observatory news jan18.pdf · observatory news january 2018 published by the friends of the...
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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.
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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 [email protected] 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.
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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
Dean Regas, Outreach Astronomer &
Interim Volunteer Coordinator
Katie Vaughn, Outreach Educator
Anna Hehman,
Development Director anna@
cincinnatiobservatory.org
John Ventre,
Historian [email protected]
Kelsey Stryffe.
Admin. Assistant & Docent [email protected]
Samantha Pepper, Outreach Educator
Our Partners in Science,
Sustainability & Local History
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