Lowell Observatory Issue 92 Fall 2011 from Discovering to Describing Near-Earth Asteroids by Tom Vitron

LOWELL EXPANDING OUR UNIVERSE OBSERVER The quarterly newsletter of Lowell Observatory Issue 92 Fall 2011 From Discovering to Describing Near-Earth Asteroids by Tom Vitron

When the Lowell Observatory Near-Earth Object Search (LONEOS) Asteroids like Ida can have small companion moons like Dactyl (right). Discovering companions is one came to a close in 2008, it did not of the tasks for NEAPS researchers. (Photo courtesy: NASA/JPL) mark the end of near-Earth object research at Lowell. Rather, it marked a With the 24-inch Schmidt Telescope project’s main data output. However, shift from discovering these objects to as the workhorse instrument, research more work is required before robust characterizing them. “[Dr. Ted Bowell] assistant Brian Skiff and other observers statistics about NEA rotation can be opted to use our resources to study one generated a lot of data over the course compiled. of the physical properties of near-Earth of the project. For example, one of the Since this research does not require asteroids (NEAs): rotational period,” most challenging asteroids observed by the biggest, most modern telescopes, says Dr. Bruce Koehn, who recently NEAPS was 2011 AL37. This asteroid amateur astronomers are participating in took the reigns from Dr. Bowell (see closely approached Earth on January asteroid research. “Their data, combined article on page 5) and is the principal 26, 2011 and was moving at almost with ours, will likely make a very good investigator to LONEOS’s successor, the 60 degrees per day. Fortunately, it was data set,” says Dr. Koehn. “We have Near-Earth Asteroid Photometric Survey bright enough that Skiff took short made a significant contribution to the (NEAPS). The goal is to watch several exposures using the Schmidt telescope. understanding of rotation of near-Earth NEAs each night and, ultimately, get The Schmidt, with its wide field, could asteroids.” statistics on the rotational properties keep the asteroid in sight even when it of NEAs, says Dr. Koehn. Insights was moving so fast. The NEAPS team IN THIS ISSUE are being gleaned about the variety found the asteroid had a rotational 1 From Discovering to Describing ... of rotational periods (or how long it period of 6 minutes, 20 seconds. The takes an asteroid to rotate on its axis), only way it could be rotating so fast is if 2 Director’s Letter the type of rotation (principal axis or it was a solid piece of rock. Otherwise, it 3 Three New Astronomers tumbling), and the number of NEAs would come apart. Strangely, astronauts 5 Dr. Ted Bowell Retires that have “companions,” or other, even would not be able to stand on the smaller objects orbiting around them. surface of this asteroid. If they tried, 6 John Radway “If we were lucky, we could also find the they would be hurled into space. 6 Departures and Arrivals direction of the principal axis and shape NEAPS researchers produced several 7 In Memoriam of the asteroid,” explains Dr. Koehn. hundred light curves, which are the 2 THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Fall 2011

performed its successful first flights superb control for eight years. But it also in late June, with a number of Lowell saw some arrivals: we welcomed three folks involved in the airplane itself and outstanding astronomers – Evgenya afar, including Ted Dunham, Georgi Shkolnik, Kevin Covey, and Gerard Mandushev, Tom Bida, Brian Taylor, van Belle – to the scientific staff, and Amanda Bosh, and Stephen Levine. electrical engineer Mike Sweaton joined The summer also involved the the DCT team. Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT) And as always, we saw the continued engineers successfully mounting the lovely mix of engineering and art primary mirror in its support cell and that goes into making DCT a reality. lifting the whole 27,000-pound thing Commanding some of the top bids at three stories up to the observing level the silent auction at our June Friends of the dome, where it was seamlessly event were signed, framed copies of bolted to the telescope (see below). Ralph Nye’s drawings of the DCT’s Director’s During all this heavy lifting, a Discovery instrument cube and guider assembly. Channel film crew was here getting Ralph’s full-size drawings of the cube Letter everything on video and interviewing a and the filter wheel – especially the filter by Jeffrey Hall number of us for Discovery’s first major wheel! – are spectacular, and as I write DCT feature, which will air next year. this, lots of parts are being carefully It saw our scientific staff regularly machined to his specifications by Steve involved with the public on our summer Lauman and electronics assembled Summer at Lowell started in meet-an-astronomer nights – always a hit by Rich Oliver, and the impressive- the second week of last June in with our visitors – and astronomer Lisa looking cube is being assembled in characteristically busy fashion. Not only Prato traveled as far as Maine to give our instrument shop. In all aspects did we hold the annual meeting of our one of her engaging talks on celestial of the DCT from its primary mirror advisory board, but also a Friends of dust bunnies (a.k.a. star formation) at an to its complex guiding system and Lowell thank you event that featured a event sponsored by several of our board instruments, form meets function in wonderful talk by Bill Sheehan, noted members. singular fashion. Lowell and Mars historian. In addition, It involved some farewells, including With all of this and more humming thanks to the impetus and support Byron Smith, who oversaw the along, you won’t be surprised if I say of our trustee Bill Putnam, Flagstaff construction of a beautiful telescope that summer has disappeared in a flash, enjoyed a visit that week by Garrison and passed the commissioning baton in but that’s okay. May fall be equally Keillor and a live broadcast of his well- July to Bill DeGroff, and Bev Welling, quiet. known radio show from Fort Tuthill who kept the company books under County Park. I remember reading Keillor’s story collections as a teenager and smiling DCT M1 Mirror Mounting as each tale opened with his signature line: It has been a quiet week in Lake The DCT staff recently achieved a major construction Wobegon. Invariably those weeks ended and commissioning milestone. DCT project manager Bill up involving headless chickens, septic DeGroff (pictured, tanks, or waterlogged Lutheran pastors, proceeding with glorious inevitability right) oversaw from quiet into mayhem. In that the mounting of spirit, it has been a quiet summer on the primary (M1) Mars Hill. I am not aware of anything involving chickens, except possibly as mirror cell in early part of the non-seafood menu at the August. A big Trustee’s annual staff lobster party in congrats to the August. But the summer has involved Boeing DCT folks who aircraft, specifically the remodeled made it happen! 747 called Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) that THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Fall 2011 3

to exoplanets for her PhD. husband Aaron and their College, a Master’s in physics Three New “Exoplanets are what got me three young children, Dr. from The Johns Hopkins into astronomy,” she says, Shkolnik is very impressed University, and a PhD in Astronomers pointing to the discovery of with the diversity of Flagstaff physics from the University the first exoplanet in 1996 and feels welcomed. Coming of Wyoming in Laramie, by Tom Vitron as decisive for her. After to work at our historic where he came to enjoy the completing her studies institution seems like a high-altitude, small-town in 2004, she worked as a great fit. “You get to spend lifestyle. postdoctoral fellow at the your day in a way that Eager to share that Institute for Astronomy at benefits your research to the lifestyle in Flagstaff with his the University of Hawaii at fullest possible extent,” Dr. wife, Stephanie, and their Manoa and as a Carnegie Shkolnik says. “Being in a three young boys, Dr. van Fellow at the Carnegie place like Lowell is perfect.” Belle comes to Lowell with a Institution of Washington’s wealth of expertise in near- Department of Terrestrial infrared interferometry, or Magnetism. the group of techniques in Dr. Shkolnik’s focus is which electromagnetic waves characterizing exoplanets are superimposed in order after their discovery. For to extract information about Dr. Evgenya Shkolnik almost 10 years, she’s been the source object. Aside from studying these newfound ESO, he previously worked When asked what she worlds for magnetic fields, at Jet Propultion Laboratory wanted to be while in the atmospheric composition, (JPL) as an instrument 7th grade, Dr. Evgenya tidal evolution, and any architect for NASA’s Keck Shkolnik said she wanted effect on the parent star. Interferometer and at to be an astronaut. By the “I’m not yet a planet hunter,” Caltech’s Michelson Science next year, the goal was even she says. Center (now the NASA bolder: be the first person on Choosing to come to Exoplanet Science Institute), Mars. Clearly motivated and Lowell made perfect sense Dr. Gerard van Belle where he participated in not shy, Dr. Shkolnik instead to her. “The ideal is what commissioning Georgia State became a highly skilled and Lowell is putting together,” L os Angeles, Boston, University’s CHAR A Array respected astronomer and is Dr. Shkolnik explains. Flagstaff… Wait, how and the Palomar Testbed now bringing her talent and Excited to join to Lowell’s does Flagstaff fit into this Interferometer. Using the expertise to Lowell. expanding exoplanet group, equation? “Flagstaff is a latter, Dr. van Belle led a Born in Kiev, Ukraine, she points to the freedom real cluster of scientific team that made the first Dr. Shkolnik grew up that Lowell offers to do excellence,” says Dr. Gerard direct measurement of stellar near Hamilton, Ontario. the research you want to van Belle, pointing to the shape by studying the rapidly Fascinated with science, do. In addition, access to presence of Lowell, U.S. rotating star Altair. He Dr. Shkolnik attended a four-meter telescope will Geological Survey, the US also served as instrument Dalhousie University in be essential for identifying Naval Observatory – Flagstaff scientist for various ESO Halifax, Nova Scotia, where changes in stellar systems Station, and Northern interferometry instruments. sheA received new undergraduateWeb site through star-planet Arizona University. “People Aside from shape, Dr. degreesto launch in math and Lowell physics. interactions. “DCT is one know what goes on in LA van Belle also studies the Wantinginto tothe work future on MOST– of the reasons I came,” and Boston but Flagstaff is fundamental parameters Canada’s small space Dr. Shkolnik says. “Once in the same sentence. We’re of radius and temperatures telescope designed for ultra- DCT is equipped with on the map.” Dr. van Belle for stars, stellar rotation, high-precision photometry spectrographs, it will be recently joined the staff after and other viable targets for of stars – Dr. Shkolnik critical to see how things four years at the European interferometry. switched coasts and enrolled change in these systems, how Southern Observatory (ESO) He is also working on at the University of British stars and planets interact, in Munich. planetary detection through Columbia, a main partner in both magnetically and Born in the U.S. to ground-based transit the MOST project. While tidally.” Dutch parents, Dr. van Belle observations, or when a she did her Master’s on As she settles into received a bachelor’s degree that research, she switched downtown Flagstaff with her in physics from Whitman Continued on page 4 4 THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Fall 2011

astronomers, his passion extends beyond a specific area of research but he is Your Gifts now a low-mass star expert. He examines very young and Make a very old low-mass stars, both of which lend themselves Difference to observation at redder wavelengths, explains Dr. Dr. Otto Franz Retires Covey. He utilizes a wide Your commitment range of observational data to the Observatory Dr. Franz retired in his research, piecing makes this institution in July but will be together a global portrait finishing existing Dr. Kevin Covey of a star’s surface and the special place that research. Best of environment from the it is. Unrestricted wishes, Otto! different types of light that cash contributions each component emits. He is hen Mars Hill gets W currently using multi-epoch are vital to meet the draped in a thick sheet of Continued from page 3 images from Palomar to day to day operating snow this winter, don’t be measure rotation rates for surprised if you see Dr. needs of the stars. “Once you have a star’s planet passes in front of Kevin Covey snowshoeing rotation rate, you can then Observatory. Please its host star. As you might up the slope to work. While look at its spectra to study expect, part of the Lowell the Portland, Oregon native consider making an how that rotation affects appeal is getting to utilize the and his wife, Sarah, are unrestricted gift to the strength of its magnetic DCT and its interferometry keen to take advantage of field.” Lowell before the and visible-light capabilities. Flagstaff’s outdoor culture, Coming to Lowell not In addition, Dr. van Belle Dr. Covey comes to Lowell end of 2011. Please only means access to world- is confident that a possible ready to build upon an use the enclosed class instruments like the upgrade to the NPOI would already impressive research DeVeny Spectrograph envelope or make make it “a dominant player resume focused on low-mass (currently in use at the in the interferometry world,” stars and star formation. a contribution to Perkins Telescope) and the he says. After graduating with a our annual appeal DCT’s Large Monolithic Not wedded to the bachelor’s degree in physics Imager, it also means online using Paypal. techniques, Dr. van Belle is from Carleton College access to star-research focused on the science as he (just like Lowell deputy Should you have any cohorts. “Though Lowell catches his breath and plans director Dr. Ted Dunham), is still very active in solar- quesions, plese feel his next four papers. He is he went back to the Pacific system research, it has also free to call Chuck also taking account of where Northwest and worked on assembled a strong core the field of astronomy is his PhD at the University of Wendt at: of astronomers who study now and where it is headed, Washington. He was then stars and exoplanets,” Dr. (928) 233-3201. envisioning the instruments awarded two prestigious Covey explains. “Usually, an of the future including space- post-doctoral positions: institution needs to be huge based mirror arrays. a Spitzer Fellowship at Your to have five or six people For now, he is happy to the Harvard-Smithsonian all working in that research continued make the transition back to Center for Astrophysics, area. Lowell’s ability to American life, going through and a Hubble Fellowship at support is sustain that level of scientific what he calls “reverse culture Cornell University. expertise, without sacrificing appreciated shock.” But here in Flagstaff, Dr. Covey’s interest the collegial environment he remains on the global in stars began when he and is that makes the Observatory astronomy stage. “The work participated in a summer so special, is one of the critical to our being done at Lowell is all Research Experiences for institution’s most attractive cutting edge,” Dr. van Belle Undergraduates (REU) success! features.” says. “People know Lowell program at Bucknell worldwide.” University. Like most THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Fall 2011 5

ever” in a six-week process Dr. Ted Bowell which took into account his existing research findings at Retires l’Université de Paris 6. Bowell’s thirst for by Tom Vitron discovery and passion for asteroids solidified when Lowell legend Henry To many in attendance, Giclas invited him to see the easel appeared out of the process of exposing nowhere, suddenly occupying photographic plates at a spot in the nearby lawn. the Pluto Telescope (the More intriguing yet, a large, astrograph now at the end painting-like object veiled in of the Pluto Walk on Mars a black cloth sat on the easel. Hill) and using a Zeiss blink Dr. Bowell (left of easel) stands with astronomers for whom he Attendees of Lobsterfest comparator to examine named asteroids. 2011 who saw near-Earth the plates. “Henry let me was president of Division object expert Dr. Ted Bowell blink a couple of plates III of the International (assisted by machinist Steve and I immediately found Astronomical Union. Lauman) walk in with the an asteroid,” recounts Dr. However, no one easel knew he must be Bowell. “I was hooked. influenced Dr. Bowell’s the mastermind behind Discovering an unknown seminal work as much as this mystery. Like so often body as big as 100 km in geologist Eugene Shoemaker, before, this gentleman from diameter gave me quite the iconic observer who London would soon shed a charge. It occurred to encouraged him to orient light on another important me that we had all the photographic asteroid work and memorable contribution equipment here---the to look for near-Earth to Lowell Observatory, as telescopes, plate-scanning asteroids. “Shoemaker Trustee Bill Putnam reads his the Lobsterfest marked his machine, computers---to single-handedly developed tribute to Bowell. official retirement from revolutionize the discovery of that subject and brought to sky site at Anderson Mesa. the scientific staff after an relatively nearby bodies.” But the world its importance. LONEOS discovered 289 illustrious career. why do this? “Because we He was the one-man band near-Earth asteroids and 42 Dr. Bowell came to didn’t know much about the on this subject for decades,” comets, taking some 450,000 Lowell in 1973 after overall structure of the solar explains Dr. Bowell. Thanks individual exposures of meeting Dr. Bill Baum, system in 1980.” Dr. Bowell to Shoemaker, there is a 130,000 regions on the sky. the director of Lowell’s and Dr. Larry Wasserman congressional edict to search (For more on LONEOS, Planetary Research Center, developed a process to for asteroids. (Shoemaker’s look in the Spring 2008 at a NATO workshop in discover and track asteroids. widow, Carolyn, serves on Observer.) “Lowell is a Istanbul. The two hit it off “It took more than two Lowell’s advisory board.) perfect place for large-scale and Dr. Baum offered him decades,” says Dr. Bowell. After years of careful and long-lasting surveys, in a job on Mars Hill, making “It came from a simple idea. planning and grant writing, part because of the facilities, the assumption that he When and how often do the Lowell Observatory the support, and the had a PhD, though he did I observe an asteroid so as Near-Earth Object Search freedom,” says Dr. Bowell. not. After graduating from not to lose it? The thought (LONEOS) began in Though Dr. Koehn is London’s University College, became a major suite of 1998 with Dr. Bowell at now managing the successor Dr. Bowell had taken a research.” Collaborators the helm, assisted by Dr. to LONEOS, the Near-Earth job studying the Moon’s from the University of Bruce Koehn and research Asteroid Photometric Survey surface at l’Observatoire de Helsinki, including Dr. assistant Brian Skiff. The (NEAPS, see cover article), Meudon near Paris and was Kari Lumme and Dr. Karri program continued for 10 Dr. Bowell says he will still employed there when he met Muinonen, were essential to years, searching for Earth- be coming in on a daily Dr. Baum. To further his the effort. Bowell’s work on approaching asteroids basis. He sees the DCT era career and qualify for the asteroids has also extended and comets using a fully job at Lowell, Dr. Bowell to the international arena: automated 0.6-m Schmidt completed “the fastest PhD between 2006 and 2009 he telescope at Lowell’s dark- Continued on page 6 6 THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Fall 2011

Continued from page 5 by approaching event managers in the John Radway Phoenix area about booking tours of by Tom Vitron the observatory. “It means a lot to be and the growth it is spurring as very involved,” says John. “This is just a positive things for the Observatory. small way to help.” We’re proud to have “Expansion has been good for Lowell John involved in what he titles our “big because of the quality and variety of family.” research, much of which is world class,” he explains. Before revealing the mysterious Departures: veiled object he brought to the Sydney Barnes, assistant Lobsterfest, Dr. Bowell received several astronomer gifts in honor of his distinguished work El Hadji Cisse, grounds and camaraderie, including a limerick ultivation is at the heart of John assistant written and recited by trustee Bill C Radway’s life. Born in Hawaii and part Emily Clough, grounds Putnam. Shortly thereafter, the time Hawaiian, he graduated from Punahou came for Dr. Bowell to share one final assistant/supervisor High School, made famous by President gift: thirteen asteroids named after staff Chris Crockett, predoctoral Obama, and Stanford. John then members not already so honored (see fellow pursued a career in law after serving picture). Though his groundbreaking Lorrie (Whorton) Hardy, in the Army. Driven to find a better career took him to the heights of his lifestyle for he and his wife, Claire, John public-program educator profession, this jovial gentleman never gave up law after five years and the pair Megan (Jackson) Johnson, forgets to honor the people and spirit of purchased a citrus and banana farm on predoctoral fellow Lowell. Oahu. Though John loved those crops, Dagmara Oszkiewicz, he and Claire moved to the Big Island predoctoral fellow to run a Macadamia orchard, one of MaryJane Peters, public- first planted in early 1940s. After 12 program educator New Horizons years, they sold their farm as prices of land rose and relocated to Arizona. Workshop They briefly lived in Camp Verde, then The New Horizons project moved Wickenburg to avoid allergens. Arrivals: His early interest in science centered science team, including Sam Crump, video intern Lowell’s Dr. Will Grundy, on agronomy and then, like so many, he watched Carl Sagan’s TV series James Davis, public- met on Mars Hill August “Cosmos” and became interested in program educator 30 and 31 to discuss icy the heavens above. More recently he Michael Gary, public- surface processes. Even has followed developments in the field program educator though the spacecraft of neuroscience as a result of Claire’s Lauren Hill, graphic design is still four years from epilepsy. Fortunately, being in Arizona intern its rendezvous with gave them access to the Mayo Clinic in Helen Horstman, library Scottsdale. (Claire passed in 2010.) Pluto, much work and volunteer He fostered his interest in astronomy preparation is required Dave Shuck, grounds along the way. For by joining the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP). When ASP assistant example, the discovery members received a letter from Lowell Aubrey Tamietti, public- of a fourth moon around Observatory, he discovered our rich program educator Pluto (currently known history and exciting future, and joined William Willis, accounting as P4) presents a twist. the Friends of Lowell. “I’m mainly intern In fact, the team recently interested in cosmology but I love it all,” says John. As an honorary received time with the Note: These are people not member of the board of advisors, Hubble Space Telescope mentioned elsewhere in the to look for more satellites John has generously supported the newsletter. around Pluto. Observatory for many years and is proud to help cultivate interest in Lowell THE LOWELL OBSERVER | Fall 2011 7

In Memoriam by Dr. Amanda Bosh Uncle Percy’s Adventures in Space Lowell Observatory remembers two key HIPO team members who passed Coming this fall, the first four away in the few months before the first flight: James Elliot and James Darwin. episodes of an 11-part, Lowell- produced animated kids series Over the years, Lowell Observatory James L. Elliot astronomers have worked closely with 1943-2011 about the solar system. Geared MIT astronomer Jim Elliot, who was (Justin Knight/ NY Times) to kids aged 2 to 7, Uncle a co-investigator on the HIPO project, Percy’s Adventures in Space was also on the Lowell staff and would introduces kids to astronomy spend summers working at Lowell Observatory. Dr. Elliot passed away in and related scientific concepts March 2011, less than a month before during voyages to the objects the group received word that the Pluto in the solar system. Percy and occultation had been approved for his robotic assistant, Miss SOFIA. Jim Darwin, Lowell’s machinist Kitty, travel in a spaceship for many years, fabricated most of HIPO’s components. Jim retired in version of Big Red, Percival 2005 and passed away this June, less James L. Darwin Lowell’s 1911 Stevens-Duryea than a month before the commissioning 1939-2011 automobile. Created with flight. elementary school science standards in mind, the series Acronym list will be available online. An ASP: Astronomical Society of the Pacific accompanying workbook CHARA: Center for High Angular Resolution produced by NAU’s College of Astronomy Education will also be made DCT: Discovery Channel Telescope available to teachers and ESO: European Southern Observatory parents. Now, explore the solar HIPO: High-speed Imaging Photometer for system with your kids and get Occultations them excited about science! JPL: Jet Propulsion Laboratory LONEOS: Lowell Observatory Near-Earth Object Search MIT: Massachusetts Institute of Technology MOST: Microvariablity & Oscillations of Stars NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration NAU: Northern Arizona University NEAPS: Near-Earth Asteroid Photometric Survey NPOI (now) NOI: Navy Prototype Optical Interferometer (now) Navy Optical Interferometer REU: Research Experiences for Undergraduates SOFIA: Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy USNO: United States Naval Observatory LOWELL EXPANDING OUR UNIVERSE OBSERVER The quarterly newsletter of Lowell Observatory Issue 92 Fall 2011

2011 PUBLIC PROGRAM FALL SPECIAL EVENTS

REGULAR PUBLIC HOURS: November & December M/W/F/Sat Noon-9:30 p.m. T/Th/Sun Noon-5:00 p.m. Upcoming meteor shower nights (Leonids 11/16, Geminids 12/12) Upcoming Flagstaff Nights (Weds. 11/2 & 12/7)

NOVEMBER FRI 26, SAT 27 Thanksgiving Celebration 9:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Lowell Observatory will extend our open daytime hours and offer indoor programs and building tours.

DECEMBER 2,3,5,7,9,10,14,16,17,19,21,23 Star of Bethlehem 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. At 7:00 p.m. we will discuss the astronomical interpretation of the Star of Bethlehem. Telescope viewing and other multimedia indoor programs will also be available.

26-31 Winter Holiday Celebration 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Lowell Observatory will extend our open hours and offer indoor programs and special tours during the day. After dark, numerous telescopes will be set up for viewing celestial objects. Note we will close at 5:00 p.m. on the 31st. Dates CLOSED: 11/24, 12/24-12/25

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The Lowell Observer is published quarterly by Lowell Observatory, 1400 W. Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 For comments about the newsletter, contact Chuck Wendt, Deputy Director for Advancement [email protected] Flagstaff, AZ U.S. Postage Permit No. 928.774.3358 • www.lowell.edu • Find us on Facebook Non-Profit Org. PAID Contents Copyright 2011 by Lowell Observatory ISSN 1054-0059 170

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