50th Anniversary Edition STARDUST InBuilding this the issue: QE II Observing Celestial Bodies Hopping Your Way Through the Sky Observing with CATs The best of Starbust ...and so much more STARDUST C O N T E N T S FEATURES 9 Building the QE II 28 Star Hopping The humble beginnings of the by Harris Christian Queen Elizabeth Planetarium Reading the cosmic map 12 Reflections 30 The History of the Edmonton Stories from our members... Centres 17.5 Newtonian by Bob Drew 16 This Clouds For You Building a telescopic legacy by Mark Zalcik Noctilucent clouds over Edmonton MURRAY PAULSON MURRAY 18 Cosmic Debris From Space 32 Motion Sickness A look back at some of the by Denis Boucher meteor strikes in our province Introduction to Poncet Platforms 20 How to Not be a Solar Astronomer 33 Observing with CATs CAMPBELL SHERRY by Paul Campbell by Terry Nonay Whatever you do, do not read this The joy of owning a computer aided telescope 22 Observing the Planets 35 The Joys of Owning a Newtonian by Murray Paulson by Alister Ling Everything you needed to know about Observing with a Newt our celestial neighbours 24 Colour Filters for Lunar and Planetary Observing by Denis Fell Now that you know everything about our celestial neighbours, here is how best to see them SHERRY CAMPBELL SHERRY Stardust Page 2 STARDUST C O N T E N T S FEATURES 37 Deep Sky Observing, 46 Twas a Cold Winters Night Then and Now by Warren Finlay by Larry Wood Observing for Sumo wrestlers Where the faint fuzzies are 38 How to Observe and Report 47 The Life List Variable Stars by Bruce McCurdy by Patrick Abbott Memorable observing experiences Now you see it, now you dont 40 50 Years of Shooting the Sky by Alan Dyer Fifty Years of Progress ALAN DYER 42 StarBUST 50 Star Parties and by many people who would rather Astronomy Workshops not be named by Sharon Tansey Come out and have some fun ASP - SHERRY CAMPBELL ASP - SHERRY ALSO IN THIS ISSUE On the Cover: 7 Stardusts Premier Issue M42 8 An Unusual Daylight Phenomena by Murray Paulson by Russ Sampson 17 That thin cloud? Will it go away? Shot at prime focus with an by Alister Ling AP 130, f/6, 20-minute ex- 17 Cherry Pie Anyone? posure on Kodak Supra 19 Jupiter - 32 inches in diamter? ISO 400 at Blackfoot Stag- by Cary Smialek ing Area, Alberta, in 2000 25 Astronomical Impact by Kelly Christian Stardust Page 3 PrPresidentsesidents Dave Cleary MessageMessage n the occasion of the 50th anniver- While our public education efforts write the achieve the best in amateur astronomy. It is sary of the Edmonton Centres au- story of astronomy on the hearts and minds wholly dependent on volunteers. Lets make gust monthly voice, Stardust, I want of those we are privileged to respond to, Star- the next 50 years something to write about! Oto reflect on the contribution it makes each dust is the most visible record of all that we year. do to pursue our personal interests in as- Dave Cleary has been a member of the RASC tronomy, and to share it with others. Con- since 1998, and active as a member of Coun- I have been a member of the RASC since sidering that, in this 50th year of production, cil as Secretary, Vice-President and currently 1997, all of those years in the Edmonton Cen- Edmonton Centre has over 250 members, as President. He is one of the initiators of tre, and all of those years experiencing the there is much of what we do that misses that the SkyScan Science Awareness Project that monthly enjoyment of reading Stardust. Its record. Yet it is the best instrument we have works with Grade 9 Science classes to use humour, information, pictures, news, and no- for creating the annals of our time together. radio astronomy to detect meteors. tices have helped inform all of us. The technology used over the years to pro- duce Stardust has changed a great deal. From Stardust plays an essential role in the life of Gestetner, to photocopiers, laser printers, and Edmonton Centre. From the perspective of computers, and with digital layout software one responsible in this anniversary year for the tools of the Editor have changed consid- facilitating the administrative life of the Cen- erably to the point where, with this com- tre, Stardust is a backbone for information memorative issue, our Editor has been able sharing. In praise of the printed word over to produce this full colour, glossy tribute and Stardust the electronic, Stardust forms a more or less record of achievement as a Centre. permanent record of our activities. In the mo- A publication of the Royal Astronomical ment of its issue, it communicates the essen- Our Editor, Sherry Campbell, is to be con- Society of Canada, Edmonton Centre. Star- tials of our life together as a Centre pro- gratulated for having conceived and executed dust is published monthly from September viding information on meeting times, such a marvellous production. It is a fitting to June and is a publication received with upcoming observing events, etc. And as it tribute to previous Editors, and to the Cen- membership in the R.A.S.C., Edmonton moves to the record shelf after the moment tre itself. Thank you is also, and always due Centre. This publication is a commemora- of immediate relevance passes, it becomes a tive issue celebrating 50 years in print of our handy record for everything from money Stardust plays an newsletter. Material in this publication may motions, to humorous anecdotes to share essential role in the life not be reproduced, copied or duplicated with- with interested (or uninterested) relatives. out express permission from the author. of Edmonton Centre. Printed in Canada by Douglas Printing. The role of the Stardust Editor is an impor- to those who have taken the time to contrib- tant one because of Stardusts place in our ute articles. Without these people Stardust Editor Sherry Campbell life and has its own unique challenges. is impossible, and so is the job of Editor. We Associate Roped-In Editor Paul Campbell Monthly deadlines and the production proc- should also recognise the contribution of the Distribution Merv Gorrie ess itself are demanding. It involves finding Casino Fund in making the production of willing writers, converting that willingness this information piece possible in such an Contributing Editors into words on the written page handed in on attractive format. Not only will this special Pat Abbott, Don Brown, Denis Boucher, Paul time, making judgement calls regarding ap- issue recount our past, but also provides Campbell, Harris Christian, Kelly Christian, propriateness and relevance. Demanding as members and prospective members with use- Dave Cleary, Bob Drew, Alan Dyer, Denis it may be, there is, or rightly should be, a ful information on observing and our Cen- Fell, Warren Finlay, David Goldingay, Doug sense of accomplishment at performing this tre for future use. and Joan Hube, Alister Ling, Franklin essential Centre function. The creation of a Loehde, Bruce McCurdy, Terry Nonay, monthly record and the public notice of fu- As Stardust heads into its next 50 years, in Murray Paulson, Mel Rankin, Russ ture events are surely something that can be whatever forms it takes, lets remember that Sampson, Cary Smialek, Sharon Tansey, said to go down in history. Stardust records our efforts as a Centre to Larry Wood, Mark Zalcik Stardust Page 4 EditorsEditors Sherry Campbell MessageMessage ifty years of print. A milestone in to fascinating read. Several times I would be have found in previous issues so that you too days electronic age, all the more so reading through old Stardusts and find my- can enjoy what so many great people wrote. for a small, local newsletter. When one self engrossed in the whole process, and But for now, here is a sampling of the very Fconsiders that this was achieved entirely with would read several articles before I would best astronomy has to offer you. Enjoy! the efforts of strictly volunteers, this mile- remember that I was supposed to be scan- stone is all that more impressive. Despite the ning the publications, looking for material Sherry Campbell has been a member of the attraction of the Internet and instant com- to reproduce for this issue. In fact, I found RASC since 1999 when she finally joined up munication, everyone still enjoys reading a so much material that this issue could have in order to hold the position of Editor. Be- well-written magazine. This publication is easily encompassed 100 pages. If only I had fore that, she was the cookie lady and lurked no exception. Fifty years ago, the concept of this problem while compiling regular issues around the edges as an Associate Member. doing a commemorative issue entirely on a of Stardust! She is the proud owner of Teddy Bear, an home computer was inconceivable, yet to- 8-inch f/6 telescope built by Martin and day you are reading such an achievement. From now until June of 2005, I will be try- ShirLee Adamson, and is pictured on page What does the future hold for Stardust? Im ing to reprint in the regular monthly editions 35. sure it is an inconceivable to us now as it of Stardust all those fascinating articles I was to the members of the Edmonton Centre fifty years ago. In celebration of Stardusts milestone, I have gathered together some of the best articles on a variety of topics, and with the generous help of several of our Centre members, have put together an issue we can all be proud of.