AL^VCHUA ASTRO YCLUB JWUAfV SJM

THI ALACHUA ASTRONOMY CLUB MEETS THE 2ND TUESDAY OP EACH MONTH AT TM PM. AT THE DOYIE CONNB BUU.DHMO ON S.W. 34TH ST. AND 20 TH AVE. EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND MEETINGS, STARPAftTIU, AND OTHER CLUS ACTIVITIES. NO EQUIPMENT IS HEEDED. CALL A CLUB O f _ _ g FOB INFO.

Ptwktont: Membership at large Treasurer Doug Richards 332-43/7 Gainesville. Fl.

Pubicty: Pamela Mydoci 495-9/66 Archer, FI rinHlghl Editor Chuck Broward 475-1014 Melrose, Fl

W««t*—< Rep: Gilbert Bernardo 935-0340 Branford. Fl. 29 d * g SB min North 62 ti*g 21 min W«d (mere or Iwt)

Happy New Year AAC!!!

JANUARY'S PROGRAM FEATURES

DR HOWARD L COHEN U. F. ASTRONOMY DEPARTMENT

discussing

TELESCOPE FUNDAMENTALS or What all those terms like power, f-stop, focal length, and so on really mean, and what do you do with 'em/ MEETING TUESDAY JAN llTHll

Please plan on attending—HELP plan the coming year, CHOOSE a President, PAY your dues. Direct your Clublll Have a Idea for a program, activity, or astro-event-come to the meeting and share that with the rest of usII 7:30 p.m.

ALACHUA ASTRONOMY CLUB MEMBERSHIP/RESOURCE LIST JANUARY 1994

(TENTATIVE) PLEASE LET CHUCK KNOW OF CHANGES

GILBERT BERNARDO RT 3 BOX 96 BRANFORD, FL 32008 936-0340

JOHN BRANDORFF (5610 NW29TH TERR GAINESVILLE, FL 32606 376-1043

DANIEL ABRAZEAU 5221 NW66TH CT GAINESVILLE, FL 32606

CHUCK BROWARD RT2 BOX 2915 Newsltr Editor MELROSE. FL 32666 476-1014 392-1081

GEORGE CHAPPELL 826 SE 2ND AVE GAINESVILLE, FL 32601 373-4024 3921051

(V) CATHY CLARK 512 SW 34TH ST #12 GAINESVILLE, FL 32607 377-61B6

DAVE GODMAN 1821 NE 7th St. Gainesville, Fl 32609-375 377-9631

(I)PHYLLIS HABECK DOYLE CONNER BLDG GAINESVILLE, FL 3260X 372-3606

JOE HALDEMAN 5412 NW 14th AVE GAINESVILLE, FL 32605 378-1841

REID HARRISON 117 WEAVER HALL UF GAINESVILLE, FL 32612-2801 334-9014

RICHARD /ROBERT HUDGENS 3915SW78THST GAINESVILLE, FL 32808 335-1836

KAREN JOHNSON 3916 NW32ND PLACE GAINESVILLE, FL 32606

DALE NIEDERRITER 9614SW92NDST GAINESVILLE, FL 32608 496-9677

STEVE POMEROY 4117-370 SW20TH AVE GAINESVILLE, FL 32607

BROOKE RICHARDS 10123 SW 2ND PLACE GAINESVILLE, FL 32607 332-4317

DOUG RICHARDS 10123 SW 2nd PLACE Treasurer GAINESVILLE, FL 32807 332-4317 392-2894

GEORGE RUSSELL 4606 SW 84TH DRIVE GAINESVILLE, FL 32808 376-7633

CHRISTOS SIOPIS 1111 SW 16TH AVE #141 GAINESVILLE, FL 32601

Some Heavenly Questions for Winter and Spring 1994

Howard L. Cohen Associate Professor of Astronomy

Department of Astronomy University of Florida

January

• Earth Closest to Sun (147.1 million kilometers or 91.4 million miles, on January 2, 1 a.m. EST). The earth's distance from the sun changes during the year due to its elliptical orbit. The farthest sun-earth distance in 1994 will be 152.1 million km (94.5 million mi), an increase of 5 million km (3 million mi). Thus, our planet is about 3% closer in January than July! (For comparison. Mars varies nearly 20%) But North America has winter in January. Do you know why?

• Latest Sunrise (Approx. 10 January, 7:26 am EST. in North Central Florida). Although the shortest day of the year occurred on the Winter Solstice (21 December 1993), the latest sunrise in the United States does not occur until early January! (The earliest sunset occurred in early December.) Do you know why?

• Saturn Reigns. Saturn is the only planet visible in the evening sky this month. Visible low in the southwest after sunset (mag. +0.9), Saturn disappears from sight by the end of the month. A small telescope should easily show the ring system which is tilted aboul 10° with respect to the earth But in 1995 the ring system will disappear from view as the tilt becomes zero! Do you know why?

Look for the three day old crescent moon (only 3% illuminated!) on 14 January only 6° above and to the right of Saturn. Except for a brief appearance by Mercury next month, there are no naked eye planets in the evening sky during the first few months of 1994.

February

• Mercury Reaches Greatest Elongation East (18 degrees). Mercury is always difficult to sec because is near to the sun. During the first ten days of February, Mercury will be at its most favorable evening apparition of the year for the Northern Hemisphere (mag. approx. zero). Look about 17° above the west southwest horizon shortly after sunset (6:10 p.m. EST in Gainesville). Do not

confuse fainter Saturn (13° above the horizon at mag. +0.9) or Venus (only 4° above the horizon at mag. -3.9) with Mercury. (Horizon haze may greatly dim or obscure Venus.)

However, this is not the greatest eastern elongation Mercury has this year! In September Mercury will move 26° east ofthe sun but Mercury will be more difficult to observe. Do you know why?

March

• Venus Is Again the Evening Star. Venus, brighter appearing than all other planets and stars, now moves away from the sun and will be an "evening star" for most of 1994 (see next paragraph). Look for it very low in the western twi-light (mag. -3.9 but dimmed by haze). By late spring, Venus will dominate the evening dusk. Finally, naked eye planets begin to reappear in the evening! Although Venus outshines Jupiter about five times (and the star Sirius about fifteen times), Venus sets by twilight's end This lets Jupiter reign through the rest ofthe night (see April). Expect UFO reports to increase once Venus is an evening star!

Venus reaches superior conjunction with the Sun on 17 January. Venus will then take over 7 months to move to greatest elongation east (46° on 24 August), but will be at inferior conjunction barely 2 months later (on 2 November). Do you know why?

• Catch the Youngest Moon (12 March). Observing young celestial moons is a popular pastime with amateur astronomers. It is extremely difficult to see a moon less than one day old since the crescent is exceptionally thin and very close to the sun in the sky. (Few people have seen a moon less than a day old.) Best chance for us to see young moons in the evening is during Spring. Do you know why?

This year, on 12 March, the moon will be only 16-1/2 hours past new (0.6% illuminated)! You will need a clear western horizon. Start searching shortly before sunset (binoculars will help). At sunset (6:36 p.m. in Gainesville), the thin crescent will be due west and only 6-1/4° above the horizon!

• Vernal Equinox (20 March, 3:28 p.m. EST). Spring begins in the earth's Northern Hemisphere (and Fall in the Southern Hemisphere). The sun will rise and set almost due east and west respectively and all places on the earth will have nearly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. However, in North

Central Florida, the sun will not rise and set at 6 o'clock but more that 30 minutes past the hour. Do you know why?

April

• Moon 's Farthest Distance From Earth in 1994 (406,468 km or 252,568 mi., on April 11 at 7:00 p.m. EST). The moon is now 49,540 km (30,783 mi) farther from the earth than it will be on April 25. Although this difference is only 14% larger, the lunar tidal influence will be 48% stronger later this month! (See next paragraph.) Do you know why?

• Moon 's Closest Distance to Earth in 1994 (356,928 km or 221,785 mi, on April 25 at noon EST). Less than three hours later (at 2:45 p.m.) the moon also will be at full phase. This combination will produce exceptionally high tides. Expect "soothsayer" to make dire predictions for this date!

• Jupiter Reaches Opposition (on 30 April). On the last day ofthe month Jupiter finally rises just after sunset and is visible all night long. Jupiter, shining at magnitude -2.5, will dominate the night sky through the summer. Except for Venus and the moon, no other celestial object shines as bright. Jupiter normally moves eastward among the stars but for a few months before and after opposition to the sun, Jupiter moves westward among the stars. Jupiter is also brightest when near opposition. Do you know why?

• Mercury Reaches Superior Conjunction (on 30 April). Inferior planets have two conjunctions (inferior and superior conjunction)! Do you know why? (Hint: Venus is the only other inferior planet).

Venus is brightest near greatest elongation. (Do you know why?) However, this is not true for Mercury. When is Mercury brightest? Do you know why?

May

• Solar Eclipse Visible Over North America. Gainesville residents can witness a partial eclipse ofthe sun on 10 May (11:16 a.m. - 1:05 p.m. EDT) when 64% of the sun's diameter will appear obscured. But go west or north and see the astronomical highlight ofthe year, an annular (ring) eclipse ofthe sun! If you are inside the 250 km (150 mi) wide eclipse path, the moon will hide the entire solar disk for several minutes except for a thin ring of light. Hence, this is not a total solar eclipse. Do you know why?

(One must observer proper eye safety precautions for all parts of this eclipse.) The annular eclipse path runs through Baja California and El Paso, Texas (where the annular phase lasts nearly six minutes), and continues through St. Louis, upper New York State and Southern Maine. (Best weather prospects are in the Southwest.)

• Partial Lunar Eclipse. Missed the annular solar eclipse? On the night of 25 May, a minor, partial eclipse ofthe moon will occur (only 25% ofthe moon's disk will darken). Eclipse time for Gainesville is 9:18 p.m. - 1:43 a.m. EDT. (This eclipse is a poor substitute for May's annular solar eclipse!) Notice that this eclipse occurs two weeks later than the solar eclipse. In fact, solar and lunar eclipses always occur in pairs separated by about IS days (sometime a third eclipse occurs after another week passes). Do you know why?

• Summer Solstice (21 June, 10:48 a.m. EDT). Summer begins in the earth's Northern Hemisphere (and Winter in the Southern Hemisphere). However, the earliest sunrise and latest sunsets do not occur on this date. The earliest sunrise occurs about 10 June at 6:28 a.m. EDT and the latest sunset about June 30 at 8:34 p.m. EDT (see latest sunrise in January). Do you know why? <>

SKY AND TELESCOPE RENEWAL... If you receive Sky and Telescope it is time to rena*

through the c lub and qualify for the $20 club rate. Please bring your renewal form and payment to the January CLb meeting and give both to Pamela Mydock.

AAC SAYS NO TO ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE The Alachua Astronomy Club voted at the last maeting

lo terminate its association with the Astronomical League. The primary reason is simply the fact that we are not receiving enough "bang for the buck". For a club of our siZB, the ALs dues simply destroyed our budget without providing enouah in return.

Perhaps we can consider other uses for our money a t January's meeting.

come to the meeting January 11 th, Tuesday

PUBLIC LIBRARY WANTS AAC PROGRAM The Alachua County Library District wants us to present

a family oriented 45 minute program at 7 P.M. on February 22 (Tuesday evening) at the Downtown or Main Library Bui ding.

According to Mark Cowan (please call him at 375-25A4 or 395-5559 to volunteer) we will use the Children's Story Room which opens onto the lawn (well lit, but Mark will try and have the lights turned off), so if the weather is good we can set up a variety of telescopes.

According to Linda Luke (librarian 334-3941) about 40 adults and children or more are expected to attend. It would be nice if w e could have some brochures and other hand-outs to distribute to the public. Also, if you would like to help plan the evening, please call Mark. ASAPI

FORSAIEORTRADEW Dale Niederrrter 495-9677 has a 6 inch dob (Odysey) for sale

for $200. This is a nice very handy scope that is capab le of keeping the backyard astronomer busy for years.

Art Salmons 904-484-1279 in Interlachen, Fl has a S inch CELESTRON with piggyback camera mount, 3 inch solar filter, Super tripod with wedge, two finders, six eyepieces, off axis guider, teleextender, canon camera adapter, and AC-DC celestron drive and all cables. Art wants $1500 for all of this. Contact either Art or Martin at Ritz Camera 904-331-0447. Art says he will refund $$ if equipment is not to your satisfaction.

Chuck Broward 475-1014 or 392-1051 has a medical color TV camera. This device has a small 'head" that mounts on your telescope. On a C-8 it provides full screen views of moon. Jupiter about 1/1 Oth of screen. In other words, a very intriguing device. $250.

Chuck Broward 475-1014 or 392-1051 has a Unitron 3 inch optical tube $125 firm.

Chuck Broward wants a good tripod and a good barlow.

Do you have something to sell/trade/give away? FirsHight ill

Lunar EkJipse...*.. .Don Loftus This a report *f the lunar eclipse from Gainesville, Fla. (29 deg. 88 min. North, 82 deg, 21 min. West) I started watching the eclipse about the time the moon was one quarter covered. Because it was cold, (33 deg.) I waited until just before totality to say outside. It was incredible to watch the night sky change as the moon disappeared. From full moon, where only the brightest stars shown through, to a dazzling display once totality was reached. The sky was M dark amd clear during totality that I was easily able to see M33 with 7X<90 binoculars. The moon itself was truly a wondrous sight all during the ecupse. As it was first being covered, the shadow was very dark. Through binoculars the moon looked strange without the usual line- of craters highlighted along the terminator. Approach of totality, width only a small crescent still lit, allowed the dark area to show more' detail, undoubtedly because of a reduction in contrast between Ht and unlit parts. During totality the moon was an outstanding sight. The southern rim retained a whitish glow all during the eclipse while the middle was dark gray. The northern rim had a slight reddish tinge to it, but was faint.During the eclipse I was taken by what an unusual sight this was. I can imagine how the Pilgrims felt at they watched this event during their Thanksgiving. I wonder if they took it as a good omen or bad? As I watched with just my eyes, I tried to describe this phenomenon in non-astronomy terms. It looked like a soap bubble hanging motionless in the black starry sky. With binoculars the eclipse was spectacular. As I watched, the sky seemed to take on a true three dimensionality! The moon looked much closer than the distant stars,it almost seem to float in front of them. This is probably due to the unusual lighting provided by the event, but as I looked at the moon it seemed translucent. An added treat was watching a 6th mag. star come out from behind the mood during totality with the binoculars. At first it looked like someone had left a porch light on at a house on the moons rim, but slowly the moon and the star shifted further and further apart adding to the 3D effect.The biggest problem was my eye glasses kept fogging up when I used the binoculars due to the cold. But it was a minor problem and, all in all, it was a beautiful eclipse. My 12 yr. old son and I will not soon forget this wonderful night.

Help the Club....Pay vour dues early?!!

ASTRONOMY BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS

Well, it was an interesting holiday for me this year. You see, sometime back in No-vember, I just happened to leave a Willmann-Bell catalog just lying around the house with certain items conveniently starred in red. Santa must have been watching, for three new books appeared under the tree on Christmas morning. One was CLYDE TOMBAUGH,DISCOVERER OF PLANET PLUTO, by David Levy. This is an easy to read and an informative book about a remarkable man. It is a warm, and often per-sonal biography that gives insight into the life and motivation of this interesting per-sonality. Another book was RUSSELL W. PORTER, by Berton C. Willard. Russell Porter was more than just a telescope maker, he was an Arctic explorer, an artist, architect, and he was a major participant in the design of the Hale 200 inch. The third book was UNUSUAL TELE-SCOPES, by Peter L. Manly. This book deals with telescopes that are out of the ordinary. All types are covered, from unusual optics, to inovations in telescope mounts, to strange drives, to telescopes you can ride. It covers historic telescopes as well as modern instru-ments .

If you don't have a Willmann-Bell catalog to throw around the house, perhaps you should get one. Write them at P.O. Box 35025, Rich-mond,VA 23235 or call (804) 320-7016. These folks have it all, from Star Atlases, to com-puter programs, to telescope making supplies. Their new catalog is listing a book by Richard Berry, the CCD CAMERA COOKBOOK. How to build your own for less than $400. We live in ex-citing times.

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7

Now Super Nov» Don Loftus NOVA CASSIOPEIAE 1993Amatew astronomer Kazuyoshi Kanatsu has discovered a magnitude 6.6 nova in the constellation Cassiopeia. The erupting star first appeared on a photograph he took about 11:30 Universal Time on December 7th, but the discovery was not announced until Kanatsu made a confirming observation on December 11th. The rtar was at least 3.6 magmtudes fainter on a prediscovery photograph made two days earlier. As of December 16th, according to observer Patrick SchMeer, the nova's light was hovering near magnitude 6.6. Located at right ascension 23h 42m, declination +67.6 deg. (2000 coordinates), the new star is 4 deg. southwest of the bright star Beta Cassiopeiae and well placed for observing throughout much of the night.

TMoffattJust had good look 01/D2/94 of Nova Cass. Estimate brightness mag. 7.3 perhaps. Beautiful from here on Maine/N.B. border. (Above information acquired from America Online)

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HOWARD L COHEN 1601 NW 28th ST GAINESVILLE, FL 3260B 376-5883 392-2062

BILLY COOKE 1111-150 SW 16TH AVE GAINESVILLE. FL 32801 373-0708 371.4778

MARK COWAN 1944 SE 2nd AVENUE V. PRES

GAINESVILLE, FL 32601 376-2564

ASTRONOMY DEPT RM211 SSRB UNIV OF FL ASTRONOMY DEPARTMENT GAINESVILLE. FL 32601

(V)BILLY DODD BOX 301 RT 1 CHIEFLAND. FL 32626 493-0836

Dr. DAN DURDA 4601 E. Skyline Dr. #1417 Tucson, Az. 85718 602-298-(5989

ESCAMBIA AMA. ASTRON c/o Physical Sciences Pensacola. Junior Callage 100 College Bird Pensacola, Fl 32604-8998

SEPPO LAINE 2337 SW ARCHER RD. #702 GAINESVILLE. FL 32607 37B-0822

DON LOFTUS 14903 NW 29TH ST. GAINESVILLE, FL 32606 462-1227 392-1011

JEFF MAJEWSKI P.O. BOX 12247 UNIVSTA GAINESVILLE. FL 32604 332-0657 ROLAND MEDLER 1041 NE 20TH AVE GAINESVILLE, FL 32609 376-2900

JEFF MITCHELL 1017 NW 42ND AVE GAINESVILLE, FL 32609 376-7677

RUSS MOORE 3766 NW64TH PL GAINESVILLE, FL 32606 378-0567

PAMELA MYDOCK & DUANNESANDENE 701 LAUREL LANE Publicity ARCHER, FL 32618 496-9166

CLAY STEFFEE BOX 1331 ANTHONY. FL 3B617-1B81 1-904-607-7072

BERTON STEVENS 2112 EAST KINGFISHER LANE AL EXECUTIVE SECRETARY ROLLING MEADOWS, IL 60008 1-708-398-0662

JAN SUGALSKI P.OJBt- 12148 Univ Sta. GAINESVILLE, FL 32604 486-2847

CHIP SULLIVAN 4158NW36THST GAINESVILLE, FL 32605 3381986 377-1028

JIM SWIFT 6310 SW 36 WAY GAINESVILLE, FL 32608 378-7023

CHARLIE TARJAN 3426 SW75TH STREET GAINESVILLE, FL 32607 377-7403

SOCRATES BBS 373-5116

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GaBROWCLEEfTQFI RT.2BCK29S

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