ASTRONOMY CLUB OF TULSA

OBSERVER

June 2003

http://AstroTulsa.com

ACT, Inc. has been meeting continuously since 1937 and was incorporated in 1986. It is a nonprofit; tax deductible organization dedicated to promoting, to the public, the art of viewing and the scientific aspect of astronomy.

What

Mid States Region Convention of the Astronomical League

When

20/21 June 2003

Where

University of Tulsa
Allen Chapman Activity Center
On East 5th Place

President’s Message

Denny Mishler

June is shaping up to be a busy and important month for the Astronomy Club of Tulsa. On Friday, June 20th the MSRAL (Mid States Region of the Astronomical League) 2003 Convention gets underway right here in Tulsa with our club playing host. Most activities will take place at the University of Tulsa and will include, presentations by three Astronomy Professionals. Our keynote speaker at the Saturday night banquet will be Dr. William Romanishin, Professor of Physics at the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Romanishin studies Kuiper Belt Objects located at the fringes of the solar system. Dr. Clay Sherrod founder of the Arkansas Sky Observatory will be sharing observation techniques for Mars during it's upcoming close opposition. Dr. David Lien, Visiting Professor of Astronomy at Oklahoma State University will be presenting his research on computer modeling of Comet Tails. There will be other presentations from Astronomical League members including our own club member Ian Zedalis. Besides such an outstanding lineup of speakers, there will be vendors present with exciting products and show specials. A convention T-shirt designed by K. C. Lobrecht can be pre-ordered and drawings for door prizes including several telescopes will take place throughout the convention. Chairman John Land and Vice Chairman Aaron Coyner have done an outstanding job preparing our convention and you can get a registration and receive complete information at the Convention web site: http://www.astrotulsa.com/msral2003/2003MSRAL.htm. I've attended about 10 Astronomical League conventions and can tell you that the speaker lineup is as good as the lineups at the National Convention. A bonus in attending will be meeting other Amateur Astronomers from nearby states and learning about their equipment and activities, making the convention a complete learning experience. Let's have a big turnout from Astronomy Club of Tulsa members and with time running out please go to the excellent web site shown above.

We will be having the June Club Star Party on Friday, June 27th with the rain date (or cloudy weather date) of Saturday, June 28th. Summer Star Parties have become very popular so you will want to arrive before dark to secure a parking place to set up and observe. The May 30th Star Party resulted in a packed field with latecomers having to park at the AT&T building next door.

Clear skies,

Denny Mishler

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Tentatively scheduled dates below are bracketed with question marks. The number of persons expected is in parenthesis.

EVENTS AT RMCC OBSERVATORY

JUN

07 Sat 02:00 RMCC Cleanup and Repair
11 Wed 08:00 Girl Scout Troops 940,862,112(20)
13 Fri 08:00 Cub Scout Pack 233 (30)
14 Sat 02:00 RMCC Cleanup and Repair
20-21 Fri & Sat 08:00 MRSAL Convention Star Parties (60)
27 Fri 08:00 Club Star Party
? 28 Sat 08:00 Back up for 06/27 ?
30 Mon 07:30 Boy Scout Troop 168 (20)

JUL

25 Fri 07:45 Club Star Party
? 26 Sat 07:45 Back up for 07/25 ?
30 Wed 08:00 Cub Scout Troop 177

AUG

08 Fri 07:45 Tulsa Bicycle Club (30)
? 09 Sat 07:45 Tulsa Bicycle Club (30) ?

EVENTS AWAY FROM OBSERVATORY

JUN

20 Fri & Sat MRSAL Convention at TU

SEP

? 05 Fri 07:00 Public Star Party (200-500) at location to be determined ?
? 12 Fri 07:00 Back up for 09/05 ?
30 Tue 07:00 Sperry Library (100?) at the library

OCT

? 02 Wed 07:00 Back Up for 09/30 ?

Gerry Andries
Observatory Manager
Astronomy Club of Tulsa

--------------------------

 

DAVID'S ASTRO CORNER
By David Stine

We are just a few days away from the Mid States Regional Astronomical League Convention June 20-22. I hope everyone plans to attend as we have some of the best speakers around lecturing on all aspects of the astronomical field. During the convention there will be two nights of observing at the clubs observatory. I have put together a MSRAL Convention Observing List that I think will be fun for everyone attending. We might even put together a certificate for those that achieve observing all objects on the list. I tried putting together a list that will be different from other observing lists, but achievable and interesting. So here goes. I will also have the list at the convention. Rules for observing and logging each are included by each. There are 25, which I felt were adequate and challenging for two nights of observing, as we don't want to stay up to late and miss the next day's speakers. I will give you hints where each or but you will have to do some research on your own. No GO-TO's or GPS Guiding systems are allowed, just your viewfinders, star hopping, circles, and charts.

1. IC 4756 and NGC 6633 - This is the double star cluster of Serpens-Ophiuchus.

2. NGC 5139 - Omega Centauri Globular Cluster

3. Center of the Milky Way Galaxy

4. M22- Beautiful Globular Cluster Rivals M13

5. Scorpius Jewel Box - Several overlapping star clusters, NGC 6231, Stars Zeta Scorpius 1 and 2.

6. Nu Scorpius - Double Double of Scorpius. Must split each double.

7. Galactic Dark Horse - Dark nebula between Sagittarius and Scorpius.

8. NGC 6960 and 6992 - Veil nebula in Cygnus

9. NGC 6826 - Blinking Planetary Nebula in Cygnus

10. Comets - This is a tough one. You have to find and observe at least one comet - 116P/Wild 4 is in Libra, K4 Linear is in Cygnus and there are others that I will list, but all are dim. No fair getting help from our speakers Dr. Clay Sherrod and Dr. Lien.

11. Satellites - ISS or HST or any other satellite, but must identify. Will have a list of pass for both nights at the convention.

12. Coathanger Star Cluster

13. Meteors - Must see at least one and identify or at least give constellation location it seemed to come from.

14. Duo Object M13/NGC 6207 - Awesome star Cluster with nearby galaxy. Must see both

15. IZAR Epsilon Bootes - Beautiful Double star of orange and blue.

16. NGC 6210 - Blue Green Planetary Nebula in Hercules

17. NGC 2903 - Galaxy in Leo, west of the sickle.

18. M11 - Wild Duck Cluster.

19. NGC 4565 - Edge on Spiral Galaxy in Coma Bernices

20. Gamma Delphinius - Golden White double star, and in same view Struve 2725 a dim double- Must see both doubles.

21. Planets - Must see at least 3 and log appearance, any moons, belts, dust, etc.

22. NGC 6543 - Planetary in Draco

23. UX Draconis - Carbon star and one of the reddest stars in the sky

24. Kembles Cascade - A chain of stars that cascade down in a straight line to a small cluster near Cassiopeia.

25. Rho Cassiopeiae - Hypergiant yellow white star ready to go Super Nova anytime. Estimate Mg. Hint: look at Julys Sky and Telescope for location.

Rules are, locate the object, write down your observation, time you observed it, and at least one witness that you showed the object to. After each night we will see how everyone did and present MSRAL Observing Certificates at the meeting. It will be fun and a chance to see some different deep sky objects you probably haven't taken the time to look for.

That's it from my astro corner this month. Hope to see everyone at the MSRAL Convention.

"Wyrick's List"

(At the May ACT meeting Wayne presented his observing list. Good luck)

All of these should be logged the standard information; one more point: Wayne wanted information on how you went about finding it. All of the objects are brighter or at 13 magnitude.

Ashen Light on Venus

Eight Moons

Zodiacal Light

Gegenschein

Sun dogs 22 degrees

Planets by Daylight,

Conjunctions of Two Planets

Occultation of Planet or Star by Moon

Moon/Shadow Transit of Jupiter

Sunspots or Solar Rotation Rate

Green Flash

Aurora

One of: Ceres, Vesta, Pallas

Barnard's Star

Four Double Stars, At least two of: RR Lyraes,

Beta Persei, R Scuti, Eta Aquilae

Omnicron Ceti

Delta Cephei

HDE 226868/Cygnus X1,

Six Members of the Local Group

NGC 206, Stephen's Quintet

3C 273.

 

ASTRONOMICAL VOCABULARY TEST

By Wayne Wyrick

INSTRUCTIONS

Select the letter of the correct astronomical entity next to the number of its identifying description.

A.     telecsope 
B.     diffraction grating 
C.     ionosphere 
D.     mean solar day 
E.     Deimos 
F.     vernal equinox 
G.     gibbous moon 
H.     refraction 
I.     Balmer lines 
J.     limb darkening 
K.     Europa 
L.     bolometer 
M.     Sirius 
N.     chondrule 
O.     sunspot 
P.     eclipse 
Q.     deferent 
R.     aurora 
S.     Phobos 
T.     libration 
U.     ellipse 
V.     planet 
W.     Hertz 
X.     Roche limit 
Y.     logarithm 
Z.     Io 
AA.    Star 
BB.    meteor 
 1. What's that on the street? 
 2. What the enemy shoots his arrows with. 
 3. Rows of B-1's 
 4. Go ahead, we don't mind being insulted! 
 5. Free at last, free at last! 
 6. RAID! 
 7. Prisoner's spit 
 8. Astronomonocle Unit 
 9. I'm really on the ball! 
10. That boy's a real smart-mouth! 
11. 3/6 = 1/2 
12. Sound made by an Italian lion 
13. Job description for an Italian cowboy 
14. Ernest bangs on ALL the windows! 
15. Summer phenomenon 
16. Injuries 
17. Beat those wooden drums! 
18. Opposite of the minimum amount 
19. Automatically count strikes and spares 
20. Kid's stash 
21. Proper astronomical attitude 
22. 75 right out of 100 gives you a "C". 
23. This one's got more beef! 
24. Barber's job 
25. Temperature = 95, Humidity = 98% 
26. An alternate view 
27. I'll pay later! 
28. You walk on them 
29. You should do this before you go on a skywatching expedition 

(Answers will be in next months newsletter)

 

 

Telescope for sale

I would like to sell my Meade 10" LX 50 with Supper wedge and field tripod excellent condition. Asking price is $1500.00 or make offer. Contact Gary Buckmaster @ 918 486 6722.

 

Astroland Tidbits

By John Land

Friday June 20 and Saturday June 21

Our Astronomy Club of Tulsa is hosting the MidStates Regional Astronomical League Convention this year at TU. The sessions will be held upstairs in the Allen Chapman Activity Center just west of our regular meeting building.

Turn West off Harvard on 5th place and follow the YELLOW SIGNS to the south parking lot.

Friday registration check in runs from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM and starts again at 7:45 AM Sat

A schedule of events is attached below. A registration page and convention information is available at http://www.astrotulsa.com/msral2003/2003MSRAL.htm

NOTE: Do NOT MAIL in the registration page! Notify us by email or phone ASAP and bring your money and a printed page to the convention. < John Land e-mail >

VENDORS of Telescopes and Astronomical accessories will be present so you may want to bring extra spending money for "new toys" ( Wives - You may want to hide the credit cards. )

QUESTION ? Can I just drop in to see what's going on without paying?

ANSWER: ALL persons attending must pay a registration fee. Our club has been planning for this event for two years and it has been in your newsletters since February. There is a considerable amount of expense related to renting space at TU, meals, printing, publicity, mailings and contacting guest speakers and vendors. We have an excellent set of speakers and the cost is not out of line with other conventions. At the door registration is Adult $45 and Student Rate is $35. You may bring a family guest with you for the $7.50 guest rate but not load up a car load of friends at guest rate. Children may attend with a parent at the $7.50 rate and children under 7 are free.

You may attend the Saturday Keynote Speaker Banquet separately for a fee of $ 18 which includes the $12 meal and evening registration. NOTE: YOU MUST CONTACT JOHN LAND directly by Tuesday night June 17 if you chose this option. < John Land e-mail > The meals are catered and we must turn in firm numbers in advance.

QUESTION ? Can I attend the convention Star Parties and not register?

ANSWER: The Star Parties on Friday and Saturday night are primarily to show off our observatory to our convention guests. We expect a large group and parking will be limited. Our Regular Free NEW MOON - CLUB STAR PARTY is Friday June 27 which is open to all members and their guests and members of the public. As a Tulsa Astronomy Club member you are not excluded from the convention star parties but we ask you to NOT bring non-member guests. Invite them to the June 27 session. A donation to the observatory upkeep would be appreciated for all the efforts put into cleaning up the place for this special event.

PARKING at the Convention Star Parties is limited. If you DO NOT HAVE a TELESCOPE and EQUIPMENT to set up PLEASE PARK in the AT&T LOT next door and walk over.

http://www.astrotulsa.com/msral2003/2003MSRAL.htm You can also reach the MSRAL web page from our club page.

www.AstroTulsa.com

Volunteers needed: Well over 300 man hours have already gone into having a successful convention but the real work starts when our guest begin to arrive. Call or email John Land < John Land e-mail > Phone

 

 

Schedule of Events

 

Friday, June 20

 

 

3:00-6:30 PM

Convention Registration and Check-InVendor areas open for shopping

6:30-7:30 PM

Western Barbecue Dinner at University of Tulsa

7:35-8:15 PM

Caravan to RMCC Observatory

8:30-?? PM

Star Party at RMCC Observatory

 

 

 

Saturday, June 21

 

 

8:00-9:30 AM

Business MeetingClub ReportsSelection of MSRAL Logo

9:30-10:00 AM

Jackie BeucherNew Observing Clubs of the Astronomical League

10:00-10:15 AM

Group Picture / Break

10:45-11:30 AM

Dr David LienProfessor of Physics at Oklahoma State UniversityComputer Modeling of Comet Tails and Comet Behavior

11:30-12:00 PM

Ian Zedalis
Radioactive Mars:The Involvement of Radioactive Heavy Elements in the Dramatic Climate Change on Mars

12:00-1:00 PM

Lunch

1:00-1:30 PM

James Roe
Fun With Asteroids

1:35-2:30 PM

Dr. Clay Sherrod
Arkansas Sky Observatory
Imaging Tips for 2003 Mars Opposition

2:30-3:00 PM

Aaron Coyner
Granular Clustering in Reduced Gravity as a method of Asteroid Formation

3:00-3:40 PM

Break

3:45-4:15 PM

Ed Jones
My New Zealand Astronomy Trip

4:15-4:45 PM

John Duchek and David Hall
An Eyepiece light Transmission Experiment

4:45-5:15 PM

Wayne Clark
Cataclysmic Variable Stars

6:30-8:00 PM

Banquet
Keynote Presenter
Dr. William Romanishin
Out Beyond Pluto: Exploring the edges of our solar system

8:30-??

Star Party at RMCC Observatory

RENEWALS:

DON'T FORGET TO RENEW

Club Memberships

Astronomy Club of Tulsa Membership Application / Renewal Form

Name: ________________________ Phone: ( ) ____ _______

Address: ___________________________________________________

City / State / Zip____________________/____________/_____________

________________________________________________________

E-mail address - print clearly 

Check Lines below for YES

____ I would prefer to receive E-mail notification when club newsletter is posted to the web.

____ I choose to receive my newsletter by E-mail ONLY instead of postal mail. (Usually 3 or 4 days earlier * Must have web access )

____ Notify me by E-mail of late breaking Astronomy Events

Please check all that apply:

___ New Membership ($25) ___ Student Membership ($15)

___ Membership Renewal ($25) ___ Student Member Renewal ($15)

___ Sky & Telescope Subscription ($30) / year

also includes 10% discount on most Sky & Tel products

___ Astronomy Subscription ($29) / year ($55) / two years

* Magazine rates may change / prices available with membership only.

Please bring this application along with a check for the total amount made out to the Astronomy Club of Tulsa to the next meeting or mail the payment and application to:

Astronomy Club of Tulsa / 25209 E. 62nd St / Broken Arrow, OK 74014

For questions contact John Land

How did you hear of the Astronomy Club of Tulsa? ___________________________________________________________

How long have you been interested or active in astronomy? ___________

Do you have a telescope? _______ Type __________________________

Have you been a member of other astronomy clubs? ____

Where / when ________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

What astronomy club activities would you like to participate in?

____________________________________________________________

 

Astronomy Club of Tulsa, 918.688.MARS

President: Dennis Mishler

Vice President: Craig Davis

Treasurer: Nick Pottorf

Assistant Treasurer: John Land

Secretary: Jim Miller

RMCC Observatory Manager: Gerry Andries

Observing Chairman: David Stine

Web Master: Tom McDonough

New Membership: Craig Davis

Newsletter: Richie Shroff