AMATEUR ASTRONOMY Published monthly by the American Amateur A stronoinical Assoeiation

Vol. 3, No. 5 MAY, 1937 Ten Cents WELCOME M.SIO

THE KOKBN 12-INCH REFLECTOR OF THE LOCKSLEY OBSERVATORY We take pleasure in announcing the During the years 1933, 1934 and 1935, affiliation of the Missouri-Southern liii- the M-SIO broke all records and attained fols Observers with the American Ama- world-wide recognition for their prou- teur Astroruimical Association. lic and valuable contribution to meteoric The M-SIO was organized in 1931 by astronomy. Work was begun on the J. Wesley Simpson and J. Fletcher Hick- Locksley observatory in the latter part orson of Webster Groves, Missouri. The of 1934 and opened to the public in Oc- lack of numbers in those early days was tober, 1935. The Locksley Observatory mOre than compensated for by enthu- is one of the largest amateur observa- siasm, diligence, intelligence and the ad- tories in the world. Its i 8 ft. revolving mirable ability of contributing to the dome houses the excellent Koken re- science of astronomy through good hard Rector of 12-inches aperture.. The latter work. At the close of the first year as is mounted on the sturdiet Spzingfield an organization the two aforementioned type mounting so far constructed in the had observed 604 meteors and added 237 annals of astronomy. The observatory observations of variable stars to the files is capably managed by J. Wesley Simp- of the AAVSO. Through the impetus son, director, and Martin E. Friton, as- given by the unexpected appearance of sistant director. an extremely large and bright fireball which exploded over Tavern, Missouri, Space will not permit a comprehen- shaking the earth and buildings within sive review of the many activities of this a radius of fifty miles on January 10, energetic group but it will suffice to say 1932, the membership roster of the grow- that the M-SIO is one of the most out- ing organization was enlarged by a »um- standing amateur groups in the country. ber of active observers. The AAAA cordially welcomes the Mis- In November 1933 appeared the first souri-Southern Illinois Observers and ex- issue of the now well known Astronomi- tends sincere greetings to each and every cal Discourse as the official publication one of its members. News notes from of the M-SI0. A.D. has faithfully the M-SIO will appear in future issues served the beginning and active amateur of Amateur Astronomy in the pages de- astronomer alike with pleasing regulan- voted to the affiliated societies. ty. We are happy to say that A.D. will not be discontinued with the affilia- We are happy to add also, that the tien of the M-SIO with the AAAA but M-SIO will serve as the regional head- that it will contInue to serve astronomy quarters of the South Mid-Western re- as it has iii the past. g-ion of the AAAA. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Page 90 Amateur Astronomy May, 1937 Table IV. LONGITUDE OF ORIGIN OF WEST INDIES HURRICANES COMPARED WITH SUNSPOTS Average Longitude No. of cases Ave. sunspot numbers 79 W. 33 39.0 68 W. 82 28.5 32 27.1 78 W. -- Regions of terrestrial activity vary lack of reports. in behavior, noticably decreasing in win- ter. In the East Indies, activity increases Cyclones wth solar activity while in the North The cyclone has a diameter of a thou- Pacific Ocean it also increases, but to sand to two thousand miles, the hurri- a lesser degree. In the West Indies, as cane about one to three hundred, and appears from the minus sign in table 3, the tornado only one to ten hundred feet. storms at all seasons, except autumn, The hurricane is much more destructive are slightly less numerous with higher than the cyclone, and the tornado is than with lesser solar activity. In the incomparably greater in velocity of gy- South Pacifie Ocean, this reversal of ration and rending force than the hurri- conditions is complete. This apparent with what cane. contradiction is directly in line are most numerous in states is found in close analysis of practically Tornadoes activity of solar bordering on the Mississippi and the all relations between the eastern half of Oklahoma, Kansas and and terrestrial atmospheres; that is, counter influenced in one way, Nebraska. A tornado twists certain areas are clockwise. Four essentials to the forma- and others in the opposite. Nevertheless, are as follows: locations the influence is too tion of tornadoes in certain 1. A cyclone, the center of which is regular to be discarded. or northwest. The answer may be in locating the to the north reports from 2. An isotherm of 70 or over, extend- spot of birth of hurricanes, ing from the southeast well up into the some parts being incomplete. An inter- United States center of the cyclone, and then passing esting fact is that in the outward toward the southwest, all inside at sunspot activity hurricanes increase quadrant of the low. along the margins of the country, while the southeast simi- 3. Excessive humidity. they decrease in the interiors. If of year: from March 15 to lar conditions prevail in the northern At- 4. Time lantic, many hurricanes might originate June 15. far to the east at times of abundant sun- -From "Earth and Sun" spots, and might swing north, without Twin Elms Solar Observatory, being recorded as of tropical origin, for nlizabeth. Pa. Variable Star Section D. W. ROSEBRUGH, Director EASY METHODS OF OBSERVING VARIABLE STARS this Last month we gave some hints in lo- May 22 at Syracuse University, of month's hints will be given in as terse cating and estimating the brightness of variable stars. This month we are of- a form as possible with a minimum comments and qualifying phrases fering suggestions as to methods. of ob- for serving and as to the use of the tele- Plan your work every two months the next two months as follows: When scope. If these suggestions seem in some vaiab1e cases to apply more to observers using you receive your bi-monthly refractors than to those using reflectors, star prediction sheet from Mr. Campbell, of our mem- make a long straight check mark oppo- it is because to date more for which you bers use the former than the latter, so site each star designation in- have a chart and which is visible at the that the writer has picked up more clear and formation on the use of refractors. No season. When the night is condition will gradually inoonless try, let us say, for the stars doubt this will between and it is our hope that which, it is predicted, be change, 14m. however, it is full when any of our members discovers a 12m and If, observing, espec- moon, concentrate on the stars between new or better way of As each star he will let us know 8m and 10m or brighter. ially with reflectors, one cross check on the so that we can all reap the benefit. is observed, make month to report on long straight pencil check already placed As it is hoped next on the list. the AAVSO convention to be held on opposite the star designation

PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor May, 1937 Amateur Astronomy Page 91 Only cross check the star once the first the lens they are to protect, should be month even though it is observed two or used in front of every objective lens three times. Next month, however, a and may be needed to protect the secon- second cross check should be made op- dary mirror of reflectors. posite each star observed. All stars The following table of the faintest showing only one cross check are there- stars visible with different sized tele- fore those still to be observed. scopes is of interest. A list of those variable stars requiring Diameter, Inches Mag. Visible special attention should be tacked in the Main Telescopes wall. 3 - 11.6 Some of us find it best to file our 4 12.1 charts by R.A. with a cardboard spacer 6 13.1 and tab at every half hour of R.A. The 8 13.6 Milwaukee Astronomical Society group. 12 14.6 however, prefer to file the charts by Finder Telescopes constellations, which are studied one at i 9.1 a time. If this is done there will be 1.25 9.8 less moving of the telescope, though as 1.5 10.1 Mr. Brocchi of Seattle points out in the 1.75 10.4 March Popular Astronomy, some con- 2 10.6 stellations such as Hydra, which The table for main telescopes is that covers 108 degrees, are very much usually given by telescope makers for spread eût. refractors and it applies on good nights. Charts should be filed loose so that With indifferent seeing or with very low they can be picked out and carried to powers one must knock a magnitude off the telescope eyepiece where they may these figures, while, under superlative be consulted with a pocket flashlight conditions and the optimum magnifying with a red or green bulb (the latter is power, a magnitude fainter can be seen. preferred by some observers). A chart This main telescope table also applies in the left hand is useful to shade the to reflectors with good coats, but when eyes from street lights though Miss the coating is dull a half magnitude or Louise Bailhaussen uses a large black more must be subtracted. Finder tele- colored screen 12x24 inches in size sur- scopes are usually equipped with low rounding the eyepiece of her refractor power, wide field eyepieces, which do for this purpose. A small section above not spread out the general light of the the telescope may be moved away by a sky enough to reveal faint stars. One string mechanism to permit locating the should, therefore, take a magnitude off variable star by the finder. the finder column for this reason alone Glue the finder charts on the back of and another magnitude when conditions the "d" charts, are poor. A review of this column will The Rev. T. C. H. Bouton records bis indicate the convenience of 1.5 or 2-inch observations by stars in a large ledger. finders magnifying 12 or 16 times on Some of us, however, record our obser- even 3 1/ to 6-inch telescopes. vations chronologically on the blanks pro- fresh from the ma- However, in re- Many telescopes vided by Mr. Campbell. kers can be improved by installing longi- porting to him, list your observations by along the barrel. stars in order of R.A. dudinal countereights Serious work can be done with a 3- Observe the stars in the west first, giv- then those east of the zenith, then west inch refractor. With a 2" eyepiece of 22 such an instrument of the zenith, and finally those just ris- ing a power 7m ing in the east. is the best size for stars from the Faint stars are best seen by averted to 10m. Slip in a " eyepiece magnify- a faint 60 times and you can work down to vision. Often when looking for ing port- comparison star the variable star, hither- 12m.5 on very good nights. Such a off the side. able telescope equatorially mounted, to unseen, becomes visible to about a A solid box 9x12x15 inches is useful without circles, made to rotate for sitting or standing on. If covered central carriage bolt running down so cold through the wooden tripod head With a with carpet it will not be quite to clamp to sit on when it is below zero. A step wing nut on the under side seat. in any azimuth, is the handiest in- ladder works well as a high it binocu- Glue felt on the eye end of your eye- strument in the world, except will get lars which only reach to 8 or 9m, for pieces. Otherwise your glasses looking scratched of your eyelids chilled in win- n few quick observations. If ter, by the metal. west, rotate the mounting so the polar Dew caps lined With dark blotting pa- axis points north; if looking south point per, twice as long as the diameter of the polar axis west, etc. and the finder

PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Page 92 Amateur Astronomy May, 1937 will always be in a handy position for spring convention of the AAVSO. the right eye. A good fork-type alt- There are only a few observations to azimuth mounting would be nearly as report this month because the date for convenient for a refractor and, in fact, mailing this to the printer has been Mr. Brocchi prefers an alt-azimuth moved ahead, but please continue to re- mounting for his 12" Newtonian reflector port your observations and still more as the eyepiece is always level. your comments. Mr. Jones of Gofl'stowsi, N. H. uses Name Stars No. of a 2" eyepiece on his 6-inch Clark re. Ohs. fractor for general use. This gives a Brocchi 12 20 power of 45 or 7½ per inch of aperture. Cailum 23 42 The writer uses a 1.2" eyepiece with Hartmann 113 262 his identical refractor which gives a McNabb 2 11 power of 75 or 12½ per inch of aperture Rosebrugh 54 104 but as Mr. Bouton pointed out in the Halbach 2 2 April issue of Amateur Astronomy the Mr. Brocchi found the irregular vari- faintest possible stars can be seen with able star Z Cam and the U Gem type a F15 refractor by using a %" eyepiece. star X Leo at maxima of 104 and 121 This gives a power of 20 per inch of respectively, both at the same time, aperture. Mr. Brocchi says. that with namely J.D. 602. Such coincidences as his 12-inch, F6, Newtonian, he usually this add spice to an observer's work. uses a 1/ " hyperplane eyepiece giving a The AAVSO chart committee includ- power of 12 per inch of aperture. For ing Messrs. Brocchi, Hartmann and Webb the faintest stars he uses either a and Prof. S. A. Mitchell, University of orthoscopic eyepiece giving a power of Virginia, has just issued a new Catalog 24 per inch of aperture or a -/" single of Variable Star Charts superseding lens ocular which absorbs less light and that in the Instruction Booklet. Among gives a power of 18 per inch of aperture. the improvements noted are: it gives the From this we may conclude that a pow- number of the correct finder chart along- er of about 20 per inch of aperture side the name of each star, lists the "C" brings out the faintest stars with either charts issued two years ago and men- type of telescope but that powers of 8 tions the special red charts. It also or 12 per inch of aperture are of more shows that the much needed "d" chart general use. on Nova Lacertae, 221255, is ready and Mr. Brocchi has also furnished the that a "b" chart is available in 191201 following information: Celestial refrac- Nova Aquilae which will be visible again tors and Newtonian and Cassegrainian by midnight after May 15. Write Mr. reflectors all give inverted images of the F. Hartmann, Chart Curator, 171-25 sky. The inversion is complete with re- 144th Ave., Springfield Gardens, L. I., fractors and Cassegrainians; that is, the N. Y. for charts. sky seems to be rotated 180 degrees so It is anticipated that 045540 Zeta Au- that north becomes south, and east be- rigae, the well known long period eclips- comes west. Therefore the AAVSO ing variable, will undergo a month's charts are made inverted to correspond minimum starting about April 22. Per- with what one sees. In the Newtonian haps by next month some of the early the inversion may not be a complete observations on this star may be avail- 180 degrees; that is the AAVSO chart able for discussion in this column. may have to be twisted somewhat around 3 Yates Blvd.. its center to make it fit the stars one Poughkeepsie. N. Y. sees. This twist will vary according to the position of one's head and of the eyepiece and of the telescope tube unless it is equatorially mounted. On the oth- er hand, if one uses the ordinary type of ERRATI zenith prism with a refractor or Casse- grainian, or if the image is brought out Volume 3 No, 3 (March 1937) Page to the side of the Cassegrainian, or if 68: Please change sentence in line 16 one introduces an extra reflection in the to read: These seven persons contributed Newtonian, as in the Springfield or Pasa- approximately 85% of the total observa- dena mounting, one has an unhappy state tions obtained in the region. of affairs. Then the image of the sky is not inverted but is reversed and one Volume 3 No. 4 (April 1937) Page '75: must either look through the chart from Please change the word "decreases" in the back or else build a chart reversing line seven from bottom (not including box with a mirror as described by Dr. address) of page; second column to read W. L. Holt, Scarboro, Me., at the 1935 "increases."

PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor May, 1937 Amateur Astronomy Page 93 AAVSO Nova Program Report L. E. AEMFIELD All participants in the nova search deserve much credit for extending the survey of their fields to the fainter magnitudes as will be noted in the columns below. The reports received are becoming more valuable each month and it gives great satisfaction to know that many of the areas assigned are being observed so carefully and assiduously. Mangnitude of faintest star easily visible Total Observers Location Region 7 or (7 6 5 4 3 2 Nights Abrahams Milwaukee 56 6 10 2 - - - 18 65 - 14 2 - - 16 66 - 14 2---- 16 67 - 14 4 - - - 18 68 .- 14 4 - - 18 69 - 14 4 - - 18 80 - 11 4 3 - 18 81 - 11 4 3 - - 18 82 - 1]. 4 3 18 91 - 14 4 - - - 18 92 - 11 5 2 - 18

Balihaussen Scarsdale, N. Y. 12 2 4 1 1 - - 8 83 - 8 2 .- 10 55 - 3 2 3 - 8 57 - 1 4 - - - 5 Con New York 62 6 - - 6 65 - 12 - - - - 12 Diedrich Milwaukee 43 - - 2 - - - 2 Friton St. Louis (Jan.) 9 - 4 2 - - - 6 (Feb.) 9 - - 6 2 - - 8 - (Mar.) 9 8 - 2 - - - 10 (Jan.)10 - 4 2--- 6 (Feb.)10 - - 6 2-- 8 (Mar.) 10 8 - 2 - - - 10

Halbach Milwaukee 49 - - - 2 1 - 3 50 - - - 2 3 - 5 71 - 2 5 3 - - 10 99 - 1 - - - - 1

Kirkpatrick New York 92 - 1 2 - - - 3

McNabb, Jr. Acton, Canada 8 1 3 - - - - 4 72 6 10 - - - - 16 58 - 7 - - - - 7

Moore Milwaukee 54 - 9 7 - - 1 17 Olson Chicago 51 10 1 4 - - - 15 Rosebrugh Poughkeepsie 1 3 9 2 - 2 - 16 52 9 52--- 16 Thomas bambridge 3 - - - 5 5 - 10 12 Observers 33 Regions 3300 square degrees of sky reviewed. Richard Airahams contributed the fine total of 194 observations of the 11 areas he is reviewing. Even illness did not deter Miss Balihaussen from observing her regions; she caught them through her window as they marched by. Each of Robert Cox's observations is to the sixth magnitude or fainter. Edwin E.

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Friton reached seventh on practically all evenings he observed during March. Neil McNabb submitted a' long list of observations with none fainter than sixth. Using binoculars, Darrel Moore reached sixth in the heart of Milwaukee for the majority of his observations. E. H. Olson of Chicago continued his good work with observa- tions to' fainter than seventh on ten nights. D. W. Rosebrugh, the first to extend the survey to the seventh magnitude, contributed a fine list of observations as usual. The following observers reviewed their regions with binoculars or low po*ered finders: Balihaussen, Con, Friton, Kirkpatrick, McNabb, Jr., Moore, Olson and Rosebrugh. Much impetus is being given to the nova search program by Dr. Helen S. Hogg, former Chart Curator of the AAVSO, located at the David Dunlap Observatory, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, who is assigning search areas to members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Her efforts are greatly appreciated and we trust that many of our Cnnadian friends will join us in our watch of the sky for new stars and comets. 1410 N. Marshall Street. Milwaukee. Wis.

Calendar of Events JUNE, 1937 Tue. 1 Last quarter at 11:24 P.M. MAY, 1937 Fri. 4 Alpha Scorpiid meteors. Wed. 19 Opposition of Mars and the Sat. 5 Conjunction of Venus and the moon at 11:31 A.M. Mars 0° 33 moon at 4:00 P.M. Venus 6° north. Chi Herculid meteors. 10' south. Tue. 25 Full moon at 9:24 A.M. Sun. 6 Mercury 24° west of the sun. Thu. 27 Mars 47,000,000 miles from the Mon. 7 Conjunction of Mercury and this year). the moon 12:52 A.M. Mer- earth (closest approach 55 at Sat. 29 Conjunction of Jupiter and the cury 40' south. moon at 1:51 P.M. Jupiter 3° 54' Beta Herculid meteors. south. New moon at 10:12 P.M. Sun. 30 Iota Pegasid meteors. Tize. 15 First quarter at 3:36 A.M.

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A. M. S. Meteor Notes WISCONSIN-NORTHERN ILLINOIS REGION

L. . A1ThiFIELD With many apologies to the faithful contributors listed below for the delay in- curred in publishing their reports the followng observations of telescopic meteors have been received for the year 1936. Number of Number of Observer Location minutes at eyepiece Telescopic meteors

Callum Chicago 3727 5 McNeil Chicago No record submitted 8 Rosebrugh Poughkeepsie 489 1 Arnifield Milwaukee 432 4 4 Observers 4648 18

Messrs. Callum and Rosebrugh as usual contributed excellent subordinating data which is so necessary for a statistical study of telescopic meteors. Mr. Mc- Neill's initial report is excellent likewise and we apppreciate greatly his keen interest in the study. In an appeal to other variable star observers for their cooperation it might be well at this time to mention briefly the statistical study of telescopic meteors for which your scribe has been slowly gathering data during the last four years. While observing variable stars for the AAVSO and recording incidental telescopic meteors for the AMS during 1933 it occurred to the writer that the value of the data per- taming to telescopic meteors could be much enhanced by simply keeping track of the number of minutes an observer actually spent in looking through the eyepiece of the telescope while observing variables. Adding also the magnitude of the faintest star readily visible through the eyepiece having the power normally used by the observer, the time of observation and the condition of seeing on a scale of five basis during each observation. Before attempting to interest others in the work the writer gathered the additional data for a year to test its practicability. In the beginning a watch was tied te the draw tube of the telescope and the minutes spent looking through the eyepiece were carefully noted and recorded along with the other data aforementioned. At the end of the year when the data were compiled in summary form its enhanced value was readily apparent and more than jusified the continuation of the program. Data sheets were then designed and printed for use at the telescope which greatly facilitated the recording of the data desired by the AAVSO, the AMS and the statistical telescopic meteor study. During 1935 the additional infor- mation was gathered also by Messrs. Callum, Halbach, Diedrich and Knott. After recording his time manually for a few months, Mr. Halbach, that inventive genius of the MAS, constructed an electrical stop watch which records the time actually spent at the eyepiece by the pushing of an on and off switch held in the hand. The electrical stop watch also gave the Milwaukee observers a good check on the time recorded manually. It was rather gratifying to learn that with a given observer, the manual and automatic times were in extremely good accord. Mr. Rosebr.ugh joined the small clan in 1936 and after the year's work sug- gested further improvements in the manner of gathering data by regular variable star observers. The data sheet has been revised recently in accordance with his suggestions and, as it exists today' it appears that the data sheet will be of value to variable star observers even though they do not join us in the meteor business. It is unfortunate of course, that the aforementioned data could not have been obtained by some variable star observers since the inception of the AAVSO. How- ever, from the experience gained so far it appears that it would be feasible to go over the old records of individual observers in the files of the AAVSO and derive mean factors for eyepiece time, magnitude of faintest star readily visible, etc., thereby gleaning the statistical material needed for the study. It will be a large task to be sure but time means little in astronomy, except in eclipses and occulta- tions, and if it is not finished in this generation it may be in the next.

PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Page 96 Amateur Astronomy May. 1937 The outline of the work proposed above is admittedly much too brief but space will not permit further elaboratign. It was presented however, in the hopes that other regular variable star observers might become interested to the point of communicating with the writer for further details or to use the data sheets Pow available for recording their variable star observations at the telescope and adding the few extra items desired for the study. It must be mentioned that the use of the forms is not intended to conflict with the present methods used in reporting their variable star observations to the recorder of the AAVSO, or their observa- tions of incidental telescopic meteor observations to the AMS, but rather as a means of recording the data at the telescope for all purposes on one form. This means that the variable star observations which go to AAVSO headquarters will need to be copied to the regular AAVSO monthly report blank, the incidental tele- scopic meteors will need to be copied to the forms provided by the AMS and the data sheet just sent to Milwaukee where the data will be compiled at the end of each year for study purposes. way radio communication was again used between Professor Oakley's station in Milton and the Milwaukee station on Phillips Farm in Waukesha Coun- ty for duplicate meteor observation during the Lyrid and Aquarid maxima. Static, clouds and skip fouled the attempts during the Lyrids. Better success was at- tained during the Aquarids; the weather was ideal, the reception good but meteors few and far between. Messrs. Halbach and Peck motored to Milton to assist Professor Oakley while Messrs. Schmitz, Albrecht, Cooke and Armfleld manned the Phillips Farm station. Four meteors were seen in duplicate between 2:30 and dawn on May 5-6, 1937. R. D. Cooke is computing the beginning and ending heights and further comments will be had from him in the near future. Milwaukee, Wis. 1410 E. Marshall Street,

The official ntonthlp pub licalion of Metropolitan Notes American Amateur Astronomical Association ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF RUTHERFOHD, Publication Headquarters NEw JERSEY 1312 E. Curtis Place, Milwaukee, Wig. JAMES S. ANDREWS, President Affiliated Societies 33 Franklin Place, Rutherford, N. J. Astronomical Society of Rutherford. N. J. The last meeting of February was led Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh, by Theodore Treadwell who talked on Pennsylvania. "Atomic Structure", and by Mr. Fisher Astronomers Guild of Jamestown, New York. on "What Keeps the Chicago Amateur Astronomical Association, Chi- Stars Shining." cago, Ill. The first meeting in March was devoted Eastbay Astronomical Association, Oakland, Calif. to observations through Mr. Treadwell's Long Island Telescope Makers, wantagh, N. Y. 8-inch telescope, though the weather was Louisville Astronomical Society, Louisville, Hy. not too good. General discussion was in Madison Astronomical Society, Madison, Wis. "Stellar Magnitudes." Metropolitan Astronomical Society. New York, New York. Milwaukee Astronomical Society. Milwaukee, Wis. LONG ISLAND TELESCOPE MAKERS Missouri-Southern Illinois, St. Louis, Mo. E. H. CRRISTMAN, Correspondent New Jersey Astrophysical Society. Woodbrldge, N. J. Adolph Scholl presented a discussion Norwalk Astronomical Society. Norwalk, Coon. provoking questionnaire on double stars. Optical Division of the AAA, New York, N. Y. The Feb. 19 meeting at the home of Dr. Frost also included a facetious talk by Editorial Staff Miss Elizabeth Wight, Editor H. Turner on a clock drive to end all Mrs. A. H. Fisher Miss Carolyn Nickels clock drives. Seriously, the group now E. A. Halbach H. L. Grunwald boasts five drives of outstanding per- Advisory Editors formance and two in the course of con- Prof. Leon Campbell - Variable Stars. struction. Let us get out of the Prof. Charles P. Olivier - Meteors. cellars Prof. George Ven Biesbroeck - Aster.jids, comets, now, boys! and double stars. Harold Webb showed us his new book, "Observations Ten cents per copy, $1.00 per year. of tie Planet Mars." It Membership in AAAA, $1.00 per year. is a timely publication as Mars will soon including subscription. be in opposition. Sorne members were Send all communications to the above address. able to compare drawings which they

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April 9 will go down on our calendar boys have invented a contraption by as the date of distinction. It was on means of which they, actually grind this date that the first photos of our some mirrors with their feet! With group in action were taken. Charles this contraption, round disks are cut Coles, museum photographer, helped us from square pieces of glass with the take our first step toward the organiza- greatest of ease. While Joe didn't have tion of a rogues gallery of New York's time to tell us all of the secrets which Telescope Nuts. we know the twins possess, he certainly Carl Grosswendt, our hard-working hit the high spots in an instructive and secretary, has finished a 6-inch pyrex entertaining manner. mirror and is starting a 10-inch pyrex. An attractive astronomical display, ar- 81st Street and Central Park West ranged by our group, occupied the Fifth New York City Avenue window of the Farmers National Bank in Pittsburgh, from March 19 to March 26. A number of neatly arranged Tri State News Notes mirrors, tools, prisms, eyepieces, pictures AMATEUR ASTRONOMICAL AssOcIATIoN and books were included in the display. OF PITTSBURGH The splendid model of the 200-inch tele- WILLARD A. MacCALLA, Correspondent scope, constructed by C. E. Raible, at- tracted particular attention. Our annual "Argufy and Gabfest" meeting on April 9, Dr. Homer was held on March 12. The meeting At our fel- Rutherford, seismologist of the Univer- was graced by such distinguished sity of Pittsburgh, discüssed the increas- low fact and fancy fumigators as past ingly popular subject of "Earthquakes". Presidents Chester Roe and Warren Do- Further details of the meeting will be naldson, Troy Russell, hardware expert, reported in the next appearance of this and Dave Brown of "North Star Obser- column. vatory" fame. We were also honored by Valley View Observatory. the presence of Z. Daniel of Allegheny Pittsburgh, Pa. Observatory, who joined in the evening's "Argufication". He explained how to find the new Wilk comet and described its movements, speed, etc. Because of the unusual sun spot pheno- Milwaukee News Notes mena during the past month, we were M. N. FISHER, Correspondent particularly interested in hearing Mrs. The Milwaukee Astronomical Society Wiegel describe her recent solar work. had an academic field day April 9 and She appealed to the younger members to 10 when it met with the Wisconsin Aca- take up this fascinating study. Will demy of Sciences, Arts and Letters, the MacCalla has been estimating the size Wisconsin Archeological Society and the of some large sun spots by projecting the Midwest Museums Conferencê at the Mil- sun's image on a screen, In addition to waukee public museum. Papers were solar work, he reported observations of read by Edward A. Halbach on coordina- Mars and Venus, as well as some as- ting meteor observations by radio; 'by sorted variable stars. Leo Scanlon's Lynn' Matthias on celestial photographic variable work has been slightly disturb- photometry with small cameras and by ed in recent weeks while his mirrors are M. J. W. Phillips on amateur telescope being aluminized. Leo has just com- making by high school students. Many pleted another 6-inch reflector, this time members of the MAS attended the talk for a furniture store owner. Our presi- by Joel Stebbins and Albert E. Whit- dent, Sam Weissiger, not to be outdone, ford, of the Wahhburn Observatory, on has almost completed his own refractor. "Gadgets and Galaxies," the evening of The real feature of the evening was April 9. The photo-electric cell was dem- the story of recent secrets, discoveries, onstrated on the platform. of trials and tribulations in the making A, C. Tahbatt has donated for the mirrors and lenses as told to us by the summer his 8-inch f.15 reflector for use "Optical Twins" themselves, Joe Goin by members of the society at the Phillips and Larry Scanlon. Joe explained some farm, which will henceforth be the nu- of their new wrinkles in the art of cleus for observers of the Milwaukee rough grinding, "skimiing" mirrors, bev- group. eling, template cutting, reaching focal University quickly, and avoiding sleeks and Dr. Ross H. Bardell, of the lengths of Wisconsin extension division, will scratches. Due to the splendid team- meeting of the, so- work which they have developed, making speak at the May pitch laps holds no terrors for Joe and ciety. Larry to whom the whole job is only 886 N. 14th Street . Wis. . , 20 minutes' work. Believe it or not, the Milwaukee,

PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor AMATEUR ASTRONOMY Published monthly by the American Amateur A stronoìn'ical Association

Vol, 3, No. 6 JUNE-JULY, 1937 Ten Cents

THE ASTROGRAPHIC CAMERA of the Cook Observatory, the largest of its type in the world, The large camera is to use a 10-inch lens, on a 20 x24 piafe. The smaller one is for a 14x17 piafe. The 8x10 camera is on the opposite side. Standing below are seen Dr. Cook (right) and J. W. Fecker, builder of this and most of the other equip. ment 0f the Cook Observatory.

PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor 1937 Page loo Amateur Astronomy June-July, The Cook Observatory A UNIQUE INSTITUTION ESTABLISHED BY A PHILADELPHIA AMATEUR JAMES T. STOKELY, Director Foie Planetarium In a suburb of Philadelphia, among Going out of doors and investigating many fine homes, is a unique scientific the outside of the same wall, a horizontal instAtution. At Wynnewood, Pa., on the tube is found, connecting with a smaller seven acre estate of Gustavus Wynne building a few yards to the north, inside is one which the astronomical function is re- CÓok, banker and manufacturer, vealed. Here is a siderostat telescope, of the world's outstanding private ob- a kind very rarely built, though it has servatories, one with equipment that any many advantages. With the ordinary college would be proud to own. Of course, telescope, the temperature in the observ- have erected tele- ing room must be the same as outside. other men of means Otherwise, ascending air currents will scopes, some of sizable dimensions, but cause a turbulence that ruins the defi- too often they are merely playthings. nition, But with the siderostat telescope, The Cook observatory is distinguished the observing room can be heated in winter, or, for that matter, cooled in by the fact that its superb instruments a summer. The telescope projects through are being put to good scientific use by the north wall of the building, and a staff of three regular observers. Impor- clock-driven flat mirror reflects the light tant work has already been accomplished. of the heavenly bodies into the lens. A group of observatory domes in a In the Cook observatory installation, is 25 inches in diameter residential area, might be considered of- the flat mirror build- and mounted on a fork that is moved f naive by the neighbors, and the electrically with great accuracy to follow ings of the Cook observatory are of cot- the motion of the stars across the sky. tage type, surrounded by beautiful flower The lens is 15 inches aperture. There front elements which can be gardens and fine old trees. Most of the are two that can interchanged according to whether instruments are covered by roofs desired to use the telescope for photog- slide back to expose the sky to view. raphy or for visual observation. In order Chief of the telescopes is a reflector, to operate the telescope it is only neces- to go to the outer building, open in an open fork mounting, with an aper- sary of the fac- the roof above and uncover the mirror ture of 28.5 inches, a product and lens. Then, everything can be con- tory of J. W. Fecker, in Pittsburgh. At- trolled through electric motors from the to its framework tube is a 9-inch observing room. The dials indicate the tached and declination. refractor, the lens by Alvan Clark, and a setting in right ascension the work done Mr. Fecker constructed the mechanical 6-inch finder. Much of parts of this instrument. The lens was with this instrument has been with a made some years ago by his uredecessor. three-prism spectrograph attached. John A. Brashear, for the Philadelphia but was never Next, as one makes a tour of the ob- Central high school, room housing mounted. servatory, is a computing flat and a working Attached to the building where the clocks, a chronograph, and lens are located is another structure. library. Then comes the transit room This, also with sliding roof, is the loca- with a 3-inch prism transit for time de- tion of the great triple star camera. the This was constructed by with three terminations. the largest of its kind yet made, Dr. Cook himself, and it has received lenses of the type devised by Dr. F. E. adm'iration of many professionals. Ross of the Yerkes observatory. These the room, at first glance, seems lenses permit sharp photographs of The next over a much larger area than was as little like an observatory as one could sky first, one has the impres- possible with previous types. The larg- imagine. At is 10-inches diameter, and takes sion of being in a comfortably furnished est lens Then a platform is no- pictures on a plate 20x24 inches. The room in a home. 5-inches anerture covers one side. On the wall above this second lens of ticed at of push a 14x17 Inch plate, and the smallest, a platform is a strange assortment niate. A dials that seem reminiscent 4-inch lens, covers an 8x10 inch buttons and is telescope is also attached to per- of the controls of a submarine. This visual telescope, one of the mit the photographer to guide the instru- the eye-end of a during long exposures. most extraordinary ever built. ment

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PART OF THE CONSTELLATION OF CYGNUS, photographed with the 4-inch Ross-Fecker lens of the Cook Observatory by Louis P. Tabor. The star at the top is Deneb, and to 0f the left it can be seen the North America nebula. Near the bottom the Network nebula is visible.

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THE SUN, photographed on April 24th with the 40-foot phototheliograph of the Cook Observatory by I. M. Devitt, showing an unusually large crop of sunspots which were visible to the naked eye, SIDEROSTAD AND 15-inch objective of the Cook Observatory horizontal telescope. The shutter in the circular roof opens, and the light of a celestial body shines on the 25-inch mirror supported in the fork in the center of the picture. This reflects it into the lens. The. mechanism to the left moves the mirror to follow the diurnal motion of an object,

With this battery of cameras, also the tions in the light of a single wave length. work of Mr. Fecker, Dr. Cook intends Dr. Orren Mohler was the first mem- to photograph the entire Milky Way on ber of the Cook observatory staff, other the large plates. These pictures will ul- than Dr. Cook himself. He has been timately form an atlas of the Milky using the spectrograph of the reflector Way that w-il! be presented to observa- in a study of spectroscopic binary stars, tories throughout the world. Of course, radial velocities, and novae. He made a the southern skies cannot be reached very complete series of spectrograms of from Wynnewood, so after the northern nova Herculis and some of his prelimi- sections have been taken, he expects to nary results Were gathered together more move the cameras temporarily to a than a year ago in the first publication southern station, perhaps in South Af- of the Cook observatory. Lately he has rica. On this account, the mounting was applied the Geiger-Müller counter, a de- so made that it can be moved with a vice frequently used to detect cosmic minimum of trouble for an outfit weigh- rays, to study the brightness of the stars. ing several tons. When transferred, it So far it does not surpass the usual will be only necessary, at the other loca- photoelectric cell in sensitivity, but it is tion, to erect a concrete pier with the top theoretically capable of responding to far slanting at the proper angle. The entire less light, and this research may lead motor drive and polar axis can be bolted to important results. Already he has to the top in one piece, and then the used it to detect for the first time a band cameras can be attached. of ultraviolet radiation of very short Adjoining the observing room of the wavelength from the sun. During the horizontal telescope is a large darkroom spring of 1937 he is visiting the Lowell where the 20x24-inch plates can be han- observatory to continue this work. The dled conveniently. This, like the observ- 7000 foot altitude of northern Arizona ing and computing rooms, is heated by with the clear skies overhead, will be steam from a gas-fired boiler in a small superior to the usual conditions around structure about 50 feet away. Philadelphia. In another group of buildings is the Two other members of the staff are solar observatory. On a pier to the north engaged on part time. One is Lewis P. is a lens of 40-feet focal length, fed Thbor, a science master of Episcopal with sunlight by a fiat, unsilvered mir- Academy, a boys' private school. An ex- ror. The image of the sun is formed pert photographer, with extensive knowl- in a darkroom where a photographic edge of its technical and scientific as- plate is supported on another pier. A pects, he is in charge of the stellar pho- shutter drops in front of this plate. To tography, with the different instruments. use it, the plate holder is loaded, the He is making the Milky Way series with shutter set, and a window opened to the large camera. let the beam inside. The observer ad- I. M. Levitt, a member of the astro- justs the mirror until the image is nomical staff of The Franklin Institute, formed on a target of cross lines, painted is the solar observer. Each clear day, on the front of the shutter. Then the from 11 A. M. to 1 P. M., he works pressure of a key operates an electro- with the spectrohelioscope and the sun magnet, the shutter is released and the camera making a record of spots, pro- exposure made. The windows closed, the minences and other solar disturbances. same d'arkroom is used to develop the By means of a camera attachment to the exposure. spectrohelioscope, he is able to photo- This building also accommodates the graph the sun in the light of a single spectrohelioscope. The two-mirror coelo- wavelength, as well as to view it with stat is to the south, on a pier with the the eye. A few months ago, he made 20-foot focus lens. The light beam en- changes in the instrument in order to ters through another opening and falls make motion pictures as well. on the rotating mirrors and the other These solar observations are part of equipment used to permit solar observa- an international program, and reports

PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor June-July, 1937 Pa9e 104 Amateur Astronomy in his apparatus particularly convenientfor are regularly sent to the headquarters this Paris. With this program completely in their work. It certainly seems that operation, the sun 'will be under seni- amateur observatory may well become tiny of at least one cooperating observa- one of the important observatories of tory every moment of every day, and no the world. Perhaps the authorities of important, but fleeting, disturbance can the University of Pennsylvania had be lost, something of this sort in mind when they Desirous of aiding astronomical science an honorary degree of also gave its founder as much as possible, Dr. Cook has Doctor of Science last June. made his observatory available several times to visiting astoronomers, who found Philadelphia, Pa,

22, 1937 AAVSO Meeting in Syracuse N. Y., on May LOUISE BALLBAUSSEN

Reading from left to right: Miss Bailhaussen Halbach Rehnolds Andrews Jose Campbell Armfield Mrs. Hamilton A. L. Wallon Doolittle Mis Schwartz Carpenter Scanlon Mrs. Jose Shapley McNabb, Jr. Arminger Mrs. Shapley Witherell Miss Farnsworth Hamilton Van Wyck (Unknown) Jones Elmer Dr. Hogg Callum (Clausing behind the camera)

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Soyed the annual spring meeting on May spot . affect so small a portion of the 22 in the University of Syracuse, where earth? His success provides much food we received a hearty welcome from Dr. for thought and investigation. Jose and Vice-Chancellor Graham. The question was next brought up as In spite of threatening skies, which to the future of the Syracuse observa- seem to be the rule for astoronomical tory, for it has no regular staff or di- gatherings, some of the members strag- rector. Naturally, Dr. Shapley replied, gled onto the campus on Friday evening. that, since Harvard had already acquired Of these, a few attended to business in the 6i/sinch Roe telescope (now at Oak the council meeting, while the others in- Ridge)-in other words, Syracuse's only spected the small, though interesting and other observatory-Harvard should take well-equipped, observatory under the gui- this one over also, possibly to be man- dance of Lockwood Doolittle. aged by the AAVSO. Nevertheless, the Next morning, about twenty-five or fate of the instruments was left un- thirty of us met in the library for the settled. regular business meeting and presenta- The sad tale of another idle observa- tion of papers. The business included tory at Colgate was then related by Rich-. mention of new members elected, ard Hamilton. Following him, James S. resignations, etc., tribute to the re- Andrews, now official astronomer of the cently deceased Mr. Yalden, and various Rockefeller Center observation roofs, committee reports, besides the secre- consumed thirty minutes in pointing out tary's report. As usual our alert re- on his slides scenes visible from jais tele- corder had many pointed comments to scope on the roofs of the RCA buildings. make, especially in regard to the read- Though he never observes himself, he ing of the record by our inimitable sec- hopes to disseminate sufficient interest in retary, Charles W. Elmer, whose report astronomy to add some new members to was accepted by the president, Dr. Har- our organization. The morning session low Shapley, "as it should have been was then concluded with the taking ef written" rather than as it was spoken. numerous photographs of each other by Dr. Leon Campbell also posted the plotted the members on their way to lunch. light curves of several important vari- W reconvened about two o'clock !or able stars, including Nova Lacertae, now thel social part of the meeting. Every- near tenth magnitude, and DQ (Nova) one was very delighted to meet the grand Herculis, just below eighth. Later he old-timers and shy new additioñs, some mentioned the suggestion that T Orionis even from Canada. We appreciated es- and similar stars resemble old dying no- pecially the great interest showñ by the vae sufficiently to deserve a separate midwestern group in driving 825 miles classification other than 'irregular." to this gathering. In fact, the night In an attempt to explain the curves before, we had noticed a bright meteor of SS Cygni stars, Noel McLeod from moving swiftly toward us, and we leärned the far northwest sent an all-too brief that- it was Armfield, Callum, Clausing, paper suggesting especially that these Halbach and Scanlon burning up the stars consist of a small, very dense nu- road to arrive on time, which they al- cleus and large outer atmosphere; in ac- most did. On the other hand, we Were cordance with some theories on stellar very sorry not to see Mrs. Helen Thomas, structure, the light variations may be Mr David Pickering, Dr. Brown, Miss due, he says, to sudden, possibly periodic, Anne Young, and our many other friends, releases of energy from behind a com- whom we hope to see in mid-October at paratively opaque layer. the Harvard College observatory. We Following this paper, Mr. Doolittle hope, too, that Mrs.. Rosebrugh has by gave a short biography of Mr. Calthrop, now fully recovered from her recent a famous Syracusan who predicted the operation. The Association feels espe- cially loss our beloved local weather with uncanny accuracy keenly the of for- over a period of many years-with never mer secretary, Tyler Olcòtt, and the a miss-by means of extensive observa- many-sided "Baron" Yalden. tions of sunspots. We remained puzzled, After introductions, our astronomi- however, as to how his rules for predic- cal caravan of eight automobiles tion would apply also to other parts of stretched out like a good political fune- the world, such as in the following in- ral procession (simile due to Elmer), stance: "A large spot appearing on an played follow the leader and cracked the otherwise clear sun precedes by 3 days whip behind Dr. Jose. Although We 4aad a noticeable terrestrial storm." Does this anticipated visiting Green Lake, we statement imply that such a storm is missed the road and actually stopped .t felt over the whole earth or only in the Chittnango Falls. Before enjoying

PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor June-July, 1937 Page 106 Amateur Astronomy emtpied several bottles of Dr. Leon Campbell commented on the the falls, we which includes also beer, while Armfield ruined several good T Orionis Group, the RR Tauri and V Sagittae. These stars negatives by turning the camera resemblance with Nova Per- now. show some wrong way,-well, he knows how, sei No. 2 in that the range is about You should have heard the constant buzz 2.'/2 magnitudes and the period short, of clicking cameras in a feeble attempt though somewhat irregular. Hence, to catch and retain the impressive beauty perhaps this group should receive the of approximately one-hundred and fifty designation of "old novae" rather than feet of sheer drop of sparkling water, "irregular." gleaming in the sun and showing a lovely Mr. Callum, the Scotchman, after liv- rainbow as viewed from the top of the ing in the flat West, appreciated our almost falls.: Sorne of the crowd descended to New York hills so much that he the river bed below, there to get rock thought he could hear the bagpipes tr.ying playing. An especially interesting specimens and pictures, besides comment was on his introduction to to cross the water on a flimsy, one-rail astronomy because' of the troubles of bridge. The spot was indeed, very de- the Depression. lightul and refreshing. Mr. Armfleld gave a brief apprecia- All too soon, the leader called us away tion of Drs. Shapley and Campbell for to a long, though pleasant, roundabout their ever faithful, help and inspira- drive back to town. There, while Arm- tion. Also, he forgot to give his own field scurried around trying to sell his speech on the work of the Milwaukee nova search regions, we refreshed 'out- group. selves with soap and water, mostly beer, while waiting for the 8 candle-power Dr Shapley gave the. most unusual banquet at one dollar each, which started and stimulating speech of all, taking ou time half an hour late. A new pre-. as his subject the known senses of. man cedent was set-for the first time in the and' adding some hypothetical new 25' years' history of the Association, 'we ones that 'would enable us more fully were guests of the University at dinner. to understand such simple phenomena The charge of one dollar was repealed. as gravitation, the complete electro- The Scotthman, William Callurn, on hear- magnetic spectrum, telepathy, and al- ing of this, invited Mr. Elmer as his lied problems.' For instance, with a guest... And a very good dinner it was- sense of heat rays, we could learn all thanks to Syracuse. In fact, Mr. El- about dead stars which radiate only mer made the motion to pass a resolution in the far mfra-red. And in regard to of thanks and appreciation for every- telepathy, much research is necessary thing named and unnamed, to Dr. Jo.se, on the homing instinct of bees and the Graham, and the Uni- mating of butterflies which find each Vice-Chancellor great distances. versity: of Syracuse. ' This was passed other regardless of unanimously by a standing vote. Are brain waves involved? It has been found that electrical impulses in the After dinner, the first vice-president, brain of man occur irregularly when Verne Armfleld, ran the show. Many of he tries to think but regularly in the members remarked .that, in spite of sleep. Dr. Shapley certainly gave us his inexperience as toastmaster and food for thought. youth, he did very well, except that his voice did not carry to the furthermost After the resolution of thanks was car- parts of the hail. During the dinner, ried, the meeting adjourned amid a one could see him scrambling around to thunderstorm, until October 16, 1937. get victims to speak. That he succeeded We all hope that that meeting will be as is evident from the following brief ex- successful and stimulating as this one, cerpts: and we are looking forward to seeing all bur friends of the Association at Har- Mr. Fredricks, a Syracusan, mentioned vard. May the interval be productive of that he had only just learned of our much good astronomical work to teli work in the AAVSO. about in the fall. Mr. Leo Scanlon invited us, in speech of only a minute's length, to visit the Pittsburgh planetarium upon its com- Submitted by Louise E. Ballhaussen. with slight pletion about May 1939. revision by Jonesy and Elmer on the train ride Mrs. Hogg, our former Chart Curator New York. from. Toronto, mentioned some facts to about Toronto's new David Dunlop Ob- i Gilmore Court, ,ervatory. Scarsdale, N. Y.

PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor June-July, 1937 Amateur Astronomy Page 107 Variable Star Section D. W. ROSEB1UJGH, Director Zeta Aurigae a Remarkable Eclipsing Variable Star Before considering the classification or 0m.25 as shown above, the drop in of variable stars it appears better to de- photograpaic magnitude amounts to Beribe a number of typical variable stars. 0m.6. The two stars revolve in elliptical Because 045540 Zeta Aurigae is now orbits with an average separation of (J. D. 8661) undergoing its ßrst mini- about 530 million miles. This figure is mum since August 1934 and is the cyno- derived from the radial speeds (i. e. in sure of all astronomical eyes, it seems the line of sight) of the two stars in best to start the series of descriptions moving about the center of gravity of the with this remarkable star. system. These speeds were determined Zeta is a spectroscopie binary; that is, spectroscopically by the French observer it is a double star the components of Tranbiot. The 972.4 day period between which are too close (0.033" apart at eclipses, together with the radial speeds, most) to be separated by eye with the can be used to determine the size of the largest telescope. Nevertheless, it gives orbit. The diameter of the larger star indications of the presence of two sepa- is 175 million miles, an estimate which rate and very different stars when the is derived from the 38 day period during light is examined with the spectroscope. which the smaller star is eclipsed be- By a fortunate accident the orbit in hind the larger super-giant star and the which the two component stars revolve speed at which it is travelling. The dia- about their mutual center of gravity lies meter of the smaller star is about 3 to edgewise to the earth so that every 972.4 4 million miles, which is derived from days. the smaller of the two stars passes its speed and the fact that it is corn- behind the larger and its light is cut pletely eclipsed in 24 hours or less. The spectrum of. the larger star is K6 off . or eclipsed by the larger. Zeta Au- rigae is therefore an "eclipsing variable (according to Mount Wilson plates), star" similar to Algol, and because of which indicates a surface temperature of this fortunate circumstance a great deal only .3200 degrees, corresponding to a of information regarding the two stars comparatively red star. Although the can be derived. Zeta is not one of the star, being comparatively cool, is prob- regular AAVSO stars because its varia- ably only 2.5% as bright visually as the tions in visual brightness are compara- sun, area for area, yet since the star tively slight so that photographic and is very large its estimated light is 1000 spectroscopie analyses are necessary to times that of the sun. secure. the fullest information about the The spectrum of the smaller star is of star. However, the following series of an early B class, corresponding to. a tern- visual observations made during the perature of at least 15,000 degrees. This present eclipse, which is not yet finished, means that the smaller star is white may prove of interest. in color and possibly 15 or 20 times as Date Mag. bright per square mile as the sun. Since the sun, J. D. 612 to 640 mcl ...... 4.4 it is considerably larger than 644 ...... 4.5 it probably gives out 200 or 300 times 648 ...... 4.6 as much light. is, therefore, 653 ..._ ...... 4.6 The total light of Zeta 654 ...... 4.6 about 1200 suns, and from its apparent 655 ...... 4.6 brightness of about the fourth magni- 656 ...... 4.6 tude its distance may be estimated as 661 ------4.6 750 light years. Note: Star is now at minimum about At this point, one or two questions oc- Om.2 below its maximum of 4.4 exist- cur to mind. If the light of Zeta falls ing prior to J. D. 644 off every 972.4 days because the smaller In the Feb. 1935 issue of Scientific white star is eclipsed by the larger red American, Dr. Henry Norris Russell sets star, should it not fall off at interine- forth the information derived about Zeta diate times because the smaller star from the observations made at its last passes in front of the super-giant star eclipse. A summary of this information and cuts off some of its light? Doubtless since the small white together with . some explanatory coin- this occurs, but ments are as follows: star is only big enough to eclipse per- The eclipse of the smaller star by the haps a thousandth of the light of the larger lasts about 38 days, but the larger star, these intermediate eclipses smaller star passes into complete eclipse are not evident. However, when the in 24 hours or less. While the drop in smaller star, emitting 200 times the light the visual magnitude is only about 0".2 of the sun passes behind the super-giant,

PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor 108 Amateur Astronomy June-July, 1937 one sixth of the total light of Zeta is eclipsing variable stars. Since most of lost to view, which corresponds to -a de- the information upon such s-tars must be crease in visual magnitude of Om.2 as secured with the spectroscope and cam- shown in the ab-ove series of visual ob- era, the importance o-f such star-s to the servations. Photographically the light of visual observer is not great, but it is the star drops Om.6 at the time of the necessary for all of us to under-stand eclipse. This corresponds to a drop of what an -eclipsing variable star is and 43% -in photographic brightness. Evi- what it can teach us. dently, therefore, the white star emits MONTHLY OBSERVATIONS

43% of the actinic light of the star - Name Stars No. of although it emits only about 17% of the seen ob-s. visual light. This is because the s-tar is Bouton 84 so much hotter and whiter than the Hartmann 118 2-42 larger red star. Jones 98 308 The mass of the larger star is about MacCalla 5 6 16 times that of the sun, while the mass Northcott 1 of the smaller star is about half as great. 2 - Rosebrugh 32 86 These masses may be derived by apply- F. W. Smith 1 2 ing Newton's laws to the size of the orbit Topham 5 8 and the period of revolution. With this report we welcome Miss Harvard College Observatory An- Ruth J. Northcott, 71 Joicey Blvd., and nouncement Card 413 states that Prof. Bert To.pham, 105 Regent St., b-oth of D. B. Mcliaughlin found that the eclipse Toronto, Canada, and W. A. MacCalla, absorption effects in Zeta appeared on 710. Shady Drive East, Mt. Lebanon, Pa., J. D. 8635, five or six day-s earlier th-an who are- oo-ntributing to this column for predicted. Apparently the larger star is the first time. Please keep up the good surrounded by an atmosphere or chro- work. mosphere of calcium, hydrogen, titanium Mr. Bouton says that the two U Ge- and magnesium gases many million of miñorum type variable stars 060547 SS miles thick. The light of the larger star Aur and 74922 U Gem (itself) were at passes out radially through these gases mirjjm-ae o-f 141 and 140 on J. D.'s 8633

- by the shortest path through the chro- and 8634 - respectively. Walter Houston mosphere so that the absorption lines of comments that he found the long period these elements are no-t strong enough to variable S Sextans at 10.4 on 8-637, evi- be noticed ordinarily. However, just be- dently on its way up to maximum; on fore and just after the eclipse o-f the 8566 he noticed an unusually deep mini- smaller star, its light passes through pos- mum of 14.1 of the irregular star RR silly 50 or 100 million miles of the light Tau; he states, too, that the long period chromosphere gases of the. larger star, variable star U Lyrae has been at 135 which is a sufficiently long path to pro- for- many months -now which is fainter duce the absorption lines. Thus, the first than any minima from 1931 to date. intimation that the e-clip se of 1937 -had These comments o-f Mr. Bouton and Mr.- started was br-o-ught us by the spec- Houston ar-e of gre-at interest to us all, troscope. - and more of them are desired. The above description gives s-orne in- 3 Yates Bpulevard, dication of the great importance - of Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

Planetary Report No. 22

- MARS 1937-1 E. P.- MARTZ, Jr., Planetary flirector AAAA planetary observers are under- the present opposition with the 12-inch taking the following work: In Nashville, Zeiss ap-ochromatic refractor of the ob- Tenn., Latimer J. Wilson is making reg- servatory since Apr. 27. This work is ular photographs and drawings of Mars being supplemented by photographs made with a 12-inch, F :8 reflector, and as pre- with the 60-inch reflector at Mount Wil- v-iously mentioned here, at the Mount son observatory, near here, o-ne night Union College observatory, Alliance, O., each week, through the courtesy of the Wal-ter 'H. Haas is carrying on a Visual director,- Dr. Walter S. Adams. On other program o-f drawings- and color observa- nights, if fog prevents observations at tions- of the planet with the 10-inch re- Griffith observatory (elevation 1650: fractor there. Through the kindness of feet), further photographs and visual ob- Dr. Dinsmore Alter, director of the Grif- servatio-ns are undertaken with the 6- fith -observatory - and planetarium in Los inch Brashear refractor on Mount Wil- Angeles, Calif., the writer has been ob- son. serving and photográphing Mars during - Comparison o-f- observations early in

PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor June-July, 1937 Amateur Astronomy Pagé 111 AAVSO Nova Program Notes L. E. AEMFIELD Through the kindness of Helen S. Hogg and F. Shirley Patterson of the David Dunlap observatory and members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, initial nova program observations were received from the following members of the Toronto Center of the aforementioned society : Miss F. Shirley Patterson, Miss Ruth J. Northcott and Bert Topham. These observers together with Neil McNabb, Jr., who is also a member of the Toronto Center, form a fine nucleus of nova programmers in Canada. - Initial observations were received also from Lawrence Smith of Brooklyn, New York. At the spring 1937 meeting of the AAVSO, your scribe had the sincere pleasure of meeting and conversing with Dr. Helen S. Hogg, Neil McNabb, Jr., and Frank Van Wyck, all of Canada. Friendships were renewed with such faithful contributors as Jones of Goffstown, New Hampshire, Bailhaussen of Scarsdale, New York, and Doolittle and Hamilton of Norwalk, Conn. The following observations for the month of April aie hereby gratefully acknowledged: Magnitude of faintest star seaily visible Total Observer Location Region 7 or (7 6 5 4 3 2 Nights Abrahams Milwaukee 56 6 6 1 ------13 59 22 ------4 65 5 4 ------9 66 54 ------9 67 45 ------9 68 4 5 ------9 69 11 1 ------12 80 2 6 ------8 81 26 ------8 82 2 6 ------8

91 . 64 ------10 92 6 4 ------10 Balihaussen Scarsdale, N. Y. 55 3 1 1 2 7 12 ---- 3. 1 4 57 ---- 5 1. 9 Milwaukee (Mar.) 43 2 1 ------3 Diedrich 6 (Apr.) 43 . 6 ------Friton St. Louis 9 2 ------2 10 2 ------2 Halbach Milwaukee 71 4 3 1 8 Kirkpatrick New York 92 i i 61 2 2 ------4 Keuziah Milwaukee (Mar.) 15 1 ------1 (Apr.) 15 8 ------8 Loreta Bologna, Italy 17 3 ------3 105 31 ------4 112 6 - 33 ------McNabb, Jr. Acton, Canada 8 2 ------2 58 6 8 ------14 72 5 7 ------12 Moore Milwaukee 54 9 7 1 17 Northcott Toronto, Canada 9 1 1 ------2 71 4 2 ------6 Patterson Toronto, Canada 18 1 1 2 70 11 ------2 Rosebrugh Poughkeepsie 1 3 4 3 1 11 52 1 23 ------6 Smith Brooklyn 38 3 ------3 To-pham Toronto, Canada 91 1 1 Treadwell Arlington, N. J. 47 2 1 3 103 ---- 8 ibservers 38 regions 3800 square degrees of sky reviewed. The following observers reviewed their regions with binoculars or low powered telescopes: Balihaussen, Fritón, Kirkpatrick, Loreta, McNabb, Jr., Moore, North- cott and Rosebrugh. 1410 N. Marshall Street Milwaukee. Wisconsin

PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Page 112 Amateur Astronomy June-July, 1937 Book Review The official monthly publication of The Year Round with the Stars. L. J,. American Amateur Astronomical Association Doolittle. The Skaneateles Press. 75c. Publication Headquarters M. N. FISHER 1312 E. Curtis Place, Milwaukee, WI,. Many persons who look at the sky don't want to be bothered with an ex- Affiliated Societies haustive study of astronomy. To become Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh. familiar with the important constella- Pennsylvania. tions, to know what to expect each month Astronomical Society of Rutherford, N. J. in the heavens, to understand a few of Astronomers Guild of Jamestown, New York. the essential Chicago Amateur Astronomical Association. Chi- terms-that means keen cago. ni. pleasure in itself. For those persons Eastbay Astronomical Association, Oakland, Calif. this handy paper-covered guide will Long Island Telescope Makers, Wantagh, N. Y. prove most suitable. Louisville Astronomical Society. Louisville. Ky. The brief introduction contains the Madison Astronomical Society. Madison. Wis. Metropolitsn Astronomical Society. New York. rock-bottom essentials; the main section New York. deals with what may be seen in sky the Milwaukee Astronomical Society. Milwaukee, Wie. during the various months. The star Missouri-Southern Illinois, St. Louis, Mo. maps are clear and helpful and they are New Jersey Astrophysical Society, Woodbridge, footnoted by a paragraph listing "inter- N. J. esting sights,' such as double stars, clus- Norwalk Astronomical Society. Norwalk. Coon. ters and so on, and mentioning a variety Optical Division of the AAA. New York. N. Y. of interesting miscellaneous information as well, The principal stars and con- Editorial Staff Miss Elizabeth Wight, Editor stellations are treated alphabetically and Mrs. A. K. Fisher Miss Carolyn Nickels compactly and the final section-planet E. A. Halbach H. L. Grunwald notés-winds up with a suggestion for Advisory Editors locating the sky wanderers, a bit about Prof. Leon Campbell - Variable Stars. moon Prof. Charles P. Olivier - Meteors. the and a summary of the im- Prof. George Van fliesbroeck Astec.jids, comets, portant meteor showers. and double stars. - It is to be hoped that a deserved sec- ond edition will correct the typographical Ten cents per copy, $1.00 per year. oversights. Membership in AAAA. $1.00 per year. 836 N. 14th Street, including subscription. Milwaukee. Wie. Send all communications to the above ad'lress.

Calendar of Events GEORGE DIEDRICH (All times C. S. T.) June, 1937 July, 1937 8. Tues.-New moon at 2:43 P. M. 1. Tues.-Last quarter at 7:03 A. M. Total eclipse of the sun (Invisible 7. Mon.-New moon at 8:12 P. M. north of 40° N. latitude). 15. Tues.-Jupiter in opposition with 15. Tues.--First quarter at 1:03 P. M. old Sol. First quarter at 3:36 A. M. 20. Sun.-Conjunction of Mars and the 17. Sat.-Conjunction of Venus and the moon at 8:51 A. M. Mars 0° 4' moon at 8:09 P. M. Venus 42' S. north. 28. Fri.-Full moon at 9:24 A. M. 21. Mon.-Sun enters Cancer. Summer 26-81. Delta Aquarid meteor shower. arrives at 2:12 P. M. Max. 28th. (AMS shower). 23. Wed.-F'ull moon at 5:00 P. M. 30. Fri.-Last quarter at 12:47 P. M. AUGUST, 1937 25. FrL-Conjunction of Jupiter and the 3. Tues.-Venus in conjunction with moon at 3:10 P. M. Jupiter 3° 47' the moon at 2:51 A. M. Venus 48' S. south. 6. Fri.-New moon at 6:37 A. M. 26. Sat.-Quadrature of Saturn and 8-13. Perseid meteor shower. Max. on the sun. Venus at greatest elonga- the 11th. (AMS shower.) tion west (45° 45'). It sets after 10:00 P. M. 13. Fri.-First quarter at 8:28 P. M. 14. Conjunction of Mars and the moon 27-28. Pens-Winnecke meteor shower. at 8:00 P. M. Mars 1° 52' south. Maximum on the 28th (AMS 3331 W. National Ave., Shower). Milwaukee, Wie.

PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor June-July, 1937 Amateur Astronomy Page 113 ination showed that small waves are con- Tn-State News Notes tinuously being recorded. These move- AMATEUR ASTRONOMF.RS ASSOCIATION OF ments are not definitely understood, but PIrFSBURGH may be caused by the gravitational effect WILLARD A. MacCALLA, Correspondent of the moon. Dr. Rutherford explained The biggest news in many months, for the various types of waves, and how Tn-State astronomers, is the announce- earthquake centers are located. This in- ment by the Buhi Foundation of the do- teresting lecture was supplemented by nation of a planetarium to the people of movies of scenes of earthquake destruc- Pittsburgh. The grant of land and funds tion and by animated drawings showing for this purpose has officially been ac- the formation of quake conditions and cepted by the city counciL With its Mel- the propagation of waves. lon Institute, its great universities and So much interest was developed in this Allegheny Observatory, Pittsburgh is subject that at the invitation of Dr. known as a center for scientific interest Rutherford, 30 members of our group and knowledge. It is, therefore, very fit- made an inspection trip to the Cathedral ting that Pittsburgh will soon have one of Learning of the University of Pitts- of the finest planetaria in the world. burgh to inspect their equipment and see In recognition of its contribution to the the seismograph which the doctor con- promotion of interest in astronomy, the a total cost of structed using Ford parts at Amateur Astronomers Association of $5. Between the time of that Visit Pittsburgh has been assured of accommo- and the present writing, his seismograph dations in the basement of the proposed recorded a 90 minute earthquake. As a building for a shop and research labo- result of information gained from Dr. ratory. Rutherford, a home-made seismograph A two day exhibition of amateur work has been constructed, by S. S. Weisiger was arranged during the last of and George Stephenson. Their instru- April at Allegheny College. Meadville, ment is now on display, together with Pa., by Joe Goin, Leo and Larry Scan- three complete telescopes and a model ion. Portable telescopes built by Dr. S. telescope in the window W. of the 200-inch A. Godlewski, Fred M. Garland, and of the B. White Furniture Company, A. MacCalla were transported to Mead- North Side, Pittsburgh. ville for this event, and Leo gave an Valley View Observatory. evening lecture on the subject of "Ama- Pittsburgh. Pa. teur Astronomy." 'Seismology" was the subject of the Amateur As- Milwaukee News Notes April ninth meeting of the M. N. FISHER, Correspondent tronomers Association. Dr. Homer Ruth- the University of Scores of Milwaukeeans crowded the erford, seismologist of school auditorium Pittsburgh, delivered a most interesting Milwaukee University popular sub- May 27 to hear Dr. Otto Struve, the talk on this increasingly director of Yerkes observatory, ject. The science of seismology dates noted man first noticed speak on the structure of our galaxy. from the time when began with the ancients, with the ripples on the surface of a lake af- He but the first days when astronomy was wrapped in fected by an earthquake, astrology, when cornets were man-made seismograph was constructed a veneer of B. C. As our thought to be human sins that floated by a Chinese about 1000 the earth and then came swoop- speaker explained, there is an analogy up from of a saw blade ing back to scare mortals, when the stars between the breaking to be lanterns that were upon bending, and the formation of an were thought earthquake condition due to the bending turned on and off. influence of the Galileo, he said, put the first scientific of rock strata under the folklore. gradually changing form of the earth's bomb into this comfortable earthquakes are With the first crude telescope, Galileo crust. For this reason. not the in areas which are relativ&y was able to. learn that the sun, prevalent comparatively earth, was the center of the universe. new and in the process of didn't as, for instance, the Paci- The civilized world of the day rapid change, archi- like that notion; it hurt people's pride. fic coastal region and the Jananese work Volcanic earthquakes are only Yet patiently, often secretly, the pelago. of exploring the universe went on. At of local and minor importance compared from earth crust the time of Herschel the telescope came to those resulting fully into its own; modern astronomy shifts. period. Through the courtesy of Dr. Ruther- virtually dates from that privileged to examine the And today? "Our universe," Dr'. ford, we were audience, "is gradually seismograph charts of the recent Ohio Struve told the recorded ori the Univer- diminishing in importance. Once man earthquakes, as least the sun 'would be sity of Pittsburgh instruments.' Exam- hoped that at

PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Page 114 Amateur Astronomy June-July, 1937 important but it seems now that even that idea must be abandoned." Dr. Struve showed schematic drawings of the 4" SILVERED MiRROR galaxy and the sun's place was shown not near the center, as it was believed SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR FINE LUNAR not so many years ago, but toward the AND PLANETARY DETAIL, f. 15; end of one gigantic arm. WITH FLAT; INSTRUCTIONS; Speaking of the clouds that on photo- graphic plates partially conceal the stars, $10.00 POSTPAID (workmanship Dr. Struve said that a similar effect guaranteed) might be produced if "1.000 million suns were pulverized into dust." When a J. F. LOEPPE member of the audience asked about in- terplanetary rockets, Dr. Struve replied 2054 S. 58th Street Milwaukee, Wis. that rockets are theoretically possible but that he'd hate to be in one. 835 N. 14th Street. Milwaukee, Wis. Optical Division of the Amateur Astonomers Chicago News Association CHICAGO AMATEUR AsmoNoMICi HAYDEN ASSOCIATION PLANETARIUM, New YORK LEW LOJAS, President H. C. TORREYSON, Sec'y The regular meeting of the association On May 7, Dr. Clyde Fisher, director was held at the Adler Planetarium and of the planetarium, sailed for Peru to Astronomical Museum on Apr. 18. Ger- observe the eclipse of the sun on June 8. ald E. McCord continued the series of The members of the society looked for- educational lectures with a talk on the "Solar System." This was followed by ward to this sailing for two good rea- a talk on "Checks on the Einstein the- sons: first, because Charles H. Coles, ory," by J. A. Longman. While not claim- staff photographer who sailed with Dr. ing to be one of the 12 who know what Fisher, is an honorary member of it is all about, Mr. Longman discussed the the famous attempt of Michelson and optical divisioii; secondly, because Miss Morley to detect an effect produced by Dorothy A. Bennett, assistant curator of motion through the ether, Dr. Einstein's the planetarium and assistant executive disregard of a medium through which officer on the trip, is taking the first rich light might pass, the conclusions to which auch disregard led, together with field telescope finished in New York the attempts that have been made to which she will use to observe the south- check on the results of those conclusions. ern constellations. We were convinced that although only a At present there are about five rich dozen or so of the learned men of the field telescopes in construction, their world were able to understand the com- stages ranging from those being mount- plicated mathematics necessary to explain ed for use to those being rough ground. completely Dr. Einstein's theories, here Within a few months New York should was a man who could talk about them bristle with rich field 'scopes. in language the layman could under- The optical division has access to an stand. Astronomy has something to of- almost unlimited supply of eyepieces suit- fer, for all types of people. able for rich field 'scopes. We shall be John Sharp, 1834 W. Jackson Blvd., glad to answer any inquiries on these was unanimously elected treasurer to act eyepieces from any other groups. until January. We mentioned John in last We have discovered that our group of month's news. He is a live wire and Telescope Nuts is rapidly becoming a 10- doing things in the club he was instru- inch club. Almost every member has mental in forming at Crane Technical plans for starting a 10-inch or has fin- high school. ished one. After finishing their 6-inch George Warner, our president, is back and receiving their diplomas they order in town again after an absence of about 10-inch blanks. As Caesar would aay, a month on business. "Are our boys ambitious I" 3738, N. Richmond St.. 1510 White Plains Road. Chicago, Ill. Bronx, N. Y.

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