Observe—Educate—Have Fun The April 2016 Sidereal Times The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society P.O. Box 50581, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87181-0581 www.TAAS.org taas — 2011 winner Of astronomy magazine’S OuT-Of-ThiS-wOrld AwArd SiNcE 1959 General Meeting News TAAS Astronomy 101 Lynne Olson Saturday, April 23, 6:00 p.m. TAAS General Meeting (before the General Meeting) Saturday, April 23, 7:00 P.M. UNM Science and Math Learning Center All AboutFree the and TAAS Open Observatory, to the Public GNTO UNM Science and Math Learning Center by LynneJim Fordice, Olson Observatory Director Jim Fordice, Director of the Society’s Gen- eral Nathan Twining Observatory, will re- Enjoy Dark Skies, Cookies, veal all of the outstanding features of this and Cider in Placitas observatory...the domes, the telescopes, the buildings and facilities, the superb dark-sky attraction of this site, the oppor- Saturday, April 16, Dusk To Late tunity for camaraderie and sharing knowl- by LynnePlacitas Olson Community Library edge...and how to go about visiting and using it. The observatory is for members TAAS Visits Astronomical and guests only, and you will learn how to England be both! The Placitas Community Library and The Albuquerque Astronomical Society (TAAS) This session is excellent for new members David Frizzell and Barry Spletzer will co-host a public star party on the and old and the interested public. grounds of the library, located 4.5 miles east Whether you are of I-25 from the Placitas exit at Bernalillo. peering through This popular event has two big points to Join us for an enjoyable evening which the dome tele- recommend it—the excellent dark-sky loca- features not only our usual official re- scope, your own tion, aided by the venue’s use of red lights, ports, but two—not one, but two—speak- telescope, or one and the hospitality of the library staff and ers on diverse aspects of the recent trip to of the observatory gnto imaging dome its volunteers in providing parking and ci- England by our TAAS delegation. scopes, GNTO is der and cookies! an experience First, David Frizzell continuedwill give hison pageimpres 2 . .- . not to be missed, and this session will tell A large number of TAAS telescopes of all sions from the European Astrofest 2016, you how to do it with courtesy, efficiency , sizes and types will becontinued on hand on to pageshow 5 all. safety, and enjoyment. Star Party, Chaco Canyon Transit of Mercury Edgewood Library Star Party Explora 8:30 a.m. and Fri., April 15 Chaco Canyon N.H.P. NMMNH&S 6:30 a.m. Placitas Star Party Fri., May 6–Sat. May 7 Mon., May 9 Sat., April 16 INSIDE 2.......President’s Message 7.......Astrophoto: NGC2264 10–14..TAAS Reports: Education, SAO, GNTO, 3.......Under the Dome 8.......ATM Attendance Growing Events & Publicity, Treasurer 4.......Chaco Canyon, Mercury Transit 9.......Galileo’s Star Parties 13........Astrophoto: Sharpless 2-261 in Hα 5.......Oak Flat Public Star Party 10.......March Board Minutes 15........TAAS Reports & Notices 5.......Enchanted Skies Set for Oct. 16........TAAS Directors & Staff The Sidereal Times April 2016 President’s Message Tom Graham Friday, rain and clouds did not deter our Fab 50 group from assembling and review- ing the spring skies. Several new folks were there and we all had a lesson not only on the sky but also telescopes. The new folks loved it and the seasoned observers were pleased. taas ATM sig I urge you to venture out, try a school star The opportunities are almost endless party, a public event, drive down to GNTO, when looking for things to do in TAAS. The spend the night (warmly), and enjoy the fa- spring season brings winds, but it also cility. If you have not been for awhile, take warms up a little and skies are clear most the trip down. You will be pleased. of the time. I ventured down to GNTO on a We have several opportunities coming up warmish Saturday and found clear skies, from Chaco Canyon, Oak Flat, North Star a big crowd, and excellent viewing…the sharingschool party, the Mercury transit among best I personally have ever experienced. I just a few events to enjoy observing and brought out my 11-inch scope and things also having a great time and getting a lot of your experience. I am honored to just clicked; I was as excited as a ten-year- people to take the plunge and join up and be a part of TAAS. old winning a foot race. As I was looking at start themselves on their own journey to the Orion Nebula I could not believe how astronomy. It is amazing to see how they ...General Meeting News clear and defined it was and I wanted to get the crowd excited and answer ques- continued from page 1 share that view just as everybody else was tions. I am glad I went to see for myself getting their own outstanding observa- how much fun it is. tions. Finally, feeling pity for me, one of our a gathering of astronomers, amateur and I am not a fix-it guy. My dad was, my broth- fellow observers came over and said “Ok, professional in London near Kensington ers are, heck even my sister can fix stuff let’s see what you have.” He then gave me Palace, with lectures by famous sources better than me. That is why I trekked over a lesson on the Orion Nebula and showed on subjects dear to the hearts of astrono- to the ATM group at Manzano Mesa last me new things I never knew existed. Thank mers everywhere. He will discuss what Wednesday to see what goes on over there. You! was learned in the atmosphere of the Twenty folks showed up and all left happy, great city of London. (You may access the especially Jack, who got his telescope up The UNM observatory draws a good crowd, list of speakers and topics in the article and running. I met a new member who is from students to the curious to the folks on www.TAAS.org.) that just happen by. It is a nice experience building a Gregorian Telescope. You will find some very friendly guys over there to interact with people that just want to Next, Barry Spletzer will take us on the that long to fix stuff, give tips about your know a little more about the world we live tour after Astrofest, as the delegation vis- scope, or just shoot the breeze about as- in and what is beyond that world out in ited several sites steeped in astronomical tronomy. It was my first time there but not space. We have a loyal crew that is there history, including the Royal Observatory my last! every Friday representing our society and at Greenwich, William Herschel’s home, and Stonehenge. Beyond just showing where they traveled, he will add a good dose of why each site is important, what happened there, and how it impacted astronomy then and now. Go to www.TAAS.org for full details with map and list; send questions to TAAS@ TAAS.org. taas fabulous 50 Page 2 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times April 2016 Under the Dome Notes from and about GNTO Jim Fordice chaz jetty martin hilario isengard training April 2 Third Quarter Moon Observing Session: Torres, Chuck and Phyllis Esserine, and CitizenJohn Wheeler. Science: Jeff Boggs was the Opener on April 2. TAAS members were greeted with a great night. Clear skies, a light wind, and warmer Are you interested in doing some astro- temperatures replaced the colder wind nomical science but have not been able to and dust that had dominated days before. afford the equipment and/or lack other Thirty-two observers were in attendance, Siderealresources Times needed to support the effort? the largest crowd this year. Some had come See the announcement in the January down for training by Mike Molitor and on GNTO’s Citizen Science Vance Ley including Boris Venet, Richard lynne olson Initiative. Hassi, and James and Nannette Carr work- ing with Mike in the dome and Tom Liles, observing field. Several people said it was Project proposals can be submitted at any Marshall Gatten, and Sigrid Monaghan their first time at GNTO. time. Proposals should be sent to GNTO@ crowding into the imaging dome with TAAS.org in a Word-compatible or pdf file. Vance. Each one looked smarter later that Both longtime members and many new The goal is to support as many projects as night, thanks to these two very good in- observers are learning how lucky TAAS is practical. Proposals will be reviewed by structors. to have a wonderful dark-skies observing the GNTO Committee within 30 days of area. People had dark skies, coffee, and Spendsubmission. the Night at GNTO: The rest of crowd found a pad and, when cookies. They mixed and mingled around getting to know each other. Many folks all those were occupied, other telescopes continued on page 6 . were set up along the west side of the stayed late and five people stayed all night. One of the realities of traveling to a dark- The Ortega building had occupied bunks with new sleeping pads and Jeff set up a cot. Lynne Olson stayed in her nice van. Vance roughed it in the back of his pickup. Those at GNTO besides those mentioned above were: Jim Fordice, Rick Thurmond, Phil and Sandy Fleming, Tom Graham, Mar- tin Hilario, Jim Kaminski, Gwinn Hall, Ron Hospelhorn, Amy Estelle, Chaz and Hilary Jetty, Kevin McKeown.