Published by the Astronomical League Vol. 72, No. 3 June 2020 ASTRONOMICAL LEMONADE DOUBLE STAR OBSERVING ALCON 2020 HAS BEEN GRAVITY WAVES & ELEMENTS 4 1–92 REGRETFULLY CANCELLED DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. STELLAFANE’S HALE SPECTROHELIOSCOPE Contents Take a Dream Trip 4 . Letters to the Editor Join a Astronomy Tour 5 . International Dark-Sky Association 5 . Night Sky Network 6 . Full STEAM Ahead African Stargazing Safari Join astronomer Stephen James . O’Meara in wildlife-rich Botswana 7 Wanderers in the Neighborhood July 17–23, 2020 PAGE 7 for evening stargazing and daytime 9 . Deep-Sky Objects safari drives at three luxury field camps. Only 16 spaces available! 10 . How to Submit Articles Optional extension to Victoria Falls. & Photos to the Reflector skyandtelescope.com/botswana2020 10 . Advertising in the Reflector 12 . From Around the League PAGE 20 14 . 2020 AL Officer Candidate Bios S&T’s 2020 solar eclipse cruise offers 2 2020 Eclipse Cruise: Chile, Argentina, minutes, 7 seconds of totality off the and Antarctica 15 . Double Star Observing: coast of Argentina and much more: Nov. 27–Dec. 19, 2020 Expand Your Toolbox Chilean fjords and glaciers, the legendary Drake Passage, and four days 16 . The Elements of Surprise amid Antarctica’s waters and icebergs. 20 . Gallery skyandtelescope.com/chile2020 22 . Finishing Unfinished Business: PAGE 22 SkyTools 4 Visual The Stellafane Spectrohelioscope Total Solar Eclipse in Patagonia 30 . Observing Awards December 9–18, 2020 Cover image: Steven Bellavia Come along with Sky & Telescope to view this celestial (Amateur Observers’ Society of spectacle in the lakes region of southern Argentina. New York) captured this image of the Experience breathtaking vistas of the lush landscape Flaming Star Nebula using a DIY by day — and the southern sky’s incomparable stars by Bellavia Mini 114 mm f/4 Newtonian night. Start and finish in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires. astrograph with ZWO AZI183MM Pro skyandtelescope.com/argentina2020 and ASI183MC Pro CMOS cameras. Astronomy Across Italy May 1–10, 2021 The Astronomical League Magazine Vol. 72, No. 3 • ISSN: 0034-2963 • June 2020 As you travel in comfort from Rome to Florence, Pisa, and Pad- New! ua, visit some of the country’s great astronomical sites: the Vat- A FEDERATION OF ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETIES ican Observatory, the Galileo Museum, Arcetri Observatory, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION and lots more. Enjoy fine food, hotels, and other classic Italian To promote the science of astronomy treats. Extensions in Rome and Venice available. • by fostering astronomical education, skyandtelescope.com/italy2021 • by providing incentives for astronomical observation and research, and See all S&T tours at skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-travel • by assisting communication among amateur astronomical societies. Astronomical League National Office: Skyhound.com 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64114 2 REFLECTOR ✶ JUNE 2020 3 REFLECTOR ✶ JUNE 2020 transit, but due to trees in the east I missed the that of a star. Counted most of his moons that has not applied to any lighting controlled by election year in the United States passes, IDA and first 76 minutes. I captured 48 images at approx- and wondered if its hundred years storm the federal government. Some of it in southern other interested parties can work with Congress To the Editor imately 5-minute intervals for the remainder of would tear apart Mother Earth. Arizona is fine, but I can cite several examples and the administration to effect similar changes the transit with my 127 mm f/7 APO Refractor I looked upon the color of Mars and wondered of atrocious lighting on federal government in U.S. federal environmental law. QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE lanetary nebula observers in the Astronomi- if we would ever walk upon his red soil. properties. We would all be better served if this —Tim Hunter Issued by the Astronomical League in March, June, September, and cal League might be interested to know that I counted all seven sisters of the Pleiades just lighting were made environmentally friendly. The Co-founder, IDA December, Reflector (ISSN: 0034-2963) is sent directly, either by P postal mail or via a digital link, to each individual member of its I have compiled a list of all galactic planetary to test my eyes. skies would darken a bit, and we taxpayers would affiliate societies and to members-at-large as a benefit of League membership. Individual copies of Reflector are available at the nebulae. For almost 15 years I have used a com- I watched the Space Shuttle glide across the sky ultimately save energy (and money) with the following subscription rates, payable to the League’s national office. prehensive and inspiring list which was compiled and Spacelab orbit its Earth. better lighting. PAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS: Night Sky Network I sought shelter from a meteor shower Light pollution is an issue recognized world- USA & possessions: $3.00 each or $10.00 per year (4 issues) by Kent Wallace and modified by the late Doug Canada: $5.00 each or $16.00 per year Snyder (Planetary Nebulae list Rev 6DS, August and drank the light of the Milky Way. wide, and several countries have national laws Mexico: $6.00 each or $22.00 per year ONLINE RESOURCES FOR VIRTUAL Other countries: $7.00 each or $25.00 per year 1, 2003) as well as the wonderful book Planetary I returned to Earth rested on the ground that regulate outdoor nighttime lighting in some CLUB MEETINGS AND OUTREACH DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS: Pages by Kent Wallace. So far I have observed and foolishly tried to count all the stars fashion. The latest country to do this is Mexico: All countries, possessions, and territories: $10.00 per year and sketched almost 300 planetary nebulae even but, of course, could not and fell asleep… last November, the Senate of Mexico unanimously ost astronomy club events, whether meet- REFLECTOR AND CLUB ROSTER DEADLINES endorsed legislation that classifies light pollution ings or outreach, happen in person, and though I cannot reach many of the objects in Sag- —Joseph F. Moia M March issue January 1 as a form of environmental pollution. This law is the Night Sky Network’s toolkits were developed June issue April 1 ittarius and Scorpius due to my northern latitude Ocala, Florida September issue July 1 the Decreto por el que se reforman y adicionan with in-person, physical demos in mind as their December issue October 1 (47.5°). However, there are many more objects Moonstruck Astronomy Club Written and graphic material from this publication may be reprinted only within reach of my 18-inch Dobsonian. diversas disposiciones de la Ley General del primary use. However, the Night Sky Network for non-profit benefit of interested parties, provided specific credit is given (NSN) does maintain resources that club members to the writer(s), Reflector, and the Astronomical League. Any other use of To identify them, I compiled a list of all Equilibrio Ecológico y la Protección al Ambiente material, including graphics and photographs, is subject to express (Decree for the reform and addition of various can use both online and offline in their virtual permission from the Editor and the Astronomical League. known planetary nebulae in SIMBAD (more than International Dark- 11,000) and manually separated the extragalactic provisions of the General Law of Ecological public outreach and club meetings. NATIONAL OFFICERS Balance and the Protection of the Environment). One benefit that NSN club members receive is President from the galactic ones to come up with a final Ron Kramer Sky Association It had previously been approved by the Chamber access to monthly webinars with NASA scientists number of some 2,700 known “true” galactic 9520 Dragonfly Avenue • Las Cruces, NM 88012 520-500-7295 • [email protected] planetary nebulae. I furthermore included lists of Deputies (the lower house of the Mexican and program specialists. The meeting software Vice President of non–planetary nebulae (some objects listed MEXICO’S Congress). also allows members to chat with each other and Carroll Iorg 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 • Kansas City, MO 64114; as planetary nebulae in the literature are actually ENVIRONMENTAL LAW John C. Barentine, PhD, IDA Director of Public ask the presenter questions. These talks often 816-444-4878 • [email protected] galaxies, reflection nebulae, peculiar stars, and he United States has no national environmen- Policy, writes in more detail about Mexico’s envi- focus on a particular NASA mission, such as the Secretary Chuck Allen such), possible planetary nebulae, and proto- tal law that addresses light pollution. IDA has ronmental law on the IDA website (darksky.org/ Perseverance Rover or Parker Solar Probe, but can 4005 St. Germaine Court., Louisville, KY 40207 T also include information about programs broader 502-693-5504 [email protected] planetary nebulae, as well as a literature list. I been told that nothing in federal environmental mexico-light-pollution-law). He notes this is Treasurer started compiling the list in fall 2017 and had to regulations gives an aggrieved party a means to “the first instance of a country explicitly defining in scope, such as an overview of NASA citizen Bill Dillon science programs, or astronomy visualization 190 Settlers Road • Fincastle, VA 24090 stop in 2019 for personal reasons. I wanted to combat light pollution on a local, state, or federal light pollution as an environmental pollutant. This 703-674-8484 • [email protected] include as much information as possible, but I with a Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera positioned at level. The issue of outdoor nighttime lighting law is also unique because it amends previously software. Some webinars are also livestreamed to Executive Secretary YouTube, and all are archived for future reference, Maynard Pittendreigh will have to leave that until later.