ACA Calendar of Events
2013-14
Encourage your family to study astronomy!
Helpful Information about Refreshments and Programs
2013
Officers' and Committees' Planning Meeting
June 08 , Saturday, 6:00PM at NMR-DSO
Club Star Gaze
June 08, Saturday,
7:30 PM at NMR-DSO
Moonrise 0423 Set 1828 Dark sky, (Jupiter GRS 20:15 on 2012.06.09)
The Gemini twins are running from the bees. They are swarming at Praesepe in Cancer!
Leo is also at risk, but Denebola, the tail, is too far away to swat them.
There's Corvus . . . it must be spring!
Follow Alioth, Mizar and Alkaid in the handle of the Big Dipper,
and arc to Arcturus, then speed on to Spica.
Calm yourself in Virgo, and find the Virgin's uplifted arms at Vindemiatrix and Porrima.
Focus on majestic Saturn and it's rings. Can you see the Cassini division?
Look for Titan. Yes, it's there! Can you see some other moons?
Whitehouse Chili by John & Cornbread by Dot!
Bring your planisphere, binoculars, telescope.
Wear socks & shoes
Monthly Meeting and Star Gaze
June 22, Saturday,
7:00 PM at NMR-DSO!
Moonrise 1857 Set 0425 Lunar, Jupiter GRS 1917
Program: Astronomy Movie Night
Blu Ray: Into The Universe with Stephen Hawking: Episode 3: The Story of Everything.
Refreshments: Popcorn, Chips & Dip
Club Business: Installation of 2013-14 Officers
PRIZES awarded for Answers to Observing Questions (See Q&A here!)
2-minute talk: Oceanus Procellarum
Observing after the meeting
Bring binocs, Lunar & Messier lists, planisphere.
June Minutes
Lunar App for You
Observing Q&A
Orion Sky this Month
Asteroid Occultation
- Sorry, - rained out!
July 12, Friday,
11:30PM at NMR-DSO.
Roger Venable plans to set up to record the occultation of two asteroids, Urhixidur and Asta, occuring on our path. Come for a quick visit.
Club Star Gaze
July 13, Saturday,
7:30PM at NMR-DSO
Moonrise 1023 Set 2237 dual lunar and Dark Sky
Take a nap
and come to see the waxing crescent moon setting in the west with Venus early, and a lovely dark sky later.
___________
Look for the Omega Centauri, largest globular cluster in the Milky Way, at 2100.
The Big Bear's tail is high in the sky.
Etamin in Draco's head faces Cygnus the Swan.
Arcturus, Corona Borealis, Hercules and Vega hover over Draco's head.
Look south for the line from Spica up to Saturn, through Libra (Zubeneschamali & Zubenelgenubi),
up to Ophiuchus, then down to Scorpius and Sagittarius.
The summer Triangle has risen in the glorious arms of the Milky Way Galaxy.
There is so much to see!
At 2130 John W. will focus our attentions on delights of the constellation Sagittarius.
Bring your binoculars, telescope, AL Lunar list, Messier list, planisphere.
Wear socks & shoes.
Lunar App for You
Observing Q&A
Sagittarius
Orion Sky this Month
Life Cycle of Stars
Nucleosynthesis
Monthly Meeting
July 19, Friday,
7:00 PM at ASU/GRU
Moonrise 15:29 Set 01:22 Waxing gibbous moon.
Program: Nuclear Power and Space Exploration
A smorgasbord of nuclear topics will be addressed with emphasis on
the history of nuclear power in space,
the role of the Savannah River Site, past, present and future,
and the future of nuclear power and possible implications for space travel.
A question and answer period will follow the presentation.
Speaker: Dr. Clinton R. Wolfe
Clint Wolfe is Executive Director of Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness (CNTA), since 2008.
He obtained a Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1966, with a combined minor in Math and Physics.
He worked with plutonium salts and alloys,
then
led research on nuclear steam generator corrosion,
while managing groups responsible for nuclear power plant water chemistry and materials corrosion.
He managed the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) Strategic Materials Technology
Department from 1996 until his retirement in 2005.
Clint chaired the external advisory board for the Dept. of Chemistry at Clemson University,
chaired the SC State University Educational Foundation board of directors,
and chaired the Technical Advisory Panel to the Department of Energy (DOE)’s Plutonium Focus Area.
He is the recipient of the SC State University’s Distinguished Service Award.
He and his wife, Ginny live in Aiken, SC.
Refreshments: Lalit Reddybattula
Club Business: Annual Awards
PRIZES awarded for Answers to Observing Questions
2 minute talk: Mark Moffatt: Oceanus Procellarum, Aristarchus Plateau
Lunar Observing after the meeting
Although not as full as last month, you can still observe and ID 12 maria on the Moon.
When most of the moon is lit by the sun, we can see features that are not otherwise as obvious.
Tonight is a great night to observe the rays of Tycho and Copernicus, and Kepler near the Terminator.
To the north, see if you can ID Endymion, Aristoteles and Plato, Sinus Roris, Sinus Iridum, Promontorium Laplace and Heraclides.
Moving down the Terminator to the East, look for Aristarchus, Reiner, Mons Hansteen, dark Billy, and Gassendi at the top of Mare Humorum.
The southern limb is even more visible tonight.
Check out distinguishing characteristics of Schickard, Schiller, Wilhelm, Longomontanus, and Clavius.
Can you find Zucchius, Bettinus, and Kircher?
Look for these craters to the southwest: Maginus, Moretus, Schomberger, Stofler, Maurolycus, and Lilius.
Bring what you can of binoculars, telescopes, Lunar list.
2013-14 Dues are due!
Please support astronomy and your local Astronomy Club of Augusta.
Bring your dues to this meeting or mail to J White, Treasurer.
ACA logo Polo Shirts
If you would like to order ACA logo Polo Shirts, please click and complete here.
(We ordered 14 polos!)
ALCON 2013
July 24-27 , Wed.- Sat.
Fernbank Science Center, Atlanta, GA
http://alcon2013.astroleague.org
July Minutes
Lunar App for You
Supernova Erupts in M74
Observing Q&A
Sun's Magnetic Field to Flip
Sagittarius
Perseid meteor shower
Orion Sky this Month
Cygnus the Swan
Drake Equation
M29 in Cygnus
Life Cycle of Stars
Nucleosynthesis
Annual Club Family Picnic, Lunar Look, Vesta Fiesta, and Perseid Meteor Count
August 10, Saturday,
6:30 PM Picnic
to Sunday, 6:30 AM Waffle Breakfast, at NMR-DSO
Moonrise 0915 set 2113, 4-day Lunar, Dark sky
Rain or Shine!
Invite your family, and astronomy friends
Make plans for a great time, getting to know each other better, eating well,
sharing astronomy experiences,
and showing them what you like about astronomy.
Wear socks & shoes, pants.
Bring what you have of: binoculars, telescope, planisphere, AL Lunar & Messier lists,
lounge chair, sleep bag, towel, bug spray, tea table.
Please bring a side dish to share.
The ACA will provide the Bar-b-cue, via chief Chef, John White.
Sign up now. Bring your whole family! - Get in on a great experience.
Signed up so far: S&T Howard: setup,pickles,breakfast, JWhite: BBQ, sesame seed rolls , KBeard: soft drinks, 2 bags ice,
Dot,KV: corn pudding, broccoli salad, RayO: potato salad, banana pudding, LalitR: Jalebi, MikeMc: 3-4Mac&Chez,
CathyA: coleslaw, fruit salad, PatN: v. onions , JuanJ: tomato/basil salad, JeanY: baked beans, CharlesR: sweet tea,
Prep your food ahead, take an afternoon nap, and come hungry!
Lunar Look: Tedda H: Introduction
: SE M.Frigoris: Atlas
1-minute talk: RayO: M.Crisium: Cleomedes, Picard
1-minute talk: StanH: M.Tranquilitatis: Palus Somni
1-minute talk: KenB: M.Nectaris: Theophilus, Cyrillus, Catharina
1-minute talk: MikeMc: M.Fecunditatis: Langrenus, Petavius
2-minute talk: StanH: Drake Equation Interactive
2-minute talk: PatN: Perseids
Observe the summer constellations & dim fuzzies.
Study Cygnus and M29 near Sadr (See Sky&Telescope pp.58,63, Stellarium)
Sunday night: Group count the Perseids 8PM until Waffle Breakfast at dawn, 6AM.
Total count: 289! by Pat, Wes, Stan, Kenneth, Ray, Tedda.
Observe Vesta before dawn near Jupiter.
Please support astronomy and your local Astronomy Club of Augusta.
If you have not already done so,
bring your 2013-14 dues to the picnic, or mail to John White, Treasurer.
Please pick up your ACA logo Polo Shirt at the picnic!
Monthly Meeting
The Public is invited!
August 23, Friday,
7:00 PM at ASU/GRU
Moonrise 2036, set 0839 Lunar.
Program: Supermassive Black Holes: The Hidden Hearts of Galaxies
Galaxies, such as our own Milky Way, are comprised of large collections of stars, gas, dust,
and dark matter. At the center of many of the galaxies in our Universe, including the Milky Way,
there exist supermassive black holes
with masses ranging from a million to 10 billion times
the mass of our Sun. Dr. Aller will present an overview of the evidence for the existence of these
supermassive black holes locally and in the more distant universe, and will discuss how their masses
are linked to the properties of their host galaxies. Dr. Aller will also briefly address
the possible origins for these giant black holes, and discuss how they are believed to influence
the evolution and growth of galaxies.
Speaker: Dr. Monique C. Aller
is a third-generation professional astronomer who earned her PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the
University of Michigan in 2007, with a dissertation on Supermassive Black Holes:
Their Masses, Host Galaxy Relationships, and Cosmic Distribution.
From 2007-2010 she was a postdoctoral researcher at the ETH Zurich (Switzerland)
studying galaxy evolution as part of the COSMOS project. Since Fall 2010 she has been working at the
University of South Carolina in Columbia as a postdoctoral fellow. There she has been studying
interstellar dust in other galaxies, such as is probed by quasar absorption systems,
and star-formation in unusual environments, such as polar ring galaxies.
She previously discussed 'Galaxies in the Local Universe and Beyond' at our ACA May 2012 meeting.
PRIZES awarded for Answers to Observing
Questions (See Q&A here!)
Tailgate Refreshments: Ray Owens
Lunar Observing after the meeting
Bring your binoculars, telescope, AL Lunar list.
1-minute talk: MarkD: South: Tycho, Clavius
1-minute talk: KenB: M.Nubium: Bullialdus, Pitatus
1-minute talk: ____: M.Insularum: Copernicus, Eratosthenes
1-minute talk: TeddaH: M.Imbrium: Montes Apenninus, Montes Caucasus, Aristoteles, Montes Alpes, (Mons Blanc), Plato
1-minute talk: ____: M.Imbrium: Archimedes, Montes Archimedes, Palus Putredinis
Club Star Gaze
- postponed to Sept.06 by majority vote.
August 31, Saturday,
7:30 PM at NMR-DSO
Moonrise 0120 Set 15:18 Dark sky
August Minutes
August Minutes with photos
Get ready - get set - Go - Register for Winter Star Party 2014, Feb. 23- Mar02, Key Pine, FL
Club Star Gaze
September 6, Friday, 7:00 PM at NMR-DSO
Moonrise 0120 Set 15:18 Dark sky
Bring your binoculars, telescope, AL Messier List, planisphere.
9:00PM: 10-minute tour of Constellation Ursa Major, John W.
Wear socks, shoes, pants.
Monthly Meeting, and OMN = Observe the Moon Night
The Public is invited!
September 14 , Saturday,
6 -10:00 PM at RPSEC
Moonrise: 1502 Set: 0051 Lunar: Waxing Gibbous
All members can help. Thank you.
Please wear your ACA logo polo shirt, ACA labels will also be available.
6PM: Lunar Program
Introduction to the Moon: Tedda Howard
The Public is invited!
Prizes awarded for answers to Observing Questions: Stan Howard
Light supper for attendees: S&T Howard, Refreshments: Mark Moffatt, Water & Sodas: Gary Senn
7-10PM: OMN on the Lawn:
The Public is invited!
Short talks every 15 minutes between telescope viewings.
ACA - OMN Volunteers:
DotV: SE M.Frigoris: Atlas, Endymion
RayO: M.Crisium: Cleomedes, Picard
StanH: M.Tranquilitatis: Palus Somni
KenB: M.Nectaris: Theophilus, Cyrillus, Catharina
KenB: M.Nubium: Bullialdus, Pitatus
LalitR: M.Insularum: Copernicus, Eratosthenes
TeddaH: M.Imbrium: Montes Apenninus, Montes Caucasus, Aristoteles, Montes Alpes, (Mons Blanc), Plato
StanH: M.Imbrium: Archimedes, Montes Archimedes, Palus Putredinis
Bring YOURSELF!
Bring what you have of binoculars, telescopes, planisphere, AL Lunar list.
Club Star Gaze
September 28, Saturday,
5:00/7:00 PM at NMR-DSO
Moonrise 0020 set 1418 Dark sky
Wear socks, shoes, pants.
Bring what you have of: binoculars, telescope, planisphere, AL Messier list,
Observe the Milky Way Galaxy, Fall Constellations, great stars, clusters, and nebula.
5:00 PM SEED Volunteers come early to finalize our projects.
6:00 PM Officers' Meeting
6:30 PM Combined light supper
7:00 PM Club Star Gaze
September Minutes ,
September Photos
The Time to Care Award
October 3, Thursday,
5:00PM on Channel 12
ACA Member Elisabeth H. is the Time to Care October recipient for her work for Scoliosis Awareness. This past spring, Elisabeth collected 150lbs of socks for scoliosis surgery patients in Ghana. Elisabeth also wrote a letter to SC Governor Nikki Haley, and as a result, the governor named June 2013 as Scoliosis Awareness Month. We are very proud of Elisabeth for giving of herself to help others in need. Elisabeth and Nana Lisa will be interviewed on this program.
See
video.
There is a really good pic of John showing Elisabeth, some stuff about her telescope, and Stan is in the background!
Once you click on the link, just look for her name and click the box and the video should pop open. There is also an option to read the interview as well.
Lisa: "I think they did a really good job on the segment and we were pleased and excited!"
ACA Solar Observing on the Lawn, DAWN Mission to Vesta and Ceres, and Planet Walk
for SEED and National Astronomy Day
October 12, Saturday,
10AM-3PM at RPSEC
The Public is invited!
Have it both ways:
Focus on the SUN! and out to the Asteroids!
Wear socks, shoes, light clothing to cover, hat, sun block.
For SEED Volunteers
ACA hosts School Meeting
October 25, Friday,
9:00 AM at North Augusta High School
Moonrise 2303 Set 1213, Dark sky
Program: NASA - Exploration at a Crossroad
Explore current Human and Robotic Exploration Missions within NASA, where we are and where we
are heading with the Space Shuttle and Space Station programs, as well as exploration of the solar
system including Mars, Saturn, asteroid belt, and NASA's plan to return to the Moon and on to Mars.
Speaker: Russell Romanella
is Director for Safety and Mission Assurance at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC), FL,
where he is responsible for enabling NASA's current programs such as the Space Shuttle, Space
Station, Exploration, and Launch Services Programs. He assures the center is ready to support new
projects such as commercial cargo and crew launch to the Space Station. He joined NASA in 1982
as a co-op student while attending FSU, where he received his degree in Mathematics and Computer
Science. His broad range of experiences include Space Shuttle processing, International Space
Station, and NASA’s Exploration program. Mr. Romanella has received numerous awards including
NASA's Exceptional Service Medal, the Center Director Award, and the Presidential Rank Award for
his leadership in preparing Space Station elements for launch from the Kennedy Space Center.
His website: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/biographies/romanella.html.
Please welcome him.
October Minutes
October Photos
Club Star Gaze
November 02, Saturday,
6:30 PM at NMR-DSO
Moonrise 0544 Set 1702 Dark sky
Bring your binocs, telescope, AL Messier List, planisphere.
Wear socks, shoes, layered clothing.
Observe: Formalhaut (Piscis Austrinus), Alnair (Grus), and Ankaa (Phoenix),
Asteroid Juno, Saturn nebula, Neptune, Uranus, Sculptor galaxy.
SEED & Special Event results, Calendar update
School Outreach: Star Party
November 12, Tuesday 6-8:00PM, Evans Elementary
Monthly Meeting
The Public is invited!
November 15, Friday,
7:00 PM at ASU/GRU
Moonrise 1615 Set 0458 Lunar
Program: Are We Alone? Do We Want to Be Alone?
Life is not only abundant on Earth, it's sometimes found in the most remote locations and under extreme conditions.
So why is it that when we look outward toward the cosmos we don't find life? Is life unique to Earth or are we not looking hard enough?
In this talk we'll review the history of life on Earth as a means to remind ourselves how life may develop elsewhere.
From here we'll delve into the issue of how to properly search for life outside Earth's biosphere.
The talk will conclude with some thoughts about what it would mean to find life elsewhere, including the very important question,
do we want to be alone?
Speaker: Louis Rubbo
is Associate Professor of Astronomy, Coastal Carolina University.
2004 PhD degree in Physics at Montana State University
2004-07 Postdoctoral scholar, Center for Gravitational Wave Physics, Penn State U
2007-2013 Assistant Professor of Astronomy, Coastal Carolina University.
Dr. Rubbo's areas of expertise include gravitational wave astronomy, general relativity, and physics education research.
As a robotics mentor and camp director, Dr. Rubbo exposes K-12 students to what it means to be a scientist and an engineer.
including the wide variety of careers and lifestyles that are available with a science and mathematics background.
Dr. Rubbo presented an outstanding program on Gravitational Waves at our ACA March 2011 meeting.
We look forward to his new topic. See his website.
Refreshments: David Price and Family
Lunar Observing after the meeting. - Cancelled due to clouds.
Order your subscription to: Sky & Telescope, @ $24.00/yr. Last chance: Nov.30.
a great gift in time for the holidays!
Club Dark Sky Star Gaze
November 30, Saturday, 6:30PM, at NMR-DSO
Moonrise 0427 Set 1535 Dark sky,
5:00 PM: NASA Spacecraft Paper Model-Making Fun Night
Tables and chairs will be set up so families can work together, some adults can help families with multiple children,
observing tours from project to project, final display of all progress.
We will print models on paper or card stock ready when you arrive, or you can print your model and bring it with you.
We will supply glue, fishing line, paper clips, some glitter.
We will supply some sissors, a hot glue gun with some glue sticks. Please bring additional sissors and other supplies with you if possible.
You can take your models home to complete, to hang and show visitors, to hang as Christmas decorations,
to take to school or work, to develop a 2-min. talk.
Have fun!
NASA Paper Models: Check out these resources: Then reply email your choice.
https://www.google.com/#psj=1&q=NASA+Paper+Models
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/index.html
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/scalemodels/
http://science.nasa.gov/kids/the-universe/universe-spacecraft-paper-models/
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Orion_Model.html
https://www.google.com/search?q=NASA+Paper+Models&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=prttUpPNFYSfyQHc9YGwBg&ved=0CEUQsAQ&biw=983&bih=893
http://jleslie48.com/gallery_models_real.html
http://www.ninfinger.org/models/papermodels.html
http://spacecraftkits.com/free.html
http://www.ss42.com/pt-space.html
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/kids/
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/kids/index.cfm?Filename=papermodels
http://paperkraft.blogspot.com/2008/08/nasa-satellite-papercrafts.html
http://paper-replika.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8057:kepler-space-telescope-nasa-spacecraft-paper-model&catid=139:space&Itemid=206210
http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov/outreach/podcast/wordpress/index.php/2011/03/18/maggies-blog-build-your-own-satellite-model/
http://paperkraft.blogspot.com/2008/08/nasa-satellite-papercrafts.html
https://www.google.com/#psj=1&q=paper+models+real+space&revid=1883000550
Everyone can come, learn, and volunteer to help - hands-on!
A great opportunity for everyone!
6:00 PM: Light Supper: chili & chips ,
Tour the Breezeway Solar System
6:30 PM: Dark Sky Observing Cancelled due to cloud cover
With winter dark coming earlier in the evening,
it is a great season to observe, young to older.
Take a nap and get ready for great observing.
Bring: 1. YOURSELF, family, and friends.
We always have plenty of telescopes to share,
and plenty of people to help you find things in the heavens above!
2. what you have of: binoculars, telescope, planisphere, AL Messier list.
Wear warm layered clothing, hat, shoes & socks. It is always colder than expected after dark.
Observe: Check out Formalhaut (Piscis Austrinus), Alnair (Grus), and Ankaa (Phoenix).
Then look for Uranus and Neptune. How do you see the colors?
Last chance to see Herschel's Garnet star in the NW.
Andromeda Galaxy will still be high in the sky.
Menkar and Diphda in Cetus point to the Pleiades.
Watch the Winter Hexagon appear,
Orion's belt / the Three Kings rise in the East.
Jupiter's Great Red Spot is visible tonight. See Vesta and Ceres nearby.
See More stars, constellations, galaxies, clusters, nebulae, planets, and asteroids.
November Minutes
Club Lunar Gaze
Cancelled due to cloud cover, but Kenneth came anyway, and we made holiday goodies.
December 7, Saturday,
6:30PM at NMR-DSO
Moonrise 1111 Set 2247 Lunar waxing crescent
Outstanding views of Mare Crisium, Mare Fecunditatis, Mare Nectaris, and Palus Somni.
Look for Maria Undarum, Spumans, and Smythii,
Craters: Endymion, Atlas, Hercules, Cleomedes,
Condorcet, Firmicus, Langrenus, Vendelinus, Petavius, Furnerius.
Bring Yourself! and what you have of telescope, binoculars, AL Lunar list, warm clothing.
Annual Holiday Club Dinner
December 14, Saturday,
6:00 PM at Bobby's BBQ
Reserve a place for you and your family now.
Moonrise 1535 Set 0446 Lunar
Gift Exchange: $5-15. On arrival, your astronomy, science, or other gift will be displayed on the gift table,
and you can choose a number from the pot.
After our meal, you can choose any gift when it is your turn/number. Open your gift for all to see. You may swap with any other opened gifts.
This makes for a lot of speculation, intrigue, negotiating, and fun!
It's not the gift that counts but the happiness we bring to each other.
All, especially children, are encouraged to make something, satellite models (many available free online), paper weights, mugs, night lights, or other.
Club Dark Sky Gaze
December 28, Saturday, 5:00PM, at NMR-DSO
Moonrise 0310 Set 1428 Dark Sky
5:00PM:
Videos: ACA Annual Recap, Stan Howard Videos
Revised: Mercury Astronaut Program, 40min. video first of the series: Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, courtesy of Lalit.
6:00PM: Refreshments
6:30PM:
Dark Sky Observing
Wear
warm, layered clothing, hat, shoes & socks.
Bring Yourself! and what you have of telescope, binoculars, AL Messier list.
See the beautiful winter sky!
We will help beginners, intermediates. Advanced: Please come and help.
December Minutes
2014
2014 Aps, Astronomy News
Monthly Meeting
The Public is invited!
January 10, Friday,
7:00 PM at ASU/GRU
Moonrise 1335 Set 0241, Lunar
Program: Astronomy Jeopardy
Come for a fun evening of astronomical enlightenment while you and your TEAM figure out the solutions.
Categories: Beginner, Easy, Intermediate, Challenge.
All the answers are in our Solar System!
Planned so youth can also compete!
Win Prizes!!!
Host: Tedda Howard
ACA President
will give you the answers! But YOU must ask the questions!
Stan Howard: computer board
Refreshments: Constellation Cookies, Tedda Howard
New Member Orientation, Q&A
Lunar Observing after the meeting - cancelled due to clouds.
ACA in the News: All stars for local astronomy club !
Club Star Gaze - Rain or Shine!
January 25, Saturday,
5:30PM
at NMR-DSO
Moonrise 0157 Set 1249 - Dark sky
Dedication of J. Michael Sparks Telescope, Meade 12" LX200, with manuals, eyepieces, and other attachments,
donated to ACA by Becky Sparks and daughters.
Come and see:
6:00-6:30: A lovely view of Mercury !!
Constellations, The Winter Hexagon & other Asterisms, Andromeda & other Galaxies.
Find open & globular Clusters in Gemini, Bejeweled Doubles.
Sparkle with Canopus! The best time to see this "southern" star!
