May 2005 The Sidereal Times The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society P.O. Box 50581, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87181-0581 www.taas.org 505/254-TAAS(8227) A Night to Remember arrived. My friends had not seen with my first telescope. This was anything like this, saying “They different than the few gatherings at April 30th, 2005 look like rocket ships” and “Aren’t GNTO I have been to this year. The those mortars from the Civil War?” event had a life of its own. Maybe Oak Flat Steadily, people came. I strategically it’s because there were 5 times as setup our “camp” so the two paths many visitors as scopes. Maybe it’s Christopher Darling to the telescope field crossed in front just that under the New Mexico sky, of us. We handed out red plastic and people came together to share in It was quite a windy day even after rubber bands to the many people who an experience. I will remember the we got to the site late in the afternoon. brought flashlights. It was a good way sounds and sights from this night. to meet everyone Even after 11 pm, after most people and they seemed left, even after the clouds came a p p r e c i a t i v e back with a vengeance, we stuck it being welcomed out hoping for a break in the sky. I in and encouraged had a chance to wander from scope to listen, look to scope and see what was up. By and go around midnight we were down to the to all the others last 3 scopes. The public had come gathered there. and gone, but still filled with the enthusiasm of the night we pressed It was, at some on. I must admit, I thought I knew point, a magical a lot about the sky – I still have a night. The wind lot to learn! That night the TAAS died right at dusk; members really impressed me with the clouds came their knowledge and skills. All and went for the of my friends gave equally, if not first couple of higher, praise. I look forward to hours, nothing many more nights under the stars, too bad to block with all my friends. Thank you to our views. all who came out this night. Undaunted, I setup my scope to view a nice group of sunspots. I had a few The children had the most friends aalong and more on the way so fun. They found seeing we all took turns looking. I explained Jupiter and Saturn through that the spots were not an artifact or the big scopes most exciting. smudge on the lens, but real. Around There was a bit of cluster 5:30 pm, the first SUV pulled up with hopping, a few nebulae a large Dobsonian telescope in the and thrown in to back... it was a good sign I would not give everyone a thorough be alone in this big open field with the sampling of the night sky. public arriving for stargazing. I went and greeted my new best friend. I cannot count how many star parties I hosted By sunset half a dozen scopes from or attended. I got the 17 inches on down to 3 inches had astronomy bug at age 8

INSIDE 1....Oak Flat 3....Dark Sky (SIG) 7....NASA Space Place 2....President’s Message 4....Calendars 8....Minutes of the Board 2....General Meeting News 4....Messier SIG Update/AAVSO News 10...Classified Ads 3....GNTO News & Views 6....TAAS Reports & Notices 11...TAAS Directors & Staff The Sidereal Times May 2005

President’s Message Dale Murray We amateur astronomers pride summer nights the Ortega building landscape laced with canyons leads ourselves on our observing ability. No is so well insulated it stays relatively up to the distant mountains. Some of matter how keen our observing skills cool and with the ceiling fan keeps it the most spectacular sunsets I have we sometimes overlook the obvious comfortable for most of the year. Sleepy ever seen were at GNTO looking and need the eyes of someone else after a long night of gazing? There over this scene. Even nights when the to point out what we are missing. A are bunks (bring your own bedding) weather put an end to the evening’s good example is when someone from where the weary observer can nap. observing have been enjoyable with another astronomical society visits our The guest trailer is a frequent meeting dramatic thunderstorms roaring over observatory. Whenever a visitor from place where small groups gather around the mountains and brilliant flashes of another state is hosted at the General the nearly always present snacks and lightning illuminating the landscape. Nathan Twining Observatory, they sip hot coffee or hot chocolate made on Last month Scott Jorgenson from remark on how impressed they are the gas range. The conversation in the Minnesota was hosted at GNTO. with the quality and usefulness of our trailer is always lively and entertaining. He provided us with that needed observatory. Some other observatories In the early evening guest lecturers perspective that sometimes only an are only observing fields while others discuss astronomical topics under the outsider can bring. He remarked have a scope housed in either a dome stars in the lecture area. Larry Cash on just how impressed he was with or a slide-off-roof building but lack the and Karen Keese have been presenting the quality of out observatory and other structures we have at GNTO. In an introduction to the night sky. We how “blown-away” he was with addition to our main dome with our also have a picnic area complete with the excellent views provided by the excellent Isenguard telescope, we have charcoal grill. Forgot charcoal? We Isenguard. Remember that the GNTO a number of other facilities to make the have a gas grill with a well-stocked is fully supported and maintained by GNTO experience a memorable one. tank of gas. volunteers and to keep it in tip-top The combination of the Ortega OK there is a downside. GNTO is a shape. We need everyone’s help. We Building and the imaging dome fairly long drive from Albuquerque. may not have the very best amateur make CCD imaging not only possible Also part of the drive is on a rough observatory in the country but we but even comfortable on the coldest dirt road. We try to keep the dirt are certainly among the best of the nights. One can sit in the warm fairly smooth using a road dragger best. And that long drive: we are comfort of the Ortega building while but is still a dirt road. Is there as silver discussing ways to start a carpool to the remote controlled telescope with lining in this cloud? The distance from share the ride. If you are interested the high quality SBIG CCD astro- Albuquerque means that the skies are in carpooling then contact anyone on imaging camera takes long exposure dark. Standing and facing away from the board. If you have not been down images of faint celestial objects. the observatory to the West one sees to GNTO lately or have never been Not into photography? The Ortega nothing man-made all the way to the there I urge you to come down and building is available for warming up horizon. You just see some of the most enjoy all that this unique resource for you die-hard visual observers. On beautiful views in the state. Desert can provide. TAAS General Meeting News Becky Ramotowski TAAS General Meeting in shape just in time for some on Black Holes. The presentation great summer-time observing. included a short and compelling May 21, 2005 movie made up of compiled images The general meeting begins at of the Black Hole at the center of our Milky Way . Another short Got dirty eyepieces? Has your 7:00 P.M. in Regener Hall on the UNM main Campus. A social movie shown by Dr. Melia made telescope been sitting around by the Discovery Channel was a collecting more dust than hour follows the meeting. Please join us! simulation of what a journey through photons because it’s out of the galaxy to a Black Hole might look collimation? like. It was a stunning and flawless visual treat that kept everyone on the Then bring your tired, dirty and TAAS April General edge of their seats. un-collimated astro toys to the After the presentation, everyone TAAS general meeting May 21 Meeting Recap enjoyed refreshments at Lodestar and for our “Telescope Tune-up and some one-on-one discussion with Dr. Eyepiece Cleaning Workshop.” Melia. A smaller group met later at the Old Town Sheraton with Dr. We will provide the cleaning Dr. Fulvio Melia kept the 100-plus in Melia to continue more Black Hole and collimating tools, and the attendance at the Lodestar Astronomy conversation. expertise to help get your scopes center captivated with his presentation Page 2 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2005

GNTO News & Views Peter Eschman Dark Sky (SIG) Our attempted 2005 Messier Marathon 8212 for event information. If you call David Penasa took place April 9. Weather conditions for information, please do so before resulted in a very small turnout. Nine 3:00 P.M. on Saturday. What is ? Collectively, people had an enjoyable early evening it is: talking in the Ortega Building. The next GNTO training session is June •Sky glow - destroys mankind’s view Around 11:00 P.M. skies began to open 4, coinciding with our “New Moon” of the universe (a national heritage) up, so we used the Isengard to view observing night. We will have another •Light trespass - someone’s outdoor a variety of objects. We were joined in our popular series of Constellation lighting encroaches on our property by one observer from Minnesota who Tours. Sunset is at 8:17 P.M with •Glare - blinds us and reduces was very impressed with our facility. Level 1 training begining around 7:30 visibility (glare is never good.) We closed up around 1:00 A.M. when P.M. Level 1 training covers most •Clutter - trashes the nighttime things began to cloud up again. When GNTO equipment, from the Isengard environment (causes confusion as I got back to town at 2:00 A.M., the sky 16” reflector down to our 6” and 16” well) had completely clouded over. loaner dobsonian scopes. A two-part •Energy waste - costs us over $1.5B/yr Constellation Tour, hosted by Larry (est.) in USA alone Our last GNTO committee meeting Cash and Karen Keese begins after In summary: “Light pollution is any was on April 14, with Larry Cash, Pete dark. If enough people are interested, adverse effect of man-made light used Eschman, Dee Friesen, Gordon Pegue, we may hold a Level 2 training session in the night environment.” Shane Ramotowski, and Alan Scott on computer hardware and astronomy- meeting at JB’s Restaurant on Eubank related software available at GNTO. Design Criteria for Good Outdoor just north of I-40. Topics included If conditions permit, we may offer a Lighting the status of the battery bank, an CCD Imaging demonstration in our •Comply with applicable codes/ upcoming spring work session, and efforts to revive Level 3 training and outdoor lighting ordinance(s) a discussion of how to distribute the our imaging program. I will have •Design in accordance with IESNA GNTO work load. more information about the training (Illuminating Engineering Society of sessions at the May general meeting, North America) recommendations We had a spring work session at GNTO and via email updates on the Board •Follow IDA (International Dark- on April 16. Enthusiastic volunteers of Directors Official Email List (the Sky Association) information and included Ariel Boston, Larry Cash, Pete BODOEL). guidelines (see www.darksky.org) Eschman, Dee Friesen, Bob Hufnagle, But, more generally, determine if it Dale Murray, Shane Ramotowski, Bill You really should come to GNTO is really necessary to be lit and then Wallace and Steve Welch. We did a lot soon. We have two great loaner scopes apply these four elementary concepts: of weeding, replaced some shingles on easy to use dobsonian mounts, •shield it, on the Ortega Building, installed and our Isengard 16” provides some •point it down, condensation vents on the main dome really great views. Plus, you owe it to •don’t use more than you need, roof, fixed a gap in the main dome yourself to see the new drive system •turn it off when you are done and rubber skirt, refurbished the road on the Isengard! With all this great not there. dragger, cleaned battery connections, equipment at our facility, you do not equalized the batteries, and reset a need your own equipment to enjoy How to Talk to Your Neighbor Who few posts along the entrance road. We GNTO. The comfortable Ortega Has a Bad Light did not have enough volunteers for Building is available for socializing See IDA’s Information Sheet #25 painting, so we will schedule another and our Guest Trailer is available for http://www.darksky.org/infoshts/ work session. coffee and hot chocolate, and you are is025.html. encouraged to bring snacks to share. If you have a 1Ghz or faster laptop, Sources for Good Light Fixtures & consider donating or selling it GNTO committee meetings are open Retrofit Shields to GNTO to upgrade our control to TAAS members. This is a great IDA’s Good Lighting Fixtures List: computer to TheSky v6. The laptop is way to get more involved with your http://www.darksky.org/fixtures/ needed to provide the Isengard with observatory. We need your help. Our manuf.html capability and will be used along next meetings are May 12 and June 9 at IDA’s Fixture Seal of Approval with our video imaging equipment for 6:30 P.M. at JB’s Restaurant on Eubank Program: public outreach. A donation letter can just north of I-40. Please contact me http://www.darksky.org/fsa.html be provided for tax purposes. with questions about access and Outdoor Lighting Associates: availability of GNTO (Peter Eschman, http://www.outdoorltg.com/ The next GNTO “New Moon” [email protected], home phone: 873- Observing session is May 7. I will 1517). be out of town at the Texas Star I hope to see you soon at your Party. Contact Bill Wallace at observatory. [email protected] or call 864- Page 3 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2005 M a y 2 0 0 5 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Texas Star Party Begins ATM Workshop Valley High UNM GNTO - New Moon 5/1 - 5/8 School 7 P.M. May Sidereal Times Deadline 00:26 Last Qtr 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 GNTO Committee Meeting UNM Oak Flat 7 P.M. 02:47 New Location TBA 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 ATM Workshop Valley High Board Meeting 7 P.M. UNM TAAS General Meeting School 7 P.M. ( P & A Bldg.) 02:58 First Qtr 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 UNM Chaco Canyon 14:20 Full 29 30 31 SunRise & SunSet Planet Rise & Set for May 15, 2005 Memorial Day May 1, 2005 05:59/19:57 Mercury 05:00/18:26 Saturn 09:41/00:28 May 15, 2005 05:43/20:12 Venus 06:23/21:11 Uranus 02:46/13:53 05:49 Last Qtr May 31, 2005 05:31/20:26 Mars 02:50/13:46 Neptune 01:37/11:46 Jupiter 16:09/03:56 Pluto 21:51/08:07 Messier 2005 SIG Update May 05 11 May and on Tuesday 31 May. Set A A V S O N e w s up will be at 7:30 pm at Dee’s house. The Messier 2005 SIG is continuing As always, directions to his house are Tom Krajci to have a terrific time locating and at www.taas.org. identifying the Messier objects for the We are pleased to announce that month. We met three times in April It is still not to late to join this effort. the Journal of the AAVSO (JAAVSO) and located the 10 objects for April We are having a lot of fun and it will now has its electronic counterpart, and got a head start on May. A few only get better. We welcome you to the eJAAVSO. It is being posted on individuals even began to locate the join us and together we will learn the the web in response to the Council first few June objects in the Virgo night sky. vote at the Spring 2005 meeting to Cluster. establish an electronic journal to be edited and published in conjunction At every observing session we have with the JAAVSO. The purpose is to been assisted by experienced TAAS speed and broaden the dissemination members. Their assistance has been of variable-star research to the global very valuable. We even had 6 out astronomical community. of town visitors observe with us More detail can be found on the web as guests of Elaine Kroska. They page itself: http://www.aavso.org/ are all members of the U.S. Forest publications/ejaavso/announcement. Service, attending a conference in shtml. Albuquerque. Thank you Elaine.

In May we will meet on Wednesday M51 Page 4 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2005 J u n e 2 0 0 5 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Planet Rise & Set for June 15, 2005 1 2 3 4 Mercury 06:23/21:44 Saturn 07:55/22:38 ATM Workshop Valley High UNM GNTO NM & Training Venus 06:54/22:03 Uranus 00:41/11:49 School 7 P.M. June Sidereal Times Deadline Mars 01:38/13:35 Neptune 23:35/09:43 Jupiter 14:05/01:53 Pluto 19:46/06:02 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 GNTO Committee Meeting UNM Oak Flat 7 P.M. 16:57 New 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 ATM Workshop Valley High Board Meeting 7 P.M. UNM TAAS General Meeting School 7 P.M. ( P & A Bldg.) 20:24 First Qtr 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 SUMMER SOLSTICE UNM

23:14 Full 26 27 28 29 30 SunRise & SunSet June 1, 2005 05:31/20:26 June 15, 2005 05:28/20:34 Last Qtr June 30, 2005 05:32/20:37 N o t e s ATM Workshop ✶ TAAS General Meeting TAAS = The Albuquerque Astronomical Ray Collins/Mike Pendley Society. Hotline 254-TAAS (8227). [email protected] st Saturday, May 21 , 2005 GNTO = General Nathan Twining Obs. The Workshop meets the first and third GNTO Training = GNTO Observing and Wednesdays of each month at Valley 7 P.M. Training . High School, 1505 Candelaria—the north side of Candelaria, just west of UNM = University of New Mexico 12th street. The meetings begin at 7 Subject: Observatory. Call the TAAS hotline P.M. and are in Building E, Room #3. @254-8227, or the UNM hotline @ 277-1446 to confirm, or unm_ Telescope Tune-up [email protected]. and ATM = Amateur Telescope Making. Call Eyepiece Cleaning Workshop Michael Pendley for information @ 296- 0549, or [email protected]. P & A = UNM Physics and Astronomy. Corner of Lomas and Yale. Presented by TAAS members = School Star Party. Page 5 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2005

TAAS Reports & Notices Heather Mann U N M R e p o r t Membership Services Location, Location, Location UNM Campus Observatory Coordinator for: • Chaco Canyon• [email protected] •Membership Inquiries 6185’ elevation 15 April 05: It seems that the predominate Latitude Longitude pattern has reasserted itself. Clouds, east •Events Information canyon winds, and a bit of lightning convinced •Volunteer Opportunities 36˚ 01’ 50”N 107˚ 54’ 36”W me that it was probably not the night to herd a telescope. 36.03˚ -107.91˚ 22 April 05: High clouds and east canyon Contact Ray Collins at winds put us out of business for the second [email protected] 36˚ 1.83’ -107˚ 54.60’ week in a row. I did go down on the off chance, but the winds and clouds just kept getting • Oak Flat• worse. About five students and I called it quits for: about 7:45. •Membership Dues 7680’ elevation 29 April 05: The clouds were threatening, but •Magazine Subscriptions Latitude Longitude there were enough “sucker holes” that I took •Address/e-mail changes 34˚ 59’ 48”N 106˚ 19’ 17”W a chance. We waited around until about 8:00, when I gave up. One of the Teaching assistants and several students were going to stick it out Contact Heather Mann at 34.99˚ -106.32˚ to the bitter end. Of note, UNM (evidently [email protected] 34˚ 59.80’ -106˚ 19.28’ after an interdepartmental “discussion”) has installed the promised light switches. UNMO now has control of both the Yale Street lights P.O. Box 50581 Albuquerque, NM • UNM Campus Observatory• and the parking lot lights adjacent to the 5180’ elevaton observatory.(!) Chalk up a small victory in the light pollution battle. Latitude Longitude 6 May 05: The last astronomy lab observing 35˚ 5’ 29”N 106˚ 37’ 17”W opportunity for the semester ended much as ! IMPORTANT NOTICE ! it began, with a dismal litany of clouds and 35.09˚ -106.62˚ high winds. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Over the course of 16 nights this term, we 35˚ 5.48’ -106˚ 37.29’ only had 3 that were good, and 3 more that at THE OAK FLATS SEASON IS best, were marginal and was one of the most To convert from Degrees, Minutes, frustrating stretches that I can remember. RAPIDLY APPROACHING. Even with that, we still managed over 200 THE DATES FOR THE EVENTS ARE Seconds: visitors. Looking ahead, the upcoming AS FOLLOWS: Divide seconds by 60, then add summer semester has at least one section of minutes, then divide by 60 again. astronomy lab, but it is unclear if the dome APRIL 30, MAY 14, JUNE 11, JULY 30, will be in operation AUGUST 27 AND SEPTEMBER 10 For security reasons, GNTO location is available by request only, so please Welcome to New TAAS Members The April, June and September slots contact Pete Eschman for GNTO are already filled so you must act fast information. before the rest of the dates fill up. Courtesy Pete Eschman Contact me ASAP. Otherwise, you June Meeting of the TAAS might not get your first choice of dates Clay Newton and you might be left out! Education Committee Ronald & Elaine Rosandich My e-mail address is joneil@earthlink. Sy Santos The TAAS Education Committee is an net or call me at 505.798.1958 informal group headed by the Education Outreach Coordinator – Shannon Mann. Monthly Membership Report Your responsibilities include picking The purpose of this meeting will be to up the keys at the Tijeras Visitors’ establish the school star party schedule (April 2005) Center before 5:00 P.M. on the day of for fall 2005 and spring 2006. I am aiming to have this meeting in early June and Membership Current Past Change the event; opening both gates; ensuring am hoping to have food involved. If Month Month that you or your designee locks up interested in being on the committee later that night; dropping off the keys or just volunteering your time, please in the Visitor’s Center lock box on the contact Shannon Mann at mann_ Regular 266 263 3 [email protected] or 771-0126. I will porch near the main entrance; making be out of state for most of the later half of Family 89 88 1 sure that Karen Keese is reminded of May so please email during that period. Educational 16 16 0 the event so that she can get a notice Editor’s Note out to the media in plenty of time; Total Paid 371 367 4 Please note that the deadline for the June 2005 issue Honorary 4 4 0 and, finally, writing a report of the of the Sidereal Times will be Friday, June 3rd, as the Complimentary 10 10 0 event for the Newsletter. finished manuscript must be at the bulk-mailer before Monday, June 6th, so that you will receive Total Members 385 381 4 Neil M. Goldberg it by e-mail that day or by s-nail mail the following Saturday. My e-mail address is [email protected]. Page 6 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2005

and Atmospheric Administration’s Pacific Marine Asian Tsunami Seen from Space Environmental Laboratory in Seattle, Washington. Titov is a tsunami expert who had made a computer simulation of the Asian tsunami. Patrick L. Barry ”Because the Indian Ocean doesn’t have a When JPL research scientist Michael Garay first tsunami warning system, hardly any scientific heard the news that a tsunami had struck southern measurements of the tsunami’s propagation Asia, he felt the same shock and sadness over the exist, making it hard for Dr. Titov to check his tremendous loss of human life that most people simulations against reality,” Garay explains. “Our certainly felt. Later, though, he began to wonder: images provide some important data points to were these waves big enough to see from space? help make his simulations more accurate. By predicting where a tsunami will hit hardest, those So he decided to check. At JPL, Garay analyzes simulations may someday help authorities issue data from MISR—the Multi-angle Imaging more effective warnings next time a tsunami SpectroRadiometer instrument aboard NASA’s strikes.” Terra satellite. He scoured MISR images from the day of the tsunami, looking for signs of the waves Find out more about MISR and see the latest images near the coasts of India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and at www.misr.jpl.nasa.gov/. Kids can read their Thailand. own version of the MISR tsunami story at http:// spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/misr_tsunami. Looking at an image of the southern tip of Sri Lanka taken by one of MISR’s angled cameras, he spotted the distinct shape of waves made visible by the glint of reflected sunlight. They look a bit like normal waves, except for their scale: These waves were more than a kilometer wide! Most satellites have cameras that point straight down. From that angle, waves are hard to see. But MISR is unique in having nine cameras, each viewing Earth at a different angle. “We could see the waves because MISR’s forward-looking camera caught the reflected sunlight just right,” Garay explains. In another set of images, MISR’s cameras caught the white foam of tsunami waves breaking off the coast of India. By looking at various angles as the Terra satellite passed over the area, MISR’s cameras snapped seven shots of the breaking waves, each about a minute apart. This gave scientists a unique time-lapse view of the motion of the waves, providing valuable data such as the This December 26, 2004, MISR image of the southern tip of Sri Lanka location, speed, and direction of the breaking was taken several hours after the first tsunami wave hit the island. waves. It was taken with MISR’s 46° forward-looking camera.

Realizing the importance of the find, Garay This article was provided by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the contacted Vasily Titov at the National Oceanic National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Page 7 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2005

Minutes of the Board of Directors Gordon Pegue were rewarded with clear skies for a few hours later TAAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING in the night. April 21st, 2005 e. The Wilson Middle School star party scheduled for UNM Physics and Astronomy Building Conference Thursday, April 14th was also limited in its success Room by the weather. 45 students and parents took part in the indoor activities provided by the 6 docents who MEETING MINUTES attended. Refer to the Education report elsewhere in this issue of the newsletter for more details. Directors present: Dale Murray (President), Becky f. A spring work session at GNTO took place Ramotowski (Vice President), Heather Mann on Saturday, April 16th and 9 hardy volunteers (Treasurer), Gordon Pegue (Secretary), David Blair, accomplished some important maintenance tasks. Larry Cash, Ray Collins, Pete Eschman, Dee Friesen, Refer to the full GNTO report by Pete Eschman Bob Hufnagel and Shannon Mann. elsewhere in this issue of the newsletter for more details. Directors absent: Shane Ramotowski. Event Prospect Meeting called to order at 7:10 P.M. a. The April 23rd General Meeting will feature a presentation by Fulvio Melia on black hole physics Corrections to the March Minutes and research. None to report. b. Our first Oak Flat Public Star Party of the season is scheduled for Saturday, April 30th. Neil Goldberg Treasurers Report is the coordinating contact for the event. Account balances (as of the end of March): c. The May 7th GNTO observing session will be the General Fund: $ 4,922.54 only GNTO event for May. Alan Scott, Bill Wallace, GNTO Fund: $ 8,435.57 Bob Hufnagel and Ray Collins plan on attending Education Fund: $ 3,274.71 while Pete, Larry, Becky, Shane and Gordon attend Dark Sky Fund: $ 577.20 TSP. Special Projects Fund: $ 3,290.18 d. A school star party at Sandia Pueblo is scheduled Broline Memorial Fund: $ 100.00 for Tuesday, May 10th. Refer to the website for more Total Funds on Deposit: $20,600.20 information. e. The regularly scheduled meeting of the GNTO Total membership count (all categories): 385 Committee will take place on Thursday, May 12th. All members interested are encouraged to attend. Correspondence f. Our second Oak Flat Public Star Party of the None to report. season is scheduled for Saturday, May 14th. Dale Murray is the coordinating contact for this event. Event Retrospect g. The May 21st General Meeting will feature a a. The March 26th General Meeting featured a great Telescope Tune-up / Optics Cleaning Workshop presentation on the Hubble Space Telescope by Dave hosted by Shane and Becky Ramotowski. Leckrone of NASA. Attendance was very good with h. A TAAS Observing Event at Chaco Canyon is 85 folks gathered for the presentation. scheduled for Saturday, May 28th. b. The April 2nd GNTO observing session featured i. The June 4th GNTO observing session will clear skies and a low turnout with only 12 telescopes feature additional member activities including and about 20 members and guests in attendance. training sessions and constellation tours. Refer to c. The Special General Meeting scheduled for the full GNTO report elsewhere in this issue of the Monday, April 4th featured Paul Verhage. He brought newsletter for more details. some cool toys and videos and treated the 15 folks j. As noted below in item b. under New Business, in attendance to a presentation on his experiences a special private TAAS star party at the Manzano as a hobbyist launching weather balloons that Mountain Retreat Center is scheduled for Tuesday, carry functioning models of satellites to very high June 7th. altitudes. k. Our third Oak Flat Public Star Party of the season d. The April 9th GNTO observing session and annual is scheduled for Saturday, June 11th. Neil Goldberg Messier Marathon was hampered by the weather. 9 is again the coordinating contact for this event. hardy souls ventured forth to our observatory and Cont page 9 Page 8 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2005

Minutes of the Board cont will take place during an upcoming Messier 2005 get- l. The June 18th General Meeting will feature a together. presentation on NOAA weather reporting by a speaker yet to be determined. Old Business m. As noted below in item a. under New Business, a. Dale reported that the Broline Memorial Fund – a special TAAS public star party is scheduled for the which has funded NM Regional Science Fair prizes evening of Tuesday, June 21st at the Isotopes Park. in the past – has been exhausted. Discussion on what n. The 2005 edition of the Placitas Star Party is to do in the future about funding these science fair scheduled for Saturday, October 22nd. prizes was centered around two ideas 1) determine if the Broline family would consider a new fund Committee Reports donation and 2) TAAS allocating funds from the a. Membership: No formal report. Membership General and Education Funds to cover the $ 200 per issues brought to the attention of the Board included year required. The consensus of the Board was for 1) Dee asked about how lapsed memberships are Dale to contact a Broline family representative and handled and 2) Dee also inquired as to the status of inquire as to their receptiveness to the first idea the Membership Packet update. Both of these issues before any other action is taken. were bounced back to the Membership Committee b. Due to the late hour, discussion and action on the for resolution. 3) Pete requested an up-to-date list of action items that were formulated at the TAAS copy of the membership roster so that he could Board of Directors Retreat was tabled until the next ensure that all current members who have opted- Board of Directors meeting. in to TAAS emails are included in the distribution list. 4) Gordon suggested that a slight change on New Business when membership renewal notices are sent out be a. Dee presented information on a request he received made. After a brief discussion, it was decided that from the Isotopes front office regarding the possibility notices shall be sent out 2 months in advance of a of TAAS providing telescopes and volunteers to host membership expiration date with all processing to a star party during an upcoming Isotopes baseball take place at the beginning of each month. game at Isotopes Park. The date of the event is Tuesday b. GNTO: Refer to the full GNTO report by Pete evening, June 21st. After discussion of event-owner Eschman elsewhere in this issue of the newsletter. responsibilities, Dee agreed to be the event owner c. Education: Education issues brought to the and the consensus of the Board was to make this an attention of the Board included 1) Dee asked if there official event. Scope docents will be able to setup is a formal policy in place regarding inclement their equipment in a cordoned-off area of the grassy weather and school star party events and 2) Dee also area beyond the outfield wall. asked if there is a formal policy in place regarding b. Larry presented information on a request he how school star parties are scheduled. Both of these received from Jodie Stone of the American Cancer items were deemed of importance and were bounced Society regarding the possibility of TAAS providing back to the Education Committee for resolution. telescopes and volunteers to host a private star party d. Grants and Other Income: Pete indicated that at the Manzano Mountain Retreat Center Tuesday Barry Spletzer has composed and mailed a letter evening June 7th from 9 till 10 P.M. The consensus to a battery manufacturer requesting donations in of the Board was that this is an excellent opportunity order to replace our aging battery bank at GNTO. and Larry volunteered to coordinate the details. Pete said that he has not heard back yet from the Location information may be obtained at www. manufacturer. manzanomountainretreat.com. e. Special Projects: No report. c. Larry suggested that we undertake to acquire a f. Special Interest Groups (SIG’s): new portable PA system in order to better serve our 1. Messier 2005: Scheduled activity dates are April membership during General Meetings and other 26th, May 11th and May 31st. Dee noted that the TAAS events. After discussion, it was suggested program is really working well. that the going-out-of-business sale at MusicWorld be 2. ATM: David noted that a new telescope has joined looked into for possible good deals on the equipment the inventory of the Loaner Telescope Program and we need. Another possibility discussed was that that it was displayed at a recent ATM gathering at Heather would contact an individual she knows, who Valley High School. It is a lightweight 12 ½” truss- possesses more experience in these types of matters, type Dobsonian for which Dale ground and polished for his opinion on what are possible, reasonable the mirror donated by long-time member Bruce solutions to the dilemma. Levin and Barry Spletzer fabricated the structure and assembled the telescope. Ease-of-setup testing Meeting adjourned at 8:57 P.M. Page 9 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2005

Classified Ads Star Hill Inn the premiere astronomy retreat in the country – since 1988 • Charming vacation guest houses with private baths, kitchens and porches, secluded on hundreds of acres of peaceful pines, under 6.5 + magnitude dark, spectacular skies • Twelve telescopes from 7” to 24”, including 12” LX200 GPS and 16” LX 200, 14” Celestron Compustar and 24” R/C Cassegrain; CCD cameras: ST-7, ST-8 and STV Digital Video Camera • Observation deck, Astronomical Library, Personal Guided Star Tours • Close to Santa Fe, Taos, ski resorts, and wildlife refuges. Birding, Hiking and Labyrinth. Open all year. 7200’ elevation • Ideal for astronomy clubs, retreats, reunions, and holidays. Gift Certificates Available. Star Hill Inn, Sapello, NM 87745 505.425.5605 • www.starhillinn.com

FOR SALE - 20” F 5 Obsession dobsonian, primary mirror by Galaxy Optics, with QSP high reflective coatings, Lumicon 12 x 80 straight through finder, JMI NGC Max digital , JMI NGF 2 electric crayford focuser, full light shroud and metal tipped wood ramps for vehicle access. Delivered Spring 1996. Used about 20 times. Like new condition except mirror needs a rinse. With all paperwork & instructional video. Original cost $6700, asking $4400. You pick up in Albuquerque or will deliver as far as N.M. border or can custom pack and commercial ship at buyer’s expense. Call Bill at 505-856-9203 or E-mail at Abqwood @ AOL.com. ✭ ✭ Free Telescope Offer What’s that? Did you say Free? That’s right FREE! ✭ Any TAAS member can use this coupon to borrow a TAAS telescope. Contact Dale Murray at [email protected] or 296-2479 and receive a loaner telescope absolutely free. You can choose from scopes with apertures ranging from 6” to 13”. Some restrictions apply. Offer valid for current TAAS members. Offer is first come first served. Late comers will be put on a waiting list. Neither TAAS nor the telescope curators will be held liable for any lost sleep or other problems arising from the use of TAAS scopes. Borrowers are required to enjoy the telescopes. ✭

Page 10 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2005

2005 TAAS Board of Directors/Staff PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY

Dale Murray Becky Ramotowski Gordon Pegue

296-2479(H) 286-8334(H) 332-2523(H)

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

TREASURER EDUCATION GNTO DIRECTOR

Heather Mann Shannon Mann Pete Eschman 771-0126(H) 771-0126(H) 873-1517(H)

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR DIRECTOR

Ray Collins David Blair Larry Cash 344-9686(H) 296-9632(H) 299-4686(H)

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR

Dee Friesen Bob Hufnagel Shane Ramotowski 856-1593(H) 890-8122(H) 286-8334(H)

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Public Relations Officer Karen Keese 261-0040(C) [email protected] Events Coordinators Larry Cash/Shane Ramotowski 299-4686(H)/286-8334(H) [email protected] TAAS Web Master Barry Spletzer 294-4601(H) [email protected] Newsletter Editor Dan Richey 286-7993(H) [email protected] Newsletter Printer/Proofing Barry Spletzer 294-4601(H) [email protected] Grants Coordinator Barry Spletzer 294-4601(H) [email protected] Telescope Curator Dale Murray 296-2479(H) [email protected] TAAS Archivist Pat Appel 292-0463(H) [email protected] TAAS Librarian Dawn Gray 856-2054(H) [email protected] ATM Coordinator Ray Collins 344-9686(H) [email protected] ATM Coordinator Michael Pendley 296-0549(H) [email protected] UNM Observatory Coordinator Vacant [email protected] Dark Sky Coordinator David Penasa [email protected] Page 11 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society MEMBERSHIP: You may request a ARTICLES/ADVERTISEMENTS: TAAS on the World Wide Web: membership application by sending Articles, personal astronomical http://www.taas.org e-mail to [email protected] classified advertisements and business [email protected] or calling (505) 254-TAAS(8227). card size advertisements for businesses Online Sidereal Times: Applications may also be downloaded related to astronomy must be submitted www.taas.org/times/ from the Web site. Annual dues to The by the deadline shown on the Society Educational Outreach: Albuquerque Astronomical Society are calendar (generally the Saturday near www.taas.org/education/ $30/year for a full membership and $15/ the new Moon) Rates for commercial Donations to TAAS: year for a teacher or student (grades K- ads (per issue) are $120 per page, $60 www.taas.org/donate/ 12). Additional family members may per half page, $30 per quarter page, $7 Buy and Sell: join for $5/each (teacher, student and for business card size. The newsletter www.taas.org/eq/ family memberships are not eligible to editor reserves the right to include and/ TAAS Astronomy Links: vote on society matters). New member or edit any article or advertisement. E- www.taas.org/links/ information packets can be downloaded mail attachments in Microsoft Word, TAAS 200: from the website or requested from the 11 point Palatino, justified, no indent www.taas.org/taas200/ TAAS Membership Services Director at at paragraph beginning, one space [email protected] You may send between paragraphs is preferred. ASCII your dues by mail to our newsletter and RTF are acceptable. One column is return address with your check written approximately 350 words. Contact the Map to Regener Hall out to The Albuquerque Astronomical Newsletter Editor at [email protected] for (Not to scale) Society or give your check to the more information. Treasurer at the next meeting. MLK CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Note that the Ave Regener MAGAZINES: Discount magazine Sidereal Times is mailed at a nonprofit Hall subscriptions to Sky and Telescope and organization bulk mail rate. As a result, Popejoy Astronomy as well as discounts on the newsletter will NOT be forwarded Hall books from Sky Publishing Corporation to your new address should you are available when purchased by TAAS move!! Please provide the Treasurer members through our society. Include ([email protected]) with your new Parking any of the above magazine renewal mailing address or e-mail address to mailers and subscription payments ensure that you receive your newsletter. Ave University as part of your renewal check. Make Central Ave checks out to TAAS (we will combine TAAS LIBRARY: Please contact the and send one check to the publisher). Librarian at [email protected] or 856- Warning: publishers take several months 2054 to check out a book or make a to process magazine subscriptions. contribution. Ave Yale

The Albuquerque Astronomical Society NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID ALBUQUERQUE, NM P.O. Box 50581 PERMIT NO. 46 Albuquerque, NM 87181-0581