DOCSLIB.ORG

Journal of the Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

ISSN-0039-2502 Journal of the Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers The Strolling Astronomer Volume 50, Number 1, Winter 2008 Now in Portable Document Format (PDF) for Macintosh and PC-compatible computers Online and in COLOR at http://www.alpo-astronomy.org Inside. • Mars takes a hit! (Maybe) Observing Alert for ALL ALPO members! • Show your ALPO pride with the new ALPO Lapel Pin! • Book review on webcam imaging by Robert Reeves • Report on the lunar eclipse of last August • Comets Holmes and Tuttle – What a show! • Report on solar Carrington Rotations 2040 thru 2050 • Report on the 2004-2005 Saturn apparition . plus reports about your ALPO section activities and much, much more Color image of Comet 17P/ Holmes by ALPO Comets Section coordinator Gary Kronk taken 2007 November 6 (23:41 UT). The image is a 50-second expo- sure using a Canon Digital Rebel XTi (10.1 MP) camera connected at the prime focus of Gary's 8- inch Meade LX-200. Image taken at Gary's observatory in St. Jacob, Illinois, USA. 10% off All TeleVue Telescopes Anacortes Telescopes Astronomy Free Shipping! TeleVue® Anacortes carries the entire line! TeleVue started over 20 years ago with the goal of thrilling sky watchers with unparalleled views of the heavens. The company continually strives to meet TeleVue 60is Imaging System this goal by building high-performance quality into every piece, even beginner ones. Use with your Innovative design goes into each instrument to produce cutting-edge equipment that digital camera captures images perfectly. In each product, TeleVue offers high contrast images and wide, full- fi eld sharpness. The purpose is to allow viewers the same, limitless panorama astronauts experience in space. With unmatched equipment for observing enthusiasts, TeleVue stands behind its products and its purpose. And now, visit www.buytelescopes.com to save 10% and TeleVue 101 receive free shipping! Limited time offer. Birding TeleVue 60 TeleVue 102 BuyTelescopes.com TeleVue 60 Spotting Scope Package TeleVue 102 Rennaissance (Brass) 7HOHVFRSHV(\HSLHFHV&DPHUDDGDSWHUV&DPHUDV PRUH Sports TeleVue 85 TeleVue 127is TeleVue 101is TeleVue 76 $QDFRUWHV7HOHVFRSHV is committed to providing not only the world’s best products, but the fi nest service as well. Call us or visit us online for competitive pricing and professional service you can rely on again and again. (+=(5*,+;,3,:*67,:@:;,4:(76.,,05:;9<4,5;:(:;967/@:0*: (:;96+65 )6.,5 )69. )<:/5,33 *(565 *,3,:;965 *6965(+6 *<:;64 :*0,5;0-0* *@(56.,5-30-<105651402,5+90*23,0*(36:4(5+@3<40*654,(+,5026567;,*7(9(33(?7,5;(?8<,:;(99*67;0*(3:@:;,4::)0. :6-;>(9, )0:8<, :;(930./; 05:;9<4,5;: :;,33(9=<, :>(96=:20 ;(2(/(:/0 ;,* ;,3,.0A46: ;,3, =<, <50=,9:(3 (:;965640*: =0?,5 >0330(4 67;0*: A,0:: (800) 850-2001 Secure online ordering 24 hours a day at BuyTelescopes.com (\J[PVUZÇ*SHZZPÄLKZÇ-VY\TZH[Astromart.com The Strolling Astronomer Journal of the In This Issue: Association of Lunar & Inside the ALPO Point of View: Notes From the Director! .....................5 Planetary Observers News of General Interest ALPO Observer Alert! Possible Mars Impact by The Strolling Astronomer Asteroid on January 30 ...........................................6 Reminder: Address changes ..................................6 Volume 50, No. 1, Winter 2008 Strolling Astronomer Online Indexes Now Available This issue published in December 2007 for distribution in both porta- .................................................................................7 ble document format (pdf) and also hardcopy format. ALPO Online Membership Payments are Back .....7 ALPO Interest Section Reports ..................................7 This publication is the official journal of the Association of Lunar & ALPO Observing Section Reports ..............................9 Planetary Observers (ALPO). Feature Stories The purpose of this journal is to share observation reports, opinions, and other news from ALPO members with other members and the Book Review: Introduction to Webcam Photography professional astronomical community. ................................................................................ 20 Reeves on webcams ................................................21 © 2007, Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO). The Notes on Comets 17P/Holmes and 8P/Tuttle ..........22 ALPO hereby grants permission to educators, academic libraries and Carrington Rotations 2040-2050 (2006-01-2.05 to the professional astronomical community to photocopy material for 2006-06-14.7) .........................................................24 educational or research purposes as required. There is no charge for A Report on the August 28, 2007 Total Lunar Eclipse these uses provided that credit is given to The Strolling Astronomer, .................................................................................26 the “JALPO” or the ALPO itself, as appropriate. All others must ALPO Observations of Saturn During the 2004 - 2005 request permission from the ALPO. Apparition ................................................................30 An Eclipse of Nereid by Neptune on For membership or general information about the ALPO, contact: 2008 April 21 ...........................................................55 Matthew Will ALPO Resources ALPO Membership Secretary/Treasurer P.O. Box 13456 Board of Directors .................................................... 56 Springfield, Illinois 62791-3456 Publications Staff .....................................................56 Interest Sections ......................................................56 E-mail to: [email protected] Observing Sections ..................................................56 ALPO Publications ...................................................58 The Monograph Series .........................................58 Visit the ALPO online at: ALPO Observing Section Publications ..................59 http://www.alpo-astronomy.org Other ALPO Publications ......................................60 Our Advertisers Anacortes Telescope & Wild Bird ... Inside Front Cover Orion Telescopes & Binoculars ...................................2 Galileo Telescopes....................................................62 Scope City........................................Inside Back Cover Sky & Telescope ..........................Outside Back Cover Volume 50, No. 1 Winter 2008 Page 1 The Strolling Astronomer ­nää®Ê{{Ç£ää£ "À/iiÃV«iðV %VERYTHINGFORTHE !MATEUR!STRONOMER -ViÊ£Çx]Ê"ÀÊ >ÃÊLiiÊ«ÀÛ`}ʵÕ>ÌÞÊ ÌiiÃV«iÃ]ÊLVÕ>ÀÃÊ>`Ê>VViÃÃÀiÃÊvÀÊ ,iÃÕÝÒÊ7*Ê£xÝÇä ÃÌÀV>Ê VÕ>Àà >>ÌiÕÀÊ>ÃÌÀiÀð 8/È 8/n 8/£ä 8/£Ó -Ì>À- ÌÒÊ->ÀÊ-ÞÃÌi ÀÊ>}iÀÊ -Þ+ÕiÃÌÒÊÌi-V«iÃÁ UÊ Õ}iÊÃiiVÌÊvÊÌiiÃV«iÃ]Ê -Ì>À}>âiÀ½ÃÊÌiÀÊ-iÌÃ Ê LVÕ>ÀÃÊ>`Ê>VViÃÃÀiÃÊÌÊÃÕÌÊ Ê LLÞÃÌÃÊvÊ>ÊiÛiÃ]ÊvÀÊLi}iÀÃÊ Ê ÌÊiÝ«iÀiVi`Ê>>ÌiÕÀð UÊ ÜÊ`ÃVÕÌÊ«ÀViÃÊ UÊ £ää¯Ê->ÌÃv>VÌÊÕ>À>Ìii -Þ6iÜÊ*ÀÒÊ£xä UÊ Ài`Þ]Ê i«vÕÊÃiÀÛVi >ÃÕÌÛ >ÃÃi}À> 1ÌÀ>ÃV«VÒÊ Þi«iVià , Ê ÀÊ >Ì>}t 7iÊ/Ài>ÌÊ"ÕÀÊ ÕÃÌiÀÃÊiÊ-Ì>ÀÃt vÀ>ÌÉ`ÛVi\Ê ­nää®ÊÈÇÈ£Î{Î >ÊÌvÀiiÊ­nää®Ê{{Ç£ää£Ê Ó{ÊÕÀÊ/ÀiiÊ"À`iÀÃ\Ê­nää®Ê{{Ç£ää£ ÀÊÀiµÕiÃÌÊÌÊi° Page*ÀViÃÊÃÕLiVÌÊÌÊV >}i 2"À/iiÃV«iðV Volume 49, No. 4 Autumn 2007 The Strolling Astronomer Inside the ALPO Member, section and activity news Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers (ALPO) Point of View Notes From the Director! Board of Directors By Mike D. Reynolds, Ph.D., executive director, Executive Director (Chair); Mike D. Reynolds Assn of Lunar & Planetary Observers Associate Director; Richard W. Schmude, Jr. Member of the Board; Julius L. Benton, Jr. Greetings, Fellow ALPOers! As noted in the last issue of the Member of the Board; Sanjay Limaye JALPO, we are pleased to announce ALPO’s new website. If Member of the Board; Donald C. Parker you have not been Member of the Board; Ken Poshedly there to check it Member of the Board; John E. Westfall out, please go to Member of the Board & Secretary/Treasurer; http://www.alpo- Matthew Will astronomy.org. Founder/Director Emeritus; Walter H. Haas You will note sev- eral new features Publications on the site, most Editor & Publisher, Ken Poshedly noticeably recent images and obser- Primary Observing Section & vations. Since the Interest Section Staff Association of Lunar & Planetary (See full listing in ALPO Resources) Observers was Lunar& Planetary Training Program: Timothy J. Robert- built on regular, son systematic observ- Solar Section: Kim Hay ing and data, it Mercury Section: Frank Melillo seems appropri- Venus Section: Julius L. Benton, Jr. ate that we high- Mercury/Venus Transit Section: John E. Westfall light recent Lunar Section: observations! Lunar Transient Phenomena; Anthony Cook Lunar Meteoritic Impact Search; Brian Cudnik Imaging has become such a major part of collecting data, and Lunar Topographical Studies & many ALPO observers have gotten really good at imaging. I have received several e-mails in regard to the new website. I Selected Areas Program; William Dembowski want to offer our sincere thanks to ALPO webmaster Larry Lunar Dome Survey; Marvin W. Huddleston Owens for making a smooth transition from the old site and host Mars Section: Daniel M. Troiani to the new site. Minor Planets Section: Frederick Pilcher Jupiter Section: Richard W. Schmude, Jr. Thanks to all of our observers for submitting their reports to the Saturn Section: Julius L. Benton, Jr. various ALPO section coordinators. Your observations are Remote Planets Section: Richard W. Schmude, Jr. invaluable in contributing not only to ALPO, but to a better Comets Section: Gary Kronk understanding of our solar system. And our community is one Meteors Section: Robert
Recommended publications
  • Phobos, Deimos: Formation and Evolution Alex Soumbatov-Gur

    Phobos, Deimos: Formation and Evolution Alex Soumbatov-Gur

    Phobos, Deimos: Formation and Evolution Alex Soumbatov-Gur To cite this version: Alex Soumbatov-Gur. Phobos, Deimos: Formation and Evolution. [Research Report] Karpov institute of physical chemistry. 2019. hal-02147461 HAL Id: hal-02147461 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02147461 Submitted on 4 Jun 2019 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. Phobos, Deimos: Formation and Evolution Alex Soumbatov-Gur The moons are confirmed to be ejected parts of Mars’ crust. After explosive throwing out as cone-like rocks they plastically evolved with density decays and materials transformations. Their expansion evolutions were accompanied by global ruptures and small scale rock ejections with concurrent crater formations. The scenario reconciles orbital and physical parameters of the moons. It coherently explains dozens of their properties including spectra, appearances, size differences, crater locations, fracture symmetries, orbits, evolution trends, geologic activity, Phobos’ grooves, mechanism of their origin, etc. The ejective approach is also discussed in the context of observational data on near-Earth asteroids, main belt asteroids Steins, Vesta, and Mars. The approach incorporates known fission mechanism of formation of miniature asteroids, logically accounts for its outliers, and naturally explains formations of small celestial bodies of various sizes.
  • Killer Asteroids Lab 1

    Killer Asteroids Lab 1

    Killer Asteroids Lab #1: Learning how to measure positions and determine orbits GOALS: The goal of this assignment is to learn how to measure asteroid positions in digital images, and how to use these positions to determine the orbit of the asteroid. You will also learn what parameters are necessary to specify an orbit, and the effect of each on the shape and orientation of the orbit. Finally, you will learn how to generate alternate possible orbits for a given asteroid. You will use these skills over the coming weeks to study the asteroid 2007 WD5, which narrowly missed hitting Mars on January 30, 2008. In particular, you will estimate the probability of impact based upon what was known about this object’s orbit at various points between its discovery and the date of the possible impact. You should then understand why every “impact scare” to date has followed the same pattern: Odds first go up, but then they fall quickly to near zero. You’ll also get the “bigger picture”: Science involves uncertainty, and it takes time and hard work to get good results. Part I: Measuring Asteroid Positions with ImageJ The first goal of this assignment is to teach you how to measure the positions of celestial objects in digital images. In particular, you will be measuring the position of an asteroid as it streaks through a field of background stars. (The measurement of positions of celestial objects is known as astrometry.) Of course, since the asteroid is moving, it is also important to accurately note the time at which it was found at a particular position.
  • PYTS/ASTR 206 – Comets 1

    PYTS/ASTR 206 – Comets 1

    PYTS/ASTR 206 – Comets 1 Announcements HW6 available today, due in a week Use Kevin as the TA for this one 2 In-class assignments left in 3 lectures PYTS/ASTR 206 – Comets 2 Comets PTYS/ASTR 206 – The Golden Age of Planetary Exploration Shane Byrne – [email protected] PYTS/ASTR 206 – Comets 3 In this lecture… Observations of comets What are comets? Composition and structure Cometary tails Ion and dust tails Where do comets come from? Orbits of comets Oort cloud Scattered Kuiper Belt PYTS/ASTR 206 – Comets 4 Observations of comets Comets have been known from ancient times Thought to foreshadow disasters and major battles Pre-telescopes the known solar system was a pretty empty place Moon and the Sun Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn And COMETS No Uranus No Neptune No planetary Moons (except ours) No Asteroids No Kuiper Belt Objects PYTS/ASTR 206 – Comets 5 People have recorded comet sightings for millennia 167 BC 687 AD 1986 AD PYTS/ASTR 206 – Comets 6 Ancient Greeks thought comets were atmospheric phenomena In the west this went unchallenged until telescopes came along Tycho Brahe’s parallax measurements proved this wrong Comets were much further away than the Moon Renaissance astronomers thought comets moved in straight lines through the solar system Even Kepler argued they shouldn’t follow elliptical orbits like the planets In the 1680s astronomers tracked a comet and showed it had an elliptical orbit Comets were solar system objects – just like planets PYTS/ASTR 206 – Comets 7 Newton finally
  • THE GREAT CHRIST COMET CHRIST GREAT the an Absolutely Astonishing Triumph.” COLIN R

    THE GREAT CHRIST COMET CHRIST GREAT the an Absolutely Astonishing Triumph.” COLIN R

    “I am simply in awe of this book. THE GREAT CHRIST COMET An absolutely astonishing triumph.” COLIN R. NICHOLL ERIC METAXAS, New York Times best-selling author, Bonhoeffer The Star of Bethlehem is one of the greatest mysteries in astronomy and in the Bible. What was it? How did it prompt the Magi to set out on a long journey to Judea? How did it lead them to Jesus? THE In this groundbreaking book, Colin R. Nicholl makes the compelling case that the Star of Bethlehem could only have been a great comet. Taking a fresh look at the biblical text and drawing on the latest astronomical research, this beautifully illustrated volume will introduce readers to the Bethlehem Star in all of its glory. GREAT “A stunning book. It is now the definitive “In every respect this volume is a remarkable treatment of the subject.” achievement. I regard it as the most important J. P. MORELAND, Distinguished Professor book ever published on the Star of Bethlehem.” of Philosophy, Biola University GARY W. KRONK, author, Cometography; consultant, American Meteor Society “Erudite, engrossing, and compelling.” DUNCAN STEEL, comet expert, Armagh “Nicholl brilliantly tackles a subject that has CHRIST Observatory; author, Marking Time been debated for centuries. You will not be able to put this book down!” “An amazing study. The depth and breadth LOUIE GIGLIO, Pastor, Passion City Church, of learning that Nicholl displays is prodigious Atlanta, Georgia and persuasive.” GORDON WENHAM, Adjunct Professor “The most comprehensive interdisciplinary of Old Testament, Trinity College, Bristol synthesis of biblical and astronomical data COMET yet produced.
  • Richard C. Hoagland - Summary Bibliography

    Richard C. Hoagland - Summary Bibliography

    Richard C. Hoagland - Summary Bibliography Search the database Advanced Search Not Logged In Log In Help Navigating Other Pages: Home Page ISFDB Wiki ISFDB FAQ Magazines Awards Recent Edits Recent Verifications Other Bibliographies For This Author: Summary Awards Alphabetical Chronological Editing Tools: Moderator Edit Author Data Make/Remove a Pseudonym Show All Titles Check for Duplicate Titles Add New Data: Add New Anthology Add New Chapterbook Add New Collection Add New Fanzine Add New Magazine Add New Nonfiction Add New Novel Add New Omnibus Policies: Disclaimer Privacy Policy Banner Art Credits License: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Used These Alternate Names: Dick Hoagland Interviews: Interview: Richard Hoagland Biography: Bio:Richard C. Hoagland Bibliographic Comments: Author:Richard C. Hoagland Nonfiction The Monuments of Mars: A City on the Edge of Forever (1989) Dark Mission: The Secret History of NASA (2007) with Mike Bara Essay Series Science Fact (Analog) o Why We WON'T Find Life on Mars (1974) o Rendezvous in 1985 (1975) o Return to Mars: A Mission for the Enterprise (1977) o The Blivit in the B-Ring (Part 1 of 2) (1982) o The Blivit in the B-Ring (Part 2 of 2) (1983) o The Curious Case of the Humanoid Face ... On Mars (1986) (R)evolution o Torchships Now! (If, July-August 1974) (1974) with Robert D. Enzmann o Torchships Now! (If, September-October 1974) (1974) with Robert D. Enzmann o Following Yonder Star (1974) Essays Forum: Television: Never-Never Land and Clarke's Third Law (1974) [only as by Dick Hoagland ] The Origin of the Solar System (1977) with Ben Bova Space: The El Chichon Incident (1983) Richard C.
  • Circulating Transportation Orbits Between Earth and Mars

    Circulating Transportation Orbits Between Earth and Mars

    CIRCULATING TRANSPORTATION ORBITS BETWEEN EARTH AND MRS 1 2 Alan L. Friedlander and John C. Niehoff . Science Applications International Corporation Schaumburg, Illinois 3 Dennis V. Byrnes and James M. Longuski . Jet Propulsion Laboratory Pasadena, Cal iforni a Abstract supplies in support of a sustained Manned Mars Sur- This paper describes the basic characteristics face Base sometime during the second quarter of the of circulating (cyclical ) orbit design as applied next century. to round-trip transportation of crew and materials between Earth and Mars in support of a sustained A circulating orbit may be defined as a multi- manned Mars Surface Base. The two main types of ple-arc trajectory between two or more planets non-stopover circulating trajectories are the so- which: (1) does not stop at the terminals but called VISIT orbits and the Up/Down Escalator rather involves gravity-assist swingbys of each orbits. Access to the large transportation facili- planet; (2) is repeatable or periodic in some ties placed in these orbits is by way of taxi vehi- sense; and (3) is continuous, i.e., the process can cles using hyperbolic rendezvous techniques during be carried on indefinitely. Different types of the successive encounters with Earth and Mars. circulating orbits between Earth and Mars were Specific examples of real trajectory data are pre- identified in the 1960s 1iterat~re.l'*'~'~ Re- sented in explanation of flight times, encounter examination of this interesting problem during the frequency, hyperbol ic velocities, closest approach past year has produced new solution^.^'^'^ Some distances, and AV maneuver requirements in both involve only these two bodies while others incor- interplanetary and planetocentric space.
  • Mars Express

    Mars Express

    sp1240cover 7/7/04 4:17 PM Page 1 SP-1240 SP-1240 M ARS E XPRESS The Scientific Payload MARS EXPRESS The Scientific Payload Contact: ESA Publications Division c/o ESTEC, PO Box 299, 2200 AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands Tel. (31) 71 565 3400 - Fax (31) 71 565 5433 AAsec1.qxd 7/8/04 3:52 PM Page 1 SP-1240 August 2004 MARS EXPRESS The Scientific Payload AAsec1.qxd 7/8/04 3:52 PM Page ii SP-1240 ‘Mars Express: A European Mission to the Red Planet’ ISBN 92-9092-556-6 ISSN 0379-6566 Edited by Andrew Wilson ESA Publications Division Scientific Agustin Chicarro Coordination ESA Research and Scientific Support Department, ESTEC Published by ESA Publications Division ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands Price €50 Copyright © 2004 European Space Agency ii AAsec1.qxd 7/8/04 3:52 PM Page iii Contents Foreword v Overview The Mars Express Mission: An Overview 3 A. Chicarro, P. Martin & R. Trautner Scientific Instruments HRSC: the High Resolution Stereo Camera of Mars Express 17 G. Neukum, R. Jaumann and the HRSC Co-Investigator and Experiment Team OMEGA: Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l’Eau, 37 les Glaces et l’Activité J-P. Bibring, A. Soufflot, M. Berthé et al. MARSIS: Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface 51 and Ionosphere Sounding G. Picardi, D. Biccari, R. Seu et al. PFS: the Planetary Fourier Spectrometer for Mars Express 71 V. Formisano, D. Grassi, R. Orfei et al. SPICAM: Studying the Global Structure and 95 Composition of the Martian Atmosphere J.-L. Bertaux, D. Fonteyn, O. Korablev et al.
  • Mars Activities

    Mars Activities

    MARS ACTIVITIES Teacher Resources and Classroom Activities Mars Education Program Jet Propulsion Laboratory Arizona State University Mars Missions Information and Updates Mission Information Available at Jet Propulsion Laboratory Mars Exploration Home Page http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov More Educational Activities Available at Jet Propulsion Laboratory Mars Education & Public Outreach Program http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/classroom or Arizona State University Mars K-12 Education Program http://tes.asu.edu/neweducation.html Table of Contents 1. Earth, Moon, Mars Balloons 1 2. Rover Races 4 3. Areology - The Study of Mars 11 4. Strange New Planet 16 5. Lava Layering 24 6. Searching for Life on Mars 33 7. Mars Critters 42 8. Exploring Crustal Material from a Mystery Planet 46 - Graph Paper 48 9. Edible Mars Rover 49 - Mars Pathfinder Rover 51 10. Edible Mars Spacecraft 52 - Mars Global Surveyor 54 - Mars Pathfinder 55 - Mars Pathfinder Rover 56 11. Mars Meteorites’ Fingerprints 57 12. Introduction to Creating a Mission Plan 65 13. Out of Sight: Remote Vehicle Activity 66 - Mars Rover Websites 69 15. Probing Below the Surface of Mars 74 16. Good Vibrations 85 17. The Mathematics of Mars 90 - “I Have…Who Has?” Cards 93 18. Mars Bingo 100 19. Mud Splat Craters 112 20. Solar System Beads Distance Activity 115 21. Alka-Seltzer Rockets 118 22. Soda Straw Rockets 122 23. Mars Pathfinder: Two-Dimensional Model 126 24. Mars Pathfinder: Egg Drop and Landing 127 25. Cool Internet Sites 128 Earth, Moon, Mars Balloons 1 Introduction: How big is the Moon; how far is it relative to Earth? Earth science and astronomy books depict a moon that is much closer and much larger than in reality.
  • Oca Club Meeting Star Parties Coming Up

    Oca Club Meeting Star Parties Coming Up

    February 2008 Free to members, subscriptions $12 for 12 issues Volume 35, Number 2 On January 14, 2008, MESSENGER became the first spacecraft to visit Mercury since Mariner 10 more than 30 years ago. This image shows the hemisphere of Mercury that was not previously imaged by Mariner 10; the Caloris impact basin is visible at upper right. MESSENGER will complete two more flybys of Mercury, in October 2008 and September 2009, before entering orbit around the planet in 2011. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington OCA CLUB MEETING STAR PARTIES COMING UP The free and open club The Black Star Canyon site will be open on The next session of the meeting will be held Friday, February 9th. The Anza site will be open on Beginners Class will be held on February 8th at 7:30 PM in February 2nd. Members are encouraged to Friday, February 1st (our annual the Irvine Lecture Hall of the check the website calendar, for the latest ‘Basics of Astrophotography Hashinger Science Center updates on star parties and other events. class’) at the Centennial at Chapman University in Heritage Museum at 3101 West Orange. The featured Please check the website calendar for the Harvard Street in Santa Ana. speaker this month is Scott outreach events this month! Volunteers GOTO SIG: TBA (contact Kardel of Palomar are always welcome! coordinator for details) Observatory, discussing You are also reminded to check the web Astro-Imagers SIG: Feb. 19th, the 60th anniversary of the site frequently for updates to the calendar Mar.
  • THE COMETS of DESTINY MAJOR NAKED-EYE COMETS Countdown of the Prophetic Celestial Harbingers by Luis B

    THE COMETS of DESTINY MAJOR NAKED-EYE COMETS Countdown of the Prophetic Celestial Harbingers by Luis B

    THE COMETS OF DESTINY MAJOR NAKED-EYE COMETS Countdown of the Prophetic Celestial Harbingers by Luis B. Vega [email protected] www.PostScripts.org The purpose of this study is to highlight several key and unique properties of the ‘Naked-Eye’ comets that have thus far been cataloged from 1996-2012. There appears to be somewhat of a ’pattern’ since 1996. Perhaps such a pattern of these types of comets is heralding a time in the upcoming decade that will be of some great significance prophetically. Several elements of these comets will be noted and some definitions will be provided for context. The dates used to mark the comets on the timeline are taken from data that was available, of when the comets reached their ‘epoch’ or perihelion and not necessarily when they were first ‘seen’. Metaphorically, comets seem to be ‘underlining’ the storyline of the Zodiac as it passes through certain constellations of the Mazzaroth. If the Mazzaroth is indeed the ‘Gospel’ written in the Stars as many Biblical scholars propose, then these comet’s path are accenting or underlining specific parts of the ’Witness’ or Gospel in the Cosmos. The ‘Sun, Moon and the Stars’ are like a clock with the 3 corresponding hands, the hour, the minutes and the seconds, etc. YHVH, the Creator of the Universe wants the world, and especially His Bride, those within His Church to take note of such Signs as they were designed to tell time. It could be clocking the countdown to the Rapture, the world’s judgment, and 2nd coming of Jesus.
  • Kometen Beobachten

    Kometen Beobachten

    Andreas Kammerer Mike Kretlow · Kometen beobachten Ausgabe März 2010 Kometen beobachten Praktische Anleitung für Amateurbeobachter Andreas Kammerer Mike Kretlow · 2. überarbeitete und aktualisierte Ausgabe (2010) Unter Mitarbeit von Matthias Achternbosch, Otto Guthier, Jost Jahn, Stefan Korth, Jürgen Linder, Hartwig Lüthen, Michael Möller, Hans-Ludwig Neumann y Hinweis Diese Dokumentenversion ist eine gegenüber V1.0 und dem gedruckten Buch (1998) aktua- lisierte und überarbeitete Version. Weitere Aktualisierungen und Erweiterungen werden in unregelmäßigen Abständen wiederum als PDF-Dokument im Internet (http://kometen.fg-vds.de/ veroeff.htm) frei verfügbar sein. Hinweise und Vorschläge seitens der Leser sind sehr willkom- men. Lizenz Dieses Dokument darf nur unverändert und kostenlos weiter gegeben bzw. zur Verfügung gestellt werden. Die kommerzielle Nutzung, auch von Teilen, des Inhaltes bedarf aber der Zustimmung der Herausgeber. Das Copyright liegt weiterhin bei den Autoren und Herausge- bern. Versionshistorie V1.0 09.06.2007 Initialversion (inhaltlich fast unveränderte Buchversion) V2.0 22.03.2010 Aktualisierte & überarbeitete Version 4 Vorwort Kometen, diese oftmals unerwartet auftretenden, zeitweise größten Objekte am Nachthim- mel, haben die Phantasie der Menschen schon immer beschäftigt. Zwar haben die Schweifs- terne heutzutage ihre Rolle als Verkünder kommender, hauptsächlich schlimmer Ereignis- se eingebüßt, die große Faszination, die sie ausüben, ist aber bis auf den heutigen Tag ge- blieben, wie die Erscheinung des Kometen Hyakutake im Frühjahr 1996 eindrucksvoll de- monstrierte, ist ihr Erscheinungsbild doch so ganz anders als das der bekannten Himmelskör- per. Umso überraschender war die Tatsache, daß es bislang im deutschsprachigen Raum kein Buch gab, das die Kometenbeobachtung und -auswertung umfassend behandelt. Dies ist umso erstaun- licher, als Kometen zahlreiche Besonderheiten aufweisen, für deren genaue Erfassung eigene Methoden angewandt werden müssen.
  • Near-Earth Objects in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

    Near-Earth Objects in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

    Near-Earth Objects in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey S. Kent Nov 27, 2009 Steve Kent, Tom Quinn, Gil Holder, Mark Schaffer, Alex Szalay, Jim Gray, Zeljko Ivezic Outline I. Near-Earth Objects II. Brief Description of SDSS imaging survey III. NEO population IV. NEO Composition and origin Particle to Astro Translation Guide Particle Physics Term Astrophysics Term Beam Line Telescope Monte Carlo Simulation Calorimetry Photometry Energy histogram Spectrum Pedestal Bias Trigger table Target Selection Algorithm Tracking Astrometry Silicon Pixel Detector Silicon Pixel Detector Charged particle track Signal Noise I. NEO Basic Information 1. Definition: NEO = Near Earth Object (asteroid or comet). Perihelion q < 1.3 AU. ~7000 known. 2. PHA = Potentially Hazardous Asteroid ( big & might hit the earth). 997 Known H=13 10 km diam - Dinosaur extinction H=18 1 km diam - Goal for completeness (H is apparent mag of asteroid viewed face-on from sun at a distance of 1 AU) Distribution of Main Belt Asteroids Orbits of NEO's Typical NEA Orbit Programs to find NEOs 1. LINEAR (Lincoln Near Earth Asteroid Research) MIT/Lincoln Lab Telescope near Socorro, NM 2. NEAT ( Near Earth Asteroid Tracking) JPL Telescopes in Hawaii / Palomar (CA) 3. LONEOS (Lowell Observatory) Lowell, AZ 4. Spacewatch (Steward Observatory) Kitt Peak 5. Catalina Sky Survey Steward Observatory; ANU 3 telescopes (Catalina Mtns; Siding Springs) SpaceGuard - Goal is to find 90% of all NEAs D > 1 km (H~18) Aside ... The “measure” of a NEO ● Absolute Magnitude H ● Diameter D ● Mass M ● Energy E (Megatons) ● Crater diameter ● Inter-relationships depend on – Density – Albedo – Impact target (Moon v.