OBSERVATORY NEWS February 2015 Published by the Friends of the Observatory (FOTO) Volume 26 No. 2 513-321-5186 www.cincinnatiobservatory.org Bill Cartwright, editor

take advantage of the offer from COMING UP AT some of our experienced astronomers to coach you on how to use and care for the THE OBSERVATORY.... telescope, and how to use a star chart to find interesting objects in the night sky. Dave Bosse, COC Quarterly Meeting Feb 4 12p Scott Gainey and Chuck Astronomy Thursday Feb 5 7p Strubbe have offered to meet FOTOKids Feb 6 7p Astronomy Friday Feb 6 7p with members one-on-one for Scout Astro Pin Night Feb 7 6-8p this training. You can get their History Tours Feb 8 1-4p contact information from the March Movie Night Feb 8 7p Observatory office. FOTO Member’s Meeting Feb 9 7:30p Also, remember that FOTO Understanding Tides* Feb 10 7p members can attend the Astro Astronomy Thursday Feb 12 7p Astronomy Friday Feb 13 7p THE WORD Thursday and Friday programs Dance of the Gods* Feb 13 7p (held almost every week) free of

Stonelick Stargaze Feb 14 dusk charge. You should call the By Michelle Lierl Gainey Late Night Date Night Feb 14 10:30p office to register, though, as

FOTO Field Trip Feb 15 2p there is an attendance limit for A2Z Astro Class Feb 15 7p Hello Friends! Winter is upon these programs. Library Comm. Meeting Feb 16 7p us, but don’t let the cold weather We will have a table at the Dean’s Intro Class (& 3/3) Feb 17 7p keep you too cooped up inside. Astronomy Thursday Feb 19 7p February 9 FOTO meeting, The winter night sky has so FOTO planning meeting Feb 19 7p selling donated telescope many beautiful stars and deep Astronomy Friday Feb 20 7p accessories at a discounted price FOTO Field Trip Feb 21 10a sky objects to enjoy. A short compared with the going price Stonelick Stargaze Feb 21 Dusk visit with the night sky, even just for the same used items on line. History Tours Feb 22 1-4p using your eyes or binoculars, Behind the Scenes* Feb 24 7p We look forward to seeing will liven up your evening. Jupiter & Venus Feb 24 7-9p you at our monthly meetings, Remember that Dave Bosse’s Astronomy Thursday Feb 26 7p the second Monday of each Astrophoto Workshop Feb 26 7p fun and informative A2Z month at 7:30 PM. And thank Astronomy Friday Feb 27 7p Astronomy Classes have started you for all you do to keep the Not a UFO Feb 28 7p again, on the 3rd Sunday of every Cincinnati Observatory Center month at 7 PM (this month, it is Save-The-Dates! thriving and serving our on February 15th). These classes *Constellations of Season Mar 4 7p community. FOTOKids Mar 6 7p are free for members. Mark your FOTO Member’s Meeting Mar 9 7:30p calendar! Pi Day with Pies Mar 14 8p Another benefit of FOTO Did You Know…. Spring Constellations Mar 17 8p membership is the option to Astro 2.0 Class (2 night) Mar 18 & 25 Light Light Night Apr 14 borrow a COC telescope for a The largest star ever discovered month. If you are just learning is a billion times larger than our * UC Communiversity Class how to use a telescope, please Sun.

1 theories of how molecules and A2Z+ Astronomy FOTO's February Meeting stars form. At the March 9th meeting we will February: Telescope Optics By Dave McBride hear Dr. Mark Plano Clark present “The Great Debate” – an Sunday, February 15, February brings with it a important milestone in the 7-8 pm conjunction of Venus and Mars history of astronomy. In the which will be visible on words of poet Henry David By Dave Bosse February 22. The two bright Thoreau, "The universe is wider planets will be visible within than our views of it." Extending on January’s topic only half a degree of each other

(human eye optics and usage) in the evening sky. Look for this further downstream, so to speak, impressive sight in the west just History of the Observatory February’s session will navigate after sunset. the issue of telescope optics. The On February 9th at 7:30pm our February 8 & 22 thing your eye looks into; the presenter will be Dr. Nick Abel Drop in anytime between 1-4 pm magic tube. bringing us his program called Why would I need five “The Veil of Orion.” When we telescopes? A perfectly good go looking for newly formed question, says my wife, Peggy. stars, time after time we find Well, there are several very good them in regions of the cosmos reasons (at least for having more where almost all atoms have than one scope,… or two,…). combined to form molecules. Why are refractors better than These regions are known as reflectors; no, they’re not; yes, molecular clouds. they are… it depends. Depends If we ask the question "Which molecules are most common?” on what? What about a Schmidt-Cassegrain (sounds like The answer is H2, or two Who is this distinguished hydrogen atoms hooked a beer)? They are all telescopes, gentleman? And what very notable together by a bond. This aren’t they? What makes all of buildings did he design? correlation between the location the varied designs different? where stars form and molecules $5 per person suggested Performance? Price? There are makes the understanding of how donation. Free for members. so many types. molecules form in space Group tours by appointment. The A2Z+ class on February fundamentally important. Just 15th, 7:00 P.M. will supply some like DNA is the building block of of the answers. Come along and Monthly FOTO life, so too are molecules the share your experiences with building blocks of stars, galaxies, telescopes you have known. Planning Meeting and planets. The A2Z+ Astronomy classes In this presentation, Nick will are held the third Sunday of each By Michelle Gainey discuss one of the closest regions month at 7:00 pm in the West of star-formation, the Orion The next FOTO Planning Wing of the Herget Building. Nebula, and the cloud of gas and Meeting is scheduled for The discussion group will meet dust in front of the nebula February 19, 7 pm at the for about an hour or so and the known as Orion's Veil. The Observatory. The planning best part is that attendance is peculiar properties of the Veil, meetings are open to all FOTO free to any COC member. The and its proximity to arguably the members. We encourage your only pre-requisite is the desire to best studied nebula, make it an participation in the discussion of learn. idea region to test scientific future FOTO activities.

2 Andy and Debbie Luers Welcome John Mangan FOTO Kids and Teens Lyn Marsteller and John Pinney New & Renewing John McHugh By Aashi Mital Randy and Mary McKnight Members! Minnie Mehuron What has 67 moons, 4 rings and Cindy Mincks a great red spot? Jupiter! The gas LeAnne Montgomery giant shines brilliantly Rino Munda throughout these long February Mike Nelson nights, so why not welcome Frank and Nancy Palmisano “Jupiter Season” with open Christopher Parrett and Mary arms? Fitzpatrick JoAnne and Poul Pedersen Michele and Marty Phelps Valydon Philip Poonoosamy Julia Rutherford Dr. Wes Ryle Bill Schoff

Kirk Schrotel Linda Bailey Scott and Jessi Schwarz Fred and Judy Bay Donald Seltz Mathew and Lynnae Beatty Randy Gudvangen & Brett John and Tricia Bevan Siereveld Join in on all the fun as we learn Marian and Richard Billings Rob Skully all about the King of the Planets Threasa Wesley and Geoffrey Henry and Jodi Stacey and do some viewing (weather Bowling Gary and Nancy Strassel permitting) at our next FOTO th Gordon Brown Richard Swaim Kids meeting on February 6 at Olivia and Richard Canada Suzanne and Tom Terwilliger 7 pm in the Herget Building. Janet Canter Joe and Darlene Verkamp Dress for the weather!. If you Tiffany and Jeff Clayton Chris & Nancy Virgulak have any questions, please don’t Lesta Cooper-Freytag Marc & Nadine Whitsett hesitate to email Aashi Mital at Stacy and Scott Crawford Sally Williams [email protected] or Aaron Jean Davison Eiben at Catherine and Bob DeFoor [email protected] Jennifer Delaney FOTO Board Members Until then, keep looking up! Doug and Shannon Disbennett (Terms expire Oct. 2015, Carl and Joanne Eastwood except as noted.) Anoah Eberhardt William Foster President: Michelle Gainey Noel and Amanda Gauthier VP: Aashi Mital Mel and Connie Gertz Secretary: George Ostrum Donna Wirth and Bob Groszer Treasurer: Al Scheide Denis Hartman FOTO Rep: Frank Huss (exp, Frank W. Huss III Oct 2016) Frank B. Knapke, Jr Michael Kreate Trustees Tyler and Lori Lang John Blasing Liz and Mike Lemon Aaron Eiben The Observatory is a proud Paul Franz and Shari Loo Dave Bosse (exp. Oct 2016) Chris Kean (exp. Oct 2016) member of GCEE! 3 understand their buy-in and Meet Our New passion for the Observatory. Intro to Astronomy  Develop list of foundations Development Director whose focus matches the work of A Short-Course at the the Observatory and begin Observatory funding discussions.  Create a list of businesses whose Tuesdays, February 17 and philanthropic reach is within the March 3, both from 7-9 pm work of the Observatory to underwrite programs and Resolve to learn more astronomy events. in 2015. This introductory  Work on both quantitative and astronomy course is perfect for qualitative evaluation pieces for beginners who want to know our programs to report to more about observing the night funders as well as capture new sky. funders. Anna Hehman Led by astronomer and co-  Capitalize on the opportunity of host of PBS’ Star Gazer, Dean people visiting the Observatory “I’m thrilled to join the Regas, this course will show you for public events, tours, classes Observatory in this role! I’ve the stars. You will learn how to and other events. worked in development for over identify stars, constellations, and  Create a marketing plan to help 8 years, including experience in planets as well as viewing tips craft a case for support major gifts, planned giving, for the Moon. Each night articulating the value of our annual fund campaigns, event includes viewing through the programs for various management, grant research and historic telescopes. audiences.” writing, and corporate relations. Cost: $30, but just $25 for Anna, 513-321-5186 I also have an MBA in Observatory members. Marketing, and several years of [email protected] To register call 513-321-5186. experience creating marketing plans, crafting press releases, Amazon “Smiles” on the and working with press contacts. 3D Glasses Needed! I was drawn to the Observatory Observatory because of not only its status as a By Michelle Lierl Gainey historical gem, but also as an educational resource for adults, If you have any 3D glasses you children and families in our are not using, please consider

donating them to COC. And if region. There are incredible Amazon will donate 0.5% of the you attend a movie in 3D, please opportunities for us to diversify price of your eligible purchases our funding and achieve more to Cincinnati Observatory remember to keep your glasses exciting growth. I’m looking Center whenever you shop on and bring them to the next forward to working with all of AmazonSmile. Next time you FOTO meeting. Hopefully we you to achieve great things for shop at Amazon simply start at will soon have enough glasses to the Observatory!” http://smile.amazon.com/ch/3 allow everyone to watch 1-1665954 astronomy videos in 3D on the “Plans for my initial six months large screen TV. include:  Identify our top 50 stakeholders Did You Know…. (members, volunteers, and Did You Know… donors) and begin process of Moons have the largest oceans in meeting with each one to better our solar system. The Universe is 74% hydrogen.

4 Other valuable resources Craig’s Corner include the Ohio History NASA Developing Connections’ state preservation By Craig Niemi, Executive Director office, the National Trust for Helicopter Scouts for Historic Preservation, and most We recently attended a talk by importantly UC’s Architect Mary Mars Rovers Paul Muller, Executive Director Beth McGrew and Senior of the Cincinnati Preservation Landscape Planner Len Thomas Association (CPA). You may from UC’s Planning & Design remember their “50 for 50” office. campaign which honored the Our best resources are our Observatory as Cincinnati’s #4 people. From the Board of historic site. Trustee’s commitment to CPA was originally named stewardship and preservation, to the Miami Purchase Association our members, volunteers, and had a strong focus on the donors, contractors and the protection of archeological thousands of visitors who all fall NASA engineers are designing resources. During the next five under the Observatory’s spell. autonomous helicopters that decades, CPA’s work resulted in Even before stepping over the could act as scouts for Mars not only the preservation of threshold our visitors experience rovers. NASA says low-flying many historic homes, works, and a personal, visceral, real helicopter drones could provide sites, but also strong legislation connection to the past. better guidance as to where to for defining and protecting Thanks to everyone who help send the rovers. The rovers are historic buildings/sites. make the Observatory a currently guided by images CPA’s advocacy and landmark in every sense of the collected from the rover's expertise, in particular word. Preservation Director Margo onboard cameras and images Warminski’s, was key in the from orbiting spacecraft. protection and subsequent Greater Cincinnati STEM The helicopter could fly out in transition to the remarkable front of the rover it is assigned educational center we are today. Collaborative to. The helicopters would gather Stewardship of our additional images of the remarkable landmark is a landscape. Scientists would priority and we are fortunate to examine the images from the be in a community that The Greater Cincinnati STEM helicopter to find the best recognizes sites like the Collaborative (GCSC) impacts features and rocks for the rover Observatory are a link to our STEM (Science, Technology, to examine. region’s culture and unique Engineering, and Mathematics) NASA says the helicopters history. Of course good learning and career readiness would weigh about 1 kilogram stewardship does not happen in through active, engaged, data- (2.2 pounds). They would a vacuum. driven partnerships between measure about 1.1 meters (3.6 Our National Historic business, educational (Cincinnati feet) from the tip of one blade to Landmark status (1997) granted Observatory), and community the other. The base of the by the Park Service put us in partners. Our vision is that the helicopter would resemble a very distinguished company. Greater Cincinnati, tri-state cube-shaped tissue box. An Being one of the city’s twenty region has the most robust STEM artist's rendition of the helicopter eight Historic Districts, (1978) talent pipeline in the country is pictured above. and our listing on the National which is also representative and http://www.sciencespacerobots. Register of Historic Places, inclusive of the region's com/nasa-developing- provides substantial resources population. and protections. helicopter-scouts-for-mars- www.greatercincystem.org rovers-13020155

5 Astronomers Discover Jupiter and Venus New Star Gazers Ancient Star With 5 At the Observatory

Earth-Sized Planets Tuesday, February 24, 7-9 pm

You’ve probably been seeing these two bright, night lights in the sky. Venus dazzles in the west and Jupiter blazes in the

east this month and you can learn all about our two brightest Star Gazers airs locally on planets. channels 14 and 48 and you can Astronomers analyzing data Astronomer Dean Regas will watch each month’s episodes on from NASA's Kepler spacecraft share the latest discoveries and our website: have discovered an ancient star pictures from these two alien http://www.cincinnatiobservato with five Earth-sized planets. worlds and then you can see ry.org/stargazer.html The star, Kepler-444, is at least them up close and personal in “Keep Looking Up!” 11.2 billion years old. the telescopes (weather

The star is about 25% smaller permitting). Great for beginners than our Sun. It is located 117 and amateur astronomers alike. UC Communiversity Cost: $15 per person light-years away from Earth. The Enrich Your Life With astronomers say the size of the To register, call 513-321-5186. Quality Courses five planets range in size from Mercury to Venus. They are all Stargazing at Stonelick very close to their star and have orbits less than 10 days. These State Park make them all hotter than Mercury and uninhabitable for Saturdays – February 14 & 21 life as we understand it. Although these planets are too close to their star to be inhabitable, the discover suggests planets around Earth's size have been forming for billions and billions of years. A Understanding the Tides research paper on the discovery February 10 is published in the Astrophysical The Winter Milky Way Dance of the Gods Journal. The astronomers say, February 13 "We thus show that Earth-size Need help with your telescope? planets have formed throughout Behind the Scenes Bring it for expert tips setting it most of the Universe's 13.8- At the Observatory billion-year history, leaving open up and exploring the night sky. February 24 the possibility for the existence Stargazing begins at dusk. Open Constellations of the Season of ancient life in the Galaxy." to all ages. Stargazes are weather March 4 http://www.sciencespacerobots. com/astronomers-discover- permitting. “Friend” the To register contact UC ancient-star-with-5-earth-sized- Stonelick Lake Stargazers Communiversity at planets-12720151 Facebook page for weather and 513-556-6932, or schedule updates. www.uc.edu/ce/commu.html 6 should reveal details of the Eyes of the Night FOTO Field Trip: Cincinnati dwarf planet's surface composition. Nature Center The above image was taken by Dawn on January 25th.. The By Aashi Mital new images reveal craters and a mysterious white spot on Ceres. http://www.sciencespacerobots. com/nasas-dawn-spacecraft- takes-sharpest-image-yet-of- ceres-13020151

Get out and enjoy the fresh air!

Mr. John Ruthven is offering FOTO Members will meet up at Late Night Date Nights signed, limited edition giclee' the Cincinnati Nature Center on Sunday, February 15th inside the prints of his "Eyes of the Night" Saturday, February 14 which features the Observatory! Rowe Visitor Center 4949 10:30 pm to Midnight Each signed 14"x 20" print is Tealtown Road, Milford Ohio on sale for $150. The total run 45150 at 2 pm. will be limited to 250 prints. Our free afternoon adventure Proceeds support the includes a guided tour, a hike Observatory’s programs. To around the grounds and an extra order contact Craig Niemi at seasonal treat- an interactive sap- 513-321-5186 or collecting sugar bush tour and [email protected] visit to the sugarhouse. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email Scope for Sale Aashi Mital at The Heart Nebula [email protected]. After your night out dining and dancing, top off your Valentine’s Night with a stop at the NASA's Dawn Spacecraft Cincinnati Observatory. The Observatory is one of the Image of Ceres most romantic places in town – especially after hours. You'll get to use the oldest big telescope in the U.S. to view astronomical objects and snuggle under the stars (weather Explore Scientific AR102 with permitting). For adults only. If Celestron CG-4 EQ Mount. the weather does not permit 663mm FL f/6.5 Two speed 2" viewing, we’ll have fun showing Crayford style focuser. Cradle you around the universe and rings, Vixen style Dovetail, 8x50 behind the scenes at the finder 2” Diagonal. Explore Observatory. Light snacks and Scientific 18mm 2" eyepiece & Dawn is currently on its way to refreshments will be available. GSO 42mm eyepiece. visit the dwarf planet. It will Admission is $20 per person. Brand new. Almost $1,100.00 enter into orbit around Ceres on To make reservations sign up invested, asking $675. March 6th. NASA says detailed online from the Calendar Listing Contact John Merrick 513-885- images captured in March or call 513-321-5186. 6532, or [email protected]

7 time. At the same time that the March Movie Night The Lloyd Library and pharmaceutical company was growing, the library also grew. By Aashi Mital Museum In 1919, trusts were established

that would ensure the continued We’re keeping the party going By Aashi Mital existence of the library long after with another movie night in the the brothers were gone. Today, Herget Building on Sunday, the library stands in nearly the March 8th at 7 pm. same spot where it started over a century ago and continues to serve the needs of the scientific community, and many others, that it did back then. Our first field trip of 2015 is to For more information, please the Lloyd Library and Museum visit: located Downtown. FOTO http://www.lloydlibrary.org/ members shall meet at the Lloyd (917 Plum Street, right next to Join us for New Horizons: Passport the Fire Museum) on Saturday, The Planets @ Music Hall to Pluto and Beyond! February 21st at 10 am. It will be $5 per person and Thursday, Feb. 19, 7:30 pm Why Go to Pluto? Planetary there is a 10-person minimum. In Saturday, Feb. 21, 8 pm exploration is a historic order to sign up for this trip, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2 pm endeavor and a major focus of please email Aashi Mital at NASA. New Horizons was [email protected] designed to help us understand Advanced payment is due by worlds at the edge of our solar Saturday, February 14th. system by making the first The Library holds, acquires, reconnaissance of Pluto and preserves, and provides access to Charon - a "double planet" and both historic and current books the last planet in our solar and journals, as well as archival system to be visited by materials, on a wide variety of spacecraft. As a part of an disciplines. Despite the scientific extended mission, New focus, the collections have Horizons will visit objects in the relevance to the humanities, Kuiper Belt region beyond such as visual arts and foreign Neptune. languages through resources Cincinnati Observatory 1873 We will have popcorn to that feature botanical Cincinnati Music Hall 1878 munch on, but feel free to bring illustrations, original artworks, Both designed by in your own drinks and snacks and travel literature. Samuel Hannaford for the event. If you have any Tradition holds that the questions, please email Aashi nucleus of the library can be Astronomers and volunteers will Mital at [email protected]. found in the two books John Uri be showcasing the Observatory,

brought with him to Cincinnati our programs and history at the Did You Know…. in the 1860s. He was followed by three CSO performances of his two younger brothers. All of Gustav Holst’s The Planets. Star them eventually formed Lloyd Images of Mercury show (and Sun) gazing follows across Brothers, Pharmacists, Inc. and volcanic activity played a part in the street in Washington Park. John Uri became one of the most forming plains on the planet. Visit www.cincinnatiarts.org for important pharmacists of his ticket information.

8 gets worse”. I took him to mean The King of the Planets 2015 Looks Good that the museum will nag you into coming back way more than Returns From Here you thought in the beginning. How could you not? (Smile) By Aashi Mital By George Ostrum Speaking of ambassadors, FOTO Secretary Aashi Mital conducts great With “Jupiter Season” kicking seminars and field trips out in After a one month absence, due off at the Observatory, we are the community. Places of great to the holiday season, I`m glad to proud to announce that new interest are destinations on her be sharing a few thoughts with exhibit on the King of the Planets list. Places in our own back you. The great perks of hanging is open to the public until mid- yard that may have flown under around the Observatory include April. your radar. She has Movie being among the first to hear Nights going on as well. Very about things of interest to the cool. scientific community….such as And Aaron Eiben conducts Neil deGrasse the arrival of the Dark Sky viewing at Tyson to the Taft Theater in Stonelick State Park. With great October. What I like to remind generosity of spirit and time, people is that the presenters, he`ll aim your scope (or fix it) scientists, professors, and other and fill you in on not only the experts are at the museum every major celestial objects, but some day, and take a back seat to no you may not have thought one. about. He`ll tell you why stars The Tyson ticket is rumored twinkle.

to be $50 or so. For less than So, 2015 looks like another Want to know more about the that, you can become a member Galilean Moons or the Great Red fantastic year. I really look of the Observatory, and benefit forward to the FOTO meetings Spot? Perhaps discovering more from all the education and every month. Who`s going to about the Cincinnati loaner programs….for a YEAR. speak? What amazing exhibit Observatory’s past in connection I’ll go to the Taft, but with the will be there? Will I be so with the gas giant is what you’re swagger of being a FOTO distracted that taking the after. Whatever the intrigue, stop member. minutes might not even happen? by and visit. It`s been a good start to the We`ll see. And don’t forget that this year. Red dot finders are finding would make for an excellent their way onto the loaner scopes, resource! Between incorporating and the Wi-Fi/webcam set-up is Museums and Historic it into our programming to being very nearly up and running. Isn`t it good that the Sites of Greater Cincinnati an added intrigue for walk-ins and tour groups or even if it’s Observatory staff is so mindful just learning more about of the importance of the storied something of personal interest, history here, while at the same time on the cutting edge of the it’s sure to turn a few heads. technology that brings the heavens to us all. It`s an exciting MHS is comprised of over 30 Did You Know…. time around here. participating sites across Greater As my involvement increases Cincinnati. Each site offers a

at the COC, I`m reminded of unique perspective on local In a few billion years when our what was said to me the day I history and culture through Sun becomes a Red Giant, the had my first tour. I think I public programs, exhibits, Moons of Jupiter and possibly commented that I was sold, and lectures, and tours. Saturn might become habitable, would be back, and often. With www.historicgreatercincinnati.org with liquid oceans. a wink, that ambassador said “It 9 They’re NOT UFOs. They’re Astro Evenings at the We Have Some Newly Found much, much cooler. They are, in reality, Venus Observatory Near-Twins and Jupiter, the brightest star- like objects in the sky. They, Thursdays, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 Earth has a few more near-twin along with the twinkly stars Fridays, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27 planets outside our solar system, Sirius and Capella are the most 7-8:30 pm tantalizing possibilities in the reported UFOs to the Cincinnati search for extraterrestrial life. Observatory. Don’t be fooled. Astronomers announced We’ll tell you how to identify January 7th that depending on these objects in the nighttime definitions, they have confirmed sky, and view them through the three or four more planets that telescopes (weather permitting). are about the same size as Earth Plus we’ll share UFO reports and are in the not-too-hot, not- we’ve received over the years. too-cold "Goldilocks Zone" for Admission is $7 per person liquid water to form. No reservations required. These planets are likely to be Drop in any time after 7pm. rocky like Earth, and not gas Great for all ages. giants or ice worlds. They get For more info, call 513-321-5186. about the same heat from their Free for Observatory members! star as we get from the sun,

according to the latest results In awe with the beauty of the from NASA's planet hunting night sky? Have questions about Are Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Kepler telescope. the Universe? http://www.aol.com/article/20 This is where you can get the Flashes Common? 15/01/07/astronomers-to-earth- answers. youve-got-some-newly-found- Each day, thunderstorms around Astronomy Evenings include near-twins/21126200/ the world produce about a short presentations on a wide thousand quick bursts of gamma variety of topics and plenty of rays, some of the highest-energy time for your astro-questions. light naturally found on Earth. Tour of the Cincinnati Not a UFO! By merging records of events Observatory, which as a National Historic Landmark, Saturday, February 28 seen by NASA's Fermi Gamma- played an important role in the 7-9 pm ray Space Telescope with data history of Cincinnati and our from ground-based radar and lightning detectors, scientists nation. Once dark, we will view have completed the most the Moon, planets and deep detailed analysis to date of the space treasures through the types of thunderstorms historic 1845 telescope. (Program involved. is held rain or shine; telescope Remarkably any thunder- viewing if clear skies). storm can produce gamma rays, The topics and the night sky even those that appear to be so change week-to-week/month-to- weak a meteorologist wouldn't month so you can visit often to Maybe you’ve seen them in the look twice at them. hear and see something new night sky. These two Free for Observatory members! unbelievably bright lights – one http://science.nasa.gov/science For the latest schedule see the in the east and one in the west. -news/science-at- web calendar then sign up You wonder, what are they? nasa/2014/31dec_tgfs/ Planes? UFOs?

10 And astronomers using NASA's donation goes to support the Pillars of Creation Are Also Hubble Space Telescope have Observatory’s mission. No cost assembled a bigger and sharper to you; no loss of fuel points. Pillars of Destruction photograph of the iconic Eagle https://www.kroger.com/accou

Nebula's "Pillars of Creation". nt/create Credit: NASA/ESA/Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)/J. Hester, P. Does This Look Familiar? Scowen (Arizona State U.)

Magnetic Storm On a Comet?

Everyone knows about geomagnetic storms on Earth. But did you know that comets can have them, too? Right now, Dale Zoller took this picture at Jan. 7, 2015: Although NASA’s a type of magnetic storm may be the Krohn Conservatory holiday Hubble Space Telescope has in progress in the tail of bright train display. taken many breathtaking images Comet Lovejoy (C/2014 Q2), of the universe, one snapshot causing "plasma blobs" and stands out from the rest: the "disconnection events" visible in iconic view of the so-called amateur telescopes. “Pillars of Creation.” The jaw- Visit http://spaceweather.com dropping photo, taken in 1995, for images and more revealed never-before-seen information. details of three giant columns of cold gas bathed in the scorching The GOW website is up all-year ultraviolet light from a cluster of 5142 is the Kroger around as a link to informal young, massive stars in a small education providers like the region of the Eagle Nebula, or Community Rewards Observatory. M16. Number for the www.cincygreatoutdoorweeken In celebration of its upcoming d.org 25th anniversary in April, Observatory Hubble has revisited the famous pillars, providing astronomers Meet Me Outdoors with a sharper and wider view. Although the original image was dubbed the Pillars of Creation, the new image hints that they are also "pillars of destruction." http://science.nasa.gov/science Looking for one site to find this -news/science-at- winter’s best outdoor recreation nasa/2015/07jan_pillarsofcreati After a quick and easy sign up events? Stargazing, hikes, biking, on/ online, every time you swipe everything outdoors. your Kroger Plus Card a http://meetmeoutdoors.com 11

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