Agenda: Introductions, Talks, Elections/Business meeting, Snacks & Socializing

Over seven ACA members presented two minute talks on a variety of topics. Highlights are shared below.

• Tedda H. – Our Two Faced Moon – 201604 Sky & Telescope, pp. 16-24
• Tedda shared with us that the Moon has a near and far side, and offset center of mass.
• The Moon (and all the rocky planets) have a core of radioactive elements.
• Oct. 07, 1959 Soviet spacecraft Luna 3 took the first far-side photograph, which showed that the two sides of the moon are different
• Tedda explained the 3 main differences between the near and far sides: Maria, KREEP, Crust
• Despite numerous proposed models, scientists still don’t know for sure why they are different.
• Article of Interest: http://www.popsci.com/blog-network/vintage-space/our-first-look-moons-far-side

• Maryglenn B. – Scott Kelly – A study on the effect of long term time in space
• Now retired, he’s done at least four missions and as of October 2015 he’d set the record as being the first person to have spent the longest times in space, 342days.
• He and his twin brother are currently the only two siblings to have traveled in space.
• His brother Mark was the “control” part to help evaluate the impact of long term exposure to space. How does the Human body handle time in space.
• Article of Interest: http://www.techinsider.io/russian-cosmonauts-beat-scott-kelly-nasa-2016-3

• Suzanne H. – Pin pointing supernovae that made it rain
• Referenced an article from astrobites.org. This site provides a summary of astronomy articles.
• Type of elements “Iran 60” determine if they are samples of a supernovae event.
• Issue is to find a location of where they come from.
• The moon is good place to search them out since they won’t be influenced by water, wind, etc.
• Predicted distribution factory by lunar samples
• Look at samples from the moon
• Article of Interest: https://astrobites.org/2016/04/11/pinpointing-supernovae-that-made-it-rain/

• Stan H – Cis-lunar 1000 Concept: ~20160523 SpaceNews.com
• Predicts that 1000 people will be living in space within ~30 years ~2050
• Source: Space news magazine – available online and hard copy.
• Cis-lunar at L1, the gravitational balance between the Earth and the Moon, needs little additional energy to move within that area.
• 1000 – the projection envisioned by several space exploration companies that there could be 1000 people living in space by 2046.
• We’re making great strides with companies like, Space-X, Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance.
• It’s more efficient and perhaps cost effective to construct spacecraft in space. Even consider launching from the moon.
• ULA’s Vulcan has lower launch costs now. By 2020s change over from Centaur upper stage to refuelable Advanced Cryogenic Evolved Stage (ACES)
• The issue is access to water. Some speculate that we could get water at the lunar poles, generally the breakdown of abundant hydrogen and oxygen, and use it toproduce rocket fuel, food, and breathing air.
• By 2050, there could be a space economy worth 2.7 Trillion dollar/yr
• Shackleton and Whipple. Article of interest: http://www.space.com/33297-satellite-refueling-business-proposal-ula.html

• Jean Y. – Space Food – We’ve come a long way!
• Consider the evolution from powders, cubes to tubes.
• Tang, created by General Foods in 1957 took off once it was sent into space. Not the other way around.
• Cubes of food were tried, ½ inch by ½ inch coated in gelatin. Yum!
• Dehydrated foods
• While in space you lose your sense of flavor and taste and even smell. Many request compensate by having spicy foods, items with plenty of garlic and hot sauce.
• While in space astronauts need extra calories, up to 2400 a day.
• The issue is to entice them to eat due to the change in tastes buds, etc.
• Diet needs to be adjusted and have foods reduced in iron (due to red blood cells) and lower sodium to avoid fluid retention.
• Skylab actually had a dining room, fridge and freezer
• Space Shuttle – everything was at room temperature
• International Space Station - has mainly dehydrated foods, thermos stabilized foods (can) an irradiated food like meat, and natural that has to be used within 3 days.
• ISS has an eight-day menu to help provide variety.
• Astronauts can choose their own menu. They have breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack.
• What’s up and coming:
• In January 2016 they grew lettuce in space for the first time
• In August 2015 they grew veggies. They ate 2/3 there and sent 1/3 back to earth for testing.
• 3D printers to print your own food. Working on taste, flavor and texture. 5 to 10 years out.
• Article Interest: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/meals_ready_to_eat

• John W. – An observing challenge – what early astronauts had to learn for space travel
• John’s grandson asked an astronaut if they had to use the stars to confirm their position in space?
• He was told that astronauts had to learn about 200 stars in case the computers ever failed they would be able to navigate.
• John requested from NASA the list of the stars. Initially provided to him in a dated computer code format. His son was able to assist in decoding the list.
• Amateur astronomers can use the list to see if they can find the stars. See which stars are rated near for the goto function. Also other ones that can be identified. Use Greek & Roman symbols.
• Use the list to find the constellations online for the LX200 for the goto function. Stick figure of the constellation and develop a cross reference.
• Use the stars to align your telescope – some of them can’t be seen.
• Articles of Interest: http://futurism.com/how-do-scientists-find-directions-in-space/

https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/alsj-AOTNavStarsDetents.html

• Mark M. – 365 facts of the Night Time Sky
• The weather page in your daily paper is a wealth of information for amateur astronomers.
• Notates the time of sun rise/sun set. Same for the moon.
• The number of days see the changes in rise and set.
• Where it rises on the horizon, north or East or South of East
• Solar and Lunar tables – Am and PM - two each day
• In the sky tonight – a snapshot of what can be observed - you can use this to start to see and recognize patterns.
• The Longway Planetarium. (http://sloanlongway.org/Longway-Planetarium/ )
• Articles of Interest: http://www.astronomytrek.com/top-10-facts-about-the-stars/

Business Meeting

• ACA Officers – Slate presented and all present voted Yes.
• President – Kenneth Beard
• VP Observing – Stan Howard
• Treasurer – John White
• Program VP – Mark Moffatt
• Secretary – Open.
• Reports:
• Stan – Observing
• Had a good number of observing events in the past year.
• Have new and repaired telescopes.
• A number of observations and events with schools & groups.
• Helping Hands
• Evans Middle School
• USC – Transit of Mercury
• Phinzey Swamp
• John – Treasurer’s report
• Acknowledged his daughter’s assistance in reviewing the books
• Balance on hand: _____
• Dues income in 2015-16: _____
• Expenses: _____ - astronomy dues, scope repair, web interface, battery pack, restaurant rental
• $196.44 on hand for the repair of scopes
• Hardcopy of the report is available
• Astronomical League fee’s: $10/club, $5/ member.
• Ken – Program
• Hoped that everyone in the club enjoyed he programs over the past year. Is certain that Mark will do an excellent job in the coming year organizing programs.
• Mark’s ideas for talks will focus on basic astronomer techniques. Topics to help our amateur astronomers and encourage younger members to participate more.
• Members thanked SteveM for calculating the 2016-17 ACA web site calendar dates.
• Maryglenn suggested we consider having a few more excursions and outings to area events and locations.