Journal of the Warren Astronomical Society

Transcription

1 Journal of the Warren Astronomical Society Volume 18 Number 3 October 1986 September 5, 1986 Honor Roll Stargate Observatory 25th Anniversary The Society Salutes Its Founders And Those Who Distinguish Themselves In Service To The Society. Ken Strom President Alan Rothenberg 1st Vice President Riyad Matti Ken Kelly Alice Strom 2nd Vice President Secretary Treasurer Maurice Rochon Kim Dyer Richard Sumner Dave Ther Ken Kelly John & Jean Baldwin George & Doris Robinson John & Lois Winters Pete & Ginger Kwentus Rik & Dolores Hill Charles Brisley Ken Roszmann Dick Polus John Searles Don Mission Lionel & Elaine Burns Charles & George Schwarb Martin Butley Diane Bargiel John Wetzel Leonard Cram Gene Francis Robin Bock Alan Rothenberg Ken Wilson Roger Civic Ginger Kwentus Larry Kalinowski Gerry Alyea Clarence Trott Margaret Alyea Judy Strong Tim Skonieczny Doug Bock Lou Faix Frank McCullough Dave Harrington Paul Strong

2 WARREN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY The Warren Astronomical Society is a local, non-profit organization of amateur astronomers. The Society holds meetings on the first and third Thursdays of each month, starting at 730 P.M., as follows: 1st. Thursday Cranbrook Institute of Science 500 Lone Pine Rd. Bloomfield Hills, MI 3rd. Thursday Macomb County Community College South Campus Building B, Room Twelve Mile Rd. Warren, MI Membership is open to those interested in astronomy and its related fields. Dues are as follows: Student...$8 College...$12 Senior Citizen...-$12 Individual...$17 Family...$22 Sky and Telescope Magazine is available for $14.50 per year, and Astronomy Magazine for $12.00 per year. Send membership applications and dues to the Treasurer, for faster service. OFFICERS MAILING ADDRESS President Ken Strom Warren Astronomical Society 1st, V.P. Alan Rothenberg P.O. Box 474 2nd. V.P. Riyad Matti East Detroit, MI Secretary Ken Kelly Treasurer Alice Strom Librarian John Wetzel Deep Sky Group: Doug Bock Meets at Northern Cross Observatory, Fenton, MI Lunar Group Frank McCullough Meets at Stargate Observatory, Ray Center, MI Editor: Ken Kelly / WARREN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY PAPER Send all articles to: THE WASP, P.O. Box 474, East Detroit, MI The W.A.S.P. is the official publication of the Warren Astronomical Society and is available free to all club members. NEWSLETTER EXCHANGES: Send your Newsletters to: THE WASP, P.O. Box 474, East Detroit, MI NOTE: Newsletters or change of address notices sent to other addresses may not reach the Editor. All articles and changes should be submitted at least one week prior to the Macomb meeting. STARGATE OBSERVATORY Observatory Chairman: Riyad Matti / Stargate Observatory is owned and operated by the Warren Astronomical Society in conjunction with Rotary International. Located on the grounds of Camp Rotary, Stargate features a 12.5 inch club-built Cassegrain telescope under an aluminum dome. The Observatory is open to all members of the club in accordance with 'THE STARGATE OBSERVATORY CODE OF CONDUCT". Those wishing to use the observatory must call by 7 P.M. on the evening of the observing session. Lectures are given at Stargate Observatory each weekend. The lecture will be either Friday or Saturday night, depending on the weather and the lecturer's personal schedule. LECTURER'S LIST Lecturers should check with Camp Rotary to determine whether the Scouts are staying at the camp and to inform the Ranger the day and time of the lecture. If you cannot lecture on your scheduled weekend, please make arrangements to switch weekends with another lecturer or call the Chairman as early as possible. The lecturers for the coming weekends are Sep. 19/20 Alan Rothenberg Oct. 17/18 Russ Patten 26/27 Ken Strom 24/25 Mike Bennett Oct. 3/ 4 Jon Root Nov. 0/ 1 Ken Kelly 10/11 Riyad Matti 7/ 8 Clyde Burdette

3 LET'S GET TOGETHER Oct. 2 Oct. 3 Oct. 3 Meeting at Cranbrook Institute of Science, 7:30 P.M. Alan Rothenberg will talk on How to Observe the Solar Eclipse. Partial Solar Eclipse, 145 P.M. to 4:15 P.M. Maximum is at 3:03 P.M. 8:00 P.M. Seven Ponds Nature Center Beginners Group in Astronomy. Oct. 11 Deep Sky Group Observing at Doug Bock's 7:30 P.M. Oct. 16 General Meeting at Macomb Community College, 7:30 P.M. Bldg. B, Room 216. Election of Officers for Nov. 6 Meeting at Cranbrook Institute of Science, 7:30 P.M. Nov. 20 General Meeting at Macomb Community College, 7:30 P.M., Bldg. B, Room 216. Jeff Thrush will give a talk on Astrophotography with Hypered 2415 film.

4 MINUTES OF WARREN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY MEETING HELD AUG. 21, 1986 The business meeting started at 8:00 P.M. Observatory Chairman: The 12 1/2 inch mirror is being recoated. The diagonal is also being recoated. The equatorial shaft was taken apart for cleaning and repair. It should be back together by Aug. 29. The declination drive is still not working correctly. The drive corrector was replaced. Secretary's Report: The Secretary reported the discovery of Nova Cygni 1986 and Comet Wilson, Treasurer's Report: The Treasurer's Report for July-Aug. was given. The balance is likely to go lower because of bills soon to come due. It is hoped that we will make it up at the campout. History Committee: We are putting together the history of the Warren Astronomical Society and the WASP. Ken Strom described some of the early history. 25th Anniversary Celebration: Preparations for the campout were described, including Lodging, the Food Committee, Rocket Launchings, and Photo Contest. Elections in October: We need to elect a nominating Committee. The business meeting adjourned at about 8:30 P.M.

5 WAS 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Alice Strom September 16, 1986 Camp Rotary was the site of the WAS 25th Anniversary Celebration held Fri. Sept. 5 and Sat. Sept. 6. On Friday the Honor Roll plaque was unveiled containing the names of the founders and many distinguished members. Several of those included on the plaque were present either Friday or Saturday. These were Gerry and Margaret Alyea, Mrs. Jean Polus, Mrs. Ginger Kwentus, Diane Bargiel, Tim Skonieczny, Paul and Judy Strong, Clarence Trott, Roger Civic, Lou Faix, Larry Kalinowski, Ken Wilson, Dave Harrington, Ken Kelly, Frank McCullough, Doug Bock and Alan Rothenberg. Friday's program started with 1963 slides of the club's beginnings, showing such activities as grinding mirrors, open houses and field trips. A movie of the 1979 Solar Eclipse trip to Manitoba was shown, followed by Dave Harrington's slides of the early 70's. Since Friday night was clear, Stargate was open and at least ten telescopes were set up for viewing with a crowd of stargazers. Saturday's activities began with a bang! Rocket launching started at 4 PM with lift-off of a cricket astronaut aboard a rocket set off by Riyad Matti. The parachute didn't open but the cricket survived! Featured launches included a Shuttle Orbiter, a twin engine SATURN 5 and a five foot tall rocket with an F engine set off by Norbert Vance that went right through the cloud deck. Following a barbecue cookout, an evening program of slide shows was shown by Frank McCullough, Doug Bock and Alan Rothenberg. These talks highlighted the many activities of the club through the years. A movie of the building of Stargate Observatory was also shown. Then it was time for group photos, and the announcement of the winners of the photo contest. These were Jeff Thrush (of the Lowbrows) for Best of Show, First and Second place and Alan Rothenberg for Best Comet Halley photo. The program closed with some excellent astrophoto slides shown by Lou Faix which served to remind us all why we do it (right, Doug?) Thanks to those who put so much effort into celebration: Margaret Alyea, Jean Baldwin, Doug Bock, Charles Brisley, Ken Kelly, Frank McCullough, Riyad Matti, Russ Patten, Alan Rothenberg and Paul Strong. All in all, the reunion was a success, and the founding members who came expressed their sincere gratitude for the chance to see how the club has developed. It is we, the current members, who thank them for devoting their time and energy to starting the club, which had a dynamic past and looks forward to an even better future!

6 A S T R O N O M Y M A G A Z I N E RENEWALS ARE DUE IN OCTOBER! $14.00/YEAR (UP $2) Still a BARGAIN at $7 off Regular Subscription Prices Make your Check for $14.00 payable to: Warren Astronomical Society Send to Alice Strom, Wixson Dr, Warren, Ml The following members have subscriptions to Astronomy Magazine. Jim Battle Burt Gregory Allen Kabacinski Riyad Matti Jeff Parker Tim Skonieczny Paul Wegehaupt The Stroms Steve Biondo Nancy Hogan Bob Keller Frank McCullough Kent Patterson Dave Sloan John Wetzel Doug Bock Karen Hunke Marty Kunz Collen Nicolai Jon Root Roger Tanner Wesley Wosak Dan Frezza Bruce Johnston Bob Lennox Mark Oleszko Tim Salusky Ed Ward James Yax ************************************ For Sale Meade 826 Telescope 8" f/6 Newtonian Equatorial Mount Clock Drive Two Eyepieces and Barlow 6x30 Finderscope ***** $ ***** SEARS 60 mm Refractor Equatorial Mount / Tripod Eyepieces Solar Projection Attachment ***** $ ***** CALL STROM FOR DETAILS ************************************* For Sale Criterion 6" Dynascope RV6 6" Newtonian Telescope 9 mm and 18 mm Eyepieces 6x30 Finderscope Equatorial Mount / Rotating Rings Electric Clock Drive ***** $ ***** Call Jim Burgess *************************************

7 SOME BASIC IDEAS ABOUT PREPARING TO GIVE A TALK TO THE W.A.S. Since I've been 1st V.P. I can understand the frustration others before me must have faced with trying to provide programs for meetings. I found that there is a small core of people who are willing to give talks, and research their subjects. I, myself, felt that I could never get up in front or that crowd and talk with some authority on 'something. Someone once told me that a poll was taken and people were asked what in life they feared most, and the most common answer was speaking in front of a crowd. Many old-timers have a well tested system for arranging a talk but I found that many newcomers have trouble taking that first step. I know from talking to many of you that you have something to share with us; but you may feel that what you have to say is not earth-shaking info, or maybe you think it's not technical enough for some of the more educated in astronomy. Well, I say "POODLE PUCKS! Nobody in the W.A.S. is all that high-and-mighty that they can't appreciate a good informative talk. So maybe you re working on drawing sunspots, or plotting meteor showers, or just naked eye observing, THAT S STILL ASTRONOMY! W.A.S. stands for Warren Astronomical Society (notice I spelled it right this time) not just the deep sky, or comet, or Mars society, but ASTRONOMICAL. What follows is a guide to preparing and presenting a talk. I hope you find it an incentive to share your interest with all of us. PPEPARATION First you must select your subject carefully. Be sure it's of interest, and maybe something not everybody knows. Be sure it's within the capability of comprehension of the audience. Decide ahead of time how many points can be made in the allotted time. Be sure to outline carefully most of the significant points to insure development of your idea. Just because you may know a lot about your subject, don't assume that everything necessary for a good paper is in your mind or at your fingertips; use the club library, or go to a local one which has a collection in the subjects which concern you. Make a list of key words, or significant writers in the field you want to cover. It may be a good idea to check morgues of newspapers of reference to recent development if your topic is one that has been in the news. Talk with others who share your interest or who may have given thought to the same topic, and don't hesitate to give them credit. Make an outline. Write significant facts on index cards, then re-arrange them and write connecting material. Decide what it is that you want to leave with your audience. Start by telling them what you are going to tell them, and then tell them, using as much detail as you feel necessary. End by telling them what you've told them. This ancient rule-of-thumb for good teaching is very apropos in preparing a talk. Plan to talk for five minutes less than the time allowed you The average speaker takes about three minutes to read a double spaced page. Careful planning will enable you to say just enough to fill your time. You'll be pleased with yourself, and so will the next speaker. ILLUSTRATIONS Now you should decide what illustrative material you need. Use the blackboard only if absolutely necessary. Most people do not have the ability to write or draw quickly and legibly on the board, or to talk with their back to the audience. If you use slides, be sure that all important data is typed or printed so everyone can see it clearly. Try using pre-dawn cardboard diagrams, or charts, either simultaneously, or consecutively displayed. Colors make these very attractive and helpful, and they are quickly prepared and inexpensive. They save time and can be filed for future talks. When you do use photographic slides, use the ones that get your point across the most.

8 PRESENTATION It s very important to remember to speak loudly and enunciate clearly. Don't just mumble to the front row, or stare at one person. Select someone in the back of the room and note if you are holding their attention. Develop your ideas logically keeping in mind that the reception comes from audiences that are carried smoothly. Unless it is absolutely necessary, minimize the development of mathematical formulae through successive steps. These are seldom copied when shown before the eyes and it is preferable by far to put the detailed mathematics in article you would write for the W.A.S.P. where it can be absorbed and studied at leisure. Ken Kelly would really like to have a written copy of what you talked about to be put in the W.A.S.P., so you may want to prepare a one-or-two hundred word abstract of your principal points before starting to prepare your talk. Don't just talk for the sake of talking, or to demonstrate how much you know. Remember that the purpose of having meeting and programs is to share ideas and/or experiences. Yours must have significance to you otherwise you would not be talking about them, but be sure it has significance to your listeners as well. Don't try to tell everything you know about a subject in one talk. Leave room for questions. Now that you are ready to give your talk, you still have to ask yourself a few questions. Now try to think of yourself as a listener. "Are my points clear, and logical?" "Is there any cluttering material that could be left out?" "Is there anything I missed?" I don't expect everyone to put this much effort into a talk, but these ideas may help you one day if you did have something really outstanding to relay to us. I would like to see more talks and articles in the W.A.S.P. from every member. In closing I would also like to encourage you to share your ideas and projects with the rest of us; after all, what s an astronomy club for? Alan Rothenberg 1st. V.P. W.A.S.

9 POSITIONS FOR COMET WILSON (19861) CALCULATED BY KEN KELLY EPOCH HR EQUINOX & EQUATOR EQUINOX & EQUATOR Date ET RT. ASC. DECLINATION RT. ASC. DECLINATION V MAG Sep h 55.76m ' 20h 58.10m ' 10.5 Sep h 53.79m ' 20h 56.13m ' 10.4 Sep h 51.85m ' 20h 54.19m ' 10.4 Sep h 49.93m ' 20h 52.28m ' 10.4 Sep h 48.03m ' 20h 50.38m ' 10.4 Sep h 46.16m ' 20h 48.52m ' 10.4 Sep h 44.32m ' 20h 46.68m Sep h 42.51m ' 20h 44.87m ' 10.3 Sep h 40.72m ' 20h 43.09m ' 10.3 Sep h 38.97m ' 20h 41.34m ' 10.3 Sep h 37.24m ' 20h 39.62m ' 10.3 Sep h 35.54m ' 20h 37.93m ' 10.3 Sep h 33.88m ' 20h 36.26m ' 10.3 Sep h 32.24m ' 20h 34.63m ' 10.3 Oct h 30.64m ' 20h 33.04m ' 10.3 Oct h 29.07m ' 20h 31.47m ' 10.2 Oct h 27.53m ' 20h 29.94m ' 10.2 Oct h 26.02m ' 20h 20.43m ' 10.2 Oct h 24.55m ' 20h 26.97m 9 9.8' 10.2 Oct h 23.11m ' 20h 25.53m ' 10.2 Oct h 21.70m ' 20h 24.13m ' 10.2 Oct h 20.33m ' 20h 22.76m 8 3.6' 10.2 Oct h 18.99m ' 20h 21.43m ' 10.2 Oct h 17.68m ' 20h 20.13m ' 10.2 Oct h 16.41m ' 20h 18.86m ' 10.2 Oct h 15.17m ' 20h 17.62m ' 10.2 Oct h 13.96m 6 6.0' 20h 16.4$m ' 10.1 Oct h 12.79m ' 20h 15.26m ' 10.1 Oct h 11.66m ' 20h 14.13m ' 10.1 Oct h 10.55m 5 3.0' 20h 1703m ' 10.1 Oct h 9.48m ' 20h 11.96m ' 10.1 Oct h 3.44m ' 20h 10.93m ' 10.1 Oct h 7.44m 4 1.5' 20h 9.93m ' 10.1 Oct h 6.46m ' 20h 8.96m ' 10.1 Oct h 5.52m ' 20h 8.03m ' 10.1 Oct h 4.61m 3 1.6' 20h 7.12m ' 10 Oct h 3.74m ' 20h 6.25m ' 10 Oct h 2.89m ' 20h 5.4Im ' 10 Oct h 2.07m 2 3.5' 20h 4.60m ' 10 Oct h 1.29m ' 20h 3.82m ' 10 Oct h 0.53m ' 20h 3.07m ' 10 SOURCE: MPC 11055

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