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May 2020 AMATEUR ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY of RHODE ISLAND  47 PEEPTOAD ROAD  NORTH SCITUATE, RHODE ISLAND 02857 

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May 2020 AMATEUR ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY of RHODE ISLAND  47 PEEPTOAD ROAD  NORTH SCITUATE, RHODE ISLAND 02857  the vol. 47 no. 05 Skyscraper May 2020 AMATEUR ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF RHODE ISLAND 47 PEEPTOAD ROAD NORTH SCITUATE, RHODE ISLAND 02857 WWW.THESKYSCRAPERS.ORG In This Issue: 2 President’s Message Betelgeuse Betelgeuse Betelgeuse… 2 2020-21 Elections (Or, What is going on with Betelgeuse?) 3 Memories of Frank Dubeau by Dr. Stella Kafka, Director of the American Association 4 May’s Mooned-Out of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) Meteor Shower & Solar Saturday, May 2nd @ 3:00 PM via Zoom Email [email protected] for Zoom Meeting link and information. Activity Update Members will be emailed a link and password for this presentation at 5 E. Margaret Burbidge: 2:00PM on May 2nd. 1919-2020 In October 2019 astronomers noticed engaging professional and amateur astron- that Betelgeuse entered one of its dimming omers in science. Within the auspices of 5 In Search of the Ashen Light episodes. Nothing unusual, until Betel- the AAVSO, Dr Kafka is working towards 6 NASA Night Sky Notes: geuse kept dimming past its known re- enabling individuals from all backgrounds corded minimum brightness. From the 7th to actively participate in research projects, Become a Citizen brightest star in the sky, Betelgeuse eventu- building a community of science-savvy cit- Scientist with NASA! ally became the 21st, puzzling astronomers izens who work collectively to understand worldwide. This notable change in the star’s some of the most dynamic phenomena in 7 Lenticular Galaxy in Coma behavior gave rise to a multitude of theories the universe. Berenices & Barred Spiral for its dimming, including a speculation on Dr Kafka acquired her BSc in Physics Galaxy in Coma Berenices: whether Betelgeuse has reached its fateful from the University of Athens (Greece) and M85 (NGC 4382) & NGC 4394 end as a supernova. Thanks to the AAVSO her MA/PhD in Astronomy from Indiana observers who continued to provide critical University (USA). Dr Kafka’s research in- 8 The Sun, Moon & data on this bright star, we now have a good terests is semi-detached binary star systems Planets in May idea on the physical properties of the star, (cataclysmic variables) which can become and an interpretation for its dimming. In supernovae Ia. More information on Dr 9 Astrophoto Gallery this presentation, I will discuss focus on the Kafka can be found at: https://www.linke- 2019-2020 Betelgeuse event, presenting key din.com/in/stellakafka/ 13 Spectrum of Algol theories and research outcomes explaining *The AAVSO is an international 13 Membership Renewal the event. non-profit organization of variable star ob- Dr. Stella Kafka, is the Executive Direc- servers whose mission is to enable anyone, tor and CEO of the AAVSO* (American anywhere, to participate in scientific dis- Association of Variable Star Observers), covery through variable star astronomy. an international organization focusing on Phases of the Moon Full Flower Moon Membership Renewals for 2020-2021 are due. May 7 10:45 See renewal form on page 13, or renew online via PayPal Last Quarter Moon www.theskyscrapers.org/join-renew May 14 14:03 New Moon May 22 17:39 Seagrave Observatory is closed until further notice. First Quarter Moon Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, Seagrave Memorial Observa- May 30 03:30 tory will remain closed to the public until further notice. President’s lenge. I know that at some point in the fu- we will seek out speakers who can talk to ture we will be able to return to both group us from wherever they live. If you have any Message observing and holding meetings. In the ideas for a speaker please send us the con- by Steve Siok meantime I hope you can observe on your tact information. own and can take advantage of programs In closing, I thank you for being a mem- Hello fellow Skyscrapers, as this is my streamed on your computers. As some of ber of Skyscrapers. We are a group of in- first President’s message, I want to thank our you are aware, there are several bright com- terested and interesting people who love outgoing President, Steve Hubbard, and his ets in the sky right now. Although they are astronomy. I remind you that the organi- executive committee for their efforts in the not naked eye brightness, they are visible in zation has started its 2020-2021 fiscal year. last two years. There have been many new ini- binoculars and scopes. I recommend you go Dues for the new year are now payable. You tiatives in outreach, programs and improve- to the Sky and Telescope web site for infor- may renew online or send a check to our ments to the observatory during this time. mation. Also I would like to hear from you address (47 Peeptoad Road, North Scitu- I thank you all for supporting the slate of when you become aware of a worthwhile ate). If you are not sure about your status, officers in this year’s election. Our team will streamed program. Send me an e-mail and we will be sending out dues notices shortly continue to support Skyscrapers’ programs I will make sure it is sent to all our members. or you can contact our treasurer. during this coming year while working to In the meantime we will attempt to con- Your financial support is vital so thank expand our observing opportunities and vene virtual monthly gatherings. We will you for all your past and future generosity. outreach to our members and the public. be researching platforms to determine the So, everyone stay healthy and safe. And The near term will prove to be a chal- best way to bring these meetings to you and please stay in touch and keep observing. den and expense, particularly at this time. President: Steve Siok 2020-21 Elections Following some discussion, it was agreed 1st Vice President: Steve Hubbard by Linda Bergemann that we should embrace the fact that three 2nd Vice President: Ian Dell'Antonio members were willing to run and seat all Secretary: Sue Hubbard The Election Committee is pleased three. I proposed the following motion to to announce the results of the 2020 elec- the Board for consideration: Treasurer: Kathy Siok tion. Thank you for returning your ballots "For 2020-2021 only, due to a tie vote for Members-at-Large: Francine Jackson during this unprecedented time. Fifty-one the second Member-at-Large position in Laura Landen of the 99 ballots mailed to members were our recent balloting and complications re- Matt Ouellette returned and counted. sulting from the 2020 pandemic, the Board Trustee (3-year term): Bob Janus We had an unusual (perhaps unprece- of Directors will include three Members-at- dented) situation arise for the two Member- Large (instead of two).” The newly-elected Officers, Members- at-Large positions. With three candidates President Steve Hubbard presented the at-Large (MAL) and Junior Trustee will on the ballot, we had a tie for the second motion to the Board via e-mail and the re- assume their duties immediately. Please slot. Our Standing Rules for Elections indi- sponse was astronomically positive. Con- join me in thanking the outgoing Officers, cate a “paper ballot run off” to resolve the sequently, I am pleased to announce the MALs and Trustees for their service to Sky- tie. This seemed like an unnecessary bur- results of the 2020 election. scrapers. The Skyscraper is published President monthly by Skyscrapers, Inc. Steve Siok [email protected] Outreach Chairperson Meetings are held monthly, Linda Bergemann [email protected] usually on the first or second 1st Vice President Friday or Saturday of the month. Steve Hubbard [email protected] Observatory Committee Chairperson Seagrave Memorial Observatory Jim Crawford [email protected] is open every Saturday night, 2nd Vice President weather permitting. Ian Dell'Antonio ian_dell'[email protected] New Member Steward Tracy Prell [email protected] Directions Secretary Directions to Seagrave Memorial Observatory are Sue Hubbard [email protected] Librarian located on the back page of this newsletter. Dave Huestis [email protected] Treasurer Submissions Submissions to The Skyscraper are always welcome. Kathy Siok [email protected] Assistant Librarian Please submit items for the newsletter no later than Weston Ambrose May 15 to Jim Hendrickson, 1 Sunflower Circle, Members at Large North Providence, RI 02911 or e-mail to jim@ Francine Jackson [email protected] Historian distantgalaxy.com. Laura Landen [email protected] Dave Huestis [email protected] Matt Ouellette [email protected] E-mail subscriptions Editor To receive The Skyscraper by e-mail, send e-mail Jim Hendrickson [email protected] with your name and address to jim@distantgalaxy. Trustees Jim Crawford [email protected] com. Note that you will no longer receive the news- Astronomical League Correspondent (ALCor) letter by postal mail. Bob Janus [email protected] Jeff Padell [email protected] 2 The Skyscraper May 2020 Frank Dubeau by Francine Jackson Francis I. “Frank” Dubeau 76, of Blackstone, MA, passed away unex- pectedly Thursday, April 16, 2020 at home. He was the husband of the late Estelle (Falardeau) Dubeau. Born in Woonsocket, Frank was a US Army veteran of the Vietnam war. For many years he worked as a machinist for the former Carol Ca- ble/Miller Machine Co. before retiring in 2006. Frank loved to work with his hands. He was an especially gifted woodworker, and he also crafted his own telescopes. Frank was a member of the VFW Post 11519, the American Veterans Association, and the Vietnam Veter- ans of America. Frank is survived by three daughters and four grandchil- dren, and his dear friend Lucille Laliberte of Blackstone. Ser- vices and burial with military honors are private.
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