Reflectionsreflections the Newsletter of the Popular Astronomy Club
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Affiliated with ReflectionsReflections The Newsletter of the Popular Astronomy Club ESTABLISHED 1936 March 2020 President’s Corner MARCH 2020 the newsletter. A small group of us Welcome to anoth- convened at the Paul Castle Memorial er edition of Observatory to view all 27 of the “Reflections”, the Messier objects listed in NCRAL’s Win- universe’s best as- ter Messier Marathon. To my Page Topic knowledge, at this session, three of us 1-2 Presidents tronomy news- Corner letter. It is always a were successful in bagging all 27 of the 3 Announcements/ challenge for me to objects. I am looking forward to ac- Info Alan Sheidler come up with knowledging the achievements of 4-6 Contributions something inter- these observers at a future PAC 6 PAC Outreach esting to pique your interest and get meeting. Congratulations to those in- 7 Awards you to delve further into the news- trepid individuals for stepping up and 8-9 Astronomy in participating. In the meantime, howev- Print letter. I certainly hope my presiden- 10 First Light by tial reflections are not the only rea- er, I would like to ask if anyone else is David Levy son you read PAC’s newsletter. interested in observing these objects? 11 Upcoming Events There is plenty of interesting subject Please let me know if you are. I am 12 Sign Up Report matter here beyond anything I can hoping to have at least one more ob- 13 Astronomical say to entice you to read further. serving session this winter to enable Calendar of folks to observe these objects in a Events/ Rather than taking time here to high- The Planets light this newsletter’s content, this group setting. Observing sessions can 14-15 Sky views time I would like to urge you to get be solitary endeavors, but indulging in 16 Planetary involved with a little winter observ- group observing sessions brings anoth- Alignments in ing. er dimension to the activity. Having March 2020 multiple scopes set up affords one the 17 Deep Sky I realize winter is typically a time opportunity to view objects with differ- Wonders March ent hardware and levels of magnifica- 2020 when many of us might want to take 18-19 Navigating the a “vacation” from observing due to tion. Personally, I have always enjoyed March Sky freezing temperatures and cloudy the social aspects of observing too. For (Astronomical skies. Indeed the next public observ- example, it is fun to hear the exclama- League) ing session scheduled on PAC’s calen- tory comments of folks glimpsing M42 20 Spotlight: NGC dar is the March 21st Niabi Zoo ob- (the Orion Nebula) for the first time in 1514– Crystal a telescope. During the February 21st Ball Nebula serving session. In the meantime, 21-22 NASA Space why not satisfy your desire to get out Messier session, there were many Place Article there and glimpse some of those im- comments by all of us as we rotated 23-26 News links pressive winter objects which are on- from scope to scope to view the vari- 27-28 Member ly visible this time of year? You can ous objects as each operator drew a Observations read about the club’s February 21st bead on each object. During this ses- 29-30 Paul Castle observing session in this edition of sion, one of us (Byron Davies) had an Observing Sessions (Continued in next column) (Continued on next page) 31 PAC Monthly 1 (Continued from previous page) tions. But, getting together as a club R2 video camera attached to his and working on this as a club is fun Popular Astronomy scope. Images were presented in and rewarding. I would encourage Club you all to participate. If you would real time on a small TV screen which Officers the group could easily gather round like to make the observations, but do not have a telescope, let me and view. Byron’s view of M42 was PRESIDENT - Alan Sheidler very colorful and memorable. know and we will provide you with a 3528 56th Street Court, Moline, telescope and help instruct you (if IL, 61265 As I am writing this column, I am needed) in the proper operation of Phone: (309) 797-3120 hoping to organize another Winter the telescope. I would like to thank VICE PRESIDENT – Dino Milani Messier observing session while the leadership of NCRAL for setting 2317 29 1/2 Street, Rock Island, there is still time (before Spring rolls up the Seasonal Messier Observing IL, 61201 around) at the Paul Castle Memorial Program. This is a great way to en- Phone: (309) 269-4735 Observatory. Stay tuned to your courage folks to get out and observe email so you will be informed of this and learn about some truly spectac- SECRETARY - Terry Dufek 2812 W. 65th Street, Davenport, ular objects which are visible during next observing session. In any event, IA, 52806 Phone: (563) 386-3509 let me just invite you to get involved the seasonal time frame around in participating in the Winter which each program is organized. I TREASURER – Dale Hachtel Messier Marathon and the Spring would encourage you all to partici- 1617 Elm Shore Drive, Port Byron Marathon. To qualify for the NCRAL pate. IL, 61275 Phone: (614) 935-5748 Keep looking up! Messier Award, the observer must make and record their own observa- Alan Sheidler ALCOR – Roy E. Gustafson (Continued in next column) 11 Deer Run Road, Orion, IL, 61273 Phone: (309)526-3592 DIRECTOR OF OBSERVATORIES - Rusty Case 2123 W. 16th Street, Davenport, IA, 52804 Phone: (563) 349-2444 PAST PRESIDENT - Wayland Bauer 3256 Pleasant Drive, Bettendorf, IA., 52722 Phone: (563) 332-4032 NEWSLETTER EDITOR - Terry Dufek 2812 W. 65th Street, Davenport, IA, 52806 Phone: (563) 386-3509 Contact for Information or questions here: Group Photo out a cold observing session at Paul Castle on February popularastronomy- 22nd, 2020. (Left to right) Al Sheidler, Alex, Mary and Hugh Holt, Byron [email protected] Davies and Terry Dufek. 2 ANNOUNCEMENTS / INFO READY FOR WelcomeMEMBERSHIP To OR TO RENEW? LOOKING FOR OLDER NewClick Members Here LOOKING FOR OLDER ISSUES OF REFLECTIONS For PACMatt Documents Neilssen and NEWSLETTER?NEWSLETTER? use “Enrollment Form” OR Click Byron Davies Click HERE use last page in October Reflections HISTORYHISTORY OFOF PAC?PAC? ClickClick HERE Editors Note: SUBMISSIONSStarting with this issue a little bitIf and you the have next an issuearticle even or photos to submit or Popular Astronomy Club more,items internet of interest, links we will encourage be rep- you to send on Facebook? resentedthem in by by this the symbol. 25th of the Just month. Links to ClickClick HERE click on it andstories it will are take welcome you to also. the story/ video/Thank site. you! Astronomical League Observing Programs The Astronomical League provides many different Observing Programs. These Observing Programs are designed to provide a direction for your obser- vations and to provide a goal. The Observing Pro- grams have certificates and pins to recognize the observers’ accomplishments and for demon- stratingstrating their their observingobserving skills skills withwith a avarie- variety of in- ty of instrumentsstruments and and objects objects Check out the Astronomical Click Here CLICK League ONLINE! CLICK 3 CONTRIBUTIONS NCRAL Seasonal Messier Marathon Program NCRAL’s Seasonal Messier Marathon observing program is NOT designed to qualify observers for the Astronomi- cal League’s Messier Observing program; the two pro- grams are unrelated and observing requirements are quite different. In the NCRAL program, the main require- ment is to quickly observe and essentially check off items from one of four seasonal lists of Messier objects as noted in the section to follow. This is the Highest Resolution Image Ever Taken of the Surface of the Sun NCRAL recognition will consist a suitable printed certifi- cate and a 3⁄4-inch enameled star pin (a different color Feast your eyes on this incredible picture of for each season). There will be no direct cost to the the surface of our nearest star: the Sun. This membership for participating in the award program; the photo was taken by the newly completed Dan- cost of the program (pins, certificates, mailers, postage) iel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, which is will be borne by the Region as a benefit of affiliation. perched atop Maui's Haleakala volcano. Relevant program documents are linked below You're seeing granules on the surface of the NCRAL Seasonal Messier Marathon Program Sun, convection cells of solar material carried Rules up from the interior of the star like blobs of wax in a lava lamp. They look small, but each NCRAL WINTER Seasonal Messier List one of these granules is the size of Texas. Once these convection cells release their heat NCRAL SPRING Seasonal Messier List into space, they cool down and fall back down into the Sun in dark lanes at the boundaries of NCRAL SUMMER Seasonal Messier List the cells. Apart from being an absolutely stunning im- age, of course, it's scientifically fascinating. NCRAL AUTUMN Seasonal Messier List These precise, clear images of the Sun will help astronomers understand how the Sun works, and help predict changes in space weather, which we know can impact us here on Earth. The Sun is a gigantic, ongoing ball of plasma and nuclear fusion. It's good to know we're keeping a good eye on it now. Thanks! Fraser Cain Publisher Universe Today 4 CONTRIBUTIONS BBC’s The Sky At The Mid-States Regional As- Night tronomical League Con- What to see in the ference 2020 night sky, March 2020 Date: Friday, 6/12/2020 - Sunday, 6/14/2020 Time: 12:00 PM Friday - 11:30 AM Sunday Location: Jenks Planetarium, 205 East "B" Street, Jenks, OK 74037 Wonderful Nebulae!! 5 CONTRIBUTIONS Jan and I just finished a club outreach at C.R.