The SkyscraperVol. 35 No. 11 November 2008 SKYSCRAPERS, INC · Amateur Astronomical Society Of Rhode Island · 47 Peeptoad Road North Scituate, RI 02857 · www.theSkyscrapers.org November Meeting with Professor Rick Gaitskell Friday, November 7 at Seagrave Memorial Observatory Professor Gaitskell, Associate Professor astrophysics, in order to extend our theo- in the Department of Physics, joined the retical understanding of astrophysics, Brown faculty in 2001. He is a member particle physics, and cosmology. Prior to of the executive committee of Cryogenic his arrival at Brown, Prof. Gaitskell held Dark Matter Search (CDMS) II. He is positions at University College London, passionate about pursuing opportunities UC Berkeley, Stanford University, Oxford for making new observations in particle University, and Magdalen College. November 2008 1 7:00 pm Public Observing Night Saturday Seagrave Memorial Observatory, weather permitting 7 7:30 pm November Meeting Friday Seagrave Memorial Observatory 8 7:00 pm Public Observing Night Saturday Seagrave Memorial Observatory, weather permitting 15 7:00 pm Public Observing Night Saturday Seagrave Memorial Observatory, weather permitting 22 7:00 pm Public Observing Night Saturday Seagrave Memorial Observatory, weather permitting 7:00 pm Public Observing Night 29 Seagrave Memorial Observatory, weather permitting In This Issue Saturday President’s Message 2 Glenn Jackson Skyscrapers Meeting Dates Astronomical Potpourri 2 for November Saturday 12/6/2008 Monthly Meeting Community Center Dave Huestis Wednesday 12/17/2008 E-board Meeting Community Center Autumn Double 3 Stars: Andromeda Friday 1/2/2009 Monthly Meeting Community Center Glenn Chaple Wednesday 1/28/2009 E-board Meeting Community Center The Chemical 4 Weather Report Friday 2/6/2009 Monthly Meeting Community Center JPL Wednesday 2/25/2009 E-board Meeting Community Center Sometimes Binoculars 4 Friday 3/6/2009 Monthly Meeting Community Center are Best: Part 1 of 2 Craig Cortis Wednesday 3/25/2009 E-board Meeting Community Center September Meeting Notes 7 Friday 4/3/2009 Monthly Meeting Community Center Nichole Mechnig Saturday 10/3/2009 Astroassembly Community Center Treasurer’s Report 7 Jim Crawford AstroAssembly 2008 8 Photo Gallery THE SKYSCRAPER • NOVEMBER 2008 President’s Message Glenn Jackson AstroAssembly has come and gone would not be the success that it always once again. From all reports that I is. Oh, did I forget to thank Kathy Siok have received everyone thoroughly and that good man behind the good enjoy this years AstroAssembly. We women Steve Siok? Kathy and Steve had a great line up of speakers and, spent numerous hours organizing this especially member Al Hall and long year’s AstroAssembly. All members of The Skyscraper is published monthly by time friend of Skyscrapers Dick Parker, Skyscrapers are indebted to them! Skyscrapers, Inc. Meetings are usually held on the first Friday of the month. Public ob- who treated us to an outstanding feat Details of AstroAssembly will be serving is usually held every Saturday night of design and craftsmanship in the discussed at the October 30th E-Board at Seagrave Memorial Observatory, weather construction of their respective tele- meeting. However, one detail that permitting. scopes. I look forward to viewing I am pleased to note is that by late President through both of these incredible tele- afternoon we were approaching 50% Glenn Jackson [email protected] scopes. My hat is off for both of these Skyscraper participation in this year astronomers. AstroAssembly. That may be a record 1st Vice President As I look back at AstroAssembly I feel for recent times. Steve Hubbard [email protected] a need to thank the countless number I for one am happy to see the 2nd Vice President of volunteer members who made this weather changing. I look forward to Kathy Siok [email protected] all possible. There were members who those cold clear nights under the stars. cleaned the meeting room and observa- If you haven’t had your telescope out Secretary tory, cut the grass, trimmed the trees, recently I encourage you to take advan- Nichole Mechnig [email protected] made coffee, flipped burgers, set up the tage of the improving night sky. That’s Treasurer sound system, manned the registration what we are all about, clear dark skies Jim Crawford [email protected] desk, gave presentations, set up tents, and bright deep sky objects. cleaned up afterward, and the list goes Hope to see you at our next Monthly Members at Large on. With out all of you this yearly event meeting. Joe Sarandrea [email protected] Roger Forsythe [email protected] Trustees Astronomical Potpourri for Tracey Haley [email protected] Steve Siok November Jim Brenek [email protected] Dave Huestis Star Party Coordinator Bob Forgiel [email protected] Let’s hope the skies above southern beautiful sight. Each night the Moon New England are predominately clear will move further away from Venus. Librarian for the month of November. There is a But try to remember to pay attention Tom Barbish [email protected] close pairing (called a conjunction) of two to Venus as the month progresses. I’ll Historian major planets, and the Moon will also tell you why a little later. Dave Huestis [email protected] pass near planets throughout the month, After you’ve glimpsed Venus turn a adding much beauty to these sky scenes. little to your left and scan the sky. You’ll Editor And we can’t forget two meteor showers notice another bright object. That’s the Jim Hendrickson [email protected] that will offer excitement to the celestial giant planet Jupiter. The Moon is near show above our heads. it on November 3rd if you have dif- Directions Directions to Seagrave Memorial Observa- In recent weeks I’m sure you’ve ficulty trying to locate it at any other tory are located on the back page of this noticed a bright star-like object in the time. Each night Jupiter will be closer newsletter. west after sunset. At first you may to the southwestern horizon, setting up have thought it was a plane making for a splendid celestial rendezvous. Submissions Submissions to The Skyscraper are always an approach to one of the local airports, Every year the Earth plows through welcome. Please submit items for the news- however it just never seemed to get any the remnants of Comet 2P/Encke. letter by November 15 to Jim Hendrickson, closer. That’s because it was our near- Under good sky conditions with no 1 Sunflower Circle, North Providence, RI est planetary neighbor Venus. moonlight present one can expect to 02911 or email to [email protected]. Venus will be rising higher and observe five to ten slow but bright Email subscriptions higher above the southwestern hori- yellow meteors per hour at peak on To receive The Skyscraper by email, send zon as the days pass, so if you haven’t November 5th (smaller numbers email with your name and address to glimpsed it yet you soon will. In fact, of shooting stars can be seen from [email protected]. Note that you will no longer receive the newsletter by postal on November 1st Venus will be joined November 6-12). mail. by a thin crescent Moon. It will be a However, this year some astron- 2 omers are predicting the Earth may bous Moon will wash out all but the it gets darker you’ll also notice a thin encounter an enhanced swarm of parti- brightest of these bright and fast (44 crescent below and to the right of this cles, including more abundant fireballs miles per second) shooting stars. Most planetary conjunction. The next evening that frequently fragment into multiple of the Leonids appear to be green or the Moon will be above and to the left meteors! Time will tell. The almost blue in color as they disintegrate in our of Venus and Jupiter. First Quarter Moon will set just before upper atmosphere. They are noted for This incredible sky scene will occur 11:00 pm, so it would be best to begin producing fireballs as well, and about fairly low in the sky, so you’ll need a your observing session after that time. half of them leave trains of dust which good southwestern horizon to see it at Begin earlier and you’ll need to block persist for minutes. best advantage. the Moon from view. The Taurids radi- Remember I asked you to keep an eye Enjoy the beauty of the celestial ate out of the sky in the constellation on Jupiter and Venus as the month pro- show performed nightly (and daily) Taurus the Bull, not too far from the gressed. If you do so you can’t help but above our heads. Pleiades star cluster. notice that the two planets are approach- And don’t forget to turn your clocks The second meteor shower of the ing each other in the sky. On November back one hour on Sunday morning, month is the famous Leonids, which 30th they will be just two degrees apart, November 2nd at 2:00 am, as we return peak this year during the pre-dawn a separation of four Full Moon diam- to Eastern Standard Time (EST). Other- hours of the 17th. While they may be eters. Look towards the southwest sky wise you’ll be one hour early until you back to their normal peak rate of from about 45 minutes to an hour after sunset realize you didn’t remember to do it! 10 to 15 meteors per hour, a bright gib- and you’ll see this beautiful sight. As Keep your eyes to the skies. Autumn Double Stars: Andromeda Glenn Chaple Andromeda is a wonderful constel- lation to explore on a chilly November evening.