SOUTHEASTERN IOWA ASTRONOMY CLUB THE SIDEREAL TIMES
FEBRUARY 2013
A M EMBER SOCIETY OF THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE
CLUB OFFICERS : MINUTES JANUARY 17, 2013 Executive Committee g w c ll t r r t t President Libby Snipes Burli gt Public Libr ry by Libby D vi Vice President Judy Hilkin S i i g w r Ji Ju y Treasurer David Philabaum P il b u r rt t t cub Hilki , D vi Vicki P il b u , Cl u Secretary Vicki Philabaum El r B i g v , Du c ut gr u f b ut 20 l will Chief Observer Dave Philabaum rli g, D vi M r , S v g , vi it S tur y, J u ry 18 t 6 PM Members-at-Large Jim Hilkin Terry Durbin Bl k J Stu f, Ji ilt Old B e Ju y Hilki r rt Katie Powers Board of Directors Ji Hilki t r v t l u f $1900 i Chair Claus Benninghoven t i ut ri t fr t N gr t y r c iv fr t i u r ct i Vice Chair Duane Gerling v b r 2012 g D vi M r Secretary Ray Reineke 2 clu t r f r t ck r t l Members-at-Large Terry Durbin c w ic R y R i k will v r Jim Hilkin D vi P il b u r t t r , r t Prug /C rv r Katie Powers ur r’ r rt w ic i clu gr t buil i g, urc f y i c , y fr t i u t t i c v r f r v r l t l c , Audit Committee t r i ly t bill t b t r g i t St /K lly buil i g Ray Reineke (2009) $200 will l b u f r v r Karen Johnson (2011) i Ji Hilki t c Dean Moberg (2012) c t t r rt S v g 2 i g
(continued on page 4) INSIDE THIS ISSUE :
Space Place 2, 3
UPCOMING DATES Looking Back 3
~ Since we met in Janu- ~ Public viewing on Fri- Minutes (cont.) 4 ary, the February meet- day, March 15 NCRAL INFO 4 ing has been cancelled. ~ Deadline for the March ~ The next meeting will newsletter is Wednesday, Treasurer’s Report 4
Thursday, March 14, at March 6, 2013 Observer’s Report 5 the library at 7:30 pm ~ NCRAL conference in LightScape Info 6-7 ~ No First Friday public Rochester, MN April 12- viewings in February or 13, 2013. (More info on Calendar 8
March page 4) Sky Maps 9-10 PAGE 2 THE SIDEREAL TIMES
TACKLING THE REALLY BIG Q UESTIONS BY DIANE K. F ISHER
How does NASA get its ideas for new astrono- Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST). It would my and astrophysics missions? It starts with a orbit the second Lagrange point and perform Decadal Survey by the National Research wide-field imaging and slitless spectroscopic Council, sponsored by NASA, the National surveys of the near-infrared sky for the com- Science Foundation, and the Department of munity. It would settle essential questions in Energy. The last one, New Worlds, New Horizons both exoplanet and dark energy research and in Astronomy and Astrophysics was completed in would advance topics ranging from galaxy evo- 2010. It defines the highest-priority research lution to the study of objects within the galaxy activities in the next decade for astronomy and and within the solar system. astrophysics that will “set the nation firmly on Naturally, NASA’s strategic response to the the path to answering profound questions recommendations in the decadal survey must about the cosmos.” It defines space- and take budget constraints and uncertainties into ground-based research activities in the large, account. midsize, and small budget categories. The goal is to begin building this mission in The recommended activities are meant to ad- 2017, after the launch of the James Webb vance three science objectives: Space Telescope. But this timeframe is not “...the highest- 1. Deepening understanding of how the first assured. Alternatively, different, less ambitious stars, galaxies, and black holes formed, missions that also address the Decadal Survey priority large 2. Locating the closest habitable Earth-like science objectives for WFIRST would remain a mission...is the planets beyond the solar system for de- high priority. tailed study, and Wide-field The Astrophysics Division is also doing studies 3. Using astronomical measurements to un- Infrared Survey of moderate-sized missions, including: gravita- ravel the mysteries of gravity and probe tional wave mission concepts that would ad- Telescope fundamental physics. vance some or all of the science objectives of (WFIRST).” For the 2012-2021 period, the highest-priority the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna large mission recommended is the Wide-field (LISA), but at lower cost; X-ray mission con- (continued on page 3)
Clusters of galaxies collide in this composite image of “Pandora's Cluster.” Data (in red) from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory show gas with temperatures of mil- lions of degrees. Blue maps the total mass concentration (mostly dark matter) based on data from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the European Southern Observa- tory's Very Large Telescope (VLT), and the Japanese Subaru telescope. Optical data from HST and VLT also show the constituent galaxies of the clusters. Such images begin to reveal the relationship between concentration of dark matter and the overall structure of the universe. FEBRUARY 2013 PAGE 3
Looking Back in the Sidereal Times
25 Years Ago - February, 1988 A arge a e o ay 1s as se or e s o e s Fe er re ur o s e ar e ora o aus e g o e re- or e a e ob e e e s s a ua y a r e ra er a e oub e e ere ea o be e e ou be u - o ere s ar re ar g e ube a er ou g bser a o s o a e o g s ar a sa e e ga a y ear e y ay a e ro u e or a e e - e e a ro a o er ea y e e e s a a e u Ear a o er bo es e so ar sys e are or e su su er o a e os o s e e e e, re or e by A A, a e e or o ga a ra a o e e e by a A er a a e e Augus a by s ru e s arr e a o by ba oo s au e ro Aus ra a ober a o e ber a a ese a o e s e s s a re ous y re or e -rays ro e su er o a, abe e 198 A, bu e e o o g er e ergy ga a ra a o a e e e e a ea y e e e s are rea e ro g er o es e e se e ergy o e o g s ars
10 Years Ago - February, 2003 e o o g r bu e o e s u e o u b a re ro a A bu e boar as e e s e er e s u e o u b a e o e o er e as ur g re-e ry o February 1 o le the garden to e lore the hea ens and in lea ing them yo neared arri ing. The ai ng as halt elo no rests as the remnant sighs in eerie silence eas ng has t rned to as ng t the Floridian irds mock and ise a ians admonish. S ll their earthly t nes lend ho e to o r assion to s r ass them or their fla ing ings ha e ne er reached the start nor shone as rightly as o rs.
TACKLING THE REALLY BIG Q UESTIONS (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2) cepts to advance the science objectives of the International of astrophysics fun facts and games on The Space Place, X-ray Observatory (IXO), but at lower cost; and mission http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/menu/space/ . concept studies of probe-class missions to advance the sci- ence of a planet characterization and imaging mission. This article was provided by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Califor- nia Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aer- For a summary of NASA’s plans for seeking answers to the onautics and Space Administration. big astrophysics questions and to read the complete Astro- physics Implementation Plan (dated December 2012), see http://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/ . For kids, find lots PAGE 4 THE SIDEREAL TIMES
MINUTES (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)
T v f , C T , T T , 14 v , T 15 T v 01 T , D v C f O v ’ - O - V , C f T $ 0
NCRAL 2013
The Rochester Astronomy Club welcomes you to the 2013 Rochester, which hosts over 100 major conventions each year. North Central Region of the Astronomical League’s annual Our club members will be eager to assist you during your stay conference. The 2013 conference will be held in Rochester, and look forward to your camaraderie. Minnesota on April 12th and 13th. Best Regards, We hope you’ll join us this spring to share knowledge and Rochester Astronomy Club passion for the night skies and to support amateur astrono- my. We have a full schedule of speakers and events focused around our conference theme “Seeing Is Believing!”. (Find the full letter and information at http://ncral2013.com Centrally located between our scheduled Friday activities, the Early registration deadline is March 13, 2013) conference will be at the Kahler Grand Hotel in downtown
TREASURER ’S REPORT
1/1/2013 Beginning Balance $4,305.11
Deposits
Total Deposits $0.00
Expenses
Check Payee 1/17/2013 412 Judy Smithson, IDA brochures $33.28 1/23/2013 413 MTC, Jan. phone bill $29.20 Total Expenses $62.48
1/31/2012 Ending Balance $4,242.63
General Fund $1,679.92 Witte Grant #1 Balance $662.71 Witte Grant #2 Balance $1,900.00 Total in Checking Account $4,242.63 FEBRUARY 2013 PAGE 5
OBSERVER ’S REPORT FOR FEBRUARY /M ARCH BY DAVE PHILABAUM
d 8 f F b u y Mer- u y 1 1 : 0 T; fu F b u y 25 1 :28 cury f u T; d qu 15:5 T d w F b u y 16 d b k w f 11 1 :5 T T u f u w u 0 ° u f Ju F b u y 18 d u Ju - ky u y f u T x d y w v y w d w ky d y b 1° f d V O d y f F b u y v b k d y Uranus 20° b v 1 1° f d u f f
w u u dd O F b u y 15 asteroid 2012 DA 14 f F b u y d 5° b v by w w 18 000 f u f f dd f Jupiter T u u d - E w 8 ud bu du k k f w u u d 1 :25 T d y f u By d bu k f d d k w b b w ud 11 v w f k f Ju d 12 D d b qu d u F b u- 80 000 - 0 000 w y B w y 25 w k d f - F b u y 2 d 12 k f v b f v w d - d u f f G O w 80 u 1 Ju f u k f f f w E T u d d b w f E y v R d u w d Ju T : 1 :5 2-1 ; 1 :0 2-2 ; v w v 1 :52 - d 1 :01 - P T RR ( /2011 ) w - T O F b u y 2 10 0 02 U f u d f f u E y d d Ju b u 21:18 T k k -0 2 ud 10 f ' d w b w 20:2 d 22: 8 bu w b w d d w T Saturn b f d d v d d dd f J u y v d u b f f w k b b w ud +1 d + dd f F b u y By dd f U b u k f b w w u T d b u 1 ° d 11 v y w w P T RR w Du F b u y k f d w f b b b w 12 d 18 bu Neptune qu u u w w b O 12 u F b u y 21 d v y y u 5° f ky Pluto, u v y w ky d U u 0 5° f u d b b y v w b N P T RR ud ON w dd f N u ° f u y b k d y D - B u y w u y Venus w b f y bu y u d f w O f F b u y 28 d v d O 10 w V u d N u 0 5° f u d f d d T D y v bu y ° f u F qu Moon F b- T b y u k d u PAGE 6 THE SIDEREAL TIMES
BURLINGTON LIGHT SCAPE PROJECT : INITIAL LETTER AND MEETING SUMMARY
Date: January 22, 2013
To: Greater Burlington Partnership & Downtown Partners Inc. Board Members
Dear Board Members, The Southeastern Iowa Astronomy Club (SIAC) would like to open a dialogue about the Burlington LightScape Project regarding the use of responsible down lighting in an effort to both illuminate Burlington’s historic down- town while preserving our community’s appreciated dark skies.
The SIAC are a group of volunteers who maintain and operate the John . i e bservatory Comple for the Des Moines County Conservation Board at the Big ollow Recreation Area north of Burlington since 1987.
Volunteers open the observatory providing unique viewing and learning opportunities for visitors throughout southeastern Iowa and western Illinois. e are open to the public and schedule viewings for schools, scouts, church and service groups. All public and scheduled viewings are free of charge, though we are open to and receive donations. ur a endance and membership ranges from a radius of 0 miles around Burlington and have over 1,200 visitors yearly. hen there are dark skies (no moon) and/or visible planets we can average 0 to 70 visitors on a public viewing night.
The i e bservatory Comple is an historical hidden treasure for the Burlington Area: The i e bservatory Comple has three telescopes funded by the i e oundation with the intent to further the education of all ages. The Clark telescope is a 12” refractor built in 1937 and thought to be the largest in Io- wa located in the i e Building the 1 ” aling telescope in the dward Stone-Jim Kelly Building is the pride of the Burlington School System and used by the high school astronomy classes and John . i e Jr.’s personal telescope in the Prugh-Carver Building. The i e oundation continues to provide funds for the ongoing maintenance of these telescopes. (See the enclosed i e bservatory Comple brochure for additional infor- mation.)
Southern skies are important viewing from the bservatory comple : The southern sky has the ecliptic where the planets, Moon, Zodiac constellations travel and numerous deep skies objects are found for viewing. Up lighting buildings would cause additional night glow in the southern skies. The night glow would be similar to looking at the stars during a full moon.
ow we know to be concerned about additional lights from the proposed LightScape Project: Currently we have night glow in the southern sky from the Great River Bridge, Roosevelt Avenue and est Burlington devel- opment area. As it is, we work around the current light pollution by waiting until celestial objects move well above the night glow for detailed viewing of planets or deep sky objects. The LightScape Project will significant- ly add to the light pollution at the bservatory with the installation of up lighting.
Members of the SIAC value dark skies not only for viewing, but studies show the negative impact of additional light on humans and animals. This has been researched and is summarized by the Dark Sky Association. n- closed are brochures by Dark Sky or visit their website www.darksky.org/resources/99-quick-reference- materails .
(continued on page 7) FEBRUARY 2013 PAGE 7
BURLINGTON LIGHT SCAPE PROJECT (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6)
We would welcome the opportunity to schedule a date for discussion to provide further information and/or a tour of the Wi e servatory omple lease feel free to contact im il in/ udith mithson- il in at 319-752- 7477 or Elisa eth nipes at 319-753-1400
espectfully su mi ed on ehalf of the outheastern owa stronomy lu em ers
udith mithson- il in Vice resident 2520 urrey oad Burlington 52601 jsmithil@q com
Elisa eth nipes resident cience nstructor easnipes@mchsi com cc: Des oines ounty onservation Board cc: ohn Wi e r oundation ______Re: Highlights from LightScape Project meeting with representative of Burlington Downtown Partners
In attendance: Jim Hilkin, Judy Smithson-Hilkin, Elisabeth Snipes, Gretchen Miller, Chad Palmer, Chris Grimm, Steve Frever
The meeting was initiated by Downtown Partners in response to an initial letter of concern sent on behalf of SIAC regarding the proposed project to light up historical downtown Burlington buildings. We met at the Iowa State Bank, February 5, 2013, at 3:45 PM.
Judy shared more about what our club offers out at the observatory throughout the year. Jim described more viewing skies around the observatory and current light pollution we contend with and fears of additional sky glow in our southern skies. Libby emphasized the uniqueness of our observatory complex as it relates to near-by or not -so-near-by similar complexes.
Chad Palmer, president of Energyficient Lighting System, described the lights to be installed as (very) focused LED lighting. Chad is familiar with International Dark Skies Association and the Model Outdoor Lighting Ordi- nance (MLO) and has in interest in minimizing trespass light.
Though the LightScape Project has not put minimizing distant light glow at the top of their priorities, it was and is an element. They have considered minimizing the current stray light associated with downtown street lights. By minimizing these lights, they can hopefully more effectively target and illuminate the historic buildings. Though it is not known for sure, incorporating such minimization might result in a net reduction in sky glow.
Downtown Partners will invite a representative of SIAC to key meetings so as to keep us informed. We appreciat- ed their willingness to meet with us initially and to keep us “in the loop.”
Respectfully submitted, Libby Snipes SIAC President PAGE 8 THE SIDEREAL TIMES
February ~ March 2013
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
10 (February) 11 12 13 14 15 16
New Moon Mercury 5˚ south Uranus 4˚ south Valentine’s Day Mercury at of Moon of Moon greatest elonga- tion
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
First Quarter Moon at apogee Neptune in con- Mercury appears Moon junction with Sun stationary Saturn appears stationary Jupiter 0.9˚ north of Moon
24 25 26 27 28 1 (March) 2
Full Moon Saturn 3° north of Moon
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Last Quarter Moon at perigee Moon
Mercury in inferi- or conjunction
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Neptune 6° south New Moon SIAC Meeting at Mercury appears of Moon Library 7:30 pm stationary
Daylight Savings Time begins
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Jupiter 1.5° north Moon at apogee First Quarter Spring Equinox of Moon Moon
St. Patrick’s Day 4
h M38 h
6
θ Aur
Pollux
Hoedus II Castor Castor ε Per Auriga
Almaaz
Capella Menkalinan
2h Triangulum Algol Perseus 3 0 ° β Tri Azimuth: 276° 44.796' Altitude: 59° 12.460' RA (JNow): 2h 31.212m δ Per Dec (JNow): 37° 22.318' M34
Triangulum Galaxy, Pinwheel Galaxy (M33) Mirfak
Almach
γ Per Lynx
Perseus Double Cluster (NGC 884) Little Dumbbell Nebula (M76) Perseus Double Cluster (NGC 869) Talitha
M32AndromedaAndromeda Galaxy (M31) M110 NGC 2403 Camelopardalis M103 Owl Cluster (NGC 457) Ruchbah θ UMa
γ Schedar Cassiopeia Cas
C elest ial Me ridian
Caph NGC 7789 Cigar Galaxy (M82) Bode's Galaxy (M81)
Blue Snowball (NGC 7662) Ursa Major
The Scorpion (M52) Merak Dubhe NorthPolaris Celestial Pole ψ M108 UMa Owl Nebula (M97)
Cepheus
Phecda Lacerta M109
Winnecke 4 (M40)
Alderamin Ursa MinorKochab M106
Alioth Pherkad
22h
M39 NGC 6946 Altais Mizar
Cat's Eye Galaxy (M94)
Nodus I Cor Caroli Draco Pinwheel Galaxy (M101) NGC 7027 North American Nebula (NGC 7000) Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)Canes Venatici Sunflower Galaxy (M63) Alkaid IC 4182 Deneb Aldhibain Cygnus Spindle Galaxy (M102)
Blinking Planetary (NGC 6826)
Sadr Gienah M29 δ Cyg
Veil Nebula (West) (NGC 6960) Eltanin Rastaban
Seginus
N
M92
Vega Lyra
Boötes h 0 2 Ring Nebula (M57) Dumbbell Nebula (M27) Albireo M56 Izar π Her Hercules Cluster (M13)
Corona Borealis Viewing from Burlington, United States Long: -91° 08' 07" Lat: 40° 48' 52" 2013/2/15 7:30:00 PM (Local) Looking: north (40° above horizon) FOV: 100° Limiting Magnitude: 7.1 4 Capella M34 2 h h h h 6 8 Perseus Menkalinan
Algol
Auriga ε Per
θ Aur
M38 Triangulum
M36 30° Castor Castor Hassaleh M37 Atik
Pollux
Elnath
Hamal
Gemini Pleiades, Seven Sisters (M45) M35 Alcyone
Tejat Posterior Eskimo Nebula, Clown Nebula (NGC 2392) Crab Nebula (M1) Aries ζ Tau Jupiter
Taurus Alhena Aldebaran 15° The Moon
Ecl iptic
Christmas Tree Cluster (NGC 2264)
Gomeisa Betelgeuse Canis Minor Bellatrix Procyon Orion Menkar
M78 Mintaka Cetus A (M77) Alnilam Alnitak Celestial E Orion B (NGC 2024) quator
Monoceros NGC 1977 Cursa Orion Nebula (M42) Nair al Saif
Rigel M48
M50 Saiph
NGC 1535 Zaurak Eridanus
M47 M46 Sirius Arneb Mirzam
Lepus -15° Nihal NGC 2440 Little Beehive (M41) NGC 1232 Canis Major M79
M93 Wesen ρ Pup
Adhara
Aludra
Phaet Fornax Columba
Caelum NGC 1365 - 30° Puppis Fornax A (NGC 1316)
π Pup NGC 1851
NGC 2451 NGC 1291 NGC 2477 Acamar
Naos
S
τ Pup Pictor Suhail al Muhlif Canopus Horologium
Al Suhail NGC 2547
- 45 °
Reticulum Vela Dorado δ -6 Vel 0° Viewing from Burlington, United States Long: -91° 08' 07" Lat: 40° 48' 52" 2013/2/15 7:30:00 PM (Local) Looking: south (40° above horizon) FOV: 100° Limiting Magnitude: 7.1 A Brief History The idea for the observatory was conceived by the members of the Southeastern Iowa Astronomy Club. Through a cooperative agreement between the Des Moines County Conservation Board, The Burlington Community School System, and the Southeastern Iowa Astronomy Club, the idea became a reality. A substantial grant SOUTHEASTERN IOWA from the John H. Witte, Jr. Foundation provided the funding for materials, with ASTRONOMY CLUB nearly all the construction being done by members of the club. Work began in the P.O. Box 14 spring of 1985 and the observatory was dedicated in May 1987. In the years since West Burlington, IA 52655 the dedication, thousands of people have climbed the ladder to peer through the eyepiece of the beautiful 1937 Alvan-Clark brass refractor.
In 1996 a second observatory, the Prugh-Carver Observatory, was added through a grant from the Carver Foundation. Dedicated to Burton Prugh, a Burlington busi- nessman, it stands as a reminder of his devotion and support to the Southeastern W E’ RE ON T HE WEB Iowa Astronomy Club. It houses Mr. Witte’s personal telescope—an 8” Fecker refractor, as well as several smaller scopes. http://www.dmcconservation.com/ index.php/en/cons-recreation-areas/cons- Dedicated on September 17, 2004, the new Stone-Kelly Observatory houses the bh/cons-ra-bighollow-witteobs 16” Cassegrain that was formerly on Burlington High School off Roosevelt Avenue. Volunteer club members, after passing a training and apprenticeship program, oper- ate the observatory for public and private groups.
DUES The observatory complex is open to the public on the first and third Fridays of every $20 INDIVIDUAL month, weather permitting. $30 F AMILY
ABOUT SOUTHEASTERN IOWA ASTRONOMY CLUB The Southeastern Iowa Astrono- Additional benefits to members my Club meets on the third include our monthly newsletter, Friday of each month at the The Sidereal Times, voting Witte Observatory at 7 pm. rights for club activities, and membership in the national The purpose of the club is to Astronomical League. The provide astronomy opportuni- Astronomical League member- ties to the local area, mainly ship provides a quarterly news- through the use of the facilities letter, discounts on certain at the John H. Witte, Jr. Ob- astronomy-related products, servatory. During monthly special training/skill building meetings, information is provid- programs, and other great bene- ed about upcoming events and fits. items of interest locally, nation- ally, and worldwide. The meetings allow members to share their experiences and expertise with each other, as well as providing a forum for Travel directions to the Witte Observatory Complex. questions. The public is wel- come to share in the meetings, The observatory complex is located at 18832 152nd Avenue, Sperry, and they are followed by a pub- Iowa in Big Hollow Creek Recreation Area approximately 12 miles lic viewing session (weather north of Burlington, Iowa. permitting).