THEF@qAL POilNT

The AtlantaAstronomy Club, Inc.

Vol. VIII No.S October, 1995

October27th Meeting Co ngratu I ati ons, J erty ! featuring Jan Davis, NASAAstronaut Many of us have seen Jerry The ne$ meeting of the Atlanta Armstrong'sbeautift{ color prints of the planets Astronomy Club will be held Friday. October Jupiter. Saturn and Mars. His pdnts are 27, 8:30 p.m. at The FernbankScience Center. becoming quite popular among amateur This meeting features Ai4S4 Space Shuttle astronomers,in fact they are even featured in a Astronaut, Jan Dqvis and,promises to one of the separatew€b page.One of them is now part of a biggest et€nts of the yearl color plate in David Lely's latesl lxok Impact Jupiter: Here's a brief biographical sketch of The Crush ofComet Shoemaker-Levy9. Dr. Davis courtes-yof material gleamedfrom the This painting shows the Q-Complex (o/ comet jusl internet and the world wide web. She was bom fragments, dust and gas) prior to its impact at CocoaBeach, Fla (ll/l/53\, but considers on the planet Jupiter. Accoiding to Jerry, David Hunts'ille Alabamato b€ her hometom. During Lery had strongly consideredto have this same painting the 1970'sand 80's shereceived a BS in applied for the cover of this book only to find biology(GaTech. 1975). mechanical enginebring out that frublisher had alread-vcompleted the (Aubum. 1977). and a MS and Ph.D. in coler illustration. Congramlations to Jerry mechanicalengineering (Universilv of Alabama Armstrong on his fine astronomicalillustation! (This, 1983,1985).She is marriedto astronautMark and the other prints are still available Lee. through Jerry at $35.00 Wr pint. - editor) Dr. Davis nas named team leader (1986) in the Structural Analysis Division AstronomicalCalendar Sale which was responsiblefor structural analysisof the Hubbte SpaceTelescope. Later, in 1987 she Aslronomy magazinecalendars are now was lead engineer for the red€signof the solid available though the club at 10 dollars apiece. booster e\lelnal tank attach ring. She has The listedprice is 10.95,which doesn'tinclude proYidedtechnical support for Shuttle payloads shipprng ftom Kalmbach. Plus, the club gets and served as a spacecraftcommunicator for $4.50 per calendar sold which is split b€tween se!'en shuttle missions. She is a veteran of two the new obcervatoryand speakerfunds. This is a shuttle missions, STS-17(1992) and 5Z,l-60 beautiful calendar and is firll of interesting (1991). Dt. Davis was a mission specialist for astronomical information so contact Dous both spaceflights. ,SZ,S-.IZ(Spacelab I) was the Chesserand get yours today! 50th flight of the shuttle, a joint mission with JaWn. 5T5-60 was the second flight of SeptemberMeeting Highlights Spacehab (Space Habttation Module) and the By Ken Poshedly, recording secretary first flight of the WakeShield Facilfty. This was the first flight that also featued Russian The meeting was held at the Fernbank Science Cosmonautas a crew member. Center and called to order by president Alex We hope you all will join us for a most Langoussisat 8:15 p.m, Attending were just informative and enjo"vableevening. over 30 membersand guests. Generalannouncements included: (Alex) An update on the Sept. 16 club numberof authenticity. Afterilards, the meeting picnic; an appeal for those interested in was adjourned at 9:30 p.nl. for light producing an Atlanta AstronomyClub logo. refreshmentsat the meeting room. follou'ed by (Observing chairman Art Russell) A moremerriment. at nearb-vAthens Pizza. reminder about upcoming observing dates andlocations. . (Member Jim Monro€) An appeal for Atlanta AstronomvClub Board speakers at the Shiloh Middle School Astronomy Club. The club meetsonce each MeetingHighlights month at 3 p.m. Call,Jimal (.104or 770) By Ken Poshedlv,chairman of the board and 972-5605. recording secretary . (Member Larry Higgins) An appeal for The speakersat two school scienceclasses and board and offtcersof the Atlanta Astronomy met 1995. home an astronomyclub in Gri-ffin. Call Larry at Club Sunday.Sept. 10, at the of (404or 77O\227-2233. Ken & Karla Poshedly.The meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m. b-vKen Poshedly.Present o (Treasurer Doug Chesser) An rvere: Alex Langoussis, Art Russell, Doug announcementthal AAC member Gene R. Chesser, Rich Jakiel, Ken Poshedly, Eric Bailey of Woodstockhad passedaway. Mr. Shelton,Tom Buchanan,Tushar Thrivikraman. Bailey joined the AAC only last -veari Phil Bracken. Ginny Minrz, and Ginny "Astronomy" magazine 1996 calendarsare Mauldin-Kinns)-. Also present rvere AAC available from Doug for only $10 with a members Jim Monroe and Karla Poshedly. portion of the proceedsgoing into the club's Absent Il€re Jerry Armstrong, Lenny Abbe,v. speakers fi.md; the club member and Stele Gilbreath. zubscription price for "Astronom-v" Board Committee Reports: mag zine is up to $20 effective October Information Line: Ginny Mauldin-Kinney 1995, still a suhantial savings over the reported that the information line was being regular nonStar Gaze: Ken Poshedlyreported Poshedly) An update ahut n€$ year's that plans for the 1996 Peach State Star Gaz€ news and went including on the speakers are underway: our request to Indian Springs other aclivities; Ken also spokeon a special State Park for the weekends of April 18-21 fund setup for donationscollected on behalf (pnmary) and March 14-17 (s€cond.ry) was former$ An of Mark Coco, of Celestron. submitted in late August. We will not know Mark will be in the October article about officially which of the dates will be selected Focal Point. Two donations tot4lling $22 until January2. An informational budgetfor the Additional donationsshould were collected event is being preparedand will be available at given in the Mark be sent to the addrcss the next AAC board meeting. Cocoarticle elsewhetein this newsletter. Observing Programs: Art Russell provided program quiz The consistedof an astronomical derails of the cleanupand repair mission at the Teams personswere by Jerry Armstrong. of six club's Villa Rica obEewatorysite. The club's given questions zO-minute each a set of and a 4.25-inch reflector scopeis now readyfor use by received color time limit. The winners signed any AAC member; contact Afi at (770) 448- its own astro-paindngs by Jerry, each with 6990. His Beginners' Sessionsat Villa Rica have drawn good tumoutsl his series of star hopping articles in the Focal Point newsletter The Mark CocoFund packets. will also be included in new member Bv Ken Poshedlv Treasury and Membership:Dutg Chesser announcedthat as ofthe board meetingdate, our A few months ago David Ler.y wrote in his Star persons.. offrcialmembership was at 156 Trails column in Skv & Telescopemagazine Newsletter:Rich askedfor writing contributions aboutMark Coco,an actil€ amateurastronomer. provide from all AAC members;if you can hard writer, formerly with the Celestron telescope cog. computer disk hles, or e-mail-it's company. The story sadly includes the fact that needed. he hasa hain tumor. AAC members- especially Light Pollution: Tom Buchananspoke on House those with famrlies-should know that a fund Bill 942, ,currentlv in the state's l4-member has been set up to rais€ moneyfor ex?edmental Game.Fish and Parks Committeerif it becomes treatments thai could save Mark's life. If park law, HB 942 designatesstate as dark sky anyoneis interesting in conributing, here is the presewes. as is currently done in Michiganl address: Tom asked for others to contact their representativesto urge a "-ves" vote on this Mark CocoFund legislation. St. AndrewsPresbterian Church Dark SlrytSite: Phil Brackenreported progress in 301Avenue D the searchfor additional observing sites. Under RedondoBeach, California 90277 consideration are various locations, including sites in north Georgia. southwesternGeorgia and DausetTrails near Jackson.The committee Big Names,Big People,Big Time Set plannedto me€t next on October3. '96 Hospitality: Ginny Minrz reported no problems for PeachState Star Gaze Ken PoshedlY with the committe€ functions, and said there By would be an AAC member nametagbox at the peopleha'l'e and the people meetingsfor more conveniencein finding and The spoken get want! In answerto follo*up storing individual nametags. will what they April's PeachState Star Gaze, Other Business:Jim Monroe appealed to the surveysafter last year's event look to be the best yet, \Mith board for sp€akersto app€B,.rat. an astronomy next prett-yhealy-hitters and usefrrlworkshops club he is forming for his 6s, 7d and 8s gade some addedto the schedule. studentsat Shiloh Middle School. The monthly being who many of you alreadY meetingswill be held at 3 p.m. at the school Don Parker, ftequent astrophoto contributor to Alex announced that the AAC merger know as a "Astronoml' and "Sky & Telescope" negotiations committee consists of himself, that he will talk on Lenny Abbey and Doug Chesser.So far, no magazines.has confirmed responsefrom the ASA has been received (Sept planetaryobserving. Benton, the person responsible 10.1995). Julius obsewationsof Sahrrn, Venus Alex announcedthat Tushar was namedto head for coordinating lunar area for the Assn. of Lunar the club's audio-visualcommitte€l Joe Sheppard and selected Planetary Observers, will talk on lunar plans to remain active with the club but, due to and illness. is unable to continue heading the obsen'ing. Jim Rouse.another frequent contributor committee.He also announcedthat Eric Shelton to "Astronoml' and "Sky & Telescope" *as namedto headthe club's brylawscommittee; magazines, will talk on sunset photography. function of the group is to review the current While he now tesidesin Greensboro,NC, many bylaws and make recommendations aboul you may remembet Jim when he lived in proposedchanges. Laslly, he shted the needfor of suburban Atlanta and was instrumental in a nex offrcial AAC logo. enjo)ment to star parties--{oth The next AAC board meetingwill be held at the adding Fevious observerwith lots of trps and as a speaker home of Doug Chesseron Sunday, Novernber as an "How to Build a $500 BackyardObservatory 12. The Sept. 10 AAC board meeling was then on for About $3,000" (,'ou readit right). adjournedat 8:45p.m. We also have almost final confirmation video crewswere always gacious and interested from another speakerwho will talk on a much- in our hobby and never rushed us through the neglectedsubject--$inocular observing. session.Finally. I would personallylike to thank PSSG workshops will include the following AAC members rvho have wer-vthing ftom star-hopping to star-testing volunrarily reshu.ffledtheir personal plans to (your scope's optics), from mirror washing accomodatethese suddenlyschedrled obsewing (bring a practice miror) to miror collimation, sessions;l€nny Abbey. Jerry Armstrong, Earl from night-time polar alignment for extended Babbitt, Bill Black Doug Chesser,Avery Davis, obaerving s€ssionsto daltime polar alignment Tom Ferrell. CareyFisher. Rich Glickman, Eric for solar observing. Greene.Rich and Jen Jakiel, Alex Langoussis, Oru reservations are in for Indian Frank Marchese (and son), Jim and Betty SpringsState Park's CampMclntosh, site of last Mo oe (major thanks!). Rod Pruner (and wife), April's event, and we eryect to have Tim Puckett, Art Russell. Eric Shelton, and confirmation in early January. Tushar Thrivikraman (and dadl). And if my Questions?Call Ken Poshedlyat (770 memory has failed me and I missed someone, or 404) 979-9842. believene, the fault is not intentional. you were all wonderftrl! CNN "Backvard Universe" Update HEY, THAT'S REALLY GRUS! By Ken Poshedly By Richard Jakiel Taking the trme to "scrapethe horizon" After a rvonderfii summer of month.ly can lead you to somepreqv out-of-the-wayareas contributionsto CNN and its amateurastronomy in the slc"v.For example,bow many of have feature*Back_vaid Universe," we've gotten word ,vou sometime looking il the region below the to relax for a bit.The powers-that-beat the Cable spent bright auturnn slat Formalhaufl Mrtch of it is News Network have stined the prioriry-pot and such a visually dull regioq that many of you for the time being. "Baclqard Universe" will don't lnow the namesof the constellationslet continue but on an occasionalbasis instead of alone the telescopetreasures that "hide" here. every month. That meansno more one-or-two- Yet, in the areas covered by Microscopium, day-notice observing sessions.tut inst€d an Pisces Austrinus, Grus and ,tcll/ptor contains opportunity to provide information (AND rvealthof fairty bright, interesthg objects.Some obsening sessions) to CNN when celestial of them can even be discernedwith 7 x 50mm eventscall for it. binoculars, like some of the bright gala.ries in The Allanta Astronomy Club is proud Sculptor. to have been able to work with CNN on rhis Microscopium is our fiIst stop, a weird proJect. The network began "Backyard little constellation lying off the westem Universe" last February with a featue about boundary of Sagittarius. It has the usual Mars. Since then, the featue mn the second compliment of double and vantble starc plus a Saturday (and Sunday) of each month and few fairly bright gala.xies.Perhaps the best is included interviews with Tim Puckett and Jerry NGC 6925, a nice 1lth magnitudegalaxy with a Armstrong on their discwery of the M5l sharpstellar core. Its oval form is aligned north- supernova,an intevierrywilh Alex Langoussison south and would probablybe a "showpiece"lf it observingartificial satellites and his use of the wasn't in such an obscwe part of the shv. shareware comprter program Tral(sat, and Slighlly more challenging and lying only one observing sessionsfeaturing different D?es of degee to northeast is NGC 6923, a 12th telescopes, the planet Jupiter, the docked magnltude spiral. Both objectsshould be easily Russianspace station Mr and U.S. spaceshuttle visrble with 8-inch or larger scopesunder darh Atlantis, and a dalaime obscrving sessionabout rual skies. sunspots. 'CNN Unlike dufl litlJe -WcroscoPium, ow We are indebted to Science & attention is dravn to the brightest star of the Technolog5rWeek' prodrcer Kate King and the southern autunn sky, Fonnalhaut. Shining at show's host, Miles O'Brien, and look forward to magnrtude1.17, it almost overwhelmsthe dim futule collaborations.They and their sound and 'J-shaped" slars of surounding constellations.It provides a of the gala\ies are distributed in a han4v slarting point to lesserknown sectionsof formation in the eastern third of the the southem sry. StaI hopping to the westem constellation.These galaxies are as bright as the half of the constellation. we hnd several small manv of the Messier galaxies in the Virgo groups of llth to l2th nagnitude galaxies. By Cluster. its unfortunatethat they lurk so far in far the nicest is the NGC 7172173171176 galaxy the southern"hinterlands". goup. about 1.5' northwestof the star Ml. This The best place to begin eryloration is small goup of interacting galaxies is also just acrossthe Grus - PiscisAustrinus br&r. known as Hickson 90, part of a catalogueof Here begrns the northern exlension of this galades which includes zuch famous groups as galaxy cluster. The gala\ies NGC 7{10' 7456 Settfert's Quintet and.Copeland's Septet. This and 74211comprise the bdghtest membersof this tight knot of llth magnitude galaries should small clump. each being llth magmtude or easily frt in field of view (FOU of a medium to brighter. Both NGC 7.110 and 7456 are high powereyepiece. NGC's 7174 and.7l76 are elongatedobjects with bright nuclei. The latter so close that they share a common envelope, galaxf is a nice spindle-shaped obje.t. while NGC 7173 lies only one arcminute to the measudngabout 5'x 1.5'. NGC 7424is a larye north. The largest of the group, NGC 7172 rs a face-on spiral galaxy, $nte similar in structure fairly bright, oval galax-ya scant 6' north of the to the Pinwheel Galaxy (N1l0l) in Ursa Major. main knot. Too bad this tight little group lies so It is one of the brightest and largestmemb€rs of far south since it is a far more impressivesight the cluster, shining at 10.2 magnitude and than the better kno*n Seyfert'sQuintet. measuring a respectable7'x 6' across. Headingnea y 8' south of Hickson 90 Observationswith my old 13.1" scopereveal a lies one of the most neglected large planetary large, nearly round soft glow with a small nebulaein the shv No, its NOT the Helix, th^l condensedcore. This is in contrast to many objectis locatedfar to the north! Insteadwe find t ted and edge-onsystems associated wilh this tC 514t/50. in the obscureconstellation Grur. gala\T cluster. Near the bright double slar Theta Locatedat -39' 23' declination.2l hr. 59.5min Grar the main concentrationof gala.xresshtfts RA it's in a prery* isolated part of the autumn from a north-south tren4 to an easterly one. sKv.This nebula appearsas a pale, ghostly ring Here lies the most famous grouping of gala-xies about 2' in diameterset against a nice star field. in this part of the slry, the Grus Quartet This is At llth magnitude. it is fairly bright and the a beauli.tul gouping of bright sprral galfiies, object respondswell to both LrHC and O III positionedat -12" 30' declination, RA= 23 nebula filters. This object b€ars a considerable hr 16 min. The largest and brightest memberof resemblanceto the Helix as s€en through a this goup is NGC 75t2, a l0.l magnttude small telescope.Veteran obcerverSteve Gotdieb object.In my 13" scope, this gala:ryappeared as describesthe planetary as "..one of the finest of a soft, frrzzy ellipae about 6' by 2'. It bad a its t'?e in the sky" and well worth the effort to bright core. and hints of stluctue *as I'lsible in find. Closer to home. AAC mernber Dave the drfrrse outer envelope.Nearly as large and Riddle made some remarkable observationsof bright is nearby NGC 7552. It is a 10.4 this planetary recently, using an l8-inch magnitudeoval with a brilliant stellar core. The Tectron. Perhapsin time, IC 514t/50 will eam last two membersof this small group are also a "nickname" like other sho$?iece planetary higt[y tilted ellipses,each being objectsof l lth nebulae. Having recently seen this beautifrtl magnitude. nebula in Art's l8-inch scope I am going to Acrossthe northeasternborder of Grat, suggest the niclname "Ghost-Ring Nebula". the visually unimpressive constellation of Remember.you heardit fust on here! Sculptor conlainssome real surprises.Within its The constellation Grus is also the borders lies most of the members of the "home" for a fine colleclion of bright gala.\ies. Sculptor g|laxy Group, one of the nearestand Many of them belong ro lhe Grus Galaxy brightest collectronsof galaxiesin the sky. One Cluster which also extends into the neariry of the least observedis NGC 7793, a chaolic, constellations of Phoenix and Sclrlptor. Over multi-armed spiral s€en nearly face-on. This two dozen gala.rresranging from l0th to l2th 9th magnitude galaxl has a high sudace magnitudeare asso€iatedwith this cluster; many brightness allowing for a larger range of magnifications and obsen'ation under manualon DoubleStars (1986). Sincewe don't moderatelylight polluted skies. Using the club's want to take too much time beforegetting to 20-inch scope,I have seennumerous dark lanes deepsky objects(and since SissyHaas wrote a and short, lootty spiral arms surrounding a great article), check out Figure | @!gE_U small bright nucleus. thru @ and find,4 lpha (a) Capricorni, Al There are ferv galaxiesin the sky which Giedi, "TheGoat." Bumlnm's identifiesit asa can rival the size and brightness of our last wide naked-eyedouble. Can you separatethe object. NGC 55. This bright galav straddles components?Let me know if,vou are successfirl. the Sculptor-Phoenixborder. making it an ideal Alpha Capricorni is actually a doubledoubleso choice for a "bottom scraping" observing run. when you obsewe,you'll be looking at two sets This gigantic system sFns nearly 30' and of sl^rs. Eeta (P) Capricomi, Dabih. is alsoa shines at 7th.rnagnitude, making it one of the doublestar. This is a great doubleto look at brightest gala\ies in the sky. This is an easy becauseits two starsare of distinctly different object in even the smallest scop€s and colors. The main star is yellow and the binoculars. When viewed under dark pristine companionis a blue, making quite a contrast. skies using a large telescolE the view can be Well, enoughsaid, let's go star-hopplng! quite breathtalang.Even low power will reveal numerousbright knots and H lI regions across Star-hoo #1. Oh, nol He's at it again. Another the entire surface.The brightest H II region is (deletede)elicative) gobular. Yes, I suppose located in the eastern half of the galaxy and you've guessedb.v now. This gu"vis sick when it actually has a separatedesignation (lC 1537). comesto globulars. First there's the Great An eight to ten inch or larger scop€, coupted Globular Challenge.now he leadsaround to with an UHC or O III nebula filter should be more! Well, you can at leastuse this. and other adequatefor viewing of this giant slar-forming globularsto follow. ifyou intend to obsen€ for region. Many other bright galaxiescan be found the challenge. The f,rst glohrlar tonight is farther to the east in Sculptor, Fomax and. M30, NGtC7099, locatedjust to the southstars$akiagwcapricomus. becometopics of future observing articles. But. To get to M30, imagine a line running from the rf 1'ou have accessto a deep southem horizon sl^r Rho (p) Capricorni and tbrough the star take the time to explore these lesser knourt Zeta (Q Capncomi. Extend the line a little wonders- thev are weUwonh &e tim€! more than a distanc€to a quarter oftbat between Rho (p) Capicomi and Zeta (€) Capicorni. I BEGINNERS'STAR-HOP: first saw M30 in Novemberof 1993and in my October- November,1995 Fpical manner.once agail undersratedthe oblious: "Easily seenin 20 inch telescope,with a goodview in a 14 mm eyepiece.Many This month's star-hoptakes us through more resolvedstars: almost with cometlike Messierglobular clusters,a sp€€tacular orientation. Severallines of starsseem to lead planetarynebula, and severaldouble stars. I'll awayfrom the centerof the globular cluster closethe article with a star-hopto our gala\T's radialty." M30 shinesat aboutmagnitude E and closestintergalactic neighbor in the northern is thought to be about40,000 light yearsaway. skies.the Great AndromedaGalaxy! You may also find two dim objecrsin your Lets start in the Georgia's southernskies. However,don't pamc ifyou don't. About a third ofthe way up ftom the southern eyepiece. The gala.nesNGC 7103 and NGC 710,1are just horizon is locatedthe distinctive "V' shapeof north-westof M30 and are both I 5th the constellationCapricomus. You may be able to the magnitudeobjexts (dim). to recognizeit as the next constellationto the west of Sasittarius,which I $rote of last month. Stcr-hoo #2. Locatedto the north of Beforewe start star-hopplng,take a quick look *V' distinctive shapeis our next at a coupleof doublestars in Capricomusas Caoricornus' cluster M73, NGC 6994. M73 identified by SissyHaas writing in the October object,the open half way along an imagiMry line 1995,iszue of Sky and Telescope.Check out the lies about (q CaPicomi and ends article if you'd like to observeall of thoseshe which begins at Zlretu mentions,or get a copy of the Webb Society's at tbe starMu (F) Aquarii. Don't hopefor much in observingthis Messierobject. it only hasfour case,a great globular. although it doesn't rival starsshap€d sort of like a "Y'! In this cas€the M13, the Great Cluster in Hercules.or M22 early sparsenessof my observationstumed out which I leadyou to in last month's SgIfLqplU. to bejust what the doctor ordered: "Asterism or To get to M15, we'\€ got to start in one of the very poor cluster. Distinctly 3 stars." While in dimmer and more obscureof the sky's the neighborhood be sureto take a look at NGC constellations,Equuleus. E$end an imaginarv ?009. the Saturn Nebula. which is locatedto line from the star,4 lpha (a) Equulei to the star 9 the north€ast of M73, it will be worth your Pega$. M15 is abouthalfivay betweenthese time. two slarsandjust a little to the westof the line. In October 1993.my notesindicated: Star-hop #3. To get to M72. NGC 69E1, "...GlobularCluster. Very visible at l06X and another(!) globular cluster, we usethe same 173X. l73X shorvsmany stars resolved. No start point as *'hen we went to ]M73. Theta distinct lanes. Objectis non-slmmetrical in Capricorni. However,this time ra€exlend our shape,seems flattened." M15 lies about40,000 imaginary line ftom ThetaCapricomi to the star light-yearsaway. and like M2 above,also shines Al Bali, Epsilon (e)Aquarii in the constellation at magnitude7. What kind of differencedo you Acuarius. M72 lies abouthalfiray along the line notebetween these two globular clusters? Be andjust offto the west. I saw M72 just before sureto keepyour e-vesp€€led when -\'ouare in observingM73 and noted: "2030 hows. the neighborhoodof M15. You'll find NGC GlobularCluster. 106X. Faint andu esolved 706t, a l5th magnitudegalaxy locatedabout l/2 in the 14 mm. Soft focus in appearance."Take degreeto th€ west neara bright star. About I your time with this globular. It's anotherbright 1/2 degreesto the north-€astyou'll f,nd a very one shining at magnitude9.4 from a distanceof difficult magmtude13.4 planerary nebula, NGC about60,000 light-years. 7094. Go thereif youDAREI Asafinal thought on M15; there is a planetarynebula Star-hop ll4. Here we go again! Another locatedin the centerof Mls calledPK 65-27,1. globularcluserl M2. NGC 70E9.lles rn an This planetaryneh a shinesat about l5th areaof few field stars,but re€lly isn't that hard magnitude. N€€dlessto say,dim in ftont of a to find w1lha telescope.Itcanbeabitofa b,rightglobular cluster meansits not easyto s€e. chore with binocularsas I discoveredthis past I haven't se€nit. haveyou? Good luck! August whil€ wailmg for the skiesto clear at DausetTrail. Of course.that might also be an Star-hon 116.Here we go. I promisethis is the indictment of my own vast capabilitieswith last globular, at leastfor this month. More to binocularsl Getting to M2 is not too diftcult, come..! This time we're headedto M71, NGC but doesencompass a large part ofthe sky. Start 6E3E,in the constellationSagrtta. To find M7l, at the stat Sadal Sund,Beta (p) Aquarii, and imagine a line betwe€nthe star Gamma(r) extendan imaginary lrne to the starEnif, "The Sagittae Lnd.Delta (Q Sagittae. M7l is located Nose"ot "TheHorse's Mouth." Epsilon(e) abouthalfway betweenthese two starsandjust Pega.yin the constellationPeqasus. M2 is to the southof the line. I first sawM71 in locatedjust to the westofthis imaginary line September1993 and recordedthe following and abouta third of the distancefrom Beta notes: "...7EX. I found it after aboutan hour of Aquarii on ttJ€way to Epsilon Pegasi. ln searchand defoggingof my telescope.The view October 1993,I recordedthe folloving notes: rvasvery clear after defogging. Partially "2008hours. GlobularCluster. 62X. resolvedat 7EX, I thought I sawpossible dust Unresolved. 106X. Outer starsresolved but lanesalthough it is a globular cluster;epect it most of core, though of modeiatebrightness, was an illusion." At 9th magnitudeand a remainsunresolved. No amarent lanes.no distanceof about65,000 light-years. M71 is trails of starsleading away from the cluster." dimmer than the other globularsthat we've M2 lies about 50.000light--vears away and viewed in this seriesof star-hops. While you are shinesat aboutmagnitude 7. in the neighborhoodyou might also notice the 9th magmtudeopen cluster, Harrard 20, which Star-hop #5. I lold you I was nuts. Here's is about l/2 degee to the south-westof M71. M15, NGC 7078,another globular! In this There is also a very faint brigbt nebula, Sharpless2-84, which is a little more than a light-yearsauay! However,be preparedto be degreeaway to the east-south-eastof M71. You disappointed. M31 apf,earsvery diftrse and might tly to find it ifyou havethe time and dark only rweals its d€tails after lots ofobservation. skies. It is a very large object.too big to really take in during a single !'lering session.Not only that, Star-hon #7. Here it is, one of the most but as -youbecome more skilled in obaervation, spectacularplanetary nebula in the sky, M27, you'll seediffetent things, much the sameas (The NGC 6853. Dumbb€llNebula." It was RogerN. Clark did betweenllTiting his book *Visual absolutelya stunnerwhen I look€d at it this past Astronomyofthe Deep Sky" and his August after passageof a "cold' front. I'd never subaequentarticle in the November1993 issue seenit so clearly, I didn't evenbother to use a of "Skv and Telescope."Nwertheless. I never filter! The planetarynehrla seemedto havea get tired of looking at M31. Onceyou get to three dimensionalaprpearance and float in the M31, you also get to other relatedgalaxies, eyepiece,taking up a quaner of the field of view M110. andM32. However,I'll savethose until at 65X. I first saw M27 in September1993, and next month. In the meantirne, enjoy M31 and recorded: "...Found at 45X. I initially thought take the time to observeit now, at its besttime it was a globular, but defogging the telescope, ofyear. To find M31 take a look at Figure 2. using a higher power, and Dave Riddle's UHC You've alreadybeen in the areawhen you did filter brought out detail nicely. No color noted." Starhoos #4 atd#S trougl th€ constellation You'll find that M27 is near M71. In fact. to Pesasus.This time we start on the other side of find M27, we'll useone of the M71 finder stars "The Great SquareofPegasus" to find M3l. to f,nd M27. Begin al Gamma(l Sagittae and Getting to M3l will take severalstep6. Start at imagine a line running to the star .13 the *ar Alpha (a) Andromedae,"Alpheratz, or Lilpeculae. M27 is off setlo the eastof th€ line ,tirrar. " Nole that although this star is the *The and is a little more than half rr?-vfrom Garnrfla north-eastcorner of Great Squarcof (1) Sagittaeto 13 Vulpeculae. Take a lot of time Pegasus,"it is actually in the conslellation wilh lhis one. It's worth coming back to agarn Andromeda.From there-jumpto tM, star Pi (tt) many times. You might also want to take a look Andromedae. The nextjump is to the star rvr at others' impressions.such as the excellent (9 .lndromedae.Under dark skies.you cansee article which Roger N. Clark wrote about it in M31 as a difrEe glow locatedabout I l/2 the Sepember1993, issue of"S$'and d€gees due w€st from Nu (/ Andromedae. Ciet Telescope." a chair, grab a beer (nor really, sinceit ruins night vision) or your favorit€ beverage,sit back and enjoy! More aboutM3l and its companions I'll leaveyou with a teaserin &4itgelw. Here ne\l month. we find M31. NGC 224,*The Great Ardromeda Galaxy.' This is the most distant naked-eyeobject visible, almost 2.2 million

FROM THE OBSERVER'SNOTEBOOK By Art Russell

Beginner's Interesa Grrup. Cure for WLAS is found b'y lo€al astronomer! Are you tited ofbeing peltedwith rocks and discourteousaphorisms inferring a doubtfr. parentagewhenever you are a lat€ arrival at an obEerving session?Does yorr arrival blessyour fellow observerswith your vehicle's interior coutesy liglts? I thought I was fairly courteousin pulling my interior liglt fusewhenever I went obeerving. One small problem,first you haveto rememberto pull the fuse! Well, the solutlon is at hand. Now you can be the first obGerveron your block to gile your vehicle that sexyred glow that aslronomersever''rvhere covet so much wheneverthey try to preservetheir niglt vision. Not only that, you'll also enhanceyour reput$on as a latter day Casanovaor Lolita (chooseone)! You s€€,clesrly. I too oncesuffered from the dreaded "White Light Affliction Syndrome (WLAS)." However.a little ingenuity, time and effort on my part, and 1es.brothers and sisters,I've beentrulv "healed." The answeris verv simple, and it's effectiveas well: translucentBrake-Light Repair Tape. Too simple, isn't it. You can cheaplypuchase Brake-Light Repalr Tape at any automotiveparts store. The solution is to then tapeover all ofyour inteior light lenseswith the lape and viola, no more rocks and aphorisms! Like I sai4 too simple. Of couse, trying to get the police and the local moralscommission to believe1'ou reallv are an amateurastronomer is anothermatter. Then agarn.they'd probablyget up'setif they knew you were an amateurastronomer an1'way. So go ahead. Try it. Make your fellow amatew astronomershappy. Be the first amatew astronomeron yoru block to red tape-your family vehicle's internal lights and stopbeing peltedby unslnpathetic astronomers.

Librar-Y. The AAC Lihary continuesto grow. Member RobertCowart recendydonated the following booksto the library: "welcome to Astronomy," "The Geerver's Book of Astronomy," "Night Watch," and "Space-Time-Infinity." He also donateda large numberof back issuesof "Astronomy Magazine." The issuesstart in 197,1and stretch through 1995. ThanksBob! Now ifljust hadsomewhere to keepthem.....

Obserrer's Repoi. The AAC's picnic was a successwith 30 membrs and guestsattending. Now if the skieshad only cooperated!True to form since I've beenthe observingchairman, every time I'1€ hostedan eventat Villa fuca we've beeneither cloudedor tained out. I'm surethe Braveswould love to havemy batting record! Comet Hale-Boppl How big a scopedo you needto seethe comet? I don'1know the lowesl limit. However,AAC member.Larry Higgins, found the cometwith the smallesttelescope that I'm awareof. On 19 September,1995, Larry usedhis Tasco4 l/2 inch F7.9 reflector to find the cometusing last month's finder chart and a l2mm eyepieceat 75X. CongranrlationsLarry!

0bserving Sessions. BrasstownBald! You $,on't believeit. but I'll tell it to vou anlway. The BrasstownBald Obsewing sessionon 23 September.1995. $as a resoundingsuccess. Hundreds R'ere in attendance(only they were wis€ly somewhereelse). By the most amazingcoincidence Alex Langoussisgave me a call ftom Jasper and told me he'd seensunshine on the top6of the mountainson his way up to meetthe MinEes. Needless to say.as observing Chairman.I had to go an'ryay. The drive up was miserable,with a view son of like the inside of a can of Campbell'sCream of Muskoom Soup,only chunkier.

However,the rewardsgo to the vigilant.

We got the top of Brassto$'nBald only to find the MinEes, Langoussis.Doug Chesser,and Frank Marchesealreadl' setup and obeerving.We were of course,ABOVE the clouds! We couldn't possibly hale beenin the middle ofa cloud with about 10 feet ofvisibilityl Consequently,this eveninghad to be absolutelythe bestfor observinguncharted nebulosiqv that I haveeryerienced in rec€ntmemory. There was nebulosityeverywhere! In fact I haven'tseen nebulosity like lhis sifice I was last in Germanymany vearsago, lost in th€ fog on the Autobabnat l5omph! oh, the things we do for our hobby! well, I won't go on much longer, tnrt we did identi! a few more candidatesfor Dave Riddle's growing list of "Celestial Nicknames.,' clearly seenthtough the nebulositywere our candidatesfor the following obJects:The Headlights;The Brakelights; The Backup Lights; The concessionstand Lights; The Interior Lights; The Flashlights: The SteedngWheel (we lucky to find that one, otherwise,we'd still be up on the mountain!); and of course.my favorite, The Antenna (car).

Well, it was firn. But like all good thrngs. it had to end. After a firll eveningof observing ,'nebulosity,,'a new day beckoned so we bid a fond fafer€ll to BrasstownBald's "nebulosity"at about 2030 after a full half hour of waiting to s€eif anybodyelse was a sick as we were! DausetTrails. Join us at DausetTrails on the eveningof2l october for the AAC's Dark site (baervine session. DauselTrails is very easyto get to as the following directionswill show. Don't forget to briig warm clothing somethinghot to drink as it's that time of year agaln! Additionally, bring your orm power for thosehigh-speed scopes and hair dryers. clear skies, herewe come!

Take I-75 southfrom Atlanta to Exit 66, Jacksoll-Bamesville.Exit ofl uu,l then passover G interstateto the left (east). Drive approximately3.2 miles to High Falls Road. Turr right on High Falls Road. Drive approximately2.4 miles and look for a sign ort the right to DausetTrails. The road is Mt. Vemon ChurchRoad. Tum left on Mt. Vemon ChurchRoad and drive apprcximately3 . 3 miles. DausetTrails will be on yow left. Turn left into DausetTrails and ddve about200 meten where you v/ill seea gateand signs on the left side (note that there are clip-board hangerst'or notes). Do not turn at this point. Continuepast for another200 metersand )'ou will passthrough anothergate leading into the trees^Moodsdiectly ahead. Contimreinto the woodsand stay on tlre nain road \atrichyou are currently on. Severalother roadsintersect with this road, but do not take them. Continuefor about 600 mete$ and as you comearormd a gentle left hand hrm- the woodswill own into a narrow field. you,ll know you are in the right spot whell vou seethe trellis cutting acrossthe field. Turn hard right at this point and headsouth 300 metersinto the tield. The held operu up with a low ridge Foviding a goodvantage point for astronomy. Look for the tra{fic conesalong the wav. We'll havethem placcd strategicallyto hetp keep from lost in the woods- Seevou th€re!

In the fuhre. we hopeto b€ able to open the DausetTrails location to generalAAC memberusage. However,at this point, accessis controlled through m€. Give rne a call if you'd like to schedrle sone observingtime at DausetTrails after our 2l Octoberobeerving session.

TalesFrom the Waffle House, Rumor has it that club member,Dave Riddl€, has finally puchased a pickup tuck to carry him and his l8 inch Teatronout to remotelocations. Is it lnre? l{as an;voneseen Dave in recentmemory? Il's beenyears sinceDave was seen@ a living memberat a club meeting. DoesDave evenexist? This sane rurnor sourcealso has told me that Dav€ intendsto win the coveted'Great Gloh ar Challenge"Grand Priz€l I expectto seeDave headingsouth to his secrelPanacea. Florida, location at everyopportunity to take advantageof locatiorl skies, and seeing. Rich Jakiel. Are You Listenhq? Do any of the Zombies know where DaveRiddle teally is?

CalendarNotes

2l October Dark Site ObservingSession. Dauset Trails Natue Center;se€ directions, abov€. 27 October Club Mesting at Wlit€ Hall, 28 October Rrblic Viewing and Begirmer's InterestGroup at Villa Rica. l8 November Dark Site Okerving Session.Location To Be Determined. 25 November Public Viewing at Villa Rica. Figtre L Sta'-hopi#I -#7

@* I Delphinus

@\"

Ip.s-t{aI

l, iEiea otieal, SH. Star-8oo nb€r

Fig].ne2. Sts-hop #E

l4 essbr oltecl, 9H, gar-He rumher We'rehere to help! Here'show to reachus: Addressfor New lremberships, Renewals, Magazine Subscriptions, and Book Orders: Atlanta Astronomy club 3595Canton Road, Sufte A9305 Marietta,GA 30066

AllantaAstlonomy Club Infornation Line: 621-2661

InternetHome Page: http:/lvi/vw.mindspring.com/-aleko/atlastro.html

Otficers, Board, and cofilnittees:

AlexLangoussis President no48484 [email protected] JerryArmstrong VP,ProgramChairman 770-942424€ Art Russell VP,Observrng Charrman, 77o44e@ [email protected] Library,B€inner's lnterest Group DougChesser Treasurer,Subscriptions, Books 77G457-574B [email protected] RichJakiel NewsletterEditor 4o43E2&'t6 [email protected] KenPoshedly RecordingSecretary, Publicity, 77G979s42 [email protected] PeachState Star Gaze Chairman EricShelton Board,Telescope Making Chairman 77oe5+rc7 [email protected] TomBuchanan Board,Light Pollution Chairman n0-5€74774 TusharThrivikramanBoard 7702704742 LennyAbb€y Board,Publications 44-€ts41222 labb€[email protected] SteveGilbreath Board 77G4@1915 [email protected] Phil Bracken DarkSite Search Chairman 77oe41{617 philbemindspring.com GinnyfrinE HospitalityChairman 77V42-7ffi GinnyMauldin-Kinney Information Line z$4r 4S83 gs6vlm@panth€r.gsu.edu JoeSheppard ProgramAudio-Visuals neTa+75g2 76101 . 1 137@clmpus€rye.corn

THEFOqAL POINT Newsletterof The Atlanta AstronomyClub, Inc.

FROM: Richard Jakiel 1l0l CollierRoad Apt. Q-l Atlanta, Georgia 30318

The Arlaria A$rooomy Club lic., the Souti's largest and oldest First Class a$rcnomical socidy, meds at 8:00 p.nl- m lh€ lhird Friday of eadr moIlth at E ory University's White Hall and othef, localions. occasional me€ings are held at olhe! locations (deck the hot line for ddails). Iuenbenhip is op€n to all. Amual dues are $20 ($10 for students). Disc.omted subscriptims to A.$ronomy ($I8), and Skv & T€lescope (S24) nugazines a.e available. Ssrd dues to: The .q.drnt{ Astrcnomy Club, Inc,, 3595 Canton Rord, Sufte .q,9-305, Mrrietrs, Ga. 30066.

Hot Line: Timely informatior m lhe right sky and astr€nomy in the Atlanb area is available on a twenty-tbur hour basis on the Arlanta ,dstradomy Club hot line: 62 t -266 L

Che€k out our ASTRO discussiotl li$ on the Ioternd.: AsTRo(@lvlindspring.com. Also visit our Internd home{agei http, /www.minds"rin g.conv-aleko/atlastro.htr