THE ISSUE 110 SPRING 2017 LOWELL OBSERVER THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF LOWELL OBSERVATORY HOME OF PLUTO This beautiful 2013 image of the Sun is from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. Taken in far ultraviolet light, it shows the myriad contorted, looping structures associated with the Sun’s magnetic field. The bright spot on the left limb is a powerful flare. Credit: NASA/SDO/AIA. IN THIS ISSUE 2 Director’s Update 2 Trustee’s Update Understanding the Sun and its Solar Siblings 3 DCT and Dark Skies at AAS 4 Comet History at Lowell, Part 2 By Jeff Hall Hello, everyone! Usually I’m writing activity cycles even in distant stars, for you from the Director’s column, and I’m which we can’t image individual activity typically occupied these days with budget features as we can for the Sun. We have spreadsheets or dark-sky matters. But a colleagues at Tennessee State University long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I who observe the brightness changes of joined Lowell as a postdoctoral research the same stars using a flotilla of robotic fellow, working with Wes Lockwood on a telescopes at an observatory south of program that is still underway today. Tucson. Comparison of the activity data 5 Clyde Tombaugh’s Offer Letter For 24 years, Wes and I, along with with the brightness data lets us examine Brian Skiff and Len Bright, have been how changing activity affects the overall 6 Serendipity observing the steadily changing activity energy output of the Sun and stars like of our Sun and about 100 of its closest it. stellar siblings. “Activity” means things So, what’s the point? There are two like sunspots (or starspots), flares, principal scientific drivers. prominences, and other manifestations First, we want to understand the of the ever-changing magnetic fields physics of activity cycles. We know the that permeate stellar interiors and basics: the bulk motions (rotation, atmospheres. In the Sun, this activity rises Continued on page 11 and falls in a relatively steady cycle about 11 years long—the familiar sunspot cycle. 7 Remembering Peter Collins We see similar activity cycles in many (but Clyde Tombaugh’s Offer 8 Pluto Telescope Renovation not all) Sunlike stars. 9 Vera Rubin: 1928-2016 Here at Lowell, we observe the Sun Letter from Lowell and stars using a spectrograph at our 10 MIT Camp Returns to Lowell 1.1-meter (42-inch) Hall Telescope at See page 5 for more! 11 Marley Foundation Anderson Mesa. Analysis of critical 12 Upcoming Events spectral lines allows us to discern the THE ISSUE 110 SPRING 2017 Discovery Channel Telescope. for him.” Maybe so, but if not It was such a pleasure for me to for the drive and persistence speak with Pat last year before of both Percival and Clyde, she died, and to write the would America ever have been Marley trustees a note thanking credited with discovering a planet? It was Vera Rubin’s them for their extraordinary persistence over years of study generosity. that proved dark matter existed. But that week also brought DIRECTOR’S UPDATE TRUSTEE’S UPDATE I urge you to also read about back to mind another gift. Peter Collins and how much By Jeffrey Hall By W. Lowell Putnam Back when the DCT was a hole he helped the science efforts at I have a voicemail on my in the ground and we were We are all part of a Lowell. Last Fall, the Observer phone. Well, I have quite a few, earnestly fundraising for it, I continuum of life, history, and had an article about the life and work of Pat Roemer, and but this one is from last April. opened an envelope from a the future. This issue brings we are now fortunate to have I don’t usually keep them that lady named Rosemary. Inside some sad news in the passing of was a check for $10, and a wish several wonderful people who support from her estate to help long, but I’ll never delete this future research here at Lowell. for good luck building our new helped people who have helped one. As the fifth Trustee of telescope. I wrote her a note, shape Lowell Observatory and It’s from Pat Roemer, who who will continue to shape this great institution, the you read about in the Fall 2016 too. Luke 21:1-4 is an old tale, ongoing contributions of so but it wears well. it for years to come. It also Observer. She died in April, reminds us of the surprising many people over the years is a To all who help keep our and in December, we received (and sometimes unexpected) reminder that we all can make a check with the bulk of her research programs humming moments that can lead to great a difference, not just in our lifetimes, but in how we help estate gift to Lowell. It is now and tens of thousands of eyes discoveries. A few years ago, the next generation. in the Foundation, where it will peering through the Clark someone told me, “Finding Telescope: thanks, and enjoy Pluto was a fluke. Percival …if I have seen further, it is by provide support in perpetuity standing on ye shoulders of giants for Lowell research, a desire the Observer. We’re delighted to Lowell was looking for a ghost, and Clyde Tombaugh found it – Sir Isaac Newton Pat expressed to me personally stay in touch with you. and in her last phone message. That same week in December, Eclipse Event in Lieu of Gala we received a magnificent pledge from the Phoenix-based In lieu of our annual gala, this year’s fundraising efforts will be focused on the Lowell Kemper and Ethel Marley Observatory Solar Eclipse Experience in Madras, Oregon. As a member, you will Foundation: $1.4 million in support of several projects, receive free admission to this once-in-a-lifetime experience. See the next page for more including ongoing research info. We hope to see you there! by Lowell astronomers at the Mike Beckage Wins Auction for Stern Car Alan Stern’s “second fastest vehicle” has a new owner. Long-time Lowell Observatory supporter and advisory board member, Michael Beckage, now drives the 2006 Nissan 350Z. He purchased the sports car during an auction to benefit the observatory’s annual fund. “I’m a big fan of Alan, of Pluto, and of Lowell Observatory,” said Beckage. “So I’m delighted to own Stern’s car.” Alan Stern purchased the red sports car the year New Horizons began its trip. It was the only car he drove for the entire flight to Pluto. The New Horizons PI donated the 350Z to Lowell Observatory for an end-of-year fundraising auction. “New Horizons would never have happened without the pioneering work that took place at Lowell Observatory early in the last century,” said Stern. “I hope Mike will one day donate the car back to Lowell, so it can sit The Nissan 350Z next to Big Red, Percival Lowell’s 1911 Stevens-Duryea. beside Percival Lowell’s Stevens-Duryea on Mars Hill.” 2 THE ISSUEISSUE 104 110 SUMMER SPRING 20172015 Participants in the DCT session at the AAS meeting (left to right): Michael West (Lowell), Lisa Prato (Lowell), Brad Cenko (NASA Goddard), Philip Muirhead (Boston U.), Julie Skinner (Boston U.), Gerard van Belle (Lowell), Jeff Hall (Lowell), Debra Fischer (Yale), Kevin Hardegree-Ullman (kneeling, U. Toledo). Not pictured, Suvi Gezari (U. Maryland). August 21, 2017 Lowell Solar Eclipse Experience Update With less than four months left until the Moon’s shadow races across the United States at more than 1,000 mph, Lowell Observatory’s eclipse planning team is working on educational DCT, Dark Skies Take partnerships with the Jefferson County School District, the Science Center Stage at AAS Meeting Channel, and Madras’ own By Kevin Schindler eclipse event, Solarfest. Madras High School has provided a Lowell Observatory scientists were at Resolution B5, “in Defense of the Night beautiful performing arts center center stage during the 229th meeting Sky and the Right to Starlight”; supporting where Lowell astronomers and of the American Astronomical Society Report 2-A-16 of the American Medical educators will present their stories (AAS), held this past January in Grapevine, Association (AMA) detailing effects of LED of science. These programs Texas. Two programs in particular lighting on humans and the environment; will bookend the eclipse itself, highlighted Lowell’s leadership in the and calling on all AAS members to protect which attendees will observe astronomical community. On the first dark skies in their communities. from the school’s nearby football day of the meeting, Director Jeff Hall The following day, Deputy Director for field. Part of the partnership helped lead a three-hour workshop with Science Michael West chaired the session, with the school district involves other scientists and a lighting engineer, “Science with the Discovery Channel Lowell Observatory educators discussing strategies for protecting Telescope and Beyond.” This well-attended helping students with curriculum dark skies. As a follow-up to this, the program featured nine presentations by support, as well as access to our AAS Council announced a three-part astronomers from Lowell and DCT partner astronomers during the event. resolution on light pollution, endorsing the institutions. International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Program schedule, ticket information, a weekly blog, sponsorship information, and Annual Fund other information about the Lowell Solar Eclipse Experience Lowell’s Annual Fund donations support STEM-based camps for kids and is available at a dedicated event other outreach efforts that inspire future generations of scientists.