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Spring 2004 Discovering Comets Volume 29 Number 2 by J.B.Andersen Sometime ago I heard two people talking at a sky party about making a name for themselves in the field of astronomy. They both agreed that find- In the pages of ing a comet was the best route. I started to see glory. I began to see the 15 the Gemini minutes of fame that Andy Warhol said we all have. I began doing research about comet hunting and that research led to the writing of this paper. I have divided the paper into five sections: equipment, MAS Picnic how to search the sky, time commitment, attitude of the observer, and a bib- liography. Patti Neavin…Pages 4 Equipment The three factors affecting comet discovery, and any visual Messier Marathon observing, are eyes, sky, and telescope. 2004 Wrapup For comet hunting a pair of binoculars, a telescope, some sky Steve Emert…Pages 5 charts, and a good knowledge of the sky are necessary. Binoculars. The minimum aperture used for a comet discovery Messier Marathon 2004 was a pair of 7x35 binoculars by William Bradfield in 1980. Alan Touchberry…Pages 5 However, large binoculars are generally used for areas near the hori- zon. Donald Machholz, discoverer of 8 comets, uses a pair of home made 5 inch binoculars.(1) MAS Photo Page Telescope. A large telescope, such as the 10 inch reflector used Matthew T.Russell, by Machholz, searches areas farther from the setting sun; away Eric Smestad from the horizon. Howard Brewington, another avid comet hunter …Pages 7,8,9 uses a 16 inch telescope that he built.(2) However, smaller instru- ments are adequate. Many comet hunters use spotting scopes. Sky Charts. A beginning comet hunter should be familiar with Beginners SIG sky objects before starting. meeting schedule. A variety of hard copy charts may be the best situation when comet hunting. Many people however, like to keep it simple and use …Page 10 a single, favorite chart. The following catalogues are used for a variety of purposes in comet hunting: • The SAO catalogues are used for star magnitudes • The Uranometra atlases are used for locating stars, fuzzy objects and RA and Dec. of newly discovered comets • The Atlas of the Heavens is used to identify the brighter , clusters and nebulae.

Continued on Page 3 MAS UPDATE Compiled by Doug Brown GEMINI INFO Support the Stars Editors Currently, the Minnesota Planetarium is closed. We are attempting to Brian Litecky build a new breath-taking facility. This educational destination will Thor Olson engage a student's curiosity like never before. It will be ideal gateway Circulation to the fascinating world of science! John Treadwell As an amateur astronomer who realizes the importance of science in our "Gemini is published quarterly by the society and economy, we would like to ask for your help. A brief Minnesota Astronomical Society. moment of your time will help create an impact that will last a lifetime. Electronic submissions for Gemini Please call or write your legislators today. The legislature is deciding may be sent to: soon. To find out who represents you call 612.630.6151, or visit our website at www.mplanetarium.org and click legislature. [email protected] Thanks & Clear Skies, Robert Bonadurer, Director Minnesota [email protected] Planetarium Society Hardcopy items should be sent to: BAD Construction Volunteers Needed! The MAS is getting very close to starting construction on a permanent MAS Gemini home for its 24" Starmaster Dob (the BAD). We plan to build a 10x12 P.O. Box 583011 foot storage building on a concrete slab. On Saturday May 1st, we will Minneapolis, MN 55458-3011 have a BAD training session and ground breaking at Cherry Grove starting about noon. We need to clear some trees and stumps, so come Send all MAS membership dues, with digging tools and chainsaws or whatever you have to help. The change of address cards, subscriptions, more folks show up, the faster it will go! This event is almost rain-or- and renewals to the current MAS trea- shine. A few sprinkles won't stop us, but outright rain will. surer. "See "How to pay your dues" on the last page of this newsletter."

Patron Members MAS Officers MAS offers a patron membership to those who want to help support President: Tim Hagen our activities by paying $55 rather than the regular annual membership [email protected] fee of $22. We would like to thank the following patron members as of 763-497-1963 (home) April 2004 Bradley Beisel George Skinner Robert Eichinger Jeff Quiram Vice President: Deane Clark James Bowditch Brian Litecky Steve Cote Jack Sandberg [email protected] Kurt Casby Michael Haydock Scott and Beth Mosley W. Michael Garner 612-922-9638 Michael Conley Chris Van Krevelen Jacquelyn LaVaque Rebeca Most-Reinfeld Allan Ferber Roy Cameron Sarver H. Richard Jacobson David Carley Secretary: Tom Greenwalt William Glass Parke Kunkle Timothy Hagen Donna Lindsey [email protected] Jere Gwin-Lenth David Olmstead Daniel DesLauriers Robet Speckhals 763-784-6244 (home) Thomas Hawkinson John Glasenapp Larry Larson Greg Baril Victor Heiner Paul Schwoboda Steven Emert Skip Stein Treasurer: Patti Neavin Ben Huset Dennis Johnson Cortney Sylvester James Schenz [email protected] Michael Kibat Robert Seabold Jay Cutcliffe 651-291-7199 Louis Leichter David Eagen Chelen Johnson Stuart Levy William Perron Deane Clark, Jr. Board Member: Michael Koppelman Robert Schmidt Michael Lavely Bob Minor [email protected] John Treadwell Charles Smith Sally Jorgensen 763-595-8952 Paul Walker David Schultz William White Burton Swan Frank Dorman Douglas Oines Board Member: Michael Burr Beverly Miller Leslie Standridge Margaret Olson [email protected] Tom Alm Bill Mahaffey William Bynum 763-263-1533 Greg Haubrich Christopher Goodman Roger Conlon Doug Brown Robert Bullard Ron Bennett

G EMINI 2 Other Equipment Time There are electronic devices that attach to telescopes, that Donald Machholz, discoverer of eight comets, has taken as will tell you where you are pointed. When connected to the little as 42 hours of searching to find a comet and as much correct data base, these instruments will tell you what should 1742 hours. The average time spent searching for a comet by be in the middle of your field of view when you run across a comet hunters, until a discovery, is about 1000 hours. fuzzy object. Comets will appear as fuzzy objects. Comet hunting can be very time consuming with a reward A modem may be connected to the Smithsonian being years away(7). Working eight hours a night, 5 nights a Astrophysical Observatory allowing use of the SAO search week, it would take 6 months to get in the 1000 hour average menu to see if any known comets are in the part of the sky you for a comet discovery. are observing. If you were able to dedicate 8 hours per week to comet hunt- Another equipment possibility is to rent the Mount Wilson ing you could get in 1000 hours in 21/2 years! 24 inch telescope.(3) There is also an annual competition for amateurs to use the Hubble Space Telescope (HST).(4) A pos- Attitude sible project could involve searching the newly discovered Many of the successful comet hunters, those with lots of dis- Kuiper Belt. Gerard Kuiper proposed the belt over four coveries, seem to be driven by the hobby. They are highly decades ago and recently a team at the University of Texas, focused. Austin, lead by Anita Cochran found 30 comets using the HST. I have a sad dog story that applies to some comet hunters. It is estimated that there are at least 100 million but probably Recently a friend was out running with her dog in a highly 10 billion objects in the belt.(5) wooded area. She and the dog accidentally scared up a deer. The dog took pursuit. One of the trees had a dead branch stick- Searching the Sky ing out from the trunk. The dog impaled itself full in the chest Covering both the morning and evening sky is essential. on the dead branch and died within 30 seconds. There is a les- About 70 percent of a comet hunters viewing should be done son in this story for people who are too focused. in the morning. All eight of Donald Machholz’s discoveries have been made in the morning sky.(6) Probably the most extreme example of being driven to find comets is that of Howard Brewington. He introduces himself Begin by sweeping with the binoculars on a mount parallel as “Howard Brewington, comet hunter.” to the horizon. Then use a large reflector telescope sweeping in declination, along the same right ascension. It is best to He gave up a small business and his wife a teaching position learn to keep the telescope moving and not to use a hop and so that he could move from South Carolina to the more favor- stop method. able skies of New Mexico. If you search visually you gain the advantage of immediate- David Levy has said of him that, “He is so competitive about ly confirming a find, however a battery of cameras with fast his work that sometimes he loses the enjoyment.” Brewington film may be able to cover more sky and see just as deep as a himself has said, “Comet hunting is not fun; comet finding is.” live observer. He further contends that he has not looked through a telescope for fun since 1988, “Comets are my life, but I want astronomy Start covering the evening sky just after full moon and then to be fun again.”(8) work toward the morning sky. Sweeping the morning sky with a moon of 40 percent full loses only about one magnitude due The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus justified all actions to the increased moonlight. by the principle of having fun. Sometimes the competitive nature of our society makes even leisure activities into some- Ten power binoculars can see roughly to magnitude 10.5, but thing we must excel at, work hard at, and be driven to accom- it is easy to sweep over even brighter objects without seeing plish. them. Experience will help here. If you are interested in allocating a large amount of time then A ten inch telescope, can be used to sweep higher in the sky; comet hunting may be for you. Or you may wish to set very above the 20 degree level. Seeing galaxies listed at magnitudes long term goals and be an occasional searcher for comets. If 12 and 13 is not unusual with a ten inch instrument. so, look only in the morning sky as that is where and when After a few hundred hours of searching, a person should most comets are discovered. have learned the star patterns around the major galaxies, clus- For many of the reasons listed here I have decided not to ters, and nebulae, and should have learned how they look in the become a comet hunter. I am too much a generalist to give all telescope. A key to successful comet hunting is to identify my hobby time to searching comets. Doing the research, that every fuzzy object in your field of view. is, the preparatory work about comet hunting, was interesting Binoculars give better contrast then a telescope because you and served an end in itself. Learning is always fun and astron- are using both eyes. You can also sweep faster with binoculars. omy as a hobby has been a great pastime both at the scope and If you are having trouble seeing faint fuzzies while sweeping, preparing for the scope. then slow down the sweep or use higher magnification to dark- Delivered at the 1996 Astronomical League conven- en the background giving you a larger image size. tion. Since then a satellite has been launched that discovers nearly every comet coming into the inner- solar system.

3 Spring 2004 Comet Bibliography Company, publisher. 1985. 134p. ISBN: 0-8027-0855-2 (paperback $14.95). For additional listings see Books in Print, the subject index, under the heading Illustrated. “Comets.” Many technical books and symposium reprints are listed there. Also “Remote Astronomy From Mount Wilson Observatory.” Reflector: The many children’s books about comets, including coloring books are available. Astronomical League Newsletter. May, 1995. Vol. XLVII, # 3: 9. Check Reader’s Guide to Periodic Literature in your local library for a list of The article describes how to rent the Mount Wilson 24 inch research quality articles. My local library had an Online listing of 257 articles on comets. telescope. Asimov, Issac. How Do We Find Out About Comets? Walker and Company. Ponnamperuma, Cyril, editor. Comets and the Origin of Life. 1981. 292p. 64p. ISBN: 0-8027-6204-2. ISBN: 90-277-1318-9 ($78.00). Dr. Asimov does it again with this small book written for the junior high read- Sagan, Carl. Comet. Random House. 1985. ISBN: 0-394-54908-2 ($27.00). er. One of the many books that hoped to take advantage of the Comet Halley visit. Bailey, M.E., et al. The Origin of Comets. United Kingdom: PPL. 1990. 604p. ISBN: 0-08034859-9 (hardcover $86.00) 0-08-034858-0 (paperback Sagan, Carl and Druyan, Ann. Comet. Random House. 1991. 398p. ISBN: $42.00). 0-517-68506-X ($7.99). This textbook is illustrated. Illustrated. Bainbridge, John. Astronomical Description of the Late Comet. Walter J. Schenk, Harald. “Big Eye on the Sky.” Reflector: The Astronomical League Johnson, publisher. 1975. ISBN: 90-221-0710-8 ($6.00). Newsletter. May, 1995. Vol. XLVII, # 3: 7. A reprint of the 1619 edition. The article describes how to apply and how to qualify for amateur use of the Hubble Space Telescope. Birmingham, T.J. and Dressler, A.J., editors. Comet Encounters. American Geophysical publication. 1988. ISBN: 0-87590-239-1 (paperback $35.00). “Theory Checks Out: Comets Ring Solar System”. Saint Paul Pioneer Press. 15 June 1995: 9A. Brandt, John C. Rendezvous in Space: The Science of Comets. W.H. Freeman, publisher. 1992. ISBN: 0-7167-2175-9. A textbook. The elusive Kuiper Belt was recently discovered by a University of Texas team using the Hubble Space Telescope. Brandt, John C. and Chapman, Robert D. Introduction to Comets. Cambridge University Press. 1982. 256p. ISBN: 0-521-27218-1 (paperback $27.95). Wilkening, Laurel L., editor. Comets. University of Arizona Press. 1982. 766p. ISBN: 0-8165-0769-4 ($45.00). Calder, Nigel. Comets: Speculation and Discovery. Dover Books. 1994. 176p. ISBN: 0-486-27879-4 (paperback $8.95). Yeomans, Donald K. Comets: A Chronological History of Observation, Science, Myth, and Folklore. Wiley, publisher. 1991. 485p. ISBN: 0-471- Illustrated. 61011-9 ($35.00). Carusi, Andrea and Valsecchi, Giovanni B., editors. Dynamics of Comets: Endnotes Their Origin and Evolution. Astrophysics and Space Science Library. 1985. ISBN: 90-277-2047-9 $131.50). 1. Donald Machholz. America Online Interview. 15 September 1994. Edberg, Stephen J. and Levy, David H. Observing Comets, Asteroids, 2. David Levy. “Consumed By Comets.” Sky and Telescope. June 1995: 93. Meteors, and the Zodiacal Light. Cambridge University Press (Practical 3. “Remote Astronomy From Mount Wilson Observatory.” Reflector: The Astronomy Handbooks Series). 1994. 256 p. ISBN: 0-521-42003-2 ($29.95). Astronomical League Newsletter. May, 1995. Vol. XLVII, # 3: 9. Jervis, Jane L. Cometary Theory in Fifteenth Century Europe. 1985. ISBN: 4. Harald Schenk. “Big Eye on the Sky.” Reflector: The Astronomical League 0-318-04126-X ($39.00). Newsletter. May, 1995. Vol. XLVII, # 3: 7. Levy, David H. The Quest for Comets: An Explosive Trail of Beauty and 5. “Theory Checks Out: Comets Ring Solar System”. Saint Paul Pioneer Danger. Plenum Press. 1994. 260p. ISBN: 0-306-44651-0 ($23.95). Press. 15 June 1995: 9A. Levy, David H. “Consumed By Comets.” Sky and Telescope. June 1995: 93. 6. Machholz. Machholz, Donald. America Online Interview. 15 September 1994. 7. Machholz. Olsen, Roberta J. Fire and Ice: A History of Comets in Art. Walker and 8. Levy.

MAS Picnic Patti Neavin MAS will sponsor several events on May 15th at our Onan Observatory. These events are geared towards the beginning amateur astronomer. We'll start off with a New Member Orientation meeting from 5:00 - 6:00 pm. Presenters will discuss all the benefits of membership and answer your questions about the MAS. This is not only a great opportunity to ensure you get the most from your membership, but also to meet other MAS members both new and old. Following the meeting will be a family picnic. This will be "pot luck" with MAS providing burgers and brats, buns, condiments, paper plates and utensils. All MAS members are invited to join us, but please sign up so we know how many people to expect. After the picnic will be a Telescope Clinic to help you learn how to use your telescope and have your observing questions answered. And finally, we'll have a beginners star party. The events are "rain or shine", except for the star party. For more informa- tion, or to sign up, visit our web site at www.MnAstro.org and click on the "Events" link on the left side of the home page. If you don't have internet access, you can call Patti Neavin at 651-291-7199.

G EMINI 4 Messier Marathon 2004 Wrapup Steve Emert Thanks to everyone who braved the cold and wind to attend ber visitors that were interested in learning a little more the MAS Messier Marathon on Saturday evening. about the night sky and about telescopes. Throughout the Even though the weather predictions weren't the best, sur- first half of the evening, I could hear Alan Touchberry prisingly the skies cleared up and stayed that way for virtu- describing Messier objects and giving visitors views ally the entire night. Breezy and cold weather conditions through his 16" Dob. Thanks, Alan! [See Alan’s full prevailed however. Fortunately the winds died down a bit report of the night, in this issue –ed.] around 8:00 and stayed reasonable until early morning. The heaviest activity was until about midnight or 1pm. Greg's hot cider and cookies were definitely a welcome Only four of us stayed the entire night, getting those last few addition to the warming house this evening. objects in the early morning twilight. Not everyone signed At the peak we had about twenty people at the Marathon and in and out at the sign-up list. Here are the results of those at least ten to twelve scopes set up. Several were non-mem- who did: Name Time In Time Out Objects Viewed Category Matt Golz 19:00 06:30 65 Star Hopping Brian Litecky 19:30 23:30 44 Star Hoppin John Vylasek 18:55 23:30 43 Individual, Star Hopping David Toole 18:55 21:30 32 DSC Aaron Rowe 19:30 00:00 15 Observing/logging for certificate David Gay 20:00 23:30 42 Star Hopping Alan Touchberry 19:00 05:30 105 DSC and Star Hopping Steve Emert 18:00 06:00 84 Star Hopping

Again, thanks to everyone who attended. Although it was a little breezy, everyone said it was a good night for viewing! 2004 Messier Marathon, Cherry Grove Observatory of the MAS Alan Touchberry View seven planets, a double shadow transit, Thor’s Helmet, on the money. Cool. E.T., the Veil, a Clown Face, a celestial ‘37’ and 110 Messier Actually, cold. You must dress for success. The group of 25 objects in one night. This Messier Marathon was an amateur or so folks shared visions of Messier objects, the beauty of astronomer's dream come true. Orion and the cold clusters of Auriga. Even dressed for suc- Messier Marathons are a race to observe all 110 of Charles cess all but four of the group had fled for bed by sometime Messier’s cataloged objects in one night. The geometry after midnight. While they snuggled under the covers we works out that this is possible, or nearly so in Minnesota, four struggled under the stars. We hopped through the Virgo near the Vernal Equinox. M30 is largely impossible in Cluster of galaxies. We shared views, techniques, chal- Minnesota at this time. It is below the horizon when day- lenges – and most important, camaraderie in viewing the light breaks forth and lightens the Eastern sky. beautiful sky. Attempting the marathon earlier in the year means the Astronomers with their scopes, charts and tables, appearing morning objects rise too late. Later in the year the evening as knights questing for grails. Armored with jackets, vests, objects set too early. In summer the nights are too short to and boots, the gauntlets were down, hands frozen on knobs, catch all 110. In the winter the sun is in the Sagittarius wielding instruments to corral the sky and harness the light region blocking many of the summer objects. Fall would of some faint faraway cry of star birth in Serpens, of spirals seem a comparable time, however the Sun is in the Virgo colliding and fluorescing gasses from old stellar flames. area blocking the wonderful cluster of galaxies. On Dobson, On ‘fractor, On catadioptric, The Vernal Equinox of 2004 also brought a New Moon - an On bino, On Meade, On Celestron and Vixen! ideal time for a marathon. Friday night observing was can- celed due to the accurate prediction of the Clear Sky Clock Enough of that diversion! The keyboard slapped my wrists. showing that a bank of clouds would roll in about 2300 Let’s Marathon! hours – which it did. Saturday night was declared ‘Go’ in Every marathon (Messier, that is) starts with objects setting spite of some forecast winds, which largely died down shortly after dusk, meaning M74, 77, 33, 32, 31, and 110. around dusk. Twenty or twenty five astronomers and Beauty is in finding these in the fading light of day. It real- observers braved the forecast wind and cool temperatures. ly isn’t in the cards to study them deeply. I lost M74 because While the wind died, the temperature prediction was right I violated the first rule of the marathon – I wasn’t com-

5 Spring 2004 pletely set up at the crack of dusk. My 16” scope’s truss binoculars, but it takes a telescope to see its content. Give it poles hit the rocker box frame at about 10 degrees altitude. a look and you’ll get the name with the digits 3 and 7 writ- It’s really not that bad, because usually stuff that close to the ten in stars. Beware if you use a star diagonal (or an odd horizon is mired in haze and mucky atmosphere. I’ve deter- number of reflections) that the figures will be mirror- mined not to change it - but it bit me this time. While in the reversed. area capturing the Andromeda , I also whisked over Thor’s Helmet is difficult. NGC 2359 begs for an O-III fil- to visit E.T. It’s kind of like phoning home, so I visit NGC ter. You can make it out in my 16” Dobsonian without a fil- 457 whenever I can. It is always impressive to see those two ter, but the impact of a Viking helmet needs the filter. Some eyes staring back at you. folks see a duck or a loon. To me it appears as the helmet of After the first group of dusk objects, one proceeds the legendary Norse god of thunder. “I am Thor!” he cried from West to East hitting objects in the North as well as he rode his horse into another town. A citizen replied as the South. The order for finding the gems “uthe a thaddle, thilly!” In this case, use an O-III filter on Messier’s list is available on the web at instead of a saddle. http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/marathon/marathon.html. Another object of distinction in the area is the Clown Face It certainly isn’t numerical. It is based upon the time at , also called the Eskimo nebula. It is NGC 2392 just which objects set, and the times at which they cross the off the torso of Pollux in Gemini. This small planetary meridian. Remember that if you miss something in the exhibits a blanket around the core giving it its name. Northern sky near sunset, you can usually pick it up again Another great winter “extra” to add to the marathon. in the morning before dawn as objects are circumpolar, or nearly so, from Minnesota. After picking up the open clusters in Monoceros, Hydra and Cancer, it’s time to move to the realm of galaxies. Leo This year was memorable because of the planets and has some striking triplets and quads. As a warm-up I found moons. While driving to Cherry Grove I was on the lookout the quad group of NGC 3190, 3193, 3187 and 3185. These for Mercury. This rare planet is never far from twilight. It mag 10-13 galaxies make a nice grouping and challenge was a good thing my wife was not along or I would have object prior to Leo’s Messier galaxies. They reside in the received another DWO (Driving While Observing) ticket. I back of the mane of Leo between Gamma and Zeta Leonis. found Mercury while on driving south on Goodhue County These little dim (surface brightness of 12-14 Road 1 – and I never departed from my lane! magnitudes/square arc-minute) gems are a beautiful group- Venus was a diamond in the western sky. Venus was the ing in a wide field eyepiece. brightest object populating the starry night as it was New A light dew was starting to form about this time - just a hint Moon. A moon other than new interferes with running the of moisture. I turned on my secondary heater to avoid prob- marathon. This year’s conjunction of a new moon and the lems later on in the night. vernal equinox was particularly fortuitous for marathoners. The Leo triplets fall prey to the hunting scopes before mov- Mars, though distant, reddened the sky and was in good ing on to galaxies and planetary nebula in Ursa Major. M40 company with red Aldebaran, Betelgeuse, and later, in Ursa Major is an object of special scorn for me. The first Antares. Antares is literally ‘the rival of Mars,’ and was time I looked for this object I determined I would not look almost on the opposite side of the celestial sphere. at a description before observing it - as I had done with sev- Saturn, the next in line, was a wonderful sight at Castor’s eral others. I hunted, and hunted, crisscrossing the region of feet. The Cassini division was striking, and the crepe ring sky and didn’t find anything. After much wasted time, I was also visible. Jupiter was wonderful, with a double shad- looked at the description and found it was merely a double ow transit taking place about 2350 hours. The eclipse shad- star. I wasted way too much time passing it by several times. ows of Ganymede and Io moved across the face of Jupiter. I missed it because of its obviousness - and that it is only It was a spectacular sight. two stars. The marathon was in full swing with folks visiting old Blowing through M40 tonight, I’m nearing the “main favorites: M42, 35, 38, 36, and 37. The trapezium was like event” of star hopping through the . the Cat in the Hat – with little stars E and F peeking through Vindemiatrix (Epsilon Virginis) is my jumping off point to make 6 stars visible. Some less-often-seen objects had to through the Virgo cluster. I can follow a chain of stars to the be found. M78, M41, M47, and a favorite object of mine, West and arrive at NGC 4762 and 4754. Seeing those, I M46. M78 looked great early in the night, but a high level know I missed my turn, retreat and follow the northern haze arrived and nearly washed the reflection nebula away chain to 41 Virginis and then WSW to M60 clumped with by about 2130 hours or so. M46 is two objects in one – an NGC 4647. M59 appears one field of view west. I then hop open cluster and an embedded planetary nebula. NGC 2438 NW through NGC 4607/06 and then W to M58 splitting an is visible in the 16”, but becomes obvious with an O-III nar- obvious pair of stars along the way. M58 to M89 in the NW row band filter. is an easy hop, visiting NGC 4550/51 along the way. M90 If you are on top of the marathon list at this point, divert is NNE across a miniature Cassiopeia about 1/2 degree yourself to the 37 cluster and Thor’s Helmet. Both are rela- wide. Back track to 4550 and move NW across a small tively obscure. The open cluster NGC 2169 is visible with chain of stars, then SW across IC 3492, 3475, and 3457 to

G EMINI 6 M87. M87 is in a nice clump of galaxies in 1/2 degree or so. Besides that, I had set up behind the observatory and the Move NW splitting another pair of stars halfway to NGC truck in order to block the pole light from the farm to the 4461. M88 and M91 are NE following a curving chain of East. I set the 5” scope out in front of the observatory build- galaxies and stars. Back track to 4461 again and move ing for a clear view to the horizon (or trees) to the East. WSW past NGC 4438 to M86 and M84. Now come the With the 5” I grabbed Messier objects 29, 39, 27, 71, 19, most difficult hops of the cluster. Hop to the WNW to M99 and 62. That was all the objects above the horizon. I zoned via magnitude 7 HIP60150. Proceed on to 6 Comae, and out for yet another hour, then started the pre-dawn rush. I then W to M98. Back track to 6 Comae and follow two mag used the 16” for those objects not blocked by the observa- 6 stars to M100. A loose chain from M100 leads NNW to tory roof or altitude limit imposed by its construction. I 11 Comae, then go ENE to M85. The Virgo cluster is large- used the 5” for objects not yet visible in the 16”. 5” objects ly complete! were M6, M7, M69, M54, M75, M15. This method is a nice, relaxing and enjoyable tromp though The Wild Duck was fantastic, as was M17 - with and with- the heart of the Virgo cluster. I was showing another observ- out an O-III filter. The Lagoon, Trifid, and the globulars of er the galaxies in the cluster. I would talk through the hop, Sagitarius were all corralled. The Sagitarius star cloud was show the star charts with the hops that I had prepared, and good - but there was a light haze working its way in. It was then each of us would view the galaxy or galaxy group in nice to observe again after previously observing it in the the field of view. It took 20 minutes to run through the heart early fall. M75 was dim in the haze at 0443 hours. of the Virgo Cluster. Obviously, we didn’t sketch or give Neighbors M72 and M73 were not visible through the long study to the galaxies along the way. growing pre-dawn glow and the haze that had moved in. M104 near the Virgo/Corvus border was glorious. The dust M55 was buried very low in the sky and hazy atmosphere. lane was readily visible with light appearing on both sides. M30 was still 5 degrees below the horizon. Hydra yielded its Messier objects, and then I moved to M5 The last object bagged was M2. It was fantastic even in the and M13 which looked great as always. Stars were resolved pre-dawn light at 5:02 AM. I couldn’t see it in the 5” scope, into the core with a background of unresolved star glow. but it was just visible in the 16”. I had the 16” Dob at the M92 is an overlooked globular cluster which is almost as stop with the truss poles resting on the rocker box frame, good as M13. It should get more press as a showcase object. and M2 crept into the field of view while I watched. The I suppose it doesn't just because of its proximity to M13. haze was greatly brightening the sky, making renewed At this time I took about an hour and a half off for refresh- searches for M72, 73 and 55 futile. ments and a short nap. I picked up at about 0130 hours with It was a great night. This was the first time I’ve been out M57. A very nice wake-up! It was just above the roof line observing all night in several years. By the dawn’s growing of the observatory. I swung over to Ophiuchus to grab the light, the four who stayed - Steve, Matt, Brian and Alan - globulars which were now off the horizon. I picked up 5 shared some last snacks. I had bagged 105 Messier objects. objects, and had to quit again because the rest were either If I had my act together early in the evening I would have not yet up, or were obscured by the observatory. Another picked up 106. Had I been a little luckier with the low haze 1/2 hour, and I have no clue what I did! I must have fallen in the East, I might have brought the total to 109. I doubt I’ll asleep in the car. I then picked up M80, M4, and M9 in ever get M30 on a night when I get the rest of Messier’s Scorpius and Ophiuchus. That was all I could reach. objects - unless I move south for a marathon night. The Frustrated, I went and set up the Nexstar 5 and aligned it so Messier Marathon was my way to wake up from winter’s I could grab the early morning objects which would be astronomical observing slumber. It’s a great experience, and below the angle to which I can depress my 16” Dobsonian. I hope you’ll try a marathon on a future equinox.

MAS Photo Page The SED's description is as follows: This globular cluster is one of the most remote globulars of our galaxy, both from our solar system and from the galactic center, at nearly 300,000 light years from each. It is thus nearly dou- ble as far out as the Large Magellanic Cloud. As it is intrinsically luminous (with Mag -9.48 according to Harris' database, it ranks on place four after Omega Centauri, southern NGC 6388 in Scorpius, and M54 in absolute brightness), it is however in the range of medi- um-sized amateur telescopes, and the most remote Milky Way object visible in moderately-sized scopes. From the galactic center, it is lying "beyond us", so that we see it in the scarcely populated hemi- sphere of the galactic anticenter (as one of the 13 globulars there). NGC 2419 is approaching us at about 20 km/sec. Photo by Matt Russell

7 Spring 2004 Photo by Matt Russell

Over the last couple of years of my astrophotography hobby, there has been one object that has offered me a true sense of inspiration. It is M42, The Great Nebula in Orion. I don't know what it is, the shear beauty of this object, the color depth, or maybe the sense of wonder it leaves in my mind. Each time I see a good photograph of this object, it makes me sit back and think about many different things...the good, the bad, about life as we know it, what the future holds, etc, etc.

I have been planning this project since January of 2003. It has taken me approximately two months to complete a mosaic of 7 different composites. The conditions seemed never to be just right for this project. Then, in late January 2004, I start- ed to have my openings. The combined exposure time of this image is just short of 16 hours. There were a total of 312 individual images consisting of over 2 gigs of data. I should have tracked the number of hours it took to process this final image, but I didn't. Actually, it kind of scared me before I started. If I were to guess, probably around 120-150 hours of processing time. The raw size of this image is 63" x 60". The image was taken with a 16" RCOS Ritchey-Chretien telescope, operating at f5.6.

Since the days are getting longer and Orion is disappearing in the west earlier and earlier each night, I most likely will con- tinue to add to this mosaic next fall. Enjoy!

The gravitional pull of these neighboring galaxies has most likely tipped the plane of NGC 3628 and made its central dust lane "tilted" in appearance. Studies show that stars orbit this galaxy in the opposite direction that the gas does. This tells us that there has been a recent "merger" of galaxies. This galaxy is a mere 35 million light years distant.

Photo by Matt Russell

G EMINI 8 NGC7000 (The North America Nebula) and some other After a couple of nights of equipment problems, strong Nebulosity in Cygnus winds, jumpy seeing, high atmosphere clouds and other assorted issues that were beyond my control, I was able to capture the Sunflower Galaxy, which lies a mere 37 million light years distant. M63

Photo by Eric Smestad

Orion Photo by Matt Russell Date:11/19/2003 Film Kodak Elitechrome 200 Lense: 135mm set at f/5.6 Nebulosity in and around Orion Exposure: About 30 minutes Date:11/19/2003 Location: Cherry Grove, MN (Cherry Grove is an observing Film Kodak Elitechrome 200 site owned by the Minnesota Astronomical Society) Lense: 135mm set at f/5.6 Notes: Scanned from slide with HP PhotoSmart S20 scanner Exposure: About 30 minutes Location: Cherry Grove, MN (Cherry Grove is an observing site owned by the Minnesota Astronomical Society) Notes: Scanned from slide with HP PhotoSmart S20 scanner

Photo by Eric Smestad

Photo by Eric Smestad

Messier Number: M33 NGC Number: NGC 598 Common Name: The Triangulum Galaxy, The Pinwheel Galaxy Constellation: Triangulum Distance from Earth: 2.4 Million Light Years Visual Magnitude: 5.7 Date Taken: 1/9/2004 Location: Black Forest, CO Equipment: 16" RCOS Ritchey-Chretien Astro-Physics .67x Reducer, SBIG 10XE, NABG,SBIG CFW-8

Exposure Specs: 110 minutes total, Lum: 13x5 min Red: 3x5 min, Grn: 3x5 min, Blu: 3x5 min Processed with:MaximDL v3.0, Adobe Photoshop v8.0

Photo by Matt Russell

9 Spring 2004 2004 Onan Observatory Public Star Parties Star parties are held on Friday if weather permits, otherwise on Saturday. Call (952) 467-2426 after 6:00 p.m. on a star party date to hear whether it will be held. Date Event Starts Ends 04/23/2004 Astronomy Day Star Party 06:30 PM 10:00 PM 04/24/2004 Astronomy Day / Star Party Noon 10:00 PM 05/28/2004 Observatory Public Viewing 07:00 PM 10:00 PM 05/29/2004 Observatory Public Viewing 07:00 PM 10:00 PM 06/25/2004 Observatory Public Viewing 07:00 PM 10:00 PM 06/26/2004 Observatory Public Viewing 07:00 PM 10:00 PM 07/23/2004 Observatory Public Viewing 07:00 PM 10:00 PM 07/24/2004 Observatory Public Viewing 07:00 PM 10:00 PM 08/11/2004 Public Meteor Viewing Party 10:00 PM Dawn 08/20/2004 Observatory Public Viewing 07:00 PM 10:00 PM 08/21/2004 Observatory Public Viewing 07:00 PM 10:00 PM 09/17/2004 Observatory Public Viewing 07:00 PM 10:00 PM 09/18/2004 Observatory Public Viewing 07:00 PM 10:00 PM 10/15/2004 Observatory Public Viewing 07:00 PM 10:00 PM 10/16/2004 Observatory Public Viewing 07:00 PM 10:00 PM 10/27/2004 Public Lunar Eclipse Party 07:00 PM 01:00 AM 11/16/2004 Public Meteor Viewing Party 10:00 PM Dawn Directions to the Star parties Metcalf Metcalf is the grassy parking lot of Metcalf Nature Center, about 20 miles east of St. Paul along highway 94. About 6 miles E of the 694/494 crossing is county road 15 (Manning Ave.). Turn right, then left onto the frontage road and con- tinue east, crossing over county road 71. Turn right (south) onto Indian Trail; follow it 1.1 miles to an chicken-wire gate on the right, (marked by three blue reflectors), opening onto a dirt driveway, which is the entrance to Metcalf. Baylor Regional Park Baylor Regional Park is roughly 25 miles W of the SW corner of 494. Head west on highway 5, through x, to Young America. Turn right onto county road 33 and follow it about 2 miles to the park, a right turn. The observing site is through the gate and roughly 100 yards beyond. Card-carrying MAS members may observe at Baylor at any time; call the park keepers in advance at 448-6082. When visiting Baylor Regional Park, MAS members are requested to NOT park on the grassy areas next to the observato- ry (or any other grassy areas for that matter). This is a matter of being considerate to the park, its caretakers, and other vis- itors, so PLEASE PARK in the PARKING AREA. Annual Park Permits (optional, not required for observing) can be pur- chased by sending a check to Carver County Parks, 10775 County Road 33, Norwood Young America, MN 55397. The cost for the Annual Permit is $18. Permits are also available at the Park Office at Baylor Park, the Carver County Government Center located at 600 4th St. in Chaska, through the honor box systems and gate houses when staffed at both Baylor and Lake Minnewashta Regional Parks. Lake Minnewashta Regional Park is located in Chanhassen off of Hwy. 41 between Hwy. 5 and Hwy 7 . Cherry Grove Cherry Grove is about 20 miles south of Cannon Falls. Head south on Hwy 52. Around 6 miles south of Cannon Falls, take a right onto Goodhue County 1 and follow it around 16 miles, where it ends in a T with Dodge County A. The observatory and warming house are at your right, nestled in the corner of the T. Beginners SIG meeting schedule SIG meetings are held the third Tuesday of month, usually starting at 7:00 p.m. Locations vary from month to month and are posted on the Beginner's e-mail list. This year's meeting schedule. Topic Speaker Date Star Hopping / Reading Star Charts Greg Haubrich 01/20/04 Logging / Drawing Your Observations Dave Venne 02/17/04 Planning Your Observing Session Jim Fox 03/16/04 Spring/Summer Constellations Tom Youngblood 04/20/04 Accessories Phil Lefever 05/18/04 Collimation Phil Lefever 06/15/04 Astronomy League Observing Programs Greg Haubrich 07/20/04 Imaging Thor Olson 08/17/04 Fall/Winter Constellations Tom Youngblood 09/21/04 Binocular Astronomy Doug Brown 10/19/04 Optics Phil Lefever 11/16/04

G EMINI 10 2004 Star Parties Star parties are held on Friday if weather permits, otherwise on Saturday. Call (952) 467-2426 after 6:00 p.m. on a star party date to hear whether it will be held. Date Alt Date Event Start End Location 2/13/04 2-14-04 Star Party: Baylor Dusk Indefinite Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 2/20/04 2/21/04 Star Party: Cherry Grove Dusk Indefinite Cherry Grove Observatory 2/27/04 2/28/04 Star Party: Metcalf Dusk Indefinite Metcalf Nature Center 3/12/04 3/13/04 Star Party: Baylor Dusk Indefinite Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 3/20/04 StarParty: Cherry Grove+ MAS Messier Marathon(alt.) Dusk Dawn Cherry Grove Observatory 3/26/04 3/27/04 Star Party: Metcalf Dusk Indefinite Metcalf Nature Center 4/9/04 4/10/04 Star Party: Baylor Dusk Indefinite Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 4/16/04 4/17/04 Star Party: Cherry Grove Dusk Indefinite Cherry Grove Observatory 4/23/04 4/24/04 Astronomy Day Star Party 6:30 PM 10:00 PM Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 5/7/04 5/8/04 Star Party: Metcalf Dusk Indefinite Metcalf Nature Center 5/14/04 5/15/04 Star Party: Cherry Grove Dusk Indefinite Cherry Grove Observatory 5/21/04 5/22/04 Star Party: Baylor Dusk Indefinite Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 5/28/04 5/29/04 Observatory Public Viewing 7:00 PM 10:00 PM Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 6/4/04 6/5/04 Star Party: Metcalf Dusk Indefinite Metcalf Nature Center 6/8/04 Transit of Venus 4:30 AM 7:00 AM Urban/Suburban Location T.B.D. 6/11/04 6/12/04 Star Party: Baylor Dusk Indefinite Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 6/18/04 6/19/04 Star Party: Cherry Grove Dusk Indefinite Cherry Grove Observatory 6/25/04 6/26/04 Observatory Public Viewing 7:00 PM 10:00 PM Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 6/25/04 6/26/04 Star Party: Metcalf Dusk Indefinite Metcalf Nature Center 7/9/04 7/10/04 Star Party: Baylor Dusk Indefinite Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 7/16/04 7/17/04 Star Party: Cherry Grove Dusk Indefinite Cherry Grove Observatory 7/23/04 7/24/04 Observatory Public Viewing 7:00 PM 10:00 PM Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 7/23/04 7/24/04 Star Party: Metcalf Dusk Indefinite Metcalf Nature Center 8/6/04 8/7/04 Star Party: Baylor Dusk Indefinite Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 8/11/04 Public Meteor Viewing Party 10:00 PM Dawn Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 8/13/04 8/14/04 Star Party: Cherry Grove Dusk Indefinite Cherry Grove Observatory 8/20/04 8/21/04 Observatory Public Viewing 7:00 PM 10:00 PM Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 8/20/04 8/21/04 Star Party: Metcalf Dusk Indefinite Metcalf Nature Center 8/27/04 8/28/04 Observatory Open House Dusk 10:30 PM Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 9/10/04 9/11/04 Star Party: Baylor Dusk Indefinite Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 9/17/04 9/18/04 Observatory Public Viewing 7:00 PM 10:00 PM Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 9/17/04 9/18/04 Star Party: Cherry Grove + Mini Messier Marathon Dusk Dawn Cherry Grove Observatory 9/24/04 9/25/04 Star Party: Metcalf Dusk Indefinite Metcalf Nature Center 10/8/04 10/9/04 Star Party: Baylor Dusk Indefinite Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 10/15/04 10/16/04 Observatory Public Viewing 7:00 PM 10:00 PM Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 10/15/04 10/16/04 Star Party: Cherry Grove Dusk Indefinite Cherry Grove Observatory 10/22/04 10/23/04 Star Party: Metcalf Dusk Indefinite Metcalf Nature Center 10/27/04 Public Lunar Eclipse Party 7:00 PM 1:00 AM Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 11/5/04 11/6/04 Star Party: Baylor Dusk Indefinite Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 11/12/04 11/13/04 Star Party: Cherry Grove Dusk Indefinite Cherry Grove Observatory 11/16/04 Public Meteor Viewing Party 10:00 PM Dawn Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 11/19/04 11/20/04 Star Party: Metcalf Dusk Indefinite Metcalf Nature Center 12/3/04 12/4/04 Star Party: Baylor Dusk Indefinite Baylor Regional Park (Onan Observatory) 12/10/04 12/11/04 Star Party: Cherry Grove Dusk Indefinite Cherry Grove Observatory 12/17/04 12/18/04 Star Party: Metcalf Dusk Indefinite Metcalf Nature Center

11 Spring 2004 MN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY P.O. Box 583011 NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE Minneapolis, MN 55458-3011 PAID Minneapolis, MN PERMIT NO. 1407 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

How to pay your dues

Your MAS membership expires at the beginning of the month shown on your Gemini mailing label. Send your payments to the MAS treasurer (Patti To subscribe to the MAS e-mail list visit: Neavin) PO Box 16656 St Paul MN 55116-0656. http://lists.mnastro.org/mnastro/listinfo/ Make checks payable to MAS. The current annual membership dues and subscription fees are: and follow the subscription instructions. Regular membership $22.00 Patron membership $55.00 There is a general list (MAS) as well as special interest Student membership $10.00 group (SIG) lists. Archives of the lists are also avail- Subscription to Gemini for members $4.50 of other astronomy clubs able by visiting the listinfo page for a specific list. Subscription to Gemini for other persons $9.00 The MAS list has about 40% of the membership on it. To Renew Your Sky and Telescope Subscription If you get Sky and Telescope at the club’s discounted rate, you must renew your subscription through the club. When you get a renewal notice from S&T, send the notice along with a check for the amount indicated on the notice (currently $32.95) to the MAS Treasurer (Patti Neavin) PO Box 16656 St Paul, MN 55116-0656. Make checks payable to MAS. If desired, you may renew your MAS membership at the same time, and write one check to cover both payments.

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