Aug 20 OBSERVER(220Dpi)

THE OBSERVER OF THE TWIN CITY AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS

Volume 45, Number 8 August 2020

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

1«Editor’s Choice: Image of the Month – C/2020 F3 2«President’s Note 2«The Ring Nebula: A Work in Progress 3«Calendar of Astronomical Events – August 2020 3«New & Renewing Members/Dues Blues/E-Mail List 4«This Month’s Phases of the Moon 4«This Month’s Solar Phenomena 4«Minutes of the July 14, 2020, BoD Meeting 6«AstroBits – News from Around the TCAA 6«TCAA Facebook Page Making an Impact 8«TCAA Image Gallery 11«Did You Know? 11«Renewing Your TCAA Membership 12«August 2020 with Jeffrey L. Hunt 22«Benefits of TCAA Membership 24«TCAA Participation in Facebook Encouraged 25«Online Public Talks for 2020 25«AAVSO Free Online Courses 26«Waynesville Observatory Use Policy Statement 26«TCAA Treasurer’s Report as of July 27, 2020

The TCAA is an affiliate of the Astronomical League as well as its North Central Region. For more information about the TCAA, be certain to visit the TCAA website at http://www.tcaa.us/

Visit http://www.astroleague.org for additional information about the

Astronomical League and its numerous membership benefits, EDITOR’S CHOICE: IMAGE OF THE MONTH – C/2020 F3 including observing programs. This month’s editor’s choice was tough. Many TCAAers have

provided excellent images for consideration. This particular image Also, visit the NCRAL website at shows Comet NEOWISE (C/2020 F3) taken by Tony Cellini. Tony http://ncral.wordpress.com for in- noted, “Here are my rendition from 07/17. [This is a] widefield [shot formation about our North Central taken] during the pass of the International Space Station.” Image Region. Find out about the many particulars are as follows: 28mm lens, 15-second exposure @ f/3.5, benefits of your membership from ISO 1600, unguided. See other images of the comet inside this issue. this site.

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

PRESIDENT’S NOTE The OBSERVER A few months ago, if you’d have told is the monthly electronic newsletter of Twin me a comet was coming that would capture City Amateur Astronomers, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organiz- our attention and inspire us astronomers ation of amateur astronomers interested in like nothing else in the past few years, I’d studying astronomy and sharing their hobby have thought you were a bit delusional. with the public. But… here we are, after a month of the most

delicious cometary dessert since Hale-Bopp! TCAA OFFICERS & CHAIRPERSONS Unlike most “comet of the decade”

President, Director, & Property Manager flops, NEOWISE failed to disappoint us, and Tim Stone 309-531-2401 the results have been astounding. Our club [email protected] has actively engaged in making

Vice President & Director/Membership Coord. observations, both visual and photographic, President Tim Tom Willmitch 309-846-2423 on a scale I’ve not seen in my tenure here. Stone [email protected] I’m so proud of us, and what a beauty it has been. With both a dust and ion tail,

Treasurer & Director/Registered Agent spreading over several degrees of sky, its juxtaposition with Ursa Major has made it Dave Osenga 309-287-0789 easy to find with the naked eye and binoculars, giving us all pause to stop and [email protected] consider how awe-inspiring the universe really is. Assistant Property Manager/ALCor My personal thanks go to everyone who has submitted an observation report Scott Wade 309-310-2464 or a photograph. We’ve made some great images (which as you know are my bias), [email protected] but the visual observations have been wonderful! It’s all been a fabulous break from 5th Director the weather and difficulties of the first half of the year. Sunil Chebolu 678-896-5967 [email protected] Keep your eyes open. There’s more to come! Secretary/Historian/Editor Tim Stone Carl J. Wenning 309-830-4085 [email protected] HE ING EBULA ORK IN ROGRESS Technology Coordinator/Assistant Editor T R N : A W P

Sandullah Epsicokhan 309-828-0227 Editor’s Remark: Tim’s President’s [email protected] Note is quite short this month and Webmaster there’s a good reason for it. Finally, Lee Green 309-454-7349 [email protected] after months and months of clouds, we are getting some clear skies. Tim AL Observing Club Coordinator has been using nearly all of his free Lisa Wentzel unlisted number [email protected] time bringing the CDK 24” telescope at Waynesville Observatory online. The OBSERVER Tim noted recently, “With the Carl J. Wenning, Editor refined polar alignment, I acquired Submission deadline two days before this set of 3x600 RGB unguided the end of each month. images [see composite shown left]. “There’s a little star elongation, MEMBERSHIP DUES but hey, that’s not bad! Still ice on Individual Adult/Family $40 the sensor, and the G and B filters Full-time Student/Senior $25 need to be put in in place of the (Senior status equals ages 60+) Johnson photometric V and B

To join, send your name, contact info, and filters... That’ll be this weekend... dues payment to Dave Osenga, TCAA “I have the fields of view of the main cam and the piggyback marked in the sky Treasurer, 1109 N. Linden St., Normal, IL so we can easily use the piggyback for accurate positioning now. I don’t have the 61761-1471. rotator configured to the main cam field of view, nor do I have the location of the AO pickoff mirror determined yet. All to come :)”

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

CALENDAR OF ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS – AUG 2020 NEW & RENEWING MEMBERS

MORNING PLANETS (8/15): Mercury (☿), Venus (♀), Mars (♂), The following individuals have paid dues for new or renewed memberships as of July 27, 2020. (Others who Uranus (⛢), and Neptune (♆) paid after that date will appear in the September 2020 EVENING PLANETS (8/15): Mercury (☿), Jupiter (♃), and issue of The OBSERVER.) Saturn (♄). Mercury is north of the sun and so is in both morning and evening skies of mid-August. (It is not visible.) Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!

The following table gives the date and time (24-hour clock) of New: None important astronomical events for this month. All events are Renewing: Matthew Will

given in Central Daylight Time. Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!

Day Time Event

UES LUES D B 01 15:14 Mercury 6.6°S of Pollux If you have received a dues statement email along 01 18:30 Jupiter 1.5°N of Moon with this issue of The OBSERVER, please send your dues 02 08:17 Saturn 2.3°N of Moon to Mr. Dave Osenga, TCAA Treasurer, 1109 N. Linden St., 03 07 Mars at Perihelion Normal, IL 61761-1471. Dues are currently $25 for seniors 03 10:59 FULL MOON (60 years of age and over) and $40 regular. 05 23 Mercury at Perihelion 09 02:57 Mars 0.8°N of Moon: Occn. SUBSCRIBING TO THE TCAA EMAIL LIST 09 08:51 Moon at Apogee: 404658 km Welcome to the [email protected] group at Groups.io. 11 11:45 LAST QUARTER MOON This is a free, easy-to-use group email service set up for 12 08 Perseid Meteor Shower the TCAA’s communication purposes. You can subscribe, 12 20 Venus at Greatest Elong: 45.8°W visit your group, read and post messages here: 13 05:06 Aldebaran 4.0°S of Moon https://groups.io/g/tcaa 14 14:22 Moon at Ascending Node The email address for this group is [email protected]. 15 08:01 Venus 4.0°S of Moon After you successfully subscribe, please add this email 16 14:10 Pollux 4.5°N of Moon address to your safe sender list in your email client’s 17 10 Mercury at Superior Conjunction contacts, so emails from this list are not classified as junk 18 21:41 NEW MOON mail. Once subscribed, you can set your subscription 21 05:59 Moon at Perigee: 363513 km settings here: https://groups.io/g/tcaa/editsub. You can 25 12:58 FIRST QUARTER MOON opt to receive all messages in individual emails, collections 25 23:04 Antares 6.2°S of Moon of messages in a digest, a daily summary, or only special 27 06:52 Moon at Descending Node notices. If you do not wish to belong to this group, you 28 20:33 Jupiter 1.4°N of Moon may unsubscribe by sending an email to 29 11:40 Saturn 2.2°N of Moon [email protected] If you have general questions about the group, email This Calendar of Astronomical Events courtesy of Fred Espenak. [email protected]. For questions not answered there, http://www.astropixels.com/ephemeris/astrocal/astrocal2020cst.html contact the moderators of this group (Deva C., Tim S., and

Carl W.) by emailing [email protected]. EVENING SKY MAP Get the current evening sky map along with a more detailed celestial events calendar at the following URL: http://www.skymaps.com/

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

THIS MONTH’S PHASES OF THE MOON

Full Moon Last Quarter New Moon First Quarter Monday, August 3 Tuesday, August 11 Tuesday, August 18 Tuesday, August 25

All moon phase dates are Central Time. Moon phases for the 2020 calendar year can be found by clicking here: http://www.astropixels.com/ephemeris/astrocal/astrocal2020cst.html Images provided by J. K. Howell of the Champaign- Urbana Astronomical Society & used with permission.

THIS MONTH’S SOLAR PHENOMENA

In the table below, you will find times of sunrise and sunset along with rising and setting azimuths (Az), length of the day including the change from the previous day, start and end times of astronomical twilight, and the time of solar noon along with the elevation (El) of the midday sun. These data come from https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/bloomington

2020 Sunrise/Sunset Day Length Astronomical Twilight Solar Noon Solar Dist.

Aug Sunrise (Az) Sunset (Az) Length Diff. Start End Time (Elevation) MIL. MILES 1 5:53 AM (65°) 8:10 PM (294°) 14:16:30 –2:01 4:04 AM 9:59 PM 1:02 PM (67.3°) 94.337 11 6:03 AM (69°) 7:58 PM (290°) 13:55:40 –2:16 4:18 AM 9:42 PM 1:01 PM (64.5°) 94.200 21 6:13 AM (74°) 7:44 PM (286°) 13:30:54 –2:26 4:33 AM 9:23 PM 12:58 PM (61.3°) 94.027

MINUTES OF THE JULY 14, 2020, BOD MEETING

President Tim Stone called the meeting to order via ZOOM and Carl said that he would contact him. Finally, Tim noted at 6:38 PM. Attending were Scott Wade, Tom Willmitch, Carl that the storage unit at SGNC is a “disaster area,” and that Wenning, Dave Osenga, Sunil Chebolu, and Lisa Wentzel. he would soon partner with others to clean it up. He Joining the discussion about 7 PM was Deva Chatrathi. Not encouraged volunteers to contact him. attending were Sandullah Epsicokhan and Lee Green. The first • Tom noted as Vice President and Membership Coordinator order of business was officer and chair reports. that the ISU Planetarium would be closed through the remainder of the year due to the pandemic. Therefore, • Tim noted as President and Property Manager that the 24” none of our usual club socials or other activities will be held at WO had been polar aligned, which is about “as good as there. can be expected.” The telescope’s polar axis is aligned to • Carl noted as Secretary/Historian/Editor that his positions within 8” of elevation and 28” of azimuth in relation to the have been tentatively “filled.” When his terms expire in north celestial pole. The goal now is to make the imaging February, Lisa will take over as Secretary and Sandullah will system “fully functional.” This goal should be accomplished take over as newsletter editor and de facto historian of the shortly, assuming we have clear skies. In a follow-up, Scott club pending Board approval. noted that there recently had been minor problems with • Dave noted as Treasurer that balances in checking was the 14” and QHY color camera at PSO, but these are being $2,708.56 and in savings was $1,968.02 with a total of dealt with by Bob Finnigan and himself. Scott also noted $4,676.58. that he had worked recently with Deva to teach him how to • use the PSO imaging systems. Carl stated that Deva has a Scott, as ALCor, noted that ALCon 2020 had been key for SGO and asked Tim to update his keyholder record. rescheduled to 2021. The event will remain the same in Tim noted that Brian Barling wants to obtain a key to SGO terms of hosts, location, speakers, and activities to the

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

extent possible. He noted that Aaron Clevenson is looking • The Board then addressed a question from a member who to develop a history of the Astronomical League’s Messier has a considerable amount of costly astronomical imaging Observing program and that those who received equipment for which he’s making long-term plans. His certificates in the 60s, 70s, and 80s might want to contact question is, “Is the TCAA willing to buy or sell and keep half?” him with potentially interesting information. once the need for disposal arrives. It was agreed that the • Lisa, as AL Observing Clubs Coordinator, had nothing to current TCAA Board could not take on the responsibility of report. However, Tim mentioned that he recently had a an estate executor for a situation that might not arise for good time completing NCRAL’s summer Messier Mini many years. We agreed that we should express willingness Marathon (as did Lisa and Carl). Tom said that AAVSO is to help dispose of the materials on the list provided, but hosting some online courses (which Lisa had brought to the that we cannot commit future Boards to doing so. Tim will club’s attention earlier), and that room is still available for get back with the member in question and explain the registrants. Tim mentioned that he would be giving a talk to situation, noting that the club would be happy to receive a the AAVSO on spectrography soon. bequest of such equipment if the potential donor considers • There were no reports from our Technology Coordinator or making that statement in his will. It was further agreed that Webmaster. As the only matter of OLD BUSINESS, Carl Tim will work with Lisa to come up with a policy statement noted that Deva has been working on our new website. about how to handle such bequests. • Tom asked how the TCAA should proceed with the NCRAL The discussion then turned to items of NEW BUSINESS: mini-grant for the ISU Astronomy Club’s affiliate • Carl asked about the status of the TCAA vote for recruitment, given the uncertainties of the COVID-19 Astronomical League President (2 candidates) and Vice pandemic. Carl, speaking as NCRAL Regional Chair, President (1 candidate). Scott noted that the ballot had informed him that the grant period would be extended as gotten lost in his email and that it wasn’t cast. necessary by his personal authority, given the uncertainties • There was a brief discussion about recent observations of of the current situation. Comet NEOWISE. Many have observed it, and Tom noted • Tim recommended that the next Board of Directors that the TCAA’s Facebook page has recently been popular meeting be held on Tuesday, September 8th, at 6:30 PM. as a source of local viewing information. The club’s listserv This was agreed to. Tim thanked Carl for attempting to host also has been very active with lots of commentary and the present meeting with a picnic at his house and was images. Carl noted that no one from the Pantagraph has sorry that things did not work out. Others chimed in with contacted him (Tom said the same) about the comet, which similar comments. Carl noted that he would give this idea is making quite a public stir. Tim noted that he had not seen another try as soon as reasonably possible. anything in the Pantagraph about the comet. • Deva, who had joined the discussion minutes earlier, then • Dave reported on the club’s recent Astronomical League gave an update on the development of the new TCAA dues payment and TCAA roster. He noted that there are website. He reported that he and his team of two others currently 48 active dues-paying members. Some long-time are making “good progress” and that the club’s major members have not renewed their memberships recently, documents and the last ten years of newsletters have been and that this is of concern. Dave asked those in attendance received from Carl for posting. Deva hopes to have to review the record he provided earlier via email and send something to demonstrate near the end of the month. This comments to him about who might most effectively be will include a privacy statement, member profiles, pursued to renew their memberships. membership dues payments, a password-protected secure • Carl reported that he picked up the NexStar11 telescope area, and so forth. Carl noted that probably only the approved for donation but has not checked it out. Dave, president, treasurer, and secretary have any need to access who owns a NexStar11, offered check out the telescope to most (but not all) of the secure information. Board after arrangements for transfer can be made. The club members are encouraged to go to the draft website, review might install the telescope in a dome at WO (an offer has it, and provide hand-written comments on printed images been made to fund a small dome) or declared “unwanted of each page and send them to Deva for correction. property” and made available to the TCAA membership for The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM. a donation. The Board will decide after the unit has been checked out. Carl noted that he has donated at PowerTank Respectfully submitted, battery, power cable, and dew shield for the NexStar11. Carl J. Wenning, Secretary

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

ASTROBITS – NEWS FROM AROUND THE TCAA

ó On the morning of Sunday, July 5th, Carl Wenning observed These monsters will dwarf the 400-footers located Comet NEOWISE (C/2020 F3) for the first time using 8x42 northwest and east of the Twin Cities. binoculars from a country road a mile east of Normal. He ó During the July 16th AL National Council meeting, first saw the comet at 4:20 AM as fuzzy, star-like object participant Carl Wenning (North Central Region Chairman) about 5° above the northeast horizon. By 4:30 AM the was named to co-lead a new official Astronomical League comet had risen to 6° above the horizon and a tail was publication. This publication, supposedly a newsletter, will clearly discernible. The nucleus of the comet appeared to complement the seasonally published Reflector magazine. be of second magnitude or slightly brighter (integrated ó Have you been reading the Astronomical League’s magnitude), and the tail was clearly discernable at 0.25° to Reflector magazine and North Central Region’s newsletter 0.33° in length. The comet was not visible to Carl despite Northern Lights? If not, you should because there’s always repeated efforts to see it without optical aid. a lot of interesting and useful information in them. You can ó On the morning of July 8th, both Carl and Tony Cellini view issues thru the following links:

viewed the comet from different locations. Carl saw a ½ Reflector: https://www.astroleague.org/reflector degree tail using 8x42 binoculars whereas Tony saw a full Northern Lights: https://ncral.wordpress.com/ 1-degree tail using 9x63 binoculars. Carl could not see the comet with the unaided eye whereas Tony did see it using Upon reaching NCRAL’s home page, select “Newsletters” averted vision. in the menu bar to reach the newsletter archive. ó Marc Tiritilli was able to ó Among the more detailed observing reports from TCAA photograph Comet NEOWISE members was one my Matthew Will who lives in on the morning of July 5th. Marc Springfield. He is Secretary of the Association of Lunar and reported that this image is a 1- Planetary Observers (ALPO). On the morning of July 17th he second exposure at ISO 800 reported via listserv, “I was able to view Comet NEOWISE made with a Nikon D3300 with with my 10 x 30 Canon Image-Stabilization Binoculars last a Nikkor 70-300mm lens set to night, from 10:00 to 10:20 PM. Clouds from earlier in the 300mm, f/5.6. The image has evening disappeared along the horizon giving me some been cropped image and the good views from Springfield. The comet was certainly contrast adjusted. He also more prominent than five days ago. It appeared to have a noted, “Lots of haze on the horizon.” tail as long as 10 degrees. I used averted vision and rocking ó From July 5-13, there was a flurry of listserv and Facebook as Carl suggested earlier, to visualize its full extent in activity relating to the morning and then evening binoculars; however, the brighter portions of the tail were apparition of Comet NEOWISE (C/2020 F3). Blessed with only about a third as long. I would estimate the coma’s more than a week of clear skies, members saw the comet intensity to be about 7 on the 0 to 9 scale with 9 being the change from a nearly imperceptible fuzz ball in the stellar. The coma seems to be larger than a few days ago morning sky of early July to the point where it because a but using handheld binoculars with a brighter sky fairly easy naked-eye object toward the middle of the background made it impossible to make a measurement month. Members reported perceptions of the tail of the coma. Lack of good comparison stars with the extending 6° and more with the use of larger binoculars comet being the brightest thing in the field of view made and transparent skies. a magnitude estimate using the out-of-focus method ó On July 14th, the DeWitt County Board approved the impractical. With the naked eye, I am guessing that the development of the Tradewind Energy Alta wind farm that head of Comet NEOWISE was probably between will be located due south of the TCAA’s Waynesville magnitude 2 and 3. To the naked eye, the comet appeared Observatory. It is unclear if and to what extent windfarm as a wispy specter, along the NNW horizon, reminding me lighting will affect our observatory. The County Board of Comet Halley when it was prominent 34 years ago.” approved the project despite a negative recommendation ó Allan Griffith has been arranging mid-July evening bicycle from the Regional Planning Commission and Zoning Board rides recently for the benefits of those wanting to view of Appeals and strong public opposition. According to a Comet NEOWISE from dark rural settings. Rides, under the Pantagraph report, some were considering a lawsuit to auspices of the McLean County Wheelers bicycle club, stop the development of the Alta Farms II wind farm with started from Underwood Park in Normal before sunset its 66 windmills, some soaring to heights of 599 feet! and went for typically 30-35 miles. Riders typically

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

returned to town around 11:00 to 11:30 PM. What an This combination got a lot of people out under the stars. innovative way to get people out to view the comet! Tony Cellini reported imaging from SGO, Matthew Will ó As of July 18th, Dave Osenga has in his possession the described detailed magnitude estimates made from donated NexStar11 telescope. He will report on its Springfield, Tim Stone reportedly viewed from his yard in condition after he has a chance to do some viewing with it. Bloomington, Jamey Jenkins noted he watch from rural If all goes well, it is hoped that the instrument might be Homer, and Sharon MacDonald and Carl Wenning housed in an 8-foot-diameter domed observatory at watched the comet continuously from 10:00-11:30 PM Waynesville for individual member use. There is an from Carlock. Several reports from the general public were existing circular pad with electrical outlets at WO that posted on the club’s Facebook page. The comet has would be suitable for it. This move, of course, would become a naked-eye object, with a tail of perhaps a degree require the pre-approval of the TCAA Board of Directors. or two readily visible. Sharon and Carl were able to trace ó Our TCAA Facebook page during the height of Comet the tail of C/2020 F3 to perhaps 6-7 degrees at the end of NEOWISE apparition has been viewed by as many as 900 astronomical twilight. to 1,000 people each day. We have gained many loyal ó Several TCAA members are helping Carl Wenning to followers during time. It’s not uncommon to come across develop, refine, and edit his Galileo Observer’s Guide to people on the sides of country roads on clear nights the Heavens. The Guide, the culmination of a now 31-year looking to see the brightest comet since 1997. It’s effort, is designed to help first-time small telescope rewarding to think that many are getting their detailed owners use their eyes and telescopes to replicate Galileo’s local observing information from our Facebook page. observations and evidence-based scientific conclusions. While we have not been able to host public viewing Galileo tells the story of his life and serves as a personal sessions for this comet due to the pandemic, we are guide to the heavens. Significant contributors will be developing good will and establishing long-lasting acknowledged in the book. relationships through our Facebook page. ó Many observers bid Comet NEOWISE farewell on the ó Mark Cabaj has reported through Carl Wenning to Angela evening of July 23rd. The comet is on its way out having Funk at SGNC that he will be removing his metal made it closest approach to Earth the night before. The observatory from the grounds of the nature center moon, just 3.6 days past new and shining at magnitude – sometime soon. While Mark has not asked for help 6.5 had a significant impact on the view of the comet. removing the observatory, Carl knows that he could use it. Many would-be amateur astronomers were observed on If you are interested in assisting with the removal of the country roads by the Wenning as they drove back from observatory, please drop Carl an email at their Mabel Road observing site. [email protected] indicating such. Carl will stay in ó We have recently updated our Facebook page to link touch with Mark and Angela and will let volunteers know visitors to http://www.tcaa.us/About.aspx. Check it out! when help is needed. ó Tim Stone will be presenting an invited talk about ó July 22nd was a clear evening and the date of the closest spectroscopy during an August 22nd AAVSO online talk. approach of Comet NEOWISE to Earth (61,000,000 miles). (See last page of this issue for the announcement.)

TCAA FACEBOOK PAGE MAKING AN IMPACT

Facebook automatically generates data for owners of their pages that indicate what sort of impact various pages are having. The TCAA’s site is having a significant impact locally (primarily B-N & Pontiac), and most of that impact recently has come from postings about Comet NEOWISE. During the last 28 days (June 30-July 27), our posts were seen by a total of 6,864 people. This is up 165% from the prior four-week period. 2,481 people engaged with these posts It was not uncommon to see our most popular posts either through reactions, shares, or comments. This is up an reach 1,200 to 1,500 individuals on a single day. During a astonishing 319% from the prior period. Page followers typical 7-day period, our posts are viewed an average of about increased by 73, up and astounding 1,117% over the prior 850-875 people per day. Our most popular recent post period. We currently have 970 followers. 56% of our followers occurred on May 30 when some 4,100 people viewed our are women and 42% are men. There is an interesting age information about visibility of the Drago Crew space capsule distribution as shown in the following table. on its way to rendezvous with the International Space Station.

The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

TCAA IMAGE GALLERY

FULL MOON BY SUNIL CHEBOLU – Sunil wrote, “Here is a picture of JUPITER & PLUTO BY TIM STONE – While we’ve been marveling the full moon from the 4th of July. This is joint work with my at Comet NEOWISE, the planets have been putting on college friend Depayan Sarkar who is now a professor at the another show for us. Jupiter and Saturn are in conjunction Indian Statistical Institute, Delhi. This image was taken in my at opposition, Venus is transiting the Hyades, and Mars backyard precisely at 11:29 CST — the moment of maximum brightness is growing rapidly as it approaches opposition. By penumbral eclipse — on July 4th using my Celestron 130mm serendipity I discovered the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction is SLT with a 9mm eyepiece (without any moon filter) and really a triple... Tiny Pluto is very close to Jupiter right now! Google Pixel3 camera in night sight mode. For fun, I took this picture of the conjunction. Of course, the five-minute exposure needed to capture 14th magnitude Pluto completely blew out -2.75 magnitude Jupiter, but hey... they’re both in the image ;) Enjoy!

COMET NEOWISE BY VIVIAN HOETTE – This image shown left was taken on Thursday night, July 16th, while the comet dominated the northwestern sky. Vivian took three pictures from Heather Ridge in north Normal. She used a tripod- mounted Nikon D5000 camera and an AF Nikkor 28mm lens set at f/2.8 with ISO 1600. This was the middle of three exposure times of 5, 10, 20 seconds.

This and many other images by TCAA members were posted on the TCAA groups.io listserv. If you are not subscribed, you are missing a lot of “action.” Members have learned from one another over the course of this apparition to get some great images of C/2020 F3. See page 3 of this newsletter for information about how to subscribe to the TCAA listserv. It is open to all who are interested.

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

COMET NEOWISE BY TONY CELLINI – From last night (July 17th), the first rendition is my attempt to show how it appeared to me in the sky. Of course, it wasn’t that bright, but the sky and cloud colors match my recollection. The second image is the same one, converted to monochrome, inverted, and stretched like crazy. The ion tail is apparent, and the dust tail is about 6.5 degrees long.

TESTS OF ED150 GUIDER ON 24” BY TIM STONE – Tim noted, “I took a couple images (M16 and Veil Nebula) with the 6” tonight (July 24), just to see how it did. These are the result, both 6x300 RGB, no flats, no darks, and unguided. The 6-inch guider is piggybacked on the 24 inch.”

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

NGC 7380 BY SCOTT WADE – Scott noted, “This is the Wizard Nebula, located in Cepheus. The sub-images were captured 7/12, 7/13, and 7/17, 2020 with the 17” using the QHY600 monochrome camera. It consists of 23 Hα subs, 23 OIII subs, and 24 SII subs, 300 seconds each, bin 2. Total exposure time: 5 hours 50 minutes. Image processed using PixInsight and Photo-shop.

COMET NEOWISE BY TONY CELLINI – Tony noted, “Here are a few images from last night (July 22). The close-up with the 100mm lens really shows how the coma's green color was standing out. The other two were with a 28-105mm zoom set to 28mm. I used my flashlight to "paint" the observatory in the foreground.

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

NEOWISE CLOSEUP BY SCOTT WADE – Scott noted on July 25th, “The NEOWISE comet was high enough in the sky last night (alas dimmer) that I was finally able to capture it with the CDK 17.

“I ran a series of 30- and 15- second exposures in RGB, but because the comet is moving relative to the star field, I wasn't able to stack a lot of subs.

“Attached is an image using a single 30 sec sub each of RGB, no flats, no darks.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Are you looking for back issues of The Are you looking for information about Are you looking for the TCAA Guides to OBSERVER? Look no further than here: the history of the TCAA? Find out more amateur astronomy? Visit this page: http://tcaa.us/Observer.aspx here: http://tcaa.us/History.aspx http://tcaa.us/TCAAGuides.aspx

RENEWING YOUR TCAA MEMBERSHIP

The TCAA works to promote in every way among its members and the public an interest in and knowledge of astronomy and its allied sciences, to advance amateur astronomy and observational techniques, to render assistance to other individuals or organizations working in the same or related fields, and to do everything necessary and proper to further such on a formal or informal basis. The TCAA is a Federally recognized non-profit entity organized exclusively for educational and scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code. The TCAA currently supports family-friendly public observing sessions at SGNC, public outreach events such as the recent May 9, 2016 transit of Mercury and the August 21, 2017, total solar eclipse field trip, hosting of NCRAL meetings (2010 and 2016), and education courses for our membership and the public. The TCAA maintains three observatories, including payment of insurance, and publishes an award-winning club newsletter. We support Sugar Grove Nature Center through its membership program, maintain a loaner telescope program, and provide many other benefits as outlined in our recently revised TCAA Guide #2 – TCAA Membership and Benefits. Your TCAA membership supports education and public outreach in Central Illinois and regions beyond. Membership dues and the generosity of its members are the club’s primary means of financial support. We receive no grants or public funds. We have unmet needs. By renewing your membership when it comes due, you can help to ensure our continuing efforts.

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

AUGUST 2020: PERSEIDS, OPPOSING LUNAR CRESCENTS, AND A VENUS-JUPITER OPPOSITION ~ by Jeffrey L. Hunt ~

When morning twilight begins as August opens (about 3:50 a.m. CDT), the four bright planets continue to put on their morning parade. Venus is low in the east-northeast; Mars is over halfway up in the southeast; and the giant planetary pair – Jupiter and Saturn – are low in the southwest. The three following charts show the motions of these planets.

Jupiter and Saturn retrograde in eastern Sagittarius during August 2020. The motion is described in the daily notes. The stars that make the background of their motion is 56 Sagittarii (56 Sgr, m = 4.8), 50 Sagittarii (50 Sgr, m =5.6), and π Sagittarii.

Starting in the southern sky, Fomalhaut – the solitary bright star in this region of faint stars – is about 10° west of the meridian and less than a third of the way up in the sky. Working up the meridian, we see that the celestial divider bisects the Great Square of Pegasus. The winged horse is about two-thirds of the way up in the sky. In a dark location,

During August 2020 this chart shows the motion of Venus the Great Andromeda Spiral can be seen overhead without compared to the background stars as it leaves Taurus, moves optical aid. Working our way down the meridian in the north, across Orion’s arm, and passes through Gemini. we pass the quintet of Cassiopeia’s stars that trace out an “M” high in the north-northeast – over two-thirds of the way up. Moving lower, we pass the star that barely moves, Polaris, on its nightly celestial lockdown. At this hour the Big Dipper scrapes along the northern horizon, likely behind the fully leafed trees in your neighborhood. Meanwhile, the Summer Triangle – Vega, Altair, and Deneb – sprawl across the western sky. The river of the Milky Way’s delicate splendor pours through Cygnus and across the meridian to Cassiopeia and Perseus. The light passes between Capella and Venus, into the horizon. Even though the stellar bunch is dim, we cannot help to pause when our eye catches the Pleiades cluster that is in the eastern sky. Aldebaran and the Hyades make the “V” of Taurus, now tipped on its side above Venus, completing the infectious attraction to view this region of the sky.

This chart shows the motion of Mars compared to the Orion, with its telescopic bounty, is climbing into the dimmer stars in southeastern Pisces. During the month, eastern sky. Several stars in the region are making their first Mars passes near 89 Piscium (89 Psc, m = 5.1), Mu Piscium (μ appearances in the morning sky. The arrival of Sirius in the Psc, m = 4.8), Nu Piscium (ν Psc, m = 4.4) and Omicron August sky signals the eventual arrival of lowering sun arcs Piscium (ο Psc, m = 4.2). and cooler temperatures. Daylight’s length is nearly 14.25 hours. By the end of the month, daylight shrinks nearly 75

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

minutes and the sun’s noon altitude decreases 10°. At the end Normally we describe and observe the opposition of an of evening twilight (10 p.m. CDT), the Teapot of Sagittarius, outer planet with the sun. Near opposition the planet is with its observational wonders, is at the meridian. Jupiter, less closest to Earth, appears very bright, and seems to glide than 10° from the meridian, and Saturn are in eastern across the sky all night. At oppositions of Mars with the sun, Sagittarius. Working upward in the sky, we pass Scutum with the Martian moons were first observed and the “canali” were its grand star cloud and two Messier objects. Start with a first sketched. We don’t often describe the opposition of two binocular and then reduce your field of vision with a telescope planets, that is when two planets are on opposite sides of to see the details. Earth, one setting and one rising. This occurs during the early Looking higher we pass Altair, well east of the meridian, morning of August 25, when Jupiter is setting and Venus is to reach Vega, a few degrees west of the south point and rising. In the daily notes that follow, the early-morning nearly overhead. The Ring Nebula is nearly at the meridian. observations roll back to an hour before sunrise on August 11. The Keystone of Hercules and its Great Globular Cluster are If you are so inclined and have clear views of the east- west of the Harp’s gem. On the north side of the sky, the Big northeast horizon and the southwest horizon, then continue Dipper and Cassiopeia have nearly the same altitude and they to chase the setting Jupiter and rising Venus until their are equally spaced from the meridian, but at a lower level opposition date. Use a binocular to see the planets near the than Polaris. horizon. The arc of the dipper’s handle leads us to topaz Arcturus, The Venus – Saturn opposition occurs during early the lone bright star in the western sky. The grand river of the September. Milky Way arcs from the south-southwest horizon, near Mars stops its apparent eastward motion on September Antares, and crosses the meridian as it pierces the Summer 9, 2020 and begins to retrograde. As this point approaches, Triangle. Deneb is a bright stellar island in the middle of the the planet’s eastward motion slows. Early in the month, Mars splendor’s light. The Milky Way’s essence then travels moves eastward along the ecliptic by about 0.4° each day. through Cassiopeia and into the horizon at Perseus. The Great Around August 11, it slows to about 0.3° each day. By August Square of Pegasus is low in the east. Alpheratz, the northern 22, the eastward motion slows to 0.2° each day. star in the square, is about one-third of the way up in the sky Similarly, Jupiter’s retrograde ends early in September with the same altitude as Andromeda’s Great Spiral that is and Saturn at September’s end. Both planets slow as the about halfway to Cassiopeia. reach the end of their retrograde and Jupiter begins to inch The Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak on the toward its Great Conjunction with Saturn on December 21, night of August 11-12. The meteors from 109P/Comet Swift- 2020. Jupiter’s westward motion is about 0.1° each day early Tuttle seem to originate from a point (radiant) in Perseus. in the month and about 0.04° at the end of the month. In Long considered the best shower of the year, especially in the comparison, Saturn moves 0.07° westward at the beginning northern hemisphere for the warmer weather and high of August and 0.04° at month’s end. altitude of the radiant as morning twilight begins. The While this is described more in the mid-month predicted peak of the shower is about 100 meteors per hour description, an opportunity opens to see opposing crescent (at all magnitudes) when the radiant is at the zenith, fewer for moons on August 18 and August 19. This is when you can lower altitudes. observe the waning crescent in the morning sky in the The astronomical prospects of seeing meteors is fair to morning and then the waxing crescent moon on the evening good as the moon is less than Last Quarter phase (43%), rising of the next day. at midnight. As has been written here in previous years, a single observer seeing 100 meteors per hour is impossible. In a dark location divide the rate by 5, as a quintet of observers is needed to view the entire sky. Because of the moon’s brightness, reduce that factor by about 30%. In town with more lights, cut that number in half. The reasonable rate for single dark sky observers, 12-14 meteors per hour. For in- town observers, 6-7 per hour. Four planets are in the sky during the early morning hours for most of the month. The gap continues to widen between Venus and Jupiter as Venus moves eastward about 1.0° each day and Jupiter is nearing its stationary point as its eastward motion resumes early next month.

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

has lengthened to nearly 6 hours. One hour after sunset, the moon (12.4d, 97%) is nearly 15° in altitude in the southeast. The bright moon is 2.9° below Jupiter and 6.7° to the right of Saturn. The giant outer planet pair is 7.7° apart. They continue to retrograde in eastern Sagittarius. Saturn retrogrades 1.8° during August, as Jupiter retrogrades 2.4° of ecliptic longitude. By month’s end the Jupiter – Saturn gap is 8.3°. As midnight approaches, Mars is nearly 7° up in the east.

August 1: In the evening sky, the bright moon is 2.9° below Jupiter and 6.7° to the right of Saturn. The giant outer planet pair is 7.7° apart.

• August 1: Two hours before sunrise (about 3:45 a.m. CDT), four bright planets span the sky from the east-northeast horizon to the southwest skyline. The Venus – Jupiter gap is 154.5° of ecliptic longitude. Brilliant Venus (m = −4.5) is 12° up in the east-northeast in eastern Taurus, 2.1° to the lower right of Zeta Tauri (ζ Tau, m = 3.0). Through a telescope, Venus is a thick morning crescent that is 43% August 2: In the evening sky, the bright moon is in the illuminated and 27.0” across, nearly twice the apparent southeast. It is 7.8° to the lower left of Saturn. The Ringed diameter of Mars. During the month, Venus moves Wonder is 7.7° to the lower left of Jupiter. eastward among the stars 29.2°. Farther westward on the • ecliptic, Mars (m = −1.1) is over 45° up in the southeast in August 2: Four hours before sunrise (around 2 a.m. CDT), southeastern Pisces, near the Cetus border. It is 4.9° below the bright gibbous moon (12.6d, 98%), nearly 19° up in the Epsilon Piscium (ε Psc, m = 4.2) and 1.2° to the upper right southwest, makes a pretty triangle with Jupiter and Saturn of 89 Piscium (89 Psc, m = 5.1). Use a binocular to see the (m = 0.2). The moon is 4.2° to the left of Jupiter and 5.1° to the lower right of Saturn. The planets are 7.7° apart. As starfield with Mars. During August, Mars moves eastward the morning progresses Mars and Venus appear higher in 9.2° along the ecliptic. At the beginning of the month, Mars moves steadily eastward at nearly 0.4° each day. By the eastern sky. Two hours later look for brilliant Venus month’s end, the Red Planet is nearing its stationary point nearly 13° up in the east-northeast. This morning Venus where it stops moving eastward and begins to retrograde. passes 1.7° to the lower right of ζ Tau. Mars is over 46° up Then it is moving eastward at less than 0.2° each day. in the southeast, 3.9° to the lower right of Zeta Piscium (ζ Saturn (m = 0.1) is farther west, over 10° up in the Psc, m = 5.1) and 0.8° to the upper right of 89 Psc. Use a binocular to see the planets in their starfields. At this time southwest. If you have a clear horizon, Jupiter (m = −2.7) four bright planets arc across the sky along the ecliptic, is 7.7° to the lower right of Saturn. As the morning progresses and twilight begins, Jupiter and Saturn set in although Jupiter is low in the southwest. Mars is at the southwest and Mercury (m = −0.9) becomes visible. perihelion, 1.38 Astronomical Units (A.U.) from the sun Forty-five minutes before sunrise, the speedy planet is and 0.63 A.U. from Earth. As twilight brightens the sky, trio over 5° up in the east-northeast, 6.7° to the lower right of in the southwest sets and bright Mercury (m = −1.0) is less Pollux (β Gem, m = 1.2) and about 29° to the lower left of than 5° in altitude in the east-northeast. This speedy planet is 6.6° to the lower right of Pollux. The Venus – Venus. The sun is in the sky for nearly 14.5 hours. Darkness Mercury gap is nearly 30°. In the evening, one hour after

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

sunset, the moon (13.4d, 100%) is about 10° up in the in the southeast, 7.8° to the upper right of Saturn. In the southeastern sky. It is 7.8° to the lower left of Saturn. The starfield, Jupiter is 0.8° to the lower right of 50 Sgr, while Ringed Wonder is 7.7° to the lower left of Jupiter. Use a Saturn is 2.8° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. Two hours after binocular to observe that Jupiter is 0.6° to the lower right sunset, the moon (15.4d, 98%) is over 8° in altitude in the of 50 Sagittarii (50 Sgr, m = 5.6), and Saturn is 2.9° to the east-southeast. The moon is approaching the Vernal lower left of 56 Sagittarii (56 Sgr, m = 4.8). As midnight Equinox, the sun’s location on the first day of Spring. We approaches, Mars is less than 10° up in the east. normally talk about the Harvest Moon Effect next month, • August 3: Two hours before sunrise, the bright moon although the effect occurs at any phase when the moon (13.6d, 100%) is nearly 14° up in the southwest. It is over approaches the equinox and that important point is near 10° to the upper left of Saturn. Jupiter is 7.7° to the lower the eastern horizon. While the moon moves about 13° right of the Ringed Wonder. Unless you have a clear each day through its orbit, its nightly rising time difference horizon and exceptional weather, Jupiter has departed interval is much shorter than average, when the moon is your view at this time interval before sunrise. Mars is near the equinox point, so the moon does not appear to farther eastward along the ecliptic, nearly 47° in altitude move very far compared to the horizon each evening. Look in the southeast. Use a binocular to observe that it is 0.5° at about 11 p.m. for the next few evenings to notice the to the upper right of 89 Psc and 3.7° to the lower right of ζ moon’s position relative to the horizon. As midnight Psc. Brilliant Venus is nearly 13° up in the east-northeast, approaches, Mars is over 8° up in the east-southeast. 2.0° below ζ Tau. One hour later, Venus is nearly 24° up in • August 5: Two hours before sunrise, the moon (15.6d, the east. If you’ve not observed the Crab Nebula (M1, NGC 97%) is nearly one-third of the way up in the sky in the 1952), Venus and the star may help you find its location in south-southwest. Notice that it is nearly 16° to the upper the starfield. While this is a stretch for the nebula’s low right of Fomalhaut (α PsA, m = 1.2) and over 35° to the altitude and a bright sky from the moon in the west, M1 is upper left of Saturn. Use a binocular to observe that the 1.1° above the star – nearly on the same line that connects moon is 6.9° to the lower right of Delta Aquarii (δ Aqr, m = Venus to ζ Tau and extended above the star. A look with a 3.2). Now low in the southwest, Saturn is nearing its low-power eyepiece should help you find the starfield so departure from the sky at this time interval before sunrise. that you can return later in the year when Taurus is higher It is about 7° in altitude. Farther eastward on the ecliptic, in a moonless sky. Fifteen minutes later, Mercury is over east of the moon, Mars is nearly 48° up in the southeast. 4° up in the east-northeast, 7.1° to the lower right of Pollux The planet is 0.5° to the upper left of 89 Psc and 3.4° to the and over 30° to the lower left of Venus. The moon is lower right of Mu Piscium (μ Psc, m = 4.8). Use a binocular officially at its Full phase at 10:59 a.m. CDT. In the evening, to track Mars’ motion against the sidereal background. one hour after sunset, Jupiter is 18° up in the southeast, Through a telescope, Mars is 15” across. Farther east, 7.8° to the upper right of Saturn. Use a binocular to Venus moves into northern Orion, in the club area. Venus observe that Jupiter is 0.7° to the lower right of 50 Sgr, crosses the constellation in 8 days. One hour before while Saturn is 2.9° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. The bright sunrise, Venus is 25° up in the east. It is 1.1° to the upper moon (14.4d, 100%) is only 4.0° up in the east-southeast. right of Chi1 Orionis (χ1 Ori, m = 4.4) and over 12° to the One hour later it is nearly 13° up in eastern Capricornus. upper left of Betelgeuse. Through a telescope Venus’ As midnight approaches, Mars appears low in the eastern morning crescent phase is 46% illuminated and nearly 26” sky. across. One hour after sunset, Jupiter is nearly 19° up in • August 4: Two hours before sunrise, the moon (14.6d, the south-southeast, 7.9° to the upper right of Saturn. The 99%) is nearly 22° up in the south-southwest. Saturn is to planets continue to retrograde. With a binocular observe the lower right of the moon, about 8° up in the southwest. that Jupiter is 0.8° to the lower right of 50 Sgr, while Saturn Farther east, Mars (m = −1.2) is over 47° in altitude in the is 2.8° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. As midnight approaches, southeast, 0.3° to the upper left of 89 Psc and 3.7° below the gibbous moon (16.5d, 93%) is 20° up in the southeast. ζ Psc. Brilliant Venus sparkles from the east-northeast, Farther east, Mars is nearly 9° up in the east. The bright over 13° in altitude. It is 2.6° below ζ Tau. As morning giant planets are in the south, less than one-third of the twilight begins and brightens the sky, Mercury (m = −1.1) way up in the sky. rises into the east-northeastern sky. Forty-five minutes • August 6: Two hours before sunrise, the moon (16.6d, before sunrise, the speedy, but bright, planet is about 4° 93%) is 36° up in the south-southwest. Use a binocular to up in the east-northeast. A binocular may be needed to see the lunar orb 6.6° to the upper left of δ Aqr. In the see it. The planet is in Cancer, 8.0° to the lower right of southwest, Saturn is less than 7° in altitude. Farther Pollux and along a line that connects Castor and Pollux. In eastward along the ecliptic, past the moon, Mars is over the evening, one hour after sunset, Jupiter is over 18° up 48° up in the south-southeast. Use a binocular to observe

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

that Mars is 0.9° to the upper left of 89 Psc and 3.0° to the lower right of μ Psc. One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus, over 24° in altitude in the east, is 0.5° to the lower right of χ1 Ori. In the evening, one hour after sunset, Jupiter is over 19° up in the south-southeast. Saturn is 7.9° to the lower left of the Giant Planet. In the starfield, use a binocular to observe that Jupiter is 0.9° to the lower right of 50 Sgr, and Saturn is 2.7° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. As midnight approaches, the moon (17.5d, 88%) is over 17° in altitude in the east-southeast. Mars, nearly 25° to the lower left of the moon, is over 9° in altitude above the east horizon. Jupiter and Saturn are low in the south. Saturn is at the meridian. • August 7: Two hours before sunrise, the bright moon (17.6d, 87%) is nearly halfway up in the sky in the south. It is in northwest Cetus, just south of the Cetus – Pisces border. Use a binocular to observe that the lunar orb is 5.5° to the upper right of Iota Ceti (ι Cet, m = 3.5). At this time look for Saturn over 5° up in the southwest. Mars, to

the east of the moon, is nearly 49° in altitude in the August 8: As midnight approaches, Mars is 2.1° to the upper southeast. It is between 89 Psc and μ Psc, 1.2° to the upper left of the gibbous moon. left of 89 Psc and 2.6° to the lower right of μ Psc. At this hour, Venus is nearly 14° up in the east-northeast. The • August 8: Three hours before sunrise (about 2:50 a.m. Venus – Saturn gap is nearly 153° of ecliptic longitude. CDT), Venus, Mars, Moon, Saturn, and Jupiter span the sky Even though the planets span the sky nearly from horizon from the east-northeast to the southwest. Here’s where to horizon, the Venus – Saturn gap this morning is about to find them: Venus,3° altitude, ENE; Mars, 42°, SE; Moon, 13° less than the Moon – Jupiter span on July 19 when the 42°, SE, right of Mars; Saturn, 14°, SW; Jupiter, 8°, SW, five bright planets and the moon appeared in the sky lower right of Saturn. One hour before sunrise the bright together. As the sky begins to brighten and Venus rises gibbous moon (18.7d, 80%) is over halfway up in the south. higher in the sky, observe that it is 0.9° below χ1 Ori. One It is in Cetus this morning. Bright Mars is over 11° to the hour after sunset, the two bright giant planets, Jupiter and upper left of the lunar orb. Use a binocular to observe that Saturn, are in the south-southeast. Jupiter is over 19° in Mars is 1.7° to the upper left of 89 Psc and 2.3° to the altitude, with Saturn 7.9° to Jupiter’s lower left. In the lower right of μ Psc. Brilliant Venus, 25° up in the east, is starfield, use a binocular to observe that Jupiter is 1.0° to 0.5° to the upper right of Chi2 Orionis (χ2 Ori, m =4.6). One the lower right of 50 Sgr, while Saturn is 2.7° to the lower hour after sunset, Jupiter is nearly 20° in altitude above left of 56 Sgr. As midnight approaches, the moon (17.5d, the south-southeast horizon. Saturn is 8.0° to Jupiter’s 81%) is nearly 14° up in the east-southeast, 3.8° to the lower left. The planets continue to retrograde in eastern upper right of 20 Ceti (20 Cet, m = 4.8) and 13.0° to the Sagittarius. In the starfield, Jupiter is 1.2° to the lower right right of Mars. At this time, the bright giant planets are in of 50 Sgr, while Saturn is 2.6° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. At the southern sky. Saturn is nearly a degree west of the midnight approaches, the moon (19.5d, 73%) is nearly 10° meridian. Tomorrow morning the observing window is up in the east. Mars is 2.1° to the upper left of the moon. described an hour earlier to capture Venus, Mars, Saturn, As this time, Jupiter and Saturn are in the south, west of and Jupiter in the sky simultaneously. The moon is a bonus. the meridian. After this brief window of a few days, the four planets do • August 9: Venus reaches its earliest rising time, 2:25 a.m. not appear together in the sky simultaneously until 2022. CDT. It rises at this time through August 17. Thirty minutes later, Venus, Moon, Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter span the sky from the east-northeast horizon to the southwest skyline. As Venus rises higher and before morning twilight gets too bright, with a binocular, look for Venus 4.5° to the lower right of M35 (NGC 2168), a star cluster in Gemini. The gap is slightly smaller tomorrow morning. One hour before sunrise, Venus – over 25° up in the east – is 0.5° below χ2

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

Ori. The bright moon (19.7d, 71%) is nearly 52° in altitude phase at 11:45 a.m. CDT. One hour after sunset, Jupiter is in the south, 1.2° to the lower left of Mars (m = −1.3). over 20° in altitude above the south-southeast horizon. Because of the moon’s proximity and brightness, use a Saturn is 8.1° to the lower left of Jupiter. In the starfield, binocular to note that Mars is 2.0° to the upper left of 89 Jupiter is 1.4° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. Saturn is 2.5° to Psc and 1.9° to the lower right of μ Psc. The moon is at the lower left of 56 Sgr. As midnight approaches, Mars is apogee at 8:50 a.m. CDT, 251,443 miles from our planet. about 12° up in the east. At this time Jupiter is nearly 25° In the evening, one hour after sunset, Saturn is nearly 18° in altitude in the south-southwest. Saturn is to the Giant up in the southeast, 8.0° to the lower left of Jupiter. In the Planet’s upper left. starfield, Jupiter is 1.2° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. Saturn • August 12: The Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak is 2.6° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. As midnight approaches, this morning at about 100 meteors per hour. See the note Mars is 11.0° up in the east. It is over 10° to the upper right about the shower in the introduction of this month’s notes. of the moon (20.5d, 64%) that is nearly 6° up in the east. One hour before sunrise, Venus (m = −4.4) is nearly 26° up Jupiter and Saturn are low in the south, west of the in the east, 2.5° to the lower right of η Gem, and 5.9° above meridian. Gamma Geminorum (γ Gem, m =1.9). Through a telescope • August 10: Three hours before sunrise, Venus, Moon, during the next few mornings, Venus is 50% illuminated Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter span 163.0° of ecliptic longitude showing a morning half phase. The thick crescent moon from the east-northeast horizon to the southwest skyline. (22.7d, 43%) is to the upper right of Venus, nearly 12° to As the earth rotates, Jupiter and Saturn set in the the upper right of Aldebaran (α Tau, m =0.8), and 7.3° to southwest, while Venus rises higher into the eastern sky. the lower right of the Pleiades. Mars is farther west along Before the sky brightens, look for M35 with a binocular, the ecliptic, over 50° up in the south in southeastern Pisces. 4.4° to the upper left of Venus. One hour before sunrise, It is 3.1° to the upper left of 89 Psc and 1.1° below μ Psc. Venus is over 25° up in the east, 1.3° to the lower left of χ2 At 7:14 p.m. CDT, Venus reaches its greatest western Ori and 2.8° to the lower right of Eta Geminorum (η Gem, elongation (45.8°). One hour after sunset, Jupiter is nearly m = 3.3). The bright gibbous moon (20.7d, 62%), nearly 55° 21° up in the south-southeast. Saturn is 8.1° to the lower up in the south-southeast, is 12° to the left of Mars. The left of the Giant Planet. In the starfield, Jupiter is 1.4° to moon is in Cetus again! Use a binocular to observe that the right of 50 Sgr, while Saturn is 2.4° to the lower left of Mars is 2.4° to the upper left of 89 Psc and 1.6° to the 56 Sgr. As midnight approaches, Mars is nearly 13° up in lower right of μ Psc. In the evening, one hour after sunset, the east. At this time, Saturn is about 27° up in the south, bright Jupiter is over 20° up in the south-southeast. Saturn west of the meridian. Jupiter is to Saturn’s lower right. is 8.0° to the lower left of Jupiter. In the starfield, Jupiter With the moon out of the evening sky, the hub and rim of is 1.3° to the lower right of 50 Sgr, while Saturn is 2.6° to our magnificent galaxy emerges from the horizon in the the lower left of 56 Sgr. As midnight approaches, Mars is south, here are my top 5 summertime deep sky objects. nearly 12° up in the east. At this time, Saturn and Jupiter (You may have your own favorites and this is not an are low in the southern sky, west of the meridian. attempt to discount other observers’ favorites. Get • August 11: Three hours before sunrise, Venus, Moon, outside and take a look!) Starting in the south near the Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter span the sky from the east- zenith: The Ring Nebula (M57, NGC 6720) is the outer northeast horizon to the southwest skyline. If you have layers of a star in its final stages of “stellardom.” Find it clear horizons this may be the last morning to see the four over halfway from Gamma Lyrae (γ Lyr, m = 3.2) to Beta bright planets together until spring and summer of 2022, Lyrae (β Lyr, m = 3.5). I’ve stood in many observing when the quartet is in the morning sky. As the morning sessions in quiet discussions whether the nebula’s central progresses, Jupiter and Saturn set as Venus appears higher star (m = 14.7) is visible. Seeing the star takes a lot of in the sky. The Venus – Jupiter opposition is August 25. aperture, a very dark sky, and trained averted vision. The How long can you track all four planets in the sky at the Hercules Globular Cluster (M13, NGC 6205) is next on the same time? One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus, over list. Look for the Keystone of Hercules about one-third of 25° up in the east, is 2.5° to the lower right of η Gem. The the way from Vega to Arcturus. The cluster, a mass of stars moon (21.7d, 53%), in southeastern Aries, is over 54° in that revolves around the galaxy’s center outside the altitude in the southeast. It is nearly the same altitude as galactic plane, is on the west side of the keystone shape. the Pleiades (M45) and about 16° to the right of the star The mass of stars is about two-thirds of the way from Zeta cluster. Mars is over 53° up in the south. It is 2.8° to the Herculis (ζ Her, m = 2.9) to Eta Herculis (η Her, m = 3.5). upper left of 89 Psc and 1.4° to the lower right of μ Psc. The cluster is visible in an 8x50 finder. With an equatorial Fomalhaut is that bright star about 11° in altitude in the mount center on one of the stars with a low power south-southwest. The moon reaches its Last Quarter eyepiece and move slowly toward the other star. Be ready

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

to be “wowed.” Thirdly, the Dumbbell Nebula (M27, NGC During the next few mornings, use a binocular to watch 6853) is a planetary nebula in Vulpecula. Not a planet in Venus approach and pass Nu Geminorum (ν Gem, m = 4.1). formation at all, it is another star in the midst of losing its The crescent moon (23.7d, 33%) is Venus, 3.5° to the stellar properties by shedding its outer layers. Under lower upper left of Aldebaran. Farther westward along the power, point your telescope at Gamma Sagittae (γ Sge (m ecliptic, Mars (m = −1.4) is over 53° up in the south, at the = 3.5). The nebula is 3.5° north of the star. If you reach 14 meridian. With a binocular observe that it is 3.5° to the Vulpeculae (14 Vul, m = 5.6) you’ve travelled too far. The upper left of 89 Psc, 1.0° below μ Psc, and 2.7° to the right Dumbbell is 0.4° below that star. Obviously, there are of Nu Piscium (ν Psc, m = 4.4). About 15 minutes later many more wonderful deep sky objects to see, other begin looking for Sirius (α CMa, m = −1.4), less than 5° up globulars, other open clusters, and other gaseous nebulae. in the southeast. Procyon (α CMi, m = 0.4) rises 27 minutes The final two on my current list are the Lagoon Nebula (M8, before Sirius. When you first spot Procyon, Sirius is visible NGC 6523) and Trifid Nebula (M20, NGC 6514). No visual a few days later. Depending on your latitude, the first observation can compete with a spectacular photograph appearance occurs in a few mornings. Look for the next of glowing hydrogen clouds in Sagittarius. The usually clear several clear mornings until you see it. A Sky & Telescope and colorless hydrogen is heated by nearby stars so that it article (https://bit.ly/sirius_heliacal) describes the glows in the emission spectrum of hydrogen, in a manner observing factors for this first annual rising of Sirius. You’ll similar to a classic outdoor sign that shines with the colors need an unobstructed horizon and amazingly clear of neon when it is heated (excited) by a flow of electrons. weather to see it at its earliest possible date. One hour The names of the nebula pair are from dark lanes of dust after sunset, Jupiter is 21.0° up in the south-southeast. that seem to cut through the glowing clouds. These Saturn is 8.1° to the lower left of the Giant Planet as this nebulae and other similar clouds are stellar incubators planetary pair continues to retrograde in eastern where young stars provide the power to excite the nearby Sagittarius. In the starfield, Jupiter is 1.5° to the right of 50 hydrogen gas. The Lagoon Nebula is 5.5° to the upper right Sgr, while Saturn is 2.4° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. As of Kaus Borealis (λ Sgr, m = 2.8), at the top of the Teapot. midnight approaches, Mars is over 13° in altitude in the The Trifid Nebula is 1.3° to the upper right of the Lagoon east. The Red Planet is at opposition in two months. As this Nebula. day ends, bright Jupiter is over 24° up in the south- southwest. Saturn is to Jupiter’s upper left. • August 14: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus is over 26° in altitude in the east. In the starfield, the planet is 2.5° to the lower right of μ Gem, 4.6° above γ Gem, and 0.7° to the upper right of ν Gem. The crescent moon (24.7d, 24%) is over 13° above Venus and 2.1° above ζ Tau. If you have a clear eastern horizon, you may be able to spot Procyon α CMi, m = 0.4), about 4° in altitude at this time. Venus and the star have the same azimuth. The Venus – Procyon gap is over 23°. Farther westward along the ecliptic, Mars is over 53° up in the south, immediately west of the meridian. With a binocular observe that the Red Planet is 1.0° to the lower left of μ Psc and 2.4° to the right of ν Psc. In the evening, one hour after sunset, bright Jupiter is over 21° in altitude in the south-southeast. Saturn is 8.1° to the lower left of the Giant Planet. In the starfield, Jupiter is 1.6° to the right of 50 Sgr and 2.8° to the lower left of Pi Sagittarii (π Sgr, m = 2.9). Saturn is 2.3° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. As midnight approaches, Mars is nearly 14° in altitude in the east. At the same time, Saturn is nearly 27° up in the August 13: The crescent moon is 3.5° to the upper left of south. Jupiter is to Saturn’s lower right. Aldebaran.

• August 13: Venus moves into Gemini. One hour before sunrise, the planet is over 26° up in the east. In the starfield, Venus is 2.4° to the lower right of Mu Geminorum (μ Gem, m = 2.8) and 5.2° above γ Gem.

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

At the beginning of morning twilight, about two months before its opposition, Mars is over halfway up in the south- southeast, about 15° east of the celestial divider. Across the meridian, Fomalhaut is low in the south-southwest. Higher in the south, the Great Square of Pegasus is west of the meridian. The Great Andromeda Spiral is west of the zenith. Farther west, Vega, Deneb, and Altair are lower in the sky. Cygnus appears to be flying toward the western horizon. Low in the north, the Big Dipper is beginning to rise up in the northern sky, although it is near the horizon. The dipper’s pointers are aimed at the star that hardly moves. Meanwhile, Cassiopeia is over two-thirds of the way up in the north, with Perseus to her east. As evening twilight ends, Cassiopeia stands at the meridian in the north. Two planets, Jupiter and Saturn are in the south- southeast. The river of the Milky Way emerges from the horizon in the space that includes the spout of the Teapot. Antares is farther westward. The Summer Triangle is still east of the meridian, but the galaxy’s rim of light flows through it and surrounds Deneb. August 15: The crescent moon is 3.5° to the upper left of Venus. The celestial ribbon extends through Cassiopeia and Perseus into the north-northeast horizon. In the west, bright • August 15: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus – in Arcturus – about one-third of the way up in the sky – leads us western Gemini – is over 26° up in the east. The waning to Spica, low in the west-southwest and to the Big Dipper that crescent moon (25.6d, 16%) is 3.5° to the upper left of is in the northwest. Venus. With a binocular notice that Venus is 0.2° below ν An opportunity to see opposing crescent moons occurs Gem, 4.1° to the upper left of γ Gem, and 2.9° to the lower on August 18 and August 19. The moon is razor thin at both right of μ Gem. Through a telescope Venus is slightly observations. The factors for two successful observations gibbous in shape that is nearly 23” across. Mars is nearly depend on several items occurring at the same time. First, 74° west of Venus in ecliptic longitude. At this hour, Mars clear horizons in the east-northeast and the west-northwest is nearly 54° in altitude in the south. In the starfield, the is an essential step. It may be necessary to make the two Red Planet is 1.1° to the lower left of μ Psc and 2.0° to the observations from two different locations. right of ν Psc. Through a telescope, Mars is over 16” in Enjoying a clear sky near the horizon is another factor. diameter. About 45 minutes before sunrise, look for Sirius The moon is nearing its perigee (August 21). The moon passes about 3° up in the southeast. In the evening, one hour its New phase on the evening of the last morning appearance. after sunset, the two bright giant planets are in the The moon is at its New phase at 9:42 p.m. CDT on August 18. southeastern sky. Jupiter is over 21° up in the south- Finally, the ecliptic is reasonably tilted to view the moon at southeast with Saturn 8.2° to its lower left. In the starfield the last possible morning before its New and the evening of Jupiter is 1.7° to the lower right of 50 Sgr and 2.7° to the the following day. The result is that the moon is visible in the lower left of π Sgr. Saturn is 2.3° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. eastern sky before sunrise and in the evening sky, shortly As midnight approaches, Mars is over 14° in altitude in the after sunset, on the following day. east. The Jupiter – Mars gap is over 95° of ecliptic It might be necessary to first locate the moon with a longitude. binocular. Here’s what to look for. On August 18, you’ll find the 1% illuminated moon only 2° up in the east-northeast only At the beginning of morning twilight at midmonth, the 30 minutes before sunrise. On August 19, the moon is about crescent moon is near Venus in the eastern sky. Six bright 4° up in the west-northwest thirty minutes after sunset. This stars – Pollux, Castor, Capella, Aldebaran, Betelgeuse, and event occurs during about 38.75 hours. Certainly not the Rigel – are nearby. Only two stars of the bright stars that fastest passing from the morning to the evening sky. The appear prominently in the winter sky are not present – Sirius shortest gap between seeing the crescents is 34.6 hours, and Pollux. At this mid-month interlude, Sirius is near its recorded by Robert C. Victor in 2014. Record the time of your heliacal rising. Look for it less than 45 minutes before sunrise. last glimpse of the waning crescent moon and the time of the Procyon rises several minutes before the Dog Star.

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

first spotting of the waxing crescent moon. What was the time left of bright Jupiter. In the starfield, Jupiter is 1.9° to the gap? right of 50 Sgr and 2.6° to the lower left of π Sgr. Saturn is 2.2° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. The moon is at its New • August 16: Venus shines brightly from the east, one hour phase at 9:42 p.m. CDT. As midnight approaches, Mars is before sunrise. It is nearly 27° above the horizon. The over 16° in altitude in the east. At this time, Jupiter is crescent moon (26.6d, 9%) is over 12° to the lower left of nearly 23° up in the south-southwest, with Saturn to its Venus and 6.5° to the lower right of Pollux. In the starfield, upper left. Venus is 1.2° to the lower left of ν Gem, 3.5° to the lower • August 19: One hour before sunrise, Mars is over 53° in left of μ Gem, and 3.8° to the upper left of γ Gem. Farther altitude in the south, 10.0° to the west of the meridian. westward along the ecliptic, Mars is nearly 54° up in the With a binocular observe that the Red Planet is 1.9° to the south, west of the meridian. Use a binocular to observe lower left of μ Psc and 0.9° to the left of ν Psc. Farther east, that it is 1.2° to the lower left of μ Psc, and 1.8° to the right brilliant Venus – Over 27° in altitude above the eastern of ν Psc. Fifteen minutes later, do you see Sirius, very low horizon – appears with three other stars that nearly make in the east-southeast? In the evening, one hour after a line, 36 Geminorum (36 Gem, m = 5.2), 26 Geminorum sunset, bright Jupiter is nearly 22° up in the south- (26 Gem, m = 5.2), and γ Gem. The four objects span 6.2° southeast. Saturn is 8.2° to the lower left of Jupiter. Both from 36 Gem to γ Gem. A binocular is helpful to locate the planets continue to retrograde in eastern Sagittarius. With two dimmer stars in the line. Thirty minutes after sunset, a binocular, watch the planets move westward compared the crescent moon (0.9d, 1%) is less than 4° up in the west- to the starry background. This evening, Jupiter is 1.8° to northwest. Find a clear horizon. Half an hour later, Saturn the lower right of 50 Sgr and 2.7° to the lower left of π Sgr. is nearly 21° up in the south-southeast. Jupiter is 8.2° to Saturn is 2.2° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. As midnight Saturn’s upper right. In the starfield, Saturn is 2.1° to the approaches, Mars is nearly 15° up in the east. By this time, lower left of 56 Sgr. Jupiter is 2.0° to the right of 50 Sgr and Jupiter is over 23° in altitude in the south-southwest. 2.5° to the lower left of π Sgr. As midnight approaches, Saturn is to the Giant Planet’s upper left. Mars is nearly 17° up in the east, while Saturn is 26.0° up • August 17: One hour before sunrise, Venus is nearly 27° in the south-southwest. Jupiter is to the lower right of up in the east. The old moon (27.7d, 4%), about 9° in Saturn. altitude in the east-northeast, is nearly 11° below Pollux • August 20: Are you still tracking the four planets – Venus, and nearly 25° to the lower left of Venus. In the starfield, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn -in the sky at the same time? You Venus is nearly between γ Gem and Epsilon Geminorum (ε need good views at the rising Venus and the setting Jupiter. Gem, m = 3.0). Venus passes 3.7° to the upper left of γ This morning they are separated by over 174° of ecliptic Gem. The planet is 5.1° to the lower right of ε Gem. Use a longitude. One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus is over binocular to see ε Gem as well as to note that Venus is 2.2° 27° up in the east. This morning the planet appears to the lower left of ν Gem. Farther westward, Mars is between Castor (α Gem, m =1.6) and γ Gem. The nearly 54° up in the south, west of the meridian. In the separations are as follows: Venus – Castor, 15.2° and starfield, the planet is 1.4° to the lower left of μ Psc and Venus – γ Gem, 4.9°. Through a telescope, Venus is a 1.4° to the right of ν Psc. Mercury is at superior morning gibbous, 54% illuminated and 22” across. Have conjunction at 10:07 a.m. CDT. In the evening, one hour you seen Sirius? At this time, it is nearly 4° up in the east- after sunset, Saturn is 20.0° up in the south-southeast. southeast. Meanwhile, farther westward along the ecliptic, Jupiter (m = −2.6) is 8.2° to the upper right of the Ringed Mars is over 53° in altitude in the south-southwest. Wonder. In the starfield, Saturn is 2.2° to the lower left of Through a telescope, Mars is 17” across. The Venus – Mars 56 Sgr, while Jupiter is 1.8° to the right of 50 Sgr and 2.6° gap is over 77° of ecliptic longitude. With a binocular to the lower left of π Sgr. As midnight approaches, Mars is observe that Mars is 2.1° to the left of μ Psc and 0.7° to the over 15° up in the east. Meanwhile Saturn is over 26° up upper right of ν Psc. Thirty minutes after sunset, the in the south-southwest. Jupiter is to Saturn’s lower right. crescent moon (1.9d, 5%) is less than 10° up in the west. • August 18: One hour before sunrise. Venus is over 27° up As the sky darkens further, about an hour after sunset, the in the east in Gemini, 3.9° to the upper left of γ Gem and moon is only about 4° above the western horizon. Farther 3.2° to the lower left of ν Gem. Mars (m = −1.5) is farther east, Jupiter is over 22° in altitude in the south-southeast. west along the ecliptic in southeastern Pisces, 1.6° to the Saturn is 8.2° to the lower left of the Giant Planet. In the lower left of μ Psc and 1.2° to the right of ν Psc. If you have starfield, use a binocular to see Jupiter 2.1° to the right of a clear horizon and an exceptionally clear morning, look 50 Sgr and 2.5° to the lower left of π Sgr. Saturn is 2.1° to for the crescent moon (28.8d, 1%) about 2° up in the east- the lower left of 56 Sgr. As midnight approaches, Mars is northeast. One hour after sunset, Jupiter is over 22° in over 17° up in the east. Jupiter is over 22° in altitude in the altitude in the south-southeast. Saturn is 8.2° to the lower

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

south-southwest, with Saturn to its upper left. The Mars – to see the planet in the starfield. Venus is near the middle Jupiter gap is over 97° of ecliptic longitude. of the constellation. Mars (m = −1.6) – over 53° up in the • August 21: Venus passes between Pollux and γ Gem. The south-southeast – is 0.5° to the upper right of ν Psc and brilliant planet is 5.6° to the lower left of γ Gem and nearly 2.6° to the upper left of μ Psc. The sun and Regulus (α Leo) 14° to the upper right of Pollux. One hour before sunrise, have the same ecliptic longitude today. Regulus reappears find Venus over 27° up in the east. Farther west on the in the morning sky early next month. With the star only ecliptic, Mars is over 54° up in the south-southwest. The 0.4° above the ecliptic, this is its solar conjunction. One Red Planet is 0.5° to the upper right of ν Psc and 2.3° to hour after sunset, the crescent moon (4.0d, 21%) is nearly the left of μ Psc. Use a binocular to see Mars in the 15° above the west-southwest horizon. It is 5.6° to the starfield. The moon is at perigee at 5:57 a.m. CDT. The upper right of Spica (α Vir, m = 1.0). Farther east, Saturn moon’s distance is 225,877 miles. One hour after sunset, (m = 0.3) is over 21° up in the south-southeast. Bright the waxing crescent moon (3.0d, 12%) is over 9° up in the Jupiter is 8.3° to the upper right of the Ringed Wonder. In west. With a binocular locate Gamma Virginis (γ Vir, m = the starfield, Saturn is 2.0° to the lower left of 56 Sgr, while 3.4), 1.4° to the lower left of the crescent. Farther east, Jupiter is 2.2° to the lower right of 50 Sgr and 2.4° to the bright Jupiter is nearly 23° up in the south-southeast. lower left of π Sgr. As midnight approaches, Mars is over Saturn is 8.3° to the lower left of the Giant Planet. In the 18° up in the east, while Saturn is 25° above the south- star field, Jupiter is 2.1° to the right of 50 Sgr and 2.4° to southwest horizon. Jupiter is to the lower right of Saturn. the lower left of π Sgr. Saturn is 2.1° to the lower left of 56 • August 23: One hour before sunrise, Venus (m = −4.3), Sgr. As midnight approaches, Mars is nearly 18° in altitude over 27° up in the east in Gemini, is 0.5° to the lower right above the east horizon. If you’ve not yet seen the Pleiades of ζ Gem. Farther west on the ecliptic, Mars is over 53° up at this hour, the stellar bunch is about 7° up in the east- in the south-southwest. The Red Planet is 0.5° above ν Psc northeast, over 35° to the lower left of Mars. A binocular and 2.8° to the upper left of μ Psc. In the evening, one hour may help you see the star cluster. Bright Capella (α Aur, m after sunset, the waxing crescent moon (5.0d, 31%) – in = 0.1) is to the left of M45, over 10° up in the northeast. At western Libra – is nearly 19° above the southwest horizon. this hour, Jupiter is in the south-southwest, nearly 22° It is 6.9° to the right of Zubenelgenubi (α Lib, m = 2.8). above the horizon. Saturn is to its upper left. Farther east, Jupiter – nearly 23° up in the south-southeast – is 8.3° to the upper right of Saturn. In the starfield, Jupiter is 2.3° to the lower right of 50 Sgr and 2.3° to the lower left of π Sgr. Saturn is 2.0° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. As midnight approaches, Mars is over 19° above the eastern horizon, while Jupiter is over 21° in altitude in the south-southwest. Saturn is to the upper left of Jupiter. • August 24: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus, nearly 28° up in the east, is 1.1° below ζ Gem and 3.3° to the upper right of Delta Geminorum (δ Gem, m = 3.5). Use a binocular to locate the stars with Venus. Farther west along the ecliptic, Mars is over 53° up in the south- southwest. In the starfield, Mars is 0.6° to the upper left of ν Psc and 3.0° to the left of μ Psc. One hour after sunset the thick crescent moon (6.0d, 42%), nearly 22° up in the south-southwest, is 3.3° to the lower right of γ Lib (m =3.9). Use a binocular to see the moon in the constellation. Farther eastward, Saturn is about 22° up in the south- southeast, with bright Jupiter 8.3° to its upper right. In the starfield, Saturn is 2.0° to the lower left of 56 Sgr, while Jupiter is 2.3° to the lower right of 50 Sgr and 2.3° to the August 22: One hour after sunset, the crescent moon is nearly lower left of π Sgr. As midnight approaches, Mars is nearly 15° above the west-southwest horizon. It is 5.6° to the upper 20° in altitude in the east, while Saturn is nearly 25° up in right of Spica. the south-southwest. Jupiter is to the Ring Wonder’s lower • August 22: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus is right. nearly 28° above the east horizon. It is 1.1° to the upper right of Zeta Geminorum (ζ Gem, m = 4.0). Use a binocular

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

westward, Mars (m = −1.7) is 0.9° to the upper left of ν Psc and 2.9° below ο Psc. In the evening, one hour after sunset, the moon (8.0d, 64%) is over 24° up in the south. The gibbous moon is 11.6° to the upper left of Antares. Bright Jupiter, over 23° up in the south-southeast, is nearly 27° to the left of the moon. Saturn is 8.3° to the lower left of Jupiter. In the starfield Jupiter is 2.4° to the right of 50 Sgr and 2.2° to the lower left of π Sgr, while Saturn is 1.9° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. As midnight approaches, Mars is 21.0° up in the east. If you’ve not observed the Pleiades star cluster, it is over 10° up in the east-northeast. Farther west, the moon is nearly 6° in altitude in the southwest, while Jupiter is to its upper left, 20° in altitude in the south- southwest. Saturn is to the brighter planet’s upper left. • August 27: Venus is in south central Gemini. One hour before sunrise, the brilliant planet is nearly 28° up in the east. This morning it is to the left of a line that connects δ Gem and λ Gem. Venus is 2.2° to the lower right of δ Gem and 3.4° to the upper left of λ Gem. Farther westward

August 25: An hour after sunset, the moon is nearly 24° in along the ecliptic, Mars is over 52° up in the south- altitude in the south-southwest. It is 6.0° to the upper right southwest. In the starfield, it is 1.1° to the upper left of ν of Antares. Psc and 2.9° below ο Psc. In the evening, one hour after sunset, the moon (9.0d, 74%) is about 23° in altitude in the • August 25: This is the morning of the Venus – Jupiter south. Block the moon’s glare or use a binocular to see opposition, and the theoretical last look for four planets in Kaus Borealis (λ Sgr, m = 2.8), at the top of the lid of the the morning sky. Venus rises at 2:30 a.m. CDT. One hour Teapot of Sagittarius, 2.2° to the lower left of the gibbous before sunrise, Venus, nearly 28° up in the east, is 2.6° to moon. Jupiter is over 13° to the left of the moon and the right of δ Gem and 2.1° to the lower left of ζ Gem. Saturn is 8.3° farther east of the Giant Planet. With the Farther west along the ecliptic, Mars is nearly 53° up in the moon’s brightness, use a binocular to observe that Jupiter south-southwest. Mars is nearly 81° of ecliptic longitude is 2.5° to the right of 50 Sgr and 2.2° to the lower left of π from Venus. In the starfield it is 0.8° to the upper left of ν Sgr. Saturn is 1.9° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. As midnight Psc and 3.0° below Omicron Piscium (ο Psc, m = 4.2). Use approaches, Mars is nearly 22° up in the east. The bright a binocular to see the stars with the planet. The moon is moon is 12° up in the southwest with Jupiter to the moon’s at its First Quarter phase at 12:58 p.m. CDT. An hour after upper left, and Saturn is to the Giant Planet’s upper left. sunset, the moon (7.0d, 54%) is nearly 24° in altitude in the south-southwest. It is 6.0° to the upper right of Antares (α

Sco, m = 1.0). Farther eastward, Jupiter is over 23° up in BENEFITS OF TCAA MEMBERSHIP the south-southeast. Saturn is 8.3° to the lower left of the brighter Giant Planet. In the starfield, Jupiter is 2.4° to the Have you been reading the two other publications that come lower right of 50 Sgr and 2.3° to the lower left of π Sgr. as part of your TCAA membership benefits package? Four Saturn is 1.9° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. As midnight seasonal issues of Astronomical League’s Reflector magazine approaches, Mars is over 20° up in the east. The Mars – and North Central Region of the Astronomical League (NCRAL) Jupiter gap is nearly 99° of ecliptic longitude. At this hour Northern Lights (NL) newsletter are available for download. Jupiter, in the south-southwest, is nearly the same altitude Check them out at the following URLs: as Mars. Saturn is to the upper left of Jupiter. • August 26: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus is Reflector: https://www.astroleague.org/reflector

among the stars of Gemini. The sparkling planet is nearly NL: https://ncral.wordpress.com/newsletter-archive/ 28° in altitude. Among the stars, Venus is 2.2° to the lower right of δ Gem and 3.1° to the lower left of ζ Gem. Look There are many more benefits of TCAA membership. Read carefully with a binocular. Venus is to the right of a line about the benefits in TCAA Guide #2: TCAA Membership and that connects δ Gem and Lambda Geminorum (λ Gem, m Benefits to learn more: http://tcaa.us/TCAAGuides.aspx. = 3.6). Venus is 3.3° to the upper left of λ Gem. Farther

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

August 28: In the evening sky, Jupiter is 2.2° above the moon. August 29: One hour after sunset, Saturn is 5.7° to the upper Saturn, 8.3° to the left of Jupiter, is 8.8° to the upper left of the right of the moon and 8.3° to the left of Jupiter that is over moon. 13° to the upper right of the gibbous moon.

• August 28: Venus is at its maximum rising time interval • August 29: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus stands before sunrise, 222 minutes. This continues through nearly 28° up in the east among the stars of Gemini, 3.3° September 4. Afterwards, the interval decreases, slowly at below δ Gem and 4.3° to the left of λ Gem. Farther first, until Venus disappears into morning twilight and westward along the ecliptic, Mars is nearly 52° up in the superior conjunction in about seven months. This morning, south-southwest, 1.4° to the upper left of ν Psc and 2.7° one hour before sunrise, Venus is nearly 28° up in the east, below ο Psc. In the evening, one hour after sunset, the 2.6° to the lower right of δ Gem, 3.7° to the upper left of λ moon (11.0d, 90%) is nearly 19° up in the south-southeast. Gem, and 9.3° to the lower right of Pollux. Have you seen Saturn is 5.7° to the upper right of the lunar orb and 8.3° Sirius? This morning it is 10.0° up in the east-southeast at to the left of Jupiter. The Giant Planet is over 13° to the this hour. Meanwhile, Mars is over 52° in altitude in the upper right of the gibbous moon. Use a binocular to south-southwest. In the starfield, it is 1.3° to the upper left observe that Jupiter is 2.6° to the right of 50 Sgr and 2.1° of ν Psc and 2.8° below ο Psc. One hour after sunset, the to the lower left of π Sgr. The Ringed Wonder is 1.8° to the bright, gibbous moon (10.0d, 83%) is over 21° up in the lower left of 56 Sgr. As midnight approaches, Mars is south-southeast. Jupiter is 2.2° above the moon. Saturn, nearly 23° up in the east-southeast. Can you find Mars 8.3° to the left of Jupiter, is 8.8° to the upper left of the with ν Psc and ο Psc? As this day closes, the moon, in the moon. Use a binocular to observe Jupiter 2.5° to the right south-southwest, is about the same altitude as Mars. of 50 Sgr and 2.2° to the lower left of π Sgr, while Saturn is Saturn and Jupiter are to the moon’s right. 1.9° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. As midnight approaches, • August 30: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus is Mars is over 22° up in the east-southeast. At this hour the 28.0° up in the east. In the starfield, the planet is 4.2° moon, Jupiter, and Saturn are in the south-southwest. below δ Gem and 5.0° to the lower left of λ Gem. Farther westward along the ecliptic, Mars is nearly 52° in altitude in the south-southwest. The Red Planet is 1.6° to the upper Exploring the Solar System with the New York Times left of ν Psc and 2.7° below ο Psc. In the evening sky, one Allan Griffith has shared a very interesting link that will allow hour after sunset, the bright, gibbous moon (12.0d, 95%) exploring the solar system on your own. It uses a variety of is 15° up in the southeast in central Capricornus. Saturn is simulations that you might find most interesting. See nearly 18° to the upper right of the lunar orb. Bright Jupiter https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/science/explori is 8.3° to the right of the Ringed Wonder. In the starfield – ng-the-solar-system.html use a binocular – Jupiter is 2.6° to the right of 50 Sgr and 2.1° to the lower left of π Sgr. Saturn is 1.8° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. As midnight approaches, Mars is nearly 24°

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

in altitude in the east-southeast. As this calendar day sky, just east of the meridian. Passing the zenith into the reaches its conclusion, the bright moon is over 27° up in northern sky, Cassiopeia is west of the meridian and lower the south. Jupiter is over 18° up in the south-southwest than Perseus. Looking lower, the not-so-bright pole star’s with Saturn to its upper left. altitude marks our latitude. • August 31: One hour before sunrise, Venus is nearly 28° The Big Dipper is still low during these August mornings, up in the east. It passes 8.6° to the lower right of Pollux. but it is low in the north-northeast. The Great Square of The brilliant planet is to the right of a line that starts at Pegasus, now well-past the meridian is tipped toward the Pollux and extends through Kappa Geminorum (κ Gem, m horizon in the southwest. Alpheratz, the star shared with = 3.6). The dimmer star is 3.6° to the lower right of Pollux. Pegasus and Andromeda, forms the latter’s string of stars that Over 86° westward along the ecliptic from Venus, Mars is points toward Perseus. The length of daylight shrinks to a few over 51° up in the south-southwest. It is 1.7° to the upper minutes longer than 13 hours on this last day of August. left of ν Psc and 2.6° to the lower left of ο Psc. One hour Morning and evening twilight are over 3.25 hours long. after sunset, the bright moon (13.0d, 98%) is over 11° in At the end of evening twilight, the Milky Way and its altitude in the southeast, in western Aquarius. Jupiter is wonders are blotted out by a bright gibbous moon that is in 24.0° up in the south-southeast, with Saturn 8.3° to its left. the southeast. At this hour Jupiter and Saturn are approaching In the starfield, Jupiter is 2.6° to the right of 50 Sgr and 2.1° the meridian, east of the Teapot. Antares is low in the south- to the lower left of π Sgr. Saturn is 1.8° to the lower left of southwest. 56 Sgr. As midnight and the end of the calendar month Farther west, Arcturus is about one-third of the way up approach, Mars is over 24° in altitude in the east- in the west. This indicates that the Big Dipper is approaching southeast. The moon is over 30° up in the south, while its autumnal position in the northwest. The Summer Triangle Jupiter is 18° in altitude in the south-southwest. Saturn is is high in the southern sky, with Vega west of the meridian. In to the upper left of Jupiter. The Mars – Jupiter gap is nearly the east, the Great Square appears as a diamond about one- 100° of ecliptic longitude. third of the way up in the sky. Andromeda’s stars continue to point to Perseus, now low in the northeast with the Queen August ends with a congregation of bright stars in the above it. eastern sky at the beginning of morning twilight. From mid- month, Procyon and Sirius are added to the dazzling display About the Author: Jeffrey Hunt has had a life-long interest in there. Brilliant Venus outshines all the other stars in the sky astronomy and astronomy education. He has taught this morning, even Sirius by 2.7 magnitudes, making Venus astronomy at all levels, from preschool students to university nearly 13 times brighter than the second brightest celestial courses. Jeff is a former director of the Waubonsie Valley High object in the sky this morning. At this hour, Altair is no longer School Planetarium in Aurora, Illinois. Dr. Hunt holds several visible, while Deneb is about one-third of the way up in the degrees, including a master’s degree in planetarium northwestern sky. education from Michigan State University. He writes an Vega is very low in the northwest. Mars is over halfway astronomy blog (http://jeffreylhunt.wordpress.com) showing up in the south, to the west of the meridian. Hamal, Aries’ easily seen sky events. Currently, he is retired with his wife and brightest star, is over two-thirds of the way up on the celestial cat in Northern Illinois. divider and west of the imaginary line. Perseus is high in the

TCAA MEMBER INVOLVEMENT ON FACEBOOK ENCOURAGED

Did you know that you can contribute to the TCAA’s growing popularity on Facebook’s free and effect social network? The TCAA’s Facebook page is an open forum and anyone can post. How about you? We currently have about 970 followers, and very few of them are TCAA members! While Paul Pouliot and Troy Berg are clearly visible as shown by their regular “likes,” perhaps lots of other TCAAers are just lurking out there. By all means, feel free to contribute! We encourage all users of social media to follow the TCAA to see what the club is doing and to learn about nightly events that only require the observer to step outdoors and view with the unaided eye. You can find us on Facebook by searching either TCAA or Twin City Amateur Astronomers. If you haven’t followed TCAA’s Face-book page recently, you have missed out on a lot of opportunities to view the sky with the unaided eye from town and country.

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

ONLINE PUBLIC TALKS FOR 2020

While our public viewing sessions for 2020 have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the talks have not been cancelled. Some talks are being made available over Facebook and YouTube. Watch the TCAA listserv for announcements. If you are not subscribed to our listserv, see page 3 of this newsletter for details about how to subscribe.

August 22: Touring the Milky Way (Mark Cabaj)

The Milky Way is one of the countless stellar islands floating in a cosmic foam of dark matter, dark energy, and matter. Humanity is trying to find out what our galaxy looks like inside and out using ingenious observing methods and increasingly more sensitive equipment. Take a tour of our “cosmic home” to see what we know so far.

September 19: The ISS: Past, Present, and Future (Sandullah Epsicokhan)

The International Space Station (ISS) is humankind’s largest artificial satellite. Given the right time and conditions, it can be easily seen orbiting overhead. We will look at how it was constructed, how it is used, what it is like living in space, and where it is headed in the future.

October 17: Missions to Mars (Lee Green)

As we reach our closest approach to Mars for the year, the Red Planet shines brightly throughout the evening. Let’s review the many spacecraft missions we’ve sent there, what they are revealing, and how they are paving the way for a future manned mission to Mars.

AAVSO FREE ONLINE COURSES - TCAA’S TIM STONE TO PRESENT! -

Lisa Wentzel has shared with us the following invitation from Spectroscopy (Aug. 22nd – https://bit.ly/2Xai7I1) the American Association of Variable Star Observers: nd This August 22 event will include TCAA’s President Tim Stone as one of the invited speakers. He will talk about his ongoing and very successful efforts with spectrography. Don’t miss it! This is a prestigious honor for our club!

Young Stellar Objects (Aug. 29th – https://bit.ly/3ff1HEu) Dear friends,

We hope you are enjoying our FREE Observing Sections’ More on our 2020 webinar series can be found here: Webinar Series, discussing citizen astronomy with the AAVSO! https://bit.ly/2P5mxLU. This series of webinars is open to you all: AAVSO members, observers, and those not yet familiar Coming up in AUGUST: with AAVSO. Whether you are a new observer exploring

Long Period Variables (August 1st – https://bit.ly/3fdmEPW) variable types, or a seasoned observer branching out, each • Introduction – Rich Roberts webinar is a great opportunity for you all to expand your • Dark Skies, Bright Kids – Abby Waggoner knowledge, connect with one another, and deepen and grow your communities. Please also share this experience with your • LPV Maser Campaign – Dr. Michael Stroh friends and colleagues. • R Aqr – Dr. Margarita Karovska • Q & A Best wishes – clear skies,

Panelists and presentations TBA for the following:

Short Period Pulsator (Aug. 8th – https://bit.ly/338WStL )

Photoelectric Photometry (Aug 15th– https://bit.ly/3hNvqG8) Stella Kafka AAVSO Director

Vol. 45, No. 8 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers August 2020

WAYNESVILLE OBSERVATORY USE POLICY STATEMENT

It is the policy of the TCAA Board of Directors that notification of planned use of the Waynesville Observatory site be communicated to the Property Manager no more than 24 hours before and no later than sunset on the evening of the planned usage. If this notification has not been given, then the member is asked to refrain from using the site that evening. Notification also may be made by email, either to the TCAA groups.io mailing list, or to the Property Manager at [email protected]. This notification may also be made using text messaging to the Property Manager’s phone at (309) 531-2401. If texting, please include your name in the text to let the Property Manager know the identity of the sender. Members should not make voice calls to the Property Manager’s number. (Approved May 22, 2020)

TCAA TREASURER’S REPORT AS OF JULY 27, 2020

Checking Account Information

Memo Category Amount BALANCE 06/26/2020 2,668.56 Astronomical League Dues for 48 Members (250.00) Matthew Will Dues Received 40.00 Electrical Service Waynesville Observatory (53.89) BALANCE 07/27/2020 2,404.67

Checking Account Balance – July 27, 2020 $2,404.67 Savings Account Balance – July 27, 2020 $1,968.03 - Includes $0.01 cents interest as of this date

Total TCAA Funds – July 27, 2020 $4,372.70

All transactions are reconciled with the bank statements as of this date. Respectfully submitted,

Dave Osenga, Treasurer