Summer Observing Committee News
SUMMER OBSERVING NEWS
SUMMER TRIANGLE
Summer came early this year along with cloudy nights. If the weather remains with traditional summer high humidity and afternoon thunder showers little opportunity for sustained clear sky observing will be possible. Still there is the moon and planets to observe on those nights that have partial clearing. For those early risers it is also possible to find clear skies in the morning before sunrise. The summer triangle is high above and offers great celestial views.
If all else fails there is always SLOOH.com to fall back on. With the Canary Island , Chile and Australia telescopes up there is usually some observing going on. I use a planetarium program along with SLOOH to keep up with the location of the objects.
Europe:
With the sunspot activity increasing it is time to put on the solar filters again and view the sunspots. CFAS has a Coronado Hydrogen Alpha filter solar telescope that can be checked out for a week at a time. It can be used on a regular camera tripod or attached to your telescope if equipped with a small Los Mandy dovetail. Use the Telescope loaner Forum to reserve this telescope that is able to show the sun’s surface detail and prominences.
Members are reminded that when observing in Florida during the summer months that the mosquitoes can be very bad right after sunset. The last group that observed at Harmony got run out after a few hours. I recommend that you wear clothes that cover most of your body, and use a good bug repellent with Deet. I have a bug jacket that was purchased for spring fishing in New York state to protect against the small black flies. It is hooded and works great against mosquitoes also.
The UCF/CFAS Robinson agreement is still in the works at UCF. Hopefully this will soon be resolved ,and we can get the operator qualification program back on track again. Unfortunately things in academia move slowly, and patience is needed.
The UCF physics department submitted their input for our CFAS Astronomy Grant program. The CFAS Board approved astronomy student Zoe Landsman as the winner of this year’s UCF/CFAS grant competition. Zoe was recommended by astronomy professor Umberto Campins. Along with her undergraduate studies and many astronomy outreach programs, Zoe has been assisting Dr. Campins in a major asteroid project over the past year. Her application essay is below:
Application Essay on the Importance of Astronomy
by Zoe Landsman
We are all astronomers. Everyone has, usually as a young child, perhaps while lying on the grass one night marveling at the vastness of the night sky, asked themselves the most fundamental questions: Who are we? Where did we come from and, for that matter, where did everything come from? These universal questions are some that astronomy seeks to answer.
Astronomy has been woven into the fabric of humanity since the time of our earliest ancestors. We relied on the positions of celestial objects as a guidefor planting and harvesting crops, so astronomy was fundamental to survival. At night, pictures made by connecting bright stars told our stories. Over the centuries, astronomy evolved. Observations became more precise; advanced theories arose. The telescope gave us unprecedented views: the details of surface of the Moon, the moons of Jupiter. But telescopes have also evolved and now we have the amazing ability not only see objects in our solar system and far beyond in great detail, but also to peer back in time, to the very edge of the observable universe.
The science of astronomy has brought us closer than ever to the answers to our fundamental questions – and our discoveries continue to inspire more questions. Astronomy might even once again be critical to our existence, as it was when we relied upon it for planting crops. Astronomers are responsible for locating asteroids that might pose a threat to our planet, and if one such asteroid is discovered, they must then work with engineers to figure out how to eliminate the threat. Astronomers might also learn, by looking at the atmospheres of other worlds, how best to deal with the issue of climate change on Earth.
My interest in astronomy arose out of the basic curiosity that exists in everyone. I was fortunate to have an upbringing where this curiosity was nurtured with books, documentaries, trips to museums and other important resources. Now, as an undergraduate student, I am participating in research involving the characterization of asteroids, an area of study that has implications for the origins of water and life on Earth. Because of the early influence of scientific outreach programs and informal science education on my interest in astronomy and eventual career choice, I have become passionate about the importance of these resources. We are all astronomers in that we all
want to know the answers to the questions about the nature of our universe and our existence. As such, science educators have an excellent opportunity to encourage the inquisitiveness in children, allowing them to become astronomy enthusiasts, scientists and engineers who will be ready to face the challenges of the future.
CONGRATULATIONS ZOE!!!
The award will be presented at a fall general meeting.
Members are reminded of our telescope loaner program. Most telescopes are readily available. Reserve one on the CFAS Loaner telescope forum. The Dobsonian’s are quick to set up, and provide excellent moon and planet observing.
I am looking for a volunteer that is interested in becoming the custodian and maintaining our TEC 140 telescope and its Losmandy mount. This is a very high end telescope system that needs special care in operating and maintaining. The custodian would be expected to participate in our outreach programs, take the telescope to our monthly viewing sessions, and Astrofests. This is an excellent opportunity for an active member wanting to operate an advanced telescope, and be part of the observing committee team. If you are interested please contact me, Ray Jones, directly by phone (407-971-0143) or email (raygjones @earthlink.net).
Clear skies!!
Ray Jones, Observing Committee Chairman
Spring 2010 Observing news
Spring Quarter Observing Report
This winter has been exceptionally cold for Florida. It also brought a lot more cloudy days during our major viewing season. Still the spring should give us some excellent nights before the summer cloudy nights reign.
CFAS FALL ASTROFEST 2009 - NICE SUNSET, NOT GOOD FOR OBSERVING
I hope many of you will be able to attend our CFAS Spring Astrofest to be held at the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. The site is about 115 miles from Orlando, and is a remote site. The nearest store is 18 mile away and the nearest town that has sleeping accommodations is Okeechobee some 30 miles away. What a good time to start such an event.. on TAX DAY !! Hopefully the weather will hold and be great observing. If not, the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve is a beautiful area, and a great place to relax. It would be nice to have a closer site, but there just isn’t one that has dark skies worth an extended stay. The campsite has an excellent bath rooms and shower facility. Each campsite has water and electricity. We will keep the coffee pot going at night. The camping area is well shaded with trees, and telescopes are set up along the prairie frontage which offers a clear view to the horizon. Thursday and Friday are set up for viewing with no daytime activities scheduled. Saturday activities include the Lunch BBQ and door prize drawing. Expect the evenings to be cool (cold), and early evening mosquitoes. So be prepared for both. Ensure you have red flash lights, and have your camper rigged for red. Please No white lights. Ensure you make the rounds and check out all the different telescopes. New observers are asked to set up together in the southern section where the CFAS 12 inch Meade will be set up. An experienced CFAS member will be in this area to help out . Observing committee members have laser collimators for use each evening for all DOB users. Remember it is best to set up an observing plan for each evening. Remember to check in at the CFAS desk when you arrive.(Look for the CFAS Banner). You will get a parking pass and your drawing tickets.
The results of the CFAS poll on observing site preferences shows that most people prefer Harmony, but a few still intend to use the Ocala site which is more convenient for them. As a result we will still continue to make these sites available to the membership. On sad note: I am still concerned that no members are willing to take over the post of site liaison for each of these sites. CFAS only runs on volunteers. Each position has little responsibilities. Please contact me for more information.
Harmony has put in electric power at the observing site and has provided keys to CFAS enabling us to turn off the street lights. CFAS also has two very long electrical extension cords with multiple outlets for use in the viewing area. Although we officially sponsor a single observing night each month, members can organize other viewing nights using the Harmony Forum. As the warm nights return so will the mosquitoes. Be sure you use a good quality repellant with DEET to avoid becoming a major dinner for the critters..
The Robinson Operator training has been significantly delayed waiting on the approval of a new CFAS/UCF agreement on the use of the Robinson Observatory. So far all are in agreement with the proposed agreement, but the execution of new controls etc, will require new procedures to be set up. With the tremendous growth in the astronomy department’s student load there has not been time to get all the work done. This semester offers some relief, and we are pushing to see that the agreement gets done along with the necessary administration. Once the agreement is signed we will start special CFAS classes to qualify operators. In the interim CFAS members are welcome to come and assist during the UCF Open House viewings that are held on alternative Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
For those of us that have had the opportunity to see the new 20 inch Richey Creighton scope in operation it is very impressive. Despite its high tech, it is actually much easier to operate than the old Tinsley, and its images are superb. It is also good to see real research being done by graduate students despite the poor sky condition at the Robinson Location.
I hope all of you are now familiar with the CFAS Web site. It is essential that you use it, since it is the only means we use to set up our activities and keep members informed of our activities. It may seem awkward at first, but with a little use it is easy to keep in touch and communicate with other members.
The loaner telescope program is in full gear with all telescopes checked out. A new addition will become available this April. It is an eight inch Schmidt Cassegrain on a go to mount. It is a terrific scope to use in your back yard as well as our dark sky sites. Borrowers will have to receive training on the scope before checking it out. Again put in your requests on the CFAS Loaner Telescope Forum.
I am always amazed at how many astronomers stop viewing the moon after just a few observations. Each night brings new vistas into view. Like most viewing full enjoyment is not obtained unless you plan your session and really know something about you are observing . SKY and Telescope has a great article by Alan Mac Robert, titled; “Take a Moon Walk Tonight” on how to plan your moon watching:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/moon/3381766.html . There are also many books written and moon charts available to help you better enjoy your moon observations. Besides it can be done in your driveway. Watch the neighbors stop by for a look see also!!
The new Mallin Cam VSS has arrived and it is a terrific video cam for observing the night sky and also the sun. Seeing a 2.3 second exposure of the Orion Nebulae (M42) in full living color with both the bright red hydrogen color along with the oxygen green is a wonderful sight. Galaxies are revealed also in great detail after only seconds of exposure. Ensure you stop by and see it in action on the CFAS 12 inch Meade or 140mm TEC telescopes at our observing events. Besides enhancing member observing experiences, the video cam is a great aid for our outreach program as the images are displayed on either a computer or TV screen for many people to observe at one time. Several of our members also now have these cameras. I am sure more will follow.
Here is wishing Clear Skies to all,
Ray Jones
