NOVA NEWSLETTEROFTHEVANCOUVERCENTRERASC VOLUME2013ISSUE1JANUARYFEBRUARY2013 Never Leave Home Without It by Leigh Cummings I awoke the next morning with freshly picked raspberries, and I gladly volunteered. It was a (Saturday) to the sounds of my Aunt followed by a couple of cups of beautiful sunny morning beside the Mary busy in the pantry, reminding steaming hot coffee, sprinkled with lake with a gentle breeze from the me of the old “Green south. It made the Acres” theme song, work of cleaning up “Country living is an acre of leaves and the life for me.” I several cabin porches looked at my watch seem to go much and realized she had quicker. By the time been kind to me and we finished and were let me sleep in until 8 once again sitting at o’clock. I knew when the kitchen table for I left for this trip a much-earned cup of that sleep was going coffee, people started to be a low priority to show up. Luckily, so I wasn’t about to the first bunch to complain. In fact, I arrive were more was glad to wake up volunteers to help set early as it was going up tables and put out to be a big day at the food for the horde yet old homestead, and I to show. Before we wanted to enjoy some went back to work, quiet time visiting with my aunt. conversation about family and my aunt pulled me aside and asked It had been a long time since I had events, it was time to earn my keep. if the telescope was still set up. I told been to Boswell and I wanted to My aunt was hoping I could help her it was, which made her smile. make it count. her with a little clean up around The afternoon celebrations were After a breakfast of cereal topped the place before the crowds arrived continued on page 6

JANUARY 10 UBC FEBRUARY 14 SFU MARCH 14 DOUGLAS COLLEGE Jaymie Matthews of UBC: The extend- Members’ Night. Our former presi- Ian McLennan will speak on his ca- ed Kepler mission to find exoplanets: To dent, Howard Trottier, presents reer building and advising planetari- know the planets, you must know “Starry Nights @ SFU: Five Years and ums and science centres. the stars. Room: Hennings 201 Counting.” Room: B9200 Room TBA. Members’ Gallery

NGC 6914 in Cygnus by Howard Trottier Imaged between July 24 and Aug. 25, 2012. 15 hours total. PlaneWave cdk17 telescope on a Paramount ME, us- ing an Apogee U16M camera with Astrodon filters andmoag . 2 rasc-vancouver.com JANUARYFEBRUARY2013 President’s Message by Mark Eburne Happy New Year to All! been a sponge to the riches that I have membership. I look forward to For eight years, I have been a uncovered in this centre, to the Royal interacting with all of you at the member of the Royal Astronomical Astronomical Society of Canada– various events this year. Society of Canada, Vancouver National and to the exciting world Secondly, I would like to say thank Centre and for the last five years I of astronomy. Today I feel privileged you to all those councillors who are have volunteered on council. I can to stand as President of Vancouver stepping down for all their hard work honestly say I feel very lucky that Centre. and efforts in 2012. As well, I would Wayne Lyons gave me a call when I First off, I would like to sincerely like to send out a special welcome to first joined and asked if I wanted to say welcome to all the new members those who are joining us for the first get involved at the aomo in Maple who have joined us for 2013 and time on council. I would encourage Ridge. From that point on, I have welcome back to the returning continued on page 4 About RASC The RASC Vancouver Centre meets at the Treasurer at the address on page 5. herein are not necessarily those of the 7:30 PM on the second Thursday of ev- Annual membership includes the invalu- Vancouver Centre. ery month at various locations in Metro able Observer’s Handbook, six issues of Material on any aspect of astronomy Vancouver (see page 1 for meeting loca- the RASC Journal, and, of course, access should be e-mailed to the editor or tions and page 4 for maps). Guests are to all of the club events and projects. mailed to the address below. always welcome. In addition, the Centre For more information regarding the Remember, you are always welcome has an observing site where star parties Centre and its activities, please contact to attend meetings of Council, held on the are regularly scheduled. our P.R. Director. first Thursday of every month at 7:30pm Membership is currently $73.00 per NOVA, the newsletter of the Vancou- in room P8445.2 of the Physics wing of year ($41.00 for persons under 21 years ver Centre, RASC, is published on odd- the Shrum Science Centre at SFU. Please of age) and can be obtained by writing to numbered months. Opinions expressed contact a council member for directions. 2013 Vancouver Centre Officers President Mark Eburne Librarian William Fearon Webmaster Harvey Dueck [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Vice-President/Events Suzanne Nagy Past President/P. R. Howard Trottier NOVA Editor Gordon Farrell [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Secretary/P. R./Observing Scott McGillivary Membership Rohit Grover Speakers Barry Shanko [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Treasurer Ciara Morgan-Fier & Steve Coleopy LPA Chair Jim Ronback Councillor Kenneth Lui [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] National Rep. Doug Montgomery Education Bill Burnyeat Honourary President Dr. John Macdonald [email protected] [email protected] Trustees Ron Jerome Director of Telescopes Steve Meighan AOMO Chair/Merchandise Leigh Cummings Pomponia Martines [email protected] [email protected] J. Karl Miller Library On the Internet Mailing Address The centre has a large library of books, http://rasc-vancouver.com or RASC Vancouver Centre magazines and old NOVAs for your enjoy- http://www.rasc.ca/vancouver PO Box 19115 ment. Please take advantage of this club http://astronomy.meetup.com/131/ 2302 West 4th Ave. service and visit often to check out the new http://www.facebook.com/RASC.Van Vancouver, B.C. purchases. Suggestions for future library @RASCVancouver V6K 4R8 acquisitions are appreciated.

JANUARYFEBRUARY2013 rasc-vancouver.com 3 Maps to Meeting Sites UBC anse Ch llor Blvd. (to West 4th Ave.) Our UBC meeting site is in room Museum of 201 of the Hennings Building.

Anthopology . W Rd ge e Ga s The main entrance is off Agricul- er b lt r n Wa o ha o tural Rd. (indicated by the arrow P C tre k n Ce P M We a l on the map at left). Room 201 is l st Mall

up the stairs and on the left. e t v n . i e g r d . tu Bld D d S n R io sity Blvd. (to e l n er W ra U Univ es n u s t i ult g 10 r ric nin th a P Ag n Av Pay parking is available at sev- He ing e M L ld (t .) o ui o B W W w e eral parkades located around N r e st 16th M East Mal a ll campus (indicated as “P” on the Main Mal ital Av l sp e P Ho . map). d. ) y R l om P ron Ag SFU st We ve Dri ity ers iv P P Our SFU meeting site for Febru- Un ary is in room B9200 along the AQ  Lecture south concourse of the Academic Hall Shru m Scie nce Ctr

P Quadrangle (indicated by the ar- T

So o uth w Cam e row on the map at left). pus r Rd R d Pay parking is available at sev- eral lots located around campus Burnaby Mtn Pkwy G a (indicated as “P” on the map). g Un la iv r er d sity i Dri W ve East a y continued from page 3 work behind the scenes, please let us a wide range of topics and presenters all membership to get to know your know as we would be happy to have to feed the curiosity bug. We are members on council. The complete you. We have several opportunities to fortunate to be able to collaborate list of the 2013 council members is make 2013 an even bigger success for our resources to provide public available in this nova publication everyone. events that spread the curiosity bug. and on our website. And just as Whether you are working on string It may be at events where over 1,000 important, I would like to recognize theory, building your first telescope, people gather to watch a meteor all the volunteers that we are lucky to writing research papers, delivering shower or where a young child tugs have at the rasc Vancouver Centre. education, looking for a helping on your jacket and asks if he or she Without the efforts from each of hand with your camera or like me, can look into your telescope—we these volunteers, our events would are just in love with the night sky, we all have the ability to spread that not be as successful as they have are all fortunate we have the curiosity bug. For over eighty years, the been. If you are thinking of getting bug. We are fortunate that we can get Vancouver Centre has been around, involved to help out at our events or together monthly and listen to such continued on page 7

4 rasc-vancouver.com JANUARYFEBRUARY2013 2013: Year of the Comets by Ciara Morgan-Feir Despite the end of the world, the sun’s heat. If this is the case, the Rapid Response System, is expected which took place in December, comet will break up. Also, since to be brightest in February and astronomers were looking forward ison will be at its brightest when March. The almost parabolic orbit in 2012. One of the exciting it is closest to the sun, we may not of Comet Pan-starrs is notable, discoveries made was that of comet even be able to see it. On November consequences of which include that C/2012 S1 (ison), set to make an 28th, at its perihelion, Comet ison this may be the first and last trip the appearance in our skies in November should only appear roughly 4° north comet ever makes to our Sun. At and December 2013. Comet of the sun, generating debate over its perihelion on March 10th, Pan- ison was discovered by a group of whether or not we will be able to see starrs is expected to brighten to astronomers in Eastern Europe and it through the sun’s glare. an apparent magnitude of around Russia. Discovery magnitude of a If Comet ison survives its long -4, comparable to the magnitude of feeble 18.8 notwithstanding, Comet trip past the sun, it will be best Venus. ison has a big name to live up to. viewed in December 2013. 2013 is shaping up to be an Living up to its categorization as a If you’re anxious to get some exciting year for comet hunters. sungrazer, Comet ison will travel comet viewing in before that, Personally, I choose to withhold any 100 times closer to the sun than Comet C/2011 L4 (Pan-starrs) excitement that might arise. In the the Earth does. ison is expected to will also be making its way through words of David Levy, “Comets are reach a magnitude of around -12. the 2013 skies. Comet Pan- like cats; they have tails, and they It is highly likely that Comet starrs, discovered in 2011 by the do precisely what they want.” You’ve ison will not be able to weather Panoramic Survey Telescope and been warned. 

Comets ISON and Pan-STARRS on the web http://earthsky.org/space/big-sun-diving-comet-ison-might-be-spectacular-in-2013 http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/press-releases/PS1CometJune2011/index.shtml http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C/2012_S1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C/2011_L4 http://www.jarnac.org/

Membership has its Privileges! New members, did you know? The can now reserve two different telescopes tive! Take in the club meetings; engage Vancouver Centre has 8 telescopes avail- per year and use what is left at the end of other members with questions; come out able for loan free of charge! We have the meeting anytime. to observing sessions (also known as “star telescopes ranging from 60mm to 10” Your greatest opportunity as a member parties”), and, by all means, volunteer to diameter. For more information see the of the RASC is to take advantage of the take part in our many public events. Director of Telescopes after the mem- company of other enthusiasts to increase For the usual observing sites and times, bers meeting. The loaner period is for your knowledge, enjoyment and skill in visit our website at http://rasc-vancouver. one month, to be returned after the next astronomy. com/observing-sites/ or contact the Ob- meeting. Telescopes are not allowed to The best thing you can do to gain the serving Chair at observing.rascvancou- circulate outside of these meetings. You most from your membership is to get ac- [email protected].

JANUARYFEBRUARY2013 rasc-vancouver.com 5 Upcoming Events March August December 16 – Night Quest at Pacific Spirit Park Aug. 3 - 11 – Mt. Kobau Star Party 8 – AGM

April September 20 – International Astronomy Day Aug. 31 - Sept. 7 – Merritt Star Quest continued from page 1 of the Kootenai band, almost all the it had been when Howard, Loula what my trip was supposed to be residents of Boswell, people staying and myself had been observing it all about. There is a creek that at the resort, and a fair helping from Howard’s poolside. There were flows through the old homestead of my relatives, we retired to the still some active prominences that that most locals have called “Goat lawns I had helped rake earlier for the kids were more than happy to Creek.” Highway 3A follows the a typical country picnic with lots of explain to the adults present. The eastern lakeshore from Creston to homemade vitals and punches. night before I had to keep opening the Kootenay Lake ferry landing at It wasn’t long before my aunt my rasc Observers Guide to Kootenay Bay, and passes through brought up the subject of my answer their questions, and here my aunt’s property, crossing the telescope set up on the beach. Soon they were lecturing their parents creek in the process. Various local I had a fair following of curious and relatives without any reference organizations, including the First people wondering what they could materials. Ah, to be young again. Nations Kootenai band in Creston, possibly see in the daytime. I had left I had to call it quits late in the had been lobbying various levels of my Mak on the mount overnight so afternoon in order to attend a big government to formally name the all I had to do was uncover it, power family and friends dinner at a local creek and the bridge. The result was it up and slew it to Venus. Venus was restaurant. It was fun catching the decision to name the creek by its in quarter phase on this month so it up with people I hadn’t seen in original Kootenai name of “Akokli was not a surprise to me that most years. I was also peppered with Creek.” This is the Kootenai word people thought at first they were questions about what they had been for the mountain goat. The bridge viewing the moon. If you do not seeing earlier in the day through would be named for the family have any idea of the magnification my telescopes. My aunt was also that originally homesteaded on the and have never seen an object in jumping in to answer a few of the land where the creek flows into the daylight before, it is actually an easy questions. I have to say it felt very lake. So for the first time in British mistake. It was fun to hear some of rewarding hearing how exciting Columbia’s history, a provincial the kids who had been with me the everyone found the experience. highway bridge was going to have night before explaining to the adults After dinner, everyone went their a sign with three names upon it. It that they were, in fact, looking at a separate ways. I had planned on a would now be known as Cummings planet and not the moon. I also tried quiet evening visiting with my aunt, Bridge, over Akokli Creek, which to slew to view Saturn but it was still however she was quite insistent that would be printed in both English as in the trees to the east. I vowed to try she was perfectly happy conversing well as the language of the Kootenai again tomorrow. with me under the stars at the beach. people (which I cannot type into After everyone that was in I ended up with another good- this article as two symbols within it attendance got a view of Venus, I sized crowd and even though the are not on my keyboard). parked the mount and switched night started out with soft viewing, After the big ceremony on telescopes. With the rasc solar it improved as it cooled down. the highway, attended by local telescope on the mount, I slewed to Saturn had already set so I started politicians, the Chief and families the sun. The sun was not as active as continued on page 8 6 rasc-vancouver.com JANUARYFEBRUARY2013 Perfect Perseus by David A. Rodger When Comet Holmes blasted to the unaided eye at a dark site, it to pull this object out of the general into view in October 2007, it drew comes alive in binoculars and small background. the eyes of the astronomical world telescopes. The view in my 127mm On moonlit nights, when nebulae to one of my favourite northern refractor is stunning, especially when and other subtle deep-sky objects are constellations—Perseus. Why I attach a binoviewer with 24mm obscured, I seek out double stars with do I consider Perseus a “perfect” eyepieces. I never tire of exploring my 100mm refractor. Since Perseus constellation? Because it offers just the many knots, twists and sparkles of is a circumpolar constellation, I can about everything. this unique pair. Nearby Messier 34 is find Eta Persei almost any night of To begin with, Perseus is easy another Perseus cluster worth seeking the year. It’s located between the to identify. In urging family and out. double cluster and Mirfak, Perseus’ friends to seek out Comet Holmes, For lovers of planetary nebulae, brightest star. The two stars in this I mentioned that they should look there’s Messier 76. Sometimes called pair are a contrast in both colour and for an upside-down letter “Y” in the the “Little Dumbbell,” it’s faint but brightness. Check it out! northeast, just below Cassiopeia’s distinct. And there are definitely two For variable star observers, perhaps “ W.” “lobes,” just as is the case with the the most famous variable star in the sky Perseus boasts several attractive star “Dumbbell Nebula” in Cygnus. Ken is Algol. It’s here, too. In mythology, clusters. Best known is the so-called Hewitt-White says M 76 reminds Algol marks the head of Medusa, the “Double Cluster.” Distinctly visible him of a peanut. Use an oiii filter continued on page 8 continued from page 4 here in Vancouver first-hand but, were able to let the membership and spreading and feeding that bug. Still nevertheless, we had a good crowd of public know when and what was today we deliver on what the Royal appreciative members of the public going on. Today we are, some might Astronomical Society of Canada who were treated to views from say, fortunate (and others would say is founded on: the advancement of nasa sites, discussions of what was cursed) at the speed of which things astronomy. going on and, of course, a potent can be communicated. Vancouver In 2012, we held several dose of that infectious bug, curiosity. Centre is trying to connect in every outstanding events in several terrific Today, as our membership holds at way possible to our members and the venues around the lower mainland. around 300, we have access to things public to keep them informed and to Overall, our attendance has been up like Twitter, Facebook, Meetup and invite them along to an event. at these events and we are reaching websites to get the latest news on 2013 is turning out to be an out to a larger public audience, what is happening within our centre, outstanding year for astronomy thanks in large part to the efforts of within our community and with our enthusiasts. The Royal Astronomical your committed follow councillors world of astronomy. Today, my cell Society of Canada, Vancouver Centre who work hard at making this all phone tells me that in five minutes, already has plans that will provide happen. the iss will be passing overhead. our membership and the public with In particular in 2012, we Instinctively, I check the weather as great access to enjoy all the events as were fortunate to enjoy a timely my ability to escape whatever I am they unfold. I encourage you to get astronomical event: the transit doing and when I can, then I stand connected whichever way you can to of Venus. Typically we see a large and wait and smile when I see it and keep plugged in to what is going on. spike in interest when events like just imagine what it would be like. Welcome everyone, clear skies and this happen in our neighbourhood. The bug bites again. Thinking back let the curiosity bug feed!  Unfortunately the clouds prevented to eighty years ago, even twenty years us from actually seeing the event ago, I wonder how fast the organizers – Mark Eburne

JANUARYFEBRUARY2013 rasc-vancouver.com 7 continued from page 6 I slumped over in my chair. I had a than the past nights and, facing out the night outlining as many busy day planned for Sunday so it another day of driving, I called it constellations as my memory would didn’t hurt being in bed before the quits early and started packing up allow. Regrettably, I had forgotten sky started to lighten. my gear and loading it into the car. I my laser pointer at the house and I I spent most of Sunday taking have to admit, any let down I might never found a quiet time to sneak care of business at a property I own have felt was swept away by the away and get it. This time I had further north up the highway from thought of another night visiting lots of help explaining star clusters, my aunt’s. Once I had that taken the “Cabin in the Sky.” nebulae, and galaxies with my ever- care of, I drove back to my aunt’s The next morning, I enjoyed a growing youth group. I was surprised where we went picking our dessert. leisurely breakfast with my Aunt at how many of these young people After supper, I ventured back down Mary before spending a little time had never had an opportunity to to the beach to try to observe Saturn taking another stroll around the old look through a telescope, despite between sunset and Saturn set. The homestead. I snapped a few photos, their obvious fascination with the mountains on the other side of the bid my goodbyes, and then hit the night sky. The local kids especially lake made that an earlier event than road again. It was so nice being have such a dark sky to observe. I here at the coast. Just after the sun able to drive at such an easy pace know there are a number of fellow set, a bank of clouds started climbing homeward knowing that I had two astronomers in the Kootenay but over the mountains from the west. I whole days to do it in. Howard’s it seems there is no organization of just managed to get Saturn in view “Cabin in the Sky” is almost exactly their resources. for a couple of the kids to look at halfway between my home in Maple The long day started to tell on before the clouds shut us down. I Ridge and my aunt’s in Boswell. everyone and although my aunt left the telescope tracking just in With the weather a balmy 70° didn’t want to admit it, I felt it was case the clouds had a tear in them and sunny, driving was ideal and time to pack it in for the night. I that allowed us to peek through but, enjoyable. parked the scope and covered it up alas, I had brought some of my west After a brief stopover at and off we headed to the cabin. A coast luck along for the ride. Greenwood for lunch, I continued hot cocoa in front of the TV was I did get to do some more viewing the climb up to Anarchist Summit. enough to make my eyes start to and a small crowd gathered around. Just over the summit was the turnoff droop so I went off to bed before However, the sky was a lot softer continued on page 10 continued from page 7 times of Algol’s “minima” are listed in will appear. snake-haired gorgon slain by Perseus. the rasc Observer’s Handbook, and Have I convinced you that Perseus (Note that her proper name is can be followed with your eyes alone. is a perfect constellation yet? Then let Medusa; her species is gorgon. So it’s Then there’s the grand Perseus me add one final attraction. It’s seen not correct to call her “the medusa,” arm of our Milky Way galaxy, which by millions of astronomers and non- as many writers have done.) Algol flows through Perseus and blocks our astronomers every summer—who is not an “intrinsic” variable (one view of much of what lies beyond it. enjoy the Perseid meteor shower.  that swells and shrinks in brightness Still there are several galaxies off to because of internal processes) but an the side of the Perseus arm to reward David Rodger is the Founding “eclipsing binary.” Here, two stars telescopic searches. I often visit ngc Director of Vancouver’s HR revolve around a common centre of 1023, which forms a triangle with M MacMillan Planetarium (1967-80) gravity, and the change in brightness 34 and Algol. It’s a challenge for me in and has been writing about astronomy occurs when one partially blocks the the city, even in my 280mm Schmidt- for over 50 years. He usually observes other. You can follow the entire cycle Cassegrain telescope, but with a little the sky from his north-facing patio in in just under three days. Dates and patience and practice its ghostly blur North Vancouver. 8 rasc-vancouver.com JANUARYFEBRUARY2013 The Hunt for NGC 2403 by Bill Burnyeat One of the pleasures of the holiday astronomers to the present. There’s circles—those are the funny rings on season is seeing old friends. I recently some truth to this but not in the way the head of the mount—we can see took a long-time acquaintance to most people think. numbers printed on circles which a grassy lot with a clear view of the It works like this. The mount imitate the large sky circles above sky. My friend is a 4.25-inch f/11 is a German-type equatorial and “and all our actions they performed reflector mounted on an Edmund equipped with setting circles. Setting in small” as Mandeville says in his Scientific equatorial mount. circles often put people off because Fable of the Bees. The sky was clear and a few stars it’s assumed a great deal of messy The RA dial has strange numbers twinkled irresolutely in the winter math is needed to grasp the matters. on it but we are going to ignore it heavens. Someone asked if they could What most people don’t know is that completely and concentrate only on see a galaxy. Glancing up I noticed there are simplified ways of using the more straightforward declination that the fine spiralngc 2403 was setting circles that are just as effective dial. We can find deep-sky objects well-placed. I turned the reflector in finding some objects provided the using just one of the setting circles. until I could see Castor, a bright right magic formula is followed. That’s a pretty good trick. Notice star in Gemini. Carefully centring First of all, let’s consider the the declination dial is marked off in Castor, I then locked one of the axes celestial sphere. This is a ball with degrees from 0 to 90. Then it repeats and swung the telescope north. In a the earth in the centre. Since the four fold. That’s to divide up the few moments, we were looking at the sphere is featureless, at least as an whole sphere which is 90 times four galaxy. It looked like a round button initial idea, clever astronomers have or 360 degrees around. of fog in the eyepiece. divided it up into a system of hours So, let’s go through the steps I used I noticed that a couple of my guests and degrees. Consider the little to find the galaxyngc 2403 in a now had an additional question to picture of the celestial sphere (see vacant part of the sky. My old four- the usual request for statistics about fig. 1 on p. 10). The ball is marked inch doesn’t even have a finder scope. the galaxy. with a North and South Pole. Notice First, I anticipated that someone “How did you find it?” said one that if we construct circles that pass would want to see a galaxy and so man. “And why,” said his partner, through both poles, they must meet I had planned to look for it. This is “did you look at the star first, and the celestial equator at right angles. just like the magician who plans a then find the galaxy?” An infinite number of lines can be trick by placing a card, before the They looked up at a blank patch constructed through the poles but, show, to be found later under a glass of sky and marvelled. It was true. in practice, 24 equally-spaced lines of water or in someone’s pocket by The galaxyngc 2403 is an under- are imagined to go through the ball an amazed member of the audience. observed object because it’s in the from top to bottom. These specify Only my assistant was not a young constellation Camelopardalis. It’s the locations of objects on lines. They lady in tights but the rasc Observers a star-poor area of the sky off the are called lines of right ascension. The Handbook. Often, the handbook is dipper. There are no bright guide stars lines of RA show how far west or used solely to find what’s happening to hop to the field. Finding this target east an object is against an arbitrary in the current sky but now we are has always presented difficulties and, zero mark in the sky. These tell only going to learn other uses for this very for that reason, it gets few sightings. half the story. The position of an valuable publication. Turning to the When the public asks how this object also requires its declination to list of galaxies, I wrote down the RA is done, I usually reply—tongue in be specified. This is a second set of and dec of ngc 2403 on a piece of cheek—that I use magic techniques circles that are parallel to the equator paper. Next, I turned to the Table of passed down from generation and ring the sphere from pole to pole. Brightest Stars near the back of each to generation from the Greek Now if we look at the setting continued on page 10

JANUARYFEBRUARY2013 rasc-vancouver.com 9 continued from page 9 north. Of necessity, a sweep with little exercise. Take up the rasc handbook and I hunted through the the RA locked must follow the line handbook and scan the table of list, looking for a bright star that has on fig 1. At some point, I will sweep brightest stars. Notice that the table an RA very similar to the galaxy’s. It over the galaxy. But we can do better lists stars in order of increasing RA. turned out that the star Castor has than that. Since the galaxy is 33° 44” Select two consecutive stars on the an RA very like the galaxy. Both the north of the star, I looked once more list. These stars should have nearly star and galaxy are about 07 hrs identical RAs, just like the galaxy 36 min east of the prime sky and Castor in our example. meridian. At this point, it may Next, find the difference in NGC 2403 help to consider the sky globe the two stars’ dec. Take care to (fig. 1). The meridian of 07hrs acknowledge a minus sign. The and 36 min is drawn on the Castor difference in angle of two stars globe. It’s a “great circle” and of 20° and –5° is 25°, not 15°. the observer’s handbook tells Once you have the data, take us that both the galaxy and the the scope outside when the two star sit on it. The next step is to stars are conveniently placed. look at the declination of the Polar align the telescope and two objects. The galaxy has a RA 07 Hr 36 Min swing to one of the stars. Lock declination of about 65° north the RA down and rotate the dec. of the equator. Castor is at nearly circle to 0, or, in some setups 32° north. Subtracting the star’s the circle can’t rotate but make dec. from the galaxy’s, we can sure it reads the dec. of the first find the difference is 33° 44”. star. Then swing the telescope So, this is the magician’s trick or at the declination circle, still centred through the correct pre-calculated how the deep sky target is magically on Castor and reading 0. Moving number of degrees to find the second produced. I had set up the mount by the telescope north I continued star. After you get good at this, first ensuring the polar axis looked until the pointer has just passed 33° proceed to the next step. Substitute towards the North Star. Next, and was not quite at 34°. Looking a deep-sky object for the second star. swinging the scope south I looked into the eyepiece, I saw a foggy May I suggest another pair in the along the tube and sighted on Castor. signature of light that had traversed spring sky? Try Regulus and ngc I centred the star in the middle of the 2.5 megaparsecs (eight million light 3115, the Spindle Galaxy, in Sextans. field of a low-power eyepiece. Next, I years) to keep its appointment on the Finding objects this way is satisfying, slipped the declination circle until a 0 earth. magical and engages the observer in was right next to the mount’s pointer. Everyone with a setting-circle- understanding the celestial sphere, Since the galaxy is right on the same equipped German equatorial mount the most ancient—but still the most line of RA, I locked the knob on can do the same. I suggest, just to valuable—tool in the Astronomer’s RA and prepared to move the scope get your feet wet, the following bag of tricks.  continued from page 8 of what had transpired while I was swaying of a mountain breeze to lull that led to Howard and Loula’s visiting my aunt and then, as is you into a peaceful slumber. country retreat. This time I knew customary with astronomers, we Next thing I know, Loula was exactly where to park and, as soon took an afternoon siesta. While calling us to another delicious as I was out of the car, I was warmly Howard took to his den/office, I meal. Now there is a hard day of greeted by Cali, Loula and Howard. retired to the hammock outside. travelling! It wouldn’t take much We had a visit and exchanged news There is nothing quite like the gentle continued on page 11

10 rasc-vancouver.com JANUARYFEBRUARY2013 continued from page 10 an accomplishment. Again I have nothing to do with her decision. of this lifestyle to spoil me rotten. to plead guilty of not keeping notes I would have let Howard have his While we were having our dinner on all the objects we were observing. much needed rest. Still, it was nice on the front patio, we noticed the We were just having too much fun to be able to thank them all for weather to the west did not look jumping from object to object to making my extended weekend trip very promising. As much as we stop and take notes. Too soon it so much more relaxing and pleasant. tried not to, we found, as usual with was getting on the wrong side of The trip back through Manning astronomers, the conversation kept midnight for a guy with a drive Park was warm and sunny until I drifting back to the sky. home the next day still ahead of me. turned the corner into the Skagit As it got darker, it also got clearer. I had to pack it off to bed leaving valley and began the last plunge The sky remained fairly soft though, Howard to tend to his telescope down to the coast. Right away, the so Howard decided to continue his through the night. weather started to cloud up and imaging with the Ha filter only. I Tuesday morning I got up early soon it was lightly raining. What had set up my telescope once again by astronomer standards and after a surprise—rain at the west coast. by the pool and soon we were another of Loula’s hardy breakfasts, I will not complain, however, as doing some more dark-sky viewing. I got to packing up my equipment I had six straight days and nights Howard brought out his binoculars and loading the car. Before I left, I of sunshine and clear, dark sky to and we spent some time looking for sat at their dining room table for a soothe my savage soul. And am I dark nebulae in Cygnus. I found last coffee for the road while Cali glad I didn’t leave home without my the “coat-hanger” more by accident decided that Howard had to get telescope (and binoculars).  than by design, but it still felt like up to say goodbye. Honest, I had

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