THE DENVER OBSERVER JANUARY 2011 JANUARY 2011 OT h e D eBn v e r S E R V E R

A H O L I D A Y T W O - F E R Calendar 4...... New moon This year’s winter solstice dished up a special treat—a total lunar eclipse! Millions of folks throughout the U.S. watched this auspicious celestial event. This spectacular mosaic shows 12...... First quarter moon three phases of the December 21, 2010 eclipse taken from Longmont, CO. Longmont Astro- nomical Society member Brian Kimball graciously allowed the use of this image in this month’s 19...... Full moon Observer. The images were taken with a Canon T2i DSLR on a10-inch Ritchey at f/6. Ex- posures range from 1/60 of a second to 10 seconds and were processed and assembled in 26...... Last quarter moon Photoshop®. Image © Brian Kimball

Inside the by Dennis Cochran Observer JANUARY SKIES ou can see one-third of the solar system if you’re curious to know if anyone in the club has been able to President’s Corner...... 2 Y awake in the wee hours of the morning. Three see any of the moons of Uranus; if you have, let me planets form a line slanting 45-degrees up from know. The moons are scattered all around Uranus Society Directory...... 2 the southeast horizon, with Mercury close to the rather than lined up like Jupiter’s satellites, since the ground, followed by unmistakable Venus, then Saturn Uranus system is tilted end-on to the plane of the solar up past Virgo’s big star, Spica. Right below Venus are system. The second edition of the Peterson Guide to the Schedule of Events...... 2 the top three stars of Scorpius, and below that, red Stars and Planets has a photo of the five moons on page Antares, almost level with Mercury. One has to have a 382, taken at Cerro Tololo, Chile. They can be remem- Dark Skies Article...... 4 clear sky to the southeast to see these celestial wonders. bered with the mnemonic “M-AUTO” for Miranda, Atmospheric dust, brightened by the ascending sun, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania and Oberon— characters from might wash them out as it washed out the last rising M- a Shakespeare play. NASA’s Space Place...... 6 objects I was trying to find once in a Messier Mara- With Taurus visible high in the eastern sky this thon—and I’m still mad! month, just below the ecliptic and likewise below the New Astronomer’s Den Chart...... 7 By prime-time Jupiter is near or past the meridian. dim winter Milky Way, one can look for M1, the Crab Early in January Uranus is very close to Jupiter, a Nebula. The Crab is an exploded star, the one that the Lunar Eclipse Photos...... back page moon’s-width north of it, so evening is a great time to Chinese saw and recorded in 1054 A.D., and is not the look for the greenish planet if you’ve never seen it. I’m easiest object to observe. Find the “V” of Taurus, fea- Continued on Page 3 The Denver Astronomical Society One Mile Nearer the Stars Page 1 THE DENVER OBSERVER JANUARY 2011 PRESIDENT’S CORNER by Ron Pearson anuary, 2011, and we’ve completed another circuit constellations, summer and fall. These are bound by our Society Directory J around the sun. I was out yesterday morning early evening hours when most of us are still awake, but President: between 2 and 4 A.M. watching the Geminid if you stay out late into the morning hours, you get a Ron Pearson (303) 670-1299 Meteor Shower, and the spring constellation of Leo sneak peek at the coming seasons and all the special [email protected] was high in the sky. It’s not even the Winter Solstice stars, galaxies and nebulae that these have to offer to a Vice President: yet as I write this, and we amateur astronomers can persistent observer. So if you are just starting out in Norm Rosling (303) 252-1214 [email protected] already be looking into Spring! If you learn anything as observing the sky there is no rush to see it all in one Secretary: a new amateur astronomer, it’s that you get a new “do- year, or even the first six months. If it’s cloudy or you Bonnie Kais (720) 344-4263 over” every year to observe those objects you missed can’t make it to a star party for the one night of the Treasurer: last year, or several years ago when you were busy with Messier marathon (we actually get two this year!), hey, Brad Gilman (720) 488-1028 work, school or kids. Because our universe, as seen the M-objects aren’t going anywhere that we can from this pale blue dot, is very cyclical, “what goes perceive of, and you can catch them another night or Executive Board Members around, comes around’’ as the saying goes. Many of the even in another year or two. As an amateur or Jack Eastman Tim Pimentel civilizations and cultures on professional, you get many do-overs in astronomy. Joe Gafford David Shouldice this planet recognize the Given all that cyclical wheely stuff, there are other Frank Mancini Steve Solon cyclical nature of the sky and things going on up in the sky that don’t happen every Keith Pool Dan Wray Ron Mickle, Past President stars, and it’s reflected in year, or come only once in a life-time. Many cultures President Emeritus, Larry Brooks their religions, from the have the cyclical universe concepts down, but the Wheel of Karma of Native Americans and others also have the concept of Committees Hinduism to the Mayan “the tricksters,” usually known as the coyotes, which Van Nattan-Hansen Scholarship Fund: calendar, which, by the way, come in and shake up the routine of our cyclical Ron Pearson (Chair) does not end next year, but worlds. In astronomy, most of these have to do with P.O. Box 150743 begins another cycle. Many the “shallow-sky” objects, the stuff not going around in Lakewood, Colorado 80215-0743 EGK Dark Site Committee: American Indian cultures have the concept of the our solar system in neat circles, like comets, asteroids Darrell Dodge, Interim Chair “hoop of the world,” the great circles or hoops that and the planets. Of course there are coyotes out in Email: [email protected] define our being. deep space too, the very-occasional nova or supernova IDA Representative: We westerners seem to be more linear in our in our own or another galaxy, odd-variable stars or Dr. Robert Stencel Email: [email protected] thinking and seem to have lost touch with the sky and nebulae. Every year it seems we have new and unusual Student Astronomy Chair: the cycles. We have “the arrow of time,” always objects to observe. A new “great comet” can appear at Naomi Pequette (Chair) progressing in one direction from left to right, always almost any time, but unusual fainter comets like comet Finance Committee from a beginning point, whatever that is, to an end Holmes, which “exploded” into view from the asteroid Frank Mancini (303) 663-5263 point, whatever that is. But if you’ve just started out in belt a couple of years ago, grew to naked-eye brightness this hobby or avocation of astronomy, you will find overnight. Asteroids and other space rocks come Volunteers or Appointed yourself back in touch with the cycle of the sky, and the Representatives “cosmic wheel.” There are winter constellations, spring Continued on Page 3 ALCor: Darrell Dodge (303) 932-1309 Newsletter: Editor: Patti Kurtz (720) 217-5707 Email: [email protected] DAS SCHEDULE Proofing, writing, patience and New Astronomers Den charts: Steve Solon JANUARY FEBRUARY The Observer is available in color PDF format from the DAS website. Website: Dec. 31-Jan. 1 EGK Dark Sky weekend 4-5 EGK Dark Sky weekend Darrell Dodge 8 Open House at Chamberlin (Begins at 12 Open House at Chamberlin (Begins at Email: [email protected] 5:30 P.M.) “How to Use Your Telescope” 5:30 P.M.) Chad Warwick, IT Specialist talk at 7:00 P.M. 18 General Membership meeting at D.U.’s Librarian: Phil Klos 14 General Membership meeting at D.U.’s Olin Hall (Begins at 7:30 P.M.) Election DAS Information Line:(303) 871-5172 Olin Hall (Begins at 7:30 P.M.) Officer of officers. DAS Correspondence: and E-board nominations, and Dr. 25 E-Board Meeting at Chamberlin (Be- Denver Astronomical Society Steve Lee (DMNS) with the latest gins at 7:30 P.M.) Chamberlin Observatory c/o Ron Pearson 2930 East Warren Avenue Mars images. Denver, Colorado 80210 21 E-Board Meeting at Chamberlin (Be- gins at 7:30 P.M.) The Executive Board conducts the business of the DAS at 7:30 p.m. at Chamberlin Observatory. Please see the Schedule of Events for meeting dates. A members are welcome. Public nights are held at Chamberlin Observatory every Tuesday and Thursday evenings beginning at the foowing times: March 9 - April 14 at 8:00 p.m. April 15 - September 1 at 8:30 p.m. September 2 - March 8 at 7:00 p.m www.denverastro.org Costs to non-members are: $3.00 adults, $2.00 children Please make reservations via our website (www.denverastro.org) or ca (303) 871-5172.

The Denver Astronomical Society One Mile Nearer the Stars Page 2 THE DENVER OBSERVER JANUARY 2011

JANUARY SKIES (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1) turing bright Aldeberan, a foreground star to the figures into the Perseus/ Andromeda story as the them. Non-members are, of course, free to set up Hyades cluster which make up the rest of the “V.” bad guy. I don’t know which part of him forms that their scopes at any of these Open Houses. Then at 7 Check out the 140 light-years distant Hyades stars ‘pentagon’, but there it is, west of Taurus. From the P.M. we have Jupiter and Uranus, and again, this bunched up east of Aldeberan, then follow the bot- point of the “V” of Taurus, follow some dim stars sounds more like an activity than a talk, but you can tom horn of the bull out of the “V” to the left, west, down the bull’s back, to get to the pentagon always ask. This planet pair will be up in the south- (east), to the ζ (zeta) star of Taurus located immedi- of Cetus, which includes its orange Alpha star. The west by sundown. Then on the following Friday, the ately south of the end of five-sided Auriga. The rest of the sea monster runs kind of southwest from 14th, we will have our General Meeting in the Crab is just on the north side of that star. there, past variable Mira, to a big misshapen six- University of Denver’s Olin Hall on Iliff Avenue at Back to Aldeberan, northeast of the big red star sided figure (on the S&T chart, but not the Peter- 7:30 P.M. The Friday after that the E-Board meets is a smaller cluster, NGC 1647, about a moon’s son) that includes its Beta star. Back at the penta- back at Chamberlin at 7:30 P.M. The fun never ends! width in size. Then, off to the northwest are the gon, the first star southwest of it is δ (delta) Ceti very obvious Pleiades, M45. Now back to M1, and just to its left is the spiral galaxy M77. At magni- where you might want to wander up, north, into tude 10.5 the galaxy is not an easy object in small Auriga to sample its wonders. First go up to the scopes. Down at the eastern end of the six-sided southern star of Auriga’s pentagon, which is techni- monster body, the Tau star of Cetus, on the S&T cally the β (beta) star of Taurus since it is the star map the star closest to Fornax, is the nearest sun- that the northern horn of the Taurus “V” points to, like star to our solar system. More than likely it has although visually it belongs to Auriga. South of that its own planets with their own environments and and east of β (beta) Tauri, the M36 and M38 star life forms, with green and blue men struggling for clusters are nestled next to IC 417, a gaseous nebula power over nature and each other, as on our that you probably won’t be able to see, just west of world. the clusters, while farther west is the oft-imaged Back on Earth, the Quadrantid Meteor Shower Flaming Star Nebula, IC 405. M36 is the eastern- peaks the night of the 3rd and morning of the 4th at most of the two clusters, and farther east and a bit the dark of the new moon. This shower has no as- down from it is M37, yet another cluster lying just sociated modern constellation but was named outside the pentagon shape of Auriga. South of M37 after one invented by J.E. Bode in 1801 called Quad- and east of β (beta) Tauri is what looks like a semi- rans Muralis in what is now northern Boötes. Nor is circular supernova remnant labeled S147 on Peter- there any identified comet to blame for the debris son Chart #11, but not discussed by authors Menzel of the shower. and Pasachoff. Finally, remember that the winter Meetings: The Open House at Chamberlin Ob- Milky Way just above Taurus is the outer curl of our servatory is Saturday the 8th. According to Joe’s spiral galaxy as seen from the inside. Can you see it schedule there’ll be a talk at 6 P.M. on “How to Use A Geminid Meteor strikes near Orion the through the light pollution? a Telescope,” although this may actually be an activ- Hunter, who is hiding behind the tree during What you might try finding just for the heck of it ity out on the back lawn at the east end of the tele- the Geminid Meteor shower on December is the Pentagon of Cetus, that large hard-to-see sea scope field. Folks can bring their new scopes to that 14, 2010. Ron Pearson imaged this from his monster. Usually shown as a sort of whale, Cetus location if they need help setting them up or using Cosmic Rock Observatory, Evergreen, CO.

PRESIDENT’S CORNER (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2) whizzing by our Earth. Big meteors come burning across our sky and may drop Impacts on Jupiter have recently been documented by amateurs and changing a few meteorites. storms on Saturn have been frequently seen. Lunar and solar eclipses are Saturn’s rings go through a long cycle of opening up and closing that we are cyclical, but are rare enough events over any one area that many people go to always fascinated by and which you don’t want to miss. The great planet Jupiter great distances to observe them. You don’t want to miss one if it happens over underwent a major change last year, as amateurs spotted the disappearance of your backyard. Hopefully you caught our lunar eclipse in December of 2010 one of its major cloud bands. Now amateurs around the world are imaging and and not a snow storm. observing the reappearance of this cloud belt in great All this is to say, Happy New Astronomy Year, and may you get out under detail, far more than has ever been witnessed and recorded before. All are using clear skies and observe as much as possible, and continue to share our love of relatively simple equipment: small telescopes and a webcam or more the cyclical but ever-changing night sky as part of the Denver Astronomical specialized video cams with high frame rates and free software for processing. Society. ABOUT THE DAS Membership in the Denver Astronomical night of viewing, a tradition the DAS has helped The DAS is 501 (c)(3) tax-exampt corporation Society is open to anyone wishing to join. The maintain since its founding in 1952. and has established three tax-deductible funds: DAS provides trained volunteers who host edu- The DAS is a long-time member in good the Van Nattan-Hansen Scholarship Fund, the cational and public outreach events at the Uni- standing of the Astronomical League and the DAS-General Fund and the Edmund G. Kline versity of Denver’s His- International Dark Sky Association. The Dark Site Fund. To contribute, please see the toric Chamberlin Ob- DAS’ mission is to provide its members a forum bottom of the membership form for details servatory, which the DAS for increasing and sharing their knowledge of (found on the DAS website: thedas.org). helped place on the Na- astronomy, to promote astronomical education More information about the DAS, its activi- tional Register of Historic to the public, and to preserve Historic Cham- ties and the special tax-deductible funds is avail- Places. First light at Cham- berlin Observatory and its telescope in coopera- able on the DAS website at www.denverastro.org. berlin in 1894 was a public tion with the University of Denver.

The Denver Astronomical Society One Mile Nearer the Stars Page 3 THE DENVER OBSERVER JANUARY 2011 WATCHING OUT FOR THE SKIES THAT WATCH OVER US by Carla Johns ew of us can devote as much time to observ- F ing as we’d like to, but when we’re able to seize the opportunity, preparations shift into hyper-drive to maximize our time under the sky. Planning a successful observing session re- quires more thought and exactitude than our supportive significant others and families might imagine. Once all the filters, eyepieces, flash- lights, cords, tripods, telescopes, charts and warm clothes have been collected from various closets and hidey holes, one decision remains: deciding on a location. Where once it was possible to set up a telescope in the backyard or travel down a country road a few miles for a good night’s ob- serving, we seem to be driving farther and farther to find that idyllic sky. I’ve added a thousand miles to my odometer over the course of a week- end seeking such a prize. Frankly, unless you’re observing the Moon, the quality of your equipment, astuteness as an ob- server or your supernatural ability to screw on a light pollution filter devoid of a smudgy finger- print won’t prevent your starship from plummet- ing back to Earth if observing under a bubble of light pollution. Novices recently smitten by the hobby must find it agonizing to search in vain for celestial objects reported to be easy targets. Many other forms of pollution have been miti- gated, and in a few cases nearly eliminated, but are there any solutions on the horizon for reduc- Bob Parks (right), Executive Director of IDA, explains the mission of the organization ing light pollution? to Stephen Everist. September 2010, PATS. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) Photo by Carla Johns has been at the forefront of this issue since 1988. The organization has grown by leaps and bounds regular cycle of daytime and nighttime to regu- As you can imagine, light pollution also has a over the years and now maintains offices in Tuc- late the immune system and other physiological dire impact on the ability of nocturnal species to son, Arizona and Washington D.C., as well as functions. As our circadian rhythms fall out of find food and reproduce, and on the capacity of international offices supporting Europe and Asia/ balance due to the perpetually lighted modern migratory species to follow their instinctual pat- The Pacific. Currently, the membership includes world, our immune systems are severely im- terns and routes. Many cities in the United States over eleven thousand concerned individuals pacted. Recent studies have shown a relationship and Canada are participating in a “Lights Out” whose goal is to preserve dark skies for astro- between higher rates of breast and prostate can- campaign during seasonal bird migrations to save nomical observatories, ecological habitats, migra- cer in health care providers and nurses who work money and limit the amount of fatal bird colli- tory species and human physical and psychologi- night shifts where they spend little time in the sions with brightly lit buildings. Birds, amphibi- cal health. Are you a member of IDA? dark. Lack of darkness inhibits the body’s ability ans, bats, turtles, fish, insects, coyotes and many The IDA reaches out to kids, teachers, ama- to produce melatonin, which is a naturally occur- more animals are negatively impacted by the light teur astronomers, scientists, homebuyers, city ring hormone responsible for multiple systemic glow from our cities. Light pollution has drasti- planners and business owners to educate and functions. Links to these studies can be found on cally diminished the wonder that previous gen- inform them about the benefits of shielded and the IDA website at http://www.darksky.org. erations were able to experience simply by gazing directed lighting fixtures. This simple solution As we age, it’s inevitable that our night vision upon the night sky. Through my work at Griffith produces energy savings and reduced glare, not to will deteriorate to some degree, but glare affects Observatory, I’ve met countless people of all ages mention the preservation of dark skies. all of us. Poor lighting designs are often the cul- who have never seen the Milky Way. Although Recently I spoke with the Executive Director prit. Excessive amounts of glare can actually most have a general awareness of the planets, of the IDA, Bob Parks, at the Pasadena Astron- cause physical discomfort and the scattering of stars and constellations, any discussion of our omy and Telescope Show (PATS). Bob cares light in our eyes makes focusing very difficult, own galaxy often produces puzzled looks. I think deeply about preserving dark skies for astrono- especially as we grow older. Not only are inade- most of them assume I simply have an obsession mers, but he’s also concerned about the health- quate lighting designs wasting large amounts of with candy bars that, while true, misses the related problems associated with light pollution energy and money, but they’re a safety hazard as point. Once I describe the complexity of our and glare. Humans and animals alike depend on a well. galaxy, its structure, mass, vastness and sheer

The Denver Astronomical Society One Mile Nearer the Stars Page 4 THE DENVER OBSERVER JANUARY 2011

exquisiteness, the question follows as to how they the night for the sake of it. Dave and other IDA can observe such a magnificent sight. members became involved with their local gov- Isn’t it our birthright to be able to gaze upon ernment and business associations and spoke the Milky Way from most places on Earth? It’s with anyone who would listen about the causes often said that the only two things we can count and effects of light pollution. They successfully on are death and taxes. I suggest an addition to preserved their night sky, one of their finest natu- that old saw. How about the certainty of viewing ral resources in the arid land surrounding Kitt the Milky Way from moderately populated cities Peak Observatory. Dave encouraged all of us to and rural communities across the globe? By curb- connect with our communities and be committed ing light pollution it’s possible to make that short and persistent while speaking out politely, but list, happily, a bit longer. firmly. Dave Crawford, one of the founding members It will take time and a great deal of effort be- of the IDA, also attended PATS and delivered a fore our skies darken, but we can make a differ- compelling presentation about the ways those of ence tonight by turning off unnecessary outdoor us who care deeply about dark skies can have a lights, shielding essential lights, utilizing timers dramatic impact on light pollution. Although the and dimmers and increasing awareness about this population of Tucson, Arizona and the surround- critical issue with others at star parties or when- ing metropolitan areas currently exceeds over one ever the opportunity arises. Please consider be- million residents, the light pollution hasn’t in- coming a member of the IDA or purchasing a gift creased over the decades despite the growth. The membership for the astronomer who has every- Dave Crawford, founding member of answer to how this is possible provides a roadmap thing. IDA, receives the Holmes Award from for those of us interested in affecting our com- The sky has been our calendar, clock and com- Steve Edberg. September 2010, PATS. munities in the same way. pass for all of human history - until now. We can Photo by Carla Johns Dave is a retired professional research as- preserve our traditions, our stories, our fellow tronomer and has always prided himself on being species, our hobby, scientific research and educa- way. Start safeguarding our sky tonight. We can an amateur astronomer as well--one who loves tion as well saving energy and money along the do it, a single star at a time.

Jack Eastman's 1877 Alvan Clark refractor (photo left) was set up by the campfire at “The Fort” restaurant in Morrison for the Tesoro Foundation's November 14, "The Night the Stars Fell." The event commemorates the Great Leonid Meteor Storm of 1833, which was witnessed all across the U.S. and seen by western pioneers, traders and American Indians from Bent's Fort on the Santa Fe Trail. The Fort restaurant was built as a replica of the original Bent's Fort, now a National Historic Park. The DAS has participated in this annual event for about 10 years. This year Jack Eastman, Dan Wray, Neil Pearson, David Shouldice had telescopes set up for the par- ticipants to view the sky. Also present at the event was the great-grandson of Kit Car- son. Ron Pearson gave a presentation about the Leonid meteor shower and current pioneering explorations of comets and asteroids.

TOTALITY An beautiful shot of the total lunar eclipse at totality (photo right), taken at prime focus on a 12.5-inch f/6 Newtonian with a Canon 400D camera. Photo © Ron Pearson

The Denver Astronomical Society One Mile Nearer the Stars Page 5 THE DENVER OBSERVER JANUARY 2011 NASA’S SPACE PLACE ASTRONOMERS STUMBLE ONTO HUGE SPACE MOLECULES A Space Place Partner Article by Trudy E. Bell and Dr. Tony Phillips BUCKYBALLS! Superimposed on a Spitzer infrared photo of the Small Magellanic Cloud is an artist's illustration depicting a magni- fied view of a planetary nebula and an even further magnified view of buckyballs, which con- sist of 60 carbon atoms ar- ranged like soccer balls. Courtesy NASA/JPL

with its spectroscopy instru- ment. When he studied the spectrum (infrared signature) of a dim planetary nebula called Tc 1 in the southern-hemisphere constellation of Ara, he noticed several clear peaks he had not seen before in the spectra of other planetary nebulae. “When he came to me,” re- counted Cami, an astrophysi- cist who specializes in molecu- lar chemistry, “I immediately and intuitively knew it I was looking at buckyballs in space. I’ve never been that excited!” The authors confirmed his hunch by carefully comparing the Tc 1 spectrum to laboratory experiments described in the eep in interstellar space, in a the swirling closed cage exactly like a black-and-white soccer literature. D gaseous envelope of a planetary nebula, ball. Spitzer also found a larger fullerene, “This discovery shows that it is possi- hosts of carbon atoms have joined together to chemical formula C70, consisting of 70 carbon ble—even easy—for complex carbonaceous form large three-dimensional molecules of a atoms in an elongated closed cage more resem- molecules to form spontaneously in space,” special type previously seen only on Earth. As- bling an oval rugby ball. Cami said. “Now that we know fullerenes are tronomers discovered them almost accidentally Neither type of fullerene is rigid; instead, out there, we can figure out their roles in the using NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope. their carbon atoms vibrate in and out, rather physics and chemistry of deep space. Who “They are the largest molecules known in like the surface of a large soap bubble knows what other complex chemical com- space,” declared Jan Cami of the University of changes shape as it floats through the air. pounds exist—maybe even some relevant to the Western Ontario, lead author of a paper with “Those vibrations correspond to wavelengths formation of life in the universe!” three colleagues published in Science online on of infrared light emitted or absorbed—and Stay tuned! July 22, 2010, and in print on September 3. that infrared emission is what Spitzer re- Learn more about this discover y at Not only are the molecules big: they are of a corded,” Cami explained. http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu. For kids, there are special class of carbon molecules known as Although fullerenes have been sought in lots of beautiful Spitzer images to match up in “fullerenes” because their structure resembles space for the last 25 years, ever since they were the Spitzer Concentration game at the geodesic domes popularized by architect first identified in the laboratory, the astrono- http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/spitzer/concentration. Buckminster Fuller. Spitzer found evidence of mers practically stumbled into the discovery. This article was provided by the Jet Propulsion two types of fullerenes. The smaller type, nick- Co-author Jeronimo Bernard-Salas of Cornell Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under named the “buckyball,” is chemical formula University, an expert in gas and dust in planetary a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space C60, made of 60 carbon atoms joined in a series nebulae, was doing routine research with Spit- Administration of hexagons and pentagons to form a spherical zer’s infrared observations of planetary nebulae

The Denver Astronomical Society One Mile Nearer the Stars Page 6 THE DENVER OBSERVER JANUARY 2011

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ECLIPSED This image of the win- ter solstice total lunar eclipse was taken at 1:15 A.M. on December 21, 2010 in Denver. Joe used an an Olympus E- 500 DSLR on a 10-inch f/4.5 Newtonian. Expo- sure time: 1.3 seconds.

Image © Joe Gafford

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