Volume 14 • Issue 7 September 2015 ISSN 1712-4425 peterboroughastronomy.com twitter.com/PtbAstronomical The Reflector Newsletter of the Peterborough Astronomical Association Creates — and Whips — a Magnetic Tail Around Earth

Image credit: ESA / C. T. Russell (L), of Earth’s magnetic tail and its cause: the solar wind; Southwest Research Institute / IBEX Science Team (R), of the first image of the plasma sheet and plasmasphere created around Earth by the solar wind. Ethan Seigel s Earth spins on its axis, stream of charged particles, the creating a long magnetotail that our planet’s interior spins solar wind, and has its own in- not only flattens and narrows, as well. Deep inside our tense that extends but whips back-and-forth in the Aworld, Earth’s metal-rich core much farther into space than our onrushing solar wind. The par- produces a magnetic field that own planet’s does. The solar wind ticles are so diffuse that collisions spans the entire globe, with the travels fast, making the 150 million between them practically never magnetic poles offset only slightly km (93 million mile) journey to our occur, but the electromagnetic in- from our rotational axis. If you fly world in around three days, and is teractions create waves in Earth’s up to great distances, well above greatly affected by Earth. Under magnetosphere, which grow in Earth’s surface, you’ll find that this normal circumstances, our world’s magnitude and then transfer ener- magnetic web, called the magne- magnetic field acts like a shield for gy to other particles. The charged tosphere, is no longer spherical. It these particles, bending them out particles travel within the mag- not only bends away from the di- of the way of our planet and pro- netic field toward both poles, and rection of the sun at high altitudes, tecting plant and animal life from when they hit the re- but it exhibits some very strange this harmful radiation. gion of Earth’s upper atmosphere, features, all thanks to the effects of But for every action, there’s they collide with ions of oxygen our parent star. an equal and opposite reaction: and nitrogen causing aurora. Mis- The sun isn’t just the primary as our magnetosphere bends the sions such as the European Space source of light and heat for our solar wind’s ions, these particles Agency and nasa Cluster mission world; it also emits an intense also distort our magnetosphere, See “Plasmasphere” on page 15 2 • peterboroughastronomy.com President’s Message Summer Draws To A Close he paa had a very active summer a viewing session at the Kinsmen Center. this year. We don’t have meetings in This was spearheaded by Boyd and he had July and August but many of us did additional help from paa members Brett Tgather for special events. We kicked these and Sean. August also saw our appearance off with the President’s bbq and viewing at Emily Provincial Park where we had session in June at the Robinson Road Ob- about seven telescopes set up and about ten servatory, a viewing session at the Crebar’s members. A good crowd of campers enjoyed in July and of course the annual Perseids the celestial delights. I received an invita- Meteor Shower in August. John Crossen tion to return next year to Emily the day and I visited Activity Haven to give a pre- after this event. sentation about the meteor shower the day As we enter the final four months of before. meetings for this year we need to start The meteor shower itself fizzled a bit but thinking about the annual election of of- our master of traffic control John Cameron ficers. A number of positions will be open reported that we had 404 members of the including that of president. This is my sec- public on the hill that night. John did his job ond term, fourth year and I will be stepping well. He prevented two city police cruis- down. ers from going up the hill. Well done John. Rodger Forsyth Peterborough Kids were also provided with PAA President

Welcome Back e greet the fall return with a And don’t forget to check out the spectac- total lunar eclipse on September ular Perseid Meteor Shower portrait from 27th. This is the last of four con- John Chumak, our friend from Ohio. Wsecutive total lunar eclipses spanning over Till next month, enjoy this issue. two years, known as a Lunar Eclipse Tetrad. Phillip Chee This one is well placed for North American Editor, The Reflector viewing especially in the eastern part as it will be visible throughout. That isn’t the only highlight of the month. The other, of course, is the return of the club newsletter from it’s summer The Reflector hiatus. We have John Crossen reporting about the Perseid Meteor Shower viewing The Reflector is a publication of the Peterborough Astronomi- on Armour Hill and the Emily Park camp- cal Association (P.A.A.) Founded in 1970, the P.A.A. is your local group for astronomy in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. ers’ viewing. www.peterboroughastronomy.com • [email protected] Ken Sunderland has a surprising article Phone: 705.292.0729 Club Mailing Address on the phases of . Rick Stankiewicz Rodger Forsyth, President reports on seeing “stars” during his trip to Peterborough Astronomical Association 536 Robinson Road RR #1 New York City. Peterborough, ON K9J 6X2 Vol 14 • Issue no. 7 • September 2015 • 3 The Reflector Close to Perfect Counts in Astronomy

John Crossen

nd that’s just what it was on you look, the more you’ll see” was his sage August 12 atop Armour Hill. A few advice to novice observers. clouds drifted overhead, but noth- While wandering through the crowd Aing that blotted out the sky for hours. The I saw a number of people using the as- crowds were still coming up the hill as I was tronomy apps on their cell phones. “This is leaving at 10:45, so it looked as though at- cool” and “that’s amazing” were recurring tendance was excellent. comments from the digital dot watchers as paa members Brett Hardy, Rodger For- they compared their screens to the real stars syth, Michael McCarthy and Boyd Wood overhead. had their scopes set up with long lines of Jeanne Crebar was on hand along with eager stargazers waiting for a glimpse her grand-daughters who were visiting. Not through the eyepiece. Boyd had just re- bad for an 82-year-old lady. I often think of turned from a month-long motorcycle tour Jeanne as the female counter part of John of Newfoundland, so it was good to see him Dobson the famous telescope maker. Like back in the fold. him, Jeanne is filled with enthusiasm, cu- Prime targets for the night were Sat- riosity and an amazing amount of energy. urn, the Ring Nebula, the Double Cluster Jaime Morales was also on hand and I think and Andromeda. The rising fall constella- I heard Dean Shewring’s voice emanating tions also pleased the dot-connectors who from somewhere in the dark. I’m sure other recognized them from their star charts. I members were on hand to assist with the overheard people pointing out the Sum- stargazing and John Cameron was once mer Triangle and Deneb in Cygnus. Brett again directing parking and traffic flow up reminded viewers to take their time at the the hill. We all thank you, John. eyepiece and enjoy the sight. “The longer See “Armour Hill” on page 15 4 • peterboroughastronomy.com Emily Park 2015 A Great Turnout of Campers and PAA

Johhn Crossen mily Park has become a regular tering people growing from behind it. And outing for the Peterborough Astro- speaking of “every scope” the paa turnout nomical Association. Over the past was the best ever thanks to Brett, Rodger, Efew years we’ve seen the star party grow Harold, Boyd, Sean, Ken, Paul, David and from a Girl Scouts only affair to encompass yours truly with the annoying flash camera. all the campers. Sorry, you can’t take people pictures in the The Park Staff have also made some dark without a flash. improvements which we greatly appreci- Targets for the night included the First ate. Our most recent visit found the viewing Quarter Moon, Saturn, the Ring Nebula and grounds much more even and level. That a host more. Most of the scopes were GoTo made setting up and leveling scopes a lot models, so finding fresh celestial targets easier. Plus it made the ground safer for was a push-button cinch. And because all walking around in the dark. This year the GoTo scopes track with their object, there staff also blocked the road into the adjoin- was no time wasted realigning between ing parking area so there were no more viewers. headlights blasting across the viewing area. The event has become so popular that The public turnout for the event was we’ve been invited back again next August. fantastic. Every scope had a line of chat- Great work Emily Park Staff and the paa! When it Comes to Moons, Jupiter Outshines Them All

Vol 14 • Issue no. 7 • September 2015 • 5 The Reflector Rodger and John Talk Up a Storm — A Meteor Storm

Photo by Rodger Forsyth John Crossen

resident of the paa Rodger For- the air will cause them to burn up leaving a syth and Buckhorn Observatory’s plasma trail for our viewing pleasure. John Crossen presented the story As usual, Rodger and John’s presentation Pof the Perseid Meteor shower to a group of was followed by a lively question period. seniors on the afternoon of August 11. The The recent Pluto mission was on everyone’s timing was perfect because the club’s an- mind as was the upcoming one-way mis- nual trek up Armour Hill to view the meteor sion to establish a Mars colony. A return shower would be the following night of trip to the Moon also was discussed briefly. August 12. It was good to bring something new into Also on the list of targets were Saturn people’s lives and the presentation gave and perhaps, Jupiter and Mars, though both them plenty to think about that night. The may be drown in the setting Sun’s glare. positive response to our presentation was Thankfully the sky was Moon-free, so our reward, so when the group also kicked deep-sky targets like nebula and star clus- in $20, we forwarded it to the Trish McClos- ters were be big and bright in the echelon of key als fund. scopes paa members brought along. We extend our thanks to all the volun- Getting back to the presentation, John teers from the von who made the presenta- did most of the talking while nimble-knuck- tion possible. les Forsyth ran the projector. The essence of the talk centred around the relationship of comets and their melting (sublimating) which leaves a trail of rocks and gravel- sized bits in space. If the comet has crossed Earth’s orbital path around the Sun we will run into the comet bits. As soon as the bits hit our upper atmosphere the friction with 6 • peterboroughastronomy.com Venusian Surprise

Ken Sunderland n prepraring the “Sky This But it was dazzling Venus, anchoring the Month” segment for club meetings, show, that firmly caught my attention. I’ve developed a heightened awareness A June 9th log entry notes that Venus Iof the planets. The first half of 2015 offered was illuminated like a first quarter Moon many, and some unique, opportunities to (Figure 1a) proving that it orbits the Sun. observe all 5 naked-eye planets in the eve- By June 21st the disc measured about 40” ning sky. For example, beginning in Janu- across and I noted that there were tiny ary, I made an effort to track widely sepa- horns at the ends of a very gently curved rated Jupiter and Venus to their appulse in terminator. Figure 1b shows the crescent at early summer. I can now estimate angular an even more advanced stage. On July 15th separations with my baby finger! There I measured an elegant crescent about 50” were beautiful groupings involving Mars, across and perhaps 10” at the widest point Venus and the crescent Moon. Eclipses and (Figure 1c). I was seeing the waning phases occultations among Jupiter’s moons were of Venus, starting from greatest eastern regular events due to a lingering edge-on elongation, grow in diameter as it ap- view. Memorable sunset views of elusive proached. By the way, the thick cloud cover Mercury paired with Venus occurred in that makes Venus so highly reflective also May. Saturn was, and continues to be, es- precludes the possibility of ever seeing the pecially lovely due to the 24° tilt of its rings. surface.

Figure 1. Progressive Credit: K J Sunderland

continued on next page Vol 14 • Issue no. 7 • September 2015 • 7 The Reflector continued from previous page While making sketches I thought; ellipse. This construction always gets the 1. The phases of Venus look like the horns all the way to the poles, as must be. Moon’s. Why? Accurately constructing Figure 1, leads to an 2. What mathematical shape are these appreciation of the subtle crescent shape. graceful crescents? An unexpected observation first occurred Regarding the first question … everyone when Venus was at quarter phase. I thought knows the answer. Venus orbits the Sun. It I saw the glow of ashen light on the night is at full phase behind the Sun and quarter side. Now, I’ve trained my spouse to appre- phase at greatest elongations and so on. ciate earthshine on the Moon and so I asked Galileo, who first followed the phases of her to have a look. “Yes” she confirmed “I Venus, understood that this meant Coper- see a glow.” We were to subsequently see it nicus was right. The incorrect Ptolemaic several more times. How could it possibly system put Venus on an epicycle between be reflected light from Earth at such a dis- the Earth and Sun making the quarter and tance? In fact, calculation shows that it can- gibbous phases impossible — one would not be. As the mystery deepened, through only ever see crescents. Incidentally, both my mailbox came the September issue of systems correctly predict a smoothly chang- Sky & Telescope with an article entitled “The ing disc size, so that’s not the critical differ- Ashen Light Redivivus”. Perfect timing! ence. Turns out that what has been dismissed as About the second question … not so obvi- illusory may be a real phenomenon after all. ous. In plane geometry, areas bounded by If current theory is correct, I’ve witnessed the intersecting arcs of circles are charm- the equivalent of a global aurora covering ingly called lunes. (Figure 2) Venus. The authors challenge their readers to be the first person to capture a convinc- ing image of this ashen light. So, what did I learn from Venus? a) Historically, the phases of Venus played an important role supporting the Copernican system. In an age when a Google lookup passes for understanding, it’s empower- ing to collect and interpret evidence for yourself. There is no substitute for creating your own knowledge. b) Understanding the mathematical shape of a crescent Venus is immediately transferable to the Moon and Mercury. c) An observation of ashen light, that I was ready to dismiss as my mistake, turns out to probably be a real phenom- enon. Have the confidence to believe your own eyes. d) Finally, in a hobby dominated by one night stands (which admittedly can Figure 2. Example of a lune be thrilling), there are rewards entering Credit: K J Sunderland into a longer term relationship with the While lunes are the right idea, planets are heavenly body of your choice. spheres, and so, there needs be a 3-D exten- Equipment Note: Observations were sion. The answer is that a crescent Venus variously made with 8 × 42 binoculars, an 88 (or Moon for that matter) is perceived as the mm refractor, and an 8’ SCT with a 12 mm intersection of its circular disc with a semi- See “Venus” on page 15 8 • peterboroughastronomy.com PHOTO GALLERY

The Best Perseid Meteor Shower in Years

You can sure trace all these meteors back to the radiant in Perseus. Give it a try! Here are some of my best 2015 Perseid Mete- ors from all my DSLR fisheye lens images. My Observatories on the left and my camera on the right! All photos were taken with a modified Canon Rebel Xsi, 8mm fisheye lens, F3.5, ISO 1600, 15 second subs. Sixteen Perseid Meteors are visible in this image taken at my observatories in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Best Regards, John Chumak www.galacticimages.com Vol 14 • Issue no. 7 • September 2015 • 9 The Reflector

The Coathanger Cluster

The Coathanger Cluster, or Collinder 399, or Brochii’s Cluster! An asterism with 10 stars ranging magnitude 5th to 7th make up the familiar shape of the “Coathanger”, located in the constellation of Vulpecula (The Fox)! Find Cygnus The Northern Cross, then look 8 degrees southeast of the double star Albireo to find the Coathanger Cluster, a very easy binocular object even in the city! I captured the Coathanger Cluster with my 5.5 inch F5 Newtonian reflector scope and modified Canon Rebel Xsi DSLR,iso 800, 30 minute exposure, at my observatories in Yellow Springs, Ohio on 8 August 2015. These images were posted on the APOD for August 26th, 2015. http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap150826.html

Best Regards, John Chumak www.galacticimages.com 10 • peterboroughastronomy.com The Stars of New York City n January this year I found myself heading to New York City (nyc) to see a Broadway musical staring one Iof my favourite musicians (Sting) when I found out he had not only written the music for the production (The Last Ship), but was performing as a member of the cast, but only until the last week of January. Of course my wife and I were not going to go all that way without making a proper date of it, so we made it a five day junket. Be- sides the obvious astronomy related inter- est in the famous Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History (amnh) I was not counting on experienc- ing anything else that would be astronomy related while on our short nyc trip, as this was not the focus of our adventure. I was there to see the things I had heard about my whole life or just seen in movies, like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Build- ing and Time Square. We saw all these and more in the time we had. However, it never ceases to amaze me how many astronomi- There is a real focus on President Theo- cal connections can be made, if you are dore Roosevelt at the AMNH. The main looking for them. The following are the lobby has quotes from him on different ones that jumped out at me during our tour subjects that are inscribed on the walls. of nyc. Regarding “Youth” he said, “I want to see you game boys, I want to see you brave and manly and I also want to see you gentle and tender. Be practical as well as generous. In your ideals keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. Courage, hard work, self mastery and intelligent effort are all essential to a successful life. Character in the long run is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike.” While watching The Last Ship production he amnh was where the “Night at the in the famous Neil Simon Theatre, I was Museum” movie series was filmed, featur- struck by the lyrics in one of the songs (And ing Ben Stiller and the late/great Robin Yet) that referenced, …”Some nights I’d lie Williams. The planetarium show (Dark on the deck and I’d stare at the turning of Universe) and displays were amazing and the stars, worth the price of admission (see May issue Those constellations hanging up there of The Reflector). from the cables and the rigging,” … continued on next page Vol 14 • Issue no. 7 • September 2015 • 11 The Reflector continued from previous page Count Basie, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder, to name a few. All “stars” in their own right. Then there was the real surprise at the Empire State Building. When I walked into the main foyer and looked up, there was an amazing display of metal work on the metallic sheeting of aluminum and gold leaf that covered the walls and ceiling. The motif was an art deco combination of gears and sprockets done to look like stars, plan- ets and galaxies. The intent was to combine elements of the sky and machines. It is a striking work of art. No matter where you go, keep looking up. Your Intrepid Traveller Rick Stankiewicz

During our bus tour of Harlem we drove past the “Apollo” Theatre, where many famous acts started off early in the music business and went on to make history. Some were the likes of Duke Ellington, 12 • peterboroughastronomy.com Let’s Sail the Solar Wind — It’s Free

Solar Sail Unfurled. The Planetary Society’s Solar Sail demonstration will launch a set of three cube-sats that will carry all the gear required to unfurl the solar sail to a maximum of 32 square meters or 344 square feet. Launch date is scheduled for 2016 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX is a privately owned company. The demonstration has been funded by various universities as well as the general public.

John Crossen the world is just getting wise The Planetary Society has plans to do just to using solar power for generating that in 2016. They are currently designing a electricity. Now it turns out the Sun set of three cube-sats. And what is a cube- Thas another gift for mankind. It’s called sat you ask? It is pretty much as its name the solar wind and it can be used to propel says — a small cube about 10cm × 10cm. future space ships on their interplanetary But these cubes are packed with scientific journeys. So what is this new-found source instruments along with the solar sail. We’ll of energy? took a closer look at them back in July. Actually the solar wind is as old as our They will be launched into space to become Sun — about 4.5 billion years. Its a stream a mini spacecraft. The Planetary Society is of particles (mostly protons) emitted by the using a grouping of three for their experi- sun and blasting out into the solar system. ment with solar wind power. The total size You can’t feel it on Earth because our at- of their package will be about that of a loaf mosphere protects us from it. But in outer of bread. That’s small enough to hitch a ride space those tiny proton particles have push- on nearly any rocket with some spare cargo ing power, just like the wind does here on room. Earth. All you need to harness that power is a solar sail. See “Solar Sail” on page 15 Vol 14 • Issue no. 7 • September 2015 • 13 The Reflector

September’s Moon Blushes and Saturn is Up for Viewing

John Crossen

ost of North America will en- joy a total lunar eclipse the night of September 27/28. The Moon Mwill have a red face for over an hour thanks it’s taking a dip in Earth’s shadow for 72 minutes. You’d think the Moon would be totally dark, but the sunlight creeps through our atmosphere and enters Earth’s shadow Paritially Eclipsed Moon. September’s Star attraction turning the Moon red and sometimes pink isn’t a star. It’s our Moon as it slips into Earth’s shadow during totality. If you were standing on the on the night of September 27/28. Thanks to the fact that it’ll also be a Super Moon, it should cause quite an Moon and looking back at Earth, you’d see a attraction in the media. No word from the dooms day red ring around Earth’s parameter. set on whether the Earth will end, too, Image by Fred To make matters more interesting this Espenak. will also be a Super Moon, which means in ancient Greece. As we get deeper into that it’s elliptical orbit around Earth will autumn the whole cast will be on stage and place it at a closer point to our home planet. we’ll unwind the tale in this column. A Super Moon isn’t a rare occurrence, but Mercury will still be visible in the evening the media has blown it way out of propor- sky, but it’ll be hugging the tree tops. You tion. Most people won’t be able to see any can spot it visually with the unaided eye, difference, but a Super Moon can appear to however looking at it through a telescope be about 10% larger. won’t tell you much more. With the little Saturn is still up in the southwest during planet so close to the horizon you’ll be look- the evening. The difference between Earth’s ing through the thickest portion of Earth’s orbit and that of Saturn makes the rings ap- turbulent atmosphere. So other than a pear tilted towards Earth. Without getting blurry, wobbling ball of light you won’t see into course in celestial mechanics, let’s just much. say the view is spectacular. Mars is slowly disappearing into the September is also a transitional month setting Sun’s glare and both Uranus and for the constellations. While you’re wav- Neptune are visible only in telescopes. So ing goodbye to Scorpius, Sagittarius and that’s it for you backyard stargazers. Get out Ophiuchus, Auriga and the autumn con- for the lunar eclipse and to greet the rising stellations are climbing onto the stage in fall constellations. the East. Most interesting of the sights are Remember to keep your outdoor lights the Pleiades, Perseus and the Andromeda dimmed and pointing down. You’ll use less galaxy. They’re all cast members in the energy and help preserve our dark Kawar- Battle of the Titans, a tale which originated tha night skies. 14 • peterboroughastronomy.com

The Sky this Month

Mercury is well placed in the evening twilight early in the month. Greatest elongation east (27°) on the 4th. Inferior conjunction on the 30th. Venus is at maximum brightness (-4.8) on the 21st in the dawn sky. Mars is low in the eastern twilight and moving from Cancer into Leo on the 4th. In conjunction with Regulus on the 24th. Jupiter re-appears in the morning twilight in the east mid-month. In con- junction with Mars on the 17th and Ve- nus on the 26th. Saturn is low in the southwest mid- evening sky. Autumn Equinox arrives at 4:21 AM on the 23rd. Zodiacal Light from the 11th for the next two weeks in the east before morning twilight. Total Lunar Eclipse P1 phase be- gins 8:11:59 PM on the 27th. Greatest eclipse occurs at 10:47:09 PM. P4 phase ends at 1:22:33 AM on the 28th.

Moon Phases Last Quarter 5:54 AM September 5 New Moon 2:41 AM September 13 First Quarter 4:59 AM September 20 Full Moon 10:51 PM September 27 Vol 14 • Issue no. 7 • September 2015 • 15 The Reflector continued from page 3 continued from page 7 Armour Hill Venus While I couldn’t stay to the end, it looked reticle eyepiece producing 167× to make like the paa had an excellent night under angular measurements. the stars. As for the Perseid meteors, there were none while I was there. However the References crowd did burst into some “ooohs” and “ah- 1. Van Helden, A., (1989), Sidereus Nuncius, hhhs” when some rouge meteors streaked University of Chicago Press. (In the conclu- across the sky. So all in all it was a good sion the author discusses Galileo’s obser- night. Warm, with a light breeze and Moon- vations of Venus following publication of free. Total attendance according to the Sidereus Nuncius.) count at the gate was 404, which is a record 2. Sheehan, W., Brasch K., (2015, Sep), “The so far. Now if those pesky little Perseids Ashen Light Redivivus”, Sky & Telescope, 52- would just show up. 54

continued from page 12 Solar Sail Once in space, the sail unfurls and the solar wind takes over powering the craft. Acceleration is slow at first, but the wind pressure is constant and the craft’s ultimate speed can reach as high as 800 kilometres per second. Solar wind power does have some draw- backs. The solar wind decreases the further you go into space. Sending a space ship into deep space using the solar sail wouldn’t be efficient. However interplanetary missions as far out as Uranus might be possible. Neptune and Pluto might be out of reach for a vessel with a solar sail. But what about using a combination of solar wind power and nuclear power? The possibilities are intriguing to say the least. Now the question is will the captain of the space ship have a patch over his or her eye and carry at cutlass? If so “swashbuckling” may become the next fashion craze. 16 • peterboroughastronomy.com continued from page 1 Plasmasphere have just led to the first accurate model and understanding of equatorial magnetosonic Articles waves, one such example of the interactions Submissions for The Reflector must be received by the date listed below. E-mail submissions that cause Earth’s magnetotail to whip are preferred (Microsoft Word, OpenDoc, ASCII around in the wind like so. and most common graphic formats are accept- The shape of Earth’s magnetic field not able). If your article contains photso or graphics, only affects aurorae, but can also impact please provide a separate file for each. Typed or satellite electronics. Understanding its hand-written submissions are acceptable pro- vided they are legible (and not too long.) Copy- shape and how the magnetosphere inter- righted materials will not be published without acts with the solar wind can also lead to written permission from the copyright holder. more accurate predictions of energetic elec- Submissions may be edited for grammar, brev- trons in near-Earth space that can disrupt ity, or clarity. Submissions will be published at our technological infrastructure. As our the editor’s sole discretion. Depending on the volume of submissions, some articles may be knowledge increases, we may someday be published at a later date. Please submit any ar- able to reach one of the holy grails of con- ticles, thoughts, or ideas to: necting heliophysics to Earth: forecasting [email protected] and accurately predicting space weather Next submission deadline: and its effects. Thanks to the Cluster In- September 25 2015 ner Magnetosphere Campaign, Van Allen Probes, Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System, Magnetospheric Multi- scale, and Heliophysics System Observa- tory missions, we’re closer to this than ever before. Kids can learn about how solar wind de- fines the edges of our solar system at NASA Space Place. http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/ interstellar

Meetings The Peterborough Astronomical Association meets every first Friday of each month, except July and August, at the Peter- borough Zoo Guest Services and Rotary Educa- tion Centre (inside the main entrance at the north end of the Zoo) at 7 p.m. P.A.A. general annoucements will begin each meeting with the guest speaker starting at 7:30 p.m.