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SAS Vol1 #1-2A.Pub News from The Society for Astronomical Sciences Newsletter for the Society for Vol. 1, Number 1 Astronomical Sciences Welcome to the first news- WW meeting by the mem- ested in doing science with letter from the Society for bers that it was in the best their instruments. Astronomical Sciences interest of the group to We would like to see the (SAS), the renamed IAPPP strike out on its own and newsletter issued quarterly, Western Wing. We are in form a new organization. with the help of members the process of reorganiza- The committee worked hard and their submitted articles. tion and have taken on a coming up with a new name This could consist of short new name to better reflect and logo which would better Eighty five people participated in the IAPPP- updates on what a member the growing interests and reflect the interests of the WW meeting this year at Big Bear covering is up to in his or her area of the growing technology group. Thanks to Bob many areas of telescope sciences making science. So… look on this as this a highly successful meeting which allows us to do our Stephens, we now have a a call for articles from you, science, both as amateurs new web site and domain members of SAS. Your par- An Early spectroscope and in collaborations with name. (socastrosci.org) ticipation will help make this used to fingerprint the professionals. It was felt, Keep posted on this web elements new group as successful or not only by the committee site, we have many plans to even more so as it has been but also by the feedback expand it and make it more over the past years. received at the past IAPPP- useful for amateurs inter- Inside this issue: Call For Papers and Newsletter Articles The 2003 Symposium 2 We will be looking for arti- with professionals can post the citation. Lets show the Visit our Web Site 2 cles by members for publish- their work. We have a num- world, not only what we are Membership Information 3 ing in the newsletter. These ber of members who have doing but what has been done History of Photometry 4 should be on the less techni- done this. So I would like recently in the way of publica- cal side, perhaps projects those of you who have such tions!! More details to follow in Committee: being pursued, evaluation of papers to submit them to the next Newsletter. an instrument or software or the editor as pdf files so at a · Leroy Snyder — Co-Chairman If you wish to be a speaker at an article with a historical future date they can be the 2004 Symposium on As- · Robert Stephens — Co-Chairman slant. For the more technical posted. Here is your chance tronomical Sciences, please articles, we will have an to shine within SAS. If there · Robert Gill — Audio Visual Webmas- see the schedule for the 2004 ter area at our new web site in are copywrite issues with symposium below and visit our the future will allow us to this, and I will explore this, · Dave Kenyon — Program Co- web site at post papers by members. then we certainly can post Chairman These would be technical in February 21, 2004 Last date to submit abstracts · Dale Mais — Program Co-Chairman, nature. In addition, I would Newsletter editor February 24, 2004 Acceptance Information to speakers like to have an area where Advisors: members who have pub- April 4, 2004 Final papers submitted based on lished papers in Professional accepted abstracts · Arne Hendon journals as collaborations May 5, 2004 Anticipated printing run · Dirk Terrell May 26, 2004 Distribution at conference Page 1 The 2003 Symposium on Telescope SciVolumeence 1, Issue 1 Once again we returned to building a multiple tele- Bob Denny: Automation the Northwoods resort scope observatory at West- Techniques for Scientific which is well suited for the ern Nevada Community Astronomy symposium. This year was College. None of us will highlighted with workshops ever forget Lee ‘Walking John Menke: Confessions all day Wednesday. In the Naked’ as he lost a bet on of a Beginner Asteroid morning, Arne Hendon of when the project would be Light Curve Photometrist the USNO conducted a completed. Robert Stephens / Robert Koff: Discovery of Vari- Dale E. Mais: Mira Vari- workshop on photometry able Stars as a Byproduct of Asteroid Lightcurve able Stars: Spectroscopic and improving your accu- The Hospitality Room was Work and Photometric Monitor- racy. In the afternoon, Dirk open both evenings where ing of this broad class of Terrell of the Southwest much of the education hap- Long Term Variable and Research Institute gave a pens. The Bisque brothers Highly Evolved Stars. workshop on binary stars, once again demonstrated their Paramount setting it different types and how to Rick Finberg: Can Ama- up, obtaining a T-Point evaluate them. At the end teur Astronomers Do Good Model, and taking images of the day, the die hards Science? got to try out software that all over the sky. In addi- Dirk brought with him. tion, they demonstrated Robert Stephens / Robert their new TheSky Version Koff: Discovery of Variable Thursday was the general 6 which will be available in Stars as a By product of paper session. John the Fall. Asteroid Lightcurve Work Menke discussed his start- ing efforts at obtaining as- Eighty-five attendees came Peter Cervolo: A New All teroid rotational periods to the fabulous Big Bear Spherical Optical Design Rick Finberg: Can Amateur Astronomers Do Good skies to enjoy the moun- Science? while Bob Stephens and For Meter Class Tele- Robert Koff discussed what tains and learn from the scopes to do with those pesky vari- talks. The Symposium was Roy Tucker: The able stars that keep creep- sponsored by Apogee, MOTESS System ing into their asteroid im- HighPoint Scientific, Santa Barbara Instruments, Sky ages. We were privy to another outstanding talk by and Telescope Magazine, Dale Mais on the latest and Software Bisque. techniques in amateur Workshops Presented: spectroscopy. The key- note speaker was Rick Arne Hendon: Photometry Finberg, publisher of Sky & Workshop Breaktime with the vendors. As always we greatly Telescope magazine, who appreciate the support of our vendors who help Dirk Terrell: Eclipsing Bi- make these meetings a success asked the question, ‘Can nary Workshop Amateur Astronomers Do Dirk Terrell and his worshop on Good Science?’ His con- Eclipsing Binaries clusion was, with proper Talks Given: training, yes they can. Visit your Website at: Finally, the funniest talk was delivered by Lee Sny- Lee Snyder: Building a SocAstroSci.org der who discussed the tri- New Observatory als and tribulations of Page 2 Membership Information Volume 1, Issue 1 Membership in your new defray costs in bringing in be able to draw some oth- Society for Astronomical outside speakers ers into The Society, and Sciences (SAS). (professionals) to the sym- especially to participate in posium. This past meeting, our yearly symposium, so After debate among the as you all know, we had you all will not have to al- committee members, it Arne Hendon and Dirk Ter- ways listen to just me beat was decided that a modest rell participate by giving upon the spectroscopy membership fee would workshops. Since we pay drums. greatly help SAS to pro- for their travel and hotel Membership is annual and duce a better product for expenses, this adds up, but runs from July to June of its members. This fee will enriches the content of the the following year. To be- be $25.00 per year, the meetings, and it is some- come a member, send $25 same membership fee of thing we will continue to do to: Society for Astronomical the old IAPPP organization. and hopefully even expand. Sciences, 8300 Utica Ave- What will this membership Arne Hendon conducts a workshop on photometry on We have hopes or at least I nue, Suite 105, Rancho fee provide? Well for one Wednesday morning thing it WILL NOT go to any have hopes, if we can Cucamonga, CA 91730. achieve a critical mass of committee members as The SAS is a 501(c)(3) The upcoming contributors, of starting an part of their efforts within charitable organization. As electronic journal as a symposium will be SAS. We volunteer our time such, we can accept chari- means of publishing re- for The Society. table contributions which sults from members. held May 26 and Members will receive a are deductible to the giver, discount for the registra- In addition, in an effort to provided that they can 27, 2004. expand our ranks with itemize their deductions. tion fee each year for the Registration Symposium at Big Bear. It those interested in the Under IRS regulations, if will assure you that you will spectroscopy area, I have membership dues to such materials will be get a copy of the published begun to advertise the an organization are less proceedings each year, group through the various than $75, then member- mailed in January even if you do not attend spectroscopy user groups ship dues are entirely de- 2004. the Symposium. It will help both nationally and inter- ductible as a charitable nationally. Hopefully we will contribution. IAPPP-Western Wing meeting group photo. This is the last meeting under the IAPPP banner. Beginning in 2004, it will be The Symposium for Telescope Sci- ences. Society for Astronomical Sciences (SAS) Page 3 A Brief History of Photoelectric Photometry: 1892-1942 Dale Mais The history of astronomy is a tributing to the early difficulties direct benefit to astronomers now classic series of pa- history of attempts to measure in standardizing measure- as they sought new and better pers in The Astrophysical starlight more precisely.
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