Published by the Astronomical League Vol. 68, No. 4 September 2016

The Music of the Spheres Forbidden Radiation in Planetary Nebulae How WatergateWatergate Influenced Astronomy Day From AroundAround the League: Astronomy Day and Youth Awards

T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 1 TORY, GERMANY)TORY,

VA 4 Field of View/All is Change 5 Reflector Mail 6 International Dark-Sky Association/The LED Revolution 7 Reflections 8 Deep-Sky Objects/Barnard’s Galaxy 9 John Henry Owned a Dobsonian

TINO ROMANIELLO (EUROPEAN SOUTHERN OBSER 10 David Levy’s Gift to Linda Hall Library 11 The Rewards of Having a Truly Dark Site and a Moonless, Clear Night to Observe a Winter Meteor Shower

: NASA, ESA, AND MAR 12 Forbidden Radiation in Planetary Nebulae 15 Wanderers in the Neighborhood/Orbital Oddities 16 The Music of the Spheres 18 How to Hustle Up an Observatory 19 10, 25, and 50 Years of the Astronomical League’s Magazine 20 How Watergate Influenced Astronomy Day 21 Radio Meteors 22 From Around the League

TITLE PHOTOGRAPH: NGC 1850, THE DOUBLE CLUSTER; CREDIT 25 All Things Astronomical 26 Gallery 28 Observing Awards 30 Coming Events

This close-up image of the lunar craters Langrenus and Petavius was captured on April 13, 2016, at 00:47 UT. Jamey Jenkins, an ALPO member located in Homer, Illinois, used a 125 mm f/18 refractor and a DMK41AU02 camera. To our contributors: The copy and photo deadline for the December 2016 issue is October 1. Please send your stories and photos to our magazine editor, Ron Kramer ([email protected]), by then. The Astronomical League invites your comments regarding this magazine. How can we improve it and make it a more valuable resource for you, our members? Please respond to the editor’s email address above.

The Astronomical League Magazine Vol. 68, No. 4 • ISSN: 0034-2963 • September 2016 A FEDERATION OF ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETIES A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION To promote the science of astronomy • By fostering astronomical education, • By providing incentives for astronomical observation and research, and • By assisting communication among amateur astronomical societies. Astronomical League National Office: 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64114

2 R EFLECTOR ✶ S EPTEMBER 2016 T HET HE A STRONOMICALA STRONOMICAL L EAGUEL EAGUE 3 3 All is change relevant? Thus, the question, Dear Editor: pollen in April as a possible Many variations of this quote, “What do clubs provide that Many thanks for the June mechanism that could impact issue—it is awesome. The brightness readings (along with

sometimes given as “No man the Internet cannot?” needs to ARIO, CANADA QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE writing, layout, and photos are other factors). A cyclical variation

ever steps in the same river be answered. So here are ACE FLIGHT CENTER ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE truly superb. of mean sky brightness versus Issued by the Astronomical League in March, June, September, twice,” appear throughout some answers: Being a Shakespeare month is also presented and December, the Reflector (ISSN: 0034-2963) is sent directly, history, after first being put 1. Social aspects. Probably the aficionado and amateur graphically. Though I have not either by postal mail or via a digital link, to each individual forth by the Greek philosopher single most important advantage astronomer, I especially enjoyed recorded data so methodically, I member of its affiliate societies and to members-at-large as a GRAFTON, ONT TORY;

VA the “Fathom” essay by Dave have noticed a difference in sky benefit of League membership. Individual copies of the Heraclitus of Ephesus about 500 that a club has over online Reflector are available at the following subscription rates, Tosteson. brightness based, I suspect, on payable to the League’s national office. BC. Whatever the original astronomy is the camaraderie Anne Bauman smoke particles and dust here in Paper subscriptions: wording, the sentiment still Field of View that comes from being with Arizona. The effect of these USA & possessions: $3.00 each or $10.00 per year (4 issues) applies today. From the office of your president people who have a similar set To the Editor: particles on sky brightness Canada: $5.00 each or $16.00 per year SEYFERT’S SEXTET; NASA GODDARD SP Mexico: $6.00 each or $22.00 per year Need proof that “all is change?” Consider the of interests. In his article, “Measuring the Sky Brightness over appears to be pronounced and varies night-to-night Other countries: $7.00 each or $25.00 per year influence of the Internet. Although carefully peering through the Barnesville, Georgia,” Richard Schmude speculates and even within a single night of viewing. I have been Digital subscriptions: that tree growth may have been responsible for the noticing this impact as I recorded my findings near the Before the 1990s, the inquisitive observer found eyepiece is certainly a personal experience that All countries, possessions, and territories: $10.00 per year small decrease in background night sky luminance he zenith while working on the Astronomical League’s Reflector and Club Roster Deadlines general astronomy information buried in books affects all observers in different ways, the hobby YNN HILBORN; WHISTLE STOP OBSER TITLE PHOTOGRAPH: measured between 2009 and 2015. With my SQM I Herschel 400 and Herschel II projects within the last March issue January 1 such as Norton’s A Star Atlas, Burnham’s massive of astronomy definitely has a social side. June issue April 1 have also measured a decrease in sky brightness over 18 months (these two programs represent 800 September issue July 1 three-volume classic Celestial Handbook, or Individuals benefit by talking directly with other the last few years, but have traced it to a different measurements with the SQM within an allotted time December issue October 1 Pasachoff’s more manageable Stars and Planets. observers about what they have seen, what cause. Initially I suspected the SQM because the period). In a cursory review, my SQM readings vary as Written and graphic material from this publication may be re- 2 Daily planetary events were given in Ottewell’s equipment works best, and what they hope to find background sky appeared to have visually brightened much as ± 0.3 arc mag/arcsec night-to-night on clear printed only for non-profit benefit of interested parties, provided at the same time the measured values indicated the nights even when humidity is in the single digits and specific credit is given to the writer(s), the Reflector, and the Astronomical Calendar, in the RASC Handbook, and on their next nighttime outing. Astronomical League. Any other use of material, including graph- sky to be darkening. “all else seems to be equal.” Since winds and distant ics and photographs, is subject to express permission from the in both Sky & Telescope and Astronomy magazines. 2. Mentoring. Some people join a club to learn It is widely believed that the human eye cannot forest fires occur primarily in the spring and early Editor and the Astronomical League. Those last two monthly publications also reported firsthand about the hobby. They want a helping detect light beyond the 400–700 nm range, but this is summer here, I can only attribute the SQM variance to National Officers recent news in the world of astronomy and had hand. They want to know how to find sky objects. not true. While visual sensitivity rapidly decreases minute particles in the air. Thank you for sharing this President

TITLE PHOTOGRAPH: BIG LICK GALAXY GROUP; L outside that wavelength range, the 400–700 nm limit data with us. I hope to make my own study of my John Goss extensive collections of advertisements spotlight- They want the authentic observing experience. Astronomical League National Headquarters ing the latest in equipment. Other, more established is the range where color perception changes with locale in an effort to better understand viewing 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 • Kansas City, MO 64114 wavelength. Any light bright enough to see with a conditions. 816-333-7759 • [email protected] Today, while most of those members like to share their wavelength shorter than 400 nm, or longer than 700 Vincent Bournique, Thatcher, Arizona Vice President sources are still available and are knowledge and experience by nm, must be measured with a visual spectrometer Bill Bogardus 190 Pheasant Place, Greenport, NY 11944 still relevant, a great many people bringing newcomers along in since perceived color does not change outside the To the Editor: 631-477-2246 • [email protected] simply log on to any of the the hobby. A club offers the 400–700 nm range of wavelength. I completely agree with letter writer Bob Guzauskas Secretary numerous websites that provide means of bringing these two I traced the inconsistency between apparent visual that the best way to combat light pollution is to turn Bryan Tobias sky brightness and measured sky brightness to the off lights. That is why, when I have a table at an Astronomical League National Headquarters the information they want to sides of the learning equation utility-owned LED yard lights that are slowly replacing Astronomy or Earth Day outreach event, my first 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 • Kansas City, MO 64114 know. Consequently, the printed together. [email protected] or [email protected] Printed materials were the prime the high-pressure sodium yard lights (see picture) in message is “turn lights off,” before “turn them down” Treasurer material is used less and less, source of astronomy information for 3. Hands-on experience. this area. While there has been much written about and “cover them up.” I have not yet had much luck Tom Lynch leading both Sky & Telescope astronomers of a generation ago. Nothing beats evaluating a “blue-rich” LED lighting, the fixtures being installed with convincing law enforcement that nighttime 43 Elm Street • Lynbrook, NY 11563 516-593-8580 • [email protected] and Astronomy magazines to telescope in person. You often around here have very little blue in their spectra. lighting doesn’t deter crime, or convincing businesses Executive Secretary develop engaging and informa- hear, “What telescope is best Instead, the whitish color is due to significant amount that their best advertisement is not night-lighting. Ron Whitehead of ultraviolet emission When Mr. Guzauskas is successful in following for me?” Club members’ 3685 Beacon Hill Court • Beavercreek, OH 45440-3553 tive websites. between 400 and 350 nm. France’s lead in having lights turned off between 1 937-233-5843 • [email protected] “The only constant is change.” equipment lets folks see what is National Office My SQM is blind to these a.m. and dawn, what of the lights on between sunset Mike Stoakes, Office Coordinator Just about anything and available and what is most wavelengths, but my eyes and 1 a.m.? Would he not agree that full-cutoff is Astronomical League National Headquarters everything astronomy-related suitable for them. are not. Once this was better at reducing light pollution than an unshielded 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 • Kansas City, MO 64114 recognized, it was easy to glare bomb? Many of us feel that it is, so we work 816-DEEP-SKY can be found online. Here are a 4. Safety. When observing from National office: [email protected] few areas: notices of upcoming a dark location, some people feel find LED illuminated tirelessly to convince people, box stores, and electric Society rosters: [email protected] surfaces (wall, tree trunk, companies to only produce and install, where it is League sales: [email protected] celestial events, such as more secure and comfortable by etc.) that appeared brighter than the sky but measured deemed necessary, full-cutoff lighting fixtures. This National Observing Program Coordinators planetary conjunctions and Today’s observers find just about being in a group. Club observing darker. means a shielded light source so no light is emitted Cliff Mygatt Aaron B. Clevenson eclipses; alerts of asteroid anything they need to know on the sessions and outreach events I don’t know how widespread the installation of above 90 degrees, flat lens, no tilt, and a maximum [email protected] [email protected] Internet. these UV-emitting fixtures is. I’d be interested to hear color temperature or CCT of 3000 K for LED lights. Astronomical League Historian occultations, solar flares and give members a sense of safety Mike Stewart possible aurorae, and discoveries of supernovae; when they are at a distant site late at night, from others who may have noticed any inconsistencies Thank you, 913-240-1238 /[email protected] between visually apparent and measured sky Laura Graham, 3115 Judes Ferry Road, the latest news in astrophysical research and allowing them to fully focus on the heavens. Reflector Staff background, especially if they have measured the Powhatan, Virginia Editor Design/Production space exploration; amateur accomplishments of Amateur astronomers often speak about public visual spectra of the outdoor lighting in their area. Co-Leader, Virginia Chapter of the International Ron Kramer Chuck Beucher designing and building novel telescopes and outreach. While serving the community is certainly Mobile: 520-500-7295 [email protected] Doug Kniffen Dark-Sky Association [email protected] home observatories; product reviews covering the an important—and fun—part of being in a club, it [email protected] To the Editor: Corrections and Clarifications Photo Editor Advertising latest observing accessories; accounts of star is not the most important. An organization must I found Dr. Richard Schmude’s article on “Measuring The Maria Mitchell article in the June issue states Ron Kramer (acting) Representative parties and other gatherings; and an abundance make sure that it provides reasons for people to be [email protected] Carla Johns Sky Brightness over Barnesville, Georgia,” in the June that Maria’s father made observations for the U.S. Assistant Editor 1-970-567-8878 of fantastic astrophotographs, rivaling those from members in order for it to remain relevant. issue of the Reflector to be very interesting. The Sky Coast Guard. The Coast Guard was called by several [email protected] Kristine Larsen professional observatories of thirty years ago. As time rolls on, this will always be a changing Quality Meter manufactured by Unihedron does different names in the 1800s and did not receive its [email protected] Because of the Internet, a solitary observer needs challenge that must be met. provide a quick assessment of sky brightness, and I U.S. Coast Guard designation until 1915. It appears Assistant Editor Coming Events Editor have used one for two years now. The careful Mr. Mitchell made his observations for the U.S. Coast Kevin Jones John Wagoner nothing else to advance in the hobby. Right? “Nothing endures but change.” methodology and data collection are very nicely [email protected] [email protected] Amateur astronomy clubs have always made Survey, which is a separate organization. The “Coast Letters to the Editor presented regarding his particular viewing site. The Guard” error has been repeated in several journals, Send to: [email protected] themselves available to guide skywatchers in graph displaying sky brightness versus outside articles, and newspapers, including several of the Subject line: “Letter to Editor” their journeys under the stars. With the Internet temperature suggests a slightly brighter sky at references used for the article. Thanks to Dr. James WWW.ASTROLEAGUE.ORG offering so much to so many, are clubs still John Goss, League President warmer temperatures in his locale. He mentions Dire for finding the error.

4 R EFLECTOR ✶ S EPTEMBER 2016 T HET HE A ASTRONOMICALSTRONOMICAL L EAGUEL EAGUE 5 5 AMA Adopts Community road hazards for drivers and I am writing this on July still like the word Guidance to Reduce pedestrians. Blue-rich LED 3, one day before Juno’s “manned”) missions Harmful Human and streetlights also operate at , GERMANY) first close encounter with back to the Moon and Environmental Effects wavelengths that most Jupiter. As I sit in my even to Mars, with

of High Intensity Street adversely suppress AGE TEAM (AURA/STSCI) home office, reading expectations of landing Lighting melatonin during sleep, about the mission, and all within the next 10 to 25 Major cities, including New therefore having a greater the uncertainties about years. York, Chicago, Los Angeles, impact on circadian sleep whether the spacecraft We are also finding and Phoenix, are in the midst rhythms than conventional will survive the strong planets at an amazing of, or actively plan on, street lamps. Large public magnetic fields and rate. Estimates imply completely replacing their surveys found brighter intense radiation there may be more current street lighting residential nighttime : NASA, ESA, AND THE HUBBLE HERIT environment around our planets in the Universe systems with light-emitting lighting is associated with largest planet, I reflect than stars! Imagine the reduced sleep times and diode (LED) fixtures. LED about other uncertainties faced when the possibilities for future generations once

technology has matured to the point where the sleep quality, possible impaired daytime function- . ANDERS (GÖTTINGEN UNIVERSITY GALAXY EVOLUTION GROUP first Mercury astronaut sat in his tiny science finds a way to travel through space installation and operational costs are no longer ing, and even obesity. cylinder, aboard a Redstone rocket. Alan at speeds approaching a reasonable percent-

prohibitive, and LEDs can lead to savings in energy I like to take a very conservative approach to ,” AM 0644-741; CREDIT Shepard was America’s first astronaut, and age of the speed of light. Consider that some and maintenance costs. medical claims that are hard to prove and are based on LEDs have a number of advantages: long somewhat subjective data. Nevertheless, it seems to on May 5, 1961, his Freedom 7 capsule of our early spacecraft have been in space lifespan, better directional control of light, little me there is considerable anecdotal evidence that blue- reached an altitude of just over 101 nautical more than 40 years. In the future, that would deterioration of illuminance over the lifetime of the rich (4000 Kelvin and higher) LED nighttime lighting is miles (187 km) and traveled downrange be adequate time to reach the stars. fixtures, and the ability to dim or turn off each unfavorably perceived by the public as too harsh, about 263 miles (487 km). A little closer to home, as this issue goes fixture individually through remote control software producing glare and possibly sleep disturbances. LED That mission was also fraught with to press, we are preparing for ALCon 2016

systems. The LED revolution has a good news/bad lighting around 2700–3500 Kelvin is considered ARF GALAXY NGC 1569; ESA, NASA, AND P danger. An earlier firing of the Redstone in Arlington, Virginia, on August 10–13. In

TITLE PHOTOGRAPH: “RING GALAXY news aspect. The good news is that these fixtures “warmer” in color, giving a more natural white launch vehicle had problems during the addition to some great speakers there are can produce excellent lighting with minimal light rendition, less blue and more yellow. launch, causing the spacecraft to fly too several tours planned and it should be a trespass and light pollution if they are properly The AMA has previously taken a strong stand fast, too high and too far. The passenger, great event. Hope to see many of you there. designed, situated, and maintained. against poor nighttime lighting. A good summary, Ham, a chimpanzee, was subjected to more We are also working on AstroCon 2017 in The bad news is that LED fixtures can be “AMA Addresses Light Pollution,” can be found on TITLE PHOTOGRAPH: DW g-forces than expected and landed some 60 Casper, Wyoming, scheduled for August 16– misused. Their small micro-lenses produce sharp, Sky & Telescope’s website: www.skyandtelescope. miles from the intended splashdown point in 19, 2017. On Monday, August 21, 2017, well-defined beams of light that are very bright com/astronomy-news/ama-addresses-light- the Atlantic Ocean. An even earlier firing of there will be a total solar eclipse visible when viewed from certain angles. Therefore, an pollution/. the Redstone lifted only a few inches off the from Casper, as well as from other points overly bright LED fixture can produce considerable The AMA press release, “AMA Adopts launch pad and dropped back in place. throughout the United States. Hotel rooms Community Guidance to Reduce the Harmful glare, particularly as one is approaching the fixture Fortunately for Shepard, and subsequent are very limited in Casper, so you should or looking up into it. There is also the tendency to Human and Environmental Effects of High Intensity astronauts, the rest of the Mercury program book as quickly as possible. “overlight” with these fixtures, as they are Street Lighting,” can be found at www.ama- went relatively smoothly. So, here we are, Volunteers are needed at the Casper incorrectly perceived as being so energy efficient assn.org/ama/pub/news/news/2016/2016-06-14- some 55 years later, sitting on the edge of event for public outreach—observing both that one can bump up the lighting levels to far community-guidance-street-lighting.page. beyond what is reasonable or necessary for the task. To quote the AMA again, “Recognizing the our seat, hoping for a successful Juno the Sun and the night sky. Please contact There is considerable evidence that the color detrimental effects of poorly-designed, high- mission. [Ed. note: Juno successfully Alan Corey of the Central Wyoming Astro- temperature of a light is important for human intensity LED lighting, the AMA encourages entered into orbit around Jupiter on July 4, nomical Society, [email protected], comfort, safety, and well-being. The higher the communities to minimize and control blue-rich and returned its first images of the planet if you’re interested. Use of a personal color-corrected temperature of an emitter, the environmental lighting by using the lowest about a week later.] telescope is required. more blue light is emitted. Most LEDs come in a emission of blue light possible to reduce glare. The It is exciting to realize that during the Don’t forget to order your solar eclipse color range from 2800 Kelvin to 5000 Kelvin, the AMA recommends an intensity threshold for past half century, mankind has explored all glasses from the Astronomical League. latter being very “blue” and metallic-looking. The optimal LED lighting that minimizes blue-rich light. the planets in our Solar System. We haven’t These high-quality viewing aids are at very latter produces more glare, is possibly more The AMA also recommends all LED lighting should been back to the Moon since the 1970s, but competitive prices and are in stock now. harmful to wildlife and human health, and is be properly shielded to minimize glare and are now planning manned (forgive me, but I Ron Kramer, Editor considered too harsh by many people. detrimental human health and environmental On June 14, 2016, the American Medical effects, and consideration should be given to Association (AMA) released its suggested utilize the ability of LED lighting to be dimmed for guidance standards for reducing harmful human off-peak time periods.” and environmental effects of high intensity street In summary, the AMA supports the goal of IDA and lighting. The AMA feels that “some LED lights are professional lighting engineers—that is, for the LED harmful when used as street lighting.The new revolution to improve outdoor nighttime lighting, AMA guidance encourages proper attention to producing less light and using this light more optimal design and engineering features when effectively on the ground where it is needed for public converting to LED lighting that minimize detrimen- security and safety. The goal is for the color rendition tal health and environmental effects.” to be around 2700–3000 Kelvin so the light is LED designs that emit a large amount of blue pleasing and less likely to produce excessive glare or light create worse nighttime glare than conven- the harmful effects from light that is bluer. tional lighting. Discomfort from intense, blue-rich Tim Hunter, Co-founder, IDA LED light can decrease visual acuity and safety, Phone: 520-293-3198; Fax: 520-293-3192 according to the AMA statement. They may create Email: [email protected]; www.darksky.org

6 6 R EFLECTORR EFLECTOR✶ ✶S EPTEMBERS EPTEMBER 2016 2016 T HET HE A ASTRONOMICALSTRONOMICAL L EAGUEL EAGUE 77 ocated near its apex above the can be very challenging to find Thirty-six years into this great hobby, there are On the classic path, you can spend your time and southern horizon as evening without a go-to telescope. The now fewer amateur astronomers observing outside money on a reputable beginner’s scope or binoculars, best way to star hop is to find the twilight fades this month is an at all, and more of those who are out there are learning the sky and how it works. Along the way, Little Gem Nebula and pan 40 interesting galactic neighbor imaging. You can spot the imagers because they you slowly build up a deeper understanding of the Lknown as Barnard’s Galaxy. arcminutes south and 10 are strolling around, telling all the visual observers universe we inhabit, and what we can practically see Cataloged as NGC 6822, arcminutes east. Low DEEP-SKY OBJECTS that the sky looks weak. Or and enjoy, along with a Barnard’s Galaxy is a dwarf magnification can place both in you don’t see them at all, as lifetime of experience. Later, irregular galaxy located in the BARNARD’S GALAXY the same field of view and the they went to bed at sunset. you may choose to delve into northeastern corner of the increased dark area around the By Dr. James R. Dire, Kauai Educational Association for Science & Astronomy Every so often, they will imaging. Using Picasso’s constellation Sagittarius. It is galaxy will make it stand out wake up to check that the approach to art as a model, located halfway between Rho was one of the greatest classical Like the Magellanic Clouds, more. I have viewed it in Sagittarii and Alpha Capricorni. studies of the 20th century. He NGC 6822 has myriad active star telescopes of various sizes, but tracking system is still on you learn the sky and how The galaxy is 16 by 12 solved the great debate over forming regions. These H II all views were unimpressive point. A few weeks later, they objects appear visually, and arcminutes in size and has an whether galaxies (then called regions appear very colorful in except from my 14-inch f/6 post a Hubble-esque image of then change the medium, integrated magnitude of long-exposure CCD Dobsonian reflector at 82x, where NHI 563 (the 563rd entry in deconstructing the sky, as it 9.4. In a telescope– images. Due to its close I could collect enough light to see the Never Heard of It were. But, with wisdom and eyepiece combination proximity to the Milky some shape to the galaxy. catalog). They provide discipline, you can choose to with a one-degree real Way, Barnard’s Galaxy’s Although many people report the technical details about how stay true to your interpretation field of view, planetary H II regions and OB galaxy to appear rectangular, it they took one hundred 25- of what’s there. nebula NGC 6818, the associations have been looks more elliptical to me. This minute exposures and then Or, with a more modern Little Gem Nebula, can extensively studied. It is due to a bar-like feature in the spent 125 hours in post- outlook, you may spend By Brad Young be seen at the same time is one of the few galaxy, running north–south. production. And then they are thousands on equipment you as Barnard’s Galaxy. galaxies in which My image of NGC 6822 was not seen during the fuller phases of the moon while don’t know how to use (in a modern extrapolation Barnard’s Galaxy is a individual stars can be taken with a 190 mm (7.5-inch) they retire to a seedy hotel to sell another organ to of the old problem of buying too much aperture member of the Local resolved by relatively f/5.3 Maksutov–Newtonian with a afford the newest camera or mount. Forever first) and try to make realistic images of things Group. It is 1.6 million small ground-based SBIG ST-2000XCM CCD camera. trapped on the “dark side,” they live—no, exist— you’ve never seen (except in other images). If the light-years away. The research telescopes. The exposure was 170 minutes, chained in front of the computer screen trying to batteries die, you are completely out of luck. You galaxy is classified as an Irregular galaxies are barely enough time to capture chase the dragon. They just need one more fix, that aren’t as well equipped mentally to understand the irregular galaxy, similar typically small galaxies faint detail, yet more detail than is, update of Adobe Mirage Maker. sky, and the subject becomes less important than to the much closer Small (most are dwarf can be seen at the eyepiece. This isn’t exactly a new complaint by a stargazer, the method. Several H II regions are visible Magellanic Cloud. Edward nebulae) were part of the Milky galaxies) that have no distinct but there is a serious side to consider. Visual What is the driving force in the marginalization in the image as the pink Emerson Barnard discovered the Way Galaxy or were unique spiral or elliptical shape. Many of astronomy seems to be dying off more quickly than of visual astronomy anyway? Is it economic—a nebulosity. Most of the resolved galaxy on August 17, 1884, using galaxies of their own, far beyond them get their irregular shape amateur astronomy is declining in general. Again, struggling industry finds a new twist that is more a 5-inch refractor. Edwin Hubble the edges of the Milky Way. from gravitational interactions stars are actually foreground this is not news to most of you, but some of the marketable to a tech-savvy younger generation? Is discovered 15 variable stars in Hubble also discovered three with a nearby massive galaxy. stars in the Milky Way. However, recent trends are troubling. it because the graying population of amateurs can Barnard’s Galaxy, eleven of which star clusters in NGC 6822, which Others rotate too slowly to flatten some may be very bright massive The Astronomical League provides more than 50 no longer see anything through their yellowed were Cepheid variables. Using the he assumed were ancient star out into disks, as spiral galaxies stars, or associations of stars observing programs to give amateur astronomers a corneas and the glow from yellow streetlights? Or newly discovered Cepheid period– clusters like the hundred or so do. Barnard’s Galaxy, like the not quite resolved, located in structured path to help them enjoy their hobby is it the natural progression of our civilization, just luminosity relationship, Hubble globular clusters in the Milky Magellanic Clouds, has probably Barnard’s Galaxy. calculated the distance to Way. Follow-up studies showed been distorted by the massive The next time you point a more, hone their skills, and perhaps inspire them to like the eponymous fable of a man swinging a Barnard’s Galaxy, the first galaxy one of the three to contain very gravitational force of our Milky telescope towards Sagittarius, take try something new. For most of their history, these hammer versus a machine driven by steam? beyond the Magellanic Clouds to old stars, one intermediate-aged Way Galaxy. a break from all the splendid star programs were purely visual. In fact, many of them Whatever the reason may be, I hear more and have its distance determined. stars, and one very young stars. Because of its low surface clusters and nebulae and grab a required you to star hop—no digital setting circles more from other observers that there is true value look at one of our closest galactic or go-to scopes were allowed. Now there are many in visual astronomy that should not be overlooked Hubble’s 1925 paper, “N.G.C. Perhaps globular star clusters brightness and lack of a bright • Download a FREE Astronomy 6822, A Remote Stellar System,” are still being born. central core, Barnard’s Galaxy neighbors. 8 programs and observing challenges that require or lost. Additionally, people should not be excluded imaging. For years, many of the programs offered for not using the newest technology. Instead, they Day Handbook with all kinds of were practically impossible to complete without should be celebrated for their harder-won The Shreveport Regional Arts Council with an astronomy theme. Despite some ideas and suggestions hosted an exhibit called “Astrophotogra- An Astrophotography Exhibit rain, we hosted around 200 to 250 people imaging, but at least they did have the visual achievements. phy: an astronomical photographic view of the opportunity to exhibit the club’s art. Opening night at Artspace was that night. The artists were excited about option available. This isn’t just the usual problem I can remember when CCDs first came out and • Check out the lastest tips for the night sky,” a collection of astronomi- Don Razinsky, reprographer at Classic outstanding! Walking up the stairs and displaying their work. The guests enjoyed of having to buy a bigger scope or trying to find film was still the medium of choice for imaging. cal photographs created at the Worley Reprographics Inc., printed and mounted stepping into the gallery, one could see the show and several photos were sold. truly dark skies; this is a sea change in the way Those who used film looked down their noses at the Astronomy Day Observatory by the members of the all of the photography. Most pieces were that the exhibit was going to be “of Photographs in the exhibit were by you observe. new technology and the people who were using it. • List your event for both the public Shreveport–Bossier Astronomy Society 30x42, 24x36, or 11x17 inches in size, and astronomical proportions.” Star lights Terry Atwood, Ron Dilulio, Trent Dupuy, Other amateur opportunities are becoming Only a few years later, film has become a nearly (SBAS). Artspace in Shreveport, Louisiana, all were full color. We had a section for sparkled on the columns, and star- and Paul Goodwin, Austin Grant, Sidney and media to see hosted this exhibit from June 6 through old film photos as well. The photos were planet-shaped cheese and crackers were Grimes, Nick Hobbs, Cran Lucas, Pat nonvisual also. A program to watch out for near- impossible option: it’s hard to get, and even harder July 6, 2013, and it was sponsored by arranged on the walls in themed groups, served with wine. The old wood floors, Madden, Joey Matheson, Jody Raney, Coy Earth objects, or NEOs, requires imaging for reports to process, unless you do it yourself. Fortunately, the • Check out past Astronomy Day to be valid. I don’t know about you, but if someone reasons that drove film to extinction don’t carry over Classic Reprographics Inc. but were also arranged for visual color white walls, and contrasting draped black Wagoner, Don Walters, Stan Award winners The astrophotography exhibit was the and contrast. tablecloths made the gallery look special Westmoreland, and Reid Williams. finds one of these objects visually, and we are able to visual astronomy. We, as a hobby and community, idea of Shreveport artist Jody Raney. He The show continued until July 6, and to determine a way to avoid disaster, I will be just can elect to give visual astronomers the respect that • All this and more at your “one is a portrait artist and Mardi Gras float was held over an additional week due to fine with that. For years now, “serious” amateur they are due. Although I am not adept at it, I have designer and was 2013 SBAS president. its popularity. This was an excellent, and involvement has moved away from visual seen sketches made at the eyepiece that rival digital stop Astronomy Day shopping” site SBAS members were producing an slightly unusual, outreach program. We astronomy because it is seen as being too images for their beauty and detail. And there are abundance of astrophotographs but had thank our sponsor, the members of the subjective and not worthy of use for “real science.” certain aspects of observing that are simply more nowhere to show them. Raney thought SBAS, and the Shreveport Regional Arts Gary Tomlinson Unfortunately, most amateurs coming into the enjoyable and useful when done visually. this would be an excellent opportunity for council for an excellent show. Astronomy Day Coordinator outreach to local schools and the Jody Raney, Astronomical League hobby lack the resources and the background to If you share my concerns over this important community. He contacted the Shreveport Outreach Award recipient, Shreveport– dive directly into imaging. It can be a daunting issue, I would appreciate your feedback. I can be [email protected] Regional Arts Council and they jumped at Bossier Astronomical Society decision to face. reached at [email protected]. 8

8 REFLECTOR ✶ S EPTEMBER 2016 T HET HE A ASTRONOMICALSTRONOMICAL L EAGUEL EAGUE 99 scientific field? This is how long his presentation, The Fort Worth Astronomical recording his sightings to rate had increased, and we capturing many meteors it took for Dr. Levy to discover “Sixty Years of Society’s members were looking submit to the Meteor Observing were each viewing about 80 an streaking straight down his first comet! How did he Skywatching: A Gift of forward to the Geminid meteor Program. hour, many at the same time. toward the horizon. Don had continue his quest without giving My Observing Records shower at the club’s dark site Bruce and Laura Cowles We were seeing most of the left at about 2 o’clock, and up and thinking he would never to the Linda Hall near Ranger, Texas. It is a great arrived just prior to sunset, meteors from about 45 degrees Laura retired to warm up at discover a comet? Library.” He also site, although not completely bringing heaters and a coffee in altitude, falling toward the about 2:30. Despite the cold Before beginning the journey spoke at the Heart of dark, as the lights of Ranger do pot, which came in horizon. Many times (now about 42 degrees), Bruce to become a comet hunter, he America Star Party, affect part of the sky. However, handy. Clouds moved Laura and Bruce lasted until about 3:45 a.m., told me, he had trouble focusing sponsored by the it is dark enough to see the in at about dark, so commented on ones and Si persisted until 4:45, his attention. This was different Astronomical Society splendor of the Milky Way, with Bruce heated up that Si did not see, when he was still seeing about than any other goal he’d had, of Kansas City. The the Andromeda Galaxy clearly coffee in our club’s and they were not 80 an hour. and it became a real passion special Linda Hall Library David Levy shared his story of 60 visible to the naked eye. building on the site seeing the ones Overall, we had a great night, that far surpassed anything else lecture coincided with the years as a skywatcher to a packed With sunset at 5:23 p.m. on and we discussed that Si was seeing many multiple meteors, house at Linda Hall Library. he had set a goal for. This announcement that he December 13, and sunrise at the plans for the recording—so the some side-by-side, some that By Carroll Iorg, Astronomical burning passion kept him was giving his 7:23 the next morning, there night’s viewing. rate was well over skipped in and out of the League Media Officer and motivated during the long observing logs to the was a potential of over 12 hours About 8:15 the 100 per hour. At atmosphere, and some brighter Convention Coordinator; journey. library. The first of dark viewing time with the clouds broke, and about this time than Venus. Don saw quite a Photos compliments of Let’s back up a bit and volumes were on moonless night. Si Simonson we all settled in we were joined by few, Laura and Bruce viewed Linda Hall Library discuss the reason for Dr. Levy’s display at the lecture, was hoping to get in about ten our reclining lawn another club over 300 meteors each, and Si What more can be said about visit to the Linda Hall Library. and the remainder will good hours of observing during chairs, facing member, Don logged 443 meteors. Unfortu- David Levy that hasn’t already Over ten years ago, Levy first be transferred later. a long, clear night. He arrived east. The number Vick. nately, we only got a maximum been? I pondered this question visited this library, and was He told me that having at the dark site at about 4:30 of meteors per Unfortunately, of about six and a half hours of before interviewing him last fall impressed with being able to such an outstanding p.m. to set up and be prepared hour increased By Si Simonson, Fort Worth we took another viewing in due to the clouds and at the Linda Hall Library of view much of its vast collection depository for his for any meteors that might steadily as the Astronomical Society break during the breaks from the cold. As we Science, Engineering and of rare works from such collection ranks right appear shortly after sunset. It night went on, with many long prime viewing time, about prepare for the Quadrantid Levy’s observation logs were on was cool—about 48 degrees— ones overhead early. We were 1:45 a.m., to warm up again. meteor shower, we will defi- Technology in Kansas City, astronomers as Galileo Galilei, up there with his comet exhibition at the library this winter, Missouri. Isaac Newton, Tycho Brahe, and discoveries as far as personal including one from his early comet with a strong breeze. Si had a observing about 30 meteors an At 2:15 we resumed viewing, nitely bring more hand warm- Dr. Levy is a longtime friend Sir William Herschel. This satisfaction. discoveries (below). digital voice recorder to log all hour until our first break to now facing north-northwest. ers, sleeping bags, and more of the Astronomical League and experience encouraged him to The November 13, 1984, entry of his observations and maxi- warm up, at 11:30 p.m. When We continued to focus at about blankets to brave the projected received the League’s 1988 make his documentation of in Dr. Levy’s observing logbook mize his viewing experience, we returned at midnight, the 45 degrees in altitude, again 35-degree weather. 8 Leslie C. Peltier Award for his observing the sky for nearly 60 recorded his first comet discovery! outstanding contributions to years available for future Since then, independently and observational astronomy. Dr. generations. with Gene and Carolyn Shoe- Levy received his PhD in 2010 When Dr. Levy became aware maker, he has discovered over 20 from Hebrew University, where, that Herschel’s observing logs additional comets. he noted, Nobel Prize–winner and other works were housed in When I asked him Albert Einstein served on its a library, he decided he would what his favorite first board of governors. Most like to choose a library such as comet was, he of us in the astronomical the Linda Hall Library, with its answered without community know that Levy’s strong reputation and mission hesitation that it had passion has been searching for for preserving scientific works to be Comet Shoe- comets most of his adult life, for future scholars and the maker–Levy 9, but I also learned many things I public. because it “rewrote didn’t know. While visiting the Kansas City the book on how For example, how does one area last fall, Levy was the comets behave.” persevere for 19 years before featured speaker for the Linda That comet, which Linda Hall Library president Lisa making a major discovery in his Hall Library lecture series with was discovered in 1993 and Browar and Levy look over his crashed into the planet Jupiter observation logs shortly before his in 1994, became famous lecture. because it was the first one in increased his visibility in the modern history known to crash astronomical community. into a planet. Levy stated that ALCon and regional confer- scientists calculated the ence attendees have previously comet’s collision course with had the opportunity to visit the Jupiter about 16 months before special rare books collection at the crash was to occur. the Linda Hall Library. Now Suddenly, Levy was at the there is another outstanding center of the media coverage reason to visit this library and David Levy presents his observation logs to the Linda Hall Library. From left, for the comet. He gave over board of trustees members Nick Powell, Charles Sosland, Marilyn appreciate Dr. David Levy’s Hebenstreit; Levy; Linda Hall Library president Lisa Browar; and trustees 150 interviews with the media tremendous collection of John MacDonald and Tuck Spaulding. during this time, which observing materials. 8

10 REFLECTOR ✶ S EPTEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 11 Bowen computed spectral line Transitions of electrons wavelengths for transitions between states in an atom are between several metastable governed by a set of selection or Low-resolution spectrum of a planetary nebula (S. Donnell, Kiwa Creek states known in oxygen, and transition rules, which ensure Observatory, using RSpec v1.8.0) many of the resulting wave- that certain properties of the FORBIDDEN RADIATION IN PLANETARY NEBULAE closely spaced lines, and other When these lines were first lengths matched the nebulium atom, such as total angular By Scott P. Donnell, Vice President If you have observed a planetary spreading light into its compo- emission lines were present as observed in the mid-1800s, the lines exactly. A few years later, momentum, are conserved in Colorado Springs Astronomical Society nebula through a telescope, you nent colors—to the study of well. Huggins’ observations element responsible for these in 1931, two nebulium lines the transition. Transitions that can appreciate not only the most prominent visible radiation the core will be high enough for stars and other astronomical showed that planetary nebulae emissions could not be (oxygen at 630.0 and 636.4 obey these rules are termed ethereal appearance of these from these objects? If it’s the helium to undergo fusion, objects. And it was in 1864 that had bright emission lines, unlike identified based on a compari- nanometers) were normal, or electric objects, but also their distinct forbidden, does that mean you creating carbon and oxygen in English astronomer Sir William the broad continuous spectra son with laboratory spectra of reproduced in the dipole, transitions. bluish-green color. We can shouldn’t look at it, or that if the process. Huggins first examined the produced by myriad unresolved the known elements. Conse- laboratory. It took a Transitions that enhance our views of these you do, you will wish you Now, helium fusion is spectrum of a planetary stars, which, at that time, were quently, these emission lines two-hour photographic violate the selection celestial objects by attaching a hadn’t? Not at all; it simply extremely sensitive to small nebula—NGC 6543, the Cat’s believed to comprise planetary were attributed to a new exposure to record the rules can neverthe- filter to our eyepieces that means that the blue-green light changes in temperature— Eye Nebula in Draco. nebulae. Huggins concluded that element believed to be found faint emission lines less occur as selectively blocks out nearly all you are seeing in a planetary moreso than hydrogen fusion is. planetary nebulae are enormous only in nebulae and called from a quartz dis- magnetic dipole or light except that most strongly nebula originates in an atomic Consequently, small tempera- masses of hot, luminous gas or “nebulium” (analogous to the charge tube operating electric quadrupole emitted from the object we’re process that is unique to the ture variations in the helium- vapor, since their spectra element helium being first found at a pressure less than radiation, but with observing. The filter used on conditions in which these fusing star results in dynamical resembled the emission-line in the spectrum of the Sun— 0.003 atmospheres. It Henry Norris Russell much lower transi- (1877–1957) planetary nebulae is the O III objects exist. instabilities and these instabili- spectra produced by hot gases Helios—in 1868). When the was now certain, as tion probability. filter, in the arsenal of wide- A planetary nebula is formed ties give rise to physical in the laboratory. atomic weight of nebulium was Russell suggested, that the These are the so-called “forbid- and narrowband filters that we when an aging star depletes its pulsations of the star. These Through careful analysis of the determined in 1914, it was mysterious “nebulium” was den” transitions. Being forbid- use to eliminate sky glow and hydrogen fuel and enters a pulsations can build up and spectral features of planetary thought that nebulium might not actually a known element, den does not mean that these increase the contrast of the ob- period of instability in which its eventually produce enough nebulae, it was determined that be a new element after all, oxygen in this case, shining transitions cannot occur, only jects we are observing. The O III outer layers are blown off into kinetic energy to eject the outer the prominent blue-green color since there were no gaps in the under conditions not typically that they are electric dipole space. The layers of the star into space, is due to a pair of emission lines periodic table of elements that encountered on Earth. forbidden, and if they occur as shell of forming a planetary nebula. At produced by atoms of oxygen would accommodate a new To understand how these electric quadrupole or magnetic luminous gas the center of the nebula that have had two of their outer element of low atomic weight. “forbidden” transitions dipole transitions surrounding remains the core of the star, electrons stripped away (that is, These considerations led occur, we need to they do so at a much Sir William Huggins, 1824–1910 the dying star now transformed into a small, the atoms are doubly ionized). Henry Norris Russell in 1927 understand a few lower rate. The blue- is what we dense white dwarf. A helium- When Huggins observed the The radiation from these two to the conclusion that “it is now basic facts about green light we see observe and fusing star can do this multiple spectrum of this nebula he emission lines at 495.9 and practically certain that they atomic transitions in from a planetary call a times, producing successive noted something very peculiar. 500.7 nanometers can account [the emission lines] must be due general. First, nebula is forbidden planetary layers, or shells, of the plan- On the evening of the 29th of for one-half or more of the total not to atoms of unknown kind, electrons that are radiation, meaning nebula. The etary nebula. August, 1864, I directed the radiative emissions in these but to atoms of known kinds bound to atoms can that it results from stars that go The first planetary nebula telescope for the first time to a objects, even though oxygen shining under unfamiliar exist only in discrete Ira Sprague Bowen downward transitions through this discovered was the Dumbbell planetary nebula in Draco (NGC accounts for less than 0.1 conditions.” energy levels, or (1898–1973) of electrons that process are Nebula in the constellation of 6543). The reader may now be percent of their total mass. The In his paper titled “The Origin states. Electrons absorb energy violate the normal transition those with Vulpecula. It was observed by able to picture to himself to human eye’s peak sensitivity at of the Chief Nebular Lines,” when transitioning from a lower rules and have a much lower masses Charles Messier in 1764 and some extent the feeling of about 550 nanometers is near published in 1927, Ira S. energy level to a higher one, probability of occurring. Yet X-ray/optical composite image of ranging from about that of our listed as M27 in his catalog of excited suspense, mingled with this region of the spectrum and Bowen of the California and emit energy when they are the dominant emission NGC 6543, the Cat’s Eye Nebula (X- sun to a few times that of our nebulous objects. To early a degree of awe, with which, accounts for the distinct blue- Institute of Technology provided transitioning from a higher from these objects. ray: NASA/UIUC/Y.Chu et al., Optical: NASA/HST). Optical image: sun. For most of their lives, observers with low-resolution after a few moments of hesita- green hue noted by visual a detailed description of the energy level to a lower one. The So why is this forbidden Wide Field Planetary Camera-2, these stars steadily produce telescopes, M27 and subse- tion, I put my eye to the observers. mechanism by which these energy absorbed or emitted can radiation so dominant in composite image of three images energy through the conversion quently discovered planetary spectroscope. Was I not about to emission lines be in the form of either electro- planetary nebulae if these taken at different wavelengths: red, of hydrogen into helium in their nebulae somewhat resembled look into a secret place of are produced. magnetic radiation or kinetic transitions are so highly unlikely hydrogen-alpha (656.28 nm); cores via nuclear fusion. As the giant planets like Uranus, creation? I looked into the Bowen energy. In the case of electro- and due to an atom—oxygen— green, ionized nitrogen (658.4 nm); and blue, neutral oxygen (630 nm). these stars consume their and William Herschel, discov- spectroscope. No spectrum such suggested that magnetic radiation, the wave- that constitutes less than 0.1 hydrogen fuel, a core of helium erer of this planet, coined the as I expected! A single bright nebulium length of the absorbed or percent of the nebular mass? The filter blocks most light except builds up and, as it does so, term “planetary nebula” still line only! emission lines emitted radiation corresponds answer lies in the rarified the prominent blue-green light steadily contracts under the used today. What Huggins observed in his are created by to the energy difference conditions in which planetary produced by planetary nebulae. influence of gravity. As the core It was in the mid-1800s that crude spectrum was the strong electron between the two states, with nebulae exist and in the ways in A seasoned amateur astronomer contracts, it heats up and, at astronomers first applied the emission line of doubly ionized transitions larger energy differences which electrons in an atom can will tell you that the blue-green some point, the temperature in technique of spectroscopy— oxygen—the forbidden radiation from atomic corresponding to shorter transition between states. light you see emanating from the I mentioned earlier—although metastable wavelengths of radiation. If the Again, an electron in an atom planetary nebulae is the forbid- he did not know it at the time. states, which transition between states is due can be placed into a higher den radiation of doubly ionized Subsequent observations by are possible to a collision with another atom energy state, or excited, in one oxygen—O III. other observers at better only at very or electron, then the energy of two ways. In the first way, the So what exactly are doubly resolution showed that the low density— absorbed or released is in the atom absorbs a passing photon ionized oxygen and forbidden bright line that Huggins Detailed spectrum of NGC 6826, the Blinking the “forbidden” form of the kinetic energy of the of electromagnetic energy and radiation, and why is this the Formation of a planetary nebula observed was actually two Planetary Nebula transitions. colliding particle. one of its electrons is boosted

12 REFLECTOR ✶ S EPTEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 13 into a higher energy state. This are moving fast in tight quar- particle instead. But if the gas accounts for half or more of Wanderers in the Neighborhood around its orbit, approaching is termed radiative excitation. ters, so the number of colli- density is low enough that the the observed light from these the Earth from the forward The other way is through a sional excitations and mean time between collisions is objects? The answer is Moon allowed the object to exit side. Now Earth’s gravity pulls collision with another atom or deexcitations is high. We longer than the amount of time twofold. First, the energy Orbital Oddities through the L1 point in June 2003. on the asteroid, slowing it electron. In this case, the other measure this by the mean time an electron lingers in the required to excite O III By Berton Stevens While this object initially appeared down. This moves the asteroid atom gives up some of its between collisions. When the metastable state, then there is a electrons into a metastable We normally think of orbits as a to be an asteroid, spectroscopic into a closer, faster-than-Earth

kinetic energy, allowing an mean time between collisions is chance for the electron to state is on the same order as mundane part of astronomy. The observations showed that J002E3 orbit. 2002 AA29 now starts to electron to move to a higher less than the time an electron radiatively deexcite from the the kinetic energy of free Earth makes an almost circular orbit had the spectral characteristics of move away from the Earth energy state. This is termed spends in an excited state, then metastable state before a electrons and atoms at the around the Sun, much like the other titanium oxide paint and aluminum, again, but this time it is collisional excitation. In both it is more likely that atoms will collision occurs. If this happens, temperatures typical of a major planets in our Solar System. typical of a rocket body. Tracing the moving forward away from us, Sometimes, gravity can play spending another century cases, the energy state into collide with other particles then radiation is emitted even planetary nebula (about games with orbits and unusual moving back around to Earth’s which the electron is boosted before the electron can though the electric dipole 10,000 K), whereas most other results can occur. backside, where the process depends on the energy of the radiatively deexcite, and the states require Our Earth occasionally picks repeats. Figure 3 passing photon (for radiative electron will transition to a significantly more up a new moon. These tiny From Earth’s point of view, A minor planet in a horseshoe orbit is excitation) or the kinetic energy lower energy state through energy. So the trapped by Earth’s gravity. This view shows minor planets come into the 2002 AA29 follows a released in the collision (for collisional deexcitation. On the temperature of the Earth–Moon system traveling horseshoe orbit, always the object’s motion relative to the Earth over

collisional excitation). Some- other hand, if the mean time gas is just right to slowly enough to be captured by coming near the Earth, then an extended period (for 2002 AA29, over two Figure 2 times this energy is just the between collisions of the atoms favor the excitation the Earth’s gravity, at least turning around, and drifting centuries). At point A, the object is in an temporarily. Most near-Earth J002E3’s fourteen-month journey backward around the far side orbit closer to the Sun than the Earth’s orbit, right amount to place the in the gas is longer than the of electrons into so it is moving faster than the Earth. asteroids pass the Earth with enough around the Earth–Moon system. of the Sun all the way back to electron into a metastable state time an electron spends in an these metastable Between L5 (Lagrange 5) and the Earth, the speed to keep from being captured. The original capture was mediated the opposite side of the Earth where there is excited state, states. Second, by a close pass of the Moon, object is pulled by the Earth’s gravity, Those traveling slowly enough are in along their mutual orbit. This no downward then it is more Forbidden and permitted electron transitions from the O III bringing it from a solar to a speeding it up. This moves it toward a higher rather unusual orbits. appears as a horseshoe to us, transition that likely that the transitions in the oxygen atom metastable states correspond terrestrial orbit. It orbited the Earth orbit through point B to point C. The object (Wikipedia user Cepheiden, The first object that we know was a horseshoe that takes over a is now in a more distant, slower orbit, so it doesn’t violate electron will to photon energies in the five times until it made another en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ captured by Earth was dubbed close pass of the Moon, returning it century to traverse and just starts to fall behind the Earth. It moves all the normal radiatively Doubly_ionized_oxygen#/media/ visible range. Other allowed J002E3. This object was discovered to solar orbit. (NASA/Jet Propulsion as long to return. Because the way around the Sun to the leading side electric dipole deexcite. File:Oiii-linesp.svg) transitions are either in the on September 3, 2002, by Canadian Laboratory/California Institute of this asteroid shares the same of the Earth (point D) where the process transition rules. In the case selection rules for the transition ultraviolet or infrared and are amateur astronomer Bill Yeung, Technology) orbit as the Earth over many reverses. Earth’s gravity slows the object and Once an of forbidden are violated, producing the invisible to the human eye. observing from Benson, Arizona, orbit backward, J002E3 originally left years, it is called co-orbital. it drops into a closer, faster orbit (point E) and starts to outrun the Earth again. (NASA/ with an eighteen-inch telescope. the Earth–Moon system in March A recently discovered atom’s electron radiation, an forbidden radiation we’ve been Forbidden radiation from other Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute Elemental abundances in planetary is in an excited electron is discussing. This is exactly the elements also contributes in Further observations by amateur and 1971 and is probably the S-IVB (third) minor planet is in what of Technology) nebulae state, it can excited to a condition that prevails in the weaker amounts to the total professional astronomers around the stage of the Saturn V rocket that put amounts to a reverse- generally transition back to a higher state (typically by low-density environment of nebular emission. Elements world showed that J002E3 was in a Apollo 12 on course to the Moon. The horseshoe orbit. Minor planet 2016 pulling it back toward the Earth when distant Earth orbit. However, the identification of a new near-Earth HO was discovered on April 27, it gets too far away. lower energy state either by the collision with a free electron in interstellar space. Electrons with observable forbidden 3 orbit was chaotic, moving from near “asteroid” as flight hardware 2016, by the Pan-STARRS 1 asteroid This asteroid’s orbit is a little emission of a photon of radia- the gas) in which it becomes that find themselves in a lines in the visible range Earth, to near the Moon, and then happens on a regular basis. J002E3 is survey telescope on Haleakala, more eccentric than the Earth’s tion or by a collision with “trapped.” That is, there is no metastable state would nor- include carbon, nitrogen, neon, far from either of them. not gone for good; it will probably be Hawaii. It appears to be orbiting the orbit, and is tilted 7.77 degrees to another atom. If there is a downward transition that mally transition out of that state sulfur, argon, chlorine, When they ran the orbit back in the mid-2040s. Earth–Moon system. However, it is the ecliptic. This takes 2013 HO3 downward transition that doesn’t violate the normal through a collision with another potassium, and magnesium, backward, they discovered that it Another minor planet with an not gravitationally bound to the Earth, north and outside our orbit where it doesn’t violate the normal electric dipole selection rules. atom or electron, but in the although their contribution to slows down, allowing the Earth to had come through the L1 (Lagrange interesting orbit is 2002 AA29, but is independently orbiting the Sun. transition rules, then the atom In this metastable state the rarified environment of a the total nebular emission is 1) point between the Earth and Sun, discovered by LINEAR (Lincoln Near- Earth’s gravity does tug on the object, Continued on page 27 will immediately (less than a electron can linger for long planetary nebula, where much less than that of O III. where the Earth’s gravity is balanced Earth Asteroid Research) in White microsecond) and spontane- periods of time (10 seconds to electrons are left undisturbed in To sum up, in planetary by the gravity of the Sun. With the Sands, New Mexico, on January 9, ously emit a photon of radiation, 10,000 seconds or more) metastable states for long nebulae, we have the low- assistance of the Moon’s gravity, the 2002. This object is in an orbit that and the electron will transition before spontaneously periods of time—long enough density conditions that allow scale is tipped, and it is easy to takes one sidereal year, just like the capture an object that passes Earth. 2002 AA is very close to to a lower energy state. In a transitioning to a lower state for them to spontaneously electrons trapped in metastable 29 through this point. After floating Earth’s orbit, and the Earth’s gravity dense gas, collisions between and emitting radiation. It is deexcite and emit photons—we energy states to spontaneously around in the has an effect on it. If this asteroid atoms occur frequently enough also possible for electrons to observe the emission from these transition downward, before Earth–Moon were traveling alone in its orbit, it that collisional deexcitations be trapped in a metastable forbidden transitions. collisions with other atoms or system for would round the Sun just like any can occur. This is just the state as a result of a permitted In the case of O III, the electrons would knock them fourteen other planet. However, the Earth opposite of collisional excita- transition of an electron from a observed emission lines at down in collisional deexcita- months, a alters the asteroid’s orbit when the tion, except that the electron higher energy state. 495.9 and 500.7 nanometers tions. Also, even though oxygen second close asteroid gets near our planet. As the transitions from a higher to a In a dense gas, any electrons are due to the downward comprises less than 0.1 percent pass by the asteroid comes up on Earth from Figure 1 Figure 4 lower energy state and the in a metastable state will transition from the 3P1 to 1D2 of the total mass of the nebula, behind, Earth’s gravity speeds the J002E3 was discovered in this (469219) 2016 HO is in a solar orbit very close to ours. Initially trailing the released energy is added to the typically be knocked out of that and 3P2 to 1D2 states, respec- its forbidden emissions account asteroid up, and the asteroid goes 3 composite of three images showing Earth, it moves sunward where it travels faster than the Earth, passing it. Its kinetic energy of the particles in state by collisions with other tively. Normal transitions are for a majority of the visible light into a slightly more distant orbit. the motion of the object toward The asteroid takes longer to circle orbit now takes it ahead of the Earth, crossing the Earth’s orbit and the gas. atoms or electrons in the gas shown in magenta (ultraviolet) we see in these objects. So the the upper right. This object, first the Sun on its new orbit, so 2002 AA becoming more distant from the Sun. The more distant orbit means the The balance between well before they can radiatively and red (infrared). Forbidden next time you turn your thought to be a minor planet, 29 asteroid slows down and the Earth now passes it. Finally, the asteroid’s now starts to lag behind Earth, moving turned out to be the S-IVB (third) orbit takes it back through the Earth’s orbit, but this time behind the Earth radiative deexcitations and deexcite from the metastable transitions are shown in green telescope to a planetary nebula farther away. Over the next century or collisional deexcitations state. In this case, no forbidden (visible). and gaze upon its bluish-green stage of the Apollo 12’s Saturn V to almost the same point where it started. The combination of movements rocket. These images were taken by more, both Earth and the asteroid makes it appear from our point of view as if it is orbiting the Earth. radiation is emitted—the So how is it that oxygen is hue, remember that what you depends on the density and Bill Yeung on September 3, 2002. continue to orbit the Sun, with the However, it is not gravitationally bound to us and will eventually move back temperature of the gas. In a hot, transition energy goes into the such a small part of the mass are seeing is “forbidden” (NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory/ asteroid falling further behind. into a horseshoe orbit. (NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute dense gas, the atoms of the gas kinetic energy of the colliding of a planetary nebula, yet it radiation. 8 California Institute of Technology) Eventually, it will drift all the way of Technology)

14 REFLECTOR ✶ S EPTEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 15 The Minnesota Astronomical display. Two were educators and tion. Sergey introduced each planet me that their cameras had been Society (MAS) does a great job the rest were members who while I showed the planet on the unable to capture both the performing public outreach and thought the whole idea of accompa- screen. Sergey explained how the orchestra and the screen where the introducing people to the wonders nying an orchestra with NASA The Music of the Spheres music reflected each planet’s images were displayed, so they just of the heavens—usually through images was a cool idea. By Dave Falkner, Minnesotesotaa Astronomical Society astrological personality. He had the focused on the orchestra! Well, I presentations or observing through Our main contribution would be a ordered 3-D glasses with images built when iron ore companies ruled starting each section of the School after supper on Saturday orchestra play small segments of hope their viewers enjoyed the telescopes. But once in a while, we visual presentation to accompany from Mad Science Minnesota that the range and were trying to attract presentation with the orchestral and unloaded all of our props (after each movement to demonstrate. At orchestral performance. get the opportunity to do something the orchestra in their performance. we could use as take-away items for workers. They spared no expense movement worked. driving by the house where Bob the end of his explanation for each Sergey invited us to join him and truly extraordinary to engage the We also decided to create static children. The glasses were and the auditoriums were built as The snow machines were hard at Dylan grew up, just a few blocks planet, I discussed our scientific a couple of the other folks we had public in space and astronomy. displays, one for each planet, each inexpensive, and some of their beautiful, acoustically perfect work when we arrived back our from the high school). While the understanding of the planet through collaborated with for supper. We In November 2014, Sergey Bogza, with a poster containing three pictures were of planets. theatres, with main level and Giants Ridge room around midnight. other three MAS members set up history to the present day. Sergey loaded the van and proceeded to artistic director for the Mesabi images, ten facts, and three or four In late October, I contacted balcony seating. The stages were They were trying to build up the ski the displays in the hallway outside insisted I say a few words about the Whistling Bird restaurant in Symphony Orchestra (MSO), bits of trivia. In addition, we would Sergey to make sure we were on fully equipped with lights, multiple runs after a very warm fall. After a the auditorium, I connected my Pluto, even though it was not a part Gilbert, about half way between contacted me about a potential set up a scale model Solar System the same page regarding the curtains and a large projection celebratory beer and some snacks, computer to the projector and of the orchestral piece. (We seem Virginia and Biwabik. Walking into collaborative project between the walk to provide a sense of how far performance. There was one more screen. The dress rehearsal went we called it a night. verified it displayed on the huge to have a hard time letting go of the restaurant from the accumulat- MSO and MAS. The MSO is a apart things are in space and element he wanted to do. He well, and our strategy of manually We arrived at Hibbing High screen above the orchestra. We Pluto as a planet.) ing snow outside was a transition community symphony orchestra on provide some sort of fun take-away wanted to talk about each received a nice surprise when eight After a brief intermission, the from snowy Minnesota into tropical Dave Falkner (podium on left) Minnesota’s Iron Range. They have items for children. movement and how Holst com- discussing Venus, during the large, professional banners arrived, lead violinist tuned the orchestra, Jamaica—the decor, music, and about 80 mostly-volunteer members We decided to create a slide posed the music to evoke each first part of the concert each featuring one of the eight Sergey assumed his position in cuisine were all Caribbean. We had and perform six times a year in the show that would run automatically planet’s astrological personality. planets. They were donated by the front, and the orchestra played the a wonderful time with great food, cities of Virginia and Hibbing, during the performance of each Then he wanted me to say a few Paulucci Space Theatre of Hibbing, entire symphony. I sat near the drink, and conversation and stayed northwest of Duluth. movement, and then pause words about the planet itself. I put and we hung them on the wall computer and projector, so I could longer than we should have. We Sergey wanted to collaborate between movements to allow the together some facts about each behind our displays. We set up the start each section of the slide show finally got on the road back to the with the MAS in performing Gustav next section to be manually started planet and another presentation Solar System walk along the with the orchestra. Twin Cities around 7:45. The snow Holst’s The Planets. The symphony when the orchestra began the next with a full image of each planet. hallway leading to the auditorium. I At the intermission and at the end stopped just south of Cloquet, and has seven movements, one for each movement. I purchased a copy of We combined our two scripts so we made placards for each planet, of the concert the audience flooded we had dry roads the rest of the planet other than Earth. The The Planets performed by the St. knew how this part of the concert giving the actual size of the planet out into the hallway. The Close-up of the planetary Planetary display outside Louis Symphony would proceed. and its distance from the Sun, as posters and explana- display for Venus of the auditorium Orchestra, and three of By November, the stage was set. well as the scaled planet size and tions there stirred their us created separate Four of us would travel to the Iron distance from the Sun. We were imaginations. Everyone presentations set to the Range on Friday afternoon, able to fit from the Sun (a yellow we talked to loved the score of each move- November 20, 2015. Arrangements Styrofoam sphere) to Mars in the performance and the ment, using public were made for us to stay at the hallway and then clustered the displays. After the Orchestra and presentation during the domain images from Giants Ridge Ski Lodge in Biwabik, movement on Jupiter remaining planets just beyond that. performance, we packed NASA, ESA, and other Minnesota. Dress rehearsal would Like the one in the Virginia High up our displays, movements, in order, are “Mars, the space agencies. The work was be Friday night, November 20, in School, the Hibbing High School including the newly added banners, way back. I dropped everyone off at Bringer of War,” “Venus, the time-consuming, but by mid- the Virginia High School auditorium. auditorium was more like a theatre, and made the hour drive back to their houses and arrived home just Bringer of Peace,” “Mercury, the September, things were really The first performance was Saturday with main floor and balcony Giants Ridge. It was a late night, but after midnight. Winged Messenger,” “Jupiter, the coming together and the final evening in the Hibbing High School seating, and it could seat 1800 it was opening night and it went I’d like to thank the MAS board Bringer of Jollity,” “Saturn, the presentation was looking great. The auditorium and the second people. The acoustics were very well! for supporting this event. I would Bringer of Old Age,” “Uranus, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s performance was Sunday afternoon wonderful. When the doors to the Things moved more quickly on also like to thank the MAS Magician,” and “Neptune, the recording was indispensable in in the Virginia High School building were opened before the Sunday. We packed our things, left members who made up the team: Mystic.” The music reflects the setting the timing of transitions in auditorium. We would return home concert, the audience began Giants Ridge for the last time, and Suresh Srinivasan, Larry Gray, Steve personality of each astrological the presentations. after Sunday’s performance. filtering in, and they wandered from drove to Virginia, Minnesota, half Baranski, and Roxanne Kuerschner. character. Sergey wanted to show We designed the posters for I loaded my Honda Odyssey with one display to another and were an hour away. We set up in plenty Finally, I want to thank team images of the planets during each each planet and they looked great, my duffel bag, the handouts, the 3- genuinely interested. of time, and the local cable station members Heather Birch, Stu of the movements, and to have with wonderful images and text. D glasses, the Solar System model, By 7 p.m., an audience of about set up a couple of cameras to Chastain, and Jake Hairrell for displays about the planets to Although The Planets only the posters, my computer with the Dave Falkner (left) talking 155 people had gathered in the record the concert. giving up the weekend before provide some scientific context. He highlights seven planets, we also presentation, the trivia boxes, and about Mercury theatre. I was disappointed there The performance went the same Thanksgiving to travel to the Iron wanted it to be both an educational included a poster for Earth, and one the other three volunteers and we weren’t more people, but that didn’t as at Hibbing, with just one hitch; Range and make this such a and a musical experience. for Pluto, although it hadn’t yet headed for the Iron Range. We deter our enthusiasm. The lead at one point, my wireless micro- successful event. The symphony was scheduled to been discovered when Holst arrived at Giants Ridge on Friday violinist crossed the stage to phone stopped working for about 10 There were 155 people at the perform The Planets one year later, composed The Planets. The recent afternoon and checked in. applause and tuned up the seconds. I just raised my voice a bit Hibbing performance and 178 at the on November 21 and 22, 2015. New Horizons flyby of Pluto After dinner in Virginia, we orchestra. Then Maestro Sergey and I was told that I could be heard Virginia performance. Although this While I realized this would be a provided spectacular images for proceeded to the Virginia High Bogza and I entered the stage to easily even in the back of the may not have been the largest considerable undertaking, I felt that this poster. School to set up the computer and applause. He introduced me and set theatre—that’s how acoustically outreach event the MAS has been a a year would be enough time to put Trivia boxes were designed and prepare for dress rehearsal. I the stage for the performance. perfect the theatre was. part of in terms of the number of together a display and presentation built out of wood. Each box had wasn’t sure what I expected the Each concert consisted of two After the concert ended and the people attending, it was certainly worthy of the MAS. I assembled a three questions about its planet with high school auditorium to look like, parts. The first part was an crowd dispersed, we began the most complex, requiring team of seven MAS members to flaps that revealed each answer but I certainly didn’t expect what explanation of how Holst depicted breaking down our displays. As I coordination with a geographically create a great presentation and when you flipped them up. I also we saw. The high schools were each of the planets in the composi- packed up, the videographers told Continued on page 27

16 REFLECTOR ✶ S EPTEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 17 This is the story of the process interaction between Charlotte’s The Telescope concrete was in place, low the various League certificates. We of creating an astronomical Quest and the Westminster club. At about the same time, the retaining walls were built on three planned a combination star party 10, 25, and 50 Years of the observatory for public access in A little over a year ago, the chairman of the Westminster sides to prevent any incursion of and meteor party for the Geminids Manchester, a small town in author and several other members Astronomical Society’s board mud during heavy rains. The same to provide three hours of observa- Astronomical League’s Magazine northern Maryland. The of the club attended a meeting of mentioned that he had, in his member of the board of Charlotte’s tion for the Astronomical League By Mike Stewart, Astronomical League Historian process of developing a the Charlotte’s Quest board basement, a 15-inch Newtonian Quest who helped with the Meteor Club certificate. Unfortu- August 1966 public-access observatory is at which the board donated to the club by the estate of analemma contributed the labor for nately, it got clouded out. I think New! Observe Manual OBSERVE is a new manual published and sold by quite different from that of expressed interest in a deceased member. Things were the retaining walls. that the interest will persist and we the Astronomical League. It contains the complete developing an observatory gaining access to a beginning to come together. We The $2,500 came from an can try again. Messier catalog of deep-sky objects, arranged by for private use. Among other telescope and establishing collected the telescope from the unusual source, but, in general, There is also a nearby middle seasons. The descriptions of each item were writ- differences is the fact that some kind of astronomical basement, found it to be in good the challenge of finding a donor of school and some faculty interest is ten by an amateur astronomer from personal obser- vation using a Skyscope 3 reflector and a homemade you are able to beg for site. Westminster Astro- condition and even in decent only that amount should not be a developing there. 6-inch reflector. Your personal record of Messier ob- publicity, support, and nomical Society officers collimation, and covered and stored serious problem. In our case, the At this point I am a little anxious servations may be entered on a score sheet con- donated stuff. Hopefully, expressed their willingness it at a Charlotte’s Quest building. A donor is an organization that runs about nighttime public events tained in the manual. It has a goodly number of amateur photographs readers will find ideas in this to cooperate, with no 15-inch telescope was more an annual bocce tournament at the during the winter. The final couple of the brighter objects. The manual continues to article that they can adapt to Robert L. Clark specifics. Separately, the telescope than I had been looking nature center. Over several years, hundred yards of road is in pretty be one of the League’s more popular publications. their local situations. Westminster Astronomical author set up an analemma at the for, but that was just fine. The next they built a fund from entrance bad shape and, so far, I have been The Messier Observing Program continues to be Society the League’s most popular observing program. By To create a small public Charlotte’s Quest site as a sign of issue was finding a way to house fees that was sufficient to cover unable to arrange free paving or the summer of 2016, over 2700 astronomers had completed either the regular or observatory, you need: 1) a suitable observatory on the grounds of the interest, and the thing and our needs. The organizer of the plowing. We will plan some solar honorary level. telescope, 2) a suitable location, 3) Bear Branch Nature Center in because an arrange for its bocce ball tournament is also a parties for the public. For solar August 1991 suitable housing for the telescope, Westminster. The nature center is analemma can be convenient use. member of the board of directors events, the “Sunspotters” Club of The Big One —Total Solar Eclipse, July 11, 1991 and 4) enthusiastic initial clients. governed by the county parks built with little The telescope of Charlotte’s Quest. the Astronomical League can serve A total solar eclipse is a rare event for any spot on What follows is the story of how organization. Both the planetarium support—enough was on a Developing a Clientele as motivation. earth, and when it does happen, it is over some one club got access to those items. and the observatory host monthly money to buy Dobsonian In terms of the four initial require- I think that extending the barely accessible area, such as the Sahara Desert, The process was quite simple. public events, which are fairly well some lumber and mount with an ments, we were almost there. The clientele beyond the local high or Northern Siberia during the winter. The eclipse of July 11, 1991, however, not only passed over Opportunities and resources came attended by residents of some labor to unusual physical parts of the installation school is important. We have Mexico’s Baja California Sur, but also Hawaii, and along naturally and decisions were Westminster. plant the pole is arrangement for were taken care of. Still, we started a “Constellation Hunter” a large part of central Mexico, including Mexico City. uncomplicated. Any club with the The Manchester site is at a about it! I transportation. needed an enthusiastic initial program that meets about once a Mexico City had only a 20 per cent chance of view- ing the eclipse, and unfortunately was actually motivation should be able to nature center named Charlotte’s contributed the bit Two 6-foot clientele. The local high school is month. We locate and discuss three clouded out along with the rest of mainland Mexico; emulate what we have done and Quest, operated by the Manchester of money; a handles can be located only about half a mile from to five constellations and their lore. Hawaii, too, was mostly clouded during totality, and create a “satellite” observatory. Parks Foundation, not the county. couple of club connected to its our site. We contacted the principal Attendees interested in the there was rain in Central and South America. But The Environs This distinction is important in that members and a rocker box. Each and explained our situation, Astronomical League Constellation on the southern cape of the Baja peninsula, one of the clearest, sunniest spots on the entire North Manchester is a small town in the smaller, more local manage- member of the handle has a stressing that we could operate Hunter activity are encouraged to American continent, conditions were textbook perfect for viewing the longest eclipse northern Maryland, near the ment can be more responsive. Charlotte’s Quest wheel at one events specifically oriented to the make their sketches. In some of the century. Pennsylvania state line. As of 2010, Background Leading board of directors end, so when curricula of their courses. We constellations, we observe one or The August 1991 Reflector reported more details of the joint Houston Astronomical Soci- ety–Texas Astronomical Society trip to Baja. A quarter century later, North America is fortu- the population was 4,815. to an Observatory contributed the they are suggested that they could consider two “deep-sky” objects. That gets nate to have a coast-to-coast total eclipse. Where will you be on August 21, 2017? Manchester is about 10 miles north In the past, the Westminster digging labor. A attached, the our observatory as an extension to, the telescope into the picture of Westminster, which has a Astronomical Society had run club member Analemma and sundial at whole thing or laboratory for, their courses, and without allowing it to steal September 2006 population of 18,645 and is the astronomical events on the contributed a Charlotte’s Quest Nature Center becomes a they might consider developing attention from the constellations. It Stardust Returns Home wheelbarrow. Once the telescope is How many times have we given any thought to as- county seat for Carroll County, occasion of “Spring Fest” at rather elegant brass sundial that curricula based on its availability. also helps to set the idea of using tronomy in the United States that took place some Maryland. The Westminster Charlotte’s Quest for the benefit of was mounted on the south side of moved into place, the handles can The high school’s science constellations as celestial locators. 1,200 years ago, or 3,000 years ago? What may be a Astronomical Society has access to the residents of Manchester. the analemma. In the meantime, I be removed. department has an enthusiastic and For example, when we observe the hobby today was a matter of life and death in the a planetarium and has a domed Otherwise there had been little contacted the local paper and got a Telescope Housing energetic chairperson, who has constellation of Lyra, we can ancient past and even a part of one’s religion. Know- ing the seasons was vital to survival. Boring sub- nice article written with a picture of The fact that the instrument is developed a real interest in using establish its name as “the Ring ject? Think again! While many people think of the installation that landed on the amenable to rather easy, short our equipment and developing Nebula in Lyra.” Stonehenge when it comes to archaeoastronomy, front page. It is important to note distance, movement allowed us to projects and educational experi- We recently drew significant North America has many ancient astronomical sites to be seen and studied. that the Charlotte’s Quest effort consider arrangements that require ences for the students. So far we publicity and participation with the Ancient pre-Columbian native Americans left us was undertaken as part of the that it be rolled out for use. We have done a field trip centered transit of Mercury, which we helped an incredible amount of astrological data in ancient activities of the Westminster settled on using a shed with a around observations of the Solar the public observe from numerous archaeological records called petroglyphs (carvings Astronomical Society. Technical patio. An 8- by 12-foot shed, System, daytime views of the county locations. We are also or inscriptions on rocks) and pictographs (prehistoric support, advice, and assistance prefabricated and set up on site, Moon, and observation of some planning a “Learn Your Way Around drawings or painting on rock walls)—commonly grouped together under the simple name rock art. The ancients built cities, mounds and temples that were dedicated to with events were available and was available for a little more than sunspots. In addition, a scale model the Moon” project that will lead to astronomy and astrology. Entire priesthoods or shamans were skilled in the science of welcomed. But much of the $2,500. The City of Manchester was of the Solar System was estab- the Astronomical League’s lunar astronomy. They recorded supernovas, comets, shooting stars, solar and lunar eclipses Charlotte’s Quest activity took place willing to contribute the labor, lished on the grounds of the nature program. The development of our and many more astronomical events. Imagine a night sky 1,500 years ago without any at the same time as the develop- excavation, bedding stone, and center. We had help with this effort programs has been made light pollution. The stars, planets, and other celestial objects must have been far brighter, more visible and breathtaking than most of us have ever experienced. The ancients ment of the club’s domed observa- concrete to build a concrete slab significantly easier by drawing on from two members of the used the night sky and the Sun as calendars, navigational beacons, telling of stories or tory at Bear Branch, so whatever sufficient for the building and a Westminster club. the established programs of the events, symbols of deities and religious cosmic-totemism. needed to be done at Charlotte’s large patio outside the shed doors. Several students have joined the Astronomical League. We hope Dr. Clinton D. Willis’s richly illustrated article described the astronomical achieve- Quest had to be accomplished with The specific site was selected to be Westminster club, partly to gain other clubs will follow our lead, and ments and depictions left in the Arkansas–Missouri region by Native Americans. His an absolute minimum of financial or a reasonable distance from other membership in the Astronomical partner with local nature centers story reminds us that astronomers of today are descendants of a long line of people North Carroll High School field trip to the Pine interested in the heavens. Observatory (Charlotte’s Quest) management load on the club. structures and from trees. Once the League so that they can work on and schools in this way. 8

18 REFLECTOR ✶ S EPTEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 19 On June 17, 1972, a group of Astronomy Day hosts were plan and execute whatever A radio meteor is a meteor Meteor (and other) ground and near a meteor. In an hour or so you should supporters of U.S. President trying to decide how to take this celebration they could muster. It that is heard on a radio receiver only signals: Radio transmitter. Their signal have been able to search all Richard M. Nixon broke into the grassroots movement national. was this American model that because radio waves from a meteors are observed can last from a second frequencies. Do this again from time Democratic National Committee While Astronomy Day was served as a basis for Astronomy transmitter some 75 to 200 miles at frequencies from 28 to a minute. Unless you to time until you have a list of all distant are reflected by the meteor’s to 432 MHz, with the live close to a major good meteor frequencies. Some headquarters at the Watergate slowly spreading across the U.S. Day celebrations all around the resulting ionization. The primary best region airport, you will frequencies will reveal more office complex in Washington, and beyond, discussions ensued world then and today. advantage of observing meteors between 30 and probably never meteors than others, either because D.C., leading to President Today each locality plans and using radio methods is that one can 100 MHz. The FM record aircraft. the station is closer, or there are Nixon’s resignation executes Astronomy Day events observe during daytime and band, from about Hardware: A multiple stations on the same almost two years later, on with minimal guidance from the inclement weather. 88 to 107 MHz, is good FM radio frequency. A frequency with two August 9, 1974. national Astronomy Day Meteor showers: The 1995 well suited. A and antenna are stations will detect twice as many Between those two coordinator. Currently that American Radio and Relay League typical meteor vital tools for meteors. The higher count from such dates, in 1973, a basic guidance consists of: Antenna Handbook lists the five best signal usually lasts only By R. B. Minton detecting radio meteors. a frequency will produce smoother Southern Colorado meteor showers that contribute to as long as the meteor is Modern AM/FM car data and can help determine when a new idea was born: • Determining the dates for the Astronomical Society Doug Berger, now retired and living ham radio skip communication— visible—about half a radios are ideal. They radiant rises and sets. Astronomy Day. spring and fall Astronomy Days; in Bend, Oregon (photo by Gary where distant radio signals “skip” on second—but large meteors leave a have large-scale integrated circuitry, Data records: You should also Every year since that • Providing a 76-page handbook Tomlinson) first Astronomy Day, of procedures, ideas and an ionized area of the atmosphere, persistent ionized cloud reflecting are sensitive, reject noise, have record your observations on a hundreds of locations suggestions for hosting As- such as that produced by a meteor, for many seconds or even minutes digital tuning, and are fairly computer. In 2002, I wrote a computer and can be heard much farther away (fig. 3). However, large meteors are inexpensive. They also use 50-ohm program in BASIC to sense a across the nation tronomy Day events (sponsored than normal. These are the Quadran- rare. Signals lasting longer than five coaxial cable, which matches a speaker’s volume and write the time (and now the by Sky & Telescope, accessible tids (January 3), Arietids (June 7–8), or ten seconds are probably not ground plane (GP) antenna (fig. 1, to a floppy disk using the game port. world) have via the League’s website: Perseids (August 11–13), Orionids meteors. If you ignore all these top). Other antenna designs, such as It was crude, but good enough to prepared and astroleague.org/al/astroday/ (October 20–22), and Geminids longer signals, your hourly counts Yagi, have more gain in a preferred reveal a large peak in the Leonid executed special astrobook.html); (December 12–13). I like to listen to will still be quite accurate. direction, but nowhere else. The GP is meteors (fig. 4). Later, I used a PC- events celebrat- • Providing a listing of all showers, and listen at random better because of its omnidirectional compatible multimeter to sense ing astronomy. Astronomy Day events; times with a portable FM radio. In reception pattern in azimuth. A vertical voltages. Today, I suggest using Doug Berger of the Astro- • and Judging the Astronomy 2014 and 2015, I heard a moderate whip car antenna works okay, but not Radio-SkyPipe II software. It uses the nomical Association of Northern Day Awards (given for the Best daytime shower on July 3. as well. You can build a GP antenna computer’s audio input line. It will California, the originator of Celebration by Population, Physics: Meteors typically vaporize from five 29-inch lengths of 40-gauge capture data for 24 hours per record, Astronomy Day, first came up Gary Tomlinson Best New Idea, and Quality from 100 to 70 km altitude, producing (or heavier) copper wire, soldered and and the display’s scale can be with Astronomy Day’s theme, Astronomy Day Coordinator Events Year after Year), visible and ionizing ultraviolet light connected as shown in figure 1. Tape a compressed or expanded an immense Norm Sperling teaches part-time in and a 10 to 15 km long trail of free paper wad on each tip for eye amount. I like it, and the program and “Bringing Astronomy to the about a strong national directive currently sponsored by Sky & Oakland, California but travels electrons, ionized air, and debris. If protection. A 29-inch wire is the correct installation instructions are free. People,” by transporting versus local planning and Telescope, the American extensively in an RV the rest of the the trail of electrons is sufficiently length for the middle of the FM band. Note that the sound card information telescopes and setting up execution. Astronomical Society, and the time. dense, it reflects radio waves as if it If the radio and antenna pull in for a PC-compatible computer under astronomy related exhibits at One prominent player in this Astronomical League. want to plan something (or just were a metal cylinder. I like to think distant stations, you’re ready to “Options, Sound, Choose sound locations where people were decision process was Sky & Information for all the above see what’s happening in your of the ionization trail as having the already congregated, especially Telescope assistant may be found on the neighborhood), go to the properties of both a radio antenna (a indoor shopping malls. The idea editor Norm Astronomy Day League’s Astronomy Day page to “wire”) and a narrow illuminated slit. was (and still is) to engage Sperling. At that web page at either list your event or see The “wire” can produce a sound like people who had no thought or time, Sky & www.astro other events taking place. The the original radio signal, while the Figure 3 intent of interacting with Telescope was league.org. next two events are October 8, “slit” creates a Fresnel diffraction Interference: The vast majority of Figure 4 format” should be: Name = untitled, anything astronomical. But the de facto While 2016, and April 29, 2017. These pattern. The latter is a varying radio interference is from man-made search for blank FM frequencies Format = PCM, Attributes = 11.025 when astronomy was staring coordinator of Astronomy are also great opportunities to volume level that is co-added to the sources such as lights, all electrical where meteors can be heard. The kHz, 16-bit mono, 21 kb/sec. “wire” component (figs. 1 and 2). appliances, distant aircraft, and best time to search is early morning, Contacts: The International Meteor them in the face, not only did the event. Day itself is promote the August 2017 solar nearby cars. Cars produce a distinct, because sporadic meteors are more Organization has been (and probably they partake, they enjoyed it. Enter the Nixon resignation and co-sponsored by 14 astronomy eclipse that takes place in the Figure 1 repetitive popping noise. I rarely hear numerous. Start at the low end of still is) interested in radio observations, But how is this related to the succession of Gerald R. Ford and astronomy education United States and to educate interference from the Sun or other the FM band (88.1 MHz), listening many of which are very different from Watergate? to the presidency. For several organizations and endorsed by people on eclipse safety. All of natural sources such as auroras, for 30 seconds. If you hear nothing, the simple method I describe here While President Nixon was months after taking office, Ford the International Astronomical North America, Central tropospheric ducting (when radio go up to the next odd frequency (some types require a radio license). I embroiled in the was still dealing Union, the Astronomical League America, and the northern part signals can propagate farther than (88.3 MHz—the even decimals are can be reached at astro.old.geezer Watergate with Watergate coordinates the celebration. of South America will experi- normal because of a temperature not used for FM radio stations in the @gmail.com, and I recently opened a scandal, the (hence the So without Watergate, ence at least a partial solar inversion in the atmosphere), and United States). When you hear a website, astrooldgeezer.wix.com/ United States Nixon pardon). Astronomy Day might have been eclipse, visible by more than a lightning. Each type of interference brief signal (music, voice, etc.) write photography-studio. Other references I was fast ap- His administra- quite a different animal. If you billion people. 8 also has unique characteristics that it down under “good”—you just suggest are “Listen in on a Meteor proaching its tion did not allow it to be identified. The first heard a meteor reflecting the signal Shower,” Dave Prochnow, Popular Bicentennial, but have enough Give the Night Sky to Your Young Observers three last for many minutes to from a distant station. If you hear a Science, November 2014 (also available hours—not typical of a meteor. constant radio station, write it down at www.popsci.com/article/diy/how- the Nixon time to plan and Does your club have young observers 8 through 10 years Lightning has a brief but very distinct under “bad”—and also include the repurpose-your-old-radio-listen-meteor- administration execute a old? Why not encourage their celestial explorations by frying sound. Aircraft are more two frequencies below and above showers) and “Meteor Phenomena and was far too busy national presenting them with the Astronomical League’s Sky Puppies difficult to discern, but they are only this one. These adjacent channels Bodies,” Zdenk Ceplecha and others, to devote much celebration for guide? This great introduction to the wonders in the heard if they are flying both near the may get signal splatter imitating a 1998, Space Science Reviews, v. 84, no. attention to the the Bicenten- 3, p. 327–471. 8 heavens is available for purchase through League Sales. Go Figure 2 nation’s birthday. nial, so it was to store.astroleague.org/index.php, then click on “Observ- Radio meteor observing satisfies As the scandal decided to let ing Manuals.” requirements of the AL Radio escalated, President Richard M. Nixon each locality Astronomy Observing Program.

20 REFLECTOR ✶ S EPTEMBER 2016 T HET HE A ASTRONOMICALSTRONOMICAL L EAGUEL EAGUE 2121 Some Thoughts on Hosting 6. Have a plan. Don’t just show double stars, but also don’t just show a dim nebula that is only seen with averted vision. Hopefully the “star” players Outreach Events will be out: the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, a good globular or open cluster, the By W. Maynard Pittendreigh Orion Nebula, etc. The Events 7. There are no stupid questions. Actually, there are, but the important thing School visits: Offer to bring properly equipped telescopes to the is to always give good answers that inspire and not deflate. If someone asks, school for a look at the Sun. Don’t forget to stress safety. “Will Mars really appear as large as the Moon in August?,” a good response Boy Scouts: Scouts often want to earn their merit badge in astronomy. is, “I am so glad you asked that. It won’t (and here is why).” Offer to be with them one night for a look through the telescopes and to 8. Appropriate attire: You will need to be comfortable. Astronomy Day 2016 provide some help with their badge. 9. Red lights: And, yes, white lights as well. People will need to find you Gary Tomlinson, Astronomy Day Coordinator Trick or treat: Set up your telescope outside your house and, with a and feel safe as they walk. Limited light will be needed, and the red lights For 44 years, astronomy enthusiasts and organizations have hosted special bowl of candy, invite folks to look through the telescope and see the you use will be more for the educational moment to introduce them to night Megan T. Gialluca events to celebrate the grassroots movement that turned into Astronomy Moon, Jupiter, or Saturn. Along with the candy, put a flyer in their bag vision than for preserving your night eyes. Day. This year was no different. Some places have hosted events for years about the next outreach event or about your astronomy club. 10. Ushers: Every good theater has them. Someone to greet people at the while others have done only a few. Regardless, we all benefit. Sidewalk astronomy: Take the telescopes to the people. This may parking area and walk the visitors to the first telescope will be appreciated. In 1980, an award was established to provide recognition to those literally be on a sidewalk, or in a park where people tend to gather. Have organizations that best emphasized the concept of Astronomy Day. That signs that welcome people to look through the telescope “free of charge.” Youth Awards 2016 award was discontinued after two years, however. In 1989, the Barstronomy: A man calling himself Duke Skygawker hosts sidewalk Compiled by William Bogardus Astronomical League resurrected the award. Over the years, the award astronomy outreach events just outside his favorite bars. National Young Young Astronomer Award has changed and is currently sponsored by the League, Sky & Tele- Sun day at church: It is especially helpful if the pastor is an astrono- Astronomer Award competition goes to Megan T. scope, and the American Astronomical Society. mer, but setting up a properly equipped telescope to view the Sun is a The 2016 National Young Gialluca for her work, titled This year, the weather cooperated in some locations and not in good way to encourage people of faith to feel comfortable as people of Astronomer Award first place “Radiation-Hydrodynamic others. Either way, most locations had a multitude of indoor activities, science. As before, stress safety! winners are a team, Jayasuriya Outflows and Magnetar Glitches such as lectures, planetarium shows, kids activities, Solar System Civic organizations: Kiwanis, Rotary, and other organizations are Senthilvelan and Swagat and Anti-Glitches.” She is a models, and even rocks from outer space (meteorites and Moon rocks). often seeking speakers for their clubs. Deliver a presentation at one of Bhattacharyya, who will share member of the New Hampshire Host locations included public libraries, state parks, botanical gardens, their meetings, followed by telescope time outside. the award for their work, titled Astronomical Society and a nature centers, and museums. Introduction to your new telescope: This is especially good after “Detection of Interstellar guide at their Skywatches. She The winners of the 2016 Astronomy Day Awards are: Christmas. Encourage people to attend an event at which people bring Molecule OH in W3, W49, is an 11th-grade student at the • Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC), Large Metro Area, their own scopes and you help set up and use them. This is not a time Cassiopeia A, K350 W75s and Hollis Brookline High School, Oakton, Virginia to “put down” any telescope. This is a time to encourage and teach. NGC 7538 Using the 40 ft. New Hampshire, where her • Oglethorpe Astronomical Association, Medium Metro Area, Telescope and the GBT.” work was presented to an Savannah, Georgia The Publicity Jayasuriya is a 10th-grade audience of students, parents, Katie Melbourne • Popular Astronomy Club, Small Metro Area, Moline, Illinois • Use social media to announce the event. student at Buchanan High School and school board members, and • Kalamazoo Astronomical Society, Quality Events Year After Year, • Public service announcements on radio or television are free for many in Clovis, California, and Swagat published in the Nashua Kalamazoo, Michigan nonprofit or educational institutions. is a 10th-grader at Morgantown Telegraph. • The Children’s Museum, Travelers Science Dome at the Gengras • Use flyers and posters at schools and clubs. Planetarium, Best New Idea, West Harford, Connecticut Horkheimer/Smith This is the first award for NOVAC, whose members did an impressive Give the night sky to your young observers Youth Service Award set of special events (unfortunately they had cloudy skies at night). The Does your club have young observers 8 through 10 years old? The 2016 Horkheimer/Smith other awardees are previous Why not encourage their celestial explorations by presenting Youth Service Award goes to winners of one sort or another, so Katie Melbourne of the them with the Astronomical League’s Sky Puppies guide? This this goes to show you that Popular Astronomy Club in organizations that have never great introduction to the wonders in the heavens is available Illinois, which she first joined entered the competition before for purchase through League Sales. Go to in 2013. Her interest in can walk away with the top store.astroleague.org, then click on “Observing Manuals.” astronomy goes back to grade award. And to the other winners, school, when she attended a we thank them for their current Top Ten Things to Consider summer science camp and Virginia Mellott and continued efforts to promote 1. Binoculars on a tripod: You can’t just point and say, “look there.” The became hooked on astronomy. astronomy. The Children’s binoculars need a mount. Most people have a pair of binoculars, and many While in high school, she went Katie volunteered at many Horkheimer/D’Auria Museum has a sanctuary for visitors will think, “I can do this at home without buying a telescope.” Swagat Bhattacharyya and to Kitt Peak National Obser- public star parties that the Astronomy Day 2016: Popular Youth Service Award Astronomy Club’s portable confiscated illegal animals, and 2. Use a telescope you don’t mind being handled and mishandled. Allow Jayasuriya Senthilvelan vatory, where she used Popular Astronomy Club The 2016 Horkheimer/D’Auria observatory matched appropriate animals to viewers to move and guide the scope. High School, West Virginia. They telescopes to collect data as holds each month at the Niabi Youth Service Award goes to the constellations, targeting preschool children, garnering the museum 3. Use low-power, wide-field eyepieces that can take a fingerprint where attended the 2014 West part of a program for high Zoo. She has gone out to the Virginia Mellott of the the Best New Idea Award (this idea would also work well for zoos). fingers ought not touch. Virginia Governor’s School for school students. She also spent club’s observatory for observ- Charlottesville (Virginia) Next year will be the 45th Astronomy Day, so now is the time to start 4. A small star atlas and a planisphere: Attendees may ask questions that Math and Science at the Robert six weeks at Boston University ing and contributed an article Astronomical Society for her planning events. To assist, a newly revised Astronomy Day handbook is require these tools, and they may value seeing that these tools are C. Byrd Green Bank Science doing research on M dwarf to the club newsletter detailing service to the astronomical available for a free download (see the League’s website). This 85-page available. Center to work on their project. stars and took a class at her observations. She also community, writing letters and handbook is chock full of ideas, suggestions, advice, and resources to 5. An adjustable stool or telescope chair: People come in all sizes. Some They also presented their work Northwestern University on presented a program at a articles in her school’s newspa- assist local organizations in providing a variety of educational, viewers will be children needing a stable step up. Others will be adults at the 2015 Society of Amateur astrophysics. Katie is now a monthly meeting about her per and the local newspaper, interesting, and safe displays and events. So as Dr. Leonard McCoy needing to sit at the eyepiece. Some will need something to lean against Radio Astronomers conference. freshman at Yale University work on stellar evolution and the Daily Progress. Her (from Star Trek) would say, “Get crackin’!” as they bend down to look. Second Place in the National studying astrophysics. neutrinos. Continued on next page

22 REFLECTOR ✶ S EPTEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 23 writings have been informative grade student at Galvez Primary Late-breaking news New York, July 6, 2016: and encouraged people to get School in Prairieville, Louisiana, League Regional Chairs from the world of The Smithsonian interested in the club’s who wrote on “Examining the GLRAL (Great Lakes Region): Ron Whitehead, astronomy Channel will celebrate TINEZ, ASKC activities. Mystery of Tabby’s Star.” Note: [email protected] Los Altos Hills, the 50th anniversary of MARS (Mountain Astronomical Research Section): Wayne Green, due to space limitations, the [email protected] California, July 7, Star Trek with a two- Horkheimer/O’Meara essays will be printed in the MERAL (Mid-East Region): Terry Trees, [email protected] 2016: The Silicon Valley hour special that will Journalism Award December issue. MSRAL (Mid-States Region): James Small, [email protected] Astronomy Lectures at take a look at the The 2016 Horkheimer/O’Meara NCRAL (North-Central Region): Gerry Kocken, [email protected] Foothill College, in Los lasting influence the Journalism Award goes to Clay NERAL (Northeast Region): Maryann Arrien, Altos, California, just original Star Trek series Horkheimer/Parker [email protected]

M31;COMPLIMENTS OF TOM S. MAR Parenti of the Houston Astro- Youth Imaging Award NWRAL (Northwest Region): Gene Dietzen, [email protected] passed the milestone of has had on the world. nomical Society, an 8th-grade The 2016 Horkheimer/Parker SERAL (Southeast Region): Richard Schmude, one million views on its “Building Star Trek” will student at Westchester Youth Imaging Awards resulted [email protected] YouTube channel at premiere Sunday, Academy for in first, second, and third place SWRAL (Southwest Region): David Moody, [email protected] www.youtube.com/ September 4, at 8 p.m. International winners. First place was WRAL (Western Region): Wayne Johnson, [email protected] svastronomylectures. ET/PT on the TITLE PHOTOGRAPH: Studies in awarded to Ginger Mellott of Astronomical League Tokyo, July 5, 2016: An international team Smithsonian Channel. Houston, Texas, the Charlottesville Astronomi- of researchers from Royal Observatory of Towson, Maryland, June 15, 2016: Scientists for his writing cal Society for her work, titled Observing Programs Belgium, Institut de Physique du Globe de at Towson University and the Johns Hopkins on “Kepler’s “Milky Blue.” The second-place Active Galactic Nuclei Program Globular Cluster Observing Program Paris, Université de Rennes 1, Kobe University are reporting a new way to peer Laws.” Second Parenti winner was Clay Parenti of the Advanced Binocular Double Star Herschel 400 Observing Program University, and the Earth-Life Science through the event horizons around black place goes to Houston Astronomical Society Observing Program Herschel II Observing Program Institute of Tokyo Institute of Technology holes and visualize what lies beneath. Their Analemma Observing Program Hydrogen Alpha Solar Observing Ephraim for his photo of daylight lunar Arp Peculiar Galaxies Northern Program investigated the formation process of a disk results could rewrite conventional ideas Craddock of craters. Third place went to Observing Program Local Galaxy Group & Galactic produced by a potential giant impact on about the internal structure of spinning black the Baton Benjamin S. Dutschmann, Arp Peculiar Galaxies Southern Neighborhood Observing Program Mars, and the process of satellites’ forma- holes. Current approaches use special Rouge Astro- sponsored by the North Observing Program Lunar Observing Program tion from this disk. Their model suggests coordinate systems in which this structure Lunar II Observing Program nomical Houston Astronomy Club, for Asterism Observing Program that a huge satellite quickly forms from this appears quite simple, but quantities that Asteroid Observing Program Master Observer Award Craddock Society, a 5th- his image of M42. 8 Binocular Double Star Observing Messier Observing Program disk, and it enhances the accretion of depend on an observer’s choice of coordi- Program Meteor Observing Program Phobos and Deimos in the outer region. nates can give a distorted view of reality, as Binocular Messier Observing NEO Observing Program After their formation, the huge satellite falls anyone who has compared the apparent sizes Program Occultation Observing Program into Mars due to the strong tidal interaction of Greenland and the United States on a map Binocular Variable Star Observing Open Cluster Observing Program with Mars, and disappears. Only two tiny knows. The new approach focuses exclu- Program Outreach Observing Award Bright Nebula Observing Program Planetary Nebula Observing satellites—Phobos and Deimos—are left sively on mathematical quantities known as Caldwell Observing Program Program behind. Researchers also found that about invariants, which have the same value for A MEMBER BENEFIT FROM Carbon Star Observing Program Planetary Transit Special Observing half of the disk produced by a giant impact any choice of coordinates. Expressed in Comet Observing Program Award originally came from Mars, so Phobos and terms of these quantities, black hole interiors McDONALD OBSERVATORY Constellation Hunter Observing Radio Astronomy Observing StarDate, the bi-monthly publication of the nonprofit Deimos should contain Martian materials. reveal a much more intricate and compli- Program (Northern Skies) Program McDonald Observatory, is offering our members a 25% Recently, Japan Aerospace Exploration cated structure than usually thought, Constellation Hunter Observing Sketching Observing Award discount. Their magazine provides easy-to-read articles Program (Southern Skies) Sky Puppy Observing Program Agency (JAXA) has started to plan a sample with wild variations in curvature from on the latest astronomy research, skywatching, the Dark Nebulae Observing Program Solar System Observing Program return mission from the Martian satellites. place to place. 8 history of astronomy, and many other topics. StarDate Dark Sky Advocate Observing Southern Skies Binocular Observing also offers starcharts for each month, a sky calendar, Award Program Deep Sky Binocular Observing Southern Sky Telescopic Observing and Merlin’s answers to reader questions. The discounted Program Program rate is $19.50 for members in the Double Star Observing Program Stellar Evolution Observing Program continental USA, $22 for Canada, and Milky Blue by Ginger Mellott, 1st place Earth Orbiting Satellite Observing Sunspotters Observing Program $30 to other foreign countries. Program (EOSOC) Two in the View Observing Program Members-at-Large should send their Flat Galaxy Observing Program Universe Sampler Observing check (payable to the Astro League) Galaxy Groups & Clusters Observing Program to Astronomical League Office, Program Urban Observing Program 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Galileo Observing Program Variable Star Observing Program Kansas City, MO 64114. For members’ societies, the appointed person in each club should gather the subscriptions, and send the appropriate amount to StarDate Magazine, c/o Paul Previte, 1 University Station A2100, Austin, TX 78712. You can read more about StarDate at www.stardate.org. If you have any questions, please contact the League’s National Office at [email protected]

McDonald Observatory

M42 by Benjamin S. Dutschmann, 3rd place Daylight lunar craters by Clay Parenti, 2nd place

24 REFLECTOR ✶ S EPTEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 25 TITLE PHOTO: NGC 2244; BRIAN KIMBALL

Wanderers/from page 15 Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri member Frederick pass it. It then moves southward and closer to Steiling submitted this image of LBN 552, LDN 1228, and the the Sun. This speeds it up so it passes south and orange reflection nebula Cohen 129. Lying just 11 degrees from sunward of the Earth. Its orbit then takes it back Polaris, the dark nebula LDN 1228, on the left, and the bright(er) away from the Sun, moving northward, returning nebula LBN 552, on the right, sit near Cohen 129 (also cataloged almost to the initial position. From Earth’s vantage point, 2016 HO appears as GN 21.00.4). Below it and to the right is an interesting cas- 3 Ptolemy’s Cluster (also known as M7 and NGC 6475) is an open cade of stars, streaming from left to right. He used an Orion 8- to go around the Earth. However, since it is not cluster consisting of around 80 stars, located approximately 980 inch Newtonian Astrograph (800 mm focal length at f/3.9) and gravitationally bound to us, it is called a quasi- light-years from Earth in the constellation Scorpius. It is the a MoonLite CR Newtonian focuser on a Celestron CGEM mount. satellite of Earth. Following its motion backward, southernmost Messier object, at –34.8 degrees declination. When Imaging was done over four nights between June 5 and June it had been in a horseshoe orbit until the 1920s, Dan Crowson took this image, it was only 12 degrees above the 10, 2016 (total integration time was 11 hours, 52.5 minutes), when it was captured by Earth’s gravity. It will horizon. At the 2 o’clock position is NGC 6453, a Type IV globu- using an SBIG STF-8300M with an FW5-8300 5-position filter continue to circle around us until 2322 or 2323 lar cluster. Crowson imaged from the Danville Conservation area wheel and an OAG-8300 off-axis guider. Guiding was done with when it will drift back into a horseshoe orbit. in New Florence, Missouri, on April 8, April 12, and May 5, 2016, PHD2, acquisition with Sequence Generator Pro, and integra- This object appears to be a rock between 120 feet using an Astro-Tech AT90EDT telescope at f/6.7 and 630 mm. Total tion/processing with PixInsight 1.8. and 300 feet across, probably knocked off the Moon imaging time was 240 minutes. in an asteroid impact. A few older observations have been found, starting in 2004. This has confirmed the object’s orbit well enough for this object to be numbered as minor planet 469219. Its orbit never brings it closer than nine million miles from Earth. Solar Eclipse Glasses from the Other minor planets that are co-orbital with Earth include the above-mentioned 2002 AA , 2003 YN 29 107, Astronomical League!! 2004 GU9, and (3753) Cruithne. Some of these alternate between horseshoe-shaped orbits and quasi-satellite On August 21, 2017, at 10:16 a.m., PDT, the moon’s shadow comes ashore just south orbits. These two orbits are not very different; both take of Astoria, Oregon, races across the United States and moves out to sea near a year to travel around the Sun and are not too inclined Charleston, South Carolina at 2:47 p.m. Do you have the equipment to safely view to the ecliptic and not too eccentric. Only the Earth’s the eclipse and the Sun? These glasses are ideal for viewing large sunspots on the gravity alters their motion to keep them near the Earth Sun’s face and partial, annual, and partial phases of total solar eclipses. or forces them to stay away. 8 Berton Stevens is co-director of the Desert Moon Observatory (Minor Planet Center 3448, Get ready for the www.morning-twilight.com/dm448). Great Total Solar Music of the Spheres/from page 17 Eclipse of 2017! Larry Hubble, of the Harford County (Maryland) Astronomical remote partner and hours of work by the MAS Society, imaged M8 and M20 on June 29, 2016, from the Broad team. It was a huge success, and the MAS made Don’t miss out, Creek Memorial Scout Reservation. He used a William Optics a big impression on the Iron Range. I hope we supplies are limited... Using an ES 127 mm APO refractor on an iOptron IEQ45 mount 102 mm APO refractor and Canon 70D. Processing software in- are able to partner with the Mesabi Symphony and an Atik 314L+ camera, Jack Mogren, a member of the Roch- cluded DeepSkyStacker, ImagesPlus and Photoshop. Orchestra in the future for another performance ester (Minnesota) Astronomy Club, took this image of M51 (the that combines music and astronomy. It’s a match 1 unit: $ 1.00, plus shipping 100 units: $ 60.00, plus shipping Whirlpool Galaxy), located some 23 million light-years from made in heaven! 8 10 units: $ 9.00, plus shipping 250 units: $ 112.50, plus shipping Earth in the constellation Canes Venatici, on June 7, 2016. A 25 units: $ 20.00, plus shipping 500 units: $ 175.00, plus shipping total of 32 images were taken (8 each of LRGB), 300 seconds For those of you who are not aware of it, 50 units: $ 37.50, plus shipping 1,000 units: $ 300.00, plus shipping each. Jack tells us, “I work out of a 6 x 10 trailer and drive at the Astronomical League is now on Individual pairs of glasses are also available for $1 each, plus shipping. least 25 miles out of town to find a dark spot. Everything has Facebook. We continue to build followers to be portable and must be set up and torn down each night. Available at http://store.astroleague.org/. Shipping rates will be week by week, and we are becoming added at checkout. Or call or email for shipping rates and options. All this on top of the normal issues like light pollution, Moon better known as the word spreads. We glow, wind, seeing, etc. I humbly marvel at being able to col- are also on Twitter: @AstronomyLeague. League office: 816-DEEP-SKY; [email protected]. lect any photons at all. What an amazing and rewarding hobby.”

2626 R EFLECTORR EFLECTOR✶ ✶S EPTEMBERS EPTEMBER 2016 2016 T HET HE A ASTRONOMICALSTRONOMICAL L EAGUEL EAGUE 2727 Editor’s Note: Congratulations to all these Herschel II Observing Program Chester County Astronomical Society; No. 722-S, outstanding astronomical observers! All awards, No. 99, Vincent Michael Bournique, Lifetime Chuck Nejedly, Omaha Astronomical Society; No. except the Herschel 400, require current Member; No. 100, Jeff Hoffmeister, Olympic 723-O, Jerry Don “J. D.” Powell, Cumberland Astronomical League membership for eligibility. Astronomical Society Astronomical Society; No. 724-O, Diane Bagley, If you have questions about an award, please Hydrogen Alpha Solar Boise Astronomical Society; No. 725-O, contact the corresponding Observing Program Observing Program Kristopher Flory, Kansas Astronomical Observers; chair. Their contact information can be found on No. 31, Jim Ketchum, Astronomical Society of No. 726-O, Robert Fish, Boise Astronomical the Observing Program website at www.astro Kansas City. Society; No. 727-O, Rebecca Robinson, Minne- league.org/observing. If further assistance is Lunar Observing Program sota Astronomical Society; No. 728-O, Rich required please contact either of the national No. 948, Fred Schumacher, Member-at-Large; Krahling, Richland Astronomical Society and No. 949, Henry G. Stratmann, Ozarks Amateur Charter Lifetime Member; No. 729-O, Cheryl Observing Program coordinators. Astronomers Club; No. 950, Johnny Scar- Ernst, Astronomical Society of Southern Illinois; Analemma Observing Program borough, Central Texas Astronomical Society; No. No. 730-O, Fred Isberner, Astronomical Society No. 13, Theo Ramakers, Regular, Atlanta 951, Ralph DeCew, Warren Astronomical Society; of Southern Illinois; No. 731-O, Julie Wittenborn- Astronomy Club No. 952, Jim Zappa, Member-at-Large; No. 953, Sikorski, Astronomical Society of Southern Arp Peculiar Galaxies Southern Dan Chrisman, Jr., Roanoke Valley Astronomical Illinois; No. 732-O, Mary Giangregorio, Back Bay Observing Program Society; No. 954, Joe Castor, Kansas Astronomi- Amateur Astronomers; No. 733-O, Steve Rogers, No. 10-I, Stephen A. Tzikas, Northern Virginia cal Observers; No. 955, Tim Hunter, Lifetime Astronomical Society of Southern Illinois; No. Astronomy Club Member, Tucson Amateur Astronomy Associa- 734-O, David Novotny, Rose City Astronomers; Asterism Observing Program Deep Sky Binocular Observing Program tion; No. 956, Devin Booth, Minnesota Astro- No. 735-O, Kenneth Olson, Flint River Astronomy No. 34, Lloyd Lashbrook, Texas Astronomical No. 379, Ken Boquist, Popular Astronomy Club; nomical Society; No. 957, Alex McConahay, Club; No. 736-O, Sarah Milligan, Flint River Society No. 380, Johnny Scarborough, Central Texas Pomona Valley Amateur Astronomers; No. 958, Astronomy Club; No. 737-O, Victoria Walters, Binocular Double Star Astronomical Society; No. 381, Mike Blase, Ethan M. Karn, Member-at-Large Flint River Astronomy Club; No. 738-O, Bryan Observing Program Tulare Astronomical Association; No. 382, Rakhal Lunar II Observing Program Raser, Popular Astronomy Club No. 107, Russell F. Pinizzotto, Member-at-Large; Kincaid, Haleakala Amateur Astronomers; No. No. 71, John Goss, Roanoke Valley Astronomical Planetary Nebula Observing Program No. 108, Antone G. Gregory, Minnesota 383, J. Stephen Vincent, Cumberland Astronomi- Society; No. 72, Dan Posey, Hill Country No. 9, Dan Crowson, Imaging, Astronomical Astronomical Society; No. 109, John H. cal Society Astronomers; No. 73, John McCammon, Society of Eastern Missouri; No. 66, David McCammon, Member-at-Large Double Star Observing Program Member-at-Large Whalen, Advanced, Atlanta Astronomy Club Binocular Variable Star No. 582, Danny Lineberger, Greensboro Messier Observing Program Radio Astronomy Observing Program Observing Program Astronomy Club; No. 583, John Neumann, No. 2089, Russell F. Pinizzotto, Honorary, No. 16-B, Stephen Tzikas, Northern Virginia No. 9, Frank Dempsey, Member-at-Large; No. 10, Richland Astronomical Society; No. 584, John E. Member-at-Large; No. 2687, Cindy Bahl, Astronomy Club; No. 17-B, Mike Stewart, Rich Glassner, Member-at-Large; No. 11, Jeff Hill, Minnesota Astronomical Society; No. 585, Honorary, Astronomical Society of Kansas City; Astronomical Society of Kansas City; No. 18-B, Oaster, Delaware Valley No. 2710, Mike C. Neal, Louis Dorland, Omaha Astronomical Society; No. Amateur Astronomers Honorary, Echo Ridge 19-B, Fred Schumacher, Member-at-Large; No. Bright Nebula Observing Astronomical Society; No. 20-B, Ron Mosher, Everett Astronomical Society; Program 2724, Steve Coltrin, No. 21-B, Russell F. Pinizzoto, Member-at-Large; No. 11, Nora Jean Chetnik, Honorary, Rio Rancho No. 13-S, Mark Simonson, Everett Astronomical Member-at-Large Astronomical Society; No. Society; No. 14-S, Stephen Tzikas, Northern Caldwell Observing 2727, Zack Stockbridge, Virginia Astronomy Club; No. 15-S, Brad Young, Program Regular, Member-at-Large; Astronomy Club of Tulsa; No. 16-S, Russell F. No. 26, Michael A. Hotka, No. 2728, Bob Fini, Honorary, Pinizzoto, Member-at-Large; No. 5-G, Stephen Gold, Longmont Astronomical Northern Virginia Astronomy Tzikas, Northern Virginia Astronomy Club; No. 6- Society; No. 225, Joe Castor, Club; No. 2729, Gordon G, Brad Young, Astronomy Club of Tulsa Silver, Kansas Astronomical Schaefering, Honorary, Sketching Observing Award Observers; No. 226, Nora Jean Albuquerque Astronomical No. 8, John Eaccarino, Amateur Observers’ Chetnik, Silver, Member-at- Society; No. 2730, Dan Posey, Society of New York Large; No. 227, Mark Bailey, Honorary, Hill Country Solar System Observing Program Silver, Member-at-Large; No. Astronomers; No. 2731, No. 94, Adam Yore, Member-at-Large; No. 95, 228, Melinda Hopper, Silver, Randall DiGiuseppe, Marie Lott, Atlanta Astronomy Club Astronomical Society of Honorary, Milwaukee Southern Skies Binocular Kansas City; No. 229, Jerry Astronomical Society; No. Observing Program Jones, Silver, Minnesota 2732, Antone G. Gregory, No. 94, Michael A. Hotka, Longmont Astronomi- Astronomical Society; No. Regular, Minnesota Astro- cal Society 230, Fred Gassert, Silver, nomical Society; No. 2733, Southern Sky Telescopic Kansas Astronomical Michael Blasé, Regular, Tulare Observing Program Observers Astronomical Association; No. No. 50, Kevin Shackleton, Member-at-Large; No. Carbon Star Observing 2734, Devin Booth, Regular, 51, Michael A. Hotka, Longmont Astronomical Program Antone Gregory, Minnesota Astronomical Minnesota Astronomical Society; No. 2735, Rene Society No. 67, Anthony J. Kroes, Member-at-Large; No. Society, No. 586; Alex McConahay, Pomona Gedaly, Honorary, Houston Astronomical Society; Sunspotters Observing Program 68, Marilyn Perry, Member-at-Large; No. 69, Fred Valley Amateur Astronomers; No. 587, Bruce P. No. 2736, Jim Fordice, Honorary, Albuquerque AGE TEAM (AURA/STSCI) No. 184, Walter Jablonski, New Hampshire Gassert, Kansas Astronomical Observers; No. 70, Bookout, Colorado Springs Astronomical Society Astronomical Society; No. 2737, Darin Templet, Astronomical Society; No. 185, Kristin Becky Ramotowski, Albuquerque Astronomical Galileo Observing Program Regular, Rio Rancho Astronomical Society; No. Hendershot, Shenandoah Astronomical Society; Society No. 32, John C. Zellner, Member-at-Large; No. 2738, Jarret Lingle, Honorary, Mason Star Gazers No. 186, Kevin Carr, Minnesota Astronomical Comet Observing Program 33, Bill Sanders, Central Arkansas Astronomical NEO Observing Program Society No. 32, Mike Lanska, Gold, Ventura County Society; No. 34, Vincent Michael Bournique, No. 6, Scott Donnell, Advanced, Colorado Two in the View Observing Program Astronomical Society; No. 85, Steven Sauerwein, Lifetime Member; No. 35, W. Maynard Springs Astronomical Society; No. 7, Brad Young, No. 12, Bob Kacvinsky, Prairie Astronomy Club; Silver, Member-at-Large; No. 86, Marilyn Sameh, Pittendreigh, Lifetime Member; No. 36, Mark Intermediate, Astronomy Club of Tulsa; No. 8, No. 13, Margaret McCrea, Rose City Astrono- Silver, Wabash Valley Astronomical Society; No. McCarthy, The Astronomy Connection; No. 37, Brad Young, Advanced, Astronomy Club of Tulsa ; NASA AND THE HUBBLE HERIT mers; No. 14, Jonathan Schuchardt, Rio Rancho 33, James L. Twellman, Gold, Astronomical Dick Francini, Neville Public Museum Astronomi- Open Cluster Observing Program Astronomical Society Society of Eastern Missouri cal Society No. 75, Mark Simonson, Advanced, Everett Universe Sampler Observing Program Constellation Hunter Observing Globular Cluster Observing Program Astronomical Society; No. 76, Nora Jean Chetnik, No. 124, David Whalen, Naked-Eye, Atlanta Program (Northern Skies) No. 285-V, Rakhal Kincaid, Haleakala Amateur Advanced, Member-at-Large Astronomy Club; No. 125, Marie Lott, Naked- No. 172, Mike Blasé, Tulare Astronomical Astronomers; No. 286-V, Philip Sacco, Flint River Outreach Observing Award Eye, Atlanta Astronomy Club Society; No. 173, Kathy Machin, Astronomical Astronomy Club No. 168-S, Dr. Alex Vrenios, Lifetime Member; Urban Observing Program Society of Kansas; No. 174, Mark Bailey, Herschel 400 Observing Program No. 282-S, Don Knabb, Chester County No. 166, Brad Payne, Northern Virginia Member-at-Large; No. 175, Paul Harrington, No. 557, Jeffrey Corder, Ancient City Astronomy Astronomical Society; No. 564-M, Douglas D. Astronomical Club; No. 167, John Neumann, Member-at-Large Club; No. 558, Coy Wagoner, Shreveport–Bossier Hoople, Seattle Astronomical Society; No. 575- Richland Astronomical Society; No. 168, Constellation Hunter Observing Program Astronomical Society; No. 559 Jim Kvasnicka, M, Mark V. Baker, Temecula Valley Astronomers; Christopher Hardy, Texas Astronomical Society; (Southern Skies) Prairie Astronomy Club; No. 560, Will Young, No. 583-S, Rusty Case, Popular Astronomy Club; No. 169, Jim Tallman, Back Bay Amateur No. 7, Steven A. Tzikas, Northern Virginia Astronomical Society of Southeast Texas; No. No. 588-S, Andrew Edelen, Astronomical Society Astronomers; No. 170, Gerard Jones, Minnesota

TITLE PHOTOGRAPH: M64, THE BLACK EYE GALAXY Astronomy Club 561, Marie Lott, Atlanta Astronomy Club of Southern Illinois; No. 721-O, Edwin T. Lurcott, Astronomical Society

28 R EFLECTOR ✶ S EPTEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 29 September 29–Oct. 2 October 24–29 SJAC Fall Star Party Eldorado Star Party Solar Eclipse Glasses from the Belleplain State Forest, New Jersey X-Bar Ranch, Eldorado, Texas League Sales are online! www.sjac.us www.eldoradostarparty.org Astronomical League!! September 29–Oct. 7 October 24–30 The League’s online store is available at the website, 10 units: $ 9.00, plus shipping 250 units: $ 112.50, plus shipping Astroblast Staunton River Star Party www.astroleague.org. Click on the link for the store on the Oil City, Pennsylvania Scottsburg, Virginia 25 units: $ 20.00, plus shipping 500 units: $ 175.00, plus shipping www.oras.org www.stauntonriver-starparty.org top right of the home page. The online store includes the latest 50 units: $ 37.50, plus shipping 1000 units: $ 300.00, plus shipping September 30–Oct. 1 October 25–30 shopping cart technology and accepts credit cards. Shipping & 100 units: $ 60.00, plus shipping Idaho Star Party Deep South Regional Star Gaze handling (S&H) is calculated at checkout. Merchandise is also Bruneau State Park, Idaho Norwood, Louisiana Individual pairs of glasses are also available for $1 each, plus shipping. www.isp.boiseastro.org www.stargazing.net/dsrsg available by mail order, payable by check. Please select your items, Available at http://store.astroleague.org/. Shipping rates will be September 30–Oct. 2 October 26–29 add the applicable S&H fee, and mail your order to: added at checkout. Or call or email for shipping rates and options. Tennessee Fall Star Gaze Enchanted Skies Star Party Astronomical League Sales Pikeville, Tennessee Socorro, New Mexico www.cumberlandastronomicalsociety.org www.enchantedskies.org 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 Get ready for the Great September 30–Oct. 2 October 27–30 Kansas City, MO 64114 The Connecticut Star Party Nightfall If you have questions about the merchandise, or discounts on Total Solar Eclipse of June Norcross Webster Scout Camp, Connecticut Borrego Springs, California www.asnh.org www.rtmcastronomyexpo.org bulk orders, please call the League office, 816-DEEP-SKY, or email: 2017! Don’t miss out, To have your star party or event listed, please send September 30–Oct. 2 October 28–Nov. 4 [email protected]. supplies are limited... the details, including dates, sponsors and website, Hidden Hollow Star Party The OzSky Star Safari, a.k.a. The Deepest South to [email protected]. Confirm dates and Hidden Hollow Camp, Ohio Texas Star Safari wro.org/?page_id=7 Coonabarabran, New South Wales, Australia locations with event organizers. —John Wagoner Trucker Hat October 7–8 www.OzSky.org Sky Puppies Kopernik AstroFest Attendance is extremely limited. Printed logo, adjustable, navy only; August 31–Sept. 5 Observing Brothers Star Party Vestal, New York October 29 $12, plus $5 S&H Brothers, Oregon kopernikastro.org/astrofest Virginia Association of Astronomical Societies Manual– Globular www.mbsp.org October 8 Roanoke College, Salem, VA For the Sky Puppy Gateway to Space 2016 www.rvasclub.org VC600 Baseball Hat Clusters September 1–5 Observers Club Iowa Star Party Saint Louis, Missouri November 4–6 Embroidered logo, adjustable; $14 plus Whiterock Conservancy, Coon Rapids, Iowa www.eventbrite.com/e/gateway-to-space-2016- Custer Jamboree Colors: royal, maroon, khaki, navy; Regularly $15, $2.10 S&H www.iowastarparty.com tickets-21973368938 Custer Institute, Southold, New York $16, plus $5 S&H Sale price $8 September 2–4 October 21–23 custerobservatory.org/jamboree Bays Mountain Starfest plus $2.25 S&H Craters of the Moon Star Party For those of you who are not aware of it, Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho Bays Mountain Park, Kingsport, Tennessee 2100 Baseball Hat www.ifastro.org www.baysmountain.com/astronomy/astronomy- the Astronomical League is now on Embroidered logo, adjustable; “Sandwich” September 2–4 club/?GTTabs=4 Facebook. We continue to build followers October 23–30 bill; Colors: sage w/stone trim, stone w/navy Planetary Black Forest Star Party week by week, and we are becoming Seasonal Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania Chiefland Star Party trim, navy w/stone trim; Nebulae better known as the word spreads. We Star Chart bfsp.org Chiefland, Florida $20, plus $5 S&H $14 plus www.chieflandastronomy.com/#!information/ are also on Twitter: @AstronomyLeague. $25 plus September 2–6 $2.10 S&H Almost Heaven Star Party mf4vn 2050 Sportsman Bucket Hat $3.75 S&H Circleville, West Virginia www.ahsp.org ADVERTISING RATES for the REFLECTOR Embroidered logo, one size; khaki only September 9–10 $22, plus $5 S&H Astronomy at the Beach Kensington Metropark, Brighton, Michigan https://www.glaac.org/kensington-astronomy-at- Messier the-beach Astronomical League Objects: A Observe the September 22–25 travel mug Beginner’s Herschel Acadia Night Sky Festival Bar Harbor, Maine $10: travel mug plus $1.50 S&H Guide Objects www.acadianightskyfestival.org $8 plus $6 plus September 24–Oct. 2 $1.20 S&H $1.20 S&H Okie–Tex Star Party Astronomical League full color cloth Kenton, Oklahoma patch (three-inch diameter) Oklahoma City Astronomy Club www.okie-tex.com $7 plus $1.05 S&H

September 25–Oct. 2 TH (UCSC/LO), M. CLAMPIN (STSCI), THE ACS SCIENCE TEAM, AND ESA. Observe Peach State Star Gaze Math for Deerlick Astronomy Village, Georgia Eclipses www.atlantaastronomy.org/PSSG Astronomical League Membership-at-Large Program Amateur Astronomical League blue and Regularly $18, September 29–Oct. 1 What does the League offer you as Members-at-Large? Astronomers Great Basin National Park Astronomy Festival white cloth patch Sale price $9 • Full voting privileges at AL meetings.• A subscription to the Reflector. $10 plus Baker, Nevada (three-inch diameter) plus $2.70 S&H www.nps.gov/grba/planyourvisit/ • Book Service offering astronomy-related books at a 10 percent discount. $6 plus $1.05 S&H $1.50 S&H greatbasinastronomyfestival.htm • Optional subscriptions at discounted rates to the following publications: September 29–Oct. 1 Astronomy magazine $34.00; 2 years $60 • Sky & Telescope magazine $32.95 : NASA, H. FORD (JHU), G. ILLINGWOR Illinois Dark Skies Star Party Astronomical League Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife RASC Observer’s Handbook $27.00 • StarDate $19.50 lapel pin (one-inch Carbon Stars Area, Illinois (Foreign rates are higher; see website) Universe www.sas-sky.org diameter) A guide to the • Free Astronomical League Observing guide with membership. Sampler September 29–Oct. 2 $8 plus $1.20 S&H Carbon Star Heart of America Star Party To join the Astronomical League as a Member-at-Large, send a check for $40.00, $10 plus Observing Club Butler, Missouri $50.00 foreign, made payable to the Astronomical League, to: $1.50 S&H www.hoasp.org Astronomical League National Office, 9201 Ward Parkway, #100, Kansas City, MO 64114 $10 plus September 29–Oct. 2 “Guide to the Stars” 16” Planisphere $1.50 S&H Great Lakes Star Gaze Phone: 816-333-7759; Email: [email protected] Gladwin, Michigan Or join online at: WWW.ASTROLEAGUE.ORG $21 plus $3.15 S&H

www.greatlakesstargaze.com TITLE PHOTOGRAPH: “CONE NEBULA”; CREDIT

30 R EFLECTOR ✶ S EPTEMBER 2016 T HE A STRONOMICAL L EAGUE 31 Membership Secretary Astronomical League NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION National Office U.S. POSTAGE 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 PAID Kansas City, MO 64114 Permit #6563 SLC, UT 841

The Astronomical League invites its members to submit astropho- tography for publishing in the Reflector. When sending photos, please include a brief explanation telling us when and where the photo was taken, your club affiliation, what equipment was used, and any computer processing that was involved.

Comet US10 Catalina was discovered in October 2013 by the Catalina Sky Survey in Tucson, Arizona. Initially visible from the Southern Hemisphere, it made its way into northern morning twilight skies throughout December 2015. Reaching naked-eye visibility on November 15, it made its closest approach to Earth on January 17 at some 68 million miles away. This very speedy visitor (more than 100,000 miles per hour) will most likely slingshot out of our solar system in the future. These two images were taken by Gregg Ruppel of the St. Louis (Missouri) Astronomical Society on December 2, when it was about 15° above the St. Louis horizon. The camera was an ST8300C, 18 x 180 seconds, and the telescope was a Takahashi FSQ-106. The upper image is a colored picture of the comet, while the lower image is a grayscale negative. Note that the negative shows additional detail as compared to the positive image.

32 R EFLECTOR ✶ S EPTEMBER 2016