From the editor
The mood of the crowd that gathered at Harmons in
News crews were busy
positioning themselves for the best view. Meanwhile, club members were busy
showing views of Jupiter and Saturn and answering questions about celestial
objects as astronomical twilight began to set in. Over two dozen scopes of all
kinds and binoculars were at the ready.
Then, as if the running Utes had scored a touch-down against their rivals down
south, the crowd came to life. It was just shortly after
Like everyone else, I
swung my 6-inch reflector around and brought the orb into focus as quickly as
possible. Truly, the view was impressive. A slim stretch of the eastern rim of
our Moon had finally revealed itself seemingly out of nowhere. As excited
individuals waited for their turn at the eyepiece, I made a basic explanation
how this eclipse occurred.
There was no doubt that
this one was somewhat less colorful in that there was just a small area with a
visible shade of red-orange that quickly disappeared into the blackness of
Mother Earth’s shadow. Despite the fact we didn’t get to see the entire
eclipse, the weather made up for it with a nice mild evening.
While there were no
reports of the eclipse from the membership, see here for photos.
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Photos by
the editor
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SLAS supports UCAN
By the
editor
SLAS’s public education support didn’t end after the
evening of the lunar eclipse. The editor volunteered to attend the Utah Cancer
Action Network’s (UCAN) Skin Cancer Press Conference the next day.
UCAN’s awareness campaign calls for parents to protect
their children’s skin on a daily basis while they’re enjoying outdoor
activities. The Hogle Zoo was an ideal setting with
school children all around on field trips on a clear and sunny day. No doubt
many club members have seen the campaign ads on television and in the
newspapers.
The editor made a unexpected presentation on the physical properties of the
Sun and how the recent solar max affected wildlife using the example that some
bird species (pigeons in particular) had become disorientated in their
direction of flight.
Janet Heins,
UDOH comprehensive cancer program coordinator and a UCAN member, then followed
with introductions to KUTV –2 weather man Sterling Poulson
and then Rich Bonaduce from WB -30. Jeff James of
KTVX –4 followed with a live weather forecast and the UV index for the day. Dr.
Glen Bowen, assistant professor of dermatology for the
While news crews packed up
their gear, the editor stayed an extra hour -plus to show many children and
their parents/teachers white light views of the sun’s spots and granulation
through a 6-inch reflector.
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SPOC II Update
SLAS member Mark Bloomenthal
is now a qualified Ealing Telescope instructor and
will be conducting Level 2 ‘Hands On’ classes to SLAS members who have taken
the Level 1 ‘introductory class.’ Times for Level 1 and 2 classes will be
posted on the members only Calendar on the SLAS web site.
The yearly SPOC User’s Fee
has been established by the
The SLAS membership fee is
$15 payable annually on the anniversary of when you join.
The SPOC User’s Fee is $25
payable at the begin-ning of each SPOC observing
season which will normally be 1 March – 30 November.
Patrick Wiggins’ 200mm
Brandt refractor is up and running on the Big Scope mount and will be used for
public star parties throughout the Mars Opposition. Special Mars viewing days
for SLAS members will be announced on Patrick’s email newsletter and will be
posted on the Members Only Calendar on the SPOC web site. Because Mars is
currently a morning object in the sky these viewing sessions will be for early
birds,
Bruce
Grim
SPOC Coordinator
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Lowell trip Update
(editor’s note; I’ve included this email from Siegfried Jachmann in case some email addresses have changed or are no
longer used.)
For all going to
I have arranged rooms for
us at the Embassy Suites at the discounted price of $72.00 per night. This is where
we stayed last time. It’s a great hotel with beautiful rooms and a free
breakfast every morning. This discount is available to us on a first come
basis. I already have my reservations.
If you want one of these
rooms you must call Embassy Suites at (928) 774-4333. You must identify
yourself as being a part of the Salt Lake Astronomical Society group. They will
ask you if you want a King size or two double beds, also if you want smoking or
non-smoking. The hotel is located very conveniently at the bottom of Mars Hill,
just about as close as you can get.
This place has just
undergone a major renovation. I don’t know if their web site is up-to-date. You
can see typical rooms at www.embassysuites.com or search Embassy Suites
in
Embassy Suites Hotel
Any questions, email me.
Call now to make your reservations. Please email me when you have done it in
case I need to block more rooms.
Siegfried
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New Telescope Curator
By Patrick
Wiggins
Long time loaner scope curator Roger
Butz has decided to relinquish his duties. Over
the past 6 years Roger has spent countless hours maintaining, repairing, improving and handling the many Dobsonian scopes
the club owns and loans to members.
We all, as members, owe Roger a great deal of “Thanks” for his years of
service.
So now what? For now at least, the loaner program is being run by Patrick Wiggins (Gulp!). If you have
been a member of SLAS for at least 30 days and would like to borrow one of the club’s scopes email your request to
paw@trilobyte.net.
Borrowers are guaranteed at least 2 weeks with the scope. After that borrowers
will be allowed to keep the scope until someone else wants it. There is no
charge to borrow these scopes.
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Net at SPOC
By Patrick
Wiggins
Thanks to a very generous donation by Trilo
BYTE (http://trilobyte.net) the observatory in now wired for wireless internet
services. And talk about fast, it really screams! In addition to the equipment and
installation, Neil Lawrence, Trilo BYTE’s owner, has also
agreed to donate the monthly service.
Patrick Wiggins sits at the anonymously donated
computer for the new SPOC observatory and which boasts fast internet
service. Photo by Ron Ford
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Thanks to Donors
By Patrick
Wiggins
“Thanks” to SLAS members Jim Gallagher for donating a microwave
oven and to Ken Harris for his
donation of a refrigerator!
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☼☼☼ Don’t Forget!
☼☼☼
The meeting for August has been moved to September 2nd due to the Mars opposition viewing!
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In Memory
Our “Condolences” to fellow SLAS member Nate Goodman and his sisters, Kathryn Reynolds and Jean Bailard,
who lost their father, Jack Goodman,
on June 4th of this year. Jack was a newspaperman, television news director and
artist. Wife and mother, Marjorie,
died in 1998.
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Dark Sky Committee Proposal
(forwarded
from Patrick’s News)
Footnote:
The following is the response to your request for an acceptable proposal concerning the future of the Dark Sky Committee and the money in its savings account. We feel this proposal is in the best interest of the club and all SLAS members supporting dark sky observing.
We request that the Dark Sky Savings monies remain intact in the existing account and not incorporated into the General account. As you can tell by the new mission statement, our goal will be not only to find a permanent dark sky location, but also, to support all club members in dark sky activities. This support might be finding a way to provide much needed temporary toilet facilities at scheduled private star sites. Also, to help get members transportation who otherwise can not travel to the sites.
Chairman: Scott Crosby
Co-chairman: Nate Goodman
Secretary: Charles Green
Proposal:
Item # 1:
Support SLAS club members planning to do astronomy activities in a dark sky environment. The ultimate goal will be the existence of a secure and permanent dark sky site that can be used by all SLAS members.
Item # 2: Savings Account
Savings account will be maintained to hold monies to be
used for dark sky activity. Source of
money will be from donations. Money can
be accessed by a written request to the
Item # 3 Committee
Consists of a chairman, co-chairman and
secretary. All SLAS members will be encouraged to lend their ideas and
support. Most meetings will occur by electronic
methods. A committee member will report to the
The Dark Sky Committee agenda for July 2003:
1- Contact all current members to confirm committee, and wording of mission statement.
2- Investigate Dwight Ball’s proposal and Scott Crosby’s proposal of sharing a dark sky site.
3- Make contact at U of U, it is rumored they are also looking for a dark site.
4- Give update report to SLAS board.
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In the news…….
Articles by SLAS
member and Deseret News writer
Patrick Wiggins
related a story about preserving old astronomical photographs and the sad
outcome upon receiving some shattered plates from a
observatory in
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Observer’s Handbook/Calendar ’04
From the editor
This is to announce to the membership that the editor received order forms from The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada for the infamous ‘Observer’s Handbook’ and ‘Observer’s Calendar’ for 2004. These forms will be presented at the July, August and September meetings and a sign-up sheet will be available for those who want the “Bible” of amateur astronomy and a beautiful wall calendar.
The forms with money orders will be mailed into RASC after the Sept. meeting. For those unfamiliar with these items, the editor will bring this year’s handbook and calendar for viewing. Again, there will be no collection for taxes or shipping – this is a non-profit task to help get information out to the membership. The more orders we can send in, the lower the cost to the individual(s). These make great Christmas gifts!
If you cannot make any of the meetings mentioned above, contact the editor at (801) 262-6557 or send a email to: sfv1st@hotmail.com.
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Have a telescope, mount or accessories you want to sell or swap? List your items in the NOVA! It’s easy and best of all…it’s a free service to the membership!
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General Elections Coming October 28th!
Considering of running for office? If so, in accordance with the Constitution’s by-laws, those eligible members need to file their candidacy by the end of the August general meeting, which has been moved to September 2nd.
New members are encouraged to run as well as long as they’re at least 18 years of age, are presently a member and be willing to maintain that status throughout the term of their office.
Additionally, no more than one person per membership may run for office for any given term and no more than one person per membership may serve on the Board during any given term.
Candidates will be announced near the end of the September 2nd general meeting. If necessary, primary elections will be held during the September 23rd general meeting by the memberships present for the purpose of narrowing the number of candidates to two for each office.
The President shall appoint three non-candidate members to the election committee during the Sept. meeting. Final candidates will be announced in the Sept-Oct issue of the NOVA and be given 1/4 of a page therein to make their campaign statement which will be due to the editor NLT September 7th.
To be filled are the offices of; President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and two Board Members at Large. To register, contact present Secretary/Treasurer Ron Ford at 969-3666 or email him at ronford@xmission.com.
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SLAS
STAR-B-QUE
From John Houser
The SLAS Star-B-Que Potluck party will be held at
We need people to bring gas grills so we can cook the meat and so far no one has signed up to bring one. We need 4 more to bring a vegetable plate, dip or pickles. In addition, 4 more to bring chips or chip dips. Bottom line is just bring your favorite potluck item to share, your family, a chair and enjoy the company of other amateur astronomers.
Siegfried has signed up to bring a pot of his famous Red Cabbage. I have heard rumors that it is called infamous, but do not tell Siegfried. We need more than Red Cabbage so if you want to sign up for a specific potluck item or can bring a grill, contact John Houser at (801) – 250 – 9371 evenings or email me at: djhouser@juno.com.
There will be an unofficial swap meet so bring any astronomical items you want to sell.
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Is it lights out for the Dark Sky fund?
From Charles Green
A dark sky observing site is a location for from city lights where the Milky Way appears bright enough you can almost see your shadow. A place where one can see so many stars that is it difficult out make out many constellations and obscure faint fuzzy objects are radiant in your eyepiece.
Every month around the time of dark moon many of our club members pack up their telescope, leave home and travel from 60 to 200 miles to enjoy a dark sky. After several hours at the dark site they start to miss some common home comforts such as the bathroom, the kitchen and just a warm area in general. It is the home comforts that are available in a permanent dark sky observing site.
Many club members would like to enjoy what a dark sky offers but
avoid the adventure. Astronomy clubs in
The idea for a dark site for SLAS has been around for a long time. In late 1995 SLAS club members agreed to start saving and planning for a dark site. It was estimated a minimum of $10,000 was needed to make the dream a reality. An interest bearing savings fund was opened where money from donations could accrue. A committee, chaired by Dave Chamberlain, was organized from more than a dozen SLAS members to support the idea. Money was acquired from club member donations. Money was collected in jars at club functions and there were school star party donations. Money from the sale of items as planisphere and light wands at star parties and other money raising projects started the fund growing.
The dark sky
project investigated several possible locations. Sites at a sod farm near
Tooele, property near
After four years a decision was made to stop donations from school star parties from going into the dark sky find. Realizing the minimum goal of $10,000 would be very difficult to acquire. Many dark sky site supporters became very discouraged. With the club focusing on SPOC II and ALCON 2002, planning the dark sky site was unintentionally put aside. At the end of 2002 a proposal was advanced that, “If an acceptable plan of action for a dark sky site was not put forward by the end of March 2003, then the existing dark sky fund would be transferred to the SLAS general account.”
Scott Crosby volunteered
to take on the task. In March the deadline was extended to
Under Scott, a new committee was formed from SLAS members interested in dark skies. A new mission statement was drafted which benefits all individuals who enjoy dark skies.
To join the effort or give your ideas, both pro and con, you need only send an email to the committee secretary (cgreenx2@msn.com) stating your intentions or ideas. Most meetings and communication will be done by email.
On the committee’s current agenda is the evaluation of three possible dark site locations. Also, looking into finding group transportation to dark sky parties and the possibility of providing adequate sanitary facilities at dark sky parties.
It is the committee’s de-sire that the current funds remain in a Dark Sky Saving Fund where future donations can keep the fund growing and the club can support all members who enjoy a dark sky.
Charles Green
monthly photo contest
Congratulations to
Tom Watson &
Mark
waegner
For their winning entries in the May Monthly Photo Contest with their lunar eclipse photos. Their efforts were rewarded with a $5.00 bill each and will receive a certificate from the Camera Den for a free enlargement. Ken Warner is the photo contest coordinator and all entries are voted upon by the membership.
July’s contest
will be Globular star clusters. August’s
contest will be Mars.
From the Belly of an Airplane: Galaxies
By Dr. Tony Phillips
On April 28th a NASA spacecraft named GALEX
left Earth. Its mission: to learn how galaxies are born, how they grow, and how
they die.
Click on the picture for a larger image
L-1011 “Stargazer” takes off to carry a Pegasus rocket on the first 39,000 feet of its climb to deliver a spacecraft to orbit.
“GALEX - short for Galaxy Evolution Explorer - is like a time machine,” says Caltech astronomer
Peter Friedman. It can see galaxies as far away as
10 billion light years, which is like looking 10 billion years into the past.
The key to the mission is GALEX’s ultraviolet (UV)
telescope. UV rays are a telltale sign of hot young stars, newly formed, and
also of galaxies crashing together. By studying the ultraviolet light emitted
by galaxies, Friedman and colleagues hope to trace their evolution spanning
billions of years.
This kind of work can’t be done from the
ground because Earth’s atmosphere absorbs the most energetic UV rays. GALEX
would have to go to space. To get it there, mission planners turned to Orbital
Science Corporation’s Pegasus rocket.
“Pegasus rockets are unusual because of the
way they’re launched-from the belly of an airplane,” says GALEX Project
Engineer Frank Surber of JPL.
It works like this: a modified L-1011
air-liner nicknamed Stargazer carries
the rocket to an altitude of 39,000 feet. The pilot push-es
a button and the Pegasus drops free. For 5 seconds it plunges toward Earth, unpowered, which gives the Stargazer time to get away. Then the rocket ignites its engines and
surges skyward. The travel time to space: only 11 minutes.
“The aircraft eliminates the need for a
large first stage on the rocket,” explains Surber.
“Because Stargazer can be used for
many missions, it becomes a re-useable first stage and makes the launch system
cheaper in the long run.” (To take advantage of this inexpensive launch system,
GALEX design-ers had to make their spacecraft weigh
less than 1000 lbs-the most a Pegasus can carry).
A Pegasus has three stages-not counting the
aircraft. “Its three solid rocket engines are similar to the black powder
rockets used by amateurs. The main difference is that the fuel is cast into a
solid chunk called a ‘grain’ –about the consistency of tire rubber. Like black
powder rockets, once the grain is lit it burns to completion. There’s no turning
back.”
In this case, turning back was not required.
The rocket carried GALEX to Earth orbit and deployed the spacecraft flawlessly.
On May 22nd, the UV telescope opened its cover and began observing
galaxies-“first light” for GALEX and another success story for Pegasus.
For adults, find out more about the GALEX mission at: http://www.galex.caltech.edu/. Kids can read and see a video about Pegasus at:
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/galex/pegasus.html.
The Space Place is a web site for children
with fun and educational activities and facts related to many of NASA’s space
missions. This article was provided by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
managed by Caltech in
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Astro Brief
The Space Shuttle
SPACE SHUTTLE: The History of the National Transportation System. The First 100 Missions. By Dennis R. Jenkins
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☺ Please Welcome These Newcomers for May and June
David C. Bailey,
Scott B. Oransky, Thomas B. Henchy,
David A. Hubert, Natalie S. Bjorge, Jennifer Morgan,
Jennifer A. Fisher, Clayton D. Killpack, Aaron
Lambert and Rosemary Cundiff.
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MARK WAEGNER was
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JOE BAUMAN used a
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YOUNGSTERS couldn’t
wait to get to the eye-pieces of SLAS scopes set up for May’s lunar eclipse party held at Harmons.
Photo by the
editor |
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Minutes of the
Board Meeting for
The Board meeting
was opened at
Ken mentioned that Gary Vardon was schedule to give a presentation on the exposure consequence of a large meteor impact on Earth. He also expressed concern about the promotion and advertising for the star parties. Patrick Wiggins joined in with the fact that SPOC star parties should be pushed. Siegfried Jachmann said the club should get as much publicity as it can despite the new large scope in not ready. He also mentioned that there has been great support from the members. During the lunar eclipse he counted 24 scopes and at least 30 were present by eclipse time that he counted.
Siegfried added that the 8-inch would be in place for the Mars opposition as the optics for the large (36-inch)scope would not be ready. It was felt that the dedication of the new scope would have to wait for next year. Kim then went over making contact with the various media with Patrick.
Ron Ford asked Kim to talk about a 11-inch Celestron. Kim talked to a representative from the company and learned that Celestron refurbishes scopes that come back and then sells them at a discount or donates them.
Roger Ockey has been looking into lap top computers and found some used ones for less than $500. Ken felt that such a refurbished unit would be adequate for the club’s needs. Roger is building a wiring harness at the observatory that will allow one CCD camera to be used on either telescope.
Ken then addressed the Star-B-Que and asked for directions in getting it organized. John Houser volunteered to chair the event, to be held August 2nd.
Siegfried then
updated the
Patrick then proposed nightly Mars watches at SPOC on August 23 – 29 for the public. A motion was made to present the proposal before the member-ship and seconded. Motion carried.
Kim concluded the
meeting by mentioning that many of the RTMC attendees were awed by the SPOC II
project and by the size of its optics when completed. Meeting adjourned at
General Meeting
President Harris
opened the general meeting at
Ron Ford gave the secretary-treasurer’s report as follows: General fund, $7,037.68; Printing & Postage, $280.22; Entertainment, $261.91; Astronomical League, $799.75; SPOC, $6.653.82; Hydrogen-Alpha, $527.50 and Insurance -$229.50 for a balance of $15,671.19 with $4,114.04 in the Dark Sky Fund.
Ken then had Patrick take the floor to talk about the Mars watches at SPOC for those not traveling to Lowell Observatory during opposition. He then gave a SPOC update by first thanking Siegfried for donating wooden walls to be called the “Walls of Fame.” Patrick then mentioned that Level 1 classes were coming up soon for those wanting to use the Ealing telescope. The 8-inch Brandt was replaced on the Big Mount and extra weights were added so that the eyepiece is now located higher off the floor than last year when pointed towards the zenith. In addition, the 8-inch is now computer controlled through The Sky software, making it an awesome “go to” scope. He closed by stating that the optics for the big scope were designated to arrive at the end of June. Hardware pieces are still to be fabricated.
Ken introduce John Houser as the Star-B-Que chairman, who spoke about the party.
Don Colton then announced about a change in location for that weekend’s private star party, perhaps at the gravel pit near Kamas.
President Harris
then introduced Kim Hyatt who gave a presentation on the RTMC which was his
12th year in attending. He spoke of the grant made avail-able through the RTMC
committee for an
Guess speaker Gary Vardon
gave his presentation on the exposure consequences of a large meteor impact on
Earth. He had calculated the air exposure in milligrams per cubic meter
assuming a 10 kilometer meteor struck
Meeting adjourned
at
Minutes of the
Board Meeting for
President Ken
Harris opened the Board meeting at
Ken announced that there will be two presentations, one by Patrick Wiggins and one by James Cobb on the Mars opposition.
President Harris then inquired on the status of the engravings and Roger felt the machine shop should be able to do tests by the end of the week.
John Houser was asked for an update for the Star-B-Que. Plates and other utensils had been located. John will have people sign up for the potluck items they’ll bring. The event will be held at SPOC
Patrick asked Roger the current status of the cabling for the camera at SPOC. Roger is working with SBIG to acquire the information needed to start up the system.
Ken followed with the situation of the H-Alpha scope. He had talked to Roger Butz and he was willing to relinquish the responsibilities as the board decided. The board discussed the problems with having the scope at solar parties on time or present at all.
Siegfried Jachmann recommended that a new custodian be found. After some discussion, Ken made the motion that a new curator be appointed and Ron Ford was nominated by the show of hands. For the loaner scopes, Patrick mentioned that Roger has done an excellent job, but would take the responsibilities as curator of that program. Kim Hyatt will draft a letter of thanks to Roger for his dedication on behalf of the board. Ken made a motion to change the custodianship to Patrick Wiggins. That motion was tabled but Patrick will be handle the loaner scopes temporarily.
Kim Hyatt had not
heard from Celestron on the possible donation of a 11-ich SCT and will contact them by email or telephone.
Kim has also decided to withdraw the motion of dedicating the
Bill Cowles mentioned that at the last solar party at Harmons on 7th East that there was a “for sale” sign near the corner where the scopes are set up.
The editor inquired about the “Big Bang” star party and it was decided to schedule one for next year.
Ron Ford brought up the fact that the new insurance policy was not clear in some areas of coverage and it was decided to meet with the State Farm agent to clear up certain issues.
Siegfried updated
the Lowell Observatory trip in that 49 out of the 80 positions were filled and
will open up the remaining slots to all
It was decided to
continue the board meetings at
General Meeting
The meeting was
opened by the President at
Ron Ford gave the treasurer’s report as follows: General Fund, $7,373.77; Printing & Postage, $226.63; Entertainment, $287.41; Astronomical League, $809.25; SPOC $6,693.83; H-Alpha, $527.50; Savings, $4,114.04 and Insurance -$170.00.
Don Colton gave a
report on
Kim Hyatt
announced that he has withdrawn the motion he made last meeting to dedicate the
Patrick told the
story of how he had received a box from a major
Siegfried Jachmann took the floor to clarify that besides the six
months membership and attendance of three meetings, a
new member must also complete the required training classes and paid their fee
before being allowed to operate either telescope at SPOC. He also announced
that remaining slots for the
There were no planetary photo entries for the monthly photo contest. Ken Warner announced that the July contest will be globular star clusters and August will be Mars.
John Houser discussed the Star-B-Que scheduled for August 2nd.
President Harris then introduced SLAS member James Cobb who put together a presentation on the Mars opposition. He used the Starry Night program to watch the various phases of its closest approach in some 60,000 years. His slides showed how the inner planets would look from 2 astronomical units from Earth’s north pole. In increments, slides showed how Mars diameter grows as Earth catches up and passes.
Meeting adjourned
at