The Observer of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers

THE OBSERVER OF THE TWIN CITY AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS

Volume 45, Number 11 November 2020

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

1 Editor’s Choice: Image of the Month – 2 President’s Note 3 Calendar of Astronomical Events – November 2020 3 New & Renewing Members/Dues Blues/E-Mail List 4 This Month’s Phases of the Moon 4 This Month’s Solar Phenomena 4 AstroBits – News from Around the TCAA 5 Daylight Saving Time Commentary 7 November 2020 with Jeffrey L. Hunt 11 Renewing Your TCAA Membership 18 Waynesville Observatory Use Policy Statement 18 TCAA Image Gallery 18 Did You Know? 19 TCAA Treasurer’s Report as of October 27, 2020

The TCAA is an affiliate of the Astronomical League as well as its EDITOR’S CHOICE: IMAGE OF THE MONTH – WEBO-1 North Central Region. For more information about the TCAA, be This month’s editor’s choice is by Tim Stone. Tim writes, “I certain to visit the TCAA website at started this image in early September, and finally finished it last http://www.tcaa.us/ night (October 12th). This is 12 hours of imaging the region between the Heart and the Soul nebula. Visit http://www.astroleague.org for Neither of those nebulae were my target, though they do make additional information about the an interesting if not unconventional composition for this image. The Astronomical League and its diminutive and recently discovered planetary nebula WEBO-1 was numerous membership benefits, my target for this image. This image was taken with the 10". including observing programs. Its 2.3-degree field of view doesn't give a close-up view of the ring-like planetary, but it clearly shows in the image. It surprises me Also, visit the NCRAL website at how many images I see that include this location but shows no trace http://ncral.wordpress.com for in- of the planetary. Even in narrowband, most astrophotographers formation about our North Central manage to fail to reveal it. Region. Find out about the many I hope to image WEBO-1 again but with the 24" to get a much benefits of your membership from better look at its neat little ring. It's just above and to the right of this site. center in my image. (Editor’s note: See a detailed image and inset closeup of WEBO-1 later in this newsletter.)

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

PRESIDENT’S NOTE The OBSERVER We’re in the next to last month of 2020. is the monthly electronic newsletter of Twin We might be relieved that this memorable City Amateur Astronomers, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organiz- year, to say the least, is almost behind us. ation of amateur astronomers interested in While it has indeed been filled with things studying astronomy and sharing their hobby we never expected, it’s also been filled with with the public. happenings and people to be thankful for.

This month is thought of as the TCAA OFFICERS & CHAIRPERSONS Thanksgiving Season. I try to live thankfully

President, Director, & Property Manager every day, and yet in this time I start to look Tim Stone 309-531-2401 back on the year with an eye toward [email protected] identifying things I’m thankful for. Here are

Vice President & Director/Membership Coord. a few of the things on my list that are President Tim Tom Willmitch 309-846-2423 astronomy-related: Stone [email protected]

Treasurer & Director/Registered Agent • I’m thankful for the progress I’ve made in spectroscopy. It’s very fulfilling for me Dave Osenga 309-287-0789 to see my results now compared to just two years ago, and I find I enjoy the [email protected] activity as much as my deep sky photography. Assistant Property Manager/ALCor • I’m thankful for the nights, few though they may be, that I was able to image in Scott Wade 309-310-2464 2020. Some of the nights in September were among the best nights I’ve [email protected] experienced anywhere, with transparency and seeing both 10 out of 10. Those 5th Director nights were truly awe inspiring, as this central Illinois sky looked much like the Sunil Chebolu 678-896-5967 sky at the dark site I’ve been to in west Texas. These are nights I will always [email protected] remember, and I’m especially thankful for them. Secretary/Historian/Editor • I’m thankful for the encouragement I’ve received from members of TCAA in my Carl J. Wenning 309-830-4085 [email protected] astronomical pursuits. Every kind, encouraging word means so much to me, and I so appreciate every one of them. Technology Coordinator/Assistant Editor • I’m thankful for getting started in radio astronomy. It’s been a dream of mine Sandullah Epsicokhan 309-828-0227 [email protected] for many, many years to observe the sky at radio wavelengths. To see that dream becoming reality makes me so thankful and has opened my eyes to a Webmaster Lee Green 309-454-7349 whole new view of this awesome universe. [email protected] What are you thankful for this year? Yes, it’s been a hard year in many ways, but AL Observing Club Coordinator this year has given us all an opportunity to slow down and reflect on what is really Lisa Wentzel unlisted number [email protected] important to us. We tend to get focused on who did or didn’t do something we think they should have, or did or didn’t say something, or whatever. Yet we are all still The OBSERVER here, still warm and fed and taken care of. The stars still shine, the moon still goes Carl J. Wenning, Editor through its phases, Mars comes to opposition right on schedule. Indeed, the universe

Submission deadline two days before is nonplussed by our 2020 stresses. Yes, we all have so much to be thankful for. the end of each month. Tim Stone MEMBERSHIP DUES TCAA President Individual Adult/Family $40 Full-time Student/Senior $25 (Senior status equals ages 60+)

To join, send your name, contact info, and dues payment to Dave Osenga, TCAA Treasurer, 1109 N. Linden St., Normal, IL 61761-1471.

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

CALENDAR OF ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS – NOV 2020 NEW & RENEWING MEMBERS

MORNING PLANETS (11/15): Mercury (☿) and Venus (♀︎) The following individuals have paid dues for new or EVENING PLANETS (11/15): Mars (♂︎), Jupiter (♃), Saturn (♄), renewed memberships as of October 27, 2020. (Others who paid after that date will appear in the December 2020 Uranus (⛢), and Neptune (♆) issue of The OBSERVER.)

The following table gives the date and time (24-hour clock) of Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! important astronomical events for this month. All events but for the first are given in Central Standard Time. New: None

Renewing: Chris Franklin, Geoff Hughes, Day Time Event Tom Weiland, and Anthony Cellini

01 02:00 DST ends: Turn Clock Back 1 hr Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! 01 21 Mercury at Perihelion 03 00:58 Aldebaran 4.6°S of Moon DUES BLUES 03 20:39 Moon at Ascending Node 05 00 S Taurid Meteor Shower If you have received a dues statement email along with this issue of The OBSERVER, please send your dues 06 13:52 Pollux 3.9°N of Moon to Mr. Dave Osenga, TCAA Treasurer, 1109 N. Linden St., 07 13:34 Beehive 2.3°S of Moon Normal, IL 61761-1471. Dues are currently $25 for seniors 08 07:46 LAST QUARTER MOON (60 years of age and over) and $40 regular. 09 04:20 Regulus 4.7°S of Moon 10 11 Mercury Greatest Elong: 19.1°W SUBSCRIBING TO THE TCAA EMAIL LIST 11 23 N Taurid Meteor Shower 12 15:30 Venus 3.1°S of Moon Welcome to the [email protected] group at Groups.io. 13 14:45 Mercury 1.7°S of Moon This is a free, easy-to-use group email service set up for 14 05:48 Moon at Perigee: 357839 km the TCAA’s communication purposes. You can subscribe, 14 23:07 NEW MOON visit your group, read and post messages here: 16 07:27 Venus 3.6°N of Spica https://groups.io/g/tcaa 16 18:07 Moon at Descending Node The email address for this group is [email protected]. 17 05 Leonid Meteor Shower After you successfully subscribe, please add this email 19 02:54 Jupiter 2.5°N of Moon address to your safe sender list in your email client’s contacts, so emails from this list are not classified as junk 19 08:57 Saturn 2.9°N of Moon mail. 21 22:45 FIRST QUARTER MOON Once subscribed, you can set your subscription 25 13:45 Mars 4.9°N of Moon settings here: https://groups.io/g/tcaa/editsub. You can 26 18:29 Moon at Apogee: 405891 km opt to receive all messages in individual emails, collections 30 03:30 FULL MOON of messages in a digest, a daily summary, or only special 30 03:43 Pen. Lunar Eclipse; mag=0.829 notices. If you do not wish to belong to this group, you 30 07:07 Aldebaran 4.6°S of Moon may unsubscribe by sending an email to [email protected] This Calendar of Astronomical Events courtesy of Fred Espenak. If you have general questions about the group, email http://www.astropixels.com/ephemeris/astrocal/astrocal2020cst.html [email protected]. For questions not answered there,

contact the moderators of this group (Deva C., Tim S., and EVENING SKY MAP Carl W.) by emailing [email protected].

Get the current evening sky map along with a more detailed celestial events calendar at the following URL: http://www.skymaps.com/

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

THIS MONTH’S PHASES OF THE MOON

Last Quarter New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Sunday, November 8 Saturday, November 14 Saturday, November 21 Monday, November 30

All moon phase dates are Central Time. Moon phases for the 2020 calendar year can be found by clicking here: http://www.astropixels.com/ephemeris/astrocal/astrocal2020cst.html Images provided by J. K. Howell of the Champaign- Urbana Astronomical Society & used with permission.

THIS MONTH’S SOLAR PHENOMENA

In the table below, you will find times of sunrise and sunset along with rising and setting azimuths (Az), length of the day including the change from the previous day, start and end times of astronomical twilight, and the time of solar noon along with the elevation (El) of the midday sun. These data come from https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/bloomington

2020 Sunrise/Sunset Day Length Astronomical Twilight Solar Noon Solar Dist.

Nov Sunrise (Az) Sunset (Az) Length Diff. Start End Time (Elevation) MIL. MILES

1 6:26 AM (109°) 4:52 PM (251°) 10:25:28 –2:20 4:54 AM 6:24 PM 11:39 PM (34.8°) 93.240

11 6:38 AM (113°) 4:41 PM (247°) 10:03:16 –2:06 5:04 AM 6:15 PM 11:40 PM (31.9°) 92.017 21 6:49 AM (116°) 4:33 PM (244°) 9:44:07 –1:44 6:09 AM 5:46 PM 11:42 PM (29.4°) 91.815

ASTROBITS – NEWS FROM AROUND THE TCAA

On October 5th Tim Stone noted, “Mars is at opposition, For the record, Historian Carl Wenning has placed the with closest approach being tomorrow. I took a look at it repository of the TCAA historical records at SGO. He will last night at 340x and I gotta say it's spectacular. I could be stepping down from his positions of historian, secretary, see Syrtis Major and its surroundings very well. The north and newsletter editor at the end of his terms in office. polar cap was a brilliant white dot. There was plenty of mottling which, If I knew Mars better, I could identify, but even so it was extremely cool. It won't be this close again until 2035! If you haven't had a look at it, it is worth the effort for sure.” The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics on October 6th. One half went to Roger Penrose “for the discovery that black hole formation is a robust prediction of the general theory of relativity” and the other half went jointly to Reinhard Genzel and Andrea Ghez “for the discovery of a supermassive compact object at the centre of our galaxy.” Tim Stone completed NCRAL’s Autumn Mini Messier Marathon using a C8 telescope from Waynesville Observatory on the evening of October 6th. The next night, Lisa Wentzel did the same thing from her home. In both cases, the observations were made manually.

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

On Saturday, September 17th, TCAA members Tim Stone, Steve & Jill Mayes, and Bob Hoy undertook the task of cleaning out the TCAA storage locker at Sugar Grove Nature Center. Tim noted afterward, “Many years of detritus had built up in there, to the point where it was barely enterable. We used the nature center's Bobcat to haul two loads of garbage to the SGNC dumpster. Steve and Bob salvaged a few things, and Steve did an excellent job with the shop vac cleaning up the years of mouse and ground squirrel debris that had built up. When I put out the call for help, and didn't get a single response, I figured I'd have to do it all alone. Many, many thanks to the crew for all the help. I really couldn't have accomplished all that in one day without them!” Thanks Tim, Steve, Jill, and Bob for providing the much-needed work! Carl Wenning completed his 10th and penultimate chapter of his new book The Galileo Observer’s Guide to the Heavens. He drafted the book during four months in the summer and autumn of 1989 when his daughter Sara was facing a medical crisis. It was Carl’s way of dealing with Sara’s congenital heart defect. The book is dedicated to her memory. He is now working with his delightfully brilliant grandson who lives in Oklahoma. Carl drove there a couple of weeks ago for a family visit and outfitted him with two small telescopes suitable for doing the work described in the workbook. Expect to hear more about seventh-grader Dominick Prall in the coming year as he works his way independently through the 100 observing projects found in the Guide.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME COMMENTARY ~ by Jeffrey L. Hunt

From the beginning, here’s the conclusion, there’s no Companies and other organizations can provide flexible daylight to save during the months with the least daylight. work times or change their shifts if their employees want Also note that “DST (Daylight Saving Time) is simply a work- “longer evenings” at particular times of the year. The authors time arrangement,” from a paper from the European Union advocate for year-round standard time. published at the National Institutes of Health (nih.org). We Around the equinoxes, the popular press focuses on change our clocks to have more daylight during the evening daylight and nighttime; this is followed by a twice-yearly rant hours, when there’s daylight available to shift. The about changing the clocks. When I consider my notes and arrangement would work better if the clocks returned to year- articles about the sky, I look farther into daylight and round standard time to allow companies, schools, and nighttime. I break the latter into twilight and darkness. families determine their own schedules. Twilight, after sunset or before sunrise, has three phases. Civil The authors of the above study cite myths around DST, Twilight occurs when the sun is 6° below the horizon. Nautical including one that shifting the clock one hour ahead creates Twilight occurs when the sky is 12° below the horizon, and an extra hour of daylight. Rather, it moves time one time zone Astronomical Twilight occurs at the −18° mark. When the sun eastward. The authors conclude, that countries should is 18° below the horizon, throughout the night and until it consider “Obliterating DST (in favor of permanent Standard reaches −18° altitude in the east, the sky is as dark as it gets, Time) and reassigning countries and regions to their naturally. Statements like, “Dark as midnight,” “darkest actual sun-clock based time zones. Under such before the dawn,” and other similar metaphors have nothing adjustment, social (local) clock time will match sun clock time to do with the reality of darkness of the night, and they are and therefore body clock time most closely.” inaccurate statements of nature’s light and dark cycles.

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

I break the 24-hour cycle into daylight, twilight, and In the second review, I looked at 101 days centering on darkness – the time after evening twilight ends and morning the perihelion date (January 2), when Earth is closest to the twilight begins. Daylight and darkness are equal during late sun. The average day is 9 hours, 38 minutes, while the median October and then again during early February. value is 9 hours, 29 minutes. Recently Steve Chapman penned an article in the Chicago This might be a surprise that the sun is not precisely south Tribune about the need to keep daylight time throughout the every day when our clocks read noon. Sometimes the sun year. The main focus was about evening driving versus reaches the south point before clock noon and sometimes morning driving. Chapman referenced a study about the later. This is from the earth’s non-circular revolution around subject: Time Well Spent: An Economic Analysis of Daylight the sun and the planet’s 23.5° tilt. Saving Time Legislation. In the third review, the 101 days are centered on the date The study reviews the history of the topic, an analysis of when the sun is precisely south at noon in Chicago, Illinois energy consumption, a discussion of effective drive times, and (January 14). The average day is 9 hours, 48 minutes, while an analysis of daylight during January. The final conclusion of the median in 9 hours, 28 minutes. the article is to keep daylight time during the colder months While the mid-point days span 24 days, the average to mitigate evening driving difficulties. range difference is only 13 minutes, hardly any time to save. Chapman discounts claims about children safety with, “If The longer interval gives a larger indication of the daylight morning darkness is perceived to pose a danger to kids in available during the colder months at the mid-latitudes, some places, schools could push back their start times an rather than a single month after the winter solstice. hour.” Anybody with children in high school activities know Again, regardless of the time interval that is studied their children already arrive home as late as 10 p.m. from across many days with short daylight, there is no daylight to practices and performances. Adding another hour to their save during the cold months, when 8.5 hours of work arrival time is not acceptable to parents, even when school (including a meal break) and an hour of commuting time, 30 starts an hour later the next morning. minutes each way, are factored in. Recall that DST is simply a The issue of daylight is not only with January but starts work-time arrangement. earlier. By mid-October, the shortening daytime length is Health experts have weighed in on changing the clock. noticeable. I have looked at three analyses. One looks from The CDC (cdc.gov) described communication that companies the time of equal daylight and darkness – the time beginning should use with their employees to mitigate time change. The at the end of evening twilight and ending at the beginning of National Institutes of Health (nih.gov) has a paper that morning twilight – that occurs during late October and recurs describes health risks of changing the clock twice a year. during early February. The winter solstice is the mid-point of Cardiac risk is documented to be higher in the spring when the time interval. The second looks at centering the study on the clocks are advanced an hour. Further, this is elevated for the date of Earth’s perihelion (January 2). The third considers individuals who sleep less than 6 hours each night. The the time around when the sun is truly in the south, at the article’s authors further note that cardiac incidents could be meridian, at noon on the clock. Here’s what I found: related to the colder temperatures of March, when the time For the first analysis, I looked at the length of daylight change is implemented in the US. The authors conclude: “The from about the time of equal day – equal darkness, centering following is an easy strategy: (a) move bedtime 1 hour a few on the winter solstice about 50 days later and ending a few days prior to the spring shift, to limit sleep deprivation effects; days after the equal daylight – equal darkness day, 50 days and (b) take care in exposing oneself to abrupt changes of later, for a total time interval for 101 days, used for all three temperature in the immediate post-shift days.” reviews. I used sunrise, sunset, and twilight data from the U.S. The authors ask, “Could such an easy combination of Naval Observatory for Chicago, Illinois. sleep strategies, scarves, hats, and gloves effectively reduce For this purpose, the first day is Halloween (10 hours, 24 the Cardiovascular effects of DST?” minutes of daylight). On the winter solstice, daylight lasts 9 Consider this conclusion in that year-round daylight time hours, 8 minutes. The interval ends on February 10, 2021 (10 was in effect only one year, 1974. Critics of year-round hours, 25 minutes). During that 101 days the average day daylight time often cite the deaths of eight children as a length is 9 hours, 35 minutes. Because averages “are affected reason to turn back the clocks in autumn. Often public policy by the extremes,” the median (middle) value is 9 hours, 33 is driven by such dramatic events. Even private lives are minutes. So, there’s no extreme value to affect the average, guided by profound personal events that families might say indicating that the change across the interval is slow and that “we’re not doing that again.” consistent without wild variations. For 38 days (December 2 – Admittingly, it’s a challenge making the hour jump January 9) daylight is less than or equal to 9 hours, 20 forward each spring and it has documented health effects. minutes. Time change for travel outside the home time zone has its

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

individual consequences. That does not prevent local or world So, in conclusion: There’s no daylight to save during the travel, even knowing the minimal or maximum effects of jet cold months. DST is simply a work-time arrangement. This lag. issue might be better resolved with a return to year-round Certainly, the recommendations of Ronnenberg, standard time, allowing local schools, businesses, and families Winnebeck, and Klerman – the authors of the first study decide their own summertime and wintertime schedules, referenced – are worth considering. Keeping standard time with the guidance of the health concerns of the CDC. In the and allowing organizations to modify their own work long-term, a national study of how time zones better fit solar calendars gives immediate and local control to those the time and personal time would help policy makers decide decision affects. Further a relook at the time zone dimensions whether time zone realignment is necessary, rather than to connect them to regional and local work and social considering year-round daylight time. Let’s just delete the patterns is worth a consideration. What works in Boston is not idea of year-round daylight time. We can have more daylight necessarily effective in Grand Rapids. Both are in the same in the evening through year-round standard time with time zone, but nearly an hour apart according to the sun’s localities and organizations determining their own schedules. travel. The same for North Platte, Nebraska and Ogallala, Nebraska. They are about 50 miles and a time zone apart.

NOVEMBER 2020: VENUS & MERCURY IN MORNING, THREE BRIGHT EVENING PLANETS ~ by Jeffrey L. Hunt ~

At the beginning of the month when morning twilight begins, the bring stars of the Orion region are in the southwestern sky. Betelgeuse is over halfway up in the southwest. Sirius, to Orion’s lower left is nearly 15° west of the meridian, about one-third of the way up in the sky. Procyon, Pollux, and Castor – trailing the bright stellar concentration – are at the meridian. If a bright moon were not present, the area’s delicate clusters (Pleaides and Hyades), nebula, and arc of the Milky Way would present themselves for easy visual inspection. Capella is high in the west, high above the moon. At this hour, Cassiopeia is about 30° up in the northwestern sky, west of the meridian. Andromeda extends upward from the northwest, pointing toward Perseus; its dim stars are muted by the moon’s brightness. In the northeast, the Big Dipper – with its Pointer Stars reliably pointing toward Polaris – stands on its handle. The dipper’s curved handle sends us to Arcturus low in the east-northeast, likely twinkling wildly. The lone planet is Morning Star Venus November 1-15, Venus and Mercury: Venus and Mercury – low in the east-southeast – is moving eastward in Virgo. Leo move through Virgo during the first half of November, Venus is higher in sky above Venus and beneath the dipper’s bowl. approaches Spica. The sun is in the sky for 10.3 hours. During the month, the sun loses about 7° of noon altitude and nearly an hour of daylight. • November 1: Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 a.m. CDT The moon is in the sky at the end of evening twilight in the and shifts to 3:00 a.m. CST. While the clock time has east, blotting out the dimmer features of our galactic changed, the time intervals in these notes remain the neighborhood. At this hour, the Summer Triangle – Vega, same. Two and a half hours before sunrise (4 a.m. CST), Altair, and Deneb – is west of the meridian. Deneb is north of Mars (m = −2.1) is over 5° up in the west. At this hour the zenith and west of the meridian. Its azimuth direction is Venus (m = −4.0) is about the same altitude in the east. calculated at northwest. It’s near the region of the sky that is This morning the planets are nearly 169° of ecliptic somewhat difficult to easily orient a Dobsonian telescope. longitude apart. The Venus – Mars opposition occurs on The Big Dipper is low in the north-northwest. You might be November 9. Next week, Mars sets before Venus rises, able to see Arcturus that is low in the west-northwest. The leaving Mercury as the second morning planet. While star already appears in the morning sky before sunrise. Mars is low in the west, the moon (15.6d, 100%) is over

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

30° up in the west-southwest and about the same distance In the starfield, it is 1.4° to the lower left of η Vir and 4.0° to the upper left of the Red Planet. The bright moon is in to the upper right of Gamma Virginis (γ Vir, m = 3.4). Venus Aries, over 16° to the left of Hamal (α Ari, m = 2.0). At is below a line that connects the two stars. Farther west, about an hour before sunrise, Venus is over 20° in altitude the moon (16.7d, 97%) is 29.0° above the western horizon. above the east-southeast horizon. Through a telescope, It is 6.1° to the lower left of the Pleiades and 10.6° to the Venus is 13.1” across and 81% illuminated. The brilliant lower right of Aldebaran (α Tau, m = 2.8). Fifteen minutes planet is 0.3° to the lower left of Eta Virginis (η Vir, m = later, Mercury (m = 0.9) is over 5° up in altitude above the 3.9). Fifteen minutes later, Spica (α Vir, m = 1.0), about 4° east-southeast horizon, 3.9° to the left of Spica. One hour up in the east-southeast, is 3.9° to the upper right of after sunset, Mars is nearly 22° up in the east-southeast. Mercury (m = 1.3). A binocular will help with the initial In the starfield, it is 2.1° to the upper right of 80 Psc and identification of the speedy planet. The sun is in the sky for 3.2° to the lower right of ε Psc. Farther west, Jupiter is 10 hours, 20 minutes; darkness – the time between the about 24° up in the south-southwest. Dimmer Saturn is end of evening twilight and the beginning of morning 5.0° to the upper left of the Jovian Giant. In the starfield, twilight – is 10 minutes longer than the sunlight. An hour Saturn is 2.0° to the upper left of 56 Sgr, while Jupiter is after sunset, Jupiter (m = −2.2) is about 24° up in the 4.3° to the lower right of that star. Additionally, Jupiter is south-southwest, 5.0° to the lower right of dimmer Saturn 1.2° to the lower left of 50 Sgr. Three hours after sunset, (m = 0.6). Jupiter continues to close in on Saturn before the moon (17.3d, 94%) is 3.9° to the upper left of the Great Conjunction on December 21, 2020. In the Aldebaran and 0.8° to the upper left of Epsilon Tauri (ε Tau, starfield Jupiter is 4.5° to the lower right of 56 Sagittarii m = 3.5). With the moon’s brightness, use a binocular to (56 Sgr, m = 4.8) and 1.1° to the lower left of 50 Sagittarii see the Hyades with Aldebaran and ε Tau to the lower (50 Sgr, m = 5.6). Saturn is 2.0° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. right of the lunar orb. Mars is 85.3° of ecliptic longitude east of Jupiter. Since its closest approach about a month ago, Mars’ apparent diameter has decreased over 12%. The Red Planet is 21.0° up in the east-southeast, 2.0° to the upper right of 80 Piscium (80 Psc, m = 5.5) and 3.2° to the lower right of Epsilon Piscium (ε Psc, m =4.2). Mars continues to retrograde in this dim Pisces starfield. Two hours after sunset, the moon (16.2d, 98%) is over 10° up in the east- northeast.

Mars during November 2020. The Red Planet ends its November 3: Four hours after sunset, the gibbous moon retrograde and begins to move eastward among the dim appears caught between the Horns of Taurus, Beta Tauri (β stars of Pisces. Tau) and Zeta Tauri (ζ Tau).

• November 2: Jupiter and Saturn are at heliocentric • November 3: One hour before sunrise, Venus is about 20° conjunction today. They have the same heliocentric in altitude above the east-southeast horizon. Moving longitude, 301°. As viewed from the sun, the planetary pair eastward in Virgo, the brilliant planet is 2.6° to the lower is in a conjunction. View from above the solar system, a left of η Vir and 2.8° to the upper right of γ Vir. Fifteen line drawn from the sun extends through both planets. minutes later, Spica is over 6° up in the east-southeast. From our planet, the planets are 5.0° apart. One hour Mercury (m = 0.5) is 4.1° to the left of the star. Farther before sunrise, Venus is over 20° up in the east-southeast. west, the moon (17.7d, 93%) – over 39° up in the west – is

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

4.8° to the upper right of Aldebaran. One hour after sunset, the eastern sky, the bright stars of the Orion region Saturn is 26.0° up in the south-southwest, 4.9° to the dominate the morning sky. Mercury is in view for a brief upper left of Jupiter (m = −2.1). In the starfield, Saturn is time before it disappears back into the sun’s glare to leave 2.1° to the lower left of 56 Sgr, while Jupiter is 4.1° to the Venus as the lone bright planet for the remainder of the lower right of the same star. Jupiter continues to close the year. One hour before sunrise, the bright moon (19.7d, gap toward next month’s conjunction. In addition, Jupiter 80%) – nearly 60° up in the west-southwest – is 2.2° above is 1.3° to the left of 50 Sgr. Mars (m = −2.0) is over 22° up Mu Geminorum (μ Gem, m =2.8). Farther east, Venus is in the east. Among the stars, the planet is 2.2° to the upper less than 20° up in the east-southeast. This brilliant planet right of 80 Psc and 3.2° to the lower right of ε Psc. Four is 1.1° to the lower right of γ Vir and 5.1° to the lower left hours after sunset (about 8:45 p.m. CST), the moon (18.3d, of η Vir. Through a telescope Venus displays a morning 89%) – over 19° up in the east-northeast – is between the gibbous phase that is 82% illuminated at 12.9” across. This Horns of Taurus. Zeta Tauri (ζ Tau, m = 3.0) – the Southern morning Venus is over 14° above Spica, over 5° up in the Horn – is 4.3° to the lower left of the moon, while Beta east-southeast. Mercury (m = 0.0) is 4.5° to the left of Tauri (β Tau, m = 1.6°) – the Northern Horn – is 6.2° to the Spica. As the sky brightens further, Mercury is nearly 8° up upper left of the lunar orb. in the east-southeast at 45 minutes before sunrise. In the • November 4: One hour before sunrise, Venus is about 20° evening sky one hour after sunset, Mars is nearly 24° in up in the east-southeast. It is 1.8° to the upper right of γ altitude in the east-southeast. In the starfield, it is 2.5° to Vir and 3.9° to the lower left of η Vir. Farther west, the the upper right of 80 Psc and 3.3° to the lower right of ε moon (18.7d, 87%) is still visible between the Horns of Psc. Through a telescope, Mars is 19.2” across. As Mars Taurus and near their points. The lunar orb is 2.4° to the retrogrades, Jupiter is moving eastward among the stars right of ζ Tau and 5.5° to the left of β Tau. The Crab Nebula of eastern Sagittarius, 84.1° of ecliptic longitude west of (M1, NGC 1952) is 1.3° to the lower left of the bright lunar the Red Planet. The Jovian Giant – nearly 24° up in the orb and 1.1° to the right of ζ Tau. This is not the time to south-southwest – is 4.7° to the lower right of Saturn, 1.6° view the nebula but note where it is compared to ζ Tau to the left of 50 Sgr and 3.9° to the lower right of 56 Sgr. and the moon. Return when the moon is dimmer to view Saturn is 2.1° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. Five hours after this supernova remnant. As the sky brightens further, find sunset (10:45 p.m.), the moon 20.4d, 73%) – 16.0° up in Mercury (m = 0.2) 4.2° to the left of Spica, nearly 7° up in the east-northeast – is 8.6° to the upper right of Pollux (β the east-southeast. One hour after sunset, Jupiter is nearly Gem, m = 1.2). 24° up in the south-southwest. Saturn is 4.8° to the upper left of the Jovian Giant. In the starfield, Jupiter is 1.5° to the left of 50 Sgr and 4.0° to the lower right of 56 Sgr, while Saturn is 2.1° to the lower left of the same star. Farther east, Mars is nearly 23° above the east-southeast horizon. It is retrograding in Pisces. This evening, it is 2.4° to the upper right of 80 Psc and 3.2° to the lower right of ε Psc. Five hours after sunset (9:45 p.m. CST), the moon (19.3d, 82%) – over 22° up in the east-northeast – is 1.5° to the upper left of Eta Geminorum (η Gem, m = 3.3). The open star cluster M35 (NGC 2168) is 1.5° above the moon. Like the Crab Nebula, return to this part of the sky with low power when the moon is dimmer. • November 5: In a bright sky illuminated by a bright gibbous moon at 4 a.m. CST, Mars is only 3° up in the west, while Venus is only 4° above the eastern horizon. You’ll need a good horizon to see them. They are nearing their opposition. This morning they are 174.4° of ecliptic longitude apart. Soon Mars does not appear in the morning sky with Venus. The Red Planet continues to retrograde in Pisces while Venus steps eastward in Virgo. November 6: One hour before sunrise, the gibbous moon is This is an unusual observation to make. With the sky full 7.4° below Pollux. of planets during the summer three bright planets are now • November 6: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus – in the evening sky. Besides brilliant Venus and Mercury in less than 20° up in the east-southeast – is 1.5° to the lower

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

right of γ Vir. Spica, over 13° below Venus, is about 6° in Spica. The star is about 8° in altitude. The Venus – Mercury altitude. Mercury (m = −0.2) is 4.8° to the lower left of gap is 13.9°. Fifteen minutes later Mercury is nearly 9° in Spica. Notice that during the next few morning Arcturus (α altitude. The moon is at its Last Quarter phase at 7:46 a.m. Boo, m = −0.7) – over 30° to the left of Venus – has nearly CST. One hour after sunset, Mars is over 25° in altitude the same altitude as the planet at this hour. Fifteen above the east-southeast horizon. It is 3.3° to the lower minutes later, Mercury is over 8° in altitude. Farther west, right of ε Psc and 3.5° below δ Psc. Farther west, Jupiter, the bright moon (20.7d, 71%) is 66.0° up in the southwest. nearly 24° up in the south-southwest, is 2.0° to the upper It 6.1° below Pollux. In the evening, one hour after sunset, left of 50 Sagittarii. Use a binocular to see the star with the Saturn is nearly 26° up in the south-southwest and 4.5° to planet. Jupiter is 3.5° to the lower right of 56 Sgr, while the upper left of bright Jupiter. In the starfield, Saturn is Saturn is 2.2° to the lower left of the same star. The Jupiter 2.2° to the lower left of 56 Sgr, while Jupiter is 3.7° to the – Saturn gap is 4.3°. lower right of the same star. Jupiter is also 1.7° to the left of 50 Sgr. Farther east, Mars is 24.0° in altitude above the east-southeast horizon. In the starfield, the Red Planet is 3.3° to the lower right of ε Psc and 3.7° below Delta Piscium (δ Psc, m = 4.4). As midnight approaches, the moon (21.4d, 63%) is 7.4° below Pollux. Use a binocular to see the Beehive Cluster (M44, NGC 2632) 7.8° below the gibbous moon. Return with a low-power eyepiece when the moon has left the morning sky, or it is a thin crescent. I judge the moon’s brightness as to whether it is casting shadows. When there are no shadows from moonlight, then I can look at dimmer objects. • November 7: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus is over 19° up in the east-southeast. It is 2.5° below γ Vir. At this hour, Spica is over 7° in altitude in the east-southeast, 5.1° to the upper right of Mercury (−0.4). Mercury is over 14° to the lower left of Venus. Farther west, the moon (21.7d, 62%) is over 70° in altitude in the south-southwest, 9.4° to the lower left of Pollux and 7.4° to the right of Delta Cancri (δ Cnc, m = 4.6). Additionally, the moon is 5.5° to the upper right of the Beehive star cluster (M44, NGC November 9: One hour before sunrise, the crescent moon is 2632). While the moon is bright, a binocular will help you 4.1° to the upper left of Regulus. locate the cluster among Cancer’s dim stars. On a wider • November 9: At 3:05 a.m. CST, the lunar limb is about 3’ scale, notice that the moon, Procyon (α CMi, m = 0.4), and from Eta Leonis (η Leo, m = 3.5). From locations farther Sirius (α CMa, m = −1.5) are nearly in a line that extends south in the USA, the moon occults the star. If you need a over 45°. Fifteen minutes later, Mercury is nearly 9° above road trip, see this web page for locations and occultation the east-southeast horizon. One hour after sunset, Jupiter, times. Venus and Mars are at opposition. They are 180° nearly 24° up in the south-southwest, is 4.5° to the lower apart. Venus rises in the east as Mars sets in the west. right of Saturn. Among the stars, Jupiter is 1.9° to the Mars sets a few minutes before 4 a.m. CST. This leaves upper left of 50 Sgr. Use 56 Sgr as a reference to notice the Venus and Mercury as the morning planets. Mercury is in motions of Jupiter and Saturn. Jupiter is 3.6° to the lower its best morning apparition of the year. One hour before right of that star, while Saturn is 2.2° to the lower left. sunrise, the moon (23.7d, 40%) is about 60° up in the Mars is in the east-southeast, nearly 25° above the horizon. southeastern sky. It is 1.1° to the lower left of Eta Leonis In the starfield it is 3.3° to the lower right of ε Psc and 3.6° and 4.1° to the upper left of Regulus. Farther eastward, below δ Psc. Venus – nearly 19° up in the east-southeast – is 4.8° to the • November 8: One hour before sunrise, the moon (22.7d, lower left of γ Vir and 9.7° above Spica. Mercury is 6.2° to 51%) is nearly 70° up in the south-southeast, nearly 15° to the lower left of Spica, about 9° in altitude. Fifteen the upper right of Regulus (α Leo, m = 1.3). The moon is minutes later, Mercury is over 9° in altitude in the east- 8.4° to the left of M44. Farther eastward, Venus is nearly southeast. One hour after sunset, Saturn is over 25° in 19° up in the east-southeast. It is 3.6° below γ Vir and 10.8° altitude in the south-southwest, 4.3° to the upper left of above Spica. Mercury (m = −0.5) is 5.6° to the lower left of Jupiter. In the starfield, Saturn is 2.3° to the lower left of

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

56 Sgr while Jupiter is 3.3° to the lower right of the same star. Jupiter is 2.2° to the upper left of 50 Sgr. Mars (m = −1.8) – nearly 26° up in the east-southeast, is 3.3° to the lower right of ε Psc and 3.4° below δ Psc. Mars is nearing the end of its retrograde as viewed in ecliptic coordinates. • November 10: One hour before sunrise, the moon (24.7d, 29%) is 49.0° up in the southeast, 4.8° to the lower right of Theta Leonis (θ Leo, m = 3.3), and over 11° to the upper right of Denebola (β Leo, m =2.1). Venus (m = −3.0) – over 18° up in the east-southeast – is to the moon’s lower left. The planet is 8.6° above Spica, while the star is nearly 10° in altitude. Through a telescope, Venus is 12.6” across and 84% illuminated, a morning gibbous. Mercury (m = −0.6) is 6.9° to the lower left of Spica. As morning twilight progresses follow the speedy planet higher into the sky. Mercury is at its Greatest Elongation West (19.1°) at 11:03 a.m. CST. One hour after sunset, Jupiter is over 23° up in the south-southwest with Saturn 4.2° to its upper left. In the starfield, Jupiter is 3.2° to the lower right of 56 Sgr,

while Saturn is 2.3° to the lower left of the same star. November 12: One hour before sunrise, the crescent moon is Additionally, Jupiter is 2.3° to the upper left of dim 50 Sgr. 6.5° above Venus. Mercury is 12.9° to the lower left of Venus Mars is 82.9° of ecliptic longitude east of Jupiter. Mars and 8.7° to the lower left of Spica. continues to retrograde, although the pace is slowing, while Jupiter moves eastward. The Red Planet is nearly 27° • November 12: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus – up in the east-southeast, 3.3° to the lower right of ε Psc about 18° up in the east-southeast – is 0.3° to the lower and 3.3° below δ Psc. left of Theta Virginis (θ Vir, m = 4.4). The crescent moon • November 11: One hour before sunrise, the moon (26.7d, (26.7d, 11%) is 6.5° above Venus and 2.9° to the lower left 19%) – 37.0° up in the east-southeast – is 9.5° to the lower of γ Vir. Forty-five minutes before sunrise, Mercury is 12.9° right of Denebola. The lunar crescent is nearly 20° to the to the lower left of Venus and 8.7° to the lower left of Spica. upper right of brilliant Venus. The planet – over 18° up in One hour after sunset, Saturn is nearly 25° in altitude in the east – is 7.5° above Spica and 0.9° to the upper right of the south-southwest. Jupiter and Saturn make a triangle Theta Virginis (θ Vir, m = 4.4). Mercury (m = −0.7) is 7.8° to with 56 Sgr. Saturn is 2.4° to the lower left of the star, the lower left of Spica. By 45 minutes before sunrise, the while Jupiter is 2.9° to the lower right. The planets are 4.0° speedy planet is over 9° up in the east-southeast. One apart with Saturn to the upper left of Jupiter. Farther east, hour after sunset, Mars – 27.0° in altitude in the east- Mars (m = −1.7) is nearly 28° up in the east-southeast. southeast – is 3.3° to the lower right of ε Psc and 3.3° Mars is 3.3° to the lower right of ε Psc and 3.2° to the lower below δ Psc. Farther west, Jupiter is over 23° up in the left of δ Psc. At the end of evening twilight, Jupiter, 19° up south-southwest. Saturn is 4.1° to Jupiter’s upper left. The in the southwest, is 0.6° to the upper right of Pluto, for the giant planet pair is near 56 Sgr. Jupiter is 3.1° to the lower third conjunction of Jupiter’s apparition. At the same time, right of the star, while Saturn is 2.4° to the star’s lower left. Jupiter is 4.0° to the lower right of Saturn. Jupiter is 2.5° to the upper left of 50 Sgr.

RENEWING YOUR TCAA MEMBERSHIP

The TCAA works to promote in every way among its members and the public an interest in and knowledge of astronomy and its allied sciences, to advance amateur astronomy and observational techniques, to render assistance to other individuals or organizations working in the same or related fields, and to do everything necessary and proper to further such on a formal or informal basis. The TCAA is a Federally recognized non-profit entity organized exclusively for educational and scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code. The TCAA currently supports family-friendly public observing sessions at SGNC, public outreach events such as the recent May 9, 2016 transit of Mercury and the August 21, 2017, total solar eclipse field trip, hosting of NCRAL meetings (2010 and 2016), and education courses for our membership and the public. The TCAA maintains three observatories, including payment of insurance, and publishes an award-winning club newsletter. We support Sugar Grove Nature Center through its membership program, maintain a loaner telescope program, and provide many other benefits as outlined in our recently revised TCAA Guide #2 – TCAA Membership and Benefits. Your TCAA membership supports education and public outreach in Central Illinois and regions beyond. Membership dues and the generosity of its members are the club’s primary means of financial support. We receive no grants or public funds. We have unmet needs. By renewing your membership when it comes due, you can help to ensure our continuing efforts.

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

2.5° to the lower left of 56 Sgr, while Jupiter is 2.7° to the star’s lower right and 3.0° to the upper left of 50 Sgr. Farther east, Mars, nearly 29° in altitude in the east- southeast, is 3.2° to the lower right of ε Psc and 3.1° below δ Psc. Mars is slowly moving eastward compared to the starry background. By month’s end the Red Planet is nearly 2° east of its current location. The moon is at its New phase at 11:07 p.m. CST. With the moon at its New moon phase and the end of evening twilight is several minutes after 6 p.m. CST, several Messier objects are near the meridian. Starting with M15 (NGC 7078), this globular cluster is 4.1° to the upper right of Enif (ε Peg, m = 2.4), over 60° in altitude and a few degrees west of the meridian. The cluster is nearly naked eye, measuring about 12’ in apparent diameter. Mallas (The Messier Album) describes it as a “grand globular. It appears circular. The center of the cluster is very intense” (p. 57). Another globular cluster, Messier 30 (NGC 7099) is in Capricornus, also slightly west of the meridian and 25° in altitude. The

November 13: One hour before sunrise, Venus is 8.1° to the smaller cluster (6’) is 0.4° to the upper right of 41 upper right of the old moon and 5.5° to the upper left of Spica. Capricorni (41 Cap, m = 5.2). Although dimmer and smaller Venus, the moon, and Spica make a nice triangle. The lunar than M15, this globular cluster, according to Mallas, is “A crescent is 6.9° to the lower left of Spica and 5.1° above splendid object even in small apertures. A small aperture Mercury. The Venus – Mercury gap is 12.8°. shows a bright, fuzzy central core, surrounded by a slightly fainter region, having a sharp but irregular outline” (p. 79). • November 13: Mars’ retrograde ends today along the While low in the southern sky, one cannot avoid a viewing ecliptic. Retrograde ends tomorrow in equatorial attempt of the Helix Nebula (NGC 7293). The large coordinates. One hour before sunrise, sparkling Venus – planetary nebula (15’, one-half the moon’s diameter) is nearly 18° up in the east-southeast – is 8.1° to the upper about one-third of the way from Upsilon Aquarii (υ Aqr, m right of the old moon (27.7d, 4%) and 5.5° to the upper left = 5.2) to 47 Aquarii (47 Aqr, m = 5.1). The cloud appears to of Spica. Venus, the moon, and Spica make a nice triangle. be “blowing outward” from a central point, the remnants Venus is closing in on a widely spaced conjunction with of the final years of nuclear fusion. Enhanced photos show Spica. Among the dimmer stars, Venus is 1.5° to the lower beautiful blues and reds, and a bubble-like appearance. left of θ Vir. The lunar crescent is 6.9° to the lower left of Walter Scott Houston’s book Deep Sky Wonders describes Spica and 5.1° above Mercury. The Venus – Mercury gap is the observations of many sky watchers, some with only a 12.8°. Forty-five minutes before sunrise, Mercury is nearly binocular to those with large apertures and nebula filters. 9° in altitude above the east-southeast horizon. One hour His advice, “Averted vision is needed, and the eyepiece after sunset, Mars is over 28° up in the east-southeast, 3.2° should be able to see and least ½° in order to surround the to the lower right of ε Psc and 3.1° below δ Psc. Farther nebula with some contrasting dark sky” (p. 230). Not to west, Jupiter is nearly 23° in altitude in the south- dive into the bright Milky Way too far, one cannot pass up southwest, 3.9° to the lower right of Saturn. Compared to another globular cluster, M71 (NGC 6838) in Sagitta. 56 Sgr, Jupiter is 2.8° to the star’s lower right, while Saturn Nearly midway from Gamma Sagittae (γ Sge, m = 3.5) and is 2.5° to the lower left. Jupiter is 2.7° to the upper left of Delta Sagittae (δ Sge, m = 3.6), the cluster is likely better dimmer 50 Sgr. seen through a large finder or very low power. The cluster • November 14: One hour before sunrise, Venus is over 17° is only 6’ across and Mallas described it as “an oval with a up in the east-southeast and 4.7° to the upper left of Spica. brighter side forming a curving ‘V’” (p. 144). The large Mercury is nearly 13° to the lower left of Venus and 10.9° open cluster, Messier 39 (NGC 7092), is about 10° from to the lower left of Spica. The moon is at perigee at 5:43 Deneb and slightly west of the meridian. Mallas wrote that a.m. CST, 222,387 miles away. Forty-five minutes before it “forms an equilateral triangle, with a bright star at each sunrise, Mercury is over 8° in altitude in the east-southeast. corner. Being this high in the sky and near the meridian, One hour after sunset, Saturn is about 25° in altitude in the one cannot ignore the Great Andromeda Spiral (M31, NGC south-southwest, 3.8° to the upper left of Jupiter. The 224). Clearly naked eye in a dark location and a fine Jovian Giant is 60° east of the sun. In the starfield Saturn is

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

binocular view, the galaxy is near Nu Andromedae (ν And, sets at sunset. In the evening, Jupiter is over 22° up in the m = 4.5). Those who learned to find deep sky objects by south-southwest about one hour after sunset. Saturn is star hopping usually begin at Alpheratz (α And, m = 2.1), 3.7° to the upper left of bright Jupiter. Among the stars, move to Beta Andromedae (β And, m = 2.1), make a turn Jupiter is 2.6° to the lower right of 56 Sgr, while Saturn is to the west, and the galaxy “blazes” in the field of view. 2.6° to the star’s lower left. Mars (m = −1.6) is 82.0° of It’s a “can’t miss.” The variable stars in this island in the ecliptic longitude east of Jupiter. The gap slowly widens as universe gave Edwin Hubble the first measurements that Mars picks up its eastward pace. The Red Planet is nearly these stellar amalgamations were beyond the known 30° up in the east-southeast, 3.1° to the lower right of ε dimensions of our own galaxy, and they were similar to the Psc and 3.0° below δ Psc. Milky Way. While there, some magnification reveals two At mid-month as morning twilight commences, brilliant smaller galaxies, M 32 (NGC 221) and M110 (NGC 205). Venus is low in the east-southeast near Spica. Arcturus, now They are two of nearly three dozen companion galaxies of higher in the east, is to the upper left of Spica. The Big Dipper this great spiral. Some catalogs, list Messier 33 (NGC 598) is higher in the northeast, standing on its handle, but is one of M31’s celestial co-travelers. M33 is about 3.8° beginning to tip toward the meridian. The great throng of eastward of β And as M31 is westward. When star hopping stars in the Orion region is west of the meridian. Inspect the turn east at β And. While not as bright as the bright spiral, Pleiades, Hyades and other stellar concentrations along the M33 is a binocular object and best seen through large exit Milk Way. Sirius, Orion, Aldebaran, Hyades, Pleiades, and pupils. Cassiopeia are nearly the same altitude along the western horizon, as they appear during late April evenings. The arc of stars – highlighted by Procyon, Pollux, Castor, and Capella – takes a position higher in the sky. Leo approaches the meridian below the Big Dipper that is high in the northeast. Note that the head of Hydra – about a half dozen 3rd and 4th magnitude stars – is at the meridian. The small group is nearly midway from Procyon to Regulus. The snake’s body wiggles toward the southeast horizon beneath Sextans, Crater, and Corvus. The tip of the tail does not rise for nearly three more hours – after the sun rises. Since the beginning of the month, the length of daylight diminished over 30 minutes. At the end of evening twilight, a few minutes after 6 p.m. CST, The Summer Triangle is high in the west. Deneb, the eastern and northern vertex of the pattern is only an hour west of the meridian. At this time, the trapezoid-shaped head of Draco is about 15° to the lower right of Vega. The pattern is made of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th magnitude stars γ Dra, β Dra, ξ Dra, and ν Dra. The faint constellation’s body curves upward then swings toward the horizon and between the dippers to the tip of its Jupiter and Saturn, November 15, 2020: Jupiter and Saturn tail at the meridian, less than one-third of the way up in the are moving eastward among the stars of eastern Sagittarius. north. The three evening planets are in the southern sky. With a binocular watch their movement through the starfield Mars is in the east-southeast and the giant-planet pair is in throughout the month. the south-southwest. The Great Square of Pegasus approaches the meridian, although the Horse’s Nose, Enif, is • November 15: One hour before sunrise, Venus – over 17° several degrees west of the meridian, about halfway up in the up in the east-southeast – is 4.1° to the upper left of Spica. south. The stars of Andromeda point away from the northeast Mercury (−0.7) is 12.9° to the lower left of Venus. As the corner of Pegasus, aiming at Perseus, and indicating that sky brightens further as sunrise approaches, find the Cassiopeia is higher in the northeastern sky. Along the way to speedy planet about 8° up in the east-southeast. Through Perseus, in a dark sky, the Great Andromeda Spiral may catch a telescope, Venus is 12.4” across and 85% illuminated, a your eye. In the eastern sky, Capella is in the northeast, while morning gibbous phase. Forty-five minutes after sunset, Aldebaran is in the east with the Pleiades above it and nearly can you find Arcturus low in the west-northwest? The star the same altitude as Capella. is at its heliacal setting, last appearance to the unaided eye. It is already appearing in the morning sky. Next month it

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

Sgr, m = 2.8), the star at the top of the lid of the Teapot of Sagittarius. Jupiter – over 22° in altitude in the south- southwest – is over 20° to the upper left of the moon. Saturn is 3.5° to the upper left of Jupiter. The gap continues to close as the Jupiter – Saturn Great Conjunction is nearing. Jupiter and Saturn make a triangle with 56 Sgr. Jupiter is 2.3° below the star, while Saturn is 2.7° to the left of the star. Jupiter is 3.2° above 52 Sagittarii (52 Sgr, m = 4.6). Farther east, Mars is nearly 31° in altitude in the east-southeast. Among the dimmer stars of Pisces, the Red Planet is 3.0° to the lower right of ε Psc and 3.0° below δ Psc.

November 16-20, Venus passes and moves away from Spica and continues eastward in the constellation, crossing into Libra as the month concludes.

• November 16: Venus is at its northern most celestial latitude for this apparition, 1.78°. One hour before sunrise, Venus is nearly 17° in altitude in the east-southeastern sky. It is 3.8° to the upper left of Spica on this morning of its November 18: In the evening sky, the crescent moon is 6.8° widely spaced conjunction. Mercury is 13.0° to the lower to the lower right of Jupiter. The Jupiter – Saturn gap is 3.4°. left of Venus. Fifteen minutes later the speedy planet is nearly 8° in altitude. In the evening forty-five minutes after • November 18: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus is sunset, the moon (1.8d, 4%) is 5.0° up in the southwest. As over 16° in altitude in the east-southeast, 4.3° to the left the sky darkens further, Saturn is about 24° up in the of Spica. Among the dimmer stars of Virgo, Venus is 0.7° south-southwest, 3.6° to the upper left of bright Jupiter. to the upper right of 82 Virginis (82 Vir, m = 5.0). The Venus Saturn and Jupiter make a triangle with 56 Sgr. Saturn is – Mercury gap is 13.4°. Fifteen minutes later, Mercury is 2.6° to the lower left of the star, while Jupiter is 2.4° to the about 7° up in the east-southeast. One hour after sunset lower right. The Jovian Giant is 3.3° to the upper left of 50 look for the crescent moon (3.8d, 18%) over 16° in altitude Sgr. Farther east, Mars is 30.0° in altitude in the east- in the south-southwest. It is a below a line from Nunki (σ southeast. The Red Planet is 3.1° to the lower right of ε Psc Sgr, m = 2.0) to Jupiter. The moon is 6.8° to the lower right and 3.0° below δ Psc. of Jupiter and 4.9° to the upper left of Nunki. The Jupiter – • November 17: One hour before sunrise, Venus is less than Saturn gap is 3.4°. Jupiter is to the lower right of Saturn. 17° in altitude above the east-southeast horizon. The Among the stars Jupiter is 2.2° to the lower right of 56 Sgr, brilliant planet is 3.9° to the upper left of Spica. The Venus while Saturn is 2.8° to the left of the star. Jupiter is 3.3° – Mercury gap continues to widen. This morning they are above 52 Sgr. Farther east, Mars (m = −1.5) is over 31° up 13.1° apart. Fifteen minutes later, Mercury is over 7° up in in the east-southeast, 2.9° to the lower right of ε Psc and the east-southeast. One hour after sunset, the crescent 2.9° below δ Psc. moon (2.8d, 10%) is nearly 10° up in the southwest. The lunar crescent is 3.0° to the lower right of Kaus Borealis (λ

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

to the left of the star. Jupiter is 3.5° to the upper left of 52 Sgr. The moon (5.8d, 38%) – over 17° to the upper left of Saturn – is nearly 27° up in the south. In Capricornus, the lunar crescent is 9.6° to the lower right of Delta Capricorni (δ Cap, m = 2.8). • November 21: One hour before sunrise Venus – over 15° up in the east-southeast – is 2.9° to the lower left of 82 Vir and 4.9° to the upper right of Kappa Virginis (κ Vir, m = 4.2). Forty-five minutes before sunrise, Mercury – over 14° to the lower left of Venus – is 1.8° to the upper left of Zubenelgenubi. One hour after sunset, the moon (6.8d, 48%) in western Aquarius – is over 30° up in the south, 4.6° to the lower left of δ Cap. Farther west, Saturn is over 23° in altitude in the south-southwest, 3.1° to the upper left of Jupiter. The Great Conjunction countdown begins, 30 days until the conjunction. Among the dimmer stars, Saturn is 3.0° to the left of 56 Sgr. Jupiter is 2.0° below that star and 3.6° to the upper left of 52 Sgr. Mars is nearly 33° up in the east-southeast. It is 2.6° to the lower right of ε

November 19: One hour after sunset, the crescent moon is Psc and 2.9° to the lower left of δ Psc. The moon reaches 5.4° to the lower left of Saturn. its First Quarter phase at 10:45 p.m. CST. • November 22: One hour before sunrise, Venus is over 15° • November 19: One hour before sunrise, Venus – over 16° up in the east-southeast. It is 4.1° to the lower left of 82 in altitude in the east-southeast – is 5.0° to the lower left Vir and 3.7° to the upper right of κ Vir. Forty-five minutes of Spica and 0.4° to the lower left of 82 Vir. The Venus – before sunrise, use a binocular to observe Mercury – Mercury gap is 13.6° with Mercury to the lower left of the about 5° in altitude above the east-southeast horizon. The brilliant planet. Fifteen minutes later, Mercury is nearly 7° planet is 1.2° to the upper left of Zubenelgenubi. One hour in altitude above the east-southeast horizon. Saturn is 60° after sunset, the slightly gibbous moon (7.8d, 58%) – over east of the sun. Find it near the crescent moon (4.8d, 28%), 32° up in the south-southeast – is 2.3° to the upper left of one hour after sunset. The moon is over 22° up in the Delta Aquarii (δ Aqr, m =3.2). Look carefully to note that south-southwest, 5.4° to the lower left of Saturn. The the moon is over 16° to the upper left of Fomalhaut (α PsA, Jupiter – Saturn gap is 3.3°. The planetary duo’s place in m = 1.2). Farther eastward, Mars (m = −1.4) is over 33° up the triangle with 56 Sgr continues to change each evening. in the east-southeast. Moving eastward in Pisces, it is 2.5° This evening Saturn is 2.8° to the left of the star, while to the lower right of ε Psc and 2.9° to the lower left of δ Jupiter is 2.1° below. Jupiter is 3.4° above 52 Sgr. Farther Psc. Jupiter is about 21° up in the south-southwest with east, Mars is nearly 32° in altitude in the east-southeast, Saturn 3.0° to its upper left. Twenty-nine days until the 2.8° to the lower right of ε Psc and 2.9° to the lower left of Great Conjunction. In the starfield, Jupiter is 1.9° to the δ Psc. lower left of 56 Sgr and 3.7° to the upper left of 52 Sgr. • November 20: One hour before sunrise, Venus is over 16° Saturn is 3.0° to the left of 56 Sgr. in altitude above the east-southeast horizon, 5.8° below • November 23: One hour before sunrise, Venus is 15.0° in Spica and 1.7° to the lower left of 82 Vir. Through a altitude in the east-southeast, 2.6° to the upper right of κ telescope the planet is 12.1” across and 86% illuminated, Vir. Fifteen minutes later, Mercury is nearly 5° up in the a morning gibbous phase. Mercury is nearly 14° to the east-southeast, 2.0° to the upper right of Zubenelgenubi. lower left of Venus. Forty-five minutes before sunrise, the The Venus – Mercury gap is 14.7°. One hour after sunset, speedy planet is over 6° up in the east-southeast. Use a the moon (8.8d, 67%) – over 33° in altitude above the binocular to spot Zubenelgenubi (α Lib, m = 2.8), 3.1° southeast horizon – is in eastern Aquarius. It is over 24° to below Mercury. One hour after sunset, Mars – over 32° up the right of Mars, that has about the same altitude as the in the east-southeast – is 2.7° to the lower right of ε Psc lunar orb. The planet is 2.4° to the lower right of ε Psc and and 2.9° to the lower left of δ Psc. Jupiter – 81.4° of ecliptic 2.9° to the lower left of δ Psc. Farther west, bright Jupiter longitude west of Mars – is nearly 22° up in the south- is over 21° in altitude in the south-southwest, 2.9° to the southwest, 3.2° to the lower right of Saturn. In the starfield, lower right of Saturn. Twenty-eight days until the Great the Jovian Giant is 2.0° below 56 Sgr, while Saturn is 2.9° Conjunction. In the starfield, Jupiter is 1.9° to the lower

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

left of 56 Sgr and 3.8° to the upper left of 52 Sgr. Saturn is Psc and 3.0° to the lower left of δ Psc. Jupiter – nearly 21° 3.1° to the upper left of 56 Sgr. up in the south-southwest – is 81.0° of ecliptic longitude • November 24: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus is west of Mars. The Jovian Giant is 2.7° to the lower right of nearly 15° up in the east-southeast, 1.6° to the upper right Saturn. Great Conjunction countdown: 26 days. In the of κ Vir. Forty-five minutes before sunrise, Mercury is over starfield, Jupiter is 1.8° to the lower left of 56 Sgr and 4.1° 4° in altitude in the east-southeast, 15.0° to the lower left to the upper left of 52 Sgr. Saturn is 3.2° to the upper left of Venus. Mercury is 3.4° to the lower left of of 56 Sgr. Zubenelgenubi. One hour after sunset, the moon (9.8d, • November 26: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus is 76%) is over 32° up in the southeast, in Pisces. The gibbous over 14° in altitude in the east-south-east. With a moon is nearly 13° to the lower right of Mars. The Red binocular note that it is nearly between κ Vir and λ Vir, 1.8° Planet is nearly 35° in altitude above the east-southeast to the lower right of κ Vir and 1.6° to the upper left of λ Vir. horizon, 2.2° to the lower right of ε Psc and 2.9° to the Thirty minutes before sunrise, Mercury is only 3° in lower left of δ Psc. With the bright moon, use a binocular altitude in the east-southeast, 15.6° to the lower left of to spot the dimmer stars near Mars. Farther west, Saturn Venus. Use a binocular to locate Mercury. One hour after is nearly 23° in altitude in the south-southwest, 2.8° to the sunset, the moon (11.8d, 90%) – nearly 27° in altitude in upper right of bright Jupiter. Great Conjunction the east-southeast in eastern Pisces – is 12.7° to the lower countdown: 27 days. In the starfield, Saturn is 3.2° to the left of Mars. In the starfield, the Red Planet is 2.0° to the upper left of 56 Sgr, while Jupiter is 1.8° to the star’s lower lower right of ε Psc, 3.0° to the lower left of δ Psc, and 2.2° left. The Jovian Giant is 4.0° to the upper left of 52 Sgr. to the upper right of 80 Piscium (80 Psc, m =5.5). Farther west, Saturn is over 22° in altitude in the south-southwest, 2.6° to the upper left of Jupiter. Great Conjunction countdown: 25 days. Jupiter (m = −2.0) passes 1.8° to the lower left of 56 Sgr, while Saturn is 3.3° to the upper left of the star. Saturn is 4.9° to the lower right of Sigma Capricorni (σ Cap, m = 5.2). Jupiter is 4.2° to the upper left of 52 Sgr. To demonstrate the long orbital period of Jupiter, it passes 56 Sgr again (1.5°) on March 10, 2032. This is the first of three conjunctions near Jupiter’s opposition (July 19, 2032). The second conjunction occurs on August 2 (1.9°) during Jupiter’s retrograde. The third opposition with 56 Sgr is November 1, 2032 (1.9°). The moon is at apogee at 6:29 p.m. CDT, 252,193 miles away. • November 27: One hour before sunrise, Venus is 14.0° up in the east-southeast. In the starfield it is 2.8° to the lower left of κ Vir and passes 1.2° to the upper left of λ Vir. One hour after sunset, the bright moon (12.8d, 95%), nearly 23° up in southern Aries, is over 14° to the lower right of Hamal (α Ari, m = 2.0). Notice that the lunar orb is nearly 22° to the upper right of the Pleiades (M 45). Mars – over November 25: One hour after sunset the gibbous moon is 5.2° 36° up in the east-southeast – is nearly 24° to the upper below Mars. right of the gibbous moon. In the starfield, the Red Planet makes a triangle with ε Psc and 80 Psc. It is 1.8° to the • November 25: One hour before sunrise, Venus is nearly lower right of ε Psc and 2.1° to the upper right of 80 Psc. 15° up in the east-southeast. It is 1.1° to the lower right of The planet is 3.1° to the lower left of δ Psc. Farther west, κ Vir and 2.6° above Lambda Virginis (λ Vir, m = 4.5). The bright Jupiter is over 20° in altitude in the south-southwest, planet is to the right of a line that connects the two stars. 2.5° to the lower right of Saturn. Great Conjunction Through a telescope, Venus is 11.9” across and 87% countdown: 24 days. In the starfield, the giant planet pair illuminated, a morning gibbous. Thirty minutes later, makes a triangle with 56 Sgr. Saturn is 3.4° to the upper Mercury – 15.3° to the lower left of Venus – is nearly 4° left of the star, while Jupiter is 1.9° to the lower left. Saturn above the east-southeast horizon. One hour after sunset, is 4.9° to the lower right of σ Cap, while Jupiter is 4.4° to the moon (10.8d, 83%) – over one-third of the way up in the upper left of 52 Sgr. the east-southeast in the constellation Cetus – is 5.2° below Mars. The Red Planet is 2.1° to the lower right of ε

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

• November 28: Venus is in Libra, 6.9° to the upper right of Zubenelgenubi. One hour after sunset, the moon (15.8d, Zubenelgenubi. The planet moves through the 100%) is very low in the east-northeast, 7.5° to the left of constellation in 20 days. One hour before sunrise, it is Aldebaran. Mars is 38.0° up in the east-southeast. In the nearly 14° up in the east-southeast, 4.0° to the lower left starfield, the Red Planet is 1.3° to the lower right of ε Psc, of κ Vir and 1.8° to the lower left of λ Vir. One hour after 1.8° to the upper right of 80 Psc, and 3.4° to the lower left sunset. the bright gibbous moon (13.8d, 98%) is over 17° of δ Psc. Jupiter is 80.9° of ecliptic longitude west of Mars up in the east and over 10° to the right of the Pleiades. and 2.2° to the lower right of Saturn that is nearly 21° in Mars is nearly 37° in altitude in the east-southeast, 1.6° to altitude in the south-southwest. Great Conjunction the lower right of ε Psc and 2.0° to the upper right of 80 countdown: 21 days. Among the stars, Saturn is 3.6° to Psc. The gap from Mars to δ Psc is 3.2°. Farther west, the upper left of 56 Sgr and 4.6° to the lower right of σ Cap. Saturn is nearly 22° in altitude in the south-southwest, 2.4° Jupiter is 2.1° to the lower right of 56 Sgr and 4.8° to the to the upper left of Jupiter. Great Conjunction upper left of 52 Sgr. countdown: 23 days. In the starfield, Saturn is 3.5° to the As morning twilight begins at month’s end, the western upper left of 56 Sgr and 4.8° to the lower right of σ Sgr. bundle of the Orion region – Sirius, Betelgeuse, Rigel, Jupiter is 1.9° to the lower left of 56 Sgr and 4.5° to the Aldebaran, and the Pleiades – is less than one-third of the way upper left of 52 Sgr. up in the sky. The bright moon is near the Eye of Taurus. The • November 29: One hour before sunrise, Venus is nearly arc of stars made by Procyon, Pollux, Castor, Capella arches 14° in altitude in the east-southeast. Use a binocular to high above the western horizon. Farther east, the Sickle of Leo spot the brilliant planet 5.6° to the upper right of is at the meridian, with Regulus only a few degrees east of the Zubenelgenubi and 2.8° to the lower left of λ Vir. One hour celestial divider. At this hour, brilliant Venus is low in the east- after sunset, the moon (14.8d, 100%) is about 12° in southeast to the lower left of Spica. Arcturus – to the upper altitude in the east-northeast. Use a binocular to observe left of Spica – is over 30° in altitude in the east. Look the lunar orb 6.8° to the upper right of Aldebaran (α Tau, northward along the horizon from the east cardinal point to m = 0.8) and 7.3° below the Pleiades. Mars is nearly 38° up Vega, only a few degrees up in the northeast. Meanwhile, the in the east-southeast, 1.5° to the lower right of ε Psc, 1.9° Big Dipper, pouring out its contents, is approaching the to the upper right of 80 Psc, and 3.3° to the lower left of δ meridian high in the north. When the pattern is high in this Psc. Farther west, Jupiter is less than 20° up in the south- location, Cassiopeia is much lower, less than one-third of the southwest. It is 2.3° to the lower right of Saturn. Great way up in the sky in the north-northwest. The sun is in the sky Conjunction countdown: 22 days. In the starfield, Jupiter for 10 hours, 20 minutes. During the month, the sun lost 7° of is 2.0° to the lower left of 56 Sgr and 4.7° to the upper left altitude and over an hour of daylight. In the evening at the of 52 Sgr. Saturn is 3.5° to the upper left of 56 Sgr and 4.7° end of twilight (6:00 p.m. CST), the Summer Triangle – Vega, to the lower right of σ Cap. Altair, and Deneb – is high in the sky, west of the meridian. • November 30: A penumbral lunar eclipse is visible across Between Jupiter and Saturn, in the south-southwest, and most of the globe except for Africa and most of Europe. In Mars, about one third of the way up in the east-southeast, are the Central Time Zone, the moon enters the penumbra at the dim constellations of the ecliptic – Capricornus, Aquarius, 1:30 a.m. CST. It reaches its maximum eclipse, 86% at 3:42 and Pisces. Aries has nearly the same altitude as Mars and is a.m. The moon exits the shadow at 5:55 a.m. CST. Morning east of the Red Planet. While the bright moon is in the east- twilight begins at 5:19 a.m. CST. The eclipse is in its final northeast, the stars fixed in the Milky Way – Auriga, Perseus, phase as the sky begins to brighten. This type of eclipse is and Cassiopeia – build upward into the sky. Capella is about a challenge to observe because the penumbra is fairly 25° in altitude above the northeast horizon. In the bright bright, and the casual observer may miss it. The eclipse moonlight, carefully look for the Pleiades, a harbinger that the begins with the moon nearly 60° up in the great congregation of stars near Orion is nearing the horizon. southwest. Maximum eclipse occurs when the moon is Continuing southward along the horizon, we reach Fomalhaut over 30° up in the west, and the eclipse ends with the – one celestial sign of autumn – is low in the sky near the moon about 10° up in the west-northwest. Photographs meridian. Then swinging past the meridian, under the giant typically reveal the progress of the eclipse or a careful eye planets, we reach the region of the sky where we might can see the moon’s face darkening. The moon is at its Full expect to see Arcturus, now setting during bright evening phase at 3:30 a.m. CST. One hour before sunrise, Venus is twilight. This takes us to the Big Dipper, now about to scraping about 13° in altitude above the east-southeast horizon, along the horizon in the north. 4.0° to the lower left of λ Vir and 4.4° to the upper right of

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

WAYNESVILLE OBSERVATORY USE POLICY STATEMENT

It is the policy of the TCAA Board of Directors that notification of planned use of the Waynesville Observatory site be communicated to the Property Manager no more than 24 hours before and no later than sunset on the evening of the planned usage. If this notification has not been given, then the member is asked to refrain from using the site that evening. Notification also may be made by email, either to the TCAA groups.io mailing list, or to the Property Manager at [email protected]. This notification may also be made using text messaging to the Property Manager’s phone at (309) 531-2401. If texting, please include your name in the text to let the Property Manager know the identity of the sender. Members should not make voice calls to the Property Manager’s number. (Approved May 22, 2020)

TCAA IMAGE GALLERY

M27 BY TIM STONE – This is a “second light” image taken on MARS BY TIM STONE – Tim took this image of Mars on the October 4th using the new 24” at WO. Tim notes, “I just got evening of October 6th – within one day of its closest home from WO after having successfully imaged with the 24" approach to Earth during the current apparition. This image using the AO imaging stack. I just shot M27 for an easy target, is a composite of a number of B&W images captured with a and there are adjustments still to be made. That said, this is video camera. The area of Syrtis Major is prominently and a milestone! Here is the full frame at 25% size, 5x600RGB. clearly shown extending far into the northern hemisphere. A M27 is not centered because of the position of the 7.5 small southern ice pack can be seen at the bottom of the magnitude guide star, which is off frame to the left.” image.

DID YOU KNOW?

Are you looking for back issues of The Are you looking for information about Are you looking for the TCAA Guides to OBSERVER? Look no further than here: the history of the TCAA? Find out more amateur astronomy? Visit this page: http://tcaa.us/Observer.aspx here: http://tcaa.us/History.aspx http://tcaa.us/TCAAGuides.aspx

Vol. 45, No. 11 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers November 2020

TCAA TREASURER’S REPORT AS OF OCTOBER 27, 2020

Checking Account Information

Memo Category Amount BALANCE 09/27/2020 2,450.16 Chris Franklin Dues Received 40.00 Geoff Hughes Dues Received 40.00 Tom Weiland Dues Received 40.00 SGNC Membership Dues and Subscriptions (250.00) Electrical Service Waynesville Observatory (50.12) Anthony Cellini Dues Received 39.80 BALANCE 10/27/2020 2,309.84

Checking Account Balance – October 27, 2020 $2,309.84 Savings Account Balance – October 27, 2020 $1,968.06 - Includes $0.01 cents interest as of this date

Total TCAA Funds – October 27, 2020 $4,277.90

All transactions are reconciled with the bank statements as of this date. Respectfully submitted, Dave Osenga, Treasurer