OBSERVER’S HANDBOOK 1982 EDITOR: ROY L. BISHOP ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA CONTRIBUTORS AND ADVISORS A l a n H. B a t t e n , Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Victoria, B .C ., Canada V8X 3X3 (The Nearest Stars). R o y L. B is h o p , Department of Physics, Acadia University, Wolfville, N.S., Canada B0P 1X0 (Editor). Terence Dickinson, R.R. 3, Odessa, Ont., Canada, K0H 2H0, (The Planets). D a v id W. D u n h a m , International Occultation Timing Association, P.O. Box 7488, Silver Spring, Md. 20907, U .S.A . (Planetary Appulses and Occultations). A la n D y e r , Queen Elizabeth Planetarium, 10004-104 Ave., Edmonton, Alta. T5J 0K1 (Messier Catalogue, Deep-Sky Objects). M arie Fidler, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, 124 Merton St., Toronto, Ont., Canada M4S 2Z2 (Observatories and Planetaria). Victor Gaizauskas, Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, National Research Council, Ottawa, Ont., Canada K1A 0R6 (Sunspots). J o h n A. G a l t , Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, Penticton, B.C., Canada V2A 6K3 (Radio Sources). Ian H alliday, Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, National Research Council, Ottawa, Ont., Canada K1A 0R6 (Miscellaneous Astronomical Data). H e l e n S. H o g g , David Dunlap Observatory, University of Toronto, Richmond Hill, Ont., Canada LAC 4Y6 (Foreword). D o n a l d A. M a c R a e , David Dunlap Observatory, University of Toronto, Richmond Hill, Ont., Canada L4C 4Y6 (The Brightest Stars). B r i a n G. M a r s d e n , Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A. 02138 (Comets, Minor Planets). J a n e t A. M a t t e i , American Association of Variable Star Observers, 187 Concord Ave., Cambridge, Mass. U .S.A. 02138 (Variable Stars). P e t e r M. M i l l m a n , Herzberg Institute o f Astrophysics, National Research Council, Ottawa, Ont., Canada K1A 0R6 (Meteors, Fireballs and Meteorites). A n t h o n y F. J. M o f f a t , Departement de Physique, Universite de Montreal, Montreal, P.Q., Canada H3C 3J7 (Star Clusters). L e s l i e V. M o r r i s o n , H.M. Nautical Almanac Office, Royal Greenwich Observa­ tory, Hailsham, Sussex, England BN27 1RP (Total and Grazing Lunar Occulta­ tions). John R. Percy, Erindale College and Department of Astronomy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada M5S 1A7 (Sky Month by Month). Rene Racine, Director, Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, P.O. Box 1597, Kamuela, Hawaii, U .S.A . 96743 (Galactic Nebulae). P. Blyth Robertson, Earth Physics Branch, Energy, Mines and Resources Canada, Ottawa, Ont., Canada K1A 0Y3 (Meteorite Impact Sites). G o r d o n E. T a y l o r , H.M. Nautical Almanac Office, Royal Greenwich Observa­ tory, Hailsham, Sussex, England BN27 1RP (Planetary Appulses and Occulta­ tions). Sidney van den Bergh, Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Victoria, B.C., Canada V8X 3X3 (Galaxies). J o s e p h F. V e v e r k a , Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., U.S.A. 14853 (Planetary Satellites). C h a r l e s E. W o r l e y , U.S. Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. 20390 (Double Stars). PRINTED IN CANADA BY THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO PRESS OBSERVER’S HANDBOOK 1982 EDITOR ROY L. BISHOP SEVENTY-FOURTH YEAR OF PUBLICATION © ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 124 MERTON STREET, TORONTO, ONTARIO, M4S 2Z2 ISSN 0080-4193 FRIENDS OF ASTRONOMY THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA Way back in 1844 the famous German astronomer, F. W. A. Argelander, compiler of the classic star catalogue the Bonner Durchmusterung, issued in pamphlet form “An Appeal to the Friends of Astronomy”. Argelander had concluded that there were far too many objects in the sky for professional astronomers to observe systematically. They needed help from many other people. And he asked the Friends of Astronomy to join in, especially in the observation of variable stars. His plea was echoed in 1882 by E.C. Pickering, Director of the Harvard College Observatory. Pickering anticipated women’s lib. He encouraged women to become involved in these pursuits, and women have since made important contributions in this field. Gathering momentum within the decades, the Friends of Astronomy around the world have formed various amateur societies usually having in their midst some professionals for whom astronomy is a career. On a national basis these societies now number in the dozens. On a local basis, counting astronomy clubs around the world, they number in the hundreds or thousands. The contribution of the Friends of Astronomy has been and continues to be a very major support for the development and understanding of astronomy. In the 1979 o b s e r v e r ’s h a n d b o o k we gave the details of the establishment and the first decades of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. In 1906 under the guidance of Dr. Clarence A. Chant, its remarkable mentor for sixty years, the Society ceased to be just a local group at Toronto. Beginning in that year, other Centres have been established until the Society now has nineteen from coast to coast in Canada, from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Victoria, British Columbia as listed on page 4. In 1907 the establishment of the Society’s publications, the j o u r n a l and the o b s e r v e r ’s h a n d b o o k , with Dr. Chant as Editor, began to take the Society around the world. To keep Centres in touch with one another, the n a t i o n a l n e w s l e t t e r was started in 1970. The Society became further established on a national basis in 1958 when, for the first time, the annual meeting and “At Home” were held outside Toronto, at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. Since then the annual meeting and accompanying General Assembly have been held from the Atlantic to the Pacific and in intermediate points. The cities where annual meetings have been held are: Toronto, Ontario, 1891-1957, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1969, 1977; Hamilton, Ontario, 1958, 1971; Montreal, Quebec, 1960, 1967; Edmonton, Alberta, 1962, 1970, 1978; Ottawa, Ontario, 1964, 1973; Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1966, 1974; Halifax, Nova Scotia 1975, 1980; London, Ontario, 1979; Victoria, British Columbia, 1981. Meetings are planned for Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1982, and Quebec City, Quebec, 1983. The air age shrinks distances. Members of the Society from all Centres as well as those unattached can pursue astronomy together and partake of the local sightseeing trips arranged by the host Centre. The Society has an impressive number of medals and awards to act as incentives and rewards for its most accomplished members. Established in 1905 the Gold Medal goes to a high standing graduate at the University of Toronto. To commemorate the 50-year anniversary of the Society in 1940, a medal in honour of Dr. C. A. Chant was established, to be awarded to an amateur for original investigation. Then in 1959 came the Service Medal for members who have performed outstanding service to the Society. In 1977 the Ken Chilton Prize was established for an amateur astronomer resident in Canada in recognition of a significant piece of astronomical work during the year. In 1978 the Simon Newcomb award was founded for the best essay submitted by a member during the year. Members of the Society make an enormous contribution to popular interest in astronomy in many ways. For example, they hold star nights with their telescopes available for public viewing, and they are helping to sponsor the new concept of Astronomy Day. In addition, they make observations for research in astronomy, on variable stars, nova searches, comet searches, occultation timings, meteor counts and so on. Some of the Centres have fine observatories of their own. A banner year for the efforts of the amateurs was 1978 when Rolf Meier discovered the first all-Canadian comet and Warren Morrison was the first observer to report Nova Cygni 1978. Three comets now bear the name Meier. H e l e n S a w y e r H o g g 2 EDITOR’S COMMENTS On behalf of myself and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, I thank all those who have contributed to the production of the o b s e r v e r ’s h a n d b o o k for 1982. The individuals listed on the inside front cover deserve special mention. Of particular note is the continuing contribution made by Peter M. Millman (Meteors, Fireballs and Meteorites). Dr. Millman’s name first appeared in the h a n d b o o k 53 years ago, in 1929, and he first provided the article on meteors in 1936. In 1981 he accepted the position of Honorary President of the R.A.S.C. Special thanks are due to John Percy, Editor of the h a n d b o o k for the past eleven years. The R.A.S.C. is in his debt for the standard of excellence which he set. His support and advice were invaluable in the preparation of the 1982 edition; however, the inevitable flaws and errors are solely the responsibility of the new editor. A few changes and additions have been made for 1982. As an attempt to improve the order, several of the sections have been regrouped.