The Rosette Gazette Volume 27,, IssueIssue 01 Newsletter of the Rose City Astronomers January, 2014 Discovering Astronomy through DSLR Photography Ben Canales The surge of DSLR photography has brought a unique opportunity to the world of astronomy. Ben Canales will speak about the ability of this growing night photography interest to connect newcomers to the expansive world of traditional astronomy. Ben will also share photos and timelapse videos of our night skies above the landscapes of our Pacific Northwest. Ben would like to end the talk with a short "workshop" on the settings and details of using a DSLR for star shots to be a "go forth" moment for anyone interested in trying it out. In This Issue: 1….General Meeting 2….Message From The President 3….Special Interest Groups 4….Club Contacts 5.....The Observers Corner 9….An Image and Reality 11...Planck: Revising the Based out of Portland, also be featured in an Universe Oregon, Ben Canales' night upcoming show in OMSI's 12...GOES-R and the photography of the stars has Kendall Planetarium. Ben Advanced Baseline been featured on OPB's specializes in landscape Imager Oregon Field Guide, NASA's photography at night, under the 13...2014 Star Party Astronomy Picture of the Day, stars. His style pulls back the Calendar National Geographic Travel focus from traditional deep 14...Calendars Photo of the Year, and is a space astronomy, instead winner of the contest The showcasing the expansive night World At Night. Additionally, Ben's work will sky from a human eye perspective. His website: www.theStarTrail.com Facebook: www.Facebook.com/thestartrail Everyone Welcome! Monday January 16th New Members Meeting Begins: 6:30 pm. General Meeting 7:30 pm. Location: OMSI Planetarium RCA is a member of the Astronomical League. ©Copyright 2014 The Rose City Astronomers All Rights Reserved. http://www.astroleague.org Trout Lake Star Party photo above courtesy Michael Minnhaar Moon photos below courtesy David Haworth First Quarter Moon Full Moon Last Quarter Moon New Moon Jan 08 Jan 15 Jan 23 Jan 30 A New Year’s Message From The President… As we begin the New Year of 2014, I think this is a good time to reflect back on 2013 and look-forward into 2014 – and beyond – from my perspective as your rookie-President. 2013 was by all accounts a very good year for the Rose City Astronomers. We grew our membership to over 400 member-families and students We remain financially healthy with reserve funds for special projects We reviewed and updated the RCA Bylaws We had a great line-up of speakers We launched the Youth Astronomy Academy We launched the Youth Telescope Making Project We established the Youth Education and Scholarship Fund We successfully completed our first full year of operating the Haggart Observatory We expanded our education and outreach audience We had some great star parties Looking into my crystal ball for 2014, I see even more observing events for our members, more members volunteering for more outreach events than ever before, and increased public awareness and recognition for the contributions and accomplishments of RCA in astronomy outreach and education. At our Board Meeting in January, we adopted an Outreach and Education Vision Statement that reflects this Board’s recognition of the important role RCA can and needs to play in expanding astronomy outreach and education. RCA shall use its resources, expertise, and member-volunteers to develop and implement programs and projects throughout our city, state and region that will serve to introduce and educate the general public on astronomy, and facilitate their participation in observing opportunities. As one of the largest amateur astronomy clubs in the country with a growing membership and an influx of new and active member-volunteers, my belief is that RCA can be a leader and major influence within our metropolitan home base in advancing the campaign to reduce light pollution, and also throughout our state and region in establishing a network of youth education programs and instructors. At January’s Board Meeting we also updated our Sister Club Program Guidelines with an eye towards es- tablishing informal and formal relationships with other astronomers throughout the state, particularly in rural areas, to offer RCA’s experience and resources to communities and groups wishing to create or grow astronomy clubs and/or promote astronomy in their communities through outreach and education. This won’t reduce our interest in establishing international relationships but rather create an opportunity for us to make new friends in dark places around the state. Our inaugural Youth Astronomy Class in 2013 was a big success with 10 students and our first 2014 Class will begin in February. In the fall of this year we hope to expand the program with a second level course and occasional technical lectures. These are unquestionably some ambitious plans, but an example of how RCA is starting to take bigger and bolder steps towards fulfilling our mission spelled out in our original 1988 Articles of Incorporation: “RCA is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to promoting the enjoyment and education of astron- omy and related subjects to members and the general public.” We wouldn’t be heading down this road if not for the enthusiastic response from members when we ask for volunteers and the positive feedback we are receive from participants. ©Copyright 2014 The Rose City Astronomers. All Rights Reserved. Page 2 At the same time, we have greatly expanded our observing calendar for members in 2014, with these high- lights. 32 organized Star Parties Monthly events at Rooster Rock and Stub Stewart State Parks Monthly public Star Party at Haggart Observatory A special Star Party on Mt. St. Helens (that we hope will become an annual event) A Star Party at Indian Trail Spring in September And a first (that I know of) Summer Picnic and Star Party for all members and families With some regret because of the long history of the event, we have decided not to return to Kah-Nee-Ta this year for a variety of reasons, such as: increased room rates, higher room guarantee and risk, low turn- out in recent years and less than ideal observing logistics. We also have a stellar lineup of speakers to look forward to in 2014, including Heidi Hammel, an accom- plished planetary scientist and key figure in the development of the James Webb Space Telescope; re- nowned comet hunter Don Machholz; and Sky & Telescope Deep Sky Wonders columnist Sue French. All of these activities would not be possible without the dedicated efforts of our volunteer Board members, Program Coordinators and club members – all giving of their time, talents, enthusiasm and passion to serve our membership, grow the astronomy-community and further enhance the reputation of the Rose City As- tronomers. To you all – a standing ovation! Heads Up in 2014! David Nemo, RCA President Special Interest Groups Astro-Imaging Special Interest Group Youth Program When: Wednesday, Feb 12th, 7pm When: New Classes Scheduled for 2014 Location: Kennedy School Location: Oak Hills Church, See http://www.rosecityastronomers.org/youth/youthAA.htm 2800 NW 153rd Ave, Beaverton for more information or to sign up. SIG Leader: Greg Marshall Leader: Kathy Kornei Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] http://www.rosecityastronomers.org/sigs/astroimage.htm http://www.rosecityastronomers.org/sigs/youth.htm Downtowners Luncheon New Members Special Interest Group When: Friday, Feb 7th, Noon When: Monday, Jan 20th, 6:30pm Location: McMenamin’s Location: OMSI Planetarium 1504 NE Broadway, Portland Topic: TBD SIG Leader: Margaret McCrea SIG Leader: Howard Knytych Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] http://www.rosecityastronomers.org/sigs/downtowners.htm http://www.rosecityastronomers.org/sigs/new_members.htm Telescope Workshop Astrophysics / Cosmology SIG When: Saturday, Jan 18th When: No meeting in January 10:00am - 3:00pm Topic: TBA Location: Technical Marine Service, Inc. 6040 N. Cutter Circle on Swan Island-Portland Presented by: TBA SIG Leader: John DeLacy Location: 8012 SE Raymond St., Portland, OR 97206 Assistant: Don Peckham SIG Leaders: Viktors Berstis Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] http://www.rosecityastronomers.org/sigs/tmw.htm www.rosecityastronomers.org/sigs/cosmology.htm ©Copyright 2014 The Rose City Astronomers. All Rights Reserved. Page 3 RCA Board of Directors Elected Officers Name Email Address President David Nemo president @ rosecityastronomers.org Secretary Duncan Kitchin secretary @ rosecityastronomers.org Treasurer Larry Godsey treasurer @ rosecityastronomers.org VP Communications Diana Fredlund media @ rosecityastronomers.org VP Membership Ken Hose membership @ rosecityastronomers.org VP Observing Steve Weiler observing @ rosecityastronomers.org VP Outreach and Education Jim Higgs outreach @ rosecityastronomers.org VP Programming Mark Martin program @ rosecityastronomers.org Appointed Directors Name Email Address Director, Dark Sky Preservation (IDA) Dawn Nilson ida @ rosecityastronomers.org Director, Book Library (Books & Videos) Jan Keiski library @ rosecityastronomers.org Director, New Members Howard Knytych newmembers @ rosecityastronomers.org Director, Newsletter (Rosette Gazette) Scott Kindt editor @ rosecityastronomers.org Director, Merchandise Sales (Merchandise Sales) Craig Hlady sales @ rosecityastronomers.org Director, Telescope Library (Telescope Library)