OBSERVATORY NEWS March 2015 Published by the Friends of the Observatory (FOTO) Volume 26 No. 3 513-321-5186 www.cincinnatiobservatory.org Bill Cartwright, editor

March 14 and 21), where you COMING UP AT will have ample opportunity to observe the Messier and other deep sky objects, as well as THE OBSERVATORY.... (and Saturn, if you stay late enough!). Bring your own telescope, your binoculars, or Not a UFO Feb 28 7p just yourself, as there are always * of Season Mar 4 7p plenty of amateur astronomers Thursday Mar 5 7p there who are happy to share Astronomy Friday Mar 6 7p views through their telescopes FOTOKids Mar 6 7p with you.

Late Night Date Night Mar 7 10:30p FOTO has been working on History Tours Mar 8 1-4p developing a system for

FOTO Movie Night Mar 8 7p transmitting images from a FOTO Meeting Mar 9 7:30p THE WORD telescope to our large screen TV. This will accommodate visitors Astronomy Thursday Mar 12 7p Astronomy Friday Mar 13 7p By Michelle Lierl Gainey who are unable to climb the Pi Day with Pies Mar 14 8p steps to the dome, and also Stonelick Stargaze Mar 14 dusk Hello Friends! As I write this, provide an additional viewing A2Z Astro Class Mar 15 7p we have about 8 inches of snow station during large public Spring Constellations Mar 17 8p on the ground and it is COLD events. We have extended the COC wireless network to cover Astro 2.0 Class (2 night) Mar 18 & 25 out. On days like this it is hard the grounds around the FOTO planning meeting Mar 19 7p to believe, but spring is just buildings. Thanks to the efforts Astronomy Thursday Mar 19 7p around the corner. of members Aaron Eiben, Chris Astronomy Friday Mar 20 7p By later this month, hopefully Kean and others, we now have a Stonelick Stargaze Mar 21 dusk conditions will be much more -gazer friendly – just in time system that works beautifully for History Tours Mar 22 1-4p transmitting images of the Moon Astronomy Thursday Mar 26 7p for the Messier Marathon! What is the Messier Marathon, you to the TV, using a cell phone Astronomy Friday Mar 27 7p camera with a telescope adapter ask? No, it is not a foot race. See my article later in this newsletter and wireless transmission to the Save-These-Dates! for more information about the TV. We are working on testing

Messier catalogue, which lists other devices (better cell phone

Partial Lunar Eclipse Apr 4 dawn some of the most beautiful deep- cameras, web cams) that will Hubble’s Greatest Hits Apr 7 8p sky objects such as galaxies, give an equally good view of First Light Night Apr 12 7p nebulae and star clusters. Jupiter and other planets, and *Constellations Apr 15 8p If you live in the city or a even deep space objects, in real th Hubble’s 25 Apr 25 8p light-polluted suburb, consider time (although some processing coming out to Stonelick Lake will be needed to bring out detail * UC Communiversity Class Park for one of our stargazes (on in deep space objects). If you have expertise in this area, or 1 have an astronomical imaging web cam or other equipment you A2Z+ Astronomy History of the Observatory would like to donate to this cause, please contact me at March: Err of Air March 8 & 22 [email protected]. Drop in anytime between 1-4 pm Remember that Dave Bosse’s Sunday, March 15 fun and informative A2Z 7-8 pm Astronomy Classes are held on the 3rd Sunday of every month at By Dave Bosse 7 PM (this month, it is on March 15th). These classes are free for OK, in January it was all about members. Mark your calendar! the human eye. In February it Another benefit of FOTO was all about telescope optics. membership is the option to What comes next on our trip to borrow a COC telescope for a the Celestial Sphere? Well… we month. If you are just learning have to get past the sky. What? how to use a telescope, please A more difficult task than you take advantage of the offer from might imagine. Cleveland Abbe, the Cincinnati some of our experienced The Earth; its motion; its Observatory and the birth of the astronomers to coach you on atmosphere; even your location Weather Bureau. how to use and care for the and elevation all conspire to $5 per person suggested telescope, and how to use a star twist the truth of heavens into chart to find interesting objects something like the truth. The sky donation. Free for members. in the night sky. Dave Bosse, is not really telling us lies, but it Group tours by appointment. Scott Gainey and Chuck certainly is not telling us the Strubbe have offered to meet whole truth. This month’s A2Z+ Intro to Astronomy with members one on one for installment will cover those ever this training. You can get their so slight nuances that make A Short-Course at the contact information from the acquiring precision measure- Observatory office. ments a very complex issue. In Observatory

You can also bring your March we will meet on Sunday 7-9 pm, Tuesday, March 3 th telescope to Stonelick Lake Park the 15 at the usual time of 7:00 for one of our stargazes, where PM. Resolve to learn more astronomy you can receive mentoring and The A2Z+ Astronomy classes in 2015. This introductory enjoy sharing your experiences are held the third Sunday of each astronomy course is perfect for with other astronomers. month at 7:00 pm in the West beginners who want to know Also, remember that FOTO Wing of the Herget Building. more about observing the night members can attend the Astro The group will meet for about an sky. Thursday and Friday programs hour or so and attendance is free Led by astronomer and co- (held almost every week) free of to any COC member. The only host of PBS’ Star Gazer, Dean charge. You should call the pre-requisite is the desire to Regas, this course will show you office to register, though, as learn. the . You will learn how to there is an attendance limit for these programs. identify stars, constellations, and We look forward to seeing Did You Know…. planets as well as viewing tips you at the FOTO monthly for the Moon. Each night meeting on Monday, March 9 at includes viewing through the If our Sun became a black hole, it 7:30 PM. And thank you for all historic telescopes. would shrink from a diameter of you do to keep the Cincinnati Cost: $30, but just $25 for 865,000 miles to less than four Observatory Center thriving and Observatory members. miles! serving our community. To register call 513-321-5186.

2 Paul Franz and Shari Loo Welcome Craig Deck and Laura Lozano FOTO's March Meeting David and Linda McBride By Dave McBride New & Renewing Randy and Mary McKnight

Members! Joseph and Georgiann Meale On March 9th the program John Merrick committee will welcome Mark Cindy Mincks Plano Clark as our speaker who LeAnne Montgomery will bring his topic "The Great Rino Munda Debate: Astronomy in the Early Frank and Nancy Palmisano 20th Century." Valydon Philip Poonoosamy Dennis and Rhonda Ransdell One of Mark’s predecessors at Dr. Wes Ryle Doane College was astronomer Mary and Jay Sallee Julia Hawkes who was one of Scott and Jessi Schwarz the first women to obtain a Ph.D. Patti Smith in astronomy in the U.S. Her Jim Sweeney dissertation was titled, “Photographic Determination of Suzanne and Tom Terwilliger Matt and Homana Titus the Positions of Stars and Nebulous Knots in the Region of Fred and Judy Bay Chris and Nancy Virgulak the Great Nebula of Douwe and Caroline Bergsma Tyler N. Webb Andromeda” at the University of Marian and Richard Billings Marc & Nadine Whitsett Michigan in Ann Arbor and was Threasa Wesley and Lawrence Yates published in 1923. Geoffrey Bowling Her research measured star Gordon Brown positions on photographic plates Robert Heslar and Kim Camp Greater Cincinnati STEM taken sixteen years apart to look Claudia Candito for “evidence of systematic Tiffany and Jeff Clayton Collaborative movement which might be Lesta Cooper-Freytag attributed to the relationships of Stacy and Scott Crawford these stars to the nebular Jean Davison forms.” The dissertation was Catherine and Bob DeFoor The Greater Cincinnati STEM published about three years after Fred Sanborn and Janet Dieman Collaborative (GCSC) impacts the “Great Debate” between Evans Mirageas and STEM (Science, Technology, Heber Curtis and Harlow Thomas Dreeze Engineering, and Mathematics) Shapely on the size of the Jean Durbin learning and career readiness universe. This talk will be about Carl and Joanne Eastwood through active, engaged, data- the connection of the debate to Joan Erhardt driven partnerships between the work done by Prof. Hawkes Mel and Connie Gertz business, educational (Cincinnati in an era when the size of the Michael Getz Observatory), and community universe “grew” in truly epic Philip Griggs partners. Our vision is that the proportions. Donna Wirth and Bob Groszer Greater Cincinnati, tri-state And some Astronomy Dr. Jack and Mrs. Beryl Hazen region has the most robust STEM Wisdom: “The Sun, with all the John Hill talent pipeline in the country planets revolving around it, and Noelle and David Houben which is also representative and depending on it, can still ripen a Jeff and Kathleen Howe inclusive of the region's bunch of grapes as though it had Scott Huber population. nothing else in the Universe to www.greatercincystem.org do.” – Galilei Michael Kreate

3 Cincinnati Observatory, 170 Years of Cincinnati Cincinnatians were leading the We Love Donors! nation by creating new institutions Astronomy that advanced science and the By Anna Hehman welfare of the public. 7 pm, Sunday, April 12 The historic buildings which Our Valentine’s Night was a supported these institutions are a huge success – the event was record that teaches their history like sold out! Over 70 people found no other method can their way to the Observatory for duplicate. Some still exist, some are this annual ticketed special lost but all of them have interesting event. Most of our visitors were stories which can enrich our there for the first time, and this experience and understanding of the year, we added room for 32 history and built environment of additional attendees who Cincinnati. participated in our Valentine’s Tours of this National Late Night Date Night. Historic Landmark follow. In planning for this year’s Stargazing weather permitting. ongoing efforts to raise money Cost: $10 per person, $5 for and awareness, we have Observatory & CPA members. finalized a corporate giving Reservations Required: Call 513- proposal that will give First Light is a significant event 321-5186 or sign up online. for astronomers, being the first companies of all sizes the time they view through their opportunity to partner with the new telescope. For our founder, Stargazing at Stonelick Observatory through an annual Ormsby MacKnight Mitchel, that investment, tailored to their was April 14, 1845. State Park budget, that rewards them with Thanks to the efforts of interactive and creative perks in Saturdays – March 14 & 21st astronomers, historians, science addition to recognition educators and preservationists, throughout the year. including the Cincinnati We have been working Preservation Association (CPA), through our lists of individual every year thousands of and family donors over the Observatory visitors still get to years, hoping to engage experience their own first light everyone in some facet of the through the same instrument. Observatory. We are looking for ideas on how we can better Keynote speaker: Paul Muller, connect to you, our donors, and Executive Director of the Spring Skies Bring Galaxies offer opportunities that will Cincinnati Preservation increase financial gifts as well as Association. Need help with your telescope? recruit new donors.

Bring it for expert tips setting it To make an individual or family Scientific Innovations in up and exploring the night sky. gift to the Observatory, or if you Cincinnati: The Historic Stargazing begins at dusk. Open can direct us to a potential Buildings That Housed Them to all ages. corporate or foundation donor, Stargazes are weather please contact the Observatory Cincinnati was a hub of scientific permitting. “Friend” the Stonelick Development Director Anna innovation in the nineteen and early Lake Stargazers Facebook page for Hehman at twentieth century. From Daniel weather and schedule updates. Drake’s Medical College of Ohio [email protected] or (513) 321-5186. and Children’s Hospital, to the 4 at dusk and keep at it until and eyepiece magnification you Magnificent Messiers dawn. This is called the Messier are using, and make a sketch of Marathon. It is a fun thing to what you see in the eyepiece. By Michelle Gainey try, if you are already familiar Even if you are not much of with many of these deep sky an artist, sketching the object The Messier catalogue is a objects and just want to see forces you to observe it more wonderful resource for amateur whether you can plan your carefully and to make note of star gazers. The Messier objects viewing in order to catch them nuances that you might are relatively bright deep-space all in one night. otherwise miss. It also helps you objects, visible in amateur remember what you saw. Later, telescopes, which were you might observe the same catalogued by Charles Messier in object again with a different 1771. Messier was a French telescope or eyepiece, or from a astronomer who was searching different viewing location, and it for comets. When he found a will be interesting to compare “fuzzy” deep sky object that had what you can see under those the appearance of a potential different conditions. comet, he would make M31 Andromeda galaxy sequential observations to determine whether it was The general strategy is to start moving against the background with the western-most objects, stars (as a comet would). If the and work your way eastward. object did not move like a comet, There are websites that give Messier listed it in his catalogue, advice on this, for example: to avoid it being mistaken for a http://members.shaw.ca/rlmcni comet in the future. Thus, he sh/darksky/messierplanner.htm identified many of the most However, if you have not beautiful deep sky objects that seen many of these deep sky are visible in the Northern objects before, it is more Hemisphere. rewarding to take time to M57 Ring Nebula

carefully observe and enjoy each Here is a website that shows a one. Use a star chart to locate black and white image of each of each object (any decent star chart the Messier objects, along with will show the Messier objects; brief descriptions: they are listed as “M1” through http://www.seasky.org/astrono M110”). my/astronomy-messier.html . This is a good chance to hone I also recommend a your ability to find deep sky wonderful Messier observing objects, using the bright stars M5 Globular Cluster manual, “Messier Objects, A you can see without a telescope Beginner’s Guide” by Kathy to help you locate the dimmer All of these can be seen with Machin and Sue Wheatley. This deep-sky objects. I suggest you amateur telescopes, and many handy little booklet gives tips on start a Messier viewing log (this are also visible with binoculars. how to find each object, is also a great thing to do with There are 110 objects listed in the interesting information about the NGC objects and other objects Messier catalogue. Many of object, and is organized by the that you enjoy viewing). For these objects are visible at any seasons when the objects are in each object you find, make a note time of the year, but during the the pre-midnight sky. It is of the date, observing conditions month of March it is possible to available for $8 through the (Moon? Clouds? Haze? Light find all of the Messier objects Astronomical League website on pollution?), the type of telescope during a single night, if you start the next page. 5 https://www.astroleague.org/st ore/index.php?main_page=prod Craig’s Corner uct_info&cPath=1&products_id= 6&zenid=3vbd86crgob1i6ahbr2o By Craig Niemi, Executive Director cshqt2. The Astronomical Last month we talked a bit about League also has a Messier On February 7th a huge magnetic the Cincinnati Preservations Program, in which you can be filament was observed hanging Association (CPA) and some of awarded a Messier Program over the surface of the sun. This the other folks who are Certificate and pin for finding all filament was a string-like feature responsible for the stewardship the Messier objects on your own of plasma more than 400,000 km (i.e., not using a go-to telescope). of the Observatory. long and suspended above the There is a Binocular Messier We’re glad to announce that surface of the sun by magnetic Observing Program, also. for the First Light Night forces. Then, the filament was so th celebration on April 12 , Paul long it would have easily Muller, Executive Director of reached from the Earth to the CPA, will be our keynote Moon. In the days following, the speaker. Be sure to check out the filament continued to grow in article in this newsletter and go length and it became the 2nd to the web calendar to sign up largest object in the solar system. online. Only the sun itself was bigger. Valentine’s Night and the By February 14th the filament M42 Orion Nebula Valentine’s Late Night events So, get outside and give it a had rotated across the solar disk were both great successes. and part of it formed a try! Marathon enthusiasts Virtually all of the 100 guests prominence on the solar limb. notwithstanding, there is really that night were new to the The picture below shows the no rush. These objects will be Observatory! Once again our feature in profile as well as a top there for the rest of your life. staff and volunteers exceeded view. Even if you find only one our visitor’s expectations. Messier object per night, you Our thanks to Mt. Lookout Joe, will enjoy the experience, learn Edible Arrangements in Newport something about the object, and and Robin Woods Flowers for their get good practice in using a star generous support! chart and finding lovely deep Craig sky objects.

Amazon “Smiles” on the Monthly FOTO Observatory Planning Meeting

By Michelle Gainey H-alpha photo by Steve Rismiller The next FOTO Planning

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the Meeting is scheduled for By February 20th, the filament price of your eligible purchases Thursday, March 19 at 7 pm at had rotated out of sight but to Cincinnati Observatory the Observatory. SOHO caught a large CME Center whenever you shop on The planning meetings are radiating away from the sun. I AmazonSmile. Next time you open to all FOTO members. We believe that was the end of the shop at Amazon simply start at encourage your participation in filament as it became unstable, http://smile.amazon.com/ch/3 the discussion of future FOTO fell back to the surface, exploded 1-1665954 activities. and hurled itself out into space.

6 personal device or other external Late Night Date Nights Audio System in Herget recorder. One nifty feature of the new amplifier is that it Saturday, March 7 West Wing allows voice-over-music mixing, 10:30 pm to Midnight so that presenters may have any By John Blasing of the above sources playing in By Dean Regas With the recent acquisition of the the background as they speak new big-screen monitor, it over the microphone. And to seemed desirable to overhaul the think I found the wireless audio system in the Herget west microphone languishing unused wing meeting room - but the in a box! subsequent failure of the The system is installed in the audio amplifier quite forced the glass-door cabinet at the front of issue! I undertook the task about the west wing meeting room, on two months ago, and I'm happy the right side of the room. to report that the new system is Posted on the inside of the left installed and fully functional. In door of the cabinet is a set of addition to a new 40-watt-per- step-by-step instruction for The Heart Nebula side amplifier, the system now setting the system up to play from each of the above-noted After your night out dining and includes a CD player, an sources. dancing, top off your date night AM/FM tuner, and a wireless I encourage anyone interested with a stop at the Cincinnati microphone; in fact, the only to acquaint themselves with the Observatory. pieces remaining of the old new system, especially those The Observatory is one of the system are the Bose who might find themselves most romantic places in town – loudspeakers we're accustomed covering an event in the west especially after hours. to seeing atop the cabinets in wing that requires audio. Feel You'll get to use the oldest big front of the room. The new free to ask me at an upcoming telescope in the U.S. to view system provides greater meeting if you would like an astronomical objects and snuggle functionality than we had informal one-on-one familiar- under the stars (weather previously, compliments the new big-screen monitor ization session. permitting). For adults only. If the weather does not permit nicely…and 40 watts per side is viewing, we’ll have fun showing more than enough to fill (or shall New Star Gazers you around the universe and I say clear) the room. behind the scenes at the I took some care to connect Observatory. Light snacks and and label the components so as refreshments will be available. to make operating the system Admission is $20 per person. as straightforward as possible. To make reservations sign up The system is capable of playing online from the Calendar Listing audio from the following or call 513-321-5186. sources: - The Big Video Monitor

- A Computer or Other Did You Know…. External Source Star Gazers airs locally on - AM or FM Radio channels 14 and 48 and you can The most distant object ever - CD watch each month’s episodes on observed was a gamma-ray burst - MP3 files on a Flash Drive our website: from a dying star 13 billion light http://www.cincinnatiobservato years away. There is also provision to record ry.org/stargazer.html audio from the amplifier into a “Keep Looking Up!” 7 life in space. Do insects need Astro Evenings at the A Bug’s Life … In Space wings in space and how does the wing size change from one Observatory By Fred N. Bowman generation to the next? The answers to these and other Thursdays, March 5, 12, 19, 26 As astronauts come and go from questions are being pursued by Fridays, March 6, 13, 20, 27 the International Space Station the astronauts onboard the ISS. 8-9:30 pm (ISS) they experience adjustment periods to and from the micro- gravity environment. The lack FOTO Kids and Teens

of gravity has an effect on the By Aashi Mital human body, from fluid distribution to the long term loss What does it take to enjoy of calcium in their bones. astronomy? Just your sense of These effects are not confined adventure, curiosity and love for just to the humans. Insects take the stars! Join us for another several days to adjust to micro- Free for Observatory members! exciting journey at our next gravity. Insects don’t have FOTO Kids meeting on March In awe with the beauty of the bones; however, they do have 6th at 7 p.m. in the Herget night sky? Have questions about wings. As they become adjusted Building. the Universe? This is where you to micro-gravity they learn to Remember to dress for the can get the answers. push off with their legs using weather! If you have any Astronomy Evenings include their wings only to change their questions, please don’t hesitate short presentations on a wide orientation and direction. to email Aashi Mital at variety of topics and plenty of On Earth, insects use their [email protected] or Aaron time for your astro-questions. wings to overcome the force of Eiben at Tour of the Cincinnati gravity to fly; in space their [email protected] Observatory, which as a wings are needed only to move . Until then, keep looking up! National Historic Landmark their mass when they are not played an important role in the attached to a surface. Newton’s history of Cincinnati and our third law of motion: for every Topics in Astronomy nation. Once dark, we will view action, there is an equal and the Moon, planets and deep opposite reaction. March 17, The Spring Sky space treasures through the Insects, because of their short April 7, Hubble’s Greatest Hits historic 1845 telescope. (Program life cycles, can be studied over a May 12, Astrology Exposed is held rain or shine; telescope large number of generations in a viewing if clear skies). short period of time. Two effects By Dean Regas The topics and the night sky of micro-gravity are: The males change week-to-week/month-to- tend to live much shorter than month so you can visit often to females, and two, it takes longer Led by astronomer and co-host hear and see something new for their eggs to hatch. Some of PBS’ Star Gazer, Dean Regas, Free for Observatory members! have theorized that the males these classes will show you the For the latest schedule see the use too much energy pursuing a stars. Each night includes web calendar then sign up mate and the lack of gravity viewing through the historic online. makes the larvae too weak to telescopes (weather permitting).

break free of their shells. You can join us for an individual By studying insects over Did You Know….. class or the entire series. many generations allows the $15 per class. Observatory Approximately every 50 years a astronauts to monitor any supernova explodes in our galaxy. evolutionary changes caused by members can take all 4 for $50.

8 March Movie Night Our Thanks to Pi Day at the Observatory

By Aashi Mital Bartlett Tree! 8 pm, Saturday, March 14

By Dean Regas We’re keeping the party going with another movie night in the 3.141592653589793238462643383 Herget Building on Sunday, 27950288419 March 8th at 7 pm. Join us on 3 14 15 as we celebrate the most famous of all numbers. Pi has been calculated to over one trillion digits beyond its decimal point. As an irrational

Our thanks to Bartlett Tree and transcendental number, it Experts for generously donating will continue infinitely without repetition or pattern. their services in removing the Only 39 digits past the dead Norway Spruce from decimal are needed to accurately behind the Herget Building! Join us for New Horizons: Passport calculate the spherical volume of to Pluto and Beyond! By removing the tree they our entire universe, but because help to protect this Samuel of Pi’s infinite & patternless Why Go to Pluto? Planetary Hannaford designed building nature, it’s a fun challenge to exploration is a historic from possible damage, ensure memorize, and to endeavor and a major focus of the safety of our thousands of computationally calculate more NASA. New Horizons was visitors, and help maintain our and more digits. designed to help us understand park-like green space. worlds at the edge of our solar In-kind donations like this are system by making the first Museums and Historic great way for the Observatory to reconnaissance of Pluto and Charon - a "double planet" and stretch its budget so we can put Sites of Greater Cincinnati the last planet in our solar more resources into member and system to be visited by community programs. spacecraft. As a part of an extended mission, New Horizons will visit objects in the FOTO Board Members Kuiper Belt region beyond (Terms expire Oct. 2015, MHS is comprised of over 30 Neptune. except as noted) participating sites across Greater We will have popcorn to Cincinnati. Each site offers a President: Michelle Gainey munch on, but feel free to bring unique perspective on local VP: Aashi Mital in your own drinks and snacks history and culture through Secretary: George Ostrum for the event. If you have any public programs, exhibits, Treasurer: Al Scheide questions, please email Aashi lectures, and tours. FOTO Rep: Frank Huss (exp. www.historicgreatercincinnati.org Mital at [email protected]. Oct 2016)

Did You Know…. Trustees Did You Know….

John Blasing At 50-100 million Kelvins There is one known double pulsar Aaron Eiben Hydrogen fuses into Helium and a system in our galaxy which warps Dave Bosse (exp. Oct 2016) star is born. the fabric of space. Chris Kean (exp. Oct 2016)

9 also gives some really The King of the Planets What Is the Value of a overworked staffer or key volunteer a moment to catch Returns Volunteer to an their breath, take a night off, or pause for a moment to think up By Aashi Mital Organization Such as some new task, exhibit or idea With “Jupiter Season” kicking for raising another dollar. off at the Observatory, we are The Observatory? From answering the phones proud to announce that new By Jenny O'Donnell to setting up the folding chairs to exhibit on the King of the Planets rebuilding the dome, every is open to the public until mid- We all have a finite amount of volunteer hour has brought us April. time and an infinite amount of right where we are now. These demands. We could spend our hours are an amazing asset that time on work, family, makes the Observatory beam. homeowner obligations, a To volunteer simply email second job, fitness, community [email protected] based needs, education...you Thanks! name it. But instead, each and every one of us, give some sliver of time to the organization because 5142 is the Kroger we believe that the "O" is worthy of our time and attention. We Community Rewards might be doing it to "preserve Want to know more about the the birthplace of astronomy" or Number for the Galilean Moons or the Great Red to have access to some really Spot? Perhaps discovering more Observatory about the Observatory’s past in cool scientific stuff, or meet some connection with the gas giant is really nerdy folks, very similar to what you’re after. Whatever the ourselves! intrigue, stop by and visit. Or we might contribute out of And don’t forget that this a sense of obligation, or because would make for an excellent it is our field of expertise or resource! Between incorporating passion, or maybe we really it into our programming to being know that if we are known as an added intrigue for walk-ins a volunteer we will get a little and tour groups or even if it’s more access to someone or just learning more about something that we value. After a quick and easy sign up something of personal interest, Regardless, while all of us could online, every time you swipe it’s sure to turn a few heads. just take our toys and stare into your Kroger Plus Card a the galaxy by ourselves, we opt donation goes to support the to give a little time to the O. And Observatory’s mission. No cost Did You Know…. that time is extremely valuable. to you; no loss of fuel points.

The accumulated volunteer https://www.kroger.com/accou In February 2015 NASA hours allow us to operate nt/create launched a new satellite to study another program, catalog water, not in oceans or lakes, but another antique book, introduce in the soil beneath our feet. This a family who had never been in Did You Know…. often overlooked repository of before, and stretch that donated water can have big effects on dollar a little further than Stars stay Red Giants from a few weather, climate, drought and anyone ever thought we could. It agriculture. thousand to a million years. 10 eclipses and transits. Not a UFO An Edge-On Close The eclipses have already At the Observatory started. On Jan. 24th, for Encounter with Jupiter example, three of Jupiter's Saturday, February 28, moon's, Io, Europa, and Callisto, 7-9 pm Every 13 months, Earth and cast their inky-black shadows on Jupiter have a close encounter. Jupiter's swirling cloudtops. Astronomers call it an "opposition" because Jupiter is opposite the Sun in the sky. Our

solar system’s largest gas planet As Earth's crosses the plane of rises in the east at sunset, and Jupiter's equator in the weeks soars overhead at midnight, and months ahead, there will be shining brighter than any star in many mutual events. For the night sky. instance, on Feb. 5th, volcanic Io Maybe you’ve seen them in the This year's opposition of will cast its shadow on Mercury- night sky. These two Jupiter occurs on Feb. 6th. It isn't sized Ganymede, Jupiter's unbelievably bright lights – one an ordinary close encounter with largest moon. On Feb. 7th, icy in the east and one in the west. Earth (approximately 640 million Europa, home to what may be You wonder, what are they? kilometers), but in Feb. 2015, the solar system's largest Planes? UFOs? Jupiter is edge on to the Sun. underground ocean, cast its They’re NOT UFOs. They’re shadow on Io. Events like these much, much cooler. will continue, off and on, until They are, in reality, Venus and July 2015. Jupiter, the brightest star-like http://science.nasa.gov/science objects in the sky. They, along -news/science-at- with the twinkly stars Sirius and /2015/04feb_jupiter/ Capella are the most reported UFOs to the Cincinnati Observatory. Don’t be fooled. Meet Me Outdoors Efrain Morales Rivera of We’ll tell you how to IDENTIFY these objects in the Aquadilla, Puerto Rico, nighttime sky, and view them photographed multiple shadows through the telescopes (weather transiting the face of Jupiter on permitting). Plus we’ll share Jan. 24th. A full-sized version of false UFO reports we’ve received his image matches each shadow Looking for one site to find this over the years. Great for all ages. to a moon. winter’s best outdoor recreation Admission is $7 per person. No In a rare coincidence, Jupiter's opposition on Feb. 6th coincided events? Stargazing, hikes, biking, reservations required. For more almost perfectly with its equinox everything outdoors. information call 513-321-5186. on Feb. 5th when the Sun crossed http://meetmeoutdoors.com Jupiter's equatorial plane. It is an To learn about the seasons on the edge-on apparition of the giant planets in our Solar System, go planet that sets the stage for a Did You Know…. to this website to watch a video. remarkable series of events. For An asteroid or comet hits Jupiter the next couple of months, every 10-15 years which is 5000 https://mail.aol.com/webmail- backyard sky watchers can see times higher than the rate of std/enus/DisplayMessage?ws_p the moons of Jupiter executing a opup=true&ws_suite=true impact on Earth. complex series of mutual

11 buy-in and passion for Unusual Comet Dive- Meet Our New the Observatory.  Develop list of Bombs the Sun…. Development Director foundations whose focus matches the work of the ….and lives! Astronomers are Observatory and begin puzzling over a comet that funding discussions. passed "insanely close" to the  Create a list of businesses sun on Feb. 19th. At first glance whose philanthropic it appeared to be a small object, reach is within the work not much bigger than a comet- of the Observatory to boulder, doomed to disintegrate underwrite programs in the fierce heat. Instead, it has and events. emerged apparently intact and is  Anna Hehman Work on both actually brightening as it recedes quantitative and from the sun. I’m thrilled to join the qualitative evaluation Unofficially, the icy visitor is Observatory in this role! I’ve pieces for our programs being called "SOHO-2875," worked in development for over to report to funders as because it is SOHO's 2,875th 8 years, including experience in well as capture new comet discovery. major gifts, planned giving, funders. Karl Battams of the Naval  annual fund campaigns, event Capitalize on the Research Lab explains what's management, grant research and opportunity of people odd about SOHO-2875: "It's a writing, and corporate relations. visiting the Observatory 'non-group comet,' meaning that I also have an MBA in for public events, tours, it does not appear to be related Marketing, and several years of classes and other events. to any other comet or comet  experience creating marketing Create a marketing plan family that we have on record." plans, crafting press releases, to help craft a case for Most comets that SOHO sees and working with press contacts. support articulating the belong to the Kreutz family. I was drawn to the Observatory value of our programs for Kreutz sungrazers are fragments because of not only its status as a various audiences. from the breakup of a single historical gem, but also as an giant comet many centuries ago. educational resource for adults, Anna Hehman "Non-group comets like this children and families in our 513-321-5186 appear a few times a year, so in region. [email protected] that sense it's not toounusual," There are incredible continues Battams. "But this one opportunities for us to diversify is relatively bright. The big our funding and achieve more question most people will have exciting growth. I’m looking now is, Can I see it, or will I be able forward to working with all of to see it, from Earth? At first I you to achieve great things for thought the answer was no. But I the Observatory! am very pleasantly surprised-- Plans for my initial six months shocked in fact! The comet has include: brightened dramatically and now is sporting an increasingly  Identify our top 50 The GOW website is up all-year impressive tail. Visibility from stakeholders (members, around as a link to informal Earth in a few weeks is no longer volunteers, and donors) education providers like the out of the question, although I and begin process of Observatory. still wouldn't put money on it." meeting with each one to www.cincygreatoutdoorweeken spaceweather.com better understand their d.org 12 UC Communiversity Dean’s March

Enrich Your Life With Astronomy Classes Quality Courses By Dean Regas

In March I will be holding two classes. March 17 at 8pm is called the Spring Sky, learning the stars and constellations of a warmer season. Cost is $15 per person, RSVP required by call us at 513-321-5186. Then on March 18th and 25th I’m leading another 2-night

Constellations of the Season series called Astronomy 2.0. March 4th Something slightly more The Observatory is a proud advanced than the Intro Classes. member of GCEE! The spring 2015 course selections They're still really for beginners will be posted soon. To register but I cover some different topics contact UC Communiversity at like the new and improved solar Icy Jupiter Moon Throws a 513-556-6932, or system and star clusters, www.uc.edu/ce/commu.html nebulas, and galaxies. Costs are Curve Ball at Formation $30 for the series, $25 for members. I can send you a press Theories Eyes of the Night release for both once I'm back in the office if you need more info.

(When Dean sent this article he was in , where it was warm, filming Star Gazers again.)

The Heavyweight Champion of The Cosmos! Artist's concept of Galileo at Jupiter's moon Amalthea.

Mr. John Ruthven is offering Dark energy may be driving signed, limited edition giclee' most galaxy clusters apart from Scientists studying data from prints of his "Eyes of the Night" one another. But on occasion, NASA's Galileo spacecraft have which features the Observatory! huge galaxy clusters can merge, found that Jupiter's moon Each signed 14"x 20" print is forming the largest gravi- Amalthea is a pile of icy rubble on sale for $150. The total run tationally bound structures in less dense than water. Scientists will be limited to 250 prints. the universe. The largest such expected moons closer to the Proceeds support the cluster ever discovered is the El planet to be rocky and not icy. Observatory’s programs. To Gordo galaxy cluster. Learn The finding shakes up long-held order contact Craig Niemi at more about it in this month's 513-321-5186 or column! http://spaceplace.nasa. theories of how moons form [email protected] gov/partners around giant planets.

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