{"id":2781,"date":"2022-10-02T14:12:40","date_gmt":"2022-10-02T18:12:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/?p=2781"},"modified":"2023-02-03T09:01:38","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T14:01:38","slug":"octnovdec2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/2022\/10\/02\/octnovdec2022\/","title":{"rendered":"OctNovDec2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Connecticut Star Party 32<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

September 23-25, 2022<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By Donna Pursley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a long hiatus, we finally had a real CSP. We saw many of the usual crowd plus a number of first timers this year. The biggest news was the wind. There was a cold front coming through and the wind was worse than most of us have ever set up our scopes in. Very few people set up their scopes early on Friday. Some that did had their scopes
blow over in the high winds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We had a new caterer this year and the food was varied and good. What I especially liked were the vegetarian options, the pulled pork and the cookies. After dinner on Friday many more set up their scopes. The problem is that with the field so big, everyone is spread out and we don\u2019t hear the usually banter amongst groups. We only set up my 6\u201d on the table. It was a clear night but we packed up early because I couldn\u2019t hold on to my scope and look at my charts at the same time. The wind gusts were unbelievable. Overnight it was very cold. I think it got down to 38 degrees. Most people were camping in tents so I imagine they were cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday was just as windy during the day. Pete Kanderfer was an excellent speaker in the morning. The afternoon speaker, Kelly Lepo, had a very interesting talk about the Webb Telescope. There was a nice twist to the raffle as one person who won a scope wanted to have it raffled off to one of the youngsters who were in attendance. The young man who won was so excited it was wonderful to see. He is new to observing but has lots of people around him to show him the ropes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday evening just after 7:30, those who were on the observing field got a quite a surprise as a SpaceX rocket launched from Cape Canaveral suddenly appeared in the eastern sky. It was very bright and put on quite a show. Several people were able to get good pictures of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday night the wind calmed down and it was warmer. Many more scopes came out including our 10\u201d dob. We stayed out until 1am when the clouds started moving in. Overall, it turned out to be a very nice CSP. It was great to see everyone again. I want to thank all the people that helped set up and take down. You made my life so much less
hectic during the event.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Remembering Allan Sacharow<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

10\/12\/1928 – 8\/29\/2022<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Bob Crelin:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allan Sacharow, a Remembrance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my 3rd grade year of elementary school, I joined my 8 year old classmates on a field trip to the Museum of Art, Science & Industry in Bridgeport, CT.  Allan Sacharow was working as director of the museum\u2019s planetarium at the time, where he had crafted many of the incredible space exhibits as well as being our \u2018star show\u2019 guide.  That day, Allan expertly revealed the vast mystery that completely captivated my imagination and sense of wonder. Unbeknownst to my younger self, that experience was to ignite a fire within me that still burns today, and Allan would later become a dear friend, mentor, and partner in my own astronomical and educational pursuits.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A devoted husband, father, teacher and amateur astronomer (among many other interests), Allan was a passionate man, with the personal warmth and ease to strike up a conversation with anyone – anywhere.  He was a storyteller beyond compare, with endless tales from his many adventures.  Allan was a devout fan of humankind\u2019s exploration beyond our planet, right from the dawn of the Space Age.  He was also was an active observer and photographer of the night sky – often building the equipment and telescopes he used.  While working at the Bridgeport museum, Allan employed his wide-ranging skills to design and construct many of the inventive exhibits that created the indelible experience of my youth.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 By the time I met Allan, I had become an active amateur astronomer, and he had retired from teaching at Foran High School in Milford. During his years at Foran, he initiated and oversaw the construction of a state-of-the-art planetarium as well as a rooftop astronomical observatory at the school.  Far from settling down, he was still full of energy and ideas about sharing his astronomical knowledge and his skills with others. With our shared goals and interests, Allan and I created an educational non-profit organization to bring astronomy education and experiences to the public. For many years we provided programs to schools, libraries, festivals and summer camps.  Allan was a natural teacher, and I learned so much from him about creating and delivering a lesson, and helping people view through a telescope for the first time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Aside from our work together, I was able to spend many memorable times with Allan under the stars witnessing and sharing the latest astronomical sight of the moment.  Whether on a trip to the mountains of Vermont, or in a dark backyard in Connecticut, we\u2019d be wide awake late into the night exploring fascinating details of the latest comet, or planetary apparition that was happening – or simply testing a telescope\u2019s limits as we reached out into the seemingly endless universe above us.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 I am only one of the multitudes of Allan\u2019s friends, colleagues and former students who were deeply touched by his tireless enthusiasm and generosity.  Never one to wallow in regret, I can\u2019t remember a time when Allan wasn\u2019t looking forward towards a new adventure.  Although he may have departed from his Earthly form, Allan still lives on here through those, like myself he has inspired – permanently inscribed in the book of life, a star whose light forever shines brightly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

———-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walter Kupson:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I grew up in Milford, and the tradition was that elementary school students would take a field trip to Foran High School’s Planetarium.  That’s where we all first met Mr. Sacharow.  We were amazed when he made a “storm” come in and we got rained on!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then I attended Foran High from 1981 and graduated in 1985.  Mr. Sacharow was still there and I took several of his astronomy classes.  The planetarium was our hangout.  Now it was OUR turn to sprinkle “rain drops” on the kids.  He was also a rock star in that he showed up in Rush’s music video for “Countdown”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an adult, I joined ASNH and was thrilled to introduce my kids to MY astronomy teacher at the Connecticut Star Party.  Now it was his turn to teach MY kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will be missed Mr. Sacharow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(continued next page)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Remembering Allan Sacharow, continued:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris Predom:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I remember of Allan Sacharow<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know he was a school teacher at Foran High School in Milford. He told a group of us he was instrumental in the board of education installing a planetarium and observatory when they built the school. How he fought with the builder when they didn’t install a pier that went all the way down underneath the telescope. And like he told them the telescope shook when folks walked around. The builder later installed a rubber mat underneath where the mount met the floor that helped absorb the vibrations. On an observing session he gave us he showed us the mat and how the scope still vibrated a little if you moved around a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allan got us started using Eel\u2019s Hill as a public outreach site under Tom Lloyd\u2019s presidency. He had used it for many years and had a 12-inch telescope up there in the top building. It took a lot of cleaning to get that site ready for the public. While it was not a dark site it did have a somewhat decent south.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the stories Allan told us. How he took students down to the Everglades where they observed the Zodiacal light. How it stood out as a tall triangle-shaped glow. He had taken them on a trip to Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Where he tried to get observing on top but only managed to get a spot halfway up. I think it was for a special event like an eclipse or some other astronomical event observable from Hawaii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How he always managed to get something out of the folks at Software Bisque to raffle off at CSP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I was running the project with Yale, measuring the position of variable stars and later blinking the glass plates around the south galactic pole region of the Yale-San Juan Southern Proper Motion Program. Members of the club participated in that project. Alan came down with an ex-student of his, who actually became an astronomer and was working at the Hubble NASA center. Allan wanted to see what we did on the project. He saw the glass plates and wanted to make contact prints from them. He and I went back and forth on this issue. As they did not belong to me and we needed permission to do something like that, the contact prints never happened. That was the only time he came down to see the project, but he was always invited to help or see what we were doing like any other club member. That was the only time Allan and I had an real argument about something. He was always a pleasure to talk to and I certainly enjoyed his stories and looking through his Lunt Solar telescope at club picnics and the few times he had taken it to CSP.  He will be missed. I kind of wished I went to Foran High School and had him for a teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

———- <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harold \u201cFritz\u201d Moritz:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wow, I could write a book, considering Foran HS in Milford was built in 1973 only a 15-minute walk from my home when I was 11 years old and I already had a small telescope! So right then I started going to public classes and observing events Al was leading (I remember seeing Comet West and an occultation of Venus back then). In high school I had my own office in one of the little corner rooms around the planetarium where I would do homework with the door closed. One day I didn\u2019t know it but some VIPs were out in the planetarium and during a tough math problem I yelled, \u201cMy brain hurts!\u201d in my best Mr. Gumby voice from Monty Python and then Al and the VIPs started in, too! It was that kind of nutty environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We had a great time hosting the planetarium shows for the other schools. He would do the famous thunderstorms with Mussorgsky’s \u201cNight on Bald Mountain\u201d as a soundtrack and we\u2019d squirt water on the poor kids. Al taught us to use and maintain the planetarium and telescope equipment, to prepare and give our own shows and of course I learned all my photography and dark room skills from him. But many folks may not know that Al, like me, was rock hound. He gave me a bunch of mineral specimens to learn from and had a binocular microscope with which I learned to take micromineral photos (still am!). Over the years he gave me many pieces that he dug up at local mines and quarries (after digging them up again in his basement). Well, one day circa 2014 Al said he wanted to sell his big slice of Gibeon meteorite (https:\/\/www.mindat.org\/photo-1035789.html<\/a>) so I took him to the big mineral show that happens every August in West Springfield to shop it around. An announcement reminded attendees of a talk to be given by renowned author and mineral collector Bob Jones, who has been doing that stuff for decades. Al perks up and says, \u201cI used to go digging with a Bob Jones when we both taught at Bassick HS in Bridgeport\u201d. So, we walk in and Bob looks at Al and says \u201cAllan?\u201d and Al looks at Bob and says \u201cBob? I haven\u2019t seen you since you loaded up your Volkswagen and drove to Arizona in the late 1960s!\u201d And now it\u2019s a reunion and I\u2019m just shaking my head! He knew everybody and always got free stuff from manufacturers and got into at least 2 music videos. A life well lived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

———- <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andy Poniros:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the help of Jim Edlin I built my first telescope in 1996 and began going to CSP and ASNH meetings per his recommendations. This was during the same time Comet Hale-Bopp was visible and soon to make its closest approach in months to come. Without any real experience in astrophotography, I wanted to take a picture of this probably once in a lifetime comet. At an ASNH meeting I explained to Allan Sacharow what I wanted to do. Allan gave me detailed directions on how to film the comet…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Piggyback a camera (we used film back then) on to a motor driven mount that tracks with the Earth’s rotation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use various types & speeds of film (slide & print film…100 & 400 speeds)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use various exposure times.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t track the background stars, track the comet.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After taking Allan’s advice, I filmed Hale-Bopp at its closest approach in April 1997. Eager to show Allan my results, I brought the slides and prints to next ASNH meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While showing Allan the prints and slides after the meeting, Alan began calling everybody back as they were leaving the building. Just about everyone came back…Some seemed reluctant..But it was Al Sacharow’s request. Alan then proceeded to turn on the projector & show my comet slides on the planetarium dome. The images may not have looked professional, but they were as good or better than most of the photographic images taken by amateurs that night. Whenever I show people the Hale-Bopp images I took at closest approach, they say to me, “This was your first attempt at astrophotography???…How did you do it?” My answer is, “With Al Sacharow’s knowledge and guidance”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alan and I became good friends and in later years and I was honored to have him as a guest on my radio show a few times. In the more than 25 years of making appearances as a NASA volunteer, time & time again after my presentation people would come up to me & say, “Do you know Allan Sacharow?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allan mentored and touched the life of so many, and I’m fortunate to have been one of them. I’ll miss the conversations we would have at our homes, via telephone, and during dinner together. Someday we’ll catch up on the other side of the Universe and continue our discussions on Astronomy and Space Exploration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clear Skies Allan!<\/p>\n\n\n

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Colchester Land Trust Stargazing Night<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

August 13, 2022<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By Donna Pursley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have been to the Cold Spring Farm site a few times in the past. On this Saturday evening we had comfortable weather, and a large group of about 90 people attended, including many children. The fields are huge and sometimes they are mowed. We were lucky and the fields were mowed this year. We actually set up in a different field than we usually do because of where Saturn was going to rise. That worked out well because Saturn was one of the first objects we were able to see. (Also one of the last.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We had 6 scopes with 4 couples. This is the first time the number of women from ASNH equaled the men. A crowd started forming long before it was dark, many in lawn chairs. As the objects came out, we showed them Saturn with its rings and moons, the double star Albireo, M13, and many other objects as we avoided the incoming clouds. The rising Moon was a deep orange and mottled with clouds and atmospheric waves which was a different view then I have ever seen before. It looked like it had the mumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around 9:30 the clouds took over and the crowd was thinning so we packed up. Then when we looked up \u2013 the clouds had cleared; Jupiter was rising and the Moon was perfectly clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This site is far off the beaten path and it took about an hour for us to get there. We have to drive on small winding back country roads where you never know what is going to jump out from the woods. The very close stone walls and guardrails make the driving on these roads very slow and cautious. But the nice wide views of the dark skies and the appreciative visitors make the trip worthwhile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Reports on Family Astronomy Night at <\/strong>
Hammonasset Beach State Park<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

August 27, 2022<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By Donna Pursley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This event was well publicized through the Meigs Point Nature Center. As people arrived that evening, they were treated to a display of some of the ASNH meteorite collection, which Al Washburn had set up on a table near the telescopes. Children and adults alike were excited to see and hold these rocks from outer space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone waited in anticipation for Saturn to become visible. As soon as it was, people formed long lines at the larger scopes to get the best view. As it became dark there was a large cloud moving in. We were able to find a few things in the sucker holes while the cloud moved from West to East. Eventually the cloud won out and it did a victory dance by starting to rain on us. The crowd left quickly and we packed up. Soon after the rain let up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those of us who stuck around were rewarded by a fireworks show just over the tree line. It lasted a good long time and when it was over, we looked up to a clear sky. It never fails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though it was mostly cloudy, mostly everyone was able to see Saturn through a large scope. Thanks to everyone who participated in showing the 150 mostly well-mannered and inquisitive people who attended a few objects in the night sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Al Washburn<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday, August 27, 2022 the ASNH carried out a viewing session at Hammonasset State Park, Meigs Point Nature Center. The event was requested by the Friends of Hammonasset, by way of ASNH members Jim Mazur and Laurie Averill. I arrived at 7 pm to start setting up my equipment. Greg and Cheryl Barker and Ray Kaville had already arrived. The skies to the east were promising as that is where Saturn was soon to rise. Fellow members Mike Zarick and Donna Pursley, Andy Buynak, Don Straka, and Jim and Laurie arrived soon afterward. With all this activity people began to wander over to the nature center area as the telescopes began to be set up … i.e. Greg and Cheryl\u2019s 18\u201d and 10\u201d dobs, Ray\u2019s 150mm refractor, my Orion 6\u201d dob, and Don’s 6″ Celestron. Mike and Donna brought a 6\u201d dob while Jim had a 13.1\u201d dob and both Laurie and Andy set up 10\u201d dobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the scheduled starting time arrived the skies became overcast with nothing to see. There were \u201cLets go Stargazing\u201d handouts for all to take as well as 3 iron meteorites for people to learn about and hold: Canyon Diablo, Sikote-Alin and Henbury. This helped to keep interest in the session going while we all hoped Saturn would soon break through the clouds. Finally, Arcturus could be seen through the haze and all telescopes were trained on it. Conversation and discussion of red supergiants could be heard all around. After a while Saturn finally played peek-a-boo with all of us and attendees got a chance to see the 6th planet from the Sun! Antares made an appearance through the haze with a hint of Sagittarius and Scorpius that were then outlined with a green laser pointer. Shortly before 9 pm the skies closed over again and a sprinkle could be felt in the air, where upon the telescopes were closed up for the evening. People began to leave and it was noted that once all the telescopes were safely stored away … Ursa Major began to shine nicely to the north! Figures! ! ! !<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Meteorite Extravaganza at Westport Observatory!<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

By Al Washburn

On the evening of July 19, 2022, the ASNH participated in an evening consecrated to the discussion of meteorites, in the clubhouse, at the Westport Observatory, 182 Bayberry Lane, Westport, CT. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ASNH was invited to present its collection along with others during their regular monthly meeting. It all kicked off shortly after 8 pm after a few general meeting items were covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main presenter, past president and Westport Astronomical Society member Cal Powell, currently visiting from Virginia, had an impressive number of samples on display. His presentation started with a very informative Powerpoint about the different classifications, qualities and characteristics of meteorites, including how to collect and cautions in buying them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Mr. Powell was Stefan Nicolescu from Yale University, who presented some very nice specimens, one of which was a thin section, illuminated from below to show off a spectacular translucent green inclusion. He also mentioned some very interesting meteorite stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, Greg Barker, Cheryl Barker and myself were introduced, whereupon Greg spoke of the upcoming Connecticut Star Party. Next, I spoke of the Society\u2019s collection and how we acquired it. I mentioned two special samples in reference to \u201corientation\u201c which was mentioned in Cal\u2019s earlier power point. Finally, I presented my personal collection, located on a separate table, set up by my son Michael, who also attended. It was noted that one of my samples, a Pallasite, was collected by Walter Scott Houston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all was said and done the floor was opened up to questions and answers of which there were many. Things wrapped up shortly before 10 pm. It was an excellent evening of \u201cRocks from Outer Space\u201d!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Observing Reports<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

By Michael Amato<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listening to Thunderstorms<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of my favorite types of radio astronomy is to take my multi band radio and put it on a quiet zone of the AM band and measure the thunderstorms that are nearby. Basically, the more static you hear the stronger the storm. Also, the louder the static, the closer the storm is. For me, the intriguing thing I noticed is thunderstorms are continually waxing and waning in strength meaning there can be a lot of static for a short time followed by a low amount of static for a short time. Sometimes as the thunderstorm starts to fall apart, the static will suddenly stop all together. Finally, as a bonus, I can hear the background hiss in which 5% of the hiss is the cosmic background noise from the big bang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Astronomy from Vieques<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several years ago, I went to Vieques Island which is just off the east coast of Puerto Rico on three different occasions, once each during winter, spring and summer. With my 10X50 binoculars, I was able to observe several southern sky astronomical features during each of the three seasons I visited there. During the winter, I observed the second brightest star, Canopus. Sirius, Rigel, Betelgeuse and Aldebaran were in the sky at the same time. For comparison, I noted Sirius was considerably brighter than Canopus, but Canopus was much brighter than the other three stars. During our spring trip, I could easily see Omega Centauri with my naked eyes and my binoculars really improving the view. I also observed the upper half of the Southern Cross. I thought it would be below the horizon, but I lucked out. Seeing Alpha Centauri was amazing. It was almost as bright as Canopus was. However, my binoculars weren’t strong enough to split the star to the Alpha and Beta components. Our summer visit there was something else. We went to an old airport in Vieques which had extremely dark skies! We were able to see where the lower part of the Northern Milky Way met the upper part of the Southern Milky Way. The two parts met at M6 and M7 in Scorpius. From Vieques, both clusters were amazing to view. We also explored the Southern Crown constellation and we were able to compare it with the Northern Crown which was out at the same time. The Southern Crown is much larger than The Northern Crown, but I really enjoyed looking at both at the same time. These were views I will always remember!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mount Vesuvius<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During my trip to Italy, I had the pleasure of seeing the volcano that destroyed Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius, actually show a little activity. While the three of us stared at the volcano, it spit out a steady stream of steam for about five minutes. The steam was able to reach a cloud that was just above the volcano’s crater. It was very interesting to us as we watched the steam rise up and meet the cloud. We tried to image the scene but all we could see was the low hovering cloud but not the steam. This was a very enjoyable near sky astronomy view for us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mammatus Clouds<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While most of the big storms passed well north of us on August 24, 2022, my brother Bob photographed these fairly rare mammatus clouds as we watched them develop. These types of clouds form after a severe storm has already passed.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Upcoming Monthly Meetings on Zoom<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday, October 25, 7:00 pm
Tuesday, November 29, 7:00 pm

We will continue to use this format for monthly meetings for now. A week or two before each meeting, members will receive an email announcement with a link that will allow them to connect to the online meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just click the link or copy and paste in your browser and that will connect you to the meeting. You can do this on any device that has an internet connection and a browser.  You can do this on a smart phone. You can display yourself if you like with your selfie camera on your device. If you don’t that’s okay, don’t feel you have to.

You can also dial in to the meeting. The number and password will be given in the announcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Members with telescopes are needed for these public outreach events. 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

Saturday, October 1, 7:00pm<\/strong>
Colchester Land Trust
Cold Spring Farm, 46 Town Road, Colchester CT (map<\/a>)

Sunday, October 9, 7:00pm<\/strong>
Madison Moonlight Walk
Madison Surf Club, Madison CT (map<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday, October 21, 7:00pm<\/strong>
Silver Sands State Park
Milford CT (map<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, October 22, 7:00pm<\/strong>
Young\u2019s Park
60 Blackstone Ave, Branford CT (map<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday, November 4, 7:00pm<\/strong>
Silver Sands State Park
Milford CT (map<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, November 5, 7:00pm<\/strong>
Young\u2019s Park
60 Blackstone Ave, Branford CT (map<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, November 12, 7:00pm<\/strong>
Hammonasset Beach State Park
Meig\u2019s Point Nature Center, 1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison CT (map<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Astronomy Links<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

From Ray Kaville<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NASA wants to probe deeper into Uranus than ever before:
https:\/\/www.thespaceacademy.org\/2017\/11\/nasa-wants-to-probe-deeper-into-uranus.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A good resource on astrophotography:
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCxDpYsPVUY61s6rGFsZHEXg<\/a><\/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 October-December 2022<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

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

There is a lot going on in the solar system this fall, so we will focus on what you can see and when. The four gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) will be visible in the evening skies throughout most of the fall. Mars makes a close approach to Earth in early December. In late December, Mercury and Venus can be spotted in the west right after sunset. There are also several meteor showers, and a total lunar eclipse!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orionid Meteor Shower<\/strong>
Peaking on the night of October 21-22<\/strong>
This shower does not usually produce large numbers of meteors, but this year is a favorable one for the Orionids because the peak occurs around the time of the new Moon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Total Lunar Eclipse<\/strong>
Early morning on November 8<\/strong>
From Connecticut, we will see more than half of this eclipse, as the Moon sets just before totality is about to end. If the sky is clear and you find a good view of the western horizon, it should be a very dramatic sight as the darkened Moon sets. The penumbral eclipse begins just after 3 am, and the darker umbral shadow touches the Moon shortly after 4 am. Below are the key times:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3:02 am: Moon enters penumbra
4:09 am: Moon enters umbra
5:16 am: Total eclipse begins
6:36 am: Moon sets
6:42 am: Total eclipse ends<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lunar Occultation of Mars
December 7<\/strong>
Unfortunately, in Connecticut we are a little too far to the south and east to see the full Moon pass in front of Mars late this evening. What we will see, however, is bright Mars getting closer and closer to the Moon as the evening progresses, and then the Moon will pass just above Mars around 11:00 pm to midnight. Some members of ASNH may be planning to travel the New York state or western Massachusetts to see a grazing occultation of Mars. Check the ASNH website for any announcements as the date approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geminid Meteor Shower<\/strong>
Peaking on the night of December 13-14<\/strong>
This is the strongest meteor shower of the year, producing as many as 150 meteors per hour. It would probably be a lot more popular if December nights were not so frigid. This year, a waning gibbous Moon rises just after 9pm on the peak night, but some of the brighter meteors should still be visible in the early morning hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mercury<\/strong>
In late December, Mercury will be visible low in the western sky as soon as it gets dark. The best dates to observe it will be about December 20-29<\/strong>, when it will be farthest from the Sun. During this time, it will be close to Venus, which can help you find it. Venus will be a few degrees to the lower right of Mercury at the start of this 10-day interval, and it will pass just below Mercury on December 28<\/strong>. Through a telescope, Mercury will appear about half lit, becoming more of a crescent as the days go by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venus<\/strong>
Venus will be too close to the Sun to observe during October and most of November. During December it can be seen low in the west just after sunset, not far from the dimmer Mercury. Venus will be about magnitude -3.9 and Mercury about magnitude 0.3. Even at these bright magnitudes they may be hard to see in the bright twilight, and binoculars can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mars<\/strong>
The red planet rises in mid-evening in October and by early evening in November. It will be gradually getting closer to Earth, so its apparent size will get larger and larger. Mars reaches opposition (rising as the Sun sets) on December 7, when it will also pass very close to the full Moon (see above). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jupiter<\/strong>
Jupiter is in the constellation Pisces, and it will be ideally placed for evening observing throughout the fall. Its four brightest moons are very easy to see through any telescope. They are also visible in ordinary binoculars if you can keep them steady. Putting your binoculars on a tripod can make a big difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturn<\/strong>
Traveling through Capricornus, Saturn will be visible as soon as it gets dark throughout the fall. The best times to observe it will be in the early fall, because by December it will be sinking in the southwest after sunset and setting by mid-evening. Besides enjoying Saturn’s rings through a telescope, try to notice how many of its moons you can spot on any given night. Titan, its brightest moon, is about magnitude 8.7 and can be seen in even small scopes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uranus<\/strong>
If you have never observed Uranus, this fall is a good time to look for it, even with binoculars (since it is about magnitude 5.7). Located in Aries, Uranus rises shortly after sunset in October and will be high enough to observe by later in the evening. It reaches opposition on November 9, and after that it will be visible in the early evenings and almost all night long. Use the finder chart at the link below to locate it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neptune<\/strong>
Neptune is in Aquarius, also well placed for observing this fall, roughly 10 degrees to the west of Jupiter and east of Saturn. At magnitude 7.8, it is bright enough to be observed in any telescope if you have a good finder chart, such as the one at the link below. Though a telescope it has a greenish or bluish tint which helps to distinguish it from any nearby stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finder charts for Uranus and Neptune: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

The fall sky features a wide variety of deep-sky objects, ranging from a nearby open cluster, the Pleiades, to distant galaxy groups such as Perseus I. Listed here are a few potential targets, some easy to observe and some quite difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messier 15<\/strong>
Globular cluster in Pegasus
Messier 15 is one of the brightest globular clusters at magnitude 6.1, and it is a large 18 arcminutes in diameter. The cluster is about 33,000 light years away. It has a very dense core that may contain a black hole. It is a nice sight through telescopes of small or medium aperture, and the view through a large Dobsonian scope is spectacular. Star-hop chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messier 33, Triangulum Galaxy<\/strong>
Galaxy in Triangulum
This is the second closest spiral galaxy, about 2.3 million light years away, a member of our local galaxy group. It appears face on, about as large as the full Moon, and a low-power eyepiece should be used to find it. Patient observation of its surface can reveal a lot of faint detail through a telescope. In binoculars it can be seen as a large dim patch. Observers in dark locations have seen it with the naked eye. Star-hop chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messier 45, the Pleiades<\/strong> or Seven Sisters<\/strong>
Open cluster in Taurus
<\/strong>This is one of the few clusters that can be easily seen and recognized as a group of stars with the naked eye. The number of stars visible to the naked eye varies greatly with the sky conditions and the visual acuity of the observer. Even with moderate light pollution, 5 stars can be seen. Under very dark skies, a viewer with keen vision can see 11 or more stars. When this cluster is high overhead on a dark night, count how many stars you can see. It is a wonderful target for binoculars or a telescope with a wide-field eyepiece. Star-h<\/a>o<\/a>p chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messier 74<\/strong>
Galaxy in Pisces
This 9th magnitude face-on spiral galaxy can be a challenge to find because it has a very low surface brightness. Under dark skies, it can be seen in a small telescope, and large scopes will show a brighter center and some detail in its spiral arms. This galaxy is similar in size to our Milky Way Galaxy, and it is about 32 million light years away. Star-hop chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messier 77, Cetus A<\/strong>
Galaxy in Cetus
This barred spiral galaxy is seen almost face-on, and at magnitude 9 it is not hard to see in even small telescopes. The structure of its spiral arms can be seen with large telescopes. The center of this galaxy is a strong radio source known as Cetus A. It is about 33 million light years away. Star-hop chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NGC 404, Mirach’s Ghost
<\/strong>Galaxy in Andromeda
This galaxy is easy to find because it is so close to the bright star Mirach. Even though it is just 1\/10 degree away from the 2nd magnitude star, the 10th magnitude galaxy is surprisingly easy to see through a telescope of medium or large aperture. It appears as a round glow with a brighter center. This galaxy is about 10 million light years away. Star-hop <\/a>chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NGC 1499, California Nebula<\/strong>
Diffuse nebula in Perseus
This is a very large nebula, stretching across 2 degrees of sky. It takes a nice picture and does resemble the shape of California, but visually it is very dim and hard to spot unless you have nice dark skies. Using a low power eyepiece with a wide field of view is essential, and a nebula filter can make a big difference. Star-hop chart<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abell 436, Perseus I Galaxy Cluster<\/strong>
Galaxy cluster in Perseus
This rich galaxy cluster is very far away–about 250 million light years–but some of its brightest galaxies can be seen even in telescopes of modest aperture. The two brightest members of the group are NGC 1275 (also known as Caldwell 24 or Perseus A)<\/strong> at about magnitude 11.9 and NGC 1278<\/strong> at magnitude 12.5. Star-h<\/a>op chart<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eta Cassiopeiae (Achird)<\/strong>
Double star in Cassiopeia
This is a unique double star for several reasons. It is one of the closest stars, just 19.4 light year away. It is easy to see with the naked eye. The larger star of the pair is about the same size and brightness as our Sun. The dimmer of the two stars is about 2\/3 the diameter of our Sun and only about 3% as bright. The two stars are about 71 astronomical units apart (for reference, Pluto’s average distance from the Sun is about 34 astronomical units). Star<\/a>-hop chart<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Gallery<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Variable stars in Messier 15.<\/strong> This bright globular cluster in Pegasus contains quite a few short-period variable stars. Jim Mazur used four images, taken about 1 hour apart, to make this loop, which shows at least 6 of these variable stars. Look closely around the periphery of the cluster for stars that appear to be twinkling. The images were taken with a 14-inch Meade LX-850 telescope and an SBIG STF 8300M imager. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Connecticut Star Party 32 September 23-25, 2022 By Donna Pursley After a long hiatus, we finally had a real CSP. We saw many of the usual crowd plus a number of first timers this year. The biggest news was the … 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":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-19"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2781","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2781"}],"version-history":[{"count":55,"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2781\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2956,"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2781\/revisions\/2956"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2781"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}