THEAI RNEWSLETTER voLUME VI, NO. 3 1gB3

I f irst met Bart when he came to Case Western Reserve University, where the M IRA astronomers were students, to give a colloquium. During that visit to Cleveland, we outlined our idea to build a new observatory in California and asked for his opinion of such a project. He gave M IRA his whole- hearted encouragement. lt was a decisive moment for M lRA. As President-Elect and then President of the American Astronomical Society (AAS), Bart was able to influence MIRA's progress in many ways.

As a result of Bok's discussions with AAS members, Dr. Carl Sagan suggested that the M IRA scientists present a seminar on their project at the Society's meeting in August 1972. That week M IRA was prCInised a superb 36-inch telescope mirror by Dr. Ma rtin Schwar zschild, the director of the Princeton Univers ity Obse rvatory.

Bart Bok My next meeting wit h Bart took place at an AAS 1906 - 1983 meeting in Lincoln, Nebraska. He chaired a session at which I related the discovery by Dr. william With the death of Bart Jan Bok on August 5, 1983, Bidelman and myself of a complex molecule in the M I RA lost one of its most steadf ast supporters as well atrnospheres of certain cool red giant stars. It was as a distinguished member of its Board of Advisors. my fi rst paper and I was very nervous, but he made Bok's inf luence on the new observatory was me feel very comfortable. At that meeting I met Dr. profound. Priscilla Bok, his wife for over 40 years to whom he was very devoted. A world-renowned astronorner, Bok received his doctorate from the University of Croningen, Holland ln 1975, Bart and the late Priscilla Bok gave their in 1929. He came to the United States to teach at entire collection of astroncmy iournals to M I RA. Harvard University and was naturalized in 1938. Bok Their gift established what is now known as the was known to rnany as a builder of observatories. He Priscilla Fairf ield Bok Library. Since then, the Bok left Harvard for Australia in 1957; there he was Library has received many gifts of books and iournals influential in the development of Mount Stromlo f rom scientists including Dr. Elliot Levanthal, at Observatory. ln 1966 he returned to the U. S. to Stanford, and Nobel laureate, Dr. Luis Alvatez. It is head the astronomy department at the University of the largest collection of astronCITy books and iournals Arizona, which flourished under his leadership. in Monterey County.

T hroughout his career, Bok received many awards Dr. Bok visited Monterey twice to present lectures and honors: he was elected to the National Academy for MIRA's public education progt?trt. Both times he of Sciences, the Astronomical Society of the Pacif ic spoke to a packed house about his work on the Milky awarded him the Bruce Cold Medal arid its Medal of Way Calaxy. Many astronomers are able to convey Achievement. Most recently, he was named the the exciternent of their research during private Henry Norris Russell Lecturer for the American discussions, but Bart had an almost magical ability to Astronomical Society. elect rif y large audi€nc€s.

PUBLISHED BY THE MONTEREY INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY, A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION 9OO MAJOR SHERMAN LANE MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA 93940 Iust prior to his 1977 visit he had received the Bruce Bart Bok--a student's reminiscence Cold M edal. At a pre- lecture dinner he proudly showed the medal to the MIRA astronomers. He then Bart Bok inspi red three generations of astronomers to pronounced us his 'eqmls' and insisted that believe that the study of the structure and dynamics application of henceforth we were to call him Bart. of our Calaxy was the ultimate astrophysics. He would come in an hour before class and fill f ive or six blackboards with the day's lectur€. Ba rt and Priscilla Bok co-authored The M ilky Way copied (or which was orginally published in 194i:-On E'is 19S1 Students s@n learned to have them photographed) before class so they could give their visit he presented M IRA with his personal copy of the his Bart put as much book's fifth edition. undivided attention to lecture. time in on those lectures as the students, constantly updating, streamlining, and revising each one. Dr. Bok wrote the following in support of M IRA: ' I was for M IRA when it was formed. I am even more notes astronomer two for it now, when the organization is &ing well and I once compared with an generations rny senior, who had also enioyed Bok's seems in asking for a strong ptrblic support. iustified essence, inspiration of May MIRA develop as a strong and vital center for lectures; the thread, the the classes were unchanged, but the facts and the gathering of astronomical data and the prornotion the most The of research of the heavel'lS. The world-wide theories were always the current. currency research was no surprise; after all, astronomical community has welcomed M IRA and of the foref ront--showing wishes it well. May it become truly a source of pride he was frequently ahead of the the way--in C alact ic research. The sustained for t hose who helped build it f rom modest r enthusiasm, however, was remarkable to behold. beginniflgs. He charmed general audiences equally well. His first For many astronomers research is a labor of love not public lecture in Monterey was the only astronomy to be discontinued upon ' reti rement. ' Even in his lhave ever seen rewarded with a standing seventies Bart was actively involved in research. He talk ovation. discussed and encouraged a variety of research proiects at M I RA. This inclu&d the obervatory's After few tedious years of physics, math, and plan to precisely measure the light from the 125,000 a Bart re kindled my brightest stars in the northern sky. He influenced dispassionate astionomy, excitement for astronomy. That contagious enthusiam the work on star formation being conducted by Dr. is the essence of his legacy to astronolrty. Bruce Weaver. Certain small dark clouds in the Milky --Dr. Bruce Weaver Way are called Bok Clobules. Bart was pleased when Dr. Nelson lrvine discovered a Bok Clobule which may be a site of star formation.

A rigorous travel and lecture schedule kept Bart busy during his retirement. Last summer he traveled in the Soviet Union and on to C reece for the lnternational Astronomical Union ( IAU ) meeting. This winter he attended a symposium on star formation held in Mexico City. ln June, Bok visited lndonesia on a lecture tour sponsored by the IAU and was there for the recent solar eclipse. He had returned to his honre in Tucson for a brief rest before leaving for a series of visits and lectures with European astronomers when he died.

Bart displayed a remarkable zest for life and an enthusiasm for research that is rarely matched. lt has been a privilege and an honor for us to have known him and to have received his help and encouragement. -- Dr. Cynthia E. lrvine

One of Bart Bok's favorite places in the Milky Way was the Creat Nebula near Eta Carina. Observatory Construction Continues photos by Ralph Meeker

Approximately half of the heavy construction work on t he Oliver Observing Station has been coNrlpleted. T he steel f ramework for the building has been erected and it now stands three stories above the ground. Even in its skeletal state, the building is impressive.

The concrete for the telescope pier was poured in late luly and in late August MIRA astronomers spent a night at the site precisely positioning the bolts that will be set in concrete and used to attach the telescope to the pie r. These bolts determine the alignment of the telescope's North-South axis. When the telescope is properly aligned, the telescope will accurately track the stars as they appear to move across the night sky.

Work on the observqtory's electrical systems began in August. Because o/ the sensitivity of the electronics to noise and the vulnerability of the building to lightning, special attention must be paid to properly grounding the building and the electrical systems. Without these precautions, the operation of sensitive elect ronic instrumentation could be impaired and instrumentation and computer systems could be irreparably damaged.

M I RA Needs

Can you help MIRA? Below are listed just a few of the many ways that you can help the observatory.

become Friend M I RA and X-Ray File Cabinet $600 I would like to a of ffiar Sky Survey charts and their overlays, enclose my membership donation of $ o used for research and to make observing charts, ln addition, I am making a specffir requi re access ible and sec u re housil^tg.

Reticon Cooling Dewar $3,000 $5000.00 Benef acto r given a +offinent Reticon array 1000.00 M IRA Associate which will be the heart of a new detectof . A cooling 500.00 Sustai ni ng dewar is necessary for the operation of the device' 100.00 Sponsor 50.00 Pat ron 30.00 Member '10.00 Student

M I RA Calendar M IRA welcomes corporate and business memb€rsr Contributions are tax deductible. September 'l 0 Arnateur Star Cazing N ight September 17 Lecture, Dr. Richard Muller Name THE BIC tsANC Address B:00, MPC Music Hall September 28 Amateur lndoor Meeting October 26 Amateur lndoor Meeting Phone zip Public Astronony M I RA to Receive Bok Bequest

This summer has been notable for the large number of Bart Bok's last material gift to M IRA is to the people indirectly exposed that MIRA has directly or Priscilla Fairfield Bok Library. ln his will, he below were in to astronomy. The events discussed stipulated that all of his scientific books were to be public star parties and other addition to the regular given to M lRA. smaller events. When M IRA was iust getting started, we asked for and Nelson ln I une M IRA astronomers, Drs. Cynthia Bart's help in finding us a reference library. When I rvine, visited the Cawt re C irl Scout Camp in the he discussed the problem with his wife, Dr. Priscilla Arroyo Seco area. There they showed the councilors Bok, she suggested that they give their personal planets, stars, and constellations and instructed them collection of journals to MIRA. lt was a magnificent During weeks in the use of a small telescoP€. the start to a very important part of the observatory. that followed, the councilors were able to introduce young basic astronomy to the many girls and women Many scientists have helped the library grow and wlrc attended the camp. MIRA has received special gifts for the purchase of important star charts and catalogs. Volunteers have Ed and Joanne Allen, who are very involved in the spent many hours organizing the Iibrary. The astronomy group, spent an evening showing amateur addition of the new books and iournals will enhance Monterey County 4-H the stars to over one hundred the value of the Priscilla Bok Library for astronornical members who were attending camp in the Club resea rc h . Watsonville Er€o. M IRA has established the Bart and Priscilla Bok Members of the Monterey and Santa Cruz amateur Memorial Fund. Cifts to the fund honoring the Yosemite astroncxrly clubs spent a weekend at memory of Bart Bok will be used for the library. lt denpnstrations their National Park giving of will be used to purchase new books and iournals as skies by telescopes by day and showing the starry well as to provide for the maintenance of the current people the Clacier Point niglrt. Almost 2000 visited collectior. Please contact the MIRA off ice at (408) vacationing public, it was site. For the amateurs and 375-3220 if you have any questions or would like to exPe rience. ranger a very rewarding The make a contribution. coordinating the astronomy program is looking forward to a repeat visit next year.

Welcome to New Members

Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Higgins Mr. Cene Eplett M. Moraz Charles P. Hudson Mr. Henry T. Conserva M ichael Patton Dr. Clifford H. Keene Steve M andel Mrs. Rexford W. Barton M arie La rson Carol Foote Dr. and Mrs. William L. Breneman Thornas P. Mathews Lee C. Harbick Mrs. M.K. Chomiak Mrs. B. L. McCowan Sharyn Lewis Peggy B. Compton Mrs. James Moore M rs. Donald Campbell Mr. and Mrs. Paul F. Crispo Mr. and Mrs. Earl Moser M rs . N ancy Foletta William S. Curry Mrs. Nelson T. Nowell M rs. J . R. Fr ibroc k Colgate Dorr Dr. and Mrs. Eugene K. O'Meara Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Whiting John M. Floyd M rs. Patricia Cene Lazare M r. and M rs. J ames N. Algar Lawrence Crinnell Mr, and Mrs. Charles H. Page Dr. and Mrs. Leroy R. Allen M r. and M rs. R. L. C rimmer M rs. Harold R. Pedley Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Berlin Kim Kuska Mrs. Orval H. Polk Mr. and Mrs. Cary Burd W. J une Ludlow Mrs. William Skowran Colin K. Chambers Bain Smith Mr. and Mrs. Hugh W. Steven The Clemens Family M r. and M rs. Walter E. Stewart Mr. and Mrs. Robert K. Wallin Nathalie V. Cole-Johnson Mrs. J. t. Wick Elaine Weiner M rs . E. C rouch Vickie Lee Zaleski M r. and M rs. Charles Whitehead Roza and Charles Fenninger f)r. Basil L Allaire Neil Agron Mr. and Mrs. John P. Cannon Dr. John A. Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Hilton M. Bialek C. Robert Ciet Em lee C. B rownyard B. C. and C. F. Dreyer M r. and M rs. Donald Coodhue Frederick W. Terman Virginia Fry M rs. W, C ibb Hatch Digital Research Mr. and Mrs. Ceorge D. Marshall Sherrie Hawley MOLECULES BETWEEN THE STARS

The universe is a rather empty place--frt€ltter is a rare commodity. Even in our relatively crowded corner in the Milky Way Calaxy there is 25 million miles of vacuum between the sun and the nearest star. But the vacuum is not quite perfect.

Some 50 years ago astronomers f irst proved that there is a thin scattering of gas and dust between the stars. N inety-seven percent of this matter is hydrogen and heliuffi, while al I the other elements contribute a small three percent admixture. The typical density of this material is only one atom per cubic centimeter. But here and there the gas and dust have concentrated to form comparatively dense clouds. tn these clouds densities can reach a million atoms or molecules per cubic centimeter: dense by the standard of interstel lar space, but much less The Horsehead Nebula is a dark interstellar cloud in produced in dense than the best vacuum that can be which molecu les have been discovered. ( Kitt Peak dar cold ( less the laboratories of earth. ln the k, N at iona I Observatory photograph) than -37O degrees Farhenheit) interiors of these reactions are clouds some remarkable chemical necessary for molecule formation have been found in occ urring. the dense interstellar clouds. The dust grains within the clouds apparently serve as catalysts, combining f half of this century optical astronomers ln the irst into rnolecules the atoms that collide with and stick had discovered only two simple molecules in to thei r surf aces. ln addition, the light-years-thick la One consisted of an atom of interstel r space. mantles of dust in the dense clouds bloc k the n itrogefl, t he other of one carbon and an atom of ultraviolet radiation of interstellar space. Screened But during the atom each of carbon and hydroger. from this radiation, which would destroy them, the f nrolecular astronomy was born 1960's the ield of organic molecules are formed and accumulate in the discovery other interstellar molecules by with the of interiors of these clouds. means of radio telescop€sr A snowballing rate of discovery has now revealed the existence of rnore T here is evidence that these cosmic chemical most which are than 50 interstellar molecules, of factories produce a much wider range of substances on dense interstella clouds. The found ly in the r than we have observed. This evidence is in the form largest interstellar molecule presently known is of ca rbonaceous c hond rite meteorites. T hese carbon, hydrogen and composed of 13 atoms of meterorites are a rarely recovered type of meteorite n it rogeo. (only a few score are known) rich in carbon compounds. Caref ul analyses of some of these molecules complex M any of the interstella r are objects have shown that they contain amino acids of exotic chemicals organic compounds. Along with the extraterrestrial origin. Amino acids, commonly familiar discovered are a number of relatively referred to as the building blocks of life, make up alcohol, substances: metl,yl alcohol, ethyl proteins which are among the rnost important formaldehyde, and formic One conscientious acid. chemicals in living organisms. astronomer determined that in the largest of the was sufficient nrolecular clouds, Sagit+Arius 82, there Radiochernical dating of meteorites shows that they (one fol lowed by 28 zeros) ethyl alcohol to fill 1O'" formed 4.5 to 4.7 billion years dga, should noted that bottles of whiskey. lt be contemporaneously with the formation of the solar historically the term organ ic, as used in chemistry, system. T he meteorit ic amino acids presumably rel ates substances derived f rom plant or animal to predate the solar system, having originated within the ln modern chemical usage, however, the sources. f rom which sun and planets term organic simply refers to a compound containing interstellar cloud the formed. carbon with no implication of a link to life process€s. revelations concerning existence of The discovery of polyatomic organic nrolecules These the between the stars came as a great surprise to cornplex organic molecules in interstelIar space have encouraged idea life itself began not on ast ronotn€rs. lt had been thought that interstellar the that Earth A notable proponent of this view space was too inhospitable for the formation and br"rt in space. B astronomer Fred Hoyle. Physical survival of complex rnolecules. T'he condit ions is the ritish evidence for this theory may exist in finciings of Richard Muller to Speak on The BiS Bang ' st ructured bodies ' in carbonaceous chondrites. T hese are claimed by some researchers to be on saturday, september 17, at B:00 P.M. in the Music reminiscent of microscopic fossils. Also, a few Hall at Monterey Peninsula Col lege, Dr. R ichard investigations indicate that the relative abundances Muller, of the University of California at Berkeley, of the rneteoritic amino acids are such as to imply an will speak on the Big Bang. origin in Iiving cells. Despite these intriguing possibilities the evidence for the extraterrestrial ln 1977, Dr. Muller and his colleagues published a origin of life is weak and not generally accepted. brief article in the Physical Review Letters describing the drift of the earth in a universal sea of low Even if life did not originate in space, the complex temperature radiation. This three degree black body organic nrolecules in the presolar cloud may have radiation is a relic of the creation of the universe played an important role in the development of life and observations of our drift through it provide us on Earth. The heavily cratered surfaces of the moon with information about the large scale structure of and other solar system bodies provide evidence of a the univers€. period of intense cratering that ended about 3.8 billion years ago. Earth also experienced this Using a NASA u-2 aircraft flying at an altitude of bomba rdment. By one estimate, in the interval 501000 feet, Dr. Muller and other Berkeley scientists between the time the Earth cooled enough to support precisely measured the temperature of the radiation Iife (about four billion years ago) and the end of the in several directions. Their data showed that the heavy cratering period, obiects colliding with earth earth was hurtling through the radiation at a velocity would have delivered to the surface more than 20 of over one million miles per hour. miltion tons of amino acids, not to mention other organic compounds. These large quantities of A Professor of Physics at the University of Califoria organic molecules may have been the necessary raw at Berkeley Dr. Mul ler also conducts research at the material for the development of life. Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. His research has included work in astrophysics, radioisotope dating, It has long been known that all the elements, other nuclear physics, and optics. ln 1982, he received a than hydrogen and some heliuffi, were produced in the MacArthur Foundation Prize Fellowship as part of its o cores of an earlier generation of stars. These stars, genius discovery' program for his originality and in their death throes, eXpelled the elements they had creativity. Dr. Muller is also the principal produced back into interstellar space. From there, investigator in a proiect to search for extra-galactic this material was incorporated into subsequent supernovae. lt is a cooperative ef fort, being generations of stars, planets, and the compounds that conducted by the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and support life. We are, in truth, star-born. lt now M IRA. appears that at least the f irst steps in the chemical process that led to life also occurred in interstellar As part of a reorganization of the Friends of MIRA, space. More than ever man is seen as a product of June was made our official Membership Month. All events and processes beyond the Earth. old members were asked to renew on a prorated --Dr. Nelson lrvine basis. Are you still a Friend of M IRA?

MONTEREY INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY 9OO MAJOR SHERMAN LANE NON-PROFIT ORG. MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA 93940 U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 189 MONTEREY, CA 93940