THETHE LOWELL OBSERVER | Fall 2014 1 LOWELL EXPANDING OUR UNIVERSE OBSERVER The quarterly newsletter of Lowell Issue 101 Fall 2014

Chairman Gerard van Lowell Hosts Cool Belle acted as emcee during the conference. Stars 18 Conference Here he introduces invited speaker Marc by Pinsonneault (OSU) for the conference’s debate recently had between Pinsonneault and the honor of hosting a major international Martin Asplund (ANU) on conference, “Cool Stars 18”, “The Ins and Out of Solar from June 8 to 13, 2014. More than 350 Abundances”. astronomers from 28 different countries our own star. This is attended — including Germany, Australia, especially pertinent as India, Chile, Japan, Turkey, and of course we consider questions from throughout the . I of how the sun served as the meeting chair, with Lowell’s influences our own Evgenya Shkolnik as my deputy chair. world. The formal name of the meeting The discovery was “The 18th Cambridge Workshop on in 1995 of Cool Stars, Stellar Systems, and the Sun”, orbiting other sun-like and represented the 18th installment of a stars has expanded meeting series that has been convening on the relevance of considering stars as entire a trans-Atlantic switching tradition of the a roughly biennial basis since 1980. Cool systems of hosts and companion planets. series), and at the closing banquet for the Stars 17 was held in Barcelona, Spain, An indication of the importance of the meeting, Lowell Observatory announced and it was at this meeting that Lowell Cool Stars series is that astronomers it was passing the torch for Cool Stars 19 Observatory led an ultimately successful who obtained the first extrasolar to our colleagues at Uppsala University bid to have the following Cool Stars come discovery chose Cool Stars 9 as the venue in Uppsala, Sweden. It was a tremendous to Flagstaff. for their announcement. Results from the amount of work to organize this meeting, In astronomy, researchers tend to wildly successful Kepler spacecraft (on but also a tremendous honor. The entire specialize in specific topics, in part due to which Lowell astronomer Ted Dunham is a Lowell staff — including, in particular, Catie the tools and techniques that are unique co-investigator) were a featured part of this Blazek, Mattie Harrington, and Sarah to the investigation of those topics. These year’s Cool Stars, including new extrasolar topics include stellar astrophysics — the planet discoveries, and ‘asteroseismology’ Conant — pitched in magnificently and the study of stars — and heliophysics — the study results, where the internal vibrations of overwhelming success of this event is due of our sun. In each of these two cases, the stars have been sensed through varying to their dedication. and instruments designed for brightness levels, giving insight into the observations are quite disparate from each internal structure of these stars. A similar other; a solar typically looks quite technique, helioseismology, has been used IN THIS ISSUE different from a telescope that is intended on the sun; both of these techniques to look at distant, faint stars. However, the provide exquisite constraints on the underlying physics is the same. otherwise hidden interiors of these objects. The Cool Stars series offers a unique The focus on cool stars is connected opportunity for astronomers who specialize to the physics of stellar interiors. Stars that in these two often-separated communities are the temperature of our sun and cooler to discuss areas of common interest. The tend to be structured internally and behave proximity of the sun provides us with a in very similar ways. Indeed, the discussion unique star for which a wealth and detail of of the very coolest stars and even the sub- knowledge can be obtained, unparalleled stellar ‘brown dwarf’ objects has come to by any other star. The study of other stars be a significant recurring theme throughout gives us multiple laboratories with varying the Cool Stars meetings. conditions — different sizes, temperatures, Multiple proposals from Europe compositions, and ages all provide us with were evaluated during Cool Stars 18 for additional insight into the behavior of the next hosting opportunity (continuing 2 THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Fall 2014

8-13 was not a quiet week at about the organizers, the Second, I was again Lowell Observatory. The 18th science, and the venue and reminded just how much fun Cambridge Workshop on Cool setting. During the conference, astronomy is. Hearing the Stars, Stellar Systems, and I was especially struck by two talks and reading the posters the Sun convened at the High things. was exciting, intellectually Country Conference Center, First, it was a clear stimulating, and generated lots ably led by Gerard van Belle demonstration of Flagstaff’s of good conversations with and with outstanding support status as a major hub of colleagues I hadn’t seen in some time. I’ve heard many from Mattie Harrington, Catie research in astronomy and astronomers — at Lowell and Blazek, Sarah Conant, and planetary science — not merely elsewhere — comment that we many volunteers. Nearly 400 at Lowell, but at the U.S. are lucky to be able to do what astronomers from around the Naval Observatory, Northern we do. I hope that through Director’s world gathered for a week of Arizona University, and the the Observer and our other Update sharing the latest discoveries U.S. Geological Survey. Being programs, we convey that in stellar atmospheres, star and selected for a Cool Stars excitement and sense of happy by Jeffrey Hall planet formation, , conference is a testament to wonder at the Universe to all and the sun itself. At the end Flagstaff’s long tradition and of you. Unlike the status of the week, they all went their outstanding reputation in quo at Lake Wobegon, June ways with many compliments astronomy.

immediately followed by the observatory hosting one of the Big Red Leads Flagstaff’s Fourth largest annual astronomical of July Parade gatherings, the “Cool Stars” ’s 1911 Stevens-Duryea Model “Y” convention for the next several touring automobile, a.k.a Big Red, led this year’s days, the staff was flat out Fourth of July parade in downtown Flagstaff. The making sure everything came car carried Grand Marshal and Trustee Emeritus off well. My thanks to Gerard Bill Putnam, Flagstaff Mayor Jerry Nabours and his van Belle for his work over the family, Earl and Gloria Slipher, and Mike and Karen past year as chair of the Cool Kitt. Several Flagstaff landmarks are visible in this Stars organizing committee photo, including Lowell’s historic Clark Telescope and to the entire team at dome in the distance on Hill. Lowell for their hard work. Trustee’s A primary part of my job is making sure the observatory Update has the long term financial by W. Lowell Putnam underpinnings to operate successfully. On an annual I hope your summer basis a major difference is the is going well. It has certainly amount of either unrestricted gotten off to a great start at or specific program support the observatory. The annual we receive from our Friends. Advisory Board meeting was Your contributions in this way well attended and produced a help us keep innovating new number of good conversations programs and sustaining efforts and recommendations. Add across the organization. If you to that the official opening of are interested in supporting the new Collection Center specific programs or research, and then a successful Gala I urge you to reach out to with a great talk from Mark Antoinette Beiser or me and Kelly and you have a very good we will be happy to discuss and busy week. Since it was what works well for you. THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Fall 2014 3

were sold out except for a couple of spots in the oldest age bracket. Tykes Camp is offered year-round on Saturdays for three-to-five-year-olds and is in its second year. Currently 240 children participate yearly. Christensen said this is a unique program because Lowell educators are teaching astronomy and physics concepts to such a young age group. Tykes Camp has three years of curriculum and alternates between physics and astronomy topics. For example, after learning about the sun, campers learn about electricity and magnetism. Christensen sees the Tykes Camp as not only a fun exercise for participants, but also a language experiment of sorts. “Children at that age are geared toward learning languages,” Christensen said. “We think of that so literally — Camp counselor Joshua Begay uses an inflatable model of to teach kids about the difference between a planet’s revolution and its rotation around the sun, represented here by a light bulb. English, Spanish, French — but math is really a language, and science in some sense is really a language…I think we do the country visit for special programs Youth Camps a our children a disservice by not really given by educators. These might include Big Hit anything from a virtual tour through the exposing them to [science and math] at this by Cecile LeBlanc solar system enhanced with demonstrations age.” using dry ice and liquid nitrogen to an in- She gave an example of the power of It’s a Saturday morning at Lowell depth walking tour of the telescope used to these workshops. One boy camper learned Observatory and the children at camp discover . about gravity in a Tykes Camp. Months are having fun. On one Saturday ten Flagstaff organizations also contact later he was building a bird nest on a paper boisterous three-to-five-year-olds learned Outreach Manager Samantha Christensen plate using glue and sticks after learning about the sun. They studied photos of the to request special programs. Observatory about Earth. He wanted to know why glue sun and then looked at it safely through a educators go to the Flagstaff Public Library, was needed to hold the sticks to the paper solar telescope. Then, with a paper plate Bookmans, and Heritage Square to conduct plate. Christensen asked him what would colored and dotted with sunspots and pipe demonstrations for children and the happen to the sticks if they didn’t use glue. cleaners turned into looping prominences public and in doing so reach people who He said they would fall to the ground. glued to the edges, they made a model of might not otherwise have been exposed to the sun. This is Tykes Camp, one of several astronomy. “Why?” Christensen asked. He thought programs for children put on by Lowell Kids Camps are a popular event for long and hard. Finally he answered, Observatory’s Public Program. children at Lowell Observatory. Participants “Grasity?” The Public Program reaches out to are separated into groups based on grade “This shows they are learning,” children through its popular private tours levels (first through third, fourth through Christensen said. “Not so much the for school groups. Classes from across fifth, and sixth through seventh). Camps vocabulary but the concept.”

Phil Massey and Team Discover Bizarre New Hybrid Star On June 4th, a team of astronomers including Lowell’s Phil Massey and former Lowell summer student Emily Levesque announced the discovery of a candidate hybrid star first predicted nearly 40 years ago. In a discovery decades in the making, the team has detected the first of a “theoretical” class of stars first proposed in 1975 by physicist Kip Thorne and astronomer Anna ŻŽytkow. These so-called Thorne-Žytkow objects (TŽOs) are hybrids of red supergiant and neutron stars that superficially resemble normal red supergiants. They differ, however, in their distinct chemical signatures that result from unique activity in their stellar interiors. This work was partially supported by NASA and the National Science Foundation. (Image: NASA) 4 THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Fall 2014

Gene stands with Lowell’s solar telescope used to — skiing in the Andes. “I would describe educate visitors about sunspots and solar flares. my time in Chile as two-and-a-half years, an elementary school in Albuquerque. five semesters and three ski seasons,” During lunchtime, students used the laughs Gene. It was there that he met his playground equipment or played softball, future wife, Glenda, who had accepted an while some joined Gene for solar viewing overseas position as a general science and and an exciting impromptu astronomy biology teacher. She also now volunteers at lesson at a 6” , one of Lowell, archiving correspondence from the two in the school district. Sunspots were observatory’s early years. often scattered across the image of the Fifty-four years have passed since sun, which Gene projected onto white Gene inspired students to learn more cardboard. about their universe from a playground The launch of Sputnik in 1957 in Albuquerque. After four years as a shocked the United States and spurred Lowell docent, he’s still plying his trade Docent Gene Hill Congress to sign into law the National as an educator as he explores the sun’s Defense Education Act (NDEA). Set in features, leads historic tours and brings the Educates Visitors motion by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, observatory to life for excited visitors. by Mary DeMuth it provided student financial aid and funding for science and mathematics Lowell docent Gene Hill was education programs. Gene was one of born in the small Texas railroad town of thousands of students who benefited from Canadian, where his parents worked for the initiatives. He was awarded an NDEA Fellowship to the University of Denver, the Fred Harvey Company, his mother as a where he earned Master’s and Doctorate Harvey Girl and his father, a chef. degrees in Education. An eastward teaching Gene attended West Texas State trek took him to Missouri and New York, College and graduated with a degree in then to Chile, where he worked as a school elementary education, teaching for a while principal. Here, his career in education in his home state before taking a job at took a bit of a back seat to his real interest

Master Gardener Grant In June, Lowell Observatory was awarded a grant from the Coconino Master Gardener Association to assist with the purchase of landscaping materials including trees, shrubs, flowers, ground cover Upward Bound and mulch to beautify and fill in several areas of the campus. Earlier this year, the observatory was chosen as a Summer Academy Master Gardener and volunteer Service Learning Site in the U.S. Department of Education’s Upward Julie DeGroff (pictured above) Bound program, now in its 50th year. Under the guidance of Outreach and Grounds Manager Dave Manager Samantha Christensen and Curator Samantha Thompson, Shuck are working together the six Academy students volunteered almost 100 hours in June, on design plans for individual cheerfully assisting with summer Kids Camps and greeting visitors in garden areas. Julie also the New Views of the Universe exhibit — all while developing life-long provided expert advice during learning skills and having a lot of fun! the grant-writing process. THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Fall 2014 5

club’s visit I decided that I Lowell Tour Leads to would like to participate in LARI Participation this program. I was fortunate to by William Bucklew be selected to participate n June of 2011, our local in the BGBF research I group. This group is astronomy club, the Astronomical Society tasked with the job of of the Palm Beaches, traveled to Lowell creating an accurate survey Observatory for a three-day program in of bolometric flux values which we toured the observatory’s facilities, using a selected group of had a presentation on research stars and the photometry by one of their staff astronomers and had that can be gathered from nighttime viewing with the 24-inch Clark internet resources. With refractor. Our facilities tour included this photometric data, we not only the Mars Hill campus where we used our computer power William Bucklew presents a program about Lowell at ALCON 2014 got to see the 13-inch telescope used in to model the stars in our in San Antonio, July 12, 2014. the discovery of Pluto and the original list against the photometry studying the background science of discovery plate, but also the NPOI and collected in order to produce the desired photometry and spectroscopy has been other telescopes at the Anderson Mesa results. Our lead astronomer was Dr. site and to our delight, the “Happy Jack” very beneficial. I would hope that when Gerard van Belle. He was instrumental in opportunities like this come along in the site, home of the new Discovery Channel explaining the task at hand and providing future that other amateur astronomers Telescope, which at the time was in its us the tools to conduct this research. His will join in and participate in this chance assembly and testing stages. helpful guidance along the way aided us The staff members we met were when things were not quite working the to make a small contribution to the all very glad that we were visiting and way we expected them to and he provided professional community. provided a top-quality program for us. insight and knowledge to get us back on I would like to thank Lowell Fast forward to May of 2012 and track. Observatory and their staff for creating the announcement of the LARI (Lowell The experience has been a truly the LARI Program and allowing me to Amateur Research Initiative) Program. great opportunity and the knowledge participate, and I look forward to future After my very positive experience with our I have gained from participating and collaborations where I may be helpful.

Florida and is affiliated with multiple Since then, Mayda has been back hospitals in the vicinity. Despite the busy to Lowell every year for the annual speaker schedule that goes along with treating series lecture and dinner. Her brother patients in these specialty areas, Mayda has joined her last year and this year her sister developed an interest in the beauty of the and niece came along. A special treat this night sky and has made the time to learn June was the opportunity to observe the about what she’s seeing there. Cat’s Eye Nebula through the DCT. The infectious enthusiasm of Mayda has become very involved a pathologist friend got her interested in preservation efforts at the observatory, in astronomy. An accomplished donating generously to the building of the astrophotographer, he loaned Mayda new Putnam Collection Center. She wants books on stargazing and she became to ensure future generations also get to intrigued. Before long she bought a small enjoy Percival Lowell’s astronomical legacy. telescope and joined a local astronomy When asked what impresses her most about club, the Astronomical Society of the Palm Lowell Observatory she quickly answered, Beaches, the same club to which William “I have the impression of very special Bucklew belongs. They offer enjoyable and people who really love working here and Lowell Supporter informative monthly lectures on the night who know they’re doing very important Dr. Mayda Arias sky, which are most helpful to the novice work.” We humbly agree and thank her for observer. her enthusiastic support! by Antoinette Beiser Mayda joined the club’s spring 2011 visit to Lowell and enjoyed excellent Dr. Mayda Arias is board Online versions of The Lowell observing with the historic Clark Observer are available at certified in Internal Medicine, Oncology, Telescope. She remembers how wonderful Hematology, and Palliative Care. She the Milky Way and Saturn looked from practices in and around Fort Lauderdale, Flagstaff’s dark skies. 6 THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Fall 2014

Recent Publications The Observer now includes this listing of recent publications by our scientists so you can keep up with their latest research.

Clark Telescope Restoration Update Work on the Clark Telescope renovation progresses well. Ralph Nye and his crew have nearly finished cleaning, fixing, and rebuilding telescope components. The team is now working on the dome — replacing the shutter doors (Above) Ralph Nye, standing in front of a segment of and other poorly functioning the Clark Telescope tube and holding on to the collar parts, stabilizing the structure, that connects the tube segments, gives a television interview about the Clark renovation. and cleaning. The observatory plans to hold a grand reopening (Right) The Clark pier stand lonely in the dome, ceremony for the Clark in late underneath a temporary shutter covering. winter/early spring, 2015. THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Fall 2014 7

In Memoriam 2014 PUBLIC PROGRAM FALL SPECIAL EVENTS Jay Inge (September 29, 1943 - April 1, 2014) New Views of the Universe Exhibit Jay Landon Inge, a resident of Flagstaff May 19, 2014 - Jan 4, 2015 for more than 40 years, died at age Second Friday Science Nights 70 on April 1st, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Sep 12, Oct 10, Nov 14 Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ. Meteor Shower Activities (6 - 9:30pm) Oct 22-23, Nov 17 Born in 1943 in Hollywood, CA, Jay graduated from North Hollywood School is Out & Kids are Free High and the University of California, Sep 1, Nov 11 Los Angeles (UCLA). Following his graduation from UCLA, Jay worked for Lowell Observatory, where he SEPTEMBER Regular Public Hours: produced one of the first maps of the moon. He then transitioned to M - Sat 9 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. National Geographic Magazine in Washington D.C., where his work in Sun 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. cartography resulted in several maps, including the moon and Mars, which are still available today. 20-26 Flagstaff Festival of He relocated back to Flagstaff, AZ to work at the US Geological Survey Science – Free programs (USGS). While at USGS, he was instrumental in the creation of maps of SAT 20 Activities in Wheeler Park Mars and Jupiter and was a member of the Voyager and Viking missions to survey the solar system. He was the author of several books cataloging 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. interstellar maps, as well as cartography techniques for interstellar SUN 21 Open House at Lowell mapping. 5 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. In his free time, he was an accomplished artist and devoted husband, 22-26 Festival of Science father, and friend. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mimi, daughter Programs at Lowell Michelle, son Landon, and four grandchildren. - Antoinette Beiser 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Floyd Drinkard OCTOBER Regular Public Hours: (November 28, 1964 - June 11, 2014) M - Sat 9 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Sun 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. On June 11, 2014, we lost a valued member of the Lowell community, Floyd SAT 4 Astronomy Day Drinkard. Floyd served as electrical 9 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. technician at DCT and NPOI from December 2009 to January 2013. 6 - 11 Week Floyd came to us from Kingman, AZ, 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. with a broad background in industrial TUE 7 Lunar Talk electrical and electronic controls. He 7 p.m. – Note: Eclipse will rapidly endeared himself to the DCT not be visible during open hours team by his hard work, his initiative, and his easy-going manner. FRI 31 Halloween Programs Floyd left his mark on DCT with superbly-executed work including 5 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. cabling and hardware installation for the active optics system, facility systems electrical work including dome controls, generator controls, the NOVEMBER Regular Public Hours: telescope temperature monitoring system, and much more. At NPOI, Floyd will always be remembered for his work in cable and electrical M, W, F, Sat Noon - 9:30 p.m. T, Th, Sun Noon - 5 p.m. panel installations in the control building and throughout the array; Closed November 27 the “hand paddle” controllers he built which are used nightly by the observers, and his support of array electrical upgrades by the Navy. FRI 28 Black Friday He made a profound impression upon the NPOI staff and the Navy Noon - 9:30 p.m. – Sale at management which reflected well upon the observatory. the Starry Skies Gift Shop Floyd impressed all of us, not only with his skills, but with the care and concern he showed for his family, friends, and co-workers. We will not only remember — and miss — his technical capabilities, but also his sense For more special event info visit of humor, his friendly nature, and his ever-present smile. - Bill DeGroff Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Flagstaff, AZ Permit No. 170 Fall 2014 Issue 101 EXPANDING OUR UNIVERSE EXPANDING ELL For comments about the newsletter, contact comments about the newsletter, For The Lowell Observer is published quarterly by Observer The Lowell Layout and Production Design by Sarah Conant and Production Layout Eco-friendly printing by Eco-friendly 928.233.3210 • www.lowell.edu • Like us on Facebook • Like us 928.233.3210 • www.lowell.edu Communication Manager Kevin Schindler, [email protected] Schindler, Communication Manager Kevin Lowell Observatory, 1400 W. Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff, 1400 W. Observatory, Lowell Contents Copyright 2014 by Lowell Observatory ISSN 1054-0059 Contents Copyright 2014 by Lowell

Pam and Charlie Ross have been Friends of and Charlie Ross have been Friends Pam involved with became since 1992. Pam Lowell longtimethe observatory at the suggestion of Advisorylibrary and archive volunteer and former alsoBoard member Marty Hecht. She eventually to be anjoined the Advisory Board and continues They made the enthusiastic and supportive member. in their estatedecision to include the observatory withplans a few years ago and were presented Putnam Lowell a bronze Mars Globe by Trustee For Society Brunch. Lowell at this year’s Percival and includinginformation about joining the Society Observatory in your estate plans, please Lowell contact Antoinette Beiser at [email protected] Pam and Charlie Ross Join and Charlie Ross Pam Lowell Society Percival ARRIVALS Assistant • Joshua Bangle - Fundraising • Joshua Begay - Kids Camp Teacher Assistant • Sara Bruhns - Research • Samantha Flagg - Scheduler Associate • Joseph Llama - Postdoctoral Assistant - Research • Jacob McLane The quarterly newsletter of Lowell Observatory The quarterly THE

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