OCTOBER 2007 The Denver

Newsletter of the Denver Astronomical Society One Mile Nearer the Stars

North American Salute Just east of the bright star Deneb in Cygnus lie two tough nebulae—Telescopically difficult to observe, long-exposure photography or electronic imaging can illuminate their beauty. This image of the North America Nebula (NGC 7000) and

Image copyright 2007 David Wolf the Pelican Nebula (IC 5067-5070) was shot from David’s “Chainlube Observatory” in Englewood on September 11, 2007. COOL NIGHTS, HOT SIGHTS OCTOBER SKIES ctober rolls around with some start-of- Monster in order to get him to go away. Two out to the north. M31 is above the 2nd star O Fall constellations showing in the east. separate constellations glued together, this pair in the upper arc. Perseus the Hero rises later. One thinks of Pegasus the Winged Horse and is part of the six constellations involved in the Look at your sky charts to identify his shape. of Andromeda, the unfortunate princess who story of Perseus rescuing Andromeda. Cassio- Between Perseus and Cassiopeia (the sloppy was about to be sacrificed to Cetus the Sea peia and Cepheus were Andromeda’s parents. “W”) is the famous Double Cluster, sitting If you’re at the Dark-Sky Site or up in the between Eta Persei and Chi Cassiopeia. Ceph- Schedule of Events ...... 2 mountains, you can see the Andromeda Gal- eus the King is a large, dim constellation nearly axy, M31, with the naked eye. Locate it by find- between Polaris and Cygnus. Between Ceph- Observer Society Directory ...... 2 ing the huge square of Pegasus in the east, tilted eus and the right-hand arm of Cassiopeia’s W so that it appears as a diamond. Andromeda is is M52, embedded in the Milky Way as you’d October’s Speaker ...... 3 a double linear grouping of stars off the upper expect an open star cluster to be. Cruise this left corner of the diamond, two arcs diverging end of the Milky Way with your binocs or a Astronomy Day Wrap-up ...... 4-5 low-power eyepiece to find interesting aster- 3 ...... Last quarter moon isms. You might name one after yourself — Department Store Scopes...... 7 11 ...... New moon then try to find it again! 19 ...... First quarter moon To find poor, unloved Cetus, locate the huge Membership Info ...... back page 21 ...... Orionid meteor shower “V” of Pisces below the diamond of Pegasus. 26 ...... Full moon Continued on page 6

OctoberInside The 2007 One Mile Nearer the Stars Page 1 President’s Corner Society Directory President: nother successful National Astronomy Wayne Green (303) 530-1023 Email: [email protected] ADay and Colorado Astronomy Day Vice President: has come and gone. Keith Pool (303) 718-7273 Email: [email protected] We all owe a special thanks to Darrell Secretary: Dodge and his outstanding handling of Darrell Dodge (303) 932-1309 Colorado Astronomy Day, and also to the Email: [email protected] Treasurer: many people that made the event a raging Brad Gilman (720) 488-1028 success. We have two more Astronomy Email: [email protected] Days to look forward to next year, one in the spring and another in the fall. Executive Board Members Looking to the future, we have the “Mars Jack Eastman Ron Pearson Joe Gafford David Shouldice Madness” event on the horizon. Opposi- Frank Mancini Bryan Wilburn tion this year is Christmas Eve. Ask Santa Ron Mickle Dan Wray for some special Mars filters. At opposition Steve Solon, Past President President Emeritus, Larry Brooks Mars will be on Earth's meridian at mid- night. This makes the evening viewing of Committees Mars a Winter event this year, and the DAS Van Nattan-Hansen Scholarship Fund will begin “Mars Madness” in January. Ron Pearson (Chair) P.O. Box 150743 The predicted apparent size of Mars this Wayne Green, DAS President Lakewood, Colorado 80215-0743 year will only be 20 arcseconds--about 4 EGK Dark Site Committee: arc minutes or 20 percent smaller than the starchart and your telescope, and then Wayne Kaaz (Chair) (303) 840-1549 Email: [email protected] 2003 opposition. It will still be a spectacu- record this curious effect for yourselves. IDA Representative: lar event. We are in a period of declining We have the October Auction coming Dr. Robert Stencel Public Outreach Committee: oppositions, with the next up, so get those dusty artifacts unearthed Ron Mickle (Chair) few apparitions getting and headed to a new (dusty) home with Bryan Wilburn (External Outreach Coordinator) smaller and smaller each another member! This is a fun and reward- Email: [email protected] (303) 542-5137 Student Astronomy Committee: year. Mars will begin its ing event for all. Dan Wray, in a lapse of Naomi Pequette ( Chair) retrograde loop in No- sanity, has agreed to run the auction this vember. You can take some year. Now is a good time for someone who Volunteers or Appointed simple measurements with a Representatives Continued on page 3 ALCor: Jerry Sherlin Email: [email protected] (303) 680-6894 OCTOBER NOVEMBER IDA Representative: (International Dark Sky Association): Dr. Robert Stencel 5 General Membership Meeting at 2 General Membership Meeting at Newsletter: D.U.’s Olin Hall (Begins at 7:30 D.U.’s Olin Hall—Members Show- Observer editor, Patti Kurtz P.M.) N-Tell night (Begins at 7:30 P.M.) Email: [email protected] (720) 217-5707 6-14 Okie Tex Starparty 9-10 EGK Dark Site Weekend Observer proofreaders: Darrell Dodge and Steve Solon The Observer is available in color PDF format from 12-13 EGK Dark Site Weekend 17 Open House at Chamberlin the DAS website. 20 Open House at Chamberlin Observatory (Begins at 5:00 P.M.) Website: Observatory (Begins at 5:00 P.M.) 22 Thanksgiving Day (No Public Darrell Dodge 27 Annual DAS Auction (Begins at Night) DAS Information Line: (303) 871-5172 11:00 A.M.) 30 E-Board meeting at Chamberlin DAS Correspondence: Observatory (Begins at 7:30 P.M.) Denver Astronomical Society Chamberlin Observatory C/O Wayne Green 2930 East Warren Avenue Public nights are held every Tuesday and Thursday evenings beginning at the following times: Denver, Colorado 80210 March 9 - April 14 at 8:00 P.M. April 15 - September 1 at 8:30 P.M. The Executive Board conducts the business of the DAS at September 2 - March 8 at 7:00 P.M. at Chamberlin Observatory 7:30 P.M. at Chamberlin Observatory. Please see the Costs to non-members are: $3.00 adults, $2.00 children. Schedule of Events for meeting dates. All members are Please make reservations via our website (www.thedas.org) or call (303) 871-5172. welcome.

DAS Schdule thedas.org

Page 2 The Denver Observer October 2007 Spotlight on October’s General Meeting Guest Speaker by Keith Pool

he last quarter of the year is quickly of 1955 and 1956 observing through Prehistoric Journey, been a research as- approaching. You know, time is the 40 inch refractor at Yerkes. T sistant to Dr. Mike Celaya (Assistant truly logarithmic—the older you get, Mr Bruner has been involved with the Curator, Space Odyssey), and a speaker the faster it goes. October’s general “Case for Mars” conferences for the last for the DMNS on such topics as the meeting presentation will be about 20 years in Boulder; initially as an at- “Collision of Comet Shoemaker-Levy Greek Mythology and the Constella- tendee and later, as a speaker. He has with Jupiter,” “Mars, A Deceptive tions, given by Mr. Robert Bruner. This also given a presentation entitled “Ant- Planet,” and of course, “Greek Mythol- will be the last lecture presented this arctica: Applications to Life in Space” ogy and the Constellations.” The gen- year, as the general meeting in Novem- before a joint NASA/NSF conference eral meeting for October will be held, ber is reserved for our annual “show and held in Sunnyvale, California during as always, in room 105 at Olin Hall on tell,” and December’s meeting is the 1987. In 1996, he wrote a paper about the University of Denver Campus. The holiday potluck dinner. the origin of life which was accepted meeting will begin at 7:30 P.M., and usu- Mr. Bruner is an avid amateur as- for presentation at the International ally lasts about two hours, with a fol- tronomer who has been in the hobby Conference on Modeling and Simula- low-up reception at Chamberlin Ob- for 56 years. His interest in the hobby tion, held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylva- servatory featuring refreshments, con- was kindled when his father gave him a nia—The only non-Ph.D person to do versation and views through the 20- star chart in 1951. Additionally, he was so—among scientists from 30 coun- inch refractor (weather permitting). We able to travel to Yerkes Observatory tries. hope to see you all there! where he actually met G.P. Kuiper. In For the past 19 years, Mr. Bruner has 1953, he built his own 6 inch reflector been a volunteer at the Denver Museum and began observing with it. He was of Nature & Science. He has run plan- also able to spend the summer nights etarium shows, been a volunteer at the

President’s Corner (continued) wants to take on an event to apprentice tronomy Day event. It was successful, prov- themselves to Dan for next year! ing to us that the Fall event is a good idea. Looking a bit further out on the hori- As I mentioned earlier, next year there again zon, we will be having the Christmas Pot- be two events, one in the Spring and an- luck at the Columbine Universalist Church other in the Fall. This will give the Astro- again this year. It is a great place for the nomical League enough data to make a per- event with plenty of room. manent decision about the timing of this I appreciate the effort that all of you put important event.—Wayne Green into this year's Colorado and National As- updates

October 2007 One Mile Nearer the Stars Page 3 Kids Make Colorado Astronomy Day Special by Darrell Dodge all photos by Ron Pearson

wo memories stand out in my mind when lect the 3D glasses from the audience and then Steven Lee, Phil Good, and Cathie Havens; the Treviewing the whirl of events and activi- skipped from the room. viewers of solar observing facilitated by John ties that took place during a wonderful day of The dour young boy—with a mention of a and Judy Anderson, Ron Hranac, Ted and astronomy, education, and fun on Saturday, possibility of seeing Todd, Jarold Self, Tim September 15th. (There were many others for Venus in the daytime, Pimentel, Wayne different people of course.) and a bit of encour- Kaaz, Pauline Ide, and One was a young girl pulling at her moth- agement from his par- John Johnson; the ers hand as she was literally dragged into the ents—reluctantly questioners at the El Pomar Education Center at the Museum agreed to allow Ron DAS information of Nature & Science to view Bryan White’s Hranac show him the table manned by multimedia 3-D aurora show, as she shrieked: brilliant crescent of Naomi and Jim “Please, PLEASE, don’t make me wear 3D Venus that Ron had Pequette with assis- glasses!” The other was a young boy whose teased out of the tance from Ron parents coaxed him outdoors to the West Pa- bright sky with his re- Pearson for much the tio to view the Sun through the many solar fractor. That little boy day; or the attendees and solar-filtered telescopes assembled there. and his parents left ten at the fine talks by “Awww, I don’t really want to do this, he minutes later with Keith Pool and Bob groaned, pulling back as he looked in a be- huge smiles on their Bruner and the dis- wildered way at what must have seemed like faces. “That was plays and telescope an incredibly complex and difficult array of reeeally cool,” the boy observing stations in- technology to master. said to his mother as side and outside With a little encouragement from Bryan and they strolled back into Chamberlin Observa- the DMNS’s Jennifer Moss-Logan the little girl the museum. tory in the evening, donned the glasses and made it through the Whether it was the the thing that made spectacular aurora show. Her fears had dissolved audience for the fine presentations at the (and makes) Colorado Astronomy Day differ- so much by the end that she helped Bryan col- DMNS by Naomi Pequette, Bryan White, ent and special was the large number of young children that came out. More, it seemed than our usual open houses. The quality of the presentations at DMNS and Chamberlin was very high again this year. We all know how great Bryan’s mind-blowing aurora presentations are (he also brought them to Chamberlin in the evening.) Naomi did a great job leading her mostly youthful audience through the steps they can take toward becom- ing amateur astronomers. Steven Lee’s passion right now is the Mars Rovers, and that certainly showed in his presentation to a standing room only crowd at the Galaxy stage. The profession- alism of the DMNS curators and docents at the special Space Odyssey exhibits was certainly evident. Phil Good gave an informative over- view of the possibilities for imaging with cam- eras (digital and otherwise) and CCDs. He did a great job of explaining how prospective im- agers can start small (with star trails and short- exposure planetary and constellation shots) be- fore working up to more complex things, stress- ing that small telescopes are the best way to start. The audience was clearly impressed by astronomy day

Page 4 The Denver Observer October 2007 the samples of his own images. To close the day helpful members of the Active Teens of the at the DMNS, Cathie Havens of S&S Optika Museum) to haul some of the bigger solar did her thing on understanding, selecting, and scopes around to the West Patio. using telescopes, again to an audience with The next was the lack of sunspot activity. many young members. This could have been discouraging and could At Chamberlin Observatory, Keith Pool’s have kept a lot of volunteers away, but we were “Astronomy 101” PowerPoint show introduced able to make the best of what might have been a growing crowd of novices to what they can a disaster several years ago with the many hy- see in the sky. Bob Bruner of the DMNS (the drogen alpha filters (which showed some vivid October general meeting speaker) presented his prominence activity), John Anderson’s solar perfected “Mars: A Deceptive Planet” slide pre- spectrograph and small radio telescope, and sentation to help get people ready for the Mars Ron Hranac’s crowd-pleasing (and crowd amaz- apparition this winter. Bryan’s aurora slides and ing) view of Venus. Everyone was upbeat and Joe Gafford’s astro imaging show kept people it was clear that visitors were pleased and im- interested while they waited to get up to the pressed by their observing experience with DAS 20-inch. Dr. Bob and Mrs. Stencel greeted members who expertly explained the signifi- people entering the South entrance of the ob- cance of what they were looking at. I should servatory with a display on their new history also mention the extremely pleasant DMNS se- and activity book for children about Chamber- curity guard who watched over the west en- lin Observatory. Ron Mickle and Rich Loper trance, helped us with overcoming the dire helped dozens of kids get their first views parking situation, and even assisted visitors in through the 20-inch refractor. understanding and approaching the observing We weathered some real challenges this year, stations through the long (and hot) afternoon. and the many DAS volunteer participants (at The last challenge was the haze and clouds who showed up a Chamberlin, 1,000 people least 70 by my probably conservative estimate) that punctuated what had been forecast 48- would be a good guess. deserve a lot of credit for creativity, patience hours earlier to be a clear night, but that help- Again, a big “Thank You” to Jennifer Moss- and persistence. The first was the almost total fully avoided the moon and Jupiter for most of Logan and the Denver Museum of Nature & Sci- lack of parking spaces at the Denver Museum the early evening. ence staff, an amazing group of Denver Astro- of Nature & Science between 8 and 11 A.M. Final numbers on attendance were not in as nomical Society volunteers, and especially to the due to the huge Alzheimers Walk at City Park. this was written, but with 300-400 at both the kids (and the parents who brought them) for mak- This required long walks from distant parking solar viewing and the DAS information table, ing the Denver part of Colorado Astronomy Day spots and a Herculean effort (aided by some 300 plus at DMNS presentations, and over 200 2007 a wonderful day for everyone.

astronomy day

October 2007 One Mile Nearer the Stars Page 5 A beautiful Autumn object, the Double Cluster in Perseus is made up of the two naked-eye visible clusters—NGCs 884 and 869. The clusters are 7600 and 6800 lights years away from us, respectively, and are fairly young for star clusters at 3.2 and 5.6 million years old. Image copyright Philip Good October Skies (continued) Continued from page 1

Below that are the dim stars of Cetus, a late riser Celeste Holmes and Walter Pigeon, circa 1960. Slovenia drinking wine—if I survive the long in the night. It contains the variable star Mira Overhead Review: If you’ve got a scope that’s flight in the meatball section at the back of the under the bottom point of Pisces’ “V”. Mira was easy to maneuver at the zenith, look for a few airliner.—Dennis Cochran the first variable to be discovered and is now objects that ride nearly across the zenith in the known as a long-period variable, with a cycle of evening: From west to east: M13, the big glob almost a year. in Hercules (west of Vega, the bright star in Lyra) As for the solar system, our old friend Jupiter, along the western edge of the Hercules’ Chinese Bringer of Jollity in Gustav Holst’s tone poem take-out box; M57, the Ring Nebula at the far “The Planets”, will be setting by 10pm at the end of the Lyra parallelogram; Albireo, the col- beginning of the month, so look for him early orful double at the head of Cygnus (bottom of in your observing session low in the southwest. the Northern Cross) and if you have dark skies Mars is up later and is getting bigger. What does and a big scope, check some of the elusive stuff this mean? There’s a song with lyrics that say, around the middle of Cygnus (p.62 of Sept. S & “Have you heard, it’s in the stars, next July we T). Near Albireo, don’t forget M27, the Dumb- collide with Mars!” sung by Bing Crosby in the bell Nebula (photo to the right), just above the movie “High Society” that also starred Grace tip of the arrow of Sagitta. While you’re burning Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Louis ‘Satchmo’ Armstrong, out your eyeball at the telescope, I shall be in Image copyright Joe Gafford observers deck

Page 6 The Denver Observer October 2007 In Defense of the Department Store Telescope by Keith Pool

number of things have been written night sky objects a simple and easy task, that was no doubt passed on to them by Aor said about the cheap department and really enhance one’s enjoyment of the someone else in their own past. Someone store telescopes that end up under Christ- night sky. who may spark an interest in astronomy mas trees, and then later, in closets unused. Another relatively easy fix is to provide that will kindle an excitement for the Most of which is unfavorable at best. I wish a couple of inexpensive Plossl or similar hobby that lasts not just for a few nights, to offer my own opinions regarding these eyepieces. These can be had relatively but for a lifetime. Someone who taught telescopes. You can disagree if you wish, cheaply, and together with a .965 to 1- them how to star hop to get to the fainter but please hear me out. inch adaptor to fit it to the focusing deep-sky objects and how to navigate and My personal opinion is, after you weigh mechanism of the Japanese imports, become familiar with the night sky. Some- all the facts, that the average 60 mm tele- greatly enhance views of the night sky. one who taught just how much “power” scope sold in department stores is really One of the first items I purchased for my to use on a given object, which eyepieces not all that bad. First, however, I must 60 mm refractor way back when was a to use, and what to do with the telescope qualify what a “cheap” department store University Optics 16mm Koenig eyepiece. after you have looked at the Moon, Jupi- telescope is. The telescope in particular I used it exclusively for several years and ter and a few of the brighter stars a half a that I am referring to is the average 60 was able to see most of the Messier ob- dozen times. Anyone out there have such mm refractor of 700-900 mm focal jects with it. a person in their life? Maybe a child or length, mounted on a free standing wood There are a number of good references grandchild? or metal tripod, either equatorially or alt- available today for the budding young as- I recently gave each of my two sons a azimuth. I am not referring to the truly tronomer. My personal favorite, however, 60mm refractor and a “Sky Observer’s cheap, plastic tabletop models on a ball is the rather dated “Sky Observer’s Guide,” Guide.” My oldest son has since made his and pinion mount that seem to be offered which was originally publish hardbound own investment in an 8-inch Dobsonian everywhere today for around 30 bucks. in 1959, and then later as a little Golden telescope, as his interest has grown. It has Many of us cut our astronomical eye- Pocket Guide. The nice thing about it is also brought us closer together as we share teeth on a telescope of this size (myself that it’s compact size allows for quick use now a common interest. My small invest- included) and they gave us fairly wonder- at the eyepiece, and it can easily be read ment was returned to me when both my ful views of the night sky that piqued our in one or two sittings by young teenagers sons accompanied me to Rocky Moun- interest well enough that we stayed with who may have many other things vying tain Star Stare this past June, although the the hobby. These telescopes usually have for their attention. Although the charts elder one lives far away in Georgia. I was pretty fair objective lenses, but lack a de- and tables are out of date, much of the thrilled to witness their own excitement cent quality eyepiece to give really good information contained within is still use- as they were able discover on their own views of the heavens. Some other things ful and pertinent. It provides a good be- the many wonders a dark, cloudless night that are lacking are a quick, down to earth, ginning stepping-stone to other, more has to offer. easy-to-read reference that really aids in a complex literature. Although it is now out- Do you know someone who may own a viewer’s enjoyment of the heavens, and a of-print, Copies of the “Sky Observer’s small telescope and may be looking for decent finder scope. Guide” can be found in used book stores that mentor to come along and teach them In my own past, I “fixed” this problem and through on-line giants such as how to use it? If so, why not invest a little by using a discarded hunting rifle scope Amazon.com. Often the cost of the ship- bit of your time in them and share with my dad gave me. It gave bright, clear wide ping is more than the price of the book. I them your passion for the hobby. No book angle views, and was a major improve- can usually find it for a dollar or less, and or written literature can convey a love for ment over the 6x30 finder scope provided they make wonderful gifts to give to that the night sky the way another human can. with the main scope. The finder scope interested person who may show up in The reward you reap may very well be problem is easily fixed now days by pur- your life. greater than your investment in time. chasing a Telrad or other similar reflex Perhaps, however, the most important Think about it. sight offered through any one of a num- item lacking in furthering a young ber of vendors. They are relatively inex- amateur’s interest in the hobby is a men- pensive and easily mounted to the tele- tor—Someone who is willing to share scope. They make finding the brighter their love and knowledge of the night sky observers deck

October 2007 One Mile Nearer the Stars Page 7 About the Denver Astronomical Society APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP TO THE Membership in The Denver Astronomical Society is open to any- DENVER ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY New Renewal one wishing to join. The DAS provides trained volunteers who host Name: educational and public outreach events at the University of Address: Denver’s Historic Chamberlin Observatory, which the DAS helped City, State, Zip: place on the National Register of Historic Places. First light at Cham- Phone numbers: Home ( ) Work ( ) berlin in 1894 was a public night of viewing, a tradition the DAS has E-mail Address: Occupation: helped maintain since its founding in 1952. Other Interests: The DAS is a long-time member in good standing of the Astro- (Students Only) School: Grade: nomical League and the International Dark Sky Association. Do you want to download the newsletter in PDF format from our The DAS’ mission is to provide its members a forum for increas- website instead of by postal mail? ing and sharing their knowledge of astronomy, to promote astro- Yes No Do you want the above information excluded from the yearly roster? nomical education to the public, and to preserve Historic Cham- Yes No berlin Observatory and its telescope in cooperation with the Uni- Please Circle All That Apply: versity of Denver. Regular Membership: $35 Students: $12 (Students under age 23) $ The DAS is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corpo- Astronomy Magazine/$34 and/or Sky & Telescope Magazine/$32.95 $ ration and has established three tax-deduct- Van Nattan Scholarship Fund $ Public Outreach Fund $ ible funds: the Van Nattan-Hansen Scholar- DAS Dark Site Fund $ ship Fund, the Public Outreach Fund, and Total Amount Paid $ the Edmund G. Kline Dark Site Fund. To con- Please send all checks to Brad Gilman, DAS treasurer, 7003 S. Cherry St., Cen- tribute, please see the bottom of the member- tennial, CO 80122-1179. Please make donations to the DAS Dark Site with a separate check, payable to the "DAS Dark Site Fund." For DAS Membership ship form for details. and other funds, including new-member magazine subscriptions, please make More information about the DAS, its activities, and the special amounts payable to the "Denver Astronomical Society." DAS RENEWALS tax-deductible funds is available on the DAS web site at ONLY: you may now send your Sky & Telescope subscription funds directly to www.thedas.org. the magazine's subscription service, using the renewal form sent to you.

Denver Astronomical Society c/o Chamberlin Observatory 2930 East Warren Avenue Denver, Colorado 80210

S & S OPTIKA Your Extended-Vision Specialists Colorado’s Premier Astronomical Supply Store (303) 789-1089 www.sandsoptika.com join us Page 8 The Denver Observer October 2007