JANUARY 2018

JANUARY 2019

January Meeting Details January Presentation

DATE: Tuesday, January 8th

MEETING TIME: 7:00 P.M.

PLACE: La Posada Recreation Center

MEETING SCHEDULE:

7:00 Meeting Intro and Welcome

7:10 Organizational Announcements

7:30 Featured Presentation

~8:15 Club Activities/Business

~8:30 Door Prizes Drawing?

~8:45 Outside Activities/Snack at

Denny’s

Join us after the meeting at the local Denny’s restaurant for a snack, dessert, or whatever so we can get to know each other better and talk more astronomy .

WHO: John Dwyer

TITLE: Basic Astrophotography Using a DSLR on a Tracking Mount

ABSTRACT: John will discuss equipment required to achieve the best results based on the experience he had trying it for the first time.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: John Dwyer has been president of the SAS for several years.

Next Member Star Parties

DATE: Thursday, Jan 3rd

TIME: 4:45 PM

PLACE: Whipple Visitors Center

DATE: Thursday, Feb 7th

TIME: 4:45 PM

PLACE: Whipple Visitors Center

Please join our Yahoo Group site:

(http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sas_club/)

To get directions and up-to-date infor-mation on the status of a star party in case a weather issue develops.

If you have a telescope that you don ’t

know how to use, or are looking to buy

a telescope and want to compare differ-

ent telescopes, join us at a star party

and we can give you some help.

SONORAN STARRY NIGHTS

January 2019 2 Volume XI Issue 5

UPCOMING EVENTS

NEXT MEETING

DATE: Tuesday, February 12th

TIME: 7:00 P.M.

SPEAKER: TBD

TITLE: TBD

MEMBER STAR PARTIES

Feb 7th @ Whipple May 2

nd @ Whipple

Mar 7th @ Whipple Jun 6

th @ Whipple

Apr 4th @ Whipple Jul 4

th @ Whipple

PRESIDENT’S NOTES

Greetings everyone,

If have been working with the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation department to get our acceptance to Canoa Preserve Park finalized. They required a special insurance form (Certificate of Liability) indicating that everything is covered. I have sent in everything to Pima County and hopefully we will be good to go for our January club star party.

We had two public star parties scheduled for December. One was cancelled due to weather, the other was successful. We saw some great Geminid meteors at the one star party we did have. This month so far we have a star party scheduled for Friday January 11th at Canoa Ranch. This is a joint effort between Whipple, Pima County, and our club. Please help by bringing a scope if you can.

John Dwyer

President SAS PUBLIC STAR PARTIES

DATE: Friday, Dec 11th

TIME: 4:45 PM

PLACE: Canoa Ranch

CLUB EQUIPMENT FOR LOAN OUT

TELESCOPES:

2 - 8” Celestron Schmidt Cassegrain telescopes

1 – 4” Refractor telescope

1 – 1” Refractor telescope Note: Instruction may be required for some telescopes. Contact one of the club officers for information and availability.

SONORAN STARRY NIGHTS

January 2019 3 Volume XI Issue 5

THE JANUARY SKY

The only evening planet of any consequence this month is Mars. It is still slowing moving east in the evening sky through Pisces, is slightly west of south at sunset but around mag 0 and its size is down to under 7” by the end of the month. It will be approaching Uranus next month. Venus, in the eastern morning sky, is still brilliant at around mag -4.5. It will reach maximum western elongation of 47° on the 7th. Jupiter is low in the southeast morning sky and will be a couple of degrees south of Venus on the 22nd. Saturn will be basically lost in the glare of the Sun for most of the month. Mercury, also a morning object, will be low in the southeast morning sky early in the month but will be lost to the glare of the Sun by the end of the month. Neptune, in Aquarius, will be low in the southwest at sunset. Uranus will be due south at sunset just to the east of Mars.

Comets are still visible. Comet 49P/Wirtanen, which passed close to Earth in December, is beginning to lose some brightness but still will be visible for a while. The newly found comet C/2018 V1 (Machholz-Fujikawa-Iwamoto) is predicted to become possibly as bright as 7th magnitude and will be moving into the evening sky during February coming within 16 million miles of the Earth.

On the evening of January 20th we will have the opportunity to view a total lunar eclipse. It will begin just after 7:30pm and last until almost 1:00am. Totality begins about 9:41 and ends about 10:43. I have more in the Stargazer’s Corner.

JANUARY MOON/SUN TIMES

WANT TO VIEW SATELLITES?

WANT CURRENT COMET INFORMATION?

To find out information on when you can view satellites, such as the International Space Station (ISS), or satellite related events, such as Iridium Flares, go to www.heavens-above.com. Under “Configuration”, use “select from map” to enter your specific location (precision can make a difference for Iridium Flares), and choose what satellite’s infor-mation you want to view. Also, information on comets, planets, and other objects are available.

If you want information on current observable comets, go to “The Weekly Information about Bright Comets” site at http://www.aerith.net/comet/weekly/current.html. Comets are listed in brightest to least bright order. Remember, to see a comet without any optical aid, it must be approximately 4th magnitude or brighter. With binoculars, the comet would most likely need to be at least 8th magnitude. Comets below 11th magnitude might be difficult to pick up with other than a large aperture telescope. Visibility can also depend on how diffuse the comet is.

DATE M-Rise M-Set M-Phase Sunset Star Party

Tue 01/01 3:21 14:33 17:31

Wed 01/02 4:19 15:12 17:32

Thu 01/03 5:16 15:55 17:33 SAS SP

Fri 01/04 6:11 16:40 17:33

Sat 01/05 7:03 17:29 New 17:34

Sun 01/06 7:52 18:20 17:35

Mon 01/07 8:36 19:14 17:36

Tue 01/08 9:16 20:07 17:36 SAS Meeting

Wed 01/09 9:53 21:01 17:37

Thu 01/10 10:26 21:55 17:38

Fri 01/11 10:58 22:48 17:39 Canoa Rch

Sat 01/12 11:30 23:43 17:40

Sun 01/13 12:00 ----- 1st Qtr 17:41

Mon 01/14 12:33 0:38 17:42

Tue 01/15 13:08 1:36 17:43

Wed 01/16 13:47 2:35 17:43

Thu 01/17 14:32 3:39 17:44

Fri 01/18 15:24 4:44 17:45

Sat 01/19 16:23 5:49 17:46

Sun 01/20 17:30 6:52 Full 17:47

Mon 01/21 18:39 7:49 17:48

Tue 01/22 19:51 8:41 17:49

Wed 01/23 21:00 9:27 17:50

Thu 01/24 22:07 10:08 17:51

Fri 01/25 23:12 10:45 17:52

Sat 01/26 ----- 11:22 17:52

Sun 01/27 0:14 11:57 3rd Qtr 17:53

Mon 01/28 1:15 12:34 17:54

Tue 01/29 2:13 13:13 17:55

Wed 01/30 3:11 13:54 17:56

Thu 01/31 4:07 14:38 17:57

(S)=Solar

SONORAN STARRY NIGHTS

January 2019 4 Volume XI Issue 5

THE STARGAZER’S CORNER: Comet 46P/Wirtanen (December Update)

On the evening of January 20th we will be blessed with a total lunar eclipse. This has been called the “Super Blood Wolf Moon”. It is a “super Moon” as this full Moon closely corresponds to the Moon’s perigee (closest point to the Earth) in its orbit for the month, a “blood Moon” due to the eclipse, and a “wolf Moon” as this is the name for the January full Moon. Below is the eclipse’s time table. It is very favorable. Get out and check out how “bloody” it is and take some pictures while you are at it. Time table compliments of timeanddate.com

jpd

SONORAN STARRY NIGHTS

January 2019 5 Volume XI Issue 5

OFFICE/POSITION NAME PHONE NO.

Chairman of the Board Open

President John Dwyer (520) 393-3680

Secretary Michael Moraghan (520) 399-3352

Treasurer John McGee (520) 207-6188

Star party Coordinator Duane Johnson (520) 303-6920

Newsletter Editor John Christensen (520) 869-8983

Webmaster Joe Castor (620) 584-4454

ALCOR* Burley Packwood (520) 396-3576

NSN** Representative Duane Johnson (520) 303-6920

Past President Emeritus Dan F. Case (520) 207-6833

Past President Emeritus Ben Coppock (520) 625-5360

YAHOO! Group Owner John Dwyer (520) 393-3680

*Astronomical League Coordinator

**Night Sky Network

S.A.S CLUB OFFICERS

SAS STATISTICS & FINANCES

Lifetime Members: 0 Bank Balance as of End of Nov: $2326.11

Individual & Family Members: 169 Deposits / (W/Ds): $107.50/ ($167.34)

Total Membership: 169 Bank Balance as of End of Dec: $2266.27

WHY JOIN SAS CLUB DUES

OUR YAHOO! GROUP & WEB SITES

1. SAS Family Membership Fee is only $15.00 per year.

2. SAS monthly newsletter “The Sonoran Starry Nights.”

3. Top-quality astronomy lectures by local astronomers!

4. SAS Yahoo! Group Website member forum.

(sas_club.)

5. SAS Discount for Astronomy Magazine $34.00 for 1yr

or $60.00 for 2 yr renewed through our treasurer.

6. SAS Discount subscription rate for Sky & Telescope

Magazine $32.95 for 1-year self-renewed.

7. RASC Observer’s Handbook at a discount, $30.00.

8. SAS T-Shirts for sale for $10.00—M, L, XL.

9. Member of International Dark-sky Association (IDA)

and The Astronomical League.

10. SAS Discount for Astronomy 2018 Calendar $10.00

11. SAS monthly Member Star Parties.

12. SAS Telescope and astronomy book loan programs.

13. SAS outreach to astronomy education in schools.

14. SAS fellowship with other amateur astronomers!

Dues (family or individual) are $15 annually, payable each

year in the month you initially joined the club. You will

receive a reminder in the monthly newsletter e-mail of your

due date. You can either pay at the club meeting or mail it

to the club’s address (S.A.S., P.O. Box 1081, Green

Valley, AZ, 85622).

If you want to keep up-to-date with club activities, such as star parties, tours, etc., want information on current astronomical events, or have questions about astronomy, please join our Yahoo group at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sas_club.

Also check out our web site

SONORAN STARRY NIGHTS

January 2019 6 Volume XI Issue 5

LOCAL ASTRO-IMAGING GROUP: Sonoran Desert Astro Imagers (SDAI) (Peter Lammers, Coordinator)

Are you interested in Astrophotography or are you currently involved in imaging the skies?

Please plan to join our monthly meeting of the Sonoran Desert Astro Imagers group. Our meetings

focus on improving our skills, helping each other, workshops, and field trips. Please send your Name

and E-mail address to my address below and we’ll include you in the emailing notices of monthly

meetings; “the when and where meeting notice.” Do you have any questions? If so, call me (Peter

Lammers) at (520) 398-4308 or email to peterlammers@cox.net.

Clear Skies! Peter Lammers

SAS IS A MEMBER OF THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE SAS IS A MEMBER OF IDA

OUR SPONSORS

S T A R I Z O N A

ADVENTURES IN ASTRONOMY AND NATURE

5757 N. Oracle Rd www.starizona.com

Tucson, AZ 85704 (520) 292-5010

Stellar-Vision Astronomy & Science

Since 1986

New Address:

3721 E 37TH ST

TUCSON AZ 85713

(520) 571-0877

http://www.stellarvisiontucson.com

Since SAS is a member of the Astronomical League, any SAS member may join the Astronomical League for a nominal fee of $7.50. What are the advantages to you of joining the AL?

1. You can receive various observing awards by joining an “observing club” and observing the required number of objects. There are all levels of clubs from beginner to advanced, viewing constellations to deep-sky objects and using either your naked eyes, binoculars, or a telescope. Contact our ALCOR rep Burley Packwood for details.

2. You can get a 10% discount on books purchased through the AL Book Service.

3. You will receive the AL’s quarterly “Reflector” magazine which keeps you up to date on all the AL activities.

More info at www.astroleague.org

SAS is proud to be a member of the International Dark-Sky Association, supporting the reduction in light pollution around the U.S. and the world. More info at www.darksky.org

SAS NON-PROFIT STATUS

The Sonora Astronomical Society is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit charitable organization! SAS has a CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING from the State of Arizona Corporation Commission for 2009-2011!

MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS

To order or renew your Sky and Telescope Magazine at the Club Rate, you can go directly to www.skyandtelescope.com/clubspecial To order or renew Astronomy Magazine, see the

Treasurer.

SONORAN STARRY NIGHTS

January 2019 7 Volume XI Issue 5

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE (CONT)

4. Meade LX200GPS 16" Telescope.

includes:

* 2 Meade Super Giant LX Field Tripods.

* 2 Meade Accessory Kits

* 1 Meade Autostar Suite.

* 2 16” Fork Arms.

Contact Gerald Findling at (520) 490-0689 or

Gerald_j3cub@cox.net

5. Celestron CPC 1100 Computerized

Telescope.

includes:

Starbright XLT optical coating

GPS with SkyAlign for quick & easy alignment

9x50 finder scope & Telrad finder

microfocuser

2” star diagonal with Virtual View swivel adapter

40 mm x 1.25” Celestron Plossl eyepiece

13 mm x 1.25” TeleVue, Nagler IV eyepiece

17 mm x 2” TeleVue, Nagler IV eyepiece

2” 2x Barlow magnifier

hand control with 2 line LCD screen

sturdy tripod with 2” diameter steel legs

compatible with StarSense technology & WiFi

ergonomic carrying handles

12 V cable & 120 V adapter

metal carrying case for accessories, manual, original

packaging

In excellent condition was $4400 new, asking $3200 obo

Please contact Muray Croot, at (520)526-2526

or mcroot@gmail.com for photos.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

1. Meade 10" LX200 Advanced Coma-Free

SCT, with GPS FOR SALE ($3200.00).

includes:

* Built-in GPS Controlled Tracking System, over 145,000

objects.

* Meade Standard Field Tripod designed for 8" and 10"

LX90 abd LX200 GPS Telescopes.

* Meade Deep Sky CCD Imager (510x492 - 250,000 pix-

els).

* Meade #644 Flip-Mirror system.

* Meade #777 Off-Axis Guider.

* Meade Autostar II Hand Controller, includes more than

145,000 celestial objects.

* Eye Piece Tray.

* Astronomy Viewing Chair.

* Plus, much more!

Contact Joe Ascarate at joseph.ascarate@gmail.com

2. Celestron 11” Nexstar GPS (Go-To)Telescope.

Includes:

* Alt-Azimuth Mount

* 1 Eyepiece

* Landing Pad

* Feather Touch Focuser

* Vibration Pads

* Asking $1400

Contact Lyle Kolze at (608) 346-5957 or E-mail

lkolze@yahoo.com

3. Orion XT8 Plus Dob.

If you are interested in this scope, contact Robert Shrop-

shire at rshropshire1@aol.com for more information.

SONORAN STARRY NIGHTS

January 2019 8 Volume XI Issue 5

SUMMARY OF THE DECEMBER 11TH PRESENTATION

Thirty-five years ago, Russell Carpenter surprised his wife, Blythe, with an unexpected family Christmas gift: 200 acres on a mountain top. The site was undeveloped with no road leading to it, but eventually, they had their own personal observatory with a C-14 telescope. Russell, now a Green Valley resident and a SAS member, is still an enthusiastic amateur astronomer and astrophotographer.

Aperture fever is a familiar ailment among astronomers. We all want brighter, clearer views of the sky and that has meant buying larger, heavier telescopes. But we are at the cusp of a huge change in the way amateur astronomers view the heavens--using night vision devices. NVD’s multiply photons, amplifying light. Now in his 70th decade, Russell prefers NVD technology for “ultra-light” astronomy while still getting the highest visual performance he can.

Russell uses a monocular, one-half of a military-grade NVD binocular. It is restricted technology that can be legally purchased here but cannot be exported outside the US. For astronomy use, there are NVDs with white phosphor screens, not the green phosphor screens in military devices. The resulting white phosphor image is in shades of gray. While color is lost, the detail in the image “is astonishing”, according to Russell. For proof, he showed images of what the eye would see using a telescope equipped with an NVD.

In a light polluted location, an NVD would amplify the unwanted light as much as the light from the astronomical source. Filters can compensate by blocking all wavelengths of light except, for example, Hydrogen-alpha light from. NVDs tend to be sensitive to longer wavelengths of light, such as those produced by emission and planetary nebulae. NVDs also do well with the light from old stars, such as those found in globular clusters. Russell entered the Astronomical League's globular cluster program and reported sighting 72 of them, greatly exceeding the 50 required to earn a certificate. AL contacted Russell to learn how he did this and then added a new rule, no NVDs. Happy ending: Russell was "grandfathered-in" and allowed to keep his certificate.

With his NVD monocular, Russell now observes using a 4-inch aperture Borg refractor that weighs 8 pounds and is modular for easy transport. He mounts this on a graphite tripod with a go-to device that he controls with his i-phone using the Sky Safari app. Total weight of the mount is 12 pounds.

Russell attaches the monocular NVD directly to the scope’s diagonal without an eyepiece. The issue with NVD viewing is image scale, the degree of

magnification can be varied using a Barlow tube or a reducer. So why bother with expensive glass lens, he rhetorically asked. TeleVue, seeing a business threat, features on their website an NVD with an adaptor mounted to a TeleVue lens. On top of this tower of optics is a TeleVue adapter for cellphone imaging (phonetography).

Russell cautioned that a quality NVD is expensive but can be justified by comparison to purchasing a large aperture telescope. In the US, Russell said, there are three highly respected vendors of NVDs. More can be learned by visiting the https://www.cloudynights EEA forum. EEA stands for electronically assisted astronomy. In addition to the use of NVDs, EAA also includes the use of a CMOS camera linked to a computer with sophisticated software such as SharpCap to produce near-real-time images. This is great for outreach because rather than squinting through an eyepiece, visitors can view startingly clear images on the computer screen.

jm

CLUB BOOK/CD/DVD LOAN LIBRARY

BOOKS:

The following books are available for check out:

1. Guide to the Stars (16”) by David H. Levy

2. The Next Step: Finding and Viewing Messier’s Objects by Ken Graun

3. Touring the Universe: A Practical Guide to Exploring the Cosmos through 2017 by Ken Graun (2 copies)

4. What’s Out Tonight? Celestial Almanac & Astronomy Field Guide 2000 to 2050 by Ken Graun (2 copies)

5. Sky Atlas 2000.0 Companion by Robert A. Strong (donated by Paul Anderson)

Please see the club treasurer or secretary for availability. Our thanks to Ken Graun for his generous donations. CDs/DVDs:

We have “Understanding the Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy”. This is a 16 DVD set of 96 lectures (30 min per lecture) by Dr Alex Filippenko of UC Berkeley and CalTech. This is a nontechnical introductory college-level course on astronomy. More information about this course can be found at http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=1810. Please see the club treasurer at the next meeting for availability.