san diego astronomy association - sdaa · san diego astronomy association 6 2 f. newsletter kuhl...
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San DiegoAstronomy AssociationCelebrating Over 50 Years of Astronomical Outreach
http://www.sdaa.orgA Non-Profit Educational Association
P.O. Box 23215, San Diego, CA 92193-3215
July 2015
Next SDAA Business MeetingJuly 14th at 7:00pm
3838 Camino del Rio NorthSuite 300
San Diego, CA 92108
Next Program Meeting July 15, 2015 at 7:00pm
Mission Trails Regional ParkVisitor and Interpretive Center1 Father Junipero Serra Trail
CONTENTSJuly 2015, Vol LIII, Issue 7Published Monthly by the San Diego Astronomy AssociationIncorporated in California in 1963P r o g r a m M e e t i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1J u l i a n S t a r F e s t . . . . . . . . . . . . 2J u n e M i n u t e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 0 1 5 T D S S ch e d u l e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7J u l y C a l e n d a r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8S DA A C o n t a c t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Space Place Par tners Ar t ic le. . . .10As t r onomy Ca r toon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2
Newsletter DeadlineThe deadline to submit articles
for publication is the15th of each month.
July Program Meeting
Date: July 15, 2015Speaker: Jerry HilburnTopic: New Horizons Mission
The New Horizons mission will help us understand worlds at the edge of our solar system by making the first reconnaissance of the dwarf planet Pluto and by ventur-ing deeper into the distant, mysterious Kuiper Belt – a relic of solar system formation.
New Horizons launched on Jan. 19, 2006; it swung past Jupiter for a gravity boost and scientific studies in February 2007, and will conduct a five-month-long recon-naissance flyby study of Pluto and its moons in summer 2015. Pluto closest approach is scheduled for July 14, 2015. As part of an extended mission, the spacecraft is expected to head farther into the Kuiper Belt to examine one or two of the ancient, icy mini-worlds in that vast region, at least a billion miles beyond Neptune’s orbit.
Sending a spacecraft on this long journey will help us answer basic questions about the surface properties, geology, interior makeup and atmospheres on these bodies.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/newhorizons/main/index.html
San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) sponsors speakers on a wide range of astronomy topics on the third Wednesday of every month at the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center. The program meeting begins at 7pm. Each attendee receives one free door prize ticket. After announcements and a small amount of busi-ness, the audience is treated to the featured presentation. At the close of the meeting the door prizes are presented. The event is open to the public. The Mission Trails Re-gional Park Visitors Center is at One Fr. Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego CA 92119. Call the park at 619-668-3281 for more information or visit http://www.mtrp.org.
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SDAA's 8th Annual Julian StarFest August 13 – 15, Menghini Winery, Julian
Julian StarFest is fast approaching. Sign up now at www.julianstarfest.com. There is something for everyone. New this year is OPT's Imaging Conference on Friday.
Thursday, August 13 to Saturday August 15
Camping sign-in and registration for up to three nights of camping. Limited number of RV spaces. Volunteer and camp for free, contact [email protected]
Friday, Aug 14 New this year mid-morning to late night
OPT's Imaging Conference (OPTIC)
OPT annual Imaging conference will be at JSF for the first time. Watch the website for a list of speakers. Adam Block will be there. Hands-on imaging support in the evening.
All days
Snacks and full meals from Divine Fresh, Niederfranks Ice Cream, and the Julian Lion's Club
Friday and Saturday
Vendors: OPT will be there offering good deals on astronomy merchandise. Also expect to see Shannon Telescopes, Focus Astronomy Outreach and several others.
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Friday, Aug 14 Afternoon and evening
Optional Night Sky Photography Workshop with Dennis Mammana: Learn the basics of capturing these phenomena with little more than a camera and tripod; all from one of America's favorite night sky photographers. http://www.julianstarfest.com
Friday night & all day Saturday
Lectures on astronomy by a diverse group of guest speakers. A complete list will be available in next month's newsletter and on line.
Saturday morning early until noon
Swap meet: Who knows what treasures you'll find that you never knew that you just had to have.
Saturday morning, meet at 10am sharp by the corral.
Optional tour of Palomar Observatory: reservations are required, box lunches can be reserved: This tour includes the lower observatory floor, the main floor with the 200" Hale, and the dome catwalks. See http://www.julianstarfest.com
Saturday, Aug 15 10am and 2 pm
Kids' events: Fun astronomy crafts and games for kids...go on a celestial scavenger hunt, make a telescope that you can keep, design you own constellation, make your own model of the sun, earth and moon.
Late Saturday afternoon
The raffle: Donations from SDAA supporters and sponsors. Tickets will available for purchase at the event. Proceeds benefit SDAA's outreach activities.
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Saturday evening starting at 7pm
THE STAR PARTY: We expect over 1,000 people again this year. Even if you can't attend the full event, come out on Saturday evening with your telescope to share the night sky with the public. To help with planning, please contact [email protected] with your contact information.
Sunday morning
Pack-up and say goodbye: until we meet again at the next Julian StarFest in 2016
Volunteering for JSF
SDAA members, we need your help to make Julian StarFest another success. Although we can’t pay you for your services, we can make it worth your while. If you are willing to volunteer for four hours of service, on either Friday or Saturday, you can camp for FREE . If your spouse or teen want to volunteer as well, they can camp for free too. Remember, this is three nights of camping for only four hours of service. Please contact Hillary Griffith at [email protected] or visit http://www.julianstarfest.com/volunteers/volunteers.htm for more information.We need volunteers for:• Event setup: Assist in setting up on Thursday.• Check-in at main gate: Follow Check-In process for pre-registered campers, Vendors and Volunteers. Collect fee for “pay at the gate” camping. Sell additional drawing tickets.• Camper parking: Direct cars and RV parking in the General Camping Area.• Day use entry: Collect day use fee, check wristbands at exhibit area, sell drawing tickets.• Day use parking: Assist day use attendees in parking.• SDAA table: Promote SDAA, sell SDAA and JSF merchandise.• White light prevention at star party: Sell small red lights and assist in covering white lights with red cellophane and rubber bands.• Event teardown: Folding tables, chairs, general “packing up” and clean-up.• General on call: Just what it says…any one of our positions may need temporary assistance during the event. Assist Grounds Coordinator. Check/empty trash, water roadway, etc.
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San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) Board of DirectorsMonthly Business Meeting Minutes June 9, 2015
Unapproved and Subject to Revision
1. Call to order. The meeting was called to order at 7pm with the following board members in attendance: Mike Chasin, President; Greg Farrell, Vice President; Ed Rumsey, Treasurer; Nick Andrews, Corresponding Secretary; Dave Decker, Director; Dave Wood, Director; Brian McFarland, Director; and SDAA members Daryel Stager and Ben Grunbaum.
2. Approval of Last Meeting Minutes. Minutes of the May meeting approved. 3. Priority/Member Business.
SDAA member Daryel Stager discussed his plan to install a dome on his pad site. The Board approved his plan to proceed, pending feedback from one remaining private pad member. That member will be given 30 days to respond.
4. Approval of Treasurer's and Membership Report
• The last two months showed negative cash flow, but not to worry – it’s just part of the normal cycle of club financials. • The audit is coming up and we have two of the three volunteers required. During the meeting, Daryel and Ben both
volunteered to fill in the third and back-up positions. • The Board approved the Treasurers' and Membership Reports.
5. Standard Reports: a. Site Maintenance Quackenbush
Remaining barbed wire brackets installed on N, E, and W fences. b. Observatory Traweek.
Stop ring installed on the Lipp guidescope.
c. Private Pads Smith • There are currently 7 unleased pads and 4 people in the process of choosing pads. • Daryel Stager (Pad 69) is in the process of getting permission from his neighbors for a proposed observatory. So far he
has approval from 3 of the 4 pads. • One of the 4 people looking to lease a pad plans to put a custom designed small structure on the pad. I don't have the
details, but it sounds like it isn't one of the standard pre-fab units. I advised them that it might be prudent to run it by the BOD before making a final decision on a pad since it may be more suited for some locations than others.
d. Programs Farrell • So far $112 in expenses and $100 income. • Ed needs the annual program financial (raffle) report for state reporting purposes. • Looking for guest speakers.
e. AISIG Wood
• The May meeting went well; everyone stayed awake and the cookies were great. • The next meeting will feature guest speaker Craig Stark of Nebulosity.
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f. Newsletter Kuhl
Excellent as usual.
g. Website Stevens • Need AISIG Schedule for 2015, website still shows 2013. • JSF website has been updated for 2015 and is now accepting vendor and participant applications. The SDAA Facebook
site now has over 1000 "likes".
h. Outreach Searcy • We will have the last school star party for the Fall - Spring season this week, rescheduled twice due to weather. • The summer will be very active, with KQ, Heise, Meeker, and Cuyamaca State Park. The two events at Cuyamaca State
Park are 18 July and 8 August and it is good to reestablish star parties there. The SPIE has asked SDAA for another star party at the opening evening of their convention in San Diego. It is always popular with our outreach group and is on the calendar. It is Monday of JSF week.
• Kin met with Melba Novoa, an organizer for R.H. Fleet about a new community initiative for STEM programs in the Barrio Logan area. The Fleet envisions one event per week from variety of partners. SDAA can support with a few events per year, probably lectures rather than star parties because the area is very bright.
• The Boy Scouts have asked if SDAA is willing to sponsor an Explorer post. They are professional rather than outdoor centered like Boy Scouts and they would have both male and female Explorers. Caltech has committed to help if SDAA goes forward with this and the scouts are forwarding program material from similar posts to help SDAA understand how it would work. We do not have to deal with this request until after the JSF.
i. Merchandise Harvey Nothing to report, other than she is not set up for fulfilling online or mail in orders. Can sell at events only.
j. New Member Mentor Kiser
Email glitch straightened out – back in business.
2015 Contributing C- Family Basic B-Family Total January 2 2 1 1 6 February 5 2 3 5 15 March 5 6 2 0 13 April 4 0 1 0 5 May 4 3 1 1 9 June 1 1 3 0 5 Total: 21 14 11 7 53
k. JSF Status Griffith Had to reschedule last week’s meeting but we do have confirmation we are going to be offering both Dennis Mammana's Photo Workshop and the OPT Imaging Symposium. We have been contacted by Westways magazine to confirm event info so that should be printed in the June/July issue! We are starting to get pre-registration for campers. Should start to have more updates coming soon.
l. Rising Stars
We will be rescheduling the star party in August and also start planning for the 2015 - 16 school year.
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m. Terry Arnold Remote Observatory TARO Wood • Ross Salinger has some items to sell on Astromart (reducers, etc) and will donate the proceeds to TARO. • The FSQ106 has coating damage and the cost to repair is about $2,400. Will do some photographic evaluations first to
see if it’s worth it. • Trenching is finished and ready for final electrical work, conduit is run to the mast, and the equipment is here. • The computer from B&H has Win7 Pro on it, • Both observatories will be ready to ship in two weeks. • Might be able to get free internet at 30GB/month through an arrangement Jerry has with a local provider.
6. Old Business.
• Audit – see treasure’s report in #4 above. • ADA – we are now ADA compliant. • Spring Clean Up – went well. Still need to string barbed wire, but before we do, Mike Chasin will consult with a fire
prevention professional for advice on escape routes and cleared fire lanes. • Treasurer’s Ad Hoc Committee – Evaluating options and Jerry will do some test runs in late June. Hope to have a
recommendation in July. • Loaner Scopes – Ed put together a proposed procedure for the running the program. The Board needs to review and
make official.
7. New Business. The 2016 Budget Meeting will take place on June 29th at Mike Chasin’s house.
8. Adjournment. Adjournment 8:09pm.
2015 TDS SCHEDULE
DATE MOON DATA SUNSET
JUL. 4 R-10:03p 93% 7:56p 11 R- 2:58a 22% 7:55p Public
AUG. 8 R-12:59a 31% 7:38p Public 15 S- 8:08p 1% 7:31p JSF
SEP. 5 R-12:34a 50% 7:04p Public 12 S- 6:41p 1% 6:55p
OCT. 3 R-11:20p 65% 6:26p Public 10 S- 5:15p 6% 6:17p
NOV. 7 R- 3:22a 2% 4:49p Public ST 14 S- 7:27p 7% 4:44p
DEC. 5 R- 2:07a 30% 4:38p Public 12 S- 6:15p 1% 4:40p
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July 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
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Stars in the Park
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Full Moon
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Stars at Mission Trails
11 Public Star Party
TDS
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13 Cub Scout Day
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SDAA Business Meeting
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SDAA Program Meeting
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New Moon
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Old Poway Park
18 Cuyamaca
Rancho State Park
KQ Ranch
Member Night
TDS
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AISIG Meeting
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Full Moon
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SDAA ContactsClub Officers and Directors
President Mike Chasin [email protected] (858) 210-1454Vice President Greg Farrell [email protected] (858) 705-0065Recording Secretary Dennis Ritz [email protected] (619) 890-7480Treasurer Ed Rumsey [email protected] (858) 722-3846Corresponding Secretary Nick Andrews [email protected] (858) 215-0479Director Alpha Dave Decker [email protected] (619) 972-1003Director Beta Brian McFarland [email protected] (619) 462-4483Director Gamma Michael Vander Vorst [email protected] (858) 755-5846Director Delta Dave Wood [email protected] (858) 735-8808
CommitteesSite Maintenance Bill Quackenbush [email protected] (858) 395-1007Observatory Director Jim Traweek [email protected] (619) 207-7542Private Pads Mark Smith [email protected] (858) 484-0540Outreach Kin Searcy [email protected] (858) 586-0974N. County Star Parties Jerry Hilburn [email protected] (858) 877-3103S. County Star Parties -Vacant- [email protected] E. County Star Parties Dave Decker [email protected] (619) 972-1003Central County Star Parties Kin Searcy [email protected] (858) 586-0974Camp with the Stars Jerry Hilburn [email protected] (858) 877-3103K.Q. Ranch Coordinator Michael Vander Vorst [email protected] (858) 755-5846Newsletter Andrea Kuhl [email protected] (858) 547-9887New Member Mentor Dan Kiser Mentor @sdaa.org (858) 922-0592Webmaster Jeff Stevens [email protected] (858) 566-2261AISIG Dave Wood [email protected] (858) 735-8808Site Acquisition -Vacant- [email protected] Field Trips -Vacant- [email protected] Grants/Fund Raising Jerry Hilburn [email protected] (858) 877-3103Julian StarFest Hillary Griffith [email protected] (619) 890-5267Merchandising Alice Harvey [email protected] (858) 622-1481Publicity -Vacant- [email protected] Loaner Scopes Ed Rumsey (858) 722-3846 Governing Documents TBDTDS Network Dave Wood [email protected] (858) 735-8808Amateur Telescope Making Peter De Baan [email protected] (760) 745-0925
Have a great new piece of gear? Read an astronomy-related book that you think others should know about? How about a photograph of an SDAA Member in action? Or are you simply tired of seeing these Boxes in the Newsletter rather than something, well, interesting?
Join the campaign to rid the Newsletter of little boxes by sharing them with the membership. In return for your efforts, you will get your very own by line or pho-tograph credit in addition to the undying gratitude of the Newsletter Editor. Just send your article or picture to [email protected].
SDAA Editorial StaffEditor - Andrea [email protected]
Assistant Editor: Craig Ewing
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Astronomy Club Article June 2015
No Surprise! Earth’s Strongest Gravity Lies Atop The Highest Mountains
By Ethan Siegel Put more mass beneath your feet and feel the downward acceleration due to gravity increase. Newton's law of universal gravitation may have been superseded by Einstein's, but it still describes the gravitational force and acceleration here on Earth to remarkable precision. The acceleration you experience is directly proportional to the amount of mass you "see," but inversely proportional to the distance from you to that mass squared. The denser the mass beneath your feet, the stronger the gravitational force, and when you are closer to such a mass, the force is even greater. At higher elevations or even higher altitudes, you'd expect your gravitational force to drop as you move farther from Earth's center. You'd probably also expect that downward acceleration to be greater if you stood atop a large mountain than if you flew tens of thousands of feet above a flat ocean, with nothing but ultra-light air and liquid water beneath you for all those miles. In fact this is true, but not just due to the mountain’s extra mass! Earth is built like a layer-cake, with the less dense atmosphere, ocean, and crust floating atop the denser mantle, which in turn floats atop the outer and inner cores of our planet. An iceberg’s buoyancy is enough to lift only about one tenth of it above the sea, with the other nine tenths below the surface. Similarly, each and every mountain range has a corresponding "invisible mountain" that dips deep into the mantle. Beneath the ocean floor, Earth's crust might be only three to six miles thick, but it can exceed 40 miles in thickness around major mountain ranges like the Himalayas and the Andes. It’s where one of Earth’s tectonic plates subducts beneath another that we see the largest gravitational anomalies: another confirmation of the theory of continental drift. A combination of instruments aboard NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites, including the SuperSTAR accelerometer, the K-band ranging system and the onboard GPS receiver, have enabled the construction of the most accurate map of Earth's gravitational field ever: to accelerations of nanometers per second squared. While the mountaintops may be farther from Earth's center than any other point, the extra mass of the mountains and their roots – minus the mass of the displaced mantle – accounts for the true gravitational accelerations we actually see. It's only by the grace of these satellites that we can measure this to such accuracy and confirm what was first conjectured in the 1800s: that the full layer-cake structure of Earth must be accounted for to explain the gravity we experience on our world!
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Astronomy Club Article June 2015
Image credit: NASA / GRACE mission / Christoph Reigber, et al. (2005): An Earth gravity field model complete to degree and order 150 from GRACE: EIGEN-GRACE02S, Journal of Geodynamics 39(1),1–10. Reds indicate greater gravitational anomalies; blues are smaller ones.
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MEMBERSHIP INFORMATIONSend dues and renewals to P.O. Box 23215, San Diego, CA 92193-3215. Include any renewal cards from Sky & Telescope or Astronomy magazine in which you wish to continue your subscription. The expiration date shown on your newsletter’s mailing label is the only notice that your membership in SDAA will expire. Dues are $60 for Contributing Memberships; $35 for Basic Membership; $60.00 for Private Pads; $5 for each Family membership. In addition to the club dues the annual rates for magazines available at the club discount are: Sky & Telescope $32.95 and Astronomy $34. Make checks payable to S.D. Astronomy Assn. PLEASE DO NOT send renewals directly to Sky Publishing. They return them to us for processing.