FOCUS_December, 2014 - Delaware Astronomical Society Website

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Vol. 59, No. 10, DECEMBER, 2014
Next Meeting – December 16th, 2014 at 7:00 PM
ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY & Swap Meet!
at the Mt. Cuba Astronomical Observatory
~ Please Join Us for Fellowship and Fun!! ~
IN THIS ISSUE:
The sky is getting bigger around the Sawin Observatory. Well, I guess it’s more accurate to say that the VIEW
of the sky is getting bigger. It started last Summer when
Mt Cuba was doing some clean-up of the grounds and, as
an extension of that project, they offered to remove the big
tangle of vines and small scrubby trees next to our observing
pad. Suddenly our view to the East was much more open.
It was then easy to identify which of the bigger trees most
encroached on our view and I was able to gain permission
from Mt Cuba to remove them - even though it did not help
the view from the main dome. To minimize the cost the
DAS Board decided to only have trees dropped and to cut
up the logs and limbs ourselves. Several boardmembers
have volunteered and we’ll be calling for help from the
membership. The 4 largest trees have now been cut down
with four more smaller ones soon to follow. FREE FIREWOOD! - ALL YOU CAN CARRY! Check out the progress
when you come to the Holiday Party on Tuesday the 16th..
Remember to bring your swap-table items and
snack goodies to share at our annual Holiday party/Swap
Meet/ Meeting on December 16.
Peace and Happy Holidays to all!
Each issue of FOCUS is full of useful hyperlinks. Just click on
any graphic or telltale blue web address and your browser should
take you to additional linked web resources.
From the Observing Chair
Mt. Cuba Public Nights Schedule
AstroPhotos by Frank Colosimo
DAS Looks for Education Chair
Swap Table Information for the Holiday Party
AstroPhotos by Ron Worden
Sawin Obs. Reminder & DAS Loaner Equipment
DAS Yahoo Forum Email Site Info
DAS Star Parties, Upcoming Events & Activities
Branched Alkyl Found in Space
Info of Interest to DAS Members
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NASA Science News:
Japan Launches Asteroid Mission
The Yin-Yang of Polar Sea Ice
Young Volcanoes on the Moon
Rosetta: Probe Drops Lander on Comet
“New Horizons” wakes up on Pluto’s door
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Astro-Photo and Website of the Month
DAS Special Interest Groups Information
Info on Memberships and Magazine Subscriptions
Info on Board Members and Contact Information
The Last Word by Editor Joe Neuberger
Page 15
Page 16
Page 17
Page 18
Page 18
The Bubble Nebula:
Photo taken by DAS member Rick Davis.
Observing with the Delaware Astronomical Society...
By Fred De Lucia, DAS Observing Chairperson
On October
15 a number of
DASers and I were
observing from chairs
of quite a different
sort. Greg Lee, Rob
Lancaster, Bill
McKibben, Jeff
Lawrence, Bill
Hanagan, Glenn
Bentley, Bob Mentzer,
Dave Groski, Greg
Weaver, Diana Metzger, Jim Barkley, Ted Trevorrow and
others, whom I’m sure I missed, attended “A Decade at
Saturn” at the University of Delaware’s Clayton Hall which
was sponsored by the Delaware Asteroseismic Research
Center at UD and the Mount Cuba Astronomical Observatory, the annual Harcourt “Ace” Vernon Memorial Lecture.
From my 4th row observation chair my perspective was near
perfect for me. Other DASers chose their observing posts
according to their own preferences, be it up front and
personal or further back for a more encompassing view (kind
of like choosing a Plossl over a wide-field ocular).
Introduced by Harry Shipman, the speaker for the
evening was planetary scientist Carolyn Porco, imaging
team leader for the Cassini mission at Saturn. Ironically,
that evening was the 17th anniversary of the launch of the
Cassini-Huygens spacecraft aboard a Titan IVB/Centaur.
Seven years later and after gravitational assists via flybys of
Earth, Venus and Jupiter Cassini arrived in orbit around
Saturn on July 1, 2004. On December 25 of that year the
Huygens probe separated from Cassini to begin its journey
to Saturn’s moon Titan for the first outer solar system landing
in January 2005.
Dr. Porco’s eyebrow raising presentation included
insightful facts and eyepopping pictures from
the past 10 years of the
Cassini mission at
Saturn. The wealth of
information she imparted
to the audience about
the discovery of water on
Enceladus, the lakes
and methane rain of
(Continued on Following Page)
“PUBLIC NIGHTS” at the Mt. CUBA OBSERVATORY...
MCAO PUBLIC NIGHTS
Greg Weaver
The Mt. Cuba
Observatory Public
Nights continue year
round! In addition to
learning about many
aspects of the heavens,
you’ll have a chance to
visit and view our all-digital full-dome planetarium. You can
pick up a schedule when you next come to a meeting or get
the latest updated version off the website at: http://
MountCuba.org. Programs are presented on Monday
nights at 8pm. Please check the website for full details and
updates on programs planned. Interested individuals or groups
can apply by letter or call 654-6407 (preferably between the
hours of 9 and 11 am, Monday through Friday) to the Observatory to obtain reservations for these “Public Nights”.
The Public Nights schedule for 2014 follows:
Date
Speaker
15 Dec. Judy Provencal
Topic
The Music of the Stars.
2015 dates for which topics and speakers have yet to be chosen:
12 Jan.
9 March
26 Jan.
23 March
9 Feb
23 Feb.
-2-
From the Observing Chair
(contined from page 2)
Titan, the composition of the rings of Saturn and the enormous accomplishments of an international team of the still ongoing
mission were humbling enough, but the image which most impressed this earthbound sentient life form was that of the view
from Saturn’s rings of the Earth and the Moon (it was the advanced announcement that such a picture would be taken that
galvanized tens of thousands of people to wave in the direction of Saturn at the moment that Cassini took the picture in
2013). Seen at a distance of some 900 million miles there were no visible continents. Earth, largely featureless, looked
different from other solar system objects only due to its bluish reflection of sunlight. Completely unnoticed were 7 billion
people inhabiting the Earth interacting in
complex social structures. Also undetected
were the varieties of ecosystems with innumerable components affected by countless
internal and external factors. Nor were there
any traces of evidence linking that blue planet
with a spacecraft orbiting a distant world. But,
nonetheless, all that and more were there,
playing out in the infinite expanse of hostile
space but under the fragile protective bubble of
our atmosphere, where encouragement and
inspiration give rise to anticipation for the
continuing exploration of the Solar System…
and beyond.
Later that evening I couldn’t help but
contemplate that the diminutive signatures of
the atmospheres of extra-solar planets are
now being revealed. What complexities lay
unnoticed amidst that increasing count of such
worlds that are so much more distant than our
neighboring planets? Perhaps in generations
to come as the layers of the mysteries of the
universe ever so slowly peel away we will
finally conclude that life in its unimaginable
diversity of forms is as common among the
stars as it is on Earth.
Have a Happy Holiday Season,
everyone.
The PRESIDENT’S DAS BOARD
MEETING AGENDA for DECEMBER
Tuesday, December 16th, 2014
There will be no DAS Board Meeting in
December due to the Annual Holiday
Party and Swap Meet that is Scheduled
for this Date. Don’t forget to JOIN IN and
stop by for GREAT Camaraderie and Eats,
.
along with a FABULOUS
SWAP MEET to
take care of some of those on your Holiday
Gift List!! SEE YOU THERE! 7 to 9pm.
-3-
Images by Member Frank Colosimo
from His Blue Mountain Vista
Observatory at New Ringgold, PA
IC 2118 (aka Witch
Head Nebula) in
Eridanus is a large and
faint reflection nebula
thought to be an old
supernova remnant. It
glows from radiation
from Rigel and is 900
light-years from Earth.
Date: Oct-Nov 2014
Location: New
Ringgold PA
Optics: Takahashi
FSQ106ED 530 mm
focal length
Mount: Paramount MX
Camera: SBIG STL
11000
Guiding: internal chip
Exposure: RGB R:14x10 min, G:14x10
min, B:15x10 min for a
total of 7.2 hrs
Processing: Image
acquisition using CCD
Autopilot. Initial
processing was done
using Maxim DL with
subsequent processing with Photoshop.
The Crab Nebula, Messier 1
(M1, NGC 1952), is the most
famous and conspicuous
supernova remnant, an
expanding cloud of gas
created in the explosion of a
star (supernova) that was
observed in the year 1054
AD. It shines as a nebula of
magnitude 8.4 near the
southern “horn” of Taurus,
the Bull. It has apparent
dimensions of 6 x 4 arc
minutes and is about 6,400
light years away.
Imaging data:
Date: Jan 3,16 2009
Location: New Ringgold PA
Optics: Meade LX200R 14
at f/7.87
Mount: Paramount ME
Camera/Filters: Apogee
Alta U8300 FLI CFW-2-7
FLI Filters
Guiding: Orion Starshoot
Autoguider in Orion ST-80
Exposure: Luminance: 8x5
minutes 2x2, R:3x5 min
G:4x5 min B:4x8 min Ha:
9X5 min all binned 3x3 for a
total of 2.5 hours
Processing: Image
acquisition using CCD
Autopilot. Initial processing was done using Maxim DL with subsequent processing using Photoshop. I combined the HA and R subs in Photoshop
to create the Red layer for this image.
-4-
NGC 185 (aka Caldwell
18) is a dwarf elliptical
galaxy about 2 million
light-years away in the
constellation of
Cassiopeia. It is a
member of our Local
Group of galaxies and
is a satellite of the
Andromeda Galaxy
Messier 31. Unlike
most ellipticals which
are smooth and
featureless, NGC 185
contains young stellar
clusters and other
features like the dark
spot/dark lane that can
be seen in the image.
Date: Sep - Oct 2014
Location: New
Ringgold PA
Optics: Hyperion f/8
12.5 inch, FL 2540 mm
Mount: Paramount ME
Camera: Apogee
U8300
Guiding: ST-402 on
Innovations Foresight
On-Axis Guider
Exposure: LRGB:
L:21x15 min R:15x10
min, G:11x8 min,
B:13x10 min for a total
of 11.4 hrs.
Processing: Image acquisition using CCD Autopilot. Initial processing was done using Maxim DL with subsequent processing with Photoshop.
NGC 1514 is a
planetary nebula in
Taurus, aka the
Crystal Ball Nebula. It
has apparent
magnitude 9.4 but it is
only 2.2 arc minutes in
diameter. The wideview field shows the
nebula nestled
between two brighter
magnitude 8 stars the white one to the
upper right and the
yellow K0 star to the
lower left. The
nebula’s central star is
mag 9 - quite bright for
a planetary cs. Two
small background
stars can be seen
near the central star.
There is a faint outer
envelope around the
main nebula, just
visible in the image.
Date: Nov 20-28, 2014
Location: New
Ringgold PA
Optics: Hyperion f/8
12.5 inch, FL 2540 mm
Mount: Paramount ME
Camera: Apogee
U8300
Guiding: ST-402 on
Innovations Foresight On-Axis Guider, SharpLock focusing method
Exposure: LRGB: L:5x10min R:10x8 min, G:10x5 min, B:11x11 min for a total of 5 hrs.
Processing: Image acquisition using CCD Autopilot. Initial processing was done using Maxim DL with subsequent processing with Photoshop.
-5-
DAS Looks for Education Chair--This is a Board Level Position
The DAS Board of Directors is seeking a member interested in serving as our Education Chairman. If you’re looking
for a way to get more involved in the club and its affairs, please consider looking into volunteering for this Board level position. You can get details and discuss the position with President Greg Lee at 302-762-5358 or greglee288@gmail.com.
The Swap Tables at Past Holiday Parties were a GREAT
SUCCESS, So We’re Doing it AGAIN...SO BRING OUT
YOUR STUFF--MAKE A MEMBER HAPPY & Put some
Extra Holiday Money in Your Pocket as Well!!
Past year’s Swap Tables at the Annual Holiday Christmas Party were
such a huge success that we’re going to do it again this year--ONLY BIGGER. So rummage through those drawers and aluminum briefcases for
what you’re no longer putting to use, for there is a member out there who
will likely think “This is just what I’ve been needing” and will take it off of
your hands and put in them some extra cash for Holiday gifts for your
family and friends!
There will be PLENTY of table space to display your wares, so start
thinking now of that astronomical equipment, books, telescopes, binoculars, software, etc. that have been collecting dust. Something you’ve been
thinking of getting rid of, to sell or just give away. There’s someone in the
Club that could put those items to good use! So check what you’ve got, and
bring it to the December Holiday Party & Swap Meet. You’ll be glad you did!!
Attend, Mix with Your Fellow Members & Enjoy!
Images from Member Ron Worden’s Snobie Observatory
Messier 42:
Taken with STV
Camera LRGB;
Telescope:
Meade LX200
10” FL 1575mm
Venus Transit
Photo 6/5/2012
Taken on Orion 4"
20x-60x Spotting
Scope with a
Canon 40D DSLR
at ISO 400
Messier 42:
STV Camera
B&W;
Telescope:
Meade
LX200 10”
FL 2500mm
-6-
SAWIN OBSERVATORY REMINDER AND DAS
LOANER TELESCOPES AND EQUIPMENT Bill Hanagan
The DAS owns and maintains The Sawin Observatory on the grounds of the Mt. Cuba Astronomical Observatory. The
Sawin Observatory houses the club’s equatorially mounted 12.5" reflecting telescope. The Sawin is also currently home
base for our 17.5" split-tube Dobsonian telescope.
DAS members can obtain a key for access to the Sawin Observatory by being checked out on these telescopes and
the use of the observatory. Naturally, all DAS members are invited to look through these telescopes during our Member Star
Parties (MSPs) at the Sawin. DAS members who are interested in becoming key holders of the Sawin Observatory should
contact Greg Lee to receive training in the use of the facility and the telescopes.
LOANER TELESCOPES and EQUIPMENT
80 mm Celestron Refractor (on loan from Bill McKibben)
The club currently has on loan from our Secretary, Bill McKibben, an 80 mm Celestron Refractor with a Nextar
GOTO mount. As soon as we can pair this up with an eyepiece set, we’d like to put this out on loan to members to see if
they find it useful as a loaner telescope. Contact Bill McKibben if you would like to give this scope a try.
6” Orion Dobsonian Telescope
We have a 6" Orion Sky-Quest XT6 Dobsonian reflector, complete with eyepiece set, available for loan to members.
You can keep the telescope out on loan for a month or more. However, we use this telescope heavily for outreach star
parties at the Woodside Farm Creamery, so if you have it on loan from April through October you may be asked to bring it
out to one or more of these events.
Meade 8” LX-10 Telescope
We also have an 8” Meade LX-10 Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope (SCT) available for loan. If you have any thoughts
about buying a telescope, especially an SCT, you are strongly advised to take this one out on loan so you can learn the
advantages and disadvantages of this design.
Barlowed Laser Collimator Toolset
Also available for loan to DAS members is Howie Glatter’s version of the Barlowed Laser Colimator. This is actually
made up of a set of three very nice tools: 1) a 1.25” Glatter laser collimator (which is useful on its own for collimating the
secondary mirror); 2) a 1.25” “TuBlug”, which converts the straight beam laser collimator into a “Barlowed” laser collimator,
complete with a target screen that’s visible from the back end of your Newtonian telescope; and 3) an Orion 2” to 1.25”
centering adapter for use with
2” focusers.
Along with the center donut or triangle on your Newtonian primary mirror, a Barlowed laser collimator is a very
accurate and incredibly easy way to collimate your Newtonian or Dobsonian telescope. It may sound complicated, but using
the Barlowed laser collimator is incredibly quick and easy compared to earlier generations of collimation tools. As one
person noted “It’s one of the handiest and most useful tools the club has ever offered for loan to the membership!”
Obviously, no one DAS member can keep these collimation tools out on loan forever, but borrowing this set of tools
is a great way to become familiar with the new “Barlowed Laser Collimator” approach to collimation without having to buy the
tool set sight unseen.
If you’re interested in borrowing any of the club’s loaner telescopes or other items, please contact Bill Hanagan, Jeff
Lawrence, or Greg Lee at one of our monthly meetings.
When adding or editing your profile, you will need to enter your actual
name in the “Real Name” box so you can be identified as a DAS member
so Don Shedrick can approve your application to join the DAS group, and
everyone will know to whom they are communicating.
Finally, specify your desired email address for delivery of
messages. Note: You may choose to not have your name and email
address displayed to any-one other than DAS members who are
members of the Yahoo DAS email group.
For more detailed instructions, go to the DAS
website under DAS Resource Links.
DAS FORUM / E-MAIL SITE ON YAHOO
This is a restricted e-mail service for use by DAS members
for DAS purposes. To use this site, go to http://groups.yahoo.com;
search for Delaware Astronomical Society; and click on the link that
comes up. To join, you must have a Yahoo ID and password; if you
don’t, you can register at this time by following Yahoo’s instructions.
You will then be allowed to “Join the group” upon clicking in that box.
You must then register for the DAS group and add your profile by
clicking on “add new profile” and completing the form
-7-
Star Parties, Upcoming Events and Activities
December 13, 2014-- 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Delaware Museum of Natural History: Geminid Meteor Shower
Astronomy presentation in the lecture hall on the Geminid Meteor shower (that peaks tonight and the next night)
and if weather permits a star party on the rear lawn where we can, also, watch for the Geminids. DAS and the
MCAO Partners with DelMNH for this event. Speaker is Greg Lee.
December 16, 2014-- 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
DAS Holiday Party at MCAO
DAS Holiday Party & Swap Meet for DAS members and invited guests only; No Board Meeting tonight.
January 20, 2015-- 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
DAS January 2015 Monthly Meeting
7PM: DAS Board meeting, all are welcome.
8PM: General meeting - This Evening’s Presentation:
¤Near-Earth Objects and Other Dangers from Space presented by: John Conrad NASA/JPL Solar System
Ambassador.
February 13, 2015-- 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Bellevue State Park Introduction to the Night Sky
Bellevue State Park offers an evening of stargazing as DAS shows constellations and gives an introduction to
observing the night sky. Equipment will be available, or you may bring your own. Red-filtered lights only please.
No fee for this program.
Call the Park to pre-register 302-761-6963. Meet in the Hunter Barn parking lot.
-8-
The Cocoon Nebula:
Photo by DAS Member
Rick Davis
Sawin Certification Program Fred De Lucia
The Sawin is the major centerpiece of DAS. In the past it was in use
much more often and by a number of members on every clear Friday night. It
has been largely underutilized for a number of reasons. One reason, I believe,
is that newer members or members who do not own a telescope might feel
intimidated by the equipment and the observatory’s layout. We hope to address
this by instituting the Sawin Certification Program. With the new upgrades
installed, its use will be more inviting and user friendly to both new and experienced members. Certified Key Holders of the Sawin have access to its use at
any time without supervision
.
The Program will consist of a minimum of 2 sessions, scheduled at the
Sawin, to obtain the necessary knowledge and experience in using the Sawin
equipment. These sessions will be supervised by a current Sawin Key Holder.
The first session, likely set for a weekend in the daylight (even if it’s cloudy), will familiarize learners with the layout
of the Sawin and overall operation, including opening the roof, uncovering and covering the telescopes, handling eyepieces
and pointing the telescopes, etc.
If the supervising Sawin Key Holder determines that progression during the first session is acceptable, then the
second session will be scheduled for a clear sky night session to address night time use of the equipment.
The Sawin Certification Program is for DAS members only who are in good standing and 16 years of age or older.
Participants in the program who are under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
For information or sign-up, please, contact Greg Lee, DAS President at greglee288@gmail.com.
Call for DAS AstroImages for Display in Mt. Cuba Lobby
MCAO is asking for any DAS members to submit their astroimages for display in the Observatory. It would like to
display the club member’s talents and update some of the images currently on display in the lobby of the Observatory.
Images will be displayed for up to a year and replaced as new images are submitted. Full credits to the imager will be
included. Please include all technical information with the image (date, telescope and camera used, exposure time, image
processing software, etc.). You may email digital images to the Mt. Cuba website. Photos may be sent to the Observatory or
brought to a DAS meeting.
The Observatory looks forward to displaying your beautiful images! Contact Greg at mtcuba@physics.udel.edu.
DAS Now has a Discount Subscription Rate for Astronomy
Technology Today Magazine and Amateur Astronomy Magazine
Astronomy Technology Today: : Members can subscribe directly on-line and then in the appropriate box enter the club’s
discount code which is: DAS. During the order process, members simply enter the discount code and they will receive the
discounted rate at checkout. Print subscribers also have unlimited access to all current and past digital issues at no
additional cost. Normal print subscriptions are $18 per year. The club rate is $14 per year.
The magazine is issued bi-monthly. https://www.astronomytechnologytoday.com/
Amateur Astronomy Magazine: DAS members must print, fill out and mail the form found in the “Files” section of our
Yahoo email list website.
.
The magazine is issued quarterly. http://www.amateurastronomy.com/index.htm.
-9-
Japan Launches Asteroid Mission
On
missions for the
Dec. 4, 2014:
Dec. 3, the Japan
Journey to Mars.
Aerospace ExploraComets and
tion Agency (JAXA)
asteroids contain
successfully
material that formed
launched its
in a disk surrounding
Hayabusa2 mission
our infant sun. The
to rendezvous with an
hundreds of thouasteroid, land a small
sands of known
probe plus three mini
asteroids are leftrovers on its surface,
overs from material
and then return
that didn't coalesce
samples to Earth.
into a planet or moon
NASA and JAXA are
in the inner solar
cooperating on the
system. The thouscience of the
sands of known
mission and NASA
comets likely formed
will receive a portion
in the outer solar
of the Hayabusa2
system, far from the
sample in exchange Asteroid Explorer “Hayabusa2” is a successor of “Hayabusa” (MUSES-C), which revealed
sun's heat, where
several new technologies and returned to Earth in June 2010.
for providing Deep
water exists as ice.
Image Credit: JAXA and Akihiro Ikeshita
Space Network
Larger
objects like dwarf planets Pluto and Ceres also formed in the
communications and navigation support for the mission.
outer solar system, where water ice is stable. Pluto and
Hayabusa2 builds on lessons learned from JAXA’s
Ceres will soon be explored by NASA missions New Horiinitial Hayabusa mission, which collected samples from a
zons and Dawn, respectively. Asteroids and comets are of
small asteroid named Itokawa and returned them to Earth in
unique interest to scientists, though, because they could
June 2010. Hayabusa2’s target is a 750 meter-wide asteroid
hold clues to the origins of life on Earth.
named 1999 JU3, because of the year when it was discovThese missions have greatly increased scientific
ered by the NASA-sponsored Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid
knowledge on Earth about our solar system and the history
Research project, Lexington, Massachusetts. This is a Cof our planet. Many scientists suspect we could find organic
type asteroid which are thought to contain more organic
material in asteroids and comets, like amino acids—critical
material than other asteroids. Scientists hope to better
building blocks for life, which could help answer questions
understand how the solar system evolved by studying
about the origins of life on Earth. These questions drive us to
samples from these asteroids.
continue exploring the intriguing asteroids and comets of our
“We think of C-type asteroids as being less altered
solar system.
than others,” says Lucy McFadden, a planetary scientist at
Multiple missions that are operating in space or in
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Marydevelopment by NASA and international partners could bring
land. “Bringing that material back and being able to look at it
us much closer to answering that question in our lifetimes
in the lab — I think it’s going to be very exciting.”
On Nov. 17, NASA and JAXA signed a Memorandum and also help identify Near-Earth Objects that might pose a
risk of Earth impact, and further help inform developing
of Understanding for cooperation on the Hayabusa2 mission
options for planetary defense.
and NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource
Follow the latest missions and discoveries at: http://
Identification, Security – Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx)
www.nasa.gov/asteroid-and-comet-watch/
mission to mutually maximize their missions’ results.
OSIRIS-REx is scheduled to launch in 2016. It will be the
Credits:
first U.S. asteroid sample return mission. OSIRIS-REx will
| Production Editor: Dr. Tony Phillips | Credit: Science@NASA
rendezvous with the 500-meter-sized asteroid Bennu in 2019
for detailed reconnaissance and a return of samples to Earth
in 2023.
Illustration of
Hayabusa2 and OSIRIS-REx will further strengthen
Comet Siding’s
the two space agencies’ relationship in asteroid exploration.
Mars Flyby
The missions will also help NASA choose its target
this coming Spring.
for the first-ever mission to capture and redirect an asteroid.
NASA's Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) in the 2020s will
help NASA test new technologies needed for future human
-10-
T h e Y i n - Ya n g o f P o l a r S e a I c e
Dec. 4, 2014:
The
"That's one
world is getting warmer.
theory," says Meier.
It comes as no
"I think that winds are
surprise, therefore,
definitely playing a
when researchers
substantial role. But
announce as they did
other factors could be
this past September
at work, too." For
that Arctic sea ice
instance, he points
extent is still below
out that glaciers
normal, continuing a
melting around the
years-long downward
edges of the continent
trend, covering less and
could, ironically,
less of the north polar
produce more ice in
seas with a frozen
the surrounding
crust. On the heels of
ocean. "Fresh
that announcement,
meltwater from
A new ScienceCast video explores the curious differences between north- and southcame another, a little
glaciers is easier to
polar sea ice. Click to Play it.
more puzzling. While
freeze than briny
seawater," he explains.
Arctic sea ice was melting, Antarctic sea ice was at an allSnowfall could be important, too. Snow landing on
time high. In 2014, sea ice surrounding Antarctica covered
thin
sea
ice can weigh the ice down and push it just below
more of the southern oceans than it has since satellite
the
water.
Cold ocean water seeps up through the ice and
record began in the late 1970s.
floods
the
snow – leading to a slushy mixture that freezes
Is this also a sign of global warming?
and
thickens
the sea ice.
"There is no doubt that climate change is real," says
Some
scientists feel that these processes could
Walt Meier of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "The
simply
be
due
the
natural variations in the Antarctic region's
two poles are just responding in their own unique way to the
climate.
While
it
is
clear that global warming is playing a
same global phenomenon."
significant
role
in
the
loss of Arctic sea ice, the trend in the
He points out that Earth, taken as a whole, is losing
Antarctic
is
small
enough
that it could be explained simply
sea ice. According to satellite measurements from NASA
due
to
natural
variations
in
the region's climate. "Ultimately,"
and the National Snow and Ice Data Center, the Arctic has
says
Meier,
"we
expect
that
continued warming will take its
lost an average of 20,800 square miles of sea ice a year
toll,
and
even
Antarctic
sea
ice
will begin to decline."
since the late 70s. Meanwhile, the Antarctic has gained an
What
we
are
seeing,
he
suggests, is the quirky
average of 7,300 square miles per year—not enough to
regional
way
Earth
responds
to
a
global stimulus. Earth's
balance loses at the other end of the planet.
climate
system
is
complex,
and
climate
change will continue
But why do the Arctic and Antarctic behave in
to
have
fascinatingly
unpredictable
consequences
in the
different ways?
years
ahead.
"The increase we've seen in Antarctic sea ice is a
little bit of a mystery," allows Meier. "We're still trying to
Credits:
figure out how a warmer global climate leads to these
Author: Dr. Tony Phillips | Production Editor: Dr. Tony Phillips
regional increases in ice cover."
| Credit: Science@NASA
The culprit could be weather. Climate change is
altering weather patterns around the planet, and one of those More information:
changes is an increase in windiness around the continent of
Antarctic Sea Ice Reaches New Record Maximum -- Science@NASA
Antarctica. Cold air blows from the ice-covered continent out
The Cloudy Future of Arctic Sea Ice -- Science@NASA
over the sea, freezing the waters and pushing sea ice
outward to cover record-setting areas.
2014 Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 6th Lowest on Record -- Science@NASA
Click to
and Stay Informed About
EVERYTHING to do with Man’s
Exploration of the Universe!
-11-
Young Volcanoes on the Moon
IMPs are too
Back in 1971, Apollo
small to be seen
15 astronauts
from Earth, averaging
orbiting the Moon
less than a third of a
photographed
mile (500 meters)
something very odd.
across in their
Researchers called it
largest dimension.
"Ina," and it looked
That's why, other
like the aftermath of
than Ina, they haven't
a volcanic eruption.
been found before.
There's
Nevertheless, they
nothing odd about
appear to be widevolcanoes on the
spread around the
Moon, per se. Much
nearside of the
of the Moon's ancient
Moon.
surface is covered
"Not only are
A new ScienceCast video explores the mystery of recent lunar volcanism. Click to Play it.
with hardened lava.
the IMPs striking
The main features of the "Man in the Moon," in fact, are old
landscapes, but also they tell us something very important
basaltic flows deposited billions of years ago when the Moon about the thermal evolution of the Moon," says Mark
was wracked by violent eruptions. The strange thing about
Robinson of Arizona State University, the principal investigaIna was its age.
tor for LRO's high resolution camera. "The interior of the
Planetary scientists have long thought that lunar
Moon is perhaps hotter than previously thought."
volcanism came to an end about a billion years ago, and
"We know so little of the Moon!" he continues. "The
little has changed since. Yet Ina looked remarkably fresh.
Moon is a large mysterious world in its own right, and its
For more than 30 years Ina remained a mystery, a "one-off
only three days away! I would love to land on an IMP and
oddity" that no one could explain.
take the Moon's temperature first-hand using a heat probe."
Turns out, the mystery is bigger than anyone
Some people think the Moon looks dead, "but I
imagined. Using NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, a
never thought so," says Robinson, who won't rule out the
team of researchers led by Sarah Braden of Arizona State
possibility of future eruptions. "To me, it has always been an
University has found 70 landscapes similar to Ina. They call
inviting place of magnificent beauty, a giant magnet in our
them "Irregular Mare Patches" or IMPs for short.
sky drawing me towards it."
"Discovering new features on the lunar surface was
Young volcanoes have only turned up the heat on the
thrilling!" says Braden. "We looked at hundreds of highMoon's allure. Says Robinson … "let's go!"
resolution images, and when I found a new IMP it was
Credits:
always the highlight of my day."
Author: Dr. Tony Phillips | Production Editor: Dr. Tony Phillips |
"The irregular mare patches look so different than
Credit: Science@NASA
more common lunar features like impact craters, impact
Examples of
smooth and uneven
melt, and highlands material," she says. "They really jump
deposits marked
out at you."
with ‘S’ and ‘U’. a,
On the Moon, it is possible to estimate the age of a
Topographic
landscape by counting its craters. The Moon is pelted by a
depression
containing the
slow drizzle of meteoroids that pepper its surface with impact
Sosigenes IMP . b,
scars. The older a landscape, the more craters it contains.
Maskelyne IMP.
Some of the IMPs they found are very lightly
Circular topocratered, suggesting that they are no more than 100 million
graphic high right of
centre. c, Manilus-1
years old. A hundred million years may sound like a long
IMP. Sharp, lobate
time, but in geological terms it's just a blink of an eye. The
contacts (white
volcanic craters LRO found may have been erupting during
arrows) where the
the Cretaceous period on Earth--the heyday of dinosaurs.
smooth deposits
superposed the
Some of the volcanic features may be even younger, 50
uneven deposit .d,
million years old, a time when mammals were replacing
IMP inside Hyginus
dinosaurs as dominant lifeforms.
crater. e, Carrel-1
"This finding is the kind of science that is literally
IMP. Narrow, discontinuous sections of uneven deposits may be a vent
rim remnant. The inset highlights three lobate contacts (white arrows).
going to make geologists rewrite the textbooks about the
f, IMP north of Aristarchus crater. g, Maclear-1 IMP. Black arrows point
Moon," says John Keller, LRO project scientist at the
to lobate margins. h, Cauchy-5 IMP. Superposed on a 6 km diameter
Goddard Space Flight Center.
volcano. i, Ina exhibits numerous connected and isolated smooth
Nov 24, 2014:
deposits. Images: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University. Click for larger
image
-12-
Rosetta: Space probe drops Robotic Lander on Comet 67P
From 88.5 WFDD, Public Radio for the Piedmont, part of the NPR Digital Network
By SHAWN FITZMAURICE--SciWorks Radio is a production of 88.5
WFDD and SciWorks, the Science Center and Environmental Park of
Forsyth County, located in Winston-Salem.
WFDD: On November 12th, after a 10-year journey, the European Space Agency’s space probe, Rosetta, dropped the robotic lander
Philae onto the surface of Comet 67P. This is the first-ever landing on a
comet. This week, we invited Jonathan Ward, author of an upcoming
book about launching the Apollo missions, and NASA-sanctioned JPL
Solar System Ambassador, to discuss what we know so far from the
lander. The European Space Agency has placed a six-month embargo on
information, but Mr. Ward has pieced together what is available.
Ward: There was an upward-facing thruster that was supposed
to push Philae onto the surface so that the ice screws on the feet could
drill into the comet surface. They knew before they released the lander
that the thruster wasn't working, but there was no way to fix it. There was
also a set of harpoons that were supposed to anchor the lander to the
Rosetta selfie from 10 miles out. Credit: nasa.gov
comet. Those did not fire. They think that the propellant in there was not
Click to Hear the Program
stable over the course of the 10 years. Philae’s feet went through a couple
of inches of soft dust and then they hit a hard surface. It looks like one of the legs may have hit a rock which caused it to
tip slightly and the lander came to rest at an angle against what appears to be a cliff or a crater wall.
WFDD: Among the unexpected challenges, Philae’s landing site is problematic. The solar powered lander is hidden
in shadow, and its exact location is unknown.
Ward: When the European Space Agency scientists realized that it wasn’t getting a lot of sunlight they decided just
to go ahead and run as many of the experiments as they could. They had ten instruments on the lander and they used all ten
of them, and then tried to get as much of that data back as they could before the batteries finally died.
WFDD: From what we know so far, results are mixed.
Ward: There’s an instrument called MUPUS which is a hammer and a probe that are intended to penetrate into the
comet surface and get a temperature of the comet. Unfortunately, part of that instrument was in the harpoons, and since
those didn’t fire, that part didn’t get into the surface. The hammer had three increasing strength settings, but none of those
was strong enough to be able to get through the surface of the comet. In fact there was a secret setting of 4, and even that
wasn’t strong enough to break through. What it did show was that, instead of being crumbly, as was initially expected, the
comet surface was as hard as ice. They had a drill on board that was supposed to try to drill into the surface and bring back
some material that would be dumped into a chemical analyzer oven, but apparently there was nothing but trace amounts of
gas when they ran the analyzer. An instrument that was intended to measure the chemical composition of the surface of the
comet also didn’t work. It appears that the cover of the instrument didn’t come off.
WFDD: While each failure still may tell us something about the comet, Philae’s successes give a tantalizing look at
what we may know after the European Space Agency’s embargo.
Ward: Another instrument was able to determine that there are organic molecules on the comet, and that was a
very important finding. Organic molecules contain carbon and they are the building blocks of life. So the analyzer was
designed to tell if these molecules are left handed or right handed.
WFDD: Amino acids, in theory, can form as left or right handed, one being a mirror image of the other. Life should
be compatible with either, but all life on earth is based on left handed molecules. We don’t know why. Determining the
handedness of the comet’s organic material could give insight to the part comets may have played in seeding Earth with the
building blocks of life. So what’s in the future for Rosetta and Philae?
Ward: Just before the lander went silent, they commanded it lift itself up off the surface and and rotate so that once
the comet gets closer to the sun it will start getting more light and maybe they’ll be able to re-awaken the lander. Rosetta is
going to stay in orbit around the comet as it approaches the sun over the coming year, and they’re going to watch the comet
begin to develop as it gets closer, gets warmer, and the ice begins to form kind of a gas cloud around the comet. At a recent
on-line question-and-answer event, someone asked one of the scientists to summarize what he’d learned so far about the
comet, and he said that “the main thing that I take away from this is that the comet is much more complex than I ever thought
it would be.” He said, “I saw scientists who’ve done only comets for all of their careers staring in unbelief at the images they’ve
been seeing from this. It makes it a really cool place where everybody has to take a step back and learn new things.
Philae Lander on its way to the surface of Comet 67P
-13-
New Horizons Wakes Up on Pluto's Doorstep
After
With a
a voyage of nearly
seven-instrument
nine years and three
science payload
billion miles —the
that includes
farthest any space
advanced imaging
mission has ever
infrared and ultraviotraveled to reach its
let spectrometers, a
primary target –
compact multicolor
NASA’s New Horizons
camera, a highspacecraft came out
resolution teleof hibernation on Dec.
scopic camera, two
6th for its long-awaited
powerful particle
2015 encounter with
spectrometers and
the Pluto system.
a space-dust
Operators at
detector, New
New Horizons Mission Operations Manager Alice Bowman and operations team member
the Johns Hopkins
Horizons will begin
Karl Whittenburg watch the screens for data confirming that the New Horizons spacecraft
University Applied
observing the Pluto
had transitioned from hibernation to active mode on Dec. 6. Click for ScienceCast Video.
Physics Laboratory in
system on Jan. 15.
Laurel, Md., confirmed at 9:53 p.m. (EST) that New HoriNew Horizons’ closest approach to Pluto will occur
zons, operating on pre-programmed computer commands,
on July 14, but plenty of highlights are expected before then,
had switched from hibernation to “active” mode. Moving at
including, by mid-May, views of the Pluto system better than
light speed, the radio signal from New Horizons – currently
what the Hubble Space Telescope can provide of the dwarf
more than 2.9 billion miles from Earth, and just over 162
planet and its moons.
million miles from Pluto – needed four hours and 26 minutes
A Musical Wake-Up
to reach NASA’s Deep Space Network station in Canberra,
New Horizons joins the
Australia.
astronauts on four space
“This is a watershed event that signals the end of
shuttle missions who
New Horizons crossing of a vast ocean of space to the very
“woke up” to English tenor
frontier of our solar system, and the beginning of the
Russell Watson’s inspirmission’s primary objective: the exploration of Pluto and its
ational "Where My Heart
many moons in 2015,” said Alan Stern, New Horizons
Will Take Me" – in fact,
principal investigator from Southwest Research Institute,
Watson himself recorded For New Horizons, Russell Watson
Records Special Version of ‘Where My
Boulder, Colo.
a special greeting and
Heart Will Take Me.’ Listen to it here
Since launching on January 19, 2006, New Horizons version of the song to
has spent 1,873 days — about two-thirds of its flight time —
honor New Horizons! The song was played in New Horizons
in hibernation. Its 18 separate hibernation periods, from midmission operations upon confirmation of the spacecraft’s
2007 to late 2014, ranged from 36 days to 202 days in
wake-up on Dec. 6.
length. The team used hibernation to save wear and tear on
The Sleeping Spacecraft: How Hibernation Worked
spacecraft components and reduce the risk of system failures.
During hibernation mode, much of the New Horizons
“Technically, this was routine, since the wake-up
spacecraft was unpowered. The onboard flight computer
was a procedure that we’d done many times before,” said
monitored system health and broadcast a weekly beaconGlen Fountain, New Horizons project manager at APL.
status tone back to Earth. Onboard sequences sent in
“Symbolically, however, this is a big deal. It means the start
advance by mission controllers woke New Horizons two or
of our pre-encounter operations.”
three times each year to check out critical systems, caliThe wake-up sequence had been programmed into
brate instruments, gather some science data, rehearse
New Horizons' onboard computer in August, and started
Pluto-encounter activities, and perform course corrections.
aboard the spacecraft at 3 p.m. EST on Dec. 6. About 90
New Horizons pioneered routine cruise-flight hibernaminutes later, New Horizons began transmitting word to
tion for NASA. Not only has hibernation reduced wear and
Earth on its condition, including the report that it is back in
tear on the spacecraft's electronics, it also lowered opera"active" mode.
tions costs and freed up NASA Deep Space Network trackThe New Horizons team will spend the next several
ing and communication resources for other missions.
weeks checking out the spacecraft, making sure its systems Credits:
and science instruments are operating properly. They’ll also
Production Editor: Dr. Tony Phillips | Credit: Science@NASA
continue to build and test the computer-command seMore:
quences that will guide New Horizons through its flight to and The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory manages the New
Horizons mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. New
reconnaissance of the Pluto system.
Dec. 7, 2014:
Horizons is part of the New Frontiers Program managed by NASA's
Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. APL designed, built
and operates the New Horizons spacecraft.
-14-
ASTRO-PHOTO
of the
MONTH
The Veil Nebula
Photo by
DAS Member
Rob
Lancaster
The Veil Nebula
was taken in
October, 2012
at a site called
the “RV Lot,” a
place in Fred De
Lucia’s community in north
Wilmington
where they park
RV’s.
Setup Details:
10" Newtonian
telescope,
Losmandy G-11
Telescope
Mount, Canon
XSi DSLR that I modified by removing the IR filter and replacing it with one more sensitive to H-Alpha Light,
Astronomik 2" UHC Nebula Filter, Macbook Pro Computer for Data Collection and Analysis.
WEBSITE
of the
MONTH
Astronomers
Without
Borders
www.astronomerswithoutborders.org/
The Global Pairing Project program will allow an exchange of our cultures as well as sharing new techniques in
science and astronomy. We believe both paired member clubs will benefit and learn from our expanded common interests.
We have no planned agenda and only expect the engagements will go as far as the two mutually desire.
In addition to the benefits of pairing, the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope (LCOGT) Network will also
allot some telescope time for the AWB Club Pairing program participants. These mutual cultural exchanges will not only
benefit both clubs, but individuals will have a chance to advance their interest in astronomy and science. Through live web
connections, both clubs will be able to expand on basic to advanced concepts in astronomy, astrophotography and even
telescope operation. Budding stargazers in remote regions that otherwise may not have opportunities to expand their
horizons in the hobby, will even have a chance to learn about observing techniques and the wonders of the night sky.
Check it all out at www.astronomerswithoutborders.org/.
-15-
DAS ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
Bill Hanagan
The DAS astro-photography special interest group (DAS AP-SIG) meets monthly at Mt. Cuba and at our members’
homes. The AP SIG sometimes meets regardless of the weather, but some meetings are planned around specific imaging
demonstrations and are “Flex-Scheduled” using email on 1-2 day notice to synchronize with the weather. AP-SIG meetings
are regularly announced via the DAS Yahoo Group as well as by email to AP-SIG members. See the sidebar for a brief
rundown on how to get started taking astro-photos. To join the AP-SIG, send me an email at hanaganw@verizon.net with
your name, address, and phone number and tell me that you want to join the AP-SIG.
AP-SIG meetings are informal and typically include the presentation of astrophotos taken by the members along
with an extended question and answer period. The topics discussed during our Q&A sessions have covered the entire
gamut of astrophotography, from how to get started with a minimum of equipment, to polar aligning your telescope, to the
fine points of using auto-guiders and post-processing digital images.
In addition, we often have special presentations on topics of particular interest at the time. For example, we’ve had
special presentation on the ways a telescope can be polar aligned, the nature of various noise sources in electronic detectors including CCD cameras, how to make high dynamic range (HDR) photos, and how to photograph many different particular subjects, including: aurora, lunar eclipses, meteors, and the planets.
Even if you aren’t an AP-SIG member, you’re welcome to attend the AP-SIG meetings to learn more.
Our next “On Site” AP-SIG meeting is scheduled to be hosted by Rob Lancaster on Friday, December 12 at 7:30
PM at his home at 508 Brentwood Drive in Wilmington, DE. Rob is planning a tutorial demonstration of PixInsight, a program and flexible development environment designed specifically for astronomical image processing. PixInsight runs on
Windows, MAC, and Linux based computers. A fully functional trial version can be downloaded from http://pixinsight.com/
The subsequent meeting of the AP-SIG is tentatively scheduled for the weekend of January 23 / 24. Please mark
these dates on your calendar!
On How to Get Started in Astro-Photography
Bill Hanagan
You can get started in astrophotography with your current camera mounted on a tripod by taking wide field photographs of meteor showers, conjunctions, constellations, and star trails. Mounting your camera “piggyback” on a motorized
telescope that tracks the movement of the stars allows you to photograph a few more subjects, mostly large and bright
nebulas and comets. At this level, some smaller subjects may benefit from the use of a telephoto lens. As you move to
progressively fainter and smaller subjects, the demands on your equipment will grow considerably. However, as you improve
your equipment, the number of subjects that you can photograph will also increase exponentially.
Joining the AP SIG is a great way to learn what equipment you’ll need to photograph the subjects that interest you
and to find out what specific equipment works well (or doesn’t work) before you spend your money.
DAS AMATEUR TELESCOPE MAKING SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
Bill Hanagan
The DAS Amateur Telescope Making (ATM) Special Interest Group (SIG) is made up of DAS members who get
together to work on their own as well as club related telescope making projects. When and where AP-SIG members meet
depends on what ATM projects are currently active.
The general range of activities of the ATM SIG includes all manner of telescope making including Newtonian mirror
making, the testing of complete telescopes as well as individual optics, and the making of telescope accessories. In the
past, we’ve made several Newtonian telescope mirrors from scratch and completed some that members brought in as works
in progress, including one that was started in the mid-60’s! We’ve also made new telescope tubes, made secondary mirror
holders, tested numerous telescope objectives, manufactured spiders, and made many solar filters for telescopes and
binoculars. We recently completed the refiguring of the DAS 17.5” Newtonian mirror.
Anyone interested in joining the ATM SIG should email their name, address, and phone number to me at
hanaganw@verizon.net.
FOCUS uses plenty of photos
in banners & elsewhere each issue, and
So how about you?? HAVE ANY
OLD or NEW ASTROPHOTOS??
we want to use YOURS...not Hubble’s!!
PLEASE email to FOCUS editor
(or
tell
us
where
they can be found on the web if your photos reside there)
Photos need NOT be current.
-16-
INFORMATION ON DAS MEMBERSHIPS AND MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS
DAS MEMBERSHIP
· DAS membership dues are $30.00 per year and due on November 1 for all members.
- There is no need to renew membership until the treasurer contacts you during the membership renewal drive starting in mid-October.
·
New members joining at various times of the year may be eligible for a prorated dues amount.
- $20 when joining March-May
- $10 when joining June-August
- $30 for joining September-October through November 1 of the following year.
ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP
·
·
·
The DAS offers an optional membership in the Astronomical League (AL) at a discounted rate.
AL membership dues are $7.50 per year and are due on June 1 for all members.
The AL does not offer any prorated discounts for new memberships starting mid-year.
SKY & TELESCOPE MAGAZINE
·
·
·
·
·
·
The DAS offers subscriptions to Sky & Telescope at a discounted rate of $32.95 per year.
Subscriptions to S&T will be processed by the club for the first subscription year only.
The publisher should then send renewal notices directly to the subscriber at the club rate of $32.95.
You may receive renewal offers for amounts other than $32.95. If so, check to see if they are special offers and how close you
are to your renewal date.
Your subscription expiration date should be displayed on the mailing label on your magazine.
If you are within 3 months of your renewal date and still have not received the correct renewal notice, please contact the publisher and tell them you should receive the member rate.
ASTRONOMY MAGAZINE
·
·
·
·
The DAS offers subscriptions to Astronomy magazine at a discounted rate of $34.00 per year.
Subscriptions to Astronomy will be processed by the club for the first subscription year only.
Your subscription expiration date should be displayed on the mailing label on your magazine.
Renewals can be handled by all club members on the Astronomy.com website using the following steps:
a. go to www.astronomy.com
b. select the ‘customer service’ link in the upper right corner
c. select the ‘renew your subscriptions’ link
d. enter your customer number (found on the mailing label), postal code, and the renewal code of ‘RCLUB040’ and
click ‘continue’
e. follow the remaining steps from there.
NEW MEMBERSHIP FORM
·
·
Please review the membership and magazine information above carefully.
PLEASE fill out the membership form below completely.
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NEW MEMBERSHIP FORM
Please be sure to review the Membership and Magazine information above carefully.
Please make checks payable to DAS and forward to:
Jeff Lawrence, Treasurer, 815 Leeds Lane, Newark, DE 19711
Senior / Family Membership
Junior Membership (15 or under)
$30.00
$10.00
Astronomical League
Sky & Telescope Magazine
$ 7.50
$32.95
Astronomy Magazine
$34.00
Total:
Name_________________________________________________Email Address________________________________
Street Address_________________________________________________Phone Number________________________
City___________________________________________________________State______Zip_______________________
Notes_________________________________________________________________________________________________
For questions or concerns, contact Jeff Lawrence, DAS Treasurer at (302) 668-8277 or jef.law76@gmail.com
-17-
DAS CONTACTS
Please call any of us with your concerns!
Board members:
Officers:
President:
Greg Lee -- 302-762-5358 or greglee288@gmail.com,
Vice-President: Rob Lancaster -- also, Program Chair & Future Web Site Development -- RLancaste@gmail.com
Secretary:
Bill McKibben, Secretary billmck21921@comcast.net
Treasurer:
Jeff Lawrence
jef.law76@gmail.com; (302) 668-8277also Sky & Telescope & Astronomy magazine issues
Board Members at Large:
Terry Lisansky terry@terry.cx
Glenn Bentley -- 610-869-0706 or gbentley@chesco.org
Bill Hanagan -- 302-239-0949 or hanaganw@verizon.net, also Astronomical Photography Special Interest
Group; Amateur Telescope Making Special Interest Group; By-Laws;Observatory and Equipment Improvements
Standing Chairs:
Publications:
Joe Neuberger -- 302-723-2734 or JRNeuberger@gmail.com, also, FOCUS Newsletter article/photo contributions
Observing:
Fred DeLucia -- 609-410-8943 or fredworld@verizon.net, also, Elections Chair and Awards Chair
Education:
Open Position (contact Pres. Greg Lee with questions)
Observatory:
Open Position (contact Pres. Greg Lee with questions)
Library
Maria Lavalle and Sue Bebon
Other Chairs:
Web Site Maintenance and Operation: Daniel Chester-- chester@udel.edu
Other Contacts: Astronomical League Coordinator:
MCAO Web Page: www.MountCuba.org
DAS Web Page: www.DelAstro.org
Lynn King - klynnking@verizon.net
SEE PRECEEDING PAGE FOR NEW MEMBERSHIP FORM
If you have questions, call any of the member representatives listed. Otherwise, just check the appropriate boxes and complete the form on the preceeding
page. Print it or cut it off and send it with your check to Jeff Lawrencet his address on
the form. The magazine prices are group rates to DAS members.
If you’re just joining us for the first time, THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
and WELCOME to the DAS! It’s GREAT to have you with us!
The Last Word. . .
FOCUS editor
Joe Neuberger
I can hardly believe that this is my 64th issue as Your Publications
Chair and FOCUS Editor, which I have been doing since September, 2008.
And it has been my Pleasure to serve the membership in this manner.
I strive to make each issue of the FOCUS a little better than the
last, and hope I succeed in that effort.
I look forward to another year in 2015.
So, before 2014 comes to a close, let me say “Thank You” for
your wide ranging support, and to wish Everyone a sincere “Happy Holidays!”
And “Best Wishes for a Safe & Happy New Year to ALL!”