August 2004

Entrance Information Board at Three Lakes Area

Walt Hamler and I visited the Three Lakes Wildlife Management area last month to see if there were any practical observing sites there. We were rewarded with a site that appears to have excellent possibilities. The area is managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife. This site is located on CR 523 (Canoe Creek Road) in the vicinity of Lake Kissimmee.

The Pros for the site are:

1. A very remote site with grassy areas that would accommodate viewing and set up of tents and R/V's.

2. Trees are distant which allows for viewing to near the horizon in all directions.

3. The site is in a very dark area as shown on sky pollution maps. Future development of the surrounding area should be limited.

4. The Prairie Lakes section greatly limits hunting to only a few days a year, so viewing periods can be scheduled around these times.

5. There are primitive campsite areas with Toilets.

6. Area has trails and lake (boat ramp) for daytime activities.

7. Area is open 24/7.

8. The area is easy to get to via good roads.

9. The best viewing site is at the western end of the area, which should limit interference at night from other visitors.

The Cons for the site are:

1. The site is 60 miles from Oviedo, 25 miles south from St Cloud. The best viewing area is another 7 miles into the area.

2. There is no power or water available.

3. The area is near lakes that might produce ground fog at night.

4. Best viewing site we located is not in a camping area. Camping only permitted in these areas and a permit (free) is required.

5. Area access requires a fee. $3.00 per person or $6.00 per vehicle per day.

Possible Observing Site

For now I recommend CFAS schedule a special 2 night viewing session in the fall. I will work with the ranger to get permission for CFAS to set up camp in the viewing area. In the interim if any members wish to visit or know more please do not hesitate to contact Walt or me.

Members should not miss our August meeting!! Laurent Pellerin will be showing SCC’s latest planetarium show about the Cassini mission to the planet Saturn. This should be a most informative and enjoyable presentation.

At our last CFAS board meeting a discussion was held on how to better utilize the TEC 140 for the CFAS membership. As you know this telescope is presently attached to the Tinsley telescope at the Robinson observatory. However it is easily removed from its clamping rings, and has a secure carrying case. There has been interest from club members requesting field use of this telescope at our dark sky sites during our monthly viewing sessions. For this to occur CFAS would have to purchase a quality mount for this instrument. As presently envisioned, the telescope would remain under the control of the observing committee which would bring the telescope to the observing site. Members would be able to schedule its use at the site through email. BMAL, Frank Sperl is investigating what type mount would be appropriate and its associated cost. The membership is asked to comment on this possible acquisition. Please contact BMALs Frank Sperl or Paul Kronenwetter with your comments concerning this addition that would provide a significant benefit to our membership.

Paul Kronenwetter has been very active in presenting the NASA Night Sky programs to the visitors to the Orlando Science Center. More volunteers are needed to support this effort. CFAS members are encouraged to participate in this most rewarding program. New Programs in development include : “Our Place in Our Galaxy”, “A Universe of Galaxies”, “Passport Through Time” , ”Where are the Black Holes”, and  “The Universe in a Different Light”. Animations and videos are also provided as supplementary material. Please contact Paul Kronenwetter at (407) 388-7962 or email: kronenpj@netzero.net .

Interest in digital camera astrophotography continues to grow within the membership. Last months program at out general meeting was a great stimulus, and showed how with modest investment members can add to there observing enjoyment. As indicated last month, CFAS member, Bob Reim has volunteered to present a short CCD/Digital camera Astrophotography course for CFAS members. Class will be held at the Robinson Observatory sometime this fall. Scheduling information will be posted to our website and sent out via email to the members as soon as the details are known. Follow up training is also planned for our monthly viewing sessions.

Also mentioned last month, Amateur Astronomers are needed to participate in a global effort to monitor the Moon for Lunar Transient Phenomena.  Lunar Transient Phenomena is short lived changes detected on the Moon and can consist of glows, flashes, darkening of lunar features and red and blue color phenomena. DAVID O. DARLING has asked CFAS to participate in this effort. To find out more about this program contact our Scientific Committeee chairman, Michael Liguori at: phone: (407) 797-1372; email: ligmr@cfl.rr.com .

Members are reminded that Robinson visitors night observing commences in September. Observing nights are held on the first and third Wednesday nights (weather permitting) each month. Observing starts about one hour after sunset. This is a joint effort sponsored by CFAS and the UCF Astronomy club. Volunteers are needed to assist. Contact Frank Gutowski (email: FGutowski@yahoo.com)

Clear skies to all, better viewing is just around the corner.

Ray Jones