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OBSERVATORY NEWS October 2015 Published by the Friends of the Observatory (FOTO) Volume 26 No. 10

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

COMING UP AT

THE OBSERVATORY.... Astronomy Thursday Oct 1 8p

FOTOKids Youth Program Oct 2 7p

Astronomy Friday Oct 2 8p

Space Day @ iSpace Oct 3 10-2p

*Binocular Astronomy Oct 5 7p

Astronomy Thursday Oct 8 8p

Astronomy Friday Oct 9 8p

Stonelick Stargaze Oct 10 dusk

History Tours Oct 11 1p

FOTO Member’s Meeting Oct 12 7:30p

Pluto w/ Dean Regas Oct 13 7p

Astronomy Thursday Oct 15 8p

Astronomy Friday Oct 16 8p

Stonelick Stargaze Oct 17 dusk

A2Z Class Oct 18 7-9p

Jules Verne @ Joseph Beth Oct 19 7p

*Behind the Scenes Oct 20 7p

FOTO Planning Meeting Oct 22 7p

Astronomy Thursday Oct 22 8p

Astronomy Friday Oct 23 8p

Jules Verne Night Oct 24 7-9p

Jules Verne Late Night Oct 24 10:30p

History Tours Oct 25 1p

*The First Three Minutes Oct 27 7P

Astronomy Thursday Oct 29 8p

Astronomy Friday Oct 30 8p

Save-The-Dates!

*Constellations of the Season Nov 4 7p

FOTO Member’s Meeting Nov 9 7:30p

Astro w/ Dean Regas Nov 10 7p

Stargaze @ Chilo park Nov 13 6p

Meet a Meteorite Nov 14 7p

Luminaria Night Dec 13 tbc

* UC Communiversity Class

ScopeOut 2015

By Dale Zoller On September 12, the Observatory held its annual open house and science fair, ScopeOut 2015. This year's event provided a mix of familiar and new exhibits and demonstrations. For the second year, the day started off with the landing of the R-44 helicopter from Stratus Helicopters (based at Lunken Airport). After landing on the parking circle, the helicopter was on display providing many of our guests with their first opportunity to sit in a helicopter and learn about how they operate. Thanks to Steve Paquette and Stratus for once again providing one of our major

raffle prizes of a helicopter flight around the city. New this year was the Nissan Leaf electric car courtesy of Busam Nissan of Tri-County.

Thanks go out to John Busam and Chad Shay for making this environmentally friendly and affordable all-electric car available for ScopeOut 2015. Another new exhibit was the restored vernier thruster engine from a sixties-era Thor ICBM rocket.

Rick Wills and team were able to "fire" the engine using

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compressed gas which made an attention-grabbing whoosh. My dream of having model rockets as part of ScopeOut finally came true thanks to Randy Boadway and the gang from Team Ohio Rocketry Club and eRockets.

They were even able to set up a launch pad and fire numerous rockets on the newly designated Mt. Lookout test range. The "Science Adventures" tent was back with science-related activities including "Galileo" experiments (acceleration ramp, pendulum, tennis ball drop, etc.); cloud chamber; UC Physics Dept. demos; and an "inertial guidance" exhibit. New this year was a working wind tunnel that demonstrated the principles of aerodynamics that make flight possible.

We also had activities for the younger kids including making and launching rockets made from paper towel tubes, space art and face painting. Thanks to Katie Burdette and Aaron

Eiben who helped coordinate the Science Tent activities. We were honored to have special guests from the University of Denver. Dr. Robert Stencel is the William Herschel Womble professor of Astronomy and Director of DU Observatories - including DU's historic Chamberlin Observatory built in 1894. He

and his wife Sue spent several days meeting with Craig Niemi, Dean Regas, John Ventre and Anna Hehman to learn how the Cincinnati Observatory’s success could be translated to their situation which has many parallels to our own story. They left energized and ready to apply what they learned to their wonderful site. We had to put up with cloudy skies and several interruptions from rain showers during the afternoon. Fortunately, the rains stopped just before dinner began in the big tent. This year's dinner was catered by Venice on Vine. A special thank you to Denise Mustain and Pam Smith who coordinated the dinner arrangements. And thanks to Lookout Joe’s for providing the “Observatory Blend” coffee. This year's keynote talk "25 Years of the Hubble Space Telescope" was presented by Dr. Bob O'Dell from the

Hubble Heritage Project. Dr. O'Dell was the lead project scientist for Hubble and was involved with the design of the iconic space telescope from its inception. Unfortunately, the clouds left over from the earlier rain showers remained and prevented any serious evening

viewing with our ground-based telescopes.

I would like to thank the members of the ScopeOut 2015 planning committee, plus all the volunteers, exhibitors and vendors who helped make ScopeOut 2015 a success!

Greater Cincinnati STEM

Collaborative

The Greater Cincinnati STEM

Collaborative (GCSC) impacts

STEM (Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Mathematics)

learning and career readiness

through active, engaged, data-

driven partnerships between

business, educational

(Cincinnati Observatory), and

community partners.

Check out the new website! http://greatercincystem.org/

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THE WORD

By Michelle Lierl Gainey Hello Friends, I hope you are all enjoying the crisp fall weather, and that you got a chance to see the SuperMoon lunar eclipse on September 27! Fall is a great time to get out to Stonelick Lake Park for the Saturday stargazes (on October 10 and 17), or to another dark sky site of your choice. There are so many wonderful deep-sky objects in good viewing position:

The Andromeda Galaxy and its satellite galaxies, M13 (the great globular cluster in Hercules) and many other globular clusters, the Double Cluster in Perseus and many other beautiful open star clusters, and numerous planetary nebulae including the Blue Snowball, Dumbbell Nebula, Blinking Nebula, Cats-Eye Nebula and Ring Nebula, among many others. ScopeOut 2015 was a great success! Thanks to Dale Zoller and the ScopeOut Committee for their countless hours of work planning for and organizing this event. It was a great blend of STEM hands-on educational activities, lectures, astronomy equipment

swapping and purchasing, COC history, and fun stuff (like the rockets! and the ever-popular liquid nitrogen!). At the October FOTO meeting on October 12, elections will be held for the FOTO officers and trustees. The offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and two of the four trustees are up for election. Please consider whether you would like to run for election to one of these positions; FOTO will benefit from your ideas and energy! Nominations are open until just before the voting occurs. THANK YOU for all you do to keep the Cincinnati Observatory Center thriving and serving our community.

FOTO's October Meeting

By Dave McBride

In December of 2004, Glen Conner of Scottsville, Kentucky, being the Kentucky State Climatologist Emeritus, prepared a report about the history of weather observations in Cincinnati, Ohio. In the report, Mr. Conner wrote that the weather observations made at the Cincinnati Astronomical Observatory had gained national attention. Cleveland Abbe – considered the Father of the U.S. Weather Bureau – was the Director of the Observatory at that time and he published temperature readings in the local newspapers. Cleveland Abbe’s work was so admired that he was called to Washington D.C. in 1870. There he eventually created the Weather Bureau within the U.S.

Army’s Signal Service, a move that incorporated the Army’s extensive telegraph network into an organization of weather observers.

He thus began the lineage that was the predecessor of the National Weather Service. The Cincinnati Observatory is proud of its contributions to the formation of the National Weather Service. Owing to this history, please join us on Monday, October 12th at 7:30 pm, as the program committee will welcome FOTO member Mr. Lee Hite who will bring us his program topic “The Science of Lightning – Understanding Your Risk.” Lee is a nationally recognized expert on Lightning Safety and in 2011 he testified as an expert witness for a large lightning injury case occurring on the congressional golf course in Washington, DC. Our November program topic will be about “Citizen Science” projects. Research often involves teams of scientists collaborating across continents. Now, using the power of the Internet, non-specialists are participating, too. A citizen science project can involve one person or millions of people collaborating towards a common goal.

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NASA Confident Mars Has

Flowing Water!

New findings from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) provide the strongest evidence yet that liquid water flows intermittently on present-day Mars. Using an imaging spectrometer on MRO, researchers detected signatures of hydrated minerals on slopes where mysterious streaks are seen on the Red Planet. These darkish streaks appear to ebb and flow over time. They darken and appear to flow down steep slopes during warm seasons, and then fade in cooler seasons. They appear in several locations on Mars when temperatures are above minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 23 Celsius), and disappear at colder times. Our quest on Mars has been to follow the water, in our search for life in the universe, and now we have convincing science that validates what we've long suspected. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150928094114.htm

Welcome New & Renewing

Members!

Eric and Josephine Africa

Ryan Anderson

Olivia and Brent Ballard

John Barnes

Diana and Louis Batsch

Larry Brown and Cristina Gutierrez

David E. Burcham

Christian Clement Caton

Michael and Alicia Clements

Michael and Minnie Clements

Betsey Dirr

Allan and Heather Duncan

Michael Fisher

Ethan Fuqua

Debbie Gampfer

Jonathan Garrison

Naomi and Bob Gerwin

Jerome and Mary Gonnella

Jim and Sue Groen

Buck Hausman

Ann and Tom Hennessy

Lee Hite

Linda Huffenberger

Michael Noyola Izquierdo

Clint Kappesser

Dan and Pam Kessler

Sam and Marie Kocohis

Anthony and Jeannine Kreinbrink

Linda Lee Magee

Marcia Brady Tucker Foundation

William and Kathleen Moorman

Ryan Muldoon

Amy Murdoch

James Myers and Linda Badovick

Priscilla O'Donnell and Peter Strasser

Sean Owens and Chris Welch

Jason Robb and Amanda Palmer

Gloria Redmond

Steve Rumberg

Zachary Sang

Nancy Lu Walters

Dwight Werren

Nicole Williams

Richard Williams

Jerry and Mary Wortham

Dale & Kathleen Zoller

Meet a Meteorite!

Saturday, November 14th

7-10 pm

Come check out amazing collections of “rocks from space” and get ready for November’s Leonid meteor shower. $10 Adults, $5 under 18 & College Students.

No reservations needed.

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SuperMoon

Total Lunar Eclipse Thrills Skywatchers

The first "Supermoon" total lunar eclipse in more than three decades did not disappoint, with the Moon thrilling skywatchers around the world as it passed through Earth's shadow. On Sunday Sept. 27, the slightly-larger-than-normal full Moon shined brightly in Earth's skies and then dove into the planet's shadow, turning a gorgeous reddish-gold color as observers with clear skies enjoyed the view. The event marked the first Supermoon total lunar eclipse since 1982, and the last until 2033 — and it was visible to potentially billions of people across the Western Hemisphere and parts

of Europe, Africa and Asia..

Planning Meeting

Michelle Lierl Gainey The next FOTO Planning Meeting is scheduled for 7 pm on Thursday, October 22, at COC. The planning meetings are open to all FOTO members. We encourage your participation in the discussion of future FOTO activities.

Scott Gainey Honored For

Service to COC

At the Mitchel Society reception

on Sept. 24, Scott Gainey was

presented with the Presidential

Citation for service to the

Cincinnati Observatory Center.

A former member of the COC

Board (serving as FOTO-COC

Representative and member of

the Development Committee),

Scott has performed many

useful services for COC,

including purchasing and

processing meteorites for sale

in the Gift Shop, producing the

COC Astrophotography

Calendar, serving as Presenter

for Astro Thursday and Friday

sessions, organizing star gazes

and other outreach events, and

fund raising.

Scott says he feels lucky and

privileged to share his love for

COC and fascination with

astronomy with others. He

states he is only one of many

dedicated volunteers who

contribute their time,

intelligence and enthusiasm to

accomplish the COC mission.

COC President Mike Flick with

Scott Gainey and 3 past

Presidential Citation recipients:

Greg Hand, Lyn Marsteller,

and John Ventre

Craig’s Corner

By Craig Niemi Executive Director

Thanks to all the volunteers, exhibitors, vendors and staff who made ScopeOut 2015 a great success! Every year since 1999 our STEM-fair has drawn hundreds of amateur astronomers, science buffs and families to the Observatory and this year, despite afternoon showers, we had about 250 guests during the day and a sell-out keynote program that evening. A wrap-up meeting will take place before you get this month’s newsletter, but we welcome your suggestions, comments and help for next fall. Just drop us an email. craig@cincinnatiobservatory.org We hope you caught Dean and me on CET’s Showcase with Barbara Kellar! It is online: http://www.cetconnect.org/showcase/ And if you missed the original airing last month, the Cincinnati Observatory is still featured on CSPAN3 Cities Tour website. http://www.c-span.org/series/?citiesTour Don’t forget about Jules Verne night on October 24th when we celebrate From the Earth to the

Moon!

Did You Know…

At 29,000 mph Jupiter rotates faster than any other planet in the solar system.

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FOTO October Election

Candidates

By Frank Huss

The annual FOTO election for officers will be held at the October meeting. Candidates for the various positions are

President – Michelle Gainey

Vice-president – John Blasing

Secretary – Anne Schmid

Treasurer – Al Scheide

Trustees – Aaron Eiben,

Chuck Fairbanks,

and Gregory Tewksbury

If you are interested in nominating someone or running for office please send an e-mail to Frank Huss at fhuss3 @ aol.com. The only requirement for office is that the person being nominated has been a FOTO member for a year.

FOTO Board Members (Terms expire this month,

Except as noted)

President: Michelle Gainey

Vice President: Vacant

Secretary-Acting: Al Scheide

Treasurer: Al Scheide

FOTO Rep: Frank Huss (exp.

Oct 2016)

Trustees: John Blasing,

Aaron Eiben, Dave Bosse

(exp. Oct 2016) and Chris

Kean (exp. Oct. 2016).

September FOTO Meeting

Highlights

By Michelle Lierl Gainey

Elections for FOTO Board positions will be held in

October. Please see the adjacent announcement by Frank Huss,

representing the Nominating

Committee, listing the nominees to date. Additional

nominations are encouraged,

and can be submitted until just before voting takes place at the

October FOTO meeting Additional nominations are

encouraged, and can be

submitted until just before voting takes place at the

October FOTO meeting.

For the speaker(s), we had

Member’s Night. There was

time for 3 presentations: (1) Bob Stenton discussed

the telescope lending program

he and Jerry are developing;

inexpensive and durable

telescopes will be available at branches of the Hamilton

County Library. Bob discussed

pros and cons of two types of loaner telescopes. Volunteers

will be needed at each library branch to instruct the library

patrons before they take the

telescope home. (2) Steve Rismiller showed

some spectacular photographs

of a solar active region; he captured the dramatic

brightening and spreading of the solar flare, and then

followed it as it faded. These

photographs were taken using

a web cam, with a hydrogen

alpha filter on a small refractor.

(3) Aaron Eiben followed up last month’s presentation about hitting a home run baseball on various sizes and shapes of planetary bodies, with simulations of trying to hit a baseball from one to the other of Mars’ moons (Phobos and Diemos), which turned out to be impossible at the velocities a human can generate with a baseball bat. There were other members prepared to give presentations, which I am sure would have been excellent, but we ran out of time. We will definitely have another Member’s Night soon, where you will be invited to give a short presentation on an interesting topic of your choice.

Topics in Astronomy

With Dean Regas

Pluto and Other Small Stuff

Tuesday, October 13th 7-9 pm Planet, dwarf planet, ice ball. Call it what you will, Pluto is a fascinating little world. What’s Pluto’s story? What have we learned about other objects far from the Sun? And what may be discovered next? $15 per person $12 for Observatory members To

register for call 513-321-5186.

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Borrow a Telescope!

Telescope Loan Program

Training

By Dean Regas

Did you know that as a member of the COC you could borrow one of the very fine telescopes in the FOTO Telescope Loan program? For a whole month you could be enjoying the wonders of the night sky with a significant optical instrument without significant monetary investment. This is a listed benefit of being a member of the COC that few actually know about and even fewer take advantage. Why not try it before you buy it? Search the deeper sky on your own turf? Learn firsthand how a telescope performs? Turn the telescope lingo that you might have heard into practical experience? Count the craters on the moon? Get close-up pictures of the squirrels in your backyard? You can do it all! FOTO recently funded the addition of two eight-inch Dobsonian Newtonian reflectors into the program because the demand for the larger aperture telescopes has always been high (we only had two) and we want to increase the opportunity for our members. We want you to be part of the equation. We used to have two, now we have four. There are two six-inch “Dobs” in the inventory as well and

these are also fine telescopes. A four-inch refractor on a German-Equatorial mount is also part of the pool available for anyone who wants to gain the Equatorial experience. Dobson telescopes are remarkably easy to use and even the German-Equatorial refractor is easy to use with a little bit of training. For more info, or to borrow a scope, please call Dean or Craig at 513-321-5186.

Stonelick Stargazers

Saturdays – October 10

th & 17

th

A 30 Meter Telescope at Stonelick? Need help with your telescope? Whether its 60mm or 30 meters, bring it for expert tips setting it up and exploring the night sky. Stargazing begins at dusk. Open to all ages. Stargazes are weather permitting. “Friend” the Stonelick Lake Stargazers Facebook page for weather and schedule updates.

Astronomy Wisdom...

From Dave McBride

“Put three grains of sand inside a vast cathedral, and the cathedral will be more closely packed with sand than space is with stars.” – James Jeans (1877-1946), astronomer.

Astro Evenings at the

Observatory

Thursdays, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Fridays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

8:00 - 9:30 pm

Free for Observatory

members!

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. Once dark, we will view the Moon, planets and deep space treasures through the historic 1845 telescope. (The program is held rain or shine; telescope viewing if clear skies). The topics and the night sky change week-to-week/month-to-month so you can visit often to hear and see something new Free for Observatory members!

For the latest schedule see the web calendar then sign up online.

Did You Know…

Ganymede is the largest moon in the solar system but has just half the mass of Mercury.

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FOTO Kids & Teens

Astronauts of the Buckeye State—

Take Two!

How about that weather? Last month’s FOTO Kids meeting got off to a rough start with a severe thunderstorm and a loss of electrical power. Still, we had fun making eclipse models by candlelight, just like astronomers of centuries past! However, it’s time to jump back into the space-age. Since last month’s presentation on Ohio astronauts was blacked out, we’re going to try it again this time around. So without further ado, here’s the trailer: Quick, name all of the astronauts from the State of Ohio. You got Neil Armstrong, right? Maybe John Glenn? What about Jim Lovell, the commander of Apollo 13? Did you know he was from Cleveland? Astronomer astronaut Dr. Karl Henize grew up in what is now Mariemont and was a graduate of Mariemont High School. The space shuttle mission STS-70 was famed for its “all Ohio” crew and for being attacked by woodpeckers on the launch pad! This month, we’re learning all about the 25 astronauts who

call Ohio home and the space missions they flew. From Project Mercury to the International Space Station and beyond the far-side of the Moon, Ohioans have faced danger and given their lives to push forward the frontiers of aviation and human spaceflight father than those of any other state. Come join us Friday, October 2nd at 7 pm for astronomy and astronautics. Until then and as always, Clear Skies! For questions and comments, call the Observatory at (513) 321-5186 or email Aaron at aaron@cincinnatiobservatory.org.

From Cincinnati

To the Moon

Celebrate the writings of Jules Verne

Saturday October 24, 7-9 pm

Dust off your best period costume and come celebrate a sci-fi classic at the Cincinnati Observatory! In From the Earth to the Moon, three men climb into a

metal bullet and are shot around the Moon for a closer look at the lunar world. This Jules Verne novel turns 150 this year and you can mark the occasion at your local 19th century observatory. The Cincinnati Observatory’s historic buildings make a perfect steam-punk back drop for this night under the Moon. We will have short presentations about Verne’s writing as well as general science fiction topics. Guests will also have the opportunity – weather permitting - to view the Moon through a telescope that was already 20 years old when Verne penned this celebrated novel. Don’t forget – You’re invited to participate in our costume contest by donning your best period costume of sci-fi attire. $15/person $10/if you come in costume No reservations are required. For more info please call, 513-321-5186.

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

Did You Know….

Europa has icebergs.

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A2Z+ Astronomy

Why an Eclipse?

Sunday, October 18, 7-9 pm

By Dave Bosse

The planned discussion for the October A2Z+ Astronomy class was to be on “Using the Planisphere as an Astronomical Tool”, but I think I’ll save that one for next month. Instead, in honor of the most recent, very special Total Lunar Eclipse, I thought we would investigate just why this eclipse was so special. Supermoon, Harvest Moon, Eclipsed Moon; now, that is special! It sounds special. That can’t happen very often… can it? Making an Eclipse happen in the first place is special in its own right and every Eclipse has its own heap of special-ness. At the October A2Z+ Astronomy class I’ll discuss the mechanics of the Saros interval and the Saros Series. The Saros is the foundation of the pattern of Eclipses and the Saros Series explains the subtle changes in the specialness of each and every Eclipse. The Saros is usually presented in terms of the geometry of Solar Eclipses, because there are certain aspects of Solar Eclipses relative to the Saros that are more evident and easier to understand. Again, in honor of the most recent Lunar Eclipse, I’ll try my hand at presenting the Saros from the point of view of the Lunar Eclipse geometry. After all, the

mechanisms that cause Solar Eclipses are at play for Lunar Eclipses as well. Join us at the October A2Z+ Astronomy class at the Observatory on Sunday, October 18th at 7:00 pm when we will conjure up the spirit of Professor Doctor Georg Van den Bergh, who literally wrote the book* on the Saros Series. The A2Z+ Astronomy classes are held the third Sunday of each month at 7:00 pm in the West Wing of the Herget Building and delve into topics Astronomical. The group will meet for about an hour or so and attendance is free to any member of the COC. * Periodicity and Variation of

Solar (and Lunar) Eclipses; 1955

History of the

Observatory

October 11th & 25

th

Drop in Anytime

Between 1-4 pm

Stop by for the whole story or just the highlights. It’s all fascinating and connects our past with your future. $5 per person suggested donation. Free for members. Group tours by appointment.

.

Jules Verne Late Night

Date Night

Saturday, October 24th, 10:30pm

Your ultimate romantic night under the stars is back - and this time we’re incorporating a lunar anniversary. We invite you and your sweetheart to step back in time and space with us for an out of this world event celebrating the Jules Verne sci-fi classic From the Earth to the Moon, which turns

150 years old this year. Verne actually mentions the Cincinnati Observatory in two of his novels, so our historic buildings make a perfect backdrop for this enchanting evening. Guests will look through our historic telescope, which is 20 years older than Verne’s novel, and marvel at the magnificent Moon (weather permitting). $20/person (which benefits the Cincinnati Observatory’s youth outreach program) Reservations are required. Space is limited. Sign Up Online or call 513-321-5186.

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A View from Close Up

One Sunday night in September, I invited about 50 folks from RWB Cincinnati, a social club that I run with, to see the Observatory. 30 showed up with their kids and their spouses/partners and a sense of adventure. Some told me they'd been members a long time ago, many related their college astronomy classes to me, but none of them had been to the Observatory recently.

Our volunteers, led by John

Ventre of course, were excellent giving what I call the nickel-tour to this group. They were gob-smacked, as are all of our visitors, even when, as usual we had an overcast night and no one could see a thing, except a beautiful sunset. I was thrilled to share this opportunity with this group of military veterans and active-duty families who all said, as

we have all heard before that they did not even know this opportunity existed. I know that a few will buy memberships, and at least one gal asked about volunteering. A week later, I got a request for "how can I enroll in those classes you were talking about?" and last night, I heard from some who want to know about where to see the eclipse. All the work that is done at the Observatory is for the same mission - promoting astronomy and the love of the stars and this historic landmark. Sometimes we can get lost in the minutiae and drama, but when that happens, step back and view the universe from afar. It is glorious. By Jenny O'Donnell 513-706-6232

5142 is the Kroger

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/account/create

2016 COC Calendars

By Scott Gainey

The 2016 Calendar is coming! As usual, it will include a wonderful collection of works by astrophotographers Fred Calvert, Eric Africa and Steve Rismiller. This year we will also be showing works by members of the new class of astrophotographers who recently completed the year-long training coordinated by Fred, with assistance from Eric and Steve. The new calendar will be available in mid-November, through the Observatory gift shop.

Meet Me Outdoors

Looking for one site to find this spring’s best outdoor recreation events? Stargazing, hikes, biking, everything outdoors. http://meetmeoutdoors.com

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UC Communiversity

Enrich Your Life with

Quality Courses

Binocular Astronomy

October 5th 7 pm

Behind the Scenes October 20

th 7 pm

The First Three Minutes October 27

th 7 pm

Constellations of the Season

November 4th 7 pm

To register contact UC

Communiversity at 513-556-6932 or

www.uc.edu/ce/commu.html

New Star Gazers

Star Gazers airs locally on channels 14 and 48 and you can watch each month’s episodes on http://www.cincinnatiobservatory.org/stargazer.html

Earth-Like Planets Around

Small Stars Likely Have

Protective Magnetic

Fields, Aiding Chance

For Life

Earth-like planets orbiting close to small stars probably have magnetic fields that protect them from stellar radiation and help maintain surface conditions that could be conducive to life, according to research from astronomers. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150929070703.htm

We hope you took advantage of this free sampler weekend to get outside and experienced something new. For a year-round guide bookmark: http://meetmeoutdoors.com www.cincygreatoutdoorweekend.org

Museums and Historic Sites of Greater

Cincinnati

MHS is comprised of over 30 participating sites across Greater Cincinnati. Each site offers a unique perspective on local history and culture through public programs, exhibits, lectures, and tours. Many sites are seasonal and have reopened after the long winter. www.historicgreatercincinnati.org

John Ruthven Prints

John Ruthven’s limited edition giclee' prints of his "Eyes of the Night" which features the Observatory are available in the Gift Shop! Each signed 14"x 20" print is on sale for $150. The total run will be limited to 250 prints. Proceeds support the Observatory’s programs.

Did You Know…..

You can easily throw a ball into orbit around Phobos.

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From the Earth

To the Moon

Discuss Jules Verne’s Sci-Fi Classic

At Joseph Beth Booksellers

Monday October 19, at 7 pm The year is 1865… and in the novel From the Earth to the Moon, three men climb into a metal bullet and are shot around the Moon for a closer look at the lunar world. This Jules Verne sci-fi classic turns 150 this year and you are invited to join a very special book club presentation at Joseph Beth Booksellers. Your moderator for this discussion will be Cincinnati Observatory astronomer, co-host of PBS’ Star Gazers, and Jules Verne buff, Dean Regas. He’ll also talk about the similarities between Verne’s fictional trip and the very real journey of Apollo astronauts 100 years later. Viewing of the Moon through a telescope will follow (weather permitting). Cost: Free For more info please call, 513-321-5186.

Did You Know….

Jupiter’s mass produces a tidal force on its moon Io, producing a 300 foot rise and fall on the tiny moon every two days. Thanks to this Io is the most volcanic active body in the solar system.

Mitchel Society Thanks

Donors for

Ongoing Support

By Anna Hehman, Development Director

September’s Supermoon eclipse wasn’t the only exciting event at the Observatory during the month. On Thursday, September 24, the Observatory welcomed Mitchel Society donors and other partners to celebrate and thank them for their ongoing commitment to the Observatory’s mission and work. Over 50 people attended the event, where Observatory Board President Mike Flick honored Scott Gainey for his tireless work on behalf of the Observatory, including his oversight of the calendar project. Guests enjoyed viewing and tours as well as delicious food courtesy of Oriental Wok on this beautiful September evening. On Saturday, September 26, the Observatory’s Board of Directors gathered for a Board Retreat to review the strategic plan, discuss the work of the Observatory and learn more about fundraising efforts. The retreat was also a great opportunity to discuss the successes of the year and upcoming challenges. Lastly, the Observatory is celebrating a $50,000 grant from the Stillson Foundation to add a third educator to fulfill the demand for continued outreach

programs. The Observatory will be adding this new staff member in January.

Fresh Evidence For How

Water Reached Earth

Found In Asteroid Debris

Artist's impression of a rocky

and water-rich asteroid being

torn apart by the strong gravity

of the white dwarf star. Similar

objects in the Solar System

likely delivered the bulk of

water on Earth and represent

the building blocks of the

terrestrial planets.

Water delivery via asteroids or comets is likely taking place in many other planetary

systems, just as it happened on Earth, new

research strongly suggests.

The research findings add further support to the possibility water can be delivered to Earth-like planets via such bodies to create a suitable environment for the formation of life. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150507082720.htm

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