SDAA San Diego Astronomy Association Promising the Sun, the Moon and the Stars... and Delivering!

Office (619) 645-8940 Observatory (619) 766-9118 News and Notes July 2001 A Non-Profit Educational Association WWW – http://www.sdaa.org P.O. Box 23215, San Diego, CA 92193-3215 Here at home MOUNT LAGUNA SDAA BUSINESS MEETING WILL BE HELD AT SKF CONDITION MONITORING OBSERVATORY 4141 RUFFIN ROAD SAN DIEGO CA 92123-1841 This month, we decided to feature a local celebrity site here in San Diego. I hope everyone in our club gets out to Mount Laguna and enjoys reading about their interesting telescopes located at the Mount Laguna Observatory.

Mount Laguna Observatory (MLO) was dedicated on June 19, 1968 in conjunction with the Summer meeting of the Astronomical Society (cont'd on page 6 through 9) of the Pacific, which was hosted by the SDSU Astronomy Department (D.B. Wood, 1968, Publ. Astron. Soc. Pac. 80, 633). The dedication occurred only seven years after the CONTENTS Astronomy Department became a separate entity on the SDSU campus. July 2001 Vol. XXXVII Issue 07 The original funding for the Published Monthly by the observatory facilities grew from a San Diego Astronomy Association 75¢/$8.00 year grant from the National Science Incorporated in California in 1963 Foundation to Director (now Emeritus) Burt Nelson for the study of eclipsing binary stars, with matching funds supplied by the State of California. The Observatory is located forty-five miles east of downtown San Diego, at an altitude Feature Mt. Laguana ______1,8 of 6100 ft. (1859 meters) on the remote eastern edge of the Cleveland National Forest. MLO Camp out with the Stars ______2 is well protected from the urban lighting of the San Diego metropolitan area. This remoteness, Remembering an Icon(Kepler) __ 3-5 along with the high percentage of clear nights and excellent seeing, makes Mount Laguna Telescopes at Mt. Laguna _____ 7-8 one of the best overall observatory sites in the continental United States. MLO has grown Moon Phase Calendar ______10 to include four well-equipped telescopes, ranging in size from 16- to 40-inches (0.4- to 1.0- meters), which are used for original research by the faculty and students of both SDSU and Business Meeting ______11 the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Observatory has plans to build a 100- inch (2.5-meter) telescope for SDSU’s second century.

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Program Meetings viewing or photography, etc., etc, etc. This some nebulae while we waited for Mars to by J. Restivo is where you can help your fellow clear the trees. The sky clouded up around On May 18th, 52 members and guests astronomers. Just bring your Gadget and 11 p.m., but then cleared up an hour later attended the Program Meeting. Our special share in the fun. allowing some nice views of Mars. feature was the award presentation to the Please call or e-mail me (both means of If you have a telescope that you can three San Diego Science and Engineering contact are on the back page of this share with the campers you are welcome to Fair winners in the field of Space and / or newsletter) so that I have an idea how to join us and camp for free, and enjoy one of Astronomy. 1st place went to Hannah schedule each of your Gadgets. Doors will the nicest campgrounds in the county. We Shearer of Muirlands Middle School with open at 7:00 pm at the lecture hall of The will also be up at William Heise the her project, “Sunspots and Solar Rotation.” R.H. Fleet Science Center. I look forward to weekends of July 14th, August 25th, 2nd place went to Keri Holcomb of Oak Grove seeing a lot of you then. September 22nd. If you like, you can come Middle School and her project, “Rockets up on Friday and enjoy the campground an Rising: Five Fluids in Flight.” 3rd place went Star Party Volunteers Needed extra day. to Rebecca Russell of Correia Jr.High; her by M. Dietz To reach William Heise take Hwy. 67 project was, “ Effects of Dispersion and I just wanted to let you know that we will North through Ramona which then turns Scattering on the Green Flash.” Their proud be needing some volunteers this Fall to help into Hwy 78. Continue East on Hwy. 78 fathers were also present. On behalf of the with the star party program. As many of you through Santa Ysabel heading towards SDAA organization, we welcome you as our already know, our North County star party Julian. A couple of miles before Julian, turn newest Associate members. coordinator, Doug Mcfarland, will be moving right on Pine Hills Road and head South. Jerry Schad was our guest speaker. His to Idaho this Fall and we will need to find Continue about 2 miles to Frisius Drive and topic, Sky Scapes, provided the audience a someone to fill his shoes. Regrettably, I will turn left. Head East on Frisius Drive about fun and interesting way of capturing the no longer be able to continue as star party 1 ½ miles to the park entrance. Let the Anza-Borrego desert and the nighttime sky coordinator after this summer as well. It looks rangers know you are with the SDAA and onto film, primarily, without the use of a like I will be working nights so I won’t have they will show where we will be camping. telescope. Other scenes, included different the time to do the job anymore. I hope I will We will be set up at the picnic area East of backdrops of San Diego. It was a full and still be able to participate in the star parties, the caravan area. fun evening for all who attended. but that is a question mark as well right now. (cont'd on page 3) The June Program Meeting was attended If anyone has any questions about what is by 42 members and guests. Dr. Gary L. involved with the scheduling and organizing Peterson, Professor of Geology at San Diego process, I’m sure Doug or I would be more Editorial Staff State University, presented his lecture, “Why than happy to discuss it with you. I have is Mars Red?” Dr. Peterson gave a historical been actively involved with the SDAA star geological roadmap of the solar system from party program for the past 8 years, and I can about 4 ½ billion years ago. He indicated honestly say that they have been the most that water is the only stable fluid in our solar rewarding years of my life. Now the time has system. Mars has a density of 0.107 or 11% come to pass the baton on to someone else. the mass of Earth. It’s density is currently I will try to give as much help as I can to the SDAA too small for any type of ocean or large new star party coordinators whoever they body of water. Also, its temperature is –67 may be. degrees below zero, verifying that it’s Thanks. Editor atmosphere could not keep water now. With DOUG JOHNSON the effects of “weathering”, wind and erosion Camp With The Stars [email protected] over a 4 ½ billion year period, Dr. Peterson by M. Dietz walked the audience thru a geological Two members came up to William Heise Graphic Designer “Martian Chronicle.” His slide show along on Friday evening May 18th to get an extra KATHRYN M. LABORDE with images from Viking 2 and Pathfinder, night of star gazing in. We had about a helped to better understand the mystery of dozen people come by that evening to view Contributing Writers the Red Planet. through the telescopes. Twelve additional THAD V'SOSKE July 20th will be the date for our next members came up the following day. There Program Meeting. A favorite for years past, DOUG JOHNSON were 5 or 6 telescopes set up for safe solar we will be enjoying the fun of Gadget Night. KATHY LABORDE viewing and about 75 of the campers came The guest speaker will beYOU. Bring your JOHN MOOD by to view the sun. There were about 15 thingamajig, doomer fachie or yet patented BRIAN STAPLES telescopes set up that evening. I gave a invention that has helped you enjoy the slide show presentation at sunset while we MICHAEL DIETZ wonders of astronomy. Be it a new eyepiece, waited for it to get dark. We viewed quite a JIM POTTER finder, mount, camera, film, technique for few globular clusters , some galaxies, and

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(cont'd from page 2) reach the library take I-5 North to Del Mar Remembering an Icon We will be up near Julian again on Heights Road. Head West on Del Mar Road by D. Snyder (Contributing Author) st to Camino Del Mar and turn right. Head Saturday July 21 at Paso Picacho Johannes Kepler was born premature in North to the library. campground near Lake Cuyamaca. The the small town of Swabia, in the Southwest We will be in Poway on Friday the 27th rangers have a 10 a.m. program they offer corner of Germany. Kepler came into this for a star party at Chaparral Elementary for the campers and have asked us to do it world premature at 32 weeks old on located at 17250 Tannin Drive. I will be on the sun so if anyone with solar filters December 27, 1571 at 2:30 p.m. He lived in giving a 30 minute slide show presentation can come and set up at that time it would a small house in the city of Weil with his at 8 p.m. to be followed by telescope be appreciated. I will probably give a 30 mother, father, sisters, brothers, Uncles, viewing. minute talk before we get to the solar Aunts and cousins. Kepler’s family was On Tuesday July 31st, we have a daytime viewing. If you plan on camping over large and did not have a lot of money. solar viewing star party at 2 p.m. at the Saturday night please let me know so that Johannes Kepler’s mother, Katherine, was Chateau La Jolla Inn located at 233 Prospect I can inform the ranger and allow them to burned as a witch in the mid 1500’s. Kepler’s Street. set aside enough sites to accommodate us. father came from a noble family and became We will be in Poway again on Saturday There are numerous hiking trails in the area Mayor of Weil, but after his marriage to August 11th at the Blue Sky Ecological as well as the lake and the famous Stonewall Katherine, his reputation slowly declined. Reserve for an 8 p.m. star party. Mine to enjoy over the weekend Johannes Kepler was very sickly as a child. If you need directions to any of these To reach the campground take I-8 East At the age of four he almost died of small star parties give me a call. to Hwy. 79 and head North on Hwy 79 for pox and his hands were badly crippled. Not For those who would like to help the about 9-10 miles. The campground will be an attractive man, he suffered from boils club and volunteer for star parties, give me on the left. For those of you coming from and he had great stomach problems. a call at (619) 562-2726. I will put you on the north county follow the directions to Johannes Kepler became a man of precision list of regular volunteers I call as some star William Heise only stay on Hwy. 78 into who, in a Europe plagued with constant parties are scheduled or canceled after the Julian and turn right on Hwy. 79 and head war, discovered the secret to the Universe: newsletter is published, and if I know you south on Hwy. 79. The campground will be the three laws of planetary motion. are interested, I can keep you updated. If on the right about 5 miles past Hwy S-1 on Kepler attended a Latin school and chose you want to schedule a star party for a Hwy. 79. to continue his education and become a school or group you are affiliated with, give clergyman. Johannes Kepler had many me a call at least 6 to 8 weeks in advance Future Star Parties names for himself. He would spell his name to make sure you get the date you want. by M. Dietz Johannes Kepler, Keppler, Khepler, Stars in the park will be held on July 11th Kheppler or Keplerus. As a boy Johannes and August 1st at Balboa Park just west of Acknowledgments Kepler was very good at proportions, the fountain. Please note that in July we will by Michael Dietz figures and numbers. be at the park on the second Wednesday The club would like to thank Roy Ang, Kepler was unpopular among his since the first Wednesday is a holiday. Stars Dean Belcher, Rich Bentley, Dave Bilak, classmates because of his opinions on the at the site will be on July 14th and 21st Tim Boller, Steve Chun, Carolyn Corless, study of philosophy being the beginning On Friday July 6th we will be hosting a Mike Dietz, Stu Hall, Doug Hansen, Dave of Germany’s decline. Kepler also thought star party for Cub Scout Pack 613 at their Fischer, Shawn Kelly, Jim Lawler, Tim the French language was better to study annual summer camp out in Jamul at Indian Macklin, Jose Magsaysay, Nick Marilao, than Greek. Kepler’s poor health and Hills Camp located at 15763 Lyons Valley Doug McFarland, Joe McGerald, Ken unattractive appearance did not help either. Road. To reach the camp take Hwy. 94 into Olson, Jennifer Pesqueira, Cheryl and Lin Johannes Kepler graduated from “The Rancho San Diego. At the 3rd light, turn Robertson, Mary Jo Rushing, Cindy and Faculty of the Arts” at “The University of right to stay on Hwy. 94 East bound. Go 5.5 Terry Stewart, Jim Traweek, Perry Tuey, Tuebingen” at the age of twenty. Kepler miles and turn left on Lyons Valley Road. Thad V’Soske, Bob Wetzel, Bill Whalen, then went on to a Theological Faculty, Go 1.5 miles to the 1st stop sign. At the stop Evan Zucker for helping with the school where before he could pass his final sign, the name changes to Skyline Truck star parties, Camp With The Stars, and Stars examination, he was asked to become Trail. Go straight on Skyline Truck Trail for In The Park programs. Your efforts are Mathmaticus of a Protestant school in the 2.3 miles. Turn right on Lawson Valley Road greatly appreciated by the students, parents town of Wuerttemberg in the city of Gratz. and go 1/4 mile. Make a sharp left back onto and teachers. The University of Tuebingen recommended Lyons Valley Road. Indian Hills is 1 mile on Johannes Kepler; Kepler accepted. He the right. They will provide dinner for those arrived at Gratz in April of 1594 and began that bring telescopes. his career as an Astrologer at Gratz. Kepler We will be at the Del Mar Library on the published an annual calendar of 25th for an 8 p.m. star party. The library is located at 1309 Camino Del Mar Road. To

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astronomical events that became very well Tycho Brahe was looking for elimination was the earth to be always at an equal recognized. Kepler had a great interest in of the epicycle that Ptolemy had designed. distance from the sun. The second was the the view of Copernicus. Kepler was mystified Copernicus was still the only man to have orbit of the earth to be circular. Next Kepler by the idea of a sun-centered universe. accomplished this in Tycho Brahe’s system. discovered that, every two years the sun, Before his journey to Gratz, Kepler’s friends Brahe responded while corresponding with Earth and Mars are in exact opposition. One in Gratz had found him a bride. Her name Kepler, saying he needed Kepler’s discovery year later he could triangulate each precise was Barbara. She was twenty-three years of explained in correct mathematical terms. point on the orbit of Mars. He needed to age and the daughter of a cabinetmaker. At In 1601 Tycho Brahe summoned Kepler know if the circular orbit could fit all the first, Barbara’s father refused the marriage. to the Imperial Castle at Benatky near Prague. points. It was almost, but not exact according After many negotiations between Kepler’s Johannes Kepler was officially appointed to Tycho Brahe’s observations. Kepler friends, the school inspector and the school Tycho Brahe’s assistant and continued his needed to know what curve would describe deacon, the marriage was approved. work as a mathematicus in Prague. While the orbit. That curve would be the secret to At the time of the marriage, Johannes teaching in Prague, Kepler founded a new the heavens. It was so simple, the curves Kepler was very poor. Kepler did not have science called Physical Astronomy. This Kepler needed were called the hyperbola a large salary and had great difficulty new science brought to light the first two of and parabola. Originally the hyperbola and supporting his wife. At one point Kepler’s Kepler’s laws. The first was that planets parabola were discovered by the Greeks, but salary was refused and Barbara would not travel around the sun in an elliptical orbit, they were later rediscovered in the heavens allow Kepler to touch her dowry. Barbara not in a circle with the sun at one focus. The by Johannes Kepler. Kepler had difficulty bearing children, but second was a planet would move around During this time Kepler had decided to managed to give birth to a little boy after the sun not at any certain speed, but in a marry again. In 1613 Johannes Kepler had nine months of marriage. The little boy died manner that a line drawn from a planet to the chosen a bride, Susanna Ruettinger, the two months later. The next baby was a girl sun always sweeps over equal areas in equal daughter of a cabinetmaker. Susanna’s and died one month later. Barbara had three times. parents died when she was just a child. more children; only one boy and one girl Johannes Kepler succeeded Tycho Brahe Susanna was brought up by Baroness survived. as Imperial Mathematician in 1601. On Starhemberg. Kepler was very fond of Johannes and Barbara Kepler were October 24, 1601, while on his deathbed, Susanna and she bore him seven children. married fourteen years. Barbara became very Tycho Brahe said to Johannes Kepler “Let Three of those children died in infancy. ill and began to neglect everything except me seem not to have lived in vain”, Tycho Kepler’s third law came ten years later the children. She was very sick in the mind Brahe begged Johannes Kepler to use his and was published in 1619, stating the square and eventually died at the age of thirty- new observations to prove the correctness of the period of a planet is proportional to seven. of the Tychonic system, wherein the sun the cube of the length of the semi-major axis. Kepler discovered the secret to the revolves around the earth and that all the In other words, Kepler defined the motions Universe while he was still a teacher at Gratz. other planets revolve around the sun. of different planets. Kepler published his His idea was that the Universe was built Kepler’s assignment at this time was to third law during the beginning of the thirty around different types of figures such as figure and perfect Tycho Brahe’s theory of year war in 1619. Kepler fled from the city, the tetrahedron, the cube, the octahedron, the motion of Mars. Johannes Kepler’s trying to collect old debts along the way. the dodecahedron and the icosehedron. theory did not work according to Tycho Kepler was also able to make money by These shapes were thought by Kepler to be Brahe’s system because there was making astronomical charts. an invisible skeleton that held the Universe disagreement between the angular position In 1627 Emperor General Wallenstein together. This idea, of course, was in the sky and the best circular orbit of Mars summoned Johannes Kepler to Sagan, completely false, but it did eventually lead that fit a circle within eight minutes of arc. Prague. Wallenstein had an addiction to to Kepler’s Laws. Kepler made models of Kepler couldn’t make the orbit of Mars fit a astrology, but took no interest in science; the universe but all were extinguished and circle according to Tycho Brahe’s system. he only wanted Kepler in his court for advice not accepted by modern astronomers of that Kepler used the observations of Mars’ orbit regarding political and military decisions. day. At age twenty-five Kepler published with an unknown center. Finding a circle not In May, 1628, Kepler and Wallenstein left his first book, Mysterium directly centered on the sun was Kepler’s Prague. Wallenstein fought and won a battle Cosmographicum, explaining in detail how first step in the right direction. Kepler found for Strahlsund. Kepler went to Ratisbon to he stumbled upon this discovery. Kepler that Mars moved faster when closest to the collect his wife and children. In July of 1628, very much wanted to make a model of his sun and slower when farther away. This Kepler arrived back in Sagan with his wife new found discovery but had no money to would be Kepler’s second law. and children. do so. Kepler’s idea was received with great Johannes Kepler discovered his second A new press was installed in December skepticism. Only one man recognized law in 1602 before the first. Kepler of 1629, and Johannes Kepler set out to Kepler’s genius; that man was the greatest discovered the law with the sun at the center write his last book, Somnium. Somnium was astronomer of the day - Tycho Brahe. It of the orbit of the earth without considering the first book of science fiction ever would be three years before Johannes the shape of the earth’s orbit around the published during that day. Somnium is the Kepler and Brahe actually met. sun. Kepler had made two errors. The first story of a boy named Duracotus who has a

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(cont'd from page 4) dream of going to the moon. Duracotus gets SDAA Drafts Response to Council Regarding Union Tribune Article to the moon by conversing with the demons by D. Ritz of the moon. Duracotus’ flight to the moon Dear Council Member Atkins, is only possible during an eclipse which On behalf of the Board and 519 members of the San Diego Astronomy Association, lasts four hours. The book is filled with lizard please allow us to comment on the recent report in the San Diego Union Tribune regarding creatures that fly through the night sky of the replacement of low pressure sodium street lights. We respectfully request to meet with the moon, shedding their skin. There is also you and other members of the Public Safety committee, either as a committee or individually, mention of many other wonderful creatures to provide testimony, publications referenced below, and expertise. Since we understand that live on the moon. The creatures of the this could be brought up to the Council at any time, we trust you will consider our input moon live in great cities built in the craters before any decision is made. I will follow-up this fax with a call to your office tomorrow. of the moon. The book was published, but There are several areas for consideration; beginning with the commonly held misconception Kepler did not complete it before his death. that street lighting reduces crime. While it has been shown that selected lighting, such Three months after his arrival, Kepler as tunnels, underpasses, etc benefit from lighting, general street lighting has not been departed from Sagan for Nuremberg. Upon, found to be effective in actually reducing crime. Please consider: Kepler was taken ill with fever and never Street Lighting and Crime recovered. Johannes Kepler died on · The Influence of Street Lighting on Crime and Fear of Crime, Crime Prevention Unit November 15, 1630. He was buried in the St. London Home Office, Atkins, et al Crown Copyright 1991. This major scientific study from Peter cemetery that was eventually the UK Home Office found no reduction in crime with street lighting, but found a public destroyed during the thirty-year war. perception of reduced fear of crime. See article at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/ Johannes Kepler never realized the prgpdfs/fcpu29.pdf importance the three laws of planetary motion (Note: the Painter study referenced was funded by Urbis, manufacturer of lighting he had discovered. It was not until later, fixtures) when Sir Isaac Newton discovered the law · Preventing Crime, What Works, What Doesn’t, What’s Promising, National Institute of gravity followed later by the Theory of of Justice 1979, Sherman, et al, Chapter 7 “Is street lighting an effective approach in the Relativity, that these laws would make sense reduction and deterrence of crime? The answer is inconclusive.” See the article at: http:/ to anyone. Modern math, such as calculus /www.ncjrs.org/works/index.htm and analytical geometry, was not available The Union Tribune article reported Mayor Murphy testified the yellow lights made during Kepler’s day, so things had to be eyewitness identification more difficult. However, as is very well known even broad explained in much simpler terms. Kepler’s daylight identification is problematic. As a forensic chemist, I remember attending a three laws became a pillar of modern morning seminar where the speaker had a ‘suspect’ burst into the room, fire a shot, and astronomy as well as the astronomy of leave. Even with seasoned criminalists in the room, the divergence in descriptions was Kepler’s time. hilarious. Every law enforcement officer is aware of the subjectivity of eyewitness descriptions; Mayor Murphy’s testimony is antidotal and not persuasive. Please review the literature above. Cost of Lighting (Author biography):Deborah City staff estimates the cost to replace existing low-pressure sodium (LPS) streetlights Snyder was born and raised in the at $ 2.8 million with an additional $ 500,000 in electrical costs annually due to the lower South Bay of San Diego and is a efficiency/higher power usage of high-pressure sodium (HPS). This is huge waste of part time student of astronomy at taxpayer money that will not reduce crime. San Diego City College, as well Dollars should be put into police, streets and sewers rather than squandered on as being a Business major. “I find lighting ‘improvements’. In this time of energy crisis, consider the recent news report astronomy a fun way to learn Streetlights in County May Go Dark, The Bakersfield Californian, 6/22/2001 at URL http:/ about the importance of our place /www.bakersfield.com/top/Story/509282p-506186c.html Unless property owners agree to additional fees (taxes), the streetlights may be turned out. The article also reports Kern in this universe.” Ms. Snyder County expects the electricity costs to double over the next year. authored this article during David The Board and membership of the SDAA feel there is no or very little cost/benefit to Coleman’s Astro 101 course. this expenditure. Low-pressure sodium is by far the most efficient lumens/watt of any present outdoor lighting system. LPS provides far more light (lumens) for the dollar (watt) than HPS. In a few years light-emitting diodes will be the most efficient outdoor fixtures (i.e. cheapest to operate), as they are now for traffic signal lights and some automobile tail-lights. In a few more years, efficient diode lighting will require the replacement of the ‘new’ HPS fixtures. We urge the Council to stop replacement of the low-pressure sodium street lamps and find some real expertise to assist the Committee. Replacement of cobra head by acorn fixtures The UT article reported Co-Chair Council member Ralph Inzunza championed the replacement of full cutoff cobra style lighting with the decorative acorn fixture. Properly

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(cont'd from page 1 feature story Mt. Laguna Observatory) Mount Laguna Observatory Buller 21-inch Visitors’ Telescope Facilities The Buller 21-inch (0.5-meter) Visitors’ Mount Laguna Observatory telescope is a Cassegrain reflector (MLO) is operated jointly by SDSU manufactured by J.W. Fecker, Inc. in 1950. and the University of Illinois at It is of a classical design, with a fork mount, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). large setting circles, and glass encased right MLO is located 45 miles east of ascension drive of precision brass gearing. downtown San Diego at a dark The telescopeis named after Reginald site in the Cleveland National Buller who Forest at an altitude of 6100 donated the feet (1859 meters). The three instrument to major research instruments the SDSU and their auxiliary Astronomy equipment are: the 40-inch Department (1.0-meter) reflector, and MLO to manufactured by Astro Mechanics, Inc. (two CCD cameras, Cassegrain spectrograph, advance Near IR camera, automated photometer, coude bench spectrograph, grism spectrograph); popular the Clifford Smith 24-inch (0.6-meter) reflector (automated photometer, SBIG CCD camera); education in and the 16-inch (0.4-meter) reflector, manufactured by Boller & Chivens (charge integration astronomy for photometer, low-resolution spectrograph). A five bedroom apartment building, four the students of bedroom dormitory, and large shop building are also located on site. Instrument and CCD SDSU and the development are carried out at the on-campus mechanical and electronics shops. general public Observatory support staff includes a resident astronomer, two engineers, and observatory through our superintendent. Public Viewing Sky conditions at MLO are photometric 60% of the time and spectroscopic 75% of Program. the time. The poorer weather usually occurs in late Winter and early Spring (February Approximately 5,000 people look through and March). The Summer monsoon conditions that plague Kitt Peak in July and August this telescope every year. The Buller are greatly moderated at MLO. The sky glow from San Diego and other urban areas telescope was dedicated on May 22, 1988; contributes only about 5% at the zenith on moonless nights. Thus, on these dark nights, it replaced the original 16-inch (0.4-meter) the sky brightness at the zenith in the Johnson B filter averages 22.8 magnitudes per Visitors’ telescope manufactured by square arcsecond. Seeing is generally less than two arcseconds and frequently less than Nishimura, Inc, which was in use at MLO one arcsecond. At the site reserved for our 100-inch (2.5-meter) telescope, the average since 1968. The Nishimura telescope is now seeing is less than one are second. located on the SDSU campus, and is used in Our students engage in observational projects with the three research telescopes conjunction with our General Education under the direction of the faculty. The smaller telescopes allow for extended observing classes. runs for long-term projects, which are usually photometric in nature, as the bases of The Buller telescope provides excellent Master’s and Senior theses. Graduate student research with the 40-inch telescope takes viewing by eye of the moon, planets, and, advantage of its direct-imaging and spectroscopic capabilities. on dark nights, faint nebulosities and The Reginald Buller 21-inch (0.5-meter) Visitors’ telescope, manufactured by J.W. globular star clusters. This telescope fully Fecker, Inc., is used for instructional support of our General Education classes and for exploits Mount Laguna Observatory’s public education through our steady seeing and dark skies for the benefit Public Viewing Program. This of the human eye. Some of our students classic telescope has superb have used the Buller telescope to make optics for viewing by eye. sketches of Mars, Jupiter, and Comet Hale- The Observatory has detailed Bopp during episodes of particularly great engineering plans and optical seeing conditions. A 35-mm film camera and designs for the construction of a an SBIG CCD camera are also available for 100-inch (2.5-meter) telescope. student use. The site chosen for this telescope is on a knoll due south of the existing 24-inch telescope. SDSU is currently seeking donors and institutional partners for the cost of the instrument. This telescope represents an exceptional naming gift opportunity for an individual donor, family, or corporation. The University requires that 50% of the funds be donated to be considered as a naming gift.

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Smith 24-inch Telescope The Smith 24-inch (0.6-meter) telescope is an f/20 Cassegrain reflector. The telescope is named after Clifford Smith who founded the SDSU Astronomy Department, and established its degree programs. He was also instrumental in the early development of the Mount Laguna Observatory. The principal auxiliary instrument for this telescope is a pulse-counting photoelectric photometer, which employs a thermoelectrically cooled Hamamatsu R943-02 GaAs photomultiplier tube. Standard UBVRI, Stromgren 4-color, and DDO filter sets are available. The main research done with this telescope is photometry of variable stars, which includes eclipsing binaries, Cataclysmic Variables, and short-period pulsating variables. A secondary instrument is a thermoelectrically cooled SBIG CCD camera, which can be mounted at the Cassegrain focus. This CCD can also be used with a wide-field aerial camera, which can be mounted piggy-back on the main telescope. The Smith 24-inch telescope is used approximately 50% of the time by SDSU faculty and students. It is ideally suited to photometric projects that require large amounts of observing time. Many successful Master’s Theses have been based upon research done with this telescope. Generous amounts of observing time are also awarded to qualified visiting astronomers from other institutions.

Conceptual representation of the

100-inch Telescope and building

SAN DIEGO ASTRONOMY ASSOCIATION NEWS AND NOTES – JULY 2001 PAGE 7 Promising you the Sun the Moon and the Stars SDAA and delivering...

MLO 40-inch Telescope

The principal research telescope at Mount Laguna Observatory (MLO) is a 40-inch (1.0-meter) reflector built by Astro Mechanics, Inc. It has an off- axis equatorial mount. The telescope was formerly located at the Prairie Observatory of the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign (UIUC), but was moved to MLO in 1981, and is now operated jointly by SDSU and UIUC. The telescope has f/ 7.6 and f/13.5 Cassegrain and f/ 33 coude foci. Direct imaging at the f/7.6 Cassegrain focus with a 2048x2048 CCD accounts for about 50% of the scheduled observing time. This CCD was manufactured by Loral, and was thinned by Mike Lesser at the Steward Observatory CCD Lab. It has an anti-reflection (AR) coating that boosts the Quantum Efficiency (QE) up to 98% at 5500 Angstroms. The CCD has 15 micron square pixels to provide a plate scale of 0.41 arcseconds per pixel for a field of view of 14 arcminutes on a side. Available filter sets include UBVRI, Stromgren 4-color, and DDO, as well as filters for selected spectral features. Spectroscopy with the Illinois “white” spectrograph attached to the f/7.6 Cassegrain focus accounts for about 25% of the observing time. This instrument currently uses a TI 800x800 CCD as its imaging detector. Three camera configurations (38 and 31 cm Nikon, and 15 cm Bowen Schmidt) and four gratings (300, 400, 831, and 1200 line per mm) are available. The most frequently used (relatively high) dispersions are 0.4 and 0.2 Angstroms per pixel in first-order red and second-order blue, respectively, with a resolution of 2.5 pixels FWHM. An automated single-channel photoelectric photometer is scheduled for about 30% of the observing time. However, this instrument is usually mounted at the Cassegrain focus (on a side port) along with the “white” spectrograph for nearly simultane ous photometric and spectroscopic observations of relatively bright (10th magnitude) variable stars. The photometer employs a specially selected RCA 31034A GaAs photomultiplier tube. The most frequently used filters are the Stromgren uvby and customized near-infrared. A Near-InfraRed IMager (NIRIM), built jointly with UIUC, is scheduled about 10% of the time. This camera employs a Rockwell 256x256 NICMOS3 array detector, along with cooled reimaging optics and filters. Plates scales range from 0.5 to 2.0 arcseconds per pixel to provide fields of view up to 8.5 arcminutes on a side. The useful spectral sensitivity range is from 0.8 to 2.5 microns. Commonly used filters are IJHK. The TI 800x800 CCD, normally used with the “white” spectrograph, can also be used for direct imaging at the Cassegrain focus. A focal reducer employing 85 and 50 mm lenses can be added to provide plate scales of 1.01 and 1.56 arcseconds per pixel. However, the resultant field view and QE are not competitive with those of the Loral CCD described above. But, this camera can be used with a Grism Spectrograph, which provides spectral coverage from 4000 to 7000 Angstroms at a dispersion of 6.7 Angstroms per pixel. Currently under development is a bench spectrograph of the Ebert-Fastie type for use at the coude focus. It employs a 2650x488 CCD made in the same foundry run as our Loral CCD for direct imaging; it was also thinned and AR coated by Mike Lesser. This spectrograph will provide higher resolution, wider wavelength coverage, and increased stability versus the current Cassegrain “white”spectrograph.

PAGE 8SAN DIEGO ASTRONOMY ASSOCIATION NEWS AND NOTES – JULY 2001 Promising you the Sun the Moon and the Stars SDAA and delivering...

(cont'd from page 5) Audit Committee Report designed lighting fixtures project the light where it is needed, in the case of streetlights by J. Potter on the ground. The acorn fixtures, among others, allow light to escape up, providing illumination for the undersides of birds and airplanes, but a waste of light and money. The SDAA By-Laws require an annual We commend to your attention the State of California web site on energy conservation examination of the Treasurer’s accounts by and the Lighting Technology Report P400-98-004VIV: http://www.energy.ca.gov/reports/ an Auditing Committee of members index.html and ‘Reduction of Outdoor Lighting’ http://www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/ appointed by the Board of Directors. This lighting/outdoor_reduction.html and also the publications of the International Dark Sky year Bill Culviner and Brian McFarland met Association at: http://www.darksky.org/ida/ as this Committee and submitted the The Board and members of the SDAA agree that certain areas, such as the Gaslamp following signed report to the SDAA Board District, benefit from the ‘ambiance’ of old-fashioned lights. However the Board and of Directors on June 12. membership of the SDAA believe our modern public interest is not served by wasting Quoted documented as follows: money on inefficient lighting. May 30, 2001 Unintended Effects of Increased Lighting Please be advised that on this date the Light waste has some unintended consequences to wildlife as well. Birds and wildlife undersigned members of the San Diego are attracted to lights “says Michael Mesure of the Canadian Fatal Light Awareness Astronomy Association Audit Committee Program. “More birds die each year through collisions than from oil spills such as the reviewed the records and accounts of the Exxon Valdez.”” Please see the following article based on the Audubon Society on the Association with Treasurer, Jim Potter, for SDAA web site: http://www.sdaa.org/SDAABulletins/lighting.htm the year 2000. A recent article from ABCNews (see the SDAA light pollution page at: http:// We reviewed selected transactions of www.sdaa.org/SDAABulletins/light_pollution.htm) reports humans and animals need cash deposits and receipts as well as darkness for immune and hormonal health. payments to publications and others. The Obviously the San Diego Astronomy Association supports the reduction of light Balance Sheet and Income and Expense which escapes and pollutes our night sky, and opposes this effort to increase light Report were also reviewed, as was the pollution. Transactions Report for 2000. Union Tribune Public Poll: Should San Diego replace its yellowish sodium-vapor lights Based on this review, it is our opinion with brighter fixtures? that the books and records of the San Diego As elected officials, we are certain Council members are interested in this UT poll. As Astronomy Association fairly and of today (6/25/01), 69.6% of respondents DO NOT WANT THE NEW LIGHTS. While we accurately reflect the financial condition of hope some SDAA members have voted, we are of the opinion this poll represents the will of the people of San Diego. Many of us actually like the yellow lights and everyone wants the organization. to conserve electricity and money. In closing, the Board and membership of the San Diego Astronomy Association finds Very truly yours, little or no justification in the actions and expenditures contemplated by the Safety Committee and City Council in this matter. There is no demonstrable crime impact, there /s/ William H. Culviner is an energy crisis and we must conserve. We urge the Committee and Council to table /s/ Brian J. McFarland and defeat this well-intentioned but ill-considered program. On behalf of the Board and Members of the San Diego Astronomy Association, (Signed) Dennis P. Ritz, SDAA Corresponding Secretary San Diego Astronomy Association Thanks to Audit Committee by J. Potter On behalf of the Association I would like to thank the following members for volunteering to be on the Audit Committee: Bill Culviner, Jose Magsaysay, Brian McFarland and Allen Pellymounter. We appreciate your interest and help in meeting this important requirement.

SAN DIEGO ASTRONOMY ASSOCIATION NEWS AND NOTES – JULY 2001 PAGE 9 Promising you the Sun the Moon and the Stars SDAA and delivering... Private Pads Moon Phase Calendar for July 2001 by S. Houghton The private pad log has been relocated to the warming room (make sure you push in on the door a bit to reduce the friction on electronic bolt lock). Two private pads have become available and will be distributed to people on the waiting list. For members who would like to borrow a private pad for a night please visit (http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/sdaa) and have a look in the “Private Pad Sharers” database. It contains a list of all private pad owners who are willing to lend their private pads for a night. For those of you with pads you would not mind lending, please add yourself to this database or eMail me [email protected]) with some information about yourself and your pad.

Public Star Parties at the TDS Site for 2001

Jul 14, 21 Oct 13, 20 Aug 11, 18 Nov 10, 17 Sep 8, 15 Dec 8, 15

SkyWatch for July 2001 by John Mood

[ Times PDT ] [ * = Easy ] [ ** = Moderate ] [ *** = Difficult ]

Thurs., 5 July — FULL MOON, 8:05 a.m. Fri., 20 July — NEW MOON, 12:45 p.m. — If you happen to be in Australia or eastern Asia tonight, you can observe Sat., 21 July — STAR PARTY @ Tierra del Sol. a PARTIAL ECLIPSE of the MOON. Fri., 3 Aug. — FULL MOON, 10:57 p.m. Sat., 14 July — STAR PARTY @ Tierra del Sol. Sun., 5 Aug. — VENUS closest to JUPITER this a.m. Sun., 15 July — VENUS passes only 0.7º south of SATURN this a.m. [ !!! ] Sat., 11 Aug. — STAR PARTY @ Tierra del Sol. Tues., 17 July — MOON occults VENUS10:20 a.m. to 11:51 a.m. [ !!! ] — MOON occults SATURN before dawn if you’re in South America.

EVENING PLANETS: Orange-red MARS [ * ] does a delightful dance in Scorpius with orange-red ANTARES (whose name means “Rival of Mars”). From the 10th of July ‘til the 5th of August, they are never more than 6º apart. MORNING PLANETS: After midnight, URANUS [ *½ ] & NEPTUNE [ ** ] are in Capricornus. PLUTO [ *** ] is in Ophiuchus at 13.8 mag. VENUS [ * ], SATURN [ * ], JUPITER [ * ] &, early in the month, MERCURY [ *½ ] are all in Taurus! Mercury moves into Gemini later on.

BEGINNING OBSERVERS (binocs & small scopes) & EXPERIENCED OBSERVERS (large scopes): As you can infer from the above, the real action this month is planetary, with the additional delight of watching the crescent moon & stars nearby one or another planets. The list is long. Here are some highlights: Venus, Saturn & one eye of the bull, Aldebaran, form an equilateral triangle on the 13th. On the same day Venus is just 5' from Epsilon Tauri, the other eye of the bull. On the 17th, the crescent Moon cuddles next to Saturn, Venus & Aldebaran, all three, while Jupiter is 5' from 1 Geminorum that same night & only 3' from 3 Geminorum on the 23rd. Venus passes Zeta Tauri on the 27th & the Crab Nebula on the 28th. The Moon passes Mars on the 2nd & 3rd. These, & the many other sights, are not just for naked eye or binocs; large scopes & astrophotography gain by the pairing (or quadrupling!!) of solar system objects wi th stars & deep sky objects.

Tierra del Sol:LAT — 32° 36' 46" N (± 0.1"), LONG — 116° 19' 55" W (± 0.1"), ELEV — 3710' (± 5'), @ the bathroom, as determined from USGS 7.5min 1/24000 map.

Send comments & questions to me by phone (619/225-9639), mail (4538 Long Branch Av., SD, 92107), or e-mail ([email protected]). ¡HAPPY VIEWING!

PAGE 10 SAN DIEGO ASTRONOMY ASSOCIATION NEWS AND NOTES – JULY 2001 Promising you the Sun the Moon and the Stars SDAA and delivering...

1. Agenda Overview e. Field Trip Report SDAA Board Meeting Minutes a. Reading of prior meeting minutes f. Education Report June 12, 2001 by D. Ritz b. Priority Issues g. Library Report h. Star Parties Report Present: Jim Traweek, John Restivo, Bob 2. Standard Reports SDAA Business Meeting a. Treasurer’s Report Wetzel, Terry Stewart, Jim Potter, Sean Agenda b. Private Pad Report 3. Old Business Houghton, Mike Dietz, Dennis Ritz, and c. Observatory Report 4. New Business FOR JULY 2001 d. Site Maintenance Report. 5. Adjournment Doug Johnson, SDAA Newsletter Editor and SDAA Group E-mail Host Scott Baker weeds and cleaned up the TDS premises. active, interesting, and courteous group. A President Jim Traweek called the meeting Terry needs a better weed eater, the Board great service for the membership and the to order at 7:05 pm at the SKF Conditioning agreed to have Terry look for one within the Board thanked Scott for the effort. conference room. Terry Stewart read the Site Maintenance Budget. There will be a Jim and Sean are going to check out a minutes from the previous Board meeting; PAINT FEST on June 23 at the site. Sean high end CCD that may be donated to the the minutes were approved as read. Houghton replaced the batteries in the club scope. Dennis remarked that as a non- Library and Education Report warming room door lock, and wanted to profit, donations are tax deductible. Jim Bob Wetzel reports member Herb remind the membership the combination is passed out an e-mail about Project ASTRO Koening donated 25 years of Sky and the same as the front gate. To open the door, from Bill Baity and the California Star Party Telescope. They will be kept at the Fleet lean on/shoulder the door while opening or in September. Both will be posted on the library. The Lipp Warming room bookcase closing to allow the deadbolt freedom to web site e-mail page and e-mail group. is in place and nicely organizes the books open/close. Jim Traweek purchased a new Jim inquired about the ATM group and and periodicals at TDS. diagonal for the one that was ‘cleaned’ and the teacher’s convention. Roger Herzler and Program Meetings scratched. the ATM group will be participating in a John Restivo reported Awards of the The Annual BBQ Summer Picnic will be session on how to build telescopes. The Science Fair winners were made at the May August 18th. There is a sign up sheet for Board members commented on how Program Meeting of nice plaques, prizes and helpers on the e-mail group, a number of interested the public was in the ATM display subscriptions. The winners made short and volunteers have signed up, Terry Stewart at Astronomy Day, and what a great service interesting presentations to the membership. will coordinate the volunteers. Roger and the ATM group are providing. Tiffany Kelly has donated a Discovery Treasurers’ Report Dennis mentioned that during the summer book. The Aerospace Museum has an ISS Jim Potter had 2 months report, April dues the ATM group will be meeting on Monday mockup on display, and John reported they receipts were low, but May was high so we evenings due to a reduction in weekend have a ‘big telescope’ in the basement. Dr. are somewhat above revenue budget year to electrical usage at CSU San Marcos. There Peterson will be speaking this Friday night date due to strong membership. There are is also an ATM e-mail group, see the web on ‘Why is Mars Red’. July’s 20th Program 519 current members. An associate (student) site e-mail Bag and ATM pages. Meeting will be Gadget Night. member application was approved. There was discussion about expanding Star Party Reports The Audit Committee, as required by the the SDAA activities especially during See Mike Dietz’s detailed report in the SDAA Bylaws, consisted of William Culivner Astronomy Days to North County schools, Newsletter. July’s Stars in the Park will be and Brian McFarland. They certified the or other venues in addition to the Fleet July 11th, not the first Wednesday, July SDAA Books as in good standing. The Board activities. 4.Mike reports Star Parties are slowing down complimented and thanked Jim on his great On June 23 John Laborde will teach an for the summer. However his North County reports and Treasurer services. astrophotography class; sign up is on the Star Party Chair, Doug McFarland is moving Private Pads e-mail group and it has been well subscribed. in the fall, and Mike will also be looking for Sean Houghton reports there is a long There being no additional New Business, assistance after his many years of great list for Private Pads, and we discussed and we unanimously adjourned. public service. There have been a few agreed this is an item that should be posted volunteers for Star Party assistance from on the web site, and/or e-mail list so members New Members the e-mail group. There was discussion can check their progress. There is also a by J. Potter about star party logistical support; John database on the e-mail group of Private Pad We are pleased to recognize the following Restivo will inquire about having a vehicle members who will share their private pads. new members just in time for great summer star donated to the SDAA as a non-profit. gazing at Tierra Del Sol: William Bauer, Two private pads have apparently lapsed; Robert Campbell, Diane Casey, Jeremy Escondido Children’s Museum, a non- Sean has written letters to the owners. Sean Donimirski, Lewie Edwards, Yossof Eshaq, profit, is asking for a few scopes during a has moved the Private Pad signup into the James Franson, Damian Hareb, Keri fundraiser. The Board discussed the warming room so women do not have to go Holcomb, Gilbert and Margaret Ikezaki, appropriateness of assisting at a fundraiser Ted Jacobo, Ariel Januszewicz, Brian and into the men’s bathroom. Sean will also be Nancy Jennings, David and Edwina and agreed that as a non-profit we can assist; assisting as Webmaster. Johnson, Eddie Kennedy, Jim Lawler, however to do so in a for-profit organization President’s Report and New Business Leonard and Helena McNeilly, Mark could affect our non-profit status. Mecalis, Charlie Milburn, Laurie Morin, Jim asked Scott Baker to give a report on Larry Muschek, Harry O’Connor, Thomas Site Maintenance Report the SDAA e-mail Group. Scott reports the Pollock, Peter Rice, Al Scozzari. Welcome Terry Stewart had a work party, as group presently has 100 members and is an and may you always have dark, clear skies. credited in the newsletter, which chopped

SAN DIEGO ASTRONOMY ASSOCIATION NEWS AND NOTES – JULY 2001 PAGE 11 Clip and Save 2001 2001 BOARD OF DIRECTORS & CHAIRPERSONS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Jim Traweek, President July 6 - Indian Hills (e-mail: [email protected]) ...... (619) 477-7279 Campground STARS IN THE PARK BALBOA PARK John Restivo, Vice President July 13/14 - William July 11 th First Wednesday of each month August 1st (e-mail: [email protected]) ...... (858) 268-3856 Heise Jim Potter, Treasurer July 21 - Paso 6'$$Ã6FKRROà STARS IN THE SITE Picacho Campground (e-mail: [email protected]) ...... (619) 263-1121 6WDUÃ3DUWLHV July 14th & July 21st July 25 - Del Mar Dennis Ritz, Corresponding Secretary Library (e-mail: [email protected]) ...... (858) 454-8695 July 27 - Chaparral BOARD MEETING LOCATION Cindy Stewart, Recording Secretary Elementary BUSINESS MEETING (e-mail: [email protected]) ...... (619) 295-2449 SKF Condition Monitoring July 31 - Chateau Bob Wetzel, Director 4141 Ruffin Road La Jolla Inn San Diego CA 92123-1841 (e-mail: [email protected]) ...... (619) 287-3884 Second Tuesday of each month Michael Dietz, Director (School Star Parties Chairperson) th July 10 2001 (e-mail: [email protected]) ...... (619) 562-2726 Terry Stewart, Director (Maintenance.Chairperson) Donations PROGRAM MEETING: (e-mail: [email protected]) ...... (619) 295-2449 by J. Potter Third Friday of each month Sean Houghton, Director (Public Pad Chairperson) Our thanks to the following members for July 20th 2001 (e-mail: [email protected]) ...... (858) 571-6360 their donations to SDAA: Janis Baltgalvis, Richard Bentley, Gregory Betraun, Tim Boller, William Bridge, Carolyn Corless, A. MEMBERSHIP I NFORMATION J. Harvey, Shawn Kelly, Michael and Anita Send dues and renewals to P.O. Box 23215, San Diego, CA 92193. Include any renewal cards from Sky & Telescope, Ketelsen, John and Andrea Kuhl, Nick Astronomy, or Odyssey magazine in which you wish to continue your subscription. The expiration date shown on your newsletter mailing label is the only notice that your membership in SDAA will expire. Dues are $35 for Contributing Marilao, James and Cathy Potter, Dennis Memberships; $25 for Senior (Basic) Membership; $3 for each Family membership. In addition to the club dues the annual Ritz, Terry and Cindy Stewart, Ron W. rates for magazines available at the club discount are: Sky & Telescope $29.95, Astronomy $29, and Odyssey $25.46. Make Tolles, Jim Traweek, and Bob Wetzel. Your checks payable to S.D. Astronomy Assn. PLEASE DO NOT send renewals directly to Sky Publishing. They return

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