R E F L E C T O R The Astronomical League Newsletter Vol. XLIII No. 1 ISSN: 0034-2963 November, 1990 What's Inside League Officers 1990..........2 President's Prattle...........2 Book Reviews..................3 Notes from ALCON '90..........4 Meteor Club...................6 Hollywood School Project......6 Digital Setting Circles.......6 Wahnseidler Observatory.......7 NWRAL Convention..............8 Spectrum......................9 Welcome Mat..................11 Astronomy Day Winner.........12 Mars is Back! by Robert Bunge, Richland (OH) Astronomical Society Mars is about to retum for another show! The red planet reaches its largest size on November 20, 1990 during its closest approach to Earth. Opposition occurs seven days later (see chart on page 9) when the planet is located 178 degrees away from the sun. Opposition happens after close approach because the orbits of Earth and Mars are not perfecdy round. While Mars will not achieve the large size that it did in 1988, it will be placed higher in the sky ... 25 degrees higher than in 1988. There it will not be subject to as much of the Earth's turbulent atmosphere that prevents you from seeing detailed views of the planet. Planetary observing and deep sky observing have something in common. They are both an acquired skill that is best gained by practice. Deep sky observers have to learn how to use averted vision. Planetary observing requites extreme patience and careful attention to detail. In many respects, planetary observing is the harder, more challenging of the two. Highlights of 1990 Astronomical League National Convention - St. Louis by Rollin van Zandt, Astronomical League Secretary The 1990 Astronomical League-ALPO Convention, dedicated to the memory of one of our bright stars, Bob Cox, went off in an up-beat mood to 205 registrants, in spite of the heat and showers. The St. Louis Astronomical Society played host in the academic setting of Washington University in five days of action from Tuesday, July 31 to Saturday, August 4 under the capable guidance of Convention Co-chairmen Steve Best and Wayne Clark and five other hard working and capable members of the Convention team. Amy White, President of the St. Louis Astronomical Society, opened the convention with her words of welcome and a nostalgic reflection on Bob Cox. She then gave a short history of the St. Louis Astronomical Society, launched in 1936 and now boasting 300 members. Their large membership is no doubt partly the result of a close association with other astronomy and science centers - the St. Louis Science Museum with its famous DIGISTAR planetarium, an outstanding Science Library, and Washington University with its Center for Space Sciences and Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. Workshops Dan Koehler and Richard Wiesen conducted a workshop demonstrating a coast-to-coast in line service through the CompuServe hookup. Most of the conversation related to the forthcoming 1991 eclipse. A panel of experts from ALPO, with John Westfall the moderator, discussed new observing techniques and means of improving their operations. Papers and Speakers. Chairwoman Cecilia Brown took hold of this important segment of the convention with a firm hand and made sure that speakers stayed on schedule to the end of the convention. Highlighting these were the usual high quality contributions from ALPO that always grace the League conventions when they share the podium. To mention a few: Jeff Beish presented the paper he and Don Parker authored, entitled "The 1990-1991 Apparition - A Preview." It tells us good and productive viewing of Mars was not all over in 1988, but that there are still many opportunities - especially in identifying dust storms. Jim Melka took some outstanding pictures of Mars through a special long focus telescope at Mauna Kea and one is reproduced in the PROCEEDINGS. It is one of the finest and most detailed photographs of Mars ever taken. Jose' Olivarez and Phil Budine described some of the most unexpected changes in Jupiter ever recorded, including the fading of the Great Red Spot and one of the equatorial bands. John Westfall embellished the usual eclipses, occultations, etc., of Jupiter's satellites with more exciting events wherein the satellites eclipse or occult each other. He tabulates the times of these events while this period is taking place between Nov. 13, 1990 and April 12, 1992, when there will be 147 occultations and eclipses viewable through both binoculars and telescopes. Photometric measurements of some of these events will be of scientific interest. Dan Joyce and Dan Troiani aroused a lot of interest in describing how an ordinary video camera can revolutionize observing even by just holding the camera against the eyepiece (afocal). The CCD feature in up-to-date camcorders greatly improves viewing of dim objects. The tape can immediately be put on the screen for extended viewing or, what is even more intriguing, the image in the eyepiece can be directly viewed in the comfort of a warm room nearby. Former President Ken Willcox gave a rundown of the problems with the Hubble Space Telescope. 3/4 of the presently planned program must be eliminated and reprogrammed according to new criteria for Round Two proposals involving both amateurs and professionals. While the spherical aberration problem cannot be corrected until 1993, opportunities for observations in the UV and high resolution for bright objects in visible light still remain. The good news is that the flaw can be eliminated once corrective optics have been installed. The HST should then be able to perform substantially up to its original specifications. Amateur participation in HST should continue to provide closer interaction between amateur and professional astronomers. Mike Frasca gave encouragement to budding astrophotographers, citing his successes with Konica 3200 and Ektar 1000 films: use Konica for nebulosity and Ektar for clusters and galaxies. The theme of education in astronomy was served with Amy White's paper showing what a little imagination can do in effectively teaching astronomy to youngsters as well as with Wayne Wooten's suggestions on what astronomy clubs can do in urging and helping teenagers participate in science fairs. Awards The ALPO Walter H. Hass Observing Award for 1990 was presented by Jeff Beish to David Levy, discoverer so far of 6 comets. It was made during the ALPO paper sessions. Ken Willcox presented the League awards to Janet Mattei, Director of AAVSO, for the Astronomical League Award; Ed Flaspoehler, Editor of the REFLECTOR, for the G. R. Wright Service Award; and Clive Cadle for the Mid States Regional Award. Winners of the astrophotography awards were Mike Frasca for deep sky in color and long lens photography; Eliot Neel for B & W deep sky objects; Clark Van Scoyk for solar system color photography; Jim Bedell for solar system B & W; Tom Ross for wide angle photography in B & W; and Chuck Allen for wide angle color photography. Banquet Speaker. Dr. John Dickel, Professor of Astronomy at the University of Illinois, was the featured speaker at the Saturday evening banquet. In his talk, he reviewed the history of radio astronomy from its early inception and traced its development to the present, with final emphasis on wide baseline observations involving separations greater than the diameter of the earth through the use of dishes on orbiting satellites. The meeting ended on the same upbeat note as it began and testified to the most capable performance of the seven members of the convention committee and other dedicated volunteers from the host club - the St. Louis Astronomical Society. @CAPTION = Larry Jahn of the Naperville Astronomical Society again conducted a National Starbowl Competition quiz show as he had so successfully done at ALCON 88 in Council Bluffs. During the Starbowl, two pairs of opposing teams competed for the National Championship. The team's imaginative names were "Return of the Vortexes" and "Fox's Cubs" for the first pair, and "M27" and "Spock's Flock II" for the second pair. The winning team was "Fox's Cubs," consisting of Bob Stalzer, Jim Fox, Fred Pilcher and Mike Hood. REFLECTOR Quarterly Publication of the Astronomical League Issued by the Astronomical League in February, May, August and November. The REFLECTOR is mailed directly to each individual of its affiliate socities and to members-at-large as a benefit of League membership. ISSN: 0034-2963 Editor Ed Flaspoehler 5027 W. Stanford Dallas, TX 75209 (214) 357-2744 Assistant Editor M. Barlow Pepin 420 S. Shell Road Deland, FL 32720 (904) 736-2534 Book Review Editor Gail O. Clark 74 Mountain Drive Pocatello, ID 83204 Advertising Coordinator Debbie Moran - see address below REFLECTOR Deadlines Fall Issue September 20th Winter Issue December 20th Spring Issue March 20th Summer Issue June 20th Written and graphic material from this publication may be reprinted only for non-profit benefit of interested parties, provided specific credit is given to the writer(s), the REFLECTOR and the Astronomical League. Any other use of material, including graphics and photographs, is subject to express permission from the Editor and the Astronomical League Publications Director. National Officers President Jim Fox 14601 55th Street South Afton, MN 55001 (612) 436-5843 Vice President Jerry Sherlin 17002 E Prentice Dr Aurora, CO 80015 (303) 680-6894 Secretary/Publications Chairman Rollin P. van Zandt P.O. Box 324 Bisbee, AZ 85603 (602) 432-4779 Treasurer Debbie Moran 11832 Sandpiper Houston, TX 77035 (713) 726-1514 Executive Secretary Merry Edenton-Wooten 6235 Omie Circle Pensacola, FL 32504 (904) 477-8859 Observing Awards Coordinator Kathy Machin 4845 N. Smalley Ave Kansas City, Mo 64119 (816) 863-6218 1990-91 Astronomical League Officers AL President Jim Fox is also a trustee of the Astronomical League Trust Fund. He lives in Minnesota and is a founder of both the 3M Astronomical Society and the Minnesota Astronomical Society. He has served as NCRAL Chairman, AL Secretary, and editor of Northern Lights, the NCRAL newsletter. Jim enjoys lunar and planetary observing, occultations and photoelectric photometry using the 8-inch telescope he operates from his home observatory. Jim holds a B.S. in Engineering Sciences and has worked for the 3M company in St. Paul, MN since 1968. AL Vice-president Jerry Sherlin is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. He has recently moved to Colorado from Omaha, where he supervises 238 contract weather stations around the state. Jerry has served as VP of the Barnard Astronomical Society in Chattanooga, TN, treasurer of MSRAL, and president of the Omaha Astronomical Society. He was papers chairman of the 1988 AL Convention in Council Bluffs. Jerry has done solar research at the Sacramento Peak Observatory in New Mexico as well as at Learmouth Solar Observatory in Australia. AL Secretary Rollin P. van Zandt has been active with the Peoria, Il. Astronomical Society since 1950. While a member of that club, he was responsible for building the Jubilee Observatory there, which houses a 24-inch reflector and a 19th century 9-inch Goertner refractor. Rollin has been active in the Astronomical League for many years, and was president during the Atlanta Convention in 1976. Retired from Caterpillar Corp., he is also the League Publication Chairman. AL Treasurer Debbie Moran is a violinist with the Houston Symphony. She has had a lifelong interest in astronomy and has been a past treasurer of the Houston Astronomical 5ociety. She is currently in charge of community education for that group and enjoys sharing her love of the sky with school children in the area. She also enjoys flying airplanes, backpacking and participating in NASA zero-G studies. President's Prattle by Jim Fox,Astronomical League President I wish to thank all League members for electing me president. I look forward to the next two years. Fortunately, Ken Willcox had assembled a great team of committee chairs. They and the other officers you have elected will make my job a lot easier. First, to dispel some rumors, the League is solvent and we have many fine programs in place to serve both individual members and the member societies. I hope you will take advantage of the membership privileges available to you. At the St. Louis convention in August, League officers and Trust Fund trustees met to begin a long range planing process. This is not a one time thing, but an ongoing process wherein we hope to set priorities for efficient use of League resources in the years to come. As a first step, we defined the League's Mission, or reason for existing, to be: To promote the science of astronomy: by fostering astronomical education, by providing incentives for astronomical observation and research, by assisting communication among amateur astronomical societies. Our mission statement may sound familiar - it is not too different from the preamble to our By-Laws. But there are some subtle changes of emphasis. Now the officers and trustees are trying to identify those issues that are key to the success of our mission, as we see it. Next, we will examine our programs to make sure that the key issues are addressed. If you have any thoughts you want us to consider, please let us know. The addresses of all the officers can be found on this page. In addition, you can leave me a message on CompuServe at 72550,1377. We want to hear from you. This is your Astronomical League. Book Reviews THE NEW SOLAR SYSTEM, 3rd edition edited by J. Kelly Beatty & Andrew Chalkin Sky Publishing Corporation 49 Bay State Road Cambridge, Mass. 02138 326 pages hardbound $39.95 SBN 0-933346-55-7 paper $24.94 ISBN 0-933346-56-5 If it seems presumptuous to refer to the Sun and its retinue of planets as "new," consider the immense number of recent discoveries and additional solar system knowledge accumulated in the past decade. We just don't live in the same world, or solar system, we once did. Twenty-six respected professionals, the book's two editors included, have synthesized salient discoveries about our solar system in this timely volume. Lavishly illustrated and printed on slick paper, this book lives up to the high level of popularity earned by its first two revisions. In non-technical language, there are explanations and analyses from each author's personal perspective and area of expertise, describing just what has been learned in each particular field. Readers will find a wealth of up-to-date fact as well as an amount of expert conjecture. A sample of the titles includes: "The Sun" by Robert Noyes; "Magnetospheres, Cosmic Rays, and the Interplanetary Medium" by James Van Allen; "Mars" by Michael Carr; and "The Voyager Encounters" by Bradford Smith. Also included are author biographies, a suggested reading list compiled by each author according to specialty, a glossary, planetary and satellite maps, and tables of physical data for all significant solar system bodies. There are a number of good solar system books aimed at the interested and intelligent reader. The present revision of The New Solar System, given its timeliness and expert authorship, is probably the most comprehensive source book available. You will treasure it for yourself or as at splendid gift for someone who cares about man's place in the Universe. Gail O. Clark - AL Book Review Editor YOUR GUIDE TO THE GREAT SOLAR ECLIPSE OF 1991 by Joe Rao Sky Publishing Corporation 49 Bay State Road, Cambridge, Mass. 02138 139 pages, paper $14.95 ISBN 0-933346-50-3 Virtually every League member is aware of the July 11, 1991 solar eclipse. Many, including this reviewer, plan to travel to an appropriate locale to stand in the shadow of the moon for a few precious minutes. To aid those of us who desire a non-technical but reasonably thorough handbook for the eclipse, professional meteorologist and amateur astronomer Joe Rao has produced an accurate and very informative guide. Though it is getting late to plan your trip, Rao's book will be of great assistance in choosing an good observing site. Also, his suggestions on travel by air, sea, and land point out some of the potential hazards and benefits of which every observer should be aware. Moreover, weather prospects for major sites are treated thoroughly and in detail. Possibly the only shortcoming in this helpful volume is its failure to address techniques of eclipse photography. However, hints on photographing shadow bands are included. This book is a good value. While it will lose much of its practical usefulness after the "big one" has come and gone, flipping through its pages years later will certainly refresh the memory of those of us who have succumbed to the singular attraction of a solar eclipse. Gail O. Clark - AL Book Review Editor stronomical League Book Service Members of the Astronomical League may order any book on astronomy at a 10% discount through the League's book service. To order a book, send the title and author of the book, the publisher and address if known, and a check for the retail price of the book less 10%. Also give the name of your member society, or state if you are a member-at-large, since this is a service for League members only. All books are sent postpaid with no handling charges. Note the address and send your order to: Jerry Sherlin, AL Book Service, 17002 E. Prentice Dr., Aurora, CO 80015, (303) 680-6894 @CAPTION = Steve Coleman of the Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas used a TV camera attached to a C-8 to photograph the occultation of Jupuiter on the morning of August 18, 1990. The disk of the planet is shown just before it is covered by the edge of the moon. This photograph was taken directly from the TV screen during a playback of Steve's video tape. THE INTERNATIONAL DARK-SKY ASSOCIATION by Tim Hunter, President IDA Information Sheets Available from IDA as of September 1990 1. Astronomy's Problem with Light Pollution 2. Light Pollution - A Problem for All of Us 3. Why We Don't Like the 175 W Hg Vapor Fixture 4. Operating Data and Economics of Different Lamps 5. Cities and Counties in Arizona with Outdoor Lighting Codes 6. Advice on Working with Community Leaders, Officials, and others to Educate Them about the Issues and to Solicit Their Help 7. As a Non-Profit Organization, IDA Needs Help 8. Local Sections for IDA: Why? How? 9. Glossary of Basic Terms and Definitions 10. Summary of the IAU Colloquium No. 112 11. Estimating the Level of Sky Glow due to Cities 12. Recommendations about Effective Outdoor Lighting 13. Summary of the City of San Diego Street Lighting Conversion 14. Fact Sheet on the International Dark-Sky Association 15. List of Information Sheets 16. Items Currently Available from IDA 17. Vast Orbiting Displays...A Letter by Robert Dixon 18. Theft of the Night...Text of a Dec 1989 NAS OP*ED Press Release 19. The American Astronomical Society's Position on Light Pollution 20. Sky Glow Effects on Existing Large Telescopes 21. Poster Paper: Light Pollution, Another Threat to the Environment 22. Sample Letter to Help Build Awareness and Ask for Help 23. Campus Lighting and Other Such Applications 24. Security Lighting. Let's Have Real Security. 25. How to Talk to Your Neighbor Who Has a Bad Light 26. Economic Issues in Wasted and Inefficient Lighting 27. Control of Outdoor Lighting at Wesleyan University 28. An Introduction to Light Pollution 29. Turtles and Outdoor Lighting in Florida 30. Partial List of Good Lighting Fixtures 31. "Does Stanford Need More Outdoor Lighting?" Letter by Dan Schroeder 32. Telling the Differences between Different Lighting Sources 33. Talking Hasn't Worked. Shall I Sue Them? 34. We All Need Good Outdoor Nighttime Lighting To order, please enclose a donation of $1.00 for one to four sheets, $2.00 for five to nine, $3.00 for ten to 14, $4.00 for 15 to 19, $5.00 for 20 to 25, or $6.00 for 26 or more to help cover costs of reproduction and mailing. International Dark-Sky Association 3545 N. Stewart Ave. Tucson, Arizona 85716 Seven disks of Macintosh astronomy retated software -- $29 Order our collection of over 5 megabytes of astronomy-related software for your Macintosh! Seven 800K disks crammed with public domain and shareware programs such as: Astronomy Slides, Create Sunrise ... Earth Idle, Einstein 1.0, Lunar Exposure, Planets 2.00, StarChart 2.0, Star Gazer, StarMapper Mac II, Starscope, Sunrise 1.1 and 35 others,including calculators, almanacs, simulations and space recreations plus seven science and math fonts. Save $13 over price if purchased separately. Order all seven disks for $29, plus $2 shipping anywhere in the USA and we'll include an attractive clear disk box free. Ask for the "Planetary Cluster Pack"! Planet Mac (tm) P.O. Box 186 Stillwater, ME 04489 ASTRONOMY SOFTWARE Shareware / Public Domain / Commercial Andromeda Software, Inc. P.O. Box 605-L Amherst, NY 14226-0605 SHAREWARE & PUBLIC DOMAIN SOFTWARE Full Featured Software for only $3.99 per Disk! Specialists in Astronomy / Scientific Shareware & Public Domain Software for IBM and Commodore 64/128 Computers. Astronomy software includes Planetarium Simulators, Ephemeris Generators, Astronomical Databases, Solar System Simulators, Satellite Tracking Programs, Astrophotography Exposure Calculators, Celestial Mechanics Simulators, Astronomical Clocks, Launch Vehicle Simulators and more. Other Categories include Aviation, Chemistry, Earth Science, Electronics, Engineering, Ham Radio, Math, Medical, Statistics, Surveying and more. Write for our FREE catalog of Shareware & Public Domain Software. Specify IBM or Commodore. ASTROVIEW Astonomical Development System A Step Up In Computer Aided Astronomy Generates an undistorted, complete sky starfield. "The full sky view is one of the best this reviewer has seen." -- The Reflector - May, 1987 Expandable astronomical database of celestial objects. Position table feature helps you locate elusive deep sky objects in the ACTUAL night sky. For Commodore 64/128 or Apple IIc/IIe (with 64k/80 columns). Only $39.95 JOVIAN SYSTEM SIMULATOR A Simulation of the Galilean Satellites of Jupiter Features a multi-view animation screen of the Jovian System. Includes a Data Bank feature which includes full color cross sectional and data about each moon. A great teaching aid! For IBM PC/XT/AT with 256k, CGA and MS-DOS 2.0 or higher. Only $24.95 Write to the address at the top of this advertisement for more information. Notes from ALCON '90 League Council Meeting. The annual meeting to the Astronomical League Council took place on the last day of the convention. 19 of the 25 members were represented, covering all regions except the MARS Region and the Western Amateur Association. League membership is holding up, presently tallying at 174 societies constituting a total of almost 11,000 amateurs. Executive Secretary Merry Wooten was especially successful in getting the club representatives (ALCORS) to send in updated club membership lists. Only six ALCORS failed to respond. Treasurer Debbie Moran reported that the League's financial health has continued to improve over the past two years - doubtless due in part to her persistent and successful efforts to collect the dues and to prudent management of funds which were a little below the budget. All of this, plus the decision last year to use Trust Fund interest for needed but unbudgeted funds, is making it possible to increase services to the membership. Trust fund interest last year of $1500 gave the Program Materials Committee a boost to update its offerings, especially in video tapes for member society programs. Continued operations and further acquisitions will come from the current operation budget. Chairman Don Garland is sending out a new listing of programs to the ALCORS. He can be reached at (817) 429-4110 for further information. The Trust Fund interest for this fiscal year will be applied to the preparation of educational material in astronomy by Mike Flick, such as slides and outlines for member societies to offer to civic groups and public schools. Funds are also budgeted for Dr. Flick to update and publish new GUIDELINES FOR ASTRONOMY COURSES for member society classes. Kathy Machin reported sending 73 regular and 58 honorary Messier Club awards the past year, as well as 30 regular and one honorary certificate to the newly formed Meteor Club. With the addition of another set of awards being established for observing the sun, it has now been decided to change Kathy's title to Observing Awards Coordinator. John Wagoner, head of the Computer User's Group, is also an avid supporter of observing programs. He reported on a simplified Messier program for the neophyte, using only a pair of binoculars. The Texas and Kansas City Astronomical Societies already offer the program to anyone as a public service and to promote new members. The League is considering sponsoring such a program on a national basis. John further reports on the continuing success of the Computer User's Group Bulletin Board Service (BBS). Over the past year, 1000 League members from 80 member societies have used this service over 6,000 times. Since its inception, the available computer programs have increased from seven to 500, covering a gamut from astronomy graphics to IAU circulars. Many society editors are using the BBS material in their newsletters. The provision for regional assistance funds was simplified to make it more available to a genuine need. A case in point, and one that the League is seriously considering, is assistance to the Great Lakes Region. This region has fallen into hard times and failed to put on Regional conventions for the past several years. Tom Rausch, the Great Lakes Regional Representative, is spearheading this revitalization effort. Another service which the League is now supporting is the Comet Rapid Announcement Service (CRAS), independently conducted by Steve Smith. Costs are now partly covered by a subscription fee and the League helps out with a $100 annual donation. Wilma Cherup reported a $3000 profit on League Sales sent to the League Treasurer. Her sales counter, which she faithfully operates at every National Convention, and her mail order business make this an important profit center. A windfall to the League of $1200 came from the sale of a mirror blank, originally a part of a mirror grinding machine offer made several years ago. The grinding machine was in need of considerable repair. Instead of using this money as originally planned for this purpose, the Council decided to apply this windfall to the creation of a brochure on the Trust Fund to be used for promotional purposes. League Business Meeting The annual business meeting of the Astronomical League was held on Saturday, August 4, during ALCON 90 in St. Louis. A new member category was added to the By-Laws, called "Youth Member" with a maximum age limit of 14. It is similar to the Member-at-Large category in applying to individuals rather than societies. The annual membership fee is $20 and includes a subscription to the REFLECTOR and ODYSSEY. Cathryn DuVall, former League Secretary, is relinquishing her job as League Historian after over 20 years (she can't remember how long) of devoted service. Cathryn has faithfully accumulated albums full of pictures and other memorabilia since the League was first organized in the mid 40s. Frank Roldan from the Milwaukee Society is taking her place. He can be contacted for contributions or to answer questions on past history at 3123 Maple Dr., LaCross WI 54601. The meeting ended on a pleasant note with a standing ovation for the immediate past President, Ken Willcox, who did so much in putting the League back on track during his two year term of office. ALCON '91 The 1991 convention will be held the three days immediately preceeding the annual Stellafane convention, August 7-9, 1991, at the University of Massachussets, Amherst, MA. More on M40 A New Yorker Responds Our article on M40 published in the Astronomical League's REFLECTOR (August 1990) has prompted another response, this time from Susan French of Scotia, New York. Susan writes that Vehrenberg's Atlas of Deep Sky Splendors has a large section devoted to the Messier objects. She provided the following excerpt. "(Messier) then made a special search for some of the nebulae discovered by Hevelius with the naked eye some 100 years previously. Most of these turned out to be only loose groups of faint stars, and Messier listed them as non-existent. But in the case of M40 he had some doubts, and included it although only two faint stars without nebulosity were visible." Ms. French also notes that if she bumps into Dennis di Cicco at any astronomy conventions, she'll ask him what he meant by referring to M40 as an asterism. Our thanks to Susan French for taking the time to add to our understanding of this enigmatic Messier object. Mark Hodges, Roanoke Valley (VA) Astronomical Society '91 Solar Eclipse offered by the Astronomical League We have rooms at the King Kamehamela and Royal Waikoloan hotels on the Kona Coast of Hawaii for July 9-13, 1991. Private observing sites at hotels and solar filters to view partial phases safely. Air travel, five days lodging and airport transportation estimated at $1700 to $1800 per person/double room occupancy. Cars available. Side trips to Mauna Kea Observatory, Volcanoes National Park and other islands planned plus many other attractions. Dr. Mark Littman, Univ. of Tennessee, Dr. Jim Zimbelman, Snithsonian Inst., Dr. Ron Schorn Sky & Telescope and Ken Willcox, Astronomical League to accompany us. Room is limited, so don't delay. Contact Ada Guess Spears Travel 500 S. Keeler Bartlesville, OK 74003 (800) 688-8031 The Meteor Club by Kathy Machin, Observing Awards Coordinator Most members of the Astronomical League have heard of the Messier Club and the Herschel Club -- but relatively few have heard of the Meteor Club. Like the Messier Club and the Herschel club, the Meteor Club emphasizes visual observing and the keeping of appropriate records. Unlike the other Observing Clubs, a telescope is not needed and group observing is preferably part of the program. The Meteor Club is based on the OBSERVE METEORS handbook published by the Astronomical League. Observers must observe a minimum of six hours to receive a certificate. Anyone who observes more than 36 hours will receive an honorary certificate. The observing record forms are completed and sent in to the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, ALPO Meteor recorder, Robert Lunsford, 161 Vance Street, Chula Vista, CA 92010. As of August 15, l990, certificates have been awarded to 11 observers. Two members of the Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas have received certificates, David Swann, honorary member with 36 hours, and John Wagoner with 6 hours. There are also nine members of the Greensboro Astronomy Club who have been awarded certificates: Dennis Hands (30 hours), Dick Brown (18 hours), Mary Krieg (24 hours), Dick Brown (18 hours), Barbara Hands (18 hours), Ed Deckert (12 hours), Rex Carroll (12 hours), Deborah Carroll (12 hours), Don Talbert (6 hours), and Jim Patton (6 hours). Observing meteors is an enjoyable activity that can be done by groups, as the Greensboro members show, and requires very little equipment. The information gathered has the potential of being scientifically useful. Why not try this out as an activity in your club? EVERY MOONWALK MINUTE Rare Video from Lunar Surface TV Camera - See and Hear Astronauts Discussing Every Experiment as Deployed FLIGHT AREA VISITED TAPES PRICE Apollo 10 Orbital Flight 1.5 $20 Apollo 11 Sea of Tranquility 2.0 $20 Apollo 12 Ocean of Storms 2.0 $20 Apollo 13 No Landing 1.0 $20 Apollo 14 Fra Mauro 4.5 $20 Apollo 15 Hadley Appenines 5.5 $20 Apollo 16 Descartes 6.5 $20 Apollo 17 Taurus Liftrow 6.0 $20 Complete Library $300 - 29 Two-Hour VHS Cassettes: 58 HOURS HIGH QUALITY, YEARS OF ENJOYMENT, MONEYBACK GUARANTEE, PAL OR NTSC CENTREPOINT - PO Box 542063B Dallas, Tx. 75354 USA - U.S. POSTAGE FREE Postage to Europe: $25 Surface - $ 75 Air - N. America: NO CHARGE Elsewhere : $35 Surface - $1 00 Air - CHECK or MONEY ORDER The Hollywood School Project by Kathey J. Nix, Society of Low-Energy Observers, Memphis, TN The Hollywood School Project turned out great! The Memphis Board of Education architect, Mr. Eissler, had contacted us about helping with the remodeling of the inner city school, Hollywood Elementary. The school's nickname is the Hollywood Stars and he invited us to paint a starfield over the stage in their cafeteria. We made a constellation model of the area to be painted and photographed it onto slide film. The slides were then projected onto 34x4-ft stencil paper provided by the Board of Education so the constellations could be traced. Stars were cut out in different sized circles according to magnitude of the star. The completed stencil showed only stars and no constellation outlines of any kind. That way, the kids can try to figure out the constellations for themselves. The constellations have been divided up into the four seasons, starting with fall on the left and going to summer on the right, with the Little Dipper and Polaris in the center. Since the wall over the stage is a flat strip, the constellations could not be arranged as they are in the sky but were arranged as they relate to each other in each seasonal group. The stencil was completed on July 14, but the actual painting had to be postponed from the 21st to the evening of the 25th. The cafeteria/auditorium was hot, but we didn't mind because we were having FUN, FUN, FUN. We got started about 5:00 pm with Birdie and Kathey on a scaffold, taping up the stencils and marking the stars. Next, Edwin and Patrick got up there and air brushed in all the stars onto the wall that the School Board had painted in black mat paint. They colored in the zero and 1st magnitude stars according to their actual color, but left the rest white. They also highlighted the Big Dipper and Polaris to make them stand out. Then Edwin took Mr. Eissler's clothes brush (we forgot to bring something) to use as a paint sprayer to make small background stars. It looked FANTASTIC. Everyone was greatly pleased, including our benefactor Mr. Eissler and the principle of Hollywood School, Ms. Baruti. But it was not all smooth painting. Channel 3 showed up to cover this event and delayed our finishing by about one hour. (They called us volunteers ... they didn't even mention our name!!!) The project was finished when Kathey took the stencil (and a new clothes brush) to Mr. Eissler and a master stencil with notes about the star field to Ms. Baruti. The school gave everyone who came a Hollywood Stars T-shirt, which I know we will all wear proudly. GOOD JOB, SLO! What About Digital Setting Circles? by Kathy Machin, Observing Awards Coordinator This year, the League Council decided that digital setting circles are no longer allowed for use in observing for the Messier Club. Previously, computer controlled telescopes were the only prohibited equipment. Why did we make this decision? Two factors come into play: the ever evolving sophistication of digital setting circles and the basic goals of the Messier Club. In the past, there was no prohibition against any type of setting circles. When the Messier Club was started in the late 60's, the only setting circles available were mechanical. Use requires accurate polar alignment of the telescope and the circles were seldom large enough to have high accuracy. The first digital setting circles gave Right Ascension and Declination only and a great increase in accuracy. Now, digital setting circles can do much more. They can identify the object in the field or indicate which way to move the scope to find it. Certainly, digital setting circles are widely available and continuing to increase in sophistication. The basic goals of the Messier Club observing program are to teach a novice observer how to use a telescope, how to locate and identify objects, how to "see," and how to use a log book. Along the way, the observer will see many of the best and brightest deep sky objects. At the end of the project, the observer will no longer be a novice and should know the sky reasonably well. The problem, then, concerns the process on learning one's way around the sky and being able to identify what is found. The high accuracy of digital setting circles and the increasing capability of the associated computer chips removes the need for the observer to locate and identify objects on his own. However, the process of searching and identifying is as much a part of the Messier Club's goals as is observing the object itself. For these reasons, Council decided that digital setting circles will no longer be allowed. The Evansville, Indiana Astronomical Society by F. Birk Fischer and David Stephens Wahnsiedler Observatory, home of the Evansville Astronomical Society, lies in the scenic, rolling hills of southwestern Indiana. Situated in Lynnville Park, about 20 miles northeast of Evansville, and adjacent to Interstate 64, it is conveniently accessible from the surrounding area. Besides regular use by the membership, the observatory welcomes many visitors, and, by their consensus, as amateur facilities go, it is a fine one, indeed, adequately catering to the needs of the local astronomical community. The EAS did not, of course, always possess so nice a facility. Founded in 1953, for many years the club met in a small room on the upper level of the Evansville Museum. There were perhaps 30 members, with usually a dozen in attendance at the regular meetings. The club's fortunes changed in 1965. The noted astronomer and comet hunter, the late Dr. Edgar Everhart, offered a 12-inch f/10 reflector and mount to anyone who would accept responsibility for transportation. Several EAS members made the lengthy journey to Connecticut to acquire the instrument. But alas, for many years it gathered dust in a corner of the museum's storeroom for want of a home. In 1976 Walter Wahnsiedler, then president of the EAS, guaranteed financing to commence construction of an observatory to house the 12-inch. Other grants and donations soon followed. Financing was thus assured. The membership immediately initiated the next logical step: the search for a proper site. Such a site needed to be far enough from Evansville to reduce that old astronomical malady, light pollution, yet be near enough for member's convenience. After investigating a number of possibilities, a large, reclaimed area (1000 acres) of hills, lakes and forests known as Lynnville Park emerged as the final choice. The society then leased several acres at the highest elevation in the park: a scenic meadow surrounded by extensive woods of pine, oak and ash. On April 6, 1978, the EAS broke ground for the new observatory building. Construction required approximately two years, half being done by contractors and half by member's donated labor. In a few instances special construction techniques had to be employed. For example, the consistency of the soil required a special type of foundation: a large concrete "floating" slab weighing about 100 tons. The dedication ceremony was held on April 26, 1980. The ground level of the observatory building contains a lecture hall (named after Dr. Ray Dufford, one of the founders of the EAS), photo dark room, a computer room, lounge area and restrooms. The upper level contains the dome area housing the telescopes. The Everhart 12-inch Newtonian (affectionately nicknamed "The Monster") was in use several years. However, due to its excessive weight and lengthy tube, the instrument proved to be too cumbersome for practical use. Eventually it was replaced by two other instruments: a 14.5-inch Cassegrain reflector donated by EAS member Dr. Earl Antes and a 9-inch refractor donated by member Kent Brenton. These two main instruments are situated on either side of the equatorial mount that is attached to a central concrete pier. The pier actually extends downward through the first floor area and into the foundation of the building. It weighs about 10 tons. The two scopes and the equatorial mount weigh about one and one half tons. The EAS is fortunate to be able to include among its members a number of computer experts. The club is planning to apply their expertise to the scopes in the future. For example, an immediately needed improvement is a digital readout of the right ascension and declination values of the telescope alignment. The activities of the EAS include star parties, public viewing sessions, comet watches, mall shows, a speaker program at the regular meetings and publication of the monthly OBSERVER newsletter. The EAS continually strives to educate the people of southwestern Indiana in astronomy and the beauty of the heavens. For further information contact: EAS President Mike Borman, 209 Logwood Drive, Evansville, Indiana 47710, or David Stephens, 1107 Mary Street, Evansville, Indiana 47710. The Astronomical Quarterly An Interdisciplinary Journal on the History and Philosophy of Astronomical Science Editor-In-Chief: R.E. White, Steward Observatory, University of Arizona Mow Published by Pergamon Press with Newly Expanded Aims and Scope! The Astronomy Quarterly is an interdisciplinary forum which presents outstanding, informative papers that examine the role of astronomy, especially cosmology, in natural philosophy and in culture in general, as well as astronomy's influence upon the intellectual atmosphere of the epoch. In addition, the Quarterly has now expanded its hallmark editorial to review, for possible publication, papers from fields indirectly related to astronomy. Such wide ranging disciplines as archaeo-astronomy, ethno-astronomy, paleo-astronomy, socio-astronomy, and the question of religion vs. science are now being considered for publication. Subscription Information: ISSN: 0364-9229 Volume 7, 1990 Published 4 Issues Per Annum Annual Institution Subscription Rate (1990) US$ 50.00 Two-Year Institution Rate (1990/91) US$ 95.00 Professional Rate US$ 25.00 U.S. Dollar prices quoted apply in North, Central and South America only. For subscription rate outside the Americas, apply to the Nearest Pergamon Office. Prices and proposed publication dates are subject to change without prior notice. Journal prices include postage and insurance. Advertising rate cards are available upon request. FREE SAMPLE COPY AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST Pergamon Press Member of Maxwell Macmillan Pergamon Publishing Corporation US: Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, NY 10523 UK: Headington Hill Hall, Oxford OX3 OBW Ask Uncle Sol Dear Uncle Sol, I read that an 8-inch f/8 scope used with a 26mm eyepiece is equivalent to an 8-inch f/4 scope used with a 13mm eyepiece. This is definitely not true! I frequently take my 8-inch f/4 out into the countryside for star parties, using a 13mm eyepiece. But even with a 26mm eyepiece, my 8-inch f/8 won't fit in the car! Lance Reventlow, Morristown, TN. Uncle Sol answers: Lance, you have made a common beginner's mistake. The two scopes, with those eyepieces, are equivalent outside the car. But when you try to put the f/8 inside your car, your automobile's own optics come into play. Until you adjust them, your car cannot benefit from the new eyepiece. You must first learn to identify the car's primary or objective lens (so called because while you are driving, you can see your objective in it). While sitting in the driver's seat, you will notice a small mirror, known as the secondary. If your car is a Schmidt Cassegrain, the secondary is attached to the primary lens; if your car is a Newtonian, the secondary is attached to the primary holder, just above the primary. Now that you've located your car's primary lens, you must adjust the car's focal length to match the change in the telescope. Since auto primaries are zero magnification (technically, they are corrector plates) this is a simple task. Just tap with a 16 oz. ball pein hammer on the primary until it has deformed into a concave hemisphere, or even better, popped out. Your f/8 now fits in the car! But before you drive off, you must collimate the car's optics. Climb onto the trunk and, with your head on the car's center axis, look through the ocular lens into the secondary. Have a friend adjust the secondary until the image of your face is centered in it. (Hint: this will be easier if you've painted a black dot on your nose.) Once your face is centered in the secondary, have your friend adjust the position of the 8-inch on the rear seat until it occults the black dot. If you cannot do this, your nose is not aligned with your visual axis. Tap your nose with an occulting bar while you twirl around in right ascension. If you hit your nose hard enough, you will see stars. When you are aligned, these stars will describe concentric circles: "Oh, there's a pretty blue circle with a 7-inch radius, but it's not half as pretty as that red one with an 8-inch radius. Say, they both have the same center!" If you find these adjustments difficult, you may want to invest in an auto collimating eyepiece. Ask Uncle Sol is a monthly feature by Sheldon Cohen in The Smoky Mountain Astronomical Society Bulletin. Reprinted courtesy of Northwest Skies, newsletter of the Tacoma (WA) Astronomical Society, October, 1990 NWRAL Convention, Ellensburg, Washington, July 20-21, 1990 by Bill Lawson, Vice-president, Tacoma Astronomical Society As a departure from recent years, the Northwest Region of the Astronomical League (NWRAL) decided to hold its 1990 convention at an outdoor high-altitude site. Many people thought it would be too risky and attendance would be poor at best. How could you hold a convention outside? What kind of place could be provided for meetings and speakers? Would it be too difficult to get materials and supplies to the proposed remote location? What about the weather? These were some of the questions being asked during the initial planning stages. @CAPTION = There were more than 100 telescopes at the NWRAL Convention, the largest being the huge 36-inch Dobsonian brought by John and Jane Casino and their son Eric, members of the Tacoma club. Wherever John takes that large instrument, it attracts long lines of people waiting to climb the ladder and take a look. And the look is certainly worth waiting for. The location we wanted to use for this event is a place called Table Mountain or Lion Rock, about 20 miles northwest of Ellensburg, Washington on a beautiful 6000-foot plateau surrounded by several meadows. The scenery from there is wonderful and overlooks the large Kittitas Valley which extends from near the Cascade mountains to the Columbia river. The road leading to this place is, for the most part, a single lane with wide spots provided frequently for passing. Since the site is remote and somewhat hard to find, road markers would be needed. Lots of things to consider but we decided to give it a try. By far the greatest share of the logistical coordination and planning was done by Thom Jenkins, Chairman of NWRAL. Thom had been though this type of event before in Spokane and elsewhere but had never done an outdoor convention before. The Spokane club had such of the equipment we would need to put this thing together. Helping Thom was Bill Lawson, Vice-president of the Tacoma Astronomical Society, who volunteered along with others to do the fliers and registration work. Coordination was done by long-distance telephone and mail. Then came the day ... The weather for the event was perfect. It was in the mid 90s in Ellensburg, but up on the mountain the temperature was 75 to 80 with a nice breeze all day. Three separate areas were designated for camping and parking, depending on what type of activity was to be done. The astrophoto people were given a very dark area far away from any other areas. Those who did not have astronomy equipment and were campers only were given a special area. A large 20x40-foot tent was erected in the middle section, where the meetings and talks were held. At final registration time, some 225 individuals had been signed up and their tickets put in the container for the door prizes. On Saturday the 21st, the talks and meetings were held along with the caterer's meal late in the afternoon. The following people were speakers and all were very interesting: Al George, Tacoma Astronomical Society: History of the Pettinger-Guilley Observatory since its inception some 12 years ago. This observatory attracts five to ten thousand people each year at Public Nights and other events scheduled there. Tom Anderson, Tacoma Astronomical Society: Sketching techniques to improve observing skills. Tom is a commercial artist and a recent past president of the Tacoma club. Dale Fenske, President of the Rose City Astronomers, Portland: "Astrophonics" or, how to pronounce the names of stellar objects. Fred Dorey, Rose City Astronomers: Computer databases for astronomers. Dan Bakken, Spokane Astronomical Society, Deep sky viewing. Jerry Ford, Tacoma Astronomical Society: Charge-coupled devices (CCD) astrophotography and computer enhancement. This talk was so well done and so interesting that Jerry was asked to repeat it again for a second time later in the day. Standing room only. We held a general NWRAL business meeting on Saturday after all of the talks were finished. This meeting was attended by nearly everyone with overflow all around the tent itself. Thom Jenkins presided. New officers for the next year were elected, awards were handed out and it was voted unanimously that NWRAL should try to hold another convention of this type again in 1991. We had people attending from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia, Canada. Oh, I almost forgot the couple from Aruba in the Caribbean, too! And just before sunset Saturday evening, the convention was presented with a 70% eclipse of the sun. Although some clouds had formed in the west, the eclipse was seen as the sun slowly moved between them. What a nice way to end the whole thing. Spectrum Astro-Tip Flashing the TELRAD target reportedly gives the eye intervals of rest and allows you to see and align on fainter stars. Companies are selling modification kits for up to $33. Below is my circuit for making this modification. It uses a special IC chip and gives a fixed flash rate and reticle illumination. Also, since this circuit's current drain is so low, it can be left on continuously and, therefore, uses no on/off switch. The life of the batteries should approach their shelf-life. Ted Poulos Reprinted from Star Fields, Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston, September, 1990 Priscilla Andrews "Discovers" Comet Levy With the bad weather that settled over the Lehigh Valley during the September new moon, we lost the opportunity to observe the best comet since Halley's in 1989. Levy was last viewed as a +4.5 magnitude, fuzzy ball, with some condensation, and a stubby, downward pointing tail during the week of August 12th. However, for Priscilla Andrews, daughter of Ernie Andrews, Comet Levy will hold some special memories, as well as the realization that she has a sound knowledge of the sky. The story was relayed to the Observer by Ernie. The phone rang very late last Saturday night (August 4th). My daughter Priscilla had a mystery she needed to solve. "Would I find some definitive book with a star chart showing the square of Pegasus?" Some strange globular glow above the Great Square was not on her star chart or the Astronomy sky map. Priscilla said that it looked a little bit larger than M13 in Hercules, and was slightly above the "top line" of the square, left of the center. She was sure it was a globular cluster. While I hunted for a good map among my myriad references, my wife, Virginia, asked if she knew about Clyde Tombaugh's friend, David Levy, who had recently discovered a new comet? Comet ... ? COMET ... ??? THAT'S IT!!! Priscilla was unaware of Comet Levy's discovery, due to the woeful lapse of time between events and the publication of Astronomy magazine. To her credit as an observer, with a mere 7x35 pair of Sear's binoculars, Priscilla had noticed a celestial abnormality in her own backyard. She knew that blur had to be something special, and it was! Reprinted from the Lehigh Valley (PA) Astronomical Society Observer, September, 1990 The Telescope NASA Launched. News item: A shiny spot on the cap of a metering rod used to calibrate the null-test device used to figure the primary mirror of the Hubble Space Telescope seems to be the source of the spherical aberration that has partially crippled that $1.5 billion dollar instrument. This is the Telescope NASA launched. This is the Company that mastered the Art That fashioned the Mirror that lay at the Heart Of the Telescope NASA launched. This is the Curve, perfectly made, For which a Pile of Bucks has been paid Out to the Company that mastered the Art That fashioned the Mirror that lay at the Heart Of the Telescope NASA launched. These are the Optical Parts that were nested In the Device when the Mirror was tested To shape the Curve, perfectly made, For which a Pile of Bucks has been paid Out to the Company that mastered the Art That fashioned the Mirror that lay at the Heart Of the Telescope NASA launched. This is the Rod, oh, so precise, That measured the Space, to a Fractional Slice Of a Micron or two, 'twixt the Parts that were nested In the Device when the Mirror was tested To shape the Curve, perfectly made, For which a Pile of Bucks has been paid Out to the Company that mastered the Art That fashioned the Mirror that lay at the Heart Of the Telescope NASA launched. This is the Spot, shiny and bright, By the Hole in the Cap, that reflected the Light (Not the End of the Rod, oh, so precise), That measured the Space, to a Fractional Slice Of a Micron or two, 'twixt the Parts that were nested In the Device when the Mirror was tested, That spoiled the Curve before it was made For which a Pile of Bucks has been paid Out to the Company that bungled the Art And botched up the Mirror that lay at the Heart Of the Telescope NASA launched. Alan R. Fisher, Eastbay Astronomical Society, Oakland, CA Supernova 1990w in NGC 6221 M. Phillips and N. Suntzeff, Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, report the following preliminary photometry for supernova 1990w measured from CCD images obtained by J. Elias with the CTIO 0.9-meter telescope, Aug. 21.00 UT, V=14.89, B-V=+0.55; Aug. 22.11, V=14.84, B-V=+0.60. These data indicate that the supernova is at blue maximum, but may still be slowly increasing in brightness in V. J. Maza, Astronomy Department, University of Chile, Phillips and Suntzeff, also report that "M. Wischnjewsky has discovered a supernova (1990y) at RA = 3h 35m 24s.2, Dec = -33deg 12'21" (equinox 1950.0), which is 1".2 east and 5".2 south of the nucleus of an anonymous elliptical galaxy." The supernova (estimated B=18) was found on a 15 minute 103a-O plate taken through a GG385 filter by L. Wells and Wischnjewsky with the Curtis Schmidt telescope on Aug. 22.36 UT. Confirmation was made by S. Howell and P. Szkody, who obtained BVR CCD images with the CTIO 0.9-meter telescope on Aug. 29.40. Their preliminary magnitudes and colors from these data are V=17.7, B-V=+0.8, and V-R=+0.2. Spectroscopic observations are urged." Re: JUPITER'S MOONS Can you see Jupiter's moons naked eye? We find the following magnitudes: Ganymede 4.5; Io 4.8; Europa 5.2; Callisto 6.6. This places them within naked-eye brightness, although Callisto is getting close to the limit. I suspect that Jupiter's glare will hide them unless they are near the extremes of angular separation. If you try for them (as I'm sure you will) it takes a clear, still night with excellent seeing. You might first consult a chart (or use binoculars) to know where to expect them in relation to Jupiter. I don't know why Tycho Brahe didn't spot them. With the clear, dark skies of his time, you would think he couldn't have missed them. It's probably just as well. I'd hate to have to call them the "Brahean Moons!" Or worse, "Tychoean!" Items Reprinted from the Central Valley (CA) Observer, September & October, 1990 SPECTRUM is a regular feature compiled by assistant editor Barlow Pepin. Total Solar Eclipse Mazatlan, Mexico $875 per person double occupancy July 8-13, 1991 The El Cid Resort Hotel Escorted by Jose Olivarez of Wichita Omnisphere Includes Air Fare from Wichita. Hotel Accommodations, Taxes, Transfers, Eclipse Fiesta Dinner Call for prices from your City of Departure. El Cid Resort Hotel, Club de Golf y Marina Suzan Barnes, CTC KURDIAN TRAVEL AGENCY, INC. 2020 North Oliver Wichita, Kansas 67208 316-686-4225 800-835-0206 316-686-4108 FAX Astronomical League Sales "Observe and Understand the Sun"$5.00 "Observe Eclipses" $3.50 "A Guide to the Messier Objects" $3.50 "Observe the Herschel Objects" $3.50 "Observe Comets" $5.00 "Observe Meteors" $5.00 "Math for Amateur Astronomers" $5.00 ALPO Mars Observers Handbook$8.00 "Check a Possible Supernova" 40 Photos of galaxies by Juhani Salmi #1 & #2, each $5.50 Set of #1 & #2 $10.00 Proceedings - ALCON '89, ppd. $4.00 Proceedings - ALCON '90, ppd. $6.00 JEWELRY - Gold Plated Lapel Button, clutch back $4.00 Ladies Pendant, no chain $3.00 T-SHIRTS - Fine quality 50/50 Light Blue with emblem, Med-Large-X-large $5.50 Dark Blue with emblem Med-Large-X-large $5.50 XX-Large $6.00 EMBLEM PATCHES Embroidered cloth, 3" dark blue felt, w/white emblem $4.00 PRESS-ON A.L. EMBLEMS 11" dia., dark blue & white $3.00 3-1/2" dia., dark blue & white $.25 Five 3-1/2" emblems for $1.00 BUMPER STICKERS "I would Rather See Starlight than Streetlights" $1.00 POSTAGE AND HANDLING: Orders up to $5.00. please add 75c. Orders over $5.00, please add 15%, except ALCON Proceedings which are postpaid. Astronomical League Observe Manuals may be purchased in quantity at a discount: 10 to 19 copies are less 25c per copy. 20 or more copies are less $.50 per copy. We pay postage on quantity orders. Supernova books cannot be discounted. Send check or money order to: Astronomical League Sales, Four Klopfer Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15209 LENSES, ACHROMAT LENSES & MIRROR BLANKS Stock & Custom unfinished fabricated / moulded mirror blanks, diagonals & lenses made from pyrex, optical glasses, fused silica, quartz and other low expansion materials Write, call or fax for free catalog NEWPORT GLASS WORKS, LTD. 2044-D PLACENTIA AVENUE COSTA MESA, CA 92627 (714) 642-9980 FAX: (714) 642-4832 Two New League Observing Guides Revised Solar Manual The Solar Manual, under the title The New OBSERVE and Understand the Sun, is a completely revised version of the original manual which came out in 1976. The new one was edited by Richard E. Hill, Recorder for the ALPO Solar Section and Resident Observer for the Warner & Swasey Observatory at Kitt Peak. A most important feature of the new manual is a program called THE ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE SUNSPOTTERS, which invites new participants and the more experienced in solar observing to earn awards like the MESSIER CLUB awards for their accomplishments. The whole manual has been updated with the latest on monochromatic observing, filters, spectroscopy, photography, solar telescopes and solar flare patrols. Uniquely new is an article on how to use the video-cameras (especially CCD) for solar observing - a sign of the future. Left out from the old Manual is the article on solar radio astrsonomy and product recommendations - the first because AAVSO now has a whole book on the subject and the last because products can quickly change and become obsolete. The new Manual is now available through League Sales and has every promise of stimulating greater amateur participation in looking at our nearest star. Mars Observer's Handbook The Mars Observer's Handbook, written by Jeff Beish and the late Charles F. Capen for ALPO is a classic of its kind and especially pertinent to the 1990-91 apparition of Mars .This is a reprint of the original handbook which came out in 1988 and is now handled by the League for ALPO through the League Sales at $8 postpaid. Upcoming Events Let others members of the Astronomical League know about your upcoming star parties, conventions and regional events. Send announcements to Ed Flaspoehler, REFLECTOR Editor, 5027 W. Stanford, Dallas, TX 75209 REFLECTOR deadlines are September 20 for the November issue, December 20 for the February issue, March 20 for the May issue and June 20 for the August issue. 1990 PROCEEDINGS at Half the Usual Price Even if you didn't attend the recent League Convention in St. Louis, you can share in the most significant part of the program. The PROCEEDINGS have captured the heart of what transpired and can be sent to you at $6 postpaid instead of the usual $10 or $12. The paper sessions are the product of talented League members, invited speakers and ALPO. They are always slanted to the particular interests of most amateur astronomers. The subjects are highlighted in this issue's article on the convention. They are available through the League Sales. Microfiche Palomar Sky Survey A complete set of 936 Palomar Observatory Sky Survey prints (either red or blue) would cost about $6,000 if purchased from Caltech. I am negotiating with Caltech and National Geographic for a license to reproduce the survey in microfiche format. The price could vary between $100 and $500 per color, depending on the reduction factor, the design format and the size of the market. If you would like to participate in a market survey, send your name and address to Glen Deen, P.O. Box 831991, Richardson, Texas 75083. Wouldn't it be Loverly? by Gary Close, Roanoke Valley (VA) Astronomical Society Warm face, warm hands, warm feet. As winter draws upon us, it's once again time to consider, as the song says, ways to keep happy. Ever since I refused to pay a hundred dollars for those famous hi-tech long johns that keep the Pittsburgh Steelers warm, I've been looking for and trying out various products to keep from freezing to death at Winter observing sessions. Other RVAS members have been doing the same. Herewith is included some of the combined wisdom of thousands of man-dollars of club research. The warmest first, of course. The best you can do is to buy L.L. Bean's Newfoundland Parka with 13 ounces of goose down at $249.50, or Cabela's Expedition Goose Down Parka with 12.5 ounces of down for $109.95. Then you will need Cabela's Expedition Down pants filled with 7 ounces of down at $59.95. For your feet you need Bean's Cold Weather Boot with felt lining 3/8 of an inch thick at $75.00. Buy them at least two sizes larger than your regular shoes to accommodate the heaviest wool socks you can find, or a pair of electric socks. Remember that sweaty feet get cold no matter what you wear. Try spraying your feet with antiperspirant to keep them dry. I know it sounds kinky but it works. For your hands, the best we've found is Cabela's Gore-Tex Thinsulate Gloves with 200 grams of thinsulate at $24.95. Under them I wear a pair of polypropylene glove liners to protect my hands when changing eyepieces. You will also need a ski mask. In this outfit you will feel like you are sitting in your den with the thermostat set at 75 degrees, and you will stay that way for hours. I have probably spent three times the above cumulative total on promising looking, inexpensive alternatives that did not work out. Most notably would be a closet full of boots that looked warm and felt warm in the store, cost less than $35, but allowed my feet to freeze after only two or three hours of observing at temperatures below thirty. Credit Gilmer Wilhelm for discovering the Bean boots and parka. I used to wear layers of clothes. Two sweat shirts, sweaters, long johns, two pairs of sweat pants, blue jeans, jackets, two hats, several pairs of socks, and my unsuccessful boots. Some things were pretty good. Two pairs of sweat pants under your blue jeans, for instance. Two sweat shirts for another. Some people like those insulated coveralls, some have tried insulated long-johns. But those who have tried other things all agree that Cabela's down pants can't be beat. Credit Ray Greenman for discovering Cabela's down filled pants, gloves, and a parka equal to Bean's but much cheaper. These are a few of my favorite things. Still, despite all this, some improvement could be made. In very cold weather, below 10 degrees, my feet still start to get cold after a few hours. L. L. Bean has a new boot called the Polar Boot for only $125, and Cabela's has a Zero-Guard (Mickey Mouse) boot good to seventy below for only $144.95. So the research goes on. But my check book is empty. Does anyone want my catalogs? Welcoming Mat New Socities Treasure Coast Astronomical Society (se 9008) ALCOR: Joey Lopez 182 SW Eyerly Ave. Pt. St. Lucie, FL 34983 Eastern Carolina Astronomical Association (se 9009) ALCOR: Richard Downs 2612-C Cashwell Drive Goldsboro, NC 27530 York County Parks Astronomical Society (me 9010) ALCOR: Jeri Jones 276 Main Street Spring Grove, PA 17362 Oglebay Institute Astronomical Association (me 9011) ALCOR: Henry Winchester Box 436 Chapel Hill Triadelphia, WV 26059 Brevard Astronomical Society (se 9012) ALCOR: Brad Lytle 802 Kara Circle Rockledge, FL 32955 Cartoon: The Webfooted Astronomer by Harley Hashman, Seattle Astronomical Society ECLIPSE! On July 11, 1991, one of the longest total solar eclipses this century will be visible from Mexico. Join an expedition organized by professional astronomers to the path edges, where shadow bands, Bailey's Beads, crescent projections, the Diamond Ring, and the Flash Spectrum are more likely to occur, and will last up to 10 times longer! Astronomer Tom Van Flandern and his team will conduct a week of exciting sky-viewing, including the Moon passing through a star cluster, lectures on new cosmology and solar system ideas, and the eclipse everyone has been waiting for. 7 days, 6 nights in beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, July 6-12, 1991. Estimated cost: $700 single, $900 double + air fare ($250-$450 from USA). July 9-12 only, half price (except air). Write or call for details: The Eclipse Edge PO Box 15186 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 (202) 362-8279. Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Wins Astronomy Day Award A coalition of six groups coordinated by The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Toronto Centre has won the second annual Astronomy Day Award sponsored by Sky Publishing. The five other participating groups are The McLaughlin Planetarium of the Royal Ontario Museum, The Ontario Science Centre, Erindale Campus of the University of Toronto, The Department of Astronomy of the University of Toronto, and The Department of Physics of York University. The Toronto groups hosted a week long series of events at nine different sites. They produced a free 12 page information booklet listing all the sites and activities, as well as basic astronomy information. In addition, on the weekend prior to Astronomy Week they hosted a shopping mall display to advertise Astronomy Week. This group was truly "taking Astronomy to the people." Runners up this year are Mountain Skies Astronomical Society, Charles Hayden Planetarium, Northwest Suburban Astronomers, The Wilderness Center Astronomy Club and the Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society. Astronomy Day next year will be April 21, 1991. 1991 marks the 19th year that Astronomers have sponsored special events for public Astronomy Day. Sponsored by 13 Astronomy and Astronomy education organizations, this now international event serves thousands of people in a variety of ways. Each local area hosts and plans a variety of special activities. To aid in this planning process, the Astronomical League has published a handbook for organizations wishing to host special Astronomy Day events. The 120 page handbook is divided into three sections. The first section covers the history of Astronomy Day, along with detailed organizational ideas for hosting special events. In this same section are the dates for Astronomy Day for the rest of the century. Section 2 contains 50 pages of ideas for special events including some display techniques, attention getting ideas, and activities that can be performed on Astronomy Day. Two of the most important subsections here are "Light Pollution" and Astronomy education materials, including space camps, scholarships, teacher training courses and publications for classroom teachers. Throughout sections 1 and 2, dozens of company names and organizations are integrated into the appropriate subsections. Section 3 gives over 200 addresses for these organizations. Also included in the handbook are rules and entry forms for the Astronomy Day Award. This award is given annually to the group or organization that hosts the best events for Astronomy Day. Cost for the handbook is $7.00 in the United States. Outside of the United States, add $1.00 for surface mail or $3.00 for air mail. All funds must be in U.S. dollars. Checks should be made payable to the Astronomical League. Organizations wishing free rules and entry forms for the Astronomy Day Award (for the organization that hosts the best Astronomy Day events) without ordering the entire handbook should send a self addressed, stamped, legal size envelope to: Gary Tomlinson Astronomy Day Coordinator c/o Chaffee Planetarium 54 Jefferson S.E. Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 456-3987 Membership-at-Large In the Astronomical League What does the League offer YOU, as Member-at-Large? o Full voting privileges. o The PROCEEDINGS of the National Convention. o A subscription to THE REFLECTOR newsletter. o Book Service through which you can buy astronomy related books at a 10% discount. o A subscription to your choice of one of the three following publications: 1. Abram Star Chart 2. Griffith Observer 3. Star Date News from McDonald Observatory. To join the Astronomical League as a member-at-large, send a check for $25.00 made payable to: Astronomical League Subscription Service Linda Sensenig, M.A.L. Chair 345 Douglass Street Wyomissing, PA 19610 (215) 375-9062 The Astronomical League's STARGATE BBS 214-578-7618 300, 1200, 2400 Baud 24 Hours - 8,N,1 Stargate BBS now has available in the Bulletin section the weekly articles "Skyline" and "Sky at a Glance" from Sky and Telescope magazine, along with the monthly "Skygazing Notes" from the United States Naval Observatory. Download the text of this issue from the REFLECTOR section on the Bulletin Board. The REFLECTOR is now on CompuServe. Type GO ASTROFORUM at the '!' prompt. Astronomy Day April 20, 1991 Taking Astronomy to the People The REFLECTOR is sent to you by the Astronomical League through membership in your local astronomy club.