The Denver Observer December 2018
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The Denver DECEMBER 2018 OBSERVER Algol Perseus ZENITH Almach Gamma (γ) And M31 Andromeda Galaxy Beta (β) Tri M45 Gamma (γ) Tri The Pleiades 6 Tri Andromeda Triangulum Mirach Aries β And Alpha (α) Tri Hamal Alpha (α) Ari Beta (β) Ari Pisces MERIDIAN Gamma (γ) Ari Pegasus Cetus Chart of the area surrounding the constellations Andromeda, Triangulum, and Aries, as seen from Denver in mid-December at 9:00 PM, viewing just south of the zenith (nearly “straight up”). Telrad circles are shown centered on 6 Trianguli (6 Tri), one of this month’s targets. As an aid to finding 6 Tri, note how the circles center on the imaginary line running from Almach to Beta Tri, and how the outermost circle touches another imaginary line running between Gamma and Alpha Tri. Object positions, constellation and meridian lines charted in SkySafari, and then enhanced. DECEMBER SKIES by Zachary Singer The Solar System Late-November views of Venus were Sky Calendar Mercury ended November lost in the spectacular, even with the naked eye—the planet’s sheer brilliance in a dark sky made 7 New Moon solar glare, but as it sweeps rapidly through 15 First-Quarter Moon its orbit, it will become increasingly visible as a 5:30 AM rise worthwhile. (Venus was so bright, it made it hard to recognize a nearby, 22 Full Moon a pre-dawn target. After about the first week 29 Last-Quarter Moon of December, the planet will sit almost 10° seemingly wan star for what it really was: st above the southeastern horizon at 6:30 AM, 1 -magnitude Spica.) roughly 40 minutes before dawn. (By then, Happily, the views continue in December— In the Observer it will look like a fat crescent in telescopic though the planet’s brightness diminishes slightly and the disk appears a bit smaller, it views.) A week later, Mercury reaches its President’s Message . .2 widest angle, as we see it, from the Sun still presents a terrific target, for naked eyes (known as “greatest elongation”), and sits and telescopes alike. In the latter, you’ll still Society Directory. 2 slightly higher at the same hour, brightening see a “fat crescent” through about mid- Schedule of Events . 2 by about a half-magnitude as well. After that, month, broadening to a half-disk or “lemon About Denver Astronomical Society . 3 the planet will appear closer to the Sun each wedge” by month’s end. You can also sleep a Astro Update . 4 day. Look for a close conjunction with Jupiter bit later than last month, because of the later on the morning of the 21st, when the two sunrise—and the planet will be higher, more DAS News . 5 planets will lie within a degree of each other. than 25° up at 6:30 AM. The Observer is available in color PDF format from the DAS Continued on Page 6 website: https://www.denverastro.org/das/?page_id=13 THE DENVER OBSERVER DECEMBER 2018 Society Directory PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Ron Hranac DAS Executive Board Sign In to the DAS Member Portal President: Ron Hranac [email protected] Our new Member Portal has been up and discussions to the forums. Like the rest of the Vice President: operational for over a month, and initial feed- Member Portal, the forums are easy to use. Lindsey Shaw back is positive. While there has been a small The on-line member directory has become [email protected] number of people who asked for a little extra a very interesting place: People are posting Secretary: Ed Ladner help, those cases have largely been limited to their mug shots, bios about themselves and [email protected] getting through the initial log-in and setup summaries of their astronomical interests. Treasurer: (“click that button…”). Some are posting links to their own websites. Scott Perrin [email protected] Most members are finding the portal easy If you’ve read this far and are wonder- Executive Board Members: to use. One remarked that both the mem- ing what the heck this Member Portal stuff Past President, Ron Pearson bership renewal process and the process for is all about, I encourage you to take a look July Candia Ed Scholes Jack Eastman Sorin signing up for the upcoming Holiday Party at the “President’s Message” in November’s Joe Gafford Chris Ubing were much easier than before. Important note: Observer for more information. (TheObserver Dena McClung Dan Wray If you plan to attend any paid DAS events— is moving on-line as well! Editor Zach Singer President Emeritus, Larry Brooks including this month’s Holiday Party—you will discussed this on page 5 of last month’s news- Committees need to use your Member Portal account to sign letter.) Here’s a link to the November issue: Van Nattan-Hansen Scholarship Fund: up for those events. https://www.denverastro.org/xobserver/novem- Megan Daniels (Chair) [email protected] The portal’s forums are picking up steam as ber2018_denverobserver.pdf EGK Dark Site Committee: more folks are using them. Many members are Indeed, if you’re one of those who has yet Darrell Dodge, Interim Chair still using the Yahoo Groups general member- to log in to the Member Portal for the first [email protected] ship listserv, which is okay for now. Keep in time, you need to do so sooner rather than IDA Representative: Dr. Robert Stencel mind, though, that we’ll be pulling the plug on later. E-mails have been sent to everyone [email protected] the listserv in the not too distant future (not to who hasn’t logged in, so check your e-mail Volunteers or Appointed worry, we’ll provide plenty of advance notice). in-box—if you don’t see it, look in your spam Representatives So, please feel free to migrate your on-line folder just in case it’s hiding there. ALCor: Darrell Dodge 303 932-1309 Continued on Page 3 Newsletter Editor: Zachary Singer 303 718-4188 [email protected] Newsletter Proofreaders: DAS SCHEDULE Darrell Dodge, Ron Hranac Website: December 2018 Darrell Dodge [email protected] IT Coordinator: 8 Dark Sky Weekend—EGK Dark Site & Brooks Observatory Ken Sturrock [email protected] 15 Open House—DU’s Historic Chamberlin Observatory—Starts at 5:00 PM External Outreach Coordinator: 16 DAS Holiday Party—Embassy Suites Denver Tech Center—Starts at 6:00 PM Julie (July) Candia [email protected] 28 E-Board Meeting—DU’s Historic Chamberlin Observatory, 7:30 PM. All members welcome. (January 2019) Public Night Coordinator: Hugh Davidson 303 679-0629 5 Dark Sky Weekend—EGK Dark Site & Brooks Observatory Librarian: 12 Open House—DU’s Historic Chamberlin Observatory—Starts at 5:00 PM Eileen Barela Telescope Loan Program: Ed Scholes [email protected] DAS Information Line: (303) 871-5172 During Open House, volunteer members of the DAS Public Nights feature a presentation on astronomical DAS Correspondence: bring their telescopes to the Chamberlin Observa- subjects and a small-group observing session on the Denver Astronomical Society tory’s front (south) lawn, so the public can enjoy historic 20-inch telescope (weather permitting), at Cham- P.O. Box 102738 views of the stars and planets, try out different berlin Observatory on Tuesday and Thursday evenings Denver, Colorado 80250 telescope designs, and get advice from DAS mem- (except holidays), beginning at the following times: [email protected] bers. The Observatory is open, too (costs listed March 10 - September 30 at 8:30 PM New-Member Ambassador: below), and its historic 20-inch telescope is open Digby Kirby for observing with no reservations necessary. October 1 - March 9 at 7:30 PM [email protected] Open House costs (non-members): If the skies are clear, Public Night costs (non-members): $4/adult, (970) 301-2287 $2/person ($5/family), $1/person in inclement weather. $3/child and students with ID. DAS mem- Membership Coordinator: DU students with ID, and DAS members free. bers and DU students with ID: free. Dena McClung [email protected] Members of the public (non-DAS/DU, as above), please make reservations via our website http://www.denverastro.org (www .denverastro .org) or call (303) 871-5172. The Denver Astronomical Society One Mile Nearer the Stars - 2 - ∞ THE DENVER OBSERVER DECEMBER 2018 President’s Message Continued from Page 2 Here are the essentials from a recent e-mail reminder sent to logged in the first time and set your password, you can return those who have not yet logged in to the Member Portal for the first to your profile athttps://members.denverastro.org . (Note: Click on time: “Log in” in the very upper right corner of the page.) The Denver Astronomical Society has added a Member Portal to our website, and we’d like to invite you again to log ** If you’re still stuck, contact our DAS Secretary, Ed Ladner, at in and begin using it. The Member Portal will enable you to [email protected]. control the information you share with the club and its mem- bers, and make your annual membership renewal much easi- Annual Elections er. There are other benefits that will be rolled out on the portal Have you thought about a leadership role with DAS? Our an- over time. nual elections are just around the corner. If you’re interested in running for an officer or trustee position on the E-Board or would Please take a little time to make your initial login and check like to nominate someone, be sure to attend next month’s General it out. Your e-mail address in the portal is the same one at Membership Meeting at DU’s Olin Hall on Friday, January 18th.