Download at th e planetarium

the newslette r o f th e
QUEEN ELIZABET H PLANETARIU M
and the
EDMONTON CENTRE, RAS C
JUNE/JULY 198 1
75$
•Sunset ove r La s Campanas
Journey to the stars this summer
at the
Queen Elizabeth Planetarium
A GALAX Y CD F ONE
People used to believe in demons and dragons. Now these beasts have been replaced by
a modem mythological creatur e — the alien from outer space. Are there intelligent beings
out there? Is there life on other planets? So me recent research suggests that we may live in a
galaxy of one.
SUMMER STARLIGHT
During the summer months people journey to far away places on their vocations. But have
you eve r explored the sky above you eac h and ever y night? In "Summer Starlight" we'll
point out the prominent planets , stars, and constellations visible during summer.
A FANTAS Y OF STAR S
A special show for special people, children ages 3 - 7, "A Fantasy of Stars" follows the
adventures of Harold the Hero as he searches for Queen Cassiopeia, the only person who
can sav e his planet calle d Noctophobia wher e everyone is afraid of the dark.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL
455-0119
Stardust
JUNE/JULY 198 1
Vol. 2 6 No . 4
The Souther n Skie s o f the Ande s Kare
n Finsta d
This region is one of the world's best astronomical sites; the dry air and
climate provid e marvefousl y clea r an d steady seeing .
12
Radio Astronom y fo r the Amateu r Dav
e Beal e
If you are interested in this area it can be very rewarding sinc e it is a field of
investigation rarel y attempte d b y amateurs .
14
Constructing an Astrograph ...Dav
e Belche r
Wouldn't i t be nice to cove r one hundred squar e degree s o f the sky on a
single exposur e wit h a scale o f 1 ° pe r inch ?
Editor
Alan Dye r
Assistant Editor
Sttwirt Kry»k o
Contributing
Editors
T*d Cad!« n
John Haut t
Dan Holmgre n
Andrew Low*
Rod McConnsll
Anthony Whyt e
Typesetting
Lorna Milllgan
2
4
6
17
18
21
23
25
The Fron t Pag e Fro
Discoveries Astronom
Astronomy Basic s Wher
RASC New s
General Meetin g Notic e
At th e Planetariu m
Look Bac k Tim e 5
What's Up ? Sagittariu
m the Editor's Termina l
y New s Update
e is the Moon Tonight ?
0 and 100 Years Ago
s
Graphic Arts
Dave Btlche r
Rick Corrtga n
Printed by
The City Of
EDMONTON
Parks an d
Recreation
COVER: Ther e ar e a fe w location s i n th e worl d considere d the bes t site s fo r
astronomical observing . One of these i s the western peaks of the Chilean Andes. The
Europeans an d American s al l hav e installation s i n thi s area , a s doe s Canada . Th e
University of Toronto operates a small 61cm telescope at Las Campanas. Depicted on
the front cover i s a sunset ove r one o f th e La s Campanas domes. In this issue, Karen
Finstad tells u s what i t i s like to observ e from that souther n latitude.
STARDUST, the newsletter of the Queen Elizabeth Planetarium and the Edmonton Centre, RASC, is
published bi-monthly and is available free to all members of the Royal Astronomical Society of
Canada, Edmonton Centre as a benefit of membership. Single copies are available at the Planetarium
Bookstore for 75c. STARDUST is also available by subscription for $4.50per year for 6 issues ($9.00
for two years for 12 issues). Please make all cheques or money orders payable to: The Queen
Elizabeth Planetarium. Write to: The Editor, STARDUST; do Queen Elizabeth Planetarium: CN
Tower Wtti Floor; 10004 - 104 Avenue: Edmonton, Alberta, T5J QK1. Unsolicited articles or
photographs pertaining to any aspect of astronomy are welcome.
From The Editor's Terminal
Ihe
froAl
page
As in previous years, the summer is once again shaping up to be a
busy time for amateu r astronomers in the Edmonto n area . There i s
certainly no lack of things t o do, places to go, conventions to attend,
and projects to work on. For example, in this issu e you'll find details
on 3 astronomical events, eac h locate d at a different "mountain. "
First, i s th e annua l Summe r Solstic e Celebratio n a t Buc k
Mountain. A s everyon e likel y know s b y now , perpetua l twiligh t
essentially prevent s any observin g (othe r tha n luna r an d planetary
work) aroun d solstic e time. Instead , we utilize ou r observin g site at
Buck for a night-time campfir e gathering, weiner roast, and outdoor
party. Everyon e i s invited, For mor e information, call Ted Cadien at
Secondly, ove r th e Augus t lon g weekend , amateur s fro m th e
Edmonton and Calgary Centres and from the Medicine Hat Club are
planning t o gathe r o n top o f 8000-foot Platea u Mountain fo r 2 or 3
nights of first-class deep-sky bberving. Plateau is about 150km southwest of Calgary in the Livingsto n Range of the Rockies. The scenery
alone i s wort h th e visit . Fo r mor e details , phon e Dav e Beal e a t
4740811.
Thirdly, i f yo u ar e no t heading down t o Platea u on the August
long weekend , why not make a trip out to Riding Mountai n Nationa l
Park i n Manitoba ? Th e Winnipe g Centr e is hostin g the "Manitob a
Astronomical Convention " ami d th e beautifu l lake s an d wood s of
Riding Mountain . Th e skie s ar e sai d t o b e ver y dark . Fo r mor e
information, contact , Gu y Westcott , Winnipeg Centre , RASC , c/ o
P.O. Bo x 174 , St. James P.O., Winnipeg, Manitoba , R3 J 3R4.
On to p o f al l thes e events , don' t forge t th e RAS C Genera l
Assembly in Victoria June 26 - 29. See your recent issues of the RASC
National Newsletter fo r information .
During th e summer , wor k wil l als o continu e o n preparin g th e
Buck Mountai n sit e fo r th e establishmen t o f ou r observin g
headquarters ou t there . I t no w look s a s i f th e Centre wil l b e
purchasing a n ATCO-style trailer uni t for placemen t at Buck, rather
than constructin g a building from scratch o r from a kit. Assistanc e
from Centre members on this project and on the construction of our
45cm (17.5") Dobsonia n scope would be welcome. Again, phone Ted
Cadien.
The last item I wish to bring to your attention is the new format for
our bac k cover . I n a n attemp t t o presen t a cleare r pictur e o f
astronomical activities aroun d Edmonton , I hav e switche d t o a n
actual calendar , wit h meetings , observin g sessions , planetariu m
show premieres , etc. marke d for a 3-month period . Eve n i f the next
issue o f Stardust shoul d arriv e late , yo u shoul d stil l hav e th e
information on events for tha t month .
Deadline fo r th e August/Septembe r issu e i s th e Jun e 2 2
Observer's Corne r meeting .
CLEAR SKIE S
Alan Dye r
HOURS:
8:30am-4:30pm
'• i/-\f- \ i- p
6:30pm - 9:00pm
lues - Sun
1:30pm -4:00pm
So" an a Sur ,
Ph.:455-0119
BOOKS FO R THE AMATEUR ASTRONOMER:
E
The Star s Belong to Everyon e (Hogg)
Astronomy with Binoculars (Muirden)
Telescopes for Skygazing (Paul)
Outer Space Photograph y (Paul)
How To Read The Night Sky (Kals)
Edmund Sk y Guide
1981 RAS C Observer's Handbook
BurnhanYs Celestial Handbooks Vol.1 - 3
Webb Society Handbooks: Vol.1 Double Stars
Vol.2 Nebula e
Norton's Star Atla s
Seasonal Star Charts
ASTRONOMY magazin e (monthly)
CARLWETZLAR BINOCULARS :
7 power x 50mm
8 powe r x 40mm
MEADE 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope:
Special Introductor y Pric e
Basic Telescope
Package (incl . Meade Wedge and Tripod)
$'
cli/coucnc/
o/tronomy" new/ updat e
MOVING INT O SPAC E ?
A numbe r o f recen t magazin e article s
and new s items have mentioned th e risin g
interest i n space and astronomy among th e
general public . Thi s is , of course , becaus e o f
the fantasti c results o f the Voyage r mission s
and the successful flight o f th e first Spac e
Shuttle, Columbia . Al l thi s pay s dividends i n
increased suppor t for astronomical research
both o n Eart h an d i n space. The Space
Telescope i s slated to g o int o operatio n i n
the mid-1980's , an d will enormousl y expan d
our horizons . Add t o this th e existing orbital
observatories plu s th e space astronomy
programs no w i n the plannin g stage s and th e
future of astronom y look s ver y promising .
However, al l this lead s u s to anothe r
point — telescopes ar e not th e onl y thing s
about t o g o int o orbit . Th e Sola r Power
Satellite (SP S for short ) i s being haile d as the
ultimate solution t o th e energy crisis . What i s
an SPS ? I t i s a sheet of sola r cell s several
kilometers o n a side, locate d i n a 24-hou r
orbit abou t 35,000k m out. It s function i s to
convert sunligh t int o microwave s which are
then beame d back t o eart h an d converted to
electricity.
That's th e goo d part ; what follows ar e the
parts tha t hurt . A n SP S will b e BRIGHT. Very
bright — so muc h s o that i t ma y even be
visible i n the daytime . Remembe r Echo I ,
Skylab an d all the other larg e artificia l
objects i n space? SP S will approac h the
brightness of the moon in the crescent
phase. What' s more, i f thing s g o a s planned,
there won' t b e just on e or tw o sittin g ou t i n
space, there ma y b e ten o r dozens , o r man y
more. I n fact, a recent articl e i n a certain
popular scienc e magazin e enthusiasticall y
predicted a entire bel t of the things encircling
the eart h busil y beamin g power to an energy-
starved world. Wha t they didn' t mentio n were
the amateu r and professiona l astronomers
foaming a t the mout h becaus e they can n o
longer se e the sk y — only a line o f painfull y
bright solar powe r satellite s hanging over th e
equator, washin g out th e stars.
These prediction s may b e i n th e same
class a s the "airplan e i n every garage" type
that appeare d regularly i n the pul p
magazines i n th e 1940' s o r the y ma y b e as
inevitable a s cloud o n a Saturday night, bu t i t
is alarmin g t o conside r ou r observin g
activities comin g to a final, abrupt end .
Move int o space ? We may hav e to.
-- reprinte d from Saskatoon Skies,
newsletter of the Saskatoon Centre, RASC
DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER
Tiny crystal s of diamon d hav e recentl y
been found i n a 10.4-kg iro n meteorite
collected from th e Antarctic ic e cap in 1977 .
The discover y was reported i n Nature b y Ro y
S. Clark e Jr., Danie l Applebaum, an d Daphn e
Ross, al l o f th e Smithsonia n Institution .
This i s only th e secon d iron-typ e
meteorite discovere d to hav e diamond s
within it . The other i s the Canyo n
Diablo meteorit e whic h forme d th e mile-wide
Barringer Meteo r Crate r i n norther n
Arizona some 20,000 years ago. Th e
diamonds withi n i t ar e believed to hav e been
produced by the shock pressure of impac t
when i t hit th e earth . Th e Antarctic meteorite ,
on the othe r hand , i s much smalle r an d
would no t hav e produced sufficien t shock
when it hit the earth . The diamonds in it
therefore mus t b e the resul t o f som e great
collision that too k plac e within th e asteroi d
belt man y million s of year s ago .
geological structure s for oi l an d ga s reserves,
an ai r pollutio n measuremen t experiment
designed t o ma p distribution o f carbo n
monoxide i n the atmosphere , and a device to
survey lightnin g storm s a t nigh t an d durin g
the day .
ANOTHER ON E BITE S TH E DUS T
In mid-Augus t th e Shuttl e wil l agai n b e rolle d out ,
ready fo r a September 30 launch. Technicians report
that Columbia was relatively unscathe d by Its maiden
flight i n April.
COLUMBIA'S ENCOR E
Columbia's secon d flight , no w schedule d
for lat e September, will b e a first — the firs t
time a spacecraft has flown twice. Th e Spac e
Shuttle Columbi a i s no w bac k a t Cap e
Canaveral fo r refurbishing , wit h astronaut s
Dick Engl e an d Richar d Truly trainin g fo r
what wil l be their first spaceflight, a 4-da y
mission.
The payloa d for th e second Shuttl e
mission i s also bein g prepared . Calle d OSTA1 (fo r NASA' s Office of Spac e an d Terrestrial
Applications whic h i s providing mos t o f th e
seven experiments) , the packag e will
demonstrate th e Shuttle' s capabilit y a s a
platform fo r scientifi c research . The
experiments ar e concerned with remot e
sensing o f lan d resources , atmospheri c
phenomena and ocean conditions . Include d
are: an imagin g rada r devic e to ma p
NASA's secon d "Hig h Energ y Astronom y
Observatory" o r HEAO-2 , ha s ended it s
mission, it s supply o f contro l ga s exhausted.
With 2 9 months o f operatio n t o it s credit ,
HEAO-2 performe d mor e than twic e a s long
as it s desig n calle d for , a feat expecte d t o b e
equalled b y HEAO- 3 whic h i s still i n
operation.
HEAO-2 carrie d th e world's larges t
focusing X-ra y telescop e an d performe d
thousands o f observation s of X-ra y stars,
supernova remnants , galaxies and quasars.
The forme r Observatory i s expected t o re enter an d bur n u p i n the atmospher e
sometime i n 1982 .
READYING TH E INFRA-RE D EY E
There ha s been muc h publicit y alread y
surrounding th e Spac e Telescope schedule d
for Shuttl e launc h late r thi s decade . Bu t
another orbitin g astronomica l telescope, one
designed fo r wor k i n the infra-re d spectrum ,
is nearin g completion , an d wil l b e launche d
in August , 198 2 via a Delta rocket.
The Infra-Re d Astronomica l Satellite, or
IRAS, ha s a 60cm mirror , on e capabl e o f
detecting perhap s a million infra-re d sources.
It will locat e thousand s o f ne w quasars,
whose ligh t i s 1 1 to 1 2 billion year s ol d an d
comes fro m th e earl y universe . I t will loo k
into th e dust-hidde n centr e o f ou r galaxy,
detect "invisible " coo l star s nea r th e earth ,
and i n our ow n sola r syste m locat e ne w
asteroids an d possibl e ne w outer planets .
Half o f the IRAS' s observing tim e will be
devoted t o a comprehensive infra-re d sk y
survey an d catalogue.
<i/lioiiomy bo/ic /
inhere i / th e moo n tonigh t ?
Most readers of this column wilt be aware of
the monthly cycle of the moon's phases and the
cause o f thos e phases . It's a topic a littl e to o
basic fo r thi s department . Bu t hav e you eve r
stopped to figure out the geometry of where the
moon i s in the sk y at various phases? You may
know wh y th e moo n i s full; bu t d o yo u kno w
where to find the full moon? Or the last quarter?
Will th e ful l moo n o f summer be at a different
location in the sky than the full moon of winter?
Most diagram s illustratin g luna r phases
depict th e lunar orbi t from a vantage point well
above th e earth's north pole . We see the moon
revolving abou t th e eart h a s som e spac e
traveller migh t vie w it . Bu t tr y t o switc h you r
vantage point to one on the surface of the earth,
THIS DIAGRAM SHOWS
THE SKY AS SEE N AT
SUNSET ON SEVERAL
SUCCESSIVE EVENING S
TO SHOW HOW THE MOON
TRAVERSES THE SK Y AS
IT ORBITS THE EARTH.
looking out into space. What do we actually see
as the mont h progresses ?
At ne w moon , th e moo n an d su n ar e very
close t o eac h othe r i n th e sky . The y ar e i n a
nearly straight lin e (only a perfectly straight line
during a solar eclipse) . A s the day s go by , the
separation betwee n th e moo n an d su n
increases. A t th e crescen t phas e some 3 to 4
days after new, the moon is about30° -50° from
the sun. In which direction? The moon iseasfof
the sun . Eac h day the moo n move s about 13 °
further alon g it s orbit ; i t move s counter clockwise as seen from above the north pole, or
from west to eas t as seen from earth .
At first quarter, the moo n i s 90° away from
the sun . Two week s after new , th e moo n ha s
FIRST QUARTER
€
7 Days
After NE W
GIBBOUS
>
10 Day s
After NE W
CRESCENT
•^Distance Abov e
Horizon i n Degree s
Is Moon' s Altitud e
(3 Day s
After NE W
90°
FROM THI S DIAGRA M ON E CA N SE E
THAT THE FULL MOON.BEING 180°
OPPOSITE THE SUN,RISE S A T SUN SEI. TH E FIRS T QilARJEg MOON,
90 EAST OF THE SUN,I S DU E
SOUTH A T SUNSET,WHIL E TH E THI N
CRESCENT MOO N APPEAR S LO W I N
RISING FUL L MOO N
14 Day s Afte r NE W MOO N THE WEST. THE WAXIN G CRESCEN T
AND QUARTE R MOO N CA N ALSO BE
SEEN A T MID-DA Y EAS T OF THE SUN
SETTING SUN
moved onc e agai n int o a nearl y straigh t lin e
with th e eart h an d sun , but thi s time opposite
the sun. It is now at full phase, 180° from the sun
in th e sky . Ho w d o thes e angles translat e into
what w e actually see ?
—The 3 or 4-day old crescent moon is seen
in the western sky after sunset, setting perhap s
1 to 4 hours afte r th e sun.
—The firs t quarte r moo n i s du e sout h a t
sunset, and won't se t until at least 6 hours after
sunset.
—The 10-da y old "gibbous " moo n i s in the
south-east sk y a t sunset and wil l remai n i n the
sky fo r mos t o f th e night .
—The full moon , bein g 180 ° from th e sun,
rises i n the east directly opposite the sun as the
sun sets . Conversely , the ful l moo n wil l se f as
the sun rise s th e nex t day.
—The last quarte r moo n i s also 90° awa y
from the sun, but to the west. The moon a t this
phase rise s near midnigh t an d i s due sout h a s
the sun comes up . The last quarter moon won't
set unti l mid-day .
Got i t s o far ? Knowin g th e angl e between
the moo n an d su n i s enoug h t o giv e yo u a n
approximate idea of where to find the moon and
when t o expec t i t t o se t o r rise . T o b e mor e
precise, however , require s a knowledg e o f
where th e rnoo n i s on the ecliptic.
Most people are familiar with the fact that in
summer th e su n i s hig h i n th e sky , while i n
winter the sun traverses the sky at a low altitude.
This is due to the tilt of the earth's equator at an
angle o f 23.5 ° wit h respec t t o th e plan e o f it s
orbit around th e sun. The orbit of the moon also
lies in more or les s the same plane as the earth's
orbit. (Actually, the moon can b e as much as 5°
north or south of the earth's orbital or "ecliptic"
plane, bu t thi s i s not critica l t o ou r discussio n
here.) I n short, the moon essentially follows the
same pat h acros s the sk y a s does th e sun.
But i f th e su n i s hig h o n th e eclipti c (a t a
declination of+23.5° ) as it is at summer solstice
time, where will the full moo n be ? Again, it wil l
be 180° opposit e the sun. This place s it low on
the eclipti c nea r the sun's winter solstice point
(at a declination of about -23.5°). The summer
full moon s ar e alway s ver y lo w i n th e sky,
something t o kee p i n min d whe n plannin g fo r
the July , 198 2 total eclipse of th e moon .
Sum. Solstice
..-.*...
N
MOON ALWAY S FOUN D
NEAR TH E ECLIPTI C I N
STIPPLED ZON E
I Eq .
360°
CELESTIAL
EQUATOR
Just th e opposite is true i n winter. The sun
is alway s a t a lo w altitude , bu t th e ful l moo n
rides hig h int o the winte r nigh t sky .
Now think about the first quarter moon for a
moment. At verna l equinox tim e aroun d March
21, the first quarter moon wil l b e 90° east of the
sun. Thi s place s i t hig h i n th e sk y nea r th e
summer solstic e poin t o n th e ecliptic . Th e
spring i s a good tim e t o photograp h the firs t
quarter moo n sinc e i t i s nea r it s maximu m
altitude fo r th e year . The sam e applies t o th e
last quarter moon in the autumn season, though
you'd hav e t o ge t u p earl y i n th e mornin g t o
catch it .
Understanding wh y th e moo n appear s
where i t doe s ca n b e a difficul t concep t t o
grasp; i t require s yo u t o translat e word s an d
2-dimensional diagram s t o a 3-dimensiona l
sky. Bu t onc e yo u hav e th e pictur e straight ,
you'll b e wel l o n you r wa y t o understandin g
how the sk y works .
~ Alan Dyer
La Slll a I n Chil e Is home t o a large collectio n of telescope s operated b y the Europea n Souther n Observatory . La Sllla, Las
Campanas, an d the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observator y are the 3 main astronomical site s In Chile. All photos with this
article by the author .
The
Southern Skies
of the
Andes
Three observatorie s are locate d on the pea k o f U s Campanas — a 1-metre and a 2.5-metre telescop e operated by the Carnegie
Institution, an d a .61-metr e operate d b y the Universit y o f Toronto fo r Canadian astronomers.
by
Karen Finstad
I
t take s almos t thre e day s t o trave l fro m
Toronto t o the U. of T. Southern Observatory
at Las Campanas, Chile. The 16-hourflightto
Santiago has one stopover in Lima, Peru, and so
that i s wher e I firs t se t foo t i n th e souther n
hemisphere, on June 7 of last summer. Not that
there is much to see in the Lim a airport at 5 a.m.
local time. I spent mos t of the 2 hour wait poring
over m y Spanis h phras e book .
In thos e tw o hour s I had plent y o f time t o
memorize many useful phrases ("I do not speak
Spanish" an d "Wher e i s the washroom? " wer e
my personal favorites), all of which deserted me
completely on arrival in Santiago. After a rather
unsettling encounte r wit h a porter , I wa s
shepherded safel y to th e hote l b y Alan Boyce,
U. of T. Resident Astronomer at Las Campanas,
and Jos e Mazas , a former U. of T. graduate and
astronomer a t the Universit y o f Chile .
The followin g da y I ha d tim e t o explor e
some of Santiago b y foot before the 6 hour bus
ride nort h t o L a Serena, th e closes t cit y t o the
observatory. It is also the location for the off ices
and gues t house s o f th e America n Carnegi e
Foundation's Souther n Observatory . CARSO is
the prinicpl e occupan t o n La s Campanas ,
operating tw o larg e telescope s an d a lodge '
there.
Early the next mornin g w e departed o n the
final leg , anothe r lon g bu t sceni c drive ,
paralleling th e coast and providing lovel y views
of th e ocea n befor e turnin g eas t int o highe r
country.
Access to the observatory i s via a winding,
rocky roa d whic h enter s th e Atacam a Deser t
and then climbs steeply and dangerously u p the
approximately 210 0 metre s t o th e to p o f La s
Campanas. Drivin g throug h th e bare ,
multicoloured hill s wit h th e sno w covere d
Andes risin g i n th e distanc e wa s particularl y
striking. Th e man y colour s (pinks , greens ,
violets and yellows) in the surrounding hill s was
due no t t o vegetatio n bu t t o th e abundan t
variety o f mineral s i n the rocks .
The thre e dome s o f th e observator y ar e
spread i n a ro w acros s the hummock y summi t
of th e "mountain" . Th e smalles t dome i s the U.
of T.' s .61-metr e (24"), whil e th e large r dome s
house th e 1-metr e (40" ) an d th e 2.5-metr e
{100") CARS O telescopes . Als o o n th e
mountain i s th e comfortabl e CARS O lodge ,
containing livin g an d eatin g spac e fo r th e
astronomers an d maintenanc e people . Th e
U n i v e r s i t y o f T o r o n t o ha s it s ow n
accommodation, know n a s Cas a Canadiense,
not fa r fro m ou r dome .
The Canadia n telescop e i s a 61cm Ealin g
which, accordin g t o th e extensive diaries kep t
at Casa Canadiense for the last 7 years, was the
source o f man y headache s i n th e earl y years.
However, everything ran perfectly smoothly fo r
me, a t leas t mechanically . Th e weathe r wa s
another matter .
The seeing conditions during m y first night
on the mountai n rule d out photometry , bu t the
sky wa s clea r enoug h fo r som e sigh t seeing.
And quite spectacular sights they were, too, for
from the latitude of-29° the bright star clouds of
the Galacti c centr e ar e almos t directl y
overhead a t tha t tim e o f year . Th e Larg e an d
Small Magellani c Clouds , th e Souther n Cross ,
a and /3Centauri,Scorpius, the Coalsack.the (}
Cen an d ' 1 Carin a clusters , Jupiter , Mars ,
Saturn; eve n th e zodiaca l ligh t an d a fe w
noctilucent cloud s wer e all visibl e that night .
This regio n i s on e o f th e world' s bes t
astronomical sites ; th e dr y ai r an d climat e
provide marvelousl y clear and steady seeing —
most o f th e time , tha t is . Naturally , I arrive d
there i n th e middl e o f th e worst winter anyon e
had eve r seen . I t actuall y raine d 2 o r 3 times
during m y run , whic h i s quite unhear d of .
In between the fog and the clouds I had less
than a handfu l o f photometri c nights , an d a s
many agai n w h i c h wer e suitabl e fo r
spectroscopic observations . Needles s t o say ,
my photometri c progra m o f Cephei d variabl e
observations barel y go t of f th e ground . Bu t
every cloud, i f you'll forgive the cliche, brings a
silver lining , o r a t leas t a golden sunset , and I
did se e some grea t ones . An d o n th e clearest
days whe n th e atmospher e wa s ver y steady,
sunset on the sharp horizon line of the ocean 80
km away provided perfec t conditions fo r seeing
the Gree n Flash .
This i s a rare atmospheric effect caused by
refraction o f th e sun' s imag e int o severa l
overlapping images of different colours with the
green imag e o n top . (Th e blu e wavelengths
have bee n scattered by atmospheric particles. )
At th e las t instan t befor e th e su n set s
completely belo w th e horizon , th e uppermos t
green ri m become s visible for a few seconds . I *
was able to see the Green Flas h on half a dozen
occasions, bu t i t i s a difficul t effec t t o
Casa Canadiens e I s the smal l
residence buildin g for Canadian
astronomers usin g the
.61-metre U . of T. telescop e
at La s Campanas.
10
The exterio r o f th e 3.6-metr e telescop e a t th e
European Souther n Observator y a t L a Sflla , Chile.
The 3.6-metr e ES O reflector , a n Impressiv e
telescope use d b y a consortium o f 1 0 nations.
photograph, and al l o f m y attempt s failed.
During m y 3 wee k observin g run , a
succession o f astronomer s usin g th e CARS O
telescopes came and went. The 1-metre is used
very often for infra-red observations and was all
but burie d i n cryogeni c coolin g equipmen t
when I saw it. The 2.5-metre Dupont telescop e
is a beautifu l instrument , an d it s optic s an d
mechanical desig n ar e amon g th e bes t
anywhere. I wa s show n a contact prin t mad e
from on e o f th e hug e photographi c plate s
(about 5 0 c m square , f think ) take n wit h thi s
telescope which ha d undistorted stellar images
almost t o th e very edge of th e plate .
Practically "next door " to Las Campanas is
the saddl e shape d pea k o f L a Silla, site o f th e
European Souther n Observatory . It s larges t
dome, housing the 3.6-metre, is just visible as a
white spec k fro m Campanas . On e afternoon I
drove ove r wit h anothe r visitin g graduat e
student, Mathe w Malka n fro m Caltech .
Operated jointl y b y abou t 1 0 Europea n
countries, ES O i s a mos t impressiv e place .
There i s a smal l villag e a t th e bas e o f th e
mountain fo r maintenanc e crews, and another
at the top for visitin g astronomers and resident
scientists an d technicians . Th e optica l
collection includes , beside s the 3.6-metre, two
1.5-metre telescopes, 8 or 9 smaller telescopes
of various sizes and purposes, and one contact
lens, whic h I managed t o los e during th e tour.
The Universit y of Toronto's observator y in
Chile i s unquestionabl y a valuabl e an d
productive researc h instrument . However , the
University i s no w strugglin g t o kee p u p th e
operation i n th e fac e of drasticall y increasin g
costs. I t i s to b e hoped tha t th e facilit y wil l b e
available t o Canadia n astronomer s fo r a lon g
time t o come , an d tha t othe r student s lik e
myself wil l continu e t o b e offere d th e
opportunity t o wor k there . Bu t I wis h the m
better luc k wit h th e weather.
11
Radio
flstronomu
for th e
flmateur
by
Dave Beal e
L
et's take a look at the prospects for amateur
observations in the radio spectrum. To be
successful i n jus t detecting objects , th e
amateur must :
1. construct o r bu y relativel y large antennas
2. construct o r bu y ver y sensitiv e electronics
3. operate the abov e i n isolate d areas.
The majorit y o f radi o object s hav e signal
strengths o f onl y a few "Janskys" (1 Jansky =
10-24 w/m2/Hz). I f a 10 metre diameter parabolic
reflector i s constructed t o operat e at 150 MHz,
we coul d expec t t o receiv e fro m a n averag e
celestial source, 10~ 16 Watts. Ordinary receivers
wouldn't notic e this low signal level , since they
have typical "nois e floors" o f about 1O' 15 Watts.
The objects observabl e b y amateur equipmen t
are listed in the Observer's Handbook.
These ar e the mos t powerfu l objects . Fo r
the deep-sk y source s on th e list , th e amateu r
should b e well-verse d i n radi o electronics ,
antenna fundamentals, and should be willing to
spend amount s o f money equivalen t t o buyin g
optical equipment. I f you ar e interested i n this
area i t ca n b e ver y rewardin g (jus t t o detec t
something ! ) since i t i s a field of investigatio n
rarely attempted by amateurs. Little or no useful
work assistin g professional s ca n be seen her e
IS
for now , however.
Equipment ma y be purchased (see Sky and
Telescope fo r sources ) or can b e found on the
surplus market s an d modified . Du e t o th e
specialized needs, however, the best route is to
build everythin g yourself. The most promisin g
methods for amateurs i s to operate below about
5 GH z (500 0 MHz ) usin g th e bes t affordable
converter an d a n inexpensiv e commercia l
receiver modified fo r bandwidth and detection.
The converte r would contai n a ver y expensiv e
RF amplifier (abou t $500 for parts ) followed by
a loca l oscillator , probably crysta l controlled,
and multiplie d u p t o th e require d frequency.
The goa l i s t o conver t th e receive d signal t o
some lowe r frequenc y tha t i s no t normall y
occupied b y a stron g transmitter , bu t i s
accessible wit h a commercia l receiver . I t i s
possible t o coo l th e converter ; however great
care mus t b e t a k e n du e t o th e
expansioncontraction effects , eve n insid e
components. I t mus t b e emphasize d tha t th e
major portion of the project's expense and work
will b e involved here.
The antenn a can , o n th e othe r hand , b e
constructed fro m scratc h an d eve n a n
interferometer ca n b e easily built (se e Sky an d
Telescope 1978-79) . The output of the receiver
may b e listene d to , measure d an d manuall y
recorded, o r connecte d t o a strip-char t
recorded. But , the antennas are the most fun to
contruct, sinc e ther e i s no t s o muc h
engineering required. I recommend a parabolic
dish fixed on the ground with only the elevation
adjustable, lettin g th e Earth' s rotatio n swee p
the sk y i n azimuth . I t shoul d b e a s bi g a s
possible t o giv e you r electronic s a fightin g
chance, bu t b e carefu l t o kee p i t reasonabl y
rigid. Accurac y o f 1/8t h wavelengt h would b e
fine (1cm at 2700 MHz). The dipole pickup must
be more accurately positoned a t the focal point
of the dish (±1/10 wavelength or better) and can
be accomplished whil e monitorin g th e output.
What you will endupwithisan increase in static
when observin g mos t objects , bu t eve n thi s
result ca n b e quite satisfyin g fo r th e die-har d
radio astronom y fan .
For those wanting to do potentially "useful"
work, ther e ar e a t leas t two possibilities . The
above electronics ma y be constructed a t lowe r
cost with less sensitivity an d used with a smaller
dish tracking the sun in a "solar patrol " mode to
warn o r lear n o f sola r flare s an d long-ter m
cycles. Th e frequenc y ma y b e chose n afte r
careful consideration of the literature. It may be
more usefu l to pic k a frequency not monitore d
by others.
The secon d projec t involve s a n are a w e
specialize i n — aurorae . I n th e October , 198 0
issue of the Journal o f th e R.A.S.C. Coli n Kea y
published a n articl e title d "Audibl e Sound s
Excited b y Aurorae and Meteor Fireballs." The
mechanism of this phenomena is not a t present
well understoo d an d i s stil l controversial .
However i t involve s th e "crackling " o r hissin g
sounds heard sometimes during brightfireballs
or spectacular auroral displays. Keay propose s
VIRGO A
antenna i s directiona l alon g th e plan e o f th e
loop. Wit h thi s setup , whistlers , th e "daw n
chorus", an d other natural phenomen a ma y be
detected. Th e earth' s ionospher e act s a s a
shield, however , so no extra-terrestrial sources
will b e heard . Everythin g hear d come s fro m
below th e ionosphere .
Because this equipment i s so simple, small,
and powe r efficient , i t i s actuall y a portabl e
radio telescope . Also, th e natura l phenomen a
heard ca n b e quit e beautifu l an d interesting ,
certainly mor e audibl y uniqu e tha n mer e hiss
and static . Th e whistler s ar e though t t o b e
caused b y lightnin g radi o energ y bouncin g
back an d fort h betwee n th e eart h an d
f = 238. 5 MH z
Jan. 30 , 198 1
The tracing wa s acquired by amateur astronomer s of the Ottawa Centr e o f the RASC using their interferomete r
Installation at their Indian River Observatory Site. It records th e powerful radio source Virgo A, known to optical
astronomers as the galax y M87. Reprinte d fro m AstroNotes, th e newslette r of the Ottaw a Centre, RASC .
that the "sounds" are generated by radio energy
in th e VL F o r Ver y Lo w Frequenc y spectrum ,
particularly aroun d a frequenc y o f 8 KH z —
audio frequenc y radio waves ! A receiver at this
frequency become s ver y eas y t o construct ,
consisting o f a filte r ( t o remov e 60 H z power
line hu m an d a cut-of f uppe r bandwidt h t o
about 1 2 KHz), followe d b y a high gain audi o
amplifier feedin g a detector an d speaker. The
detector woul d b e connecte d t o a char t
recorder o r mete r fo r recordin g data , th e
speaker merel y fo r monitoring .
The antenn a fo r suc h a devic e woul d b e
rather unique . A conventional half-wav e dipole
would b e almost 19k m long! Instead, we take a
large diamete r (1/ 2 inc h o r so) conductor an d
make a n 8 t o 2 0 tur n loop , abou t 1 metr e i n
diameter. Th e conducto r ma y b e hollo w bu t
should b e very conductive . Aluminu m ca n b e
used bu t coppe r i s better . Th e outpu t ma y be
taken fro m th e tw o end s o f th e loop . Thi s
ionosphere. Th e dawn chorus, as I understand
it, is a plasma event generated in the ionosphere
by th e change s induced b y sunlight strikin g it .
Both thes e phenomen a wer e recorde d a t
Jupiter an d Satur n b y the Voyager spacecraft.
With luck , th e hissin g an d cracklin g o f th e
aurorae an d o f bolide s ma y als o b e detected .
"Listening" fo r meteor s woul d b e bes t
undertaken i n conjunctio n wit h naked-ey e
meteor-watch patrols .
In conclusion , whil e radi o astronom y
requires knowledg e i n field s othe r tha n thos e
normally persue d b y amateu r telescop e
makers, an d require s operating at the limit s of
detection ability , th e reward s ca n b e jus t a s
great a s i n optica l astronom y — and for now ,
more unique. Observing can be done whenever
it is convenient; yo u don't have to be a nightow l
or dependen t o n th e weather , almos t reaso n
enough t o tak e u p radi o astronomy !
Good observing .
13
Consi
Two histori c astrograph s have seen a
great deal of use :
ABOVE is the Metcaif 40-c m
astrograph a t the Harvar d
Observatory's old Agassl z Station .
AT LEF T Is the double astrograph o f
Lick Observatory . It s twin 50-cm
lenses are used to tak e simultaneous
photos I n two colours.
14
ructing an
Astrograph
by
Dave Belcher
I
t ha s bee n th e drea m o f man y amateu r
astronomers t o emulat e th e photographi c
work o f the world's grea t observatories such
as Palomar, Lick, and Kitt Peak. It would appear
that many of these amateurs are now producin g
photographs tha t indee d begi n t o riva l thos e
taken b y th e gian t telescopes , as witness th e
works o f Be n Mayer , Everei d Kreimer , an d
Canada's own Jac k Newton .
These not-so-amateu r amateur s ar e
combining today' s fas t colou r emulsion s wit h
the mos t exoti c technique s t o obtai n
magnificent photograph s o f al l th e Messie r
objects and many of the N.G.C. objects, targets
once thought of as next to impossible t o recor d
in shor t exposure s wit h amateu r telescopes .
However, mos t o f thos e telescope s
produce thei r image s o n a piece of fil m that is
only 2 4 by 36 millimetres (35m m film), which in
most cases represents an area of the sky of 1 ° or
less. I n orde r t o cove r eve n th e norther n
celestial hemispher e a t thi s rate , i t woul d
r e q u i r e mor e tha n 20,00 0 s e p a r a t e
photographs. Wouldn' t it be nice t o cover, say,
one hundre d squar e degree s o f th e sk y o n a
single exposure with an image scale of 1 ° per
inch, usin g a telescope of onl y eigh t inche s i n
aperture? Enter , the astrographic camera.
The astrographi c telescope-camer a
represents a n importan t researc h tool , fo r i t
enables the professiona l astronome r t o obtai n
photographs o f larg e area s o f th e sky , even
larger tha n thos e obtaine d wit h Schmid t
cameras. Fro m thes e larg e plate s h e can sca n
the image for objects that can be photographe d
in greate r detai l an d large r scal e wit h th e bi g
telescopes.
Most o f th e majo r observatorie s hav e
astrographic telescope s fo r makin g broa d sk y
searches. Th e mos t famou s i s th e Carnegi e
double astrograp h a t Lic k Observatory . I t
consists of two 50c m diameter lense s mounte d
in tandem . On e camer a i s loade d wit h
redsensitive emulsion , th e othe r wit h
bluesensitive. Simultaneou s exposure s o f th e
same are a o f th e sk y ca n the n b e obtained a t
different wavelength s and then compared . Th e
Carnegie astrograp h i s on e o f th e world' s
greatest galax y hunter s an d i s als o use d t o
determine th e prope r motion s o f stars . Othe r
notable astrograph s includ e th e 33c m Lowel l
astrograph a t Flagstaff , Arizon a (o n whos e
11
Elements o f a n Astrograp h
EASTMAN KODA K LEN S AS SEMBLY, f/6.3 , 48" f.I. This was used wit h
the K-40 aerial camera, which takes a 9" x 18"
plate. Approximate dimensions : 14" diameter
x 26 " long. Contain s iris . Lense s mounte d in
aluminum housing . Approximat e weigh t o f
unit - 12 5 Ibs.
The astroqraphi c camer a Dav e Belche r i s
building wil l us e th e len s advertise d abov e
Just .i s importan t a s th e optic s i s th e mount ,
and Dav e ha s chose n th e massiv e for k moun t
from Astf O Work s depicte d belo w Tha t i s
not Dav e standin g besid e i t
II
1t
plates Pluto was discovered i n 1930) , the 60cm
Bruce telescop e use d i n Sout h Afric a b y
Harvard Observator y t o sca n th e souther n
skies, an d th e Metcal f 40c m double t a t
Harvard's Agassi z station.
Any camera , onc e i t i s pointed t o th e sky,
becomes a n astrograph . However, i n orde r t o
obtain larg e scale photographs on large plates ,
the camer a require s a bi g len s wit h grea t
covering powe r an d a flat field. Proces s lenses
which ar e perfectl y colour-corrected ,
extremely shar p an d ca n cove r plate s as large
as on e mete r squar e wit h a foca l lengt h o f
1800mm woul d b e ideal, except for one serious
drawback — they ar e very slow, usuall y f/ 9 t o
f/16. Hence , th e aeria l camer a lens .
The astrograp h whic h I a m presentl y
constructing wil l emplo y a ver y larg e len s
system use d i n th e K-4 0 aeria l camera .
Manufactured b y Eastma n Kodak, the len s has
a foca l lengt h o f 48 " o r 1220mm , ha s a n
effective aperture o f f/6.3 an d can cover a plate
of 9 by 1 8 inches. Th e len s weighs in at a hefty
125 pounds, and i s available as a surplus item
from C & H Sales in Pasadena for less than $500.
Holding an d guidin g thi s muc h mas s
requires a very sturdy mount . T o this end I have
opted for th e 30cm (1 2 1/2") Astro-Work s fork
mount. Suspende d betwee n the fork s will be a
cradle structur e fo r th e gian t len s plu s a
platform abov e fo r othe r cameras . Mounte d
beside th e bi g len s will b e the Questa r 7 barrel
assembly whic h wil l b e used fo r guiding .
Initially, I would lik e to us e the astrograph
to compile a large scale photographic sk y atlas
on plate s o f 8 b y 1 0 inches , givin g a fiel d o f
about 7° by 9° on each. This project is expected
to take 3 to 4 years. In addition, m y sky-search
program wil l includ e come t hunting , asteroi d
photography, an d galax y searches , as wel l as
what I hope will b e some excel lent photograph s
of th e Milk y Way .
Not t o b e outdon e b y th e Edmonto n
Centre's ow n 45c m Dobsonia n telescope , I
would lik e t o emplo y th e len s as a Super Ric h
Field Telescope , usin g a giant Ploss l eyepiece
of 55m m foca l length . Wit h a magnificatio n o f
22.5x an d a fiel d o f vie w o f 2.75° , i t shoul d
provide view s of the heavens that are absolutely
entrancing. Completio n i s schedule d fo r lat e
this summer . I can hardly wait .
ici/c new /
Planetarium an d from the Edmonto n Centre.
Your effort s wer e no t i n vain!
THE 2nd ANNUAL RAS C AWARDS
On Saturday , March 21, the Edmonto n
Centre hel d its annual Banque t an d award s
night. A n excellen t talk o n 'Quasars , Sputniks
and th e Continenta l Drift' wa s presented by
Dr. Ed o Nylan d o f th e U . of A .
Ted Cadien, presente d th e Centre' s
series o f award s in recognitio n o f meritorious
achievement durin g th e previou s year.
The award s were as follows:
Two view s o f STARNIGH T '81 , a cloud y bu t stil l
crowded event.
'•
ASTRO—PHOTOGRAPHER O F THE YEAR :
Dave 6ea/e,fo r hi s excellent results in
piggyback an d prim e focus deep sky
photography.
OBSERVER O F THE YEAR :
Andrew Lowe, for hi s continuing progra m of
deep sk y an d
occultation observing, includin g his
marvelous work i n computer analysi s of
eclipses, occultation an d planetary position .
ANGUS SMIT H A W A R D (TELESCOP E
MAKING):
Mark Leenders, fo r hi s
construction of a 15 cm (6" ) f/1 0 refractor.
6 OUT O F 8 ISN'T BAD
Starnight '8 1 over the weeken d of Ma y 8
and 9 was a bit o f a washout thi s year , wit h
clouds bot h night s preventin g an y observing.
Nevertheless, 700 people turned out , viewed
the RAS C and QE P exhibits
and looke d a t the few telescopes tha t wer e
available. On e ca n sa y i t was a qualifie d
success. Thi s i s only th e second tim e i n the 8
Starnights hel d since 197 4 that the even t has
been clouded out, a n excellent record .
We thank everyon e wh o assiste d wit h
this year's Starnight , bot h from th e rank s of th e
PRESIDENT'S AWARD:
Alan Dyer, fo r
service to th e Centr e as editor o f Stardust,
and i n hi s other officia l position s wit h th e
Centre over th e pas t fe w years .
UPDATE O N BUCK
After lookin g a t all the various
possibilities, th e group workin g o n the Buc k
Mountain sit e development ha s concluded
that a n ATCO-style trailer uni t woul d b e the
most suitabl e structur e for Buc k a s the
Centre's observing hut . Th e cos t o f a used
trailer i n the 1 0 x 25 ' range , includin g
transportation costs , i s within ou r budget .
This saves us the wor k o f buildin g a structure
17
from scratch , though som e interio r wor k ma y
still b e needed , plu s th e preparatio n o f a
suitable pa d area.
THE HOWEL L DONATIO N
John Howell , a member o f th e Calgar y
Centre, who ha s been livin g i n the Breto n
area fo r th e pas t fe w year s (nea r Buc k Mtn.) ,
has expressed the desir e to donat e a n
observatory dom e an d massiv e fork moun t
for a 40 cm telescop e t o th e Centre . Thes e
were a t John's acreag e near Breton , bu t a
move t o th e wes t coas t ha s forced hi m t o
dispose o f thes e items . A s o f thi s writing ,
Centre member s hav e no t see n th e dom e an d
mount, bu t will likel y gladl y accep t th e
donations fo r possibl e futur e us e at Buck .
THE MA Y MEETIN G
Once again , we wer e unabl e t o hea r fro m
Dr. Phi l Curr y a t our Ma y Genera l Meeting ,
as Dr . Curr y wa s called ou t o f tow n
unexpectedly. W e thank Joh n Hault , Projec t
Manager fo r th e Edmonto n Spac e Science s
Centre fo r steppin g i n a t the las t minut e wit h
an excellen t talk o n th e ne w planetariu m
facility.
The las t Genera l Meetin g fo r th e curren t
season wil l b e Monday, Jun e 8 , although th e
monthly Observer' s Corners wil l continu e
through Jul y an d August.
The nex t issu e o f Stardust fo r Aug./Sept .
will contai n mor e informatio n o n RAS C
events i n lat e summer an d earl y fall .
OTICE o f GENERA L MEETING S
MONDAY, JUNE 8
Dr. Chris Pritchard , U. of C.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 4
topic to be announced
"The Canada France Hawaii Telescope"
Dr. Pritchard I s wMi the University of Calgary
Physics Dept. and his area of research Is galaxies
and cosmology. Dr. Pritchard will talk on his
experiences observing wrdi the 3.6-metr e CF H
telescope on Maun* Ke a In Hawaii. We'v e heard
talks on how the telescope was constructed, now
well hear more about what It Is like to actuall y
use It. Dr. Pritchard I s our annual exchange
speaker from the Calgary Centre.
Deadlne for the Aug./Sept. Issue of Stardust Is
Monday, Jun e 22 .
Both meeting s at :
8:00 PM ; MUSI C ROOM , EDMONTO N PUBLI C L I B R A R Y
Guests an d member s o f th e publi c ar e welcom e
11
the fourth annual
'
summer solstice
CELEBRATION
TO GET T O BUCK:
TRAVEL WES T O N HWV 3 9
THROUGH CALMAR ,
THORSBV & WARBURG . TUR N
SOUTH (LEFT ) ONT O HWY 1 2
AT ALSIKE . TRAVEL T O
BRETON. JUS T SOUT H O F
BRETON, TUR N WES T
(RIGHT) ONT O PROV .
5ECONDARV ROA D 616 (BUC K
CGEEKC9AD}. TRAVE L
!7.5KM (HMD. TURN SOUTH
(LEFT), 6 0 5.9K M (3. 7 Ml.)
TO TH E ENTRANC E ROA D T O
SITE O N TH E EAS T SID E O F
THE MOUNTAIN. DRIV E I N ON
THE DIRT ROAD .
fit Buc k mountain, Saturday* June 20 starting at 9:oopm
EVERVONE I S INVITE D TO THIS ANNUAL EVENIN G OF MERRIMENT.
BRING VOU R OW N FOOD AN D REFRESHMENTS. THER E WILL BE LOT S OF WOO D FO R THE
CAMPFIRE. FO R MORE INFORMATION , PLEAS E PHONE TED CADIEN AT
OR
. MAP S WIL L B E AVAILABLE AT TH E JUNE GENERA L MEETING.
10
*A
*B
WEEkEN d o f dEEp'sk y obsERviN q AT AN AlmudE of OVE R 8000 fEET , WIT H MEMBER S of TH E ECJMONTO N ANd
CENTRES AN d o f TH E McdiciN E HA T Club I N
E pREpAREd fo R A WEEkENd o f SElf'SuffiCJEN T pRJMITJV E CAMpJNq UNdE R VERy dARk fklES. IT CAN qET QUJTE
COOl A T NJqH T A S WEll!
it FO
R MOR E JNfORMANON , O R fo R dJRECTIONS , plEAS E pHON E DAV E BEA U A T
AVAJUbU A T ThE O.C . MEETJNq
S pRJO R T O Th
. MApS SHOUl d
at th e planetariu m
Our curren t featur e production Death o f
the Dinosaurs continue s it s popula r ru n unti l
Sunday, Jun e 14 . Beginning Tuesday , June
16 at 8:00 pm an d runnin g unti l the Labou r
Day weeken d in September , will b e ou r
perennial summe r classic, Summer Starlight.
This progra m i s a liv e lecture o n th e stars ,
constellations an d feature s of th e summer
sky. However , this sho w i s our secondary
program fo r th e summer . Beginnin g Friday ,
June 2 6 at 8:00 pm i s our ne w majo r feature,
A Galaxy o f One. This wil l ru n throughou t
the summe r month s a t 3 pm an d 8 pm every
day {includin g holidays) , with Summer
Starlight revertin g t o a 9 pm slot .
A Galaxy o f On e ha s bee n writte n fo r u s
by Pau l Deans , no w o f th e Mclaughli n
Planetarium staf f i n Toronto. Th e progra m
looks a t the possibilit y o f extra-terrestria l life.
Same old stuff, you say ? Not so , becaus e this
show take s the stan d that lif e elsewher e i n
the galax y ma y no t b e so abundan t afte r all.
Although th e questio n i s by n o mean s
settled, some ne w research ha s suggested
that the developmen t o f life on earth ma y
have bee n a more uniqu e occurenc e tha n
previously assumed . While we are not out t o
convince anyon e o f an y give n theory , w e are
attempting to giv e equa l time to the 'antiSagan' point o f view . Despite what Car l says,
there ma y not b e 'billions upo n billions ' o f
civilizations ou t there !
The Planetarium's community astronomy
programs hav e also bee n goin g stron g lately.
From Januar y 1 to Apri l 30 , a total o f 420
people hav e attended one o r mor e of
Stewart's astronom y courses , seminars , o r
special talks. Durin g th e las t week of April , a
series o f noon-hou r 'brow n bag ' astronom y
talks wa s presented, wit h abou t 2 5 peopl e
attending each lecture . Oddly enough, the
'straight' talk s on Voyage r and the Shuttle
were mor e popular than the talks on pseudo science topic s lik e UFO' s and the Jupite r
Effect.
Starting Tuesday , June 1 6 for 3
consecutive Tuesday's , Stew wil l b e runnin g
a Telescop e User' s Course at the AC T
Recreation Centre , Contac t th e Planetariu m
for mor e information .
For one wee k every mont h durin g July ,
August, September, and October , we'll be
organizing public observin g session s at the
Planetarium. Thes e will ru n o n eac h of th e
following nights :
Tuesday, July 6 to Monday , Jul y 12
Tuesday, Augus t 3 to Monda y Augus t 1 0
Tuesday, Sept . 1 to Monday , Sept . 7
Tuesday, Oct . 6 to Monda y Oct . 1 2
As with las t summer' s sessions, we'l l b e
asking fo r voluntee r hel p fro m RAS C
members t o hel p ma n telescopes, an d to
perhaps se t u p their ow n scopes . Again ,
contact Ste w at the Planetariu m a t 455-0119 .
There hav e been a number o f staff
additions an d changes lately . Gart h Fitzne r
and Jan e Micke y hav e been hire d as part time lecturers , Jane Harric k i s our ne w
typesetter an d librarian, while Ric k Corrigan ,
planetarium artis t (wh o lef t to atten d a film
animation schoo l i n Toronto), ha s been
replaced b y Sharo n Dunnigan . I n addition ,
Ted Coldwell, planetarium photographe r
since 1975 , will b e departing fo r Nov a Scotia
in July; his replacemen t ha s yet to b e named.
The desig n o f th e Spac e Science Centr e
is progressing very well. The Zeiss Jena sta r
projector ha s been ordered ; we hop e t o hav e
more-details o f the Centre' s progress i n th e
next issu e of Stardust, includin g some
architectural drawings of the revise d design .
21
WINNIPEG CENTR E
MASCOIN 1981
MANITOBA ASTRONOMICA L CONVENTION .
RIDING MOUNTAI N NATIONA L PARK .
FRIDAY, JUL Y 3 1 t o MONDAY , AUGUS T 3
For mor e informatio n concernin g th e programme , accommodation .
fees. etc. . write t o Gu y Westcott . c o Winnipe g Centre . P.O . Box
174. St . Jame s P.O. . Winnipeg. Manitoba . R3 J 3R 4
(Phone 204-269-149 9 afte r 6 pm )
look boc k lim e
JUNE, 1931 :
"Astr. Jour., No . 957 contains articles by P.
van d e Kam p o n th e distanc e o f th e galacti c
centre an d th e thicknes s o f th e galacti c
absorbing layer . Th e thicknes s o f th e laye r i s
given a s 210 parsecs, with a probable erro r o f
40. Th e distanc e of th e centr e of th e galax y is
found fro m (1 ) th e centr e o f th e syste m o f
globulars clusters , (2) fro m a stud y o f cluster
type variables in a Milky Wa y field, (3) from the
constants o f galacti c rotation . Th e extrem e
values o f the distanc e o f th e centr e i n parsecs
are 16,70 0 an d 7,000 . H e suggests 12,00 0 as a
mean (sa y 40,000 light years). "
•
JULY, 1931 :
"Mr. K . Hirayama, o f Toky o Observatory ,
investigates i n Proc . Imperial Acad. Japan th e
effects o f th e impact o f a star with a spherical
nebula. Th e relativ e velocit y i s probabl y
hyperbolic befor e impact, but it may be reduced
by th e impac t belo w paraboli c value , in which
case there wil l be repeated impacts , which wil l
result i n th e captur e b y th e sta r o f par t o f th e
matter o f th e nebula , whil e th e star' s orbi t
relatively t o the nebul a will be reduced i n size.
The autho r suggest s tha t th e nebul a migh t i n
time b e so reduced an d broken u p as to form a
system of planets revolving around the star; this
is an alternative to the theory tha t explains the
formation of planets by the tidal action o f a star
passing nea r th e sun. "
JUNE, 1881 :
"To th e studen t o f scienc e wh o
contemplates th e su n b y da y o r th e star s b y
night tw o question s wil l inevitabl y occur . The
first wil l hav e referenc e t o th e sourc e fro m
which thos e vast s orb s hav e derive d thei r
stupendous stor e o f high-clas s energy ; th e
second to the astonishing regularit y wit h which
they ar e able to giv e it out. We ask then, i n the
first place , fro m wha t sourc e ha s thi s
inconceivably vas t stor e o f energ y bee n
derived? Th e onl y hypothesi s ye t though t o f
that can account for it is that which first occured
to Maye r an d Waterson... . Accordin g t o thi s
hypothesis w e ma y imagin e th e particles o f
matter, when originally produced, to have been
at a great distanc e fro m eac h other . A s thes e
particles graduall y came togethe r in virtu e of
their mutua l attraction , hea t woul d b e
generated i n th e condensin g mass , and it has
been calculated tha t this cause, by storing up a
vast amoun t o f hea t i n th e sun , i s sufficient t o
account fo r it s wonderfu l outpourin g o f hea t
and ligh t throughout a long series of ages. "
-- complied by Tony Whyt e
Tor
FOR SALE : 20c m (8" ) f/ 6 Mead e mirror ,
1.83" secondary mirror, fiberglastube, plus
6x30 finderscop e and homemad e wooden
mirror cei l for abov e mirror. All less than 1
year old . $130 . Phon e Dir k Auge r a t
NOTICE — STOLEN TELESCOPE :
The Quee n Elizabet h Planetariu m wa s
recently broke n into . Stole n wa s 1 Edmund 6 "
(15cm) f/6 equatorial Newtonian telescope on a
pedestal mount. Any information regarding this
unit will b e appreciated. Phon e Ste w Krysko at
the Planetariu m a t 452-9100.
23
The distinctive "teapot" shape of Sagittarius stands out amid the rich star clouds of the Milky Way. Unfortunately, this area of thi
sky just clears the southern horizo n from our latitude and Is not well seen. This photograph was taken from the 4000-foot level o
Mt. Hopkins , sit e of the Multipl e Mirro r Telescope , nea r Tucson, Arizona. I t I s a 20-mlnute exposure at f/2 o n Fuflchrome 40C
— phot o b y Alan_py e
24
up
ogittariu/
Sagittarius lies in the direction of the centre of our galaxy. Within this wide expanse
of th e Milky Way are some of the brightest star clusters and nebulae in the entire
sky. From our northern latitude a very clear dark sky and an unobstructed southern
horizon Is needed to observ e an y o f this month' s objects well.
** CLAS S I OBJECTS **
Bright, easy to find
MB, the Lagoon Nebula is one o f the finest
nebulae in the sky . It i s located northwest of A
Sagittarius whic h mark s the tip of the 'tea pot'.
From a dark site, it appears as a fuzzy patc h t o
the unaide d eye , an d i s reveale d as a glowin g
expanse o f ga s i n a pai r o f binoculars . I n a n
amateur telescope it appears as a fine irregular
nebulosity surroundin g th e open cluste r NG C
6530. Th e tota l diamete r of th e Lagoo n i s over
1/2° s o a low power eyepiece is needed to see it
well. Th e nebul a i s cu t almos t i n hal f b y a
prominent dus t channe l abou t 2 ' i n width .
Although i t i s a frequently studie d object, the
distance t o M 8 i s stil l relativel y uncertain .
Estimates hav e range d fro m 300 0 to 5150 light
years. I f w e assume it is about 5000 light years
away, then it s size works ou t to at least 60 x 44
light years .
About 1.5 ° t o th e northwes t i s anothe r
bright nebulou s patc h calle d M2 0 th e Trifl d
Nebula. I t ha s been suggested tha t M20 is part
of th e sam e vast syste m o f nebulosit y a s M8 .
The Trifi d consist s o f a larg e brigh t nebulou s
patch divided int o three irregular areas by three
distinct dar k lanes . These dark spoke s appear
to radiate from a bright triple star HD 40. These
dark lane s are visible in a 15 - 20 cm scope. The
full exten t o f thi s nebul a i s abou t 25 ' i n
diameter. A s wit h M20 , thi s distanc e t o M 8 is
uncertain, wit h estimate s rangin g fro m 174 0
light year s to 6060 .
** CLAS S II OBJECTS **
Fainter, but distinctive
Class I I start s ou t wit h a pair o f globula r
clusters NG C 652 2 an d 6528 . The y ar e
reasonably easy to locate, as they are located in
the sam e fiel d a s y Sagittarius . The y ar e
magnitudes 10. 5 and 1 1 respectively, and bot h
are compose d o f star s o f aroun d 16t h mag .
They'll be pretty close to the horizon.
NGC 6645 is a fairly large, rich open cluster
located just south o f the constellation Scutum .
More precisely , it s abou t hal f wa y between 7
Scuti and M25. It is about 10 ' in diameter and is
made u p o f abou t 7 5 stars.
** CLASS III OBJECTS **
Challenge objects
Class II I thi s mont h i s occupie d b y on e
object, NG C 6822 . Thi s large , faint , irregula r
galaxy i s a member o f th e 'Loca l Group'. I t is
situated i n th e northeas t corne r o f Sagittariu s
and i s located in the sam e field of vie w as the
planetary nebul a NGC 6818. This planetary is a
very bright bluis h object and is easily seen, but
nearby 682 2 i s very difficult . I t i s calle d
Barnard's Galaxy , afte r it s discovere r E . E .
Barnard. The object i s very large and diffuse; it
requires lo w power, preferabl y wit h a rich-field
telescope. No one has yet seen it from Buck, but
Dave Belche r report s sightin g i t fro m Platea u
Mountain and Darrell Cros s has spotted i t from
Mount Hopkin s nea r Tuscon, Arizona.
DEEP-SKY OBJECT S
Constellation Chart courtesy of
Hubbard Press
OBJECT TYP
E MAG
.
Class I
M8
,M20
EN
E/RN
Class II
NGC 6528/6522 G C 11/10.
NGC 664 5 O
C9
Class III
NGC 6822 G-Ir
r1
1
Barnard's Galax y
G- Galaxy
Open Cluster
....Globular Cluster
.- Emission Nebula
Reflection Nebula
+ Hubble type
the /olo r /y/te m
THE SUN: The sun reaches its summer solstice
point a t 5:45 am MD T o n th e mornin g o f Jun e
21. Eart h i s a t it s furthes t poin t fro m th e su n
(aphelion) o n July 3 . On July 31 there will b e a
total eclipse of the sun as seen from Siberia and
the Pacifi c Ocean . This will b e seen as a slight
partial eclipse in the North-West Territories and
extreme northern B.C . and Alberta. (Now where
did I put tha t piec e o f welder' s glass?)
otherwise brilliant dis k of the full moon, but no
reddening o f th e shade d portio n wil l likel y be
visible. Umbral eclipse begins at 9:25 pm MDT,
July 16 , and ends at 12:08 am MDT, July 17. The
moon wil l b e i n th e penumbra l shado w fo r
approximately 1 h 20 m befor e an d afte r thes e
times. See the Summe r 197 9 issue of Stardust
for informatio n o n ho w t o photograp h luna r
eclipses.
THE MOON : A partia l luna r eclips e wil l b e
visible from our part of the world on the night of
July 16-17 . At mid-eclipse, 55% of the moon's
disk wil l b e in the earth's umbra l shadow . Thi s
will produc e a noticeabl e "bite " ou t o f th e
MERCURY: I t i s visibl e lo w i n th e wes t a t th e
beginning o f Jun e afte r th e mos t favourabl e
evening elongatio n o f th e yea r o n Ma y 26. Its
morning appearanc e i n mid-Jul y is , however,
not very suitable fo r norther n observers .
5
VENUS: It is beginning t o appear intheevening
sky, and by the end of June it is near Castor and
Pollux lo w in the west. Its phase is gibbous. By
the end of August, Jupiter an d Saturn will have
joined Venu s low i n the western sky at sunset.
MARS: Durin g Jun e an d July , Mar s i s a 2n d
magnitude mornin g object , movin g throug h
Taurus int o Gemini.
JUPITER: Jupite r continue s t o b e prominen t
throughout Jun e and July, with Saturn nearby.
By mid-August , Jupiter wil l b e very low i n th e
south-west.
SATURN: I n Virg o alon g wit h Jupiter , Satur n
remains visibl e in the west until Septembe r or
so. Th e ring s ar e no w incline d t o ou r lin e of
sight b y about 6° . Jus t whe n you thought yo u
had theSaturnian system of moons figured out,
Brad Smith of NASA's Lunar and Planetary Lab
reports th e discover y o f stil l mor e satellites .
1981 S 1 and 198 1 S2 have been found orbiting
the plane t a t th e L 4 and L 5 libratio n point s o f
Tethys, abou t 60 ° precedin g an d followin g
Tethys i n it s 1 d 2 1 h orbit . Evidently,th e L 4
object, 198 1 S1, was photographed b y Voyager
1 las t November . (From IAU Circula r 3602}
URANUS: I t i s easil y found i n Libra , nea r th e
Libra-Scorpius border . See p. 87 of th e RASC
Observer's Handbook for a finder chart. Its disk
measures abou t 3. 9 seconds o f arc.
NEPTUNE: I n opposition o n June 14, Neptune
rises nea r sunset. It is in southern Ophiuchus ,
sporting a disk 2.5 arc second s i n diameter .
oo/erving octMtie /
The first official Buck Mountai n observing
session for the current season was held back in
April. O n Friday , Apri l 3 , severa l member s
observed from the lower site without problems
with mudd y entranc e roads. Two 30cm scopes,
a 25cm , an d a coupl e o f 20c m scope s were
present, quite a gathering of glass at Buck! The
next night , observer s tried onc e agai n fo r a n
evening o f viewin g bu t cloud s move d in .
Meanwhile in the southern part of the province
Dave Beal e an d Ala n Dye r se t u p a t Cypres s
Hills Prov . Park for a weekend of astronomy at
the souther n latitud e o f 49.5° ! The y wer e
treated t o clea r skie s Saturday; howeve r they
had also planned t o observ e an occupation by
the asteroi d Aegin a o n th e Frida y night , bu t
nature planne d otherwis e — it snowed.
JUNE
No deep-sk y observin g session s ar e
planned fo r Jun e du e t o th e interferenc e of
perpetual twilight , whic h i s in effect fro m May
12 to Aug . 5 or s o at our latitude .
The bi g even t fo r Jun e i s th e annua l
Solstice Celebratio n a t Buc k Mountain , thi s
year schedule d fo r Saturday , Jun e 20 . Th e
festivities get underwa y at about 9:00 pm or so,
in time for th e celebrants to watch the sun not
set. See page 23 for details .
The Jun e Observer' s Corner, o n Monday,
June 22 at 8:00pm, will featur e a talk and slide
show b y Dav e Belcher, Darrel l Cross , et a l o n
their recen t tri p t o Arizon a an d Ne w Mexico .
There wil l b e lots o f slides and stories of their
visits to th e Lowel l Observatory , Kit t Peak , the
Multiple Mirro r Telescope , an d th e V.L.A. , as
well a s photo s o f othe r attraction s lik e th e
Grand Canyon , Monumen t Valley , etc . The y
should hav e some fabulous astro-photograph y
to sho w a s well . B e sure t o atten d thi s livel y
meeting! The location is Rm. 445 of the Physics
Bldg., U . of A . campus.
At th e en d o f June , man y o f th e Centre' s
members wil l b e of f t o Victori a to atten d th e
General Assembly. Don't forget their observing
competition. I f yo u hav e som e astrophoto graphy or results from observing projects , why
not conside r an entr y int o the contest ? The
prizes each year are usually quit e enticing. For
more informatio n o n th e contest , contac t
Observing Co-ordinato r Darrel l Cros s a t 4692931.
27
Astronomy
Lectures
at the
Once again , ther e i s n o schedule d deep sky observin g sessio n this month .
The July Observer' s Corner, Monday, July
27 at 8:00pm, will centre around a feature talk by
Dr. Doug Hub e of the U . of A. Physics Dept. on
the observatio n an d importanc e o f asteroi d
occultations. Watchin g asteroid s pas s i n fron t
of fain t stars ha s become a popular fiel d latel y
for amateu r astronomers . Th e size s o f th e
asteroids can be determined this way, and there
have bee n report s of possibl e asteroid moons .
This i s a n are a o f researc h wher e the traine d
amateur can contribute usefu l results — plan to
attend t o find ou t how . The meetin g wil l likel y
also includ e variou s member s presenting thei r
impressions an d slide s of th e Victori a G.A.
Again, the O.C. is in Rm. 445, Physics Bldg.
Provincial Museum
Monday, August 3
Monday, August 1 0
Monday, August 1 7
Monday, August 2 4
Topics to be announced.
Ail lectures are free to the public.
AUGUST
The first post-twilight observing session i s
slated fo r th e Augus t lon g weekend , Friday ,
July 3 1 t o Monday , Augus t 3 , an d wha t a
session i t is ! A weeken d o f campin g an d
observing is being set up for Plateau Mountain .
This wil l b e a join t observin g sessio n wit h
members o f th e Calgary Centr e an d Medicin e
Hat Clubs . Som e wil l likel y b e arriving Frida y
night, bu t th e mai n observin g night s ar e
Saturday, Aug. 1 and Sunday, Aug. 2 with retur n
home schedule d for Monday . Thos e attendin g
should b e prepared fo r a 5 or 6 hour drive from
Edmonton to Plateau, and for a weekend of selfsufficient, primitiv e camping . Ther e ar e n o
stores nearby , an d n o facilities of an y kin d o n
top o f th e mountain . Bu t th e skie s are dark !
Don't forge t th e Manitob a Astronomica l
Convention i s als o happenin g tha t weekend ,
under th e dar k skie s o f Ridin g Mountai n
National Par k nea r Dauphin , Manitoba . I f yo u
like you r campin g o r holida y weekend s a little
more civilize d tha n th e condition s o n th e
windswept reache s of Platea u Mtn., this i s th e
event fo r you. The couple o f hundre d amateu r
and professiona l astronomer s fro m acros s
North Americ a tha t ar e expecte d t o atten d
should mak e for a great weekend .
Want to get
MORE
out of your
TELESCOPE ?
Attend the QEP' s 3-week
TELESCOPE
USER'S
COURSE
Tuesdays: June 1 6 / 2 3 / 30
To register, contact
THE QUEE N ELIZABET H PLANETARIU M
455-0119
DISCOVER
UNIVERSE
•
The
RoyAl
ASTRONOMiCAl
Socieiy
of CANAC! A
EDMONTON CENTR E
monthly genera l meeting s
monthly observer s grou p meeting s
regular grou p observin g session s
use o f th e Ellersll e Observator y
the annua l RASC Observers Handbook
STARDUST
the R A S C Journal an d Newsletter
f r e e admissio n to ail Planetarium shows
Prpsider.t . . .
V i c e - P r e s i d e n t Dav
Treasurer Me
Te d Cadle n
e Belche r
l Rankl n
RASC. EDMONTON CENTRE MEMBERSHI P APPLICATIO N FOR M
Please accep t m y applicatio n fo r membershi p m the Royal Astronomical Society ol Canada, EDMONTO N
CENTRE (or 198 1 Enclose d is a cheque or money order for the appropriate fee $20.00to r Adults; $12.00for
Youths 1 7 and under I understand that upon receip t of m y application and fe« remittance, a membership
card an d a copy of th e 198 1 Observer s Handbook wtl l be mailed t o m y address (or can b e picked u p at th e
next monthl y genera l meeting) , an d tha t I will b e placed o n th e mailin g list s (or RAS C publications.
Nam*
Addntt.
D Ne w Member
D Renewa l
Po*t*l Cod*
Phone
MAIL TO : Edmonto n Centre , RAS C c/ o Quee n Elizabet h Planetariu m C N Tower , 10t h Floor
10004 - 10 4 Avenue Edmonton , Alberta T5 J OKI. Please make all cheques payable to
Edmonton Centre, R.A.S.C. Thank
sI
STARDUST
-EDMONTON CENTRE, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
c/o Queen Elizabeth Planetarium
10th Floor, C.N. Tower
Edmonton, Alberta
T5J OK1
JUNE
GENERAL MEETING Monday, June 8
S M
.
I
7&
14 15
T
2
9
16
W
3
10
17
T
4
11
18
F S
5 6
12 13
19
OBSERVER'S CORNER_2JJ| 2 3 2 4 2 5 • 27
Monday, June 22 "
*
SM T
W T
F
S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 91011
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
OBSERVER'S CORNER-J£20 2 1 2 2 2 3 2 4 2 5
Monday, July 27 2 6
^ 28 29 30 3 1
AUGUST
S M T W T F S
• 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 I 1 1 2 1 3 14 15
TO:
SUMMER SOLSTIC E CELEBRATIO
turday, June 20
"A Galax y of One " PREMIERES
at the Planetarium
Friday, June 26
VICTORI A GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Fri., June 2 6 - Mon., June 2 9