Desert Tucson Amateur Association

Volume LIII,Volume Number LIII, 3Number 2 March,February, 2007 2007

Left: Hubble Space image of Sirius A, the brightest in the night , and Sirius B (lower left), its white dwarf Sirius: companion. Sirius is also called Alpha Brightest Canis Major or the “Dog Star.” Above: Chandra X-Ray image of Sirius, which is 8.6 light years from Earth. Sirius B, its white dwarf companion, is the smaller Diamond bright object to the upper right which has 98% the mass of our packed in a Astro Imagingdiameter that is 90% of the Earth’s! in the Sky Sirius A, the larger star, is twice the mass of our Sun and is 20 times as massive, while .. the white dwarf is 10,000 times dimmer than ue its host star. iss this de nsi • “Sirius: The Biography of a Star,” with Jay Holberg I �� School star parties �� Grand Canyon Star Party on March 2 at the Monthly Meeting (p. 3) �� Flandrau Saturn Opposition �� Equipment for Loan •�� MarchConstellation Madness: of the2007 month All-Arizona Messier Marathon! (p. 12) • Night Sky Network — Astronomy Essentials talk with Terri Lappin (p. 3) and activity kits information (p. 11) • Grand Canyon Star Party Update! (p. 4) • TAAA and Public Star Parties and Events for March (pp. 8-9) • Upcoming Levy “Sharing the Sky” Star Party on April 21 (p. 7) Desert Skies: March, 2007 -2- Volume LIII, Number 3 On the cover: Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, has intrigued humanity for thousands of years. The Hubble and Chandra space-based observatories are helping to unravel its secrets, including information about its white dwarf companion. Come and hear Dr. Jay Holberg at the March meeting, a Sirius expert and author of a new book on the star, its history, and scientific studies. TAAA Web Page: http://www.tucsonastronomy.org TAAA Phone Number: (520) 792-6414 TAAA Officers and Board Members Office/Position Name Phone E-Mail Address President Bill Lofquist 297-6653 [email protected] Vice President Ken Shaver 762-5094 [email protected] Secretary Steve Marten 307-5237 [email protected] Treasurer Terri Lappin 977-1290 [email protected] Member-at-Large George Barber 822-2392 [email protected] Member-at-Large JD Metzger 760-8348 [email protected] Member-at-Large Teresa Plymate 883-9113 [email protected] Chief Observer Wayne Johnson 586-2244 [email protected] AL Correspondent (ALCor) Nick de Mesa 797-6614 [email protected] Astro-Imaging SIG Steve Peterson 762-8211 [email protected] Computers In Astronomy SIG Roger Tanner 574-3876` [email protected] Beginners’ SIG Bill Lofquist 297-6653 [email protected] Newsletter Editor George Barber 822-2392 [email protected] School Star Party Scheduling Coordinator Paul Moss 722-2704 [email protected] School Star Party Volunteer Coordinator Claude Plymate 883-9113 [email protected] Webmaster Loretta McKibben 245-3942 [email protected] Club Sales Ann Scott 749-4867 [email protected] Equipment Loan Coordinator Richard Dougall 245-5441 [email protected] Librarians Claude Plymate 883-9113 [email protected] Teresa Plymate Grand Canyon Star Party Coordinator Dean Ketelson 293-2855 [email protected] General Information Terri Lappin 977-1290 [email protected] TAAA Board of Directors All Board Members - [email protected] TIMPA Gate Card Controller Ray Toscano 529-3074 [email protected] Membership in the TAAA Membership Renewal Information: Annual Fees: • Your membership expires as indicated on your mailing label. Individual membership ...... $25.00 • TAAA members may join the Tucson society of the Astronomical Family (includes two adults plus minor children) ...... $30.00 League (TAL) at the time they join or renew. Youths under 18 years must join as a family upon parental or • Discounted Sky & Telescope or Astronomy magazine sub- guardian acknowledgement of participation in TAAA events. scriptions are available to members and can be started or Ask the Treasurer for the required form. renewed at anytime. Rates are given above. Allow 3 months for processing. Subscriptions must be sent through the TAAA. Discounts (one discount allowed, subtract from above rates): Do not send money directly to the magazines. To change an Seniors (over 60 years) ...... $2.00 individual subscription to the group rate, pay the subscription College Students, Teachers (K – 12) ...... $8.00 amount to the TAAA treasurer. Please include your magazine Youths < 18 yrs (form required, contact the treasurer) ...... $13.00 renewal notice. • Please include a note explaining what you are paying for. Options (add to above membership rates): Credit cards are not accepted. Write one check or money order Tucson society of the Astronomical League (TAL) fees ...... $5.00 for fees plus any options or donations. Make check or money Sky & Telescope Magazine 1 year (12 issues) ...... $32.95 order payable to “TAAA” and mail it to: Astronomy Magazine 1 year (12 issues) ...... $34.00 2 years (24 issues) ...... $60.00 Tucson Association Postage for New Member Pack ...... $4.05 PO Box 41254 Tucson, AZ 85717 Donations are accepted for the following funds: SA-IDA/, TIMPA, Education, 30” Telescope & Land, Mailing Address or Email Changes: and General/Undesignated Funds. Send to the address above or send email to the TAAA Treasurer. Desert Skies: March, 2007 -3- Volume LIII, Number 3

Desert Skies is published monthly by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, Post Office Box 41254, Tucson AZ 85717.

TAAA Mission Statement: The mission of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association is to provide opportunities for members and the public to share the joy and excitement of astronomy through observing, education and fun. Desert Skies Publishing Guidelines: All articles, announcements, news, etc. must be submitted by the newsletter deadline. Materials received after that date will appear in the next issue. The editor retains all submissions unless prior arrangements are made. Submissions should be submitted in Microsoft Word compatible files via e-mail or on a recordable media. All material is copyrighted by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association or specific authors. No reproduction without permission, all rights reserved. We will not publish slanderous or libelous material! Send submissions to: George Barber; TAAA/Desert Skies Editor, 15940 W Ridgemoor Ave.; Tucson, AZ 85736

Meeting Information and Calendar of Events

TAAA Monthly Meeting: Board of Directors Meeting: Friday, March 2, 2007 Wednesday, March 14, 6:30 pm. The meeting is held at at the the Steward Observatory in Conference Room N305. Steward Observatory’s Auditorium, Room N210. TAAA Star Parties and Events: Astronomy Essentials Lecture - 6:30 p.m.: Speaker: Terri Lappin, TAAA March 5 ...... AstroImaging SIG at China Rose Title: “Shadows and Silhouettes” March 8 ...... Dunham Elementary Star Party The Shadows and Silhouettes Toolkit from the Night Sky March 10 ...... TAAA and BSIG Star Party at Network will be presented. These kits, along with the other TIMPA kits in the series, are available to the membership for check- out and use at outreach star parties. The Shadows and March 13 ...... Luz Academy of Tucson — Family Silhouettes Toolkit highlights lunar phases, eclipses, and. Science Night transits Other kits in the series will be briefly mentioned. March 15 ...... Hohokam Middle School Party General Meeting - 7:30 p.m.: March 17 ...... TAAA Star Party at Las Cienegas (Empire Ranch) Speaker: Jay Holberg, Lunar and Planetary Lab Title: “Sirius: The Biography of a Star” March 17-18 ...... All Arizona Messier Marathon Sirius has helped shape our concepts of the . As March 21-25 ...... Southern AZ Regional Science and the brightest fixed star in the night sky, Sirius is familiar to Engineering Fair almost everyone. Yet few know how important Sirius has been in shaping our scientific understanding of the nature March 22-24 ...... Raytheon Science Fest (9am-1pm) of the stars and for providing astronomical confirmation of March 23 ...... Our Mother of Sorrows Star Party, important theories of modern physics. The talk will examine “Night Sky With The ” a number of fascinating aspects of this star; including the im- portant contributions that 19th century amateur March 24 ...... Sahuaro Girl Scout Council Star Party, made to understanding Sirius. It will also explore some little “Night Invaders at the Hacienda” known aspects of Sirius, from the ancient Egyptians to the March 30 ...... Patagonia Elementary Star Party, . “A Walk Around the Night Sky”

Jay Holberg is a Senior Research Scientist at the Lunar and April 3 ...... Sabino High School Star Party, Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona. He obtained his “Starry Night” PhD in Physics from the University of California at Berkeley in 1974. He has worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Newsletter Schedule: Pasadena CA and joined the University of Arizona in 1983. Deadline for articles: ....Saturday, March 24 For many years he worked on the Voyager Mission to the outer planets, where he first developed his interest in the Printing: ...... Monday, March 26 star Sirius. He currently studies white dwarf stars (including Folding Party: ...... Tuesday, March 27 the companion of Sirius) using observations from the ground and from orbiting , including the Hubble Space Mailing: ...... Wednesday, March 28 Telescope. He has spent the last four years researching a The newsletter is mailed at least one week prior to the book on Sirius which is due for release very soon. following month’s General Meeting. Desert Skies: March, 2007 -4- Volume LIII, Number 3

President’s Message

March brings an exciting event for amateur astrono- Dean Ketelsen has provided the leadership for this mers each year — the Messier Marathon. We hope exciting event each June for a number of years, and many of our members will come out and enjoy the all it is a highlight for those of us who participate in it. night search for the 110 objects. The Phoenix clubs Eight nights of observing with others and showing are always well represented, and it is good to share the night sky to hundreds of tourists and National in the fun with them. TAAA members have done very Park employees is truly an immersion in astronomy. well in recent years in the Marathon. It is a nice test What more could an astronomy enthusiast ask for?! of observing skills, regardless of how many objects We encourage you to put this event on your summer one might get during the night. If you have never schedule. You can find information about it in the done one, this year will be a good opportunity to start. newsletter. Look elsewhere in this issue of Desert Skies for the directions. This is the time of the year that we begin the May election process for the TAAA Board of Directors. I The February general meeting was presented by would like to thank all of the present board members the Special Interest Group, and, and others who are carrying important roles in TAAA as usual, it was a display of some excellent imag- to make things work smoothly. This has been a very ing. It seems more of our members are getting into productive group of people. For others who would photographing the night splendors and finding that like to get more involved in carrying the load of our it adds to their excitement for astronomy. Thanks to voluntary organization, we invite you to make your- the members of the Astrophoto SIG for an impressive selves available. presentations. We are looking forward to members of the group helping others in TAAA to get into photogra- Here’s hoping that the weeks ahead will bring clear phy. skies,

Also coming up soon is the Grand Canyon Star Party. Bill Lofquist Grand Canyon Star Party Update

Just a reminder to make your plans NOW to join us for the annual Grand Canyon Star Party, to be held from June 9 through June 16 this year! The star party will be held on both the North and South rims. If you are looking for lodging, rooms get very scarce about this time of year as people make their summer travel plans. Another note is that if you are contemplating the trip to the north rim, the star party there may be only a 5-day event this year, from June 9-13, after which the North Rim organizers plan to join us at the south rim.

Another note is that if you will be staying AT LEAST 6 of the 8 nights, you can get on the complementary camp- site list. I take names for those sites starting on March 1, which is coming up really soon. We are getting 18 campsites this year; I am going to cap astronomers for those sites at 30, so 12 of those sites will be shared. Some folks bring trailers, and some sites really can’t handle more than 1 car, but as usual, we’ll get in as many as we can.

That is about it, make your plans and let me know and we’ll see you there. Please check out the Grand Can- yon Star Party web site at http://www.tucsonastronomy.org/gcsp.html. Any questions, feel free to e-mail me at [email protected].

Dean Ketelson, Grand Canyon Star Party Organizer The TAAA Web Pages are getting a new look! Please give us your comments and help test the new pages as they are completed. Go to http://www.tucsonastronomy.org/dev after February 28. Once the new pages are fully tested by members, then approved by the Board some time in March, they will go live and replace the old web pages. Webmaster: Loretta McKibben ([email protected]) Desert Skies: March, 2007 -5- Volume LIII, Number 3

Club News

Member News ment to our constitution at the Board of Directors meeting on January 10, 2007. Deletions are indicated by strike- We welcome these members who have recently joined the through characters and additions are in bold italics: TAAA: Michael D’Angelo, Dennis Dawson, T.J. and Sandy Erickson, Gary Hirsch, and Stephen Wishny. Glad to have ARTICLE III. all of you join! New members can pick up a members’ pack Section 5. at a meeting if they didn’t request it by mail. We hope you’ll make it to our star parties or meetings so we can all get to General Elections: At the February know you. (Updated membership lists are available online at General Meeting, the General Membership either Yahoo Groups email list website under Files, or at most shall elect a Nominating Committee of three meetings.) members. At the May General Meeting, the Nominating Committee shall propose candi- With sadness we announce the death of two TAAA mem- dates for election to the Board of Direc- bers. Fran Trexler passed away on February 4th. John Zajac tors. The President of the Association passed away on February 6th. shall not be a member of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall Fran and her husband, Jim, were members for nearly 17 provide a written report to the editor of years. Jim passed away in 2005. Jim and Fran often brought the Association Newsletter for inclusion their large telescope to the Whipple Observatory for public in the April issue. No later than 3 days viewing. It was quite an ordeal to wheel that big scope on before the May General Meeting, the Nomi- and off their trailer, but many people were appreciative of the nating Committee shall provide the slate views through their scope. of all candidates to the President, or his designated representative, so the ballots John Zajac joined the TAAA in September 1987. John is can be printed. Members of the Nominating largely responsible for writing our current constitution and Committee shall hold office from the date of was active in the 90s in our search for a dark site. John’s their election until the May General Meet- favorite dark location was completely surrounded by the ing. Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge – and it was dark! That land eventually became absorbed by the refuge after a failed at- The Board of Directors shall be elected tempt at acquiring the site for our own use. annually at the May General Meeting. Nomi- nees’ names shall be published in the A service for John is planned for Saturday, February 24th at Association Newsletter at least thirty days 10:30 AM at the Arizona Inn. prior to the election meeting. Nominations for elective offices must be submitted prior to the publishing deadline to be officially Constitutional Amendment included on the ballot; however, n Nomi- Vote to take place at March 2nd meeting nations for write-in candidates shall be accepted from the floor at the May General Our constitution currently states that the official ballot for the Meeting. Write-in candidates must Board of Directors is set in the April newsletter, which has accept their nomination in person or in a deadline near the middle of March. Any nominee that the writing before the vote is taken. Any Nomination Committee identifies after the mid-March news- member who has been a member for one year, letter deadline currently is not included on the ballot but is and is a member in good standing, may be added through the write-in process at the May meeting. This nominated for office. All members of the amendment will require the Nomination Committee to give Board of Directors must be at least 18 a status report in the April newsletter but leaves the official years of age. No member shall simultane- ballot open to nominee names until three (3) days before the ously hold two or more elected positions on election. This should reduce the need for write-in candidates the Board of Directors, and no member of as we’ve needed for the last few years. The write-in process the Board shall have more than one vote. at the May election meeting remains in place. Newly elected members of the Board of Di- rectors shall take office on the first day of This amendment will be voted on at the March 2nd General June following their election at the May Meeting. General Meeting. At the General Meeting in June, the newly elected Board Members shall The TAAA Board of Directors approved the following amend- be introduced to the General Membership. Desert Skies: March, 2007 -6- Volume LIII, Number 3

Club News, Continued

TIMPA Field Closed March 16–18 For Jet Rally 6pm, and begin whatever presentations we have planned between 6:30pm or shortly thereafter. This month J.D. The TIMPA organization is hosting the Tucson Jet Rally from Metzger will discuss objects that can be observed in the March 16 through the 18th. This event is open to the public constellation Leo, and Tom Watson will talk about one and information can be found at local hobby shops. Due to way to plan for an observing session. There will also be this event, the TIMPA observing field will be closed to astro- a brief discussion regarding the upcoming All Arizona nomical observing. The Jet Rally is a lot of fun if you enjoy Messier Marathon which will (El Niño notwithstanding) watching radio-controlled model jets in action. be held at Farnsworth Ranch, south of Arizona City on March 17th.

Astro-Imaging SIG Meeting Part of the reason for holding the China Rose dinner meetings is to provide sort of a warm up for the TIMPA The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 5, at star party that is held the following Saturday night – in this 7 p.m. The meeting place is the China Rose Restaurant on case on Saturday, March 10th. At TIMPA once again we the northeast corner of Speedway and Rosemont. will make a group effort to locate objects, this time from the list provided by J.D. Metzger in his Wednesday talk. Our presentations will feature CCD images, planetary web- If you wish to attend the TIMPA star party, please plan cams, and film. Come see some of the state of the imaging on arriving at least half an hour before sunset. This all art over some Chinese food. Just show up and enjoy the assumes, of course, that the weather cooperates. And show! For more information, contact Steve Peterson. wouldn’t that be a pleasant surprise?

If you are new to amateur astronomy and to the TAAA, the TAAA Apparel BSIG is an excellent way to both increase your skills as an observer, and to make friends within the club. Join us Looking for a special gift or a way to make that fashion state- if you can for our regular March activities. You’ll be glad ment? Try on something from our fine line of club apparel. you did... and so will we! We have hats, T-shirts, denim shirts, and patches. We take cash and checks. From the BSIG Committee

Basha’s “Thanks A Million” Program Beginner’s SIG Eyepiece Loaner Kit Available

Basha’s Thanks a Million for Friends and Neighbors program The Beginner’s Special Interest Group has a loaner kit continues through the end of March. Thanks to 14 TAAA consisting of several quality eyepieces, a barlow, and a members who shop Basha’s we have been assured of a star mirror diagonal. This kit is available for short-term donation in the $50 range. The program continues through loan to any member, but it is especially meant to assist the end of the month. If you shop Basha’s but haven’t yet beginners by providing a no-cost way to evaluate basic signed up to support the TAAA, there’s still time to do it. Just eyepiece alternatives for a new telescope and learn more present your Thank You card to the cashier and ask them to about eyepiece types, characteristics, and terminology. connect it to the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association. Our If you are interested in borrowing this kit, contact the ID number is 23178, but they can look it up. Beginner’s SIG by sending an email to [email protected].

Beginner’s Special Interest Group (SIG) Update TAAA Science Fair Awards The BSIG meeting held this past month (February) turned out to be worth special mention after the fact. It was espe- The Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering cially well attended and successful. The BSIG would like to Fair will take place March 20 – 23 at the Tucson Commu- thank John Kalas and Mary Turner for their efforts, as their nity Center Exhibition Hall. The TAAA will present awards presentations made this meeting especially enjoyable for all to promising young people who have an interest in astron- involved. omy and related sciences. If you want to help select the recipients please contact Terri Lappin, treasurer@tucsona For March the BSIG will follow its usual schedule. The stronomy.org, or 579-0185. Judges are also needed at the dinner meeting at the China Rose restaurant will be held on regional level, mostly at the elementary grade levels but Wednesday, March 7th. We gather for dinner starting at also at middle and high school grades. You can do both Desert Skies: March, 2007 -7- Volume LIII, Number 3

Club News, Continued

TAAA and SARSEF judging jobs at the same time although Sharing the Sky 2007 it does mean you may not get to participate fully in awarding by John Kalas the TAAA awards. Judging will take place on Tuesday, March 20th, beginning at 7:30am with a very nice breakfast. Lunch The TAAA will be supporting the Sharing the Sky activity is also provided. We usually stick around long enough to talk this year on Saturday, April 21st. Saturday’s activity will to the senior high students who arrive at 1pm. have solar viewing taking place from 3:00 to 6:00 pm with evening observing running from 6:00 to 10:00 pm at the Upcoming Lectures — Speakers Needed! University of Arizona Mall across from the Flandrau Sci- ence Center. David and Wendee Levy will be hosting the Below is our upcoming lecture schedule. Our next Members event. Night is on May 4th. There are openings in both the Astron- omy Essentials and Invited Lecture schedule so contact Terri John Kalas is the TAAA coordinator for the event. There Lappin (see page 2 for contact info) if you have a suggested will be signup sheets at the March and April meeting. speaker and/or topic. Astronomy Essentials lectures are Many volunteers will be needed to operate telescopes usually given by TAAA members, so you’re invited to con- (solar and evening), staff donation areas and assist in sider giving one. They are 30 minutes long and about basic general public support. Please consider supporting this astronomy. worthwhile event. If you are unable to attend the meet- ings to sign up, please contact John at 620-6502 or via April 6 meeting: Mary Turner will talk about “Seasonal e-mail at [email protected]. Objects” at the Astronomy Essentials session. The Invited Lecture is OPEN. In the past, the committee instituted corporate sponsor- ship as a means of increasing donations and it was very May 4 meeting: Members Night begins at 6:30pm and there successful. Sponsor forms will be available at the March will be no Astronomy Essentials lecture. meeting. If you know of a company that would be inter- June 1 meeting: The Astronomy Essentials and Invited Lec- ested in supporting this great event, please pick up a ture are both OPEN. sponsor form or contact John Kalas.

The Sharing The Sky Star Party 2007 by Wendee Levy Inspiring people to simply look up and to love the night sky has always been David Levy’s passion. This year, Satur- day, April 21st only, will be the club’s annual fundraising star party. Our intention this year is to be a little more general in our “cause.” The National Sharing The Sky Foundation is a 501c(3) organization that is dedicated to motivating and inspiring the public about the sky. The foundation has been concentrating on two major aspects of this goal. The first is to inspire the public by means of outreach lectures and star parties. We still go to the MDA camps to allow those children to be able to love the sky as we do. The second is the ability, thanks to the generosity of Meade instruments, to place telescopes with groups that have the energy and the drive, but not the funds to purchase Since 1986 these telescopes themselves. TAAA was one of the recipi- ents last year. Our star party would be much the same as the Telescopes tellar- ision stronomy hop For Telethons (T4T) star parties, but the funds would go to 1835 S. Alvernon, #206 the Sharing the Sky Foundation instead of to MDA. Those individuals and groups that would still prefer to write their Tucson, AZ 85711 checks to MDA may do so. Since David and I do have ties to S V A S that group, we have no problem making sure those donations (520) 571-0877 go where they are supposed to go. Credit Cards Accepted.

David and I are hoping that the club will show the same sup- port for us as you have in the past. Desert Skies: March, 2007 -8- Volume LIII, Number 3

Public Star Parties and Community Events

All members are asked to support the TAAA School Star Party program and other community events listed below. TAAA either sponsors or co-sponsors these events. These are great opportunities for beginners, as you only need to know a few objects in the sky. Even without a telescope, you can be valuable in other capacities. Sign up sheets for many events can be found at the meeting or contact a TAAA officer.

Event: Dunham Elementary Star Party East Tucson Thursday, 3/8/2007 No. of Scopes Needed: 6 Dunham Elementary will be hosting a Star Party at 9850 E. 29th. St.. Go east on Speedway to Harrison. Go south (right) on Harrison to 29th St. Go east (left) on 29th St. The school will be on your right. Viewing will be on the playground field. Contact person Tamatha Sauber can be reached at 731-4200 or by email at [email protected]. Set-Up Time: 6:45pm. Observing will be from 7:15 pm to 9:15 pm. Sunset: 6:27pm, Dark Sky: 7:20pm Moon Phase: (no moon during viewing).

Event: Luz Academy of Tucson Star Party West Tucson Tuesday, 3/13/2007 No. of Scopes Needed: 3 Luz Academy of Tucson will be holding Family Science Night at 2797 North Introspect Drive. West on Grant Rd.. Turn North on Silverbell. Drive .5 to 1 mi north. Introspect Drive. will be on the left (west) past last house. Viewing will be on the basketball court. Contact person Deloris Arroyo can be reached at (520) 807-5892 or email [email protected]. Set-Up Time: 7:00pm. Observing will be from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Sunset: 06:31pm, Dark Sky: 07:23pm Moon Phase: (no moon during viewing).

Event: Hohokam Middle School Star Party Southwest Tucson Thursday, 3/15/2007 No. of Scopes Needed: 4 Hohokam Middle School will be Celebrating the Night Sky at 7400 S Settler Avenue. Take Park south to Valencia and turn right (west). Continue past I-19 for approx 3.5 mi to Camino de Oeste. Turn left (south) and go past Casino of the Sun to Tetakusim. Turn left on Tetakusim and continue to Settler Rd. Turn left to the school. Take the first left onto the campus and follow road to soccer field. Viewing will be on the soccer field. Contact person David Jones can be reached at 908-3700 or by email at [email protected]. Set-Up Time: 7:00pm. Observing will be from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Sunset: 6:32pm, Dark Sky: 7:25pm Moon Phase: Last Quarter.

Event: Our Mother of Sorrows Star Party East Tucson Friday, 3/23/2007 No. of Scopes Needed: 4 Our Mother of Sorrows will be celebrating Night Sky With the Planets at 1800 S. Kolb Road. Go East on Speedway to Kolb. Turn South (right) on Kolb. Go past 22nd street. OMOS School is on the right between Calle Denebola and Calle Ileo (Calle Ileo is the next light after 22nd street). Viewing will be on basketball court. Contact person Susan Tek can be reached at 747-1027 or by email at [email protected]. Set-Up Time: 7:00pm. Observing will be from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Sunset: 6:38pm, Dark Sky: 7:31pm Moon Phase: First Quarter.

Event: Sahuaro Girl Scout Council Star Party Tucson Foothills Saturday, 3/24/2007 No. of Scopes Needed: 2 The Sahuaro Girl Scout Council will be hosting Night Invaders at The Hacienda. Go east Speedway Blvd. Turn left (north) onto Wilmot Rd. Continue north on Wilmot Rd as it becomes Tanque Verde Rd. From Tanque Verde, turn left onto Sabino Canyon Rd and continue travelling north. The Hacienda will be on the west side of the road. Viewing will be ar- ranged. Contact person Michelle Higgins can be reached at 520-319-3187 or email [email protected]. Set-Up Time: 7:30pm. Observing will be from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Sunset: 6:38pm, Dark Sky: 7:31pm Moon Phase: First Quarter.

Event: Patagonia Elementary School Star Party Far South Tucson Friday, 3/30/2007 No. of Scopes Needed: 4 Patagonia Elementary School will be celebrating A Walk Around the Night Sky at 100 School St. Take I-10 east to exit 281, then take Hwy 83 south 25 miles to Sonoita. Take a right onto Hwy 82. Go 12 miles to Patagonia. Once into Patago- nia take a left onto 4thAve. Patagonia Market is on the right; you turn left. (Continued, next page...) Desert Skies: March, 2007 -9- Volume LIII, Number 3 Public Star Parties and Community Events, Continued (Patagonia Elementary School Party, Continued from page 8...) Go two stop signs and make a left. Contact person Patty Cooper can be reached at 520-394-3070 or email [email protected]. Set-Up Time: 7:00pm. Observing will be from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Sunset: 6:42pm, Dark Sky: 7:36pm Moon Phase: near Full Moon. Event: Sabino High School Star Party East Tucson Tuesday, 4/3/2007 No. of Scopes Needed: 2 Sabino High School will be hosting Starry Night at 5000 North Bowes Rd. Take Speedway east to Wilmot. Turn north (left) on Wilmot and continue travelling north until Wilmot turns into Tanque Verde. Continue east on Tanque Verde to Bear Canyon/ Turn north on Bear Canyon. From Bear Canyon, turn east on Snyder. On Snyder, continue to Bowes Rd., then turn north on Bowes and continue to Sabino High School. Viewing will be on the Baseball fields. Contact person Maryanne Carpenter can be reached at 584-7753 or by email at [email protected]. Set-Up Time: 7:00pm. Observing will be from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Sunset: 6:45pm, Dark Sky: 7:39pm Moon Phase: near Full Moon. Star parties and events information submitted by Paul Moss.

Members’ Events Astronomy News

TAAA and BSIG Star Party at TIMPA The Chandra Observatory is breaking new ground again Saturday, March. 10 with its X-ray observations of the “Pillars of Creation” in the Eagle. Several years ago the Hubble images many Come on out and enjoy the spring skies! TIMPA star parties gaseous globules and the astronomy world promptly are great for both beginners and experienced observers. dubbed them star forming “eggs.” Chandra’s observations Our novice members can get help with observing issues are finding no x-ray activity and infrared observations have or equipment problems, as there are many experienced found only 11 of 73 eggs observed have infant stars. The members there who would be happy to help. If you don’t full story is at: own a telescope, come anyway, because there are lots of http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2007/m16/ telescopes set up and everyone is invited to look through them. This is a great way to check out different telescope Another interesting report has come from Tucson-based designs before you make that all-important decision to buy. HiRISE with the discovery of a 650-foot mound of ice at the We’ll do our best to get you the answers you need. If you bottom of an impact crater. The full story can be found at: have friends or relatives who are curious about amateur http://hiroc.lpl.arizona.edu/images/PSP/PSP_001370_2505 astronomy, feel free to bring them along. The TIMPA site features a large parking area, and full restroom facilities. Be University of Arizona News: prepared for cold temperatures. Directions to the TIMPA site Dr. Kate Su & Dr. George Rieke of the University of Ari- are located on the outside flap of this newsletter. zona have authored a paper about that are collid- ing and kicking up dust near the Heart of the Helix . The Story is at the Spitzer Space Telescope Site: TAAA Star Party at Las Cienegas (Empire Ranch) Saturday, March. 17 http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/Media/releases/ssc2007-03/release.shtml Dr. Gilda Ballester of the U. of A.’s Lunar and Planetary Las Cienegas (formerly Empire Ranch) has been our normal Laboratory (LPL) and her team were the first to discover dark-sky observing site for quite a number of years. Please hot hydrogen in the atmosphere of a hot-Jupiter . In try to arrive before sunset. Stay as long as you like, but a letter to Nature’s February 2 issue, she and LPL scien- let everyone know when you are ready to leave; someone tists David Sing and Floyd Herbert outlined a new way to may be taking astro-images. Bring a telescope if you have use the spectra of transiting hot-Jupiter planets to probe one, but you don’t need one to attend. Any member would the layers of the planet’s atmosphere. More information be glad to let you look through their telescope. And, there may be found at: are now restroom facilities at the site. Las Cienegas is at 4000 feet so be prepared for cold temperatures. Attendees http://vega.LPL.arizona.edu/~gilda/hothydrogen should park their vehicles either perpendicular to the airstrip Dr. Michael Drake, Director of LPL, and Professor Dante facing toward the center of the strip, or parallel to the airstrip Lauretta, also of LPL were given initial funding for the along either side facing west. That way, when you are ready to leave, you will not have to back up and turn on your bright OSIRIS project, a sample return mission to an asteroid. white backup lights. See the directions to Las Cienegas on The funds will be used for proof-of-concept testing. the outside flap of this newsletter. News compiled by John Croft and Loretta McKibben Desert Skies: March, 2007 -10- Volume LIII, Number 3

WEBSITES: TRIPS ON THE INTERNET SUPER-SKYWAY by Rik Hill

It is no understatement to say that webcams have completely revolutionized amateur lunar, planetary and solar imaging. For The Cost of an Eyepiece For the cost of a high end eyepiece or less you can have a camera capable of producing images of the moon and planets of such detail not seen before the Pioneer spacecraft.

The cheapest way to get going with a webcam that is good for amateur astronomy is by buying a ToUCam 840 (Pro II) or the SPC900NC both made by Phillips. You can get them new for under $100 on eBay without much trouble. The former one is a USB 1.1 device but the latter is USB 2. Both work well for astro-imaging but the 480 megabit per second (Mbps) throughput of the USB 2 is to be preferred over the 12 Mbs of the former. This allows you to a higher number frames per second which will result in better final results. However, you only need to buy an interface card for your computer (differ- ent for laptops or desktops) to use USB2.

Oceanside Photo & Telescope sells the Pro II with the 1.25” eyepiece adapter at: http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=4086 Or if you buy yours on eBay you can get the 1.25” adapter at Scopetronix at: http://www.scopetronix.com/webcam.htm I just bought a new SPC900NC on eBay for $43! I don’t think you can even find a good eyepiece for that anymore. But if you would prefer to get it from a dealer, Adirondack has it at: http://www.astrovid.com/prod_details.php?pid=50 The webcam technology has been improved upon in a number of cameras most notably the DMK http://www.astronomycameras.com/en/products/firewire-cameras/mono/dmk21af04as and which is reviewed at: http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1440 and the Atik: http://www.telescope-service.com/atik/start/atikstart.html They cost more but are not budget busters. But how ‘bout results? Check out the Lunar Picture of the Day (LPOD) web site at: http://www.lpod.org.

Most of those images were taken with the DMK, Phillips cameras or the Atiks. They are breathtaking in most cases. The landscape...er...selenoscape, is transformed into just pictures of a few ordinary craters to intricate mountain ranges, rilles and craters of every morphology. In one recent image by Wes Higgins and his 18” Newtonian, Chuck Wood (manager of LPOD and well know Sky & Telescope lunar writer for years) claimed that in one of his images he was down to a measur- able resolution limit of 140 meters measured from Lunar Orbiter images! That’s like having your own personal spacecraft. Here are 3 superior lunar imagers that are using cameras mentioned above. Take a moment to also check out their plan- etary images as well. http://www.pbase.com/slammel/moon http://higginsandsons.com/astro http://www.pbase.com/bob_p/image and, of course, the acknowledged best, Damian Peach: http://www.damianpeach.com Pretty spectacular what you can do for the cost of an eyepiece, eh?

As always, if you know of a particularly good website you would like mentioned here, or some web topic you like covered, drop me a line at: [email protected] Desert Skies: March, 2007 -11- Volume LIII, Number 3

Classifi ed Advertisements

Job Opportunity: Kitt Peak National Observatory is For Sale: Meade 10” LX200 R with UHTC Coatings looking for an enthusiastic individual to help conduct its -- New - $ 3200 OBO. Comes with all standard accesso- Night Stargazing Programs. The position requires knowl- ries including GPS, Primary Mirror Lock, Zero Image-Shift edge of astronomy, skill in the area of public speaking Microfocuser, Heavy Duty Tripod, Power Cable for car or and profi ciency with computers and amateur telescopes. battery, and many others. It does not come standard with Knowledge in the area of CCD imagery is highly desirable. a separate power suppy for household current. This is a part-time position with fl exible evening hours. Original warranty still in effect until October of 2007. Transportation is available via employee-driven vehicles All reasonable offers considered. from our Tucson Headquarters. Meals and lodging are Call Charles Crawford at 480-981-1295 (Mesa, AZ). [04/07] provided. Excellent benefi ts. Relocation not available. To apply, send electronic resume to [email protected], Imaging with Web Cams preferred, or mail to the address below: and Digital Astrophotography, a workshop hosted by NOAO and presented by Robert D’Andrea Williams Reeves, will be held on on March 24 and 25. Attend either NOAO Human Resources Manager day or both days and learn how to produce great images P.O. Box 26732; Tucson, AZ 85726 with a web cam or digital SLR. Visit: FAX: 520-318-8560 • http://www.noao.edu http://www.noao.edu/outreach/kpvc/events.html When applying for this position please refer to the job for details including outlines and lists of freeware and title and job number: Observing Technician #824. The shareware. Attend imaging sessions with Reeves on Friday National Optical Astronomy Observatory is an affi rmative and Saturday evenings to produce the raw data for the action/equal opportunity employer. following day’s workshop. Call (520) 318-8726 to register. Registration deadline for the March workshop is Friday, Celestron Ultima 11 Schmidt-Cassegrain For Sale: March 16. Telescope, fork mounted. Excellent condition, well cared for, fantastic optics, many extras. Heavy-duty wedge, 2” diagonal, 10X50 fi nderscope with illuminated reticle eyepiece.Equipped with JMI Motofocus, telrad mount and piggyback camera mount.This scope is ideal for deep sky and visual observing and photography. The f10 11-inch mirror has given outstanding sharp views TAAA members can borrow any of the fi ve Night Sky rivaling larger scopes.Comes with custom made padded Network toolkits for use at outreach activities like star case w/built-in wheels. Also, Thousand Oaks solar fi lter parties, classroom presentations, or other events where (11-inch), mylar cover, visual back and Kendrick dew re- you are talking about astronomy to the public. The fi ve mover system for corrector plate and fi nderscope: $2,000. toolkits are listed below. Each contains a training tape or Optional eyepieces available: Celestron 30mm - $25; DVD, a Resource CD which contains PowerPoint presen- Orion 9mm illuminated reticle - $35; Old-style Televue tations and NASA animations, plus the materials for doing 55mm plossel (incredible FOV) - $50; Or $90 for all three. the projects. Contact Terri Lappin (see page 2) for more Call Gary Freiburger in Tucson, 626-6121 (W), information about these kits and their use. 742-9494 (H), Email: [email protected] PlanetQuest: materials to explain how planets are de- tected, why we put telescopes in space, treasure hunt for For Sale: Bogen 3035 tripod with Bogen 3047 three objects related to stellar evolution, star chart of naked eye way head. Includes two (2) quick release mounting stars known to have planets in orbit plates. Asking $125.00 - OBO. Contact Neal Scofi eld Our , Our Universe: scale model of the 883-5456 or [email protected]. galaxy and the Universe Black Hole Survival Kit: what is a black hole and how For Sale: CELESTRON NEXTAR 8i, 2002 does it affect objects nearby, includes a game that a group Mint condition, 25 mm Plossl 1.25 inch eyepiece. Com- or family can play puterized hand control gives GOTO slewing to over 40,000 objects. $975. Telescopes – Eyes on the Universe: explains the basic I also have Tele Vue® Nagler 4.8 mm 1.25 inch eye- principles of optics, the human eye, and observing piece $90; as well as University Optics 9 mm, and Shadows and Silhouettes: covers lunar phases, eclipses, Meade 12 mm, 1.25 inch eyepieces with illuminated and transits reticules $40 ea. and Celestron Star Diagonal, 1.25 inch The Night Sky Network has also given us a SolarScope $35. Contact Jim Jondrow, 529-0933 or send email to: to use in our outreach efforts. It will project a white light [email protected] [03/07] image of the sun suitable for a small group to view. Ah, it’s that time of the year, when the crisp, cool air makes in an area since they are not evenly distributed in the us think of spring. Sports fans may obsess over the Final celestial sphere. There are heavily crowded regions in Four and the collegeMarch basketball Madness version of “March andMad- thethe Messiersky such as the Virgo Marathon Cluster and the region around ness,” but amateur astronomers have something MUCH the Milky Way’s Galactic Center in Sagittarius, while other better as we turn to the heavens and feverishly scour the regions are virtually empty of them. In particular, there are skies for over a hundred objects in just a night or two. It’s no Messier objects at all at Right Ascensions (RA) 21:40 time for the Messier Marathon! to 23:20, and only the very northern M52 is between RA 21:40 and 0:40. This chance effect leads to opportuni- The 2007 All Arizona Messier Marathon will be held on ties to observe all 110 Messier objects in one night if you March 17 and 18, 2007 at a location south of Arizona City, observe at considerably low northern latitudes on Earth, Arizona, the same site as previous marathons. The orga- with the best being around 25 degrees North! This oppor- nizers for the marathon are the Sahuaro Astronomy Club tunity occurs once every year in the last half of March; the from Phoenix. This web site has all details for the event: best time to try is of course when the Moon is near its new http://www.saguaroastro.org/content/messier2007.htm phase. “But wait,”you may say if you’re new to amateur astrono- History of Messier Marathons my, “just what is a Messier Marathon?” Messier Marathons were invented independently by sev- What is a ? eral North American observers including Tom Hoffelder, Tom Reiland and Don Machholz in the 1970s. The first To understand the marathon, you first need to know what person to view all 110 objects in one night was probably a Messier object is. A French named Charles Gerry Rattley from Dugas, Arizona, on March 23-34, 1985. Messier (1730-1817), the greatest hunter of his Note that spotting all 110 objects is possible only under time, published a catalog of 45 deep sky objects such as exceptionally good observing conditions and at a preferred nebulae and star clusters to help astronomical observers location, and you should be proud of the number that you to distinguish between permanent objects and temporary achieve each year. ones. So, ironically, Messier wanted to AVOID the objects on his list since they weren’t comets! His catalog grew In 1981, the Saguaro Astronomy Club (SAC), an amateur over the years to the 110 objects, and now most ama- astronomy organization based in Phoenix, held their first teur astronomers know many of them by heart. If you’ve Messier Marathon with about 40 participants, the first in located “M33” or “M13” with your telescope, you’ve viewed a series of 19 events (including 2007!) sponsored by this a Messier object, as the “M” numbers denote that catalog. club; Gerry Rattley’s first 110 objects success of 1985 hap- Astronomers have kept the Messier catalog as a handy pened during their fourth event. The famous All Arizona way to refer to the brightest nebulae and in the Messier Marathons have been held annually since 1993 night sky. near Arizona City and are organized by A.J. Crayon. Other clubs throughout the world are also holding their Messier What is a Messier Marathon? Marathon events semi-annually, in the spring and fall. So we TAAA members are very fortunate to be able to attend Messier objects have been around for several hundred the nearby All Arizona Messier Marathons each year! years, but the marathons are relatively new. A Messier Marathon is a carefully planned viewing night, where What do you need? astronomers try to see all 110 of the Messier objects, one after the other. It is an all-night endurance race that is not Like any marathon, you need to prepare to succeed. Run- easy. Observing 110 star clusters, nebulae and galaxies ners train for months to run 28 miles, and you need to start over the course of a single night requires planning, stami- now to prepare for your event. Don’t use your computer- na and a masochistic streak. The race is not against other ized “goto” feature on your telescope... learn the constel- observers but against the rising of the Sun. The distance lations and locations of all of the objects instead for a real to cover is 360 degrees of sky with more than 100 check- challenge. For your marathon, you’ll need the following: points along the way. It is a race that has been run by • Your telescope and/or . Make sure your thousands of amateur astronomers over the last 20 years. eyepieces and mirrors are very clean, you have enough But only a few have completed the circuit. Are you curious batteries, etc. about the minority who are successful? The Students For • A dark observing site in an area where all 110 objects the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) organi- may be viewed. We have that here in the Tucson area! zation has a web site devoted to Messier Marathons; spot all 110 objects in one night and your name will be listed in • A well-ordered, researched and carefully planned Mess- the Messier Marathon Eternal Hall of Fame! ier list is essential. Speed and efficiency are essential to help you find all the objects and observe them (and check Depending on the location of the observer, and the sea- them off your list!) in a minimum of time. The Saguaro son, there is a different number of Messier objects visible (continued, next page) -12- Desert Skies: March, 2007 -13- Volume LIII, Number 3

(continued from page 12...) Astronomy Club has a list Books: available on line to help you spot the objects. Since the The Observing Guide to the Messier Marathon, Don night sky is constantly moving due to the rotation of the Machholtz (Cambridge University, 2002). This book Earth, you have to carefully plan to see objects when they contains over 90 star maps to guide you through the are high enough above the horizon, but before the objects Marathon, and provides several tips for a successful night near the western horizon will set. Some viewers divide of observing. Also contains an excellent history of the the night into five to seven time periods to determine what Messier Marathon. constellations are visible and when. • You need a well-developed ability to star-hop from star Star-Hopping: Your Visa to Viewing the Universe, to star and object to object quickly. In other words, learn Robert Garfinkle (Cambridge University Press, 1994). A where the Messier objects and the brightest stars are in detailed month to month lesson on the art of star-hopping. relation to each other so you spend a minimum of time in The final chapter deals entirely with the Messier Marathon. locating them. The best way to prepare for the marathon is Deep Sky Companions: The Messier Objects to practice finding Messier objects! by Stephen James O’Meara • Practice locating objects in the constellation Virgo’s clus- O’Meara is a talented artist/illustrator who has lovingly ters of galaxies. Many an observer new to the marathon reproduced each of the Messier Objects here. This book gets lost in this part of the sky where there are hundreds of helps give an idea of what you’ll see in your telescope. NGC galaxies and Messier objects to tell apart. Detailed The Messier Album, John H. Malls and Evered Kreimer sky charts and lots of practice are essential. Practice (Sky Publishing, 1978). A handy little reference book with locating the Virgo galaxies on moonless nights in late Feb- a photograph, drawing, finder chart, visual description, and ruary or early March before your marathon. basic data for each of the 110 Messier objects. Includes a • Be ready — set up an hour before dark. The evening and facsimile reprint of ’s original catalog (in morning objects are the most difficult to find of the Mara- French) from the 1780’s. thon, during times that you’re racing against the clock to Messier’s Nebulae and Star Clusters, Kenneth Glyn make observations of dim objects against a partially lit sky. Jones (Cambridge University Press, 2nd edition, 1991). (Remember that about 97 objects are waiting to be ob- The most in-depth reference book about the 100-plus served after the sky gets fully dark, so don’t despair if you Messier objects and their observational history. miss some of the twilight or early morning objects.) The Year-Round Messier Marathon Field Guide : With Messier Marathons are always held the last two weeks of Complete Maps, Charts and Tips to Guide You to En- March, around the spring equinox, when all 110 objects are joying the Most Famous List of Deep-Sky Objects most likely visible in one night, or in several consecutive by Harvard (H. C.) Pennington nights. There is also a short period around the autumnal This is an extremely helpful book which is unfortunately equinox when most of the objects can be seen. out of print. Grab it if you ever see it at a used book store or on ebay. See you in late March! Good luck with your marathon. Software: Messier Marathon Resources The Ultimate Messier Object Log (TUMOL): Useful web sites: http://www.davidpaulgreen.com/tumol.html TUMOL is a FileMaker Pro 6.0 database that contains rel- Great instructions on dividing the night into sections with evant information for all 110 Messier objects with layouts tips for observing in each different phase: to assist in documenting your search for deep sky objects. http://members.aol.com/billferris/marathon.html Windows and MacOS X compatible Information from SEDS: Messier Marathon Software: http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/marathon/marathon.htm Go to http://www.download.com and search for “Messier SEDS Messier Database: http://www.seds.org/messier/ Marathon.” Messier Marathon is a program that calculates an observation plan for a Messier Marathon including Wikipedia’s entry: the positions in RA/Dec and Alt/Az for your location and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_marathon the intended time. Use this program for the preparation Nice sky chart showing locations of all objects: of Messier Marathons in November and particularly in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Messier_objects the end of March. Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server compatible. The Peoria Astronomical Society’s great Messier tips: http://www.astronomical.org/astbook/messier1.htm This article was compiled and written by Loretta McKibben Stargazer Online’s Guide to the Messier Marathon: using Internet and library resources. http://www.richardbell.net/marathon.html Email: [email protected] Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association NONPROFIT ORG. P.O. Box 41254 U.S. POSTAGE Tucson, Arizona 85717 PAID Address Service Requested TUCSON AZ PERMIT NO 1488

Please consider renewing your membership on time. Renewal month and dollar amount appears on your address label. Magazine subscriptions are not included. TAL fee is included if participating in TAL. See details on page 2.

Directions to TIMPA and Empire Ranch

Directions to TIMPA Site: . IMPORTANT NOTE: GPS coordinates: 32˚ 15.868’ N, 111˚ 16.390’ W A gate card is required for TIMPA access. Please From the North: DO NOT ask the caretakers for entry to the TIMPA SITE. Contact a board member or the TIMPA Gate 1. Take Ina Rd. west about three miles past I-10. Card Controller to arrange access to TIMPA. For 2. Turn left (south) on Wade Rd.. Wade Rd. becomes scheduled TIMPA star parties, a designated TAAA Picture Rocks Rd. when the Rd. bends to the right (west). representative will provide access to the site. 3. Take Picture Rocks Rd. west to Sandario Rd.. 4. Turn left (south) on Sandario Rd. to Manville Rd.. 5. Turn right (west) on Manville Rd. to Reservation Rd.. Directions to Las Cienegas (Empire Ranch): 6. Turn left (south) on Reservation Rd. (dirt Rd.) and go GPS coordinates: 31˚ 47.356’ N, 110˚ 37.913’ W about two miles. The TIMPA entrance is on the left. Take I-10 East from Tucson. Take Exit 281 (Route 83 From the East: Sonoita-Patagonia Highway South). Travel south on Route 1. Take Speedway Blvd. west and it turns into Gates 83 for about 19 miles, watch for green and white milepost 40 sign on the right side of the road. Approximately Pass Rd. ¼ 2. Go over Gates Pass and continue west to Kinney Rd.. mile past milepost 40, turn left into Las Cienegas. The 3. Turn right (north) on Kinney Rd. and continue past the road is dirt and is “washboarded” so go carefully. At Desert Museum. about 2.9 miles, there is a fork in the road. Stay to the 4. Kinney Rd. bends left at the entrance to Saguaro right. When the road ends in a “T”, take a left. Cross over National Park West and becomes Mile Wide Rd.. a concrete section of the road down in a wash. Just up 5. Take Mile Wide Rd. west about five miles to the hill from the wash (about .2 mile), turn left. 0.1 mile Reservation Rd.. Mile Wide Rd. ends at Reservation ahead will be the end of an abandoned airstrip with a Rd. and you must turn right (north) onto Reservation covered ramada. The club members have been setting up Rd. several tenths of a mile down the runway. If you arrive 6. Take Reservation Rd. north about one mile. The after dark, as a courtesy to other members, use only your entrance to TIMPA will be on the right. parking lights to approach the set-up location.