A quarterly newsletter for employees of The National Observatory

Volume 2, No. 3 Fall 1995

3Ulh Mmnmein '/TJ/7 (§)ff 140 [FtDtDt ITWO(BtBQ(Q)[p(B by Jay Lockman

Thirty years ago, on October 13, 1965, discovery of recombination lines and employees, former employees, and the 140 Foot telescope was dedicated. subsequent observations. The discovery retirees were present for the session and On September 30 of this year a birthday of formaldehyde and other important chipped in with their comments. We party for the telescope was held in Green molecules with the telescope was had a chance to renew acquaintance Bank as the culmination of several days covered by Lew Snyder, Pat Palmer, with a lot of old friends, among them of meetings and workshops centered on and Barry Turner. There was a session Herb Hanes, Max Gum Sr., Boyd the 140 Foot and the GBT. on the development of VLBI that Wright, Darrel Southern, Bob Viers, featured reminiscences by Marshall Russ and Pearl Clarkson, Neil Horner, The events started on Thursday Cohen, Dave Shaffer, and Jim Moran. Bill Lovelace, Maxine Foe, Irene September 28, with an all-day meeting Dave Heeschen traced the fascinating Varner, Dorsalene Henderson, Wally of the Advisory history of the construction of the 140 Oref, Harold Crist, Lake Sipe, Alfred Committee. This group consisted of Foot, "The First Ten Years, 1955- Collins, Bud Arbogast, Thurman Carl Heiles, Martha Haynes, Jerry 1965," while Hugh Van Horn described Cosner, Harry Payne, Pat Crane, Neil Nelson, V. Radhakrishnan, Sebastian events of that time from the perspective McLaughlin, and Jamie Sheets. von Hoerner, Sandy Weinreb, and Bob of the NSF. Joe Taylor recounted his Wilson. They met to review progress on early lunar occultation measurements With some reluctance the technical the new telescope and our plans for the that became his doctoral theses, while session was adjourned so that everyone coming years. As usual, the committee Jaap Baars and Sebastian von Hoerner could go down to the party at the made many comments and suggestions gave presentations about the 140 Foot telescope, where several large tents, a which will be of significant benefit to as a telescope, in comparison with podium/bandstand, and an outdoor the project. Most of the committee other instruments, and about phases of kitchen had been assembled. The party members were able to stay after the its development. There were also talks began with a few remarks by Hugh Van meeting for some or all of the by Tom Bania, Mort Roberts, Dave Horn, who is Director of the Division of subsequent 140 Foot events. Wilkinson, Juan Uson, Gerrit Astronomical of the NSF, and Verschuur, Bob Brown, David Nice, by Bernie Burke, who is an MIT On Friday and Saturday a Green Bank Jim Condon, and Seth Shostak. The Professor, member of the National Workshop was held on the topic of the proceedings of this Workshop will be Board and longtime NRAO scientific achievements of the 140 Foot, collected for publication. friend. Immediately after the speeches with a few interspersed talks on were concluded the music began, potential science with the GBT. This On Saturday October 29, there was a provided by the Bing Brothers, an Workshop attracted a capacity crowd of special Workshop segment on the outstanding West Virginia band. They about 60 scientists to Green Bank, chronology of the 140 Foot organized gave a concert of traditional fiddle and completely filling the residence hall, by Fred Crews, Howard Brown, banjo music while the 140 Foot loomed site houses, and nearby motels. Many of George Liptak, and Bob Vance. They in the background. At this time the the visiting scientists had been present covered all of the technical telescope was opened for tours of the when the 140 Foot was first developments from the debugging of control room, deck and spherical commissioned and were among the the brakes and the hydraulics, through bearing, and all points between. The early users of the telescope. At the the arrival of the mighty DDP-116 afternoon continued with a barbeque Workshop there were talks by Peter computer, and on to the installation of dinner that kept everyone occupied Mezger and Tom Wilson on the the Cassegrain house. Many (continued on back page)

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc. Scientific news

The "End Product" of CO Symposium by Simon Radford Discovery of Interstellar Carbon Monoxide Celebrated NRAO by David Nice IAU Symposium 170, "CO: Twenty Five Millimeter Telescope Project also held "Publish or perish" is a familiar phrase to Years of Millimeter Wave Spectroscopy," ancillary public sessions on May 27. everyone in academic circles. Individual was held from May 28 to June 2 in Tucson researchers have long realized that setting to celebrate the 1970 discovery of The highlight of the Symposium banquet their results in ink serves both themselves interstellar carbon monoxide by Robert was a delightful account by Robert Wilson (as a form of publicity) and the community Wilson, Keith Jefferts, and Amo Penzias, of the discovery observations of CO, at large (by disseminating useful who observed the molecule's 115 GHz illustrated with historical slides. To information). It is less often recognized spectral line with the NRAO 36 Foot commemorate the occasion, Wilson, that "publish or perish" applies to telescope on Kitt Peak. Jefferts, and Penzias were awarded institutions like the NRAO as well as plaques bearing small sections of the individual researchers. About 225 researchers from 19 countries original surface of the 36 Foot Telescope. participated in the Symposium. Over five We usually think of the "end product" of days, oral presentations covered all major The IAU, URSI, the SMTO, and AUI/ the NRAO as astronomical observations, aspects of Galactic and Extragalactic NRAO sponsored the Symposium. Several or perhaps scientific insight gained from research involving CO and other molecules. NRAO scientists presented their research these observations. However, it is through Topics included molecular clouds and the results at the meeting. Among the publication that observational results, as interstellar medium, cloud cores and members of the Scientific Organizing well as technical and instrumental formation, starbursts, evolved , galactic Committee were Harvey Liszt and Jaap developments, can be disseminated and nuclei, and the molecular gas content and Baars. Paul Vanden Bout introduced the used by the entire scientific community. distribution in other galaxies. Symposium. Bill Latter and Simon Because of the importance of publication, Radford co-chaired the Local Organizing the Observatory allocates substantial In addition, about 150 posters were on Committee, which included Darrel resources for the purpose of publishing display all week and there were two Emerson, Phil Jewell, Jeff Mangum, Bob papers by NRAO staff and by other users of evening sessions, one devoted to Martin, and Jaap Baars. Jennifer NRAO telescopes. Last year, 462 NRAO- instrumentation and the other to the "X Neighbours did an outstanding job as related papers were published in journals factor," the ratio of CO line intensity to Symposium Coordinator, ably assisted by and conference proceedings. Of these, molecular hydrogen column density. The Nancy Clarke, Lisa Engel, Bill Hale, Dale about one quarter include an NRAO staff URSI/IAU Joint Working Group on a Webb, and many other members of the author; the remainder were by visiting Large Millimeter Array and the Large Tucson staff. astronomers. (continued on page 5)

New Employees Departures Charlottesville Socorro Stephen Cowell Michael Prater Elizabeth Fraser, Sci. Services Carey Avery, Admin. Services Maxine Foe, Retired 32 years LorettaSipe Eric Schulman, Research David Boboltz, Student Support David Frayer Mark Swain JenniferWiseman, Research Scott Broadwell, Array Operations Elizabeth Jo Gonzales RusTaylor Marie Glendenning, Computing JamesGuin ChristopherTaylor Fort Davis Richard Lively, Computing Edward Henderson, Jr. Zula Taylor, Retired 11 years Gary Tobias, Electronics Michael Malolepszy, Array Op. John Holland Emilio Vallez, Retired 20 years Michael Little, Electronics David Medcalf, Array Op. James Horstkotte QiangWang Glenn Morrison, Student Support Shannon Krause EricWilcots Green Bank Alan Roy, Sci. Services Emily Mathieu, Retired 20 years Boyd Wright, Retired 30 years Anna Dickenson, Admin. Services Gary Taylor, Sci. Services KathrynMead David Wunker John Ford, Electronics Peter Wilkinson, Sci. Services Don Phillips Victoria Lawson, Admin. Services Fang Zhou, StudentSupport Anthony Minter,OVLBI Amy Petticrew, StudentSupport Tucson Transfers Amy Thompson, Admin. Services Frank Gacon, Electronics Brian Glendenning, CV to SO Joan Martin, Op. & Maintenance Andrew Lobanov, CV to SO Owens Valley Juan Uson.SOtoCV 5/16/95-10/4/95 James Brown, Electronics

2 MMM Scseivce and 'Technical Workshop by Boh Brown Charlottesvi B D® remained at the crash site and conducted a search for the remaining passengers, who The annual review of the MMA project 0 Charlottesville PC users have been were eventually located along a sheep trail. planning by the MMA Advisory Committee attending monthly meetings to learn more The VLBA's cellular phone served as a (MAC) chaired by Neal Evans (U. Texas) was about PC technology. Topics have included contact between the military and Fire held this year in Tucson from October 5-7. At training in WordPerfect, using borders and Department rescue crews. The Fire the previous year's Advisory Committee graphics, computer security, importing Department also used a VLBA vehicle when meeting the MAC noted that with the spreadsheets into word processing, and using theirs was disabled in the rugged off-road prospect for MMA development funding little the scanner. Carolyn White organizes the terrain near the crash site. All the crash victims more than a year away, it would be meetings each month, but topics have been were rescued. Two suffered minor injuries. worthwhile to ask a group of involved presented by several different users. This scientists and engineers to review the meeting time also gives PC users a chance to Site manager, Bill Hancock writes, "This was direction the project was taking before firm ask questions and share tips with other users. not the first rescue we have been involved decisions were made. The realization of this with, but it certainly was the most recommendation was the Tucson workshop 0 Non-scientific employees continue to learn unexpected!" held in conjunction with the 1995 meeting of more about astronomy by attending quarterly the MAC. talks given by members of the scientific staff. S o c o r r o These talks are part of an ongoing series The workshop made use of a working group geared specifically for non-scientific staff 0 A milestone was reached at the VLA in structure, small groups of scientists and members. In June, employees watched a September. The major antenna overhaul engineers concentrating on the pivotal issues movie, "A Radio View of the Universe," begun in May 1989 was completed. All facing the MMA design; the working groups followed by a short discussion with Mort twenty-eight antennas were cycled through daily reported to a meeting of the whole. Roberts. In early October, David Nice spoke the Antenna Assembly Building for electrical There were six working groups, a technical to the group about pulsars. and mechanical maintenance and refits. working group chaired by Jack Welch (U. Calif., Berkeley) and five topical scientific Green Bank Other summertime projects included painting working groups with their chairs as follows: antennas, repairing the railroad track that the Extragalactic and Cosmology (John Carlstrom, 0 The Charlottesville/Green Bank Semiannual antennas are moved on, and rebuilding the Caltech), Astrochemistry and Molecular Golf Tournament was held October 3 at the waveguide manholes. (The manholes Clouds (Ewine van Dishoeck, Univ. Leiden), Lewisburg Golf Course. Twenty-four golfers provide access to the waveguide - the "wire" Star Formation and Stellar Evolution (John participated in the captain's choice format, that links all the VLA telescopes to the control Bieging, U. Arizona), the Sun and Active many of them from the retirement ranks. Ted building.) Stars (Tim Bastian, NRAO), and the Solar Riffe's team won again, an obvious indication System (Pete Schloerb, UMASS). More than that he can hold off on the Geritol for awhile. This summer another three antennas were 95 individuals participated in the workshop Teaming with Ted for first place were Don repainted (seven down, twenty-one to go). discussions. Hovatter, Brian Ellison, and Robert Senter. Ten manholes and 36 track spurs were Second place went to John Ralston, Richard rebuilt. Maintenance teams visited all 10 The oral reports of the science working Fleming, Ray Hanshew, and Harold Crist. VLBA sites this year. Five sites received groups proposed exciting science directions Third place went to Sid Smith, Monroe Petty, extensive preventive maintenance work for the MMA that went far beyond what was Jim Gibb, and Chuck "they always use my while the other five had repairs made to their anticipated at the time the proposal was drive" Beverage. azimuth rails. written in 1990. In a similar manner, the 0 technical description and goals for the project Hawaii Socorro WordPerfect users now meet have evolved in such a way as to increase the biweekly to learn more about using power of the instrument by all measures. The 0 Employees at the Mauna Kea VLBA WordPerfect. Users share tips, ask questions, MMA project recei ved the firm endorsement Station have participated in several rescue and solve their WordPerfect problems. Betty of the meeting participants. missions. For example, in 1994 they were Trujillo organizes the meetings based on instrumental in rescuing seven people from a requested topics and a variety of topics have The working groups provided extremely helicopter crash. A tour helicopter containing been covered. Selfa Lucero attended some useful feedback on the specific capabilities six passengers and a pilot crashed at about outside training and is sharing that with the that should be part of the MMA. Design 10,500 feet. The pilot made the very difficult group. Training videos also have been shown, efforts over the next year will be concentrated climb to the VLBA Station at 12,000 feet, two and other participants have shared their on this response; it is very helpful to have the passengers (one injured) stayed with the expertise with the group. issues so carefully laid out. The working helicopter, while the other passengers headed group reports and the 1995 report of the MAC down the mountain. The pilot and the VLBA Tucson will be posted to the MMA section of the technicians contacted the Army and Fire NRAO WWW page. Department for help. Two Fire Department 0 Tucson employees have been busy with emergency crews, the Army, and the VLBA meetings. See the articles on the CO Symposium (continued on page 4) technicians rescued the passengers who (page 2) and the MMA Workshop (this page).

3 'tan by Jon Spargo Dave Finley, Paul Harden, Kevin Healy, and Jon Spargo of Socorro (Frequently Asked Questions) were actively involved in hosting The Second Annual Enchanted Skies The national campaign for flu shots has become as much a Star Party of the New Mexico Tech Astronomy Club from September part of fall as back-to-school sales and Halloween. While 21-24. The party was a roaring success! The four-day astronomical health officials have long recommended the shots for senior event featured nighttime (optical) observing, daytime lectures, and an citizens and those with chronic health conditions who are at opportunity to tour NRAO's VLA and New Mexico Tech's Campus high-risk of life threatening complications from the flu, Observatory. Despite cloudy daytime skies, the evening weather more and more doctors are advising younger and healthy cleared to allow observing. people to get vaccinated. Below are some answers to FAQs about flu vaccinations. A lecture was given Friday night about the discovery of comet Hale- Bopp by both Alan Hale, of the Southwest Institute for Space Research Who should get it? Anyone who is not allergic to eggs, egg in Cloudcroft, New Mexico and Thomas Bopp, an amateur astronomer. products, or thimerosal (a mercury derivative), and who Hale and Bopp separately discovered the comet within a few hours of wants protection from the flu; adults and children over 2 each other, but had not met until this lecture. The Hale-Bopp comet is who have conditions like asthma, diabetes, or chronic lung visible in amateur telescopes. This comet is so bright at 450 million disease; people over 65; pregnant mothers in their third miles from that astronomers hope that, when closer, it will trimester; brand-new parents; health-care workers; anyone visually surpass the views of Halley Comet'sin 1986. It is predicted to who regularly comes into contact with large groups of make its best appearance in March and April of 1997. people; and foreign travelers visiting the tropics anytime or the Southern Hemisphere during our summer (their winter). Saturday's highlight was the Dark, Dark Sky Night on the Ranch. If you have questions about influenza or the flu vaccine, About 130 people gathered at a ranch located 14 miles south of consult your personal physician. Socorro. The ranch offers very dark skies, with no visible light. Following a western chuck wagon barbecue dinner, Ranger G.B. Why get it? According to the Centers for Disease Control Cornucopia from Chaco Canyon National Park gave a talk on and Prevention the flu vaccine is the best protection from Southwestern Indian astronomy. Silhouetted by the glow of the milky the flu. The vaccine contains the three flu virus strains that way in the night sky, he told mythicalstories of the Indians coming to are most likely to circulate in the upcoming winter. the earth from the underworld and how some star formations represent portions of this journey. It was a spell-binding tale and he received a Can the vaccination give me the flu? An injection of the standing ovation! flu vaccine cannot give you the flu because the vaccine is made from killed viruses. Side effects are generally mild in The party was well-attended by the press. An editor from Astronomy adults and occur at low frequency. Additional information Magazine attended and there will be stories and pictures in a future about possible side effects is available at the time of the issue of Astronomy andSfty & Telescope magazines. A film crew from vaccination. If you have questions, ask the health care PBS was also on hand. Some of Saturday night's activities will appear professional administering the vaccine or consult your as part of a new documentary on astronomy scheduled to be aired in late personal physician before receiving the vaccine. '96 or early '97. Next year's Enchanted Skies Star Party is scheduled for October 10-13. When to get it? The best time to get vaccinated is between October 15 and November 15 to prepare for the peak flu The Second Annual Enchanted Skies Star Party was sponsored by The season (usually between late December and early March), New Mexico Tech Astronomy Club, New Mexico Tech, NRAO, The but it is available through March. City of Socorro, The Socorro County Chamber of Commerce and The Bureau of Land Management. Where to get it? Each of the major sites offers onsite flu shots for employees. VLA site employees may go to Dr. Markwell's office for their shots. VLBA site employees are QjP (continued from page 3) reimbursed for their shots. Announcements are made explaining the flu shot procedures at each site. If you are not Local organization for the MMA meeting in Tucson was ably handled available when the shot is being given at your own site, by Dale Webb and Jennifer Neighbours who receive a well-deserved contact one of the following individuals for alternatives. thank you for their efforts. CV Billie Jo Mattox (804) 296-0318 At the conclusion of the meeting many of the participants enjoyed the GB Shirley Curry (304) 456-2240 opportunity to share in the NRAO/Tucson annual picnic and to be SO Ina Cole (505) 835-7309 welcomed as part of the NRAO family. Thanks to everyone involved in TU Nancy Clarke (520) 882-8250 making this such a successful and memorable meeting.

4 The "End Product" of NRAO

Because of the long wait, 3 months to 2.5 years, between submission of a paper Matthew McKean, son of Bruce and Freda and its publication, pre-production versions of the paper, called preprints, are McKean was an AUI Trustee Scholarship often made available. These preprints provide the most up-to-date literature winner in 1991. He graduated from available. The NRAO library distributes preprints of NRAO work to 130 Princeton University School of Engineering institutions, observatories, and astronomy departments. Recently, the library and Applied Science last spring. Matthew has begun posting the full text of preprints on the NRAO's World Wide Web wrote his senior thesis on watershed server, making them available instantly to scientists throughout the world. management for the protection of water supply. After graduation, Matthew began Since preprints are the most current literature in the field, the library also work as a research analyst for an maintains a database of all preprints received from both individual astronomers international energy consulting company in and from institutions around the world, and tracks the preprints through Arlington, Virginia. publication. Biweekly updates from the database are widely distributed in the astronomical community. Because publication plays such an important role for Many Green Bank employees and visitors the NRAO, a listing of papers published each year by staff and visitors is will remember Matthew's three summers as extracted from the database and included in our annual report to the NSF. a tour guide. He is also an expert spelunker and has led NRAO visitors on tours of local While most journals are still produced in traditional paper form, this is caves. Bruce is a Sr. Systems Analyst in changing. The Letters portion of the Astrophysical Journal, for example, is now Green Bank. available via an experimental server on the World Wide Web. The technical difficulties of producing an on-line journal, as well as issues related to copyright Readers: ownership, have slowed the transition to electronic media somewhat, but the If you know the whereabouts of an AUI transition is definitely underway. The form of dissemination of papers may be Trustee Scholarship winner and would like changing in the age of the Internet, but the fundamental concept of published to share their accomplishments with the papers will live on, and supporting the publication of high-quality papers will readers of The Point Source, please contact continue to be a fundamental aim of the NRAO. me [email protected] or (804) 296-0265.

5 Personnel news 30th Anniversary SSVG money on tdxes Flex Spending Accounts (continued from front page)

If you are paying substantial amounts out of your pocket for unreimbursed health care until about sunset, when the and/or dependent day care expenses you should look into the benefits of Flexible telescope returned to its planned Spending Accounts. These accounts are a perfectly legal way to pay for such expenses on program of observations, and the a "before-tax" basis. This reduces your salary for tax purposes and gives you more take- partyended. About 475 employees, home pay throughout the year. Both types of plans allow you to deposit money through former employees, retirees, and automatic salary reductions. You can then withdraw funds from the appropriate account friends of the 140 Foot were in to reimburse yourself for any health care or dependent day care costs you have incurred. attendance.

By reducing your salary to fund these accounts you lower the amount of federal income, The final event of the celebration state income, and Social Security tax you pay, giving you more spendable income each occurred on Monday, October 2, pay period. when about 750 West Virginia high school students and their science The plan operates on a calendar year basis. You may contribute any amount from $300 teachers visited the site. Exhibits to $2500 to your Medical Reimbursement Account. To determine the exact amount, you and tours were set up in the lab should list all eligible out of pocket medical expenses you anticipate for you and your basement, at the 40 Foot Telescope, dependents during 1996. Eligible expenses are those goods and services currently at the newly refurbished allowed by the IRS as an income tax deduction. Since medical insurance premiums are Telescope, and at the 140 Foot already paid on a pre-tax basis, these should not be included in your calculation. Eligible itself. The students were treated to expenses are explained in Part VII of the Insurance and Retirement Program handbook. demonstrations of spectroscopy and It is extremely important that you carefully estimate the amount you choose to contribute the operation of the experimental since, under IRS regulations, any amount you do not use by the end of the calendar year GBT laser ranging system. The is forfeited. students were uninhibited with their questions: The same procedure should be followed for the Dependent Care Account. You may contribute from $300 to $5000 ($2500 if you are married and file a separate income tax Student: "What will happen if return). Eligible dependents and expenses are also explained in the handbook. the GBT laser ranging system doesn't work?" To participate in either plan, complete an enrollment form and return it to your local Personnel Representative before the deadline. Forms will be distributed in the middle Dave Parker: "They'll throw of November and must be turned in by December 8. You must complete an new out the bunch of us and maybe enrollment form each year, even if you are currently participating in a Flexible Spending you can take the job and figure Account. out how to do it right."

To claim your reimbursement, complete a reimbursement request available from the It was a day that they will all Personnel Office and mail it to the address on the form. Medical reimbursements are remember. processed on the 16th of each month. Reimbursements requests received by the 5th of the month are processed that month. Dependent Care reimbursements are processed on the Throughout the five days the 1st and 16th of the month and must be received at least five days prior to the processing weather was perfect, and everyone date. The deadline for filing claims incurred during the calendar year is March 31st of seemed to agree that the event was a the following year. successful tribute to an old friend and a good welcome to a new one If you have any questions about the Flexible Spending Account plan, consult your (the GBT). There were many, many Insurance and Retirement Program handbook or contact the Personnel Office. people involved in the celebration, but special thanks go to Fred Crews, Notes from the Editor Richard Fleming, Sue Ann Heatherly, George Liptak, Ron Q&A Maddalena, and especially, to If you have a question you would like answered or a topic you would like addressed in this Becky Warner who seemed to be publication, please submit it in writing. All questions and topics will be referred to the appropriate person. Responses will be published in the next issue, as space is available. everywhere at once, day and night. Suggestion email Box If you would like to make a suggestion to improve the operation of the NRAO or to improve worklife, submit the suggestion to me in the Personnel Office or send email to [email protected]. Printed on Wendy Mahle, Editor Recycled Paper

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