Published by the Astronomical League Vol. 71, No. 1 December 2018 2018 ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE/ OPT IMAGING AWARDS 7.20.69 VOIDS: SOME PARTS OF THE UNIVERSE 5YEARS ARE EMPTIER THAN OTHERS APOLLO 11 ORBITAL TILTS AND HIGH-FLYING MOONS Contents 4 . Reflector Mail 5 . Reflections 5 . President’s Corner 6 . International Dark-Sky Association 7 . Night Sky Network PAGE 11 OITHv6 – fully updated and the NEW Goals/Log/Sketch Book 8 . Full STEAM Ahead Details and ordering only at 9 . All Things Astronomical www.birrendesign.com Tel: 630-336-5321 10 . Deep-Sky Objects 12 . From Around the League 16 . 2018 AL/OPT Imaging Awards 18 . Outreach is a Pro/Am Privilege PAGE 17 19 . Orbital Tilts and High-Flying Moons 21, 29 . Gallery 22 . Things to a Void 25 . Photographing the Moon in Daylight 26 . Radio Astronomy for Amateurs 27 . Observing Awards 28 . Coming Events PAGE 29 Cover Image: Andrew Klinger (Texas Astronomical Society) took this fantastic image of M16 through narrowband filters using a William Optics GT81 with 0.8x reducer (382 mm at f/4.7) with a ZWO ASI1600MM CMOS camera on an Orion Sirius mount. The Astronomical League Magazine Vol. 71, No. 1 • ISSN: 0034-2963 • December 2018 A FEDERATION OF ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETIES A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION To promote the science of astronomy • By fostering astronomical education, • by providing incentives for astronomical observation and research, and • By assisting communication among amateur astronomical societies. Astronomical League National Office: 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64114 spent the time and effort to help keep the legacy of amateur astronomy popularizer John Dobson Reflector Mail alive and viable. This is, to me, akin to the resto- ration of Ireland’s Leviathan of Parsonstown. QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE To the Editor: The photos also indicate what can be accom- Issued by the Astronomical League in March, June, September, and am honored to be the recipient of the 2018 plished by dedicated amateur astronomers who December, Reflector (ISSN: 0034-2963) is sent directly, either by postal mail or via a digital link, to each individual member of its affiliate societies and Horkheimer/Smith Youth Service Award and as are on a budget and prove that one doesn’t need to members-at-large as a benefit of League membership. Individual copies I of Reflector are available at the following subscription rates, payable to the such have received a fair degree of media atten- to be a millionaire to get started in this hobby. League’s national office. tion, both at home and in regional/national pub- Although never meeting any of the people who PAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS: lications. As is to be expected, there have been made this happen, I am proud of what they col- USA & possessions: $3.00 each or $10.00 per year (4 issues) Canada: $5.00 each or $16.00 per year a few omissions as well as conflations of some lectively accomplished and feel that they deserve Mexico: $6.00 each or $22.00 per year Other countries: $7.00 each or $25.00 per year of the facts from my experiences and history. special “outreach” recognition. DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS: Though I would generally be dismissive of such, All countries, possessions, and territories: $10.00 per year Way to go! I feel that given my position as a fledgling sci- — Steve “Bookie” Bookout REFLECTOR AND CLUB ROSTER DEADLINES entist, and in the interest of journalistic accuracy March issue January 1 Astronomical League Member June issue April 1 as well, it is incumbent upon me to request that September issue July 1 December issue October 1 the parties responsible for the written content Written and graphic material from this publication may be reprinted only in question take a moment to review the source for non-profit benefit of interested parties, provided specific credit is given to the writer(s), Reflector, and the Astronomical League. Any other use of Dues Reminder materials. material, including graphics and photographs, is subject to express permission from the Editor and the Astronomical League. Credit being given where credit is due is essential. Though the points in question really are AN IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR NATIONAL OFFICERS President quite minor in scope, they are important, as there CLUB TREASURERS AND ALCORS Ron Kramer 9520 Dragonfly Avenue • Las Cruces, NM 88012 are people whose contributions may be over- f your club has not yet paid its 2018–2019 520-500-7295 • [email protected] looked if I don’t address them. Astronomical League dues, please contact the Vice President I Carroll Iorg The crux of the issue is that my mentor national office, [email protected], 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 • Kansas City, MO 64114; 816-444-4878 • [email protected] and youth leader, Rick Bryant, and I were both ASAP. We are concerned that we haven’t heard Secretary founding members of the BYA (Bartian Youth from you, as the dues were payable five months Bryan Tobias Astronomical League National Headquarters Astronomers). I collaborated with and assisted ago. We know you want to continue receiving AL 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 • Kansas City, MO 64114 [email protected] or [email protected] him to organize and start the affiliate youth group benefits without interruption — and we certainly Treasurer of the Bartlesville Astronomical Society. It’s a bit don’t want to lose your club as an Astronomical Bill Dillon 190 Settlers Road • Fincastle, VA 24090 flattering of some to say it was solely me, but it’s League member! 516-593-8580 • [email protected] nonetheless inaccurate. My extensive application Executive Secretary Maynard Pittendreigh was quite clear on these points and I believe all 3208 Little Oak Way • Orlando, FL 32812 would agree that the difference in an “article” 770-237-2071 • [email protected] About Our National Office versus a “definite article” can make a very great Mike Stoakes, Office Coordinator and meaningful difference. “A” founding member Astronomical League National Headquarters New Look 9201 Ward Parkway, Suite 100 • Kansas City, MO 64114 or “one of the” founding members versus “the” 816-DEEP-SKY National office: [email protected] founding member is only a couple of letters off, Society rosters: [email protected] he Reflector’s new look is the work of our League sales: [email protected] but its impact to the omitted party might be hurt- new design/production person, Michael National Observing Program Coordinators ful and the implications are completely different T Cliff Mygatt Aaron B. Clevenson Patterson, a Vermonter, a member of the [email protected] [email protected] for each form of the article. Springfield Telescope Makers (Stellafane), Astronomical League Historian That said, I would simply ask that the source Mike Stewart 913-240-1238 • [email protected] and a semi-retired designer of advertising materials are revisited and appropriate cor- and packaging. He can be reached at michael. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR rections are made. Thank you again for your Send to [email protected] with subject line “letter to editor” [email protected]. The look will continue attention to this matter. to evolve, and feedback is welcome. REFLECTOR STAFF — Abigail Bollenbach Managing Editor Assistant Editor To the Editor: Ron Kramer Kevin Jones Mobile: 520-500-7295 [email protected] [email protected] ot often does an article capture my Design/Production Astronomical imagination or pluck a harmonic resonating Editor Michael Patterson N John Martin [email protected] [email protected] chord, but after reading of humble Tumbleweed’s Advertising Representative Photo Editor Carla Johns rebirth, I sat in my chair and smiled. Peggy’s League Trust Fund Dan Crowson 970-567-8878 article was at once most satisfying and gratifying. [email protected] [email protected] Assistant Editor Coming Events Editor The accompanying photos lend so much to the As of September 29, 2018, the Astronomical Kristine Larsen John Wagoner narrative’s chain of events that it was almost like [email protected] [email protected] League Trust Fund balance is $92,916.01. These being there and helping out. It is so cool folks funds are divided into two CDs, a money market 4 REFLECTOR ✶ DECEMBER 2 0 1 8 account, and a stock fund. At the last council biases and discouragement can have. Discourage- ing women three times faster than men. Retrieved meeting at ALCon 2018, past president and ment can be overt and direct, but it is most often from https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586- trustee Jim Fox was reelected as a trustee. In order subtle and perhaps even subconscious. Personal 018-07018-4?linkId=58212769. of expiring terms, the current trustees are John biases may lead to a forgotten meeting invitation, — John Martin Wagoner (2019), Tim Hunter (2020), Bob Gent lack of inclusion in group selection, or missed Editor, Reflector (2021), Terry Mann (2022), and Jim Fox (2023). recognition for a job well done. A bias may Since the League is a 501(c)(3), all donations influence decisions for advancement, assignment, to the trust fund are tax deductible to the fullest or belief in the validity of work that is being done. President’s extent of the law. In addition to cash or check All of these biases can lead to discouragement. donations, we can also accept donations of stock. It has become obvious to me that these biases Corner —Respectfully submitted, Bob Gent plague the astronomical fields as well. ALTF Treasurer and Past President recent article published by Nature features A NEW OPPORTUNITY A strong anecdotal evidence supporting findings that women with PhD degrees in astron- hen amateur astronomers think of the omy are leaving the industry at a rate 3–4 times W Astronomical League, they typically Reflections greater than that of men (Zastrow, 2018).