Published by the Astronomical League Vol. 71, No. 1 December 2018

2018 ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE/ OPT IMAGING AWARDS

7.20.69 VOIDS: SOME PARTS OF THE UNIVERSE

5YEARS ARE EMPTIER THAN OTHERS APOLLO 11 ORBITAL TILTS AND HIGH-FLYING MOONS

Contents

4 ...... Reflector Mail

5 ...... Reflections

5 ...... President’s Corner

6 ...... International Dark-Sky Association

7 ...... Night Sky Network PAGE 11 OITHv6 – fully updated and the NEW Goals/Log/Sketch Book 8 ...... Full STEAM Ahead Details and ordering only at 9 ...... All Things Astronomical www.birrendesign.com Tel: 630-336-5321 10 . . . . . Deep-Sky Objects

12 . . . . . From Around the League

16 ...... 2018 AL/OPT Imaging Awards

18 ...... Outreach is a Pro/Am Privilege

PAGE 17 19 ...... Orbital Tilts and High-Flying Moons

21, 29 . . . . Gallery

22 ...... Things to a Void

25 ...... Photographing the Moon in Daylight

26 ...... Radio Astronomy for Amateurs

27 ...... Observing Awards

28 ...... Coming Events PAGE 29

Cover Image: Andrew Klinger (Texas Astronomical Society) took this fantastic image of M16 through narrowband filters using a William Optics GT81 with 0.8x reducer (382 mm at f/4.7) with a ZWO ASI1600MM CMOS camera on an Orion Sirius mount.

The Astronomical League Magazine Vol. 71, No. 1 • ISSN: 0034-2963 • December 2018

A FEDERATION OF ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETIES A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION To promote the science of astronomy • By fostering astronomical education, • by providing incentives for astronomical observation and research, and • By assisting communication among amateur astronomical societies. Astronomical League National Office: 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64114 spent the time and effort to help keep the legacy of amateur astronomy popularizer John Dobson Reflector Mail alive and viable. This is, to me, akin to the resto- ration of Ireland’s Leviathan of Parsonstown. QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE To the Editor: The photos also indicate what can be accom- Issued by the Astronomical League in March, June, September, and am honored to be the recipient of the 2018 plished by dedicated amateur astronomers who December, Reflector (ISSN: 0034-2963) is sent directly, either by postal mail or via a digital link, to each individual member of its affiliate societies and Horkheimer/Smith Youth Service Award and as are on a budget and prove that one doesn’t need to members-at-large as a benefit of League membership. Individual copies I of Reflector are available at the following subscription rates, payable to the such have received a fair degree of media atten- to be a millionaire to get started in this hobby. League’s national office. tion, both at home and in regional/national pub- Although never meeting any of the people who PAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS: lications. As is to be expected, there have been made this happen, I am proud of what they col- USA & possessions: $3.00 each or $10.00 per year (4 issues) Canada: $5.00 each or $16.00 per year a few omissions as well as conflations of some lectively accomplished and feel that they deserve Mexico: $6.00 each or $22.00 per year Other countries: $7.00 each or $25.00 per year of the facts from my experiences and history. special “outreach” recognition. DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS: Though I would generally be dismissive of such, All countries, possessions, and territories: $10.00 per year Way to go! I feel that given my position as a fledgling sci- — Steve “Bookie” Bookout REFLECTOR AND CLUB ROSTER DEADLINES entist, and in the interest of journalistic accuracy March issue January 1 Astronomical League Member June issue April 1 as well, it is incumbent upon me to request that September issue July 1 December issue October 1 the parties responsible for the written content Written and graphic material from this publication may be reprinted only in question take a moment to review the source for non-profit benefit of interested parties, provided specific credit is given to the writer(s), Reflector, and the Astronomical League. Any other use of Dues Reminder materials. material, including graphics and photographs, is subject to express permission from the Editor and the Astronomical League. Credit being given where credit is due is essential. Though the points in question really are AN IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR NATIONAL OFFICERS President quite minor in scope, they are important, as there CLUB TREASURERS AND ALCORS Ron Kramer 9520 Dragonfly Avenue • Las Cruces, NM 88012 are people whose contributions may be over- f your club has not yet paid its 2018–2019 520-500-7295 • [email protected] looked if I don’t address them. Astronomical League dues, please contact the Vice President I Carroll Iorg The crux of the issue is that my mentor national office, [email protected], 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 • Kansas City, MO 64114; 816-444-4878 • [email protected] and youth leader, Rick Bryant, and I were both ASAP. We are concerned that we haven’t heard Secretary founding members of the BYA (Bartian Youth from you, as the dues were payable five months Bryan Tobias Astronomical League National Headquarters Astronomers). I collaborated with and assisted ago. We know you want to continue receiving AL 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 • Kansas City, MO 64114 [email protected] or [email protected] him to organize and start the affiliate youth group benefits without interruption — and we certainly Treasurer of the Bartlesville Astronomical Society. It’s a bit don’t want to lose your club as an Astronomical Bill Dillon 190 Settlers Road • Fincastle, VA 24090 flattering of some to say it was solely me, but it’s League member! 516-593-8580 • [email protected] nonetheless inaccurate. My extensive application Executive Secretary Maynard Pittendreigh was quite clear on these points and I believe all 3208 Little Oak Way • Orlando, FL 32812 would agree that the difference in an “article” 770-237-2071 • [email protected] About Our National Office versus a “definite article” can make a very great Mike Stoakes, Office Coordinator and meaningful difference. “A” founding member Astronomical League National Headquarters New Look 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 • Kansas City, MO 64114 or “one of the” founding members versus “the” 816-DEEP-SKY National office: [email protected] founding member is only a couple of letters off, Society rosters: [email protected] he Reflector’s new look is the work of our League sales: [email protected] but its impact to the omitted party might be hurt- new design/production person, Michael National Observing Program Coordinators ful and the implications are completely different T Cliff Mygatt Aaron B. Clevenson Patterson, a Vermonter, a member of the [email protected] [email protected] for each form of the article. Springfield Telescope Makers (Stellafane), Astronomical League Historian That said, I would simply ask that the source Mike Stewart 913-240-1238 • [email protected] and a semi-retired designer of advertising materials are revisited and appropriate cor- and packaging. He can be reached at michael. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR rections are made. Thank you again for your Send to [email protected] with subject line “letter to editor” [email protected]. The look will continue attention to this matter. to evolve, and feedback is welcome. REFLECTOR STAFF — Abigail Bollenbach Managing Editor Assistant Editor To the Editor: Ron Kramer Kevin Jones Mobile: 520-500-7295 [email protected] [email protected] ot often does an article capture my Design/Production Astronomical imagination or pluck a harmonic resonating Editor Michael Patterson N John Martin [email protected] [email protected] chord, but after reading of humble Tumbleweed’s Advertising Representative Photo Editor Carla Johns rebirth, I sat in my chair and smiled. Peggy’s League Trust Fund Dan Crowson 970-567-8878 article was at once most satisfying and gratifying. [email protected] [email protected] Assistant Editor Coming Events Editor The accompanying photos lend so much to the As of September 29, 2018, the Astronomical Kristine Larsen John Wagoner narrative’s chain of events that it was almost like [email protected] [email protected] League Trust Fund balance is $92,916.01. These being there and helping out. It is so cool folks funds are divided into two CDs, a money market

4 REFLECTOR ✶ DECEMBER 2 0 1 8 account, and a stock fund. At the last council biases and discouragement can have. Discourage- ing women three times faster than men. Retrieved meeting at ALCon 2018, past president and ment can be overt and direct, but it is most often from https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586- trustee Jim Fox was reelected as a trustee. In order subtle and perhaps even subconscious. Personal 018-07018-4?linkId=58212769. of expiring terms, the current trustees are John biases may lead to a forgotten meeting invitation, ­ — John Martin Wagoner (2019), Tim Hunter (2020), Bob Gent lack of inclusion in group selection, or missed Editor, Reflector (2021), Terry Mann (2022), and Jim Fox (2023). recognition for a job well done. A bias may Since the League is a 501(c)(3), all donations influence decisions for advancement, assignment, to the trust fund are tax deductible to the fullest or belief in the validity of work that is being done. President’s extent of the law. In addition to cash or check All of these biases can lead to discouragement. donations, we can also accept donations of stock. It has become obvious to me that these biases Corner —Respectfully submitted, Bob Gent plague the astronomical fields as well. ALTF Treasurer and Past President recent article published by Nature features A NEW OPPORTUNITY A strong anecdotal evidence supporting findings that women with PhD degrees in astron- hen amateur astronomers think of the omy are leaving the industry at a rate 3–4 times W Astronomical League, they typically Reflections greater than that of men (Zastrow, 2018). Having imagine the Reflector magazine, the Observing the intelligence, skills, and incredible determina- Programs, the Award programs, Youth in Astron- tion to obtain a PhD in a field of study as difficult omy efforts, Astronomy Day, the battle against stronomy may not be my primary career, as astronomy is something to be admired and light pollution, the Library Telescope Program, but it is indeed a passion. It is something A respected. Spending nine or more years of your and ALCon. that I have enjoyed since my first real exposure life obtaining this degree to pursue a career in to it as a Boy Scout. Volunteering to be the new What more could the the astronomy-related fields isn’t something editor for the Reflector is just one of several Astronomical League be? that someone does on a whim. The decision to things that I do to make sure that I continue to leave this field likely isn’t something one does At some point in our pursuit of learning about have a regular and healthy dose of astronomy in on a whim as well. It must be the result of the celestial realm, many of us have secretly my life. Making the transition from observing the deterring forces. dreamt of experiencing what it was like during the night sky, alone and in the dark, to joining the early days of telescopic observational astronomy. bright and public astronomical community is only I do believe that there is observable We mentally picture being part of the first discov- something that I have only recently done. hope within the next generation. eries made by peering through telescopes late at Doing so has exposed me to the experiences Inclusion and awareness of biases night, slowly uncovering mysteries of the cosmos. and challenges of others who share this passion. seem to be on their radar. When I think about my journey from Boy Scout We know that not too long ago there was a to editor, I realize that I am fortunate. And I have In a recent Nielsen study, the Millennial gen- blur between amateur and professional astron- also realized that others may not have been as eration expresses more optimism that women will omy, when amateurs could — and did — make fortunate as I have been. have equal consideration in the workforce, and important contributions. Then we wonder how, in I never received much encouragement to also reports that the elimination of gender roles today’s highly technical and big-budget world, explore and pursue astronomy, but I also did not is the key factor (“Want More, Be More: When It individuals again can play such a role. need it. I had a natural passion and curiosity Comes to Gender Equality, Millennial Women Are The Astronomical League has wondered this, fueling my motivation to pursue it. While I might More Optimistic About Closing The Gap,” 2017). too. How can the League encourage and develop not have been encouraged to enjoy astronomy, When it comes to defocusing on gender and fo- this desire — the desire of the dedicated amateur I was never discouraged from doing it. And I cusing on abilities and talents, we can learn a lot observer to contribute to the science of astrono- believe that this is an important factor for many from them. If the universe had a consciousness, my, and subsequently advance our hobby? people when making personal or career choices. I am sure that it would not consider the gender, The League already has programs in place I was discouraged from pursuing some things in age, or skin color of those living on the pale blue that either partner with or direct observers to my younger years. However, this discouragement dot in the arguably average galaxy of those that well-established organizations: variable star was not based on gender, age, or race. Of course, want to study it. We shouldn’t either. measurements in conjunction with the AAVSO, encouragement is a good thing. It has an occultation timing measurements through IOTA, important role in motivating people. But in References: and light pollution measurements for Globe at today’s society, encouragement is plentiful and Want More, Be More: When It Comes to Gender Night. For many years, the League has recognized thusly dilute, so it can be easily washed away with Equality, Millennial Women Are More Optimis- ALPO as the place to report systematic observa- a small amount of negativity. And by default, tic About Closing The Gap. (2017, March 8). tions and measurements of celestial bodies close people do not need any external motivation to Retrieved from https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/ to home. Many amateurs have contributed their pursue that which they love. What they do need is insights/news/2017/when-it-comes-to-gen- time and “eyes” to SETI@home, Stardust@home, an equal opportunity and a fair chance. der-equality-millennial-women-are-more-op- and Galaxy Zoo. Throughout my 26-year career in information timistic-on-closing-the-pay-gap.html. What else can be done? How can the technology, I have observed the impact that Zastrow, M. (2018, October 15). Astronomy is los- Astronomical League help the Astro-Leaguer ° THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 5 participate to an even greater extent? How sodium (LPS) lighting. I was aghast. It was bright about considering the vast potential of “citizen and spoiled the sky. How could this happen? I science?” International asked the hospital director about it, and she told The League wants to assemble a committee me astronomers had recommended this lighting. to develop an avenue so interested amateurs can Dark-Sky At that time the Dark Sky Office at Kitt Peak pursue citizen science, allowing them to be part National Observatory was headed by Dr. David of discovery and the accumulation of knowledge. Association Crawford, an internationally renowned astronomer The committee will first need to arrive at a clear famous for being the project leader for the largest definition of citizen science: what is it, and what telescope on Kitt Peak and for his work on stellar steps are needed to conduct it? This will not be THIRTY YEARS OF IDA photometry. Professional astronomers preferred a variation of an observing program, but a new nfortunately, most people today live in LPS lighting as its monochromatic spectrum was component of participation in our hobby — one U communities filled with light pollution. easy to filter. That was fine with me as long as the that depends, according to the specific program, They have not experienced the dark skies that light fixtures were shielded. An unshielded LPS on the careful collection and analysis of data. were found everywhere in the United States a fixture is just as bad for an amateur astronomer as generation ago. Unless someone has lived on a any other poor lighting design. What advantages do amateurs have farm, gone camping in the mountains or woods f course, now we are concerned with the that professionals don’t? away from the city, or joined an astronomy club, light-emitting diode (LED) revolution, he or she has no idea what constitutes a dark sky O How can amateurs contribute if they don’t which is rapidly replacing the lighting that con- or what has been lost in the last generation. Light have access to large, ground-based observato- cerned me in 1985. In those days, I had several pollution is a pernicious evil that has slowly crept ries, or to telescopes in space? meetings with Dave Crawford and Bill Robinson, up on us. Older people remember what it was like who ran the Dark Sky Office at Kitt Peak, about my What amateurs have that the professionals to see the stars at night, even in the middle of a concerns with their lighting recommendations. don’t is the time to devote to collecting or exam- city. They more acutely feel the loss of the stars, What started off as a contentious discussion ining vast amounts of specialized data for statis- as they did not grow up with bright yellow night developed into a friendship and a mutual goal of tical analysis. They are also a group of people who skies. protecting the night sky. We exchanged slides, are relatively large in number, meaning that many When I was young — a very long time ago in and I began to learn about lighting, light trespass, amateurs could interact with one professional, the 1950s and 1960s — I was an active amateur and light pollution. greatly enlarging the “scope” of the profession- astronomer. I had a 4-inch reflector, which I al’s research ability. I realized light pollution is a relatively easy bought for $50 in 1956. I lived in the suburbs of environmental problem to solve, but nobody was n what fields and in what meaningful ways Chicago and was more concerned about the elm doing anything about it. Finally, one day I said could Astro-Leaguers participate? While that I trees surrounding our house blocking my view of we ought to form an organization to address this determination would be the responsibility of the the sky than I was about light pollution. The Milky issue to help ourselves and others. I had recently committee, some possibilities could entail, for Way was easily visible through the trees. Only completed the process of incorporating the Tuc- example, the collection and analysis of the light gradually did I become that aware the stars were son Amateur Astronomy Association as a nonprofit curves of extrasolar planets and supernovae or the disappearing from urban and suburban areas due corporation in Arizona. I recommended we found imaging of interacting galaxies for tidal streams. to increasing light pollution. Unfortunately, the an organization devoted to combating light pollu- As you all surely know, the League is primarily elm trees and the stars are long gone from my tion, radio-frequency interference to astronomy, run by volunteers, and without them little would boyhood home. and space debris. Dave agreed, and we were on be accomplished. Fortunately, Aaron Clevenson, In 1985 I had an unexpectedly large tax re- our way. I filed the papers for IDA’s incorporation AL National Observing Program Director, has fund. It was like free money, even though I knew and came up with the IDA acronym. enthusiastically stepped forward to initiate the it was my own money I overpaid. It was a form of he International Dark-Sky Association, Inc. Citizen Science Committee. savings for which I received no interest. I decided T (IDA) was incorporated in Arizona in 1987 as If you dream of being part of a greater sense to buy a piece of land in a dark-sky location for a a tax-exempt nonprofit organization, exclusively of discovery, if you yearn to learn how doing large telescope. I had talked about this for years, for educational and scientific purposes within astronomy must have felt to astronomers of but had never actually done anything. One thing the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the United yesteryear — and if your interest is piqued by the led to another, and I purchased 20 acres of land States Internal Revenue Code of 1987. It received possibility of joining an Astronomical League 40 miles southeast of Tucson on a high grassland its 501(c)(3) approval from the IRS in 1988. Dave citizen science effort, then please contact Aaron plateau at 5000-foot altitude. Thus started the rolled the new IDA goals into his then-profession- at [email protected]. Grasslands Observatory (www.3towers.com). al work and thereafter, for many years, devoted (Thank you to Aaron Clevenson and John Goss As the observatory developed, I realized most of his waking hours to IDA, developing it into for contributing to this first installment of the my amazingly dark sky was a very precious and the wonderful organization it is today. “President’s Corner.”) fragile resource. I noticed what seemed like a lot IDA has far outgrown its founders, who have — Bill Bogardus of bad lights around Tucson. Moreover, University not been involved in its daily operation for Astronomical League President Medical Center in Tucson converted its old, dim, many years. It has surpassed our every hope for globe-style lights into unshielded low-pressure it, no doubt because of the excellent staff and

6 REFLECTOR ✶ DECEMBER 2 0 1 8 worldwide supporters IDA has garnered the last thirty years. Are we winning the war against light pollution? Hardly, but we are losing it less badly than if IDA had not been founded.

— Tim Hunter Co-founder, IDA The International Dark-Sky Association, Inc.(IDA) 3223 N. First Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85719-2103 Phone: 520-293-3198 Fax: 520-293-3192 Email address for IDA office:[email protected] Webpage: darksky.org Night Sky Network

NASA’S NIGHT SKY NETWORK: ASSISTING CLUBS WITH OUTREACH SINCE 2004! stronomy outreach to the public is, for many A of us, one of the most social and fun parts of amateur astronomy. For astronomy clubs in particular, outreach programs provide a reliable avenue for publicity and attracting new members. NASA launched the Night Sky Network (NSN) program in 2004 to assist clubs with outreach. Based on input from club leaders across the United States, the NSN aimed to make outreach easier Share Your Sky this and more accessible Gift Season with Our FREE SHIPPING to all members of IN THE US astronomy clubs, Popular OneSky regardless of their individual levels of experience. Telescope. In addition, NSN provided a set of tools to help clubs manage their volunteers and events, and Ranked as one of the by extension, their club rosters, messaging, and general day-to-day management needs. best scopes under $200 with FREE US SHIPPING! The Night Sky Network’s most famous feature is the astronomy outreach toolkits: portable kits Proceeds directly support our of easy-to-use astronomy outreach resources, global outreach programs. specifically designed for amateur astronomers to use in the field. These toolkits offer great activi- ties for club meetings, public star parties, and in- door or daytime events. The toolkits provide vital backup activities in case of bad weather — some- thing we very much appreciate ourselves, since we are headquartered in the notoriously foggy Shop.AstronomersWithoutBorders.Org San Francisco Bay Area! These kits are free to NSN member clubs that regularly report on their events using the NSN website’s logging system, and are shipped out quarterly. ° THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 7 science participation, inclusive ways to work with We are always working hard to find great ways young girls and all audiences at the telescope, to help clubs share the latest in NASA science. See featured toolkit activities, and shared outreach this space next time, as I’ll feature more useful stories and techniques. NSN resources to help your astronomy outreach. And there is even more! The NSN offers online May you have clear, dark skies! tools to help astronomy club leaders manage — Dave Prosper their clubs and events. The NSN website features Dave Prosper is the include a custom calendar and RSVP system, a program manager for volunteer hour tracker, a roster management tool, amateur astronomy and a messaging system. When available, the outreach at the club can also receive printouts from NASA and Astronomical Society other science partners, discounts on astronomy of the Pacific, in San A visitor to Johns Island County Park takes a tactile tour of magazines, and the ability to request “refresher” Francisco, California. the solar system with help from members of the Lowcountry Born and raised under Stargazers. Photo Credit: Jay Messeroff materials from toolkits — all provided, of course, the dark skies of the that your event reports and club contact informa- oolkits are sponsored by NASA and the Adirondack foothills in northern New York State, tion is up to date. T National Science Foundation to bring the big he came to love the night sky at a young age and ideas of astronomy down to Earth, and help clubs has been watching the stars ever since. inspire the next generation of space scientists. Topics covered by the kits include gravity and black holes, the search for exoplanets, our Solar System, meteorites and space rocks, telescopes, Full STEAM Ahead life in the universe, eclipses, and even space weather and solar storms. While you may not A FIRST GIANT STEP think of exoplanets as the hottest topic at the all and winter are a great time to engage telescope, amateurs report a lot of questions F families in night sky observing. Since it is about these other worlds (and, of course, the pos- getting dark earlier, it will not take long to get sibility of alien life on them) and these outreach Ken De Silva of the Mount Diablo Astronomical Society some observations in before bedtime. Of course, toolkits provide helpful ideas and demonstrations discusses the Solar System with some Girl Scout Daisies the temperatures are cooler, and you’ll need a to turn the conversation to the actual science of at a Loma Vista STEAM Night. Photo Credit: Ken De Silva/ Mount Diablo Astronomical Society jacket or some layers, but the air at this time of how scientists are searching for new worlds. year tends to be drier, making the viewing crisp e fit the various toolkit props and e ask NSN members to frequently report and clear. But the best reason to get out there is W reference materials into medium-size Won their events using the website’s event that Orion and friends are making their annual boxes, and many kits also include large, log system. Event reports help us inform NASA appearance! eye-catching vinyl banners shipped in separate about the kinds of outreach that astronomy clubs A great way to get started is the Sky Puppies cardboard tubes. In addition to banners, kit are performing, confirm participation in the pro- Astronomical League Observing Program, which materials usually include customizable handouts, gram, and help us judge what outreach materials is suited for upper elementary students in third official NASA lithographs, models, manuals on are the best fits for member clubs’ outreach pro- to fifth grades. Because skills such as logging, suggested practices for using the materials, and grams. Member reports enable us to show NASA writing, and handling of binoculars are required, even a DVD filled with demos of the toolkit ac- the effective reach of NSN member clubs to the it is more of a challenge for younger students. tivities — handy if you still have a physical player general public and are the program’s lifeblood. This program gives an initial overview of star available. Links to electronic versions of these One final thing: one of our favorite traditions lore, constellations, star clusters, bright stars, materials, assembly guides, and archives of the at the Night Sky Network is the annual “Outreach deep-sky objects, the Milky Way, planets, and training videos can also be found on the program Award Pin,” which features a fresh design every lunar surface features. It requires naked-eye, website; they are freely available to everyone at year. We want to reward individual club members binocular, and some telescopic observations. nightsky.jpl.nasa.org. with pins and certificates for all of their hard work Contact Aaron Clevenson, at aaron@clevenson. Aside from toolkits, there are other substan- in outreach, and we rely on club coordinators to org, to request a copy of the manual. tial benefits to participation in the NSN program. keep track of their members’ volunteer hours and The Sky Puppies manual comes with a CD We offer members-only monthly webinars with report on their events to qualify. We do have to that includes constellation stories from different NASA scientists working on the latest missions. charge a nominal fee to cover the cost of the cultures and a star wheel (planisphere) located Some of our recent webinars featured mission pins and shipping, but we strive to keep costs at the back of the manual. The star wheel, once scientists from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey as low as possible, and every club that has report- assembled, will help you locate the constellations Satellite (TESS), Parker Solar Probe, Lunar ed on events for the previous year qualifies for that are covered in the manual. This program asks Reconnaisance Orbtier (LRO), and Europa Clipper. three free pins. Some folks have accrued quite an the participant to draw constellations freehand, Members are also offered “enrichment” webinars impressive collection of pins over the years due describe the major stars, tell two different con- focused on education and outreach: citizen to their hard work. stellation stories, identify either the North Star 8 REFLECTOR ✶ DECEMBER 2 0 1 8 or Southern Cross, and sketch planets and lunar everybody in your family can become obsessed you spin it. Our actual planet is far less per- craters. with astronomy. fect — in both shape and in rotation. For older students in the family and the adult Earth is not a perfect sphere. When it rotates novice, Beyond Polaris is nearly the same FLOUR MOON ROCKS on its spin axis — an imaginary line that passes observing program as Sky Puppies but is designed he following recipe is a great tactile activity through the North and South Poles — it drifts and for middle-school-age and older participants. The T for kids, making your own “Moon rock” out of wobbles. These spin-axis movements are scien- first step is to go to Astronomical League’s main flour dough. (Warning: If your child has a gluten tifically referred to as “polar motion.” Measure- page at www.astroleague.org/observing.html, intolerance, please substitute Play-Doh for flour ments for the 20th century show that the spin axis scroll down to “Terms of Common Usage in dough.) drifted about 4 inches (10 centimeters) per year. Astronomical League Observing Programs,” and 1. Mix 1/2 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of salt, Over the course of a century, that becomes more review the terminology of “Seeing and Transpar- small amount of black tempera paint, and a small than 11 yards (10 meters). ency.” This is required for the log sheets. Beyond amount of glitter; have different sizes of beads Using observational and model-based data Polaris also explains star party etiquette, since off to the side. spanning the entire 20th century, NASA scientists many families enjoy attending these events to get 2. Add just enough water to make it the have for the first time identified three broad- an opportunity to view the night sky. Again, this consistency of Play-Doh. ly-categorized processes responsible for this program will cover constellations, stars, meteor/ drift — contemporary mass loss primarily in Green- 3. Shape the dough into the shape of a rock. meteoroid/meteorites, a planisphere (star land, glacial rebound, and mantle convection. wheel), phases of the Moon, and dark-sky 4. Press beads into the dough to make he traditional explanation is that one advocacy, similar to Sky Puppies. craters, then remove. “T process, glacial rebound, is responsible 5. Allow the dough to dry. for this motion of Earth’s spin axis. But recently, Children can use this image that shows the many researchers have speculated that other shapes and characters you can see on the lunar processes could have potentially large effects on surface: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_in_the_ it as well,” said first author Surendra Adhikari of Moon#/media/File:Man_In_The_Moon2.png. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Point out the darker, smoother maria and brighter California.“ We assembled models for a suite of cratered areas on a full Moon. I’ve personally used processes that are thought to be important for this resource for those times schools would book driving the motion of the spin axis. We identified a STEAM school night on a full-Moon evening! not one but three sets of processes that are Not only would they look at the Moon through crucial — and melting of the global cryosphere a filtered eyepiece, but while waiting in line, (especially Greenland) over the course of the they would try to identify these shapes and even 20th century is one of them.” make up some for themselves on the full Moon’s surface. Hopefully ALCORs, outreach astronomers, homeschool educators, science teachers, Boy and o make sure that we cover the whole family, Girl Scout groups, and parents will consider using your primary students and differently abled T the Sky Puppies and Beyond Polaris programs children with special needs may find the next few (and NASA Space Place) as ways to introduce your resources quite engaging. While the older siblings members, students, and children to the hobby and are learning about the Moon and constellations, science of astronomy. There are many programs I highly recommend David Chandler’s “The Night available, and this is just “a first giant step” you Sky Matching Game,” available at www.david- can take to learn how to observe with the Astro- chandler.com/games. This is perfect for primary nomical League. students, and they will feel included with the The observed direction of polar motion, shown as a light blue — Peggy Walker line, compared with the sum (pink line) of the influence of rest of the family. It’s played like the card game Greenland ice loss (blue), postglacial rebound (yellow) and “Memory.” Also consider the website’s plani- deep mantle convection (red). The contribution of mantle convection is highly uncertain. Credit: NASA/ JPL-Caltech spheres if you live in the far northern or south- ern United States because you can select one All Things n general, the redistribution of mass on and specifically for your latitude. This is important I within Earth — like changes to land, ice sheets, when it comes time to identify the constellations. Astronomical oceans and mantle flow — affects the planet’s ro- If you need help determining your latitude, check tation. As temperatures increased throughout the out latlong.net. 20th century, Greenland’s ice mass decreased. In SCIENTISTS IDENTIFY THREE CAUSES Another fun resource is the NASA Space Place fact, a total of about 7,500 gigatons — the weight monthly Star Finder game, at spaceplace.nasa. OF EARTH’S SPIN AXIS DRIFT of more than 20 million Empire State Builings — of gov/starfinder. This site has lots of activities typical desk globe is designed to be a geo- Greenland’s ice melted into the ocean during this and great ways to engage your little ones so that A metric sphere and to rotate smoothly when time period. This makes Greenland one of ° THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 9 the top contributors of mass being transferred to if Greenland’s ice loss accelerates, polar motion favorite constellation name!). The constellation the oceans, causing sea level to rise and, conse- likely will, too. culminates at 8:00 p.m. in early January, well quently, a drift in Earth’s spin axis. The paper in Earth and Planetary Science Let- after the end of astronomical twilight for North While ice melt is occurring in other places ters is titled “What drives 20th century polar mo- American observers. (like Antarctica), Greenland’s location makes it tion?” Besides JPL, coauthor institutions include With the plethora of star clusters in this Milky a more significant contributor to polar motion. the German Research Centre for Geosciences, Way constellation, one might expect a majority of “There is a geometrical effect that if you Potsdam; the University of Oslo, Norway; Techni- the New General Catalog (NGC) entries for Perseus have a mass that is 45 degrees from the North cal University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby; the to be galactic star clusters. But they are not. Of Pole — which Greenland is — or from the South Pole Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, the 95 NGC objects located in Perseus, 71 of them (like Patagonian glaciers), it will have bigger Copenhagen, Denmark; and the University of are listed as galaxies! Unfortunately, the gas and impact on shifting Earth’s spin axis than a mass Bremen, Germany. An interactive simulation of dust in the plane of our home galaxy substantially that is right near the Pole,” said coauthor Eric how multiple processes contribute to the wobbles dims these galaxies. Of the 71, only one is bright- Ivins, also of JPL. in Earth’s spin axis is available at vesl.jpl.nasa. er than magnitude 10. That galaxy is NGC 1023. gov/sea-level/polar-motion/. NGC 1023 lies 5.75 degrees west-southwest of the Previous studies identified glacial rebound — Esprit Smith star Algol. It resides on the border of Perseus and as the key contributor to long-term polar motion. Andromeda, just north of Triangulum. The galaxy And what is glacial rebound? During the last ice is cataloged at magnitude 9.5 and is roughly 8 age, heavy glaciers depressed Earth’s surface Deep-Sky Objects by 3 arcminutes in size. Brightness estimates much like a mattress depresses when you sit for galaxies vary considerably, not because the on it. As that ice melts, or is removed, the land galaxy varies in brightness, but because different slowly rises back to its original position. In the PERSEUS’S BRIGHTEST GALAXY astronomers use different techniques to estimate new study, which relied heavily on a statistical he constellation Perseus was named after galaxy brightnesses. Some estimate NGC 1023 analysis of such rebound, scientists figured out the Greek hero known for slaying Medusa, T to be as bright as magnitude 8.7, while dimmer that glacial rebound is likely to be responsible the Gorgon, whose head he is pictured holding on estimates are near 10.35. Likewise, distance for only about a third of the polar drift in the 20th classical constellation charts. The variable star estimates to galaxies vary considerably, too. century. Algol depicts one of Medusa’s eyes. Perseus is The best estimate for the distance to NGC 1023 is also the hero who rescued Andromeda from the he authors argue that mantle convection 20 million light-years, but this estimate varies by sea monster Cetus. T makes up the final third. Mantle convection a factor of 2. is responsible for the movement of tectonic plates The constellation Perseus is contained within on Earth’s surface. It is basically the circulation of the plane of the galaxy, so visually its stars lie ike the Milky Way Galaxy, which is a member material in the mantle caused by heat from Earth’s along the swath we commonly call the Milky Way. L of a group of galaxies located together in core. Ivins describes it as similar to a pot of soup Besides the intriguing variable star Algol, the space (conveniently called the Local Group), NGC placed on the stove. As the pot, or mantle, heats, constellation is known for the bright star Mirfak, 1023 is a member of a group of galaxies located the pieces of the soup begin to rise and fall, the California Nebula (NGC 1499), myriad double together in space. The NGC 1023 group contains essentially forming a vertical circulation pattern — stars, and a multitude of open star clusters. NGC 891, NGC 925, NGC 1058, and NGC 1239. The just like the rocks moving through Earth’s mantle. The best open star clusters are the bright, wide two galaxy groups are next-door neighbors and With these three broad contributors identi- cluster M34 and the famous Double Cluster both part of the Virgo Supercluster. fied, scientists can distinguish mass changes and (NGC 869 and NGC 884). Most galaxies are classified as elliptical, spi- polar motion caused by long-term Earth process- Perseus lies between the constellations Auriga ral, or irregular in shape. In an 8-inch telescope, es over which we have little control from those and Cassiopeia, but it also borders Andromeda, NGC 1023 appears to be elliptical. Many citations caused by climate change. They now know that Triangulum, Taurus, and Camelopardalis (my of NGC 1023 list it as an elliptical galaxy. Howev- AAVSO American Association of Variable Star Observers

Discover the universe through variable stars and contribute to science Join today! www.aavso.org

10 REFLECTOR ✶ DECEMBER 2 0 1 8 October 13, 2018 and May 11, 2019

er, larger instruments reveal that NGC 1023 has galaxy appears more like an elliptical galaxy or a an elongated disk, thus it is sometimes classified spiral galaxy. Gary Tomlinson as a spiral galaxy. In reality, NGC 1023 is a barred — Dr. James R. Dire lenticular galaxy of Hubble classification SB0. Kauai Educational Association for Astronomy Day Coordinator Lenticular galaxies are a category of galaxies in Science and Astronomy [email protected] between spiral and elliptical. They have disks and central bulges. Some even have dust lanes or bars, but they lack spiral arms. Lenticular galaxies may Staunton River Star Party - Spring 2019 have been spiral galaxies at one time, but they IDA Dark Park have used up all the material for star formation and contain very old stars, like most elliptical galaxies. March 6 - 10, 2019

y accompanying image of NGC 1023 Staunton River State Park M was taken with a Discovery 10-inch f/6 Newtonian with a Tele Vue Paracorr Type 2 coma Scottsburg, VA (near South Boston)

corrector using an SBIG ST-2000XCM CCD camera. The telescope uses a Paramount ME German For more information or to register: www.stauntonrver-starparty.org equatorial mount. The exposure was 60 minutes. North is up and west to the right. The diffuse Full Party: $50 Sponsored by: CHAOS galactic bar extends from upper left to lower right while the major axis of the galaxy runs east-west. The asymmetry is a consequence of the tilt of the plane of the galaxy to our line of sight. The brightest star in the field lies to the east (left) of the galaxy and is magnitude 9. The second brightest star located southwest of the galaxy is magnitude 10. Both are easily visible in 6- to 8-inch telescopes, framing this unique celestial island of stars. This winter, when exploring the magnificent star clusters in the constellation Perseus, take a quick detour to spy Perseus’s brightest galaxy, NGC 1023. Test your own eyes as to whether the THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 11 FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE

SPEED-DATING e decided to take advan- ASTRONOMY STYLE W tage of the inevitable specialization that develops in t was a full house on a stormy any amateur astronomy club and I night in July when the Delaware invite our local experts to set Valley Amateur Astronomers held up hands-on demonstrations on an astronomy speed-dating event, their favorite topics. The concept also billed as an astronomy fair. proved popular among the club What better way to spend your members, and the list of potential time in such horrific weather? topics was quickly filled with The evening included something volunteer experts on the following for everyone, from the novice star- topics: gazer to the experienced observ- •Astronomy Apps er. We promised those wondering •Go-To Telescopes how to get into astronomy that we would show them the first steps, •Buying Your First Telescope and we would help others ad- •Binocular Astronomy DVAA Observing Chair Andrew Hitchner helped attendees approach their first telescope purchase. Photo by Irv Schlanger vance to the next level. Attendees •Solar Observing were urged to let their specific •Observing Without a Telescope interests guide them to explore •Collimation Demo as many or as few of the topics •Astrophotography as they would like, “speed-dating” •Astronomical League style. Observing Programs t was a departure from the •Amateur Telescope Making I usual monthly meeting format, •Observing the Moon which includes announcements, •Moon Landing Memorabilia updates on upcoming events, an •Light Pollution Abatement observing report, and a guest speaker. The goals of the format he event was publicized were: T through Facebook, newspa- pers, radio, and the club website •To facilitate social interac- and newsletter, and attracted tions between folks with similar about 20 newcomers who had interests never previously graced our meet- DVAA member and local school district planetarium director Adam Chantry put his teaching •To interest members and non- ing space. A couple of them joined skills to good use with a hands-on collimation demonstration. Photo by Mitch Berger members who are not frequent as new club members. Attendees attendees by offering an alterna- were invited to visit the demon- tive meeting format strations of their choice, and •To provide regular meeting spend as much time or as little attendees the chance to explore as their interests dictated (thus new and possibly unfamiliar areas the speed-dating moniker). An of astronomy added bonus was that in seeking •To recognize club experts who information on a particular topic, have deep knowledge of specific attendees with common interests topics, and to allow attendees also found each other. to associate members with their For clubs in search of an topics of expertise as a starting alternative to the usual meeting point for future questions and format, this idea is relatively easy interactions to execute and immune to bad •To stimulate interest in other weather. club activities — Janet Rush and Al Lamperti Tom Nolasco and James Taylor share their passion for amateur telescope making. 12 REFLECTOR ✶ DECEMBER 2 0 1 8 12 REFLECTOR ✶ DECEMBER 2 0 1 8 DVAA veep Jeff Oaster with his favorite astronomy tools. Jim Sweeney shared what to do, and what not to do, when observing the Sun.

Jeff Kahler revisited memorable moments by sharing his extensive collection Past president Joe Lamb showed newcomers how to make the most of of publications recounting milestones in space flight. the lunar cycle for great observing.

ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE’S my, or who has done astrophotog- increase science awareness in MABEL STERNS AWARD raphy, please consider nominating an interested (but often misin- YOUTH AWARDS 2019— he newsletter editor performs that person. formed) public, to spark interest PREPARE NOW! the primary function of in- in the young, and to promote T See our website awards page, forming astronomy club members t is time to start thinking about your club, all simply by personally www.astroleague.org/al/awards about what is happening in their I who might be nominated for introducing people to the /awards.html, for details. club. Often the editor is forced to next year’s National Young As- wonders en­countered in The deadline for the National become quite creative in filling tronomer Award, or the two Jack amateur astronomy. Horkheimer Youth Service Awards Young Astronomer Award and the the allotted space for each issue (Horkheimer/Parker Youth Horkheimer awards is March 31, Look on the AL website, www. when the call for articles does not Imaging Awards and Horkheimer/ 2019. Now is the time for poten- astroleague.org, for these helpful quite fill up the publication. Astronomy Day materials: the O’Meara Journalism Awards). tial candidates to work on their In acknowledgement of the Astronomy Day Handbook and There are two additional awards: projects and complete the applica- important role of the newsletter outreach downloads. the Horkheimer/Smith Service tions available on our website. If editor, the Astronomical League Award and Horkheimer/D’Auria are a club officer, nominate them. Astronomy Day will be held established the Mabel Sterns Service Award. Let’s make 2019 another great on May 11 and October 5, 2019. If Newsletter Award in 1988 to If you know of a young person year for our youth. you would like to help administer recognize these essential people. who has been involved in an as- this great program of bringing The award is named in honor of tronomy-related research project ASTRONOMY DAY astronomy to the public, please the first newsletter editor of the or a club service activity, who stronomy Day presents an contact Gary Tomlinson at League, Mabel Sterns, who served would like to write about astrono- A excellent opportunity to [email protected]. in that capacity ° THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 13 THE ASTRONOMICAL L EAGUE 13 from 1948 to1952. THE ASTRONOMICAL to 6:30 UT, with additional work Horkheimer. The value of this To qualify, club presidents LEAGUE’S ASTRONOMICS done on December 29, 2017, and opportunity is approximately should email a copy of the SKETCHING AWARD January 29, 2018. Seeing during $300; the potential is enormous. designated issue of the club’s the major sketching on January newsletter as a PDF file to hy not try your hand 28 was a (1–) and improved to sternsnewsletter@astroleague. W at sketching tonight? 1 for about 90 minutes (near org, along with a cover letter of Sketching the impression of a ce- perfect seeing conditions!); trans- recommendation (also as a PDF) lestial scene allows an observer parency was 18.7 magnitude per that includes the postal address to see more detail and to better square arcsecond measured by of the nominee. In addition, a enjoy our amazing avocation. SQM with 2/3 moon. Rock-steady photo of the newsletter editor, The League’s Astronomics images with 5.5 mm and 4.8 mm preferably in an astronomical Sketching Award provides cash eyepieces giving 300 and 355 setting, should be sent electroni- awards for first place ($250), power. Total sketch time was cally in JPEG format to the same second place ($125), and third about 9 hours! Congratulations, email address. All items are due place ($75). The exciting details Richard! by March 31, 2019. The names can be found at www.astroleague. he Library Telescope pro- of both the newsletter editor and org/al/awards/awards.html. This YOUR ASTRONOMICAL T gram was initiated ten years the nominating club officer must program is made possible by the LEAGUE JUST GAVE AWAY ago by the New Hampshire Astro- appear on the general member- generosity and vision of Astro- NINE LIBRARY TELESCOPES! nomical Society and has grown ship roster of the League. nomics, www.astronomics.com. into a nationwide presence. Clubs hrough the vision of the donate an easy-to-use portable This year’s winners: Horkheimer Charitable Fund, T telescope with quality optics and • First place: Reflections, 2018 ASTRONOMICS the Astronomical League again a sturdy mount to their local edited by Terry Dufek, SKETCHING AWARD WINNER offered a free Library Telescope library. Patrons can then check it Popular Astronomy Club to a lucky Astronomical League irst Place: $250. “Clavius out as they do books. • Second place: The WASP, Crater System,” (shown be- club in each region, plus one to a F The winning entries were edited by Brian Thieme, War- low), pencil on paper, by Richard member-at-large. announced at ALCon 2018 in ren Astronomical Society Francini, Neville Public Museum The Library Telescope is a Minneapolis. Thank you to the • Third place: Newsletter of Astronomical Society. Using a 13- 4.5-inch Dobsonian reflector Horkheimer Charitable Fund, Ori- the RVAS, edited by Dave inch Dobsonian in De Pere, Wis- fitted with an 8–24 mm zoom on Telescopes, and Celestron for Thomas, Roanoke Valley consin, most of the sketching was eyepiece and a name plate making this wonderful program Astronomical Society done on January 28, 2018, 2:00 commemorating the late Jack possible!

Congratulations to the 2018 winners: • St. George Astronomy Group, MARS • Echo Ridge Astronomical Society, MERAL • Island County Astronomical Society, NWRAL • Bartlesville Astronomical Society, MSRAL • Everglades Astronomical Society, SERAL • Marquette Astronomical Society, NCRAL • Valley Astronomical Society, NERAL • Millstream Astronomy Club, GLRAL • Jim Zappa, Member-at-Large

14 REFLECTOR ✶ DECEMBER 2 0 1 8 New Tours in 2019!

African Stargazing Safari Join astronomer Stephen James O’Meara in wildlife- July 29–August 4, 2019 rich Botswana for evening stargazing and daytime safari drives at three luxury field camps. Only 16 spaces available! Optional extension to Victoria Falls.

skyandtelescope.com/botswana2019

This is our 6th year running Iceland Auroras this popular tour of Iceland. September 29–October 2, 2019 Visit historic sites, geysers, and towering waterfalls with a guide; at night, seek the fabled northern lights. Fine restaurants and hotels await you.

skyandtelescope.com/iceland2019

Australia Observatories Travel Down Under to tour top observatories, October 1–8, 2019 including Siding Spring and “The Dish” at Parkes. Go wine-tasting, hike in nature reserves, and explore eclectic Sydney. Options to Great Barrier Reef and Uluru.

skyandtelescope.com/australia2019

See all S&T tours at skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-travel

THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 15 2018 ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE/OPT IMAGING AWARDS NOTE: MOST OF THESE IMAGES HAVE BEEN CROPPED TO EMPHASIZE CENTRAL FEATURES. ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT 2017 OR 2018 BY THEIR RESPECTIVE CREATORS.

TOP: SOLAR SYSTEM FIRST PLACE, JAMES WEHMER, Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society, “Total Solar Eclipse Sequence,” August 21, 2017; Nikon D3100 and Meade LXD75; Totality 1/1250 to 1/60 second; partial phases 1/1250 second with mylar full-aperture filter. Pellett method was used to enhance totality in Photoshop. Seeing: V (Antoniadi scale). Transparency: 5. LOWER RIGHT: SOLAR SYSTEM SECOND PLACE, RANDALL SHIVAK, Big Bear City Astronomical Society, “Grand Soleil” solar prominence, August 9, 2017; Astro-Physics 152 mm f/8 refractor with DayStar Quantum PE 0.5-angstrom H-alpha filter, ZWO ASI174 video camera, AP1200 mount. 3,000 frames, 10 millisecond exposures, were stacked using AutoStakkert!. False color, sharpening, and masking were added using Photoshop. Seeing: good. Transparency: good. LOWER LEFT: SOLAR SYSTEM THIRD PLACE, GREGG RUPPLE, Astronomical Society of East- ern Missouri, “Copernicus,” one of the most prominent lunar craters, imaged during the waxing gibbous phase, December 29, 2017. Celestron C8, f/10, AP900 mount, ASI120MC camera. AVI video captured with SharpCap 3.0, processed using AutoStakkert! and RegiStax 6, sharpened using Photoshop. Best 600 of 3,000 frames were used. Seeing: fair. Transparency: good. OPPOSITE PAGE TOP LEFT: DEEP SKY FIRST PLACE, JOEL SHEPHERD, Seattle Astronomical Society, “M27,” July 6 and 12–14, 2017. M27 is a planetary nebula that can be readily observed even under light-polluted skies, and is an inviting astrophotography target in both RGB and narrowband.8-inch Celestron EdgeHD, Astro-Physics Mach1GTO mount; Atik 460EX mono camera; Astrodon 5 nm H-alpha, S-II, and O-III filters. 15 x 600-second exposure on each channel (7.5 hours total exposure). Processed in PixInsight: Synthetic luminance made by a weighted average of the individual narrowband stacks, without rejection. Applied deconvolution, noise reduction, and local histogram equalization to the synthetic luminance. Used “tone mapping” (star removal) technique on the OPPOSITE PAGE TOP RIGHT: DEEP SKY THIRD f/2.2, tripod. Exposure 15 seconds at ISO NOT SHOWN… narrowband channels to enable strong noise 2500. Seeing: 4 of 5. Transparency: good. PLACE, WILLIAM NEUBERT, Astronomical VIDEO FIRST PLACE, FREDERICK STEILING, reduction and stretching of the individual Society of Eastern Missouri and St Louis OPPOSITE PAGE BOTTOM RIGHT: WIDE FIELD stacks before combination into an RGB mas- Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri, Astronomical Society, “Messier 78,” the SECOND PLACE, TERRY MANN, Miami Valley “ISS Transit of the Moon,” March 3, 2018, ter, to avoid star bloating and bring out faint reflection nebula full of young blue stars, Astronomical Society, “Stillness in Motion,” detail and nebulosity. Mapped H-alpha and The ISS, while in Earth’s shadow, transits the multiple dark nebulae, and a large area of stacked image of star party with star trails, Moon at an angular size of 42 arcseconds. S-II to red and O-III to green and blue, then red emissions from Barnard’s Loop, November observatory, and people with telescopes, applied luminance. In Photoshop, applied Mineral details across the lunar mare are 24 and December 15, 2017. Stellarvue SV80 September 23, 2017. 70 images, 20 seconds brought out by this RGB composite.Orion gentle unsharp mask to highlight the knots ST 80 mm aperture apochromat, 0.8x focal re- each, stacked using StarStaX. Seeing: good. and ripples in the nebula. 8-inch f/3.9 Newtonian Astrograph, ducer to 384 mm, QSI 683wsg-8 camera with Transparency: good. Celestron CGEM, ASI120MM with ZWO 1.25- OPPOSITE PAGE MIDDLE LEFT: DEEP SKY Astrodon RGB filters, Celestron Advanced VX OPPOSITE PAGE MIDDLE RIGHT: WIDE FIELD inch LRGB filters, MoonLite 2-inch CR focuser SECOND PLACE, DAN CROWSON, Astronomical mount, auto-guided. Total exposure time of THIRD PLACE, MARK SIMONSON, Everett Astro- with Mini V2 controller. Society of Eastern Missouri, “Van den Bergh 5 hours 20 minutes; L: 12 x 10 minutes (1x1); nomical Society (WA), “Conjunction” — Moon, VIDEO SECOND PLACE, MIKE KRAWCZYNSKI, 34,” a reflection nebula in Auriga approxi- RG: 6 x 10 minutes (binned 2x2); B: 7 x 10 Venus, and Mercury over Whidbey Island, mately 1500 light-years away, December minutes (binned 2x2) with 15 dark, bias, and Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri, March 18, 2018 Canon 60D DSLR, Canon “An Explosive Time-Lapse!,” September 8, 15 and 19, 2017. SBIG STF-8300M, Astro- flat frames. Processed in PixInsight. Seeing: 18–55 mm f/3.5–5.6 IS II lens set at 55 Tech AT12RCT; Software Bisque Paramount 4 of 5. Transparency: 4 of 5. 2017. A nearly full waning gibbous moon mm, Godox EZ–C1 timer, tripod. Exposure 3 lights the scene. The camera was pointed Mxt, Baader filters. 24 x 600 seconds lumi- OPPOSITE PAGE BOTTOM LEFT: WIDE FIELD seconds at ISO 400. nance, 8 x 300 seconds RGB. Processed north-northwest to capture a time-lapse vid- FIRST PLACE, PAUL SCHULZ, Arizona Desert eo of a steaming volcano (Shiveluch Volcano, in Adobe Photoshop. Seeing: 3–4 of 5. Skygazers, “The Milky Way Rises” with Transparency: 4 of 5. Kamchatka, Russia) and a clear sky full of planets, Scorpius, and a meteor framed by stars when the volcano erupted mid-video! an old-fashioned windmill, March 16, 2018. Nikon D7200, tripod, intervalometer, 18–105 Canon 6D Mark II, 28 mm Rokinon lens at mm zoom lens.

16 REFLECTOR ✶ DECEMBER 2 0 1 8 THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 17 OUTREACH IS A PRO/AM PRIVILEGE

By Kristine Larsen levels of the Outreach Program sky I had never seen before. This stories, because making the sky iving back to the public and the Binocular Variable Star is the value of the AL Observing personal is a great way to learn G is one of the greatest joys Program, and I have the Herschel Programs to my outreach. It your way around it. of being a pro/am astronomer. I 400 and Binocular Double Star allows me — it actually pushes Whether it is showing the pub- proudly call myself a pro/am Programs well underway. me — to observe objects that I lic views through our telescopes because despite the fact that I You might be a tad confused have never seen before, or to or helping a high school student have the great fortune to be an at this point, because the topic of observe old celestial friends in with a science fair project, giving astronomy professor, I very much this essay is my public outreach. a new way. It puts me in the a talk at a local library or talking consider myself an amateur But my work on AL Observing place of the very people I serve about recent discoveries on a lo- (literally one who loves) at heart. Programs is very much germane when they come to a star party, cal station, sharing the wonders I am a member of the Springfield to my outreach. Allow me to or public lecture, or when I do of the universe with the public is Telescope Makers (the Stellafane explain. In November 2012, I trav- workshops or planetarium shows something I am passionate about. people!) and am currently on the eled to Australia to observe what for school children. For example, I was privileged to figuring stage of a 12.5-inch was then my third total solar “Sharing the wonders of speak at Career Day at St. Paul mirror (my 8-inch was completed eclipse. Although I only saw a few the universe with the School in Berlin last year. The many years ago). I am an seconds of totality through the public is something I am two groups of fifth graders who “eyeball-on-glass”/starhopper clouds, the trip was hardly a dis- passionate about.” attended were enthralled by the rather than a go-to person or an appointment, because I was able meteorites I passed around, as imager; taking part in a Messier to observe the Southern skies he AL Programs are also an well as the reproduction astro- Marathon with 105 objects for the first time. As I stood in T important reminder that I labe, and could not contain their nabbed manually in one night was an open field and gazed upward need to keep my outreach fresh enthusiasm when they got to look a proud moment for me. at the Magellanic Clouds and and exciting by pushing myself at the overhead lights through I also submit visual obser- Southern Cross, observing Orion to create new activities, espe- diffraction grating glasses and vations of both solar activity upside-down and becoming utterly cially those that involve popular learned about how we discovered and more traditional variable lost among constellations I had culture. I’ve done workshops on the composition of stars. It only stars to the American Associa- never viewed before, I laughed the astronomy of Harry Potter took two hours of my time, and tion of Variable Star Observers and cried at the same time. and developed planetarium shows if I am really lucky, it might have (AAVSO). Equally fulfilling is or the first time in decades I based on both Harry Potter and made a lifetime of difference to moving through the Astronomical F experienced exactly what the the astronomy of Middle-earth. one young girl or boy. Hopefully League’s Observing Programs. general public does when I help I actually did one planetarium I might see some of these young In past years I completed the them look through a telescope for show in costume and partially people in my classroom in seven Messier and Binocular Messier the first time, or give a presenta- in character portraying Aurora years. Programs, as well as the basic tion on some mind-blowing aspect Sinistra, the astronomy teacher o this pro/am wants to send levels in both Outreach and of astronomy. For a moment I was at Hogwarts! I always encourage S out a heartfelt thanks to Meteor Observing. In late 2017, I a student, a beginner, taking my people to invent their own con- the members of the public for completed the Master and Stellar first baby steps in learning a stellations and constellation allowing me to serve them in this capacity, and to the Astronomical League Observing Programs for pushing me to be the very best astronomy ambassador that I can. The universe belong to us all. If I can, in any way, help anyone to understand it just a little bit bet- ter, it is my honor and pleasure to do so. ­ê

Kristine Larsen is professor of astronomy at Central Connecticut State University, immediate past- Dr. Larsen’s Children’s Workshops at Stellafane Convention. Photos by Ken Slater president of the AAVSO, and an assistant editor of the Reflector. 18 REFLECTOR ✶ DECEMBER 2 0 1 8 ORBITAL TILTS AND HIGH-FLYING MOONS

UNDERSTANDING THE GEOMETRY OF LUNAR AND SOLAR DECLINATIONS

By Bill Romanishin the tropical zone and the lunar nodes takes about 18.6 years to from the Earth’s equatorial zenithal zone would be exactly the complete. plane than the Sun, and at other ention the words “tropical same. However, the Moon’s orbital he rotation of the line of times up to 5 degrees closer. M zone” and most people plane is tilted by about 5 degrees T nodes obviously has a critical Thus, when the orbital planes conjure up images of drinks with to the ecliptic plane. Because of role to play in determining the are oriented so that the Sun is little paper umbrellas and bodies this 5-degree tilt, the two zones dates of eclipses. A less-well- at maximum declination north covered in sand and SPF-50 sun- are quite different. known consequence of the rota- or south, and the Moon’s orbit screen. Astronomically, the tropi- is tilted so that the Moon is at a wo planes tilted with respect tion of the line of nodes is that cal zone is defined as the area on more extreme equatorial angle to one another always the maximum and minimum, or Earth where the Sun can be seen T than the Sun, the Moon can be intersect in a straight line. In the range, in declination that the directly overhead, at the zenith, seen overhead at a latitude up the Sun-Earth-Moon system, the Moon reaches each month varies at some time during each year. to about 28.5 degrees north or line of intersection of the ecliptic with the same 18.6-year periodic- Outside this band, which spans south. When the Moon is closer to plane and the plane of the Moon’s ity. Declination, of course, is the the area between about 23.5 the equatorial plane than the Sun, orbit around the Earth is called angle between a spot on the sky degrees north and south latitude, the Moon’s declination range can the line of nodes. Solar or lunar and the celestial equator, while the Sun never reaches the zenith. be as low as about 18.5 degrees eclipses can only happen when latitude is the angle between a No part of the continental United north and south. These effects the Moon is near the line of nodes spot on the Earth and the Earth’s States is in the tropical zone, so cause the lunar zenithal zone to and thus near the ecliptic. Only equator, as seen from the center even in the hottest deserts of the vary significantly in width in lati- at this time can the Sun, Earth, of the Earth. For a celestial object southwest U.S., the Sun can never tude, from a minimum about of 37 and Moon line up in the nearly at the zenith, the declination of be seen directly overhead. degrees (twice 18.5) to a maxi- straight line necessary for an the object is equal to the latitude mum of 57 degrees (twice 28.5) In fact, the width of the tropi- eclipse to take place. If the line of the observer. If the Moon with an 18.6-year periodicity. cal zone is shrinking very slowly, of nodes were fixed in space, orbited in the Earth’s equatorial as the Earth’s tilt, or obliquity, then we could only have solar plane (as many moons orbit their o illustrate the readily observ- changes (Sky & Telescope, and lunar eclipses around the planets), the Moon would always T able results of this phenome- June 1 ’98, p. 36). same two times each year, as the have the same declination. non, I used the HORIZONS system What if, instead of asking Earth’s motion around the Sun If the Moon followed the Sun’s provided by NASA’s Jet Propul- where on Earth the Sun can be would position the line of nodes path in the sky along the ecliptic, sion Laboratory to calculate the directly overhead, we ask where near the Earth-Sun line regularly the range in lunar declination position in the sky of the Moon, on Earth we can see the Moon twice a year. Of course, eclipses would be the same as the Sun’s, the illuminated fraction of the directly overhead? We might call do not follow such a seasonal about 23.5 degrees north and Moon, and the Earth-Moon dis- this the Earth’s “lunar zenithal pattern. This is because the line south, for a total range of about tance for every hour of every day zone.” If the Moon’s orbit around of nodes rotates in space, as seen 47 degrees. But because of the between the start of 2014 and the the Earth were in the same plane by an outside observer, due to the 5-degree tilt between orbital start of 2034. This period spans a as the Earth’s orbit around the “wobble” of the Moon’s orbital planes, the Moon is sometimes little more than one period of the Sun (the ecliptic plane), then plane. This rotation of the line of found up to 5 degrees farther nodal rotation. The sky ° THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 19 positions are for a hypothetical al effect of the Moon’s changing the Sun as a function of time. As and Texas will be able to see the geocentric observer located at the declination occurs when the Moon the full Moon is always opposite Moon pass directly overhead, and center of the Earth. The actual is full. So I plotted the times and in the sky from the Sun, the the Moon will pass the merid- declination of the Moon as seen Moon declinations for the 247 full declination of the full Moon and ian as close to the zenith as is by any particular observer on Moons between the beginnings of Sun are roughly mirror images of possible for most U.S. observers. Earth will differ from the geocen- 2014 and 2034. During 2015 and each other. The closer an object is to the tric positions by up to about 1 2016 there is a broad minimum in or northern hemisphere zenith, the less atmosphere it is degree due to parallax. However, the Moon’s declination range, as F observers, the middle of each seen through, and the brighter it if we want to ask where the the declination of the full Moons year brings summer, and the appears, so the full Moon should Moon passes directly overhead, range from roughly 18.5 degrees Sun rides high in the daytime appear a little brighter than usual the geocentric positions are fine, north to 18.5 degrees south. sky and the full Moon rides low for people in the continental U.S. as an observer seeing the Moon During the 2024–2025 period in the nighttime sky. Near the But of course the brightness of directly overhead would be on the the nodal rotation next brings the end of each year, close to the the full Moon depends primarily line between the center of the Moon to its farthest point from December solstice, the positions on its distance from Earth. The Earth and the Moon, so would the equator, and the full Moons are reversed. Note that the range Earth-Moon distance varies from have no parallactic correction to range in declination up to about in declination of the full Moons about 357,000 to 405,000 km. The the Moon’s position as compared 28.5 degrees north and south. is less than the range of declina- distance varies in a complicated with geocentric coordinates. During the current year, 2018, tions for the Sun during the years way that is not in sync with the here are many ways to look at the maximum lunar declination 2014 to 2016. The second plot phase or declination of the Moon. T this huge list of numbers. The starts to increase noticeably. The shows the same data for the years The full Moon of December 15, maximum northerly declination full Moon on January 2, 2018, 2024, 2025, and 2026. The range 2024, will be at a distance of reached by the Moon occurs on was the first full Moon above +20 of declination for the full Moons 370,400 km, which is somewhat March 7, 2025, when the Moon is degrees declination in about 5 is now clearly larger than that for closer than average, but certainly at declination of +28.71 degrees years. Over the next 7 or 8 years the Sun. For the years between not a particularly close approach. the full Moons near the December and is about 60 percent illumi- these plots (more plots can be re there any upcoming solstice will pass a little higher nated. (All dates are given in found on my website), the early particularly close full in the sky each year for northern A Universal Time, so they may differ northern winter full Moon will Moons that will also be at ex- hemisphere observers. one day from local dates.) For cross the meridian a little higher treme northerly or southerly dec- southern hemisphere observers, in the sky each year. Thus the I present two plots, each lination? The term “supermoon” the maximum southerly declina- width of the lunar zenithal zone of which shows the declinations has been applied to full Moons tion is −28.72 degrees on March is smaller than the tropical zone of full Moons and the that are particularly close to 22, 2025, with the Moon 52 in 2014–2016 and larger than the declination of the Sun. Earth. There are various defini- percent illuminated. However, tropical zone in 2024–2026. tions of supermoon, but one is these are not particularly unusual The first figure is for years The northernmost full Moon that the full Moon is closer than occurrences, as there are many 2015, 2016, and 2017. The date will occur on December 15, 90 percent of all full Moons. dates when the Moon reaches and declination of each full Moon 2024, at a declination of +28.22 I made a list of the closest 10 almost as far north or south. is shown as a filled circle. The degrees. In the continental United percent of full Moons over the Undoubtedly the greatest visu- solid line is the declination of States, southern parts of Florida 2014–2034 period and compared

Figure 1: Sun and full Moons, 2015–2017. The date and declination of each full Moon Figure 2: Sun and full Moons, 2024–2026. During these years, the declination range is shown as a filled circle. The line is the declination of the Sun. During these years, the of the full Moons is at its maximum. As seen from the Earth, the full Moons clearly declination range of the full Moons is at its minimum. The full Moons do not reach range farther north and south than does the Sun. as far north and south as does the Sun.

20 REFLECTOR ✶ DECEMBER 2 0 1 8 this to the list of high-declination Moon on December 4, 2025 he full Moon closest to Earth near full Moon makes the Moon Moons. Four full Moons stand (+27.25 degrees) will come within T during the 2014–2034 period look flat and uninteresting. These out. The full Moon of December 800 km (0.22%) or so of the was that of November 14, 2016. nights would be good for some 24, 2026, will be not only the closest Moon. For observers in This full Moon was only about 101 nighttime hiking or cross-country third most northerly full Moon the southern hemisphere, the full km (0.03 percent) farther than skiing, and for contemplating the (+27.29 degrees) but will also be Moon of July 13, 2022, (−26.20 the closest 21st-century Moon ap- many motions of our magnificent the fifth closest of the 247 full degrees) will be about 1000 km proach. The full Moon of January Moon. Moons between 2014 and 2034! (0.27%) farther than the closest 2, 2018, was the second closest More detailed plots and This full Moon will come within Moon, and the full Moon of June full Moon of the 2014–2034 peri- various lists of full Moons and a scant 304 km (0.09 percent) of 14, 2022 (−25.88 degrees) will od, only about 90 km farther from hourly lunar positions can the closest the Moon approaches be within 1200 km (0.36 percent) Earth than the November 2016 be found at my website, Earth in the entire 21st century. of the closest the Moon comes in full Moon. hildaandtrojanasteroids.net. ­ê The closest approach between the 21st century. These combina- These nights of bright, high-fly- the Moon (any phase) and the tions of particularly high (or low) ing full Moons would be particu- Dr. William Romanishin is Earth in the 21st century will declination and close distance larly bad nights to look for faint emeritus professor of astronomy at occur on December 6, 2052, at should make these full Moons just galaxies or nebulae. They would the University of Oklahoma and a a center-to-center distance of about the brightest possible for even be poor nights to look at the visiting scholar at Northern Arizona 356,421 km (Sky & Telescope, northern or southern hemisphere Moon through a telescope, as the University. August 1981, p. 110). The full observers at mid-latitudes. lack of shadows of lunar features GALLERY

More GALLERY can be found on pages 29–30

NOTE: We can’t do this image justice at this size in the magazine. At full size, mapped to 300 pixels per inch, the Moon’s diameter would be over 17 inches!

Thomas Spirock (Springfield Telescope Makers) Full Moon, July 28, 2018, taken with the Warner & Swasey / Brashear 6-inch refractor at Mt. Wilson Observatory, operating at f/15, with a ZWO ASI1600MM camera and a wide-band red filter. Initial data was twelve 30 second (~200 images) videos — four sections of the Moon each captured with 2, 4, and 6 millisecond exposures. Each video was converted to a single image with AutoStakkert!, using the best 32 images. RegiStax was used for wavelet processing. Each group of four images was stitched together with Adobe Photoshop, to make three complete images of the full Moon, at 2, 4, and 6 millisecond exposures. The three images were then combined into one HDR image using Photomatix Essentials. © 2018 Mt. Wilson Institute and Thomas J. Spirock THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 21 Things to a Void SOME PARTS OF THE UNIVERSE ARE EMPTIER THAN OTHERS

By Dave Tosteson

e sit at the edge of an larger. Our Milky Way galaxy is Local Void. In cosmic terms, its the size of our Local Group of W ocean. Not of water, but engulfed in structures moving near edge is close, twenty million galaxies. Imagine standing near of empty space. And it is getting away from what is called the light-years, just a few diameters Oregon’s west coast and gazing

credit: Wikipedia

22 REFLECTOR ✶ DECEMBER 2 0 1 8 toward Asia on the other side of In a 1981 issue of Astrophys- bers may improve our perception help visualize voids’ relationships. the Pacific. Unlike that largest ical Journal, Robert Kirshner of that process. Current estimates Consider a flat representation of body of water, the Local Void is and others published research suggest they contain from 5 to Earth, as on a Mercator map. If expanding, with galaxies on the on a “million cubic megaparsec 20 percent of the mean space the Pacific is used to represent far side receding from its center. void in Boötes,” convincing early density of galaxies. the Local Void, with the conser- How and why this is occurring researchers in this field of their Although voids were initially vative estimate of 150 million informs the expansion of the existence. Located several hun- thought deserted and empty after light-years for its breadth at the Universe, mysterious dark energy dred million light-years from us, it their discovery in 1978, studies latitude of mid–North America, and familiar gravity. As observers, was 250 million light-years across quickly found faint galaxies in then our home is one-seventh of we have a front row seat to de and revealed only 60 galaxies them, similar to small islands of its diameter from the edge, or in Cipher du Mer, a play of unfold- in a space normally containing the Aleutian arc or the Hawaiian the middle of Montana. An ele- ing pelagy where we shall not see nothing.

“(The Local Void) is so large that if our Milky Way had been situated on its own within the void’s core, discovery of external galaxies might not have occurred until the 1960s.”

n 1987, Brent Tully and Rick I Fisher announced the discovery of an area of space adjoining ours that was distinctly lacking in gal- axies. Though not the first of its kind identified, this Local Void in credit: ESA/Durham University, UK the direction of eastern Hercules and Aquila extended for at least 10,000. As clarity followed better chain. We can envision galaxies vated lookout could see beacons 150 million light-years. Recent data, the number of galaxies within voids related to dark mat- of light representing galaxies to studies have suggested it could identified within the Boötes Void ter filaments as being counter- great distances. Many galaxies be much larger, up to a billion rose from the initial count. The parts to underwater architecture would sit between us and the near light-years across. It is so large Hercules Supercluster containing supporting what is seen above the edge of the Local Void at Seaside, that if our Milky Way had been Abell galaxy clusters 2147, 2151, surface. In his book Over the Edge over six hundred miles away, and situated on its own within the and 2152 seems to sit on the near of the World, Laurence Bergreen we would strain to see the dim void’s core, discovery of external side of this void. described the vast liquid desert lights of the far side at Hokkaido, galaxies might not have occurred The Eridanus Supervoid is so of a becalmed Pacific Ocean, and Japan, five thousand miles west. until the 1960s. In 1997, Nakani- large at almost 1 billion light- the hardships Magellan’s crew shi and colleagues used redshifts years across, it was considered to endured attempting its maiden “On the void-facing to study motions of 828 galaxies correlate with a cold spot on the crossing. hemisphere, nighttime in the area around the Local Void Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Their very survival was in would be a vast, to assess its boundary dynamics. Probe (WMAP) cosmic microwave jeopardy when they underestimat- starless desert.” Our Local Group of galaxies is background radiation (CMBR) ed its breadth by a factor of three part of what is termed the Local map. Further studies in 2017 and missed finding any substan- Imagine the night sky on a Sheet, 23 million light-years in suggested the cold spot is not one tial islands dotting its interior. planet in the outer halo of a galaxy length and roughly centered on giant supervoid, but more likely They were saved only by spotting within such a Tenebrae. On the the Milky Way. In 2007, Tully and a collection of smaller ones. One Rota and Guam in the Northern void-facing hemisphere, nighttime others described the “peculiar of the largest known voids is in Mariana Islands. Their journey would be a vast, starless desert. motion” of our Local Group the direction of the constellation to the “Spice Islands” of what is Without a small telescope, the and Sheet away from the Local Canes Venatici. This “Giant Void” now Indonesia would soon fill, for nearest external galaxies would Void with a velocity of 260 km is 1.2 billion light-years across Europe, the void of fleeting trade be invisible, several hundred times per second. In 2011, Iwata and and 1.5 billion light-years away. left by China’s recalled Treasure fain ter than the naked eye could Chamaraux presented research Voids likely evolve through merg- Fleet. see. As our ability to spot fainter consistent with galaxies on the ers of their own, so discovering dwarf galaxies within voids has far side of the void also receding their galactic muster with deep ith a few adjustments, improved, so estimates of their from its center. surveys to spot faint dwarf mem- Wthe ocean analogy may galactic density have increased.° THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 23 KK 246 (ESO 461-36) credit: HST, NASA NGC 7077 credit: Sloan Digital Sky Survey CGCG 84-14 credit: Sloan Digital Sky Survey

he Galaxy and Mass Assembly billion years ago they constituted low-surface-brightness wraith was In September 2014, our T survey (GAMA) found what only 9 percent of space. By seven descried in my 32-inch reflector “home” got a remodel. Tully and researchers term “tendrils” billion years ago, the halfway under moderately poor condi- his colleagues published a new within voids, strings of galaxies at point in our Universe’s lifetime, tions. NGC 7077 is a 14th-mag- map of the Local Supercluster, the limit of detection, rather like this was 28 percent, and present- nitude peculiar S0 galaxy at the enlarged to contain 100,000 gal- discovering underwater mountain ly voids make up more than half northern border of Aquarius that axies stretched over 500 million chains just below the surface of its volume. In the far future, I spotted in my 25-inch scope light-years. The Supercluster was an ocean. Alpaslan and colleagues we’ll be as polar bears drifting from my home in 1993. NGC given the liltingly beautiful name suggest we are seeing the tip apart on receding Arctic islands 6503, an 11th-magnitude spiral “Laniakea,” Hawaiian for “immea- of the galactic density iceberg of ice, victims of an altered infra- 3.6 degrees north of NGC 6543 surable heaven.” It seemed an within these voids, and, as our structure. in Draco, is visible in small tele- ironic choice, having just done so. surveys improve, more accurate scopes. The 9.5-magnitude face- I could feel my paradigm shifting, counts will surface. There are Since amateurs cannot on spiral NGC 6946 may sit on as I was visually and conceptually more things in heaven to unearth directly appreciate distance at the near edge of the Local Void. comfortable with our old neigh- (a ratio) than are imaged in our the eyepiece, what is there for It is a large, low-surface-bright- borhood. But new journeys and telosophy. visual observers to see? ness object, and would be more rewards await the open-minded. spectacular if not located directly There is a ship on the frontispiece What causes voids to form, How do we put these con- behind the dust plane of the of Francis Bacon’s 1620 book The and how are they changing with cepts in perspective? Just as we Milky Way. Great Instauration, embarking time? Tiny quantum fluctuations cannot discern overall structure on a voyage of discovery onto an imprinted in space-time just after in superclusters of galaxies in n a 2011 Astronomy & Astro- apparently empty ocean. As we the Big Bang 13.8 billion years our telescopes, so it is with voids. I physics paper, Iwata identified navigate its increasingly recog- ago grew into density variations They are too large to appreciate galaxies on the far side of the nized structure, sweet tendrils noted in the cosmic microwave within the small fields of view of Local Void, including two 15th- and archipelagos to a void may background radiation. From these our instruments, so we need ga- magnitude objects, CGCG 84-14 turn just desert into just desert. ­ê humble clumps within the dark lactic distances to piece together and UGC 11417, that should be matter backbone that underlies their three-dimensional struc- readily available to moderate-size REFERENCES: and guides their growth, individ- ture. Future observers may use instruments. Grogin and Geller ual galaxies and clusters have published an Astronomical Alpaslan and others, 2014, redshift or distance indicators MNRAS: Letters, 440, L106. evolved. Voids may form when to show unequivocally which are Journal article in 2000, and from their Center for Astrophysics Bergreen, 2003, Over the Edge of the World, gravity within this spine contracts near the front edge of the Local William Morrow and Co. redshift survey data I was able and feeds unused gas and smaller Void, which reside within it, and Galaxy and Mass Assembly survey to espy four of their galaxies (GAMA), 2014. structures along filaments into which outline its distant border. clusters and superclusters, the noted within three prominent Grogin and Geller, 2000, AJ, 119, 32. hubs of galaxy formation. Clues Tully’s data from 2008 show voids: MCG+4-2-1, MCG+4-2-2, Iwata and Chamaraux, 2011, A&A, 531, A87. may be emerging about the roles galaxies within the Local Void, Markarian 305, and UGC 12066. Kirshner and others, 1981, ApJL, 248, L57. in their growth played by dark including the ghostly dwarf KK Interest by astronomers in voids Nakanishi and others, 1997, ApJS, 112, 245. energy and the general expansion 246 (ESO 461-36) moving toward has been mounting in the last Tully and Fisher, 1987, Nearby Galaxies Atlas, of the Universe. As time passes, us with voidbreak velocity. Only decade, reflected in the numbers Cambridge University Press. a greater percentage of space faintly visible on the POSS 2 of papers with galaxies accessible Tully and others, 2008, ApJ, 676, 184. is being occupied by voids. Nine red plate, this 17th-magnitude, to amateur visual observation. Tully and others, 2014, Nature, 513, 71.

24 REFLECTOR ✶ DECEMBER 2 0 1 8 PHOTOGRAPHING THE MOON IN DAYLIGHT

By John Duchek from the picture, remove the light had been up since about 6 a.m. I about 8 o’clock in the morning. I am an “evening” astronomer scattering, and give dark edges to went out and tested my idea using wrapped my Orion ED80 and took I and enjoy getting my sleep. the pictures. my insulation-wrapped 7-inch images covering the complete Apparently, so are many of us, as Mak-Cas Sky-Watcher. I took a Moon. For each picture I took most lunar observing is done on series of photos from prime focus. 10,500 frames and used about the waxing moon, not the waning Since this was a test, I only took 10 percent of the frames. It took moon. One can see many more about 1500 images and stacked two pictures to capture the entire photos of the waxing Moon in about half. Normally I would Moon. The image of the complete magazines, on websites, and even take ten times as many images. last-quarter Moon was stacked NASA’s lunar impact monitoring The picture in this article shows in AviStack 2.0, deconvolved in program has caught fewer impact- an unusual view of the Straight Astra Image, and photomerged in ing meteoroids in the early morn- Wall. Pictures of the waxing Photoshop CS3. ing hours than in the evening. Moon show it as a dark shadow. Since the time that I took This picture catches it in bright One night several years ago these, I purchased a used sunlight. I felt all of the pictures I had my Orion 10-inch reflector 9.25-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain were quite successful, although out at 3 a.m. and took pictures of telescope from a man in Texas. more frames would have given me the Moon until dawn. As the Sun He had wrapped the scope in Re- less noise. I took 28 pictures that rose, the pictures deteriorated flectix and told me that it cooled Skywatcher 7-inch f/15 Mak-Cas mounted morning and saw no degradation very quickly. When I went to put faster this way. I suspect that on Losmandy G11, taken on August 4 as the time progressed. the equipment away, I could feel isn’t the correct explanation, but a lot of differential heating on On August 4, the last-quar- fter that success, I decided the result may well be the same. the metal tube. The side in the ter Moon was high in the sky A to use my Orion ED80 to The Reflectix likely slows the sunlight was quite warm to the at dawn — 57 degrees high and get a picture of the complete cooling so much that the optical touch while the side in shadow transiting at about 7 a.m. — so I last-quarter Moon on August 5. tube assembly stays at essentially still held the night’s chill. I figured got out there at 7:45 a.m. The Sun These pictures were also taken at the same temperature as ° that was why I saw the quick loss of resolution as the Sun rose. This summer I was having difficulty with sunlight streaming into my house and heating my study. I went to Lowe’s and pur- chased some of their Reflectix re- flective roll insulation. It worked well in my room, and when I thought back to my problem with the Orion reflector, I realized this might be part of the answer.

rom years of taking pictures, F I know that the higher the Moon is in the sky, the better it is for viewing and photos. I usually don’t bother if the Moon is below about 45 degrees altitude. My camera for infrared use is a monochrome ZWO ASI120MM-S camera. I put a 1.25-inch infrared pass filter on it and went out to capture the daylight Moon. The purpose of the infrared pass filter Mare Nubium test image (1300 frames) taken on August 4. Note the appearance of the Straight Wall is to cut out all of the visible light in the different lighting of the waning Moon

THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 25 when he brought it out, just as it did in my daytime use. Since the whole tube assembly is at a uniform temperature (although not equilibrated with the outside temperature) he got very good images with this setup. I am trying to test that idea now by putting a thermometer probe under the Reflectix and seeing how this temperature compares with the outside air temperature as an evening pro- gresses, and how that affects the imaging. ê

Credits: All pictures were taken by John R. Duchek, PhD, near Carrizozo, New Mexico. Orion ED80, taken on August 5 Photomerged images of the last-quarter Moon (10,500 frames each). The photo is reproduced The author thanks his wife, Barbara, for here significantly cropped in order to allow detail to survive our printing process. proofreading the article.

of that, participants have access radio telescope: the antenna, the ideas for mitigation of interfer- to the 20-meter and 40-foot radio receiver, and the output display ence can include shielding, filters, RADIO dishes and get a tour of the GBO or device. Like optical telescopes, recognizing the periodicity of the facilities. A spring conference is radio telescopes vary in perfor- interference, and using calibra- also held in the western part of mance depending on many fac- tion noise sources to gauge the ASTRONOMY the United States. tors. However, a modest-cost radio sensitivity of the system. The starting cost for a radio telescope used for a specific pur- t is possible for amateurs to telescope is about $100, but the pose, such as SuperSID (solar/ I observe the Sun, the Moon FOR cost can, of course, rise much ionospheric) or Radio Jove (Ju- and planets, galaxies, molecular higher. Access to large, profes- piter) observations, can be quite clouds, galactic hydrogen, masers, sional, remote radio telescopes sufficient for its purpose. While satellites, pulsars, spectroscopic AMATEURS is possible through various many amateurs collect their own peaks, supernovae, and occulta- programs. Amateur radio tele- data through their personal pur- tions. Amateurs also delight in scopes usually require someone suits, some data is collected for honing their analytical skills and By Steve Tzikas to construct or assemble them. the benefit of professionals. Other building their radio telescopes. Afterward, getting them to work data, or projects, are published in n 1981, the Society of Amateur Signal quality can become an properly, and understanding the the SARA Journal and are read by Radio Astronomers (SARA) issue when trying to detect weak I data gathered, can require some both amateurs and professionals. was founded as the first national astronomical targets, especially at time. There is something to fit an accurate flux density. Proper amateur organization dedicated or an amateur backyard radio everyone’s level of experience calibration, observation tech- to radio astronomy. There are telescope, there are many in radio astronomy. Some of the F niques, instrumentation accesso- over 400 SARA members world- sources of potential interference: more sophisticated projects might ries, observing parameters, and wide, from people wanting to appliances, fluorescent lights, challenge a PhD in electrical engi- signal processing can help. learn the field who have no prior electric fences, lawn mowers, ra- neering. Getting involved in radio knowledge, to radio technology dio towers, satellites, cell phones, Since radio astronomy is a astronomy will offer the individu- enthusiasts and professionals. the radio telescope itself, and relatively new field, there is only al a lifelong learning experience, Every summer SARA holds its reflections, to name a few. Howev- limited amateur-level literature and will allow a person to pursue annual conference at the Green er, this is not to say that interfer- available to guide an amateur their interest day or night, and Bank Observatory in Green Bank, ence will be detected, or that the radio astronomer. That’s where under rainy, clear, or cloudy skies. West Virginia, where partici- interference will cause a problem SARA is extremely helpful — an pants hear cutting-edge lectures he space needed for a radio for an observation. Interference is active email listserv is invalu- covering the latest innovations T telescope can be small, like specific to a certain frequency, so able for discussing technical in amateur radio astronomy and that of an optical telescope, or if an astronomical target radiates issues. Visiting the SARA website are treated to distinguished radio much larger, requiring a de- at a different frequency, one just (radio-astronomy.org) is often the astronomer keynote speakers, cent-size backyard. There are needs to understand the output first step in discovering the world including Nobel laureates. On top three basic components to a and what is being observed. Some of amateur radio astronomy. ê­­­­

26 REFLECTOR ✶ DECEMBER 2 0 1 8 Comet Observing Program Lunar II Observing Program No. 40, Becky Ramotowski, Gold, The Albuquerque No. 89, Phil Harrington, Member-at-Large; Observing Awards Astronomical Society; No. 100, Raymond B. Howard, No. 90, Linda Huffman, Member-at-Large; Silver, Member-at-Large; No. 101, C. Ward Trussell Jr., No. 91, Vincent Giovannoni, Member-at-Large Silver, Northern Virginia Astronomy Club MASTER OBSERVER AWARD PROGRAM Editor’s Note: Congratulations to all these Constellation Hunter Observing Program Observer Award (Northern Skies) outstanding astronomical observers! All awards, William Bogardus, Amateur Observers’ Society of No. 208, Rich Krahling, Richland Astronomical Society; except for the Herschel 400 and Sky Puppies, New York; Jean Napp, Iowa County Astronomers; No. 209, Brian McGuinness, Northern Colorado require current Astronomical League membership Stephen L. Snider, The Albuquerque Astronomical Astronomical Society; No. 210, Terry Trees, Amateur Society for eligibility. If you have questions about an Astronomers of Pittsburgh award, please contact the corresponding Observing Master Observer Award Dark Sky Advocate Observing Award Program chair. Their contact information can be No. 215, Chuck Stewart, Rose City Astronomers No. 13, Vincent Michael Bournique, Member-at-Large found on the Observing Program website at www. Advanced Observer Award astroleague.org/observing. If further assistance is Deep Sky Binocular Observing Program William Bogardus, Amateur Observers’ Society of No. 400, Gary Whelan, Member-at-Large; No. 401, required please contact either of the national New York Observing Program coordinators. Robert Abraham, Shreveport-Bossier Astronomical Society; No. 402, Christen K. Slotten, Olympic Master Observer Award — Silver Advanced Binocular Double Star Astronomical Society Nora Jean Chetnik, Member-at-Large Observing Program Double Star Observing Program Master Observer Award — Platinum No. 28, Rakhal Kincaid, Haleakala Amateur No. 613, Gordon Pegue, The Albuquerque Astronomical Aaron Clevenson, North Houston Astronomy Club Astronomers; No. 29, David Whalen, Atlanta Society; No. 614, Fernando Torres, The Albuquerque Astronomy Club; No. 30, Paul Harrington, Binocular Master Observer Award Astronomical Society; No. 615, Mark Teran, Member-at- Member-at-Large Mark Simonson, Everett Astronomical Society Large; No. 616, Al Hamrick, Raleigh Astronomy Club Beyond Polaris Messier Observing Program Earth Orbiting Satellite Observing Program No. 2791, John Remaly, Regular, The Albuquerque No. 17, Vincent Michael Bournique, Member-at-Large; (EOSOC) Astronomical Society; No. 2792, Nicholas Rich, Regular, No. 18, Steve Boerner, Astronomical Society of No. 35, Marilyn Perry, Member-at-Large Eastern Missouri Member-at-Large; No. 2793, Raymond David Whatley, Flat Galaxy Observing Program Regular, Northeast Florida Astronomical Society; No. Binocular Double Star Observing Program No. 34, Marie Lott, Regular, Atlanta Astronomy Club 2794, Alfred Schovanez, Honorary, Astronomical Society No. 31, Becky Ramotowski, The Albuquerque Globular Cluster Observing Program of Eastern Missouri; No. 2795, Craig Lamison, Honorary, Astronomical Society; No. 137, Brook Belay, Atlanta Houston Astronomical Society Astronomy Club. No. 314-V, Gordon Pegue, The Albuquerque Astronomical Society; No. 315-V, Seth Jelen, Meteor Observing Program Binocular Messier Observing Program Rose City Astronomers No. 187, Pamela Lubkans, 30 hours, Member-at-Large; No. 1142, Gary Dietz, Astronomy Enthusiasts of No. 190, Fred Schumacher, 12 hours, Member-at-Large; Lancaster County; No. 1143, Robert J. Olsen, Herschel 400 Observing Program No. 595, Rene Scandone Gedaly, Houston Astronomical No. 191, Gergory T. Shanos, 6 hours, Local Group of Member-at-Large; No. 1144, Janet Rush, Delaware Deep Sky Observers Valley Amateur Astronomers; No. 1145, Dale Eason, Society; No. 596, Alan Scott, The Albuquerque Minnesota Astronomical Society; No. 1146, Astronomical Society; No. 597, Ron Ziss, Naperville NEO Observing Program Mike Conley, Night Sky 45 Astronomy Club; Astronomical Society; No. 598, Orv Wiens, Houston No. 16, Jeff Haidet, Intermediate, Toledo Astronomical No. 1147, Matt Allen, Omaha Astronomical Society; Astronomical Society; No. 599, Gary Fugman, Northeast Association; No. 17, Jeff Haidet, Advanced, Toledo No. 1148, Joe Comiskey, Kalamazoo Astronomical Nebraska Astronomy Club Astronomical Association Society; No. 1149, Arya Jayatilaka, Kalamazoo Herschel Society Nova Observing Program Astronomical Society; No. 1150, John Cassidy, No. 1, Al Lamperti, Gold, Delaware Valley Amateur No. 1, Raymond B. Howard, Gold, Member-at-Large; No. Ventura County Astronomical Society; Astronomers; No. 2, Michael Hotka, Silver, Longmont 2, Michael A. Hotka, Silver, Longmont Astronomical No. 1151, Edgar G. Fischer, The Albuquerque Astronomical Society; No. 3, Ted Forte, Silver, Huachuca Society Astronomical Society; No. 1152, Susan Johnson-Roehr, Astronomy Club; No. 4, Brad Young, Silver, Astronomy Outreach Observing Award Member-at-Large; No. 1153, Neil Perlin, Member-at- Club of Tulsa; No. 5, David M. Douglass, Silver, East No. 560-M, Robert C. Pettengill Jr., Austin Astronomical Large; No. 1154, Gus Gomez, Tucson Amateur Astronomy Valley Astronomers Association Society; No. 726-M, Robert Fish, Boise Astronomical Lunar Observing Program Society; No. 895-S, Edward Fraini, Houston Binocular Variable Star Observing Program No. 1033, Fernando Torres, The Albuquerque Astronomical Society; No. 926-S, Aneesa Haq, Fort Bend No. 27, Russell F. Pinizzotto, Southern Maine Astrono- Astronomical Society; No. 1034, Charles Fry, Astronomy Astronomy Club; No. 999-S, Joel Cohen, Prescott mers; No. 28, Steve Boerner, Member-at-Large; No. 29, Enthusiasts of Lancaster County; No. 1035, Astronomy Club; No. 1019-S, Dewey Barker, Escambia Antone G. Gregory, Minnesota Astronomical Society; Bill Hennessy, Neville Public Museum Astronomical Amateur Astronomers Association; No. 1025-O, No. 30, Chuck Stewart, Rose City Astronomers; No. 31, Society; No. 1036, Brian McGuinness, Northern Colorado Nora Jean Chetnik, Member-at-Large; No. 1026-O, Mark Simonson, Everett Astronomical Society Astronomical Society; No. 1037, Carlos Gramajo, North John E. Swaim, Central Arkansas Astronomical Society; Carbon Star Observing Program Houston Astronomy Club; No. 1038, Joana Tan, North No. 1027-O, Teresa Bippert-Plymate, Big Bear Valley No. 95, Dan Posey, Hill Country Astronomers; Houston Astronomy Club Astronomical Society; No. 1028-O, Claude Plymate, Big No. 96, John L. Goar, Olympic Astronomical Society Bear Valley Astronomical Society; No. 1029-O,

THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 27 Corinne Shaw, Prescott Astronomy Club; No. 1030-O, Two in the View Observing Program Derek Herrman, Bartlesville Astronomical Society; No. 33, Gordon Pegue, The Albuquerque Astronomical ROYAL No. 1031-S, Brian McGuinness, Northern Colorado Society STRONOMICAL Astronomical Society; No. 1032-O, Denise Boyle, Flint A Urban Observing Program OCIETY River Astronomy Club; No. 1033-O, Rick Rader, Roanoke S No. 194, Alan Scott, The Albuquerque Astronomical Valley Astronomical Society; No. 1034-O, Brett Boller, OF ANADA Society; No. 195, Seth Jelen, Rose City Astronomers; No. C Prairie Astronomy Club; No. 1035-O, David Thomas, 196, Benjamin Jones, The Albuquerque Astronomical Canada's Astronomy Club Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society; No. 1036-M, Society Linda Hoffmeister, Olympic Astronomical Society; No. 1037-O, Paul Oliver Caffrey, Roanoke Valley Variable Star Observing Program League Sales is Astronomical Society; No. 1038-O, Matt Allen, Omaha No. 30, Chuck Stewart, Rose City Astronomers Astronomical Society; No. 1039-O, Carolyn Alter, Rose THE place to City Astronomers; No. 1040-O, Bruce Alter, Rose City Astronomers; No. 1041-O, Richard S. Wright Jr., Central get your Florida Astronomical Society; No. 1042-S, Coming Events Johnny Scarborough, Central Texas Astronomical 2019 RASC Society; No. 1043-O, Chris Kagy, Northern Virginia JANUARY 30–FEBRUARY 3 Astronomy Club; No. 1044-O, Tracy Beals, Olympic Astronomical Society; No. 1045-O, Salvator Jordano, Orange Blossom Special International Star Party, Observer's Prescott Astronomy Club; No. 1046-O, Steve Johnson, Withlacoochee River Park, Dade City, Florida; Big Bear Valley Astronomical Society; No. 1047-O, www.stpeteastronomyclub.org/obs.php Handbook Greg Lutes, Prescott Astronomy Club; No. 1048-O, FEBRUARY 2 Vincent Michael Bournique, Member-at-Large; Regional Meeting of Amateur Astronomers, a.k.a. and Calendar! No. 1049-O, Chris Griffin, Popular Astronomy Club; BoBfest, Catawba Science Center, Hickory, North No. 1050-O, Liz Sierra-Griffin, Popular Astronomy Club; Carolina; www.catawbasky.org No. 1051-O, Eva Griffin, Popular Astronomy Club; FEBRUARY 4–10 No. 1052-O, Mae Smith, Tucson Amateur Astronomy Winter Star Party, Camp Weesumkee, Big Pine Key, Association; No. 1053-O, Gustavo Gomez, Tucson $24 each + shipping; Florida; www.scas.org/home/winterstarparty Amateur Astronomy Association; No. 1054-M, for orders of 12 or more MARCH 31–APRIL 7 Dean Ketelsen, Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association; – $23 each OzSky Star Safari (a.k.a. Deepest South Texas Star No. 1055-O, Cheryl Read, Tucson Amateur Astronomy with free shipping! Association; No. 1056-M, Fernando Torres, The Safari), Coonabarabran, New South Wales, Australia; Albuquerque Astronomical Society; No. 1057-O, www.ozsky.org Dave Eisfeldt, Central Texas Astronomical Society; APRIL 3–6 No. 1058-O, Johnny Barton, Central Texas Astronomical Mid-South Star Gaze and Astronomy Conference, French Society Camp, Mississippi; rainwaterobservatory.org/events Planetary Nebula Observing Program APRIL 12–13 No. 12, Imaging, John Sikora, Member-at-Large; North Carolina Statewide Star Party — 50 public No. 35, Basic Manual, Kevin C. Carr, Minnesota skywatching events from the North Carolina mountains Quantities are limited!! Astronomical Society to the coast; www.ncsciencefestival.org/starparty Sky Puppy Observing Program JUNE 8 No. 50, Dominic Angelo, Member-at-Large; No. 51, Apollo Rendezvous, Miami Valley Astronomical Society, Gianna Neckel, Flint River Astronomy Club; No. 52, $18 each + shipping; Dayton, Ohio; www.mvas.org/node/5372 Tyler Lavin, Atlanta Astronomy Club for orders of 12 or more – $17 each Plus! with free shipping! Explore the Universe Guide Perfect for those who are learning their way around the night sky. $20 each + shipping

Place your order at League Sales https://store.astroleague.org

28 REFLECTOR ✶ DECEMBER 2 0 1 8 GALLERY all photos © their respective creators

Ryan Jones (Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri) took this image of M101 from the Danville Conservation Area using an Orion EON 130 refractor with a ZWO ASI1600MM camera on an iOptron CEM60 mount.

Paul Patterson (Greensboro Astronomy Club) took this image of the Iris Nebula (NGC 7023) using a Sky-Watcher Esprit 100 mm ED APO with a ZWO ASI1600MM CMOS camera on an iOptron CEM60EC mount.

THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE 29 GALLERY all photos © their respective creators

Gregg Ruppel (Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri) took this composite image of Comet 21P/Giacobini–Zinner and M35 from his remote observatory in Animas, New Mexico, with an f/3.8 ASA 10N Astrograph with a SBIG STL-11000M CCD camera.

Steven Bellavia (Amateur Observers’ Society of New York) created this image of Comet 21P/Giacobini–Zinner and IC 443 using a William Optics Star 71 with a ZWO ASI183MC CMOS camera on a Celestron AVX mount.

30 REFLECTOR ✶ DECEMBER 2 0 1 8 LLeagueeague SalesSales areare online!online! ObserveObserve GlobularGlobular EclipsesEclipses ThThee League’sLeague’s onlineonline storestore isis availableavailable atat thethe webswebsiittee ClustersClusters RegularlyRegularly $18,$18, www.astroleague.orgwww.astroleague.org.. ClickClick onon thethe linklink onon thethe leftleft sideside ofof $14$14 plusplus SaleSale priceprice $9$9 plus $3 S&H thethe homehome page.page. TheThe onlineonline storestore includesincludes thethe latestlatest shoppingshopping $3$3 S&HS&H plus $3 S&H cartcart technologytechnology andand acceptsaccepts creditcredit cards.cards. ShippingShipping && handlinghandling (S&H)(S&H) isis calculatedcalculated atat checkout.checkout. MerchandiseMerchandise isis alsoalso availableavailable byby mailmail order,order, payablepayable byby check.check. PleasePlease selectselect youryour items,items, addadd Meteors—Meteors— Universe thethe applicableapplicable S&HS&H fee,fee, andand mailmail youryour orderorder to:to: AA GuideGuide toto Universe Sampler AstronomicalAstronomical LeagueLeague SalesSales thethe MeteorsMeteors Sampler Observing $10$10 plusplus 92019201 WardWard Parkway,Parkway, SuiteSuite 100100 Observing Program $3$3 S&HS&H Kansas City, MO 64114 Program Kansas City, MO 64114 $10 plus IfIf youyou havehave questionsquestions aboutabout thethe merchandise,merchandise, $10 plus oror discountsdiscounts onon bulkbulk orders,orders, pleaseplease callcall thethe LeagueLeague $4$4 S&HS&H office,office, 816-DEEP-SKY,816-DEEP-SKY, oror emailemail [email protected]@astroleague.org.. AstronomyAstronomy forfor Sky Puppies Sky Puppies EducatorsEducators Observing Observing HandbookHandbook RASC 2019 Observer’s Handbook Manual– RASC 2019 Observer’s Handbook Manual– AA CourseCourse USA Version For the Sky Puppy USA Version For the Sky Puppy PlanningPlanning GuideGuide Limited Quantities–Order Early Observers Club Limited Quantities–Order Early Observers Club 5.5”5.5” xx 7.25”7.25” $24 plus $4.50 S&H Regularly $15, $24 plus $4.50 S&H Regularly $15, RegularlyRegularly $12,$12, Sale price $8 Sale price $8 SaleSale priceprice $6$6 plusplus $4$4 S&HS&H RASCRASC 20192019 CalendarCalendar plusplus $2$2 S&HS&H LimitedLimited Quantities–Quantities– OrderOrder EarlyEarly PlanetaryPlanetary ObserveObserve thethe $18$18 plusplus $7$7 S&HS&H NebulaeNebulae HerschelHerschel $14$14 plusplus ObjectsObjects $4$4 S&HS&H $6$6 plusplus 20502050 SportsmanSportsman BucketBucket HatHat $3$3 S&HS&H EmbroideredEmbroidered logo,logo, oneone size;size; khkhakiaki onlyonly $22$22 plusplus $5$5 S&HS&H

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THE ASTRONOMICAL L EAGUE 31 Membership Secretary NON-PROFIT Astronomical League ORGANIZATION National Office U .S . POSTAGE 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 PAID Kansas City, MO 64114 TUCSON, AZ #271

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