40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE APOLLO 11 MOON LANDING The

SkyscraperVol. 36 No. 7 July 2009 Amateur Astronomical Society Of Rhode Island · 47 Peeptoad Road North Scituate, RI 02857 · www.theSkyscrapers.org

July Cookout Seagrave Memorial Observatory is open & Meeting with Kristine Larsen Saturday, July 11, 3:00pm at Seagrave Memorial Observatory to the public weather permitting Stephen Hawking: Black Holes, Baby Universes, and Life’s Battles

Stephen Hawking is arguably the clearly explains Hawking’s complex most famous physicist since Albert scientific accomplishments, while Einstein. His decades-long struggle telling the story of his challenging with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), life. combined with his singular brilliance Topics include Hawking’s early lack as a cosmologist, has fascinated both of focus as a college student; the impact Saturdays 9pm - 11pm the public and his colleagues in science. of ALS on his career and personal life; See www.theSkyscrapers.org for updates. In this engagingly written biography, his groundbreaking work on radiating Kristine Larsen, a physicist and black holes; his later cutting-edge astronomer herself, presents a candid theories of black holes, cosmology, and and insightful portrait of Hawking’s the anthropic principle; the amazing Last Chance to Renew personal and professional life. Avoiding publishing success of A Brief History Membership dues were due in the hero-worship sometimes found in of Time; and his status as a pop icon April and are now past due. If popular works on Hawking, Larsen and spokesperson for the interplay you have not yet renewed, please emphasizes that Hawking is first and of science and society. Larsen situates complete the form on the back foremost a scientist whose work has Hawking’s sometimes-controversial page of this newsletter and submit made significant contributions to our work within the broader context of with your dues to the Treasurer at understanding of the nature and origins scientific peer review and public debate, the July meeting. of the universe. Writing in nontechnical and discusses his personal life with language for the lay reader, Larsen compassion, respect, and honesty.

July 2009 President’s Message 3 Earth at aphelion Bob Horton

7 Full Moon Skyscrapers annual summer is greatly appreciated. If you have cookout will be held on Saturday July not already done so, please send us a 13 Jupiter 0.6° S of Neptune 11th beginning at 3pm. All members check before July 3rd. Our address is Mercury at superior and their guests are invited to attend. Skyscrapers, Inc., 47 Peeptoad Road, 13 conjunction The cost is only $7.50 per person ($3 for North Scituate, RI 02857. You may kids under 12) for all you can eat. We also pay at the door, but please let us 15 Last Quarter Moon will be serving hamburgers, hotdogs, know that you’re planning to attend veggie-burgers, clam chowder, corn so that we know how much food we New Moon; Total Solar on the cob, salads and deserts. Some need to purchase. We’re also looking 21 Eclipse in India & Asia members have asked if it is okay to for volunteers to help set up for the 28 First Quarter Moon bring some additional potluck items. cookout, starting at noon on July 11th. Well the answer is “yes”, the more If you are willing to help out, please the merrier! Just let me know what let me know. you’re planning to bring so that we can In addition to the cookout, a 90mm coordinate our efforts. Coronado solar telescope will be set Many of you have already sent in up to offer some spectacular views of your money for the cookout, which the , weather permitting. And for THE SKYSCRAPER • JULY 2009

just for fun, Al Hall has some outdoor up on his talk with an outdoor workshop games for us to play. Prizes will be later this summer, when Skyscrapers awarded to the winners! will have a hands-on opportunity to Our evening program will begin use a Sbig spectrograph, attached to at 7:30pm. Our speaker, Dr. Kristine our 16” telescope, to collect spectra of Larson, who gave a wonderful talk several different classes of . This about Women in Astronomy at our workshop will be held on the first clear December meeting, is returning this night we get on the following dates: month to provide us with a talk about August 8, 22 or 29th. famed physicist Steven Hawking. It is The Skyscraper is published monthly by Skyscrapers, Inc. Meetings are usually held our privilege to welcome her back to on the first Friday of the month. Public Skyscrapers. observing is usually held every Saturday Now that summer is here, I am sure night at Seagrave Memorial Observatory, we are all hoping for better observing weather permitting. conditions. It sure has been a wet President spring. Of the nine sessions planned for Bob Horton [email protected] our CCD imaging workshops, only one session allowed us to take any images 1st Vice President at all, and even then we had to deal Bob Napier [email protected] with clouds coming and going. I guess 2nd Vice President the good side to all of this wet weather Steve Hubbard [email protected] is that our lawn at Seagrave has never Here is the image of M3 that was taken during our 1st CCD imaging workshop. Not bad con- Secretary been greener, and the chorus of peep sidering how we had to battle the clouds. toads that live in the pond next door Jim Crawford [email protected] to us have never sung louder. In fact, Looking ahead, we plan to offer Treasurer the night sounds emanating from this CCD imaging workshops again this Lloyd Merrill [email protected] little pond are so loud and prehistoric fall, which hopefully will have a greater sounding that I half expect to see abundance of clear nights. We’re also Members at Large dragon flies with four foot wing spans considering having telescope making Tom Thibault [email protected] flying overhead! workshops. If you are interested in Roger Forsythe [email protected] It was raining again the night of learning how to grind, polish and Trustees Saturday, June 20th, but quite a few figure your own telescope mirror, Jim Brenek [email protected] members showed up at Seagrave to please let me know. If enough members Steve Siok [email protected] enjoy a wonderful program on The are interested, we probably could begin Tom Barbish [email protected] History and Science of Spectroscopy, late this summer or early fall. presented by Dr. Savvas Koushiaappas Party Coordinator Bob Forgiel [email protected] of Brown University. We plan to follow Librarian Bruce Merrill [email protected]

Historian Dave Huestis [email protected]

Editor Jim Hendrickson [email protected]

Directions Directions to Seagrave Memorial Observa- tory are located on the back page of this newsletter.

Submissions Submissions to The Skyscraper are always welcome. Please submit items for the newsletter by July 15 to Jim Hendrickson, 1 Sunflower Circle, North Providence, RI 02911 or email to [email protected].

Email subscriptions To receive The Skyscraper by email, send email with your name and address to [email protected]. Note that you will no longer receive the newsletter by postal mail.

2 Occultation/Graze of Antares by Moon: June 6, 2009 Dave Huestis

I have watched the Moon occult stars mately between 11:00 pm to 11:30 pm. seemed to be a “pocket” on the limb, in the Pleiades on many At around 10:45 pm I carried my 4 _- a little indentation. Perhaps it was a occasions. And I have also observed the inch f/5 reflector across the street. And small valley or a crater wall. Antares Moon occult a planet or two during my what did I see? Those clouds had finally seemed to sit right in it. Just before it 37 of amateur astronomy. But just reached further inland. Overhead was got to this location it seemed like I was seeing a single star either pass behind still clear, but the clouds (reminded watching some “vehicle” skim above the lunar limb or move tangentially to me of the marine layer in San Diego) the lunar surface. it never seemed to interest me. varying in thickness were constantly A thick mass of clouds obscured my Fortunately at the June monthly covering and uncovering the Moon. view for a couple of seconds, and when meeting of Skyscrapers, Bob Napier And these clouds were moving very the Moon was back to full brightness, reminded everyone of the June 6 fast. They looked more like smoke from Antares was gone. Though the scintil- (Saturday night) occultation or graze a big fire than clouds, especially when lation had gotten a bit worse, I do not of the bright star Antares (Scorpius) they passed in front of the Moon. think it was responsible for my losing by the Moon. Here in Rhode Island I started observing with a 12mm site of Antares. Antares was occulted we would be very close to the graze/ eyepiece then quickly chose an 8mm, by the Moon at approximately 11:10 occultation limit. I did not review any giving me a magnification of 64. Right pm. details about the event beforehand, but away I could see Antares a short distance Fortunately the cloud situation did it was my belief my location up here in from the lunar limb. As the time passed not worsen. In fact, they seemed to Pascoag would be north of the occulta- I could see the distance between these retreat south of the Moon’s location. I tion point, but perhaps I would be able two bodies decreasing. I still believed kept a vigilant eye on the lunar limb and to observe a graze which would show Antares would stay just beyond the at approximately 11:22 pm I observed Antares blinking in and out between lunar limb. Closer and closer they Antares emerge from the edge of the lunar mountain valleys or crater walls became. But then it seemed the two Moon. I continued to observe for about along the limb. were not getting any closer. It looked 10 minutes, all the while watching as During the late afternoon and early like Antares was moving tangentially to the lunar limb moved farther and evening my wife and I attended a the lunar limb. Actually, the Moon was farther from this red giant star. wedding shower down in Warren on moving eastward amongst the stars. I I picked up my scope and chair and the Bay. Soon after sunset low clouds noted several “bumps” (mountains/ returned them to my garage. Though rolled off the Bay and completely craters) and watched Antares move I did not keep accurate time measure- obscured the sky. Perhaps these relative to them. With the Moon just ments down to the second, when I clouds would not penetrate far inland shy of being full, I thought possibly I’d checked my timings the next morning I thought. Well, they did. On the ride see Antares disappear behind the slight against the predictions for Providence home I got to Chepachet before the unlit portion of the lunar surface. (disappearance: 11:10:17pm; reap- Moon was finally seen in a cloud-free The clouds thickened and thinned pearance: 11:21:09 pm), I was pleased sky. And it was perfectly clear at home constantly, causing me to look toward to confirm my measurements were in in Pascoag at about 9:30 pm. the sky, then back to the eyepiece every line with what was expected. The Moon, only a few hours from few seconds. It was like watching a All in all I had a good observing full, was traversing a low trajectory tennis match. And the turbulence or session, and I encourage others to give across the southern sky. I knew I would scintillation caused by the unstable it a try sometime in the future. And not be able to observe the event from air made it difficult to note whether dozens of fireflies and a few mosqui- my high tree-lined property. I picked Antares was passing in front of a limb toes kept me company the whole time. I out a spot across the street at my neigh- feature or not. I decided it was not at know I will be out there should a future bor’s house where the tree-line towards this time. event be as conveniently well placed the south would not block the Moon. Antares continued to “move” to observe. The event was to occur approxi- relative to the features. I noticed what

3 WWW.THESKYSCRAPERS.ORG THE SKYSCRAPER • JULY 2009 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Moon Landing Dave Huestis

Movies have often provided us with many unforgettable lines. Who can forget, “I’ll be back.” Or how about, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat!” My favorite is, “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room.” And perhaps more appropriate to astronomy and space science, “Klaatu. Barada, Nikto.” While some of these lines may not be known to all the peoples of the world, reality often provides us with memo- rable phrases that will not soon be forgotten. This month, we celebrate the 40th anniversary of mankind’s greatest achievement when these words were spoken: “That’s one small step for (a) man. One giant leap for mankind.” The date was July 20, 1969, and Neil Armstrong had just stepped off the ladder of the Eagle (the name for his LEM - Lunar Excursion Module) and set foot upon the lunar surface. He was shortly followed by Buzz Aldrin. Six more missions ensued. Apollo 13 astronauts never made it to the lunar surface after their near fatal accident,

but Apollo 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 brought NASA ten additional moonwalkers to our desolate neighbor. Commander Launch Date LM Pilot Lunar Landing Date Many people remember the first Mission Patch CM Pilot Splashdown Date Lunar Landing Site two moonwalkers, but the other ten are a challenge to most. And when I Neil Armstrong July 16, 1969 Sea of Tranquility ask if anyone remembers who was the Apollo 11 Buzz Aldrin July 20, 1969 0° 40’ 26.69” N third astronaut who remained in the Michael Collins July 24, 1969 23° 28’ 22.69” E command module circling the Moon, I Pete Conrad November 14, 1969 Ocean of Storms sometimes encounter a quizzical look Apollo 12 Alan Bean November 19, 1969 3° 0’ 44.60” S and the question, “There was a third?” Dick Gordon November 24, 1969 23° 25’ 17.65” W I have to admit that as I prepared this brief tribute to the 40th anniversary Jim Lovell April 11, 1970 Lunar of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, I too Apollo 13 Fred Haise - Landing was unable to name all the command Jack Swigert April 17, 1970 Aborted module pilots. In fact, I only got three Alan Shepard January 31, 1971 Fra Mauro out of seven. Apollo 14 Edgar Mitchell February 5, 1971 3° 38’ 43.08” S So as we celebrate this crowning Stuart Roosa February 9, 1971 17°28’ 16.90” W achievement of the US space program, we honor not only all the people David Scott July 26, 1971 Hadley-Apennine who worked so hard on the Mercury, Apollo 15 James Irwin July 30, 1971 26° 7’ 55.99” N Gemini and Apollo missions, but also Al Worden August 7, 1971 3° 38’ 1.90” E all the astronauts who paved the way John W. Young April 16, 1972 Descartes Highlands for the Apollo 11-17 crews who had a Apollo 16 Charles Duke April 20, 1972 8° 58’ 22.84” S rendezvous with destiny on the lunar Ken Mattingly April 27, 1972 15° 30’ 0.68” E surface. Here is a table of the Apollo 11 Gene Cernan December 07, 1972 Taurus-Littrow through 17 crews (July 1969 – December Apollo 17 Harrison Schmitt December 11, 1972 20° 11’ 26.88” N 1972). The third named astronaut for Ronald Evans December 19, 1972 30° 46’ 18.05” E

4 each mission is the Command Module Pilot who remained in orbit about the Astronomical Potpourri in July Moon as the others descended to the Dave Huestis surface. See how many of the moon- walkers you can name before you Not that you would notice, but and 39 seconds (the longest duration of review the list. the Earth is at its farthest distance totality this century) east of Iwo Jima. I am pleased to note I have had the (94,508,863 miles) from the Sun during Shanghai residents will see about five distinct honor of meeting two of the 2009 at approximately 10:00 pm EDT on minutes of totality. I’m hoping one of above astronauts: Jim Lovell and David July 3. Back on January 4th, the Earth my Bryant University astronomy lab Scott. was at its closest distance from the Sun students, who lives in Shanghai, will The Moon is often a target for our for the , a mere 91,404,995 miles. send me an image or two. telescopes at Seagrave Observatory That difference is just over 3 million And finally, during the last four when we are conducting an observing miles. This variance is the result of days (28-31) of July there are two minor program for a scout or school group. the Earth’s elliptical, not circular, orbit meteor showers, the Delta Aquarids These youngsters weren’t even born about the Sun. (medium speed) and the Alpha when the last man walked on the Moon Something you might have noticed Capricornids (slow with occasional – Gene Cernan. Invariably we get the from time-to-time is that each Full fireballs). Once the Moon sets around question, “Can the telescope show Moon may look larger or smaller in midnight one can expect to see perhaps anything left behind by the astronauts our sky. It’s no atmospheric trick. The ten or fewer meteors per hour if you on the Moon’s surface?” The short Moon’s distance from the Earth varies look towards the south. You might answer is no, but this usually starts a as well. On the 7th the Full Moon will even spot a few early Perseids, which discussion of the Apollo missions. be its smallest for 2009, since it will be reach peak activity in mid-August, in You know you are getting old when 252,433 miles from the Earth. The largest the northeastern sky someone in the group pipes up and Full Moon for 2009 occurred back on Visit Seagrave Memorial Obser- states, “Oh, we learned about that in January 10th when it was at its closest vatory on Peeptoad Road in North history class!!” distance to the Earth, 222,149 miles. Scituate any clear Saturday night Try to get a digital image of the Full and let our volunteers share their Moon each month and compare your love of the heavens with you. Check images side by side on your computer the Skyscrapers website www. screen. You’ll be amazed by the amount theskyscrapers.org for our summer of change in apparent size. month schedule. Admission is free. Be sure to watch the news media Keep your eyes to the skies, and on July 22 for images of the total solar the next time you look up at the Moon, eclipse which will occur over India, remember the men who first walked China and the Pacific Ocean. Totality upon its surface 40 years ago. lasts for a maximum of six minutes

I bought a new scope I hope to use at future Sky Parties and tried it out on the moon. It’s a IOptron Cube mount and 70MM refractor. I decided to add the Orion Star Shoot CCD and took this shot on 6/2/09. It just shows that a relatively inexpensive scope and cheap camera can provide a good photo. This picture was a single frame requiring no mosaic due to the wide field of Meeting the Apollo Astronauts view the scope provides Top: Commander David Scott & Dave Huestis, on a first attempt. Photo Brown University, October 11, 2007. Bottom: was processed with Captain Alan Bean & Jim Hendrickson, June 8, Adobe Photoshop. 2005. – Tom Thibault

5 WWW.THESKYSCRAPERS.ORG THE SKYSCRAPER • JULY 2009 Round and Round (the Celestial Pole) We Go… Craig Cortis

Readers of my pieces in this be a segment of a complete circle. clarify the concept. newsletter will note that, on occasion, The lengths of these star trails will Start by picturing yourself as being I like to preface an article by noting correspond to image exposure times. located directly on the Equator. The that not everyone will find my chosen A two hour exposure would capture Celestial Equator—projected outward topic to be useful or informing, simply star trails approximating one-twelfth as a circular reference plane on the because some people will already be the arc of a complete circle. (24 hours sky—is the astronomical counterpart well aware of things that others won’t divided by 2 = 12.) The shorter the to the terrestrial equator. We have a be—no writer can possibly write for exposure time, the more abbreviated geocentric (Earth-centered) system everyone, all the time. in length the star trail will be. for assigning precise positions on This month’s contribution is We’re fortunate to have a reasonably the sky for stars or other objects; this intended for the benefit of those who bright star so closely indicating the excellent celestial coordinate system might not be entirely clear as to what true North Celestial Pole, an invisible, uses the Celestial Equator as the plane the term “circumpolar” means and imaginary reference point on the of reference from which on why this concept is important for sky to which is pointed Earth’s axis. the sky is determined. The CE itself understanding the apparent motions of Polaris is currently about 45 minutes is zero degrees and divides the sky stars around the sky caused by Earth’s of angle (0.75°) away from the actual into two hemispheres, northern and continual rotation about its axis. polar point, a distance which is very southern. Anything north of the CE is Sooner or later, any attentive gradually decreasing to the closest assigned a positive value in degrees observer of the night sky is bound to projected position of only 27 minutes and minutes of declination; the reverse notice that the closer any given star is to or so by the year 2102, after which the is true for everything south of the CE. Polaris (the northern hemisphere’s Pole star’s distance from the pole will widen. We would therefore identify the NCP Star), the more circular its path around Sheer coincidence alone is responsible as +90° and the opposing SCP as –90° the sky will seem to be, through the for the current placement of the 49th of declination—the two polar points passage of time. Another way to put brightest star so close to the pole that are 180° apart, half of a great circle this is to realize that the more northerly the small displacement of 0.75° may running due north through due south. a star’s declination from the Celestial be considered—for most practical Unlike (east/west) Equator is, the smaller the diameter— purposes—almost negligible. The coordinates, which are time-based and in angular degrees—its perceived arc offset is so minimal, in fact, that you can are the celestial counterpart of earthly of motion will be as viewed over time. align a telescope’s equatorial mounting longitude, declination values represent The best example of this would be an directly at Polaris for reliable tracking actual degrees of angle on the sky. For unguided, time-exposed image taken on objects for visual observation and example, the declination of Arcturus by a camera on a stationary mount even for astrophotography, provided is +19°11’. This star’s position north having the image centered on the the exposure time is not unduly long. of the CE is, in degrees and minutes North Celestial Pole, or NCP. (I’m not a photographer or CCD of angle, equal to that value, which Many of you will have seen such imager, so I really can’t say what would is how far north Arcturus “declines” pictures in the various astronomy constitute the upper limit for exposure from the zero degree reference plane magazines or perhaps in some of the time. Amateurs knowledgeable in this of the CE. books you’ve looked into. The kind regard probably would agree that An observer on the Equator would of picture I’m describing will feature careful alignment on Polaris itself is have the CE passing directly overhead, numerous “star trails”—elongated, sufficient without having to fine-tune right through his or her zenith point semicircular images of stars of different the small offset to the actual pole.) above. The two celestial poles would lie colors and brightnesses, as opposed to I mentioned the coincidental precisely at the northern and southern the clean and sharp points and dots placement of Polaris close to the NCP, horizons, each having an altitude of that stars would appear as on a guided and that’s all it really is—a lucky, zero degrees. All stars, regardless of image by a camera on a tracking chance position that serves (over declination, would be seen to rise mount. Imagine a large, multi-ringed several centuries) as a good indicator and set at opposing east/west points. bull’s-eye pattern with a tiny star trail of true north on a clear night, as well as The greater a given star’s declination very nearly marking dead center, but a means of determining one’s latitude value north or south of the CE, the not precisely so. This is Polaris; its by measuring the altitude of the pole smaller in diameter its perceived arc star trail is just a segment of a very star above the northern horizon. Your of apparent motion across the sky small complete circle, most of which latitude position north of the Equator— would be, through time. (Just look is not illuminated. Similarly, concentric expressed in degrees—always exactly at the parallels of latitude marked on circles of progressively larger diameter equals the altitude of the NCP above a globe of Earth—you’ll see what I radiate outward from Polaris, each the north horizon. Some have trouble mean.) It would be impossible for any one only partially indicated by an trying to imagine how this works, so star to be seen as “circumpolar”— illuminated star trail which will only we’ll use a “thought experiment” to none would circle around either pole,

6 because neither of the two celestial horizon. The pole’s declination north any given star of sufficient brightness poles would technically have any of the Celestial Equator is expressed that will meet two criteria: 1) The star altitude in the sky. as +90°. Simply subtract 42° (the must be about the right distance from Polaris itself would actually rise and radius of circumpolarity) from 90° Polaris to function as the hour hand on set through a tiny arc due to its offset to arrive at a declination value of a clock, not too close but not so distant from the true NCP; it could only be +48°. Any point on the sky having that its circumpolar motion will not be glimpsed at or near its culmination, or a declination between +48° to +90° easily noticed with respect to Polaris. passage across the Celestial Meridian, is therefore circumpolar as viewed 2) An imaginary line joining your star the imaginary line running due north/ from our latitude. You’ll see stars and of choice to Polaris should be oriented south that connects the two polar groups gradually achieve horizontally over the horizon, such that points and cuts across an observer’s enough altitude so as to first be seen the star could be considered as being zenith, the exact overhead point for coming up out of the northeast. As the at about three o’clock in its position each particular observer. (A friend night progresses, objects sufficiently of altitude. (Remember: Polaris is the standing just 100 feet in any direction near Polaris will display an apparent center of the clock.) away from you would actually have a “wheeling” motion as they circle the Once you’ve chosen a star you know slightly different personal zenith!) pole counter-clockwise, rising ever you can positively identify hours later, Some readers could be excused for higher in the sky until they transit the note the time. Just reobserve your star wondering what all this stuff about Meridian, then drawing lower to the six hours later, which is one-quarter of observing from the Equator possibly horizon in the northwest. Remember: a day. Presto! The star will have made has to do with those of us who reside only circumpolar stars can display one-quarter of a complete circle’s arc in this area, with our local latitude this circular apparent motion so and now stands directly above Polaris of approximately 42° north. All you dramatically. Our natural “sky clock” at the twelve o’clock position. The have to do now is shift the equatorial has its face centered on Polaris. only difference from a normal clock is concept to the north, by 42°. Polaris now The more southerly-positioned the direction of motion—it’s counter- stands the same number of degrees of stars (those having south clockwise, because Earth rotates angle above the northern horizon in of +48°) show decidedly different west-to-east. altitude, the Celestial Equator is well arcs of motion across the sky—they I’ll devote a future article to south of our zenith, and the South all rise in the east and set in the west. precession, the 25,870 year period Celestial Pole is situated 42° below Look far enough south and you’ll during which the “wobble” of Earth’s the southern horizon and thus cannot note how certain stars seem to rise axis causes the celestial poles to be seen in the sky. Any star that lies in the southeast and climb only to actually move around the sky on within 42° of the NCP is circumpolar a low altitude above the southern great circles approximately 47° in total at our latitude, meaning it circles horizon, even when they culminate at diameter. Polaris is only temporarily around Polaris in a counter-clockwise their highest altitudes while crossing our North Pole Star, as others have direction and neither rises nor sets at (transiting) the Meridian. They’ll then been and will, in time, become so any time of day or night throughout arc progressively lower to set in the again. Perhaps I can include a listing the entire year. Such a star could, under southwest, thus displaying a much- of certain that qualify as ideal and perfect observing conditions, reduced “arc of visibility” above the partial or entirely circumpolar, too. By technically always be seen at or above horizon—only a small segment of a the way, Polaris is a fairly easy double the northern horizon on any night! complete circle. It all depends on what star and has a magnitude 8.8 visual Obviously this would be, in reality, a direction you’re viewing and how companion just 18” of separation fantasy and must be considered only much time you have to note changes away. The primary is mag 2.0 and is in the hypothetical sense. You’ll almost during the night. a “quiet” Cepheid variable; very little always have something obscuring your One of the best and simplest ways change in brightness has been noted actual horizon, whether it be trees, to observe the natural sky clock in in recent years. buildings, hills, etc. Light pollution, action would be to start as early as clouds, or hazy skies also will limit twilight will allow on a good, clear such observing exercises. The concept night. Winter is actually best because itself is what’s important here. darkness falls early and you probably We can easily figure a declination would want to squeeze this two-part limit by which sky objects would observation into a convenient time of qualify as circumpolar, at any given night, because six hours of time are latitude. I’ll use 42° north latitude as involved. The night owls among you a base from which to work. The NCP can still manage trying this during (very closely marked by Polaris) stands summer, of course. Find Polaris in the 42° of altitude above the northern northern sky, then look to the right for

7 WWW.THESKYSCRAPERS.ORG THE SKYSCRAPER • JULY 2009

The Cool Chemistry of Alien Life

Alien life on distant worlds. What would it be like? For millennia people could only wonder, but now NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope is producing some hard data. It turns out that life around certain kinds of stars would likely be very different from life as we know it. Using Spitzer, astronomers have dis- covered the organic chemical acetylene in the planet-forming discs surround- ing 17 M-dwarf stars. It’s the first time any chemical has been detected around one of these small, cool stars. However, scientists are more intrigued by what was not there: a chemical called hy- drogen cyanide (HCN), an important building block for life as we know it. “The fact that we do not detect hydro- gen cyanide around cool stars suggests that that prebiotic chemistry may un- fold differently on planets orbiting cool stars,” says Ilaria Pascucci, lead scien- tist for the Spitzer observations and an astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins Uni- Do alien planets around other stars have the right ingredients for a pre-biotic soup? versity in Baltimore, Maryland. That’s because HCN is the basic cluding the precursors to amino acids caltech.edu. Kids can learn Spitzer component for making adenine, one and thus proteins. astronomy words and concepts by of the four information-carrying chem- To search for HCN, Pascucci’s team playing the Spitzer “Sign Here!” game icals in DNA. All known life on Earth looked at data from Spitzer, which at spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/ is based on DNA, but without adenine observes the universe at infrared wave- spitzer/signs. available, life in a dwarf-star solar sys- lengths. Planet-forming discs around This article was provided by the Jet tem would have to make do without it. M-dwarf stars have very faint infra- Propulsion Laboratory, California Insti- “You cannot make adenine in another red emissions, but Spitzer is sensitive tute of Technology, under a contract with way,” Pascucci explains. “You need hy- enough to detect them. the National Aeronautics and Space Ad- drogen cyanide.” HCN’s distinctive 14-micron emis- ministration. M-dwarf and brown dwarf stars sion band was absent in the infrared emit far less ultraviolet light than larg- spectra of the M-dwarf stars, but er, hotter stars such as our sun. Pascucci Spitzer did detect HCN in the spectra thinks this difference could explain of 44 hotter, sun-like stars. the lack of HCN around dwarf stars. Infrared astronomy will be a pow- For HCN to form, molecules of nitro- erful tool for studying other prebiotic gen must first be split into individual chemicals in planet-forming discs, says nitrogen atoms. But the triple bond Pascucci, and the Spitzer Space Tele- holding molecular nitrogen together scope is at the forefront of the field. is very strong. High-energy ultravio- Spitzer can’t yet draw us a picture of let photons can break this bond, but the alien life forms, but it’s beginning to tell lower-energy photons from M-dwarf us what they could—and could not— stars cannot. be made of. “That’s pretty wonderful, “Other nitrogen-bearing molecules too,” says Pascucci. are going to be affected by this same For news of other discoveries based chemistry,” Pascucci says, possibly in- on Spitzer data, visit www.spitzer.

8 June Meeting Notes Friday, June 5, 2009; Seagrave Observatory Jim Crawford

Monthly Meeting 7:30 the mount for a telescope get an accurate head count, we are p.m. during a total solar eclipse asking members to contribute $7.50 Bob Horton welcomed all on October 1, 1940. A brief for adults and $3.00 for children under members including several explanation and the piece 12. Make check out to “Skyscrapers” people attending for the of wood can be viewed in and mail to “Skyscrapers, 47 Peeptoad first time. the Museum Display case Rd., North Scituate, RI 02825. Please Bob Napier introduced in the main Observatory. add “Cookout” to outside of envelope. Guest Speaker: Librarian Bruce Merrill: The list of speakers will be posted by Robert Naeye, Editor in Received video DVD of the cookout committee prior to the end Chief of Sky & Telescope. the May speaker’s presen- of June. We are also looking for volun- He presented the latest and tation from Jim Crawford. teers to help with the set up and food best images of Mars in real- Jim also provided the DVD preparation. istic 3-Dimensions. Robert of the reinstallation of the Old Business: New Members voted provided updates on the status of the Clark Drive Governor. into Skyscrapers are Dave Emond and various ongoing Mars missions, and Star Party Coordinator Bob Forgiel: Joe St.Martin. explained what we have learned about Joint Skyscrapers/ASSNE Star Party Good of the Organization: First the history of water on the Red Planet. rescheduled for June 19th at Elmhurst CCD Imaging Workshop held May NASA missions, such as Mars Global Elementary in Portsmouth RI. Four 30th. The next workshop will be on June Surveyor and the Rovers Spirit and Boy scouts completed the Merit Badge 13th and will continue each week until Opportunity have shown that liquid Program. Large group of High School end of June. Contact Bob Horton to sign water once flowed on Mars. On Earth, students visited on June 18th for Public up. • Stellafane folks in Vermont have wherever we find liquid water, we also Night at Seagrave. invited Skyscrapers members to attend find life. His presentation was greatly Trustees Jim Brenek: Did some open house on June 20th. Bring your enhanced by the use of 3-D viewers. work on the 12 inch roll off roof. The Telescope and Camping equipment. Business Meeting 9: p.m. leaks and needed repairs were not as Contact Steve Hubbard for details and Secretary’s Report was accepted by severe as first thought. The work party sign up. the membership. completed the repairs and put the bldg Presidential Info: A special Financial Report was accepted back in operation. The Observatory workshop on Stellar Spectroscopy will by the membership. In the past, we Committee had nothing to report. be held at Seagrave on June 20th. The asked for any member to second for New Business: New members workshop will be presented by Profes- approval. The report does not require J.Capen, E. Dettmann, H. Andre, R. sors Savvas Koushiappas and Ian membership approval so in the future Allen, T. Rodriques, M.Masse, M. Dell’Antonio. Contact Bob Horton for the President will ask if there are any DeOliveira and Prof. S. Koushiappas details. • E-Board meeting to be held corrections/additions, if not, then it were introduced. These members on Saturday, June 13th, 4pm. will be “accepted as read”. will be voted into Skyscrapers at the Meeting Adjourned at 9:30pm 1st VP Bob Napier: None next meeting. • Annual Skyscrapers 2nd VP Steve Hubbard: Hartness cookout scheduled for July 11th. To House in Vermont is hosting a dinner on August 14th for Astronaut Alan Bean who will also be the keynote speaker. If you’re interested contact Steve for details. • Hartness House will also be hosting on August 13th a History Astronomy Workshop. Historian Dave Huestis: Sold the last copy of the 2nd printing of “75 yrs of Skyscrapers”. Only one reserved copy of the 1st printing is left and has not been claimed yet. If not claimed by June 15th it will be made available for purchase to the membership. • Dave recently found a small block of wood with a label on it. The small piece of wood, approximately 1 _” x 2 _” in size was from a larger block of wood used as

9 WWW.THESKYSCRAPERS.ORG THE SKYSCRAPER • JULY 2009

Clouds hampered my getting a shot at Jupiter and Neptune at their closest point during their rare conjunction, but on the next morning, 5/31/09, they were still in my 120mm refractor’s 1.5 degree field (25x) forming a triangle with Mu Capricorni. This is a 25 second exposure using a 40mm eyepiece, Sony FLIGHTS OVER THE NORTH POLE: AUGUST 23- DSC F-717, ISO400. Neptune is the 7.9 magnitude “top” of the triangle, Mu is at left (see map). Image is N SEPTEMBER 6, 1949 With the assistance of the up inverted. Jupiter’s moons here are not all satellites of the planet. L-R they are Europa, Io is just barely Air Weather Service, Professor Smiley made visible in Jupiter’s glare on the right side of the planet, then Ganymede, Callisto and the star TYC 581- a series of observations with the 375th Air 839-1 lined up nicely with the real moons. Photo was taken from Little Compton, R.I. Bill Gucfa Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, making the Ptarmigan flight across the North Pole and back.

10 Messier 6 and Messier 7 Treasurer’s Report Glenn Chaple 4/1/2009 through 6/26/2009 Lloyd Merrill The song “Love and Marriage,” contains a with the nick-name “Ptolemy’s Cluster II,” M6 line that goes, “you can’t have one without was dubbed the “Butterfly Cluster.” The outline INFLOWS the other.” The words aptly describe the open formed by its brightest stars does indeed 75th Anniversary Book 2nd Print 35.00 clusters M6 and M7 in Scorpius. This cosmic resemble the outstretched wings of this insect. TOTAL Cookoutinc 182.33 “horse and carriage” lies in the southern sky M6, like M7, is at its visual best when viewed TOTAL Donation 189.10 above the Scorpion’s stinger. with binoculars or small RFTs. With the latter, Dues M7 is the brighter and larger of the two. With you can see about 80 stars brighter than 11th Family 700.00 an overall magnitude of 3.3, it spans 80’ – over magnitude. The most luminous of the cluster’s Junior 10.00 twice the moon’s apparent diameter. Readily member stars is the reddish-orange semireg- Regular 1,440.00 seen with the unaided eye in the absence of ular variable BM Scorpii, whose magnitude Senior 260.00 bright moonlight or city lights, M7 was first fluctuates from 5.5 to 7.0 in a cycle of roughly TOTAL Dues 2,420.00 reported by the Greek astronomer Claudius two years. M6 is twice as remote as M7 and Interest Inc 50.60 Ptolemy nearly two millennia ago. “Ptolemy’s half its age. Magincome Cluster” is a dazzling sight in binoculars and Though the splashier M7 seems to get Astronomymaginc 204.00 small rich-field scopes – a striking aggrega- better reviews, I found M6 to be a more attrac- Skytelmagincome 399.40 tion of some 80 stars between magnitudes 6 tive sight when recently observed in the 1.5° TOTAL Magincome 603.40 and 10, immersed in a sparkling background field encompassed by my 4-inch f/4 Astroscan Magsales (Library) 19.00 of Milky Way stars. Because of its large size, M7 at 35X. M6 appeared as a tight little group, Starparty 296.00 appears rather sparse in large-aperture scopes. while M7 seemed sparse. Oddly enough, I was TOTAL INFLOWS 3,785.43 Current studies indicate that M7 is 800 light- more impressed by M7 when I first viewed the years away and is approximately 200 million two clusters with a 3-inch f/10 reflector at 30X OUTFLOWS years old. back in the summer of 1977. Compare M6 and Collation -18.00 Just five degrees northwest of M7 is its M7 and see what you think. Now if I can just Cookoutexp 34.78 partner M6. This cluster, which is a magni- get that “Love and Marriage” melody out of Corporationfee 22.00 tude fainter than M7 and one-third as large, my head! Membersubscriptions lies just outside the glow of the Milky Way. Like Your comments on this column are Astronomymagexp 204.00 M7, M6 is visible to the unaided eye and was welcome. E-mail me at gchaple@hotmail. Skytelexp 395.40 recorded by Ptolemy. Rather than be saddled com. TOTAL membersubscriptions 599.40 Presidents Fund 25.00 Trusteexp 131.06 Utilities Electric 42.37 Propane 37.35 TOTAL Utilities 79.72 Website Domain 34.99 TOTAL OUTFLOWS 908.95

OVERALL TOTAL 2,876.48

Citizens Bank Checking 6,133.29 Capital One Money Market 16,214.45 Total Cash 22,347.74

11 WWW.THESKYSCRAPERS.ORG THE SKYSCRAPER • JULY 2009

Review Part 2: Celestron Skymaster 20x80 Binoculars John Kocur

After returning my first Conclusion: pair of Celestron Skymaster I was pleased that 20 x 80 binoculars for Celestron was able to correct replacement, I received a the problems I had with this second replacement pair. particular model. When it To my disappointment, comes to optics, attention to the second pair was worse detail is very important. If than the first. Collimation you decide to get a pair of was bad, severe cat’s eye these binoculars you may exit pupil on the right side. fare better than I did. This The right side had a foggy may have just been a bad image. There was excess lot. Since these are mass glue around the edges of produced in China, QC both oculars giving a rough needs to be improved. I feel appearance to the edge of it was worth the effort to get the field of view on both these binoculars repaired. sides. Also, there was a long They really are quite well white synthetic fiber stuck made. There is absolutely to the inside barrel of the no slop or flexure in the right optical tube. Needless focuser mechanism. The to say, these binoculars were bumps on the rubber grips totally unacceptable. I sent have a good slip resistant them back for one more tactile feel. Excellent quality try. I asked the customer rubber armored exterior. The service rep at Telescopes. lens coatings are uniform com to please have the third throughout. No ghosting or replacement pair inspected stray reflections in this last for defects before they were pair. Wide 3.2 degree field of shipped back to me. Well, view. Sharp star images out the third pair was bad, too! to about 70% from the center. Again, bad collimation, a large dust So I shipped them out at my expense Again, they should be mounted on a speck on the inside of the right ocular, to Celestron in Torrance, CA. After tripod. They can only be hand held and defective blackening inside the left one month, I received what looks like for a short time before fatigue sets in. I optical tube. Most people would have a brand new pair. They were fully colli- recommend these binocular to anyone just given up, but, I liked these binocu- mated and free of any optical defects. interested in upgrading to a higher lars because of the design, ergonomics, Finally, no cat’s eye exit pupils. Still, power binocular. Celestron backs relatively light weight, durability, good there were a couple of minor cosmetic these binoculars with a lifetime no- coatings, light grasp, the potential for defects that I was able to correct fault warranty which gives me peace of sharp optics, and the lifetime no fault myself. The trim ring of the left objec- mind if anything should happen down warranty. I called Celestron Customer tive was cross threaded which made a the road. This is an example of why Service directly and explained the gap between the body and the ring. I the warranty is important and these problems I had. Since they were under was able to clean the threads and seat problems can occur with any manufac- warranty, they said they would repair it properly. The internal trim ring was turer. Celestron Customer Service was or replace the binoculars at no charge. loose which I was able to secure. There courteous, helpful, and corrected the was also a small amount of excess glue problems. With a dew removal system at the edge of the left objective lens that and my zero gravity chair, I can enjoy I was able to safely remove with a tooth- hours of binocular observing. pick. The lens was unaffected and is perfect. I purchased a hard shell instru- ment case for the binoculars at Harbor Freight. This case has metal reinforced edges, pluckable cubed foam and an egg crate foam pad in the lid. The price was under $30.

12 Tracey Haley visited the McCormick Observatory in Charlottesville ,Virginia.

While traveling visiting stores for CVS, I was able to take this shot on 6/7 of the full moon rising above the San Francisco Bay and one of it’s bridges, enjoy. Tom Thibault

13 WWW.THESKYSCRAPERS.ORG THE SKYSCRAPER • JULY 2009

Executive Committee Meeting Notes: May 9, 2009 Jim Crawford

Attendees: Robert Horton – Presi- g. Use lasers <5mw. Off to prevent excessive heat buildup. dent, Tom Barbish, Jim Brenek, Jim h. Safety Committee develop set of Steve Siok recommends prioritizing Crawford, Bob Forgiel, Roger Forsythe, safety rules and guidelines. repairs. Members can volunteer to Jim Hendrickson, Steve Hubbard, Dave Steve Siok made a motion to table make repairs to reduce labor cost. Huestis, Dave Hurdis, Pat Landers. laser discussion until the next E-board Item (a) above is considered high Mercedes Rivero Hudec, Joe Sarandrea, meeting. Motion seconded. priority. Tentatively scheduled for Kathy/Steve Siok, John Szelka, Tom ACTION: Request that Pat Landers weekend of May 16. Thibault provide draft of Skyscrapers policy on Item (b) Pesticide treatment done safe use of laser pointers. in Mar 09. Next treatment sometime Discussion Items: Issue 2: Group Visits to Seagrave midsummer. Maybe just before Issue 1: Safety issue concerning – Limiting the number of guests. cookout. use of Laser Pointers Skyscrapers conducts educational Item (c) roof leaks maybe caused by Laser Pointers are currently used as outreach during Public Nights and some popped up roof tiles. Need to go educational tools during Public Nights visits by large groups. Number of up and take closer look. and Star Parties to assist in location of people in a group could reach up to 70 Item (d) trustees should obtain cost night sky objects. individuals. This many people at times for replacement ceiling tiles. Bob Napier provided electronic has caused logistic, safety and security Item (e) No discussion. emails detailing the various types, concerns. Issue 6: Safety and Security – power and safe use of laser pointers. Attendees discussed various issues Scituate experiencing increase in Included in his email was the website concerning safety when walking break-ins. addresses to obtain State and Federal around the bldgs and grounds. There a. Audio/video Security System policy for safe use of lasers. are many tripping hazards. b. Improved lighting/sensors during Bob Forgiel summarized much of We may not have enough members non-use of facility. what was in the email and emphasized available to maintain proper security. c. Limit Parking on the inner gate that we should inform the membership Bob Forgiel typically advises group area. Load and unload only. that some higher power output lasers contacts that we prefer limiting the size Concerns with ATVs cutting thru coming in from overseas (China) are to around 30-40 per group. Seagrave from rear of property and by- being labeled as “flashlights” or “Ball Attendees suggestion: passing the front gate. Neighborhood Point Pens”. Members should be aware a. Have 1 chaperone per (X) number kids taking shortcut thru property. of local, State and Federal policy on the of kids Action: Trustees to research types legal and safe use of laser pointers. b. Limit number of individuals per and cost of 5 camera system. Provide Pat Landers provided some insight group. best possible use and location of on the potential for lawsuits, club c. Limit size to 50 max. including cameras. liability or punitive damage if members chaperones Issue 7: Guest Speakers’ Dinner or their guests misuse and are injured d. Public nights can’t be controlled. Although not recently done, past by a laser pointer. Issue 3: July Cookout speakers were taken to dinner and paid All the attendees agreed that the Cookout scheduled for July 11th. by the executive members. lasers should only be used by those The following suggestions were Bob Horton asked if members members experienced in proper use of discussed: wish to continue with taking speakers laser pointers. It was suggested that a. Port-a-John rental to dinner. Skyscrapers develop a set of proce- b. Advertise Cookout at next Dave Huestis recalls one reason dures/policies for continued use of meeting. speaker dinners were stopped was that laser pointers. Other suggestions c. Charge $7.50 per person. when the meetings were moved to 7:30 where: d. Do mass email to all members in from 8 pm people couldn’t get to the a. Ban the use of laser pointers or all June. meeting on time. the green type. Issue 4: Membership Activities Issue 8: AstroAssembly 2009 b. Only members allowed to use skipped due to time constraints. AstroAssembly to be held on Oct 3 them. Issue 5: Property Repairs: at the Community Center c. Post laser pointer safety rules in a. Structural repairs on the 12” Roll- Steve Hubbard working on guest specific locations or at each telescope. Off (water and pest damages) speaker d. Safety handout with list of do’s b. Pesticide treatment of the bldgs. Meeting Concluded. and don’t’s c. Meeting Hall – possible roof e. Provide signed release forms from leaks parents. d. Meeting Hall – damaged ceiling f. Be aware of Air Planes overhead tiles replacements and Airport location. e. Better ventilation of the 16” Roll-

14 Executive Committee Meeting Notes: June 13, 2009 Jim Crawford

Discussion Items: f) Pointers of any type or strength seal off the roof vents with screen to should never be aimed at a person, prevent the animal from coming back. 1) Laser Pointer Policy. reflective surface, or any object below However, Jim Brenek already took The Board reviewed Pat Lander’s the tree line. Members, non-members, care of this, so this job is done. Thanks proposed policy (printed below) and or guests who ignore this rule are Jim! made modifications as indicated in red. subject to expulsion from the Society 6) Computer needs We agreed to accept it as our official premises or Society-sponsored event. ∑ Computers and software to policy on the use of Laser Pointers. g) Members acknowledge that there control both the 12” and 16” Meade Policy are express laws against shining laser Telescopes In the interests of the safe use of laser pointers in the vicinity of aircraft. ∑ Laptop computer for use pointers as educational tools in further- h) Pointers of any type or strength at monthly meetings and public ance of the appreciation of astronomy shall not be used at Society-sponsored programs. for members and non-members alike, events in the immediate vicinity of Jim Crawford has donated (3) the use of nighttime laser pointers by airports. licensed operating software for our Society members on Society grounds (The reason for the “to the extent computers and Bob Napier will take or at off-site Society events shall be practicable” phrase is that we have care of the installation. expressly circumscribed as follows: no law enforcement capabilities, right 7) Security Issues at Seagrave a) There shall be a 5 mW maximum to search etc, so we’re limited in how ∑ Motion sensors for outside lights limit for members’ use or possession much we can police the goings-on on ∑ Security Cameras of laser pointers on Society grounds or the grounds or at events. What I strug- Jim will investigate, report back. at Society-sponsored events. Devices gled with most is the extent to which 8) Holding monthly meetings at exceeding this 5mW limit may not be we should try to prevent non-members the Community House instead of carried by Society members or at off-site use of their own pointers at events Seagrave. Society events. To the extent practi- offsite. Arguably, we cannot enforce ∑ Crowded conditions in the meeting cable, such devices are not permitted on this if we’re on, say, school grounds, hall and insufficient parking space. Society premises, either by members, and a parent brings a pointer--it’s Most members of the E-Board felt non-members, or guests. To the extent questionable how much of this we can it was important to continue having practicable, such devices are forbidden forbid. It may also ruffle feathers with meetings at Seagrave, noting access to at Society-sponsored events. whatever school/group is hosting us. the observatories before and after the b) To the extent practicable, non- I would play it safe, though, and never- meeting. There was some discussion members may not use laser pointers of theless try to regulate the use offsite about reorganizing the contents of the any type or strength on Society grounds by non-members at our events.)—Pat meeting hall to make more room for or at Society-sponsored events. Landers chairs. The Trustees and the E-Board c) Society members cannot allow 2) July 11th cookout. We will need agreed to get rid of the old sofa, which guests or non-members use of their to find volunteers to shop for food and we did. Parking may still present an pointers of any type or strength on supplies, set up tables, chairs and a tent, issue though, and the President is Society grounds or at Society-spon- operate grills, monitor parking, etc. concerned that we may still need to sored events. 3) Review of membership renewals have our meetings at the Community d) Members must be responsible and making sure our records are up House. Furthermore, the President is for the possession and location of their to date. concerned about trying to pack even pointers, and cannot place them in a It was agreed that only the Presi- more people into our meeting hall. This location accessible to the public. dent, 1st Vice President, Secretary and issue will be discussed again at the next e) Pointers of any type or strength Treasurer would have access to the E-Board meeting scheduled for August can never be shined through a finder online data base. Furthermore, only 8th. scope or at Society-sponsored events. the Secretary shall make changes to 9) Donation of 11½” f6.8 Maksutov e) Pointer of any type or strength may this data base. telescope by former member Allen never be shined through a telescope, 4) Membership Activities. Shepperton of Barrington, RI. with the exception of lasers specifically We will review the New Member The Secretary will send a thank designed for optical collimation. Information Packet currently being you note to Mr. Shepperton for is kind f) Pointers of any type or strength headed by Dave Huestis at the August donation. We are currently unsure of can never be aimed at a person, reflec- 8th E-Board Meeting. what we will do with this telescope, tive surface, or any object below the 5) Property Repairs which needs some restoration work. tree line. Members, non-members, or I was going to bring up the fact that 6:45 pm Meeting Concluded guests who ignore this rule are subject a squirrel was living in the ceiling of to expulsion from the Society premises the meeting hall and that we needed to or Society-sponsored event. replace some stained ceiling tiles and

15 WWW.THESKYSCRAPERS.ORG

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