observatory news jan18.pdf · observatory news january 2018 published by the friends of the...

1

Observatory News January 2018 Published by the Friends of the Observatory Volume 29 No. 1

513-321-5186 www.cincinnatiobservatory.org Bill Cartwright, Editor

Upcoming Events January Calendar

Astronomy Thursday Jan 4 7p

Astronomy Friday Jan 5 7p

Late Night Date Night Jan 6 10:30p

FOTO Member Meeting Jan 8 7:30p

Topics in Astronomy Jan 9 7p

Intro to Astronomy Jan 10, 17, 24

Astronomy Thursday Jan 11 7p

Astronomy Friday Jan 12 7p

Volunteer PD Session Jan 13 10a

Stonelick Stargazing Jan 13 dusk

History of the Observatory Jan 14 1-4p

FOTO Planning Meeting Jan 18 7p

Astronomy Thursday Jan 18 7p

Astronomy Friday Jan 19 7p

**CosmicKids Jan 20 9a-12p

Stonelick Stargazing Jan 20 dusk

Late Night Date Night Jan 20 10:30p

A2Z+ Astronomy Jan 21 7p

Astronomy Friday Jan 26 7p

Volunteer PD Session Jan 25 7p

Astronomy Thursday Jan 26 7p

History of the Observatory Jan 28 1-4p

Volunteer PD Session Jan 28 2p

Blue Moon Eclipse Jan 31 6a

Late Night Date Night Feb 3 10:30p

Topics with Dean Regas Feb 6 7p

Romance at the Observatory Feb 14

* UC Communiversity

Complete Calendar & Events Online

Member News

by Valerie Niemi, FOTO Chair

Once again the Holiday Season came and went in a blur. There were so many wonderful events at the Observatory; Supermoon, Luminaria and the FOTO Holiday Dinner to name a few. A loose count of visitors for those events was over 1800 guests, many of them coming to the Observatory for the first time. What has been brought home to me is that the Observatory can truly claim a Pride of Place. I saw so many people walk in the doors, just stop in amazement and try to take it all in and that's before they even got to those two wonderful telescopes. Those smiles on their faces wouldn't stay there long without all of you wonderful, enthusiastic

volunteers making sure everyone felt welcome and at

home. Once again, thanks for all you do to support and promote the Cincinnati Observatory.

Save-the-Date (in your 2018

Observatory Calendar )

Looking ahead to some of

the Special Events for 2018. Jan 20: Cosmic Kids Returns Jan 31: Blue Moon Eclipse Feb 14: Valentine's Night Mar 18: Mercury-Venus-Moon Conjunction Mar 31: Blue Moon on a Saturday Apr 14: First Light Night May 26: Jupiter Night July 21: Saturnday July 27 & 28: Marsapalooza!

Did You Know…..

The largest structure in our Universe if the Cosmic Web.

2

Stargazing at Stonelick

Saturdays – Jan. 13 & 20th

The Winter Constellations

Need help with your telescope? Get expert tips setting it up and exploring the night sky. Stargazing begins at dusk. Open to all ages. Stargazes are weather permitting. “Like” Stonelick Stargazers for weather and holiday schedule updates.

Highlights of the FOTO

December Meeting

By Michelle Lierl Gainey

The December meeting was the

FOTO Holiday Dinner, held on

Saturday December 9.

Excellent food was provided by

Venice on Vine, as well

members’ potluck contri-

butions. There was Christmas

music, and Craig played a

power point of members’

eclipse pictures. After dinner,

people stayed to play games. A

good time was had by all.

Topics with Dean Regas

The Winter Sky

Tuesday Jan. 9th 7pm

Through the Looking Glass

Tuesday Feb. 6th 7pm

A Change in Latitude Tuesday Mar. 6th 7pm These fun and laid-back single topic classes for beginners focus on a variety of topics and will surely keep you looking up! $15 per person $12 for members. Sign Up Online or call 513-321-5186.

Valentine’s Night at the Observatory

By Anna Hehman

Join us for this year’s romantic Valentine’s Night events! This year we’ll be having two events – one from 5:30-7:30 and one from 8-10pm. This way, couples can come before or after dinner to experience a romantic evening under the stars! The cost is $70 per couple, $60 per couple for members. Call us at 513-321-5186 or

visit our website at www.cincinnatiobservatory.org to make your reservations. – Hurry! This event will sell out quickly!

Observatory Historical Notes

By John Ventre, COC Historian

Road to the Mt. Adams Observatory

At the May 21, 1844 Board of Control Meeting Ormsby MacKnight Mitchel presented a modified architectural plan for the proposed Observatory building. The plan was accepted as presented. At the June 3, 1844 Board of Control Meeting the following motion was approved: Whereas, this Society had made a road at their own expense from the end of the street (Sixth Street ?) to the

Observatory on Mt. Adams which is used by the public as a highway or street, therefore be it resolved, that the Board of Control be authorized to make an arrangement with the City Council surrendering to the public this road, either by transferring it to the City, or otherwise, as shall be deemed desirable. Principal Sources: Minutes of the Cincinnati Astronomical Society, Board of Control, May 21 and June 3, 1844.

3

Astronomy Nights at the Observatory

Thursday, Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25

Friday, Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26 7:00-8:30pm

Free for Observatory members!

Do you find yourself in awe with the beauty of the night sky? Do you have questions about the Universe? This is where you go for the answers. Astronomy Evenings include short presentations on a wide variety of topics and plenty of time for your astro-questions. Tour of the Cincinnati Observatory, which as a National Historic Landmark played an important role in the history of Cincinnati and our nation. If clear, we will view the Moon, planets and deep space treasures through the historic 1845 telescope. (This program is held rain or shine) The topics and the night sky change week-to-week and month-to-month so you can visit often to hear and see something new. Free for Observatory members! For the latest schedule visit the web calendar then sign up online.

Welcome New & Renewing Members

William Abner

Julie Ackerman Cheryl and Nicholas Ames Diane Wright and Howard

Ammons Andrew & Renee Arken

Anastasiya Chapko and Olena Baca

Stephen E Ball Steven Bastin Kevin Bennett John Blasing

Joseph Bozzelli Meredith and Todd Brewer

Michelle Bridi Mary and Victoria Brink Bruce and Cathy Cavitt

Gary and Barbara Corbin Natalie Corzine Moore

John and Stella Cottam Bradley Mazan and Jill Crase

Ethan Cronk Sam and Donna Dalessandro

Jean Davison Tiffiny and David Dawson Mike and Lisa Debbeler

Charles and Shelley Dumoulin Teresa Durso Joan Effertz

Robert and Elizabeth Ehrsam Angela Phillips and Thomas

Eich Lindsey Faber

Stephen and Judy Fagel Luis Nino

Roger and Helen Fisher Tim and Lana Heaberlin and

Frank Jane Garvey and John Lanier

Helen Gaynor George and Linda Georgilis

Michael Georgilis Mel and Connie Gertz

Richard and Joy Gunza Brittany Hall

Margaret Hanson and Brian Kinkle

Stephen Harmon Dennis and Helen Hawkins

Matthew Hawkins Katie Hefele

Nathan and Frances Herrle Alison Barbro and Matt Hoops

Noelle and David Houben J. Lawrence Houk

Kate Hug Richard E. Hunter, Jr.

Nancy Hurst Gregg and Jeannette Jones

Natalia Jones Jo Ann and Kirk Kavanaugh

Oliver Loyd and Renata Kenney Jim and Sue Koenig

Raychel Kool Matthew Kreis

Wayne and Sandra Kreis Jerry Kuck

Jeff Lay and Vanessa Holmes Lois Lechner

Joan Lee Scott Gainey and Michelle Lierl

Melanie MacArthur Richard and Vanessa Macy

Lyn Marsteller and John Pinney

Paul Martins Judy McCloskey John McFerran

Venus and John Moose Gregory Murray

Tom Navaro Jim and Marty Neumeister

Craig and Valerie Niemi Gary Obst

George and Jenny Paraskos Kurt and Cherry Poppe

Terry and Rosemary Powell Maureen Scobey and Drew

Ramsay Brigitte Blom and Phoenix

Ramsey Hannah Mianzo and David Rea

Becky and Stan Regas David and Diana Riemenschneider

Kathleen Riemenschneider Susan and Steve Rismiller

Kae Roeth Carol and Dan Rosenthal

Mary Kay Rottner

4

Gayle Ruff Kym Salas

Peter Schreiber James A Schroer

Phyllis and Richard Schueler Valerie Scott

Gabriel Shaffer M. Shannon Philip Shisler Andrea Slone

Greg and Ann Smith Walter and Marlene Smothers

Richter Snelling Rebecca Stone

Chuck and Lisa Strubbe Aaron and Amanda Stuber

Mary Sullivan and Dr. Raymond Schultz

Jim Traynor and Molly Talbot James A Tate

Melinda and Brian Taylor Janet Terrill Douglas Troy

Ann & Mike Ullman John Ventre

Jennifer Vogel David and Tammy Turner-

Vorbeck Jill and Heath Webster

Mary Weingartner Ted and Teresa Werner

Lauren Worley Anthony and Geraldine

Zembrodt

New Members Benefits

With your membership, you become a Friend of the Observatory (FOTO) and join our family of amateur astronomers, history buffs, donors and volunteers. FOTO meets on the Second Monday of the month at 7:30 pm at the Observatory. All members and their guests are welcome to attend.

Your benefits include: Discounted or free

admission to Friends of the Observatory (FOTO) programs

Member’s only classes and programs

Loaner telescopes Free admission to

Astronomy Thu/Fri/Saturdays Discounts in the Gift Shop Free admission to the

historic landmark buildings and permanent collections.

Use of the FOTO lending Library.

One-year subscription to the monthly FOTO e-newsletter

Members-Only Facebook Page For more information, call the Observatory at 513-321-5186.

January FOTO Member’s Meeting

Monday, January 8th

7:30pm

By Tom East

(This presentation was

originally scheduled for

October, 2017 but was

re-scheduled for January,

2018.)

NOTE: FOTO's annual

elections will be held during

the business meeting, prior to

the presentation by Ken

Tankersley.

The Younger Dryas Impact: A

View from Ohio

Geologically, the Younger

Dryas marks a period of mass

extinction.

Five theories have been

proposed to explain this

extinction event:

human overkill, a hyper-

disease, an extraterrestrial

impact event, climate change,

and overhunting. In order to

evaluate these theories,

we need to first determine if

the extinctions were

synchronous and provide the

chronometric resolution

needed to demonstrate or

negate synchronous extinction

as well as explore how species

respond to climate change and

what role does climate play in

species extinction.

Kenneth Barnett Tankersley

received his B.S. and M.A.

degrees from the

University of Cincinnati and a

Ph.D. from Indiana University.

He did post-doctorate work at

the Quaternary Studies

Program of the Illinois State

Museum. With funding from

the National Science

Foundation, the National

Academy of Sciences, the

L.S.B. Leakey Foundation,

Earthwatch, the International

Research and Exchange

Program, the Court

Family Foundation, the

Charles Phelps Taft

Foundation, and the

University of Cincinnati

Research Council, he has

conducted archaeological

investigations across the

western Hemisphere and

Eastern Siberia.

This research resulted in

150 professional publications

and has been featured on the

National Geographic Channel,

the Discovery Channel, the

History Channel, the Animal

Planet, BBC Nature, NOVA,

PBS, in Science, National

5

Geographic News, Geo, the

Wall Street Journal, the New

Yorker magazine, Scientific

American, Archaeology

magazine, and on All Things

Considered. He has

served as a Foreign Delegate

for the National Academy of

Science, a Delegate of the

International Geology

Congress, a Carnegie Mellon

Scholar Lecturer, and Emory

Lecturer, and a guest editor of

Scientific American.

Please join us at 7:30 PM

on Monday, January 8, 2018

for this fascinating

presentation.

The Observatory by Day

The Cincinnati Observatory is now hosting weekday tours of our National Historic Landmark. The tours are held at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm Monday through Friday. Tours include both of the observatories and telescopes, including the Mitchel telescope, the oldest public telescope still in use in this hemisphere. Weather permit-ting we’ll take a safe look at our nearest star. Cost is just $5 per person. Want to schedule a group up to 12? Sign Up Online. Call 513-321-5186 for more information.

Late Night- Date Nights

Saturday, January 6 and 20

10:30 pm-Midnight

Are you looking for a romantic Saturday night out under the stars? Come see what the Observatory is like after hours. You'll get to use the oldest big telescope in the U.S. to view astronomical objects that are not visible until late at night (weather permitting). Get a sneak preview of the next season’s planets and stars a month or two ahead of everyone else. For adults only. If the weather does not permit viewing, we’ll have fun showing you around the universe at

behind the scenes at the Observatory. Admission is $25 per person. Space is extremely limited so Sign Up Online today or call us at 513-321-5186.

Borrow a Telescope!

By Dean Regas

As a member of the Observatory, you can borrow a scope though the Telescope Loan Program. For more info please call Dean at 513-321-5186.

A2Z+ Astronomy with Dave Bosse

Sunday, January 21st

By Dave Bosse There is much ado these days about the processing of the Kepler Mission data.

Exoplanets galore it seems, of every variety we knew of and a few that are brand new. Over 7,000 planets and “objects” orbiting in 2,600 plus star systems. Data on orbital periods, semi-major axis, planetary masses, planetary radii, host star information, and much more, all available online. Wow, that’s a lot of stuff! Data, we call it in the business. Obviously, I am not describing the raw mission data, but the first generation processed data. In this first A2Z+ Astronomy class of the new year, we’ll take a look at the “Open Exoplanet Catalogue,” and the “NASA Exoplanet Archive,” their contents and meta-data (what

is meta-data, anyway?), and put together a few queries of our own. The A2Z+ Astronomy class meets the third Sunday of each month at 7:00 P.M. in the West Wing of the Herget Building (January 21st, 7:00 P.M.). Discussions cover contemporary Astronomical topics as well as those historic. No pre-requisite knowledge of Math or Astronomy necessary. The group meets for about an hour or so and is free to any member of the Observatory.

6

Craig’s Corner

By Craig Niemi, Executive Director

January 2018

Happy New Year to all our terrific Observatory staff, members, volunteers and donors!!

By every measure 2017 was a record breaking year of serving the community. Looking forward, 2018 marks a milestone - the Cincinnati Observatory’s 175th year! On the 9th of November, 1843, thousands witnessed former president John Quincy Adams preside over the dedication and the laying of the cornerstone of the nation’s first public observatory. This November we will celebrate on the site of the original Mt. Adams observatory. Watch this newsletter, our website and Facebook for more news. This is just one of a number of

upcoming anniversaries. 2019 is the 20thanniversary of the founding of the COC and April 2020 we commemorate the 175th anniversary of First Light for the Mitchel Telescope. I’d like to think our predecessors; Mitchel, Abbe, Herget, Nohr and others, would be pleased with today’s Observatory. Honoring our heritage is a major driver of my vision for the Observatory. A vision that includes:

• Being the leading informal astronomy STEM-education resource in the region for the public, life-long learners and K-16 students.

• Continuing to extend the Observatory’s influence from our Mt. Lookout hilltop to the broader Greater Cincinnati region, the state, and the nation.

• The Observatory is increasingly recognized as one of Cincinnati’s premier cultural, historic and educational landmarks. Peers to the Museum Center, the Zoo, Nature Center, the Art Museum and other icons.

• Celebrate our distinguished history and make our story known locally, nationally, internationally by the public, academics, historians, researchers and authors.

• Expand collaborations that further the mission of the Observatory and our partner organizations.

• Be secure for the future through entrepreneurial fundraising.

• Having a dynamic strategic plan and operational fundamentals in place to meet any challenge and to seize opportunities.

• Empowering our strongest asset-our staff and volunteers.

It’s inspiring to look back on last year with all its amazing accomplishments and know that 2018 will be an even more remarkable year. Best wishes to you and yours! Craig

Intro to Astronomy with Dean Regas

Wednesdays, Jan. 10, 17 & 24

All start at 7pm Want to kickstart a new, starry hobby? This three-night introductory astronomy course is perfect for beginners who want to know more about observing the night sky. Led by astronomer and co-host of PBS’ Star Gazer, Dean Regas, this course will show you the stars. You will learn how to identify stars, constellations, and planets as well as viewing tips for the Moon. Each night includes viewing through the historic telescopes (weather permitting). $50 for the series $40 for Observatory members. To register call 513-321-5186 or Sign Up Online.

7

STEM Education Update

By Katie Vaughn

& Samantha Pepper

The education team at the

Observatory ended the year

with a week-long winter camp!

Thanks to a collaboration with

the Cincinnati Museum Center

we were able to host around 60

kids for camp. Each day

campers learned about various

topics in space and ended the

week with a rocket launch!

Camps will be back this

summer starting the first week

of June. For more information

please contact Outreach

Educator, Katie Vaughn at

katie@cincinnatiobservatory.or

g.

The education department is

also collecting gently used or

new coats and blankets that

can be lent out to students

while they visit. Any donations

or gift cards toward the

purchase of new outerwear are

welcome and appreciated. The

majority of visiting students

range in age from 3rd through

6th grade but all clothing sizes

are needed.

Volunteer Training Opportunities

Saturday, January 13 10-11:30 am

Thursday, January 25 7-8:30 pm

Or Sunday, January 28 2-3:30 pm

We’ve come to the end of another record year at the Observatory. In 2017 we shared the wonders of the universe with over 34,000 people and you’ve helped make that possible. Observatory educators Katie Vaughn and Sam Pepper

have a wealth of experience doing public programs and both are Certified Interpretive Guides in the field of informal education. They will be working to provide volunteer training opportunities that you’ve asked for. Those will cover the best practices for interacting and communicating with the general public, how you can create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and is a chance to share best practices with each other. Not just a refresher, it’s a chance to meet your fellow volunteers and learn some new tips for working with the public with the goal of making the Observatory’s programs the best they can be. This training is not mandatory, however we encourage you try to attend one of the sessions. Please let Dean Regas know which session you can attend. Dean @cincinnatiobservatory.org

Blue Moon Eclipse

By Dean Regas

The Sun, Earth, and Moon align to give us a lunar eclipse on January 31. From Cincinnati you can only see part of the Moon blocked by the Earth’s shadow that Wednesday morning, but a partial lunar eclipse is still an incredibly breathtaking sight. This is also the second full moon in a calendar month, thus making it a Blue Moon Eclipse! 6:00 am Observatory Opens 6:48 am Partial Eclipse begins 7:44 am Moon sets still in partial eclipse

Free and open to the public Stop by on your way to work or school. The program held only if skies are clear. For more information, please

call 513-321-5186.

Did You Know…. Haumea, in the Kuiper Belt, is football shaped and spins faster than any other large body in the solar system.

8

Cosmic Kids Astronomy

By Samantha Pepper Outreach Educator

Cosmic Kids took a break in

December but will start again

in January. When classes

resume they will include two

new age groups! We are so

excited to now offer Cosmic

Kids to children in grades k-7.

The topic for the classes on January 20 will be lunar eclipses so that we can inspire our participants to get up early to enjoy the partial lunar eclipse happening on January 30. More information about Cosmic Kids, including prices and a link to register for the program, can be found on the Observatory’s website under Public Events.

Amazon “Smiles” On the Observatory

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the

price of your eligible purchases

to Cincinnati Observatory

Center whenever you shop on

AmazonSmile. Next time you

shop at Amazon simply start at

http://smile.amazon.com/ch/

31-1665954

Romance at the Observatory

Wednesday, Feb. 14th

5-7 pm & 8-10 pm

By Anna Hehman

The Heart Nebula

For 2017 we will be offering two chances at romance on the name night.

Check the website and Facebook for updates and to

register.

Tour the Observatory

Sunday, Jan. 14 & 28th

Drop in between 1-4pm

Astronomers Started the Weather Service?

Stop by for the whole story or just the highlights. It’s all fascinating and connects our past with your future. Free for members.

Group tours by appointment.

Lifelong Learning

Offering a wide variety of hands-on personal enrichment and professional development courses (adults of all ages).

Longitude: John Harrison

and His Clocks Tues. Feb. 27th 7pm $35 per person Behind the Scenes

Sun. Mar. 4th 1-3pm $35 per person Sign up online.

FOTO Committee Officers

Chair-Valerie Niemi Vice Chair-John Blasing Secretary-Michelle Gainey Treasurer-Al Scheide Member Representative to the COC Board: Dave Bosse JoAnne Pedersen Terry Endres To contact an Officer or Rep email craig@cincinnatiobservatory.org and I’ll forward your contact information on to them.

Did You Know….

Solar flares peak roughly every 11 years. If a Solar flare hit the Earth, and one almost did in 2012, it could conceivably cripple Earth’s electrical grid and knock out all communications.

9

Get Your 2018 Observatory Calendar

The 2018 calendar is here for you or for a gift! Just $10 each. Cheap. Ten or more $9 each. Cheaper.

Community Rewards

Number for the

Observatory

After a quick and easy sign up

online, every time you swipe

your Kroger Plus Card a

donation goes to support the

Observatory’s mission. No cost

to you; no loss of fuel points.

https://www.kroger.com/acco

unt/create

Connect with Your Observatory

The Cincinnati

Observatory Center 3489 Observatory Place Cincinnati, OH 45208

513-321-5186

Observatory Staff:

Craig Niemi, Executive Director

craig@cincinnatiobservatory.org

Dean Regas, Outreach Astronomer &

Interim Volunteer Coordinator

dean@cincinnatiobservatory.org

Katie Vaughn, Outreach Educator

Katie@cincinnatiobservatory.org

Anna Hehman,

Development Director anna@

cincinnatiobservatory.org

John Ventre,

Historian john@cincinnatiobservatory.org

Kelsey Stryffe.

Admin. Assistant & Docent kelsey@cincinnatiobservatory.org

Samantha Pepper, Outreach Educator

samantha@cincinnatiobservatory.org

Our Partners in Science,

Sustainability & Local History

10