ECLIPSE the Newsletter of the Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society Celebrating Our 75Th Year in 2003 November 2003

ECLIPSE The Newsletter of the Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society Celebrating our 75th Year in 2003 November 2003 Meeting Announcement Asteroids—Deadly Impact Asteroids and comets: Every year, millions of these “stray bullets” streak through the skies, and tons of small meteorites strike our planet. Some 65 million years ago, dinosaurs were wiped off the face of the Earth — in what many believe was the aftermath of a massive cosmic collision. Could something like this happen again? Scientists believe that the impact of an asteroid only a mile wide would be globally catastrophic. Join renowned geologist Eugene Shoemaker and his wife, Carolyn, who together have remapped the heavens with their discoveries of more than 30 comets and hundreds of asteroids. Now that we know what’s out there, how can we defend ourselves? Come to the BSAS Membership meeting on November 20 at 7:30 pm at Dyer Observatory, 1000 Oman Dr. to see the National Geographic program which has been described above. FROM THE PRESIDENT Joseph M. Boyd, Jr. In the October issue of the Eclipse, I set out some of the goals I would like to see our Society work toward and accomplish during the coming year. Several of you have responded to these goals by volunteering to work on, or even to be in charge of, some of them. There is a lot of enthusiasm among our members at this time, and I appreciate your willingness to step forward and offer to help us in specific areas. One of our primary goals of the BSAS is outreach. Outreach consists of working with people outside of the BSAS to promote a better understanding of astronomy and to enable them to get started in amateur astronomy. It involves working with the staffs at Adventure Science Center, the Warner Parks, and the state parks such as Long Hunter by furnishing the telescopes and other equipment as well as the expertise of our members to inform the public about the various aspects of astronomy. It also involves working with schools and school groups; speaking to and working with young people such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Civil Air Patrol cadets; and speaking to service clubs. Other opportunities will be the sidewalk astronomy as soon as we get it organized. We are already well into our outreach program, and I want to give you some examples of what we, as a Society, have been doing lately. Long Hunter State Park, 16 August, over 600 people Warner Park, 23 August, about 700 people Adventure Science Center, Saturday, 6 September, about 750 people Australia Festival/Adventure Science Center, 13 September, about 650 people Murfreesboro Rotary Club, presentation by Dennis Williams, 30 September, 75 people Sumner County After School Program, Hendersonville, 9 October, Lonnie Puterbaugh and Joe and Mary Boyd, 150 students and parents Percy Priest Elementary School, 16 October, Joe and Mary Boyd, 66 children and 3 adults Although the Tennessee Star Party is primarily for those already involved in astronomy and is therefore not an outreach program per se, there were some present who were not already involved, and those would qualify for outreach, an estimated 20 or 25. Some of our members have assisted Dyer Observatory in some of its activities, including the public nights and Music on the Mountain. As you can see, we have been busy, but there are still great outreach opportunities available. I hope you will tell your church groups, your civic clubs, clubs your children are in, and your children’s teachers that the BSAS members are available to put on programs which can not only better inform about astronomy but also can promote an interest in science and math. When the children see a practical side to math and science, they are more interested and are more likely to want to pursue a career in science and technology. Continued on Page 2 Page 2 ECLIPSE November 2003 FROM THE PRESIDENT, Continued from Page 1 Even during our external activities, our committees have been working to increase our effectiveness as a Society, and to make our BSAS activities more fun for our own people. The following is an indication of the committee work that has gone on. Long Range Planning Committee, Dennis Williams, chair, 10 September Equipment & Facilities Committee, Lonnie Puterbaugh, chair, 10 September Dark Sky Committee, Powell Hall, chair, 7 October Mentoring Committee, JanaRuth Ford, chair, 14 October Finance & Budget Committee, Bob Rice, chair, 15 October and again on 29 October I am asking that every BSAS committee hold at least one meeting during the month of November so we can see where we have been and where we are going. All of this activity has led to a number of new members of the BSAS. I ask each of you to introduce yourself to each of them at the next meeting and make them feel welcome. We often tend to talk only to those we already know, and thus the new people who do not know anyone else at the meeting will feel left out. Please don’t let that happen. Think of how you would feel in their place. Finally, don’t forget that we are cosponsoring the Seyfert Lecture this year. The lecture will be at Vanderbilt University on 4 December. Please make your plans to attend that lecture, both because we are one of the hosts and also because it will be an interesting program. You will hear more about it at the next meeting and in the next Eclipse. LUNAR ECLIPSE PROGRAM The BSAS voted several weeks ago to cosponsor with Warner Parks a program on Saturday, 8 November, at 1000 hours. The hour long program will be at the Nature Center, on Highway 100. During this program, our members, along with the Warner Park staff, will talk to the young people about the lunar eclipse that night and about the solar system. Those who can participate are urged to call 386-3134 to let us know who and how many will be there. We need at least ten members to assist in the program. That night we will cosponsor with Adventure Science Center and Warner Parks a public viewing of the total lunar eclipse. This will be held at the Warner Parks model airplane field which is located just off Old Hickory Boulevard between Highway 100 and Hillsboro Pike. A large crowd is expected, so we will need approximately 20 telescopes, plus additional people to help staff the BSAS booth, pass out literature, and to help explain the event to the public. Since the eclipse will already be underway when the moon rises, those who participate should plan to get set up before dark if possible. NOTE: This event was previously scheduled to be held at the Adventure Science Center, but was moved to Warner Park for better viewing early in the evening. Warm clothing, with layers to add or subtract, is recommended. If you can participate, please call 386-3134 to leave your name and the equipment you will bring. This is a fun event, and all of our members are urged to attend. DUES INFORMATION THE ECLIPSE NEWSLETTER MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR Editor: Bill Griswold BSAS MEMBERS On your Eclipse mailing label is the [email protected] expiration date for your current membership We are always able to accept requests for BSAS Officers: in the BSAS. There will be a two month grace new and renewal yearly subscriptions to Joe Boyd, President period before any member’s name is removed SKY AND TELESCOPE and John Harrington, Vice President ASTRONOMY from our members in from the current mailing list. You will be Jill Thompson, Secretary good standing. receiving a number of warnings informing you Lonnie Puterbaugh, Treasurer The current yearly rates are as follows: that your membership is expiring. Powell Hall, Immediate Past President SKY AND TELESCOPE: $29.95 Dues are $20.00 per year for Regular and Board of Directors ASTRONOMY: $29.00 Family memberships and $15.00 per year for Mike Benson Checks or Money Orders should be made Seniors (over 60 years of age), and $10.00 for JanaRuth Ford out to the Barnard Seyfert Astronomical students (under 22 years of age). Please call Bill Griswold Society (BSAS) and sent to the following President, Joe Boyd, (615) 386-3134 if you have Kris McCall address: questions. Dues can be sent to: Greg Selah Pam Thomas BSAS BSAS P. O. Box 150713 P. O. Box 150713 Logo Photograph: Nashville, TN 37215-0713 Nashville, TN 37215-0713 Francisco Diego November 2003 ECLIPSE Page 3 Happy Birthday Vesto M. Slipher by Robin Byrne This month we honor a man whose pioneering work in astrophysics laid the foundation of modern astronomy. Vesto Melvin, “V. M.”, Slipher was born in Mulberry, Indiana on November 11, 1875. He attended Indiana Univer- sity and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1902. Upon graduation, he was asked by Percival Lowell to come work at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. While working at the observatory, Slipher finished his Master of Arts degree and Ph.D. in astronomy, both from Indiana University. Slipher’s early work concerned taking spectra of the planets. Spectroscopy involves taking the light from an object and, by means of a prism or diffraction grating, dividing it into its constituent colors, or wavelengths, of light. Analysis of a spectrum can lead to an understanding of an object’s composition, as well as, its motion. One of the planets observed in this way was Venus. Due to its thick cloud cover, determining the rotation rate of this planet was very difficult. From 26 spectral observations of Venus, Slipher deduced a rotation rate that was finally confirmed in the 1960’s, using radar techniques.

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