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In This Issue
Grillin’ & Gazin’ 2006
Tracking The Tricky Planets
Kepler’s Third Law
Volume 22, Number 9
N
Hagerstown, MD
N
September 2006
Boonesborough Days
September 9 - 10, 2006
Our Friendly Skies
Science & Exploration
Astronomical Chronicle
William Lindenfelser
Boonesborough Days
And More...
Next Meeting
September 20, 2006
at the Planetarium
7:30pm
www.TristateAstronomers.org
Boonesborough Days
September 9 - 10, 2006
O
ur first ever Boonesborough Days event was a huge success! It is estimated that we
had well over 200 visitors stop at our booth each day of the event. Besides having 8
poster displays and 2 computer presentations, we also had 2 telescopes set up for
solar viewing along with some solar viewing glasses. As luck would have it, we were fortunate
to have one relatively large sunspot and two tiny spots visible on the surface of the
photosphere (see the August 2006 issue of The Observer for an explanation of sunspots).
Mike Sager, George Michael and Dan
Kaminsky created numerous poster displays for
the event. Mike created 4 displays (”Sunspots”,
“African Solar Eclipse of 2006”, “Hubble Space
Telescope”, and “How Big is our Universe”),
George created 1 display (”Solar Eclipse”) and
Dan created 3 displays (”Our New Solar
System”, “The Battle of South Mountain, and
“About Us”). In addition, George provided a
PowerPoint presentation from his Eclipse trip.
Marcella Sager hand crafted the table covers
with stamped designs of stars, moons, and
suns for a very dramatic and professional
appearance.
TSA is a nonprofit group that
was established in 1985 to
promote astronomy and
encourage related activities to
interested persons in the
Maryland, Pennsylvania and
West Virginia Area.
Membership in the TSA costs
$15.00 annually. The group
meets on the third Wednesday
of the month in the
planetarium of the Washington
County Board of Education in
Hagerstown, Maryland.
TSA OFFICERS
The weather turned out to be spectacular for both days. Saturday was a little bit foggy in the
morning until about 10:30 and then it remained cloud free until about 4:00. Temperatures were
in the low 80s. Sunday started out clear and remained that way until about 4:00 with
temperatures again in the low 80s.
Several TSA members helped each day with crowds, answering
questions and showing sunspots. Thanks go to Marsha Fuller, Betty
Wasiluk, Helene, Marcella Sager, George Michael, Andy Smetzer,
Lee Gillespie, Mike Sager, and Dan Kaminsky. Thanks also to
Cynthia Kaminsky and Curtis Harsh for help with handing out
information.
Many visitors appreciated our demonstration. A donation container
setup at the entrance to the booth collected over $27 during the two
days even though it was not clearly marked.
As is usually the case, the excitement of the guests when they were
able to see the sunspots through the telescopes or view the sun
through solar glasses was uplifting. When viewing with solar
glasses, many visitors compared the appearance of the sun to the
moon. As the guests were leaving the booth you could hear
comments such as “That was so cool!” or “I didn’t know you could
look at the sun like that.” Children that stopped to observe would
soon return dragging their parents with them so they too could take a
look.
is the monthly newsletter of
the TriState Astronomers.
Outdoor observing sessions are
usually scheduled each month
during the weekend of the new
moon, weather permitting.
In addition to the extensive work Mike did on his
poster presentations, he was the organizer of
the event as well. Mike provided the tent,
tables, extension cords, power strips, security,
donation containers, and set up the area each
day. He arrived by 7:00 am and didn't leave
until 6:00 p.m.
M&M take a well deserved
break. (Marcella & Marsha)
THE OBSERVER
Bruce Booher . . . . . . . . Chairman
Rod Martin . . . . . . . . . . Secretary
Bob Miller . . . . . . . . Treasurer and
Membership Chairman
Andy Smetzer . . . . . . Publicity Dir.
Mike Sager . . . . . . . Pgrm. Coord.
William Horning . . . . . . Alcor Rep.
Dan Kaminsky. . Newsletter Editor
Andy Smetzer. . . . . . . Webmaster
Reed Waters . . . . . . . . . Ex Officio
Mailing Address:
TriState Astronomers
Washington Co. Planetarium
820 Commonwealth Ave.
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Web Site:
www.tristateastronomers.org
TSA member George Michael
shows the Sun to a young guest.
Without a doubt, Boonesborough Days was a huge success for the TSA and our guests! Let’s
do it again next year! o
NEW MEMBERS ARE
ALWAYS WELCOME!
Contents © Copyright 2006
TriState Astronmers
unless otherwise noted
Tracking The Tricky Planets
Kepler's Third Law of Planetary Motion
By George Michael - TSA ([email protected])
W
e have been tracking the tricky planets recently
in this column but the trickiest of them all is
Pluto. In fact, is Pluto really a planet?
Well, according to that August body, the International
Astronomical Union, Pluto doesn't measure up. Pluto's
status has been the subject of a big debate in science
circles for the past year since the discovery of another
object beyond Pluto now officially named Eris. The
questions about Pluto took center stage at the IAU
Convention held in Prague last month.
The problem is Pluto's tricky orbit. It is very dissimilar
from the other eight planets.
For instance, its orbit is much
more elliptical than the others.
With almost 50% difference
between its perihelion and
aphelion, it is 14 times more
eccentric than earth's orbit.
This elliptical orbit was most
noteworthy from 1979 to 1999.
Orbits of the Outer Planets While Pluto was approaching
and leaving its perihelion, it was
actually closer to the sun than Neptune, the 8th planet.
Even now it is just a mere 1.1 astronomical units farther
from the sun than Neptune.
The other weird part of
its orbit is that it inclines
at an angle of 17
degrees from the
ecliptic. Mercury is next
worst at seven degrees
while the others
average under two degrees deviation from the ecliptic. In
other words, Pluto's orbit is at a big tilt to the other eight.
A final problem with Pluto is its size. At 1,500 miles in
diameter, it is less than half the size of tiny Mercury. And it
has a moon Charon with a diameter that is more than 50%
of its own size. Such a planet-moon ratio is very different
from the other six planets that have moons. Many have
recently classified Pluto and Charon as double dwarf
planets.
observing Pluto for 76 years, how do we know it takes
248.5 years to go around the sun?
With Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, ancient sky watchers just
had to wait awhile until the planet came back to the same
spot in the sky compared to the stars to figure out its
revolution time. But with the last three planets, we have
known their orbital periods shortly after their discovery.
Here is where that guy Johannes Kepler can help us
understand the planets once again with his Third Law.
Law Three: The squares of the period of revolution of
any two planets are proportional to the cubes of their
mean distances from the sun.
Wow! There's a mouth full(or a thought full)!
In other words, if you compare any two planets and
square their time of revolution, this will be equal to the
cubes of their distance from the sun. Maybe an
illustration will help. Also, you may want to get out your
calculator.
Earth is 1 A.U. from the Sun and has an orbit of 1 year. We
will use Earth because it makes the calculations easier.
Pluto's distance from the sun can be estimated fairly
precisely using a parallax. Suffice it to say for now that
Pluto's mean distance is 39.5 A.U. We can use its
distance from the sun to figure out its period of revolution.
Setting up the proportion we get:
(Earth's period)2
(Pluto's period)2
=
(Earth's distance)3
(Pluto's distance)3
Simplified we get:
(Pluto's period)2 = (Pluto's distance)3 or (x)2 = (39.5 AU)3
So if we cube Pluto's distance from the sun (39.5) and
then take the square root of this product, we get an
answer of 248.5. Presto! We have Pluto's revolution.
So are there really eight planets as the IAU decreed? My
vote is to leave it as nine. Just think of all the solar system
models that will have to be replaced in museums and
classrooms now. Probably, textbook publishers are
pretty pumped about the change in the number of planets!
You may use this law of Kepler's, setting up proportions
for any two planets in the solar system, and it works. If
you like doing the math that is. We can 'cheat' using
calculators. Too bad Kepler didn't have such things in his
day. It would have made his life a lot easier. But then
maybe he wouldn't have bothered to figure all this out for
us.
But here is one more
m y s t e r y.
Pluto was
discovered in 1930 at the
Lowell Observatory by Clyde
Tombaugh. Pluto has an
orbit of 248.5 years.
Question: If we have been
This has something to do with the planets staying in their
orbits and being at the necessary distance from the sun
compared to their speed. But what it all means is beyond
my comprehension. Once again, we can appreciate both
the marvelous complexity of the universe along with its
wonderful orderliness. o
O
n the evening of Wednesday September 6, 2006 from
6:00p.m. until 8:00p.m. the Tri-State Astronomers
joined together with the Discovery Station in
downtown Hagerstown for their 1st Anniversary Celebration.
TSA members Rod Martin, Mike Sager and Dan Kaminsky set
up a display in the existing astronomy exhibit consisting of
telescopes, poster presentations, PowerPoint slides and
videos. While there was a large gathering of guests all
evening, most were focused on socializing and the fundraising activities of the Discovery Station and did not get to
visit too many of the displays. A small number of guests did
stop by our exhibit and asked questions about the telescopes.
The Astronomical Chronicle
By Marsha Fuller - TSA ([email protected])
From the Baltimore Telegraph of Jan. 9
very extraordinary Meteor made its
appearance on Wednesday night about 8
o'clock, not far distant from the turnpike
gate, on the Frederick-Town road. Our informant
was in a close carriage, and had not an opportunity
of observing the Meteor itself, but so great was the
blaze of light produced by its bursting, that it
A
would have enabled him for the space of one or
two seconds to have read common print,
notwithstanding the extreme darkness of the night.
The servant who drove the carriage, described it as
descending like a large bright candle, until it
approached within a few yards of the earth, when it
expanded without any explosion, and became a
luminous body fully the size of a common barrel.
Science and Exploration
by Wadim Kaminsky TSA ([email protected])
(Excerpt from Science and Exploration speech made
by NASA Administrator M.D. Griffin Dec. 2005 and
NASA article 2004 Renewed Spirit Recovery: The
President's Vision for Space Exploration)
S
pace Exploration has become one of the
most exiting and rapidly growing fields in
the United States. From the Apollo landings
on the Moon, to robotic surveys of the Sun and the
planets, to compelling images captured by
advanced telescopes, U.S. achievements in space
have revolutionized humanity's view of the
universe and have inspired Americans and people
around the world.
one has the same rocky characteristics as our
home planet.
Dr Griffin indicated that we are just at the dawn of
the true space age, in a matter of years, people
around the globe will be able to look up at a new
moon, and with the aid of a good telescope, be
able to see glimmering lights of a research station
on the lunar surface. At this research station,
pioneering astronauts will be learning how to
obtain oxygen from lunar regolith. They will be
deploying antennae on the back side of the moon,
linked in phase to form the largest radio telescope
ever built, free of radio noise from Earth. They will
be engaged in geological exploration of the moon,
finally establishing the origins of our Earth-moon
system and other astronauts, in Earth orbit, will be
readying a 500 ton spaceship for mankind's first
voyage to Mars.
In space we are expanding our virtual presence via
robotic mission to other planets and their moons,
to asteroid and comets, and to the Kuiper Belt. We
are in the midst of a full-scale investigation of
Mars, with one or more missions launching every
twenty-six months. We are directing more of our
attention to the moons of the giant planets as we
see intriguing signs of both water and dynamism
on their surfaces, knowing that on Earth, where
there is water and energy there is also life. We are
progressing from observers to rovers to sample
return missions, each step bringing us closer to
our principle goals: to understand whether life
does or did exist elsewhere in the Solar System,
and to prepare for human expeditions to other
planetary bodies.
The President envisions that over next three
decades, NASA will send robotic probes to
explore our solar system, including our Earth's
Moon, the planet Mars the moons of Jupiter and
other planets, and will launch new space
telescopes to search for planets beyond our solar
system. These robotic explorers will pursue
compelling scientific questions, demonstrate
breakthrough technologies, identify space
resources, and extend an advanced telepresence
that will send stunning imagery back to Earth.
Dr. Griffin emphasized that human exploration of
space will benefit from the scientific research that
we conduct in support of the Vision. The selection
of lunar and Martian landing sites, the
development of techniques for operations in
differing radiation environments and atmosphere,
and the exploitation of the Lagrange points are
examples of the productive interactions we
anticipate between science and exploration as
each is pursued for its own purpose.
Starting at the Moon in 2008 and at Mars in 2011,
NASA will launch dedicated robotic missions that
will demonstrate new technologies and enhance
our scientific knowledge of these destinations.
These new technologies and discoveries will pave
the way for more capable robotic missions and
eventually human missions. The first human
explorers will be sent to the Moon as early as 2015,
as a stepping stone to demonstrate sustainable
approaches to exploring Mars and other worlds.
The Space Age, for all its achievements, is less
than fifty years old, and is just getting underway.
To date, twelve human beings have explored the
surface of the moon for a total time of less than
one man-month. New Horizon mission launched
from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Jan 19,
2006 to conduct the first robotic exploration of
Pluto is expected to arrive at Pluto in 2015. We
have also barely scratched the surface when it
comes to understanding the extent and nature of
extra-solar planets. In just ten years, more than
150 planets beyond our solar system have been
discovered, and there are indications that at least
Space exploration holds a special place in the
human imagination. Youth are especially drawn
to Mars rovers, astronauts, and telescopes. If
engaged effectively and creatively, space inspires
children to seek careers in math, science and
engineering, careers that are critical to our future
national economic competitiveness.
The accomplishment of U.S. space explorers are
also a particularly potent symbol of American
democracy, a reminder of what the human spirit can
achieve in a free society. o
Next TSA Meeting
September 20, 2006
The next General Club Meeting is at 7:30 p.m.,
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at the planetarium.
Our Guest Speaker this month is our very own Rod
Martin. Rod will speak about Pluto and planet
classifications.
A
ugust’s Grillin’ & Gazin’ was the last one for 2006.
Mike Sager cooked the burgers and hot dogs to
perfection once again! Cooked beans, fried
chicken, and meatballs were also available. As usual,
there was plenty of good food, good drinks and fantastic
desserts for everyone.
In spite of the fact that the weather did not allow us to do
any Gazin’ this time, we all had a great time eating and
talking by the side of the pool.
There is also a lot to get caught up on since our last
regular meeting.
We need to consider a
replacement Chairman to fulfill the remainder of the
Chairman’s term.
The Treasurer’s position is
expiring in December. Our fall public star party
needs to be decided. Updates on our summer
outreach programs will be presented. And lots more.
If you were not able to take part in G&G this year try to
make it to one next year. Everyone has enjoyed them
tremendously. All members AND their immediate family
are welcome to attend. o
A
Oh Well...
s reported in a previous issue of The Observer, the
TSA submitted an entry into Astronomy
magazine’s “Out-of-this-world” award. This first
annual award is presented to a club for outstanding and
continuous community outreach events.
Regrettably, our entry was not selected as the winner.
Congratulations go to Celestial North, Inc., of Puget
Sound, Washington, for their outstanding efforts. o
Our next Club Star Party will be
September 22nd or 23rd
Beaver Creek Country Club
First clear night
Perseids 2006
Mike Sager and his father went outside
on the night of August 11 to view the
meteor shower. Called the Perseids
because they seem to emanate from the
constellation Perseus and associated
with the comet Swift-Tuttle, they were
able to view about 16 meteors between 9:30
p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Dan Kaminsky also did some Perseid hunting from 12:30
a.m. until about 2:00 a.m. that same night. He was able to
see about 20. o
OUR FRIENDLY SKIES
SEPTEMBER 2006
by Rod Martin, Planetarium Resource Teacher
and Andy Smetzer, TriState Astronomers
Solar System
Visible Morning Planets
VENUS is very low early in the month.
SATURN is low in the eastern sky.
Visible Evening Planet
JUPITER is low in the southwest.
This is a ho-hum month for planetary observing. The
"King of the Planets" is the brightest object in the
evening sky, except the Moon. Jupiter is low in the
southwest in Libra the Scales and sets about two
hours after the Sun. Use binoculars to spot the four
larger satellites originally seen through Galileo's
small telescope.
Jupiter shares the evening sky with three, make that
two, nearly invisible planets. Uranus is in the
constellation Aquarius at magnitude +5.7.
Binoculars or a small telescope is needed to see it.
Uranus is near the full moon on September 7 and
reaches opposition, the best time to see it, on
September 5. Neptune is nearby in Capricornus the
Goat at magnitude nearly 8. The "used to be" planet
Pluto is also nearby in Serpens above the Scorpion
at magnitude +14.
Venus dominates the planets of the morning sky at 3.8 magnitude, but it is very low. In fact Venus will
dive into the morning twilight and disappear from
view by the last part of the month.
Saturn is rising higher each evening. It is in Leo and
gains altitude each day. The crescent moon is
nearby on September 19.
Mercury is at superior conjunction on September 1
and is not visible all month. Mars is too close to the
Sun to be seen until December.
All Sky Chart September 15, 2006 21:30 ET
11 hours and 49 minutes of daylight. Days will
shorten until the first day of winter in December, then
they will begin lengthening again.
The equinox is on September 23 shortly after
midnight this year.
The Sun begins the month in the constellation Leo
the Lion and enters the largest zodiac constellation
Virgo the Maiden on September 16.
The Moon reaches full on September 7, last quarter
on the 14th, new on the 22nd, and first quarter on the
30th. This month's full moon is called the "Fruit
Moon." The full moon closest to the equinox is the
"Harvest Moon" and will occur in October this year.
There are two eclipses this month. A partial lunar
occurs at the full moon and an annular solar eclipse
occurs at the new moon. Neither are visible from
North America.
Sun and Moon
The Sun rises around 6:38 and sets at 7:42 for 13
hours and 4 minutes of daylight on September 1.
Daylight will be shortening this month by a couple
minutes each day as we approach the first day of
autumn, the fall equinox. The equinox is the time
that the center of the Sun is on the celestial equator.
When the Sun is above the equator, there is more
daylight than nighttime. When the Sun is below the
equator, there is more nighttime than daytime. By
September 30, sunrise is at 7:06, sunset is at 6:55 for
William Brish Planetarium
Public programs resume at the planetarium on
October 3. That program is called "Spirits in the Sky"
and is about Native American's use of the sky to tell
seasons, and how to use the stars for hunting and
planting. Planetarium programs are held each
Tuesday that schools are in session from October
through April. Admission fees are $3 for adults, $2
for students.
In Memoriam
It is with sincere regret that I must report the passing of TSA
member William “Bill” Lindenfelser. Bill was a long time
member of the TSA and was a “regular” at club meetings.
Rod Martin received this email from Bill’s son, Matt:
Hi Rod,
I wanted to let you (and the rest of the Tri-State
Astronomers) know that my dad, Bill Lindenfelser, died in
June. Even as the cancer that took his life robbed him of
energy, he was always ready to rouse himself on third
Wednesday nights to go to the planetarium for meetings.
He really enjoyed the presentations there, and after the few
meetings I attended with him we would talk about space
exploration on the way home.
My dad believed in life after death, so perhaps he's
exploring the cosmos on his own now, getting a closer look
at the wonders you showed him on the dome.
Thank you for this pleasure that you brought to him in his
last years.
Best regards,
Matt Lindenfelser