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OAKLAND ASTRONOMY CLUB

NEWSLETTER

                                                       SEPTEMBER 2008                                                        

Gort
Bill  MacIntosh,  Editor



CLUB PRESIDENT:     Jim Saoud  (248-652-1496)                                                             WEBSITES:   www.oaklandastronomy.org   Link                  
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                                                                                                                                                                               (Newsletter html site)                                
                                                                                                                                                                            Addison Oaks  Sky Clock  Link

                                                                                                                                                   
LAST MEETING
Minutes from September 14, 2008
M. Jeffery, Secretary                                                                                                                                            
                                                             
Opening
President Jim Saoud called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM.     
9 members present, 0 guests

Announcements:
tenn hut
     Bob Berta encouraged all members to register for the Friday,October 17 inter-club presentation at 7:30 pm by Dr. Paul Goldsmith at Cranbrook Science Center auditorium.    It is critical that this first-time event show significant interest, as its success may determine how much future support will be offered to our groups from Cranbrook.   Tickets are $8.   To register by phone, call Cranbrook at 248-645-3216 ot 248-645-3143, indicate you are a member of OAC.    Or, register online HERE.

Observation Reports:
    
     The 12th Annual ASTRONOMY AT THE BEACH, September 5 & 6, successfully drew over 3,000 attendees.   Members reported line-ups of guests waiting to peer through the approximately 80 scopes at the event.

      On August 1, Dave Holt was able to observe from the LAKE HUDSON official dark-sky site.   Apparently there is a sponsor display at the location and space allocated for OAC.    Dave presented the keys to Jim Saoud and some thought will be given on how to use the space to promote the Club.

      John McSorley and other members gathered at Addison Oaks on August 30 for a fine observing night using the Club 17.5" scope for DSO targets,  

Correction:

Last month it was incorrectly reported that the Astronomy on the Beach raffle was to benefit the Amateur Radio Astronomers Society.     In fact, they were only a participant in the event, not the benefactor of the raffle.

Sky-at-a-Glance

Bill Girardin distributed SkyMaps  and gave the presentation.  ( See Below)
 
Club Activities

The August 23 Independence Oaks Star Party was clouded-out.    Although no scope viewing could be offered, club members assisted with an indoor presention on telescopes.

Future
                    Nov 22nd  8-10pm at the Wint Nature Center


Observing Night Contacts  -  Addison Oaks 

Contact for:      
                          
                          Oct 2 & 3       Jim Saoud     248-652-1496
                       

Business Meeting:

· Bill Girardin gave the financial report.   All income so far this year has been from dues.   Most expenses have been for insurance and association fees.    Although the Club's cash flow is currently negative, it is felt this will improve later in the year as 2009 dues are collected.     The OAC account is being transferred to a different bank to reduce fees.

Presentations:

Terry Coatta offered to show a DVD on Mars Rovers, but the video setup in the building is only for VHS.   This will be re-scheduled for a future date with the proper equipment available.
General Discussion:                                                                                                                                                      Mark Jeffrey proposed an alternative to the long aluminum step ladder at the Addison Oaks site---something with deeper steps and more stable.   Dave Holt said he has something that may be suitable if it fits in the dog house.   The issue will continue to be investigated.

Mark Jeffrey also recommended some sort of orange marker cones or signs for the Addison Oaks site to help guests find their way across the field in the dark.    These would be temporary and stored in the doghouse.     He also suggested the Club keep a Laser Pointer at the site.   It was decided these devices would not stand cold storage, have a potential legal issue, and should be obtained only by individual members.    Jim Saoud will check on the marker/cones.

Bill Lomaka suggested contacting the Scouts for dark-sky and camping locations which would probably be no-cost and permit observing/educational sessions at warmer times of the year than the GLSG in Gladwin.                                              
                                                                           


Adjournment:   9:10 PM
Next Meeting:    Sunday, October 12th, 7:30 pm


The Sky-at-a-Glance
by Bill Girardin
  Telescope blink
MOON     
                    FM     Sun, Sep 14  The Harvest Moon
                    LQ      Mon, Sep 22
                    NM    Sun, Sep 28
                    FQ      Mon, Oct 6

PLANETS
                  MERCURY   Dusk,  W
                  VENUS          Dusk,  W        
                  MARS           Dusk,  W   Mag 1.5, W of Regulus  
                  JUPITER       Evening, SE    Mag -2.4, 
                  SATURN       Dawn
                  NEPTUNE     At opposition on 8/15 in Capricornus


            
CONSTELLATION PICKS & HIGHLIGHTS:

     CEPHEUS - The KING
           Alpha (Alderamin)   Mag 2.4, Dist 49 LY, variable star (cepheid), period 5.366 days
           Open Cluster IC 1396    Mag 6

     LACERTA- The Lizard, founded in 1687
           Open Cluster 7243,  Mag 8, Dist 2800 LY, West of Alpha, contains about 40 stars
           Open Cluster 7209   Mag 9, Dist 2900 LY

     CYGNUS - The Swan
           Alpha (Deneb) mag 1.3, Dist 1500 LY
           Open Cluster M39, Mag 5, Dist 800 LY
           Open Cluster M29, Mag 6.5
           
                                                                                                          AQUARIUS
aquarius
                                                        
                                                                     Chart credit:   http://www.astrofilitrentini.it/mat/costell/aqr_e.html

     DELPHINUS -  The Dolphin, also known as The Kite
           Globular Cluster NGC 6934
           
     AQUARIUS-  The  Waterbearer
           Globular Cluster M2, Mag 7, near equator W of Alpha
           Planetary Nebula NGC 7009, known as the Saturn Nebula, Mag 8, SE of Beta, reported very "blue" in scopes
           Globular Cluster M72, Mag 9.2
      PISCIS AUSTRINUS -  The Southern Fish
           Alpha (Fomalhaut), Mag 1.2, Dist 22 LY, only mag 1 star in this part of the sky, proto-planetary disk discovered recently
    
DSO PICK:
           NGC 7009   ( See feature below)
                               

 

                                                                                                                                                             


DSO OF THE MONTH
 From Sky-at-a-Glance

                      

   NGC 7009         The Saturn Nebula                                                             Distance = 2,900 LY (Burnham)                                         
NGC 7009 This remarkable planetary nebula was discovered by William Herschel September 7, 1782 and later nicknamed by Lord Rosse in the 1840s because of its vague resemblance to the 6th planet.

Note the symmetrical "handles"called ansae formed by channeled gas outflows.

Although distinctly blue in an unfiltered ocular, an OIII filter will enhance detail  and, as with most PNs, change its color to green.

RA          21 : 04.2 (h:m)
DEC      -11 : 22 (deg:m)
Visual Brightness:    Mag  8,  Central Star 11.5
Apparent Dimension:   0.4 x 1.6 (arc min)



For more details and a HUBBLE VIEW, click link:
 
http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/html/opo9738g.html
 
14.5" Ritchey-Chrétien @ f/9    See link below for photo details
Image Credit: http://www.astrosurf.com/antilhue/ngc7009.htm
  		            Constellation:  AQUARIUS

 
 


COOL LINK THIS MONTH:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikpZJZFj3Wc
  

56k Warning.   Broadband recommended for optimal viewing


                                                ADVERTORIAL
                                          (CLUB PROMOTION)

Woven patches with the Club logo are available for only $3 bucks in two styles, button loop and stitch/iron on.
   		  SEE DAVE HOLT TO GET 'EM.                               







ASTRO-FACTOID OF THE MONTH


DID YOU KNOW?  

    
Algol Map

At any random time, if you glance up at Algol (Beta Persei) you have a 1 in 30 chance of catching it at least one magnitude fainter than normal.

Every 2 days 20 hours 49 minutes, Algol fades from magnitude 2.1 to 3.4.    It stays near minimum for 2 hours, and its dimming and rebrightening each take about 4 hours.

This famous eclipsing variable is fun to watch.     For reference, Gamma Andromedae just to the West is also Mag 2.1, matching Algol's normal brightness.      

For an online calculator to plan an observation of these events, visit:    http://www.skyandtelescope.com/algol

                                                                   Source credit:   S & T,  September 2008, P. 64
 
   

PERSPECTIVES


Beautiful..............uh...........what is it  ?


What is it?



                                       Nope, it doesn't have a Messier number                                        
                      Or an NGC or IC number                                           
                            HINT:  Edgewise view tells all about this galaxy                  
                                                    
                  Click HERE for the answer                                     






 

FUNZIES



coffee table

   Credit:   Jack Kramer, Lake County Astronomical Society

  

   
     
                                                                 
 
 
 
     
CLUB MEMBER ASTROPHOTO OF THE MONTH
 
M 13    EVERYONE'S FAVORITE GLOB



M13


Image Credit:    John McSorley

Stacked 15 second subs, DSI PRO II, 113mm Reflector @ f/4

Note Galaxy NGC 6207 at lower right



 


  
launch

CLUB DUES 

Membership is $35 annually
If you are unable to make the next meeting and wish to support OAC
with your 2008-09 dues, you can mail your check payable to

OAKLAND ASTRONOMY CLUB
600 Shelley Dr
Rochester Hills, MI  48307-4237


NEXT MEETING:    October 12th,  2008       7:30 PM
           
                                                                        
.

 Links to other club sites:

Warren Astronomical Society (WAS)
Seven Ponds Astronomy Club
Ford Astronomy Club
GLAAC


Editor's Note:   Newsletters can be saved locally by right-clicking, then select Save Webpage Complete



2008 NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

http://www.oaklandastronomy.ulmb.com/oacnews0108.html    OAC Newsletter Jan 2008
http://www.oaklandastronomy.ulmb.com/oacnews0208.html     OAC Newsletter Feb 2008
 http://www.oaklandastronomy.ulmb.com/oacnews0308.html     OAC Newsletter Mar 2008
 http://www.oaklandastronomy.ulmb.com/oacnews0408.html      OAC Newsletter Apr 2008
  http://www.oaklandastronomy.ulmb.com/oacnews0508.html    OAC Newsletter May 2008
   http://www.oaklandastronomy.ulmb.com/oacnews0608.html    OAC Newsletter June 2008
 http://www.oaklandastronomy.ulmb.com/oacnews0708.html    OAC Newsletter July 2008
 http://www.oaklandastronomy.ulmb.com/oacnews0808.html    OAC Newsletter Aug 2008





2007 NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

 http://oaklandastronomy.ulmb.com/oacnews0607.html    OAC Newsletter June 2007
http://oaklandastronomy.ulmb.com/oacnews0707.html    OAC Newsletter July 2007
http://oaklandastronomy.ulmb.com/oacnews0807.html    OAC Newsletter Aug 2007
http://oaklandastronomy.ulmb.com/oacnews0907.html    OAC Newsletter Sep 2007
http://oaklandastronomy.ulmb.com/oacnews1007.html    OAC Newsletter Oct 2007
 http://oaklandastronomy.ulmb.com/oacnews1107.html    OAC Newsletter Nov 2007
 http://oaklandastronomy.ulmb.com/oacnews1207.html    OAC Newsletter Dec 2007




Oakland Astronomy Club Newsletters are on the Web as Public Domain and may be freely accessed, linked-to or referenced by anyone.
However, certain images and articles are copyrighted material and such acknowledgements and credits are are given whenever known.
Opinions in signed articles are those of the authors, and not necessarily those of the Editor or the OAC.


Orbiting



Submit Club news, astro-photos, equipment sale/trades to the editor:

Bill MacIntosh
nightwinger2004@yahoo.com