Published by the Astronomical League Vol. 69, No. 1 December 2016

A Beginner’s Guide to Collecting Meteorites Asteroid Van Zandt Imaging Distant Galaxy Clusters Virginia Beach Boardwalk Astronomers From Around the League: League Officer Nominations Winning Journalism Award Essays

T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 1 The Astronomical League helps members explore the wonders of

our universe—maximize your membship! GERMANY)TORY,

VA

Observe Programs. Just about everyone has heard of the more than 50 AL Observe 4 Field of View/What If There Were No Astronomical League? Programs. These are a group of nationally recognized observing lists and activities. Some are 5 Reflector Mail suitable for novices, some are for intermediates, while others are strictly for advanced 6 International Dark-Sky Association/Happy Centennial amateurs. These clubs provide a low stress way to view the many wonders of the night sky. 7 Reflections League Awards. The Astronomical League wants to recognize those dedicated 8 Wanderers in the Neighborhood

TINO ROMANIELLO (EUROPEAN SOUTHERN OBSER individuals who make astronomy happen. Every year, the League gives awards 9 Deep-Sky Objects/The Manta Ray Cluster in several different areas: the Mabel Sterns Newsletter Award, the Webmaster 10 Gallery The Challenge of Imaging Three Distant Galaxy Clusters Award, the National Young Astronomer Award, the suite of Horkheimer Youth Awards, : NASA, ESA, AND MAR 12 the Astronomics Sketching Award, and others. New this year are the OPT Imaging Awards! 13 All Things Astronomical 14 Asteroid Van Zandt Reflector Magazine. Every member receives this full color quarterly magazine that’s 15 Boardwalk Astronomers published for League members by League members. Members are encouraged to 16 A Beginner’s Guide to Collecting Meteorites submit articles and images for our national readership of over 16,000 amateur 20 Dealt Anew astronomers. The magazine also puts members in touch with dozens of star parties 21 10, 25, and 50 Years of the Astronomical League’s Magazine located all over the country and features columns from other professional groups. 22 From Around the League

TITLE PHOTOGRAPH: NGC 1850, THE DOUBLE CLUSTER; CREDIT League Store. We have a great League Sales Office, run by a dedicated and 26 Astronomers Without Borders talented staff. Our astronomical handbooks are low cost and very popular — 28 Observing Awards another of the many benefits of League membership. League Sales is vastly 30 Coming Events expanding its inventory, has gone to a color catalog, and now has on-line Top image: Zag (Morocco) H3-6 Chondrite, which fell in Morocco on August 4 or credit card capability. 5, 1996. Weighing 56 grams, this slice measures 180 x 106 x 1 mm. From the collection of Ron J. Kramer. Bottom image: Parnallee LL3 chondrite, which fell in the Madura district, Tamil Book Service. Searching for that special astronomical title in print? Separate from League Sales, Nadu, India, on February 28, 1857. Note the exquisite preservation of the chondrules, which were formed during the condensation of the solar nebula. Speciment is a 5.5-gram partial slice measuring 42 x 26 x 3 mm. From the the League provides a 10% discount on astronomy books with no shipping charge. collection of Gregory T. Shanos. To our contributors: The copy and photo deadline for the March 2017 issue is National Convention of the Astronomical League. At our National and Regional meetings, January 1. Please send your stories and photos to our managing editor, Ron Kramer ([email protected]), by then. members rub shoulders with, among others, research astronomers, astronauts, authors, magazine The Astronomical League invites your comments regarding this magazine. How can we improve it and make it a more valuable resource for you, our editors, university professors, equipment manufacturers, as well as officers of the League. This is your members? Please respond to the editor’s email address above. chance to talk shop with those in-the-know.

National Voice. The AL is an active and vital member of the amateur The Astronomical League Magazine astronomical community. The League gives Vol. 69, No. 1 • ISSN: 0034-2963 • December 2016 A FEDERATION OF ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETIES amateur astronomy a national voice on A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION To promote the science of astronomy important issues such as the fight against • By fostering astronomical education, • By providing incentives for astronomical light pollution. observation and research, and • By assisting communication among amateur astronomical societies. Astronomical League National Office: www.astroleague.org 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64114

2 R EFLECTOR ✶ D ECEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 3 What would amateur astro- In essence, there is no genuine Dear Editor: five of them are still in the club. We I’m not very worried that visual astronomy will Earlier this year, I donated a wondered how we could honor disappear either. It will remain a part of our hobby nomy look like if there were sense of a national amateur telescope in memory of my parents them for their role in FRAC’s because it is so more easily shared. Imagers like to work

no Astronomical League? astronomical community working ARIO, CANADA to the Ottawa Public Library founding. alone, and even when they are in large gatherings they QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE Imagine Space. At our July meeting, our program tend to isolate themselves. The interaction at star parties Can you imagine what the world of together, solving the challenges ACE FLIGHT CENTER ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE A collaboration between the was a trip down memory lane, and club observing events always involves enjoying the Issued by the Astronomical League in March, June, September, the amateur astronomical that confront today’s hobby. Yes, Ottawa Public Library and the U.S. “FRAC’s First Year,” and we view through the eyepiece. That camaraderie and shared and December, the Reflector (ISSN: 0034-2963) is sent directly, community would be like if the people will still gaze at the stars, Embassy in Ottawa, the Imagine presented those five charter experience is a big part of the hobby and insurance that either by postal mail or via a digital link, to each individual Astronomical League had never Space is a public makerspace—a members with AL polo shirts with visual observing will endure.

but they will come away with an GRAFTON, ONT TORY; member of its affiliate societies and to members-at-large as a “FRAC Charter Member” or “FRAC That aspect extends to outreach, too. An astrophoto

VA place where customers can use benefit of League membership. Individual copies of the existed? The life of today’s amateur incomplete experience. Co-Founder” printed on the back. It will never have the visceral impact of seeing the real Reflector are available at the following subscription rates, high-tech tools to create and payable to the League’s national office. astronomer would certainly be The reach of a respected innovate. was, we felt, a fitting tribute to thing with your own eyes. I can’t imagine doing outreach The instrument is an Orion them for nearly two decades of without actually looking through telescopes, can you? Paper subscriptions: different, and, in many ways, much national amateur astronomy Field of View StarBlast 4.5-inch tabletop service to our club, and a I imagine many visual astronomers feel a sense of USA & possessions: $3.00 each or $10.00 per year (4 issues) less rewarding. From the office of your president organization Canada: $5.00 each or $16.00 per year SEYFERT’S SEXTET; NASA GODDARD SP telescope that was modified for celebration of FRAC’s long being left behind, of not doing “real” astronomy because Mexico: $6.00 each or $22.00 per year An isolated and sparse Being under the stars, observing public use. The dust caps on the eyepiece and telescope association with the Astronomical League as well. they are not producing data. I’ve felt that myself. There Other countries: $7.00 each or $25.00 per year nightscape with no Astronomi- the night sky firsthand, and were attached by chain so that they cannot get lost. A Bill Warren is, however, something to be said for the skill and Digital subscriptions: Celestron zoom eyepiece (8 to 24 mm) was bolted in Flint River Astronomy Club dedication it takes to push that visual envelope and see All countries, possessions, and territories: $10.00 per year cal League in sight appreciating the wonder, beauty place so that it cannot be removed. Three stickers were fainter and further with one’s own eyes. It can yield a Reflector and Club Roster Deadlines People standing at their telescopes and mystery of this incredible YNN HILBORN; WHISTLE STOP OBSER put on the telescope: a Sun sticker warning never to look sense of prideful accomplishment that I doubt is

TITLE PHOTOGRAPH: March issue January 1 wonder what they should attempt universe are large parts of the at the Sun, an eyepiece magnification chart sticker that duplicated by yet another image of M42. To be sure, it’s June issue April 1 shows what magnification you will have for each setting not for everybody, but for those that get it, it’s a sort of September issue July 1 to find, with no clear goals in mind. attraction of our amazing of the zoom rush that is unique to our breed. December issue October 1 They have little direction, and they avocation. Because of the eyepiece, and a Ted Forte Written and graphic material from this publication may be re- have little encouragement on Astronomical League, people are Moon map sticker Desert Coyote Observatory printed only for non-profit benefit of interested parties, provided Huachuca Astronomy Club, Sierra Vista, Arizona specific credit is given to the writer(s), the Reflector, and the oriented as you developing their abilities to encouraged to spend time under would see the Chair, Planetary Nebula Program

Astronomical League. Any other use of material, including graph- ARREN ics and photographs, is subject to express permission from the explore the heavens. As a result, the celestial dome and to find Moon in the Master Observer #34 Editor and the Astronomical League. little is what they find, and little is fascinating sky treasures. eyepiece. A sliding Moon disk on the For those of you who are not National Officers what they experience. Consider that in the fifty years President optical tube was

TITLE PHOTOGRAPH: BIG LICK GALAXY GROUP; L aware of it, the Astronomical John Goss Clubs across the country have (yes, 50!) since the first observing also added. If the PHOTO BY BILL W Founding and charter members of FRAC. Astronomical League National Headquarters limited contact with one another, program—the Messier—was Moon is too bright, League is on Facebook. We con- 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 • Kansas City, MO 64114 you can keep the with a limited exchange of useful instituted, members have earned Dear Editor: tinue to build followers week by 816-333-7759 • [email protected] dust cover on the In the Reflector, June 2016, pages 18–19, the “Fathom” Vice President ideas. Their members do not A member of RASC checks out optical tube and week, and we are becoming better The humble beginnings of the well over ten thousand pins or article (by Dave Tosteson) was astronomically superb Bill Bogardus the telescope while attendees just slide the Moon known as the word spreads. We 190 Pheasant Place, Greenport, NY 11944 readily know about the accom- Reflector in September 1949. Mabel certificates (yes, over 10,000!) for philosophy. mix and mingle. disk on the dust Some unfamiliar words are used, aided with a quick 631-477-2246 • [email protected] plishments of people outside their Sterns was the editor of the two- observing a wide range of are also on Twitter: cover to the open explanation, but on page 18, mid-column 3, there is Secretary clubs’ service areas. page Astronomical League Bulletin. @AstronomyLeague. Bryan Tobias celestial objects. These position. “atanaclasis,” which surely must be misspelled or Astronomical League National Headquarters Hard work by newsletter structured programs, which Included when garbled in some way. It does not correspond to any Greek 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 • Kansas City, MO 64114 borrowing the editors goes unrecognized. now number more than 50, word. Perhaps the phrasing should have been “such as at [email protected] or [email protected] telescope from the anaclasis,” or delete “at.” Greek anaklasis is “a bending Treasurer Webmasters remain in the provide representative object library is an back.” So I am asking you—what happened there? Tom Lynch background. Amateur lists and associated diverse accessory bag that Something went wrong with the word. Please supply the 43 Elm Street • Lynbrook, NY 11563 is attached to the Greek word. 516-593-8580 • [email protected] astronomers who make lasting activities, such as identifying arm of the Your article is a keeper. Executive Secretary contributions to our hobby lunar craters, witnessing telescope by a seat Nowadays there are too many who want to avoid Ron Kramer belt clamp. In it is 1131 W. Safari Drive • Tucson, AZ 85704 stay largely unknown. eclipses of Jovian moons, entelechy! an instruction 520-500-7295 • [email protected] Enthusiastic youths are not splitting colorful double stars, Carl Masthay, retired medical editor, linguist, National Office manual, a Algonquianist Mike Stoakes, Office Coordinator exposed to what others are estimating variable star constellation book, Creve Coeur (St. Louis), Missouri, Astronomical League National Headquarters doing across the country, magnitudes, drawing the a red LED [email protected] 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 • Kansas City, MO 64114 flashlight, a pocket diminishing their interest in naked-eye Pleiades star Tosteson replies: 816-DEEP-SKY Mark Narwa with the donated planisphere, and a Carl, you are correct, the word should be “antanaclasis” National office: [email protected] amateur astronomy. Aging cluster, perceiving stellar telescope at the Ottawa Public sky guide. with an “n” as the second letter. Thanks for your careful Society rosters: [email protected] Library Imagine Space. To get the League sales: [email protected] club members see few active lights wavering on the edge of reading. This was my error. telescope loan National Observing Program Coordinators young people who will visibility, mentally mapping program off the ground, the Ottawa Public Library Dear Editor: Cliff Mygatt Aaron B. Clevenson eventually grow into the expansive Andromeda Imagine Space hosted a launch for the telescope on June [email protected] [email protected] Nice article (“John Henry Owned a Dobsonian”) in the 28, 2016, titled “Things Are Looking Up.” The Library used Astronomical League Historian leadership roles. Galaxy, and discerning the September Reflector. I enjoyed it! social media to get the message out. Mike Stewart Information about public weak glows of galaxy Visual observing and imaging are nearly different 913-240-1238 /[email protected] Over 30 people registered for the event. A representa- hobbies. While some amateur astronomers enjoy both, outreach events and activities Reflector Staff clusters. There is something tive of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) most tend toward one or the other, and I doubt that either Managing Editor Editor is not shared between clubs. for amateurs of any skill level. Ottawa Centre gave a presentation about astronomy. fully understand the motivation of their counterparts. Ron Kramer There were various astronomy handouts, activities for the OPEN One day is not set aside each The Reflector magazine, I would consider myself a “traditional” amateur, fully Mobile: 520-500-7295 [email protected] kids, and yummy refreshments. immersed in the world of visual astronomy. I rose through [email protected] Design/Production year for amateurs nationwide the premier publication of the The day after the launch, the telescope was available the ranks, so to speak, in the long-established way: to be borrowed for 7-day loans. A mother and son who Photo Editor Chuck Beucher to show off their hobby to the Astronomical League, learning the sky by eye and through a small department [email protected] The first occurrence of the topic of light were present at the launch showed up bright and early OPEN public, educating people on connects nearly 300 clubs store telescope (which is still a treasured possession) and [email protected] Advertising pollution in the Reflector was in the the next day to borrow the telescope. Since then, it has gradually increasing my knowledge and investment over Representative the importance of our November 1970 issue. across the country and over been borrowed every week. many years. As my interest and observing skill grew, so Assistant Editor Carla Johns The library plans to do some future in-house programs Kristine Larsen wonderful avocation. Astronomy conventions and 16,000 amateurs. Members enjoy reading features did the aperture of my telescopes. Now, many decades 1-970-567-8878 with the telescope. after first light in that small refractor, astrophotography [email protected] [email protected] gatherings do not have a national reach. by and for amateur astronomers, beginning in 1949 Mark Narwa still has almost no appeal for me. Assistant Editor Coming Events Editor Dark pollution, an accepted term before light when the Astronomical League was a fledgling Member-at-Large As you have, I have witnessed many “newbies” dive Kevin Jones John Wagoner pollution came into popular use, is a beast which, at Ottawa, Ontario, Canada right into imaging and I’ve seen a lot of new astronomers [email protected] [email protected] organization mailing the Bulletin to its membership. best, no one tackles, and, at worst, no one recognizes. Now, 270 issues later and after several formatting Dear Editor: rely so much on go-to that they hardly know the sky at all. Letters to the Editor The Flint River Astronomy Club (FRAC) has been an AL I wouldn’t, however, say I share “concern” over that. My Send to: [email protected] The dark just might be lost without much of a advances, all members receive either a digital or a Subject line: “Letter to Editor” affiliate ever since our first meeting in February 1997. credo is that amateur astronomy is a hobby, and there struggle. Continued on page 30 Eighteen people attended that inaugural meeting, and isn’t a wrong way to do it.

T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 4 R EFLECTOR ✶ D ECEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 5 Happy Centennial to the nightskies/index.htm. I Imagine for a moment term and was ineligible National Park Service! recommend it highly. In that you are on the to run again. It seems 2016 is an election year fact, I strongly recom- , GERMANY) island of Príncipe, off the one of the qualifications in which the president, mend you spend as west coast of Africa. The for this position is to

one-third of the Senate, much time as possible AGE TEAM (AURA/STSCI) date is May 29, 1919, have the name “Ron,” so and all of the House of exploring the National and you’re standing next all you Rons out there Representatives are Park Service website, Sir Arthur Eddington, the should get ready for the elected. Elections are www.nps.gov . distinguished physicist. next elections. always contentious with IDA has recognized 13 Eddington’s expedition And, for some strange disagreements between U.S. parks as Interna- was to observe a total reason, the executive persons of good will on tional Dark Sky Parks: solar eclipse, and to test council still wants me to

both sides of the aisle, 1. Natural Bridges : NASA, ESA, AND THE HUBBLE HERIT Albert Einstein’s predic- be involved in the politically speaking. National Monument, tion of the bending of production of the 2016 also marked the 100th anniversary Utah, 2007. Natural Bridges is located in light around the Sun (due to gravity), which Reflector, so at the council meeting it was of the establishment of the National Park the sparsely populated southeastern part of . ANDERS (GÖTTINGEN UNIVERSITY GALAXY EVOLUTION GROUP was part of Einstein’s general theory of agreed that I would be appointed “managing Service (NPS) on August 25, 1916. Our Utah with no light pollution. It was not only relativity. This was considered by some to editor.” So, now, here I am looking for an national parks enjoy almost universal the first NPS park to become a Dark Sky ,” AM 0644-741; CREDIT be one of the most important experiments in editor. The suitable candidate will have acclaim. The United States is a wonderful Park, but it was the very first Dark Sky history. The background stars, during some editing and publishing experience and country for which we can be thankful. Park. totality, were indeed slightly out of their the ability to collect the bits and pieces that Although there are some areas where we, 2. Big Bend National Park, Texas, 2012. normal positions: proof that the Sun’s make the magazine and put everything as a nation, do not do things as well as we 3. Death Valley National Park, California, gravity had actually bent the light from the together. The actual formatting and layout could, we do parks and protected spaces 2013. Death Valley has an area of 8,540 stars! A major milestone in physics and are handled by Chuck Beucher, but the

very well. In my opinion, we need more of square miles and is the largest International ARF GALAXY NGC 1569; ESA, NASA, AND P astronomy. editor will coordinate the editing process

TITLE PHOTOGRAPH: “RING GALAXY them, and we need to find the monies to Dark Sky Park thus far. Now, think of the excitement if you could (with two assistant editors), review and support them better. We also need to 4. Chaco Culture National Historical Park, repeat this exact same experiment for choose the photographs for the covers and include preserving dark skies as a prime New Mexico, 2013. yourself. Well, guess what—you can! “Gallery” section (with a photo editor), build mission of our parks and protected spaces. 5. Grand Canyon–Parashant National On August 21, 2017, there will be the Observing Awards page from several The National Park Service was created by Monument, Arizona, 2014. TITLE PHOTOGRAPH: DW another total solar eclipse, visible across a dozen coordinators, and make certain an act signed by President Woodrow Wilson 6. Hovenweep National Monument, Utah large portion of the United States. The everything goes to Chuck in time for on August 25, 1916. Yellowstone National and Colorado, 2014. Astronomical League has developed the production. This volunteer position takes Park was established by an act signed by 7. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, 2015. Solar Eclipse Special Observing Award, about 10–20 hours per week for 4–6 weeks President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 8. Canyonlands National Park, Utah, 2015. which essentially duplicates (and recon- per issue, and will report to the managing 1872. Yellowstone was the nation’s first 9. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National firms) Eddington’s results. Further informa- editor. national park and is generally designated as Park, Colorado, 2015. tion is available at www.astroleague.org. I We also need a replacement photo editor, the world’s first true national park. By 10. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, am certain there will be several attendees as Rob Westbrook (formerly in that position) August 1916, the Department of Interior 2016. The Grand Canyon is one of the most at AstroCon2017 in Casper, Wyoming, who is unable to continue, due to time con- managed 14 national parks, 21 national iconic parks in the world. The canyon itself will work on this important program. This straints. monuments, and the Hot Springs and Casa is 277 river-miles long, up to 18 miles wide, award can be won by any observer at If anyone out there is interested in either Grande Ruins. There was no unified and in places up to a mile deep. It is truly totality. the editor or photo editor position, please organization to manage these parks and one of those places photographs cannot do The League has also just started an let me know as soon as possible at monuments. To rectify this situation, justice. No matter how good your picture, it Imaging Program. The details are being [email protected]. I would like to start Congress passed the National Park Service cannot capture the awe and thrill one feels ironed out and will be available at the the training process in time for the March Organic Act, which established the National when standing close (but not too close!) to League’s website, given above. 2017 issue. Park Service and placed all existing parks the edge of the Grand Canyon. The Grand As I write this, I think about the wonder- Also during the general meeting, it was under its direction. This legislation also Canyon National Park is currently a ful time had by all at ALCon2016, in reported that the membership voted to established the fundamental mission, “provisional” International Dark Sky Park as Arlington, Virginia. There were a bunch of change the bylaws, allowing an Interna- philosophy, and major policies of the the park has up to three years to finish great speakers, excellent Star-B-Que, and tional Region to be formed. Details will National Park Service. A very interesting retrofitting its many lights to comply with awards banquet. As usual, many awards follow during the coming months. timeline and brief history of the National the strict lighting guidelines required for a were given and a few Master Observers Finally, there still seems to be some Park Service can be found at www.nps.gov/ Dark Sky Park designation. were also recognized. Congratulations to confusion about the addition of digital parkhistory/hisnps/NPSHistory/ 11. Capulin Volcano National Monument, NOVAC (Northern Virginia Astronomy Club) copies for subscribers to the Reflector. timeline_annotated.htm. New Mexico, 2016. for a job well done. Perhaps this will help clarify the situation: IDA has been active in encouraging the 12. Flagstaff Area National Monuments During the general meeting on Saturday, • Subscribers have the option to receive a NPS to improve the lighting in the national (Sunset Crater Volcano, Walnut Canyon, and August 13, League election results were paper copy, a digital copy, or both. parks and their surrounding communities. Wupatki), Arizona, 2016. These three detailed. Present officers John Goss • All subscribers will receive the digital The NPS now recognizes the preservation national monuments are in the Flagstaff, (president) and William Bogardus (vice copy unless they “opt out” (inform us they and restoration of a dark sky as a prime Arizona, region and collectively are president) were reelected to two-year do not want the digital version). part of its mission. The National Park designated an International Dark Sky Park. terms, and somehow I was elected execu- • All subscribers will also receive the paper Service’s commitment to protecting dark The city of Flagstaff is the world’s first Dark tive secretary (three-year term), stepping in copy unless they “opt out” (inform us they skies is well documented on the NPS Sky Community. for (but never replacing) Ron Whitehead, do not want the paper version). website, at www.nps.gov/subjects/ Continued on page 30 who had completed his second three-year Continued on page 30

6 6 R EFLECTORR EFLECTOR✶ ✶DDECEMBERECEMBER 2016 2016 T HET HE A ASTRONOMICALSTRONOMICAL L EAGUEL EAGUE 77 On July 5, 2016, the giant from north–south to uriga is one of the most To me, the brighter stars in planet Jupiter acquired east–west, forming splendid constellations in the center of the cluster trace yet another, though very high-speed jet streams. our winter sky. From Earth, out the shape of the body of a small, moon. NASA’s The speed of these the constellation is located manta ray. The ray appears Juno spacecraft swung winds is probably due to Ain the opposite direction of the DEEP-SKY OBJECTS pointed northwest. The tail of around Jupiter, firing its the fast rotation of galactic center. So the winter the manta ray is formed by a rocket motor to slow it Jupiter, completing one Milky Way passes right through THE MANTA RAY CLUSTER chains of stars starting on the down into Jupiter’s sidereal rotation in only Auriga, filling the constellation southeast side of the ray’s body By Dr. James R. Dire, Kauai Educational Association for Science & Astronomy gravitational embrace. 9 hours, 55 minutes, with scores of star clusters and and curving to the south, ending This spacecraft will pick Wanderers in and 30 seconds. nebulae. I identify Auriga by field of view of the telescopic yellow stars, with several red just to the west of HD 30650. up where the Galileo These jet streams five bright stars, Alpha image of the cluster, also on stars scattered about. The My image of NGC 1664 was spacecraft left off after it the Neighborhood travel at speeds over (Capella), Beta (Menkalinan), this page. colors should be readily obtained on the night of was purposely sent into four hundred miles per Theta, Gamma (Elnath), and The brighter band of the apparent in 6- to 8-inch February 2, 2014, using a 10- Jupiter’s atmosphere on The Storms of Jupiter hour in a straight east Iota (Hassaleh) Aurigae, which inch f/4.6 Newtonian astrograph September 21, 2003. or west direction between the belts and the form a large pentagon in the with Tele Vue Paracorr II coma We have learned much about Jupiter’s zones. Eastbound jets form the transition sky. Elnath is also known as corrector, an SBIG ST-2000XCM atmosphere from hundreds of years of from zones to belts (going away from the Beta Tauri. The star was CCD camera, and a 30-minute observation. Jupiter’s clouds are mainly equator) while westbound jets mark the considered to be part of both exposure. ammonia, and possibly ammonium transition from belts to zones. Material Auriga and Taurus until 1930, Near the bottom of this hydrosulfide, with some trace elements from the zones flows into these jets and is image, just to the right of thrown in. Ultraviolet light striking the carried along as it works its way across to center, is a fine optical double molecules causes them to change color, the belts. As the cooling material leaves the star consisting of a 9th- giving us the amazing palette of colors that jet, it enters the belt where it drops toward magnitude white star and an spread over this planet’s disk. the warmer, lower layers. 11th-magnitude red star The clouds in Jupiter’s darker belts are The boundary between the belts and the forming a north-south line. In cooler material descending toward the zones is an area of instability where 14-inch or larger telescopes, warmer lower levels. The internal vortices can easily form. A vortex appears there is a 14th-magnitude star downdrafts in the belts make them low- to us as a spot between a belt and a zone, visible just to the west of this pressure regions where the clouds are at a with the most famous and long lasting of pair. This fine doublet, like HD lower altitude. Material in the neighboring these being the Great Red Spot. The first 30650, is not physically part of lighter zones is warmer and ascending. The observation of the Great Red Spot was NGC 1664, but just lies along upward flow creates a high-pressure region most likely made by Italian-French when the International Milky Way paves a path across telescopes. On the southeast the cluster’s line of sight. where the clouds are at a higher altitude. astronomer Giovanni Cassini in 1655 and Astronomical Union established a diagonal of the wide-field side of the cluster lies a Take time to enjoy all of the Material from the upwelling zones begins to not reported until 1713. However, this the modern constellation image. Notice the dark cloud magnitude 7.5 blue-white star details of NGC 1664 and its cool as it rises and spills over into the belts. spot’s motion does not seem to match that boundaries and dropped Elnath on the upper right-hand corner (HD 30650) that is not a surroundings on this detour The Coriolis effect turns this spillover flow of the present-day Great Red Spot. Also, from Auriga. But I digress. The of the image with two lanes member of the cluster, but from the better known star there were no Milky Way runs from northwest coming out of it. One dark lane looks striking in the same clusters in the constellation reports of a spot to southeast across the extends down to just north of field of view. Auriga. 8 between 1713 and constellation. Auriga contains Al Anz, while the other lane 1829, so it may three Messier objects and runs straight south, passing The League Book Service is here for you! Are you searching for that special astronomy book but don’t know where to well be that myriad NGC-designated star west of NGC 1664, cutting start? Let the Astronomical League’s Book Service fill your request! With its Cassini’s spot is clusters and nebulae. across the entire bright Milky 10% discount and free shipping, how could you not do otherwise? not the one we One of the lesser-known, but Way lane. The lanes can be This is the perfect place for members to go when looking for books currently in see today. Ours extremely pretty, star clusters seen from a very dark site print about astronomy, cosmology, mathematics, and physics. Titles can be was definitely in Auriga is NGC 1664. NGC with excellent transparency ordered from many well-known astronomy book publishers such as Sky Publishing, Cambridge, Oxford, Willmann-Bell, Springer-Verlag, and others. seen in 1830 and 1664 resides on the border of using large binoculars or a Moreover, items available through the Book Service are not limited only to has been regu- Auriga and Perseus, lies five small telescope. NGC 1664 books. Posters, charts, and atlases are also available. larly observed degrees southwest of Capella, lies on the edge of the brighter Ordering is simple enough. Just provide the name of the item, author, since then. It is and two degrees due west of portion of the Milky Way, publisher (if known), the retail price, and the shipping address. Be sure to unknown whether the third-magnitude star Al between these dark lanes. include a check or money order—payable to Astronomical League Book Service—for the retail price minus 10%. Shipping and handling are free. Sorry, Cassini’s red spot Anz (Epsilon Aurigae). The NGC 1664 is a loose open credit cards are not accepted.

VIN MA (WIKMEDIA COMMONS) disappeared and accompanying wide-field, long- star cluster containing approxi- Mail your requests to: reformed or just exposure image of Auriga has mately 50 stars. Eighteen of the Star ‘N Space Books, 324 W. Gurley St., Prescott, AZ 86301 went unrecorded Auriga’s brightest stars stars are around 10th and 11th You should receive your order within two to three weeks. for more than a labeled with their Greek letter magnitude; the rest are fainter. This benefit is made possible by the efforts of League volunteer Marilyn DIAGRAM BY KEL Unruh, proprietor of Star ‘N Space Books. She is also an avid amateur Jupiter is composed mostly of hydrogen in a metallic (conductive) state over a century. designations. I have also Overall, NGC 1664 is magnitude astronomer. Like many of the League’s members, she desires to help others core of ice and rock. Above it, the metallic hydrogen blends into liquid Our Great Red labeled Al Anz ( ). In the 7.6 and spans 9 arcminutes of enjoy our fascinating avocation. Marilyn notes, “This service allows me to give hydrogen and then gaseous hydrogen. The rapid rotation of Jupiter transfers Spot is a storm in image, north is up and west to sky. The cluster lies 3900 light- back to the astronomical community by doing something that I love to do— energy to the atmosphere by the Coriolis effect, which causes high-pressure years away. deal in books!” systems like the Great Red Spot in the southern hemisphere to rotate the southern the right. The yellow box hemisphere of shows the location of NGC The center of the cluster For members who are looking to add to their library, the Book Service is counterclockwise. The same storm would rotate clockwise if it were in the definitely the place to go! northern hemisphere. Continued on page 11 1664 and approximates the contains many white and

8 REFLECTOR ✶ J UNE 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 9 Wanderers in the ovals that also move around Neighborhood/from page 8 the planet independently. Jupiter, mostly in the South They are almost all anticy- Equatorial Belt but also on the clonic storms that are much edge of the South Tropical smaller than the Great Red Zone. The spot is an oval with Spot, with correspondingly a north–south extent a little lower clouds. Perhaps the larger than the diameter of the clouds in the white spots do TITLE PHOTO: NGC 2244; BRIAN KIMBALL Earth, rotating in about six of not get high enough for the our days. We do not know Sun’s ultraviolet light to break whether the Great Red Spot the component molecules into transfers kinetic energy to the reddish compounds. White adjacent zone and belt, or the This is a cross-sectional view of the belts and zones, showing bubbles of ovals or spots form and adjacent zone and belt warm material rising in the zones. In the neighboring belts, cooler disappear on short transfer energy to the Great material is drifting downward toward the warmer, lower areas. Jet timescales, sometimes lasting streams flow in opposite directions at the boundaries of the belts and Red Spot. zones. These jet streams result from the wind flow from the zones to the for many years or just a few The Great Red Spot is belts being turned by the Coriolis effect. (From Universe, by Freedman, months. The Cassini space- sometimes referred to as a Geller, and Kauffman, © 2014) craft imaged white spots hurricane, but this is inaccu- being torn apart as they rate: the material in the Great passed around the Great Red Spot is welling up from the Red Spot, but white ovals warm interior, making this a have also merged Mayhill, New Mexico, has some of the darkest skies in the continental high-pressure area (an anticy- together. United States, as evidenced by this submission from David Doctor of the clone, with counterclockwise In 1939, the South Astronomical Society of Las Cruces. This image shows the Sagittarius region rotation) whose clouds are five Temperate Zone was torn of the Milky Way, and was captured using a Canon 60D, 10 mm lens, Polarie Star Tracker, and a series of twenty-four 3-minute exposures, processed in miles above the surrounding apart by dark features PixInsight. clouds. While the Great Red into three long white Spot’s cloud tops are colder sections that were than their surroundings due to dubbed AB, CD, and EF. their higher altitude, the As the dark features maximum temperatures five expanded, these sections Kevin Witman, a member of the Astronomy Enthusiasts of Lancaster County (Pennsylvania) and part-time planetarium operator and presenter, submitted hundred miles above the clouds were compressed into this view of M8, the Lagoon Nebula. It consists of a stack of twenty-five above the Great Red Spot are white ovals, which were 180-second light frames calibrated with twenty-five 180-second darks, flats, much higher than elsewhere on named FA, BC, and DE. Jupiter’s Great Red Spot and Red Spot, Jr., in a family portrait with images and bias frames. Equipment was a Stellarvue 102ED refractor, iOptron iEQ45 Jupiter. This demonstrates that taken in April 2006. The images were taken with the Hubble Space Over the next sixty years, the computerized mount, and an Orion StarShoot autoguider package using PHD. heat from the planet’s interior is Telescope’s Advanced Camera for Surveys. The two spots have since passed three ovals moved indepen- The camera was a modified Canon XS DSLR at ISO 800, and the image was each other on a regular basis without interacting. (NASA; ESA; A. Simon- processed using ImagesPlus (version 3.82) and Photoshop 5. being transported to the upper dently through the dark atmosphere through the Great Miller, NASA/GSFC; and I. de Pater, University of California, Berkeley) features. In 1998, Ovals BC Red Spot and probably other possible that one and DE merged to become anticyclones. day our Great Red Oval BE. In March 2000, BE The Great Red Spot was Spot may be gone and FA merged to form a much redder in the middle of completely. larger white Oval BA. Oval the last century. The color The long life of BA began to turn red and by may come from red phospho- the Great Red August 2005, Filipino rus or another sulfur- Spot might be amateur astronomer Christo- containing complex organic attributed to some pher Go reported that this compound. The color could feature below the oval had become the same also come from the abundant cloud surface. color as the Great Red Spot. ammonia and trace acetylene However, the Oval BA has since been gases being lofted high These four images were taken over Great Red Spot moves dubbed Red Spot, Jr. enough to be broken apart by three years showing the white Ovals independently from the rest of Jupiter is a dynamic place the Sun’s ultraviolet light, FA, DE, and BC as they merged to the planet so it is not at- with continuous changes that form Oval BA. The white Oval BA producing reddish compounds tached to anything below the are fascinating and unpredict- changed its color to red, becoming IC 1396 and the Elephant Trunk Nebula was imaged by Brad Miller of the that might give the Great Red Red Spot, Jr. The three ovals had clouds. The Great Red Spot able. Jupiter’s storms are just Bucks-Mont Astronomical Association (Pennsylvania), on August 27, 2016, Spot its color. Since the coexisted for sixty years before they has moved around the planet a small part of the story of from Cherry Springs State Park. He used a Celestron C8 with HyperStar at f/ middle of the last century, the finally merged into one. White ovals at least ten times since the Jupiter’s atmosphere. Even 2.1 on an AVX unguided mount with a Sony NEX-F3 and 30 x 30-second Great Red Spot has been move at different speeds and 19th century, showing that it after many observations, An SBIG STT-8300M camera with LRGB filters, Astrotech AT106 triplet exposures at ISO 12,800, stacked in RegiStax and processed in Photoshop. becoming a lighter red and eventually meet and merge to form is an atmospheric phenom- images, and spacecraft visits, refractor, and Losmandy G11 mount were used for this image of Antares and larger ovals. These images were this oval has been slowly enon. we still have much to learn globular cluster NGC 6144, taken by Aubrey Brickhouse of the Central Texas taken with the Hubble Space Astronomical Society, from a viewing field at the Meyer Observatory, just shrinking in longitude, Telescope’s Wide Field and Planetary There are other vortices on about the largest planet in our outside Clifton, Texas. becoming more circular. It is Camera 2. (NASA/JPL/WFPC2) Jupiter. Many appear as white Solar System. 8

1010 REFLECTORR EFLECTOR✶ D✶ ECEMBERMARCH 2016 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 11 When it comes to images of galaxies, most of Velyaminov (VV for short), discovered this group in Tokyo, October 6, 2016 one that which Jupiter nova in any galaxy. The latest them are quite faint. I always look for something 1959. It was the 172nd object in his catalogue. It is a Scientists at Tokyo Institute of created the shifted its comprehensive paper on the TINEZ, ASKC Technology have demonstrated Moon. path inwards 2015 eruption can be found at different and more challenging. Yes, there are plenty chain with five galaxies in a line running north–south. that the relatively high levels of Brasser’s towards the arxiv.org/abs/1607.08082. of spiral, elliptical, and even edge-on galaxies in all I’ve stacked 8 images, each a 30-second exposure with a precious metals (gold and team simu- sun before Moreover, there is good

ARLIGHT XPRESS CAMERA. four seasons of the year. But there is a special Starlight Xpress MX-5 camera. All five galaxies are platinum, for example) in the lated the migrating evidence that M31N 2008-12a collection of galaxies that is often overlooked, and I visible. A contour map helps to see each individual Earth’s mantle likely originated evolution of back to its has an even shorter recurrence want to discuss those here. galaxy easily. The second from the top is the faintest from only one large planetary the terrestrial current period of only six months; see Galaxy clusters, where at least four or five galaxies one at nearly 18th magnitude! Also, this galaxy has a impact before the formation of planets up to position. This adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/ M31;COMPLIMENTS OF TOM S. MAR the Earth’s crust. This implies 300 million movement, 2015A%26A...582L...8H. are located together in space, tend to be overlooked. much higher redshift than the other four. It seems to that the early Earth was a more years after together with A global network of observers The galaxies in a cluster are physically associated fit perfectly with the rest of the group in a straight benign place than previously their first the formation using small ground-based with one another. They are often referred to as an row! Does this mean it is a background galaxy? thought, with fewer impacts formation, much longer than in of Saturn and its associated telescopes is already monitoring

TITLE PHOTOGRAPH:

Y BY AUTHOR, USING A 10-INCH MEADE & ST from space. The findings are previous studies. They collated resonance with Jupiter, meant interacting group, as there is a possibility of them colliding. By Frank J. Melillo, Astronomers confirm it apparently is. the field with high cadence. published in Earth and Plan- information regarding the that the two gas giant planets Almost all of them gravitationally affect one another. It is Astronomical Society Seyfert’s Sextet (also known as NGC 6027) is also a very Once an outburst is detected, etary Science Letters, October precious metal budgets of pulled an immense amount of assumed that to have a system like that, they have the same of Long Island, interesting group. The galaxy cluster was discovered by ten-meter-class optical tele- 4, 2016. Earth, Moon and Mars and data debris and material away from scopes (W. M. Keck Observatory, redshift—meaning all of them are about the same distance Holtsville, New York Carl Seyfert in 1954 and is located in the constellation ALL OPTICAL IMAGER The debate surrounding the on lunar cratering, and ran the inner Solar System when Gemini Observatory, and Gran from us. But astronomers made Serpens. With 7 exposures of 30 formation of the planets in our simulations to determine the they shifted back outwards. This Telescopio Canarias) will some interesting observations that seconds each, all galaxies are solar system, particularly the circumstances that would fit the accounts for the smaller size of perform deep follow-up there could be something wrong visible. Note that the brightest terrestrial (“rocky”) planets, has observations. Mars and for the current spectroscopy, and space-based with this approach. To measure the galaxy appears to have a tidal been going on for many years. Their results show that the composition of the asteroid belt. telescopes like Swift or XMM- Scientists have long used total mass of planetesimals— Questions regarding the Newton will provide high-energy distance of the group by looking at plume on the left side and is not an computer models coupled with accumulations of planet- unexplained high levels of HSE coverage. the spectra, one galaxy indicates a individual object. The faintest one analysis of ancient meteorites to forming material floating in in the Earth’s mantle, and In addition, a campaign is different distance than the rest. below the brightest galaxy has a piece together the most likely space—at the time of the indeed beneath the crust of planned for spring 2017, hoping How could that be? By chance, much higher redshift than the rest. scenarios that led to forming the event that formed the Moon Mars, still remain. to confirm the predicted 6- could it be that one galaxy is in the While it seems to belong to the planets as we know them today. was less than previously Implications of the month period before M31 gets same line of sight as the true group? group, it is actually in the back- A few puzzles still remain, thought. Mars accumulated current study too close to the Sun to observe including why Mars is much 0.06 percent of its total mass By combining data from various in early April. There are quite a few groups ground and is not physically smaller than most models in impacts during the period of sources and simulating the Researchers are currently that show one galaxy with a associated with the other Of the 5 galaxies in VV172, the third from the top is the brightest at predict, and why the Earth in the postulated late veneer on early evolution of the terrestrial searching archives for earlier different redshift. Three classic magnitude 15.9; the second from the top is the faintest at 18.0. This second members! particular has a large amount of Earth. The single, large impact planets using computer models eruptions that might have been examples are VV172, Seyfert’s from the top has a higher redshift than the other four; the others have the One final group of galaxies is iron-loving—siderophile— that created Earth’s HSE incorporating the grand tack missed. Any archival observa- same redshift. Therefore, the second from the top must in the background. Stephan’s Quintet, which consists material in its mantle. Metals complement was unique to hypothesis, Brasser and his tions that you might have of the Sextet, and Stephan’s Quintet. To the right is a contour map of each galaxy, resampled at 1.5x. These galaxy groups garnered the of five galaxies, including NGC like gold, platinum, and palla- Earth, and must have occurred team have provided new northern disk of M31 with dium would ordinarily be before the crust had begun to insights into the HSE conun- limiting magnitude of at least 18 most attention when their 7317–7320. The group is located in the constellation Pegasus about sequestered in the metallic core. form around 4.45 billion years drum. Their simulations suggest would be of great interest. The distances were measured. three-quarters of a degree away from the famous galaxy NGC 7331. This The existing explanation for the ago. Brasser and his team that the Earth’s mantle compo- nova is about 0.8 degree away Many astronomers determined group was discovered in 1877 latter is that the Earth was have shown that the early sition was altered primarily by from the M31 center, in the that one galaxy in each group by M. E. Stephan. In 1961, it pummeled by impacts Earth at the time of life’s one large-scale impact— northern disk (at RA 00h 45m has a different redshift, yet was recognized that one galaxy in its early life, leaving the emergence was not under a possibly the same impact that 28.81s, declination +41º 54’ highly siderophile elements constant, intense bombard- they appeared at first glance had a different redshift than the created the Moon—rather than 09.9’’, J2000). Not all observa- (HSE) beneath the crust. ment from impactors as by many small impacts. Their tions centered on M31 will to be connected. other four. I have combined 8 Now, Ramon Brasser and previously thought. results also show that there was cover this position. Please send I had an opportunity to images with 30-second Shigeru Ida at the Earth-Life The early Solar System far less debris and material any archival data to: image all three of these exposures and all five galaxies Science Institute at Tokyo There is still much debate floating in the inner Solar managingeditor@astro galaxy groups. From a are visible. The lower left Institute of Technology, Japan, around the early formation and System by the time the Moon- league.org. 8 together with an international behavior of the planets that forming event occurred than moderately light-polluted sky, I center galaxy has a much lower Don’t forget... the League now team of researchers from the orbit our Sun. While the initial scientists had anticipated. This never thought I would be able redshift than the other four. offers high-quality solar eclipse Seyfert’s Sextet is a group of six University of Colorado (USA), formation processes for the implies that the early Earth may glasses for a very affordable galaxies that are roughly 16th to capture them with my moderate- Therefore, it must be a the University of Dundee (UK), terrestrial planets—accumula- have been a more benign place price. These can be purchased by magnitude each. A small galaxy sized equipment (a 10-inch Meade foreground galaxy! and the University of Oslo tion of material into planetesi- than previously thought. below the brightest one has a clubs (or individuals) for their The galaxies in Stephan’s Quintet are higher redshift than the others, so LX200). These groups are so remote It is hard to believe that all (Norway), have shown that the mals followed by the gradual own use, or for resale. Prices, each about magnitude 14. Four of them it is actually a background galaxy. that they are rarely mentioned in three clusters of galaxies can be Earth’s HSE budget was most growth into full-size planets—is Recurrent nova research excluding shipping, are 1–9 for have nearly the same redshift, while the likely the result of a single, well-researched, it has proven The nova M31N 2008-12a has $1.00 each, 10 for $9.00, 25 for amateur literature. Also, the members are so close together that higher imaged to duplicate on a smaller brightest (lower left corner) has a much large impact from space rather difficult to solve some of the been observed in eruption eight $20.00, 50 for $37.50, 100 for $60.00. magnification or a telescope with longer focal length is needed. scale of what professional lower redshift. It is in the foreground. than the slow accumulation of more complex enigmas about times during the last eight Higher quantities are even less The VV172 group is located far in the northern sky at a declination of astronomers can do at major observatories. These three classic groupings material from many smaller the inner Solar System. years (2008–2015). This is by expensive per unit. Check out +70 degrees in Ursa Major. The sky in that region has so few stars that were determined to have one galaxy in each group that has a different impacts. This single impact may Recently, the grand tack far the fastest recurrence store.astroleague.org for further information. few people pay attention to it. One Russian astronomer, Vorontsov- redshift than the rest.8 or may not have been the same hypothesis was proposed, in period known for any recurrent

12 REFLECTOR ✶ D ECEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 13 PHOTO BY LEIGH ANNE LAGOE On November 30, 2015, the Award in 1993, the Astro- passion for astronomy was Unsuspecting tourists meander down Schools Planetarium, and the Back Bay International Astronomical nomical League Award in amazing. In his spare time, he the Virginia Beach boardwalk on a Amateur Astronomers. The program was Union renamed a minor planet 1988, and the North Central taught introductory astronomy Tuesday evening and find a row of suggested by the planetarium director, 71539 VanZandt. Rollin P. Regional Award in 1994. In to Peoria Astronomical Society Van Zandt was the 19th addition to being a past members and to undergraduates telescopes along the oceanfront. A family Chuck Dibbs, after a very successful city president of the Astronomi- president of the Astro- at Bradley University in Peoria, on a bicycle built for six slows down to star party. After a bit of planning with cal League, serving from nomical League, he also which culminated in a textbook catch a glimpse of what’s going on. the city, the first Boardwalk Astronomy 1975 to 1977. served as secretary and in he wrote, called Astronomy for About a dozen astronomers stand with was held in 2008. It has even been “Van,” as he was known, many other League the Amateur, published in two their backs to the pristine view of the arranged with the city for an entire block was the Peoria Astronomi- positions. volumes. He sold 5,000 copies cal Society’s co-founder and When I first wrote to to amateurs and as a textbook Atlantic Ocean, luring in people to look of boardwalk lights to be shut off during original driving force. As an his daughter Jean and for several universities. through their telescopes. this event. assistant director of research at By Bob Gent, Past President, her husband, Lowell Braxton, Van Zandt’s last project was Early in the evening at Boardwalk Also, the city’s budget for enter- Caterpillar Incorporated, he Astronomical League she said, “all of us in the family an unpublished book, titled A Astronomy, tourists can safely view taining tourists allows them to pay a convinced former Caterpillar Photos courtesy of the are so surprised and honored Quest for the Unknown, dated the Sun as it sets, nestled between small fee for the astronomers’ Peoria Journal Star vice president Murray Baker to to hear this most welcome 1987. His daughter Jean the towering hotels, or view the service. That money is split between support the con- news about our shared the preface with me, struction of North- dad, grandfather, and it was stunning. He Moon against the blue backdrop of the astronomy club and the plan- moor Observatory. and uncle. He so pondered the magnificence of the sky. Barefoot beachgoers, etarium, and goes directly into Van Zandt passed loved astronomy an unbounded universe, and clutching flip-flops in their hands, their scholarship programs. away in Bisbee, and loved finding gave thanks to God for sharing come up from the sand to see Feedback from the tourists has Arizona, in 1994, at interested people in this wonder. His words what’s happening. Cyclists park been overwhelmingly positive, and the age of 83, and, with whom to reminded me of two quotes: the their bikes and peek the city of Virginia Beach unfortunately, I share his first is from the Bible: “The By Leigh Anne Lagoe, Back Bay Amateur Astronomers never had the fascination. Heavens declare the glory of through the eyepieces. continues to welcome the chance to meet him. Many, many God.” The other quote is from “Wow,” is a popular astronomers back each As I began to thanks for the Shakespeare, when Hamlet response, as the light of year. Once a month, from research this exciting news and states, “There are more things day drifts away, revealing about May to September, article, a picture this beautiful in heaven and Earth, Horatio, more prominent craters on the astronomers bring emerged of a tribute to a than are dreamt of in your the Moon. their telescopes to the wonderful person dedicated and philosophy.” and an inspiring Jean Van Zandt Braxton wrote, “This photo was taken in Peoria loving man.” These quotes and Rollin Van The sky darkens and oceanfront at 24th Street about 1952. The children on the ground with their back to the astronomer. camera are my brother and me. My sister, Judy, is just left of dad. Asteroid Zandt’s last project touch on the someone calls out that to impress tourists from all Astronomical Dad came home from work, assembled the telescope, and VanZandt was the nature of infinity and the they’ve spotted Saturn. over the world. League past demonstrated it to us and our friends.” idea of Richard relationship between science The faces of a twenty- PHOTO BY SHAWN LOESCHER What a wonderful president Jim Fox knew Van Ken Wilcox bowed out for (Rik) Hill, who recently retired and religion. He closed his something couple on their surprise for a family on quite well, and he wrote, medical reasons. He was also from searching for near-Earth preface with the words, “And so, “perhaps Van’s most stunning the driving force behind the asteroids with the Catalina Sky on with the pages to follow and honeymoon light up as vacation. Amidst the beach, accomplishment was convincing expansion of observing pro- Survey at the University of the theme that science and they ask, “Seriously, we’re tourist shops, boardwalk me to run for AL president when grams beyond the Messier Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary religion are really one.” 8 going to see Saturn?” concerts, ice-cream stands, Rollin P. Van Zandt, 19th president program.” Laboratory. Rollin P. Van Zandt (far left) at the Tourists continue to and boogie boards, there is of the Astronomical League, Jim also wrote, “I feel Rik wrote, “I knew Van since assembling a telescope at home in 1962 groundbreaking of a new wander by, in a steady something completely privileged to have considered the mid-1970s. and admired his Peoria, Illinois, in 1952 planetarium in Peoria, Illinois stream throughout the different that stands out and him my friend. In patience in my opinion, helping other night, slowing down with amazes them. For many having a minor amateur curious expressions as they visitors to Virginia Beach, planet to honor astronomers, pass the telescopes. This stumbling upon Boardwalk

him is long including free public event attracts PHOTO BY VINCE PENDLETON Astronomy becomes the overdue.” myself. Few hundreds of passersby, but highlight of their vacation. When I began people in the the lines at the telescopes Whether it’s mountains, looking for Astronomical information about League made are rarely long. Generally, lakefront, farmland, Van Zandt, I such a lasting people are content to wait cobblestone roads, city learned he had impression on patiently while enjoying rooftops, a fishing pier, or received some me as Van, and the warm salty breeze off a boardwalk, I would very impressive that is why I the ocean. encourage all astronomy awards. Among took the effort many other to have a minor Boardwalk Astronomy is clubs to find something achievements, he planet named a joint effort of the City of unique about their town, earned the G. R. in his honor.” Virginia Beach, the and find a way to bring

Wright Service Van Zandt’s Virginia Beach Public PHOTO BY VINCE PENDLETON astronomy to it. 8

14 REFLECTOR ✶ D ECEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 15 By Gregory T. Shanos with heat-altered, barely visible The aesthetics of a meteorite is Association). The IMCA ensures mateur astronomers enjoy chondrules is a 6. For example, also a consideration when that members are experienced observing objects in the an H3 chondrite is high-iron with purchasing a meteorite. A full meteorite dealers and sell only universe from afar, holding well-preserved chondrules, and slice of a stone, iron, or stony- authentic meteorites. nightly vigils at the telescope, an LL6 is a low-low-iron iron is preferable to a partial Ensure that the meteorite Acollecting ethereal photons chondrite with thermally altered exhibit a crystal pattern called a matrix. Mesosiderites consist of market value to the specimen. mass of the specimen to obtain slice. Does the partial slice have comes with proper documenta- with our eyes or with CCD chondrules. The ordinary H, L, Widmanstätten pattern when broken, angular fragments of Meteorites are named after the the cost per gram. For example, a a natural edge with fusion crust? I tion. An undocumented meteorite cameras. Unbeknownst to many, and LL chondrites are also sliced, polished, and etched with mantle rock and nickel-iron that locality from which they were $50 specimen weighing 10 grams personally do not like a perfectly is almost worthless to a collector! there is also a way to collect sometimes called olivine-bronzite nitric acid. Hexahedrites show have been fused together by collected. The Meteoritical costs $5 per gram. Shop around, square or rectangular sliced All you know is that it is some “rock solid” representatives of the chondrites, olivine-hypersthene thin, parallel Neumann lines impact. Society has a nomenclature since dealer prices per gram of a meteorite. This particular cut type of stone or iron. But from Solar System, in the form of chondrites, and amphoterites, when etched. Ataxites show no All meteorites—except committee, which assigns every meteoritic specimen can vary looks very synthetic and unap- where? What is the locality? What meteorites. Starting a meteorite respectively. Widmanstätten pattern or interior pieces of those that authenticated meteorite an tremendously. Ordinary chon- pealing to me. Iron meteorites is its classification? Is it a fall or collection is a rewarding and Achondrites appear to have Neumann lines, because of their broke apart after passing official name (Table 1). drites typically average from $1 typically exhibit regmaglypts— a find? What is the official name? educational pursuit. The following been chondritic before being high nickel content. through the Earth’s atmo- Meteorites are sold as to $5 up to $10 per gram. Falls depressions that look like Proper labeling is therefore essay is a compilation of over 30 altered by heat or impact. The Iron meteorites are subdivided sphere—exhibit fusion crust on individuals, endpieces, and slices. typically cost more than finds thumbprints—on their crusts, essential. When purchasing a years of experience that I have HED (howardite, eucrite, and according to a chemical their exteriors. Fusion crust is An individual is a complete, uncut since fallen meteorites are in which adds aesthetic appeal. meteorite look for the specimen’s gained in the art of collecting diogenite) achondrites are classification system using nickel a black, melted outer coating, meteorite. An endpiece is an more pristine condition. Irons are Regmaglypts are the result of official name, classification, fall meteorites. confirmed to have originated from and the trace elements gallium, which is evidence of atmospheric individual that has been cut in less expensive, typically averag- ablation from atmospheric entry. or find, fusion crust present, total There are three basic types of the asteroid (4) Vesta (Figure 2). germanium, and iridium to define entry (Figure 3). Meteorites are half or in quarters. A slice is a ing $0.10 to $0.50 up to several Dealers will charge more for a known weight, cost per gram, meteorites: stones, irons and Other classes of achondrites distinct chemical groups. These designated as falls or finds. A fall cross-section of an individual. dollars per gram for individuals. meteorite that is aesthetically surface area (size), rarity, and stony-irons (Figure 1). Stone include acupulcoites, angrites, groups are named IAB, IC, IIAB, is a meteorite that was actually Slices can be further cut in half Slices are typically priced at $1 pleasing. Most of the time, this is overall aesthetic appeal of the meteorites comprise 92 percent aubrites, brachinites, lodranites, IIC, IID, IIE, IIF, IIG, IIIAB, IIICD, seen to fall and was picked up or in quarters and are then or more per gram. Pallasites are well worth the money. meteorite. A detailed label will of all known meteorites. Stones ureilites, and winonaites. These IIIE, IIIF, IVA, IVB, and immediately after impact. Falls referred to as partial slices. A pricey, up to $30 per gram. Table 1 lists several websites always be provided with a represent the crustal surface of other classes are very rare and ungrouped irons. are the most scientifically thinly cut slice will have a larger Mesosiderites are more afford- that are invaluable to the meteorite sold from an IMCA an asteroid and are divided into best collected after some Stony-irons comprise only 2 valuable meteorites since they surface area than a thick slice of able at $5 to $10 per gram. meteorite collector. When member. two broad categories: chondrites experience in the study of percent of meteorites and are are pristine, unaltered samples the same weight or mass, and Lunar and martian meteorites are purchasing a meteorite, the buyer Recent finds in the Sahara and achondrites. Chondrites meteorites. divided into two categories: of extraterrestrial material. therefore a thin slice will give you typically priced at several should be aware of some basics. Desert in Africa have flooded the contain chondrules, which are Iron meteorites comprise 6 pallasites and mesosiderites. Finds are meteorites that were the largest size for your money. thousand dollars per gram! I The online auction site eBay is a meteorite market. This is a good small spherical bodies formed by percent of the meteorites in Stony-irons contain pieces of an not seen to fall and are usually The total known weight is also would stay away from the rarer good place to start. When thing, since most of these the re-melting of mineral grains museum collections. Irons are asteroid’s “stony” silicate mantle found accidentally. Finds have a consideration when purchasing types of meteorites when first deciding to purchase a meteorite, meteorites are rather affordable in the solar nebula. Chondrites pieces of the metallic core of an and its nickel-iron core. The been “terrestrialized”— a meteorite, because the total starting out. Once a collector has make sure the dealer is a for many people. Referred to as are subdivided into ordinary asteroid. Iron meteorites are origin of pallasites is controver- weathered and chemically known weight will affect a obtained the more commonly member of the IMCA (Interna- NWA (northwest Africa) followed chondrites and enstatite chon- divided into three broad catego- sial: they were once widely altered—after being on Earth for meteorite’s price. For example, available specimens and is more tional Meteorite Collectors by a number, they have been drites, and can be further ries based on their nickel content: thought to represent the core- an extended period of time. was there only a single stone that knowledgeable in the field of subdivided into three basic types: octahedrites, hexahedrites and mantle boundary of an asteroid, Finds will exhibit weathered fell, or many individuals? Do the meteoritics, then it’s time to H (high-iron), L (low-iron), and ataxites. Hexahedrites contain but now seem more likely to fusion crust, which will not be as known individuals total only a few acquire the rarer specimens. As a LL (low-low-iron). This letter the least nickel, 4.5 to 5.8 result from large impacts in the jet-black as the crust on a fall. pounds or kilograms, or over a collectable, meteorites appreciate designation is followed by a percent; octahedrites contain 4.5 early Solar System. Pallasites are Make sure the fusion crust is ton? For example, the martian in value over time. However, number, usually from 3 to 6. A to 6.5 percent nickel; and ataxites arguably the most beautiful still visible and not totally meteorite Zagami fell on October conventional holdings like stocks, meteorite with well-defined, have the greatest nickel content, meteorites, containing gem-grade weathered away: the presence of 3, 1962, in Nigeria. Only a single bonds, and mutual funds are unaltered chondrules is a 3; one 16 to 30 percent. Octahedrites olivine (peridot) in a nickel-iron fusion crust on a meteorite adds stone weighing 40 pounds (18 kg) probably a much better long-term Figure 1: The three basic types of meteorites—stones, irons, and stony-irons. Left: Parnallee LL3 chondrite, which fell in the Madura district, Tamil Nadu, India, on February 28, 1857. Note the exists on the entire planet Earth! investment strategy. exquisite preservation of the chondrules, which were formed during the condensation of the solar nebula. Specimen is a partial slice weighting 5.5 grams and measuring 42 mm x 26 mm x 3 Allende, a rare kind of meteorite Meteorite falls, especially mm. Center: The Odessa IA coarse iron octahedrite was found in 1922 in Ector County, Texas. Note the Widmanstätten pattern typical of octahedrites. Specimen is an endpiece weighing 192.9 called a carbonaceous chondrite, historic falls, have the highest grams and measuring 65 mm x 60 mm x 15 mm. Rght: Stony-iron pallasites consist of gem-grade peridot (olivine) in a nickel-iron matrix and are the most stunningly beautiful of all the fell on February 8, 1969, in market value. An historic meteorites. Pictured is the Imilac pallasite found in 1822 in the Atacama Desert, Chile. Specimen is a partial slice weighting 64.4 grams and measuring 84 mm x 58 mm x 3 mm. Chihuahua, specimen is a witnessed fall Mexico. Many associated with an interesting individuals story. For example, a bright super-bolide visible in the sky have been Figure 2: Telescopic reflectance spectrum of asteroid (4) Vesta (open squares) and collected, over Russia on February 15, laboratory bidirectional reflectance spectra of ground, powdered HED (howardite, totaling over 2013, caused a series of shock eucrite, diogenite) meteorites (solid lines). The two vertical lines around 0.93 and 1.97 two tons! waves that shattered windows, micrometers indicate the centers of two major absorption bands for pyroxene in the Meteorites damaged thousands of buildings, spectra of Vesta and the laboratory spectra of HED meteorites. The Dawn mission, which orbited asteroid Vesta in 2011–2012, has confirmed these findings. The HED classes are and left some 1,500 people are usually illustrated by the Juvinas eucrite, Johnstown diogenite, and NWA 982 howardite, all sold by the injured. Fortunately, no one died from the author’s personal collection. Juvinas fell in Juvinas, Ardèche, France, on June gram. When from this incredible meteorite 15, 1821; partial slice weighing 7.3 grams and measuring 44 mm x 27 mm x 3 mm. purchasing a impact. The meteorite was named Johnstown fell in Weld County, Colorado, on July 6, 1924. Partial slice weighing 20.4 meteorite, Chelyabinsk and classified as an grams and measuring 33 mm x 33 mm x 8 mm. NWA 982 was found in Morocco-Algeria; partial slice weighing 2.0 grams and measuring 24 mm x 21 mm x 2 mm. Graph credit: LL5 ordinary chondrite with a take the cost Hiroi, T., Pieters, C.L., and Takeda, H., 1994, Grain size of the surface regolith of asteroid and divide it total known weight of over a ton 4 Vesta estimated from its reflectance spectrum in comparison with HED meteorites, by the total (Figure 3). Meteoritics & Planetary Science 29(3), 394–396.

16 REFLECTOR ✶ D ECEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 17 formation of our Solar System. fullerenes. The diamonds are also been detected in meteorite typically sells for Table 1: Starting a Meteorite Collection Their scientific significance also only nanometer-sized and formed Murchison. The most incredible $150 to $300 per gram (for Internet Sources adds value to a meteorite for the in the vacuum of space. The finding of the Murchison comparison, pure gold was eBay is a good start (but let the buyer beware!): www.ebay.com International Meteorite Collectors Association (IMCA): www.imca.cc collector. For example, a special fullerenes or buckyballs occur as meteorite is that the organic selling for $43 per gram as of Meteorite Collector: www.meteoritecollector.org type of stony chondrite called a hollow C60 and C70 with carbon is in the form of August 2016). Murchison is The Meteorite Exchange: www.meteorite.com carbonaceous chondrite is of entrapped extraterrestrial noble biologically important com- becoming more difficult to Meteorite Information: www.meteorite-information.com Academic special interest to science. The gases. Allende also contains pounds, such as amino acids, obtain, so I recommend Online, free meteorite magazine: www.meteorite-times.com Allende CV3 carbonaceous organic carbon, which is carbon fatty acids, sugars, and purchasing up to a gram for Meteorite Studies: www.meteoritestudies.com chondrite (C stands for carbon- bonded to hydrogen, nitrogen, nucleotides. Amino acids form your collection. Fortunately, Meteoritic Society: www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System: adsbit.harvard.edu aceous; V for Vigarano, the type and oxygen. Polyaromatic the fundamental building blocks this meteorite has a low Lunar specimen of this meteorite; and hydrocarbons, essentially tar of proteins. Over 78 amino density (is rather light) and a Meteorites: meteorites.wustl.edu/lunar/moon_meteorites_list_alumina.htm 3 indicates well-preserved and formaldehyde (embalming acids have been confirmed in gram fragment will be a Martian Meteorites: www2.jpl.nasa.gov/snc/ and www.imca.cc/mars/mar- tian-meteorites.htm chondrules) fell on February 8, fluid), have been detected in this the Murchison carbonaceous quarter an inch (6 mm) in size Supplies 1969, at 1:05 p.m. local time in extraordinary meteorite. chondrite, of which 13 are of or so depending on the cut. Aluminum Labels: www.meteoritelabels.com Chihuahua, Mexico (Figure 4). Entrapped stardust in the form biological importance. Fatty Obtain a specimen that has Hoppe’s No. 9 lubricating oil (product number 1003): www.amazon.com Over two tons of this rare type of of silicon carbide indicates that a acids form the basis of cell fusion crust present, because Eva-Dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier: www.amazon.com Figure 3: The Chelyabinsk LL5 ordinary chondrite fell on February 15, 2013, in Chelyabinsk Membrane boxes: www.membranebox.com Oblast, Russia. Note the jet-black fusion crust of these individual meteorites. The price per meteorite have been recovered. nearby supernova began the membranes. Sugars provide its presence adds value to a gram has been steadily decreasing, so now is a good time to purchase this historically Fortunately, Allende is readily formation of our Solar System energy for biological systems. meteorite. Murchison will cost hobby and have the financial with a Riker mount, membrane important meteorite. Note: if a better specimen comes along, go for it! The IMCA dealer I available to collectors at $15 to 4.6 billion years ago. All this in Nucleotides (adenine, guanine, you the equivalent of a high- means to invest in lunar and box, and label (Figure 6). purchased these specimens from actually went to Chelyabinsk and obtained glass that was $25 dollars a gram. This is a one very aesthetically pleasing cytosine, thymine, and uracil) end eyepiece or another martian real estate. Membrane boxes contain a thin shattered by the shock wave as the meteorite entered the atmosphere. The glass fragment meteorite that should be in every meteorite! form the bases of the DNA and telescopic accessory. Note that The preservation of meteorites membrane that suspends a weighs 8.27 grams and measures 50 mm x 27 mm x 4 mm and was from the garden shed window of Chelyabinsk resident Denis Karpukhin. I cannot over-emphasize the importance amateur astronomer’s collection. Another must-have carbon- RNA molecules. In short, the Allende and Murchison are also is an important aspect of specimen, exhibiting both sides of of documentation when it comes to collecting meteorites. The largest central individual A 10-gram thinly sliced speci- aceous chondrite is the Murchison carbonaceous considered historic falls. collecting. The air on Earth, rich a meteoritic slice. Reserve weights 20.8 grams and measures 30 mm x 27 mm x 20 mm. men will measure an inch by an Murchison CM2 (C for carbon- chondrite contains many of the The year 1969 was a signifi- in oxygen and water vapor, is a membrane boxes for small, rarer collected by nomads in the LL5, and LL6). Intermediary inch (25 mm by 25 mm) or more. aceous; M for Mighei, the type fundamental building blocks cant one in the world of science. hostile environment for meteor- meteorites. I do not recommend desert. The NWAs first appeared types also exist, such as H4–5. Allende contains white calcium- specimen; and 2 for well- utilized by all living organisms On February 8, 1969, the ites. The metal flakes in ordinary starting a collection of micro- on the meteorite market in the The NWAs are a great way to fill aluminum inclusions (CAI). preserved chondrules). The on Earth. Meteorites like the Allende CV3 carbonaceous chondrites readily rust over time. mounted meteorites that fit into early 2000s. Most lunar and in the gaps in one’s collection. For These CAIs were the first silicate Murchison meteorite fell on Murchison may have “jump- chondrite fell in Mexico; we I recommend keeping stony 39 mm x 39 mm x 18 mm martian meteorites are NWAs. example, I had a difficult time materials to have formed in the September 28, 1969 in started” life on Earth! Given its landed on the moon on July 21, meteorites in a plastic bag with membrane boxes. One will pay A typical meteorite enthusiast obtaining an LL4 amphoterite for solar nebula. As the name Victoria, Australia (Figure 5). scientific significance and low 1969; and on September 28, Eva-Dry E-333 renewable mini- more per gram for the meteorite! is a “type” collector, meaning they my personal collection. With the implies, carbonaceous chon- Only 220 pounds (100 kg) has total known weight, Murchison 1969, the Murchison CM2 dehumidifier. This keeps the For example, if you purchase a collect at least one meteorite discovery of the NWAs, I was then drites contain a higher propor- been collected. The findings are does not come cheap. This meteorite fell in Australia. humidity low and delays the small one-gram micro-specimen from each classification. For able to obtain several LL4 tion of carbon than ordinary similar to Allende with regard Sandwiched between all these inevitable rusting of sliced stony of Allende, you can pay up to $50 example, the ordinary chondrites meteorites. chondrites. The carbon in to carbon in the form of events was the Woodstock music meteorites. for the specimen. That is $50 per consist of 12 main types (H3, H4, Meteorites preserve valuable Allende is mostly in the form of graphite, nanodiamonds, and festival in New York, August 15– Iron meteorites are best gram. Typically, $50 worth of H5, H6, L3, L4, L5, L6, LL3, LL4, information regarding the graphite, diamond, and fullerenes. Silicon carbide has 17, 1969. Peace, man! preserved using Hoppe’s No. 9 Allende will give you 3.3 grams of The holy grail for meteorite lubricating oil (product number meteorite at $15 per gram. It is collectors have been the lunar 1003). This oil is colorless and always preferable to have the and martian meteorites. Most of odorless and will not discolor or largest specimen you can afford. these meteorites have been found gum over time. Apply the oil to an A good size to shoot for is a in the Sahara Desert and the iron meteorite, then place it in a meteoritic slice that fits in the Middle East. Lunar and martian plastic Ziploc bag. Double bag it palm of your hand. meteorites typically start at a to prevent leakage of the oil. In Finally, beware of meteorite- thousand or more dollars per time, the oil finds its way out, so related material being passed off gram. Fortunately, most are one must change the oil every six as an authentic meteorite—for partial slices that are sliced very to twelve months. Use the same example, tektite-meteorite, thin (less than 0.1 inch, 1 to 2 technique for stony-iron impactite-meteorite, or shatter mm) and are therefore more pallasites and mesosiderites. The cone–meteorite. These are not affordable to the collector. Lunar oil will not harm the pallasitic meteorites themselves but Figure 6: Smaller, rarer specimens meteorites are of two basic types: olivine crystals. meteorite-related materials that are best preserved and displayed anorthositic highland breccias Meteorites are best displayed Continued on page 27 using membrane boxes in Riker and lowland volcanic basalts. Gregory T. Shanos, Pharm.D., is a pharmacist by profession and NASA mounts that are properly labeled. Martian meteorites are referred Solar System Ambassador by passion. He is a member of the Museum This Riker mount measures 11 cm x to as SNCs (pronounced “snicks”). Astronomical Resource Society (MARS), Local Group of Deep Sky Figure 4: The Allende CV3 carbonaceous chondrite fell on February 8, Figure 5: The Murchison CM2 carbonaceous chondrite fell on September 80 cm x 20 cm. Dar al Gani 400 is a Observers (LGDSO), and the St. Petersburg Astronomy Club (SPAC) in 1969, in Chihuahua, Mexico. Note the calcium-aluminum inclusions, which 28, 1969, in Victoria, Australia. Note the chondrules, calcium-aluminum lunar anorthositic breccia. The SNC stands for shergottite, Florida. Dr. Shanos became an amateur astronomer in 1985 with the were the first silicate materials to have formed in the solar nebula. Carbon inclusions, and black phyllosilicate matrix. The matrix of Murchison contains white clasts are composed of the nakhlite, and chassignite, after apparition of Halley’s Comet. His passion for meteorites began a year in Allende is bonded to itself in the form of graphite, nanodiamonds, and approximately 12 percent water and contains organic carbon in the form of mineral anorthosite, which is the type specimen in each of the later when Sky & Telescope advertised authentic meteorites for sale. After purchasing three iron meteorites for a total of $60, he was fullerenes. Allende also contains organic carbon and polyaromatic amino acids, fatty acids, sugars, and nucleotides. The carbon in this predominant in the lunar highlands. three classes of martian meteor- hydrocarbons. Silicon carbide grains suggest that a possible nearby meteorite has yielded a wealth of information regarding the possible Anorthosite gives the Moon its hooked for life! Dr. Shanos has also published over 30 review articles in supernova began the formation of our Solar System. All this in one origins of life on Earth. Specimen is a 20-gram wedge-shaped endpiece whitish appearance, whereas the ites. I recommend collecting Meteorite magazine regarding organic compounds in meteorites. Note: All the featured meteorites are from the author’s personal incredible meteorite! Complete slice weighing 32.7 grams and measuring measuring 33 mm x 29 mm x 14 mm. basalts comprising the maria are a these meteorites only when you collection. Photos by the author. 57 mm x 52 mm x 4 mm. darker gray. have a solid foundation in the

18 REFLECTOR ✶ D ECEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 19 What if it were true, as most the hand of her nude form resting on to see those vary things. Palomar Sky Survey images an interweaving of our reality with magnitude, well within the visual ancients believed, that nothing in a rising cornucopia. Schmidt noted Our atmosphere is in constant separated by forty years. Patient, a spiritual plane. In his book, range of amateur reflectors. the sky ever changed? Though their that art theory of the time equated flux. Humidity, wind, dust, clouds, repeated observation can document Shadows in the Vineyard, Potter Advances in astrometrics and planets “wandered,” the rest of the creation with procreation, and by turbulence, and the seasonal such change. describes the aspirations of one of imaging have allowed recovery of celestial sphere seemed inanimate, changing nature (the tusk), one could patterns of temperature and light A number of nebulae show their the world’s most accomplished “light echoes” similar to V838 By Mike Stewart, Astonomical League Historian with only rare novae and supernovae show how fertile soil (the ground, a affect observing. Available targets dynamic nature through variation or vintners, Aubert de Villaine of Monocerotis from supernovae November 1966 to hint at a more complex, subtle woman) could produce change range in and out of view as the expansion. The Crab Nebula in Domaine de la Romanèe-Conti in centuries after their first appear- 1966 Perseid Meteor Watch reality. Deep respect for famed (abundance in food, humanity). months roll by. Lives change in Taurus, M1, is engaging for many Burgundy. As a young man he ance, as their indirect paths of The 1966 Perseid meteor shower was well observed by philosophers such as Aristotle One of the most striking represen- health, age, interest, equipment, and reasons. Its growth over time, wished to study poetry and reflected light off interstellar the Astro-Gators Astronomy Club, a junior group in blinded many to not only the tations of change I’ve encountered is opportunity. Total eclipse pursuits visible in images taken decades philosophy, and resisted what he clouds delayed their arrival. I Jacksonville, Florida. On the night of the maximum, August 11–12, 1966, we held a meteor watch at a local necessity of change, but also its the radical Italian sculptor Gian are exciting, but require meticulous apart, is potentially observable to later accepted as his destiny: to attempted visual observation of church. First on the agenda was a cook-out which importance. The sky was alive with Lorenzo Bernini’s depiction of Apollo planning and moderate expense. A the amateur through careful care for his vines and produce what echoes found in 2008 from Tycho’s everyone enjoyed immensely. Our observing equipment motion and volution, abundant with and Daphne, where the god’s lifelong dream of extended Southern drawing. Its central, energizing many consider the world’s most supernova remnant and Cassiopeia was then set up and observations began shortly after nightfall under nearly overcast skies. fusion and exchange, but the clues unwanted attentions force the nymph Hemisphere observing needs to pulsar is a neutron star that rotates magnificent wine. As Potter so aptly A, but they were too faint at 23rd Shortly after midnight the sky cleared completely, and that would open understanding were to pray that her father revoke her happen in the next few years, before thirty times a second, sending out a put it, like his beloved pinot noirs, magnitude, and that search will we witnessed an unforgettable cosmic fireworks display. mostly ignored in favor of a beauty, and “change the body that unstable age has its sway. beam of light that makes it the only de Villaine “matured within the require a closer or brighter Meteors came thick and the friendly mosquitoes were soon forgotten in the struggle to record our observations. One bright fireball really preferred status quo. We know now destroys my life.” She is thus turned The Moon is a constantly pulsar visible to amateurs. Its bottle of his skin,” accepting the counterpart. In 2006 I observed the thrilled us all when it left a cloud of smoke that endured for twenty-five seconds. that nothing we see in the sky, or our into a laurel tree before our eyes, changing target available to blinking can be captured by work produced by his unique skill nebula of supernova 1993J in We observed jointly for the IGY Meteor Centre in Ottawa, Canada, and the very existence on this planet, would denying Apollo his everyone, with imaging, and has been reported and experience as his highest M81, an object documented to American Meteor Society. Our group recorded over 1,200 meteors, most of which be possible without those essential prize. This story from naked-eye and visually using a variable speed purpose. As Monet had found “a fade from 18th to near-20th were Perseids. processes. The signs were present, Ovid’s Metamorpho- binocular views as occulting device between the liquefied oneness, filling the canvas magnitude over the ten years after September 1991 but it took a series of observations ses was the last rewarding as those secondary mirror and the focuser. I for others to drink in, and experi- its appearance. Its light echoes, Tales of the Unknown Astronomer and daring ideas by rational thinkers work commissioned through a tele- observed Tycho’s and Kepler’s ence the divine,” de Villaine’s life invisible to me, were imaged by It was late. The stars were so bright they almost put you to alter the stolid acceptance of an by Cardinal Scipione scope. Stellar and supernova remnants a decade ago, “had been dedicated to transcend- Hubble. Supernovae are visible to into a trance. We had been working our telescopes so hard the Teflon smoked, and it was time to take a break. entrenched immutability. As Borghese, and is planetary occulta- and their positions are perceptibly ing the technical and vinifying hundreds of millions of light years, Taking a walk loosens up the bones and helps to get the observers of the sky, what can we displayed at his villa tions provide different from archival images nature’s invisible energy.” Almost and gamma-ray bursts, which are blood flowing again, so it was off down the telescope see of this legacy of change? Where just outside the drama and taken in the 1940s and 1970s. twelve score years after a certain supernovae with their jets aimed field to see what the rest of the star party was up to, and to see who was still up. are the visible counterparts of an walls of Rome. scientific value. Many nebulae are associated with declaration of independence, the directly at us, can be seen with As we walked around by starlight, you can’t help but evolving cosmos? Ironically, Apollo’s The motions and variable stars, such as Hind’s dependence of all matter on amateur equipment to distances of notice that familiar scenes in the daylight take on a much In modern science, the twenty-four light would feed transits of planets, Variable Nebula, NGC 1555 in another field of invisible energy billions of light-years. On March different and eerie appearance at night. Over in one letters of the Greek alphabet these leaves used their satellites, Taurus. It is illuminated by T Tauri, was declared certain. On July 4, 19, 2008, the intrinsically brightest corner, this star party had a clump of eight telescopes that had tubes at least eight feet long. Their barrels were all pointing to different designate multiple principles and to wreathe the asteroids, and the the prototype star of its class of 2012, the discovery of the Higgs explosion ever recorded was found parts of the sky, producing the impression of a forest of telescopes. As we talked constants, but a few stand out in heads of poets and artists to honor atmospheric alterations in Mars, early solar system–forming objects. particle confirmed a hypothesis from a gamma-ray burst in a toward the area we saw little Annie walk away from one group of telescopes and importance. The fourth letter, delta, their achievements. Saturn, Jupiter, and the outer gas In January 2004, my friend Jay proposed a half century earlier. galaxy 7.5 billion light-years away. disappear into the forest of large scopes. My friend casually remarked, “It looks like Annie entering Wonderland!” After a often symbolized by a triangle, is best One Greek philosopher glimpsed giants reward repeated viewing. McNeil captured the variable Peter Higgs, and others, offered That event from halfway across moment, as we came closer, he re-thought the matter. “No, it looks more like a known as meaning change. Alpha, the essence of change. Heraclitus Though rare, few sights are more nature of a pre–main sequence star that a field of energy (later called the visible Universe briefly attained valley of large telescopes!” the first letter, is associated with a encapsulated it in his elegant inspiring than a great comet arcing near M78 in Orion. This fortunate, the Higgs field in his honor) naked-eye brightness, though no Almost immediately, another friend who had overheard said in his eeriest voice, “Yeah, though I walk through the Valley of Large Telescopes,” and someone else from type of radiation, the strength of phrase, “No man ever steps in the across a dark country sky. Some- rare event was seen on an image suffused all of space, and that its one has claimed its visual sighting. the other side of the area followed with, “I shall fear no evil.” That did it! For the next electromagnetic interaction, and the same river twice.” In light of modern times, as with Comet Holmes or taken with his three-inch refractor, decay conferred mass onto particles The longer I study the Universe, hour or so, everyone in the area jumped in and put in his own two cents worth. name for a dominant individual. Nu, knowledge of our Cosmos and the Chelyabinsk, unexpected collisions when his keen eye and knowledge such as protons and electrons. the more it appears as a grand December 2006 the thirteenth letter that is shaped quantum realm it is reasonable to provide spectacular results. Meteor of the area’s appearance allowed Without it there would be no composition, with each object a The Astronomical League at the Sally Ride like our “v,” denotes frequency, ask, “What does not change?” Stars, Crater in Arizona and the smaller him to appreciate it as a new object matter, or us. unique brushstroke. Far from being Science Festivals degrees of freedom, and may be an planets, solar systems and stellar version outside Odessa, Texas, and notify the astronomical In 2002 the dazzling new object an unchanging, isolated canvas, it October 1–2, 2006, became a flurry of activity for adjectival homonym. Epsilon follows clusters, and galaxies and groups of remind us we are all potential future community. It is now classified as a V838 Monocerotis appeared, and seems most comprehensible as a Astronomical League President Terry Mann and member delta, and is used for elasticity, axial galaxies evolve and interact. Even dinosaurs. cometary reflection nebula. its journey of light through its dynamic testament. As the Tammy Plotner as they set sail for Michigan to participate in tilt, and planetary rings. the expansion of the Universe The Sun is the source of our Many artists become adept at surrounding nebula was fascinat- Impressionist Monet stated, “A two Sally Ride Science Festivals. As the first U.S. woman in space, Sally Ride has dedicated Creative minds seek new and appears to change. But the positive biosphere’s energy and, with its faithfully representing details of ing to follow through the eyepiece. landscape hardly exists at all as a herself and her projects towards steering young women alternative ways to represent energy of change to create form has cycle, sunspots, and flares, an nature, but a few progress past the The Hubble Space Telescope landscape because its appearance toward science-minded careers. The objective of each associations and ideas. The work of a dark side. From Stephen Hawking endlessly fascinating object of depiction of what can be seen to a documented the intricacies of its is changing in every moment. But it festival is to give participants an opportunity to sample certain artists, musicians, and we know black holes evaporate, and study. New filters allow access to level beyond the apparent, to plumb bounding, bouncing radiation, and lives through its ambience, through science in workshops. The TP Universe [workshop] was presented by Terry Mann. sculptors draw the rest of us forward nuclear theory posits protons to more of its secrets. One of my best depths of connection and meaning much of its detail was visible in the air and light, which vary Workshops aren’t all there is to the festivals. Open to the public and registrants is to places we may not have gone decay. Some particles of light and friends is a variable star observer, not obvious to others. It is as my 25-inch reflector. Though its constantly.” We may agree with the Street Fair, where each group displays hands-on activities and enters into one- without their vision and talent. Eike matter may survive to near eternity an avocation of scientific merit. A though they have been given a origin is still debated, many think the artist that our journey of on-one conversations and demonstrations. The Astronomical League was well represented in a colorful and interesting fashion. Schmidt, the head of decorative art but, if our understanding of the few of the nearer stars show proper special key to unlock areas to which its energy flash was the result of a inevitable change helps us “to Not a single face passed by that didn’t spend some time with both Terry and at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, power of dark energy is accurate, motion visible over human only a small number are privileged stellar collision. Stars sometimes view the world from a different Tammy as they explained everything from why the Moon has phases to the recent commented on a piece displayed at the Universe is fated to expand into lifetimes, such as ninth magnitude to travel. Claude Monet was such produce much larger and more dimension” and see “the flicker debate on Pluto. For more than five hours the team kept busy as the kids kept coming. Both questions and answers flew as our team smiled and enjoyed the his 2015 exhibition, “The oblivion, with its ultimate end a Barnard’s star in Ophiuchus. A an artist, who late in his career violent displays. About fifty and flow of energy among all excitement. So many took more than just a passing interest in what we had to say Hapsburgs.” The sculptor Leonhard random, separated collection of brown dwarf I observed in 2006, produced works that appeared, in extragalactic novae were spotted natural things.” 8 and display—they kept coming back for more. Kern carved a walrus tusk, circa disconnected subatomic pieces and DENIS-P J1441-0945 in Libra, Maximillian Potter’s terms, in 2015 out to distances of dozens Dave Tosteson In just two days, the Astronomical League reached a total of 974 visitors. Be sure to look for other such venues in your area to practice outreach. 1643, into “Abundantia,” the Roman electromagnetic energy. Since we moved many arcseconds to the “organic” and “deep,” as an of light years. These brightened to Chisago City, Minnesota You’ll be glad you did! personification of prosperity, with are awash in change, let us attempt south-southeast between the two attempt to explore what he saw as between fifteenth and eighteenth [email protected]

20 REFLECTOR ✶ D ECEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 21 Messier or Binocular Messier, Lunar, Solar System, and a fifth program of the The Astronomical League– Astronomical League Observing member’s choosing (from among Galileo, Sketching, Sky Puppy, Two in The View, Universe Sampler, or Urban). Astronomics Sketching Award Programs Master Observer remains unchanged from its inception in 2001. A member must Sketching the impression of a celestial scene allows the observer to see more Active Galactic Nuclei Program Globular Cluster Observing Program complete ten Observing Programs, including Messier, Binocular Messier, Lunar, detail and to better enjoy our amazing avocation. Why not try your hand at Advanced Binocular Double Star Herschel 400 Observing Program Double Star, Herschel 400, and five more top-level Observing Programs of the sketching tonight? Observing Program Herschel II Observing Program member’s choosing. The Master Observer Award is independent of the progression, The Astronomical League is administering a new award Analemma Observing Program Hydrogen Alpha Solar Observing program, the Astronomics Sketching Award. First place Arp Peculiar Galaxies Northern Program and the Observer Award is not a requirement. Observing Program NEW Imaging Program New levels beyond the Master Observer Award have been added to sketcher receives a cash prize of $250, second place $125, Arp Peculiar Galaxies Southern Local Galaxy Group & Galactic Neighbor- recognize those members who have continued to earn new certificates and and third place $75! Observing Program hood Observing Program Call for League Officer Nominations learn about new types of objects and new observing skills. As a prerequisite, For all the exciting details, please visit the Astronomical Asterism Observing Program Lunar Observing Program they require both the Master Observer Award as well as all lower levels in the League awards page, www.astroleague.org/al/awards/ Asteroid Observing Program Lunar II Observing Program The two-year term of the office of secretary ends on August 31, 2017. If you are Binocular Double Star Observing Master Observer Award Master Observer Progression. The Advanced Observer Award recognizes awards.html. interested in using your talents to serve in this important position, we would Program Messier Observing Program achievements in observing specific types of astronomical objects, completing a This program is made possible through the vision and generosity of Binocular Messier Observing Meteor Observing Program like to hear from you. Please volunteer! total of 15 Observing Programs. The “metal” levels of the Master Observer Astronomics, www.astronomics.com! Program NEO Observing Program For specific information regarding the duties and responsibilities of this Progression—silver, gold, and platinum—continue the recognition for those Binocular Variable Star Observing Occultation Observing Program office, please refer to the League’s bylaws, which can be accessed on the Program Open Cluster Observing Program completing specific Observing Programs and with totals of 20, 30, and 40 A New Astronomical League Program: League website at www.astroleague.org. Bright Nebula Observing Program Outreach Observing Award certifications, respectively. Each candidate should send a statement explaining why they are interested, The Astronomical League–OPT Caldwell Observing Program Planetary Nebula Observing Most requirements for all levels in the Master Observer Progression involve Carbon Star Observing Program Program along with a photo of themselves for publication in the Reflector, to nominating earning the top level of each Observing Program. For more information, review Imaging Awards Comet Observing Program Planetary Transit Special Observing Award committee chair Bill Bogardus, [email protected]. Please limit all the details on the Astronomical League website at www.astroleague.org/ Oceanside Photo and Telescope has always been a good friend to amateur Constellation Hunter Observing Radio Astronomy Observing Program statements to approximately 250 words. All nomination materials must be Program (Northern Skies) Sketching Observing Award content/master-observer-progression or contact Aaron Clevenson, coordinator astronomy and to the Astronomical League. They have now enthusiastically submitted by March 15, 2017. Constellation Hunter Observing Sky Puppy Observing Program of the Master Observer Progression, at [email protected]. offered to sponsor a new AL award program, the OPT Imaging Awards. Program (Southern Skies) NEW Solar Eclipse Special Observing Award Astronomical League’s Youth Awards 2017 The AL recognizes the efforts of imagers with a program where they can Dark Nebulae Observing Program Solar System Observing Program Los materiales seleccionados de la Liga submit their best work in four categories: Dark Sky Advocate Observing Southern Skies Binocular Observing Time to apply! Each year, the Astronomical League awards thousands of dollars Award Program to young astronomers with five major awards. Now is the time to start Astronómica en español…Selected Materi- 1. Solar System Award: featuring the Moon, Sun, planets, or comets Deep Sky Binocular Observing Southern Sky Telescopic Observing considering the AL youth awards for 2017: the National Young Astronomer 2. Deep-Sky Award: showing star clusters, nebulae, or galaxies Program Program Award, the Horkheimer/Smith and Horkheimer/D’Auria Youth Service Awards, als of the Astronomical League in Spanish 3. Wide-Field Award: capturing constellations, the Milky Way, aurorae, Double Star Observing Program Stellar Evolution Observing Program the Horkheimer/Parker Youth Imaging Award, and the Horkheimer/O’Meara The Astronomical League would like to make selected materials available in meteors, or planetary conjunctions and groupings Earth Orbiting Satellite Observing Sunspotters Observing Program Spanish. These include the descriptions and instructions for some of the 4. Video/Time-Lapse Award: showing movement in the heavens Program (EOSOC) Two in the View Observing Program Journalism Award. Flat Galaxy Observing Program Universe Sampler Observing NYAA: If you know of any young person, age 14–19 at the time of application, basic Observing Programs, and the most popular AstroNotes and Outreach Each category will have a first, second, and third place. First-place winners Galaxy Groups & Clusters Observing Program who has been involved in an astronomy-related research project, either on their Downloads. (All Observing Program submissions must continue to be written will each receive a $250 gift certificate from Oceanside Photo and Tele- Program Urban Observing Program own or through an educational institution, please consider nominating that in English.) We need translators who could provide accurate and grammati- scope, second place winners will each receive a $125 gift certificate, and third Galileo Observing Program Variable Star Observing Program person for the National Young Astronomer Award. cally correct translations from English to Spanish. If you are interested in place winners will each receive a $75 gift certificate. The Horkheimer/Smith and Horkheimer/D’Auria Youth Service Awards: helping with this special project to bring amateur astronomy to more people, Please see www.astroleague.org/al/awards/awards.html for complete League Regional Chairs please contact Astronomical League president John Goss, president@ If you know of a League member age 18 or younger who has brought amateur details of this exciting new program! GLRAL (Great Lakes Region): Ron Whitehead, astronomy to your club or to the public through outreach, presentations, astroleague.org. [email protected] writing, or observing, please consider nominating that person for the two Reflector Update MARS (Mountain Astronomical Research Section): Wayne Green, Horkheimer Youth Service Awards. Telescopes Needed for Public Sessions There have been several questions regarding the Reflector formats, paper and [email protected] The Horkheimer/O’Meara Youth Journalism Award: The competition is at AstroCon 2017 digital. Subscribers have the option of choosing paper, digital, or both versions. MERAL (Mid-East Region): Terry Trees, [email protected] open to young writers age 8–14. Submissions should be 300 to 500 words. We Every member automatically receives a digital copy, and by clicking on the link MSRAL (Mid-States Region): James Small, [email protected] AstroCon 2017 organizers are seeking interested people who would like to do not limit the entries to astronomy-related topics; we are open to any received with the digital edition, members can opt in to receiving paper, opt out NCRAL (North-Central Region): Gerry Kocken, [email protected] share the dark night sky by providing and staffing telescopes for public viewing science-related topic that interests the contestant—robin’s eggs, quasars, you of receiving digital, and update their email information. You can also choose to NERAL (Northeast Region): Maryann Arrien, sessions. Telescopes are also needed for solar viewing. With upwards of name it! receive both paper and digital versions. [email protected] 20,000 people expected to descend on Casper, Wyoming, next August, many The Horkheimer/Parker Youth Imaging Award: This is open to any young Some benefits of the digital edition include: NWRAL (Northwest Region): Gene Dietzen, [email protected] folks surely would appreciate a view of the sky’s wonders through a quality SERAL (Southeast Region): Richard Schmude, astrophotographer age 18 or younger. * Receiving copies at least 1–2 weeks before paper subscribers telescope. [email protected] Note: due to unusual circumstances of our calendar for 2017, we are * Ability to zoom in or out of any page or image Please contact Alan Corey, [email protected], for complete details. SWRAL (Southwest Region): David Moody, [email protected] moving the deadline for all AL youth awards to February 15, 2017. * Using active hyperlinks to immediately go to a website or email address This is a great opportunity to reach the public! WRAL (Western Region): Wayne Johnson, [email protected] If you are a club officer, please nominate deserving candidates. Information * Reducing the printing and mailing costs of the magazine IRAL (International Region): John Wagoner, [email protected] about each award can be found at astroleague.org/al/awards/awards.html. Big Day for the Atlanta Astronomy Club Remember: paper and digital versions are available to all members. Just let your ALCor know which you prefer—paper, digital, or both. Master Observer Progression— 3 new Master Observers The Astronomical League Just Gave Big News, by Aaron Clevenson Honorary Members of the Away Ten Library Telescopes! The Astronomical League’s Observing Programs have come a long way since Astronomical League Through the vision of the Horkheimer Charitable Fund, the Astronomical their humble beginnings in 1967 with the Messier Observing Program. Today The Astronomical League appreciates the efforts of the many people who make League again offered a free Library Telescope to a lucky Astronomical League there are over 50 different Observing Programs, and six levels in the Master astronomy happen. The hard work of these individuals, whose names are often club in each of the ten AL regions. Observer Progression: Observer, Master Observer, Advanced Observer, Master well known to those in our hobby, frequently goes unsung. We like to recognize The Library Telescope consists of an Orion 4.5-inch StarBlast Dobsonian Observer–Silver, Master Observer–Gold, and Master Observer–Platinum. them by presenting them with an Honorary membership. This allows them to (or equivalent), a Celestron 8–24 mm zoom eyepiece (or equivalent), and a The Astronomical League is excited to announce our first and only platinum- follow the activities of the Astronomical League and its members by receiving nameplate commemorating the late Jack Horkheimer. The value of the level observer: congratulations to Brad Young of the Astronomy Club of Tulsa a complimentary subscription to the Reflector magazine. package is approximately $300; the potential of the program is enormous. on being the first Astronomical League member to earn the Master Observer– We thank them for positively affecting all our lives by enhancing our time The Library Telescope Program was initiated by the New Hampshire Platinum Award! spent under the stars! Astronomical Society. Clubs donate an easy-to-use, portable telescope with The Master Observer Progression is designed to provide a path for lifelong 2016 Honorary Members quality optics and a sturdy mount to their local library. Patrons can then check learning and observing in the art of astronomy. The Observer Award is the first David Eicher, editor of Astronomy Magazine it out as they do books. Full details of this wonderful program can be found at step and recognizes those who have completed five introductory-level Guy Ottewell, creator of the Astronomical Calendar www.astroleague.org/content/library-telescope-program. Observing Programs: Constellation Hunter (either northern or southern), Left to right: Marie Lott, David Whalen, Valorie Whalen Scott Roberts, founder of Explore Scientific The winning entry for each region was drawn and announced at ALCon 2016 in

22 REFLECTOR ✶ D ECEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 23 Arlington, Virginia. The telescope, eyepiece, and commemorative plate were Observing Programs Gold 2016 Mabel Sterns Newsletter Editor Award shipped to the winning clubs in the three weeks following ALCon. Congratulations to this year’s 2016 Mabel Sterns Newsletter Editor Award Thank you Horkheimer Charitable Fund, Orion Telescopes, and Anniversary, 1967–2017 Celestron for making this wonderful program possible! On January 13, it will be fifty years since the Astronomical League awarded its winner, John Helper of the Chester County Astronomical Society. His Congratulations to the 2016 winning clubs: first Observing Program certificate when Catherine Delaney of the Amateur newsletter, Observations, was chosen from a field of nominations for this honor. South Shore Astronomical Society, NERAL; Blue Ridge Astronomy Club, Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh received her Messier Club certificate. Second place was awarded to Carl Wenning, editor of The Observer of the MERAL; Alachua Astronomy Club, SERAL; Toledo Astronomical Associa- Today, with over fifty separate Observing Programs to choose from, League Twin City Amateur Astronomers, and third place was awarded to Eric tion, GLRAL; Popular Astronomy Club, NCRAL; Broken Arrow Sidewalk members have earned over 10,000 observing certificates. Fischer, editor of The Guide Star of the Amateur Astronomers Association Astronomers, MSRAL; Longmont Astronomical Society, MARS; Fort of Pittsburgh. John Helper Carl Wenning Eric Fischer Worth Astro-nomical Society, SWRAL; Tulare Astronomical Association, WRAL; Island County Astronomical Society, NWRAL 2016 Horkheimer/O’Meara Journalism Award This year’s award went to Clay Parenti of the Houston Astronomical Society, an eighth grade student at Westchester Academy for International Studies Congratulations to the in Houston, Texas, for his writing on Kepler’s laws. Second place goes to Ephraim Craddock of Baton Rouge Astronomical Society, a fifth grade student 2016 Astronomy Day Winners! at Galvez Primary School in Prairieville, Louisiana, who wrote on “Examining the Mystery of Tabby’s Star.” Large Metro Area, $150: Northern Virginia Astronomy Club Finding the Cosmic Order observations, come up with hypothesis to explain what they observe, and test whether Medium Metro Area, $150: Oglethorpe Astronomical Association The Story of Kepler’s Laws of Motion or not their hypothesis is correct. Using the scientific method helped Le Verrier use the Small Metro Area, $150: Popular Astronomy Club By Clay Parenti irregularities in the orbit or Uranus to discover Neptune and it helped Semmelweiss use Quality Events Year After Year, $50: Kalamazoo Astronomical Society Kepler’s laws of motion marked a major turning point in the history of astronomy and knowledge of how disease spread to convince doctors to wash their hands. One of Best New Idea, $50: matching Starry Safari constellations to confiscated illegal science. It threw out the old systems of epicycles and orbs and replaced it with a system science’s greatest cases, still unsolved, is why a star 1480 light years from Earth keeps pets: Travelers Science Dome at the Gengras Planetarium, West Hartford, based on physics and observation that holds true to this day. It was the beginning of a getting dimmer in ways that cannot easily be explained. Connecticut scientific revolution in astronomy that led to Newton and the rest of modern science, Star KIC 8462852, also known as Tabby’s Star, is located in the constellation astronomy and physics. Astronomy Day presents an excellent opportunity to increase science Cygnus. No one thought anything was unusual about this star until scientists looked The story of Kepler’s laws of motion begins with Johannes Kepler, a former seminary at information from the Kepler Space Telescope. They were looking for dimming of awareness in an interested but often misinformed public, to spark interest in student and at the time a teacher in Austria. While he was teaching, he had an epiphany. the star’s light to determine if planets orbited the star. A planet more massive than the young, and to promote your club, all simply by personally introducing He wondered why there were only six planets and five platonic solids. Could they be Jupiter would cause a star’s light to dim about people to the wonders encountered in amateur astronomy. Look on the AL connected? Could the platonic solids have something to say about the distances between one percent. However, this star, known as website for these helpful Astronomy Day materials: Astronomy Day Handbook, the planets? His theory was that the spacing of the platonic solids predicted the spacing of Tabby’s Star, dims as much as 20 percent. But Outreach Downloads, and solar eclipse glasses. the planets. He set out to find evidence to prove his theory, which he called the Mysterium why? But the mystery of Tabby’s Star does not Cosmographicum or “The Cosmic Mystery”. His theory somewhat agreed with the If you would like to help administer this great program of bringing astronomy stop there. Brad Schaefer, an astronomer, looked rudimentary astronomical observations of the time and disagreed with others. He badly to the people, please contact Gary Tomlinson, [email protected]. at historical data on Tabby’s Star and found that needed good observations. At the time, the best astronomical observations were in the not only does the star dim up to 20 percent hands of an observational genius named Tycho Brahae, the Imperial Mathematician for the AL Creates New International Region It is recommended that the League’s logo be displayed in the newsletter, intermittently, but its overall brightness has Holy Roman Empire. Tycho Brahae was a Danish astronomer who was renowned for his dimmed about 20 percent over the last 100 The Astronomical League, in response to astronomy clubs from all over the preferably on the front page. Awardees and their clubs must be AL members. exceptionally accurate naked eye observations of the night sky. Kepler visited Tycho at his years. Astronomers now have an interesting world wanting to participate in the League’s Observing Programs, is delighted Entries will be judged by a panel of previous winners. For further informa- observatory in Prague and decided to work for him to see if his data confirmed his mystery to solve. to announce the creation of the new International Region. The purpose of the tion, please see www.astroleague.org/al/awards/sterns/sternss.html. Mysterium Cosmographicum. Tycho, not wanting to be eclipsed by a potential rival, was Scientists jumped into action, using the new region is to give international clubs access to our Observing Programs Reflector reluctant to give all of his observations up to Kepler. With so little data, it was hard for scientific method to try to determine why Tabby’s without having to worry about the administration, election of officers, and Seeking Lost Issues of the Kepler to progress on his theory and Star dims in such unusual ways. A group of For the past several years, the League has been collecting copies of all past the projects that Tycho gave him to other details that come with running a region, but on a worldwide basis. scientists led by Tabetha Boyajian, for whom Tabby’s Star is named, first examined issues of the Reflector. Readers see the covers of three of these past issues in work on. After Tycho died, Kepler So if you know of an astronomy club outside of the United States and its data from the Kepler Space Telescope and found that there were no errors in the data every new issue, on the “10, 25, and 50 Years” column. We have most past inherited Tycho’s observations and his itself. Boyajian and her team hypothesized that the 20 percent dimming was caused by territories that would like to be a member of the Astronomical League and issues, but are missing the following: March/April 1958, May/June 1958, position as Imperial Mathematician. a large group of comets or a large cloud of space dust. But even this did not explain enjoy our great Observing Programs, have them contact John Wagoner, Now, with Tycho’s observations, he and November 1980. If any of our members have any of these, please contact all the data, because scientists cannot find the sort of infrared energy around Tabby’s International Region chair, at [email protected]. could finally prove his theory. Star that they would expect to see if there was a large cloud of space dust and Ron Kramer at [email protected]. We would arrange to scan After looking at Tycho’s data on comets orbiting it. 2017 Mabel Sterns Newsletter the entire issue and return it to its owner. Our archives would then be complete Mars, Kepler found that the Tabby’s Star and its fluctuating brightness gained worldwide popularity when and our League historian would be happy. Mysterium Cosmographicum was Astronomer Jason Wright hypothesized that the dimming might be caused by a Dyson Editor Award wrong. He tried to explain the Sphere, an alien object. A Dyson Sphere is a theoretical technology that could be used The Mabel Sterns Newsletter Editor Award recognizes the work of movements of the planets, but 2017 Webmaster Award to collect the energy from a star. However, SETI, the search for extraterrestrial circular motion didn’t conform with Astronomical League club newsletter editors across the country. The deadline The time is now. The deadline for submissions for the Astronomical League’s intelligence, a group that searches for radio transmissions and other evidence of observations. Desperately, he tried for nominations is quickly coming to a close on April 1, 2017 (no fooling). Webmaster Award is April 1, 2017 (no fooling). extraterrestrial intelligence have found no signals from the area of the sky around motion in an ellipse. It fit in perfectly with the data. Using this discovery, he formulated Nominations from the president or vice president of an Astronomical League– The Webmaster Award recognizes the effort of those individuals who produce his first law of planetary motion: A planet travels in an ellipse with the Sun at one focus. Tabby’s Star. This means that Tabby’s Star odd dimming is probably not caused by an affiliated club should explain why their newsletter editor should be considered the vibrant, informative websites that are so essential to the growth and vitality Next, he found his second law of planetary motion when he compared the motions of alien object. for the award. of astronomy clubs. Each year the League presents the Webmaster Award to the planets when in different parts of the sky relative to the Sun. He found that a line joining So what should scientific sleuths do? For now, accept that the best theory is that the Please email entries to [email protected]. The nomination webmaster of the best club website. A website is an important asset for any the planet and Sun sweeps out equal areas in equal times, so that planets move faster dimming is caused by something natural, like comets or space dust, and wait for new and better data. Le Verrier theorized the planet Neptune, but did not have a telescope should include: astronomy club, and this award acknowledges the winning webmaster’s when they are closer to the Sun and slower when they are further away. Kepler suggested a force akin to magnetism could be responsible for these motions. powerful and accurate enough to see his new planet, so he sent his data to other • Name and postal address of the newsletter editor outstanding job of website design and administration. These laws of motion were among the first non-mystical explanations of the scientists who had telescopes powerful enough to observe Neptune. Scientists today • A recent issue of the newsletter in Adobe PDF or a link to it Websites are judges on: movements of heavenly bodies. Kepler’s laws are obeyed by all bodies in the universe, will have to wait for better tools, just like Le Verrier. The good news is that new data • A photo of the editor, preferably in an astronomical setting (JPEG, please) • Technical and visual design and organization and have stood up to scrutiny for centuries. 8 about Tabby’s Star should be available soon. The James Webb Space Telescope will • URL of the club’s website where electronic copies of recent newsletters are • Content, including club activities, club calendar, educational content, and links be launched into space in 2018. This telescope will have infrared sensing capabilities posted (along with any necessary passwords) would be welcome and helpful • Outreach Examining the Mystery of Tabby’s Star that will be able to tell us if Tabby’s Star’s dimming is caused by a cloud of space dust • Name and city of the club • Administration and timeliness of content By Ephraim Craddock or something solid. This new space telescope might even be able to determine the When people think about mysteries they usually think about television detective shows shape of the object causing the dimming. When scientists final solve the mystery of Both the nominating officer and newsletter editor must appear on the AL roster. Club presidents are asked to send webmaster nominations and the club’s or about books about people like Sherlock Holmes. However, some of the greatest Tabby’s Star what they find might fit into what we already know, or it might teach us If electronic submission is not possible, four (4) paper copies of the letter of website address, no later than April 1, 2017, to webmasteraward@ detectives in the world are scientists. These scientists devote these lives to solving the something new about the universe. Either way, the light from Tabby’s Star takes 1480 recommendation and newsletter may be mailed to the League’s national office. astroleague.org or to Mike Rao, Astronomical League Webmaster Award mysteries of the universe. The method they use solve these mysteries is the greatest years to get to Earth, so no matter what scientists find, either natural or artificial, One photo is sufficient. Administrator, 2328 Naomi Street, Houston, TX 77054. sleuthing tool of all time, the scientific method! Using the scientific method they make happened a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. 8

24 REFLECTOR ✶ D ECEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 25 Astronomy is universal. pollution is still a Collecting Meteorites/from page 19 Amateur astronomers concern everywhere). are the direct result of meteorites hitting the come from all walks of Astronomers love Earth. Meteorite collectors typically have a life, as do the people who sharing their passion side collection of these specimens. Tektites line up at outreach with others, and public are a natural glass formed when terrestrial events to see the Moon or outreach and education debris is ejected into the atmosphere during Saturn. And that’s true programs are usually in an impact. The debris cools into droplets that for every country and the cities where the harden into a black, shiny glass. The most culture as well. Pick a people are. Member common tektites are called indochinites and spot on the globe at reports shared on the occur in Southeast Asia. They are only about random, travel there, and Astronomers Astronomers Without 610,000 years old. Moldavites are green you’ll find people who Without Borders Borders website are translucent tektites found only in Czechoslova- love to gaze at the full of familiar kia. Their source has been identified as the night sky, learn about scenes of smiling Nördlinger Ries impact crater in Germany. celestial objects, and children and Shatter cones are rare geological features ponder the mysteries amazed adults. The that only form in the bedrock beneath they present. reaction to meteorite impact craters. They are evidence Astronomers exploring the that the rock has been subjected to shock with Without Borders Universe for the very high pressures from an extraterrestrial brings the world of first time is the impact. An impactite is a glassy object astronomy to same whether it’s produced by the fusion of rock and meteorite everyone, and there in New York, fragments by the heat developed from the are plenty of Nigeria, or impact of a meteorite on the Earth’s surface. surprises when you Nicaragua; Boston, The Ries crater contains a substantial amount look abroad. The amateur as- Bolivia, or Beijing; Minneapolis, of impactite. tronomy community in Iran is Mexico, or Malaysia. When first starting a collection, I would among the world’s most active. Joining Astronomers Without begin with the most reasonably priced, South Asia–India, Pakistan, Nepal, Borders means discovering the commonly available meteorites. These include and Sri Lanka–has a lot going on. world of astronomy in all its stones such as Allende CV3, Millbillillie Brazil’s clubs span the huge forms. Community programs (eucrite), Tatahouine (diogenite), and numerous country. Ethiopia is building connect us to observe together. NWA meteorites (howardite); irons such as research observatories and AstroArts shows the many ways Campo del Cielo (IA), Sikhote-Alin (IIB), Canyon teaching astronomy at all levels. astronomy inspires us. Resource- Diablo (IA), Odessa (IA), Gibeon (IVA), and Despite troubles and even danger, amateurs sharing programs are an opportunity to help Nantan (IIICD); and stony-irons, such as in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya are still amateurs and students around the world Esquel, Imilac, Brenham, and Vaca Muerta. active. The hobby may be different where enjoy our shared passion. Free membership The addition of authentic meteorites to an equipment is hard to get or too costly but is available so that everyone can belong to amateur astronomer’s arsenal of equipment the stars and planets are still there to the world’s largest astronomy community. would be of great benefit to their understand- On August 21, 2017, at 10:16 a.m., PDT, the moon’s shadow comes ashore just south of enjoy. Ironically, in many undeveloped And each April there is Global Astronomy ing of the universe. Cloudy nights could be Astoria, Oregon, races across the United States and moves out to sea near Charleston, countries there is even more dark sky than Month, the world’s biggest annual as- spent contemplating, curating, and learning South Carolina, at 2:47 p.m. Do you have the equipment to safely view the eclipse and the • Download a FREE Astronomy we enjoy in industrialized nations where big tronomy event. 8 about the wonders of these alien extraterres- Sun? These glasses are ideal for viewing large sunspots on the Sun’s face and partial, telescopes are common. North Americans Website: Day Handbook with all kinds of trials we call meteorites. Astronomical League annual, and phases of total solar eclipses throughout the continental United States. and Europeans who travel to Africa to see www.astronomerswithoutborders.org members now have the fundamental knowl- ideas and suggestions the animals end up enamored as much by Facebook: www.facebook.com/ edge to begin their own collection of meteor- • Check out the lastest tips for the night sky. astronomerswithoutborders ites—so let’s get started! 8 The most common activity for amateur Sample the member reports: Astronomy Day astronomers worldwide, though, doesn’t www.astronomerswithoutborders.org/my- Radio Astronomy Observing Program • List your event for both the public require the darkest skies (though light awb/member-reports.html Tired of observing with just your eyes? How about looking (or listening) to the skies with an and media to see A view of the Sun in Romania entirely different view not possible with human senses? The Radio Astronomy Observing • Check out past Astronomy Day Program has levels for observing with radio frequencies for the beginner, the initiated, and Award winners those who are exploring their capabilities in • All this and more at your “one depth. Explore different methods with simple or complex equipment—it’s your choice. Ham stop Astronomy Day shopping” site operators find this a unique way to further enjoy their hobby. Design your own equipment, buy something off the shelf, or adapt designs Gary Tomlinson from others. Any way you choose, radio astronomy can be an adventure to meteors, Astronomy Day Coordinator planets, the Sun, space weather, or even our [email protected] Observers in Oman galaxy and beyond in the radio spectrum.

26 R EFLECTOR ✶ D ECEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 27 Editor’s Note: Congratulations to all these Oklahoma City Astronomy Club; No. 181, Grant Mills, Goldberg, Houston Astronomical Society; No. 760-O, Joe outstanding astronomical observers! All awards, Member-at-Large; No. 182, Jeffrey Corder, Ancient City Khalaf, Houston Astronomical Society; No. 761-S, Bob except the Herschel 400, require current Astronomy Club; No. 183, Margaret McCrea, Rose City Scott, Island County Astronomical Society; 762-O, Fred Astronomical League membership for eligibility. Astronomers; No. 184, Marie Lott, Atlanta Astronomy Schumaker, Member-at-Large; 763-O, Steven Hollander, If you have questions about an award, please Club; No. 185, Lauren Gonzalez, Austin Astronomical Flint River Astronomy Club; No. 764-O, Margaret McCrea, contact the corresponding Observing Program Society; No. 186, David Whalen, Atlanta Astronomy Club; Rose City Astronomers chair. Their contact information can be found on the No. 187, Valorie Whalen, Atlanta Astronomy Club Planetary Nebula Observing Program Observing Program website at www.astro Master Observer Award—Silver: Aaron Clevenson, No. 4, W. Maynard Pittendreigh, Southern Planetary Nebula league.org/observing. If further assistance is North Houston Astronomy Club; Michael A. Hotka, Certificate, Lifetime Member; No. 30, Tom Gazzillo, required please contact either of the national Longmont Astronomical Society; Brad Young, Astronomy Chesmont Astronomical Society, Basic, Manual; No. 67 Paul Observing Program coordinators. Club of Tulsa Harrington, Advanced, Manual, Member-at-Large Master Observer Award—Gold: Aaron Clevenson, Planetary Transit (Mercury) Advanced Binocular Double Star North Houston Astronomy Club; Michael A. Hotka, Special Observing Award Observing Program Longmont Astronomical Society; Brad Young, Astronomy Eddie Agha, Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri; No. 15, Terry N. Trees, Amateur Astronomers Association Club of Tulsa Stephen Andrews, Kern Astronomical Society; Diane of Pittsburgh Master Observer Award—Platinum: Brad Young, Bagley, Boise Astronomical Society; Jim Barbasso, North Asterism Observing Program Astronomy Club of Tulsa Houston Astronomy Club; Steve Bardus, Member-at- No. 35, Kevin Nasal, Neville Public Museum Astronomical Messier Observing Program Large; Wayland Bauer, The Popular Astronomy Club; Society; No. 36, Kathy Machin, Astronomical Society of No. 2561, Hugh Stevens, Honorary, Texas Astronomical Kristin Berry, Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri; Kansas City 563, Lauren Gonzalez, Austin Astronomical Society; No. Society of Dallas; No. 2597, Larry Farrington, Honorary, Tom Berry, Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri; Asteroid Observing Program 564, Barbara Biever, Rancho Bernardo/Murrieta Mt. Shasta Stargazers; No. 2727, Zack Stockbridge, Robert Beuerlein, Back Bay Amateur Astronomers; Bill No. 46, Henry G. Stratmann, Regular, Ozarks Amateur Astronomical Society; No. 565, Steve Goldberg, Houston Honorary, Member-at-Large; No. 2732, Antone G. Biermann, St. Louis Astronomical Society; Steve Boerner, Astronomy Club Astronomical Society; No. 566, Kevin Nasal, Neville Public Gregory, Honorary, Minnesota Astronomical Society; No. Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri; Bret Boller, Binocular Double Star Museum Astronomical Society 2733, Michael Blase, Honorary, Tulare Astronomical Prairie Astronomy Club; Ken Boquist, The Popular Observing Program Hydrogen Alpha Solar Association; No. 2739, Terry Mealy, Regular, Amateur Astronomy Club; Tom Campbell, Brazos Valley Astronomy No. 110, Steve Coltrin, Rio Rancho Astronomical Society; Observing Program Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh; No. 2740, Juan Club; Aaron Clevenson, North Houston Astronomy Club; No. 111, Andreea Boeck, Omaha Astronomical Society; No. 32, Al Lamperti, Delaware Valley Amateur Astrono- Velasquez, Honorary, Denver Astronomical Society; No. Jeff Creed, Boise Astronomical Society; Mark Croom, No. 112, Jnani Cevvel, Member-at-Large; No. 113, Don mers; No. 33, Alan Rutter, Flint River Astronomy Club 2741, Kristin Hendershot, Honorary, Shenandoah Member-at-Large; Louis Dorland, Omaha Astronomical Knabb, Chester County Astronomical Society Lunar Observing Program Astronomical Society; No. 2742, Dee Friesen, Honorary, Society; Amy Drew, Neville Public Museum Astronomical Binocular Messier Observing Program No. 959, Nathaniel S. Prentice, Delaware Valley Amateur Albuquerque Astronomical Society; No. 2743, Janet Rush, Society; Jack Fitzmier, Atlanta Astronomy Club; Thomas No. 1082, David Furry, Southern Colorado Astronomical Astronomers; No. 960, Ron Kane, Tri-Valley Stargazers Regular, Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers; No. Flatley, Back Bay Amateur Astronomers; Bill Geertsen, Society; No. 1083, Jeff Oaster, Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomy Club; No. 961, Danny Lineberger, Greensboro 2744, Tristan Schwartz, Honorary, Colorado Springs Southwest Florida Astronomical Society; Dino Astronomers; No. 1084, Steve King, Astronomical Society Astronomy Club; No. 962, Marilyn Perry, Member-at- Astronomical Society; No. 2745, Nick Monkman, Giangregorio, Back Bay Amateur Astronomers; Mary of Kansas City; No. 1085, Denise Moser, Astronomical Large; No. 963, Michel Dellepere, Youth Member-at- Honorary, Spokane Astronomical Society; No. 2746, Steve Giangregorio, Back Bay Amateur Astronomers; Jeff Society of Kansas City; No. 1086, Tim Livingston, Large; No. 964, Russell F. Pinizzotto, Member-at-Large; Bardus, Honorary, Member-at-Large; No. 2747, Donnie Goldstein, Back Bay Amateur Astronomers; Roy Oklahoma City Astronomy Club; No. 1087, Katie Raney, No. 965, Kim Balliett, Richland Astronomical Society; No. Bunch, Honorary, Hill Country Astronomers Gustafson, The Popular Astronomy Club; Irwin Horowitz, Austin Astronomical Society; No. 1088, Don Selle, 966, Ron Balliett, Richland Astronomical Society; No. 967, Meteor Observing Program Boise Astronomical Society; Michael Hotka, Longmont Houston Astronomical Society; No. 1089, DeWayne Carter Boe, Member-at-Large; No. 968, Linda Claire No. 151, Grace Aikman, 18 hours, Member-at-Large; No. Astronomical Society; Charles Jagow, Back Bay Amateur Carver, Member-at-Large; No. 1090, Steve Coltrin, Rio Freeman, Umpqua Astronomers 163, Jean Napp, 30 hours, Iowa County Astronomers; No. Astronomers; Mark Job, Minnesota Astronomical Society; Rancho Astronomical Society; No. 1091, Lisa Wentzel, Lunar II Observing Program 173, Vincent Michael Bournique, 12 hours, Lifetime Yu-Hang Kuo, Seattle Astronomical Society; Leigh Anne Twin City Amateur Astronomers; No. 1092, Jeff Hiscock, No. 74, Antone Gregory, Minnesota Astronomical Society; Member; No. 180, Ayaka Yuko Komata, 6 hours, Smoky Lagoe, Back Bay Amateur Astronomers; Curt Lambert, Member-at-Large; No. 1093, Alice Stanley, Member-at- No. 75, Stephen Tzikas, Northern Virginia Astronomy Mountain Astronomical Society; No. 181, Robert Clark, 6 Back Bay Amateur Astronomers; Carmen Lawrence, Back Large; No. 1094, Greg Moore, Member-at-Large Club; No. 76, Fred Schumacher, Member-at-Large; No. 77, hours, Westminster Astronomical Society; No. 182, Bay Amateur Astronomers; Jay Levy, Houston Astronomi- Binocular Variable Star Observing Program Walter Jablonski, New Hampshire Astronomical Society Vincent Giovannone, 6 hours, Member-at-Large cal Society; Benito Loyola, Back Bay Amateur Astrono- No. 12, Jim Ketchum, Astronomical Society of Kansas Master Observer (Progression) NEO Observing Program mers; Grant Martin, Astronomical Society of Eastern City; No. 13, Kevin McKeown, Albuquerque Astronomical Observer Award: Vincent Michael Bournique, Lifetime No. 9, Rick Owens, Intermediate, Astronomical Society of Missouri; Annette McLean, Back Bay Amateur Astrono- Society Member; Kevin Carr, Minnesota Astronomical Society; Kansas City mers; William McLean, Back Bay Amateur Astronomers; Carbon Star Observing Program Nora Jean Chetnik, Member-at-Large; Aaron Clevenson, Open Cluster Observing Program Timothy Myer, Astronomical Society of Southeast Texas; No. 71, Mark McCarthy, The Astronomy Connection; No. North Houston Astronomy Club; Vincent S. Foster, No. 77 Advanced, David Douglass, East Valley Mike Neal, Echo Ridge Astronomical Society; Andy 72, Raymond B. Howard, Eastbay Astronomical Society; Member-at-Large; Lauren Gonzales, Austin Astronomical Astronomy Club Nielsen, Island County Astronomical Society; Ruth No. 73, Christen K. Slotten, Olympic Astronomical Society Society; Jeff Hoffmeister, Olympic Astronomical Society; Outreach Observing Award Nielsen, Island County Astronomical Society; David Comet Observing Program Michael A. Hotka, Longmont Astronomical Society; Jim No. 113-S, Jim Dixon, Central Arkansas Astronomical Novotny, Rose City Astronomers; Russell Pinizzotto, No. 34, Peter K. Detterline, Gold, Member-at-Large; No. 87, Ketchum, Astronomical Society of Kansas City; Scott G. Society; No. 398-M, Alex McConahay, Pomona Valley Member-at-Large; Maynard Pittendreigh, Member-at- Vincent Michael Bournique, Silver, Lifetime Member Kranz, Astronomical Society of Kansas City; Anthony J. Amateur Astronomers; No. 440-S, Jim Ketchum, Large; Jonathan Poppele, Minnesota Astronomical Constellation Hunter Observing Kroes, Neville Public Museum Astronomical Society; Marie Astronomical Society of Kansas City; No. 442-M, Gary Society; Mike Pusatera, Astronomical Society of Eastern Program (Northern Skies) Lott, Atlanta Astronomy Club; W. Maynard Pittendreigh, Bell, Northwest Suburban Astronomers; No. 483-S, Sara Missouri; Theo Ramakers, Atlanta Astronomy Club; No. 176, Fred Schumacher, Member-at-Large; No. 177, Member-at-Large; James Pryal, Seattle Astronomical Sheidler, Popular Astronomy Club; No. 637-M, David George Reynolds, Back Bay Amateur Astronomers; Bill Steven Powell, Houston Astronomical Society; No. 178, Society; George J. Robinson, Member-at-Large; Rodney R. Whalen, Atlanta Astronomy Club; No. 738-O, James Bruce Sanders, Central Arkansas Astronomical Society; Patrick Michel Dellepere, Youth Member-at-Large Rynearson, Saint Louis Astronomical Society; Philip Sacco, McBath, Central Arkansas Astronomical Society; No. 739- Scheible, Seattle Astronomical Society; Alan Scheidler, The Constellation Hunter Observing Flint River Astronomy Club; Rebecca Saflarki, City Lights O, Carol Smith, Boise Astronomical Society; No. 740-O, AGE TEAM (AURA/STSCI) Popular Astronomy Club; Andrew Shapton, Member-at- Program (Southern Skies) Astronomical Society for Students; Bill Sanders, Central Raymond B. Howard, Eastbay Astronomical Society; No. Large; Fred Shumacher, Member-at-Large; Mark No. 8, Steven Powell, Houston Astronomical Society Arkansas Astronomical Society; Sandra J. Shaw, Denver 741-O, Bridget Langdale, Mason Star Gazers; No. 742-S, Simonson, Everett Astronomical Society; Carol Smith, Double Star Observing Program Astronomical Society; Mark Simonson, Everett David Tondreau, Denver Astronomical Society; No. 743-O, Boise Astronomical Society; Melvin Spruill, Jr., Back Bay No. 588, James Granahan, Northern Virginia Astronomy Astronomical Society; John T. Varn, Cedar Amateur Terry Dufek, Popular Astronomy Club; No. 744-O, Stephen Amateur Astronomers; Michael Stauffer, Boise Club; No. 589, Edward Wiley, Austin Astronomical Society; Astronomers; Bernard Venasse, Member-at-Large; Rhonda Caldwell, Central Arkansas Astronomical Society; No. Astronomical Society; Carol Stewart, Southwest Florida ADVERTISING RATES for the REFLECTOR No. 590, Rick Olson, Rose City Astronomers Weygandt, Boise Astronomical Society; Sue Wheatley, 745-O, Amelia Goldberg, Houston Astronomical Society; Astronomical Society; Zack Stockbridge, Member-at- Galileo Observing Program North Houston Astronomy Club; Brad Young, Astronomy No. 746-O, David Haire, Flint River Astronomy Club; No. Large; Jim Tallman, Back Bay Amateur Astronomers; Bird

; NASA AND THE HUBBLE HERIT No. 38, Bruce P. Bookout, Colorado Springs Astronomical Club of Tulsa 747-O, Mel Schroeder, Popular Astronomy Club; No. 748- Taylor, Back Bay Amateur Astronomers; Ben Toman, Baton Society Advanced Observer Award: Vincent Michael S, Brendon O’Keeffe, Flint River Astronomy Club; No. 749- Rouge Astronomical Society; Robert Trebilcock, Delaware Globular Cluster Observing Program Bournique, Lifetime Member; Kevin Carr, Minnesota O, Bob White, San Bernardino Valley Amateur Valley Amateur Astronomers; Marcus Tuepker, Denver No. 287-I, David M. Douglass, East Valley Astronomy Astronomical Society; Aaron Clevenson, North Houston Astronomers; No. 750-O, Chris Clarke, San Bernardino Astronomical Society; Miles Tuepker, Denver Astronomical Club; No. 288-V, Bob Gamache, Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomy Club; Vincent S. Foster, Member-at-Large; Valley Amateur Astronomers; No. 751-O, Fidel Hernandez, Society; Stephen Tzikas, Northern Virginia Astronomy Astronomers; No. 289-V, David W. Hudgins, Astronomical Michael A. Hotka, Longmont Astronomical Society; Jim San Bernardino Valley Amateur Astronomers; No. 752-O, Club; Alex Vrenios, Lifetime Member; Seth Watts, Society of Kansas City; No. 290-V, Philip Smith, Member- Ketchum, Astronomical Society of Kansas City; Scott G. Nick Broman, San Bernardino Valley Amateur Member-at-Large; Michael Webster, Back Bay Amateur at-Large; No. 291-V, Fred D. Hanson, Member-at-Large; Kranz, Astronomical Society of Kansas City; Anthony J. Astronomers; No. 753-O, Tom Larson, San Bernardino Astronomers; Christian Weis, Tucson Amateur Astronomy No. 292-V, Kevin Mayock, Rose City Astronomers; No. Kroes, Neville Public Museum Astronomical Society; W. Valley Amateur Astronomers; No. 754-O, Robert Association; Glenn Wolford, Member-at-Large; Anna 293-V, Mike Blase, Tulare Astronomical Association; No. Maynard Pittendreigh, Member-at-Large; George J. Trebilcock, Delaware Astronomical Society; No. 755-O, Woolridge, Atlanta Astronomy Club; Mark Woolridge, 294-V, John Laning, Member-at-Large; No. 295-V, Steve Robinson, Member-at-Large; Mark Simonson, Everett Paul Lennous, Member-at-Large; No. 756-O, Nathaniel S. Atlanta Astronomy Club; Adam Yore, Member-at-Large; Goldberg, Houston Astronomical Society Astronomical Society; Sue Wheatley, North Houston Prentice, Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers No. 757- Brad Young, Astronomy Club of Tulsa; Jim Zappa,

Herschel 400 Observing Program Astronomy Club; Brad Young, Astronomy Club of Tulsa O, Mike Ombrello, Popular Astronomy Club; No. 758-O, TITLE PHOTOGRAPH: M64, THE BLACK EYE GALAXY Member-at-Large No. 562, Valorie Whalen, Atlanta Astronomy Club; No. Master Observer Award: No. 180, Ken Pryor, Peter Soble, Popular Astronomy Club; No. 0759-O, Steve Continued on next page

28 R EFLECTOR ✶ D ECEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 29 Member-at-Large; No. 101, Valorie Whalen, Atlanta extraordinary dark skies are just a smattering Astronomy Club; No. 102, Alex McConahay, Pomona of the jewels in the National Park Service’s Valley Amateur Astronomers; No. 103, Barbara Biever, Observe collection. Just think of the innumerable League Sales are online! Rancho Bernardo/Murrieta Astronomical Society; No. 104, Globular Eclipses Robert Togni, Central Arkansas Astronomical Society hours of enjoyment you can have by visiting The League’s online store is available at the website, Clusters Regularly $18, Southern Skies Binocular any one of the NPS parks, many of which also $14 plus Observing Program have incredibly dark skies similar to those www.astroleague.org. Click on the link on the left side of Sale price $9 No. 95, Al Hamrick, Raleigh Astronomy Club; No. 96, who have received a Dark Sky Park designa- $2.10 S&H plus $2.70 S&H Rakhal Kincaid, Haleakala Amateur Astronomers the home page. The online store includes the latest shopping Southern Skies Telescopic tion. There is much to see in our national cart technology and accepts credit cards. Shipping & handling Observing Program parks, day and night. No. 52, Al Hamrick, Raleigh Astronomy Club To find out more about IDA’s Dark Sky (S&H) is calculated at checkout. Merchandise is also available Two in the View Observing Program Program, check out its International Dark Sky by mail order, payable by check. Please select your items, add No. 15, Vincent Michael Bournique, Lifetime Member; No. Places website, darksky.org/idsp. the applicable S&H fee, and mail your order to: Universe 16, Cliff Mygatt, Olympic Astronomical Society; No. 17, Seasonal Dan Crowson, Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri; Tim Hunter, Co-founder, IDA Astronomical League Sales Sampler No. 18, Kathy Machin, Astronomical Society of Kansas Phone: 520-293-3198; Fax: 520-293-3192 Perfect Star Chart $10 plus City; No. 19, Dick Francini, Neville Public Museum 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 Email: [email protected]; www.darksky.org Holiday $24 plus $1.50 S&H Astronomical Society; No. 20, Kevin Mayock, Rose City Kansas City, MO 64114 $3.60 S&H Astronomers @ To have your star party or event listed, /from page 4 Gifts! Universe Sampler Observing Program Field of View please send the details, including dates, If you have questions about the merchandise, sponsors and website, to astrowagon@ No.126, Valorie Whalen, Naked-Eye, Atlanta Astronomy printed version of this colorful and informative or discounts on bulk orders, please call the League verizon.net. Confirm dates and locations Club; No. 127, Mike C. Neal, Telescope, Echo Ridge periodical. It is truly the face of the Astronomical Astronomical Society; No. 128, Mike Blase, Naked-Eye office, 816-DEEP-SKY, or email Astronomy for with event organizers. —John Wagoner League, and a key voice in national amateur and Telescope, Tulare Astronomical Society Sky Puppies Educators January 25–29 Urban Observing Program astronomy. [email protected]. Orange Blossom Special XXII International Observing Handbook No.171, Paul Harrington, Member-at-Large; No. 172, Public outreach activities, astronomy gatherings of Star Party Michael Blase, Tulare Astronomical Association; No. 173, Manual– A Course Withlacoochee River Park, Dade City, Florida all types, collaborations with NASA, interactions with RASC 2017 Observer’s Handbook David Whalen, Atlanta Astronomy Club; No. 174, Valorie For the Sky Puppy Planning Guide www.stpeteastronomyclub.org/obs.php Whalen, Atlanta Astronomy Club; No. 175, Paul Lennous, other organizations of the astronomical community, and Limited Quantities–Order Early January 27–28 Observers Club 5.5” x 7.25” Member-at-Large; No. 176, Henry Stratmann, Ozarks light pollution awareness are all either enhanced or $24 plus $4.50 S&H Furnace Creek Resort/LVAS Star Party Amateur Astronomers Club; No. 177, Ed Fraini, Houston Regularly $15, Regularly $12, Death Valley National Park, California made possible by the Astronomical League’s efforts. Astronomical Society Sale price $8 Sale price $6 www.furnacecreekresort.com In short, no other respected national organization February 18 Reflections/from page 7 plus $2.25 S&H plus $1.80 S&H exists that strives to attain the goals of the RASC 2017 Calendar Regional Meeting of Amateur Astronomers 2017 * When the link to the digital issue is sent by Catawba Science Center, Hickory, North Carolina Astronomical League: to promote the science of Limited Quantities– email, there will be instructions on how to www.catawbasky.org astronomy by fostering astronomical education, by Ordera Early Observe the February 20–26 “opt out” for digital, paper, neither, or both. Planetary providing incentives for astronomical observation and $18 plus $7 S&H Herschel Winter Star Party * Some of the advantages of the digital edition Nebulae West Summerland Key, Florida research, and by assisting communication between Objects are: its arrival one or two weeks before the $14 plus scas.org/winter-star-party printed version; an expanded version (in the amateur astronomical societies. $6 plus March 3-4 $2.10 S&H Greensboro Astronomy Club and the near future) with additional articles, adver- Astronomical League travel mug $1.20 S&H Cline Observatory tisements, images, and editorials; the ability $10: plus $4.50 S&H Guilford Technical Community College to zoom in (or out) on any page, which can be Jamestown, North Carolina used to change the size of the type or examine Coffee mug (ceramic) observatory.gtcc.edu/tristar John Goss, League President an image in greater detail; and it helps reduce $12 plus $6 S&H April 8–9 Messier Northeast Astronomy Forum the cost of publication to the League. The Sky This Week Objects: A Math for Suffern, New York Ron Kramer, Editor To find out what’s happening www.rocklandastronomy.com/neaf.html Amateur in the sky the coming week, take Astronomical League full color cloth Beginner’s April 21–22 International Dark-Sky Association Astronomers a look at “The Sky This Week” Guide North Carolina Statewide Star Party From page 6 patch (three-inch diameter) on Astroleague.org. $8 plus $10 plus 35+ public skywatching sessions from the North 13. Great Basin, Nevada, 2016. This park is $7 plus $1.05 S&H Carolina mountains to the coast Produced by our own Vern Raben, this $1.20 S&H $1.50 S&H www.ncsciencefestival.org/starparty located approximately 290 miles north of Las weekly five-minute program covers Astronomical League April 22–29 Vegas and is notable for its groves of ancient the Moon, visible planets, comets, blue and white cloth The 2017 OzSky Star Safari bristlecone pines, the oldest known trees. and interesting stellar features. Why not tune in this week? patch (three-inch diameter) Item! RASC Explore (aka Deepest South Texas Star Safari) These magnificent parks with their TH (UCSC/LO), M. CLAMPIN (STSCI), THE ACS SCIENCE TEAM, AND ESA. New Coonabarabran, New South Wales, Australia $6 plus $1.05 S&H the Universe Guide Carbon Stars www.ozsky.org $20 plus $4.50 S&H A guide to the April 26–29 Astronomical League Membership-at-Large Program Astronomical Carbon Star Mid-South Star Gaze and Astronomy Conference What does the League offer you as Members-at-Large? French Camp, Mississippi Canvas tote League lapel Observing Club • Full voting privileges at AL meetings.• A subscription to the Reflector. www.rainwaterobservatory.org/rainwater bag–Royal pin (one-inch $10 plus June 21–25 • Book Service offering astronomy-related books at a 10 percent discount. $16 plus diameter) $1.50 S&H Rocky Mountain Star Stare 2017 • Optional subscriptions at discounted rates to the following publications: Gardner, Colorado $6 S&H $8 plus www.rmss.org Astronomy magazine $34.00; 2 years $60 • Sky & Telescope magazine $32.95 : NASA, H. FORD (JHU), G. ILLINGWOR $1.20 S&H RASC Observer’s Handbook $27.00 • StarDate $19.50 Items!! Observing Awards/from page 29 New Bandana “Guide to the Stars” (Foreign rates are higher; see website) The A.L.P.O. Sketching Observing Award $12 plus; $2 S&H 16” Planisphere • Free Astronomical League Observing guide with membership. No. 9, Al Lamperti, Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers; Natural or White $21 plus Guide to To join the Astronomical League as a Member-at-Large, send a check for $40.00, Duffle bag No. 10, Stephen McGaughey, Haleakala Amateur Astro- $3.15 S&H Watching nomers; No. 11, John R. “Sean” Sayers, Member-at-Large $50.00 foreign, made payable to the Astronomical League, to: $28 plus Meteors Solar System Observing Program Astronomical League National Office, 9201 Ward Parkway, #100, Kansas City, MO 64114 $7 S&H No. 96, David Whalen, Atlanta Astronomy Club; No. 97, $3 plus Michel Dellepere, Member-at-Large; No. 98, Lauren Phone: 816-333-7759; Email: [email protected] $1 S&H Gonzalez, Austin Astronomical Society; No. 99, Dan Or join online at: WWW.ASTROLEAGUE.ORG

Posey, Hill Country Astronomers; No. 100, Paul Lennous, TITLE PHOTOGRAPH: “CONE NEBULA”; CREDIT

30 R EFLECTOR ✶ D ECEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 31 Membership Secretary Astronomical League NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION National Office U.S. POSTAGE 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 PAID Kansas City, MO 64114 Permit #6563 SLC, UT 841

32 R EFLECTOR ✶ D ECEMBER 2016