Peculiar galaxies Hoag’s object: Here is a ring galaxy. Unique and beautiful. Inside the ring at 1:00 and far in the distance is a second ring galaxy. Peculiar isn’t it? TCAA Treasurer’s Report as of Image Credit: NASA, R. Lucas (STScI/AURA) July 27, 2021 By Sandullah Epsicokhan Here is a picture of a ring galaxy. This is an unusual object that does not fit the usual galactic form. As human beings, we tried to see patterns in things that we observe. Originally galaxies were classified based on how they looked. Exactly what classification does a galaxy like this fall into? We often talk about Edwin Hubble and how he came up with the discovery of galaxies outside of the Milky Way and a basic classification of galaxies. But it is the case, as it is in many cases, that discovery was a combination of factors. Some of the most important people behind the scenes that led up to this groundbreaking concept remain in the shadows of Dr. Hubble. Additionally, we have learned more about how peculiar galaxies are formed. Also, visit the North Visit Astronomical League Central Region of the at www.astroleague.org/ Astronomical League for more information (NCRAL) website at about the League and ncral.wordpress.com its numerous member for information about benefits and observing our North Central programs. Region and the status of our regional activities. Copyright© 2021 TCAA 1 All rights Reserved Vol. 46, No. 8 The OBSERVER Twin City Amateur Astronomers The OBSERVER is the monthly electronic newsletter of President’s note Twin City Amateur Astronomers, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit educational By Tim Stone organization of amateur astronomers interested in studying astronomy and With another death in my family and a flooded basement sharing their hobby with the public. because of the record rainfall a few weeks ago, my July has been anything but what I’d hoped for. The basement is fixable, of TCAA OFFICERS AND course, and none of my astronomy equipment was damaged in CHAIRPERSONS the least (thank goodness!), but nothing can bring my loved ones President, Director, and back. All I can say is even if taking care of yourself isn’t that TCAA President Property Manager important to you, it is likely extremely important to those who Tim Stone Tim Stone ·················· 309-531-2401 love you. Please, please take care of your health, if for no other [email protected] reason than to spare those you love the grief of losing you prematurely. Vice President, Director and Naturally, when events like these happen, it’s time to take stock of things and make Membership Coordinator Tom Willmitch ············· 309-846-2423 changes where needed. The basement flood affords a good opportunity to get rid of stuff [email protected] that’s been stored down there for ages, kept for a “just in case” that will never happen. Treasurer, Director and Experiencing the death of someone close, though, draws us up short and makes us ask Registered Agent lots of questions, many of which are not particularly answerable. Part of our response Dave Osenga ·············· 309-287-0789 must be to ask ourselves “What do I need to change?” What do I need to do to lower my [email protected] blood pressure? What do I need to do to lower my weight? What do I need to do to lower Secretary my stress? There are things in my life that, if left unattended, will kill me. I have already Lisa Wentzel made some changes in my life, and I’ll be making more in the time ahead. [email protected] One of the things I haven’t changed, and won’t change, is my love for learning, especially about things astronomical. In the last two difficult months, the universe has 4th Director, Assistant Property Manager and provided me with a context for my problems and griefs. When looking at the stars, it’s Astronomical League Correspondent not at all difficult to conclude these troubles are not all there is. There is a place where Scott Wade ················· 309-310-2464 they are not at all troublesome, swallowed up in the immensity and beauty of all of [email protected] creation. There is a wonderful comfort in the predictability of a sunrise, the nightly and 5th Director annual motions of the stars across the sky and looking at light that is incredibly old. Even Sunil Chebolu ·············· 678-896-5967 [email protected] though the universe changes all the time, it is a constant in my life and my love for it has only grown because of my recent life events. Historian There are reasons we do what we love, reasons to love astronomy. Some of them are Carl J. Wenning ··········· 309-830-4085 [email protected] shallow, self-gratification reasons, but I challenge you to dig deeper to find the deeper, far more significant reasons for spending time with the universe. It is there for you, even Technology Coordinator and Newsletter Editor in your hours of deepest need. Sandullah Epsicokhan··· 309-828-0227 Keep looking up! [email protected] Webmaster Lee Green ················· 309-824-2804 TCAA summer potluck picnic! [email protected] By Carl Wenning The club will hold its traditional summer potluck picnic at Sugar Grove Nature Center on The OBSERVER Saturday, August 14th. This is also the date of the 137th Stubblefield-Funk Reunion! The reunion Editor, Sandullah Epsicokhan event should be over by 3:30 PM and then there will be another group there from 4-7 PM. SGNC Please submit your contribution two days Director Angela Funk has informed us that they are having a huge tent set up on the lawn for the prior to the end of the month. Thank you! reunion (to seat 150). So, between the two spaces (the picnic shelter and the tent) there should be MEMBERSHIP DUES room for TCAA to enjoy as well. Individual Adult/Family $40 In addition, Saturday, August 14th, is also the date of the August public viewing session featuring Full-time Student/Senior $25 (Senior status equals ages 60+) Darren Erickson as speaker and Our Amazing Moon as the topic. The public viewing session is slated from 8:30-10:30 AM. The picnic will begin at 7:00 PM. This will allow 90 minutes for the event which should be more TO JOIN TCAA than adequate. Everyone is asked to bring a dish to share, their own table setting, and drink. Unless Please send your name, contact someone coordinates it, there will be no featured entrée. I think that there is a charcoal grill there, information and dues payment to: but I don’t remember. Someone will have to bring charcoal, lighter fluid, and a starter if you wish to Dave Osenga, TCAA Treasurer 1109 N. Linden St. cook entrees on site. Normal, IL 61761-1471. I will be in Wisconsin on this date, so someone else will need to coordinate the picnic; Darren will be giving the talk and coordinating the public viewing session. Copyright© 2021 TCAA 2 All rights Reserved Vol. 46, No. 8 The OBSERVER Twin City Amateur Astronomers NEW & RENEWING MEMBERS The following individuals have paid Peculiar galaxies dues for new or renewed member- ships as of May 11, 2021. (Others By Sandullah Epsicokhan who paid after that date will appear in the July 2021 issue of The Solar System Ambassador OBSERVER.) What happens when one Galaxy collides with another? The Welcome! result can often be described as something that is very peculiar. Renewing: Matthew Will When galaxies merge you can sometimes get interactions that If you have received a “your dues are due” statement along with the contort the shape, size, and composition of the galaxies. The email that brought you this issue of massive gravitational forces of galaxies interacting can result in The OBSERVER, please remit your distortion of one or more of the galaxies. These uniquely dues to Mr. Dave Osenga, TCAA Treasurer, 1109 N. Linden St., distorted galaxies are one class of what we call “peculiar” Normal, IL 61761-1471. Dues are galaxies. currently $25 for seniors (60 years of age and over) and $40 regular. SUBSCRIBING TO THE TCAA EMAIL LIST Welcome to the [email protected] group at Groups.io. This is a free, easy-to-use group email service set up for the TCAA’s communication purposes. You can subscribe, visit your group, start reading and post- ing messages here. https://groups.io/g/tcaa The email address for this group is: [email protected]. After you successfully subscribe, please add this email address to your safe sender list in your email client's contacts, so emails from this list do not end up getting classified as junk mail. NGC 2623: Peculiar Merging Galaxies from Hubble Once subscribed, you can set your Image Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA subscription settings here: https://groups.io/g/tcaa/editsub. You can opt to receive all messages Dr. Edwin Hubble stands out as one of the most recognizable in individual emails, collections of names in astronomy. The Hubble Space Telescope is named after messages in a digest, a daily summary, or only special notices. If him. At the time of this writing, the telescope has been in orbit for you do not wish to belong to this over 30 years. The discoveries it is made has changed astronomy group, you may unsubscribe by and our understanding of the cosmos. After a Hubble telescope sending an email to: computer failure in June of 2021, it is not clear how long this [email protected] fantastic tool will be available.