PAS-Times The newsletter of the Pontchartrain Astronomy Society January 2019 visit us online www.astronola.org Volume 60, Issue 1

Photo of the Year

Next PAS General Meeting by PAS member Barry Simon

Summer with Friday, Jan. 19th,2019 at 7:30pm Dark Horse Nebula,

UNO Science Bldg. Room 1001 Rho Nebulosity,

M4 and Antares PAS Times Volume 60, Issue 1 Page 2

President’s Message outreach for the public. We will try to PAS Officers for 2019 By: Bill Johnson address several basic skills for the beginners, and a few advanced topics for the our Greetings to all and welcome to 2019! seasoned members. If you have a topic you President: Happy New year to all the PAS members would like to see covered at one of our Bill Johnson and friends. meetings, or if you would like to present a [email protected] subject, please contact an officer and we will

Yes, we are now in a New Year, with lots of do our best to address it for you. 1st Vice-President: promise for good things to come. New Year’s Mike Danielson resolutions may include losing weight, giving As a final request to start of the new year, Program Chairman up smoking, and a host of other bad habits I’m asking all members to commit to attending that we all seem to have for one reason or one more event than you did last year. One [email protected] another. My resolution is to get out just a more meeting, one more outreach, one more little more than last year and do some event. And bring a guest- someone you know 2nd Vice-President: observing. Yes, we all attend the outreaches, who may have an interest, but is a bit unsure Kent Birkle and we assist others where we can, but how as to how they will fit in. Perhaps a neighbor PAS-Times Editor about we take more time just for ourselves, or family member that got a telescope for [email protected] and each other, and do some casual Christmas. We will do our best to welcome observing for those objects we have on the them into the PAS. Having the membership Treasurer: To–See list, but just have not spent the time promote astronomy is one of our core mission

John Scholl to really LOOK at them. Whether it’s in your objectives. We can never have too many

[email protected] own backyard, or you head out to the people show up, and it makes it much easier

SPMOS site, we all need to get out and on everyone when there are more people to Secretary: enjoy the wonderful offerings of the heavens assist. If you’re a new member, come out and Nanette Johnson above us. see what is going on. You don’t need to be an expert, you just need to be there. You Archivist Now, you may ask, with all the cloudy nights never know what you will learn. [email protected] in December, how could I see anything! The

answer is to plan and be ready. As I write Reminder to all that the annual dues are now SPMOS: this on Sunday January 6th, we had three delinquent, and the combination to SPMOS Ron Marella days of gorgeous skies, and no moon. Did will be changed in February. If you have not [email protected] anyone else take advantage of what were yet paid, please get your dues in as soon as some of the best conditions in quite some possible. You can mail to our Treasurer, John Community Outreach: time? I hope so, and hope you will tell us Scholl, pay at the January meeting, or pay

Jerry LaBauve about what you were able to see at the next by credit card on the AstroNola.org website. [email protected] meeting. Winter skies are considered to be And while on the site, how about voting for the best time to observe, as the seeing is the Picture of the Month. Anyone can submit, better due to the lower temperature and and it will be available for voting for three ALCOR (Astronomy League): humidity. Lots of favorites are up, and a few months. Show us what your favorite picture is. Jerry LaBauve hard to see targets tend to be a bit easier to [email protected] find in the cooler winter nights. Our next meeting will be held on Friday, January 18th, at 7:30PM at UNO Science We held our annual Christmas party in Building, and the presentation will be December, and all who attended seems to “Globular Clusters - What are they, Where really enjoy themselves. A big thanks to the are they and how to best observe them” by Anonymous Person(s) who picked up the bar our own PAS member Barry Simon. I hope to tab for the evening. I’m sure all the members see all of you at the next meeting. Don’t are very grateful for your generosity. forget to bring a guest!

As we move into 2019, we have quite a few Bill Johnson events planned for the members, as well as PAS President 2019

Howard Marrs sent in this photo of the group that came out to SPMOS on Saturday January 5th. Good time were had by all and viewing was the best many of us has seen in a good while. It was a great group and hopefully mother nature will permit more these impromtu parties going forward. PAS-Times Volume 60, Issue 1

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Secretary’s Report December 2018 General Meeting By: Nanette Johnson

The December general membership meeting of the Pontchartrain Astronomy Society was held on December 14 at Porter & Luke's restaurant. Bill opened the meeting by thanking all who came for participating in the annual PAS Christmas party.

Bill recapped his first year as PAS President by saying he has learned a lot and thanked those who helped him this past year. Bill mentioned the re-dedication of the SPMOS bunkhouse and thanked Ron Marcella and Norm Stevens for their hard work and dedication to the project and all other PAS members who have helped out with the renovations at SPMOS. Bill went on to mention the club field trip to LIGO and the upgrading of the PAS website. Bill thanked webmaster Chad Powell for the upgrades and his continuing work on the PAS website. Also mentioned were the monthly photo contest and the PAS Twitter account, both new this year and thanked Nanette Johnson for her work in bringing these new features to PAS members.

Bill then went on to announce some of his plans and hopes for the new year 2019. Observing basics for those who are still learning, a club day at the Infinity Space Center, a joint event with the Baton Rouge Astronomy club and more and new features added to the PAS website are all in the planning stages for 2019.

Awards were presented to the following club members:

Moon Over Madisonville - awarded to

Bill Davis for his work on the International Observe the Moon Night event.

Not Lost in the Dark Award - awarded to Barbara Reed for finding her way to SPMOS for the first time in the dark and by herself with no help from anyone.

Chalk Talk Award - Ralph Junius for using more chalk in a presentation than anyone else ever.

Raffle Ticket King Award - Byron and Linda Landry for the most raffle tickets ever purchased at the PAS Picnic.

Step Up to the Plate award - Mike Danielson for volunteering to accept the nomination to 1st VP for 2019. Thanks Mike!

President's Award - Ron Marcella and Nanette Johnson. Ron for his untiring work as SPMOS manager improving the site 1000% in the last two years. Nanette for going way above and beyond her duties as secretary by initiating and running the Photo of the Month contest, the PAS Twitter account, promoting PAS at the outreaches with an information table, creating the photo backdrop used at PAS outreaches and handling the initial contact of prospective members, and the general public through the website.

A free new member only raffle was held with the winner receiving a copy of the Universe award workbook from ALCOR.

The raffle was held with many prizes including a telescope, a set of lenses, and several storage cases.

Bill closed the meeting by again thanking everyone who helped him in his first year and mentioned each officer by name and their contributions to the club in 2018. Next meeting Fri. Jan 18, 2019.

Meeting adjourned. PAS-Times Volume 60, Issue 1

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PAS Holiday Party 2018 PAS-Times Volume 60, Issue 1

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PAS-Times Volume 60, Issue 1

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January's Evening Eclipse and Morning Conjunctions By David Prosper Observers in the Americas are treated to an evening total lunar eclipse this month. Early risers can spot some striking morning conjunctions between Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon late in January.

A total lunar eclipse will occur on January 20th and be visible from start to finish for observers located in North and South America. This eclipse might be a treat for folks with early bedtimes; western observers can even watch the whole event before midnight. Lunar eclipses takes several hours to complete and are at their most impressive during total eclipse, or totality, when the Moon is completely enveloped by the umbra, the darkest part of Earth's shadow. During totality the color of the Moon can change to a bright orange or red thanks to the sunlight bending through the Earth's atmosphere - the same reason we see pink sunsets. The eclipse begins at 10:34 pm Eastern Standard Time, with totality beginning at 11:41 pm. The total eclipse lasts for slightly over an hour, ending at 12:43 am. The eclipse finishes when the Moon fully emerges from Earth's shadow by 1:51 am. Convert these times to your own time zone to plan your own eclipse watching; for example, observers under Pacific Standard Time will see the eclipse start at 7:34 pm and end by 10:51 pm.

Lunar eclipses offer observers a unique opportunity to judge how much the Moon's glare can interfere with stargazing. On eclipse night the Moon will be in Cancer, a made up of dim . How many stars you can see near the full Moon before or after the eclipse? How many stars can you see during the total eclipse? The difference may surprise you. During these observations, you may spot a fuzzy cloud of stars relatively close to the Moon; this is known as the "Beehive Cluster," M44, or Praesepe. It's an open cluster of stars thought to be about 600 million year old and a little under 600 light years distant. Praesepe looks fantastic through binoculars.

Mars is visible in the evening and sets before midnight. It is still bright but has faded considerably since its closest approach to Earth last summer. Watch the red planet travel through the constellation Pisces throughout January.

Venus makes notable early morning appearances beside both Jupiter and the Moon later this month; make sure to get up about an hour before sunrise for the best views of these events. First, Venus and Jupiter approach each other during the third full week of January. Watch their conjunction on the 22nd, when the planets appear to pass just under 2 ½ degrees of each other. The next week, observe Venus in a close conjunction with a crescent Moon the morning of the 31st. For many observers their closest pass - just over half a degree apart, or less than a thumb's width held at arm's length - will occur after sunrise. Since Venus and the Moon are so bright you may st1ill be able to spot them, even after sunrise. Have you ever seen Venus in the daytime?

If you have missed Saturn this winter, watch for the ringed planet's return by the end of the month, when it rises right before sunrise in Sagittarius. See if you can spot it after observing Venus' conjunctions!

Catch up on all of NASA’s past, current, and future missions at nasa.gov

Have you ever wondered how eclipses occur? You can model the Earth-Moon system using just a couple of small balls and a measuring stick to find out! The "yardstick eclipse" model shown here is set up to demonstrate a lunar eclipse. The "Earth" ball (front, right) casts its shadow on the smaller "Moon" ball (rear, left). You can also simulate a solar eclipse just by flipping this model around. You can even use the Sun as your light source! Find more details on this simple eclipse model at bit.ly/yardstickeclipse

NASA Night Sky Notes! This article is distributed by NASA Night Sky Network The Night Sky Network program supports astronomy clubs across the USA dedicated to astronomy outreach. Visit nightsky.jpl.nasa.org to find local clubs, events, and more! PAS-Times Volume 60, Issue 1

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Upcoming Events PAS General Meeting - Friday, January 19 - 7:30 P.M. UNO Presentation is by PAS member annd past president Barry Simon "Globular Clusters - What are they, Where are they and how to best observe them."

Former PAS member and PAS President, Frank Castagna, passed on 12-20-18. His wife, Margaret, contacted PAS member, Gabe Dickens. Frank joined the PAS in or about 1990 and remained a member until 2017. For many years he was an active participant in PAS events and was a regular attendee at the Deep South Star Gaze. At the request of Barry Simon, Frank was the Deep South Star Gaze group moderator. Six years ago Frank had to undergo a liver transplant and in the same year he and his wife Margaret lost their only child, Frank Jr. Frank will be greatly missed. Pictured is Frank with his Takahashi Telescope at the DSSG.

On the Cover Summer Milky Way with Dark Horse Nebula, Rho Ophiuchus Nebulosity, M4 and Antares.Photo of the year by PAS Member: Barry Simon 2019 Membership Renewal Form Date______On the Back Cover Name______A star chart of Cassiopeia from Urania's Mirror - A View of the Heaven Address______City______St___ ZIP______

Home Phone*______Work Phone*______2019 PAS Meeting Dates Occupation______January 18 E-mail Address______*Check here ____ if you DO NOT want February 22 your phone numbers published. March 22 April 19 Membership Dues: May 17 (Calendar year per household) $40.00 ______June 2 Optional Subscriptions: July 19 Sky & Telescope $32.95/yr $65.9 5 two years August 16 ___New ___Renewal ______September 13 Astronomy $34.00/yr or $60.00/2years October 11 ___New ___Renewal ______November 15 Mailed Newsletter $20.00/yr ______December 13 SPMOS Key Deposit $25 ______Only pay this if you do not have a February 2019 Dorm key and want to obtain one. PAS-Times Deadline Optional Donation: ______(Tax Deductible) Total Amount: ______

Sunday, February 10th (Make check payable to PAS) Please submit all things astronomical to be Mail to: included in the next edition Pontchartrain Astronomy Society, Inc. of PAS-Times to the editor 16082 Lake Ramsey Rd. at the following address: Covington, LA 70435 [email protected] Members can also renew their membership and pay dues on the website. Here is the link: http://astronola.org/join.php Pontchartrain Astronomy Society, Inc Kent Birkle, PAS-Times Editor 21067 Lowe Davis Rd. Covington, La. 70435

The Pontchartrain Astronomy Society, Inc. is an organization of amateur astronomers representing the greater New Orleans area, southeastern Louisiana and adjacent parts of Mississippi. Our members come from many walks of life, and have a common interest in astronomy and observing the sky. The PAS aims to enhance the study and enjoyment of astronomy among our members, and to promote an understanding of astronomy in our local community.

The constellation Cassiopeia ia host to the second brightest radio source in the sky. The brightest being our Sun. This radio source is the remnant of a supernova that occured around 1667.