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February 2015 February 2015 1 February 2015 Vol. 46, No. 2 The Warren Astronomical Society President: Jonathan Kade [email protected] Founded: 1961 First Vice President: Dale Partin [email protected] Second Vice President: Joe Tocco [email protected] P.O. BOX 1505 Treasurer: Dale Thieme [email protected] Secretary: Chuck Dezelah [email protected] WARREN, MICHIGAN 48090-1505 Publications: Bob Trembley [email protected] Outreach: Diane Hall [email protected] http://www.warrenastro.org Entire Board [email protected] Image Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA The Dawn mission is on approach to Dwarf Planet Ceres. The images above have a resolution better than those taken by the Hubble Space Telescope—Dawn does have the advantage of being only 237,000 km from Ceres, as compared to the Hubble and Earth, which are 541,760,000 km away (at the time of this writing). Here is an animation of Ceres rotating: http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA19171 Ceres has a diameter of 950 km; it is the largest body within the main asteroid belt, and has become round under its own gravity. Ceres’ mass is 1/4—1/3 that of all the objects in the main asteroid belt. Ceres is the only Dwarf Planet in the Inner Solar System. It has a icy composition, like the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. After Dawn had visited Vesta, and was on its way towards Ceres, water was discovered jetting out of Ceres— just like Jupiter’s moon Europa, and Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Ceres may have a sub-surface ocean of its own! We’ll find out soon; I’m ridiculously excited! Ceres was discovered in 1801 and at the time was classified as a Planet. It got reclassified as an Asteroid around 1847—-and to my knowledge, the public did not go berserk about it... Ceres was reclassified as a Dwarf Planet in 2006– the same date Pluto too got reclassified as a Dwarf Planet. - Bob Trembley 2 In other news: I have created and am webmastering a WordPress website for Brother Guy Consolmagno and the Vatican Observatory Foundation: http:// www.vofoundation.org/blog. I am also writing At a recent meeting of the Society, we had a round of Astronomy and Space Science articles for this observing reports… a short round, because we live in website, along with other amateur and professional Michigan… and it’s winter. One of the members said astronomers, and some students. I guess this means “I saw the Moon…” and got guffaws from audience. I'm now a "Professional” Astronomy blogger! Gary Ross was not in attendance, I can imagine him Bob Trembley standing, and saying something like: What is the matter with you people? Suburban Cooperative Member Libraries You know for yourself that the Moon is a fascinating observing target; Offer Astronomy Magazine it’s probably one of the first things YOU looked at! Recently, I noticed that the Suburban Cooperative Library of which 27 libraries are members (mostly in Tell me an exclamation did not burst forth from you, the first time he Macomb County), has in its Zinio Magazine moon came into focus through your collection, "Astronomy" magazine, free to those who first telescope! have a valid library card member and sign up at this The awed reactions I’ve gotten by people of all site: ages who have seen the Moon through my telescope https://www.rbdigital.com/suburbancoopmi/service/ have been highly gratifying. zinio/landing? Today’s lunar scientists are studying the Apollo Earlier in the year, I had subscribed to "Astronomy," lunar mineral samples with technologies that have and now notice it's free to those who have a valid existed for only a few years—it’s like studying new library card. lunar samples all over again! Nice deal, I think. Rik Hill has been posting some stunning images of the Moon on Facebook. I’ve included one, and images Dan Frezza of the Moon from other Society members in this issue. I would like to challenge every member of Member Update: Roger Civic the Society to work together on receiving My Dad, Roger A. Civic, has been a member (though the Astronomical League’s Lunar not active recently) since 1979. His telescope was a Observing Program (see pages 27-34) permanent fixture in our backyard and I can remember him showing me the moon, planets and stars through it many, many times, dragging me out As I’m writing this, a winter snowstorm has dumped of bed sometimes even, to come look at whatever several inches around the region, and caused mass spectacle was happening that night. I didn’t much school closings; Cranbrook has closed as well, and the care then because I had other interests, but have come Society meeting scheduled for Monday Feb. 2 has to appreciate it since, and hold an interest for myself. been cancelled. I feel like the COSMOS does not wish me to give my “Exploring the Solar System” lecture... (Continued on page 5) 3 4 Image Credit: Bob Berta (Continued from page 3) From my Mom, I learned that he had been viewing your website a while ago when he was home for He and former deceased and most active member about two weeks back in July 2014 and was searching Larry Kalinowski (Uncle Larry to us!) were close to see who was still a member. He does not know or buddies and would hang out together doing all things understand what Meetup is, but after she told him that astronomical. I can remember when I was really little, I joined your group, and that someone was asking my Dad would go on excursions to different places about him, he got excited and expressed SERIOUS with the WAS, and a few times he brought my Mom, interest about wanting to be active again. He would me and my sister along. like to attend meetings again and bring more of his photography to share – with my Mom’s help, of Some of my Dad’s contributions to the WAS includes course, and yours too! your logo - which I am happy to see is still in use - telescopes, eyepieces, various other small telescopic He would like very much to connect with members equipment and event patches. Being an amateur again in the short-term future, once he gets settled photographer, and a talented artist, my Dad decided to back home. This anticipation is giving him great combine these three interests, which led to some motivation to get better now, do what the doctors tell spectacular images captured on film as well as him, and get home. It would mean SO much to him if detailed to-scale plaster cast models of Mars, some of anyone would like to reach out to him (through me) which are in museums around the world, with just to talk and/or catch up on old times. He would purchases including a few original WAS members, also be happy to meet new members of course, as he Macomb County Community College (South is able to. Campus) and a purchase by Carl Sagan himself. For now, I would be happy to act as liaison between Any original members still around would definitely WAS members and my Dad until he can have direct remember my Dad (he is now 78). He and my Mom communication with you in the coming weeks/ moved to the upper-lower peninsula in 2001, where months, as he gets settled and readjusted to being at they lived until about 2009, then having moving back home again. Anyone should feel free to message me to the Metro Detroit area, they now reside together, on the Meetup or directly email me at: enjoying apartment living. [email protected]­m (remove the “-”). From about 2006, however, my Dad has had some Stephanie Civic serious medical issues. Currently he is recovering at home while finishing his rehabilitation therapy. He uses a walker and wheelchair, and his speech is slower, but let me tell you, his mind is STILL intact and sharp as ever (WITH attitude to boot!), keeping the nurses and doctors on their toes. He does have some mobility in his extremities, although very slow, and can do some things for himself, however, he mostly relies on my Mom and a visiting nurse for help. He experiences good days and bad, which is to be expected. on facebook 5 Astronomy presentations and lectures twice Grab some snacks, come on over, and talk astronomy, space news, and whatnot! each month at 7:30 PM: The WAS Discussion Group meetings take place at the First Monday at Cranbrook Institute of home of Gary and Patty Gathen, from 8 -11 PM, on Science. the fourth Thursday of the month, from January- Third Thursday at Macomb Community October. Different dates are scheduled for November and December due to the holidays. The Gathens live at College - South Campus Building J (Library) 21 Elm Park Blvd. in Pleasant Ridge—three blocks south of l-696, about half a block west of Woodward Ave. The agenda is generally centered around discussions of science and astronomy topics. Soft drinks are provided, Feb. 2 ....... Cranbrook ..... Bob Berta snacks are contributed by attendees. Anywhere from 4 Feb. 19 ..... Macomb ........ Bob Trembley to 16 members and guests typically attend. Gary can be Mar. 2 ....... Cranbrook Jonathan Hall & reached at (248) 543-5400, and [email protected]. Diane Hall Mar. 19 ..... Macomb ........ Dale Thieme In this Issue: Apr. 6 ........ Cranbrook ..... Gary Ross Dawn on Approach to Ceres - Bob Trembley .................. 2 Apr. 16 ...... Macomb ........ Dale Partin The Gravity Well / Letters to the Editor .........................
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