san diego astronomy association · 3. priority / member business a. ross salinger and john laborde...

13
San Diego Astronomy Association Celebrating Over 50 Years of Astronomical Outreach http://www.sdaa.org A Non-Profit Educational Association P.O. Box 23215, San Diego, CA 92193-3215 January 2019 Next SDAA Business Meeting January 8th at 7:00pm 7270 Trade Street San Diego, CA 92121 Next Program Meeting January 19th at 6:00pm San Diego Natural History Museum, 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 CONTENTS January 2019, Vol LVII, Issue 1 Published Monthly by the San Diego Astronomy Association Incorporated in California in 1963 Annual Banquet ........... 1 December Minutes ....... 4 Astronomical League ......... 6 COSPAR ............ 7 January Calendar ............... 8 SDAA Contacts ................ 9 Meet the Members ...... 10 NASA Night Sky Notes ...... 11 Astronomy Cartoon ............ 13 Newsletter Deadline The deadline to submit articles for publication is the 15th of each month. Annual Banquet Date: January 19, 2019 Speaker: Dr. Stella Kafka Topic: Citizen Astronomy in the era of large surveys Dr. Stella Kafka, is the Director of the AAVSO (American Association of Variable Star Observers). Before her tenure at the AAVSO, Dr Kafka held positions at CTIO, Spitzer Science center/Caltech, Carnegie Institution of Washington/DTM and AIP Publishing. The AAVSO is an international non-profit organization of variable star observers whose mission is to enable anyone, anywhere, to participate in scientific dis- covery through variable star astronomy.

Upload: others

Post on 25-Feb-2020

5 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: San Diego Astronomy Association · 3. Priority / Member Business a. Ross Salinger and John Laborde discussed the transfer of the Laborde observatory at TDS to Ross effective 1 January

San DiegoAstronomy AssociationCelebrating Over 50 Years of Astronomical Outreach

http://www.sdaa.orgA Non-Profit Educational Association

P.O. Box 23215, San Diego, CA 92193-3215

January 2019

Next SDAA Business MeetingJanuary 8th at 7:00pm

7270 Trade StreetSan Diego, CA 92121

Next Program Meeting January 19th at 6:00pm

San Diego Natural History Museum, 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

CONTENTSJanuary 2019, Vol LVII, Issue 1Published Monthly by the San Diego Astronomy AssociationIncorporated in California in 1963A n n u a l B a n q u e t . . . . . . . . . . . 1D e c e m b e r M i n u t e s . . . . . . . 4A s t r o n o m i c a l L e a g u e . . . . . . . . . 6C O S P A R . . . . . . . . . . . . 7J a n u a r y C a l e n d a r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8S D A A C o n t a c t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9M e e t t h e M e m b e r s . . . . . . 1 0N A S A N i g h t S k y N o t e s . . . . . . 1 1A s t r o n o m y C a r t o o n . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3

Newsletter DeadlineThe deadline to submit articles

for publication is the15th of each month.

Annual Banquet

Date: January 19, 2019Speaker: Dr. Stella KafkaTopic: Citizen Astronomy in the era of large surveys

Dr. Stella Kafka, is the Director of the AAVSO (American Association of Variable Star Observers). Before her tenure at the AAVSO, Dr Kafka held positions at CTIO, Spitzer Science center/Caltech, Carnegie Institution of Washington/DTM and AIP Publishing. The AAVSO is an international non-profit organization of variable star observers whose mission is to enable anyone, anywhere, to participate in scientific dis-covery through variable star astronomy.

Page 2: San Diego Astronomy Association · 3. Priority / Member Business a. Ross Salinger and John Laborde discussed the transfer of the Laborde observatory at TDS to Ross effective 1 January

San Diego Astronomy Association

2

For centuries, citizen astronomers have been making important discoveries and significant contributions to science. With the out-burst of all-sky surveys and the availability of appropriate software, professional astronomers depend on the public to analyze, sort and understand large quantities of existing data, or to acquire new data sets leading to noteworthy discoveries. Nowadays our philosophy, our view of the role of the public in time-domain science has changed. From crowd sourcing to data acquisition, citizens are now leaving a notable mark in the science landscape, also assisting professional astronomers with data analysis and publications. In turn, scientific proj-ects and opportunities of active engagement are used to increase science literacy and public understanding of science. I will give a short overview on how astronomy has benefited from citizen contributions in various projects. I will also discuss how now, more than ever, citizen involvement in projects is needed to advance our knowledge and understanding of variable objects, and I will present ways citizen astronomers can significantly participate in new collaborations, complementing data acquired from missions such as TESS for cutting-edge science.

You are cordially invited to The San Diego Astronomy Association’s

Annual Banquet Saturday, January 19, 2019, 5:00 – 10:00pm

San Diego Natural History Museum, 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101____________________________________________________________

Speaker: Dr. Stella Kafka, is the Director of the AAVSO (American Association of Variable Star Observers). Before her tenure at the AAVSO, Dr Kafka held positions at CTIO, Spitzer Science center/Caltech, Carnegie Institution of Washington/DTM and AIP Publishing. The AAVSO is an international non-profit organization of variable star observers whose mission is to enable anyone, anywhere, to participate in scientific discovery through variable star astronomy.

Topic: Citizen Astronomy in the era of large surveys

Cocktail hour is from 5:00 to 6:00 and buffet dinner from 6:00 to 7:00.

The buffet will be featuring:

• · Oven Roasted Free Range Chicken Breast · Spice Rubbed Grilled Tri Tip• · Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes · Roasted Squash Trio · Salad and Freshly Baked Focaccia• · Brown Butter Gnocchi and roasted butternut squash (vegetarian)• · Crème Brulee Tartlet, · Mexican Chocolate Mousse Shot · New York Cheesecake Mousse Shot

SDAA Banquet Order Form Use this form or order online at http://sdaa.org/banquet.htm

Name______________________________________________________ Address____________________________________________________ City, State, Zip______________________________________________ Telephone__________________________________________________ Email______________________________________________________

Number Attending ____ @ $70 each Total Payment included $ _________

*Make checks payable to SDAA Orders must be received no later than 01/9/2019NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR

Mail to:San Diego Astronomy AssociationP.O. Box 23215San Diego, CA 92193-3215

Page 3: San Diego Astronomy Association · 3. Priority / Member Business a. Ross Salinger and John Laborde discussed the transfer of the Laborde observatory at TDS to Ross effective 1 January

San Diego Astronomy Association

3

Page 4: San Diego Astronomy Association · 3. Priority / Member Business a. Ross Salinger and John Laborde discussed the transfer of the Laborde observatory at TDS to Ross effective 1 January

San Diego Astronomy Association

4

San Diego Astronomy AssociationBoard of Directors Meeting

December 11, 2018 – Unapproved and subject to revision 1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm with the following board members in attendance: Dave Wood, President; Kin Searcy, Vice President; Scott Dixon, Corresponding Secretary; Gene Burch (telcon), Treasurer; Jeff Herman, Director; Pat Boyce, Director. Members in attendance: 4.

2. Approval of Last Meeting Minutes

November meeting minutes were approved.

3. Priority / Member Business a. Ross Salinger and John Laborde discussed the transfer of the Laborde observatory at TDS to Ross effective 1 January.

Ross committed to repair the back room and is meeting with a contractor this week. No board approval is required. b. The board intends to prepare a standard observatory lease agreement, similar to the documentation for private pads. c. Hiro Hakozaki described his carpet and ice tent setup for Pad 59. It is innovative and there are no issues.

4. Treasurer’s & Membership Report

a. Budget execution is on track and the treasurer’s report is approved. b. SDAA membership is 633, including family and students.

5. Standard Reports a. Site Maintenance – No report. b. Observatory/Loaner Scope Report

• Observatory lock combination has been changed. (Not the warming room or gate combination.) • Having some difficulties with one loaner scope return. No board action required.

c. Private Pad Report – We currently have three unleased pads; will be writing leases for two of them. That will leave us with only #36 (the completely unimproved pad) available by the end of the year. There are four people on the waiting list (depending on if the second pad gets leased). Two of them are current pad holders waiting for pads to open up in a darker portion of the site.

d. Program Report – The 2019 joint meeting with IDA will be in April. e. AISIG Report – No meeting last month. The next regular meeting will be in February. There may be a planning

meeting in January. f. Newsletter Report – Andrea continues to do stellar work. g. Website Report

• Announcement about the banquet and links to sign up were added to the SDAA website. • The Julian Starfest website was renewed and will be revised so that people can sign up through Wild Apricot next

year. h. Social Media Report – No report. i. Outreach Report – We enjoyed better luck with weather this month, completing most of our events. Attendance is

respectable, considering the Thanksgiving Holiday, which pushed scheduled events into December and January.

Page 5: San Diego Astronomy Association · 3. Priority / Member Business a. Ross Salinger and John Laborde discussed the transfer of the Laborde observatory at TDS to Ross effective 1 January

San Diego Astronomy Association

5

Monthly report for November, 2018

Totals for Month: Events Completed 8.0 Events Cancelled 2.0 Public Attendance 518.0 Private Attendance 525.0 Total Attendance 1043.0 Mem Support: 41.0

Average: Mem/Event: 5.1

Year to Date since January 1

Completed Events since January 1: 88 Public Attendees since Jan 1:

4858

Private Attendees since Jan 1:

4120

Total Attendees since Jan 1: 8978

j. TARO Report – Updated weather station was installed. New cables will be run on 12-15. Because of water intrusion along the east wall, we will need to re-seal the seam at the concrete building interface.

k. Merchandise Report – No report. l. Cruzen Report – Dennis Ritz will contact Bill Nguyen with tips and advice for motorizing the Cruzen observatory roof. m. Astronomical League Report – We have an Astronomical League Outreach Award to be presented at the February or

March program meeting; congratulations to Dave Decker for winning the award. Will continue to promote the observing and outreach programs in the newsletter. In addition, Ed Rumsey and Kin Searcy received the Herschel Club award for observing and describing the Herschel 400 deep sky objects list.

n. Julian Starfest Report • Jeff Stevens has set up email accounts for sponsor and vendor correspondence. We are contacting sponsors and

vendors now. • Working with Gene Burch to set up accounts and payment methods for camping, vendors, and Palomar tour

registrations. • Developing newsletter article to be sent in once payment process is established. • Working to complete the County of San Diego Community Event Permit. • Need to develop a process for creating and managing new JSF/SDAA 2019 merchandise.

6. Old Business

a. BoD Nominating Committee – There were no nominations from the floor during the November Program Meeting, so the slate of nominees was accepted as presented.

b. Banquet Update – David Woods is working with the museum and its contractor on arrangements. Timing will be important as SDAA must be out of the site by 10pm. There are three donations for the raffle to date and Scott is sending out additional donation request letters to astronomy-related companies.

7. New Business – The condition of private pad maintenance was discussed, and all pad holders are reminded to review the

SDAA Private Pad Development and Use Regulations on the SDAA website. Please contact Private Pads Chairman Mark Smith for questions. The weblink for the regulations is: https://www.sdaa.org/docs/_tds/SDAAPrivatePadSiteDevelopmentUseRegulations-RevC.pdf.

8. Adjournment Adjourned at 8:25 pm.

Page 6: San Diego Astronomy Association · 3. Priority / Member Business a. Ross Salinger and John Laborde discussed the transfer of the Laborde observatory at TDS to Ross effective 1 January

San Diego Astronomy Association

6

ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE NEWS Mary Todd, SDAA Astronomical League Correspondent (ALCor) [email protected] Astronomical League Observing Programs As is indicated on the website www.astroleague.org, the Astronomical League (AL) provides many different Observing Programs. These Observing Programs are designed to provide a direction for your observations and to provide a goal. The Observing Programs have certificates and pins to recognize the observers’ accomplishments and for demonstrating their observing skills with a variety of instruments and objects. The Observing Programs are at the Novice, Intermediate and Advanced levels. Details are provided on the website www.astroleague.org under the Observe drop-down menu. All submissions are done through the SDAA ALCor. SDAA Astronomical League Special Interest Group (ALSIG) A committee of members is being formed in the SDAA to review the observations by SDAA members when they pursue awards for these programs. Then the ALSIG Chair or designee will submit the observations to the Astronomical League for the award. Please notify the ALCor if you are interested in participating on this committee. Please contact the ALCor with any questions. SDAA members having completed Astronomical League Observing Programs SDAA members who have previously completed Astronomical League Observing Programs are invited to contact the SDAA ALCor to be recognized in the SDAA newsletter and/or at a program meeting. Those SDAA members who complete Astronomical League Observing programs in the future will be included in the SDAA newsletter as well as the Reflector magazine published by the Astronomical League. Astronomical League Observing Program presentation SDAA members who complete AL Observing Programs will have the opportunity to have their awards presented at an SDAA monthly program meeting.

Page 7: San Diego Astronomy Association · 3. Priority / Member Business a. Ross Salinger and John Laborde discussed the transfer of the Laborde observatory at TDS to Ross effective 1 January

San Diego Astronomy Association

7

Page 8: San Diego Astronomy Association · 3. Priority / Member Business a. Ross Salinger and John Laborde discussed the transfer of the Laborde observatory at TDS to Ross effective 1 January

San Diego Astronomy Association

8

January 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2

Stars in the Park

3

4

Stars at Mission Trails

5

TDS Member Night

6

New Moon

7

Balboa Elementary

8

SDAA Business Meeting

9

Marshall Middle School

10

Fuerte Elementary

11

12

Oak Oasis

13

14

Challenger Middle School

15

16

17

Tierrasanta Elementary

18

Stars at West Sycamore

19

SDAA Banquet

20

Lunar Eclipse Fleet

21 Full Moon

22

23 Thomas Jefferson Elementary

24 Darnell Charter

School

25

Sandburg Elementary

26

Public Star Party TDS

27

28

29

30

31

Kate Sessions Elementary

1

2

Page 9: San Diego Astronomy Association · 3. Priority / Member Business a. Ross Salinger and John Laborde discussed the transfer of the Laborde observatory at TDS to Ross effective 1 January

San Diego Astronomy Association

9

SDAA ContactsClub Officers and Directors

President Dave Wood [email protected] (858) 735-8808Vice President Kin Searcy [email protected] (858) 586-0974Recording Secretary Brian McFarland [email protected] (619) 462-4483Treasurer Gene Burch [email protected] (858) 926-9610 Corresponding Secretary Scott Dixon [email protected] Director Alpha Dave Decker [email protected] (619) 972-1003Director Beta Jeff Herman [email protected] Director Gamma Pat Boyce [email protected] (619) 227-9614Director Delta -Vacant- [email protected]

CommitteesSite Maintenance Bill Quackenbush [email protected] (858) 395-1007Observatory Director Ed Rumsey [email protected] (858) 722-3846Private Pads Mark Smith [email protected] (858) 484-0540Outreach Dave Decker [email protected] (619) 972-1003N. County Star Parties -Vacant- [email protected] S. County Star Parties -Vacant- [email protected] E. County Star Parties Dave Decker [email protected] (619) 972-1003Central County Star Parties Dennis Ammann [email protected] (619) 247-2457Camp with the Stars -Vacant- [email protected] K.Q. Ranch Coordinator Dennis Ammann [email protected] (619) 247-2457Newsletter Andrea Kuhl [email protected] (858) 547-9887New Member Mentor Dan Kiser [email protected] (858) 922-0592Webmaster Jeff Stevens [email protected] (858) 566-2261AISIG Dave Wood [email protected] (858) 735-8808Site Acquisition -Vacant- [email protected] Field Trips -Vacant- [email protected] Grants/Fund Raising -Vacant- [email protected] Julian StarFest -Vacant- [email protected] Merchandising -Vacant- [email protected] Publicity Jeff Flynn [email protected] Loaner Scopes Ed Rumsey [email protected] (858) 722-3846 Governing Documents TBDTDS Network Dave Wood [email protected] (858) 735-8808Amateur Telescope Making -Vacant- ALCOR (Astronomical League Correspondent) Mary Todd [email protected] (858) 560-2052

Have a great new piece of gear? Read an astronomy-related book that you think others should know about? How about a photograph of an SDAA Member in action? Or are you simply tired of seeing these Boxes in the Newsletter rather than something, well, interesting?

Join the campaign to rid the Newsletter of little boxes by sharing them with the membership. In return for your efforts, you will get your very own byline or pho-tograph credit in addition to the undying gratitude of the Newsletter Editor. Just send your article or picture to [email protected].

SDAA Editorial StaffEditor - Andrea [email protected]

Assistant Editor: Craig Ewing

Page 10: San Diego Astronomy Association · 3. Priority / Member Business a. Ross Salinger and John Laborde discussed the transfer of the Laborde observatory at TDS to Ross effective 1 January

San Diego Astronomy Association

10

Meet the Members

Here is Bill Nguyen in the warming room at TDS. Besides being an astronomer, he is an accomplished musician.

Page 11: San Diego Astronomy Association · 3. Priority / Member Business a. Ross Salinger and John Laborde discussed the transfer of the Laborde observatory at TDS to Ross effective 1 January

San Diego Astronomy Association

11

NASA Night Sky Notes January 2019

This article is distributed by NASA Night Sky Network The Night Sky Network program supports astronomy clubs across the USA dedicated to astronomy outreach. Visit nightsky.jpl.nasa.org to find local clubs, events, and more!

January’s Evening Eclipse and Morning ConjunctionsBy David Prosper

Observers in the Americas are treated to an evening total lunar eclipse this month. Early risers can spot some striking morning conjunctions between Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon late in January.

A total lunar eclipse will occur on January 20th and be visible from start to finish for observers located in North and South America. This eclipse might be a treat for folks with early bedtimes; western observers can even watch the whole event before midnight. Lunar eclipses takes several hours to complete and are at their most impressive during total eclipse, or totality, when the Moon is completely enveloped by the umbra, the darkest part of Earth’s shadow. During totality the color of the Moon can change to a bright orange or red thanks to the sunlight bending through the Earth’s atmosphere - the same reason we see pink sunsets. The eclipse begins at 10:34 pm Eastern Standard Time, with totality beginning at 11:41 pm. The total eclipse lasts for slightly over an hour, ending at 12:43 am. The eclipse finishes when the Moon fully emerges from Earth’s shadow by 1:51 am. Convert these times to your own time zone to plan your own eclipse watching; for example, observers under Pacific Standard Time will see the eclipse start at 7:34 pm and end by 10:51 pm.

Lunar eclipses offer observers a unique opportunity to judge how much the Moon’s glare can interfere with stargazing. On eclipse night the Moon will be in Cancer, a constellation made up of dim stars. How many stars you can see near the full Moon before or after the eclipse? How many stars can you see during the total eclipse? The difference may surprise you. During these observations, you may spot a fuzzy cloud of stars relatively close to the Moon; this is known as the “Beehive Cluster,” M44, or Praesepe. It’s an open cluster of stars thought to be about 600 million year old and a little under 600 light years distant. Praesepe looks fantastic through binoculars.

Mars is visible in the evening and sets before midnight. It is still bright but has faded considerably since its closest approach to Earth last summer. Watch the red planet travel through the constellation Pisces throughout January.

Venus makes notable early morning appearances beside both Jupiter and the Moon later this month; make sure to get up about an hour before sunrise for the best views of these events. First, Venus andJupiter approach each other during the third full week of January. Watch their conjunction on the 22nd, when the planets appear to pass just under 2 ½ degrees of each other. The next week, observe Venus in a close conjunction with a crescent Moon the morning of the 31st. For many observers their closest pass -

Page 12: San Diego Astronomy Association · 3. Priority / Member Business a. Ross Salinger and John Laborde discussed the transfer of the Laborde observatory at TDS to Ross effective 1 January

San Diego Astronomy Association

12

NASA Night Sky Notes January 2019

just over half a degree apart, or less than a thumb’s width held at arm’s length - will occur after sunrise. Since Venus and the Moon are so bright you may st1ill be able to spot them, even after sunrise. Have you ever seen Venus in the daytime?

If you have missed Saturn this winter, watch for the ringed planet’s return by the end of the month, when it rises right before sunrise in Sagittarius. See if you can spot it after observing Venus’ conjunctions!

You can catch up on all of NASA’s current and future missions at nasa.gov

Caption:Have you ever wondered how eclipses occur? You can model the Earth-Moon system using just a couple

of small balls and a measuring stick to find out! The “yardstick eclipse” model shown here is set up to demonstrate a lunar eclipse. The “Earth” ball (front, right) casts its shadow on the smaller “Moon” ball (rear, left). You can also simulate a solar eclipse just by flipping this model around. You can even use the Sun as your light source! Find more details on this simple eclipse model at bit.ly/yardstickeclipse

Page 13: San Diego Astronomy Association · 3. Priority / Member Business a. Ross Salinger and John Laborde discussed the transfer of the Laborde observatory at TDS to Ross effective 1 January

San Diego Astronomy Association

13

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATIONSend dues and renewals to P.O. Box 23215, San Diego, CA 92193-3215. Include any renewal cards from Sky & Telescope or Astronomy magazine in which you wish to continue your subscription. The expiration date shown on your newsletter’s mailing label is the only notice that your membership in SDAA will expire. Dues are $60 for Contributing Memberships; $35 for Basic Membership; $60.00 for Private Pads; $5 for each Family membership. In addition to the club dues the annual rates for magazines available at the club discount are: Sky & Telescope $32.95 and Astronomy $34. Make checks payable to S.D. Astronomy Assn. PLEASE DO NOT send renewals directly to Sky Publishing. They return them to us for processing.