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Highlights of the March Sky. . .

------2nd ------The passes 4º southsouth of Jupiter, 8 pm. PPrime Focuss

------3rd ------A Publication of the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society Mercury is at greatest western elongation (27º), 6 am. March 2008

------5th ------The Moon passes 0.2º south of Mercury, 9 am. ThisThis MonthsMonths KAS EventsEvents The Moon passes 0.2º north of Venus, 2 pm. General Meeting: Friday, March 7 @ 7:00 pm ------6th ------Venus passes 0.6º southsouth ofof Kalamazoo Math & Science Center - See Page 16 for Details Neptune, 3 pm. Observing Session: Saturday, March 8 @ 7:00 pm th ------7th ------New Moon Messier Marathon - Richland Township Park - See Page 13 for Map

------10thth ------Special Lecture: Tuesday, March 25 @ 7:00 pm Mars 1.7º northnorth ofof M35.M35. WMU Main Campus, Rood Hall, Room 1104 - See Page 3 for Details ------14th ------First Quarter Moon Full Moon Theater: Saturday, March 29 @ 7:00 pm

The Moon passes 1º northnorth WMU Main Campus, Rood Hall, Room 1110 - See Page 3 for Details of Mars near midnight.

------19th ------The Moon passes 0.8º south of Regulus, 4 am. InsideInside thethe Newsletter.Newsletter. .. ..

The Moon passes 3º southsouth February Meeting Minutes...... p. 2 of , 11 am. Board Meeting Minutes...... p. 2 ------21st ------Full Moon Harlow Shapely Lecture...... p. 3 Full Moon Theater Preview...... p. 3 ------23rd ------Mercury passes 1.0º southsouth Lunar Eclipse Captured...... p. 4 of Venus, 6 am. ...... p. 5

------27thth ------Guide to the Messier Marathon...... p. 7 The Moon passes 0.5º Messier Marathon Search List...... p. 11 south of Antares, 6 a.m. NASA Space Place...... p. 12 ------29thth ------Last Quarter Moon Messier Marathon Location Map...... p. 13 March Night Sky...... p. 14 ------30thth ------The Moon passes 3º southsouth KAS Officers & Announcements...... p. 15 of Jupiter, 1 p.m. www.kasonline.org February Meeting Minutes Board Meeting Minutes

The general meeting of the KAS was brought to order by The KAS Board met on February 17th at Sunnyside Church President Jack Price on February 1st at 7:15 pm EST. Thirty (following a one-week weather delay). President Jack Price members and guests were in attendance at the Kalamazoo brought the meeting to order at 5:15 pm. Other board mem- Area Math & Science Center (KAMSC). bers present include Richard Bell, Jean DeMott, Dan Morgan, Rich Mather, and Roger Williams. The guest speaker for the evening was fellow KAS member and Associate Professor of at WMU, Dr. Kirk Rich delivered a treasurer’s report showing a current balance Korista. Kirk’s called his latest presentation Pluto - What’s in of $13,423.58. As directed by the board at the last meeting, a Name?. Kirk stated that our ancestors began naming objects Rich had invested much of the assets in certificates of deposit, in the heavens because it gave them a sense of power over $5,800 for the Land Acquisition Fund money and $5,000 for them. He then gave a brief history of the discovery of Pluto part of the cash balance. The CD’s will mature in one , at by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930. Tombaugh was, in a sense, which time a decision can be made about reinvestment. hired by the ghost of Percival Lowell, who began the search for “Planet X” before his death in 1916. Events planned for March were summarized. The Messier Marathon is scheduled for March 8th at Richland Township Kirk then gave a detailed overview of the layout of the solar Park. Rich had not yet checked on the availability of the park, system and how Pluto fits in to it all. In short, Pluto lies in a but promised to do so immediately. After some discussion, region called the Kuiper Belt and Neptune marks the inner Full Moon Theater was set for March 29th, since the logical boundary of the Kuiper Belt swarm. Pluto’s eccentric March 22nd date is on Easter weekend (see page 3). carries it between 30 - 49 AU from the and actually crosses Neptune’s orbit on occasion. The two bodies will Old Business included the search for a display-table drape never collide due to Pluto’s 17º inclination and a 3:2 reso- printed with the KAS logo. Richard had contacted a number nance. In fact, due to this resonance, Pluto gets closer to Ura- of potential suppliers, finding that the first one contacted nus than it ever does to Neptune. Kirk then described some of quoted by far the lowest price of $150. The Board agreed that Pluto’s characteristics such as its small size (seven are Richard should be authorized to buy one of the drapes, pro- larger in diameter) and Pluto’s own family of three moons. vided that inspection of a sample showed the quality to be acceptable. Jean agreed to assist with quality control. The decision of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in August 2006 was then discussed and Kirk covered the fall- In other old business, the general meeting schedule was out and controversy, including comments made by Alan Stern firmed up, with Mark Miller speaking on large on (director of the New Horizons mission to Pluto). Kirk then March 7th, Dan Morgan describing construction on went into the physics of what makes a body round and what it April 4th, and Dr. Arunav Kundu of MSU speaking about means to for an object to “clear its neighborhood”. Kirk dis- tails on June 6th. September and November have yet to played a graph that was in a paper written in 2002 written by be determined. Astronomy Day is set for April 19th at KNC. Alan Stern and Harold Levison. It showed a body of M The topics this year will be the Sun and Mercury. versus the mean distance of the Sun, with the lines of constant gravitational scattering parameter, lambda (Λ). All the eight In new business, the Vicksburg Middle School science night major planets were above the Λ = 1000 line, while ALL other appearance is scheduled again on Wednesday, March 12th. bodies were below the Λ = 0.003 line. Kirk then explained Dr. Christine Jones will speak on March 25th at 7 pm as part that Pluto may ultimately help tell us how the solar system of the Harlow Shapley visiting lecture program, jointly spon- formed 4.5 billion ago and how it evolved over time. sored by KAS and WMU (see page 3 for program details). So, Pluto may no longer be considered a planet (as Mike Regarding the KAS web site, Richard reported having been Sinclair FINALLY admitted in public), but it may turn out to thinking for some time about how it could be improved be one of the most important bodies in the solar system. through redesign and having recently found a template design that already contains most of the desired features. The tem- After the snack break, we discussed the limited opportunities plate can be purchased for $140, and the redesign could be for observing as of late due to persistent cloud cover and bitter completed when time allows. The Board voted to authorize cold. The 5th anniversary of the Columbia diaster was buying the template. mentioned along with the 50th anniversary of the launch of Explorer I. The new images of Mercury by the MESSENGER The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 pm. The next meeting spacecraft were mentioned. Jean DeMott presented an $1,100 was set for March 9th, same time and place. check to President Jack Price. This brings the land acquisition fund to $8,000 now! The meeting concluded at 9:21 pm. Respectfully submitted by Roger Williams

Prime Focus Page 2 March 2008 American Astronomical Society Harlow Shapley Visiting Lecture Program Join us for our next

Full Moon Theater

Reflections from Outbursts of Supermassive Friday, March 29 @ 7:00 pm Black Holes at the Centers of WMU Main Campus - Rood Hall - Room 1110 Presented by Dr. Christine Jones Center for Astrophysics, Harvard University Are you a bored astronomer? Answer: of course you are, but what did you expect? It’s too cold and cloudy this time of year to observe. Not to mention that big, bright nasty Moon is in the way (Yes, it’s only a Waxing Gibbous Moon Galaxies don't like to be alone. Their gravitational pull — on March 15th, but that’s just a technicality). So, if you can’t even across the vast distances of space — causes galaxies to observe and you’re tired of watching the same old drivel on form clusters that can contain hundreds or even thousands of T.V., then join us for the next Full Moon Theater. The KAS individual galaxies. Clusters of galaxies are, in fact, the will provide the popcorn and all the soft drinks. You just largest structures in the Universe that are held together by need to show up and have a great time! gravity. Because of their immense size and mass, clusters are extremely useful as tools to probe a variety of Our feature presentation... questions about the Universe, including how much mass is luminous matter and how much is dark matter. In addition to being massive, clusters are so luminous that they can be observed back to when the Universe was only half its present age. Comparing the properties of distant clusters with nearby ones allows us to see both how clusters grow over time as smaller clusters fall into them, and also lets us constrain In the Shadow of the Moon important cosmological parameters. In the Shadow of the Moon is an intimate epic, which vividly Galaxy clusters are proving to be some of the most communicates the daring and the danger, the pride and the fascinating structures in the Universe. Galaxy clusters are passion, of this extraordinary era in American history. comprised of individual galaxies and are also filled with Between 1968 and 1972, the world watched in awe each time colossal amounts of hot gas. This gas has a temperature as an American spacecraft voyaged to the Moon. Only 12 high as 100 million degrees and more mass than all of the American men walked upon its surface and they remain the in the galaxies in the cluster. Because this gas is so hot, only human beings to have stood on another world. the only way to observe it is through X-ray telescopes like the Chandra X-ray Observatory. One of the incredible Now for the first, and very possibly the last, time, In the insights seen with Chandra is the impact that outbursts from Shadow of the Moon combines archival material from the a supermassive black hole at the center of the central galaxy original NASA film footage, much of it never before seen, in some clusters has had on the gas in the cluster. In several with interviews with the surviving astronauts, including Jim dozen clusters we've now seen X-ray cavities, some with Lovell (Apollo 8 and 13), Dave Scott (Apollo 9 and 15), sizes larger than the entire , where expanding John Young (Apollo 10 and 16), Gene Cernan (Apollo 10 radio lobes from the black hole have pushed the hot gas out and 17), Mike Collins (Apollo 11), Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11), of these regions. The in these outbursts is enormous, Alan Bean (Apollo 12), Edgar Mitchell (Apollo 14), Charlie more than billions of supernovae. This talk will present Duke (Apollo 16) and Harrison Schmitt (Apollo 17). The recent X-ray and radio observations that, in addition to being astronauts emerge as eloquent, witty, emotional and very beautiful images, allow us to determine how much energy is human. in these outbursts and how the outbursts affect their host galaxy. Directions to Rood Hall

Head north up the Howard Street hill from the intersection of Tuesday, March 25, 7:00 p.m. Howard and Stadium Drive. Turn right onto W. Michigan Western Michigan University - 1104 Rood Hall Ave. and then go left at the round-a-bout. Turn right into the parking lot. Parking is perfectly safe and free after 6:00 pm This program is sponsored locally by the WMU Department on Fridays. Rood Hall is located just past Everett Tower. of Physics and the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society. For further directions please visit KAS Online.

Prime Focus Page 3 March 2008 Mark Hansen Series of six 1/40-second exposures taken at approximately 9:15 pm. Aligned and stacked with Registax. Taken with a Nikon D50 DSLR camera and a Sigma 500mm lens.

Richard Bell A 5 second exposure at ISO 100 with a Tele Vue Pronto semi-apochromatic 70mm refractor and a Canon 300D DSLR camera. Taken at 10:39 pm from Owl Observatory. Temperature: 5º F

Jim Kurtz A 7 second exposure with a Tele Vue 85 apochromatic refractor and an SBIG ST2000XCM CCD camera. Charles Messier came to Paris in 1751 at the age of 21. He (M13), the Omega (M17) and Trifid (M20) , the was hired by the astronomer Joseph Delisle as a draftsman, Dumbbell planetary (M27), and the Andromeda Gal- and as a recorder of astronomical observations. By 1754 he axy (M31). To make his list as complete as possible, he added was also an accomplished observer, and at about that time he objects from previous catalogs by Edmund Halley (only five took a position at the Marine Observatory in Paris as a clerk. objects), William Derham, and Lacaille.

This was the time when astronomers were anticipating the first In 1765, he discovered the open cluster near Sirius (M41). In predicted arrival of Halley's Comet. Delisle had made a map 1769, he also determined the positions of the previously- of the routes by which the comet could approach to arrive at known (M42, M43), the (M45), and its predicted perihelion, and Messier, his observing assistant, Praesepe (the Beehive) to bring his list to 45 in time for his thus had the inside track in discovering (or rediscovering) it. admission to the Academie Royale des Sciences in 1770, He searched for 18 months, but in vain - Delisle had in fact where it was published as Catalogue des Nebuleuses et des miscalculated. amas d'Etoiles, que l'on decouvre parmi les Etoiles fixes, sur l'horizon de Paris in 1771. Three nights after presenting this Meanwhile on Christmas night, 1758, a German farmer named memoir, he recorded the positions of four more clusters! Johann Georg Palitzsch discovered the comet. A month later, Messier did as well, having not heard of Palitzsch's success In the years following, a few more objects were discovered in (no Internet). Delisle would not let Messier announce his dis- connection with comet searches. A break took place in 1779, covery, until after Palitzsch's news finally reached Paris. This when the comet of that year passed across the Coma - Virgo loss of 'credit' may well have forged Messier's determination region, leading to the first sightings of the brighter galaxies of to discover more . that area. The next year, he observed the M65 and M66 galax- ies in Leo, to bring his list to 68 in time for the publication of After Delisle's retirement, Messier continued observing from the French almanac, Connaissance des Temps. the Hotel de Cluny. He discovered the comet of 1764, and (with the naked-eye) saw the comet of 1766. Over the next 15 A few of the Messier objects have been mysterious or contro- years, nearly all comet discoveries were made by Messier. One perhaps apocryphal story relates that while at Messier sat at his wife's deathbed, a rival astronomer discovered a comet. When a friend consoled him on his loss, he said, "Alas! I have discovered a dozen of them; Montagne had to take away the 13th!" Only then did he realize that his friend was talking about the loss of his wife!

Messier did more than look for comets - he observed occulta- tions, transits, eclipses, and sunspots. He was no theoretician, however; for all his comet discoveries, his assistants reduced his observations to the orbital elements.

In 1758, he wrote, "When the comet of 1758 was between the horns of , I discovered above the southern horn and a short distance from the Zeta Tauri a whitish , ex- tended in the form of a candle light, which contained no stars. This light was a little like that of a comet I had observed be- fore; however, it was a little too bright, too white, and top elongated to be a comet, which had always appeared to me almost round,..." It was the Nebula in Taurus - M1, and was duly plotted on the chart of the comet. The next object, the globular cluster in Aquarius, was observed in 1760.

By 1764, Messier had accumulated a number of such 'false comets' and began to make a list of them. In seven months Messier cataloged 40 objects - including the Hercules Cluster Portrait of the French comet hunter Charles Messier (June 26, 1730 - April 12, 1817).

Prime Focus Page 5 March 2008 versial, although it seems that most of the problems have been worked out by now. For example, the description given by Messier of M47:

7h 44m 16s, -1° 16' 42". Cluster of stars a short distance from the preceding, (M46 cluster) the stars are brighter; the middle of the cluster was compared with the same star, 2 Navis. The cluster contains no nebulosity.

Messier's descriptions of his telescopes are rather unsatisfying; he usually says something like "easily visible in a telescope of two feet" (focal length). In fact, his favorite telescope was actually a Gregorian reflector with a focal length of 32 inches and an aperture of 7½ inches. The mirrors were of polished speculum metal, which would mean a light-gathering power about equivalent to a three-inch modern aluminized glass mir- A portion of the original version of the Messier Catalog of ror. (I think we should do our Messier Marathon using 80 mm 1781 as printed in Connaissance des Temps for 1784. telescopes!) View scans of the entire catalog on the SEDS web site.

By this time, Messier had a new rival, Pierre Méchain, an as- Nebula (M97) makes reference to three more undescribed ob- tronomer at the naval map archives in Paris, who was 14 years jects in the vicinity. This, together with marginal notes on a his junior. In 1781, Méchain discovered two new comets, and copy of the 1787 list in Messier's hand, and a few other ob- in the course of his searches also found 32 new nebulous ob- jects known to have been observed by Messier has been used jects, which he communicated to Messier. Messier would then to extend the list to the present 110 objects. observe the new objects and add them to his list in the order he (Messier) observed them. Méchain discovered many new By 1790, revolution and economic turmoil brought trying Virgo cluster galaxies. In light of Messier's previous jealousy times for Messier, who lost his navy pension and salary. In about comet discoveries, it is surprising that the historical re- spite of circumstances, he managed to discover another comet cord betrays no such jealousy towards Méchain. in 1793. As the political situation stabilized, Messier was elected to the new Academy of Sciences, and received the In April of 1781 the list stood at 100, with 24 of these having Legion of Honor from Napoleon. He lived to the age of 86, been referred from Méchain. That November, Messier had a dying on April 12, 1817. serious fall into an icehouse, breaking his arm, leg, and two ribs. Messier did not resume observing until a year after. In Looking back on his interest in nebulae, Messier wrote in the 1784, the list was republished, including three new objects Connaissance des Temps for 1801: from Méchain that Messier had not had time to verify. M102 What caused me to undertake the catalogue was the neb- is another 'mystery' object, although it turns out that Méchain ula I discovered above the southern horn of Taurus on sent a letter to Bernoulli stating that it was actually a mistake, September 12, 1758, while observing the comet of that being identical to M101. (In the modern list, M102 is assigned year.... This nebula had such a resemblance to a comet, to NGC 5866, which matches Méchain's position and descrip- in its form and brightness, that I endeavored to find oth- tion.) In this letter, Méchain also describes six new objects, ers, so that astronomers would not confuse these same bringing the list to 107 (discounting 102). In 1787, the list was nebulae with comets just beginning to shine. I observed republished in its final form during Messier's lifetime, this further with the proper refractors for the search of com- time edited by Méchain. The printed description of the Owl ets, and this is the purpose I had in forming the cata- logue. After me, the celebrated Herschel published a catalogue of 2,000 which he has observed. This unveiling of the sky, made with instruments of great aperture, does not help in a perusal of the sky for faint comets. Thus my object is different from his, as I only need nebulae visible in a telescope of two feet [length]. Since the publication of my catalogue I have observed still others; I will pub- lish them in the future, according to the order of , for the purpose of making them more easy to recognize, and for those searching for comets to remain in less uncertainty.

The Hotel de Cluny in Paris as it appeared in Messier’s (This article is largely abstracted from "Messier and His Cata- day. The tower to the right of center was where Messier logue" by , to which the interested reader is searched for comet. referred for further details.)

Prime Focus Page 6 March 2008 The Messier Catalog has been a favorite of deep sky observers (3.1") refractor. Remember, most of us don't live in the south- for over 225 years. Ironically, the famous list that contains west, so a larger instrument is needed to reveal the fainter some of the most beautiful objects in the sky was originally Messier objects. I believe a minimum aperture of 6" is intended to be a list of objects to avoid. French comet hunter needed to observe the majority of the 110 objects, but you and nebulae cataloger Charles Messier decided to create a list shouldn't let a smaller instrument deter you from participating of fuzzy blobs that looked liked comets through his telescope. in the marathon. Many astronomy groups have a telescope The catalog was first published in 1771 and contained 45 ob- loaner program, so contact your local club today! jects. Most of these objects were not actually discovered by Messier, but some of them were. With the help of the mathe- There are several telescope accessories that are available to- matician Pierre Méchain, the list grew to 68 objects in 1780. day that can aid you during the marathon. A finderscope is an absolute must to star-hop across the sky. Most amateurs A year later, Messier's and Méchain's list grew to 103 objects. would recommend at least an 8×50 finder. Another handy aid Seven more objects (M104 through M110) were added later. is a Tel-Rad. This is a 1× finder than has three concentric Some of the objects that Messier added to his catalog, such as circles which magically float in the air and helps you quickly the Great Nebula in Orion (M42), were well known and did aim your telescope at guide stars. In many cases a Tel-Rad is not belong on a list of objects that could be mistaken for a all you'll need to track down the bright Messier objects. comet - Messier knew it and the astronomers of his day knew it, the list just took on a life of its own! I've always wondered A proper set of eyepieces can also be a valuable resource. if Messier knew his list would become the showpiece objects Short focal length eyepieces will give your telescope a low of the night sky. What Messier did not know, however, was magnification and make it easier to track down many Messier that it is possible to observe all 110 objects in a single night! objects. The best eyepieces for the job are Tele Vue's Naglers. Each Nagler has an 82° apparent field-of-view. Once Yes, that's right! In an amazing coincidence, most of the ob- you experience the "spacewalk" effect of a Nagler eyepiece jects (if not all) that Messier and Méchain took 24 years to there's no going back! Unfortunately they're very expensive observe and catalog can be observed in one night around the and the shorter focal length versions all have 2" barrels. Basi- time of the vernal equinox, March 21 (generally). The Messier Marathon was invented (or discovered) independently by sev- eral amateur astronomers and clubs in the 1970's. The first marathoner to hunt down all 110 Messier objects in a single night was perhaps Gerry Rattley of Dugas, Arizona on the night of March 23/24, 1985. To attempt this feat of observa- tional proficiency, you must have excellent sky conditions, an ideal observing site, a trusty telescope, and (most importantly) strong observing skills.

Equipment Needs

Some of the Messier objects can be observed with the , but you'll be lucky to check off 10 objects on your mara- thon list! Sooner or later you'll want to use some sort of opti- cal aid. An ordinary pair of 7×50 or 10×50 is ca- pable of revealing at least 60 Messier objects. It has been proven that the entire catalog can be observed with a pair of 20×80 binoculars. For the marathon, however, it will be very difficult to observe the objects that set shortly after sunset and rise shortly before sunrise. It will also be challenging to ob- A Dobsonian is an ideal telescope for conducting a serve all the Messier galaxies in the Virgo cluster. A telescope Messier Marathon. Large apertures from the major is the true key to the Messier Marathon and, of course, the manufacturers are inexpensive and they have a generous bigger the better! field-of-view compared to Schmidt-Cassegrains of comparable size. Dobsonians can also be easily and Messier's instrument of choice was a 7.5" reflector, but the quickly moved across the night sky. This 10-inch Dob is quality of the mirror wasn't quite the same as it is today. This also equipped with a handy Tel-Rad finder - a must for gave Messier's instrument the capability of a modern 80 mm any marathoner.

Prime Focus Page 7 March 2008 As I previously mentioned, your best chances for a successful marathon is to hold it as close to the vernal equinox as possi- ble. If you hold the marathon too early, you'll miss the morn- ing objects. If you hold it too late, you'll miss the evening objects. You'll also have to consider factors such as the phase of the Moon and your own schedule.

The saying "location, location, location" applies to the Messier Marathon as well as business. Your observing spot should be as far away from city as possible. The southeastern ho- rizon should be free of obstructions such as trees and build- ings. The early morning objects will be in this part of the sky just before sunrise, so you'll need a clear shot to see them. The same goes with the early evening objects, except that you'll want a clear western horizon.

When the day of your marathon arrives be sure to reach your observing site well before sunset. The Sun sets at about 7:00 p.m. on March 20. You don't want to worry about something like collimating or polar aligning your telescope while those early evening objects creep below the horizon. You'll also need plenty of time to align your finderscope with the main telescope. A finder isn't much help if it's pointing at a different part of the sky than your telescope. Lastly, it may be close to spring, but it still gets very cold on a clear March night. Be sure to wear the appropriate clothing and have a warm drink in The Nagler brand of eyepieces from Tele Vue offer a a thermos at your side. razor sharp 82 apparent field-of-view. Star-hopping to those more elusive Messier objects will be less difficult if Finally, be sure to print out a list of the Messier objects in the you’ve got one in your telescope. Shown above are the order that you should observe them during the marathon. I’ve Type 5 16mm and 31mm, better known as the “Holy Hand provided just such a list on page 11 of this month’s newsletter. Grenade” or the “Termi-Nagler”! The Evening Rush cally, any Plössl between 32 mm and 42 mm should be very helpful in your searches. If you have time, feel free to switch You should begin your search for M74 and M77 as soon as to a higher power for a better view. the first stars begin to appear. To track down M74 use the 2.0 magnitude star Hamal and 2.64 magnitude star Sharatan, both Another essential guide whenever you're hunting down deep in the Aries. These two stars point you south- sky objects is a star chart. One very useful and cheap aid is westerly to the 3.62 magnitude Eta Piscium. About 1.3° Sky & Telescope's Messier Card. One side shows the position northwest of Eta Piscium is the 9.7 magnitude galaxy M74. of every . The other side gives information It's fairly low in the sky after sunset, so detail in the galaxy such as the Messier objects Right Ascension and , will be almost nonexistent. Just check it off your list and plus the magnitude so you'll know if you're looking for a faint move onto M77, which is located 53' from the magnitude 4.0 object or a bright one. This is just a quick reference source star Delta Ceti. If you have trouble tracking down Delta Ceti however, so you'll still need a more detailed star atlas. My then use 2.53 magnitude Mekar (Alpha Ceti), which is 6° favorite star atlas is the Sky Atlas 2000.0 published by Sky & away from M77. Telescope. The best type of Sky Atlas 2000.0 to use is the Desk Version. The charts come unbound, so you can place The famous (M33) is next. It's directly them in any order you wish. They also have a white back- between the stars Hamal (in Aries) and Mirach (in Andro- ground with black stars, so you'll be able make notes on the meda). This is a large face-on galaxy, measuring 62' x 39', has chart with a pen or pencil. Today you can even make your an of 6.2 - pretty bright for a galaxy. Un- own custom star maps on a computer. Many desktop planetar- fortunately the surface brightness is low due to its large size. ium programs can create very detailed maps that you can print The next three Messier objects on the list should be very fa- out. Some of the most popular programs include SkyMap Pro, miliar, so they'll be easy to find. The first is the Andromeda TheSky, and Starry Night. Galaxy (M31) and its two nearby satellite galaxies M32 and M110. The next four objects (M52, M103, M76, and M34) Timing is Everything are critical since they're getting low in the sky and will be dif- ficult to spot due to atmospheric . Once they're out Now that you know what equipment you need for a Messier of the way you'll have a little time to relax. Marathon you'll have to plan when and where you'll hold one.

Prime Focus Page 8 March 2008 The Cruise

The next object on our list is perhaps the easiest to find. It’s so easy you won't even need a telescope to see it! The Pleiades (M45) is visible as a compact collection of six or seven stars to the naked eye. A simple pair of binoculars will reveal doz- ens of beautiful blue stars. Next is the first globular cluster on our list, M79. To track down this cluster, the equivalent of 90,000 , use the magnitude 2.84 Beta Leporis located 4° southwest of M79. Things get a little easier with M42 and M43. Both are part of the Great Nebula in Orion and are both found in the "sword" of the mighty hunter. Try not to get dis- tracted by the beauty of these nebulae, because you have a long way to go! Two more nebulae are on our list, M78 in Orion and the remnant M1 (the ) in Taurus. Sometimes the Crab Nebula can be little tough to spot, a UHC filter may be helpful in your search.

The next four objects are all open clusters and pretty easy to track down with binoculars. M35 is in Gemini and M37, The Pleiades (M45) is perhaps the easiest deep sky M36, and M38 are all in the constellation Auriga. We then object to locate during the marathon. It can be found head south into Canis Major and track down M41, then head with the naked eye in the constellation Taurus. north into Monoceros and spot M50, both open clusters. Sev- eral more open clusters follow; M47, M46, and M93 in Pup- eye Galaxy). M53 is a globular cluster is about 1° west of pis. M48 is on the boarder of Monoceros and Hydra. M44, Diadem (Alpha Coma Berenices) and M64 is 1° northeast of better known as the Prasepe or , is an easy 35 Coma Berenicis. target in the constellation Cancer. Once you've found M67 (just south of M44) you can take an hour break while the next Heartbreak Hill batch of objects rise higher in the sky. The next seventeen objects are all galaxies and are part of the

Coma-Virgo cluster. All the galaxies (with the exception of Two of my favorite galaxies are next. M81 and M82 are very M104) are all very close together. You might think that's a close together and can be found near the "ear" of , good thing, since you won't have to swing your telescope all the Greater Bear. M108 and M97 (the ) are about over the sky. What makes this part of the marathon difficult is a 1.5° away from the star Merak in the bowl of the . that it's easy to mistake one galaxy for another and not every M109 is very close (39") from Phecda, another bowl star. galaxy you can see is a Messier galaxy. Things will be a little M40 is a boring located about 1.4° north of Me- easier if you've been through this area before, but if this is grez, the faintest star in the Big Dipper. The next five objects your first time then make sure you have a detailed chart of this are all galaxies in the constellation Leo. M95, M96, and M105 region. can all be found in a triangle about one degree across. M65

and M66 are visible in the same field-of-view with a low The first three galaxies (M60, M59, and M58) are usually the power eyepiece. easiest to find. M58 is 1° west of M59, which is in the same

field-of-view as M60. Moving 1/4° west and 1/2° north from We return to Ursa Major to track down the magnificent spiral M58 is M89. Using a low power eyepiece you should be able galaxy M101. Unfortunately, its true magnificence can only to find M90 in the same field as M89. M88 is 1.5° north- be revealed through long exposure photography. Visually, it's northwest of M90. Slightly north and 1/2° east of M88 is a fairly challenging object to observe. M101 can be found by M91. Backtracking to M89 and then moving about 1.2° using the star Mizar and following a trail of fourth and fifth southwest leads you to M87. Moving another 1.5° north- magnitude stars (Flamsteed numbers 81, 83, 85, and 86 UMa). northwest of M87 is M86 and M84. M86 is the eastern of Another magnificent spiral galaxy can be found in Canes Ve- these two ninth-magnitude elliptical galaxies. Moving 3° natici. The (M51) is one of the best face-on north of M84 is the tenth magnitude spiral galaxy M100. spiral galaxies in the sky. Through an 8" or 10" telescope with

excellent sky conditions, the spiral structure is very obvious. Catch your breath and then use 3 and 11 Comae to guide you M51 can be found about 3.5° southeast of Alkaid, which is the to M85, which is just 1° northeast of 11 Comae. M98 is lo- star at the end of the Big Dipper's handle. cated 1/2° west of 6 Comae and M99 is 1° southeast of 6 Co-

mae. M49 can be found 2.2° north and 1/4° east of 20 Vir- We now head to the opposite side of Canes Venatici and look ginis. The last galaxy in this dense region is M61, which can for the marvelous Globular Cluster M3, which lies 6.5° north- be found 1° south of 17 Virginis. Reward yourself by taking a northeast of Beta Coma Berenicis. Moving into the constella- long look at the beautiful edge-on (M104) tion Coma Berenices and look for M53 and M64 (the Black- located on the southern tip of Virgo.

Prime Focus Page 9 March 2008 Early Morning Objects globular cluster in Sagittarius, M55.

If everything is on schedule, it should be around 2:00 a.m. at Our journey now takes us into the Summer Triangle. We'll this point. We'll now slowly move toward the summer time start in Lyra with the famous (M57). This beau- objects. Moving 15° south of M104 is the globular cluster tiful is directly between the two stars Beta M68 in Hydra. Following the path of Hydra's tail leads us to and Lyrae. The globular cluster M56 can be found by the magnitude 3.0 star Gamma Hydrae. Moving 8° to the using the line formed by Beta and Gamma Lyrae and head south leads you to M83, which is one of the intrinsically east. We then move over to Cygnus and move 2° to the south- brightest galaxies known. We head north to Draco and track west from Sadr to M29. M39 is between the line formed by down the controversial galaxy M102. Many believe that Epsilon Cygni and Zeta Cephei. This leg of our journey M102 was originally a duplicate of M101, but many feel that comes to an end when we find the globular cluster M71 in NGC 5866 was the galaxy that Messier and Méchain meant to Sagitta and the (M27) in Vulpecula. catalog. We haven't got time to debate the issue, so just check it off and move on! Mad Dash to the Finish

We now take a break from galaxies and look for some more Sixth more to go! The first is easy. M15 is a very bright globular clusters. If it's close to 3:00 a.m. then look due south globular cluster just above Enif, the "nose" of Pegasus. M75 to the constellation Serpens. M5 is right on the Meridian at is a globular cluster on the Capricornus-Sagittarius border. this time around the vernal equinox. We then head north once M72 and M73 (an of 4 stars) are less than a degree again to the well known "Keystone" asterism in Hercules. The apart and can be found in southern Aquarius. M2 is the globu- great globular cluster M13 can be found by drawing a line lar cluster than started Messier on his quest of creating a cata- between Eta and Zeta Herculis. A finderscope is all that's log of comet-like objects and can be found 9° to the south- needed to see M13, but take a closer look through your tele- southeast of Enif. The final object on the list is M30, which scope. The view is wonderful. Thousands of stars are visible, can be located by star-hopping 6° south from Nashira (Gamma but you don't have time to count them! One more globular Capricorni). M30 will be difficult, since sunrise is imminent. cluster in Hercules awaits us. M92 is about 6° north of Pi Herculis and is also a great site through the eyepiece. Our journey is over. We've been all across the heavens in search of Messier's legacy. You can give yourself an A+ if Four more globular clusters need to be tracked down in you've tracked down more than 100 Messier objects. Now Ophiuchus. M12, M10, and M14 are all inside Ophiuchus that the Marathon is over, come back to these objects in the and easy to spot with binoculars. M107 is another globular weeks and months ahead and enjoy them. They all deserve cluster and lies 3° south of Zeta Ophiuchi. We then briefly your close attention and they'll show you something new move into Scorpius and observe the globular clusters M80 and every time. I guarantee it! M4. M80 is 4° to the northwest of Antares and M4 is just to the east of this red . The last two globular clusters Resources are M19 and M62 on the southern border of Ophiuchus. The Messier Album, John H. Malls and Evered Kreimer (Sky Between the of Scorpius and Sagittarius are the Publishing, 1978). A handy little reference book with a photo- bright open clusters M6 and M7. Both are easy binocular graph, drawing, finder chart, visual description, and basic data targets. The big, bright, and beautiful (M8) for each of the 110 Messier objects. Includes a facsimile re- can be located by moving up from the star that represents the print of Charles Messier's original catalog (in French) from the spout of the Teapot asterism. A degree north of the Lagoon 1780's. Nebula leads you to the (M20). Moving another degree to the west of M20 is the open cluster M21. Three Messier's Nebulae and Star Clusters, Kenneth Glyn Jones degrees north of M21 is another open cluster, M23. Okay, so (Cambridge University Press, 2nd edition, 1991). The most I lied, we need to briefly return to Ophiuchus and find one in-depth reference book about the 100-plus Messier objects more globular cluster, M9, before we move on to the bright and their observational history. nebulae and open clusters of Sagittarius. The Observing Guide to the Messier Marathon, Don Mach- Now things really start speeding up. We'll start at the open holtz (Cambridge University, 2002). This book contains over cluster M25 and move our way slowly north to the open clus- 90 star maps to guide you through the Marathon, and provides ters M24 and M18. Then will stop at the bright Omega Neb- several tips for a successful night of observing. Also contains ula (M17) and the (M16) in Ophiuchus. Head an excellent history of the Messier Marathon. east toward the small constellation Scutum and observe the (M11) and M26. Return to the realm of Star-Hopping: Your Visa to Viewing the Universe, Robert Sagittarius and track down the globular clusters M22 and Garfinkle (Cambridge University Press, 1994). A detailed M28, which are just above the cover of the Teapot asterism. month to month lesson on the art of star-hopping. The final chapter deals entirely with the Messier Marathon. Inside the Teapot are the globular clusters M69, M70, and M54. Ten degrees to the southeast from M54 is the last d

Prime Focus Page 10 March 2008 Order M # Type Mag. Order M # Type Mag. Order M # Type Mag. 1. M74 SP 9.2 38. M105 EG 9.3 75. M80 GC 7.2 2. M77 SP 8.8 39. M65 SP 9.3 76. M4 GC 5.9 3. M33 SP 5.7 40. M66 SP 9.0 77. M19 GC 7.2 4. M31 SP 3.4 41. M101 SP 7.7 78. M62 OC 6.6 5. M32 EG 8.2 42. M51 SP 8.1 79. M6 OC 4.2 6. M110 EG 8.0 43. M63 SP 8.6 80. M7 OC 3.3 7. M52 OC 6.9 44. M94 SP 8.1 81. M8 DN 5.8 8. M103 OC 7.4 45. M3 GC 6.4 82. M20 DN 8.5 9. M76 PN 10.1 46. M53 GC 7.7 83. M21 OC 5.9 10. M34 OC 5.2 47. M64 SP 8.5 84. M23 OC 5.5 11. M45 OC 1.2 48. M60 EG 8.8 85. M9 GC 7.9 12. M79 GC 8.0 49. M59 EG 9.8 86. M24 SC 4.5 13. M42 DN 4.0 50. M58 SP 9.8 87. M25 OC 4.6 14. M43 DN 9.0 51. M89 EP 9.8 88. M18 OC 6.9 15. M78 DN 8.0 52. M90 SP 9.5 89. M17 DN 7.0 16. M1 SNR 8.4 53. M88 SP 9.5 90. M16 OC 6.0 17. M35 OC 5.1 54. M91 SP 10.2 91. M11 OC 5.8 18. M37 OC 5.6 55. M87 EG 8.6 92. M26 OC 8.0

19. M36 OC 6.0 56. M86 EG 9.2 93. M22 GC 5.1 20. M38 OC 6.4 57. M84 EG 9.3 94. M28 GC 6.9 21. M41 OC 4.5 58. M100 SP 9.4 95. M69 GC 7.7 22. M50 OC 5.9 59. M85 EG 9.2 96. M70 GC 8.1 23. M47 OC 4.4 60. M98 SP 10.1 97. M57 PN 9.0 24. M46 OC 6.1 61. M99 SP 9.8 98. M56 GC 8.2 25. M93 OC 6.2 62. M49 EG 8.4 99. M29 OC 6.6 26. M48 OC 5.8 63. M61 SP 9.7 100. M39 OC 4.6 27. M44 OC 3.1 64. M104 SP 8.3 101. M71 GC 8.3 28. M67 OC 6.9 65. M68 GC 8.2 102. M27 PN 8.1 29. M81 SP 6.8 66. M83 SP 7.6 103. M54 GC 7.6 30. M82 IRG 8.4 67. M102 EG 8.1 104. M55 GC 6.3 31. M108 SP 10.0 68. M5 GC 5.8 105. M15 GC 6.4 32. M97 PN 9.9 69. M13 GC 5.9 106. M75 GC 8.6 33. M109 SP 9.8 70. M92 GC 6.5 107. M72 GC 9.4 34. M106 SP 8.3 71. M12 GC 6.6 108. M73 AST 9.0 35. M40 DS 8.0 72. M10 GC 6.6 109. M2 GC 6.5 36. M95 SP 9.7 73. M14 GC 7.6 110. M30 GC 7.5 37. M96 SP 9.2 74. M107 GC 8.1

Object Key SG = Spiral Galaxy EG= Elliptical Galaxy IRG = Irregular Galaxy GC = Globular Cluster DN = Diffuse Nebula OC = Open Cluster PN = Planetary Nebula SC = Star Cloud DS = Double Star SNR = AST = Asterism NASA Space Place: Invisible Spiral Arms

by Patrick L. Barry

At one time or another, we've all stared at beautiful images of spiral galaxies, daydreaming about the billions of stars and countless worlds they contain. What mysteries — and even life forms — must lurk within those vast disks?

Now consider this: many of the galaxies you've seen are actu- ally much larger than they appear. NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer, a space telescope that “sees” invisible, ultraviolet light, has revealed that roughly 20 percent of nearby galaxies have spiral arms that extend far beyond the galaxies' apparent edges. Some of these galaxies are more than three times lar- ger than they appear in images taken by ordinary visible-light telescopes. see these very faint arms around the outsides of galaxies,” Morrissey explains. “Astronomers have been observing some of these galaxies for many, many years, and all that time, there was a whole side to These “invisible arms” are made of mostly young stars shining these galaxies that they simply couldn't see,” says Patrick brightly at UV . Why UV? Because the stars are Morrissey, an astronomer at Caltech in Pasadena, California, so hot. Young stars burn their nuclear fuel with impetuous who collaborates at JPL. speed, making them hotter and bluer than older, cooler stars such as the Sun. (Think of a candle: blue flames are hotter The extended arms of these galaxies are too dim in visible than red ones.) Ultraviolet is a sort of “ultra-blue” that reveals light for most telescopes to detect, but they emit a greater the youngest, hottest stars of all. amount of UV light. Also, the cosmic background is much darker at UV wavelengths than it is for visible light. “Because “That's the basic idea behind the Galaxy Evolution Explorer in the sky is essentially black in the UV, far-UV enables you to the first place. By observing the UV glow of young stars, we can see where star formation is active,” Morrissey says.

The discovery of these extended arms provides fresh clues for scientists about how some galaxies form and evolve, a hot question right now in astronomy. For example, a burst of star formation so far from the galaxies' denser centers may have started because of the gravity of neighboring galaxies that passed too close. But in many cases, the neighboring galaxies have not themselves sprouted extended arms, an observation that remains to be explained. The Galaxy Evolution Explorer reveals one mystery after another!

“How much else is out there that we don't know about?” Mor- rissey asks. “It makes you wonder.”

Spread the wonder by seeing for yourself some of these UV images at:

http://www.galex.caltech.edu

Also, Chris Martin, principle scientist for Galaxy Evolution Explorer — or rather his cartoon alter-ego — gives kids a great introduction to at:

In this image of galaxy NGC 1512, red represents its http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/live#martin visible light appearance, the glow coming from older stars, while the bluish-white ring and the long, blue spiral This article was provided by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, arms show the galaxy as the Galaxy Evolution Explorer sees it in ultraviolet, tracing primarily younger stars. California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/DSS/GALEX). National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Prime Focus Page 12 March 2008 Messier Marathon Location Map

What: The Annual KAS Messier Marathon

When: March 8 @ 7:00 pm - ? (weather permitting) Where: Richland Township Park 6996 N 32nd Street Richland, MI 49083

We’ll most likely enter through the gate just to the south of the main entrance. There’s a small paved parking lot to set up on as well as a large, flat grassy field.

For more detailed directions please visit www.mapquest.com and enter your home address and the address for Richland Township Park (given above). Cancellation information will be posted on KAS Online by 3:00 pm on March 8.

Prime Focus Page 13 March 2008 MarchMarch NightNight Sky...... Sky......

This star map is property of the This map represents the sky at the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society. NORTH following local standard times: However you may make as many copies as you wish free-of-charge, y Late February 10 pm so long as it is for non-profit y Early March 9 pm educational purposes and full y Late March 8 pm credit is given to the KAS. y Early April 7 pm www.kasonline.org EAST WEST

SOUTH

very slim 27 day old Waning Beginning on March 8th and continuing 1º north of Mars around midnight on Crescent Moon forms an obtuse until the 12th, Mars will be within 2º of March 14th-15th. The Moon will then triangle with Venus and the open cluster M35 in Gemini. Both move by Regulus and Saturn during the Mercury before dawn on March 5th. cluster and planet will be visible in evenings of March 18th & 19th. You’ll need an unobstructed view of the binoculars or a wide-field telescope. southeastern horizon to view this Mercury & Venus will only be 1º apart gathering just before sunrise. The nearly First Quarter Moon will pass as dawn breaks on March 24th. KAS OFFICERS March 2008 Page 15 PRESIDENT Jack Price 343-3193 [email protected] MessierMessier MarathonMarathon VICE PRESIDENT Mike Sinclair The work of comet-hunter and nebulae cataloger Charles Messier 373-7003 comes alive in March of each year as amateur astronomers [email protected] participate in a one night search for all of the objects in his catalog of nebulae, star clusters and galaxies. By a quirk of TREASURER fate, we are fortunate that most of the objects Messier and Rich Mather Méchain took 24 years to discover can be observed in one 629-5312 night around the time of the vernal equinox. Members are [email protected] encouraged to bring a good pair of binoculars or a telescope and participate in this one night race across the sky. SECRETARY/ALCOR Roger Williams 375-4867 Saturday, March 8 @ 7:00 pm [email protected] Richland Township Park - N. 32nd St.

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE Richard S. Bell 373-8942 [email protected] VolunteersVolunteers NeededNeeded

Jean DeMott 381-1406 ScienceScience NightNight [email protected] The KAS has been asked to participate in the fourth annual Science Night at Dick Gillespie Vicksburg Middle School. Members are needed to help setup and take down 966-9653 classroom displays, hand out KAS literature, and answer questions from [email protected] students and parents. Members are also needed to setup telescopes outside. Sunset isn’t until 7:46 pm, but we may be able to give them a peak at Saturn Dan Morgan and the Moon. Contact Richard Bell if you’d like to lend a helping hand. 964-3156 [email protected] Vicksburg Middle School Wednesday, March 12, 6 pm - 8 pm

The Little Star That Could Saturdays, 11:00 am; Sundays, 1:30 pm

Orion Nights Wednesdays, 3:00 pm; Saturdays, 2:00 pm

Polar Astronomers Saturdays & Sundays, 3:00 pm

Planetarium admission is $3.00 per person. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is located at 230 North Rose Street in downtown Kalamazoo. For more information please call (269) 373-7990 or visit us on the web at www.kalamazoomuseum.org General Meeting Preview

The History of the World's Largest Telescopes

Presented by Mark Miller

This year marks the 400th anniversary of the invention of the telescope. The title of “World’s Largest Telescope” has changed at least 30 times since then – including several steps backwards in aperture. Along the way, the optical technologies used have been in continual change, the motivations of the individuals constructing the largest telescopes of their time have been uniquely their own, and the discoveries made by these ground-breaking instruments have spanned the range of astronomical subjects. What has remained constant is the desire for more aperture, to see deeper and deeper into the recesses of the universe.

Friday, March 7 @ 7:00 pm Kalamazoo Area Math & Science Center 600 West Vine, Suite 400 • Use Dutton St. Entrance

Kalamazoo Astronomical Society c/o KAMSC STAMP 600 West Vine, Suite 400 Kalamazoo, MI 49008

© March 2008, Stargazer Productions

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