THE OBSERVER OF THE TWIN CITY AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS Volume 41, Number 3 March 2016 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Editor’s Choice: Image of the Month……..……………….1 President’s Log..………………………………….………..……….2 Calendar of Celestial Events – March 2016…………....3 New & Renewing Members/Dues Blues…………..…….3 Subscribing to Our E-Mail Lists………………………….……3 This Month’s Phases of the Moon……..……………...…..4 2016 TCAA Annual Meeting Minutes……………………..4 Minutes of the Feb. 23 Special Board Meeting……….6 Minutes of the NCRAL 2016 Planning Meeting……….6 Image of the Month (continued)……………………….……8 Astrophotography Display Coming………………………...9 AstroBits…………………………………………………….…….……9 NCRAL 2016 Advertisement………………............………11 Major Updates a POS and SGO……………………………..12 Thoughts on an Astronomical Bucket List……………..13 Cold Weather Observing………………………………………14 Universe Sampler II Course Coming in May…………..15 A Visit to the Lowell Observatory Campus……………16 A Visit to Barringer Meteor Crater………………………..17 Thoughts from Life at Sea: Part 1………………………….18 Introduction to Amateur Astronomy Guide………....19 Observe with a Real Research Telescope………………19 Items for Sale……………………………………………………….19 TCAA on Facebook and Twitter…………………………….20 EDITOR’S CHOICE: IMAGE OF THE MONTH – M78 2016’s First Public Observing Session March 5..……20 Remaining Public Observing Sessions for 2016……..21 By Tim Stone – Located just north and east of Alnitak in Orion’s HowTimeFlies……………………………………………………….21 belt, M78 is often overlooked in favor of the nearby and much more TCAA Treasurer’s Report: February 2016…………..….22 popular M42/M43 and Horsehead Nebula regions. While it may be the less visited nebula in the neighborhood, this beautiful spot doesn’t deserve to be overshadowed by its gaudy neighbors. Situated in the same molecular cloud, this complex and colorful region has some exotic attractions its neighbors can only envy. Our tour begins at the northeast corner (upper left), where the strong red glow of the inner edge of Barnard’s Loop marks the beginning of the dense stream of dust that traverses the region. This “River of Dust,” cataloged as LDN 1630, adds drama to everything in the image as it continues southward beyond the bottom of the image to meet up with the Flame Nebula (see The OBSERVER, February 2016) and The TCAA is an affiliate of the Astronomical League. contribute to its iconic shape and color. For more information about the TCAA, be certain to visit our club website. (Continued on page 7.) © 2016 TCAA 1 All rights reserved. Vol. 41, No. 3 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers March 2016 The OBSERVER is the monthly PRESIDENT’S LOG electronic newsletter of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers, Inc., a I’d like to start my first note as president with a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization of amateur heartfelt “Thank You!” to Tom Weiland, the outgoing astronomers interested in studying president of the TCAA. For the past four years he has astronomy and sharing their hobby guided our organization through an unprecedented with the public. expansion of our facilities, equipment, and outreach. Tom committed a great deal of his time to this TCAA OFFICERS organization, much of which was unseen by anyone President & Director/Property Manager else. It’s often said that leadership is a thankless job. I Tim Stone 309-531-2401 want Tom to know for sure that we are thankful for [email protected] his leadership during his four-year tenure. Next, I’d like to say how honored I am to be the new president of the TCAA. This is Vice President & Director Robert Finnigan 309-846-9533 a great organization, with a great history, wonderful capabilities, and a bright future. [email protected] I’m excited to be of service as our club grows its member involvement, engages the area astronomy community, and serves the public of the Twin Cities and its Treasurer & Director Dave Osenga 309-287-0789 surroundings. While my responsibilities will increase with this new position, I still plan [email protected] on writing for The OBSERVER every month (in addition to this note), and will certainly be deeply involved with astrophotography, my astronomical passion. Secretary & Director/Historian/Editor While the constituency of the Board of Directors has not changed, the individual in Carl J. Wenning 309-830-4085 [email protected] each officer position has changed. Bob Finnigan is now vice president, Dave Osenga is treasurer, and Carl Wenning is secretary. I want to thank Lee Green, the outgoing th 5 Director secretary, for his service in that position. He will continue his excellent outreach Tom Weiland 309-830-0167 [email protected] activities, and to serve as our webmaster and NASA liaison. I also want to thank Duane Yockey, in advance, for helping us transition his duties as the outgoing treasurer. Duane ALCor/Registered Agent will remain as our Legal Registered Agent for the time being. Carl Wenning adds the Duane Yockey 309-452-3936 [email protected] duties of secretary to his responsibilities as chief editor of The OBSERVER and club historian, and Bob Finnigan will make a fine vice president! Webmaster March 5 marks the beginning of our Public Observing Session series. With the Lee Green 309-454-7349 [email protected] winter weather seemingly on the wane, perhaps it will be a pleasant evening. I hope you’ll plan to attend. I’m sure the talk on “The Great Orion Nebula” will be stimulating! Lighting Education Coordinator With any luck, we’ll be able to have a look at M42 after the talk, and you can check out Lisa Wentzel unlisted number our renovations in the Sugar Grove Observatory (below). [email protected] Don’t forget to register for the North Central Region of the Astronomical League Membership Coordinator conference, hosted by the TCAA April 29-30, before the early registration fee of $50 Tom Willmitch 309-846-2423 expires March 31. After that it jumps to $60. At any price, it’s a great value. We will [email protected] network with others who are passionate about our avocation, and learn a tremendous The OBSERVER amount about solar eclipses, and the one coming our way in August 2017. I hope to see Carl J. Wenning, Editor you there. Paul Pouliot, Assistant Editor Last, let me mention the work under way at the Sugar Grove Observatory. We have Submission deadline is normally one moved the 17” PlaneWave photographic system from its roost in the dome to the day before the end of each month. Prairie Sky Observatory, the roll-off-roof facility where our other photography systems are housed. In its place, we have installed the 11” Celestron HD, tandem mounted with MEMBERSHIP DUES the 90mm Coronado Solar Telescope. This system is for visual use, and will be Individual Adult/Family $40 permanently dedicated to use by our visual observers. As a permanently mounted Full-time Student/Senior $25 system, there’s no setup or tear down; you can be observing within minutes of arrival, (Senior status equals ages 60+) day or night. I’m personally looking forward to using it, and I hope to often find that I can’t because it’s already in use! We haven’t documented the procedures for operating To join, send your name, contact the system yet, so for now, if you would like to use this system, just drop me an email. info and dues payment to Dave Osenga, TCAA Treasurer, 1109 N. Clear skies! Linden St., Normal, IL 61761-1471. Tim Stone, President © 2016 TCAA 2 All rights reserved. Vol. 41, No. 3 The OBSERVER of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers March 2016 CALENDAR OF CELESTIAL EVENTS – MARCH 2016 NEW & RENEWING MEMBERS MORNING STARS (3/15): Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Saturn The following individuals have paid dues for new th EVENING STARS (3/15): Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune or renewed memberships as of February 29 , 2016. (Others who paid after that date will appear in the Question: Last month there was no last quarter moon. This month April 2016 issue of The OBSERVER.) there are two. What gives? See the answer below. New: Nathan Shoop 1 Last Quarter Moon – The waning moon rises around midnight Renewing: Brian Barling, William Carney, Lee Green, and sets around midday. Ken Kashian, Dave Osenga, Allan Saaf, 8 Jupiter at Opposition – The planet will rise and set opposite the Tim Stone, and Troy Berg sun, and will be at its closes approach to Earth on this date. It will be brighter than at any other time during the year. DUES BLUES 9 New Moon – Sets at sunset and rises at sunrise; not visible. If you have received a “your dues are due” statement along with the email that brought you this 13 DST Begins – Don’t forget to “spring forward” 1 hour at 2:00 issue of The OBSERVER, please remit your dues to Mr. AM on Sunday morning. Non-astronomers will want to do so Dave Osenga, TCAA Treasurer, 1109 N. Linden St., before going to bed on Saturday evening. Normal, IL 61761-1471. Dues are currently $25 for 15 First Quarter Moon – The waxing moon rises around seniors (60 years of age and over) and $40 regular. midday and sets around midnight. SUBSCRIBING TO OUR E-MAIL LISTS 19 March Equinox – Spring officially begins in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the southern hemisphere. The sun By subscribing to a group’s mailing list you will will appear directly overhead at noon for viewers on Earth’s receive email messages from the group so you won’t equator. The official change of the seasons occurs at 11:30 PM. have access to the group’s web features (like photos, files, links, polls, calendar, etc.) unless members 23 Full Moon – The moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise.