Before Jan, 2012 – Meeting

Come on out and join in the for the clubs pot luck Christmas gathering. Also the club historian will present a short talk on the history of the Forsyth Astronomical Society. Don’t forget to bring a small dish to share with others.

Our October 25th speaker features Gayle Riggsbee form the Charlotte Astronomy Club. His presentation is entitled : The Discovery of Neptune with a Twist Neptune was discovered on September 23, 1846. Anyone born on Neptune on that date would have just celebrated his/her/its first birthday! How has your family tree developed over the last 165 years? All my great-great grandparents were just kids growing up in Sweden at that time. I’ll bet they never heard about Neptune or its discovery during their lifetimes. Astronomical discoveries make the headlines much more quickly today. Please join us on October 25th as Gayle Riggsbee presents the background of Neptune’s discovery, with an emphasis on the foibles and idiosyncrasies of people in this unusual tale.

Nanotechnology Applications in Astronomy Nanotechnology is the ability to understand and control matter at the nanoscale (1 to 100 billionths of a meter). Matter at the nanoscale possesses unique characteristics, which can be exploited for novel applications. At ourNovember September meeting, Dr Salil S. Desai, from North Carolina A&T State University, will present a talk on phenomena at the nanoscale with an emphasis on useful material properties, relevant applications in engineering, medicine and particularly astronomy. Dr. Desai plans an interactive forum to discuss implications of nanotechnology in the field of astronomy.

Travels in Space and Time

For this month’s meeting we will travel back in time to 1980 and the debut of the ground breaking Cosmos series. Our knowledge and understanding of the Universe has expanded exponentially over the last 30 years. Looking back on the questions posed by Episode 8, Travels in Space and Time, provides the opportunity to compare our accomplishments with problems yet to be understood. All are welcome as we spend an hour walking in the footsteps of Carl Sagan and share his vision of the Universe.

Dr Todd Clancy … “Cassini Mission to Saturn”

Dr Clancy will discuss the history of Saturn-Earth based observations, the general conditions of Saturn’s environment, the evolution of the Cassini mission, and Cassini observations of Saturn’s satellites and rings. His presentation will showcase numerous images and observations Cassini has obtained over the better part of a decade in orbit. Included in the talk will be a discussion of the probe that landed on Titan, gathering data on the moon’s remarkable atmosphere and surface. Titan is now recognized as the most remarkable of all of the solar system “moons”, with liquid methane lakes and an atmosphere thicker than our own. (Our atmosphere is also mostly nitrogen)

Our speaker this month is an old friend – Mike Lucas

Mike will recap the history of NASA exploration of the planet Mars and discuss scientific goals for the future. ….

Since ancient times Mars has fascinated stargazers. As early as the 15th Century B.C., Egyptian astronomers were aware of Mars and its retrograde movement. Prior to July 1965, the best view we had of Mars was through Earth based telescopes. Mariner 4 changed that when it flew by Mars and sent back to Earth our first close-up pictures of the Red Planet. Beginning with Mariner 4, and ending with this year’s Mars Science Laboratory this program will recap all of the missions (successes and failures) that the United States has sent to Mars to expand our understanding of our neighbor. Included will be pictures of the spacecraft and the resultant images returned from Mars as well as some of the scientific goals of our efforts.

Our March speaker will be Dan Caton from Appalachian State University

Overview of his presentation:

As technology has improved, astronomers at the Dark Sky Observatory have moved from the cold eyepiece to the warm control room’s computers. From there we moved to remote control from home, with many observation runs done unattended, with the observer asleep! Other telescopes run under the Skynet system developed at UNC-CH. I will discuss these developments and show how we use off-the-shelf hardware and software to control our observatory. Along the way we will see the progress on our Cline Visitor Center as well as new telescopes under development. Some of the science we do as well as “pretty pictures” we take will be described and shown.”

Expanding Skynet

We are again fortunate to welcome Dr. Dan Reichart to speak to the Forsyth Astronomical Society. Using funding from the National Science Foundation and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Dr. Reichart will add 5 new telescopes to his already impressive collection of Skynet instruments and refurbish a 20 meter radio telescope at the Green Back Observatory. He will discuss the significance the funding will have on UNC Chapel Hill’s ability to study GRBs(Gamma Ray Bursts), transient and time variable phenomena, and significantly impact research and research training that is being carried out by Skynet’s broader user community. Furthermore, these efforts will significantly grow this community, opening Skynet to the Whole Earth Telescope’s and National Radio Astronomers Observatory’s user communities.

• Searching for Planets
  • Are we alone in the Universe? All the advances made by astronomers in recent years leaves the question unanswered. At our January meeting we will look at the technology used to detect planets, the Drake Equation that estimates the number of planets that might harbor sentient beings, and why Gliese 581 may be a possible home for the ET that might satisfy our are quest for a companion life form.
• Planed Pre-Meeting Subject: Cold Weather Viewing!

• Holiday party and gathering, there will be at least one surprise so come on out, bring a dish to share and enjoy so real good food!

• Here’s the link to Tony Ortega’s Phoenix New Times article about Robert Burnham, Jr., mentioned by Priscilla during her presentation about Burnham. The link works. I tried it. I believe some of the members would be interested in reading the entire article. Click Here

     In the early winter of 2009, Tim Martin, Greensboro Day School’s earth science teacher was selected to accompany an Arctic expedition to northern Siberia. He joined a team of international scientists on a scientific drilling expedition to Lake El’gygytgyn in remote northeast Russia. Martin served as a member of the science team as well as an educational ambassador to students in Greensboro and around the world as a member of PolarTREC.www.polartrec.com
The primary goal of the expedition was to drill and extract sediment cores in Lake El’gygytgyn, an asteroid impact crater formed 3.6 million years ago. In addition to the climate study, the drilling continued into the asteroid fractured bed-rock to help scientists understand impact processes throughout the solar system.
Martin will share experiences with the club through images and video from his arctic expedition.

Bruce

This was a great night the talk given by Tim was very interesting and up lifting. He promised to return in a few years with an update on his adventures.

Follow up links –

• Tim Martin’s Expedition site
  • www.polartrec.com/expeditions/geologic-climate-research-in-siberia
• Good Overview article from Earth Magazine July 2010
  • http://www.earthmagazine.org/earth/article/36b-7da-7-14
• UMass Lake E project web site
  • http://www.geo.umass.edu/lake_e/index.html
• International Continental Drilling Program site (Technical info with links to participants and publications)
  • http://www.icdp-online.de/front_content.php?idcat=512

• The topic is not science fiction !
  • There’s a Monster in the Milky Way
    • The Charlotte Observer says
    • “It will really suck you in”
  • Everything you ever wanted to know about Black Holes … but were afraid to ask will be answered as we watch Neil Degrasse Tyson’s video about the monster in the center of our galaxy
  • See you there ! (If you can’t make here is a link to the video!)
  • Bruce A. Mellin – Vice President
• Need to plan the August 14th Stone Mt. observation and any other outing before the 24 August meeting.

Our June 22 speaker ….. Kevin Ivarsen

Description: The unaided eye was the original astronomical instrument, serving for thousands of years as our only tool for observing the skies. Many aspects of vision can be described in terms that will be familiar to astronomers, but the telescope/CCD analogy also breaks down in some interesting ways. This talk will discuss how eyesight works, and answer some questions about vision, including: What is the “resolution” of the eye? Why does everything look gray in dim light? How does dark adaptation work, and why is it not heavily affected by red light? We will also see how knowing the limitations of vision can work to our advantage in some ways, from aiding in the development of color television to reducing the observing time needed for astrophotography.

Pre Meeting 6:30PM
Hand Controllers, Computers, PDA, iPhones, Etc – what electronics to you use to assist your observations.

• Would we like to plan a pre-meeting Show & Tell and Learn discussions?
  • They would take place starting at 6:30 PM, before the regular meeting
  • They would be open to all and be unscripted, just a predetermine theme
• See – Club pre meeting discussion for possible subjects
• Voice you opinion about this.

* The Pluto Files : The Rise and Fall of America’s Favorite Planet.

• Join us for a NOVA video featuring Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium, as he outlines the fascinating story behind the public and scientific debate surrounding Pluto.
• Review of up coming events and results of the events over the last month.

Pre Meeting 6:30 PM
Dew Control – Let’s talk about this virus on astronomy!

Bruce Mellin, former teacher, and next FAS Vice-President will be presenting at the April 27, 2010 meeting:

Moon phases are captivating. The waxing and waning shapes have fascinated human imagination since the beginning of time. The regularity of phases inspired the unit of time called the “moonth”. Did you know the the approximate hour during the day can also be determined using the Moon? At our April meeting we will construct a timepiece that does not need winding or batteries. We will build a clock solely powered by lunar phases.

Pre Meeting 6:30 PM
Books to help get started, find stuff, or learn about the wonders we view – bring in your favorite and let’s do a book talk!

Saturn returns to the night sky in March! This year will offer some wonderful telescopic views of Saturn as the rings appear to open up. We will be showing the planetarium show “Ring World” during our March 23, 2010 FAS meeting. This show is about Saturn, it’s moons and the Cassini-Huygens mission. It will include pictures taken by the space craft. This will be followed by a current sky tour.

• Club Elections –
  • The following were nominated at the January meeting.
    • President: Bob Ketels
    • Vice President: Bruce Mellin
    • Secretary: Steve Childers
    • Treasure: Jean Witherspoon
  • The new officers will take office in May 2010.

• Sky/Star Charts/Maps – Bring in your favorite or interesting, share your ideas and knowledge with others.

• Some link to help find out more.
  • SED Messier List
  • SED Messier Marathons Page
  • Messier Marathon on Wikipedia
  • The Year-Round Messier Marathon Field Guide: With Complete Maps, Charts and Tips to Guide You to Enjoying the Most Famous List of Deep-Sky Objects
  • Wikipedia Messier List
  • FAS Messier List information

We where pleased to have Steve Childers presenting “The Messier List and Messier Marathons.”

          The Messier List represents 110 of the finest deep-sky objects visible from the Northern Hemisphere, compiled by the French astronomer Charles Messier in the eighteenth century. Once a year, in late March or early April, it’s possible to participate in a Messier Marathon, where all 110 objects are visible in a single night. This month’s talk will provide a whirlwind tour of the Messier List, and discuss some strategies for surviving a Messier Marathon.

          Steve Childers is the current secretary of FAS, and has been a member of the club since 2002. Anyone who’s seen him at Bullington or Pilot Mountain knows he’s a big fan of Big Dobs. He’s also been through two Messier Marathons and lived to tell about them.

Planisphere – What are they, how to use them, different types and vendors. Bring in your favorite Planisphere and share with other. How to make a Planisphere from our neighbors to the north!

Hello FAS!

Just a quick reminder that our December meeting will be our holiday potluck. No business, no program, just a friendly get together for a bunch of folks who have a common interest in astronomy. If you can make it, this is always one of our most enjoyable meetings.

Hope to see you there!

Don

Hello FAS!

Our next meeting is December 22, and it is our annual Holiday pot luck. Bring a snack, and your interest in astronomy, and a good time is assured!

We also have the 2010 Deep Space Calendars available for $10.00 each, and the Ottewell Calendars should be her by then also.

Hope to see everyone there!

Don

• We will meet in the planetarium for our next meeting. We will be watching the planetarium show “Seeing the Invisible Universe”. Observing the universe in wavelengths of light that humans cannot see. We will also have a laser show demo.

• We will be showing “Astronomy’s 13 Great Discoveries” hosted by Bill Nye as seen on the Science channel. This is a basic but interesting introduction into astronomy. This will be a good show for new members, younger members, and quests. We will meet in the planetarium.
• This is you last chance to order your magizine subscriptions. If we do not have your check on Tuesday, you wil not be able to order for this year. we will aslo be taking orders for the Deep Space Mysteries calendars at the meeting.
• Observations At –
  • SciWorks Public Observation – Oct 10th
  • High Point Parks & Recreation, NC – Oct 17th
  • Stone Mountain </fons> – Oct 24th.

• Mike Lucas will be our speaker for the September 22, FAS Meeting. Mike will do a presentation on the Apollo missions. Mike is a pilot for U.S. Airways. He works with NASA and has done educational presentations on NASA projects like the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle missions. This will be a great presentation for children and adults.
• Determine if Stone Mt., Oct 24, 2009 will be advertised as a Galilean Nights program.

• Bruce Mellin (new club member) will be doing a talk about Galileo and his importance in devising scientific instruments to improve our understanding of the universe. Bruce has taught science in middle schools and colleges for 40 years in Massachusetts.

• Short Business Meeting – Talk about meeting location and other clubs plans.
• This month is the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing. We will be watching the film Magnificent Desolation about the Apollo missions. This film contains some extraordinary photographs and film footage of the lunar landscape.

• Short Business Meeting
• The next FAS meeting will feature a planetarium show called StarDate: Ancient Horizons. This presents the ancient Egyptian view of the cosmos, with information on mythology and constellations, and the creation of a calendar. This will be followed by a summer sky tour by Justin Nichols of SciWorks. We will probably have the business meeting first.
• And other interesting information come and join in.

• Short Business Meeting
• Tonight’s movie is about: John Dobson Inventor and Astronomer
• This is a fantastic movie. John Dobson is best known for developing the Dobsonian mount for telescopes, and starting sidewalk astronomy.

• Short Business Meeting
  • Pilot Mt was one of the main points and will be brought up at another meeting!
  • Earth Day
  • May 2 observation at SciWorks
  • Stone Mt May 16th
  • And more!
• FAS member David Elosser will be presenting presented “Collecting and Using Vintage Telescopes”
  • David has a special interest in collecting vintage telescopes. His presentation will cover how to collect and use these scopes. He will also be bringing some of these scopes to the presentation. This is sure to be was an interesting evening.
  • David gave a great talk – “I really enjoyed seeing the old stuff …The old classic or vintage refractors are something I have always loved and desired. A very nice talk that I enjoyed. Thank You!” from one of the members.

• Annual elections and monthly meeting.
  • Election Slate –
    • President: Don Ehrens
    • Vice-President: Ken Lyons
    • Treasurer: Jean Witherspoon
    • Secretary: Steve Childers
  • Tom Hayward has agreed to become the club Librarian
• What happened in High Point! (March 13-14)
• The speaker will be Bob Patsiga. He will be presenting “The Universe is a Chem Lab.”
  • Bio: My background includes education at Geneva College (Beaver Falls, Pa.) and SUNY at Syracuse University. Most of my career has been taken up by college teaching in Pennsylvania for about 35 years. I have also worked in industry and have done research in chemistry at various universities and at the Wright-Patterson Air Force base. I have been interested in astronomy since my teenage years, but never owned a telescope until about ten years ago. I work part-time for SciWorks – running the planetarium or doing various “chemistry shows”. I’ve been a member of FAS for about five years..

* The title of my talk is: “The Universe is a Chem Lab”.

• My talk will try to cover chemistry from the Big Bang to the evolving Earth. That’s a lot of territory, but since I’m no expert of astrochemistry, I will just skim the significant highlights. We’ll cover the synthesis of the elements in stars and in supernovae and discuss the nature of interstellar gas and dust. This will include a little about molecules that have been detected in interstellar media. And then we’ll say a bit about the formation of the Earth and the evolution of Earth’s atmosphere.
  • Reminder: March 21st. The club will be at Pilot Mt. for our public outing. “Rain Date”
  • April 4th – IYA Observing planning and information.
  • March 28th. Stone Mt. Weekend and Observation! – 110 object to view, can it be done from there and is anyone willing to try?
• Check members private pages for more info on messier marathon 2009

• The meeting took place as planned.
  • Names entered for election next month.
  • Bob talked about IYA
  • Sandy Galaxies II took place, the kids were a joy to watch.

• Everyone is invited to take part in Sandy Galaxies II, kids and families are welcome, come and let your inter-art out. I’m sure there will be talk about upcoming event planning; everyone’s help is needed to make them all a great success. (See last time)
• Events Planning –
  • Club Observation – 21 February – Anyone interested in going to Town Creek?
  • Pilot Mt. – 28 February – What’s up and any other plans
  • March 13th and 14th – Amazing Astronomy Day High Point NC. – This is big, what can we do? Solar Scopes, Astro Photography, Type of Scopes, Urban Viewing, Deep Sky Observing, Getting started, and much more!
  • Any plans for a Messier Marathon attempts (Stone Mt. Weekend?)