May 2009 - Volume 38, Number 5
MEETING NOTICE: Bobby Thompson has graciously offered to host a fun day of astronomy for members of the BAS and their guests at his home on Saturday May 16th. RSVP TO BILL & MELINDA LORD at ap_guardian@yahoo.com so we know if a second viewing of the movie is needed and how many hot dogs and hamburgers we need. Come for any or all of the events scheduled, just specify when you RSVP.
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 MARCH MEETING
Program
On Thursday, April 9th, approximately 30 BAS members and guests heard Dr. Chuck Higgins, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at MTSU give a presentation titled,” Jupiter and Her Satellites: Radio Connections.” He received his Ph D. from the University of Florida under Tom Carr when the radio astronomy program was at its peak in 1960-79. Dr. Higgins then did a post-doctoral program at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center before moving to Penn State and then to MTSU in teaching positions.
Dr. Higgins is not only one of the world’s experts on the radio astronomy of the planet Jupiter and its moons, but he is also very personable and a very interesting lecturer. Unlike some scientific authorities, Dr. Higgins readily admits that the subject which is the focus of his research is not fully understood. His remarks and his PowerPoint illustrations colorfully illustrated this point. For example, the study of synchroton phenomena which generate radio signals when electrons from volcanic processes on Jupiter’s moon spiral along magnetic lines of force (field lines), is very much a work in progress. Basically, it known that the material which is ejected from volcanoes on the moon Io is a neutral state chemically, but then it becomes ionized. There is also a cyclotron maser instability mechanism involved (masers result when some atoms are excited to a higher energy state and then fall back releasing energy which exite many, many other atoms to release radio wave energy in a large cascade). The moon Io has long been known to be electrically connected to Jupiter. It is now being discovered that other moons such as Europa and Gannymede also have such a connection. However, Io remains prominent because it is only 6 Jovian radii away from the planet-inside the magnetosphere.
In the history of astronomy, the knowledge of radio signals emanating from the Jupiter system is relatively recent. Jovian radio emissions were discovered by accident by Bernie Burke and Ken Franklin in 1955 as an interference. The spacecraft Voyager in 1979 took photographs 10 years after volcanic activity was predicted. The Galileo spacecraft orbited Jupiter for 5 years in the 1990’s gathering data.
On earth, we generally observe these radio signals generated by the Jupiter system between 18 and 24 MHz.
Dr. Higgins also explained the Radio Jove Program, administered by the NASA Goddard Center, which allows amateur radio astronomers such as BAS members Bill and Melinda Lord and hundreds of others around the world to obtain specialized equipment and monitor Jupiter at their home observatories. This same equipment can also be used to receive radio signals from Earth’s Sun and our Galaxy, the Milky Way.
Thanks to Dr. Higgins and the BAS Program Committee for this outstanding presentation.
The Basics
The Roche Limit
Ever wonder why the gas giant planets in the outer solar system have both moons and rings? Why not one or the other, but not both?
The answer is GRAVITY!
As each one of the solar system’s distant giants formed, spinning disks surrounded their equators, much like the disk of gas and dust surrounding the young Sun from which the planets formed. Moons formed from these planetary disks, orbiting in the same direction as their parent planets. The rings we see today around the giant planets either formed out of these same disks, or resulted from the break-up of large moons in the more crowded early solar system.
Material orbiting close to a giant planet is more greatly affected by the planet’s GRAVITY than material farther out. Rings form inside a specific orbital distance, called the Roche Limit, that is unique to each giant planet based on its mass. Within the Roche Limit, tidal forces tear apart any material trying to coalesce into a large moon and rings can result. Beyond the Roche Limit, the planet’s pull is weak enough that material can come together under its own gravity to form moons. However, there is a gray area where some small moons do orbit inside the Roche Limit and the ring systems.
The rings of Jupiter, Neptune, and Uranus pale in comparison to Saturn’s magnificence where impressive rings span about 480,000 km and are paired with a retinue of about 60 known moons. The moons of Saturn range from a few miles across to giant Titan at 4,800 km. in diameter.
Reference: STAR DATE, November/December 2008
A Publication of The University of Texas at McDonald Observatory
Special Meeting and Star Party – May 16th at Bobby Thompson’s.
Bobby Thompson has graciously offered to host a fun day of astronomy for members of the BAS and their guests at his home on Saturday May 16th.
RSVP TO BILL & MELINDA LORD at ap_guardian@yahoo.com so we know if a second viewing of the movie is needed and how many hot dogs and hamburgers we need. Come for any or all of the events scheduled, just specify when you RSVP.
Here is the schedule and details are below:
2:00 pm- Tour of the Walker County Science Center
3:30 pm- “Contact” the movie in 5.1 surround sound
5:30 pm- Another showing of the movie can be done if the group requires it
7:30 pm- Cook out- the club will buy hot dogs, hamburgers and members bring a side item, dessert, drinks or other food.
Nightfall- Bring your telescope, binoculars and/or lawn chairs. There will be plenty of time to observe Saturn. Twilight ends about 21:45 EDT, then it will be galaxy time with Leo and Virgo clusters.
Bobby will also show us his personal observatory and telescope collection.
Bobby spoke to Wayne Robinson, Director of the Walker County Science Center. He will be glad to give a tour to those who want it on Saturday afternoon. The tour will include the new planetarium, the mineral collection, seismograph, and NASA Lunar Impact Observatory. We will try to show the remote operation of the observatory, opening of roof and moving the telescope and mount.
The Science Center address is 409 Pond Springs Road, Chickamauga, Ga. 30707. Bobby’s address is: 24 Martin Clement Dr, Chickamauga, GA 30707.
If you need directions, please contact Bill & Melinda Lord at ap_guardian@yahoo.com.
Mark Your Calendar
Here are a few of the upcoming meetings that have programs scheduled:
May 16: "Contact" the movie and star party at Bobby Thompson's-BAS Members and guests only
June 11: Tom Crowley on hunting Supernovas
July 9: Open.
August 13: Dr Doug Durig (tentative)
September 10: Open
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
Equipment for Sale
Hi Gary and Everyone,
I was a BAS member in the 80s and 90s then moved away to Hawaii. I’m back again but my eyes aren't what they used to be. I have decided to confine my astronomy study to print and internet searches and will soon sell most of my astro gear. I have a 1997 vintage Meade 10" SCT and various eyepieces and accessories, Celestron 25X100 binoculars, charts, books and other miscellanea. I'd like to give the BAS members first shot at everything before I go to ebay and Astromart. I'd like to hear from any/all of you.
Aloha,
Terry Teets
stteets@comcast.net
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
New Website for Barnard Astronomical Society
The new website for the BAS is now at www.BarnardStar.com. Ed Sunder is working to get the site up and running with the assistance of Rod Ruch. Eventually, there will be a member sign in so you can upload astrophotography to the website along with other items to post on the web. Check out the site and contact Ed edsunder@3hd.com or Rod RodRuch@aol.com with suggestions for the website.
Star Party at Girl's Preparatory School
Sunday April 26 members of the BAS assisted teacher Kristi Bryson of the Girl’s Preparatory School with a small star party at the school. John Mannone presented a program to the young ladies on the solar system early in the evening. Afterwards, the students along with a few additional guests looked thru the school’s Meade LX200GPS to see the crescent moon, Saturn and Titan. Bill and Melinda Lord brought their telescope for viewing as well.
Despite the light from downtown and the school property, the students had an enjoyable evening looking at the night sky. BAS member Karen Paik joined the group later in the evening.
Sky Tools 3 Offered at Club Discount
When we went to the Fall Creek Falls star party in April, Sky Tools 3 http://www.skyhound.com was demonstrated to the group. It is a powerful program for observing. It has more features than just an interactive star chart. The Nightly Planner lets you plan a night's observations by filtering a list of potential objects such that only those best observed on that night with your telescope under your observing conditions are displayed. You can log what you view and the log can be used as documentation for Astronomical League observing awards.
The software comes in two editions, Standard and Professional. Sky Hound offers clubs a discount of 25% for orders of 2 to 9 and 40% discount for orders of 10 to 24. We plan to order the software, so if anyone else wants to get a club discount, please contact Bill or Melinda Lord at ap_guardian@yahoo.com or 423-478-9043. We would like to get an order together before the end of May.
Gentlemen Place Your Bets
Peter Higgs, who faced a press conference in Edinburgh a while back was reacting to an interview in which Professor Hawking jokingly suggested that it would be more exciting if the experiment at CERN on the Franco-Swiss border did not find the God particle it has been set up to identify. That it will show something is wrong, and we will need to think again, Hawking had said. Hawking placed a 100 dollar bet that the particle does not exist and continues to argue that there are more interesting outcomes to be drawn from the LHC than the discovery of the Higgs boson.
Higgs, who first postulated the existence of the particle 44 years ago, reacted with visible irritation. "I have to confess I haven't read the paper in which Stephen Hawking makes this claim", he said. But I have read one he wrote, which I think is the basis for the kind of calculation he does. And frankly I don't think the way he does it is good enough. From a particle physics, quantum theory point of view, you have to put a lot more than just gravity into the theory to have a consistent theory and I don't think Stephen has done that. I am very doubtful about his calculations", he added.
Other members of the panel moved swiftly to cut off the discussion, suggesting that he had taken Professor Hawking's views out of context. But, it was clear that Professor Higgs did not rate his rival’s view that the LHC would be more likely to reveal a number of partner particles than the boson. Both men are contenders for the Nobel prize depending on the outcome of the experiment and their spat is likely to send shock waves through the Scientific Establishment.
Note to readers: "As an 'Innocent Bystander' in all of this I am left with the thought "All that money right down a very expensive tube"!
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……………………………………….... Gary Caldwell
Vice-President………………………………………….Bill Lord
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
April Minutes
Treasurer’ Report
Melinda Lord reported a bank balance of approximately $1300.
New Business
President Gary Caldwell appointed the following nominating committee to prepare recommendations for the May election of BAS officers: Bill Seymour, Adam Krause, and Ed Sunder. Names of nominees will be published in the May BARNARD STAR.
Star Parties
Boy Scout Camporee at Camp Columbus on April 17th.
Girls Preparatory School on April 26th.
John Mannone will present an astronomy program prior to the viewing session.
Bobby Thompson home in North Georgia on May 16th
Watch for announcement of daytime activities to be included, and directions.
Note that this event takes the place of the May BAS meeting at the Jones Observatory, which is cancelled.
BAS Web Site
The old site at bas@chattanooga.net is no longer operating. Due to a change in ownership of the web site and a subsequent increase in cost to BAS, we are preparing a new site under the direction of Ed Sunder. He will have a proposal by the next meeting. Watch for updates via e-mail.
REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Thanks to Committee Members Bill Seymour, Adam Krause, and Ed Sunder for their thoughtful deliberations in presenting the following slate of 2009 nominees:
FOR PRESIDENT—Bill Lord; He has done an outstanding job as Vice-President and, along with his partner Melinda, is bringing new energy and ideas to take the club to the next level.
FOR VICE-PRESIDENT—David Witt; A long-time member, he served admirably for many years as Treasurer. Always enthusiastic, he has been a strong supporter of community outreach and star-parties. He has agreed to enter into a line-of-succession to run for President at some future time.
FOR SECRETARY—Bill Seymour; He has very strong writing skills and wants to continue in this job where he has been a very steady performer over the last several years.
FOR TREASURER—Melinda Lord; With a very extensive accounting background to combine with high enthusiasm for astronomy, she is a valuable officer and has agreed to continue in this position.
The election will be conducted at the May meeting according to Section IV.C. of the BAS Constitution. Nominations from the floor will also be entertained at that time.
Appreciation is due to the following persons who contribute with dedication month after month in volunteer and/or appointed positions for BAS:
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
Also, special thanks to retiring President Dr. Gary Caldwell for his many years of service to BAS in various positions and his strong support of public outreach, including star parties. Gary has decided not to seek office in 2009.
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.