Observe—Educate—Have Fun March 2013 The 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 (505) 254-TAAS (8227) General Meeting News Lynne Olson Pan-STARRS Comet and Crescent Moon over Albuquerque. Photo: Steve Riegel Here is a shot I took on March 12, 2013, from the parking lot just below the San- Astronomer Charles Messier dia Tram. We could see both objects in the same binocular field of view and the TAAS GENERAL1771 Portrait MEETING comet’s head was visible naked eye. Canon EOS XSi with a 300mm zoom lens SATURDAY, MARCH 30 and about 5 seconds exposure at ISO 800, somewhere around 8:00 p.m. MDT. Spring Equinox Picnic March 23 On March 30 at 7:00 p.m. in UNM’s Regener Hall, Barry Spletzer will present “Messier: The Man, the List, the Marathon.” This will include a glimpse into the man whose name, The annual TAAS Spring Equinox Picnic is after 250 years, is still synonymous with always a clear sign that warmer observ- deep-sky astronomy. The origins, develop- ing nights have arrived. The picnic is a ment and eventual completion of the Messier celebration of the sun moving north for the list of 110 deep-sky objects will be discussed summer and is an opportunity to visit with in detail along with the history of the Messier friends at the society’s grand observatory. Marathon and a few tips for getting the most Activities include a picnic meal of hamburg- Eric Edwards photo: lynne olson out of this year’s April 6 Marathon at GNTO. ers and hot dogs provided by the GNTO GNTO Imaging System. The brand-new Lunt Committee. All attendees are encouraged Barry is a long-time TAAS member and an 60mm double-stack H-alpha loaner scope to bring a side dish. TAAS member Marcia avid designer and builder of telescopes. He is will be on display, too. In addition, a special Caregeorges is coordinating the food de- retired from the Sandia Labs Robotics Center Binocular Viewing event will be led by TAAS tails. and now mentors the APS Career Enrichment binocular expert Dale Murray. Complete Center engineering and Web scripting pro- There will be training on the operation details for the picnic and training event are grams and develops exhibits for Explora. of the IsengardINSIDE Telescope and the TAAS on the TAAS Web site www.TAAS.org. 2.......President’s Message 4–5...Calendars 8.......Imaging: Field of View, Etc. 3.......GNTO News & Views 4.......Review of TAAS Web Site 9.......Astronomy Trivia Challenge 2 3.......Improvements at GNTO 4.......Summer Library Outreach 10.......TAAS Reports & Notices 3.......Binocular Event at Picnic 6.......Expanding Loaner Scope Universe 11.......TAAS Directors, Staff 7.......Star Party, UNM, New Photo Gallery The Sidereal Times March 2013 President’s Message Dee Friesen Close Friends and Distant Relatives but he was very friendly and we were at years away, they felt like distant relatives. AT THE TENDER AGE of eighteen years ease in his presence. I had read about the They will never understand my passing I left the barren, windy, and clear skies man, but when I recounted the experi- interest in them and, like my distant rela- of Kansas and headed east 850 miles to ence to my distant relatives, they were tives, they never ask me “What is going on begin my adult career. Upon arrival at my clueless. Just as well, it saved me the need in your life?” when we visit. They just sit small college in Indiana I was asked what to explain to them who he was and why there and gossip with each other. I wanted to major in. My answer was as- would anyone spend a lifetime studying tronomy. When informed that the school astronomy.My answer was astronomy. Viewing close objects like planets, globu- did not offer an astronomy major, I asked, lar clusters, and even constellations is an “Well, what is close?” Hence I became a encounter with friends. Stretching my physics major. The other night at GNTO I made an effort eyesight to see the dim, lint-like objects to look at several stars that were less than many many light-years away is like visit- While in college, I was a safe distance eight light-years from the sun. It was ex- ing with my distant relatives. They may from my relatives (we really do get along), citing to think that I was already a TAAS say “Hi, good to see you,” but we will nev- but became close to new friends. With a member when the photons I viewed had er have a conversation about collimation, roommate, who was also interested in left those stars. They felt like close friends stellar magnitude, or ionization. They still astronomy, I had the opportunity to drive and they seemed to understand my desire think the Big Bang is when I accidently renowned astronomer Harlow Shapley to observe them, no explanation required. shot a hole in the kitchen floor of the old from the Ft. Wayne Airport to our small Later I took a foolish look at M65, M66, farmhouse with the family shotgun. That, campus 75 miles away. What an experi- and NGC3628, the Leo Triplet. Sure, they of course, also did not lead to a discussion ence! I do not recall what we talked about, are semi-attractive, but at 35 million light- of collimation with my father. Spring Fabulous 50 Viewing Sessions in April OBSERVE EDUCATE HAVE FUN ASTRONOMY 101 SATURDAY, MARCH 30 by Lynne Olson At 6:00 p.m., pre- ceding the General Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in Regener Hall , our next offering in the Astronomy 101 series will be Springtime Observ- ing. Dave Pitonzo will review some of Image Courtesy of Naoyuki Kurita the smaller constellations of spring, using THE TAAS FABULOUS 50 viewing series will continue with two evening sessions the the major ones as guideposts, and then second week of April, on Wednesday the 10th and Thursday the 11th. Activities begin review a number of bright objects that at 7:45 p.m. at Dee Friesen’s home in northeast Albuquerque. Sunset is 7:35 p.m. This make good targets for small scopes. is a dark location with no streetlights, but close to the city. You can then use this knowledge to enjoy The program begins with a short indoor session, followed by thirty minutes of outdoor viewing. You will be instructed on how to use both a printed sky chart and your mobile the night skies as our weather moder- media device. The prominent naked-eye objects of the winter sky will be observed. ates and your opportunities for observing Other TAAS members will be present with binoculars and telescopes to enhance the expand. The public is invited and encour- viewing. The evening will conclude with an indoor social period. All the information aged to attend. along with a map to Dee’s house is on the TAAS Web site www.TAAS.org. Page 2 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times March 2013 GNTO News & Views Bill Wallace we all observed the comet, right down to the horizon. Mike Molitor got some images. Some stayed on to do more observing. It was a great experience. The night before, Steve Welch and I had ventured out to GNTO to observe the comet. The western sky was filled with layers of clouds, but we managed to glimpse it for a minute or so. The comet and new moon make a grand entrance Will Ferrell sets up. photo: mike molitor at GNTO. photo: mike molitor On March 16, the GNTO Committee met at GNTO for a work party to do necessary maintenance and finish ongoing projects in think about attending. Greetings! advance of the picnic. April 6. The annual Messier Marathon where Inopportune weather forced cancellation of Future events include the following: observers attempt to view the complete the February 9 and March 9 GNTO events. Messier Catalogue in one evening. This is March 23. The Spring Equinox Picnic/Open continued on page 9 . However, Will Ferrell, the opener for March House/Training. The GNTO committee hosts a popular occasion that usually brings the 9 event, opened GNTO on March 12 as a this to show off GNTO to members. We have Special Binocular Viewing Event a picnic (pot-luck with hamburgers and at Spring Equinox Picnic hot-dogs provided) and provide training in GNTO equipment and observing. Fun is had by all, plus you get to know your observa- tory. If you have not attended before, please Improvements at GNTO Vance Ley, Dee Friesen. It’s not all about observing, it’s about the camaraderie, too. photo: mike molitor Dale Murray, Bill Wallace, and GNTO Giant Binoculars photo: dee friesen make-up event. His TAAS200 scavenger hunt All TAAS members are encouraged to was part of the program. The more spectac- attend the annual Spring Equinox Pic- ular part of the evening was the Pan-STARRS nic and learn how to use binoculars to comet. There were seven of us with plenty Carl Frisch, Bob Hufnagel, and Ray Collins observe the night sky. Expert TAAS bin- photo: dee friesen of binoculars, including the newly mounted ocular observer Dale Murray will lead you GNTO 20x88 binoculars. There were some Members of the GNTO Committee spent in the activity using your binoculars.