July 2009 - Volume 38, Number 7
MEETING NOTICE: The regular meeting of the BARNARD ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY will be held Thursday, July 9th at Jones Observatory on Brainerd Rd. The observatory doors will open at 6:45 p.m. Refreshments and social hour begin at 7:00 p.m. The program will be presented at 7:30 p.m. followed by the business meeting at 8:30.
PROGRAM: Dr. Gary Caldwell will present a program on astrophotography
The Barnard STAR is the official publication of the Barnard Astronomical Society.
Planned Activities to Enjoy The Wonders of Astronomy—
Celebrating Amateurs Who Are Professional in Knowledge
"Giving amateurs their due: The term ‘amateur' is often used negatively as a synonym for ‘unskilled.' Not here! In astronomy, the word remains true to its Latin root, amator, meaning ‘lover.' Amateur astronomers spend countless hours under the starry sky purely for the love of it. Many become as skilled at telescope observing or astrophotography as any professional—often more so."
Discovering the Joy of Astronomy
"The joy of astronomy comes from finding your way around the starry sky and understanding what you see." –The Editors, SKY AND TELESCOPE MAGAZINE
Mourning the Increasing Loss of Dark Night Skies in Our Cities
"There is no more important task for the modern amateur astronomer than to fight the steady growth of light pollution in urban areas. Already we are witnessing the tragedy of the first generation of city children who might never see the beauty of a dark night sky."
--Director, Observatory, Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Note: BAS endorses outdoor lighting restriction efforts by the International Dark Sky Association (IDSA) and also by local organizations such as Save Roane Starry Skies (SRSS) at The Tamke-Allan Observatory, Roane State College, Harriman , TN.
Technical Areas of Specialization within BAS for Member Participation
Large Aperture/Dark Sky/Deep Space Optical Astronomy at Several Regional Dark Sky Sites
For more information, contact David Witt or Victor Rogers.
Astrophotography
For more information, contact David Hanon, Ed Sunder or Dr. Gary Caldwell
Radio Astronomy at a Fully Functional Radio Telescope Observatory Outside of Cleveland, TN
For more information, contact Bill and Melinda Lord, Bill Seymour, or John Mannone.
Sidewalk Astronomy—"Chattanooga Out of This World" Challenging Optical Viewing of The Earth's Moon and The Inner Planets for the General Public from Downtown Locations Surrounded By Bright City Lights
For more information, contact Tom Adkins, Joe D'Agostonoor Dr. Gary Caldwell.
BAS JUNE MEETING
Program
On Thursday, June 11th, approximately 18 members and two visitors heard a very interesting program, "Searching for Supernovas", presented by Tom Crowley. Tom is a member of the Atlanta Astronomy Club and the Puckett Observatory Supernova Search Team, whose amateur astronomers have discovered more than 170 Supernovas. Tom is also president of The Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA), an international organization with members in many countries. Although his primary residence is in Atlanta, he also maintains a home with large acreage for astronomy activities at a dark sky site in Chiefland, Florida.
Tom’s presentation introduced the audience to the various classifications of Supernovas, based primarily on spectral type. He described how amateurs hunt Supernovas and what procedures need to be followed to report their discovery to the amateur and professional community.
In addition to Supernova hunting using various large Puckett telescopes and his own home-built 24 inch Dobsonian, Tom does visual observing, CCD imaging, and radio astronomy.
BAS was indeed fortunate to have one of the world’s outstanding amateur astronomers to give the June program. Thank you, Tom.
The Basics
By the Numbers: A Quick Reference of Outer Space Dimensions
10 million trillion atoms in one cubic centimeter of air at sea level---1 atom only per cubic centimeter in the void between stars---1 atom only per cubic meter in the void between galaxies---Earth is 5 billion years old and 7,921 miles in diameter---Distance to our moon is approx. 238,000 miles (slightly elliptical orbit)---Distance to our Sun is 93,150,000 miles or 1 Astronomical Unit (AU)---Distance to Pluto’s orbit varies between 26 and 52 AU---Distance to nearest star (other than our Sun), Alpha Centauri, is 4.3 Light Years (LY)---Speed of light is 186, 170 miles per second—1 AU is 8 minutes at speed of light---Light travels 5.9 trillion miles in 1 LY---1 LY is 65,555 AU---A Parsec is 3.26 LY---Milky Way Galaxy is 90,000 LY wide and 3,000 LY thick---Estimated number of stars in The Milky Way Galaxy: 400 billion+ ---Estimated number of galaxies in the universe: 50 billion+ ---Estimated number of stars in universe: 5 billion trillion---Estimated age of universe: 14 to 16 billion years.
It’s a vast cosmos out there, so big that normal units of measurement here on Earth are unwieldy to use. Hence the special nomenclature: Astronomical Units, Light Years, and Parsecs.
Not to mention possible parallel universes, which would enlarge the scale of things almost beyond comprehension!!
Reference: Astronomy Academic QUICK STUDY Course Guide, 1999.
July Program
Dr. Gary Caldwell will present the July 9 program on astrophotography. His presentation will include matching the scope and pixel size, things affecting the length of exposure, LRGB imaging, one-shot color imaging, dark, flat and bias frames and how to use them in calibrating images.
Mark Your Calendar
Here are a few of the upcoming meetings that have programs scheduled:
July 9: Gary Caldwell on astrophotography
August 13: Dr Doug Durig "Recent Observations and Discoveries from the Cordell-Lorenz Observatory: Jupiter Trojan 2008 UF90 and Comet Giacobini 205/P-b and 205/P-c"
September 10: Ed Sunder will be presenting a program on how he does image processing of astrophotography. Though the focus of the presentation is processing, image acquisition will be discussed as well.
October 8: Joint Meeting with the Chemical Society, Prof. John Mannone will present a program of interest to both astronomers and chemists.
November 12: Paul Lewis, UTK
December 5: Annual BAS Christmas Party
Telescope Project
We would like to start a group within the Barnard Astronomical Society for those interested in building telescopes. We have had a donation to the club of two mirrors and some parts to build two telescopes. If you are interested in helping with these, or in building your own telescope, let us know.
Bill & Melinda Lord 423-478-9043
www.tnSkyNet.com
BAS Members Purchase Advanced Astronomy Software
At least seven club members have signed up to purchase Sky Tools 3, which was demonstrated at the Fall Creek Falls Star Party. This powerful computer program for observers has many more features than an interactive star chart. For example, the Nightly Planner displays the best observed objects for a given night with your telescope at your location by filtering its massive memory of all available sky targets. There is also a feature for the observer to log actual observations which can also be used as documentation for Astronomical League observing awards.
Bill and Melinda Lord are handling the orders for Sky Tools 3, using a special club discount for multiple purchases.
Telescope Loaner Program Donation
Bill Seymour has donated two telescopes to the BAS loaner program. One six inch Newtonian Reflector, f/8, with metal equatorial mount, constructed with parts from Edmund Scientific Co. in good condition.
One Jason 2.5 inch refractor with tripod mount and wooden carrying box. In good condition, except the mirror diagonal is broken and needs to be replaced.
Both of these telescopes are simple, easy to use, with significant magnification (beyond the toy level), and would be wonderful for persons who are just beginning in the astronomy hobby.
The club has several telescopes for loan. Contact Adam Krause krausea34@yahoo.com or Bill Lord ap_guardian@yahoo.com to get a telescope.
Telescope for Sale
We recently purchased a 10" Meade LX200 so we are offering our 8" f4 Meade LXD55 for sale for $500.00 This is a Schmidt-Newtonian Telescope with GOTO on a German Equatorial mount and a heavy duty tripod. Comes with 3 vibration isolation pads. Contact Bill Lord ap_guardian@yahoo.com 423-478-9043.
Anti Matter Gravitational Effects
Conversations in Cosmology by Francis Cordell
Physicists have studied antimatter, the mirror version of ordinary matter for decades. We know, for example, that antiparticles have the same mass as ordinary particles, but opposite charge. But no one knows what effect gravity will have on such particles. Several groups want to measure exactly how the Earth will pull on antimatter. The tests would create a horizontal beam of the stuff and measure how much gravity deflects it.
Though the complicated ballistic test may show no difference between the way matter and antimatter fall, some experimentalists are holding out hope that they may see something completely unexpected, which could point the way to new gravity-like forces, or perhaps even antigravity.
If antimatter fell down faster, it would mean the discovery of at least one new force, probably two. If it fell up, it would mean our understanding of general relativity is incorrect!
Gravity is largely expected to have the same effect on antimatter as it does on matter. But theories of quantum gravity, which attempt to unite quantum mechanics and general relativity, allow for the possibility of two other gravity-like forces. In ordinary matter, these forces would oppose each other, canceling out any effect. For antimatter, these two forces could add together, pulling such particles towards Earth even harder. As for the possibility of antigravity, it is not ruled out in the standard model of physics. As a result, some researchers have suggested antimatter may be repelled by gravity. That could explain why so little antimatter is found today, even though theories predict it should have been as plentiful as matter in the early universe.
This possibility of observing strange new physics has led several researchers to lobby for new accelerator experiments. At least two other proposals are in the works for CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. The more developed proposal is for an experiment called AEGIS, which would be set up at CERN’s Antiproton Decelerator and if approved, might be able to return its first data within five years. Each experiment would test the effect of gravity on anti hydrogen, particles which have the same mass as hydrogen but contain antiprotons instead of protons and positrons instead of electrons.
Confused? Then you are not alone! Good Seeing!
Good Seeing!
DIRECTIONS TO ORION ACRES
FROM NORTH HAMILTON COUNTY:
From 27 (corridor J) take hwy. 111 to Dunlap, continue through the Sequatchie Valley up the next mountain (Cagle Mountain). When you reach the summit about 5 miles turn LEFT onto hwy. 399 (sign reads 'to Savage Gulf State Park' Stay on 399 until it ends, which will be in Grundy Co. Now make a LEFT onto hwy. 108 South. This goes thru Palmer TN. Continue on 108 up to a higher elevation. When this levels off, turn RIGHT onto Palmer Fire Tower Rd. This is a large open area with possibly trucks loaded with timber for the paper mills. Orion Acres will be on the RIGHT about 8 tenths mile.
FROM INTERSTATE 24 (to Nashville):
Go to the Dunlap/Whitwell exit (#155). This is hwy. 28. Exit right and keep on 28 for about 11 miles, passing Hardee's on your left. Continue through the stoplight and take the next LEFT on Hwy. 108 North. Continue another 11 or so miles. You will see 'Grundy County' sign. Take the next left. This is Palmer Fire Tower Rd. Go 8 tenths of a mile and Orion Acres is on the RIGHT
Start Your Own Meteorite Collection
Through a special purchase arranged by the University of The South, BAS has obtained a large meteorite collection at an unusually low price per gram. These meteorites will be offered for sale to BAS members at the August 14th meeting as a fund-raiser for the Club treasury.
The unclassified North West Africa (NWA) EL3 meteorites have been individually bagged with the weight and magnetic strength noted for each one. There is a wide selection of sizes and the price will be very affordable.
Can't make it to the meeting? You can place your order with Bill & Melinda Lord at ap_guardian@yahoo.com or 423-478-9043. The price is just 10 cents per gram, and add $5.00 for shipping and handling.
TELESCOPES WANTED
We want everyone in our club to have access to a great telescope. Our plan is to refurbish telescopes so that we can loan them to astronomers without scopes of their own. I f you have a telescope or accessories you are no longer using, please let us have it. We promise someone will use it and treat it with care and respect. Of course you can have a receipt for your tax write-off and every penny is welcome if you would like to donate money so we can buy or fix up a telescope.
Contact Gary Caldwell, Adam Krause or Bill Lord if you have a donation, we will happily come to your door to pick up your unwanted telescope. Sponsorship information will be posted on the web and in the Barnard Star.
BAS WEB SITE
http://bas.chattanooga.net
Officers
President……………………………………….... Bill Lord
Vice-President………………………………………….David Witt
Secretary…………………………………...………Bill Seymour
Treasurer………………………………………….Melinda Lord
STAR Editor……………………………………….Steve Ramey
Webmaster…………………………………………….Rod Ruch
Star Party Chairman……………………………...Victor Rogers
Outreach Coordinator…………………………...John Mannone
Program Committee Co-Chairs… John Mannone and Bill Lord
Member-at Large……………………………………David Witt
May Minutes
Business Session
President Bill Lord presented the evening speaker, Tom Crowley, with a special asteroid sample in an attractive plastic transparent container.
Melinda Lord gave the treasurer’s report: $1,217.58 in the bank account as of May 31st.
Ed Sunder gave a report on the BAS web site. He will send an e-mail to members containing log-in information. Future plans include discussion areas, images, and the posting of BAS member picture IDs and a database for their equipment and areas of interest. Pictures will be forwarded by club members to BarnardStar.org or BarnardStar.com. Image loading software will be working later in the summer.
Welcome to new members-Ronnie Floyd and Jim Cross.
REMINDER- Your annual BAS dues of are now due on the anniversary of your membership in accordance with the adopted amendment to the by-laws. The due date appears below your name on the address on the front of this newsletter. If your expiration date says "Overdue" or if you don't agree with the date shown, contact Melinda Lord to resolve discrepancies. The current dues rates are as follows: REGULAR $15.00, REGULAR ASSOCIATE $7.00, JUNIOR $8.00, JUNIOR ASSOCIATE $5.00. Your Sky & Telescope or Astronomy subscription will continue to be handled as in the past. When you receive your subscription reminder card, submit it to:
Melinda Lord
354 N West Cir NW
Cleveland, TN 37312-1011
Along with the group subscription rate of $32.95 for Sky and Telescope, or $34.00 for Astronomy. Note the increased rate for Astronomy. This was effective July 31, 2005
DEADLINE- All articles and other materials for publication in the next STAR are due no later than Wednesday, June 3rd. The following media are acceptable: hard copy, disk (IBM), video tape (VHS), prints, or e-mail to bas@chattanooga.net or stramey@catt.com and attach a file or mail to:
Steve Ramey
109 Sioux Trail
Ringgold GA 30736
PHOTOGRAPHS ARE ALSO ACCEPTABLE.