January - Saguaro Astronomy Club

Saguaro Skies
Saguaro Astronomy
Club, Phoenix, AZ
Volume 40, Issue 1
January 2016
The President’s Corner
Happy New Year! As we begin another
trip around the Sun we’re doing so in the
company of El Nino. This means increased
wet weather and clouds. I think it’s going to
be a “more cloudy than usual” winter for us
here in the desert but hopefully most of us
can take advantage of what clear nights we
do get and enjoy some observing time. This
interesting chart shows the overall scope of
the warming in the Pacific.
Inside this issue:
* Click Links to jump
We have two new officers elected this
year, Kevin Kozel and Steve Dodder. Kevin
moved to the Secretary position from
Properties Director and Steve took his place
in care of the club’s common equipment.
Thank you both for stepping up to help SAC.
To kick off this year’s speakers, I invite
you to come to the meeting on the 22 nd at
GCU and listen to Phil Massey from Lowell
Observatory talk about, “Steller evolution in
local galaxy groups.” Also, on January 23 rd,
the Vatican Observatory Foundation will host
a local lecture on “Water in the Universe.”
See the announcement section for details.
Let’s all hope we have a great 2016
under the stars.
2
(Rick Rotramel)
Best of the NGC:
3-4
NGC 2024, The Flame or
Tank Track in Orion
(SAC Imagers & Observers)
(Compiled by: Rick Rotramel)
Call for Images, Notes 5
& Sketches
(Rick Rotramel)
SUCH-A-DEAL
Michael
6-7
(Four ads)
mail to:president@saguaroastro.org
Hopefully, things will have dried out by
the time our annual Messier Marathon rolls
around in March. That’s just one of the
events I hope club members can attend this
year. Speaking of events, you should know
that next year, SAC will turn 40 years old. I
do not think it would be too early to begin
thinking about what type of celebration the
club would like to have to commemorate this
occasion. Don’t be afraid to bring forth your
ideas.
Editor Notes/Events
& Spaceflight Trivia
Bits & Pisces
SAC Holiday Party Photos
8
(Susan Trask)
25 & 10 Years Ago in SAC
9
(Rick Rotramel)
SAC Imaging:
10
Imaging M33
(David Dillmore)
Photo: Michael Poppre
Website: saguaroastro.org
Follow SAC on Facebook
SAC Imaging:
11
Comet Marathon
(Tom Polakis)
Quick Calendar
SAC Officers/Chairs
12
(Meeting Location & Occultation Info)
Tuesday, January 19: SAC ATM/Imaging Meeting, 6:30 PM; @ Paul Lind's Shop
Friday, January 22: SAC General Meeting, 7:30 PM; Speaker: Phil Massey from
Lowell Observatory, Topic: “Stellar evolution in Local Group galaxies.”
Saturday, January 23: Lecture: “Water in the Universe,” 10 AM – Noon, see page 2
Tuesday, February 16: SAC ATM/Imaging Meeting, 6:30 PM; @ Paul Lind's Shop
Friday, February 19: SAC General Meeting, 7:30 PM; Speaker: TBA, Topic: TBA
Saturday, March 12: All Arizona Messier Marathon, Details TBA
SAC Membership Form 13
Header image © 2000-2013 Stellarium
Developers
Scorpius setting in the southwest.
© Saguaro Astronomy Club, 2016
Saguaro Skies
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January 2016
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Editor Notes
Schedule of Events 2016
Hi Folks,
SAC General Meetings
I hope you like the new look of the header on
page one of the newsletter. As you know, another
year of Saguaro Skies, another header, this year
featuring a star atlas version of Scorpius setting in
the west, as portrayed in the SAC logo.
Best Of the NGC features this month, NGC
2024, The Flame or Tank Track Nebula in Orion.
Several imagers sent in images, thanks!
SUCH-A-DEAL has four ads, need a telescope? I
know several folks who are selling some.
Bits & Pisces has photos of the SAC Holiday
Party taken by Susan Trask. Also, see SAC History
from the past.
SAC Imaging has a story about imaging M33 by
SAC imager David Dillmore. He describes how
adding flat files to the image really cleans them up.
On the second page, Tom Polakis goes on another
of his marathons in astronomy, this time imaging
47 comets in one night! One wonders about his
crazy activities sometimes. Hey, it's ok Tom!
Jan 22
Feb 19
Mar 18
Apr 22
May 20
Jun 24
Jul 22
Aug 12
Sep 9
Oct 14
Nov 11
Party, TBA
SAC ATM/Imaging Meeting
@ Paul Lind's Home Shop, 6:30 PM
Tuesday, Jan. 19
All Arizona Messier Marathon
Saturday, March 12, Rick Tejera, Coordinator
Details TBA
Grand Canyon Star Party, North Rim
June 4-11; Steve Dodder, Coordinator
For details, click here:
http://saguaroastro.org/content/2016GrandCanyonStarPartyNorthRim.htm
SAC Announcements
Rick Rotramel, Editor
Correction
In the December 2015 issue, the SAC November
Meeting Minutes listed Eric Steinberg as the new
SAC Public Outreach chairman. It is Eric Hoag.
Lecture: “Water in the Universe”
Spaceflight Trivia
Can you name the mission involved in this
picture below? (See answer on page 5)
Elected 2016 SAC Officers
President: Michael Poppre
Vice President: Tom Polakis
Secretary: Kevin Kozel
Treasurer: Jack Jones
Properties Director: Steve Dodder
2016 Membership Dues, Due Now
ESA
Use the membership form at the end of this newsletter and mail to the address
listed. Or, bring in it in to the next SAC meeting. Thank you
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Saguaro Skies
January 2016
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Best Of The NGC:
NGC 2024, The Flame or Tank Track Nebula in Orion
By SAC Imagers, Observers & Sketchers, Compiled by Rick Rotramel
Image by Howard Anderson; Takahashi TOA-130
f7, camera: SBIG ST-4000CM, One-Shot Color,
Maxim DL, eXcalibrator, CCDStack, PhotoShop, 8
20 minute exposures bin 1; 12 Jan 2016, Rancho
Hidalgo, NM (Remote controlled observatory)
Image by Roger Walters; 8 inch f3.9 reflector,
camera: SBIG ST 8300C, One-Shot Color,
CCDopps software , 8 min exposure.
David Douglass
Continued on next page...
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Saguaro Skies
January 2016
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Best Of The NGC:
NGC 2024, The Flame or Tank Track Nebula in Orion
By SAC Imagers, Observers & Sketchers, Compiled by Rick Rotramel
SAC Observer: Steve Coe
SAC Observer: Rick Rotramel
TV 102; Antennas, S=6 T=7, 14mm eyepiece
S+T=6, faint, pretty large, round and shows the dark
"Tank Tracks" feature that cut this nebula almost in
half. All of this easier to see if the bright star Zeta ORI
is moved out of the field of view.
6" f8; Antennas, S+T=7, 14mm, pretty bright, very
large, irregular figure, dark lane easy, averted vision
makes it much easier.
10" f5.1; Flatiron, S+T=6, 22mm Panoptic, with
low power and no filter, but the UHC does help. Much
better contrast with 8.8mm EP, you can get Zeta out of
the FOV. The UHC does NOT help at higher power. The
branches of the dark lanes are seen at higher power
and averted vision makes a real difference, it helps the
light/dark contrast.
13" f5.6; Sentinel, S=6, T=8, 135X with a UHC
filter helps the contrast a lot and so does getting Zeta
out of the field. Because of the large, parallel dark
lanes, Arizona astronomers have taken to calling NGC
2024 the "Tank Track" Nebula.
16" f4.5; Antennas, S=7, T=7, 14mm eyepiece
pretty bright, large, irregular figure, it is easy to see
once Zeta ORI is moved out of the field of view. There
are 6 stars involved and the dark "Tank Tracks" feature
is easy with direct vision. Averted vision makes it
larger.
17.5" f4.5; Sentinel, S+T=7, 200X, Bright, large,
irregular emission nebula near Zeta Ori. It is easy in
any telescope I have ever used under dark skies, the
17.5 incher brings out much detail in the region at
200X. There are thin dark branches that wind out from
the two main dark lanes through the nebula. The UHC
filter helps the contrast somewhat, but moving the
bright star out of the field helps more.
16" f4.4 Newtonian; Pretty Large, pretty Bright,
dark lanes traverse this nebula. Pretty!
30' x 30'
Rick Rotramel, 16” f4.4, 70x
ORION MAP
© freestarcharts.com
Wide Image of NGC 2024 by Steve Coe; 135mm, 2 minute exposure.
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January 2016
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Call for Best of the NGC images, notes and sketches.
Hello SAC Imagers, observers & sketchers:
For February, the Best of the NGC will
feature NGC 2359, Thor’s Helmet in Canis Major.
07 17.8 -13 13
For submitting images, send your file as an
attachment in an email to the editor. Please send
caption details of the image: Optics, camera,
main software used, exposure, location and date
taken.
Observation notes are sent in the email text
area or as an attached file.
For scanned sketches, send a file with caption
details: optics and eyepiece power used.
Email to: r.rotramel@cox.net
For March, NGC 2440, planetary nebula in
Puppis. 07 41.9 -18 13
For April, NGC 3115, The Spindle Galaxy in
Sextans. 10 05.2 -07 43
Spaceflight Trivia Answer
Huygens
Mission type
Lander
Launch date:
15-Oct-1997 08:43 UT (From Earth)
Operator:
ESA/ASI
Launch date
December 25, 2004 (From Cassini)
Launch vehicle
Cassini orbiter
Mission end:
Huygens Probe - 14 January 2005
Cassini Orbiter
Launch vehicle:
Titan-IVB/Centaur
Mission phase:
Huygens - Mission completed 14 January 2005
Cassini - Solstice Mission (ongoing)
Orbit:
To reach Saturn, Cassini-Huygens used a series of gravity-assist
manoeuvres, with swing-bys from Venus (2x), Earth and Jupiter. On 1 July 2004 the
spacecraft entered into orbit around Saturn after being captured by the planet's
gravity.
Achievements:
The Huygens probe has successfully landed on Saturn's
largest moon Titan. At around 11:30 UTC 14 January 2005 the probe touched down
on the surface of this distant world. This event makes it the only landing to take
place in the outer Solar System and the furthest from Earth.
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Saguaro Skies
January 2016
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SUCH-A-DEAL
ITEMS FOR SALE
ITEMS FOR SALE
Meade 10” LX200 GPS w/UHTC Telescope
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LX200 GPS with UHTC (Enhanced Optical Coatings)
Meade 26mm Super Plossl eyepiece, Finder Scope and tripod mount.
8 Meade Eyepieces in aluminum brief case:
6.4mm
9.7mm
12.4mm
15mm
21mm
32mm
40mm
2x Barlow Lens
Moon Filter
Lumicon Deep Sky Filter
Wired and Wireless Handsets
Cosmic One SCT Cooler (12-volt plug. Cools inside of SCT Tube to
ambient temperature).
Soft Cover for Telescope
Note: The electric micro-focuser is not functioning presently. Needs
troubleshooting.
Original Shipping Box
MEADE ETX-90EC 90mm Maksutov Telescope
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Includes the following:
#07426 8 x 21mm Erect Image Viewfinder
#07427/#825 8 x 25mm Right Angle Viewfinder
Deluxe Tripod
Eyepieces:
Meade Ultra Wide Angle 6.7mm multi-coated
Meade Super Plossl 26mm LP multi-coated
Meade 2X telenegative multi-coated
Meade remote controller
#880 Table Tripod for Polar Alignment of the
ETX-90EC Astro Telescope
Manual
Compass
Carrying Case
Allen wrenches
Selling on behalf of a friend, Asking $350.00
For all.
Contact Rick Tejera: 623-203-4121
Email: Saguaroastro@cox.net
FOR SALE $1,700
Contact Tim Tucker: 480-215-4453
Email: taxchurches@gmail.com
FYI: I live in Maricopa
Celestron 102mm Nexstar, OTA Only
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OTA, 102mm f6.5; 660mm focal length
There is a cosmetic crack in the dew shield but the optics are fine. I
do not have a star diagonal for this.
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Asking SAC price is: $50.
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Contact Michael at: mail to:popps@fastq.com
1350 S Greenfield Rd #2105
Mesa, AZ 85206
Phone: (480) 779-9262
http://corvus-optics.com/
SUCH-A-DEAL
Ads placed here are free to SAC members. SAC is not responsible for
the quality of the advertised items.
If you wish to place an ad here to sell your telescope or astronomy
related items, contact Rick Rotramel at: r.rotramel@cox.net
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Saguaro Skies
January 2016
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SUCH-A-DEAL
******************************
For Sale – Celestron CG-5 Equatorial Mount: Make Offer
Non-GPS, but motorized. Needs a good home, I need to
reduce my "stuff" as I am nearing retirement. Any fair offer
accepted. I am near Central and Bethany Home road.
Scott McDonald, Phone: 602-466-8521
Email: garseal@gmail.com
******************************
SUCH-A-DEAL
http://www.lowell.edu/visit.php
Ads placed here are free to SAC members. SAC is not
responsible for the quality of the advertised items.
If you wish to place an ad here to sell your telescope or
astronomy related items, contact Rick Rotramel at:
r.rotramel@cox.net
http://www.photoninstrument.com
Welcome to Starizona! In addition to a complete selection
of astronomical products, we offer free online resources
such as our award-winning Guide to CCD Imaging and
more. We also manufacture unique products such as the
HyperStar imaging system. Our staff consists of
experienced observers and astrophotographers who love
to share their knowledge. Please feel free to contact us
for advice or answers to any of your questions.
Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu 10AM-5PM Fri, Sat 10AM-10PM
Closed Sun. Free Viewing Fri and Sat nights!
5757 N. Oracle Rd., Suite 103 · Tucson, Arizona 85704 ·
The HyperStar-equipped ISERV telescope is now
installed on the ISS!
The HyperStar-equipped Celestron 9.25" telescope (and
its backup) that is now installed on the ISS. The scope
also features a Starizona MicroTouch Autofocuser. With
the Starizona gang: Steve, Scott, Dean, and Donna.
(Steve has since had to move to NY because he was
dressing too much like Scott.)
Call Us: (520) 292-5010
http://starizona.com/acb/index.aspx
dean@starizona.com
Saguaro Skies
January 2016
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Bits & Pisces
Photos of the December 19, 2015 SAC Holiday Party
By Saguaro Skies Staff Photographer, Susan Trask
s
Kevin, Jack, Rheta, ?, Mitch & Lori
Dwight, Al, Steve and Paul
Jennifer & Joan
Susan
Jack & Rheta
Gail & Paul
Joe & Pat
Wayne & Rick
Jennifer & Matt
Michael
Tom, Jennifer and Glenn
Mike & Matt
Lori & Mitch
Page 9
Saguaro Skies
January 2016
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Where we
going today
Mr. Peabody?
© Peabody and Sherman, 'Rocky and Bullwinkle' Pictures
25 Years
Ago in
SAC
10 Years
Ago in
SAC
The WABAC Machine!
January 2016
Saguaro Skies
Page 10
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SAC Imaging:
Imaging M33, by David Dillmore
Attached are two photographs of
M33, the Triangulum Galaxy. The
photos are in-fact the same
photograph, one is processed
without Flat Files (Version A) and
with Flat Files (Version B). The
comparison shows the effect of
adding Flat Files to processing. I
cropped Version A but not B.
The photographs were taken
November 11, 2015 on and about
10:30 pm using my Celestron 8inch Newtonian with the AVX
mount. My camera was a Nikon
D3300 DSLR. I used a 2" diameter
Multi-Purpose Coma Corrector and
a Sky Glow filter. I made my own
adaptor to fit the 2" filters on my
camera to the telescope
(Celestron`s camera attachment
does not provide for 2" diameter
filters).
I used 2 alignment stars and 2
calibration stars (forgot which
ones). The telescope was
unguided. The ISO was 12800, I
shot 30 exposures but could use
only 22 exposures, each 20
seconds for a total exposure
time of 7 minutes 20 seconds.
There were 12 bias frames of
1/4000 second, 12 dark frames
at ISO 12800 for 20 seconds
each, and revision B received 12
Flat Frames ISO 12800 for 6
seconds each.
I complained to Steve Dodder
about the vignetting and
background glow I was getting,
he recommended adding the
flats files and to make them by
simply pointing the telescope
straight up in the late afternoon
on a cloudless day and start
shooting. The flat files worked.
My next step is to incorporate a
guide scope and camera. I want
to reduce my ISO to reduce
graininess and increase
exposure time.
The pictures were processed
using Deep Sky Stacker and
Corel Paint Shop Pro.
Respectfully,
David Dillmore
January 2016
Saguaro Skies
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SAC Imaging:
Comet Marathon
47 comets imaged on 13 Jan 2016 by Tom Polakis
Each frame: 5' x 5'
January 2016
Saguaro Skies
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2016 SAC Officers and Contacts
Occultation Info
Board Members
President
Michael Poppre (mail to:president@saguaroastro.org)
Vice-President Tom Polakis (mail to:tpolakis@cox.net)
Treasurer
Jack Jones (mail to:treasurer@saguaroastro.org)
Secretary
Kevin Kozel (mail to:kevin.kozel@cox.net)
Properties
Steve Dodder (mail to:fester00@hotmail.com)
Wayne Thomas has
asteroid occultation info
for the greater Phoenix
Area:
Non-board Positions
Novice Leader Steve Dodder (mail to:fester00@hotmail.com)
Editor
Rick Rotramel (mail to:r.rotramel@cox.net)
Webmaster
Peter Argenziano (mail to:webmaster@saguaroastro.org)
Public Events
Jack Jones (mail to:publicevents@saguaroastro.org)
ATM Group
Paul Lind (mail to:atmgroup@saguaroastro.org)
Imaging
Al Stiewing (mail to:amst@cox.net)
Deep Sky
AJ Crayon (mail to:acrayon@cox.net)
Gene Lucas has Lunar
Total and Graze
Occultation info:
Mail to:tomwaymas@gmail.com
geneluca@ix.netcom.com
Mail Address
SAC, P.O. Box 11491, Glendale AZ 85318-1491
Meeting Location: Grand Canyon University is
located at 3300 W. Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ We meet
in Fleming Hall, Room 105, 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Saguaro Astronomy Club
Saguaro Astronomy Club (SAC), Phoenix,
Arizona, was formed in 1977 to promote
fellowship and the exchange of scientific
information among its members-amateur
astronomers. SAC meets monthly for both
general meetings and star parties, and
regularly conducts and supports public
programs on astronomy. Membership is
open to anyone with these interests.
Saguaro Skies is posted as a pdf file
monthly on the SAC website,
www.saguaroastro.org/content/SACNEWS/newsindex.htm
for browsing or downloading for SAC
members and friends of SAC. A email
announcement of the monthly newsletter
release is included with membership.
Parking: Turn into the campus from Camelback Road at
33rd Ave. and drive straight and stop at the guard
station. Tell the guard you are attending the astronomy
club meeting. Then, turn left past the guard and park.
Direct all membership inquiries to the
SAC Treasurer by using the membership
form found in this newsletter. For editorial
and SUCH-A-DEAL advertising inquiries,
contact the Saguaro Skies Editor.
Contacting This Issue’s Authors
Saguaro Skies Staff
If you wish to write to an author in this month’s issue, complaining
that they don’t know what they are talking about or that they utterly
dazzled you with their wordsmith skills, contact them by sending
your message to the editor of Saguaro Skies, Rick Rotramel, at:
r.rotramel@cox.net
I will then forward your questions, comments or carping to the
author who may (or may not) reply.
Editor: Rick Rotramel
Photographers: Tom Polakis, Rick Rotramel and
Susan Trask
2013-2016 Contributors: Bob Christ, Mike Collins, AJ
Crayon, Paul Dickson, Steve Dodder, Richard
Harshaw, Kevin Kozel, Tom & Jennifer Polakis,
Michael Poppre, Jimmy Ray, Rick Rotramel, SAC
Imagers & Observers, Darrell Spencer & Rick Tejera.
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Saguaro Skies
January 2016