween falls on October 31, and the Table 1 lists what I consider the best target and an vendors when purchasing equipment, accessories Sun sets early. I started to show people objects alternative for Halloween viewing between 2019 or books. Discounts vary by vendor and by items OCTOBER 5, through the telescope on Halloween about 30 and 2030. purchased. Participating vendors include: years ago. Since then, thousands of children and Astronomics • Camera Concepts & Telescopes 2019 their parents have received close-up views of the On a few occasions, I have set up a Sunspotter For a FREE 76-page Astronomy Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and other objects during the daytime for those early trick-or-treat Galaxy Optics • Got Grit • Mr. Star Guy through the telescope. On a few occasions, children. One needs a clear western horizon to Seymour Solar • Spectrum Telescope Day Handbook full of ideas and children have also had a chance to view our Sun show the Sun. The Sun is more interesting to view Telescope Adapters • Thousand Oaks Optical suggestions, go to: before sunset using a safe Sunspotter. when sunspots are visible. Sunspot maximum Vixen Optics www.astroleague.org Click should happen around 2024. In my community, many children start trick- Obtain the discount codes by visiting on "Astronomy Day” Scroll recommend a few things to those who want or-treating an hour before sunset and continue astroleague.org/celestial-savings. Each vendor down to "Free Astronomy Day to do public outreach on Halloween. Firstly, until about three hours after sunset. There is also I is listed with the discounts offered for their prod- children sometimes grab or touch the eyepiece, Handbook" a lot of ambient light from streetlights and other ucts, their current discount code, their website so use an inexpensive one. I gently warn children sources in my town. Therefore, I have selected URL, and, if appropriate, a contact telephone For more information, contact: not touch the telescope. In my area, parents have bright objects for viewing since they are the number. Provide the appropriate discount code to Gary Tomlinson learned to tell their children not to touch the easiest to find and see. the salesperson or include it in your online order. Astronomy Day Coordinator telescope. In some cases, a child will grab the What is the best object to show children? Questions? Email the Celestial Savings Director at [email protected] eyepiece, causing the telescope to shift. For this Based on my many years of experience, the Moon [email protected]. reason, a Dobsonian telescope with a good finder- ranks first, followed by Saturn. I prefer the Moon scope is a good choice for Halloween outreach. A because it is easy to find when lights are around small stool or booster ladder may help very small and children are more likely to see it. Further- viewers. Sometimes, parents hold their children more, inexperienced observers are more likely to 2020 up to look through the eyepiece. One may also Calendar see a big bright Moon in the eyepiece than a small

place a monitor-connected video camera in the Fast Facts planetary disk. One may even show the Moon Russian Old Reliable telescope and people can easily see the object on Soyuz Rocket With a heritage that predates the Space Age, the Russian Soyuz family of rockets is the oldest and most flown rocket in the world. Evolved from Soviet R-7 ICBMs during the day, but twilight or nighttime viewing of the 1950s, the first Soyuz flew in 1966 and derivatives of that rocket continue to send people, cargo, and satellites into space. Well over 1,000 Soyuz rockets have SOYUZ-U ROCKET thundered aloft since its debut. The basic design of the Soyuz, with its distinctive Manufacturer: Ts-SKB Progress quartet of conical boosters, h Height: 51 m (168 ft) as changed very little over the decades, allowing a screen. Finally, I have my bag of goodies next to Main Stage Diameter: this reliable vehicle to be economically mass produced. The Soyuz is currently the 3 m (10 ft) Mass: 313,000 kg (690,000 lbs) only vehicle capable of la Liftoff Thurst:4,144 kN (928,000 lbs) unching crew to the International Space Station. Payload Capacity to Low Earth Orbit: is better. Because of its brightness, children 6,900 kg (152,00 lbs) Launch Sites: Baikonur, Plesetsk First Launch: 18 May 1973 Last Launch: 22 February 2017 Total Launches: 786 my telescope so that the children get two treats! Total Successes: may also see Venus during the daytime. Jupiter, 765 (97.3%) LAUNCHER LEGACY TRAIN RIDE TO OUTER SPACE The Soyuz family of rockets first flew The Soyuz’s fast ten-minute ride to orbit beg in 1966, but its heritage dates back above: the Soyuz is assembled horizontallyins ( at much more modest pace. From left to right, to the R-7 Semyorka, the world’s first vertically) and is shown here before mating inwith contrast to most US rockets which are built intercontinental ballistic missile, which hauls the rocket, still horizontal, at a walking paceits upper stage and Soyuz capsule; a train then —Richard W. Schmude Jr. flew in 1957. The R-7 had a central core of at the site, the Soyuz is erected into a vertical launchto the po launch site 2 km (1.25 mi) away; once four RD-108 engines surrounded by four sition. booster rockets with clusters of RD-107 engines—a configuration nearly identical to WORLD TRAVELER today’s Soyuz rockets. An R-7 variant launched the SPACE TRUCK world’s first satellite, Sputnik (upper left), in 1957. Soyuz rockets now launch When a Soyuz is not ferrying crew A Vostok variant of the R-7 (below) was developed from four locations around the specifically for human spaceflight, and was the globe. Crewed flights depart to the International Space Station rocket that launched Yuri Gagarin (below left) into the Baikonur Cosmodrome (which it does three or four times a year), it delivers Progress resupply ships (left, bottom) in southern orbit in April 1961 on the first to the ISS; launches communications, Kazakhstan; many military human orbital spaceflight. Earth observation, and meteorological satellites are launched from Not including satellites; and sends interplanetary the Plesetsk Cosmodrome the Soyuz probes on their way, such as Mars about 800 km (500 branch, the R-7 Express and Venus Express mi) north of Moscow; family flew Vostochny Cosmodrome (shown here). successfully The writer used the JPL Horizons software package to determine the visibility of each target (left, top) in eastern over 700 times Russia is the newest; between 1957 the Kourou Space Center and 2010. in Guiana is where the European Space Agency missions depart.

for his location. Visibility should be similar for cities near 33° north latitude December 2019 throughIt is estimated Russia S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 charges $80 million for 8 February 2020 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 a US astronaut to ride 16 17 18 19 20 21 S M 22 T W T F S 23 24 25 26 27 28 on a Soyuz rocket to 29 1 30 31 2020 2 3 January 4 the International Space 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 KOROLEV CROSS Station. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Save 25% 23 A Soyuz launch begins with all four 24 25 26 27 28 29 like Atlanta, Dallas, and San Diego. Sunday Monday strap-on boosters firing around the Tuesday Wednesday main core. After two minutes, the January Sky Guide Thursday four boosters, now depleted of fuel, • Friday Mercury appears at dusk, low in the west-southwest Vesta stationary Saturday at month’s end. ern sky Moon at apogee First Qtr Moon 11:4 are jettisoned while the center stage 5 PM ET Quadrantid meteor shower • Venus is prominent in the southwest 1 Uranus 5° north of Moon continues. As seen from the ground, the 27th and 28th ern sky as night falls. On 2 Quadrantid meteo r shower , a young crescent Moon passes below it. 3 the separation of the four boosters • Mars shines in the southeast in the hours before sunri 4 The bright red star to its right is Antares, in the const se. tumbling away creates a pattern Scorpio. A waning crescent Moon is close by on the 20ellation th known as the Korolev Cross, named • Jupiter is low in the southeast just end. Look for a slim crescent Moon before near it sunrise on the 22at month’s 1900: Leslie Peltier born for Sergei Korolev, the lead designer 1920: Isaac Asimov born nd. 1959: 1801: Giuseppe Piazzi discovers dwarf Luna 1 is first spacecraft to leave $ of the Russian ballistic missile and planet Ceres Earth’s gravitational field Earth at peri helion New Year’s Day 1972: Mariner 9 begins 2004: mapping Mars 1962: space programs through 1966. Stardust flies by Comet Wild 2 NASA announces Gemini program 2004: Spirit rover lands on Mars 1970: NASA cancels Apollo 20 Moon 14.95 Year Best Target Alternate target 5 landing mission 6 7 Mercury in superior conjunction 8 Full Moon 2:21 P M ET Uranus station ary 9 (Penumbral eclipse) 10 11 SERGEI KOROLEV

1969: Venera 5 launched 1972: President Nixon approves Born in 1907 development of space s 2005: huttle in the Russian UB313 (Eris) discovered, ignites the Pluto-Planet debat 1610: Galileo discovers Callisto, Europa, Io 1587: Johann Fabricius born Empire, Sergei e 1998 1964: 1942: Stephen Hawking 1839: Thomas Henderson p 1787: William Herschel d : Lunar Prospector launched First power tool for space tested born ublishes iscovers Uranian 1968: Surveyor 7 launched 1973: Luna 21 & Lunokhod distance to Alpha Centauri moons Oberon and Titania Korolev was an 2 launched 1968: 1946: 1978: First triple docking 1987: Challenger debris buried Surveyor 7 lands onMoon U.S. Army bounces radar signal off : Soyuz 26, Soyuz or aeronauticalless Saturn in conjun ction with Sun 1990: the Moon 27, Salyut 6 Ceres in conjun STS-32 Columbia launched engineer who, ction with Sun 1969: Venera 6 launched 1996: STS-72 Endeavour launched 12 Moon at perigee 1998: Lunar Prospector more than anyone 13 Mars 5° north of An tares arrives at Moon 14 Last Qtr Moon 7:58 AM ET else, shaped 2019 Moon (waxing crescent, west) Saturn (west) 15 the missile and 16 17 space programs 18 of the former Soviet Union 1907: Sergei Korolev bo and 60s. To keep in the 1950s rn 1610: 1986: STS-61C Columbia launched Galileo discovers Ganymede, moon a secret, he washis know identity 1997: STS-81 Atlantis of Jupiter 1975: Earth Resources Tech 1973: Luna 21 lander and Lunokhod 2 launched 1978: Satellite is renamed L nology rover land on Moon only as the “Chief De 2005: Deep Impact spacecraft launched NASA selects firstwomen astronauts andsat n publicly 1993: STS-54 Endeavour 2005: Huygens probe lands 1976: Helios 2 launched launched 2008: on Titan 2006: 1969: First docking of two m Korolev led the signer.” MESSENGER first Mercury flyby Stardust spacecraft returns samples anned of comet dust spacecraft (Soyuz 5 and Soyuz 4) ballistic missile development a of R-7 Mars 2° south of Moo 1985: n 2003: STS-107 Columbia launched 1,037th and final Aerobee sounding rockets, as well asnd later Soyuz rocket launched 2002: Gemini South Observatory 19 20 Jupiter 0.4° north of Mo on dedicated satellites an the first 21 New Moon 4:42 PM ET He also led dthe human u spaceflights. 22 23 unsuccessful Sovietltimately l 24 25 program. Korolev diunar landing 2020 Moon (full) Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars ed in 1966. 1573: Simon Marius born 1747: Johann Bode born 1930: Edwin “Buzz” Al The Year in drin born 1851: 1966: 1968: Apollo 5 launched Jacobus Kapteyn born Apollo A-004 launched; first flight 1965: Gemini II launched test of CSM hardware 1978: First automatic resupply ship docking 2006: Pluto New Horizons lau 1978: Progress 1 launched (Progress 1) nched Martin Luther King, J 2018: 1992: STS-42 1978: Cosmos 954 reen 1736: Joseph Lagran r. Day Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle, Discovery launched ters atmosphere ge born first orbital launch fro 1998: STS-89 1985: STS-51C Discovery 1962: NASA authorizes Sa m New Zealand Endeavour launched launched 1983: turn V rocket 2003: Pioneer 10’s last sig 1986: Voyager 2 flies past Uranus IRAS launched Venus 0.08° sout h of Neptune nal to Earth 1992: 1994: Clementine spacecraft launched Neptune 4° north o Magellan begins third mapping cycle f Moon of Venus 2004: Opportunity rover lands on Mars 26 Venus 4° north o f Moon Moon at apogee Chinese New Y 27 ear 28 29 Uranus 5° north of M oon 2021 Jupiter (south) Saturn and Venus (west) 30 31 1829: Isaac Roberts born 1967: Apollo 1 astronauts White, Grissom, and Chaffee die in 1611: Johannes Hevelius bo cockpit fire on launch rn 1958: pad during test 1986: Space shuttle Challenger 1964: SA-5 launched; first Saturn I Block Explorer 1 launched killing all seve explodes, II rocket 1961: Chimp, Ham, suborbi n astronauts 1966: tal flight 1989: Phobos 2 enters orbit around Mars Luna 9 launched 1964: Ranger 6 launched 1971: Apollo 14 launched Year In Space Fun Fact: 1985: ESA approves C On May 27th 2019, a Soyuz 2-1b rocket carrying a Glos olumbus program communications satellite was struck by lightning 10 second nass-M Cosmodrome; the lightning strike had no apparent effect son after the its launch from the Plesetsk Soyuz or its payload. BYE, BYE, BOOSTERS? Follow @YearInSpace on social media Soyuz rockets will continue flying for the foresee www.YearInSpace.com — free weekly newsletter there are plans for an “eco-friendly” methane-poweredable future, So but 2022 Moon (first quarter, high) Saturn and Jupiter rocket. Its proposed single-core (boosterless)yuz design -7 SPACEwould be a radical departure from the Soyuz design. 2023 Saturn (southeast) Jupiter (low in west) 2020 Wall Calendar 2024 Saturn (southeast) Albireo or something else 2025 Moon (waxing gibbous, east) Saturn (southeast) 2026 Saturn (east) Albireo or something else Enjoy this award-winning, large-format 2027 Saturn (east) Albireo or something else space calendar all year long! 2028 Moon (full) Albireo or something else • Over 120 space images 2029 Venus very low in the west* Albireo or something else • Sky events, space history, & more! 2030 Moon (waxing crescent, west) Albireo or something else • Group discounts available *15° above the horizon at sunset, and the altitude decreases afterwards. See more at YearInSpace.com

THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 11 10 REFLECTOR ✶ SEPTEMBER 2 0 1 9 hat does the past tell 25. They sailed in expeditions of private Chinese company has just 2 W us? In the 1400s, there just one to three ships. launched several satellites into a was another major sea-explora- A great irony of the 15th 300-mile Earth orbit. Perspective on Apollo hat of the future? The tion power, the Ming Chinese. At century is that the Ming dynasty re we Americans to become W historian Arnold Toynbee that time, China was the world’s suddenly stopped its explorations Ã̃̃the 21st century Ming ranked the Apollo Moon expedi- most advanced civilization, with due to other national pressures. Chinese? While we still possess By Richard C. Wilde tions as one of the three most technology vastly superior to that The nation turned inward and superior space technology, do we significant human achievements of Western Europe. Between 1405 became xenophobic. Science lack the national resolve to con- he Apollo Program was a true Shuttles were reusable. The 1990s, the United States began useable water. The whole vehicle of the last thousand years. and 1433, China, using ships with and technology decayed, trade tinue? Space will be explored and expedition – a series of nine solid boosters and engines were designing and then building is solar powered to reduce resup- T We don’t yet know where it will five or six masts that were up- became passive, and for the next exploited by humans. Will it be by reconnaissance flights to the used for approximately ten flights, Space Station Freedom, our first ply dependency from Earth. lead us. There is a debate in this wards of 400 feet long, weighed five centuries China devolved into Americans, or will it be by others Moon with six actual landings and each orbiter was designed for outpost in space to be permanent- country today about how to imilarly, the Soviet Union 1,600 tons, and carried crews of one of the world’s most exploited using cruder but adequate tech- on the surface. These voyages 100 missions. Only the external ly inhabited. Initially intended proceed in space relative to other built and crewed a space as many as 500 sailors, explored nations. However, in the last 30 nology? History has shown that to charted cislunar space, proved launch-fuel tank was expendable, for a 30-year life, it was radically S priorities and demands on our station they called Mir, meaning East Africa and the Indian Ocean. years or so, China has begun to abdicate is ultimately to stagnate. our mastery of two-week life a victim of an initial cost-cut- different from Apollo and the national resources. The Chinese accomplished reemerge, and is now aggressively America must press on. ê support capabilities in space, ting decision made early in the Space Shuttle. “peace.” Following the breakup Should we continue with the this by assembling expeditions of pursuing its own economic and mapped the Moon, conducted of the Soviet Union in the late This essay is an update of Space Station for another 10 60 ships and 30,000 men. These territorial interests and develop- experiments, and returned with 1980s, the United States and a presentation by Richard C. years or more or plan to shut the ships were capable of going any- ing its presence in world politics. more than 800 pounds of Moon Russia recognized an opportunity Wilde at the Connecticut Science program down? What about send- where in the world. It was only a In space, China has successfully rocks and regolith to Earth for for cooperation in space, first Museum in West Hartford at ing humans back to the Moon, matter of time before they would flown its astronauts (taikonauts) study and evaluation (which is demonstrated by the Apollo-Soyuz a press conference on July 20, or going to Mars or beyond, and have discovered the Americas aboard space vehicles launched still occurring). Test Project in 1975, in which an 1989, for Connecticut Apollo vehicle rendezvoused and doing it alone or teaming with and established direct contact by their Long March rocket Remembers Apollo 11: Apollo equipment was charac- docked with a Soyuz capsule, and industrial partners, Europeans, with Europeans. By contrast, the boosters into low Earth orbit. Twenty Years Ago Today. terized by the word expendable: the two crews performed what Russia, Japan, India, or China? Portuguese used little ships with They have also landed two robotic use it once and throw it away. became known as the ceremonial Why not use robots instead of three masts, weighing 60 to 80 spacecraft on the Moon, includ- The Moon images in the title and section All supplies including food were numbers are from a photo by “handshake in space.” Thus in the humans for space exploration? tons and carrying crews of just ing one on the far side, and a Gregory H. Revera, via Wikimedia Commons brought up from Earth, and only early 1990s, the United States breathing oxygen was cleaned invited Russia to join in design- up and reused in an otherwise ing and constructing the newly open-loop life support system. renamed International Space 2020 Everything else was expendable: Calendar Station, which became operation- the booster rockets, the space al in 1998. vehicles themselves, and the hydrogen and oxygen used to pro- NASA photo he International Space duce electrical power and water, T Station has been used to remove carbon dioxide, dispose of program. Tragically, the Shuttle n First, unlike Shuttle and “Terrific product that belongs exploit the resources of its loca- at every observing site.” urine and feces, and reject waste program did not live up to its ex- Apollo vehicles which were used tion in the zero-g vacuum of its – Thomas Epps heat. For Apollo this was appro- pectations. Two vehicles were lost in space but were assembled and low Earth orbit. It has supported in flight taking 14 crewmembers priate. Disposable rockets based serviced on Earth, Freedom’s life science studies and manufac- on military missiles were all we to their deaths – Challenger in modules were built on Earth and turing in weightlessness, been had at the time, and open-loop life 1986 and Columbia in 2003. The delivered to orbit by Shuttle for used for astronomical studies un- OITHv6 – Deep Sky! 739 DSOs to mag 10; 215 bino objects support systems using expend- five vehicles that were built flew assembly and maintenance in impeded by Earth’s distorting and and the NEW Goals/Log/Sketch Book ables remain the lightest-weight a total of just 137 flights before space. This drove the design of increasingly contaminated atmo- Save 25% approach for two-week missions. NASA terminated the program in equipment for long life, low main- $ Only at www.birrendesign.com sphere, and supported terrestrial 14.95 Tel: 630-336-5321 2011. tenance, and easy servicing to an observations of global phenomena or less owever, the Shuttle did unprecedented degree. from its high vantage point. In ̃represent continuous access 1 H n Second, the intended mis- the future it may be used as a Enjoy this award-winning, 136-page to space, albeit to the low Earth sion life of 30 years necessitated way-station in low Earth orbit be- space calendar all year long! uring the Space Shuttle era, orbit already explored during the closure of all thermal control tween Earth and other points in • 53 weekly space images D̃which started in the 1980s, Apollo. This was analogous to the and life support loops, except for the Solar System. As an outpost • Hundreds of sky events Portuguese trading voyages to • Dates in space history missions were still about one to food and feces. Thus carbon diox- in Earth orbit, it is analogous to • Daily Moon phases two weeks long, so life support West Africa beginning in 1440, ide removal is regenerable, and first Portuguese fort, built in 1448 • Long-range planning calendars systems remained open-loop and after some of that coastline had the carbon dioxide itself is broken on the island of Arguin off the • Group discounts available vehicles were fuel-cell powered. been discovered and defined by down to recycle the oxygen. Wash coast of present-day Mauretania, • Money-back guarantee The main difference between Europeans. water, humidity condensate, and to support the burgeoning trade See more at YearInSpace.com Shuttle and Apollo was economic. In the late 1980s and early urine are reprocessed to recover along Africa’s West Coast.

12 REFLECTOR ✶ SEPTEMBER 2019 THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 13 cellent programs were “A Discus- sion of Historical Tests of General Relativity Theory” by Dr. Robert FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE Mutel of the University of Iowa, followed by “Meteorites: Messen- NCRAL REPORT Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, committee was to attract students book giveaway, and a collection of gers From Space and Time” by Dr. MAY 3–5, 2019: Illinois, and Michigan’s Upper and boost attendance, including Voyager mission memorabilia. Paul Sipiera from the Planetary “ASTRONOMICAL VOYAGES OF Peninsula. Thirty-six societies now inviting societies from other DIY items included an observing Studies Foundation, Galena, Illi- DISCOVERY: PAST, PRESENT, comprise NCRAL. PAC previously regions and non-League-affiliated chair, solar filter kits, a telescope nois. After a foggy start Saturday AND FUTURE” hosted NCRAL in 1953 and 1986. clubs. We introduced the theme adapter for cellphone photogra- morning, the skies cleared for he Popular Astronomy Club Since this year is the 50th anni- at NCRAL 2018 in Sturgeon phy, and a library telescope. the rest of the day, affording nice T hosted the 73rd annual versary of the Apollo 11 Moon Bay, Wisconsin, and fliers were Astronomical trivia followed our solar viewing through the PAC’s convention of the North-Central landing, our planning committee available at ALCon 2018 in Friday catered dinner. There mobile observatory (PACMO) in Region of the Astronomical decided on the theme “Astronom- Minneapolis. We placed ads in the was plenty of time for networking Stoney Creek’s parking lot. League (NCRAL) May 3–5 at ical Voyages of Discovery: Past, December 2018 and March 2019 and camaraderie with fellow After our lunch buffet, Dr. Stoney Creek Hotel and Confer- Present, and Future.” We wanted issues of the Reflector. We got the attendees. Esteban Araya gave a program Group photo in front of the Popular Astronomy Club Mobile Observatory ence Center in Moline, Illinois. to offer presentations covering word out about our event through on “Voyages of Discovery in First, a little history about everything from ancient Native Facebook, direct mailings, and Radio Astronomy” and had some trolled observatory. Dr. Mike design winner, Terry Dufek of the universe. That concluded NCRAL the Popular Astronomy Club American views of astronomy to visits to other clubs. We had 88 interesting demonstrations using Solontoi of Monmouth College Popular Astronomy Club, whose 2019. (PAC) and its connection to the the Large Synoptic Survey Tele- registered attendees from three diffraction gratings, infrared presented his animated talk on design received the most votes The Popular Astronomy Club Astronomical League. The club scope. Our committee worked regions, and we also attracted camera views of the audience, “The Large Synoptic Survey out of those being considered. planning committee for “Voyages Telescope: Your Own 8.4-Meter was founded in 1936 by Carl H. for two years to put together an some high-school students and and demonstrations of spectros- Dr. Steven Spangler, Universi- of Discovery: Past, Present, and Telescope” and outlined the their families as they contemplat- copy. Dr. Robert Mitchell of St. ty of Iowa, gave the thought-pro- Future” worked diligently to have challenges and progress of this ed their future collegiate studies. Ambrose University then gave voking keynote presentation, something for everyone. We had innovative telescope being The highest attendance during his talk on gravitational waves, “Different Views of the Sky; Amer- an ambitious agenda with flexible constructed in Chile. any session – 103 – was when updating us on recent discoveries ican Indian Views of Astronomy,” registration fees, including the our college students and native in this field. which delved into the connection full conference with meals, the Quad Citians updated us on their NCRAL Chair Carl Wenning ext on the schedule were between ancient cave drawings conference without meals, and studies and research. e had ten speakers, N our two native Quad-Citians and astronomy. Saturday evening low student prices. We could also e wanted to make the W beginning Friday evening and current college students. ended with a 40-minute drive to accommodate requests for family W Quad Cities a destination with Dr. Lee Carkner of Augusta- Katie Melbourne, Yale University, St. Ambrose University’s Menke members who only wanted to at- not just for the amateur astrono- na College with his program titled presented “Our Coolest Stellar Observatory to see their equip- tend a meal or two. We accommo- mers attending the conference, “A Relativistic Century: Edding- Neighbors: the Role of M Dwarf ment and do some observing on a dated several walk-in attendees at but also for spouses and family ton, Einstein, and the Great Stars in the Search for Earth 2.0” clear night. the start of the event on May 3. members. We offered a Thursday Eclipse.” Then Carl Wenning’s followed by Tiffany Fields, St. Time for questions was built into evening hospitality suite at Stoney talk, “Voyages of Discovery,” pro- Mary’s University, Nova Scotia, n Sunday morning, we the schedule after every program. Creek for early arrivals to check vided a discussion of his literary concluded at Bettendorf oor prizes were a big part of who talked about “Tweeting to the Katie Melbourne O in and receive their welcome bags journey over his lifetime and the Stars with the Burke-Gaffney High School with a panel dis- D the conference, and thanks impact reading has made on him. cussion led by Ian Spangenberg, to our sponsors, everyone was Solar viewing in the Popular Astronomy Club Mobile Observatory and T-shirts. We expanded the Observatory and Learning About t the conclusion of the event to include pre-conference He challenged the audience to Galaxy Evolution Using Simula- A Saturday evening banquet, physics instructor at Pleasant a winner. Each club received a Gamble, the manager of the John agenda with so many activities tours at the John Deere Harvester go out and do some observing NCRAL chair Carl Wenning Valley High School and sponsor of Galileoscope to take home to their Deere Spreader Works. During that the convention had to be Works Combine Factory and the and have their own voyages of took the podium to announce an after-school astronomy club. members and use for outreach. the formative years of the Astro- expanded to two and a half days. Rock Island Arsenal Museum. We discovery. several regional award winners. Students discussed the percep- Each attendee received a padfolio nomical League, Mr. Gamble advo- Early in our planning, we asked offered “Best Practices for Friday evening ended with a The Newspaper Editor Award tions that many young people as a “thank you” for coming. cated for organizing the country’s professors from the colleges and Community Outreach” and visit to the John Deere Planetar- went to Bill Davidson, Roches- have about astronomy as a hobby, There were many facets to amateur societies under one universities within 60 miles of the “Astrophotography 101” classes ium and Gamble Observatory on ter Astronomy Club, and the including the cost for equipment, planning a conference of this size. umbrella organization. The PAC is Quad Cities about their availabili- before our planning chair, Mike the campus of Augustana College Membership Recruitment Grant the time required, and constraints We were gratified by the positive one of the 12 founding societies ty to do programs. Gacioch, formally kicked off the with telescopic views of Mars, was awarded to the Twin City such as involvement in sports, comments we received when it of the Astronomical League, and We wanted to include cur- meeting. We invited attendees to hosted by Dr. Carkner. Saturday Amateur Astronomers. The 2018 music, and needed time for was over. Thanks to everyone Mr. Gamble attended the first rent college students studying bring do-it-yourself projects to morning began with the NCRAL Region Award was presented to studies. Chris Like, the Bettendorf who traveled to Moline, Illinois, convention, held in Philadelphia astronomy, so we also contacted share with others in the DIY and business meeting at 8 a.m. Roy E. Gustafson of the Popular High School planetarium director, to join us at NCRAL. See you in in 1947. them. Lastly, we wanted to have vendor room. We had quite an Despite the early start, 35 or 40 Dr. Paul Sipiera Astronomy Club, and Lynda then gave us a tour of the plane- May in Port Washington, The Astronomical League a panel discussion with students assortment of displays including a dedicated individuals attended. tions.” The Burke-Gaffney Schweikert accepted the 2019 tarium and showed us some of the Wisconsin, for NCRAL 2020, splits the country into regions, to learn about their perceptions meteorite display, OSIRIS-REx We then had two more presen- Observatory is a research, Region Award for John Heasley, student-produced shows he uses hosted by the Northern Cross and our North-Central Region of astronomy as a hobby. A major literature, an International tations before breaking for the educational, and outreach facility Iowa County Astronomers. Carl for elementary school visits to the Science Foundation! contains North and South Dakota, goal of the conference planning Dark-Sky Association display, a group photo and lunch. These ex- and the world’s first Twitter-con- also announced the NCRAL logo planetarium to learn about the —Sara Sheidler

14 REFLECTOR ✶ SEPTEMBER 2019 THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 15 The assembled crowd for Saturday evening’s keynote program. Photo by Tom Spirock. REPORT FROM STELLAFANE page was updated so that a remarkable polymath named ris Larsen led fun astronomy attendees could register online. Russell Porter taught a group of activities for children, and Dr. Alan Stern consults with a young participant in the teen robotics program. Homemade telescopes and antique restorations on the clubhouse grounds near the he eighty-third Stellafane K Photo by Paul Fucile. Stellafane Clubhouse and the Porter Turret Telescope. Photo by Richard Sanderson T Convention was held on Au- This year the recently Springfield machine tool factory Paul Fucile conducted a project gust first through fourth this year, acquired Hale spectroheliograph, workers and others to make mir- workshop for teens in which as always at a new moon, and now housed near the clubhouse in rors and build telescopes. participants constructed a New under mostly clear skies. Around its own building, was brought to a Later Porter would be instru- Horizons-inspired robotic “space- a thousand amateur astronomers very high performance standard mental in the design of the 200- craft” and simulated the mission’s and family members made the through the efforts of Matt Con- inch telescope at Mount Palomar. flyby of “Ultima Thule.” pilgrimage to Breezy Hill. Most sidine, Dave Groski, Jim Daley, This year’s convention fea- Despite having been up late camped on the Springfield Tele- Ken Slater, and others who have tured talks on aspects of imaging observing on Friday, lots of folks scope Makers’ 85-acre site east painstakingly worked out many technique by Al Takeda, Tom Spi- were up very early Saturday of the original Stellafane club- mechanical, optical, and opera- rock, and Gary Walker; on ways morning for the swap tables. The house area. tional kinks in this long-neglected for amateurs to contribute to real club limits swap-meet sales to It took a lot of work to get the instrument. astronomical research by Brad non-commercial individual sellers; Convention up and running. STM omehow all this happens with Vietje, Mario Motta, and others; from the beginning the Conven- members and volunteers started S little central management; on historical topics, including tion has always been a completely arriving on the site a week or when members see jobs that need Kris Larsen’s talk about Marga- non-commercial event. more before the public came, and doing, they just do them. It helps ret Burbridge; and on observing Nights were filled with the did everything from cutting brush to have almost a century of tra- techniques by Dan Gray, Richard familiar star party murmur and around campsites to painting dition behind the operation. STM Berry, Richard Sanderson, Phil the dim glow of red flashlights, as buildings and mowing many acres members are intensely devoted Harrington, Stephania and Paul several dozen telescopes craned Conventioneers begin to ready their telescopes for the night, at the main observing field near the Breuning Observatory at Stellafane East. Photo by Ken Slater. of grass. Winter damage to roads to a culture that dates back to Schuler, Larry Mitchell, and skyward and observers shared was repaired, and fallen limbs the club’s founding in 1923, after others. eyepieces and tales of astronom- and branches were removed. ical glory with old friends and Owning a chainsaw is a major new. It’s not New Mexico, but plus for prospective STM mem- skies at Stellafane are dark for bers! Maintenance work was also New England, and nowhere else done on the Porter Turret Tele- has the historical resonance of scope, the Stellafane Schupmann this storied hilltop in Vermont Telescope, and other instruments where the first organized group of on the site. American amateur astronomers Much of the work, though, once gazed in awe at galaxies (be- started months earlier, as Eileen fore they were widely understood Myers and Kris Larsen lined up as galaxies!) and star clusters. an extensive list of presenters As always at Stellafane, and developed the schedule. The amateur telescope making Convention Bulletin was compiled was an important focus, with and printed, and members pre- demonstrations of every phase pared their own demonstrations, of mirror making, optical testing, STM Members gather for their annual Thursday night Convention dinner and meeting, in front talks, and workshops. The web of the Stellafane Clubhouse, a National Historic Site. Photo by Michael Patterson and telescope construction. The Alan Ward drew a crowd with his portable coating machine; he aluminized several conventioneers’ mirrors on site. Right: The glow of pumpdown at twilight. Photos by Patrick Dodson.

16 REFLECTOR ✶ SEPTEMBER 2019 THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 17 demos were organized by Read Newtonian. In the Standard Class, Predmore, with presentations Patrick Dodson won a first for by Glenn Jackson, Rick Hunter, mechanical design for his 8-inch Junie Esslinger, Phil Rounseville, Newtonian reflector, and George Dick Parker, and Dave Kelley. Springston won first for crafts- Peter Pekurar demonstrated an manship with his 6-inch Newto- innovative method for silvering nian. In the Antique Restoration mirrors and Alan Ward brought competition, Dave Groski won first his amazing portable coating for his beautifully restored 1960s machine, aluminizing mirrors for Criterion Dynascope Newtonian. several conventioneers. George he big finale of the Stellafane Roberts gave a talk about testing T convention is the Saturday with the Bath interferometer, and night keynote program. In this Steve Hannah tied for a first-place Optical Award with two other George Springston also tied for first place in the Optical Patrick Dodson with his first homemade telescope, an 8-inch Phil Rounseville gave some very year’s nice weather it was held entrants. Photo by Ken Slater. Note: Mathew Paul of Florida, division, and took second place in Mechanical Design and first Newtonian. He took first place in Mechanical Design and New York, also tied for first place; no photo is available. place for Craftsmanship as well. Photo by Ken Slater. second place in Craftsmanship. Photo by Michael Patterson. good reasons to consider an an- outdoors in the Thayer Amphithe- tique design – the Gregorian – for ater. The raffle prizes were award- homemade planetary telescopes. ed, including several thousands Corey Mooney gave a talk on 3D of dollars worth of eyepieces printing for ATMs. donated by Al Nagler of Tele Vue he heart and soul of Stel- Optics, to ecstatic cheers from T lafane, of course, is the winners and groans from those homemade telescope competition. of us with long chains of losing Mirror-making workshops around tickets. the country have produced a wave Dr. Alan Stern, the principal of very high-quality amateur-made investigator for the New Horizons The swap tables open early Saturday morning...some people just mirrors. The optical judges, mission, returned to Stellafane to never go to bed on Friday night! Photo by Mike Hayes. who use star testing to evaluate give us an update on the fly-bys optical systems, had a very hard of Pluto and “Ultima Thule,” the time picking a winner; when the bizarre contact-binary Kuiper testing and deliberations were belt object recently imaged by finally over at about 1:30 in the the probe, and left us all await- morning, there were three Stan- ing news of what may be next dard Class mirrors scoring well for New Horizons. A dynamic within one percent of each other In the Master Class, Joe Dechene won first place for In the Junior Division, Andrew Parenteau won first-place awards Douglas Arion won a Master Class second place award for speaker, Dr. Stern very gener- Mechanical Design, second place for Craftsmanship, and an in Optical and Mechanical with his first homemade telescope, Mechanical Design and first place for Craftsmanship, with his in the 160-point rating scale. ously answered questions from a Innovative Component Award. Photo by Richard Sanderson. a 6-inch f/5 Dobsonian. Photo by Michael Patterson. beautiful 120 mm Newtonian. Photo by Michael Patterson. (There were no Master Class cluster of curious amateurs after entries.) Steve Hannah, Mathew the program. Paul, and George Springston tied eople who come to Stella- for first place, and Steven Maiar- fane even once tend to keep oto came in a very close second. P coming, marking the years by Con- All of these telescopes were small ventions – comments like “this is Newtonians with 6-inch or 8-inch Kids working on models of the Sun in Kris Larsen’s childrens’ workshop. my forty-forth Convention” are not apertures. This is unusual; often Photo by Richard Sanderson uncommon among STM members amateur builders bring much larg- and friends. Many people have er homemade “light buckets,” but large, sentimentally important this year, small telescopes filled collections of Convention badges the clubhouse lawn, aimed at and camping permit ribbons. It’s Altair for their moment of truth. a place to see people perhaps met In the mechanical competi- only once a year, and to form new tion, Master Class, Joe Dechene friendships with fellow amateurs won first place for mechanical and quite a few professionals. design with his versatile wooden —Michael Patterson mount, which can easily convert Visit stellafane.org to learn more from alt-az to GEM configura- about the Springfield Telescope tions, and Doug Arion won first Dave Kelley preparing to test a mirror with his autocollimation flat. Makers, Stellafane, and Some amateur astronomy luminaries at Stellafane: (left photo) Richard Berry, delivering his talk on amateur confirmation of Einstein’s gravitational deflection predictions during the 2017 Photo by Doug Arion. for craftsmanship with his 200 mm the Stellafane Convention. eclipse; (right photo) Ken Launie, Dennis Di Cicco, and Phil Harrington at the swap tables. Photos by Richard Sanderson. THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 19 18 REFLECTOR ✶ SEPTEMBER 201 9 REFLECTING ON ALCON 2019 to witness the launch, but it was ingful it was to them to have one Ron Kramer moderated a panel Panelists included this year’s 7. Give star party visitors a 14. Create colorful club 22. Send questionnaires LCon 2019 offered our mem- frustratingly scrubbed with less of these in their own collections. addressing how to diversify our Horkheimer Youth Service Award memento of their visit – a trifold, posters. Get permission to post to your members that can be A bers a unique opportunity than 10 seconds to go! The next Derek Demeter, the director club memberships. winner Tyler Hutchison, Astron- a meteorite sample, a pair of them permanently in high school returned anonymously, or employ to celebrate the 50th anniversary evening, however, after six delays, of the Emil Buehler Planetarium Binocular observing was of- omy Outreach of Kosovo founder eclipse glasses, a calendar of classrooms, university labs and a survey platform like Google of the Apollo 11 mission. In 1969, we found that the seventh time at Seminole State College of fered nightly on the helipad of the Pranvera Hyseni, Astronomical upcoming events. Get contact commons areas, libraries, and Forms or SurveyMonkey. Ask humans landed on the Moon, and was the charm. Watching from Florida, gave the keynote address. cruise ship, Mariner of the Seas. Society of the Pacific program information, thank them for museums. what aspects of club meetings, ALCon 2019 started with our at- various locations, Astronomical He was president of the South- Our first night was a bit cloudy, manager David Prosper, and past attending, and encourage them 15. Anticipate parental con- observations, and activities your tendees touring the facility from League members were able to eastern Planetarium Association but we had sufficiently clear skies League president Chuck Allen. to come to a meeting. Send them cerns over minor children being members like and don’t like. Ask which that mission was launched. view the rocket’s launch from the from 2017 to 2018. A long-time during the other evenings for Carroll Iorg moderated the dis- pictures taken at the event. with people they don’t know at re- what changes they would recom- Attendees had the opportunity to Canaveral Air Station’s Launch member of the Astronomical many to work their way through cussions, which generated great 8. Prepare new member mote observing locations. Provide mend. You’ll get painfully frank view an actual launch of a rocket Complex 40. League, Demeter has served as an observing list that focused on ideas on how to grow your club’s packages. Include a club trifold; names and background informa- responses, but you’ll learn a lot. membership: sent to resupply the International he rocket rose from the the president and observing chair more southerly objects. a calendar of events; a member- tion on adults who will be present 23. Consider whether your Space Station. A highlight of T launch pad and into the sky. of the Central Florida Astronom- n addition to our focus on 1. Appoint a membership ship application (or web address along with contact information. by-laws should impose term limits. ALCon was boarding a cruise ship After a few seconds it began to ical Society. His keynote show- I astronomy, the cruise offered chair and devote a club meeting where they can join); a club pen, 16. Contact members who Depending on personalities, if offi- for the Bahamas after leaving leave behind a white contrail that cased his great skill in being able the advantages of visiting the to the subject of winning and patch, or t-shirt; and contact infor- don’t renew. Tell them they’re cers rule in perpetuity, clubs may Florida’s Space Coast, making contrasted against the beautiful to talk to both the experienced port city of Nassau and the keeping new members. mation for club officers. If you can missed and invite them back. seem closed and unappealing to this the first Astronomical League and the novice astronomer at the afford it, give them some astrono- those wishing to become involved. blue Florida skies. The rumble of private island of CocoCay. Food 2. Make meetings more 17. Register your club with convention to be held outside the same time. my materials like a booklet, a red the rocket engines were clearly and entertainment were offered appealing. Dump the business por- Night Sky Network. One club 24. Try to include well-known United States. light, or a small planisphere. heard as the spacecraft disap- throughout the cruise, affording tion. Serve refreshments and cre- received nine requests for library people in your major outreach n Friday morning, most The first full day of ALCon peared from view. After a few mo- our members a variety of ways to ate interpersonal greeting time. 9. Create free associate mem- programs in one month through activities. Invite a researcher, of us departed the Space began with a tour of Kennedy ments, the SpaceX Falcon 9 could O enjoy each other’s company. For Adopt the Astronomy Society of berships for students. The value NSN alone. politician, or author to one of your Space Center. Attendees were be seen once again with its fiery Coast of Florida for the Bahamas, many of us who attend ALCons Kansas City’s “Astronomy 101” of having young people in aging major star parties, or find a spon- 18. Consider a telescope loan able to hear a presentation by engines burning, this time slowing making this the first ALCon to be frequently, lifelong friendships idea – a short 10- to 20-minute clubs vastly outweighs the loss of sor and invite someone famous program. Better yet, consider a astronaut Al Worden, who piloted the descent of the booster for a held outside the United States, have been established over the pre-program dedicated to basic dues income. to speak at a public forum where and the first to involve a cruise small telescope or binocular give- the Apollo 15 mission to the Moon controlled landing on Landing years. For first-time attendees, astronomy. 10. Understand that people your club will be seen. at sea. Everyone had time to away program contingent on con- in 1971, making him one of only Zone 1 so it could be reused. The and for those who attend ALCon 3. Get your club on social join astronomy clubs for different 25. Conduct meetings devoted enjoy both the cruise and the tinued membership and outreach 24 humans to have flown to the Dragon capsule continued on its infrequently, this aspect of ALCon media, and post and comment reasons, including to lead, to so- entirely to new members, basic conference. Some presentations participation. One club finds used Earth’s nearest celestial neighbor. way to the ISS for SpaceX’s 18th 2019 offered ways to begin what regularly. cialize, to teach, and to tinker (for astronomy, and instruction on the were offered twice to allow more binoculars for sale at thrift shops His mission qualified him for resupply mission. Moments after we hope will become new lifelong example, imaging, telescope build- use of their telescopes. flexibility in taking advantage of 4. Don’t ignore visitors! Have and makes them available to new being listed in the Guinness Book the booster’s successful landing, relationships. ing, and information technology). the ship’s offerings. designated greeters who are good members. 26. Have annual picnics and of World Records as the “most a loud sonic boom was heard. ALCon 2019 had been the Once you know what they desire with people. Appoint a “sergeant- 19. Have interesting pro- dinners where the entire focus isolated human being” in history After viewing the spectacular Pranvera Hyseni offered our dream of our late president, Bill from your club, find opportunities at-arms” whose job is to see that grams at your meetings. Consider is socialization and where the because of his time alone in the launch, we held our annual Star- first onboard presentation by Bogardus. He believed we needed that satisfy those desires. new members are welcomed. programs with authors and spouses and children of members command module, Endeavour, B-Que. In a tradition started by sharing her personal history and to commemorate the 50th anni- Don’t ask about visitors’ work 11. Create easy online astronomers. Invite local profes- will feel equally comfortable. during which he was 2,235 miles our recently deceased president, her experiences studying aster- versary of Apollo 11 in a unique lives. Instead, ask how they got membership application and dues sors or grad students. Bring in Membership matters, so give away from fellow astronauts Bill Bogardus, we presented oids. Hyseni is a native of Kosovo, and meaningful way. It was Bill interested in astronomy, how they payment options. People are more key members from nearby clubs. these ideas a try. You’ve got every- Scott and Irwin during their time plaques to those who had re- which was at war during her Bogardus who had the vision for found your club, and what kind impulsive and quicker to make Seek programs from people and one to gain! on the Moon. This distance was ceived certificates in the Master childhood. She began to develop a an ALCon that started at Kennedy of astronomy activities interest purchases online. organizations having tangential greater than other that of other Observer program and who were passion for astronomy and is now Space Center and which included —Chuck Allen them. Suggest ways they can 12. Get on television. Two relationships with astronomy – command module pilots during in attendance at ALCon. Recipi- a world-renowned presence on a cruise to the Bahamas. ALCon contribute to the club. brief 6 a.m. morning show appear- science fairs, ophthalmologists, lunar missions. Those attending ents this year were Jim Ketchum, social media advocating interest 2019 was the fulfillment of his 5. Wear name tags at all ances once brought 5,000 people engineering firms, NASA, teach- the presentation had the pleasure Marie Lott, David Whalen, Valorie in astronomy. Dawn Davies pre- vision. sented a program on myths of the meetings. Even some of your to a Perseids event…in the rain! ers, math societies, and the like. of joining Worden for a photo op. Whalen, and Charles E. Allen III. —Dr. W. Maynard Pittendreigh constellations. Al Lamperti had long-standing members don’t 13. Conduct a Student Night. 20. Submit articles and pho- know everyone’s names. hile enjoying a tour of im Bogardus offered a won- us donning 3D glasses to take a FROM ALCON 2019: Get permission to put notices tos about club activities and mem- special tour through the universe. 6. Follow up! Any professional W Kennedy Space Cen- K derful memorial reflection HOW TO GAIN AND in high school and university ber accomplishments to your local ter may have been considered about her husband. With humor David Prosper shared news from with clients knows that follow-up science classes, school papers, newspaper’s Metro and Science RETAIN NEW MEMBERS a sufficient way for ALCon to and grace, she recalled many of the Night Sky Network. Two pre- is survival. Get visitors’ contact libraries, and museums, and put editors. If they use them…boom… celebrate the 50th anniversa- the characteristics of our past sentations took the form of panel ocal clubs are the backbone of information and write or email a small ad in the newspaper. Post huge publicity for your club. ̃̃the Astronomical League. ry of Apollo 11, attendees at League president. She also donat- discussions designed to involve L them after the meeting thanking similar notices about your public 21. Ask inactive members to Membership matters, and it is ALCon were able to enjoy an ed a number of items from her participation of our members them for coming and encouraging Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, participate on committees or work in each club’s interest to consider unexpected gift. The launch of a husband’s meteorite collection for and to offer help for local clubs. them to return. Let them know transit, eclipse, meteor, and comet on projects. Involved members are how to build membership. SpaceX resupply mission to the use as door prizes. These became League vice president Carroll Iorg about upcoming activities. Have watches. happy members. International Space Station had highlights for the frequent raffle moderated a panel addressing “How to Gain and Retain New several people write them, if been delayed several times over drawings and many of those who gaining and retaining members Members” was the subject of two possible. recent weeks. Attendees gathered won them commented how mean- in local clubs. League president panel discussions at ALCon 2019. THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 21 20 REFLECTOR ✶ SEPTEMBER 2019 OCT. 18–20̨ Bays Mountain StarFest OCT. 22–26̨Enchanted Skies Star Party ALCon Jr. 2020 STEAM Conference Bays Mountain Park, Kingsport, Tennessee Socorro, New Mexicǫ̨enchantedskies.org Coming Events baysmountain.com/astronomy/ OCT. 22–27̨Deep South Regional Star Gaze for families and students astronomy-club/?GTTabs=4#starfest White Horse Christian Retreat Camp, SEPT. 21–29̨ Okie-Tex Star Party OCT. 20–27̨ Peach State Star Gaze Mississippį̨stargazing.net/dsrsg Kenton, Oklahoma Deerlick Astronomy Village, Georgia OCT. 24–27̨Nightfall Oklahoma City Astronomy Club atlantaastronomy.org/PSSG www.okie-tex.com Borrego Springs, California Telescope Making Workshop with OCT. 21–26̨Eldorado Star Party nightfallstarparty.com SEPT. 25–29̨ Acadia Night Sky Festival Rob Teeter of Teeter’s Telescopes X-Bar Ranch, Eldorado, Texas OCT. 24–26̨Chiefland Star Party Mount Desert Island, Maine eldoradostarparty.org acadianightskyfestival.com Chiefland, Florida OCT. 21–27̨Staunton River Star Party chieflandstarpartygroup.com SEPT. 26–28̨ Great Basin National Park Scottsburg, Virginia OCT. 25–26̨Kopernik AstroFest Astronomy Festival stauntonriver-starparty.org Baker, Nevadąnps.gov/grba/planyourvisit/ Vestal, New York̨̨kopernikastro.org/astrofest astronomy-festival.htm SEPT. 26–28̨ Illinois Dark Skies Star Party Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, Illinois ̨sas-sky.org SEPT. 26–29̨ Great Lakes Star Gaze Gladwin, Michigan̨greatlakesstargaze.com Globe @ Night Heart of America Star Party SEPT. 26–29̨ Butler, Missourįhoasp.askc.org SEPT. 27–29̨Hidden Hollow Star Party Hidden Hollow Camp, Ohio wro.org/?page_id=7 SEPT. 27–29̨ Idaho Star Party Bruneau State Park, Idaho boiseastro.org/isp.html

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THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 23 22 REFLECTOR ✶ SEPTEMBER 201 9

GALLERY

MEMBER ASTROPHOTOGRAPHS

All photos © 2019 by their respective creators.

Jeff Ball (Ohio Valley Astronomical Society) took this image of the Rho Ophiuchi to Pipe Nebula area from the Green Bank Star Quest using a ZWO ASI294MC camera with a 85 mm f/1.4 Rokinon lens. This result consists of two panels, each with two hours of exposure.

Steven Bellavia (Amateur Observers‘ Society of New York) took this image of Lynds Bright Nebula 468 from Cherry Springs State Park using a Borg 90FL f/4 astrograph with a ZWO ASI183MM Pro CMOS camera on a Celestron AVX mount.

This page: Kri

here are Observing Programs candidates and has shown that passion for the subject. T to meet anyone’s goals and exoplanets can form and exist He has won first place for the New Award passions, novice to expert, na- in clusters of stars, furthering past three years in the Greater GALLERY ked-eye to telescope and special the scientific understanding of San Diego Science and Engi- Programs equipment, visual and imaging. planetary formation in crowded neering Fair in the Physics and Which one will you tackle next? and overpopulated environments. Astronomy section. By Dr. Aaron Clevenson, Haven’t done one yet? Then which These discoveries may impact the Isaac is president of his high Observing Program Director one will you try? More informa- scientific community’s under- school’s astronomy club. In the ince the first award was tion on all of the opportunities is standing of sustainability of large club, they image with different ̃issued on January 1, 1967, in the “Observe” section of the AL planets in unsuitable conditions. S telescopes and are currently over 15,000 observing certificates website in the alphabetical listing: We conclude that exoplanets, making their own telescope. Addi- have been issued by the Astro- astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/ especially Hot Jupiters similar tionally, the club spreads interest nomical League, in 68 different AlphabeticObservingClubs.html. to the ones discovered in this in astronomy and astrophysics Observing Programs. This past research, are cosmic extremo- to local high-schoolers and the year has seen the addition of philes, and can survive in much public. He is also president of his some great new opportunities for Top Award harsher conditions than previous- school’s robotics club and a mem- our members. These include the ly believed. ber of the San Diego Astronomy addition of a Mentor Certification Finishers “We conclude that the high Association. for those members who have metallicity of the stars in the The title of his research made a special effort to welcome open clusters provides elements and introduce the hobby to new for 2019 project was “Testing Special and materials needed to form ex- members, a new program to Relativity with High-Resolution oplanets, and that exoplanets are Differential Photometry of encourage participation in citizen By Carroll Iorg, Vice President just as prevalent around clustered Eclipsing Binary Star Systems.” science and to recognize those It is my honor to recognize the stars as they are around isolated The study hypothesized that light who make contributions, two new top award finishers for 2019. stars. We theorize that planets of differing wavelengths produced Observing Programs (Spectros- can form in densely packed stellar copy and Multiple Star), and a NATIONAL YOUNG from distant stars will travel at ASTRONOMER AWARD environments, but that due to different speeds because of inter- Special Observing Award for the gravitational stellar interactions, November Mercury Transit. irst- and second-place winners actions with either the interstel- planetary ejection and migration lar medium or quantum vacuum. Citizen Science is recognizing F̃in the National Young Astron- from the open clusters can occur This study demonstrated that, at 100 (bronze), 500 (silver), and omer Award program received a later in their lifetimes.” high precision, over astronomi- multiples of 1000 (gold) contri- trip to ALCon 2019 and the relat- cal distances, the speed of light butions to various citizen science ed cruise, as well as one of Ex- econd place for the 2019 remained constant at all wave- projects outside of the Astro- plore Scientific’s fine telescopes. ̃National Young Astronomer S lengths of light; there were no nomical League. Included are Thanks to Scott Roberts, CEO and Award went to Isaac Broudy, significant differences measured two types of contributions: active president of Explore Scientific, an incoming senior at Bonita beyond the 95% confidence inter- projects such as those found in for his long-time support of the Vista High School in Chula Vista, val for each eclipse timepoint. Zooniverse, and observing proj- program. California. ects that go beyond the observing The top finisher for 2019 is He is an aspiring astrophys- HORKHEIMER requirements of some of our Ashini Modi. Ashini is from icist and amateur astronomer. YOUTH AWARDS existing Observing Programs. Shreveport, Louisiana, and will be His passion for astronomy and big thanks to Dwight in 10th grade this fall at Caddo Spectroscopy Observing physics stems from a young age A Horkheimer for his continu- Magnet High. She was nominated Program has been added to when he had the opportunity to ing his support of the Horkheimer A by Dr. Roy C. Parish, professor go beyond the Stellar Evolution visit the Kennedy Space Center Youth Awards, with plaques and emeritus of the University of Lou- Observing Program (a prerequi- and meet with astronauts, learn monetary awards! Also, Celestron, isiana and past president of the site). This does require the use about astronomy and telescopes, Inc., is an important supporter of Shreveport-Bossier Astronomical Kurt Kimbrell (Texas Astronomical Society) took this image of M33 using a GSO RC6 with an of a spectroscope and involves and most importantly, see the the program. Astro-Physics AP-CCDT67 reducer and ZWO ASI1600MM-Cool CMOS camera. Society. capturing spectra of various star Orion spacecraft launch! Horkheimer/Smith classes and other objects. Her research was titled “A Isaac has also spent the last Service Award A Multiple Star Observing Search for Exoplanets in High three years working in Dr. Brian The first-place Horkheimer/ Program has been added to go Metallicity Open Clusters Using a Keating’s experimental cosmology Smith Service Award winner is beyond the Double Star Observing Large-Scale Photometric Algo- lab at the University of California, Tyler McLean Hutchison. Program (a prerequisite). This rithm.” San Diego. In doing so, he has Tyler just finished his high school program involves measuring the From her conclusions: “My worked with a variety of tele- career at St. Christopher’s School separations and position angles of research has led to the dis- scopes, learned about astronomy in Richmond, Virginia, where he the stars in the groupings. covery of seven new exoplanet and physics, and fostered a strong lives. Tyler will receive a gener- THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 27 ous cash award from the Dwight Richmond Photography Meetup not overworked. and continues to make significant Society; No. 102, Dee Friesen, Albuquerque Herschel II Observing Program Outreach Observing Award Horkheimer Foundation, plus Group, and being chosen by ABC improvements every year. Astronomical Society; No. 103, Juan No. 106, Mark Simonson, Device-Aided, No. 828-M, James Wooten, Fort Bend “We appreciate that you have Observing Valasquez, Denver Astronomical Society; No. Everett Astronomical Society; No. 107, Paul Astronomy Club; No. 915-S, Irwin Horowitz, other prizes. News, New York, as the subject allowed us to recommend him for The CM, as it is called, is 104, Roger Joyner, Greensboro Astronomy Harrington, Manual, Member-at-Large Boise Astronomical Society; No. 926-M, for the pilot of a new series about In addition to taking multiple this prestigious formal recogni- appealing to the eye and is orga- Club Lunar Observing Program Aneesa Haq, Fort Bend Astronomy Club; No. 1021-M, Ed Magowan, Escambia Amateur America’s Amazing STEM Teens, tion.” nized in a way that makes it easy Awards Citizen Science Observational No. 1024, Ozgar Aklas, Tri-Valley Star Gazers; Advanced Placement and honors Astronomers Association; No. 1122-M, which went into preproduction in Steve Boerner, Variable Stars Silver, No. 1025, John Cassidy, Ventura Astronomical courses during high school, he Horkheimer/Parker to read and easy to find monthly Pamela Shivak, Member-at-Large; No. Member-at-Large Society; No. 1026, Keith Northon, Minnesota early 2019. Youth Imaging Award 1124-O, Gisela Esteva, Fort Bend Astronomy served as editor of the school’s articles. Marcia’s skills have Active Galactic Nuclei Program Astronomical Society; No. 1027, Bruno Comet Observing Program Club; No. 1125-O, Adam England, Prescott Tyler was the 2018 first-place Vivek Vijayakumar is the also been crucial to adapting the No. 18-V, Mark Bailey, Member-at-Large Pancorbo, Member-at-Large; No. 1028, yearbook and photographer for No. 109, Mike Myer, Silver, Astronomical Astronomy Club; No. 1126-S, Bradley Nasset, Reba Cain, Mountain Astronomical the student newspaper and was winner of the Astronomical first-place winner for 2019. Cosmic Messenger from a print to Advanced Binocular Double Star Society of Kansas City Minnesota Astronomical Society; No. 1127- Observing Program Research Region a founding member of the Saints League’s Horkheimer/D’Auria Vivek imaged NGC 2174, the digital format. Constellation Hunter Observing O, Charles Dean Covey III, Escambia Amateur No. 33, Paul Byrne, Member-at-Large Lunar II Observing Program for Environmental Awareness and Youth Service and Horkheimer/ Monkey Head Nebula, during Program (Northern Skies) Astronomers Association; No. 1127-S, The newsletter includes No. 98, Brian McGuinness, Northern Colorado Charles Dean Covey III, Escambia Amateur Action. Parker Youth Imaging Awards. late December 2018 and early Arp Peculiar Galaxies Northern Ob- No. 221, Jeffrey G. Hiscock, Member-at- numerous segments that make serving Program Large; No. 222, John Strebeck, St. Louis Astronomical Society; No. 99, Charles E. Allen Astronomers Association; No. 1128-O, Horkheimer/D’Auria III, Evansville Astronomical Society Kristin Hendershot, Member-at-Large; No. His educational achieve- 2019 from his home town of San it valuable to the society’s 650+ No. 0-V, John Wagoner, Texas Astronomical Astronomical Society; No. 223, Brad Nesset, Youth Service Award Marcos, California. He is a junior members, including regularly fea- Society of Dallas Minnesota Astronomical Society; No. 224, Mars Observing Award 1129-M, Jim Erwin, Naperville Astronomical ments outside of school included Association; No. 1130-O, Sam Finn, Central The first-place winner of the at San Marcos High School. His tured articles by ASKC members, Arp Peculiar Galaxies Southern Ob- Scott Cadwallader, Baton Rouge Astronomical No. 4, Vincent Giovannone, Member-at-Large Virginia Space Grant Consortium Society; No. 225, David Collings, Echo Ridge Pennsylvania Observers; No. 1131-O, Sam Horkheimer/D’Auria Youth Ser- equipment included an 8-inch magazine and forum membership serving Program Master Observer Award Pitts, Temecula Valley Astronomers; No. participant, Virginia Earth System No. 17-I, Dan Crowson, Astronomical Society Astronomical Society; No. 226, Sam Pitts, vice Award is Hubert Eubanks. Newtonian Celestron, CEM 60, subscription information, the cal- Temecula Valley Astronomers; No. 227, Keith BINOCULAR MASTER OBSERVER AWARD 1132-O, William Arden, Central Pennsylvania Science Scholars, VASTS Sum- of Eastern Missouri Rob Ratkowski, Observers; 1133-M, Tom Bennett, Member- He will be a fourth-grader this ASI1600MM, and S-II, H-alpha, Kleinstick, Member-at-Large mer Academy at NASA Langley endar of society events, and the Asterism Observing Program Haleakala Amateur Astronomers at-Large; No. 1134-M, Randy Shivak, Deep Sky Binocular Research Center, Virginia Space school year at Evans Elementary and O-III filters. newly added “Members’ Corner.” No. 50, Thomas Gazzillo, Chesmont MASTER OBSERVER Member-at-Large; No. 1135-O, Barton Observing Program Meeks, Raleigh Astronomy Club Coast Scholars Summer Academy School in Evans, Georgia. The es- Vivek is a youth member-at- The Members’ Corner pro- Astronomical Society No. 223, John Wagoner, Texas Astronomical No. 407, Bernard Venasse, Member-at-Large Society of Dallas; No. 224, Scott Azmus, sence of his exceptional work with Astronomy Before the Telescope Radio Astronomy Observing Program at NASA Wallops Island, Massa- large of the Astronomical League. vides newer members with basic Double Star Observing Program Member-at-Large; No. 225, Fernando Torres, No. 1, Aaron Clevenson, North Houston No. 26-B, David Whalen, Atlanta Astronomy the Astronomy Club of Augusta, No. 621, Rakhal Kincaid, Haleakala Amateur Albuquerque Astronomical Society chusetts Institute of Technology’s Horkheimer/O’Meara information on telescopes in addi- Astronomy Club Club; No. 27-B, W. Maynard Pittendreigh, Georgia, is captured in these com- tion to the history, structure, and Astronomers; No. 622, Edgar G. Fischer, MASTER OBSERVER – GOLD Brevard Astronomical Society; No. 22-S, SPLASH program, and Virginia Youth Journalism Award Beyond Polaris ment excerpts from the sponsor, Albuquerque Astronomical Society; No. Rodney Rynearson, St. Louis Astronomy Club David Whalen, Atlanta Astronomy Club Regional High School Science Nicholas Bauer is the first- activities of the club. In addition, No. 27, Alfred Schovanez, Astronomical 623, Bruce Scodova, Richland Astronomical Kenneth Beard, vice president of Messier Observing Program Bowl 2018 team captain. place winner of the Horkheimer/ there are monthly columns from Society of Eastern Missouri; No. 28, Joseph Society; No. 624, Michael C. Neal, Echo Ridge Sketching Observing Award No. 2696, Bernard Venasse, Honorary, programs for the club. Hannigan, Member-at-Large; No. 29, Doug Astronomical Society; No. 625, Michael No. 34, Kevin C. Carr, O’Meara Youth Journalism Award. the president, observatory direc- Member-at-Large; No. 2800, Alan Snook, Tyler’s extensive community Lively, Raleigh Astronomy Club; No. 30, McShan, Oklahoma City Astronomy Club; No. Minnesota Astronomical Society “His mother has discovered tors, “Our Vintage Skies,” and a Honorary, Member-at-Large; No. 2804, Paul involvement includes being elect- He hails from Rochester, Kiefer Iacaruso, Harford County Astronomical 626, Mark Mitchell, Delaware Astronomical Pulaski, Honorary, Albuquerque Astronomical Sky Puppy Observing Program that she has an exceptional son column from Astronomical League Society Society; No. 627, Alfred Schovanez III, ed an at-large board member for Minnesota. His sponsor, Julie Society; No. 2807, Don Martin, Honorary, Von No. 61, Gavin Sijansky, with an early and exceptional Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri; Observing Award chair Scott Binocular Double Star Braun Astronomical Society; No. 2808, Robert Houston Astronomical Society the Richmond Astronomical Soci- Gawarechi, is treasurer of the No. 628, Roger D. Joyner, Greensboro interest in science. Kranz on the League’s observing Observing Program J. Olsen, Regular, Member-at-Large; No. ety, presenting at one of the soci- Rochester Astronomical Society. Astronomy Club; No. 629, David E. Cooper, Solar System Observing Program No. 147, Alfred Schovanez, Astronomical 2809, Joe Timmerman, Honorary, Minnesota “The Astronomy Club of programs and hints on working The Astronomy Connection; No. 630, Sean No. 136, Janet Pullen, Island County ety’s monthly meetings, interning Nicholas is homeschooled and will Society of Eastern Missouri; No. 148, Larry Astronomical Society; No. 2810, Sam Finn, on them. All of this is comple- Neckel, Flint River Astronomy Club; No. 631, Astronomical Society; No. 137, Brian for three years at the Science Augusta services the Central be in eighth grade in the fall. M. Elsom, Member-at-Large; No. 149, Paul Regular, Central Pennsylvania Observers; No. Scott Azmus, Member-at-Large Chopp, Neville Public Museum Astronomical Museum of Virginia, serving as a Savannah River Area that mented by articles from members Byrne, Member-at-Large 2811, Tom Nelson, Regular, Tucson Amateur Society; No. 138, Denise Moser, Astronomical includes Aiken, South Carolina, WEBMASTER AWARD and outside contributors to catch Binocular Messier Observing Program Galileo Observing Program Astronomy Association; No. 2812, Gus Society of Kansas City; No. 139, Jack volunteer exhibitor for Astronomy No. 52, Bernie Venasse, Telescopic, Member- Gomez, Honorary, Tucson Amateur Astronomy and Augusta, Georgia, by doing Jim Hendrickson from the the interest of society members. No. 1162, Jim Michnowicz, Raleigh Astronomy Fitzmier, Member-at-Large; No. 140-B, Rob Day at the Science Museum of Club; No. 1163, Lynn Ward, Neville Public at-Large; No. 53, James Zappa, Telescopic, Association; No. 2813, Robert Harrison, Ratkowski, Haleakala Amateur Astronomers; Virginia, interning for the Science community outreach especially Amateur Astronomical Society of Marcia’s professional experi- Museum Astronomical Society; No. 1164, Member-at-Large; No. 54, Peter Detterline, Honorary, Patron Member-at-Large No. 141, Charles E. Allen III, Evansville Binocular, Member-at-Large; No. 55, related to astronomy. His mother Rhode Island has been awarded ence, her dedicated efforts, and Larry M. Elsom, Member-at-Large; No. 1165, Meteor Observing Program Astronomical Society; No. 142, Michael Museum of Virginia’s climatology Jonathan Poppele, Binocular, Minnesota first place in the webmaster Tom Gazzillo, ChesMont Astronomical Society No. 189, David Whalen, 12 hours, Atlanta Blase, Olympic Astronomical Society program, implementing a recy- contacted us. her on-time publication of the Astronomical Society Astronomy Club; No. 192, Charles E. Allen III, Southern Sky Telescopic cling program at the Canterbury “I believe that we are trying to competition. newsletter are wonderful assets Binocular Variable Star Observing Program Globular Cluster Observing Program 6 hours, Evansville Astronomical Society Observing Program Recreation Association, present- give him an outlet for his interest He has been the webmaster for the Astronomical Society of No. 33, Neil Simmons, Member-at-Large; No. No. 325-V, Mike Myer, Astronomical Society NASA Observing Challenge – No. 59, Joe Timmerman, Minnesota ing on astrophotography at the and reward him when he com- and the editor of his society’s Kansas City. 34, Valorie Whalen, Atlanta Astronomy Club; of Kansas City; No. 326-V, Wayne E. Frey, Apollo 50th Astronomical Society pletes some tasks. He newsletter, The Skyscraper, for No. 35, Paul Harrington, Member-at-Large Imperial Polk Astronomical Society; No. Aaron Clevenson, North Houston Astronomy Sunspotters Observing Program ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 327-I, Jack Fitzmier, Member-at-Large; No. Bright Nebula Observing Program Club; Loyd Overcash, North Houston No. 196, Charles E. Allen III, Evansville has presented a light about 17 years. The website URL 328-V, Bernie Venasse, Lifetime Member; SKETCHING AWARD No. 14, Roy Troxel, Basic, Member-at-Large Astronomy Club; Robert Togni, Central Astronomical Society show exhibit at one is theskyscrapers.org. No. 329-V, Fernando Torres, Albuquerque Arkansas Astronomical Society; Mark The first-place winner of the Two in the View Observing Program of our past sponsors/ Caldwell Observing Program Astronomical Society; No. 330-V, Jeff Simonson, Everett Astronomical Society; MABEL STERNS Astronomical League Sketching SILVER AWARDS Willson, Rose City Astronomers No. 36, Joe Timmerman, Minnesota collaborators, the Scott Cadwallader, Baton Rouge Astronomical No. 256, James Bruce McMath, Central Astronomical Society NEWSLETTER AWARD award is Gerry Kocken from the Herschel 400 Observing Program Society; Jim Michmowicz, Raleigh Astronomy University of South Arkansas Astronomical Society; No. 257, No. 602, Edgar G. Fischer, Albuquerque Club; John Strebeck, St. Louis Astronomical Universe Sampler Observing Program The first-place winner for the Neville Public Museum Astro- Jarret Lingle, Mason Star Gazers; No. 258, Carolina at Aiken’s Astronomical Society; No. 603, Cindy L. Society; Kathleen Strebeck, Member-at- No. 138, Marilyn Perry, Telescopic, Mabel Sterns Award for outstand- nomical Society in Green Bay, Robert B. Harrison, Patron Member; No. 259, Ruth Patrick Science Krach, Haleakala Amateur Astronomers; Large; Tom Doyle, Member-at-Large; Franke Member-at-Large Wisconsin. Bill Bond, Omaha Astronomical Society; Dunne, Member-at-Large, Brian Kelly, Education Center. ing society newsletter is Marcia No. 604, Bill Jones, Astronomical Society Variable Star Observing Program No. 260, Wayne E. Frey, Imperial Polk Member-at-Large; Lorna Kelly, Member-at- Young, editor of the Cosmic of Eastern Missouri; No. 605, Jarret Lingle, No. 33, Preston Pendergraft, He has given a lecture His excellent 2018 sketching Astronomical Society Large; Bonnie Orlando, Member-at-Large; Mason Star Gazers; No. 606, Jeff Wilson, Rose Member-at-Large Messenger for the Astronomical project is his first attempt at Willem Weber, Member-at-Large; Willow to our club member- Carbon Star Observing Program City Astronomers; No. 607, Fernando Torres, ship on the same Society of Kansas City. sketching at the eyepiece, and he No. 99, D. Keith Lawrence, Vermont Albuquerque Astronomical Society; No. 608, Weber, Member-at-Large subject. We have tried She has been the newsletter chose the Moon’s craters for this Astronomical Society; No. 100, Gerard Jones, Carl Stanley, Member-at-Large Nova Observing Program Minnesota Astronomical Society; No. 101, editor for more than 15 years project. No. 8, Bradley E. Schaefer, Gold, Baton Rouge to keep him busy but Charles E. Allen, Evansville Astronomical Astronomical Society

28 REFLECTOR ✶ SEPTEMBER 2019 THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 29 ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE ONLINE SALES NATIONAL YOUNG ASTRONOMER AWARD All te ool t o t t orearoeageorg he Astronomical League online store utilies secure shoing cart technology and accets credit cards hiing handling WINNERS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? is calculated at checout erchandise is also aailable by mail order choose your items add the alicable ee and mail your order ith chec to roomia Leage ae 9201 ar ara ie 100 aa Ci O 64114 The Astronomical League started issuing National Young Astronomer Awards in 1993. Have you ever wondered you hae uestions about the merchandise or discounts on bul orders lease call the League oice 816-DEEP-SKY what became of these young folks and where are they now? Mark Moretto was awarded the National Young Astronomer or email [email protected]. Award for his work titled “Deep Impact Spectral Observations of Naturally Occurring Mini-Outbursts” at ALCon 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia.

ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE OBSERVING UPITER SOCIETY OF CANADA BASEBALL HAT IN THE 21ST CENTURY By Al Lamperti turbed dynamic environment surrounding active He was also a coauthor on the paper “Simul- 2020 OBSERVERS EMBROIDERED LOGO, $10 PLUS $4 S&H comets. He is looking to leverage these dynamics taneous Localization and Mapping for Satellite HANDBOO ADJUSTABLE; ROYAL BLUE, s part of a high school science research USA EDITION MAROON, KHAKI, NAVY; Ãprogram, Mark Moretto began working for science and engineering applications. Rendezvous and Proximity Operations Using $24 PLUS $4.50 S&H $16 PLUS $5 S&H Random Finite Sets,” which was presented at the Quantity discounts with the Small Bodies Group at the University of As an intern in the Navigation and Mission available online. Maryland (UMD). Upon graduation, he began his Design Branch of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight same conference. Qtte lmte ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE undergraduate studies and continued his research Center, Mark demonstrated “next-generation Michael A’Hearn, a Distinguished University orer erl SPORTSMANS BUCET HAT CARBON STARS Professor Emeritus of astronomy at UMD who col- EMBROIDERED LOGO, ONE A GUIDE TO THE at UMD, continuing to work with the Small Bodies navigation filter capabilities in the context of SIZE; KHAKI ONLY CARBON STAR Group analyzing infrared spectra acquired by satellite proximity operations and rendezvous laborated with Mark, stated that “Mark is one of RASC 2020 $22 PLUS $5 S&H OBSERVING CLUB NASA’s Deep Impact mission. with uncooperative clients.” He also applied his the most remarkable students I have encountered $12 PLUS OBSERVERS in my career for his combination of both ability CALENDAR $3 S&H The focus was “to better understand the PhD research to characterize and provide drag $18 PLUS $7 S&H UNIVERSE SAMPLER acceleration estimates for the CAESAR mission and purpose.” ê A JOURNEY THROUGH distribution and composition of volatiles in Comet Qtte lmte during operations orer erl THE UNIVERSE FOR Tempel 1’s coma and how they vary with time, as THE BEGINNER 50 OFF SALE well as in the ejecta cloud created by the impact at the target comet. $10 PLUS HANDBOO FOR $3 S&H ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS experiment.” His research and conference travel PLANETARY NEBULAE ost A COURSE PLANNING GUIDE were funded by NASA Planetary Data Systems. $14 PLUS $4 S&H 5.5” X 7.25” M recently he REGULARLY $12, NOW 6 At UMD, Mark pursued bachelor’s degrees in presented a paper, PLUS $2 S&H MESSIER OBECTS aerospace engineering and astronomy. For his “Attitude Depen- A BEGINNER’S GUIDE honors thesis, he conducted anchoring experi- dent Evolution of $8 PLUS $3 S&H 50 OFF SALE ments in cometary simulant and compared terres- Orbits About Active ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVE ECLIPSES trial anchoring mechanics theory to the results of Comets,” at the LEAGUE VISUAL REGULARLY $18, these experiments. He found traditional anchoring ASTRONOMICAL NOW 9 American Astro- OBSERVING OURNAL PLUS $3 S&H theory does not apply to highly porous, under- nomical Society and MATH FOR $12 PLUS $6 S&H AMATEUR dense media, such as that found on a comet. American Institute ASTRONOMERS e continued as an intern at the Jet Propul- of Aeronautics and $12 PLUS ASTRONOMICAL sion Lab (JPL) in the Instrument & Data Sys- Astronautics Space $4 S&H METEORS H LEAGUE TRAVEL MUG Flight Mechanics $10 PLUS $4.50 S&H A GUIDE TO tems Operations group during his junior year as THE METEORS an undergraduate. At JPL he “tested and expanded Meeting in Hawaii. OBSERVING the Open-Source Multi-Instrument Analysis ASTRONOMICAL PROGRAM LEAGUE LAPEL PIN GUIDE TO THE STARS $10 PLUS System (OMINAS), the open-source version of (ONE-INCH DIAMETER) 16INCH PLANISPHERE $4 S&H Cassini’s MINAS.” He refined and created example $21 PLUS $8 S&H $8 PLUS $2 S&H scripts and products, wrote additional functions, and provided feedback on functionality, docu- ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE RASC EPLORE THE CLOTH PATCH UNIVERSE GUIDE mentation, usability, and installation. $20 PLUS (3” DIAMETER) He graduated summa cum laude from UMD FULL COLOR $7 PLUS $1.50 S&H $4.50 S&H BLUE & WHITE $6 PLUS $1.50 S&H in 2017 with two degrees. He is currently working on his PhD in aero- space engineering at the University of Colorado ASTR0NOMICAL GLOBULAR Boulder. As a NASA Space Technology Research LEAGUE CLUSTERS BANDANA $14 PLUS Fellow, he is studying “spacecraft dynamics about NATURAL $3 S&H active comets and spacecraft drag modeling.” OR WHITE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE TOTE BAGS $12 PLUS $2 S&H NYLON (LEFT) OR CANVAS He is using analytical techniques and numerical $12 PLUS $6 S&H simulations to gain insights about the highly per- THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 31 30 REFLECTOR ✶ SEPTEMBER 2 0 1 9 Membership Secretary NON-PROFIT Astronomical League ORGANIZATION National Office U .S . POSTAGE 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 PAID Kansas City, MO 64114 TUCSON, AZ #271

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