DOCSLIB.ORG

News from the Society for Astronomical Sciences

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
News from the Society for Astronomical Sciences News from the Society for Astronomical Sciences Vol. 12 No.3 (July, 2014) Report on the SAS 2014 Symposium The 2014 Symposium was a “triple conjunction” joint meeting of the Socie- ty for Astronomical Sciences, the American Association of Variable Star Observers, and the Center for Back- yard Astrophysics. The Symposium featured educational workshops and presentations of (mostly) small- telescope research activities and re- sults. The subjects spanned a re- markable range of targets and meth- ods. Various presenters showed the fruits of their Photometry, CCD as- trometry, spectroscopy, speckle inter- ferometry and polarimetry (and spec- tro-polarimetry!). The targets being studied included asteroids, variable stars, binary star systems, superno- More than 170 people participated in the 2014 joint Symposium of the SAS, vae, classical novae, gamma-ray AAVSO and CBA. (Photo by Bob Stephens). bursts and urban light pollution. The Proceedings and videos of most of the technical paper presentations will be posted on the SAS website teroids that are – temporarily – cap- the “pro’s” with the opportunity to make “Publications” tab by the end of July. tured at one of Earth’s Lagrange detailed measurements on long- Meanwhile, here are a few topics that points. Such a “mini-Moon” could be a deceased supernovae. For example, particularly impressed and surprised candidate for a near-term, modest-cost Dr. Welch showed the spectrum of this reporter... robotic exploration mission. Watch for Tycho’s supernova (1572), measured more on this idea in the future. from its light echo. Dr. Lance Benner presented recent radar observations of near-Earth as- Eric Craine’s presentation of night- Another foray into unexpected territory teroids showing wonderfully detailed brightness measurements near Tuc- was described by Arto Oksanen, who three-dimensional pictures of these son illustrated the importance of gath- has succeeded in discovering – and objects speeding past us. It seems ering quantitative data, because light gathering photometry on – the optical that there are more “peanuts” and pollution is both complicated and in glows from gamma-ray bursts. This is “muffins” in the NEA population than I some ways counter-intuitive. Watch a very challenging project, to observe would have guessed. Dr. Benner also the video of his talk when it’s posted – very faint transient objects whose visi- noted the synergy between radar ob- you may be surprised! ble lifetime ranges from a few hours to a few days. servations, small-telescope astrometry Small-telescope research continues to (which provides accurate pointing for probe into unexpected territory. Two Supernovae showed up in several the radar), and small-telescope pho- such projects were described at the other discussions. Tim Puckett and tometry (which is used to determine Symposium: supernova light echoes, Dr. Michael Richmond presented an the asteroid’s rotation period and rota- and gamma-ray bursts. Dr. Doug educational workshop on “Supernova tional phase during the radar observa- Welch demonstrated that there are Discovery and Science”. The 70 partic- tions). probably quite a few still-undiscovered ipants in this learned about the need We were treated to an unplanned visit supernova light echoes in the Milky for more participants in Puckett’s ex- by Stephen Edberg (JPL), who de- Way, and that they can be found with traordinarily successful supernova scribed a challenge to search for as- diligent searches using amateur-scale discovery program, and received a telescopes. Once found, they provide “short course” on the various types of Society for Astronomical Sciences Newsletter Vol 12 Number 3 supernovae and their distinguishing Photometric Transforms (by Dr. Arne SAS Members are invited observational characteristics. Dr. John Henden). Martin presented a discussion of su- to Participate in AAVSO’s pernova lightcurves, the challenge of Equipment problems prevented us Fall meeting distinguishing between “real” superno- from recording the Supernova work- November 6-7-8, 2014, (Woburn, vae and transient sources that are shop and Arne’s “Transforms” class MA) actually “imposters”, and the signifi- (which is a shame, because they were both really good). cance of small-telescope and amateur contributions to his research. Finally, Videos of Tom’s Spectrum Processing during an informal lunchtime “spec- class and Bob’s Signal-to-Noise Ratio The AAVSO’s Fall meeting will be a troscopy discussion group” (of about class are both freely available on the joint AAVSO-SAS gathering. It will be 40 people) it was pointed out that SAS website. held on November 6-7-8 in Woburn backyard-scale telescopes can be MA. All SAS members can attend at effectively used for supernova confir- The following workshop videos from the AAVSO member registration rate. mation. past years are also available: If you would like to present a paper at this meeting, you should submit an The annual SAS Symposium is a Digital Imaging Photometry (2013) abstract using the normal AAVSO pro- unique opportunity to experience the Lightning Safety and Hazard Man- cess: details will be announced on the breadth and depth of small-telescope agement (2013) AAVSO website in August. Accepted astronomical research. I imagine that presentations will be assigned to an all of the participants enjoyed connect- Small-Telescope Spectroscopy (2012) oral or poster presentation as needed. ing with old friends and meeting new Robotic and Remote Observatories AAVSO doesn’t publish Proceedings ones, while collecting a list of projects (2011) for the meeting, but you can submit to try during the coming year. The your paper to the JAAVSO, and it will sponsors and vendors were well- Eclipsing Binary Stars (2011) be treated like any normal paper with a prepared to provide everyone with any reviewer. SAS members will be given If you’d like DVDs of these prior-year new gear that those projects may de- free page charges in the Journal for workshops, send a note to Bob Buch- mand. papers derived from this meeting. heim ([email protected]). If you The Program Committee will soon be were registered for the workshop when As part of this gathering, SAS is plan- discussing plans for the 2015 Sympo- it was held, the DVD cost is $5. Oth- ning to host a workshop on “Superno- sium. We appreciate the input from erwise, the cost is $55. va Confirmation with Slitless Spectros- those of you who filled in the “2014 copy”. Survey” at the Symposium; if you for- got to turn your survey in, or if you’ve This topic flowed out of thought of additional comments, two subjects that were please send a note to Dale Mais, who presented at the SAS- is collating the survey responses. 2014 Symposium. Tim Puckett noted during his If you weren’t able to attend the 2014 Supernova workshop that Symposium, some of the features of quite a few probable- the Symposium are available to you. supernova discoveries are The Proceedings document will soon never confirmed by spec- be available on the SAS website; and troscopy, and hence they videos of most of the technical presen- never get a “supernova” tations will also be available for view- designation. Dr. John ing, with links on the SAS website Martin described several “Publications” tab. As in past years, types of “supernova im- both the Proceedings and the videos posters” that can show up are made freely available as a service on the lists of transient to the small-telescope research com- discoveries. munity. A great many of these uncharacterized discover- ies appear to be within range of backyard-scale Workshop Videos telescopes using low-cost slitless spectrographs. The SAS-2014 Symposium featured a This provides an interest- half-day workshop on Supernova Dis- ing way to apply amateur covery and Science (presented by Tim spectroscopy to a scientif- Puckett and Dr. Michael Richmond), Dr. Linda French discussed her research on Jupiter ically-useful project, with- plus three short classes on Spectrum Trojan asteroids. (Photo by Bob Stephens) out making a large in- Processing (by Tom Field), Signal-to- vestment in equipment or Noise Ratio (by Bob Buchheim) and training. 2 Society for Astronomical Sciences Newsletter Vol 12 Number 3 Lowell Observatory Pro- Help Requested for 2014 um are available in PDF format at the PUBLICATIONS tab of the SAS website Am Workshop on Speckle “Science Imaging & As- (www.SocAstroSci.org). Interferometry tronomy” Event Symposium Videos: If you missed a Friday-Sunday, October 3-5, 2014, October 11th, Pierce College, Wood- recent Symposium, you can still watch Giclas Lecture Hall, Lowell Observa- land Hills, CA the presentations. Videos of most of tory (Flagstaff, AZ) the technical presentations have been Our Sponsor Woodland Hills Tele- posted on the SAS website at the This isn’t an SAS-sponsored event, but scope & Camera organizes the annual PUBLICATIONS tab. it will be of interest to those of you “Science Imaging and Astronomy” who were you intrigued by the “speckle event. The particular focus of SIA is Contact Information: If you haven’t interferometry” talks at SAS 2014. The reaching out to young adults, in hopes been receiving e-mail messages about workshop will include one night of ob- of getting them infected with the “as- the Newsletter or the SAS Symposium, serving on the Discovery Channel Tel- tronomy bug”. Farah Payan has asked perhaps it’s because you’ve changed escope, and will offer hands-on expe- if any SAS members would like to or- your e-mail address. You can update rience with data reduction of speckle ganize a telescope and camera clinic, your contact information on the images. or give a talk during the SIA-2014. If MEMBERSHIP/REGISTRATION tab of the you are interested in helping out, SAS website. SAS never sells or Speckle interferometry, once the sole shares your name or contact infor- province of professional astronomers, please contact Woodland Hills Tele- scope & Camera at 888-427-8766.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series
    Patrick Moore’s Practical Astronomy Series Other Titles in this Series Navigating the Night Sky Astronomy of the Milky Way How to Identify the Stars and The Observer’s Guide to the Constellations Southern/Northern Sky Parts 1 and 2 Guilherme de Almeida hardcover set Observing and Measuring Visual Mike Inglis Double Stars Astronomy of the Milky Way Bob Argyle (Ed.) Part 1: Observer’s Guide to the Observing Meteors, Comets, Supernovae Northern Sky and other transient Phenomena Mike Inglis Neil Bone Astronomy of the Milky Way Human Vision and The Night Sky Part 2: Observer’s Guide to the How to Improve Your Observing Skills Southern Sky Michael P. Borgia Mike Inglis How to Photograph the Moon and Planets Observing Comets with Your Digital Camera Nick James and Gerald North Tony Buick Telescopes and Techniques Practical Astrophotography An Introduction to Practical Astronomy Jeffrey R. Charles Chris Kitchin Pattern Asterisms Seeing Stars A New Way to Chart the Stars The Night Sky Through Small Telescopes John Chiravalle Chris Kitchin and Robert W. Forrest Deep Sky Observing Photo-guide to the Constellations The Astronomical Tourist A Self-Teaching Guide to Finding Your Steve R. Coe Way Around the Heavens Chris Kitchin Visual Astronomy in the Suburbs A Guide to Spectacular Viewing Solar Observing Techniques Antony Cooke Chris Kitchin Visual Astronomy Under Dark Skies How to Observe the Sun Safely A New Approach to Observing Deep Space Lee Macdonald Antony Cooke The Sun in Eclipse Real Astronomy with Small Telescopes Sir Patrick Moore and Michael Maunder Step-by-Step Activities for Discovery Transit Michael K.
    [Show full text]
  • Three Decades of Small-Telescope Science
    Three Decades of Small-Telescope Science A Report on the 2011 Society for Astronomical Sciences 30th Annual Sym- posium on Telescope Science Robert K. Buchheim For three decades, the Society for Astronomical Sciences has supported small telescope sci- ence, encouraged amateur research, and facilitated pro-am collaboration. On May 24-26, more than one hundred participants in the 30th anniversary SAS Symposium heard presentations cov- ering a wide range of astronomical topics, reaching from the laboratory to the distant cosmos. From Planets to Galaxies Sky & Telescope Editor-in-Chief Bob Naeye opened the technical session with a review of the amateur contributions to exoplanet discovery and research through monitoring of transits and micro-lensing events. R. Jay GaBany described his participation as an astro-imager in the search for evidence of galactic mergers. His exquisite deep images taken with his 24-inch telescope displayed the di- verse patterns of star streams that can be left behind when a dwarf galaxy is disrupted and ab- sorbed by a larger galaxy. He also noted that not all faint structures are evidence of galactic mergers: the faint ”loop” structure near M-81 is actually foreground “galactic cirrus” in our own Milky Way masquerading as a faux tidal loop. Education and Outreach Several papers related to education and outreach were presented. Debra Ceravolo applied her expertise in the generation and perception of colors, to describe a new method of merging narrow-band (e.g. Hα) and broad-band (e.g. RGB) images into a natural-color image that displays enhanced detail without glaring false colors.
    [Show full text]
  • A Simple Guide to Backyard Astronomy Using Binoculars Or a Small Telescope
    A Simple Guide to Backyard Astronomy Using Binoculars or a Small Telescope Assembled by Carol Beigel Where and When to Go Look at the Stars Dress for the Occasion Red Flashlight How to Find Things in the Sky Charts Books Gizmos Binoculars for Astronomy Telescopes for Backyard Astronomy Star Charts List of 93 Treasures in the Sky with charts Good Binocular Objects Charts to Get Oriented in the Sky Messier Objects Thumbnail Photographs of Messier Objects A Simple Guide to Backyard Astronomy Using Binoculars or a Small Telescope www.carolrpt.com/astroguide.htm P.1 The Earth’s Moon Moon Map courtesy of Night Sky Magazine http://skytonight.com/nightsky http://www.skyandtelescope.com/nightsky A Simple Guide to Backyard Astronomy Using Binoculars or a Small Telescope www.carolrpt.com/astroguide.htm P.2 A Simple Guide to Backyard Astronomy using Binoculars or a Small Telescope assembled by Carol Beigel in the Summer of 2007 The wonderment of the night sky is a passion that must be shared. Tracking the phases of the Moon, if only to plan how much light it will put into the sky at night, and bookmarking the Clear Sky Clock, affectionately known as the Cloud Clock become as common as breathing. The best observing nights fall about a week after the Full Moon until a few days after the New Moon. However, don't wait for ideal and see what you can see every night no matter where you are. I offer this simple guide to anyone who wants to look upward and behold the magnificence of the night sky.
    [Show full text]
  • A Guide to Smartphone Astrophotography National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration A Guide to Smartphone Astrophotography National Aeronautics and Space Administration A Guide to Smartphone Astrophotography A Guide to Smartphone Astrophotography Dr. Sten Odenwald NASA Space Science Education Consortium Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland Cover designs and editing by Abbey Interrante Cover illustrations Front: Aurora (Elizabeth Macdonald), moon (Spencer Collins), star trails (Donald Noor), Orion nebula (Christian Harris), solar eclipse (Christopher Jones), Milky Way (Shun-Chia Yang), satellite streaks (Stanislav Kaniansky),sunspot (Michael Seeboerger-Weichselbaum),sun dogs (Billy Heather). Back: Milky Way (Gabriel Clark) Two front cover designs are provided with this book. To conserve toner, begin document printing with the second cover. This product is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement number NNH15ZDA004C. [1] Table of Contents Introduction.................................................................................................................................................... 5 How to use this book ..................................................................................................................................... 9 1.0 Light Pollution ....................................................................................................................................... 12 2.0 Cameras ................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • To Photographing the Planets, Stars, Nebulae, & Galaxies
    Astrophotography Primer Your FREE Guide to photographing the planets, stars, nebulae, & galaxies. eeBook.inddBook.indd 1 33/30/11/30/11 33:01:01 PPMM Astrophotography Primer Akira Fujii Everyone loves to look at pictures of the universe beyond our planet — Astronomy Picture of the Day (apod.nasa.gov) is one of the most popular websites ever. And many people have probably wondered what it would take to capture photos like that with their own cameras. The good news is that astrophotography can be incredibly easy and inexpensive. Even point-and- shoot cameras and cell phones can capture breathtaking skyscapes, as long as you pick appropriate subjects. On the other hand, astrophotography can also be incredibly demanding. Close-ups of tiny, faint nebulae, and galaxies require expensive equipment and lots of time, patience, and skill. Between those extremes, there’s a huge amount that you can do with a digital SLR or a simple webcam. The key to astrophotography is to have realistic expectations, and to pick subjects that are appropriate to your equipment — and vice versa. To help you do that, we’ve collected four articles from the 2010 issue of SkyWatch, Sky & Telescope’s annual magazine. Every issue of SkyWatch includes a how-to guide to astrophotography and visual observing as well as a summary of the year’s best astronomical events. You can order the latest issue at SkyandTelescope.com/skywatch. In the last analysis, astrophotography is an art form. It requires the same skills as regular photography: visualization, planning, framing, experimentation, and a bit of luck.
    [Show full text]
  • Surveys with Small Optical Telescopes
    SMALL-TELESCOPE SURVEYS Surveys with small optical telescopes Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/astrogeo/article-abstract/60/6/6.14/5625003 by Institute of Child Health/University College London user on 04 March 2020 Tony Lynas-Gray reviews the odern astrophysics owes its exist- 1976) detectors, surveys were extended into history of surveys with small ence to small-telescope surveys the near-infrared. Moreover, images and Mdating back to the 18th century, spectra obtained using CCDs and digitized telescopes and explains why they for example Flamsteed (1725). In the 19th photographic plates are in a machine-read- are still vital to support the work century, Argelander’s survey based on able form and amenable to processing with of much larger telescopes. visual observations with small telescopes modern numerical methods. and meridian circles culminated in the 1859 In this article I summarize some of the publication of the Bonner Durchmusterung more important surveys – and results – (BD), a catalogue of northern hemisphere carried out so far with small telescopes stars brighter than ninth magnitude, with (having an aperture of no more than 2 m). accompanying charts (Batten 1991). The BD Modern networks of small tele scopes catalogue was later extended to the south- operated robotically are expected to ern hemisphere by the Córdoba Durch- continue survey work for the foreseeable musterung (CD; 1892 onwards) prepared future: small telescopes in general need to using Argelander’s method, and the Cape be retained for follow-up observations of Photographic Durchmusterung (CPD; 1885 brighter targets of interest discovered in onwards) based on photographic plates.
    [Show full text]
  • Not Yet Imagined: a Study of Hubble Space Telescope Operations
    NOT YET IMAGINED A STUDY OF HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OPERATIONS CHRISTOPHER GAINOR NOT YET IMAGINED NOT YET IMAGINED A STUDY OF HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OPERATIONS CHRISTOPHER GAINOR National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Communications NASA History Division Washington, DC 20546 NASA SP-2020-4237 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Gainor, Christopher, author. | United States. NASA History Program Office, publisher. Title: Not Yet Imagined : A study of Hubble Space Telescope Operations / Christopher Gainor. Description: Washington, DC: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Office of Communications, NASA History Division, [2020] | Series: NASA history series ; sp-2020-4237 | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Summary: “Dr. Christopher Gainor’s Not Yet Imagined documents the history of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope (HST) from launch in 1990 through 2020. This is considered a follow-on book to Robert W. Smith’s The Space Telescope: A Study of NASA, Science, Technology, and Politics, which recorded the development history of HST. Dr. Gainor’s book will be suitable for a general audience, while also being scholarly. Highly visible interactions among the general public, astronomers, engineers, govern- ment officials, and members of Congress about HST’s servicing missions by Space Shuttle crews is a central theme of this history book. Beyond the glare of public attention, the evolution of HST becoming a model of supranational cooperation amongst scientists is a second central theme. Third, the decision-making behind the changes in Hubble’s instrument packages on servicing missions is chronicled, along with HST’s contributions to our knowledge about our solar system, our galaxy, and our universe.
    [Show full text]
  • Amateur Astronomers and Dwarf Novae
    Amateur Astronomers and Dwarf Novae L. T JENSEN (Denmark); G. POYNER (United Kingdom); P VAN CAUTEREN (Belgium); T VANMUNSTER (Belgium) 1. Introduction the cataclysmic binaries.ln a cataclysmic superhumps, are observed in most binarya mass-Iosing secondary (often a SUUMa stars. The superhumps have a On December 15, 1855 the English late main-sequence dwarf) is in close orbit period of a few per cent longer than the astronomer John Russell Hind (1823­ with a white dwarf primary. The orbit is so orbital period. Thus the detection of these 1895) was searching for new minor close that the secondary star fills its superhumps is very important in order to planets in the constellation of Gemini. Roche-volume and hence it loses determine the orbital period of systems During this search he found a new star at material through the inner Lagrange point where this is otherwise very difficult to approximately 9th magnitude. A new L1. The lost gas is accumulated in an obtain. asteroid? He observed the starforseveral accretion disk around the white dwarf. WZ Sge type (UGWZ): This special days and found that it didn't move - thus This material then accretes onto the type of dwarf nova has outbursts very not an asteroid! The next few daysthe star surface of the white dwarf from the disko At seldom. The typical recurrence time is became fainter and fainter and it was the point where the stream of gas from the several decades. Clearly, the detection soon invisible in Hinds telescope. Hethus secondary impacts the disk, a shock front of all outbursts of these rare objects is classified the star as a faint nova.
    [Show full text]
  • TRAPPIST: Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope
    Telescopes and Instrumentation TRAPPIST: TRAnsiting Planets and PlanetesImals Small Telescope Emmanuël Jehin1 Michaël Gillon1 Didier Queloz2 E. Jehin/ESO E. Pierre Magain1 Jean Manfroid1 Virginie Chantry1 Monica Lendl2 Damien Hutsemékers1 Stephane Udry2 1 Institut d’Astrophysique de l’Université de Liège, Belgium 2 Observatoire de l’Université de Genève, Switzerland TRAPPIST is a 60-cm robotic telescope that was installed in April 2010 at the ESO La Silla Observatory. The project is led by the Astrophysics and Image Pro- cessing group (AIP) at the Department of Figure 1. The TRAPPIST telescope in its 5­metre time is obviously needed to monitor the Astrophysics, Geophysics and Ocean- enclosure at the La Silla Observatory, Chile. activity of several comets with a fre­ ography (AGO) of the University of Liège, quency of a few times per week. Some in close collaboration with the Geneva TRAPPIST is an original project using a comets are known, but others appear Observatory, and has been funded by single telescope that has been built and serendipitously. For the latter, telescope the Belgian Fund for Scientific Research optimised to allow the study of those two availability is crucial if we want to react (F.R.S.-FNRS) and the Swiss National aspects of the growing field of astrobiol­ rapidly to observe those targets at the Science Foundation (SNF). It is devoted ogy. It provides high quality photometric appropriate moment and for several hours to the detection and characterisation of data of exoplanet transits and allows or nights in a row; this strategy can pro­ exoplanets and to the study of comets the gaseous emissions of bright comets vide unique datasets impossible to obtain and other small bodies in the Solar Sys- to be monitored regularly.
    [Show full text]
  • INSIDE THIS HANDBOOK, You’Ll Find the Main Telescope Types, Answers to Common Questions, Descriptions of Eyepieces and Accessories, and What You Should Look at First
    Sponsored by A supplement to Astronomy magazine Special advertising section HOW TO BUY YOUR FIRST TELESCOPE INSIDE THIS HANDBOOK, you’ll find the main telescope types, answers to common questions, descriptions of eyepieces and accessories, and what you should look at first. By the editors of Astronomy magazine : Jay Smith; background: Tony Hallas; product shots: Celestron 618261 © 2011 Kalmbach Publishing Co. This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher. www.Astronomy.com Telescopes 101 Buying your first telescope is a big step, especially if you’re not sure what all those terms mean. So, to help you understand what to look for in a quality telescope, the editors of Astronomy To see objects through magazine answer 11 of the most-asked questions. your scope in their normal orientation, you’ll need an accessory called an image I know telescopes make I’m interested in observing. erector. Celestron 1 things appear bigger, but 3What should I do first? what exactly do they do? Learn all you can about telescopes: what Why are objects through my A telescope’s purpose is to collect light. types are available, the best accessories, and 5telescope upside-down? This property lets you observe objects what you’ll see through them. This publica- Because of the way a telescope focuses light, much fainter than you can see with your tion is a good start because you’ll see a wide the top of what you’re looking at is at the eyes alone. Italian astronomer Galileo Gali- range of options. bottom as it enters the eyepiece, and vice- lei said it best when he declared that his If a telescope interests you, visit www.
    [Show full text]
  • Telescopes and the Popularization of Astronomy in the Twentieth Century Gary Leonard Cameron Iowa State University
    Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Graduate Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 2010 Public skies: telescopes and the popularization of astronomy in the twentieth century Gary Leonard Cameron Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Cameron, Gary Leonard, "Public skies: telescopes and the popularization of astronomy in the twentieth century" (2010). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 11795. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/11795 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Public skies: telescopes and the popularization of astronomy in the twentieth century by Gary Leonard Cameron A dissertation submitted to the graduate faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Major: History of Science and Technology Program of study committee: Amy S. Bix, Major Professor James T. Andrews David B. Wilson John Monroe Steven Kawaler Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 2010 Copyright © Gary Leonard Cameron, 2010. All rights reserved. ii Table of Contents Forward and Acknowledgements iv Dissertation Abstract v Chapter I: Introduction 1 1. General introduction 1 2. Research methodology 8 3. Historiography 9 4. Popularization – definitions 16 5. What is an amateur astronomer? 19 6. Technical definitions – telescope types 26 7. Comparison with other science & technology related hobbies 33 Chapter II: Perfecting ‘A Sharper Image’: the Manufacture and Marketing of Telescopes to the Early 20th Century 39 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Instruction Manual
    INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR ALT-AZIMUTH MOUNT AZ1 & AZ2 MOUNTS Refractor/AZ2 B C D AZ2 F E G A A. Dust Cap / Mask (Remove before Viewing) H B. Dew Cap / Sun Shade C. Objective Lens I 5 D. Telescope Main Tube E. Finderscope F. Finderscope Bracket G. Alignment Screws 4 Reflector/AZ1 H. Focus Locking Screw 2 I. Eyepiece 3 J. Diagonal 1 K. Focus Tube J K L E F L. Focus Knob D 1. A ltitude fine-adjustment control a G 2. Azimuth Lock C 3. Yoke Mount H 4. A ltitude Lock Knob B 5. Yoke Locking Knob I a. Accessory Tray b b. Tripod Leg c. Height Adjustment A Clamp c 5 J 4 3 2 1 a AZ1 b A. Secondary Mirror Position B. Dust Cap / Mask (Remove before Viewing) C. Focus Tube D. Finderscope Bracket E. Finderscope F. Finderscope Adjustment Screws G. Eyepiece H. Focus Knob I. Telescope Main Tube J. Primary Mirror Position 1. Y oke Locking Knob 2. Altitude Lock Knob c 3. Azimuth Lock Knob 4. Yoke 5. Altitude Fine Adjustment Control a. Accessory Tray b. Tripod Leg c. Height Adjustment Clamp 2 AZ3 MOUNTS AZ3 B C A D F A. Dust Cap / Mask G (Remove before Viewing) E B. Dew Cap / Sun Shade H C. Objective Lens D. Piggyback Bracket E. Telescope Main Body F. Finderscope I G. Finderscope Bracket H. Alignment Screws I. Focus Tube J j. Eyepiece K. Diagonal 4 L. Focus Knob K 1. Azimuth Flexible Control Cable L 2. Altitude Flexible Control Cable 3. Yoke Mount a.
    [Show full text]