{"id":1904,"date":"2019-04-13T10:37:22","date_gmt":"2019-04-13T14:37:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/?p=1904"},"modified":"2019-08-29T11:04:13","modified_gmt":"2019-08-29T15:04:13","slug":"aprmayjun2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/2019\/04\/13\/aprmayjun2019\/","title":{"rendered":"AprMayJun2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Monthly Meetings<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

At the January monthly meeting, Al Washburn presented some of his favorite astronomy books, including some from his childhood and some more modern one. The details, illustrations, and star maps in the old books were fascinating. A few were very old, including Mattison’s Astronomy Illustrated<\/em> by Hiram Mattison published in 1851! Another classic was The Humanizing of Knowledge Series: Starlight<\/em> by Harlow Shapley (1926). Then there was the popular children’s book, My Little Golden Book About the Sky<\/em>, by Rose Wyler (1956). A more recent selection was Beyond The Night Sky<\/em> by Chris Oxlade (1996), which is a cute pop-up book.  Finally, there was Faces of the Moon<\/em> by none other than ASNH member Bob Crelin, a children’s book that has cutouts to show the changing shapes of the Moon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Discussion of recent observations focused mainly on the January lunar eclipse, which many of those present had observed. It was a clear but very cold winter night, and most people either went outside now and then for a quick look, or were able to view the eclipse through a window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the February meeting, Leo Taylor gave a presentation about the construction and operation of his backyard observatory, which was in use for about 18 years until he took it down in 2018. Leo talked about the many advantages of having a personal observatory: It protects you and the scope from the wind, the scope can be permanently mounted so nightly polar alignment is not needed, and you can open up the observatory quickly any time there are clear skies. The observatory can block neighbors’ lights, and shelves can be built in the walls for storage of accessories, equipment, and reference books. In Leo’s case, the observatory was used mainly for astrophotography, and he could program a night’s worth of images on his computer and then retreat to the warmth of his home. Leo showed some of his images of the International Space Station and of geostationary satellites. Many of his deep-sky images have appeared in different issues of this newsletter, including page 7 of this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Leo Taylor’s Elizabeth Observatory, named in memory of his mother.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the lead of Al Washburn last month, Leo presented a few of his favorite astronomy books. One was an atlas of the Moon with beautiful hand-drawn pictures. He also presented Burnham’s Celestial Handbook<\/em>, a massive three-volume reference set with information on thousands of deep-sky objects. Several of those in the audience mentioned that they also owned copies of this classic reference work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the March meeting, Laurie Averill gave a presentation about the Sun. She showed several short videos from NASA that demonstrated the dynamic activity taking place within the different regions of the Sun. The temperature of the Sun varies dramatically in different layers, from 15 million degrees K in the core to about 4500 degrees at the photosphere, and then increasing again to 1 million degrees in the corona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the next several years, the Parker Solar Probe will be making many important observations of the Sun at various wavelengths, and it will eventually get as close as 3.8 million miles from the Sun, much closer than any previous spacecraft, and certainly a very hot journey!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A cross-section of the Sun. NASA image.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Recent ASNH Activities<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Blackstone Library, Branford CT, Saturday, January 12<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ASNH has loaned an Orion 4.5-inch Starblast telescope to the Blackstone Library, which can be borrowed by library patrons. The telescope loan program has been very popular. To follow up on this public outreach effort, we occasionally have public presentations at Blackstone to foster interest in astronomy and promote the use of the telescope. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our latest event was on January 12, with several members attending and participating in the program. Jim Mazur began by giving an overview of what can be seen in the sky this winter with a small telescope. He also mentioned the upcoming lunar eclipse on January 20. About 50 people attended, young and old, and all were given a star chart for the January sky, and a list of good targets. Jim explained how to use the technique of star-hopping to find objects like the Orion Nebula and the Perseus Double Cluster. Then Al Washburn gave an introduction to the ASNH meteorite collection, which was on display. This was followed by a hands-on session in which everyone could come up to look at and touch the meteorites. At the same time, Laurie Averill and Greg Barker showed people how to use the loaner telescope, and other ASNH members were there to answer general questions about astronomy. The event was well received, and many of the public were very enthusiastic about the topics we presented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guilford Free Library, Wednesday January 16<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This event was similar to the program at Blackstone Library on January 12, except that it was an evening event so we tried to do some observing after the indoor program. Guilford Free Library has a similar 4.5-inch Orion telescope that the library purchased through a grant. Another good group of about 50 people attended this event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As in the Blackstone program, Jim Mazur talked about the winter sky, star charts were distributed to everyone, and Al Washburn presented the meteorite collection. After this, Laurie Averill and Greg Barker set up the telescope just outside the library, and Donna Pursley and Mike Zarick set up scopes nearby on the Guilford Green. The night was mostly cloudy, but there were enough breaks in the clouds so that several of those who stayed around were able to observe the gibbous Moon through the scopes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This event was reported in an article in the New Haven Register<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Public Observing at Young’s Park, Saturday, March 16<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our\nfirst public event of the year actually wasn\u2019t cancelled!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were clouds, on and off while we were there. We were able to see the Moon, the Orion nebula, ET, double stars and other clusters when the clouds opened up. There were a fair amount of people that braved the cold and stayed for a while. A few new ASNH members were also there, and it was great to have them participate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just as we were packing up the sky cleared up and a young couple showed up with their scope. They set right up and were finding things with a little help. They seemed eager to stay for a while even in the cold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teen Program at Guilford Free Library, March 21<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This program consisted of presentations about the Sun and about meteorites. A small group of teens got a chance to watch some amazing videos of solar activity, presented by Laurie Averill. They got to try a demonstration using iron filings and an electromagnet to trace magnetic field lines, illustrating the fields that are present around sunspots. Then Al Washburn described the meteorite collection, and the teens were eager to handle the meteorites and ask a lot of questions. Some of their parents also got to inspect the meteorite collection, and all were enthusiastic about these rocks from outer space. Dave Noble and Jim Mazur were also at the program to help out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Upcoming Public Events<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

These events are free and open to the public. If the weather looks questionable for an observing event, check the ASNH website<\/a> after 4:00pm. There will be a scrolling message on the home page if an event has been cancelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday, April 5, 8:00-10:00pm<\/strong>
Hammonasset Beach State Park
1288 Boston Post Rd,  Madison CT (map<\/a>)
Public observing event at Meigs Point Nature Center
Rain date: Saturday, April 6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, April 6, 8:00am \u2013 5:00pm<\/strong>
New England Air Museum
36 Perimeter Road, Windsor Locks, CT 06096 (map<\/a>)
The ASNH meteorite collection will be on display<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, April 13, 1:00-2:00pm<\/strong>
Durham Public Library
7 Maple Ave. Durham, CT (map<\/a>)
Presentation on springtime sights for small telescopes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday, April 26, 8:00-10:00pm<\/strong>
Silver Sands State Park
Milford, CT (map<\/a>)
Public observing event <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, April 27, 7:00-10:00pm<\/strong>
Young’s Park
60 Blackstone Ave, Branford CT (map<\/a>)
Public observing event<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday, April 30, 7:00pm<\/strong>
Unitarian Universalist Church
608 Whitney Avenue, New Haven CT
General monthly meeting<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday, May 3, 8:00-10:00pm<\/strong>
Southbury Public Library
100 Poverty Road, Southbury, CT (map<\/a>)
Public observing event<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, May 11, 8:00pm<\/strong>
Bauer Park
Hunters Trail and Copse Road, Madison CT (map<\/a>)
Public observing event<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday, May 23, 8:00-10:00pm<\/strong>
Silver Sands State Park
Milford, CT (map<\/a>)
Public observing event <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, May 24, 8:00-10:00pm<\/strong>
Young’s Park
60 Blackstone Ave, Branford CT (map<\/a>)
Public observing event <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday, May 28, 7:00pm<\/strong>
Unitarian Universalist Church
608 Whitney Avenue, New Haven CT
General monthly meeting<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, June 1, 1:00-2:00pm<\/strong>
Durham Public Library
7 Maple Ave. Durham, CT (map<\/a>)
Presentation of loaner telescope to library and display of ASHN meteorite collection<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, June 8, 8:00-10:00pm<\/strong>
Young’s Park
60 Blackstone Ave, Branford CT (map<\/a>)
Public observing event <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upcoming Events for ASNH Members<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, April 13, 7:00-10:00pm<\/strong>
Lake Gaillard, North Branford CT (map<\/a>)
Public outreach event with the Regional Water Authority. Telescopes needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday, May 17, 8:00pm<\/strong>
Camp Cedarcrest, Orange CT (map<\/a>)
Cub scout outreach event. Telescopes needed.
Rain date: Saturday, May 18<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, June 22, 12:00-6:00pm<\/strong>
Summer Solstice Picnic
Osbornedale State Park Pavillion, Derby CT (map<\/a>)
Details will be forthcoming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Features<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

If you have not looked at the newsletter before, check out some of the regular features. There are four useful links in the menu at the top of this page:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calendar <\/strong> This is a monthly calendar that includes all the scheduled events of ASNH, other regional events of interest, plus the dates and times of noteworthy events in the night sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SkyMap <\/strong> This page has a chart of the sky as it appears over the New Haven area at the present date and time. It is constantly updated, so you can go to this page on any clear night to see what is overhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Space Place<\/strong> Read the monthly article from Space Place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Directions <\/strong>This page gives directions to all the locations where regular activities of ASNH take place, including the monthly meeting, public observing sessions, and the annual Connecticut Star Party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other regular features can be found within these pages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upcoming Public Events <\/strong>Many ASNH events are free and open to the public. These include the monthly meetings and public observing sessions at Young’s Pond Park in Branford and Silver Sands State Park in Milford. This section gives the dates, times, and descriptions of these events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upcoming Events for ASNH Members <\/strong>These events are for ASNH members only. Some are private observing nights, and others are outreach events where volunteers are needed with the telescopes and equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Night Sky Highlights <\/strong>This section lists some objects to observe in the sky during the next few months, whether you are using just your eyes, a pair of binoculars, or a telescope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gallery <\/strong> This section features photographs of celestial targets taken by ASNH members and others. If you have a picture you want to share with us, please submit it to newsletter@asnh.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Night Sky Highlights for April-June 2019<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Solar System<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Moon<\/strong>
On Friday, May 10<\/strong>, the crescent Moon will pass through the Beehive Cluster (Messier 44) between approximately 10 pm and midnight. It should be an interesting sight through binoculars or a telescope at low power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mercury
<\/strong>We will have a good chance to observe Mercury after sunset in the middle of June this year. As always, a clear view of the western horizon is needed.  On Tuesday, June 18<\/strong>, Mars will be just 1\/4 of a degree below Mercury, easily visible in the same telescopic field of view. Mercury (magnitude 0.2) will be noticeably brighter than Mars (magnitude 1.8).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venus<\/strong>
Throughout the spring, Venus will remain low in the eastern sky just before dawn. Because it is so bright, it should be visible even as the sky brightens, but it will be hard to spot by the end of June. It is moving away from Earth, and will appear as a small gibbous disk through a telescope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mars<\/strong>
Because Mars is moving to the east among the background stars, it stays in western sky after sunset throughout April, May, and June, even as the constellations move along. Unfortunately it is very far from Earth and very small (less than 4″ in diameter in June, which is not much larger than the apparent size of Uranus!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jupiter<\/strong>
Jupiter reaches opposition on June 9, so on that date it rises as the Sun sets. This means that it will be well placed for observing in the east during evening. In April and May, it rises in the late or mid-evening, so you will have to stay up late (or get up before dawn) to see it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturn<\/strong>
Throughout the spring, Saturn be easy to spot in the morning sky among the stars of Sagittarius. In mid-June, it will be rising about 2 hours after sunset, so it will be well placed for observing in the southeastern sky around midnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uranus<\/strong>
Uranus will be too close to the Sun to observe through most of the spring. In June it rises before dawn, but it will still be hard to spot in the morning twilight. To find it, you will need a finder chart such as the one in this article from the Sky & Telescope<\/em> website:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

www.skyandtelescope.com\/observing\/planets\/ice-giants-neptune-and-uranus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neptune<\/strong>
The link above also has a finder chart for Neptune.  If you want an easy way to spot it, try before dawn on Wednesday,<\/strong> April 10<\/strong>, when Neptune will be just 0.4 degrees northwest of Venus. Point your scope at brilliant Venus, and dim Neptune should be visible nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deep Sky Objects<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Galaxies are plentiful in the spring sky, and some of the more prominent ones are listed below, but there are some closer targets worth finding as well. If you need directions, click on any of the links below to get printable star-hop charts for these objects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Algieba (Gamma Leonis)<\/strong>
Double star in Leo
Gamma Leonis is a well known double star in the “sickle” portion of the constellation Leo. The brighter star appears orange or reddish, and the dimmer companion is yellow. The two stars are only 4.7 arcseconds apart, so fairly high magnification will help to separate the pair. They are about 130 light years away. Star-hop chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messier 3<\/strong>
Globular cluster in Canes Venatici
At magnitude 6.3, Messier 3 is one of the brightest globular clusters in the sky, and one of the most impressive to observe with an amateur telescope. It is about 33,000 light years away and contains about half a million stars. It has a very dense center. Medium to large telescopes will resolve countless stars around its periphery.  Star-hop chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messier 44, the Beehive Cluster<\/strong>
Open cluster in Cancer
This is one of the nearest open clusters, about 610 light years away. It is visible to the naked eye as a large hazy patch in the center of the dim constellation Cancer, about twice the diameter of the full Moon. Because of its large size, it is best viewed through binoculars or a telescope at low power.  Star-hop chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messier 95 and 96
<\/strong>Galaxies in Leo
These are two spiral galaxies, about 30 million light years away. They are only about 2\/3 degree apart, so they should be visible side by side in a telescope with a low power eyepiece.  Star-hop chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messier 59 and 60
<\/strong>Galaxies in Virgo
These two elliptical galaxies are part of the Coma-Virgo cluster of galaxies, about 60 million light years away. At around magnitudes 10 and 9, respectively, they should be visible in even small amateur telescopes. Just to the northwest of M60, almost touching it, is a dimmer spiral galaxy, NGC 4647.  Star-hop chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messier 58, 89, and 90
<\/strong>Galaxies in Virgo
After viewing M59 and M60, it is just about a 1-degree hop to the west to find M58, and then hops of similar size to the north to find M90 and M89. M89 is an elliptical galaxy, whereas M58 and M90 are spirals. All of them are about 50 to 60 million light years away. Star-hop chart<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messier 104, the Sombrero Galaxy<\/strong>
Galaxy in Virgo
This iconic galaxy is a popular target for amateur astronomers. Its bright nucleus and sharply pointed arms are fairly easy to see. The lower half of the galaxy, below the broad dust lane, is dimmer and requires a reasonably dark sky to see well.  Star-hop chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messier 106<\/strong>
Galaxy in Canes Venatici
This bright spiral galaxy is about 25 million light years away. At magnitude 8.4, its oblong shape can be seen in just about any telescope, and large scopes will reveal some of the structure of its spiral arms and dust lanes. The diameter of this galaxy is about 125,000 light years, which makes it larger than our own Milky Way galaxy.  Star-hop chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Gallery, page 1<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Several of the deep-sky objects described in the Night Sky Highlights of this issue are displayed on these two pages of the Gallery. All the images on this page were taken by Leo Taylor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\nMessier 3, a dense globular cluster in Canes Venatici. Taken with a Meade 2080 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain and a Pentax K110D camera.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Messier 44, the Beehive Cluster in Cancer. Taken with an Orion ST80 telescope and an SBIG ST4000XCM imager. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Messier 106, spiral galaxy in Canes Venatici, and (to the left) galaxy NGC 4348. Taken with a Meade 2080 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain and an SBIG ST7E imager. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Gallery, page 2<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Here are photos of a few more of the objects mentioned in this issue’s Night Sky Highlights. All images on this page were taken by Jim Mazur, using a Meade 14-inch LX850 scope and an SBIG ST8300M imager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Messier 59 (right) and Messier 60 (left). Just to the upper right of M60 is the spiral galaxy NGC 4647.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Messier 95, a barred spiral galaxy in Virgo. Notice the prominent central bar and the ring structure surrounding it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Spiral galaxy Messier 96 in Virgo.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Monthly Meetings At the January monthly meeting, Al Washburn presented some of his favorite astronomy books, including some from his childhood and some more modern one. The details, illustrations, and star maps in the old books were fascinating. A few … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1904","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-11"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1904","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1904"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"http:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1904\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1961,"href":"http:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1904\/revisions\/1961"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1904"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1904"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1904"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}