OBSERVATORY NEWS January 2016 Published by the Friends of the Observatory (FOTO) Volume 27 No. 1 513-321-5186 www.cincinnatiobservatory.org Bill Cartwright, editor visit with FOTO friends and families, fueled by wonderful food COMING UP AT catered by Venice on Vine, in addition to the fabulous desserts THE OBSERVATORY.... and appetizers contributed by members. We also had a very interesting presentation by Kevin Stonelick Stargaze Jan 2 dusk Wagner, who was previously a 3-Night Astro Class, Dean Jan 5, 12, 19 7p FOTO volunteer and is now a first Astronomy Thursday Jan 7 7p year PhD student at University of Arizona. Kevin shared some of his Astronomy Friday Jan 8 7p data on a very young extrasolar FOTOKids Youth Program Jan 8 7p planetary system, with images showing the spiral-shaped Fashion in the Stars Jan 9 3:30p THE WORD protoplanetary disc and spaces Stonelick Stargaze Jan 9 dusk presumably created by planets By Michelle Lierl Gainey forming within the system. History Tours Jan 10 1p There is an important issue Hello Friends! I hope everyone FOTO Member’s Meeting Jan 11 7:30p coming up for a vote at our had a happy and peaceful holiday January FOTO meeting: a FOTO-COC Merger Discuss Jan 11 7:30p season and enjoyed visiting with proposal for a merger of FOTO friends and family. with COC. This merger will Orion w/ Dean Regas Jan 13 7p eliminate the confusion and See Proposal to Merge FOTO Astronomy Thursday Jan 14 7p possible legal ramifications of with COC on page 10 Astronomy Friday Jan 15 7p having two separate not-for-profit The Observatory has been organizations operating within the A2Z+ w/Dave Bosse Jan 17 7p hopping with visitors and activities same institution. The proposed 500th Star Gazers Night Jan 20 7p this past month. Thank you to the merger will NOT impact the role or activities of FOTO in any way Astronomy Thursday Jan 21 7p volunteers who gave their Sunday afternoon and evening on that will be apparent to the FOTO Planning Meeting Jan 21 7p December 6 to decorate the membership, but WILL give FOTO a more significant Astronomy Friday Jan 22 7p Observatory for the holidays: Mike and Aileen Helfen (who representation on the COC Board Star Gazers Night Jan 23 7p loaned COC the lovely Christmas of Trustees, so our volunteer History Tours Jan 24 1p tree for the Herget lobby, as well organization will have a more as some of their Christmas active voice in the administration Astronomy Thursday Jan 28 7p decorations); John Blasing; of the Observatory. Please see the Astronomy Friday Jan 29 7p Frank Huss; Aaron Eiben, Emily separate article regarding this Frye, Greg Tewksbury and issue, with details of the merger Valentine’s Night at the O Feb 14 8p myself. proposal and your options for African Skies w/Dean Regas Feb 16 7p The Volunteer Appreciation commenting on it. Dinner took place on December Best wishes to all our Friends 14, in place of the monthly FOTO for a happy and healthy year in * UC Communiversity Class meeting. It was very enjoyable to 2016! 1 State University with a BS in FOTO's January 2016 Computer Science. His wife, Astronomy Evenings at Sally, has described being Meeting married to him as "something the Observatory like being married to the absent-minded professor." By Dave McBride Thursdays January 7, 14, 21, 28 Looking ahead to Fridays January 8, 15, 22, 29 On Monday, January 11th, at the February meeting – we will 7:00-8:30 pm 7:30 pm the Program committee feature Mr. Slawomir Bucki is asking FOTO member Tom presenting his new topic Free for Observatory East to share his topic on “Dark Matter.” Mr. Bucki members! about “Citizen Science – How previously addressed the Curiosity may (or may not) membership in June of 2014 have killed Schrödinger's about how astronomers know Cat.” Tom was scheduled to the answers to their most bring his presentation to us in common questions. November; however he had to In March the committee is cancel at the last minute. planning a reprise of Tom’s topic will reveal to us the Members’ Night program the very nature of Citizen that we hosted last September. Science – curiosity. Many This will provide an average citizens have held a opportunity to hear from the speakers who couldn’t address lifelong fascination with science In awe with the beauty of the even though they may not have the group due to lack of time. night sky? Have questions had the opportunity to make it about the Universe? This is a career choice. Still, there are Shutter Repairmen where you can get the answers. ways to make contributions to Astronomy Evenings include science, as well as other fields, short presentations on a wide no matter what your station in variety of topics and plenty of life. Tom’s presentation will time for your astro-questions. discuss some of these Tour of the Cincinnati opportunities and, perhaps, Observatory, which as a spark your curiosity to take a National Historic Landmark peek inside Schrödinger's Box. played an important role in the Tom East has been fascinated by science for his history of Cincinnati and our entire life. Having grown up as nation. Once dark, we will view a child of the space age and the Mitchel Dome Shutter the Moon, planets and deep Repaired! moon landings, he has a special space treasures through the historic 1845 telescope. affection for astronomy. He is Our thanks to UC Physics (Program is held rain or shine; employed as a Senior Department staffers John Geographic Information Markus, Mark Plano Clark telescope viewing if clear skies). Systems (GIS) Specialist at (COC member) & Andy Volz The topics and the night sky Planning and Development for making much needed change week-to-week/month- Services of Kenton County, and repairs of the rollers that guide to-month so you can visit often gets to play with cool things the shutter opening and to hear and see something new like LiDAR, orthoimagery, GPS closing. The shutter now opens Free for Observatory and other geospatial so easily that they reinstalled members! technologies in the the locking mechanism to keep For the latest schedule see performance of his duties. He the wind from blowing the the web calendar then sign up is a graduate of Mississippi shutter open. online. 2 th http://www.stargazersonline.o 500 Stargazer rg/ Upcoming Topics in [email protected] Episode Celebration g Astronomy with www.cincinnatiobservatory.org January 23, 7pm Dean Regas Membership, Member Programs & Volunteers For New Members With your membership, you become a Friend of the Observatory (F.O.T.O) and join our family of amateur All About Orion “Hey there Star Gazers!” astronomers, history buffs, Wednesday, January 13th 7-9pm donors and volunteers. Dean Regas This is the phrase F.O.T.O. meets on the African Skies and James Albury use to th Second Monday of the month Tuesday, February 16 7-9 pm welcome you to the universe at 7:30 PM at the Observatory. every night on PBS stations All members and their guests These fun and laid-back classes across the country. Star Gazers for beginners focus on a variety are welcome to attend. is the unique, bite-sized of topics and will surely keep Your benefits include: astronomy program that you looking up! challenges you to get outside * Discounted or free admission Astronomer Dean Regas and experience the night sky. FOTO programs. leads these classes and will also The program is a continuation *Member’s-only classes and be your guide to the winter stars of the iconic astronomy weekly, programs. and constellations and point Star Gazer, made famous by the *Availability of loaner them out with you in the real late Jack Horkheimer. telescopes and instruction sky with the Observatory Each week Star Gazers *Free admission to the year- telescopes (weather permitting). broadcasts a 5-minute and 1- round Astronomy Thursday & $15 per person $12 for minute program around the Friday programs. Observatory members To globe to show you "What's Up" *Discounts in the Gift Shop. register call 513-321-5186. in the night sky. It's fun, quirky, and full of the latest *Free admission to the astronomical discoveries. Get historic landmark buildings FOTO Planning Meeting ready to explore the cosmos and permanent collection. and remember, "Keep Looking *One-year subscription to the The next FOTO Planning Up!" monthly FOTO e-newsletter. Meeting is scheduled for 7 pm In southwest Ohio and *Members-Only discussion Thursday, January 21 at the Northern Kentucky you can Forum. Links are on the Observatory. catch Star Gazers on CET website or The planning meetings are channel 48 and ThinkTV 14.1 http://cincinnatiobservatory.v open to all FOTO members. We and 14.2, but you can watch bulletin.net encourage your participation in this month's 5-minute episodes. For more information call the the discussion of future FOTO For more see the official Star Observatory at 513-321-5186. activities. Gazers….. 3 Paul and Anne Kunkel Welcome Thomas D. Lamarre, Jr. Our Partners in Science, Robert Magrish New & Renewing Nick and Donna Mancini Sustainability & Local John McFerran Members! Mark McGovern History Kevin & Jenny McManus Thomas and Jess Mullett Gregory Murray Dustin and Marylou Myers Meghan Nelson Virginia Parrish Susan and Steve Rismiller Clayton and Ann Rork Kathleen and John Rorris John and Diane Altmix Gayle Ruff Andrew & Renee Arken Kim Salit Mark & Wendy Armstrong Susan and Michael Schock Steve Barger Patricia & Allan Schreiber Gerald Black Steven R.