ASTRONOMY Rochester Skies A publication of the Rochester Astronomy Club

A Quarterly Newsletter Issue #14 2nd Quarter 2010

A Word from our Book Review Spectacular Spiral Five Questions With... Gallery Astronomical League Scott Regener reviews A guest article from the Newly elected secretary Club members share Coordinator two David Levy books Antelope Valley Club in Brandon Wymann goes some of their best Dean Johnson shares after a happy accident Lancaster, CA under the spotlight and astrophotos! information on how leads him to the wrong highlights the reveals his answer to Page 7 you, too, can garner book. Whirlpool . the famous five Page 5 awards, praise, and Page 3 questions. recognition for your Page 7 observational efforts. Page 2

Earth can’t really change its posture. latitude is called the Tropic of Cancer. Parallels It spins with it axis always tipped 23 Twenty-three degrees south of the degrees off vertical with respect to its equator sits the Tropic of Capricorn. Hello everyone. orbit around the sun. When the When these latitude lines were named Now is the time of northern hemisphere leans maximally hundreds of years ago, the sun was year we can expect away from the sun, we experience the entering the of Cancer to begin observing winter solstice. Conversely when and Capricorn during the respective the night skies with a fair degree of leaning towards - the summer solstice. solstices. But the appear to comfort. I find that I can run the This spring, as in the fall, that tilt change position relative to the sun focuser on my scope better when my becomes neither towards nor away over time so now the summer and fingertips can actually feel the knobs! from the sun. We’re face on, but just winter solstices find our sun in the We are near the spring equinox. It’s leaning to the side. constellations Sagittarius (December) when our Earth straightens up its In three months, as we arrive and Taurus (June). Time for a name spine to receive the sunlight rays at the summer solstice, those change? Probably won’t happen. This equally across its face. Accordingly, experiencing the sun directly overhead apparent change in position of the on this date at the equator the sun is at noon will be residing at 23 degrees background stars for the most part... directly overhead. Of course, the north of the equator. This line of Continued Page 2

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Rochester Astronomy Club Newsletter www.rochesterskies.org 1 ROCHESTER ASTRONOMY CLUB

Parallels lines (which include the equator) latitude line chosen to divide post continued from page 1 define the Earth’s five major WWII Korea roughly in the middle to geographic zones. But there are other satisfy both Soviet and US interests. ...occurs because of the 26,000 year interesting observations regarding the Coincidentally, the 38th degree precession, or rotation, of the Earth’s circles of latitude. Rochester, parallel also equally divides in half the axis around its poles. However there Minnesota sits near the line of latitude land mass of the United States. is a larger precession called a of 44 degrees north. Other cities 44 A degree in latitude is Markovitch cycle which also takes degrees north of the equator include approximately 69 miles – the distance into account orbital eccentricity (our Bangor, Maine; Eugene, Oregon; from Rochester to St. Paul. A minute planet’s slightly oval orbit around the Belgrade, Serbia; and Bordeaux, of latitude is 1.15 miles, and a second sun), axial tilt wobble, and other France. Rochester and these cities of latitude is about 100 feet. Right factors. This results in the earth’s axis spin eastward around the earth at now I figure I sit one quarter second returning back to its original position about 750 miles per hour. At the of latitude south of my refrigerator. in about 41,000 years. equator, one is spinning around 1070 I’m going to start that journey north to These lines of latitude are miles per hour. Lines of latitude have see what I can discover. Have a great complemented by the Arctic Circle at been used geopolitically. The spring and clear skies. 66 degrees north, and the Antarctic infamous “38th parallel” was the Circle at 66 degrees south. These five - Randy Hemann

A Word from the RAC Astronomical League Coordinator

Hello astronomy fans! Last year you mark down the date, time, was very good for the Rochester condition of the skies (where Astronomy Club as three different applicable) and the equipment used members, Luka Bazjer, Jay for each observation. McLaren and Scott Regener picked For those making their first up observing certificates. I know try at an observing award, I’d that several of you RAC members recommend: out there are either pursuing or Hunter Club contemplating going after an For those of you who are not observing award from the familiar with the night sky, this is a Astronomical League. great program to familiarize With the advent of Spring yourself with the patterns of stars and warmer weather (and that make up the constellations and hopefully lots of clear skies), it’s bright stars that we can see from time to get those lists out and make webpage on the Astronomical the Northern Hemisphere. No some progress on getting a League website that you are equipment other than a planisphere certificate and pin. familiar with the requirements of is necessary, but journaling your the observing program in question. Please make sure that when Continued Page 3 you check out your observing club Journaling is a must, and be sure

2 Rochester Astronomy Club Newsletter Q2 2010 ROCHESTER ASTRONOMY CLUB

Astronomical League list to qualify for a certificate and Binocular Deep Sky Club, the continued from page 2 pin. You must record local time and Lunar 100 and also offer a pretty observations is a must. Please date, sky conditions, equipment good opinion of your work on the check the Club webpage for the used, a brief description of the Planetary Observer’s/Solar System requirements. object observed and a drawing of Club, Lunar II and the Herschel what it looks like in your 400. Jay McLaren is also a good binoculars. In my humble opinion, guy to have review your Herschel Universe Sampler Club This program is also for this is one of the easiest awards to 400’s since he has that award and beginners, but a bit more involved. get. It only took me 3 months to Scott Regener is qualified to Participants will learn the brightest record 50 Binocular Messier review anyone who is going after stars, their names and which Objects. the Urban Club award. constellations they reside in, The Messier Telescopic is The qualified people of the observe the Moon and some of the of course more involved, but for RAC can review, but it is the planets in our Solar System and those used to more involved Astronomical League that is the become familiar with some double observing, it is a great way to hone final arbiter that decides if the work stars, variable stars, clusters, your observing skills. If you is done properly. nebula and . The Universe complete this list, the ability to To receive a certificate and Sampler Club has lists for both starhop and observe faint objects pin of an Observing Club gives an naked eye and telescope/binocular will give you the preparation amateur astronomer like ourselves observing. necessary to go on to other and a sense of accomplishment and more difficult observing programs. sharpens our skill as observers. It It took me a year and a half to also reflects well on the Rochester Messier Clubs (Binocular and complete my search of the Messier Astronomy Club because it shows Telescopic) list, but I feel it could be done in the Astronomical League and our These clubs are for those one observing year. affiliated clubs nationwide that we observers that are advanced enough have an active and dedicated cadre to find their way among the As the RAC’s Al-cor of amateur astronomers that we are constellations to search out the 110 representative, I can review these indeed making an effort to learn the brightest deep sky objects compiled programs and let you know if night sky. by Charles Messier in the last half you’ve done the work properly, as BUT-- be careful! If you get one of the 18th century. The Binocular well as the Double Star Club, the certificate, you’ll want more! Club awardees need only 50 off the - Dean Johnson Book Review: Guide to the Night Sky / Deep Sky Objects, both by David Levy

Mistakes come in two stumbling upon a showpiece object recently, I had the good fortune to flavors. Unfortunate mistakes lead or poor conditions forcing make a rather pleasant mistake. to broken equipment, missed observation towards an In reading the Royal observations or worse. Then there unforgettable view. When I placed Astronomical Society of Canada's are the serendipitous mistakes: an interlibrary loan request Observing Handbook, towards the Continued Page 4

Rochester Astronomy Club Newsletter Q2 2010 3 ROCHESTER ASTRONOMY CLUB Levy Book Review Chapters cover comets, meteors, Levy by the fireplace on a cloudy continued from page 3 planets, galaxies and more. With night, recounting his experiences tight prose, organized thoughts and with old friends both animate and back lie pages of observing lists, personal anecdotes that season the inanimate. starting with the ubiquitous work like a master chef, Levy A word of caution Messiers. One list caught my eye, makes the reader wish for multiple permeates both books, as Levy though: a list of deep-sky gems lifetimes to devote to each subject. shares his personal story of life as created by David Levy, gleaned Perhaps more remarkable is the an astronomy enthusiast. Levy's from his book Deep Sky Objects. fact that Levy has mastered so first experiences with an astronomy Intrigued, I submitted a request for many aspects of astronomy in just club were nearly his last. As an what I thought was this book. one lifetime. enthusiastic youth of fourteen, By the time Deep Sky Levy offered to assist with a public What arrived, however, was Objects arrived, I knew what to outreach with his new telescope a d i f f e r e n t T u r n e d b o o k b y down, he David Levy, offered help Guide to the in any way Night Sky. h e c o u l d I n s t e a d o f and was returning the i n f o r m e d , b o o k r a t h e r immediately, I rudely, that took it home membership to look over. was Because used restricted to copies started those over at one penny sixteen and on Amazon, his m y assistance expectations was not w e r e l o w . permitted. Never again Later, after will I judge a a book solely mechanical by resale e x p e c t , a n d part failed at value! The Guide to the Night Sky wasn't disappointed. Levy selected the club's observatory, fingers of replaced the older The Sky: A 400 "comet masqueraders" in the blame pointed his way and he User's Guide. The original title is a same vein as Charles Messier. nearly found himself banned from better description. The book's Starting with the Gegenschein and the club for life. After Levy left for stated purpose is to be a "user's working his way out to galaxies college, one member stated, "That manual" to the sky, starting with visible only by gravitational Levy; he'll never amount to naked eye sights, then moving lensing, once again his personal anything." Gladly, Levy's through the Solar System and stories and log entries make what enthusiasm and tenacity steered concluding in deep space. Written could be dry descriptions of object him through such negative initial with the typical urban skies in after object instead a delightful experiences, paying handsome mind, Levy focuses heavily on experience. It almost feels as dividends - such as these two books objects bright enough to be spotted though the reader is sitting with - to astronomers everywhere. through moderate light pollution. - Scott Regener

4 Rochester Astronomy Club Newsletter Q2 2010 ROCHESTER ASTRONOMY CLUB Spectacular Spiral

Photo Credit: HST, ACS

Editor’s Note: is the best in the degrees (outer ring of your As part of last year’s sky, in my opinion. It can be Telrad) lower to the south and International Year of Astronomy, the seen with a small telescope, the west in declination at about a Antelope Valley Astronomy Club decided to provide newsletter articles to other spiral arms detected in an 8” 90 degree angle to the handle clubs around the country. This article by scope, and when it is viewed of the dipper. Scan around the Tom Koonce is the first article to appear through a really large telescope area at low powers and youʼll in Rochester Skies. Look for more in it is a stunning sight that youʼll spot it as a fuzzy patch of gray. future issues. never forget. Itʼs always a star The more magnification party favorite when itʼs visible that you apply to the view, the Every year around mid- higher in the sky. A friend once more of the galaxyʼs structure April, the is let me observe it through his will be revealed. Under clear, well-placed for observation in 51” reflector and I could hardly dark skies you will easily be the northern sky in Canes tear myself away from the view able to make out the spiral Venatici (The Hunting Dogs). after 15 minutes. I thought I structure of the two tightly The Whirlpool is also known as had only been at the eyepiece wound spiral arms, dust lanes M51 and NGC 5194, but most for 30 seconds… and the illusion of a connecting people know it by the nickname You will find it quickly by bridge of material between the that is obvious after your first following the curved handle of two galaxies that is not actually view. It has a smaller, yellowish the Big Dipper away from the there, at least to the extent that companion galaxy, NGC 5195 dipper to the star Alkaid at the it looks like through the in the distance. The Whirlpool end of the handle. Then look 2 Continued Page 6

Rochester Astronomy Club Newsletter Q2 2010 5 ROCHESTER ASTRONOMY CLUB Spectacular Spiral steady seeing are important. health insurance plans cover the continued from page 5 Filters will not enhance your views cost of treatment. Trips to the of galaxies, since galaxies are Texas Star Party, Winter Star Party eyepiece. composed of stars emitting at all and other major deep sky events The two galaxies interacted frequencies, filtering the view where big telescopes are present about 70 million years ago, with down to a particular band of only offer temporary relief. M51 coming out the winner, frequencies will not increase the Now that the weather is gaining mass and kick-starting contrast of the view, like looking at warming up once again, take many regions of active star the Ring Nebula with an OIII filter some time in April to get to know formation. While it certainly would would. The best way to visually the spectacular Whirlpool galaxy, have been an exciting (bad?) time observe extended, dim, objects either for the first time or perhaps to be living in the Whirlpool galaxy, like the Whirlpool is to increase the visit your old friend and study it in the result today is a spectacular amount of light getting to your new detail. face-on spiral galaxy Clear Skies, just 31 Tom Koonce million light years away from us with Chart created using SkyMap Lite 2003, plenty of used with interesting permission. details, such as the Note the triangle of pinkish 7th magnitude stars knots of star easily visible in a magnifying finder forming with M51 making regions and the fourth point of a the radial rough square. wisps of interactions M51 and NGC 5195 between the are easily visible spiral arms. even from within Rochester city limits At medium with a 10” telescope. power, sharp o b s e r v e r s may be able to spot eye… thus “bigger aperture is another much smaller edge-on better.” Please be careful when galaxy, NGC 5229, to the viewing awesome deep sky northwest in the same field of objects like M51 through really big For More Information: view. telescopes, as it has been known http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/ There are a few tricks to to lead to serious infections of releases/2005/12/image/a observing the Whirlpool galaxy “Aperture Fever” in some and other ʻfaint fuzziesʼ like it. observers. Sadly, there is no http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap090526.html Obviously clear, dark skies and known cure for it and no known

6 Rochester Astronomy Club Newsletter Q2 2010 ROCHESTER ASTRONOMY CLUB Five Questions Gallery Here are some of the Rochester Astronomy Club With: members’ best shots! Brandon Wymann

1. What got you interested in Astronomy? I have had some interest in astronomy for quite some time, since I was young. My best guess at what sparked my interest would Above: John be Cosmos, the TV series with Preston captured Carl Sagan. M35 and nearby faint 2. What objects are you most NGC2158 using passionate about observing? his new Messier objects, nebulae, and SV105Apo and galaxies. QHY8Pro. Middle: Randy 3. What equipment do you Hemann used currently use? his 18” 10x50 Bosch binoculars. Obsession to capture this 4. What is the best part of the image of M108. Rochester Astronomy Club? Bottom: Luka Speakers/presentations. captured galaxy M33 using his 5. What's your day job? Celestron 80ED I do computer programming in C and Canon XS. and C++.

Rochester Astronomy Club Newsletter Q2 2010 7 ROCHESTER ASTRONOMY CLUB Rochester Skies

Upcoming Events April 16/17 - NCRAL 2010 at Bloomington/Normal IL April 16/17 - Dark Sky Weekend* April 20 - Sigma Xi Lecture “Stars that Go Bump in the Night”, Siebens Building April 23/24 - Astronomy Day May 11 - Monthly Meeting, Josef Chlachula May 15/16 - Dark Sky Weekend* June 8 - Monthly Meeting, TBA June 11/12 - Dark Sky Weekend* July 13 - Monthly Meeting, Dan Strain - Fermilab

* Events subject to change due to weather. Check Rochesterskies.org for updates

Rochester, MN 55903-0513 MN Rochester, P.O. Box 513 Box P.O.