“Welcome” to our newest members … FWAS Elections in September

Lenny Bradberry Rick O’Hara Elections for three officers will be held during the Ron Chrisman Ronald Pickens September meeting; they are: Dale Crane Becky Pils • The President Scott & Ann Drew Phillip Pugh • The Vice-President, and Ronald Feiler Raj Venkatappan • The Secretary-Treasurer. George Fitch Don Vick FWAS members are encouraged to recruit, Gary Jones Lee Vinson nominate, and support candidates for office during Joe Long Lewis Westerfield the August-September election period. Steven Moree Looking at these positions in more detail … Parties • The President o Is the public image of FWAS; wherever th possible, it is the President who • 6 Annual Lake Whitney Star Party – Aug 27 Contact [email protected] if you speaks for FWAS. o Appoints members to non-elected plan to attend or are willing to assist with the preparation or serving of the dinner. positions with Executive Committee’s approval (see Non-Elected Positions , • Ark-La-Tex on Sept 1-5 o P.2) Over the Labor Day Weekend o o Attends FWAS-sponsored functions About 50 miles north of Texarkana o o Assures that FWAS-sponsored events See http://www.rrac.org for details (“Red River Astronomy Club”) run smoothly o Performs other duties as required. • Copper Breaks State Park Sep 3 & Oct 22 • The Vice-President • Fort Worth Museum of Science and History o Backs-up the President when Sep 10 & Oct 8 necessary • Lowell Star Party on Sep 29 – Oct 2 o Attends FWAS-sponsored functions. o Flagstaff, AZ, about 4 miles west of o Is responsible for the programs for the Lowell’s Campus monthly meetings o See o Performs other duties as required http://kraken.lowell.edu/lsp3/index.html • The Secretary-Treasurer for details o “handles the money” • Okie-Tex on October 1-9 (Sat-) o maintains subscriptions o Near Kenton, OK (the “Black Mesa” o Performs other duties as required region of OK; the extreme western end of the OK panhandle, near the NM border) Annual Dues are Now Due o See http://okie-tex.com for details Access codes are changing in September … don’t be caught on a dirt road near the observatory wondering why the gate does not work!

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On This Day Non -Elected Positions

Aug 19, 1960: Sputnik 5 launched; successfully Should a member not wish to be an officer, but returned 2 dogs (Belka & Strelka) from wish to help with Club activities, there are a space number of non-elected positions within the Club …

Aug 20, 1977: Voyager 2 (USA) launched; it Publications Coordinator – assists the Secretary- explored the outer planets and left the Treasurer with sales and processing subscriptions solar system with records of human Outreach Coordinator – is the point-contact for civilization. Outreach activities 1885: Ernst Hartwig's Discovery of S Star Party Coordinator – liaises between FWAS Andromedae, which was the first and other organizations wishing Star Parties extragalactic supernova to be detected; it Editor for the Newsletter – solicits input for the was near the center of the Andromeda Newsletter and assembles it (M31), and attained an apparent Web Site Coordinator – maintains the Web Site magnitude of +6.5 (http://www.fortworthastro.com )

Aug 27, 1962: Mariner 2 (USA Venus Flyby) launched. It would scan Venus' surface with infrared and microwave radiometers Presentation and show Venus' surface to be about 425°C (about 800°F). It is now in a solar FWAS was honored to have a presentation by Paul orbit. Derrick of the Central Texas Astronomical Society (CTAS), based in Waco. Paul presented back- Sep 3, 1976: The U.S. Viking 2 spacecraft lands ground for his organization of the sky into 9 on the surface of Mars; it analyzes soil and regions, as indicated in his two instructional books: climate, and sends back some of the first • A Beginner’s Guide to Learning the Night close-up photographs. Sky , and 1961: The Materials Testing Laboratory of • Stargazer’s Life List Hughes Aircraft Co. reported that 30 days exposure to simulated vacuum of space Additional information about Paul is at his Website: killed bacteria by causing them to http://www.stargazerpaul.com disintegrate molecule by molecule, and as Additional information about the CTAS is at: such, sterilization of space vehicles could http://www.centexastronomy.org be eliminated from planning. Paul can be contacted at: th Sep 11, 1877: born: Sir James Jeans, 918 No. 30 Street mathematician and astronomer. Jeans Waco, TX 76707 developed a kinetic theory of gases using statistical mechanics, which became widely Ph: (254)-753-6920 used by astronomers investigating the e-mail: [email protected] interior structure of ; he also originated the theory that the planets were formed when another star passed close to Brain Teaser the sun, and violently removed some of its matter. It’s been reported that geostationary satellites orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the surface of Sep 12, 1970: Luna 16 (USSR Lunar Lander) the earth. If you are given: launched; it would successfully land in • gravity is 32.2 ft/sec/sec

Mare Fecunditaits and return about 100 • the earth is 25,000 miles around its

grams of lunar samples to Earth. equator, and

• a few basic physics equations,

(cont’d … P. 3) can you validate the height of the satellite?

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On This Day … (cont’d) Book Repor t Light This Candle

Sep 14, 1712: died: Giovanni Domenico Cassini in

Paris, France. Though commonly Light This Candle presents the story of Alan

recognized from the gap in Saturn's ring Shepard, and gives some behind-the-scenes

system, he founded the Paris Observatory, exploits within NASA. The book takes its title from

where his studies led to a revised the quip from Alan Shepard to the NASA

calculation of the speed of light as well as technicians … “Why don’t you fix your little problem

the astronomical unit (AU). and light this candle”… prior to liftoff of America’s

first manned space flight. Sep 18, 1819: born: Jean Bernard Léon Foucault, physicist. Though commonly recognized

for the knife-edge test for mirrors and Teaching Astronomy lenses, he also developed the heliostat,

was the first to photograph the sun, and From [email protected] to those in the used a long pendulum to demonstrate the educational system who have had to answer the rotation of the earth. “why,” “when,” “who,” and “how” of teaching

astronomy … this article destined for the Journal of Sep 23, 1846: Neptune is discovered by German the Science Teachers' Association of Ontario may astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle, based prove useful: on calculations of calculations by the

French astronomer, Urbain Le Verrier. http://www.erin.utoronto.ca/~astro/curric1.htm

Sep 28, 1953: died: Edwin Hubble in San Marino, CA

Sep 29, 1988: Launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery ; it was the first space shuttle launch since the loss of the space shuttle Challenger .

2006 Publications

Royal Canadian Handbook : The Order Forms for the 2006 Handbook are typically received August / Points of Interest – New Mexico September (i.e., imminently). The Handbook is

US$24.95 retail (+ taxes + S&H); a bulk order can About 50 miles west of Socorro in the Plains of San reduce that to about US$16.00-US$19.00 (+ taxes Agustin, Jerré Ellis visits the Very Large Array + S&H). (“VLA”) during a trip to New Mexico. The VLA

consists of 27 25-meter dishes; 9 dishes on each of 2006 Guy Otwell Astronomical Calendar : not 3 13-mile “arms” of a “Y.” published to date; prices not available. Last ’s calendar was $24.95 (+ taxes). Visitors have access to a Visitor Center with

displays on radio astronomy and operation of the 2006 Astronomy Calendars : ordered and in VLA, as well as a self -guided walking tour (takes transit. about an hour or so).

Please see Tres Ross if interested in these For more information, please see: publications. http://www.vla.nrao.edu/

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STS -114 “Guest Night” at Observing Site Good News … Bad News

Members are reminded that the Saturday night

The good news: mission went well overall; nearest the 3rd Quarter Moon is reserved for amongst other things, … members with guests as well as members alone.

delivered 15 tons supplies to the ISS This is the time when members are requested to be • (returned 3 tons of trash, as well) tolerant of guests at the site, and to assist them with sky orientation, instrument instruction, etc., • tested and evaluated both inspection and repair techniques and to otherwise encourage the guests' participa- tion in observing the heavens. Members are to be • repaired failing systems of the ISS (e.g., replaced a gyroscopic system) aware that, on these occasions, they should not plan on doing any serious observing or astrophoto- • concluded with a successful pre-dawn graphy, nor should they berate other members and landing at Edwards (CA). their guests for possibly interfering with their

observing plans. The bad news: the fleet is grounded until further notice; this after four piece s of foam separated from It is permissible for a member to bring a guest at the external fuel tank during liftoff. Most debris other times, but that member is responsible for the came from an area known as the Protuberance Air guest maintaining common observing courtesies, Load (“PAL”) ramp – a built-in ridge designed to and dark-sky etiquette. minimize turbulence around cables and fuel lines. Grounding the shuttles poses serious Members are also reminded that it is never consequences for at least two astronomy assets: permissible to give non-members (i.e., guests) the • The ISS: supposed to operate with 6-7 gate code. personnel on-board – 2 to maintain the station, and 4-5 for science -. The ISS has been operating on a maintenance-only Conversion to Tax -Free Status mode for 2+ . • HST: prior to the flight, the chances of The process to convert FWAS to a non-profit saving Hubble were bleak, at best. Unless corporation (specifically, a “501-(c)(3) corporation”) technology is developed to deal with the is proceeding. The first step in this process is to be foam and tiles, the fate of Hubble may now recognized by the State of Texas, which is be sealed. underway. The objective is to make FWAS an attractive candidate for charitable gifts.

Observing Report Louise Greve ( [email protected] ) is FWAS’ Moon’s “Graze” of Antares official contact for items relating to this conversion.

Ron DiIulio and Don Garland presented a video of the Moon's “Graze” of Antares, complete with Astronomical League soundtrack of WWV. It was noted that if observers are stationed at graze points, dimensions of lunar Members of FWAS are automatically enrolled as features could be calculated. Data are transmitted members of the Astronomical League, and as such, to the International Occultation Timing Association, are eligible to participate in their Observing Clubs. or “IOTA,” where it is correlated with other These Clubs are designed to assist the observer in observers world-wide. developing a certain level of skill in finding and

observing objects in the night sky. FWAS members For more information, visit: are encouraged to participate in these programs. http://www.occultations.org

(IOTA’s USA Section), For additional information, see: - or - http://www.astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/obsclub.html http://www.iota-es.de (IOTA’s European Section).

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In the Sky (mid-August thru end-September)

Mercury Aug 24 (morning): greatest western elongation (about 18.4° west of the sun)

Sept 2 (morning): greatest illuminated extent (21 sq arc-sec in gibbous phase)

Venus Sept 1 (evening): conjunction with Jupiter (about 1°14' apart)

Mars continues to brighten and increase in size from mag –0.7 & 12.5” on Aug 16 th to mag –1.7 &

17.7” on Sept 30 th … Mars’ diameter and Magnitude are shown graphically between 8-01-

2005 thru 3-31-2006 in Sky & Telescope / September 2005 / P. 68

Jupiter Sep 1 (evening) conjunction with Venus (about 1°14' apart)

Saturn Sept 14 (morning): passes 1° south-southwest of the center of M44 (the Beehive – a 1½°-

wide open cluster)

Uranus Aug 31 (evening): reaches opposition; it’s near Lambda-Aquarii, and shines at mag +5.7 &

3.7” diameter. Assistance in finding Uranus can be found in Sky & Telescope / June 2005 /

P. 72-73

Neptune continues near Theta-Capricorni at mag+7.9 & 2.3” diameter. Assistance in finding Neptune

can be found in Sky & Telescope / June 2005 / P. 72-73

Pluto continues to be a challenge near Xi-Serpentis at mag+13.9 & 0.1” diameter. Assistance in

finding Pluto can be found in Sky & Telescope / June 2005 / P. 72-73

Moon Sept 3: new moon at 1:45pm CDT

Sun Sept 22: Autumnal Equinox at 5:23pm (CDT), marking the start of Fall in the Northern

Hemisphere

Other Aug 25: peak of the Northern Iota-Aquarids Meteor Shower; it has a duration of Aug 11 thru

Sep 10; hourly rates of 5-10 are typical (brightness generally fainter than magnitude 3).

Comets “Dirty Snowballs” or “Icy Dirtballs”

Results from the Temple Impact continue to be analyzed. Preliminary results indicate the Comet Temple was covered with a fine material – on the order of talcum powder, rather than beach sand. Theories are evolving that comets are similar to asteroids, but contain volatile materials that date back to the time of formation of the Solar System – these “volatiles” vaporize as the comet gets close to the sun and warms. Comets have retained these “volatiles” by virtue of their long-period / long orbital radii, which keep the comets away from the sun’s heat.

For more information, please see: http://deepimpact.jpl.nasa.gov/press/050708jpl.html

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The Observoscope – Star Finder Star Walk & Sun and Fun (Copper Breaks State Park)

When you started learning the

night sky, did you wish you h ad Doug Brown and Russ Boatwright visited Copper

a device that would point to the Breaks State Park for the Star Walk and Sun and

brighter stars so you could get Fun; Doug shares their experiences …

your bearings? If so,

[email protected] may August 4 (Th): Early arrival so we could have

have the answer … it’s an more time to enjoy the wonderful dark skies, but it

approximately 60-year-old had rained and was cloudy.

device called an Observoscope – Star Finder , August 5 (Fr): Drove to the Washita Battlefield manufactured by John A. Millar Associates, Inc. National Park in Oklahoma (was as much to get out

of the heat as to see the park). Again, the night was To use the instrument: cloudy, so we packed it in for the night.

• select a star (the instrument has a list with

RA and , or you can furnish August 6 (Sa): Got a guided tour of the 3 Rivers

your own) equipment and the new campus. The sun was

• dial-in the star’s RA and Declination playing peek-a-boo with the clouds for the Sun Fun

• dial-in your latitude part of the day but by the time it got dark it was

• match-up the date and time clearing off and we had a great night of viewing.

• place the base on a level surface, and

point it towards true north The first thing that happened to me was a brother

The tube should be pointing toward the selected and sister with their dad came up and asked me to star. find “their stars” for them (I gathered that some

relative thought that was a good Christmas

present). Their charts were actually good, and I had

no trouble finding the stars in UMa (at least they 2003 UB 313 … The Tenth Planet (?) were next to each other); I showed them the stars

and they thanked me. A new object - dubbed 2003 UB 313 - is the farthest directly observed body in the solar system ... it is Most of the attention of the crowd went to the both larger and more distant than Pluto. Unlike VBD’s (Very Big Dobs) so I had t he time to finish most planetary orbits, which lie more or less in the off my Messier objects. I had started it last October plane, 2003 UB 313 is in an orbit tilted 44° out at the Star Walk then and it seams fitting to finish it of this plane. there. After that I just took some time to marvel at

the Milky Way with just my eyes; you could see the 2003 UB 313 joins Sedna and Quaoar (pronounced texture and form - it was as if there was a stripe of kwah-o-wahr) as Kuiper Belt objects vying for flame from horizon to horizon. Then you would get recognition as a planet. treated to a meteor streaking across it and a gasp

of wonder and excitement would escape from the 2003 UB 313 will be visible over the next six months crowd. It was just a great night of viewing. and is currently in the early-morning eastern sky, in the Cetus. Amateur astronomers with August 7 (Su): Drove to Caprock Canyons State a 14-inch scope or better, a CCD camera, and a Park to check it out. It was very nice and that might dark site should be able to detect the new object. be a good place to do some viewing as well. After

we got back we set up the scopes and had another For more information, please see: great night. http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&i d=3401 I hope that all of you can make it out there on a or good night. … a trip to Copper Breaks is something http://www.universetoday.com/am/publish/10th_pla that I would recommend for all of the FWAS to net_discovered.html make at lease once a year

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FWAS MEMBERSHIP INFO

FWAS Officers : Trista Oppermann – President [email protected] Harry Bearman – Vice President [email protected] Tres Ross – Secretary / Treasurer [email protected]

FWAS Meetings – FWAS meets at 7:00 PM on the third Tuesday of the month at the Ft. Worth Museum of Science and History on Montgomery Street. Guests and visitors are always welcome. FWAS Web Site – http://www.fortworthastro.com FWAS E-Group – send a blank e-mail to [email protected] to subscribe. Post messages to the group by sending e-mail to [email protected] . Any message sent to [email protected] will be automatically sent to all members of the list. Prime Focus – The FWAS newsletter is published monthly. Letters to the editor, articles for publication, photos, or just about anything you would like to have included should be sent to: [email protected] . FWAS Annual Dues - $40 for adults / families, $20.00 for students; checks payable to Ft. Worth Astronomical Society; payments can be mailed to P.O. Box 471162, Ft. Worth, TX 76147 or in-person at the next indoor meeting. Discount Subscriptions Available – Sky & Telescope ($32.95), and Astronomy (1 year for $34.00; 2 years for $60.00). A Sky & Telescope subscription through FWAS entitles you to 10% off purchases at Sky & Telescope’s on-line store. Astronomy is developing a subscribers-only web site, but it is still a “Work In Progress.” Astronomical League Membership – Your FWAS membership also enrolls you in the Astronomical League. This makes you eligible for various observing certificates and you get their quarterly magazine, The Reflector .

Scope For Sale

For Sale: Carbon-fiber Celestron Nexstar 8 GPS with:

* Starizona Landing Pad * JMI hard case with wheels * Dew shield * Feathertouch 2 speed focusing knob * Vibration suppression pads * 2" Celestron diagonal with 1.25" adapter * The Nexstar User's Guide by Michael W. Swanson Asking $1,750 inclusive.

Frequently seen at the Museum star parties as part of binoviewer demos (binoviewers not included).

Reason for selling: upgrading aperture

If interested, contact Jim Walsh directly at [email protected] or by cell phone any time at 817-683-4064.

September Meeting

September’s meeting of FWAS will be Sept 20, 2005 in the Ft. Worth Museum of Science and History.

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Observing Site Reminders

All member s …

• Sign the logbook in the clubhouse

• Put equipment back neatly when finished

• Leave a log note if there is a club

equipment problem; in addition, please

contact an FWAS officer to let them

know.

• Turn out the bathroom light and close the

door tightly – do NOT lock.

• Maintain Dark-Sky etiquette

• Turn out your headlights at the gate !!

Last person out, please …

• Check all doors and lights

• Make sure nothing is left out

• Chain the gate when departing site.

Ft. Worth Astronomical Society Place

P.O. Box 471162 Stamp Here

Ft. Worth, TX 76147

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