Observe—Educate—Have Fun The December 2020 Sidereal Times

The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society P.O. Box 50581, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87181-0581 www.TAAS.org

taas — 2011 winner of astronomy magazine’s out-of-this-world award for outstanding public programming since 1959

General Meeting News Lynne Olson

TAAS ASTRONOMY syndicated TV show “ Gazers.” His topic: “I Want to Believe: 101 TAAS GENERAL Returning to an Age of Reason” Viola Sanchez: “Solar Eclipse MEETING After 20 years of public speaking Observing” Dean Regas: “I Want to at the Cincinnati Observatory, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28 - Believe: Returning to an Regas has heard every astronomy 6:00 P.M. conspiracy theory and doomsday Online via Zoom* Age of Reason” prediction in the universe – and SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, frankly, he’s worried; worried Prior to our General Meeting on Nov. 28, we will feature TAAS member 7:00 P.M. that we are slipping into an age of superstition. Viola Sanchez with Astronomy 101, Online via Zoom* online on Zoom. He’ll discuss the Mayan Calendar, Our featured speaker for the TAAS the Moon landing, UFO sightings, Viola writes: Many TAAS members virtual General Meeting on Nov. Doomsday Comets, Astrology traveled to the path of totality of the 28 will be astronomer, author and the Star of Bethlehem; all last total solar eclipse in the United and television host Dean Regas, topics that many Americans States on August 21, 2017. At least best known as co-host of the daily two TAAS members went to Chile continued on page 2 . . . or Argentina to view the total solar eclipse of July 2, 2019. continued on page 2 . . . INSIDE 2...... President’s Message 5...... Under the Dome 7...... Get a TAAS Hat! 3...... Cosmic Carnival Extended! 6...... Astrophoto: The Ghost 8...... TAAS Reports & Notices 4...... Astrophoto: The Bubble Nebula 9...... TAAS Directors & Staff The Sidereal Times December 2020

President’s Message Jim Fordice ...Astronomy 101 continued from page 1 Cosmic Carnival GNTO Events Why are total solar eclipses so unique Please note that an updated policy Many thanks to all of the TAAS and spectacular and worth traveling on GNTO Use During the COVID-19 Members who contributed to the long distances to view from the path Surge is posted on the website. on-line Cosmic Carnival. Teaming of totality? What are partial, hybrid with the City of Albuquerque 2021 Officer Election and annular solar eclipses? How they conceived and created an Our Nominating Committee (Jim often and where do they occur? What exceptional experience for those Roucis, Tom Grzybowski, and Mark causes them? How are they related to who are interested in the night sky. Goodman) are soliciting candidate lunar eclipses? When is the next total There was – and is -- something for for President, Vice President, solar eclipse in the United States? everyone. Secretary, and Treasurer for 2021. These are a few of the questions Join Us for the Virtual Observing If you are interested in running that Viola will answer during her Sessions for one of these positions send an Astronomy 101 presentation, which I hope you have been enjoying email to Jim Roucis at jim@roucis. will include a few photos and stories the November Virtual Observing com. of Viola’s trip to Chile to view the last Program that features asteroids. total solar eclipse. The details for all virtual sessions during the Annual Meeting on *Reserve a Zoom slot with TAAS vice are on the TAAS website. Keep JanuaryThe 2021 23rd. Officers will be elected president Steve Snider: [email protected]. sending your inputs to Dee on what other virtual programs you would Albuquerque Area Observing —Lynne Olson Sites like to participate in. Solar eclipse photo on p. 1 by Mike A recent addition to our website Molitor is a list of observing sites in the Albuquerque area. It is located on ...General Meeting News the left menu on the homepage continued from page 1 under the title “Albuquerque Area believe are in one way or another Observing Sites.” controversial. If anyone ever asks you “Where can Observe – Educate – Have Fun Regas is a Contributing Editor I observe in Albuquerque” you can to Sky and Telescope magazine point them to the list which is easy and a contributor to to download and print. Each entry Astronomy magazine, an Outreach on the list is a place that is open at Astronomer for the Cincinnati night (most Albuquerque parks are Observatory and the author of closed at night). Included is a link three books Facts From Space!, 100 to Google Maps that shows where Things to See in the Night the site is located. Sky, and 100 Things to See in the Please contact me at president@taas. Southern Night Sky. org if you see anything on the list *Reserve a Zoom slot with TAAS that needs to be corrected. vice president Steve Snider: vp@ Keep safe out there and keep TAAS.org. Observing, Educating (yourself), —Lynne Olson and Having Fun.

Page 2 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times December 2020

COSMIC CARNIVAL CONTINUES! EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 30th A Virtual Collaboration of the Albuquerque Astronomical Society and the City of Albuquerque’s Open Space Visitors Center

We went online on Sunday, on the website. Understanding the Phases Overpeck November 8th and will now Many of our usual of the Moon - Jim Roucis “A Solar System in Your continue through Saturday exhibitors have their own “Ring Around a Planet” - Pocket” - Paper, tape, November 30th, available presentations, as well as Highlights of the Cassini markers: construct a scale on your computer or several TAAS members in mission to Saturn model of the Solar System device, so come visit our their areas of expertise, NASA Ambassador - Len – Kevin Dilley, Explora midway stroll at the Cosmic each one showing the Duda Science Center Carnival 2020. work and creativity by the “Vastness of the Universe” “Inner Earth--and Asteroids” - The great magnitudes What missions to asteroids The webpage is www. individual entities: required to describe/ can tell us about our cabq.gov/cosmic This Here’s list of presenters event is an excellent way understand the distances Earth - Dr. Tom Prettyman, and what to expect: between astronomical Planetary Science Institute to explore science and astronomy at your leisure “ in your cell phone” - objects - David Frizzell “Ambassador to the - What would with the great variety of Viewing the Night Sky with “Why The Sky is Blue?” ” - Science mysteries you tell other worlds about subjects--and free! Your Smartphone - Dee Friesen explained by The Science ours - Sherri Brueggemann, Jim Greenhouse and “An Introduction to Amateur Girl, Melissa Ober Intergalactic Cultural Jim Fordice began on Astronomy” - Telescopes “Black Holes – Watch your Institute November 8th with a and star charts and step!” - What they are and “After Sunset” - Nightscape kickoff live night-sky resources - David Frizzell how we know they exist - Photography for Beginners; observing session, which “Boris and His Magic Glass” Bob Havlen Capturing a natural setting had clear skies and good - How a Telescope Lens “Thunder and Lightning” after dark, including the internet and attracted Works - Boris Venet - Interviews with local night sky - James Carr many viewers. This “Our Resident Lunatic” - meteorologists - National —Lynne Olson recorded event is available Weather Service Scott

Page 3 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times December 2020

The Bubble Nebula, NGC 7635, is an H II region (ionized interstellar hydrogen) located in the Cassiopeia, fairly close to the cluster M52.

The bubble is driven by a massive, hot blue star, SAO 20575, found in this image to the lower left of the bubble. The nebula is located near a massive molecular cloud that contains the expansion of the nebula.

This image was captured in Sii, Hα, Oiii from my light-polluted Albuquerque back yard over the course of three nights, 9-24 – 9-26, using a C11 Edge with f/7 focal reducer, an ASI 1600 mm camera with ASI narrow band filters, an ASI120mm camera on an AT65 refractor for guiding through PhD2 and a Losmandy G11 mount.

Image capture was controlled through Sequence Generator Pro. Processing was done in PixInsight.

—Vance Ley

Page 4 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times December 2020 Under the Dome Notes from and about GNTO Jim Fordice

November 6 & 7 - 3rd Quarter looking at M-57 (Ring Nebula), Viola left at around midnight and Moon Observing Sessions M-56 globular near the Ring, M-13, Fernando departed at about 2:00 Cancelled due to weather. M-71, and the Dumbbell Nebula (M- 27). While in that area of Sagitta, frames from what I expect was a November 10 - Special Observing successfula.m., just as evening I was making imaging my the flat Session , 6905 and 6886, and IC most over-imaged target in the sky. Jim Kaminski opened the site. I tried to find two other planetary I spent the rest of the night sleeping Fernando Torres and Eric Edwards (old eyes??). Andromeda , in the back of my truck and, after joined him. Jim reported: Clear, M-22,4997, butin Sagittarius, I was unable and to M-30, find them locking everything up, I departed at cool, almost calm, pretty sunset a wonderful Globular cluster in about 7:30 A.M. Capricornus. Its shape has several coloration from thin smokiness. Event Schedule streams of stars that gives it the November 13 - New Moon shape of an alien life form. Check it Please consult the TAAS.org website Observing Session out. for information concerning access Jeff Boggs was the Opener. He to GNTO and scheduled events. We all had left the site by midnight. reported: GNTO opened for Friday GNTO Director: [email protected] or A good night at GNTO. night with me, Jim Stanley, Jim 505-803-3640. Roucis and Ben Jones showing up. November 14 - New Moon We had calm winds, clear, steady Observing Session skies, and no clouds, after dark. Vance Ley was the Opener. He Dobs were the telescope of choice. reported: Viola Sanchez, Fernando We spread out across the observing Torres and I attended last night’s “New Moon Observing” session. The the day to clear weeds from around sky was clear, the air was cold, and eachfield. observingI had come pad. down Jim earlier Stanley in the only negative aspect was the arrived early and helped in this wind, which was gusting at about big effort. Thanks to Jim! Still, lots 15 mph at sunset. The velocity of of weeds are just waiting to be the gusts diminished as the evening dispatched. LOL. wore on but didn’t really disappear Photo by Ruth Friesen until well after midnight. Everyone spent some early evening time checking out Jupiter and its I was able to image M31 with my TAAS Telescope Loan Program short focal length refractor while four moons, Saturn and Mars. Due to new orders by the Then we looked in all directions at Viola and Fernando appeared to state government regarding different deep sky objects. their instruments. Due to “anti- increased COVID19 risks, I used the GNTO 16-inch Dob social”have little distancing, difficulty together managing with the TAAS Telescope Loan and the Televue eyepieces. WOW. my limited hearing, I wasn’t able Program is suspended until at great views!! I believe I saw four to discuss much of anything with least 11/30/20. Saturn moons, and Mars showed either Viola or Fernando, including a large dark shaded area running their observing targets. Rick Vergas, TAAS Telescope from 11 o’clock to 4 o’clock across Loan Program Coordinator the planet disk. I then spent time

Page 5 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society

TAAS Telescope Loan Program

Due to new orders by the state government regarding increased COVID19 risks, The Sidereal Times December 2020

The Ghost Nebula, Sh2-136, is a reflection nebula located in the constellation . The Ghost nebula is over 2 light- years across and 1500 light years distant. There are several stars embedded, whose emissions make the nebula shine in brownish color. The image is a stack of 5 minute subs, 4 hours total imaging time, processed with StarTools and Photoshop. I took the images with a C11 Edge with a 0.7 reducer, Canon R camera body, Losmandy G11 mount. The location was my driveway in Santa Fe County. —George Shoup

Page 6 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times December 2020

Proud To Be a Member of TAAS? Get a Cap!

For many years. we have had TAAS hats and other apparel made at Black Duck Embroidery & Screen Printing (http://blackduckonline.com), here in Albuquerque. Recently they gave us an excellent price on two types of caps due to our frequent orders. We can get the TAAS ball cap and/or the woven watch cap,both in midnight blue with the TAAS logo, for only $10, and you can order one (or both!) via our dedicated publicist Lynne Olson, at no additional charge. During this stay-at-home, social-distancing time, if you want to keep TAAS on your mind—and on your head—notify Lynne at [email protected]. She’ll let you know when the order comes in, and payment will be arranged.

Page 7 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times December 2020 TAAS Reports & Notices Location, Location, Location Donations to TAAS Welcome to New • Chaco Canyon• or Returning 6185’ elevation TAAS Members Latitude Longitude 36˚ 01’ 50”N 107˚ 54’ 36”W 36.03˚ -107.91˚ Michelle Horndeski 36˚ 1.83’ -107˚ 54.60’

Jim Fordice Ben Sanchez • Oak Flat• 7680’ elevation Gabe Sanchez Latitude Longitude Guy Kent John Sanchez 34˚ 59’ 48”N 106˚ 19’ 17”W 34.99˚ -106.32˚ Kristina Sanchez John T. Meredith 34˚ 59.80’ -106˚ 19.28’ Ryan Sanchez • UNM Campus Observatory• 5180’ elevation United Way of Sarah Sanchez Latitude Longitude Central New Mexico 35˚ 5’ 29”N 106˚ 37’ 17”W Joshua Williams 35.09˚ -106.62˚ Pavel Williams 35˚ 5.48’ -106˚ 37.29’ Courtesy Pete Eschman

For security reasons, GNTO location is The Albuquerque Astronomical Society is a 501(c) available by request only, so please contact (3) organization. Donations are deductible as Explanation of Dues and Jim Fordice, GNTO Director, for GNTO charitable contributions on the donor’s federal Membership Renewal Date information, e-mail [email protected]. income tax return. New memberships are registered Membership Services Monthly Membership Report immediately when you pay online. If you pay by check, your membership is for: November 2020 registered when your check is received and •Membership Inquiries processed by the Treasurer. Membership Current Past Change •Events Information Month Month Renewal notices are sent via e-mail •Volunteer Opportunities beginning 60 days before your membership Regular 239 244 -5 expires. When you renew your membership Contact Bob Anderson at Family 163 161 2 your new expiration date will be advanced [email protected] Educator 12 13 -1 one year from the previous expiration date. Student 5 5 0 for: Military 4 4 0 If your membership has expired for a long •Membership Dues Honorary 5 5 0 period and you have not participated in club •Address/e-mail changes Total Members 428 432 -4 activities during the expired membership period, please contact the President before Contact Doug LeGrand at you attempt to renew your membership. [email protected] Editor’s Note If the President approves, you will be The deadline for the next issue of The reinstated as a member with an expiration TAAS Sidereal Times is Monday, December 14. The date set as one year from the receipt of P.O. Box 50581 newsletter editors’ e-mail address is payment. Albuquerque, NM 87181 [email protected] .

Page 8 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times December 2020

Page 9 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Albuquerque Astronomical Society

P.O. Box 50581 Albuquerque, NM 87181-0581

TAAS is honored to receive an TAAS is honored to receive an “Editor’s Pick 2013 Best of the City” “OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD” AWARD 2011 award from Albuquerque Magazine. from Astronomy Magazine BEST PLACE TO STARGAZE for Outstanding Public Programming. CELESTIAL EDITION

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