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Home , Patrick Moore, The Sky at Night

MountMount DiabloDiablo AstronomicalAstronomical SocietySociety DiabloDiablo MoonWatchMoonWatch January 2013 GENERAL MEETING ON Tuesday January 22, 2013 NEW LOCATIO The Sutter's Mill Meteorite Fall Doors open at 6:45 p.m. By Dr. Peter Jenniskens Lindsay Wildlife Museum 1931 First Avenue, Walnut Creek, CA 94597 On April 22, 2012, a 3 meter the area and are sized crashed in of a rare carbona- Dr. Peter Jenniskens is a ceous chondrite Earth's atmosphere over the Research Scientist with the Carl type. Meteor Sagan Center at the SETI Institute Sierra Nevada mountains in astronomer Peter and works on mission projects at California. Jenniskens was NASA/Ames Research Center in one of the first on Moffett Field, California, and on The meteor fell near the scene, and research topics that relate to Sutter's Mill, the site of the will describe interstellar and interplanetary gold discovery that set off what to look for, matter. the California Gold Rush. how to search and what has been Meteorites are still being found in found so far. Jenniskens is an expert on (Continued on page 4 ) ’s Telescope by Nathaneil Bates

A couple of years ago, I was advance our understanding of the ic.The truth is that the mystery privileged to see the telescope Big Bang and Cosmology. I proba- of biology eludes me. owned by at the bly will never know, but I can Schrödinger may think that he Chabot Space and Science Center. imagine. . . can uncover the mystery of life using Quantum Physics, and he I am at a loss as to what went I am a Physicist, not an may be right. But, as much as I through the mind of someone Astronomer.A lot of the public have faith that the Universe is who was a theoretical physicist thinks that because my efforts ultimately understandable, the and not an Astronomer, and yet uncovered Relativity that I am faith of a scientist; I have more whose theories did so much to an expert on all matters scientif- (Continued on page 5 )

P Virtual Star Parties--Bringing Live to the World by Stuart Forman

U What is a star party? In the last 2 years internet technology has bought a sea of change in how information is

S shared. A year ago Fraser Cain of Astronomy Cast asked the question, “What if we can bring star parties to the ’

T whole world?” He recruited astronomers from all over the globe to stream their telescope feeds online via Google A

H Plus Hangouts, and has had professional astronomers such as Pamela Gay and Phil Plait to comment, moderate, and teach. Every Sunday we have hundreds of viewers and during the Venus transit we had over two thousand. W

1 MountMount DiabloDiablo AstronomicalAstronomical SocietySociety DiabloDiablo MoonWatchMoonWatch January 2013 (1923 - 2012) CORNER by Chris Ford On December 9th the (Being lucky enough to have straightening out his tie.That did S ’ well known British indulgent parents who let me stay not last 5 minutes, and his distinc- up late to see it!) It is probably tive accent and disheveled looks T popularizer of astron- hard to over estimate the influ- probably made him even more ence he had, not only on myself appealing for a non-specialist

N omy Patrick (Caldwell) Moore but on many scientists across the audience.Where astronomy was E globe who credit Moore and his concerned though, he was passed away at the books and programs for inspiring immensely learned, passionate D age of 89 and this them to pursue their careers. For about sharing the joy of the sub- I month I think it is fit- example "the first book on the ject with everyone, and for a long

S ting to pay a short cosmos I ever read was writ-

E tribute to his influ- ten by Sir ence both direct and Patrick Moore. R indirect, in both ama- May he rest in peace, some-

P teur and indeed pro- where in the fessional astronomy. universe," said He was certainly the single most the well known important influence in establish- astronomer Neil deGrasse ing this authors interest in Tyson, Director astronomy from childhood of the onwards. American Museum of Natural History's time from the 1950's onwards, Patrick Moore was also fairly Hayden Planetarium on hearing of one of the very few popular writ- well known to amateur Moore's passing. ers on the subject, and as such he astronomers here in the USA and had an international reach. in his later years had become I suspect that many members almost a living brand, his name of our society have encountered There are many testimonials that associated with the Caldwell cata- something written by Patrick can be found on the web so I logue, over 70 books published Moore, and he surely left an either by him or with his impri- indelible mark on the world of won't repeat them here, only that matur, and an astronomy maga- .Though some- entirely self-taught Patrick Moore zine named after his long running times referred to as the "British was regarded in the world of BBC Sky at Night television series. " as an astronomy popu- astronomy as not merely a gifted This program began airing in larizer, it is hard to think of a per- 1957 and is the longest-running sonality more different. In many amateur but where the subject of television show of all time of ways he was a classic English the was concerned at one which he presented every single eccentric that made him a very time he was one of the world's well known and idiosyncratic episode bar one. Usually con- leading experts. signed to the graveyard slot of character in his home country. 1.00 am in the morning, the Sky The BBC once famously attempt- He could talk like a machine at Night more than anything else ed midway through his 55 year gun at 300 words a minute (and motivated my astronomy interest run of to tidy type at 89 words a minute on the as a child growing up in the UK. him up, putting him in proper fit- 1908 typewriter that he punched ting suits, combing his hair, and 2 MountMount DiabloDiablo AstronomicalAstronomical SocietySociety DiabloDiablo MoonWatchMoonWatch January 2013

Patrick Moore (1923-2012) (Continued from the previous page) all his books out on) and he will tance of Patrick's house in East ing in a kindly old uncle kind of no doubt be remembered for his Grinstead, I benefited from his way, and many who spent time monocled professor looks pro- encouragement and generosity of with him have described him as a moting a subject that is marginal time and, indeed, from his intro- courteous gentleman who replied to many. Over his half-century on duction to those who were later to every letter, kept his address the air, he met and interviewed to become my teachers and men- and telephone number in the almost everyone of consequence tors.And I still value the inscribed public domain so that interested in astronomy and space technolo- books he gave me during those people could contact him, and gy, including Werner von Braun, years.The scope of his books according to Queen guitarist (and who discov- went well beyond introductory astro-physicist) , spent ered pulsars, Einstein, and and popular texts – his early lunar almost all of his money on help- and plane- ing other people. Simply if it had and . tary publi- not been for Patrick Moore I His reputa- cations would not be interested in astron- tion crossed were well- omy or writing this tribute. the Iron rounded Curtain reviews So wherever you are now in the when he that includ- Universe, thank you, and clear was invited ed much skies Patrick Moore! to the USSR from the to meet Yuri profession- Chris Ford Gagarin, and al litera- he was the ture. Some first books, such Westerner as the one to see the results from the Soviet on (1989), were useful probe which mapped the contributions to the history of Moon’s far side in 1959. He even astronomy. Patrick's eccentric met Orville Wright. I think this presence and encyclopedic testimonial from Brian Warner the knowledge, as a radio voice and emeritus professor of astronomy, TV personality present at many of University of Cape Town, is partic- the significant astronomical and ularly appropriate: space related events over more than half a century, steadily main- "There are many individuals in tained public interest in the sub- successive generations of profes- ject and helped encourage the sional astronomers who owe a large increase in entrants to uni- versity astronomy courses. Other great deal to the books and per- sciences should have been so sonal support of Patrick Moore. lucky." He introduced children of all I only met him once at a book ages to astronomy, and some of signing at Foyles bookshop in them became prominent profes- London where my overriding sionals in and plane- impressions was that he was big- tary sciences. Having, as a school- ger in real life than on the small boy, lived within bicycling dis- screen. I found him quite charm-

3 MountMount DiabloDiablo AstronomicalAstronomical SocietySociety DiabloDiablo MoonWatchMoonWatch January 2013 Scopes Are Needed! Upcoming Mount Diablo Astronomical Society Events: Many events are scheduled, we'll see what the weather brings, check your calendars and signup where you can,Thanks! Wednesday, January 16, 2013—7:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Hillview Junior High School Stargazing, Hillview Junior High, Pittsburg, CA Setup 6:00 p.m. Thursday, January 24, 2013—6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. PHE Science Night, Pleasant Hill Elementary School, Pleasant Hill, CA Setup 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 30, 2013—6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Country Club Elementary Science Night, Country Club Elementary, San Ramon, CA Setup 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 5, 2013—6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Westwood Elementary Science Fair, Westwood Elementary School, Concord,, CA Friday, February 15, 2013—6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. San Ramon Parks Stargazing, Old Ranch Park, San Ramon, CA Setup 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 19, 2013—6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Pittsburg Library Stargazing, Pittsburg Public Library, Pittsburg, CA Setup 5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 21, 2013—6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Hidden Valley Science Fair, Hidden Valley Elementary School, Martinez, CA Setup 5:00 p.m. Writers Wanted We are always looking for new articles and content. If you have astronomical perspec- tives or experiences to share with your fellow members that you would us to consider, please feel free to contact me Chris ([email protected]) or our newsletter editor Vianney. ([email protected]) Clear skies! Chris and Vianney

The Sutter's Mill Meteorite Fall (Continued from the first page) meteor showers, and is known for 2016) to measure the carbon con- DIBs: His astronomical observa- identifying the parent body of the tent of meteors from space and tions of Diffuse Interstellar Bands Quadrantid shower: a minor plan- study the diversity of and in the visual and near-infrared et called 2003 EH1.The main belt . absorption spectra of interstellar asteroid 1999 TY224 has also matter, in collaboration with F.-X. Ice: His work at the Space been named (42981) “Jenniskens” Desert, provided the first overall Science Electron Microscopy Lab after him. He is the Principal view of the Diffuse Interstellar has led to the discovery that Investigator of ASIMA - the Band spectrum. Asteroid Impact Analyzer, a pro- unusual forms of water ice play posed mission (2014- an important role in astrophysics.

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Einstein’s Telescope (Continued from the first page) faith that the mysteries of I gave my telescope to my the beauty of a gas cloud that is Quantum Physics will be made accountant as a gift, so I am over 1,300 light-years away. I comprehensible than I do the going to have to think back on wish more humans would look mysteries of life. Do not tell any- the last night I looked through it; up and see, with or without a one I said this to you. It is and how much has changed telescope.The more time spent between friends. between 1938 and now that I admiring the beauty of the heav- am an old man in the 1950’s. I ens, the less time is spent in My telescope was a decent size gifted it to him for helping me to wars. Oh war! How necessary for amateur telescope that would not navigate the IRS, the Great our freedom against the Nazis. impress most of you. Dragon of the modern State. I Yes, war freed the enslaved. cannot fathom the Great Dragon However, it also enslaves the free I did not use it to make cos- for the life of me. I cannot fath- when the nations that fight wars mological discoveries. I used it om how Reason can allow for surrender more liberties to their for recreation. My contributions money to be created out of noth- governments that the never get to Astronomy rest in helping to ing, and then for interest to be back. I contrast that sad state of uncover the Big Bang. Sadly, my paid on it.This form of modern affairs with the distant gas cloud biggest blunder was in not central banking requires taxes that is only a mother to stars, believing in my own contribu- which then finance the wars that each star potentially with plan- tion. Others now get credit for can only slow the evolution of ets, and each planet with a discovering the Big Bang mankind to world peace. I must chance of life.The nebulae only admit that my gives to life and does not take own discovery away. that mass can The beauty is a beauty of be converted to ionized gas, nothing more, but energy has also nothing less. Part of my life given war a has been to help to understand whole new Quantum Theory. Ionized gas meaning.The will emit light in packets.Those least I can do packets are quanta, or particu- to atone is to lar bits of energy that are both stand for world wave and particle and the same peace in my time.Yes, it mystifies me too, and remaining I never quite accepted the para- days! doxes involved here. But, I can Before I admire the colors corresponding gave my tele- to the frequencies of light emit- Einstein sitting and talking with Zvi Gezari, backyard of Princeton home, telescope in background. scope away, I ted. I never admired the beauty (Photo: Courtesy of the Albert Einstein Archives) gave it a whirl of Quantum Theory like I could because I refused to believe that through the heavens that inspire Relativity, but I can admire the the Universe could have a begin- so much beauty in astronomers, colorful hues of the quanta of ning. Still, my equations were the poets, artists and schoolgirls. Let light. me think back. Since it is winter ones that affirmed an expanding I realized that I was about to time, I should begin my remem- Universe. Pity the scientist who give up my telescope, and so I brance with my view of the great refuses to believe his own equa- knew I had best enjoy it some stellar nursery known as the tions because they contradict his more. Returning my memory to Orion Nebula. She is a mother, own philosophical prejudices! present tense, I scan the Pleiades you see, a womb for stars. I see 5 MountMount DiabloDiablo AstronomicalAstronomical SocietySociety DiabloDiablo MoonWatchMoonWatch January 2013 Einstein’s Telescope (Continued from the previous page) and allow my eyes to absorb the on a canvass of dark.The eye am. Like Hubble, like Zwicky, like photons that left this cluster hun- may not understand the physics, Hoyle and like Lemaitre you dreds of years ago. I realize but it can understand the art. have scanned the heavens with something profound.The light telescope while I used pen and Sadly, the many astronomi- beams themselves have experi- paper.I can only have respect for cal objects of summer were not enced no passage of time since you. I am an old man now, and available to me on that last leaving the Pleiades.That is an I fear that I am about out of night. I could see a few planets. amazing assertion, but is all time. I am thankful that I have My favorite is Jupiter.Jupiter is a goes back to my discovery in at least been able to glimpse the huge attractor of .The 1905, when I was a young man timelessness of light.Time still four Galilean line up as with seemingly no future ahead affects me, and soon I am about distinct points that act as hands of me. I was the last person any- to retire for the duration of eter- of a clock.Time can be told by one would expected would break nity. the Galilean satellites. Galileo! A the barrier to understanding giant on whose shoulders I You will live a while longer, space, time and light.Yet, here is stood! Between you and me, a and you have a chance to the mystery in a nutshell.The lot of Relativity rests on his explore the heavens a while passage of time for an object in philosophical thought. Many peo- longer.You will explore with motion is equal to the ordinary ple say that I “disproved” Newton observation, an advantage over passage of time for a stationary and Galileo, but nothing is fur- me. Some of you may make object divided by the square root ther from the truth. Both men great discoveries. I wish you well of one minus the velocity of the starred in to the infinite, or what with this. I take my leave of you object in motion squared divid- they thought was infinite. now. Good night. May your obser- ed by the speed of light squared. Whether the Universe is infinite vations be keen, bright, and long Confused? Well, friend, the short or simply finite and unbounded, reaching. I thank you for listen- end of it is that if the traveling it is vast and I can only admire ing to an old Physicist. object is actually a light beam the stamina of someone who then it experiences no passage of Well, it may have been some- can stare in to such an expanse time.The photons left the thing like that. I am not sure. I do and not blink. Pleiades and came to my eye in remember the feeling of awe and the same instant as far as they Well, it is time to retire for mystery as I stood before are concerned. the night, a night much like that Einstein’s telescope.We’ll never night of decades before I am know his exact thoughts but one It is paradoxical because I speaking to you, just as you are thing is for sure.We can know also discovered that the speed of decades in the future from me. I that he would wish us happy dis- light is constant to every frame spent more time in philosophy coveries that are keen, bright and of reference. So, with no passage than I spent observing. long reaching. of time then would not its speed be infinite? Well, length also con- I am an old man now. Really, I am tracts so the ratio of the change of distance over the change of not an Astronomer. I am not even time remains the same---provided an experimental Physicist. I am a we have a handy mathematical theoretical Physicist who has tool called Limits. It is all so spent his life discovering through abstract to you, I know. So enjoy the light.That is my best advice mathematics. to you. Enjoy the beauty.The Most of you are far more Pleiades are a sprinkle of light advanced as astronomers than I

6 MountMount DiabloDiablo AstronomicalAstronomical SocietySociety DiabloDiablo MoonWatchMoonWatch January 2013 Mount Diablo Astronomical Society Event Calendar—January 2013

Two Club Member Volunteers Needed REFRESHMENT WRANGLER: One or two members can share this job. Description: We are in need of a volunteer to provide for refreshments for our monthly meetings. All you need to do is pick up an assortment of cookies (or other goodies) and beverages, and arrange them on a table at the monthly meeting by 7:00 pm. You'll be reimbursed for expenses. Best of all:You get to take home any leftovers! How much time does it take? One to two hours a month. Who do I contact? If this sounds like a sweet deal to you, give Marni a call (or text) at 925-930-7431 or email [email protected]. PUBLICITY COORDINATOR: Description: Contact local media outlets to publicize our monthly meetings and club events. Steve Jacobs ([email protected] ) will provide you with more information and everything you need to get started. How much time does it take? Four to eight hours a month. Who do I contact? Contact our President, Chris Ford ([email protected]) 213-272-6306, to register your interest. 7 MountMount DiabloDiablo AstronomicalAstronomical SocietySociety DiabloDiablo MoonWatchMoonWatch January 2013 Board Members & Address President General Meetings: Turn right on First Avenue. The museum is Chris Ford - [email protected] Fourth Tuesday every month, halfway up the block on the left. Vice President except on the third Tuesday in From the South: Take 680 North. Take the Treat Rick Linden - [email protected] November and December. Blvd./Geary Road exit and turn left over free- Refreshments and conversations at 6:45 pm; way. Go three more lights and turn left on Membership Coordinator, Mtg Room Meeting begins at 7:15 Marni Berendsen - [email protected] Buena Vista. Turn right on First Avenue. The Where: museum is halfway up the block on the left. Meeting Program Chair Lindsay Wildlife Museum Dick Flasck - [email protected] Parking: 1931 1st Avenue The museum is located in a residential area. Outreach Coordinator, AANC Rep Walnut Creek, CA 94597 There are no parking fees nor meters. Please Jim Head - [email protected] (925) 935-1978 park only in the museum parking lots on the Publicity Board Member wildlife-museum.org. east side of the museum, the Friends Church lot Steve Jacobs - [email protected] Directions to facility: across the street (except Sunday mornings) or Observing Committee Chair, Board Member From the North: Take 680 South to Treat Blvd. on Buena Vista Avenue. Please do not park on Richard Ozer - [email protected] exit. Turn left at light onto North Main St. Turn First Avenue in front of our neighbors' homes right on Geary Road. Turn left on Buena Vista. — you will get a parking ticket. Whats Up Coordinator, Board Member Kent Richardson - [email protected] Treasurer Will Roberge - [email protected] Newsletter Editor Vianney - [email protected] Webmaster Jon Steel - [email protected] Secretary Moon - [email protected] New Member Steward Nick Tsakoyias - [email protected] Mailing address: MDAS P.O. Box 4889 Walnut Creek, CA 94596-3754 Thank You to Those Who Helped Make MDAS a Success We want to give a special appreciation to three members who are retiring from their club jobs:

• Glenn Spiegelman who has served as our Webmaster for many years and has kept www.mdas.net up-to-date and modernized.We welcome Jon Steel who has stepped up to take over Glenn’s position.

• Moon Trask who is our devoted club Secretary, but who has also provided refreshments at club meetings for the last few years. Her work schedule has made it so she can no longer serve as Refreshment Wrangler.

• Steve Jacobs who is stepping down as the Board Member in charge of Publicity for club events to assure good turnouts. Steve couldn’t remember how long he’s been doing the publicity – it’s been over 10 years! And a Very Special Heartfelt Thank You • Marni Berendsen and The Concord Police Academy who provided a great venue for so many years, and Marni coming in early to not only open the gates and the doors but to set up the room.

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