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THE OBSERVER OF THE TWIN CITY AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS

Volume 45, Number 9 September 2020

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

1«Editor’s Choice: Image of the Month – Sh2-199 2«President’s Note 3«Calendar of Astronomical Events – September 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«AstroBits – News from Around the TCAA 5«Gear Up for Solar Cycle 25 8«Detecting Methane in Jupiter’s Atmosphere 8«TCAA Image Gallery 11«September 2020 with Jeffrey L. Hunt 11«Renewing Your TCAA Membership 21«Online Public Talks for 2020 21«Waynesville Observatory Use Policy Statement 22«Benefits of TCAA Membership 26«TCAA Treasurer’s Report as of August 27, 2020 26«Did You Know?

The TCAA is an affiliate of the EDITOR’S CHOICE: IMAGE OF THE MONTH – SH2-199

Astronomical League as well as its This month’s editor’s choice is by Tim Stone. Tim writes, “In the North Central Region. For more stretch of great weather last week, I put the 10-inch on Sh2-199 and information about the TCAA, be hammered away for four nights. Here's the result. 16x900HOS (Hα, certain to visit the TCAA website at OIII, and SII). Enjoy.” Sh2-199 (the Soul Nebula) is an emission http://www.tcaa.us/ nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia. The nebula is about 6,500 light years from Earth. Like the Heart Nebula (Sh2-190), the Soul Visit http://www.astroleague.org for Nebula along with the surrounding nebulae comprise the W5 additional information about the network. Sh2-199 is embedded in the CAS OB6 star association. Astronomical League and its Similar to other massive star-forming regions, such as Orion and numerous membership benefits, Carina, W5 contains large cavities that were carved out by radiation including observing programs. and winds from the region's most massive stars. According to the theory of triggered star-formation, the carving out of these cavities Also, visit the NCRAL website at pushes gas together, causing it to ignite into successive generations http://ncral.wordpress.com for in- of new stars. formation about our North Central This image contains evidence for the triggered star-formation Region. Find out about the many theory. Scientists analyzing the photo have been able to show that benefits of your membership from the ages of the stars become progressively and systematically this site. younger with distance from the center of the cavities.

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

PRESIDENT’S NOTE The OBSERVER August has been quite a month for us is the monthly electronic newsletter of Twin astronomers, at least in terms of weather. City Amateur Astronomers, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organiz- This past month has had some of the best ation of amateur astronomers interested in nights I’ve ever experienced, at least in my studying astronomy and sharing their hobby recollection. There were nights with seeing I with the public. only imagine in the American Southwest,

with breathtaking transparency. Those TCAA OFFICERS & CHAIRPERSONS nights, coupled with the absence of the

President, Director, & Property Manager moon, are some I will not soon forget. th st Tim Stone 309-531-2401 The nights of the 18 through the 21 , I [email protected] got to bed no earlier than 3:30 AM, and the st Vice President & Director/Membership Coord. night of the 21 , I was out until dawn. I President Tim Tom Willmitch 309-846-2423 wanted to get an early spectrum of Stone [email protected] Betelgeuse, which has just cleared the morning twilight when it’s high enough to

Treasurer & Director/Registered Agent photograph. Ahhh, the wonders of not having to work in the morning. Yes, I was Dave Osenga 309-287-0789 quite tired after those four nights, but exhilaration can carry me a long way, and I [email protected] maxed this one out! Assistant Property Manager/ALCor Saturday, the 22nd, I had the privilege of being a panel presenter to an American Scott Wade 309-310-2464 Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) Spectroscopy Workshop webinar. [email protected] This was one of my motivations for obtaining the Betelgeuse spectrum. Of course, 5th Director the AAVSO was keenly interested in Alpha Orionis last year as it was going through Sunil Chebolu 678-896-5967 its historic dimming, and I wanted to be able to show the spectrum to the attendees. [email protected] The point of the webinar was to encourage people to take the step into spectroscopy. Secretary/Historian/Editor I hope I was able to help someone decide to take their first step in this direction. Carl J. Wenning 309-830-4085 I say all that to encourage us all, once again, to engage or re-engage in our [email protected] wonderful hobby. Perhaps it has gotten a little stale for you over the years. There is Technology Coordinator/Assistant Editor so much more you can do. There are amateur organizations you can get involved Sandullah Epsicokhan 309-828-0227 [email protected] with, such as the Astronomical League, the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, and the AAVSO. These organizations have experts and observing Webmaster programs that will provide valuable data for real research, a very fulfilling role for us Lee Green 309-454-7349 [email protected] amateur astronomers. We can do things the pros cannot. Specifically, point our telescopes anywhere we want, any time we can. AL Observing Club Coordinator Lisa Wentzel unlisted number Like I did with those webinar attendees, I appeal to you to join forces with [email protected] amateur astronomers all over the world and do something great with your passion for the universe, if you aren’t already, that is! The OBSERVER Look up. See that? It’s the edge of the universe. Carl J. Wenning, Editor

Submission deadline two days before Tim Stone the end of each month. TCAA President

MEMBERSHIP DUES

Individual Adult/Family $40 Full-time Student/Senior $25 (Senior status equals ages 60+)

To join, send your name, contact info, and dues payment to Dave Osenga, TCAA Treasurer, 1109 N. Linden St., Normal, IL 61761-1471.

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

CALENDAR OF ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS – SEP 2020 NEW & RENEWING MEMBERS

MORNING PLANETS (9/15): Venus (♀), Mars (♂), and The following individuals have paid dues for new or Uranus (⛢) renewed memberships as of August 27, 2020. (Others who paid after that date will appear in the October 2020 EVENING PLANETS (9/15): Mercury (☿), Jupiter (♃), Saturn (♄), issue of The OBSERVER.) and Neptune (♆) Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! The following table gives the date and time (24-hour clock) of important astronomical events for this month. All events are New: Marc & Tracy Tiritilli given in Central Daylight Time. Renewing: N/A

Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Day Time Event

02 00:22 FULL MOON DUES BLUES 05 23:42 Mars 0.0°S of Moon: Occn. If you have received a dues statement email along 06 01:31 Moon at Apogee: 405606 km with this issue of The OBSERVER, please send your dues 09 13:12 Aldebaran 4.2°S of Moon to Mr. Dave Osenga, TCAA Treasurer, 1109 N. Linden St., 10 04:26 LAST QUARTER MOON Normal, IL 61761-1471. Dues are currently $25 for seniors 10 18:05 Moon at Ascending Node (60 years of age and over) and $40 regular. 11 14 Neptune at Opposition 12 19:10 Venus 2.5°S of Beehive SUBSCRIBING TO THE TCAA EMAIL LIST

12 23:50 Pollux 4.3°N of Moon Welcome to the [email protected] group at Groups.io. 13 22:19 Beehive 1.8°S of Moon This is a free, easy-to-use group email service set up for 13 23:43 Venus 4.5°S of Moon the TCAA’s communication purposes. You can subscribe, 15 10:51 Regulus 4.3°S of Moon visit your group, read and post messages here: https://groups.io/g/tcaa 17 06:00 NEW MOON The email address for this group is [email protected]. 18 08:44 Moon at Perigee: 359081 km After you successfully subscribe, please add this email 18 22 Mercury at Aphelion address to your safe sender list in your email client’s 22 01:06 Mercury 0.3°N of Spica contacts, so emails from this list are not classified as junk 22 05:27 Antares 6.0°S of Moon mail. 22 08:31 Autumnal Equinox Once subscribed, you can set your subscription 23 07:33 Moon at Descending Node settings here: https://groups.io/g/tcaa/editsub. You can opt to receive all messages in individual emails, collections 23 20:55 FIRST QUARTER MOON of messages in a digest, a daily summary, or only special 25 01:46 Jupiter 1.6°N of Moon notices. If you do not wish to belong to this group, you 25 15:46 Saturn 2.3°N of Moon may unsubscribe by sending an email to [email protected] This Calendar of Astronomical Events courtesy of Fred Espenak. If you have general questions about the group, email http://www.astropixels.com/ephemeris/astrocal/astrocal2020cst.html [email protected]. For questions not answered there,

contact the moderators of this group (Deva C., Tim S., and EVENING SKY MAP Carl W.) by emailing [email protected].

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. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

THIS MONTH’S PHASES OF THE MOON

Full Moon Last Quarter New Moon First Quarter Wednesday, September 2 Thursday, September 10 Thursday, September 17 Wednesday, September 23

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.

Sep Sunrise (Az) Sunset (Az) Length Diff. Start End Time (Elevation) MIL. MILES 1 6:23 AM (79°) 7:27 PM (281°) 13:03:12 –2:33 4:47 AM 9:02 PM 12:55 PM (57.4°) 93.993 11 6:33 AM (84°) 7:10 PM (276°) 12:37:10 –2:37 4:59 AM 8:43 PM 12:52 PM (53.7°) 93.563 21 6:42 AM (88°) 6:55 PM (272°) 12:13:22 –2:39 5:10 AM 8:27 PM 12:49 PM (50.2°) 93.338

ASTROBITS – NEWS FROM AROUND THE TCAA

ó On August 1st, the Sangamon Astronomical Society skies. Tim wrote, “I am on vacation in Colorado, and had informed us that the 2020 Illinois Dark Skies Star Party will the very good fortune of being in an ideal location to view not be held this year. Their notice included the following an overpass of ISS and Endeavor. We had driven up to statement, “There are still COVID-19 restrictions in place Windy Point, a scenic overlook south of Lake City, to watch at Illinois parks, including Jim Edgar Panther Creek State the moon, see the stars, and enjoy this shared experience Fish & Wildlife Area. Those rules make it impossible to with some of my cousins. Someone noticed a bright “star” hold the event as we have in the past. The restrictions and asked me which one it was. It was obviously the ISS. it impact observing, the protection and security of didn’t take me long to see that Endeavor was leading it by equipment, camping arrangements, food preparation, and about 20 degrees. Both passed directly overhead and how we interact with one another. We consider all of you disappeared into earth’s shadow in the northeast. The as friends, so this was a reluctant but realistic decision. We time was 9:49PM MDT. I had no idea this overpass would wish you well and appreciate your interest and loyalty occur for this location. Perhaps my observation was just since our very first IDSSP in 2002. We are looking forward meant to be. I am so happy to have seen both Endeavor’s to seeing all of you in the future and will begin planning first approach to and departure from the ISS!” A lucky guy the 2021 Edition of the IDSSP this fall. We thank you for you are Tim! your past attendance and look forward to seeing you next ó Mark and Nataya Boulware have just published there year. Take care and be healthy.” Zoom-based talk about Jupiter and Saturn for the July ó While local watchers struggled to see the ISS and the public viewing session. The presentation runs for just over separating Dragon Crew capsule flying in tandem through 22 minutes. You may view the video at the mostly cloudy sky on August 1st, Tim Stone had clear https://youtu.be/HjLw_CZh_8k. As of August 14th, the

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

video has been viewed 33 times. Thanks to Mark and Nataya for their dedicated and hard work! ó If you didn’t catch the prior notice or the live presentation, Tim Stone was featured as part of the AAVSO program on spectroscopy on Saturday, August 22nd. You can view the Zoom presentation on YouTube at https://bit.ly/34yvC8K. Tim’s presentation begins at 1:40 into the 2-hour presentation.

GEAR UP FOR SOLAR CYCLE 25 ~ By Jamey L. Jenkins ~

Solar observers since Heinrich Schwabe in 1847 have Safety Comes First in Solar Observing – The lesson that known that the Sun goes through periodic activity cycles. must be taught every potential observer of the Sun is this, Approximately every eleven years (from minimum to “Anyone looking even the shortest amount of time at the Sun minimum) the waxing and waning of sunspots is a standard through an optical instrument will forever damage his eyes, indication of solar activity. During solar maximum, the disc can unless proper filtration limits the amount and wavelength of be peppered with dozens of spots, while at minimum as we light passed by the instrument!” Even looking directly at the are now experiencing, few if any spots can be the norm. Sun with your naked eyes can cause permanent damage to Astronomers noticed variations in the number of sunspot your eyesight. So, don’t do it. numbers back to the time of Galileo. The latest, Cycle 24, is Safest Ways to Observe the White Light Sun – There are nearing its end, while Cycle 25 is just emerging. These two two totally safe ways to observe the white light Sun. The first rhythms will overlap until spots from the old cycle fade was practiced by early astronomers and still remains a modest completely, and the spots of the new cycle remain. means of seeing evolving features on the Sun’s disc. This Emerging Cycle 25 – Solar Cycle 24 made its appearance method is called solar projection, in which the solar image is near the end of 2008 creating a unique “double peak” in 2011 viewed indirectly after it has been projected by the and 2014. Thereafter, Cycle 24 has steadily diminished with telescope’s eyepiece onto a white screen. More recently solar Cycle 25 making an appearance in mid-2019. Predictions for projection has been superseded by another safe technique upcoming solar activity have been similar to Cycle 24. While utilizing a special, yet inexpensive, filter at the entrance of the sounding disheartening, remember that forecasting is a new telescope, we call this direct observation. science and unexpected eruptions occur frequently! That is Solar Projection – In a nutshell, solar projection is best what’s wonderful about solar astronomy; you never really accomplished with a device known as, the “Hossfield know what you will see from day to day. Pyramid”. Named after the former chairman of the AAVSO For the amateur astronomer, our Sun offers a unique Solar Division, the screen is simply a “pyramid” shaped box opportunity to explore an average star from our own constructed of sturdy cardboard or thin wood. See Figure 1. backyard. Observing the Sun now during solar minimum, and The small end of the pyramid is attached to a projection then following it in the coming months is a sure-fire way to eyepiece and the viewing screen (usually matte white paper) learn about solar physics and the unseen behavior of stars. If is located at the base of the pyramid. Paint the inside of the you are on a shoestring budget, no outrageously expensive box flat black and provide an opening on one side to allow the telescopic accessories are necessary. White light observing or observer to see the projection screen clearly. When attached viewing the Sun as it naturally appears in the sky, is to a refractor’s star diagonal, the open side of the pyramid is inexpensive and serves as an introductory activity into the always in the shade providing a bright view of solar features. world of daytime astronomy. For the uninitiated, this is an Note: Compound telescopes such as the Schmidt or Maksutov invitation to “come out of the dark” and experience the solar should never be used for projection in the event of heat system’s most dynamic body, the Sun. damaging the internal components.

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

than the projected image, as well as being sharper and more detailed. Direct observation is accomplished by adding a special filter to the entrance of the telescope that removes infrared and ultraviolet light while reducing the Sun’s overall brightness to a safe level. This filter is called an objective filter and is sold by many astronomy dealers in a variety of models. Of all the visual objective filter products available, the Baader Astrosolar Film density 5.0 is without a doubt the better option. Baader also markets a lesser density (3.8) filter for imaging, be sure to obtain the 5.0 which is intended for visual observing. The Baader filter transmits a neutral colored view with minimal distortion to the Sun’s light that passes through it. Reasonably priced, the filter material is available mounted, ready to use on the telescope or as a single sheet for the crafty observer wishing to mount it themselves. Figure 2 illustrates a pre-mounted Baader filter attached to a 10-inch SCT; nylon screws hold the filter securely in place. Certain colored eyepiece filters can be used effectively for enhancing solar features when used with the Baader objective filter. Amateur observers will find the most useful colors to be blue, green, and red. Briefly, let me say that a blue filter enhances the appearance of faculae located far from the solar limb. The green filter improves the contrast of faculae/granulation and a red filter augments sunspot umbrae while improving seeing conditions a bit. For visual work I prefer the lighter shades of these filters. Figure 1. Hossfield Pyramid constructed of black foam board Lastly, centering the Sun in the telescopic field is simply with a Bristol board projection screen. When used in this accomplished by watching the telescope’s shadow on the position, with a star diagonal, the screen is always in the ground. When the shadow is smallest, the Sun is centered in shade permitting bright contrasted views of the Sun. the telescope. Alternatively, a special solar finder can be purchased to attach in place of the regular optical finder on The distance between the eyepiece and viewing screen is the telescope. Never look through a standard finder to locate determined by the desired size of the projected solar disc, the focal length of the telescope, and the focal length of the the Sun, it’s best to cover or remove it from the telescope when solar observing. projecting eyepiece. Begin by calculating the size of the Sun at the prime focus of your telescope with this formula: focal length of telescope (mm) x .009 = diameter of Sun (mm). Now, determine the projection magnification needed to obtain the desired solar diameter by dividing the desired size (mm) by the size of the prime focus Sun (mm). Normally a projection diameter of 150 mm is sufficient. This magnification is then plugged into the following formula to find the required distance between a given eyepiece and the projection screen: Projection Distance (mm) = (Magnification + 1) x Eyepiece Focal Length (mm). Invest in inexpensive eyepieces for projection. Avoid eyepiece designs which use cement between the elements. Optical cement can melt from the heat of the Sun at the focal plane of a telescope, destroying the eyepiece. The older Ramsden and Huygens designs are ideal for solar projection. Direct Observation – Another safe and considerably Figure 2. Pre-mounted Baader visual filter attached to a 10- superior method of white light solar observing is the direct inch SCT, nylon screws hold the filter securely in place. viewing technique. The direct view provides greater contrast

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

What to See in White Light – Observations made during organizations such as the ALPO, AAVSO, or BAA. Most local solar minimum can be challenging but encouraging at the clubs also have a few members who are avid viewers of the same time. We have recently experienced weeklong periods Sun, seek them out for advice and guidance. of inactivity only to be surprised by a Cycle 25 sunspot emerging from behind the east limb. In other words, you never know for sure what will happen from day to day on the Sun. As you observe the face of the Sun in white light, you will notice dark patches on the visible surface or photosphere. These are sunspots, the most obvious feature of the white light Sun. See Figure 3. Sunspots are the result of magnetic fields generated by the differential rotation of the Sun and the boiling motions of convection in the Sun’s outer layers. Through these motions, creation of electrical currents gives birth to the magnetic fields which evolve further through an all repeating cycle of stronger currents and magnetism. Eventually, a field is powerful enough to emerge on the surface with its pocket of gas and becomes what is known as an active region. Individual spots are themselves composed of several parts: a darker center called the umbra surrounded by a less dark penumbra. If your sky is unusually calm, you may see that the penumbra is composed of many dark hair-like penumbral filaments radiating outward from the umbra with brighter penumbral grains trapped between them. Individual sunspots Figure 3. Symmetrically shaped sunspot imaged as medium occasionally are crossed by bright streaks called light bridges. resolution through a 5-inch f/18 refractor with a Baader Notice that the spots tend to cluster into bunches known objective filter and green supplementary filter. The fine a sunspot group. Sunspot groups are classified according to structure of the penumbra is just visible as is the surface granulation. their characteristics by a system known as the McIntosh Classification System. This three-letter system is used to It is possible for the dedicated solar observer to describe a group’s stage of development and as an indicator participate in several “citizen scientist” type programs that of possible flare production. add to existing data bases of knowledge about our local star. The entire solar disc is a mottled surface known as The ALPO solar section accepts observations granulation. Some of the cells of this granulation may be filled (drawings/images/sunspot counts) for inclusion in their online in but not as darkly as the umbra of a sunspot. The larger of archives. ALPO observations extend back to the establishment these dark cells are called pores. Surrounding the sunspot of the section. The AAVSO solar division maintains a data base group, especially visible near the solar limb, are bright venous of Wolf Sunspot numbers and monitors solar activity via streaks named faculae. Occasionally a facular region will be sudden ionospheric disturbances (SIDs). The Astronomical bright enough to be seen well into the disc, but this is rare. All League (AL) endorses several personal enrichment programs sunspot groups are associated with faculae, but the opposite based on solar observing that are goal oriented, the is not the case. Faculae can exist without the presence of a Sunspotters program and the Hydrogen Alpha Solar Observer sunspot group, as is the case of so-called polar faculae; Program. however, sunspots are never seen farther from the solar equator than heliographic latitude 50 degrees. Here are some links to help you learn more: Observing with a Purpose – Solar observing can create a http://www.alpo-astronomy.org/solarblog/ sense of excitement when the telescope is pointed Sunward. https://www.aavso.org/solar All events happening on the Sun are unique, never repeated https://britastro.org/section_front/21 exactly. For the novice astronomer, I recommend locating and https://www.astroleague.org/observing.html establishing contact with other observers through

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

DETECTING METHANE IN JUPITER’S ATMOSPHERE ~ by Tim Stone ~

With my second Lowspec spectrometer finished, and a clear night in early August, it was time to turn my new instrument toward the night sky for the first time. In fact, this was the first time – ever - to use a slit spectrometer on a target other than the sun. I tested it on Vega and Arcturus, simply because they are bright, and then I turned to Jupiter. At magnitude -2.5, it was plenty bright enough, and as an extended object, it would be a lot easier to maintain its image over the slit. I wasn’t at all surprised to see the solar spectrum on Jupiter. After all, it is illuminated by the sun, so it should display basically the same spectrum. I was surprised, however, to see noticeable dimming of portions of the spectrum. I thought that was due to methane absorption but wasn’t sure. There is a processing technique where the sun’s spectrum is “subtracted” from Jupiter’s spectrum, which shows the difference between them. Fortunately, I had plenty of solar spectra, and this was a relatively simple thing to do. In this profile, Jupiter is the red profile and the sun is the blue.

I calibrated the Jupiter spectrum, loaded the portion of the solar spectrum for the same wavelength range, and performed the “subtraction.” The result was striking! Three distinct methane absorption bands showed, one of which was not so apparent in the original Jupiter spectrum. Researching the NASA published paper archive, I found a paper that discussed these three specific methane absorptions.

It was a very gratifying experience and made on my first night ever under the stars with my slit spectrometer. I can’t wait to see what else I “discover” with it!

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

TCAA IMAGE GALLERY

CRESCENT NEBULA BY EMILY WADE – Emily captured images of NGC NGC 281 BY SCOTT WADE AND DEVA CHATRATHI – Scott noted, 6888 (Crescent Nebula) over the evenings of 7/22, 7/23 and “Deva and I captured narrowband subs of NGC 281 in 8/6 2020. She used the CDK 17 with the QHY 600 camera using Cassiopeia on the evenings of 7/24 and 7/25, 2020. This the narrowband filters, 300-second subs, binning 2. Total image represents 12 subs each of Hα, OIII and SII, 300- exposure time was 2 hours, 50 minutes. Scott Wade processed seconds using the CDK 17 scope with the QHY 600 camera. I the composite image using PixInsight and Photoshop. processed in PixInsight and Photoshop.”

3.3-DAY-OLD MOON BY DEVANAND MESSIER 27 BY JAMEY JENKINS – Jamey writes, “This a CHATRATHI – Devanand took this snapshoot I took at the end of my observing session last image of the waxing crescent night (Aug 20) of M27 through my 102mm f/7 refractor with moon on the evening of Friday, the Atik 314L+ camera and a V photometric filter, exposure August 21st. He noted, “I took that an integrated 480 seconds.” image with my Canon 18x50 IS [image stabilized] binoculars to which I have connected a smartphone adapter and linked my iPhone XSMax to the Binoculars.”

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

NOVA CAS 2020 BY JAMEY JENKINS – On August 13th Jamey noted, A new nova was discovered by Russian observers on July 27th in the constellation Cassiopeia. Nova Cas began as a typical classical nova peaking in brightness around August 11th and declining nightly thereafter. However, about August 17th, as shown in the AAVSO light curve, observers recorded a second period of brightening up to approximately visual magnitude 11.5 near August 20th. Since then, Nova Cas 2020 has been steadily dimming again.

Above are two images Jamey obtained on the night of August 20-21, 2020 from his backyard observatory. The image on the left was captured with a Johnson V (green light) filter and the image on the right was capture with a Johnson B (blue light) filter. Both images were obtained with a William Optics 102mm f/7 ED refractor using an Atik 314L+ mono camera. Instrumental magnitudes derived via AAVSO's VPhot software show the nova was shining on this evening at 11.954 (V) and 13.538 (B). In these photos, east is up and north to the right.

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

SEPTEMBER 2020: PLANETARY BALLET, EQUINOX, LUNAR OCCULTATION ~ by Jeffrey L. Hunt ~

At the beginning of morning At this hour, the Great Square of Pegasus is about twilight at the start of September halfway up in the east. Andromeda points toward Capella. (about 4:40 a.m. CDT), the bright While that star has not yet appeared above the horizon, gibbous moon illuminates the morning Andromeda’s stars point to Mirfak, the brightest star in sky from the west-southwest. Perseus. Northward along the western horizon, Vega and Deneb are low in the western sky. Vega is in the northwest. The head of Draco is about 15° farther northward along the horizon approximately at Vega’s altitude, less than 10° up. At this hour the Big Dipper is low in the north, with its handle scraping along the horizon. The dipper’s Pointer stars reliably point to Polaris in the north at an altitude nearly equal to the observer’s latitude. Cassiopeia is high in the north, nearly opposite the Big Dipper’s location. At this time of year, the Queen’s stars form a letter “M.” Brilliant Venus is low in the east, to the lower right of Pollux. The bright Winter Congregation dominates the eastern sky. From Sirius near the east-southeastern horizon to the Pleiades that are over two-thirds of the way up in the sky, the variety of stellar color, brightness, and visual strength calls for our attention. Brightening Mars is over halfway up in the Venus during September: Venus moves from Gemini, through Cancer, and into Leo. Spot the brilliant planet near south among fainter stars of Pisces. the Beehive cluster at mid-month. The Great Square of Pegasus is in the southwest, over halfway up in the sky. Andromeda’s stars string toward As for the planets, Mercury is nearly impossible to track Perseus from Alpheratz. The Great Andromeda Spiral is high after sunset. It suffers from a poorly inclined ecliptic. It sets in the sky above the southwest horizon. before Nautical Twilight during its entire apparition. On its During September, the sun loses 12° of noon altitude. On “best” evenings, it sets 46 minutes after sunset. the first day of the month, the sun is in the sky for a few During November, Mercury has a fine morning minutes longer than 13 hours. Darkness, from the end of appearance with the moon, Venus, and Spica. Venus evening twilight to the start of morning twilight, lasts over 7.5 continues as the brilliant star in the morning eastern sky. Look hours. At the end of evening twilight (about 9:00 p.m. CDT), for it in Cancer and the Beehive cluster during September. the giant-planet-pair, Jupiter and Saturn, is low in the (See my photos for this apparition of the planet with the stars southern sky, east of the meridian. at https://wp.me/pJpvr-2mK) The bright, nearly Full moon is in the east-southeast, Mars begins to retrograde in eastern Pisces. I have been overwhelming the faint sights along the Milky Way. documenting the progress of the planet in the starfield. (See Sagittarius as at the meridian, while Scorpius is farther west, https://wp.me/pJpvr-2lp). Jupiter and Saturn are well-placed tipped toward the horizon. The Summer Triangle is at the for evening observing. They are retrograding in eastern meridian. Vega is slightly west of the celestial divider and near Sagittarius. Jupiter’s retrograde ends September 12; Saturn’s the zenith, while Deneb is east of the line. Altair is lower in ends September 28. Then the drama begins as Jupiter steps the sky, but above Jupiter and Saturn, and slightly east of their toward Saturn for the Great Conjunction on December 21, positions. Looking above the western horizon, Arcturus and 2020. Early in the month, Jupiter sets at 1 a.m. CDT. By the Big Dipper are showing us that the autumn season is not month’s end it sets around midnight. (See far away on the calendar. Arcturus is about 20° up in the west https://wp.me/pJpvr-28B for my photo collection of Jupiter and the Big Dipper is higher in the northwest. In the northern and Saturn photos for the entire apparition and upcoming sky, Perseus and Cassiopeia are above the north-northeast conjunction.) horizon.

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

Jupiter and Saturn: This chart displays the positions of Mars Begins Retrograde: During September, Mars begins its Jupiter and Saturn among the stars of eastern Sagittarius on retrograde motion east of Nu Piscium (ν Psc). It reverses its September 15. Jupiter is near Pi Sagittarii (π Sgr) and 50 direction and ends the month near Mu Piscium (μ Psc). Sagittarii (50 Sgr). Saturn is below 56 Sagittarii (56 Sgr). • September 1: For any reasonable observations, Venus and The planetary display in the morning sky dwindles to two Saturn are nearly at opposition. Venus rises as Saturn sets. planets. Venus and Saturn start the month nearly 180° apart This morning they are nearly 179° apart in ecliptic longitude. in the sky. After the second day of September, Venus rises This leaves two morning planets – Venus and Mars – visible after Saturn sets. As a reminder for Mars resources, here are before sunrise and a trio – Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn – in the some sources for planning your Mars observing: evening sky and around midnight. One hour before sunrise • For the latest news in observable Martian features and brilliant Venus (m = −4.3) is less than 30° up in the east in observing conditions, see the Association of Lunar and Gemini. It is 8.6° to the lower right of Pollux (β Gem, m = Planetary Observers (ALPO) website, http://www.alpo- 1.2). With a binocular notice that it is below a line that astronomy.org/marsblog/. connects Pollux and Kapa Geminorum (κ Gem, m = 3.6) and • Another source from ALPO describes large-scale events of extends downward to Procyon (α CMi, m = 0.4). Through a the planet’s apparition, http://www.alpo- telescope, Venus is 19.5” across and 60% illuminated. It is a astronomy.org/marsblog/wp- morning gibbous. Mars (m = −1.8) continues to brighten as content/uploads/2020/02/CalendarOfEventsCORRECTED.p it is nearing the end of its eastward travels as it soon begins df to retrograde. Mars is over 87° of ecliptic longitude • From Sky and Telescope: To determine what is visible on the westward from Venus. At this hour, the Red Planet is over Martian surface on any date and time, 50° in altitude in the south-southwest. In the starfield, use https://is.gd/marsprofiler. a binocular to observe that the planet is 1.8° to the upper left of Nu Piscium (ν Psc, m = 4.4) and 2.7° to the lower left As Mars approaches its closest point to Earth and its of Omicron Piscium (ο Psc, m = 4.2). Through a telescope, opposition, variable star Mira (ο Cet) is predicted to reach its Mars is nearly the same apparent diameter (19.0”) as Venus. maximum brightness. Predicted dates for the brightest phase About 45 minutes before sunrise, begin looking for Regulus range from mid-September to late in the month. As of this (α Leo, m = 1.3) above the eastern horizon, about 15° to the writing during mid-August, the star’s brightness has already left of the east cardinal direction. The star has the shortest been measured around 5th magnitude. The brightest time from its solar conjunction to its heliacal rising. Use a magnitude is uncertain, ranging from 2.0 to 4.0. On binocular. What is the first day that you see it without September 15, Mira is about 12° to the lower left of Mars. For optical assistance? The sun is in the sky for a few minutes the latest observations of Mira’s brightness, check with the longer than 13 hours. Twilight is reduced to about 3.25 American Association of Variable Star Observers hours, compared to nearly 4.5 hours during mid-June. One (https://www.aavso.org/). On September 1, Mars rises a few hour after sunset, the nearly full moon (13.9d, 100%), minutes before 9:30 p.m. CDT. By month’s end it rises before shining from the dim stars of Aquarius, is nearly 7° up in the 7:30 as its opposition with the sun approaches. east-southeast. The giant-planet pair, several weeks past opposition, is in the southern sky. Jupiter (m = −2.6) is over 24° up in the south-southeast. Saturn (m = 0.3) is 8.3° to the

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

left of the Jovian Giant. In the starfield, Jupiter is 2.1° to the cloudy before sunrise on September 15 and may have been lower left of Pi Sagittarii (π Sgr, m = 2.9) and 2.7° to the right visible on that morning.) Regulus is dimmer and may take of 50 Sagittarii (50 Sgr, m = 5.6), while Saturn is 1.8° to the an extra day or two before it is far enough away from the lower left of 56 Sagittarii (56 Sgr, m = 4.8). Early in the sun and it has enough altitude. A natural horizon free from month, Jupiter retrogrades at a rate of about 0.03° of obstacles and clouds is helpful as well. One hour after ecliptic longitude each day as Saturn moves westward sunset, Jupiter is over 24° up in the south-southeast. Saturn about 0.04°. As Jupiter ends its retrograde the westward is 8.3° to the left of bright Jupiter. In the starfield, Jupiter is motion slows to about 0.01° each day. The Jupiter – Saturn 2.1° to the lower left of π Sgr and 2.7° to the lower right of gap decreases during the end of Jupiter’s retrograde 50 Sgr. Saturn is 1.8° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. Two hours motion. Three hours after sunset, Mars is nearly 10° up in after sunset, the moon (16.0d, 96%) is nearly 9° up in the the east. The moon is in the southeast and Jupiter – over east. An hour later about 10:15 p.m. CDT, Mars is over 10° 100° west of Mars – is in the south-southwest with Saturn in altitude in the east, about 24° to the lower left of the to its upper left. moon. At this time, Jupiter and Saturn are low in the south- • September 2: The moon is at its Full Moon phase at 12:22 southwest. a.m. CDT. Venus and Saturn are at opposition. Saturn sets • September 4: Venus moves into Cancer, over 9° to the and Venus rises. The pair is not in the sky together again lower right of Pollux and over 11° to the upper right of Delta until next summer when they are in the evening sky. The Cancri (δ Cnc, m = 3.9). Delta is 1.8° below the Beehive next observable conjunction is during March 29, 2022. One Cluster (M44, NGC 2632). Watch Venus approach this hour before sunrise, the bright moon (14.3d, 100%) is about region with a binocular. One hour before sunrise, Venus is 11° in altitude in the west-southwest. Brilliant Venus nearly 28° up in the east. Farther westward along the sparkles from the eastern sky, nearly one-third of the way ecliptic, Mars is nearly 50° up in the southwest. Use a up in the sky in eastern Gemini. Use a binocular to observe binocular to observe that the Red Planet is 2.1° to the upper that it is 0.9° to the left of 81 Geminorum (m = 4.9). Bright left of ν Psc and 2.6° to the lower left of ο Psc. The bright Mars, over 50° up in the south-southwest, is stepping moon (16.3d, 96%), in western Cetus, is over 31° up in the eastward in Pisces. Because of the moon’s brightness, use southwest. In the evening one hour after sunset, Jupiter (m a binocular to observe that the Red Planet is 1.9° to the = −2.5) is nearly 25° in altitude above the south-southeast upper left of ν Psc and 2.6° to the lower left of ο Psc. In the horizon. Saturn is 8.3° to the left of the Jovian Giant. In the evening sky, an hour after sunset, Jupiter is over 24° in starfield, Jupiter is 2.8° to the lower right of 50 Sgr and 2.1° altitude in the south-southeast. Saturn is 8.3° to the left of to the lower left of π Sgr, and Saturn is 1.8° to the lower left the Jovian Giant. In the starfield, Jupiter is 2.7° to the right of 56 Sgr. Two hours after sunset, the moon (17.0d, 92%) is of 50 Sgr and 2.2° to the lower left of π Sgr. Saturn is 1.8° nearly 5° above the eastern horizon. An hour later, Mars is below 56 Sgr. The moon (14.9d, 99%) is barely above the over 11° in altitude in the east, about 12° to the lower left horizon in the east-southeast. Three hours after sunset, of the moon. At this time, Jupiter is low in the west- Mars is nearly 7° up in the east. At this hour, the moon is southwest, with Saturn to its upper left. less than one-third of the way up in the southeast. Jupiter • September 5: One hour before sunrise, the bright moon is about the same altitude in the south-southwest with (17.3d, 91%) is over 40° up in the southwest. Mars is 9.6° to Saturn to its upper left. the upper left of the lunar orb. Because of the moon’s • September 3: One hour before sunrise, the bright moon brightness and the dim starfield, use a binocular to observe (15.3d, 99%) is over 20° in altitude in the west-southwest. that Mars is 2.2° to the upper left of ν Psc and 2.6° to the Mars (m = −1.9) is nearly 50° up in the southwest. Use a lower left of ο Psc. Through a telescope Mars is larger than binocular to observe that the Red Planet is 2.0° to the upper Venus in apparent size (19.6”). Brilliant Venus (m = −4.2) is left of ν Psc and 2.6° to the lower left of ο Psc. Farther east, over 91° of ecliptic longitude east of Mars. The brilliant brilliant Venus is 28.0° up in the east, 0.9° to the right of 85 planet, 28.0° up in the east, is 2.6° to the upper right of Zeta Geminorum (85 Gem, m = 5.4). Use a binocular to see the Cancri (ζ Cnc, m = 5.2). Use a binocular to watch Venus step planet with the star. Have you seen Regulus low in the past the star during the next few mornings. Through a eastern sky? Theoretically, this is the earliest date that you telescope, Venus is nearly 19” across and 62% illuminated, should see it without optical help at 45 minutes before a morning gibbous. Typically, in the monthly notes, we sunrise. Try again for the next few mornings. Remember it pause for a deep sky object, but in this edition, let’s rises four minutes earlier each day. Last month, I observed consider the phases of Venus. How do we name them? Do Sirius for a few mornings with a binocular; captured its we replicate the names of the lunar eclipses with waxing image through a short time exposure; and then suddenly on and waning? Consider the moon. After the New Moon September 16 it was visible to the unaided eye. (It was phase, a crescent appears in the western sky after sunset.

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

The crescent appears on the right half of the moon. Each π Sgr and 2.8° to the lower right of 50 Sgr, while Saturn is night the portion of the moon exposed to daylight is larger 1.7° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. Four hours after sunset, the than the previous night. We attach the word “waxing” to moon (18.1d, 86%) – over 20° up in the east – is 0.8° below the moon to indicate that it is an evening moon and that its Mars. phase is growing. About a week later, it appears half full. Our description is that it is at its First Quarter phase. In a few nights, the moon appears as a weirdly contorted, somewhat egg-shaped object, that we name gibbous. The light is still growing, so we continue to use waxing as the phase descriptor. About two weeks after it first appears in the sky, it appears as a night-piercing disk of light – a Full Moon. For the next two weeks the process reverses. We attach the word “waning” to indicate the phase is shrinking. When half-full, we name the shape Last Quarter. The moon continues to wane to a crescent and then it disappears again. Consider a similar process for Venus. Starting at inferior conjunction when Venus is between Earth and Sun, the disk of Venus can occur as New Venus phase (transit) or nearly so as a razor-thin crescent appears at the top of the Venusian disk or at the bottom of the planet. The planet then appears in the morning sky. Through a telescope as a thin crescent, but the shape is at the side of the planet’s disk that resembles a waning crescent moon. The process continues as the phase grows to a half phase and then gibbous. It reaches its full phase at superior conjunction. September 6: In the morning sky, the moon is 2.3° to the The planet appears in the evening sky. Through an eyepiece, upper left of Mars. the planet resembles a waxing gibbous moon. The phase decreases to half full and then to a crescent as it • September 6: The moon is at apogee at 1:29 a.m. CDT, approaches Earth and its inferior conjunction. Since the when it is 252,032 miles away. One hour before sunrise the phase seems opposite the moon’s appearance how do we moon (18.3d, 85%) is nearly 50° up in the southwest. Mars appropriately name it since a “waxing Venus” looks like a is 2.3° to the lower right of the lunar orb. In the starfield, waning moon. A more appropriate manner to name the the Red Planet is 2.3° to the upper left of ν Psc and 2.6° to Venusian phases is to associate them with the time we see the lower left of ο Psc. Farther east, brilliant Venus, over 28° them during twilight. After inferior conjunction (New up in the east, is 1.6° above ζ Cnc. One hour after sunset, Venus), when Venus is west of the sun and appears in the Jupiter is nearly 25° in altitude above the south-southeast eastern sky before sunrise, use the term “morning” to horizon. Saturn is 8.2° to the left of Jupiter. In the starfield, describe the phase – “morning crescent”, “morning half”, Jupiter is 2.0° to the lower left of π Sgr and 2.8° to the lower and “morning gibbous.” After superior conjunction (full right of 50 Sgr. Saturn is 1.7° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. Venus), the planet is east of the sun and shines in the Three hours after sunset (approximately 10:15 p.m. CDT), western sky after sunset, use “evening gibbous”, “evening Mars is nearly 12° up in the east and over 11° to the upper half”, and “evening crescent” for the planet’s phases. right of the moon (19.0d, 79%). Jupiter, over 23° up in the Another thought to consider is that after the New Moon south-southwest, is to the lower right of Saturn. phase (conjunction between Earth and the sun, like the • September 7: One hour before sunrise, the bright moon Venusian inferior conjunction), the moon moves from the (19.3d, 77%) is less than 60° in altitude in the south- evening sky to the morning sky to show an entire cycle of southwest. Mars (m = −2.0) is about 15° to the lower right phases. Venus, after its inferior conjunction, moves from of the moon. Use a binocular to observe that the Red Planet morning to the evening sky to show all its phases. The phase is 2.3° to the upper left of ν Psc and 2.6° to the lower left of appearance is opposite from the moon to Venus. This ο Psc. Brilliant Venus, 28.0° in altitude above the east shows that we need another means to name the Venusian horizon, is 0.9° to the upper left of ζ Cnc. In the evening one phases. One hour after sunset, Jupiter, nearly 25° up in the hour after sunset, bright Jupiter is nearly 25° up in the south-southeast, is 8.2° to the right of Saturn. Use a south-southeast. Saturn is 8.2° to the left of the Jovian binocular to observe that Jupiter is 2.0° to the lower left of Giant. In the starfield, Jupiter is 2.0° to the lower left of π Sgr and 2.8° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. Saturn is 1.7° to

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

the lower left of 56 Sgr. Three hours after sunset, Mars is and 0.6° to the upper right of 20 Cancri (20 Cnc, m = 5.9). over 12° in altitude in the east. As midnight approaches, the Under a dark sky or through a binocular, spot the Beehive moon (20.1d, 70%) is over 17° up in the east. At this time Cluster 4.9° to the lower left of Venus. In the evening sky Mars, 29° up in the east-southeast, is over 24° to the upper one hour after sunset, bright Jupiter is nearly 25° up in the right of the moon. Jupiter is about 15° up in the southwest, south. Saturn is 8.2° to the left of the Jovian Giant. With a with Saturn to its upper left. binocular observe that Jupiter is 2.0° to the lower left of π • September 8: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus is Sgr and 2.9° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. Saturn is 1.7° to nearly 28° in altitude above the eastern horizon. The planet the lower left of 56 Sgr. is 1.1° to the lower left of ζ Cnc. The moon (20.3d, 69%), • September 10: The moon reaches its Last Quarter phase at over 64° up in the south is over 15° to the upper right of 4:26 a.m. CDT. One hour before sunrise, Venus, nearly 28° Aldebaran (α Tau, m = 0.8). Bright Mars is over 47° in in altitude above the east horizon, is 1.5° to the upper right altitude in the southwest. It is 2.3° to the upper left of ν Psc of Theta Cancri (θ Cnc, m = 5.3). Through a binocular note and 2.6° to the lower left of ο Psc. In the evening sky one that this brilliant planet is 3.9° to the upper right of M44. In hour after sunset, Saturn is over 24° up in the south- a telescopic eyepiece, Venus is 18.0” across and 64% southeast, 8.2° to the left of Jupiter. In the starfield Saturn illuminated, a morning gibbous. This morning Venus and is 1.7° to the lower left of 56 Sgr, while Jupiter is 2.0° to the Procyon (α CMi, m = 0.4), about 17° to the right of Venus, lower left of π Sgr and 2.8° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. are at the same altitude at this hour. The moon (22.3d, 50%) Three hours after sunset, Mars is over 12° up in the east, as is over 10° to the lower left of Aldebaran and 6.3° to the Jupiter and Saturn are west of the meridian. upper right of Zeta Tauri (ζ Tau, m = 3.0), the Southern Horn of Taurus. Mars, over 96° of ecliptic longitude west of Venus, is nearly 46° up in the southwest. In the starfield, the Red Planet is 2.0° to the upper left of ν Psc and 2.6° to the lower left of ο Psc. Through a telescope it is 20.3” in diameter. In the evening one hour after sunset, Saturn (m = 0.4) is nearly 25° in altitude in the south-southeast. Bright Jupiter is 8.2° to the right of Saturn. In the starfield, Saturn is 1.7° to the lower left of 56 Sgr, while Jupiter is 2.0° to the lower left of π Sgr and 2.9° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. Three hours after sunset, Mars is over 13° up in the east. Jupiter – nearly 101° of ecliptic longitude west of Mars – and Saturn are west of the meridian. • September 11: One hour before sunrise, Mars (m = −2.1) – about 45° up in the southwest – is retrograding in southeastern Pisces. It 2.3° to the upper left of ν Psc and 2.6° to the lower left of ο Psc. The thick crescent moon (23.3d, 40%) is nearly two-thirds of the way up in the east- southeastern sky, 4.2° to the upper right of Mu Geminorum (μ Gem, m = 2.8). Venus – nearly 28° up in the east – is 0.5° to the upper right of θ Cnc. Use a binocular to spot Venus September 9: One hour before sunrise, the moon is 4.9° to the in the starfield that includes M44. The brilliant planet is 3.0° upper right of Aldebaran. Use a binocular to spot the Hyades. to the upper right of the star cluster. Neptune is at opposition at 9:26 a.m. CDT. One hour after sunset, Jupiter • September 9: Today Mars stops its eastward march is 25.0° up in the south. Saturn is 8.1° to the left of Jupiter. through Pisces – about 140° west of the sun – and it begins In the starfield, use a binocular to spot Jupiter 2.0° to the to retrograde. One hour before sunrise, the Red Planet is lower left of π Sgr and 2.9° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. over 46° up in the southwest. Among the stars it is 2.3° to Saturn is 1.7° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. Two hours after the upper left of ν Psc and 2.6° to the lower left of ο Psc. sunset, find Neptune (m = 7.8) in eastern Aquarius. It is to Three hours after sunset, find it 13.0° up in the east. Back the lower right of the half dozen or so fourth magnitude in the morning sky, the moon (21.3d, 59%) is 4.9° to the stars that make the Western Fish of Pisces. The planet is upper right of Aldebaran and 2.3° to the upper right of 0.7° to the lower left of 96 Aquarii (96 Aqr, m =5.5). Apply Epsilon Tauri (ε Tau, m = 3.5), above the “V” of Taurus. some telescopic magnification to attempt to view the disk Venus is lower in the sky, nearly 28° up in the east. In the that is a mere 2.4” in diameter. This is like seeing a lunar starfield, the brilliant planet is 2.0° to the lower left of ζ Cnc

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

crater about 3 miles across through your telescope. Three 56 Sgr. Three hours after sunset, Mars is over 15° in altitude hours after sunset, Mars is nearly 14° up in the east. Jupiter in the eastern sky. At this hour, Saturn is nearly 26° up in and Saturn are low in the sky, west of the meridian. the south-southwest with Jupiter to its lower right. • September 12: Jupiter’s retrograde ends 117° east of the sun and it begins to move eastward toward Saturn, still retrograding 8.1° to Jupiter’s east in eastern Sagittarius. The drama now begins as Jupiter approaches Saturn for the Great Conjunction of 2020. One hour before sunrise, Venus is nearly 28° up in the east. It is 0.7° to the lower left of θ Cnc. Through a binocular the brilliant planet is 2.5° to the right of the Beehive cluster. The moon (24.3d, 30%), nearly 50° up in the east and over 20° above Venus. The lunar orb is over 10° to the upper right of Castor (α Gem, m =1.6). Farther west along the ecliptic, Mars is over 44° in altitude in the southwest. The Red Planet is 2.3° to the upper left of ν Psc and 2.6° to the lower left of ο Psc. One hour after sunset, Saturn is 25.0° up in the south-southeast. Jupiter is to Saturn’s right. In the starfield, Saturn is 1.7° to the lower left of 56 Sgr, while Jupiter is 2.0° to the lower left of π Psc and 2.9° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. Three hours after sunset, Mars is about 14° up in the east. • September 13: Venus passes 2.3° to the lower right of the Beehive cluster. The planet is also 1.5° to the upper right of

δ Cnc. One hour before sunrise, find the brilliant planet September 14: Ninety minutes before sunrise, look for the about 28° up in the east. The waning crescent moon (25.3d, moon and Venus near the Beehive star cluster. The moon is 20%) is over 10° above Venus. The moon is also 6.1° to the 5.0° to the lower left of Venus. lower right of Pollux. Mars is farther west, nearly 44° up in the southwest. In the starfield, it is 2.3° to the upper left of • September 15: One hour before sunrise, Venus is nearly 28° ν Psc and 2.6° to the lower left of ο Psc. One hour after up in the east. It is 1.4° to the lower right of δ Cnc and 3.3° sunset. Jupiter is over 25° in altitude in the south, but east to the lower right of M44. All three of these objects are of the meridian. Saturn is 8.1° to the left of Jupiter. In the nearly along a line that starts with the star cluster and ends starfield, Jupiter is 2.1° to the lower left of π Sgr and 2.9° to with Venus. The moon (27.2d, 6%) is about 15° up in the the lower right of 50 Sgr. Saturn is 1.7° to the lower left of east. It is 5.4° to the upper left of Regulus. Over 102° of 56 Sgr. Three hours after sunset, Mars is about 15° in ecliptic longitude west of Venus, Mars is about 42° up in the altitude above the eastern horizon. At this time, Jupiter is southwest. The Red Planet is retrograding in eastern Pisces. over 20° up in the south-southwest with Saturn to its upper It is 2.1° to the upper left of ν Psc and 2.5° to the lower left left. of ο Psc. The sun is in the sky for nearly 12.5 hours, losing • September 14: Venus is 5.0° to the right of the crescent nearly 35 minutes of daylight and about 7° of noon altitude moon (26.3d, 12%) and 0.9° to the lower right of δ Cnc. since September 1. One hour after sunset, about 8 p.m. CDT, With a binocular observe that the Beehive cluster is 2.7° to Jupiter is over 25° up in the south, 8.0° to the right of Saturn. the upper left of Venus and 4.6° to the upper right of the In the starfield, Jupiter is 2.0° to the lower left of π Sgr and lunar crescent. One hour before sunrise, find Venus about 2.9° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. Saturn is 1.7° to the lower 28° up in the east. Farther west, Mars is about 43° up in the left of 56 Sgr. Three hours after sunset. Mars is over 15° in southwest. In the starfield, it is 2.2° to the upper left of ν altitude in the east. At the same time, Jupiter, over 100° of Psc and 2.5° to the lower left of ο Psc. Look for Mira (ο Cet) ecliptic longitude west of Mars, is over 22° up in the south- 12.3° to the lower left of Mars. How bright is it? Mars’ southwest. Saturn is to the Jovian Giant’s upper left. westward motion against the stars is becoming more obvious. One hour after sunset, Jupiter is 25° in altitude above the southern horizon. Saturn, retrograding in eastern Sagittarius, is 8.0° to the left of the Jovian Giant. In the starfield, Jupiter is 2.0° to the lower left of π Psc and 2.9° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. Saturn is 1.7° to the lower left of

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

Andromeda’s stars begin at Alpheratz and point toward Perseus and Capella. Fomalhaut is clearing the horizon in the southeast. Jupiter is west of the meridian at this hour, and Saturn is nearby. Within a month of opposition, Mars is not yet in the sky. With Mars’ declination now higher than the sun, the Red Planet appears in the evening sky at the end of twilight within a week. The locations of Arcturus and the Big Dipper clearly signal that the autumn season is imminent.

• September 16: One hour before sunrise, Venus – nearly 28° up in the east is 4.2° below the Beehive cluster, 2.3° below δ Cnc, and 1.8° to the upper left of Omicron Cancri (ο Cnc, m =5.2). Bright Mars is over 41° up in the southwest. In the starfield, the Red Planet is 2.1° to the upper left of ν Psc and 2.5° to the lower left of ο Psc. Thirty minutes before sunrise, the moon (28.6d, 2%) is 7.0° up in the sky, 10° north of the east cardinal direction (azimuth 80°). One hour after sunset, Jupiter is over 25° up in the south, but east of the meridian at this hour. Saturn is 8.0° to the left of the Jovian Giant. Use a binocular to observe that Jupiter is 2.1° to the lower September 15: In the morning sky, the waning crescent moon left of π Sgr and 2.8° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. Saturn is is 5.4° to the upper left of Regulus. 1.7° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. Three hours after sunset, Mars is nearly 16° in altitude above the eastern horizon. At At midmonth, at the beginning of morning twilight, the this time, Saturn is over 25° up in the south-southwest, with bright Winter Stars approach the meridian and appear Jupiter to its lower right. between bright Mars and brilliant Venus. The Pleiades lead • the way as the cluster approaches the meridian. Bright Sirius September 17: One hour before sunrise, Venus is about 28° trails behind and appears low in the southeast. Venus is just up in the east. It is 1.2° to the upper left of ο Cnc. past the Beehive star cluster in Cancer, and Mars is now Additionally, Venus nearly lines up with Alpha Cancri (α Cnc, retrograding in Pisces. Deneb and most of Cygnus are low in m = 4.2) and Zeta Hydrae (ζ Hya, m = 3.1). Venus is 4.7° to the northwest. The Great Square of Pegasus is between the the upper left of α Cnc and 10.6° to the upper left of ζ Hya. Red Planet and Cygnus’ tail. With a thin crescent moon in the The trio is nearly lined up again tomorrow morning. At this east above Regulus, the Milky Way stretches from the hour Mars is over 40° up in the west-southwest. With a northwest and skyward through Cassiopeia and Perseus. The binocular, spot Mars 2.0° to the upper left of ν Psc and 2.5° Hero is at the meridian, but north of the zenith. In the eastern to the lower left of ο Psc. The moon is at its New Moon sky, the galaxy’s stellar concentration extends through Auriga phase at 6:00 a.m. CDT. In the evening, one hour after and Gemini, disappearing into the southeast horizon near sunset, Jupiter is over 25° up in the south, 8.0° to the right Sirius. The Big Dipper stands on its handle over the north- of Saturn. In the starfield, Jupiter is 2.0° to the lower left of northeast horizon. As the equinox nears, the sun has lost over π Sgr and 2.8° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. Saturn is 1.7° 30 minutes of daylight this month. At the end of evening below 56 Sgr. Three hours after sunset, Mars is 16° up in twilight (about 8:30 p.m. CDT), the Milky Way extends into the east. Jupiter is farther west, nearly 22° in altitude above the sky, through the Summer Triangle, from near the south- the south-southwest horizon. Saturn is to the Giant Planet’s southwest horizon. Scorpius and Sagittarius are west of the upper left. meridian and tipped toward the horizon. Antares is low in the • September 18: One hour before sunrise, bright Mars is less southwest; it sets about 90 minutes later. The meridian cuts than 40° in altitude above the west-southwest horizon. through the Summer Triangle. Vega is west of the meridian, Among the stars of Pisces, it is 1.9° to the upper left of ν Psc while Altair and Deneb are east of the celestial divider. There and 2.5° to the lower left of ο Psc. Farther east, brilliant is still time to enjoy the celestial delights of the Sagittarius and Venus is less than 28° up in the east. It is 1.4° below ο Cnc. Scorpius regions of our galaxy through low telescopic powers. Venus is to the left of a line that starts at ζ Hya and extends The galactic glow extends downward through Cassiopeia through α Cnc. The moon is at perigee at 8:48 a.m. CDT, (now assuming its “W” shape) and Perseus to the east- 223,123 miles away. Thirty minutes after sunset, the moon northeast horizon. If you have a clear horizon, you might see (1.6d, 4%) is nearly 5° up in the west. As the sky darkens Capella low in the sky. The Great Square of Pegasus is in the further, Saturn is nearly 26° up in the south-southeast, 7.9° eastern sky. The neck and nose extend toward the southeast. to the left of bright Jupiter (m = −2.4). Use a binocular to

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

observe that Saturn is 1.7° to the lower left of 56 Sgr. Saturn Saturn. Jupiter is moving eastward in eastern Sagittarius as continues to retrograde as Jupiter is noticeably moving Saturn continues to retrograde farther east of the Jovian eastward. The Jovian Giant is 2.0° to the lower left of π Sgr Giant. Saturn’s speed is slowing as it begins direct motion and 2.8° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. Two hours later, Mars again in eight days. In the starfield, Jupiter is 1.2° to the is 17.0° up in the east. At this time Saturn is about 25° in lower left of π Sgr and 2.8° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. altitude in the south-southwest. Jupiter is to the Ring Saturn is 1.7° below 50 Sgr. The growing crescent moon Wonder’s lower right. (3.6d, 18%) is about 12° in altitude about the west- • September 19: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus southwest horizon. It is 3.3° to the upper left of sparkles from the eastern sky, about 28° in altitude. It is 2.3° Zubenelgenubi (α Lib, m = 2.8). The moon appears to be to the upper right of π Cnc, m = 5.3. Farther westward, Mars caught in the Scorpion’s classic pincers (Zubenelgenubi and (m = −2.3) is nearly 39° up in the west-southwest. It is 1.7° Zubeneschamali – β Lib, m= 2.6). About three hours after to the upper left of ν Psc and 2.5° to the lower left of ο Psc. sunset (before 10 p.m.), Mars is almost 18° above the As the sky darkens in the evening, locate Jupiter over 25° eastern horizon. Jupiter – nearly 100° of ecliptic longitude up in the south. The Jupiter – Saturn gap is 7.9°. The Ringed west of Mars – is low in the west-southwest, with Saturn to Wonder is to the left of the Jovian Giant. In the starfield, its upper left. Jupiter is 2.0° to the lower left of π Sgr and 2.8° to the lower • September 21: One hour before sunrise, Mars is nearly 37° right of 50 Sgr. Saturn is 1.7° below 56 Sgr. The waxing up in the west-southwest. The planet, retrograding in Pisces, crescent moon (2.6d, 10%) is about 7° up in the west- is 1.5° above ν Psc and 2.6° to the lower left of ο Psc. Farther southwest. It is 4.2° to the lower left of Iota Virginis (ι Vir, eastward, Venus (m = −4.1), in western Cancer, is over 27° m = 4.1). Three hours after sunset, Mars is over 17° up in up in the east. It is 0.5° to the upper left of π Cnc. Use a the east, while Jupiter is over 20° up in the south-southwest. binocular to spot the star with Venus. One hour after sunset Saturn is to Jupiter’s upper left. the moon (4.6d, 28%) – 16.0° up in the southwest – is 0.6° to the lower right of Beta Scorpii (β Sco, m =2.5). The moon occults the star beginning at 8:44 p.m. CDT and continues until after the moon sets. At the start of the occultation, the lunar crescent is less than 9° in altitude. Jupiter – nearly 26° up in the south – is 7.8° to the right of Saturn during the latter stages of evening twilight. In the starfield, Jupiter is 2.1° to the lower left of π Sgr and 2.7° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. Saturn, retrograding in eastern Sagittarius, is 1.7° below 56 Sgr. Two hours later, Mars is over 18° in altitude in the eastern sky. At this time, Jupiter is about 22° up in the south-southwest, with Saturn to the Jovian Giant’s upper left. • September 22: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus is over 27° up in the east. With a binocular spot π Cnc 1.2° to the upper right of the planet. Farther west, Mars – retrograding in Pisces – is 1.3° above ν Psc and 2.6° to the lower left of ο Psc. The Autumnal Equinox occurs at 8:31 a.m. CDT. One hour after sunset, the waxing crescent moon (5.6d, 39%) is about 21° up in the south-southwest. It is 8.0° to the upper left of Antares (α Sco, m =1.0). Jupiter is over September 20: About an hour after sunset, spot the moon 30° farther eastward, nearly 27° up in the south. Saturn is between the classic pincers of the Scorpion, Zubenelgenubi 7.8° to Jupiter’s left. In the starfield, Jupiter is 2.1° to the and Zubeneschamali. lower left of π Sgr and 2.7° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. Jupiter is moving eastward among the stars of Sagittarius as • September 20: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus is Saturn continues to retrograde. The Ringed Wonder is 1.7° over 27° in altitude in the east. In the starfield it is 1.3° below 56 Sgr. Three hours after sunset, Mars is nearly 19° above π Cnc. Mars – nearly 38° up in the west-southwest – up in the east, while the moon is low in the southwest. is over 135° of ecliptic longitude west of Venus. Retrograding in Pisces, the Red Planet is 1.6° upper left of ν Jupiter and Saturn are higher in the sky above the southwest horizon. Psc and 2.5° to the lower left of ο Psc. One hour after sunset, Jupiter, nearly 26° up in the south, is 7.8° to the right of

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

September 22: In the evening sky, the moon is 8.0° to the September 24: In the evening sky, the gibbous moon is 4.2° upper left of Antares. to the lower right of Jupiter. Spot Nunki to the right of the lunar orb. • September 23: Venus moves into Leo, 11.0° to the upper right of Regulus. Venus moves across the constellation in 29 • September 24: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus is days. One hour before sunrise, the brilliant planet is nearly nearly 27° up in the east. In the starfield it is 3.4° to the 27° up in the east. Venus and Sirius (α CMa, m = −1.5) are upper left of Xi Leonis (ξ Leo, m = 5.0). Mars (m = −2.4), nearly at the same altitude this morning and for the next farther westward along the ecliptic, is nearly 24° in altitude few mornings. The brightest star is 50° to the right of the in the west-southwest sky. Among the stars, it is brightest planet. At the same time, Mars is nearly 35° up in retrograding in Pisces, 1.1° above ν Psc and 2.7° to the the west-southwest. Among the stars, it is 1.2° above ν Psc lower left of ο Psc. One hour after sunset, the gibbous moon and 2.6° to the lower left of ο Psc. One hour after sunset (7.6d, 60%), 23° up in the south, is 4.2° to the lower right of the nearly half-full moon (6.6d, 49%) is about 22° up in the Jupiter (m = −2.4). The Jupiter – Saturn gap is 7.7°. Look south-southwest. Look carefully at the starfield, a binocular carefully to spot Nunki (σ Sgr, m = 2.0) – in the handle of the may help you spot Kaus Borealis (λ Sgr, m= 2.8), at the top Teapot of Sagittarius – 1.2° to the lower right of the moon. of the Teapot, 6.0° to the left of the moon. Jupiter is over Additionally, with a binocular look for Jupiter 2.1° to the 17° to the upper left of the lunar orb, and Saturn is 7.7° to lower left of π Sgr and 2.6° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. the upper left of the Jovian Giant. Watch the Jupiter – Saturn is 1.7° below 56 Sgr. Three hours after sunset, Mars Saturn gap noticeably shrink during the remainder of the is nearly 20° up in the east. At this time, the moon is nearly month. In the starfield, Jupiter is 2.1° to the lower left of π 21° in altitude in the south-southwest. Jupiter and Saturn Sgr and 2.7° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. Saturn is 1.7° below are to the upper left of the lunar orb. 56 Sgr. The Ringed Wonder is nearing the end of its • September 25: Venus passes 3.1° to the upper left of Xi retrograde motion, hardly moving in westward celestial Leonis (ξ Leo, m = 5.0). One hour before sunrise, Venus is longitude for several days. The moon reaches its First less than 27° in altitude in the east. Use a binocular to see Quarter phase at 8:55 p.m. CDT. Three hours after sunset Venus and the star at this hour. Mars – 115.0° of ecliptic (about 9:45 p.m. CDT), Mars is nearly 20° up in the east. At longitude west of Venus – is over 33° up in the west- this hour, the moon is over 11° in altitude above the southwest. In the starfield, use a binocular to spot that the southwestern horizon with Jupiter and Saturn to its upper Red Planet is nearly between ν Psc and ο Psc, 0.9° to the left. upper right of ν Psc and 2.8° to the lower left of ο Psc. One hour after sunset, Saturn is over 26° up in the south, 7.6° to the upper left of Jupiter. The brightening moon (8.6d, 70%), 23° up in the south-southeast, is 3.7° to the lower left of Saturn. Three hours after sunset, Mars is nearly 21° up in

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

the east. At this hour the moon is 22.0° up in the south- ν Psc and 2.6° to the upper left of μ Psc. When Mars is at its southwest. Saturn is to the upper right of the moon, while closest approach to Earth, the Red Planet is 0.3° to the Jupiter is to the lower right of the lunar orb. Jupiter is less lower left of μ Psc. Watch the planet approach the star. In than 99° of ecliptic longitude west of Mars. During the past the evening one hour after sunset, Jupiter – over 25° in five days, the Jupiter – Mars gap has decreased about 1.0° altitude – is at the meridian. The Jupiter – Saturn gap is 7.5° as Mars is retrograding and Jupiter is moving eastward as Jupiter steps eastward and Saturn is nearly stationary in compared to the sidereal background. its westward progress. In the starfield, Jupiter is 2.2° to the lower left of π Sgr and 2.5° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. Saturn is 1.7° below 56 Sgr. The bright moon (10.6d, 87%) – in central Capricornus – is over 20° up in the southeast. It is over 25° to the lower left of Saturn. Three hours after sunset, Mars is about 22° up in the east-southeast. At this hour, the moon is in the south, while Jupiter and Saturn are in the southwest. • September 28: One hour before sunrise, Venus is over 26° up in the east. It is 3.8° to the upper left of ο Leo. This morning Venus is 5.2° to the upper right of Regulus. Farther westward, Mars is nearly 30° up in the west-southwest. With a binocular spot the Red Planet 0.8° to the upper right of ν Psc and 2.4° to the upper left of μ Psc. Saturn’s retrograde ends 109° east of the sun. One hour after sunset, the Ringed Wonder is over 26° up in the south, 7.5° to the upper left of Jupiter. With a binocular observe that Saturn is 1.7° below 56 Sagittarii. Jupiter is 2.2° to the lower left of π Sgr and 2.5° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. The moon (11.6d, 93%) is about 17° up in the southeast. Three hours after sunset, Mars is over 22° up in the east-southeast. The bright September 25: One hour after sunset, the moon is 3.7° to the moon is over 30° to the upper right of Mars. Jupiter and lower left of Saturn. Saturn are in the southwest at this hour. • September 29: One hour before sunrise, Venus – over 26° • September 26: One hour before sunrise, bright Mars – in altitude in the east – is 4.0° to the upper right of Regulus. retrograding in Pisces – is nearly 32° in altitude in the west- With a binocular spot Nu Leo (ν Leo, m = 5.2), 1.5° to the southwest. In the starfield, it is 0.8° to the upper right of ν upper right of Venus. Farther west, Mars (m = −2.5) – now Psc and 2.9° to the lower left of ο Psc. Mars is to the right brighter than Jupiter - is over 28° in altitude in the west- of a line that connect the two stars. Farther east, brilliant southwest. In the starfield observe that the Red Planet is Venus is nearly 27° up in the east. It is 4.2° to the upper right 0.9° to the right of ν Psc and 2.1° to the upper left of μ Psc. of Omicron Leo (ο Leo, m = 3.5). One hour after sunset, the One hour after sunset, the moon (12.6d, 97%) – in eastern moon (9.6d, 79%), the moon – in central Capricornus - is Aquarius – is about 14° up in the east-southeast. The Jupiter 22.0° up in the south-southeast. Begin to observe the – Saturn gap is 7.4°. Both planets are moving eastward Harvest Moon effect. The moon moves eastward about 13° compared to the sidereal background. At this time Jupiter eastward each evening compared to the stars, but at the is nearly 26° up in the south. Use a binocular observe that same time interval after sunset, the moon’s altitude is only Jupiter is 2.3° to the lower left of π Sgr and 2.5° to the lower a few degrees lower. The moon is over 15° to the lower left right of 50 Sgr. Saturn (m = 0.5) is 1.7° below 56 Sgr. Two of Saturn. The Jupiter – Saturn gap is 7.6°. In the starfield, hours later, Mars is nearly 22° up in the east. Can you find Saturn is 1.7° below 56 Sgr. Jupiter is 2.2° to the to the lower the stellar pair that is referenced with the Red Planet in left of π Sgr and 2.6° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. Three today’s notes? The moon is about 30° up in the south- hours after sunset, Mars is over 21° up in the east. At this southeast as Jupiter and Saturn appear in the southwest. hour the moon is 26° up in the south. Jupiter and Saturn are • September 30: One hour before sunrise, Mars – over 27° in to the right of the lunar orb. altitude up in the west-southwest – is 1.1° to the lower right • September 27: One hour before sunrise, brilliant Venus – of ν Psc and 1.8° to the upper left of μ Psc. Farther east – over 26° up in the east, is 3.8° to the upper right of ο Leo. nearly 122° of ecliptic longitude – brilliant Venus is 2.9° to Farther west, Mars is nearly 31° in altitude in the west- the upper right of Regulus and 0.3° above ν Leo. The sun is southwest. In the starfield, Mars is 0.8°to the upper right if

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

in the sky for about 11.75 hours. Together morning twilight Brilliant Venus, near its conjunction with Regulus in the and evening twilight combine for over 3 hours. If you want eastern sky, and Mars – near its opposition in Pisces in Pisces to spot Mercury (m = 0.0), look for it with a binocular about – bracket the stellar congregation. Both planets outshine 3° up in the west-southwest. Thirty minutes later, the moon Sirius. In the northern sky, Deneb is low in the northwest. The (13.6d, 99%) is 10.0° up in the east-southeast. Farther south, Big Dipper – still standing on its handle – is in the northeastern Saturn is nearly 27° above the southern horizon. Jupiter is sky. Cassiopeia is nearly on the opposite side of Polaris from 7.4° to the lower right of Saturn. In the starfield, Saturn is the Big Dipper’s Pointer stars. The sun is now in the sky for 1.7° below 56 Sgr. Jupiter is 2.3° to the lower left of π Sgr about 11.75 hours. Darkness is now over nine hours long. and 2.4° to the lower right of 50 Sgr. Three hours after At the end of evening twilight, four bright solar system sunset, the moon – nearly 30° up in the southeast – is about objects are in the sky. Mars is low in the east with the bright 25° to the upper right of Mars, about 24° up in the east- moon close by. The giant planet pair – Jupiter and Saturn – southeast. At this hour, Jupiter, in the southwestern sky, is are west of the meridian. Both planets are now moving 97° west of Mars. The pair is nearly 1.5° closer than just five eastward among the stars. Sagittarius and Scorpius are days ago. Mars is retrograding and Jupiter is moving tipping toward the southwest horizon. Higher in the south, eastward in its direct motion. Vega and Altair are west of the meridian, as Deneb is nearing the celestial divider. Farther west, Arcturus is lower in the As the month ends and morning twilight begins, Orion western sky. Watch it twinkle vividly through a binocular as it and the bright stars of winter’s evenings are at the meridian. appears lower in the sky each evening. The Big Dipper is low If you’re a fair-weather observer, the next few weeks is the in the northwest. From the north-northeast horizon, Capella, season to catch the wonders of the winter sky, although the Perseus, and Cassiopeia lead the way back to Deneb. Happy moon’s brightness creates some havoc with the dimmer Autumn! objects during several mornings. The Pleiades, Hyades, and Aldebaran are west of the meridian.

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.

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.

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)

Vol. 45, No. 9 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers September 2020

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.

TCAA TREASURER’S REPORT AS OF AUGUST 27, 2020

Checking Account Information

Memo Category Amount BALANCE 07/27/2020 2,404.67 Marc & Tracy Tiritilli Dues Received 40.00 Electrical Service Waynesville Observatory (49.48) BALANCE 08/27/2020 2,395.19

Checking Account Balance – August 27, 2020 $2,395.19 Savings Account Balance – August 27, 2020 $1,968.04 - Includes $0.01 cents interest as of this date

Total TCAA Funds – August 27, 2020 $4,363.23

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

Dave Osenga, Treasurer

DID YOU KNOW?

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