LAS Meeting October 19 th

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2 LAS Meeting October 19 th Presentation: "Studying Relativistic Particles in Our Cosmic Backyard: Van Allen Belt Exploration" by Dr. Dan Baker, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA. The first major scientific discovery of the Space Age was that the Earth is enshrouded in toroids, or belts, of very high-energy magnetically trapped charged particles. Early observations of the radiation environment suggested that the Van Allen belts could be delineated into an inner zone dominated by high-energy protons and an outer zone dominated by high-energy electrons. Subsequent studies showed that electrons in the energy range up to a million electron Volts (MeV) often populated both the inner and outer zones with a pronounced slot region relatively devoid of energetic electrons existing between them. The energy distribution, spatial extent and particle species makeup of the Van Allen belts has been subsequently explored by several space missions. However, recent observations by the NASA dual-spacecraft Van Allen Probes mission have revealed wholly unexpected properties of the radiation belts, especially at highly relativistic (E > 2 MeV) and ultrarelativistic (E > 5 MeV) kinetic energies. In this presentation I show using high spatial and temporal resolution data from the University of Colorado s Relativistic Electron-Proton Telescope (REPT) experiment on board the Van Allen Probes that multiple belts can exist concurrently and that an exceedingly sharp inner boundary exists for ultrarelativistic electrons. Using additionally available Van Allen Probes data, I Copyright October All Rights Reserved. Longmont Astronomical Society Page 1

demonstrate that these remarkable features of energetic electrons are not due to a physical boundary within Earth s intrinsic magnetic field.

3 demonstrate that these remarkable features of energetic electrons are not due to a physical boundary within Earth s intrinsic magnetic field. Rather it likely that human-generated electromagnetic transmitter wave fields help produce such effects. We conclude from these unique measurements that human-made waveparticle scattering effects deep inside the Earth s magnetosphere can contribute to an almost impenetrable barrier through which the most energetic Van Allen belt electrons often cannot migrate. Location: The meeting will be at the IHOP Restaurant, 2040 Ken Pratt Boulevard, Longmont. Please join us for coffee, dinner, or just desert around 6 pm; the general meeting and presentation will begin at 7 pm Upcoming Events LAS Meeting Thurs. Oct 19, 7-9:00 pm, LAS monthly meeting will be at the IHop Restaurant. Presentation is "Studying Relativistic Particles in Our Cosmic Backyard: Van Allen Belt Exploration" by Dr. Dan Baker, Director of LASP. Hygiene Elementary Tues., Nov 7, 6 7:30 pm. STEAM night at Hygiene Elementary, Hygiene, CO. October Solar System Highlights Moon Full moon: Oct. 5 th 12:40 pm Last quarter: Oct. 12 th 6:27 am New moon: Oct. 19 5h 1:13 pm First quarter: Oct. 27 th 4:23 pm Mercury Mercury is not visible this month. Venus Venus is visible low in the eastern morning sky. It stays around magnitude in brightness and about 11 arc sec across. It is slowly fading into morning twilight into which it will disappear near the end of next month. Mars Mars is visible in constellation Leo; it is magnitude 1.8 in brightness and its disk is about 3.8 arc sec across. Mars will be at opposition with Earth on July 27 th. Jupiter Jupiter is not visible this month. It will show up again in the morning sky near the end of the first week in November. Saturn Saturn is visible in constellation Ophiuchus. It is magnitude 0.6 in brightness and disk is 16 arc sec in apparent size. Uranus Best time to view Uranus mid-month is around 1 am in constellation Pisces. It magnitude 5.7 in brightness and its disk is 3.7 arc sec across. Copyright October All Rights Reserved. Longmont Astronomical Society Page 2

4 Neptune Neptune is in constellation Aquarius and is magnitude 7.9 and brightness and its disk is 2.3 arc seconds across. Comets Comet C/2017 O1 (ASASSN) was discovered July 19 th this year by the All Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASASSN). It is expected to reach magnitude 9.3 in mid-october. Copyright October All Rights Reserved. Longmont Astronomical Society Page 3

It is expected to reach magnitude 8.2 in mid-november.

5 Comet 24P/Schaumasse was discovered by French astronomer Alexandre Schaumasse on December 1, 1911 in Nice, France. It is expected to reach magnitude 8.2 in mid-november. Copyright October All Rights Reserved. Longmont Astronomical Society Page 4

Overhead Sky 9pm October 15 Copyright October 2017.

7 LAS Meeting Minutes July 20, 2017 By Joe Hudson 1900 hours MDT 2040 Ken Pratt Boulevard Longmont, Colorado Gary, Vice President, opens and moderates: Officers in attendance: Gary vice president, Mike, treasurer, Tally O'Donnel, Brian Kimball, Jim Elkins all Board, Joe Hudson secretary. Vern, president, was not in attendance. Announcements: New Members: none Visitors: Mike Yelverton Upcoming events: Boulder County Parks and Open Space Star Party at Rabbit Mountain on July 21 (forecast does not look good) Presentations: Jim Elkins on 'Sophia' and related atmospheric airborne research programs in NOAA. Tally O Donnell suggest an inventory of imaging equipment, software, and especially shared methodology and practice...,maybe grouped into 5 concept areas: DSLR Solar Planetary Deep sky Cometary Topical areas such as: what is your favorite tracking software imaging software processing software advanced imaging techniques and sharing available data files for new folks to processing Finance Report: Mike gave the treasurer's report, indicating that we now have 72 paid up members. August 17, 2017 Meeting was cancelled as we were getting ready for the total solar eclipse the following Monday. LAS Meeting Minutes for September 21, 2017 by Joe Hudson 1900 hours MDT 2040 Ken Pratt Boulevard Longmont, Colorado Vern, president, opens and moderates: Introductions Officers in attendance: Gary vice president, Tally O'Donnel board member, Mike treasurer, Brian Kimball board member, Joe Hudson secretary, and Chris Fauble board member. New Members: John Becker, Bruce Bentley, and Marty Buckley. Imagers: David Elmore, Stephen Garretson, Gary, Eddie Hunnell, Copyright October All Rights Reserved. Longmont Astronomical Society Page 6

8 Brian Kimball, Jim Pollock, Brian, and Paul Robinson. Announcements: Boulder County Parks and Open Space Star Party at Rabbit Mountain Sept to 0200 next morning (if weather holds). Note: It was cancelled VR. Lyons Elementary Star Party Mon Sept to 2100 for the 4 th and 5 th graders (also weather dependent). Note: It was cancelled VR. Oct 19 th speaker will be Dr. Dan Baker, Director of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics. See LASP page for reference out/leadership/directors-page/ Business Meeting Mike presented club financial report, total members 79, and 2018 dues collection begins. Open Discussion Items What do we do with all the partially built scopes and scope parts? Much discussion: many, many very nice parts that are taking up space and have not been touched with intent in years. Tally mentioned many new members have asked about loaner scopes and possible interest by them in completing the assembly, regardless Gary would love to find the parts a new home. Vern discussed the 6 telescope kits that need to be modified and assembled for the Carbon Valley Regional Library District (Ault, Eaton, Erie, Evans, Firestone, Ft. Lupton, Gilcrest, Greeley, Hudson, Johnston, Kersey, Lochbuie, Milliken, Nunn, and Platteville). Five telescope kits were purchased by the library district and one telescope and zoom eyepiece were purchased by the Horkheimer Foundation. Vern is completing the modifications and should have them ready for the Library District the first week in October. Note: telescope kits were delivered Oct. 3 - VR. Vern also suggests that perhaps this model be considered as a template. That is interested libraries might directly fund and drop ship parts that LAS specifies and then LAS members (not just Vern!) would modify them into 'loan-able' library telescope kits. Open Forum Presentations David Elmore: Described the Citizen CATE project of 80mm scopes taking eclipse photos filtered to image the inner corona during the August 2017 North American eclipse. David shared some early data profiles of all participants, and some early processing images Wayne Green: Lunar and Asteroid Occultation Wayne shared his lengthy history of occultation observing and the significant contribution that amateur observers have made over the years, especially when institutional assets are understandably devoted to fundamental research. Of special enjoyment was his story of performing lunar grazing observations as a youth in Florida: a bunch of high school kids in an Florida Gators Astronomy club, dropped one by one, miles from each, other along an observation line consisting of swamp and canal roads... again, in Florida. At night. And conducting real Copyright October All Rights Reserved. Longmont Astronomical Society Page 7

science of with a telescope pointed at the target star, waiting for the moon to pass... then yelling 'out'... 'in'... 'out'... into a tape recorder with WWV's metronome as the time synch and background music.

9 science of with a telescope pointed at the target star, waiting for the moon to pass... then yelling 'out'... 'in'... 'out'... into a tape recorder with WWV's metronome as the time synch and background music. Wayne showed how to access upcoming observation projects and data submission at End of meeting. Asteroids describe their own shape as they block out background stars indeed while lunar mapping is now done by radar amateur observers in great numbers regularly participate in projects that help determine various asteroids size, position, and cross section profile. All through the execution of very specifically timed off / on measurements just like Wayne described of his youth, and which again are best performed by the amateur community because of the possible number of observations and the 'flexibility' inherent in the instrument. Are you ready to observe with a purpose? Copyright October All Rights Reserved. Longmont Astronomical Society Page 8

10 Tis the season to consider volunteering as an LAS officer in LAS officers all serve for a term of one year. Here is listing of LAS officers through the years. Year President Vice President Secretary Treasurer ALCor Board Members 2018?????? 2017 Vern Gary Joe Hudson Tim Brown, Jim Elkins, Chris Fauble, Brian Kimball, Tally O Donnell 2016 Vern Gary Joe Hudson Jim Elkins, Chris Fauble, Brian Kimball, Tally O Donnell 2015 Vern Gary Will Thornburg Jim Elkins, Brian Kimball, Tally O'Donnell 2014 Vern Gary Brian Kimball, Leigh Pearson, Bob Spohn Copyright October All Rights Reserved. Longmont Astronomical Society Page 9

11 Year President Vice President Secretary/ Treasurer ALCor News letter Webmas ter Equipment /Library 2013 Bill Tschumy Gary J.D. Birchmeirer Vern 2012 Vern Gary J.D. Birchmeirer Vern Ray Warren 2011 Vern Gary J.D. Birchmeier Brian Simpson, Ray Warren 2010 Vern Gary Leigh Pierson Vern J.D. Birchmeier Brian Simpson, Ray Warren 2009 Vern Gary Leigh Pierson Vern J.D. Birchmeier, Brian Simpson Dieter Kurtz, Ray Warren 2008 Vern Gary Leigh Pierson Vern J.D. Birchmeier Dieter Kurtz 2007 Gary Monica Martens Mark Propp Mark Propp Philippe Bridenne Leigh Pierson 2006 Gary Michelle Lavers Mark Propp Dick Mallot Philippe Bridenne Leigh Pierson 2005 Gary Dick Mallot Mark Propp Bob Spohn Philippe Bridenne 2004 Bob Spohn Melinda Diehl Mark Propp Bill Possel Philippe Bridenne 2003 Bob Spohn Melinda Diehl Monica Martens Jim Crane Philippe Bridenne Copyright October All Rights Reserved. Longmont Astronomical Society Page 10

12 Year President Vice President Secretary/ Treasurer ALCor News letter Webmas ter Equipment /Library 2002 Dave Street Rob Noble Mike Hotka Jim Crane Gary 2001 Dave Street 2000 Dave Street Gary Dave Larison Mike Hotka Paul Hale Jim Sapp Mike Hotka Paul Hale Jim Sapp 1999 Leigh Pierson Brian Kimball Melinda Diehl Paul Hale Karen Mendenhall 1998 Bob Noble Jim Getson Melinda Durren Bob Spohn Karen Mendenhall 1997 Bob Spohn Bob Noble Harry Albert Dave Street Doug Little 1996 Dennis Ward Randy Cunningh am Harry Albert Dave Street Fred Lacy 1995 Tom Peck Randy Cunningh am Bob Ross Kevin Brose Jerry Wilkinson 1994 Bob Noble Jim Sharpe Bob Ross Dan Cochran Kevin Brose Copyright October All Rights Reserved. Longmont Astronomical Society Page 11

13 Year President Vice President Secretary Treasurer ALCor Newsletter 1993 Bob Spohn Paul Farnsworth Bob Ross Teresa Rockwood Randy Cunningham Kevin Brose 1992 Bob Spohn Alan Poppenhagen Teresa Rockwood Randy Cunningham Kevin Brose 1991 Randy Cunningh am Chris Schoenbauer Jennifer Getson Jim Getson Kevin Brose 1990 Bob Spohn Dave Street Chris Schoenbauer Jenifer Getson Jim Wilson Kevin Brose 1989 Jim Getson Jim Wilson Bud Cohee Jennifer Getson Bob Spohn Tom Johnston 1988 Bob Spohn Randy Cunningham Judy Cairnes Judy Cairnes Denise Latimore Tom Johnston 1987 Bob Spohn Denise Latimore Bob Rosss Bob Rosss Tom Johnston Tom Johnston Copyright October All Rights Reserved. Longmont Astronomical Society Page 12

Total Solar Eclipse Member Photos Solar Eclipse collage by Brian Kimball

Solar Eclipse collage by Barry Halpern Copyright October

Photo credit: Jessica Espinoza, Crawford Clipper/Harrison Sun Newspaper LAS volunteers (and a few relatives) who supported the star party at the

Before the star party Vern tried to explain why he forgot a power cord for the projector and how come Windows 10 decided to an updgrade during his

17 Photo credit: Jessica Espinoza, Crawford Clipper/Harrison Sun Newspaper LAS volunteers (and a few relatives) who supported the star party at the Legend Buttes Golf Course for the Crawford, NE community on Saturday evening, Aug 18 th. Before the star party Vern tried to explain why he forgot a power cord for the projector and how come Windows 10 decided to an updgrade during his talk. After that he told everyone what to look for and at what time during the solar eclipse the next Monday. (Photo credit Brian ). Copyright October All Rights Reserved. Longmont Astronomical Society Page 16

LAS Telescope Project The LAS telescope project was started in April, 1989 with

The project expanded from there and then progress halted for a couple decades.

as were the mirror mounts (below right).

18 LAS Telescope Project The LAS telescope project was started in April, 1989 with design and construction of a 10 inch scope. The project expanded from there and then progress halted for a couple decades. Mirrors were handground and figured, rocker boxes (at left) were hand crafted as were the mirror mounts (below right). Gary has two scopes nearly completed; we have almost all parts for 7 more. Copyright October All Rights Reserved. Longmont Astronomical Society Page 17

19 Below is a 6 inch telescope that Brian Kimball completed using LAS kit. If you d like a 6 inch scope kit to build your own get in touch with Gary! Copyright October All Rights Reserved. Longmont Astronomical Society Page 18

20 Member Images Above IC 5146, Cocoon Nebula by Eddie Hunnell on September 23. Below NGC 891 by Eddie Hunnell on September 21. Copyright October All Rights Reserved. Longmont Astronomical Society Page 19

Above NGC 253 Sculptor Galaxy by Tim Brown on

Below M81 and M82 by Tim Brown on September 28

Above Sharpless 2-129 in Halpha by Stephen

Garretson on September 20 Copyright October 2017.

Nightscape Copyright at the October Cabin 2017.

23 Nightscape Copyright at the October Cabin by Brian All Rights Kimball Reserved. Longmont Astronomical Society Page 22

LAS Meeting March 15 th

LAS Meeting March 15 th purchase the book. Andrew will do a reprise of a talk he did on the Moon three years ago, discussing its history, formation, and the many fascinating objects that can be seen with