FROM THE PRESIDENT Bill Hanagan

Next Meeting – November 20th, 2012 at 8:00 PM

Each issue of FOCUS is full of useful hyperlinks. Just click onany graphic or telltale blue web address and your browser shouldtake you to additional linked web resources.

at the Mt. Cuba Astronomical Observatory

Special 2nd Annual IssueShowcasing the FormidableAstro-Photography Talents

of DAS Members! FOCUS Editor Joe Neuberger

Once again, the response of DAS members hasbeen overwhelming, and the bulk of this month’s issue of theFOCUS is devoted to the outstanding AstroPhotography ofthe industrious and adventurous hobbiest/professionals in ourmidst. We have members who literally travel the globe inorder to scratch their itch for recording the heavens and itsmajesty. And this month we are treated to a wide variety oftheir efforts in the feature beginning on page 10.

And, as I stated in the October issue’s“Last Word” column, there’s nothing I admire more in thisclub of amateur astronomers than those who experimentwith the evolving technologies related to, and place consider-able resources into the exploration that is the art of modernAstroPhotography. I salute each and every one of theparticipants in this month’s endeavor and look forward tofeaturing more of their efforts in the issues ahead.

Lastly, I wish to exend my heartfelt personal“THANKS” to all who answered my call and participated inthis month’s feature showcasing the efforts of these talentedindividuals . “Thank you” one and all!

Vol. 57, No. 9, November, 2012

First off, I’d like to thank Greg Lee for his Octoberpresentation of “What’s Up” and Mike Cimorosi for his talk anddemonstration on stellar parallax. Thanks also go to JeffLawrence for providing refreshments. Because we were runninglate, I held my talk on Telescope Collimation for another time.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all ofthose who have contributed to this special issue of theFOCUS. Imaging is a major and growing activity in amateurastronomy nationwide and one that several of our membershave obviously embraced enthusiastically.

Our main meeting program for November 20 willbegin with a brief review of “What’s Up in the Sky” by GregLee, followed by 2 mini-talks: 1) Harnessing the Full Powerof Skytools 3, an in-depth guide to getting the most from thisobserving and astro-photography planning tool, by Doug Norton;and 2) Winter Observing Gear, a guide to keeping warm andhappy while observing in cold weather, by Fred DeLucia.

As always, I’d like to remind you to keep thinkingabout how YOU can contribute to the DAS and how you canmake the DAS a better astronomy club. We’ve had somevolunteers step forward, and we’ve received a variety ofequipment donations, but more volunteers and donations arealways needed. In particular, we still have empty slotsfor about 4 mini-talks in our speaker schedule.

A club works best when all of its able-bodiedmembers pitch-in and help out at club functions in whateverway they can. If you want to make the DAS a betterastronomy club, give me a call at 302-239-0949. I’m sure wecan come up with something that you can do to help theDAS that also suits your particular interests.

Two Mini-Talks by DAS Members:Harnessing the Full Power of Skytools 3 - Speaker: Doug Norton

Winter Observing Gear - Speaker: Fred DeLucia

Observing with the Delaware Astronomical Society...

The Flame Nebula -Designated asNGC 2024 and Sh2-277, is an emissionNebula in the constellation Orion.Photo by DAS Member Rick Davis.

“PUBLIC NIGHTS” at the Mt. CUBA OBSERVATORY...MCAO PUBLIC NIGHTS Greg Weaver

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DAS Member Star Parties (MSP’s) Bill Hanagan

visit and view our all-digital full-dome planetarium. You canpick up a schedule when you next come to a meeting or getthe latest updated version off the website at: http://MountCuba.org.

The Mt. CubaObservatory PublicNights continue yearround! In addition tolearning about manyaspects of the heavens,you’ll have a chance to

Programs are presented on Monday nights at 8pm.Please check the website for full details and updates onprograms planned. Interested individuals or groups can applyby letter or call 654-6407 (preferably between the hours of 9and 11 am, Monday through Friday) to the Observatory toobtain reservations for these “Public Nights”.

The Public Nights schedule for November andDecember, 2012 follows:

Dec 5 Bill Hanagan How to Choose your First TelescopeNov. 26 Jack Fisher Is there a God?Dec. 10 Stan Owocki TBD

Date Speaker Topic

The DAS MSP held in conjunction with the Fall “No-Frills” Stargaze on October 11-14 was a great star party onceagain this year and is described in a separate report along with photos beginning on page 5.

A week later, on October 20, we held our 10th MSP of the year, this time at the Sawin Observatory. DAS membersMike Cimorosi, Randy Detra, Diana Metzger, and myself were present—and we had a great time! We observed primarilywhat I consider to be the showpiece objects for this time of year, most notably M13, M92, Albireo, M57, the coat hanger, theDouble Cluster in Perseus, M31 and M32, among other objects.

Earlier in the day, at around 4 PM, the sky was beset by a heavy haze and thin clouds. But, as forecast, the skycleared completely by 7:30 PM and remained clear until closing. This is yet another example of how the MSP program,which uses weather forecasts and email for scheduling, has enabled us to hold star parties on clear nights in spite of ratherbleak conditions earlier in the day. “GO” has been called for more than 30 potential MSP nights in the last 3 years and we’vehad only two occasions that I can remember when observing was seriously impeded by clouds. And, in one of those cases,we were able to observe many of the showpiece objects in spite of persistent haze and wispy clouds. The moral is this:don’t let a bleak daytime sky convince you not to come out to one of our MSPs. If the MSP supervisor issues a GO, it’s anexcellent bet that the sky will actually be clear for the MSP, even if it isn’t already clear.

The MessierChart of objects

at right are thetargets sought

during events ofthe type hosted

by the DASfeatured this

month. For moreinfo on Messier

objects go tohttp://

messier.seds.org/ or click on the

photo at right.

Coming up in November, we’re planning to hold theFall Messier ½ Marathon MSP on either the weekend ofNovember 9 / 10, or November 16 / 17. As in years past, theevent will be held at Gus Swartout’s Elk River site south ofElkton, MD. Gus will be the MSP supervisor for the event. Ifgood weather allows the Messier ½ Marathon to take placeon November 9 or 10, we may hold an additional MSP onNovember 16 or 17 at a site to be determined.

Potential MSP dates for December fall on theweekends of December 7 / 8 and 14 /15, all of which come upbefore the main meeting in December.

The final plans for all of our MSPs will, as always, beannounced via the DAS Yahoo Group email. The mechanicsof the MSP program are described separately under “Noteson the Member Star Parties (MSPs)” on page 4 of this issueof the FOCUS.

The DAS astrophotography special interest group (DASAP SIG) meets on Friday nights at 7:30pm every other month at Mt.Cuba regardless of weather. The SIG also meets for photo shootsscheduled on 1-2 day notice to synchronize with the weather.

The monthly meetings are informal and typicallyinclude the presentation of astrophotos taken by the membersalong with an extended question and answer period. Objectscommonly photographed include constellations, auroras, lunareclipses, and planetary photos, as well as a wide variety of deep-sky objects such as nebulae, galaxies, star clusters, etc. Thetopics discussed cover the entire gamut of astrophotography,from how to get started with a minimum of equipment, to polaraligning your telescope, all of the way to the fine points of usingauto-guiders and post-processing digital images.

You can get started in astrophotography with justyour current camera mounted on a tripod or a motorizedtelescope by taking wide field photographs of meteor showers,conjunctions, constellations, and star trails. As you move toprogressively fainter and smaller subjects, you’ll need betterequipment. Joining the AP SIG is a great way to learn whatequipment you’ll need and what works well before you spendyour money. If you are interested in joining the AP SIG, justemail your name, address, and phone number to me athanaganw@verizon.net.

.

The DAS Amateur Telescope Making (ATM) SpecialInterest Group (SIG ) meets on evenings and weekendsaccording to the availability of the members and the particu-lar projects that are underway. Currently the ATM SIG has amedium Dob building program under way. The general rangeof activities of the ATM SIG includes all manner of telescopemaking, mirror making, and the making of accessories fortelescopes and observing.

Anyone interested in joining the ATM SIG should

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DAS Special Interest Groups for Photography and Telescope Construction...DAS ASTROPHOTOGRAPHYSPECIAL INTEREST GROUP Bill Hanagan

DAS AMATEUR TELESCOPE MAKING SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP Bill Hanagan

email their name, address, and phone number to me athanaganw@verizon.net.

Meeting dates are announced primarily by email, soif you are interested in telescope making, be sure to letme know!

The DAS also maintains a club observatory on the groundsof the Mt. Cuba Astronomical Observatory. The Sawin Observatoryhouses the club’s permanently mounted 12.5" reflecting telescopeand a 17.5" Coulter Odyssey 2 Dobsonian telescope. They are forthe use of club members once they are trained and checked-out ina simple operating procedure. Members who are interested inbecoming key holders of the Sawin Observatory should contact meat 302-239-1844 to arrange for training in the use of the facility.

One of the best advantages of being a member of theDelaware Astronomical Society is that all members have theprivilege of being trained to use and then borrow equipmentowned by the club for personal use. Currently, we have twoscopes available for loan: a Celestron 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain,and a 6" Orion Sky-Quest XT6 Dobsonian reflector. The loan isfor at least a month. If you’re interested in checking out eitherof these scopes, contact Tom Sidowski at 302-239-1844.

LOANER TELESCOPES and SAWIN OBSERVATORY REMINDER Tom Sidowski

NEW

.

The refiguring of the club’s 17.5” f/4.5 mirror isproceeding. If you would like to participate in this effort,please let me know.

7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 20, 2012 In the Library at the Mt. Cuba Observatory

The PRESIDENT’S DAS BOARDMEETING AGENDA for NOVEMBER

NEW Treasurer’s report, we’ll be discussing the following items.The first two of these are carry-overs from last month.1) Plans for the DAS Christmas Party2) A possible speaker for our May dinner meeting suggested

by Mike Cimorosi3) Other topics to be determined.

As always, DAS board meetings are open to all DAS members.In addition to routine items of business such as the

As always, please consider submitting one or more ofyour favorite astrophotos for publication in the FOCUS. Arecent photo is not required. You can email your photo(s) as.jpg files to our FOCUS editor, Joe Neuberger at his address atjrneuberger@gmail.com. Please include a text file brieflydescribing how you made each photo (in Microsoft Wordformat) along with any by-lines or captions you would like Joeto use. If you would like, you can write a more in-depthdiscussion to go with your photos. Joe can make a masterfullayout, but if you would like to suggest a layout of your ownyou can insert copies of your photos into the Word documentto give him an idea what you would like to see. Either way,don’t forget to attach a high resolution .jpg file to your email foreach photo. Joe has done a great job improving the look of theFOCUS and adding relevant links to take advantage of the factthat the FOCUS is now on-line, but like all newsletter editors,he needs as much material as he can get from club members.

The last of our AP-SIG on-site meetings this year willbe held at the Sawin Observatory on the weekend of Novem-ber 30 / December 1 and hosted by yours truly, Bill Hanagan.If the weather allows, I’ll be demonstrating planetary imagingof Jupiter using a DSLR, a laptop computer, and the Sawin12.5” telescope.

Even if you aren’t an AP-SIG member, you’re wel-come to attend the AP-SIG meetings to learn more. Be sureto sign up for the DAS Yahoo Group email in order to receivethe detailed meeting announcements.

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Notes on the Member Star Parties (MSPs) Bill Hanagan

Laser Collimator Now Available for Loanto the Membership

If you would like to take advantage of this new tool available for lending to the membership, please contact theO&E Group by calling Tom Sidowski at 302-239-1844. It’s a quick and easy procedure and will improve your visual observ-ing experience GREATLY! EASY to USE & YOU’LL LOVE IT, GUARANTEED! It’s one of the handiest and mostuseful things the club has ever offered for loan to the membership! You owe it to yourself to CHECK IT OUT!

FOCUS uses plenty of photos in banners & elsewhere each issue, and

we want to use YOURS...not Hubble’s!!Please forward photos to the FOCUS editorJoe Neuberger at JRNeuberger@gmail.com

MSP cycles are timed for a minimum of intrusion by moonlight during the hours before midnight to maximize opportunitiesfor deep sky observing and imaging. For each MSP cycle there are usually four potential dates designated in advance. These areusually the Friday and Saturday nights which immediately precede a new moon, and the Friday and Saturday nights that follow orinclude the new moon date. That means that we usually have 4 potential MSP dates associated with each lunar cycle. Which of thefour potential dates is used for an MSP is “flex-scheduled” according to the weather using the DAS Yahoo Group email system.

Please be sure to mark your calendars with the potential MSP dates that appear in the table! Obviously, you need to keepas many of these dates open as possible so when a GO announcement is made you’re in a position to attend the DAS Member StarParty regardless of which date the weather favors!

The DAS has a core group of dedicated visual observers and astro-imagers who travel to Tuckahoe, Cherry Springs, WestVirginia, and other dark sky sites as opportunities and the weather allow. If you’re interested in going along or meeting up on any ofthe road trips mentioned in the MSP schedule, let me know and I’ll fill you in on the details and keep you apprised as plans develop.

Road trips to distant observing sites like Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania require that several DAS memberscommit to going in advance should the weather prove favorable for at least two nights. When the weather forecast only looks goodfor one night, the MSP will often be redirected to a closer site such as ChesLen, the Elk River site, or the Sawin observatory.

While DAS members who go on road trips are often involved in both observing and imaging, these road trips are particularlyvaluable for visual observers because they offer the best opportunity to see deep sky objects through large aperture telescopesunder dark skies.

Most of today’s big Dobs produce vastly superior visual images compared to older, large aperture observatory telescopeswith which you might be familiar, thanks in part to better optics, the use of a “thin” primary mirror which cools faster, and the use offans to cool the primary mirror and to remove warm air from the optical path. If you are truly interested in visual observing, you owe itto yourself to see first-hand what dark skies and a modern large aperture telescope will allow you to see.

Finally, I’d like to remind you that you need to be signed up for the DAS Yahoo Group to receive the scheduling announce-ments for the MSPs. A full description of the MSP program appears on the DAS website at http://delastro.org/ and in the December2009 issue of the FOCUS.

Just click the graphic above!

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CLASSIFIEDS: For sale - Celestron 8 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain -- Classic black Aluminum optical tube assembly withCelestron’s premium Starbright coatings; 2032 mm focal length (f/10);Visual back comes with upgraded Blue Fireball Technologies 2" brasscompression ring style SCT adapter, not the standard 1.25". This allowsuse of 2” accessories; and also includes Celestron’s 9 x 50mmfinderscope to help more easily and accurately locate objects in the nightsky, not the normal 6 x 30 finderscope common to this model. To purchasea C8 new today would cost $1049 - I am asking ONLY $225! -

I’ve seen used C8 Tube Assemblies selling for hundreds of dollars more on Astromart than what I’m askinghere. Telescope has been well cared for. Contact Dave Sewell by email at troglimite@yahoo.com or byphone at 302-757-5000 for any additional details or to arrange for a closer examination.

A Report on the Oct. 11-13 MSP Held inConjunction with the “No-Frills” Stargaze Bill Hanagan

On October 11, 12, and 13 we held our 9th MSP ofthe year at Tuckahoe State Park in conjunction with theDelmarva Stargazer’s “No-Frills” Stargaze star party. I’d liketo share my account of the event along with some photos.

In addition to myself, DAS members Rob Lancaster,Jeff Lawrence, Greg Lee, Bill McKibben, Dave Sewel, andLeonard White attended. We also met up with past DASmembers Pete Lizza, Keith Love, Don Surles, and JerryTruitt, among others. My apologies if I missed any otherDAS members who were also present.

The DAS encampment (which was on the north endof the field this year) can be seen in the first photo below.The awnings in the center of the camp were provided by GregLee and Bill McKibben. By night, these awnings shelteredstar charts and eyepieces from the dew. By day, theyprovided shade from the sun as needed.

Although this photo doesn’t show it, there was plentyof empty space on the field for more astronomy enthusiasts.

The next photo shows a view of the sky to the east

at about 1:45 AM (10/14/2012), with my tent in the fore-ground. This wide-angle view covers 97 degrees verticallyand 74 degrees horizontally. Images like this should beviewed as LARGE as possible for full appreciation. However,no photograph can fully convey the grandeur of the night sky.You have to be there to fully appreciate the beauty of thenight sky at a dark sky site like Tuckahoe. (This photo appears

in a larger formaton page 25 alongwith other of Bill’sAstro-Photographyefforts of late. Ed.)

Jupiter isthe brightest objectin the view andappears slightlyabove center. Justto the right ofcenter you can seethe unmistakableoutline of Orion,and to the left youcan see the Geminitwins stretched outparallel to thehorizon. ThePleiades appearnear the top of the(continued on page 6)

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Report on “No-Frills” Stargaze(Continued from page 5)

Tom Sidowski

photo and a little to the right of center. The horns of Taurusthe bull (which open to the left) are visible to the right and alittle up from Jupiter. The bright circle of stars in Auriga canbe seen to the left and up from Jupiter. At the top of Aurigayou may be able to see the small triangle known as “The Kids”.

Note that the brightest star in the sky, Sirius, can beseen just above the tree line directly below the belt of Orion.At the time this photo was made, Sirius had an altitude ofonly 5.5 degrees above the eastern horizon, which shouldgive you some idea of the horizon limits of the observing field.

Visually, the glow at the horizon is much lessapparent than it appears in the photo. Even hours after myeyes were fully dark adapted, the small amount of lightpollution visible along the eastern horizon was barely notice-able. The sky near the horizon appears brighter in the photoboth because this is a 30 second exposure and because thecontrast of the image was raised to insure that the stars wouldbe visible in the FOCUS. Other technical details for this photoappear in this month’s section on DAS AstroPhotography.

The next photo shows Jeff Lawrence in the canteenon Friday.

Jeff brought along a smoker-cooker and set it up tocook a large batch of pulled-pork (lightly smoked porkshoulder) over Thursday night. He monitored the tempera-ture with a radio based thermometer as he observed and heeven got up during the night to adjust the temperature. Talkabout multi-tasking! Jeff also provided several side-dishes togo with the pork. Everyone at the star party applauded Jeff’scooking as they feasted on the pork at both lunch and dinneron Friday and again at lunch on Saturday. Several excellentsoups were also provided by Don Surles and the DelmarvaStargazers. The traditional fish-fry was held late on Saturdayafternoon, but being the “No-Frills” Stargaze, there was noraffle afterward.

The next photo at the top of the right column showsGreg Lee and Jeff Lawrence discussing Greg’s 15” split-tubeDiscovery Dob. While this design is noticeably moreportable than a monolithic tube, Greg has mused about thepossibility of converting this to a truss tube Dob to improveits portability. Since retiring his full-sized station wagon,Greg has had to either borrow or rent a mini-van in order to

bring this telescope to star parties.Greg’s 15” scope was the main instrument used by

those of us present on Thursday night and it was usedheavily on all three nights.

Our club’s new “Barlowed Laser Collimator” sawheavy use on all 3 nights and was used in the collimation ofmore than 5 different telescopes on one night alone. A viewof the collimator in operation can be seen in the next photo.Just down and to the left of the dark hole in the center of thetarget screen you can see a small part of the shadow createdby the donut on Rob Lancaster’s primary mirror, indicatingthat the primary was not yet in perfect collimation when thephoto was taken. Identifying the shadow is made easier byseeing it with the primary farther out of collimation.

The idea behind the club acquiring a barlowed lasercollimator was in part to allow DAS members to experiencefirst-hand the speed and ease-of-use advantages that thisapproach to collimation has over the older Cheshire eyepiece.However, both of those tools will allow you to collimate yourNewtonian primary mirror accurately. In contrast, a simplestraight beam laser collimator does not insure the necessaryaccuracy, especially at lower focal ratios (f/6 or lower).

During the day on Saturday, the DAS contingentheaded off to a nearby Rocket Launch held by the Maryland/Delaware Rocketry Association, of which Bill McKibben is amember. The next photo, on page 9, shows Bill’s rocketduring its first launch of the day.

The following photo shows Bill with his rocket shortlyafter successful recovery of his equipment after flight. (continued on page 9)

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The Swan NebulaPhoto Credit: DAS Member Rob Lancaster

Rob says he got hisnew Astronomik UHCfilter in mid Septem-ber and on the first

clear night hedecided to try it out.

The results werephenomenal. He

says the filter is worthwhat he paid for it. In

spite of the highlevels of light pollu-tion in his area, he

took some of thebest pictures he has

taken with his 10”Newtonian telescope. He plans to do more

with this filter .This was a stack

of five 60second exposures.

The Swap Table at Last Year’s Dec. X’mas Partywas a GREAT SUCCESS, So We’re Doing it

AGAIN...SO BRING OUT YOUR STUFF--MAKE AMEMBER HAPPY & Put some Extra Holiday

Money in Your Pocket as Well!!Last year’s Swap Table at the Annual Holiday Christmas Party was such a huge success that

we’re going to do it again this year--ONLY BIGGER. So rummage through those drawers andaluminum briefcases for what you’re no longer putting to use, for there is a member out there whowill likely think “This is just what I’ve been needing” and will take it off of your hands and put in themsome extra cash for Xmas presents for your family and friends!

There will be PLENTY of table space to display your wares, so start thinking now of thatastronomical equipment, books, telescopes, binoculars, software, etc. that have been collectingdust. Something you’ve been thinking of getting rid of, to sell or just give away. There’s someonein the Club that could put those items to good use! So check what you’ve got, and bring it to theDecember Xmas Party swap table. You’ll be glad you did!!

ASTRO-PHOTO of the

MONTH

Compare this with the shorter exposure of the same Nebula Rob took from a dark sky site that appears on page 15 thatwas taken with an 18” telescope.

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Lagoon Nebula - Taken with a 10” Newtonian scopeusing a Canon Digital Rebel XSi andacquired on his Macbook Pro using Equinox Pro,stacked and processed in Canon DigitalPhoto Professional and Lynkeos.Photo Credit: by DAS Member Rob Lancaster.

DAS FORUM / E-MAIL SITE ON YAHOO Don Shedrick

This is a restricted e-mail service for use by DASmembers for DAS purposes. To use this site, go to http://groups.yahoo.com; search for Delaware AstronomicalSociety; and click on the link that comes up. To join, youmust have a Yahoo ID and password; if you don’t, you canregister at this time by following Yahoo’s instructions. Youwill then be allowed to “Join the group” upon clicking in thatbox. You must then register for the DAS group and add yourprofile by clicking on “add new profile” and completing the form.

When adding or editing your profile, you will need toenter your actual name in the “Real Name” box so you can beidentified as a DAS member so Don Shedrick can approve yourapplication to join the DAS group, and everyone will know towhom they are communicating.

Finally, specify your desired email address for deliveryof messages. Note: you may choose to not have your nameand email address displayed to anyone other than DASmembers who are members of the Yahoo DAS email group.

For more detailed instructions, go to the DASwebsite under DAS Resource Links.

LIBRARY NEWS Glenn BentleyMembers are invited to drop by the library after the

November meeting to peruse our shelves for interestingmaterials for the cold nights ahead.

ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE MEMBERSHIPDAS members have the opportunity to become

members in the Astronomical League at the discounted rateof $7.50 per year. Benefits include the Reflector (a quarterlynewsletter), observing programs, awards, discounts on booksand educational materials. For questions on joining theAstronomical League, contact Lynn King at meetings, call302-764-8816 or email KLynnKing@verizon.net.

MT. CUBA LENDING LIBRARY Paul Stratton

Please remember that the lending time period is 3months. We have some books that have been on loan forseveral months. If you’d like to keep the book longer,please let me know by either re-signing the sheet or emailme at PaulEStratton@yahoo.com.

NEW

November 20: Mini-talks: 1) Harnessing the Full Power of Skytools 3-- An in-depth guide to getting the most from thisobserving and astro-photography planning tool, by Doug Norton; 2) Winter Observing Gear-- A guide to keeping warm andhappy while observing in cold weather, by Fred DeLucia.December 18: The DAS Annual Christmas Party and Swap Meet (as in the last several years, there will be no Board meeting inDecember to allow time for setting up the Swap Meet and Christmas Party), plus a mini-talk in the Planetarium by Rob Lancaster:January 15: Newtonian Mirror Making and the Mid-Atlantic Mirror Making Seminar-- An overview of how amateur telescopemakers (ATMs) make their own high-quality telescope optics, by Bill Hanagan.February 19: Mini-talks: 1) MCAO’s Research Programs-- by MCAO Astronomer Judy Provencal; 2) OPEN.March 19: Mini-talks: 1) Filters for Observing and Imaging-- A review of the various filters available to enhance visual observ-ing and imaging and how they work, by Rob Lancaster; 2) The Blue Mountain Vista Observatory-- A review of the observatoryand its remote imaging capabilities, by Chesmont Astronomical Society’s Frank Collisomo.April 16: Gamma-Ray Astronomy with VERITAS-- A discussion of how ground based telescopes like VERITAS can detectgamma rays using the atmosphere, as well as the properties of known astronomical gamma ray sources, by University ofDelaware Assistant Professor Jamie HolderHere’s the longer version of Dr. Holder’s abstract:

Gamma-rays are the highest energy form of light (photons). They can only be produced in very extreme environments inthe Universe, in places where charged particles have been accelerated up to almost the speed of light. These include the regionsaround objects such as pulsars, black holes and supernova blast waves. Gamma-rays cannot penetrate through the atmosphere,but ground-based telescope arrays, such as VERITAS, can detect gamma-rays by using the atmosphere itself as part of thedetector. Dr. Holder will explain how this works, and describe some of the properties of known astronomical gamma-ray sources.May 21: Annual Dinner Meeting-- OPEN.June 18: OPEN.

DAS Main Meeting Topics and Speakers for 2012-2013

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Report on “No-Frills” Stargaze(Continued from page 6)

The following two photos show the largest rocketlaunched that day, weighing in at 30 pounds. This andseveral other rockets were engineered to produce a lot ofsparks, smoke, and noise just for show. Many other rocketsbuilt around creative themes (such as a flying crayon) werelaunched as well. The event was attended by roughly 75adults and children.

Later Saturday evening, we returned to the star partyat Tuckahoe to find the fish fry already in progress.

In the next photo, at the top of the right column, RobLancaster is seen pointing out the new addition to his 10” f/6imaging Newtonian, a device known by the trade name of“Dew Buster”. The “Dew Buster” controller has the advantageover previous dew controllers that it can measure the ambi-ent temperature as well as the temperature of two compo-nents. By using actual temperature measurements, the DewBuster controller can apply the exact amount of powerneeded to keep each component at or slightly above theambient temperature where dew will not form. This consider-ably reduces the drain on the battery and still provides all ofthe heat needed to keep the dew off and even clear it off ofan already dewed optical surface.

In the next photo,Rob is seen preparing hisimaging rig shortly beforesunset on Saturday night.Rob’s rig is built around a10” f/6 Newtonian telescopeand a primary mirror that hemade at the Mid-AtlanticMirror Making Seminar.

The next photo, below,shows Bill McKibben remov-ing the cover from his 18”truss tube Dob shortly aftersunset. The white scopecover helps to minimizeheat buildup in the tele-scope during the day sothat it requires less time tocool at night. It also keepsdew on the scope to aminimum after retiring forthe night.

Early on Saturday evening, thesky was filled with light haze andthin clouds, giving us the colorful sunset seen in the next photo.

Luckily, by about9:30 PM the haze andclouds cleared out andgave us our third spectacu-lar night of clear skies forobserving and imaging.With the exception of thatbrief period of haze and thin

clouds, we had very transparent skies for all three nights.The final photo shows several of our members on the

morning of Sunday, October 14, before packing up andheading out. Appearing from left to right are Bill McKibben,Rob Lancaster, Jeff Lawrence, Greg Lee, and Bill Hanagan.

As in the past, our October MSP in conjunctionwith the Delmarva Stargaze was one of the best of the year,thanks to the combination of relatively dark skies, theparticipation of a congenial group of observing and imagingenthusiasts, and a relatively short drive time (1.5 hours).

While You’re Thinking About It,Fill-Out the Form on Page 30 & Get Yours In NOW!

November is the MonthThat DAS Dues are Payable

Karl & his 22” F4.5

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Firepower on the Mountain TopAn October Astro-Viewing Trip to Spruce Knob, W.V.

Fred DeLucia withinput from Robert Werkman

Timberline Four Seasons Ski Resort

Picture it, a 25" f/4, a 24" f/3.66, a 22" f/4.5, a 22" f/3.6 (with a 152mm f/4.8 Mak-Newt piggy-backed on its mirrorbox), a 10" SkyWatcher collapsible DOB, two apochromaticrefractors (130mm and 90mm), plus my 18" f/4.3. That wasthe line-up on Spruce Knob, WV Tuesday, October 16, 2012at 4,846 feet elevation. Firepower on the mountain top, forsure! Although some of the observers, more skilled than I,complained that the transparency was not up to par, I wasquite happy with it because this was my first visit to “TheKnob” with my 18 inch. On previous excursions I used eitheran 11” or 8” SCT, so having the 18” there was enough toovercome any disappointment with transient sky conditions.

A caravan of 6 vehicles, two of them towing trailers, made the one hour drive to Spruce Knob from the Canaan Valley resorts area. At that same time a seventh driver concluded a business trip in Washington, DC

and was heading to Syria, VA to hook up a waiting trailerladen with his 24” f/3.66 telescope before embarking on hisrendezvous with “The Knob.”

The six arrived on Spruce Knob at 6:15PM. Uponparking at the summit one pick-up truck’s sound systemtriumphantly announced arrival with the strains of JohnDenver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” for all to relish inthe lyrics, “To the place I belong West Virginia, mountain momma.”

By 9:30 PM the 7th vehicle arrived from Syria, VA.Now, seven enthusiastic observers commonly bound by thecompulsive allure of the darkest observing site on the eastcoast had convened for a night enveloped in an environmentcompletely free of artificial light encroachment. The seven ofus owned the mountaintop that night. There was no one elseunder that canopy of stars that spread from horizon to horizon.The Milky Way wasn’t quite the core of a dense globular cluster

but it reminded me of suchas it spread its arc across the sky, all the way down, deepand thick into Sagittarius.

Through my 31mm Nagler at 73x provi-ding over 1° true field ofview (TFOV), the two darklanes of the AndromedaGalaxy (M31) were nestedwithin the galaxy’s glowprobably with the bestcontrast I’d ever seen. Thethree dimensional depthof the galaxy’s tilt and thesatellite galaxies M32 and M110 were so clearly detailed thatM110 showed its face-on figure brightly. Pushing magnificationto 377x with my 6mm Delos eyepiece I searched for NGC206, a large star cluster not too far from M32, inside M31.While searching for NGC 206 I couldn’t tell if I was stumblingupon very distant field stars of the Milky Way or some of the500+ globular clusters of the Andromeda Galaxy. Scanningslowly at that power along the outer dark lane fired myimagination to some distant future, traveling on an intergalacticstarship coasting through the cosmos on a scenic pass of thelocal group of galaxies as M110 and later M32 came back intoview. Then as I looked up from my scope to look towardsSagittarius… Sagittarius was gone. While I was lost inM31the entire southern portion of the sky had blacked out. Nostars. Just black. Soon the blackness had crept overheadleaving only a small “sucker hole” with some Milky Waypeering through. Clouds were rolling in, obliterating the sky butI couldn’t see them. With no artificial light, from anywhere, toreflect off clouds, it was so dark that the only way we wereaware of the presence of clouds was by the absence of stars.This lasted for about an hour before beginning to clear.

Not to waste a moment, before the clearing wascomplete, I eyeballed the area of the Pisces-PerseusSupercluster, pondered a few seconds on what awaits thereand executed a GoTo for NGC 708 in Abell 262. With eye toeyepiece my vision accommodated the dim to not-so-dimview of 15th to 12th magnitude galaxies, so, I began scanning.It wasn’t too difficult to make out the small spirals, face-ons andedge-on galaxies. I would linger on one field, then move to

another, letting my eye absorb the 260 million year old photons before pressing a button to move the field of view slightly.

On the Pisces/Pegasus border, the galaxies NGC 7619 with NGC 7626 were standouts at 12.1 and 12.2 magnitude, respectively, while a dimmer companion, NGC 7617 at 14.9 magnitude was also identifiable.

I didn’t pass up any offers to share (Continued on next page)

18 inch without Fred

The 6 Vehicle Caravan begins the trip to WVa

Fred Packed& Ready toRoll on to theWVa DarkSky Site atSpruce Knob.

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the aperture. In my 18” the outer limbs of the nebula showedpinkish hues with some bluing towards the Trapezium andvery well defined high contrast dark patches. Although the Eand F stars were apparent in everyone’s scopes, the elusiveG and H stars were not visible. This view confirmed what theothers had said earlier about the transparency. Two yearsago, while on “The Knob” M42 was nearly awash in color inthe 25” with deeper and varying intensities of pinks, bluesand grays.

Thor’s Helmet (NGC 2359) was one of my lasttargets of the night. With an OIII filter it was well defined andvery bright, its horns stretched out from the round helmetshape of the nebula displaying some filamentary strandsamidst speckles of stars. It was appreciably much more soin the 22” and 24” scopes. However, the owner of the 24” f/3.66 said that he could not recall a better view of Thor’sHelmet as what he saw in the 22” f/3.6.

There were comments about an interesting cluster ofgalaxies in Orion that others viewed through the 22” f/3.6 thatI unfortunately missed and the California Nebula (NGC 1499)through a 2" H-beta filter, simultaneously observed in that 22”and its piggybacked f/4.8 Comet Hunter (34x, 2.8° TFOV)that I also missed out on. Afterwards this made for somestimulating but, in a way, frustrating discussion. There wasjust too much going on among all those scopes of aperturefor one obsessive observer to keep up with in one night.

And it was an all-nighter. One does not want to riskleaving the mountain until at least first light of dawn. IT’STOO DARK TO DRIVE EVEN WITH HEADLIGHTS. Althoughthe road is paved all the way to the top, with a nice parkinglot and vented lavatory, there are no guardrails and the driveis a whirl of narrow switchbacks and steep declines. Doyourself a favor. If you go and stay after dark, nap in your carif you’re tired and drive down the mountain at dawn.

This was my fourth observing trip to the CanaanValley, WV and the first time without any wind on “TheKnob.” It was very refreshing not having to wait for the scopeto calm down from wind gusts. An added bonus was thecomfortable temperatures. It was 42°F when I began my driveback to the hotel at 7:30AM but it was 31° at the bottom ofthe mountain. Go figure.

The next night, Wednesday, we passed up observingat Dolly Sods and opted instead for the parking lot of theCanaan Valley Wildlife Refuge, a mere 10 minute drive fromthe hotel and a meager 3000’ elevation. The seeing onlysupported lower power views up to about 150x but the skywas still dark enough to keep us observing until 3AM. Therewas Polarissima Borealis, aka NGC 3172 at 14.1 magnitude,a 1 arc minute by 0.7 arc minute spiral galaxy in Ursa Major.It’s the nearest NGC object to Polaris and sits next to dimGSC 3644-0086, a 12.4 magnitude star. Others observed itbut I missed that opportunity as well, being that I waswrapped up in my own guilty pleasures of eye candy.

I’ve only highlighted some of the many Deep SkyObjects observed on Spruce Knob. There’s just not enoughtime or space (no pun intended) to relate how wellCleopatra’s Eye held up to high magnification, or the excep-tional clarity of the Crab and the Dumbbell nebulae, thesubtlety of the Flame Nebula, the eyebrow raising view in mybinoviewers of the galaxy pair M81/M82 and (Continued on page 30)

Firepower on the Mountain Top (Continued from preceeding page)

More Setting Up on the Knob

views in the larger scopes and making comparisons ofobjects proved a fascinating exercise, generating the usualaperture envy. One particular object that saw much eyepiecetime in everyone’s scopes was Comet 168/P Hergenrother.Its short tail varied in length from scope to scope dependingon aperture. In the 25” f/4 we were able to pull in a small 17th

magnitude galaxy within the same field of view as the comet.The five galaxies of Stephan’s Quintet (Hickson 92) in

my 18” were a beautiful tangle of interacting star cities, yet withcareful observing it was relatively easy to count all five distinctly.

Mirach’s Ghost (NGC 404) looked very much like aface-on galaxy, especially, when moving the bright starMirach out of the field of view.

Under dark skies I cannever resist a lingering view ofgalaxy NGC 891. Here, its edge-on profile with dark lane contras-ting so artfully along its length,invited study under various mag-nifications. At low power it satmajestically in a wide field ofstars, while at high power itstretched to the extreme edgesof the field of view. Its brightcore impressed me, darkenedby the dust lane that distinguishes it as one of the moststriking edge-on galaxies in our Local Group.

But what I would consider as the “View of the Night”was the region around the galaxy NGC 1275, the Perseus ACluster. In my 6mm Delos eyepiece with about 11.5 arcminutes TFOV, quickly and easily I counted 6 galaxies, andmore came into view as I lingered. It’s a gorgeously richexpanse of space, full of fuzzy patches of galaxies of manysizes and shapes. This is an area well utilized by largeaperture telescopes for mind numbing appreciation of howdense the galaxy count is in our universe.

The view of the trip for another observer was the NorthAmerican Nebula (NGC 7000) with the Pelican Nebula (IC 5070and IC 5067) through a 30mm Leitz eyepiece and Lumicon OIIIfilter in his 22” f/3.6. The dark WV skies assisted, generouslyenhancing the contrast between the clear outline of thePelican’s bill from that of the coast of Florida portion of NGC7000. It was better demarcated than he’d ever seen before.

A special treat was when I borrowed a 2” H-Beta filterand sought out the Horsehead with my 17mm Ethos (133x,3.4mm exit pupil). The image was surprisingly LARGE, takingup about 1/3 or more of the right side of the field of view. Avery experienced observer with whom I shared the view saidit was the highest magnification he had ever seen of theHorsehead and was surprised it held up so well. He sug-gested I use something with about a 5mm exit pupil, so outcame my 24mm Panoptic (4.9mm exit pupil) and he wasright. It popped much more easily, with the Horsehead now aclear stand-out against the brighter nebulosity. As I writethis I’m kicking myself for not thinking of trying my 31mmNagler, too.

When the Orion Nebula (M42) finally crept highenough to take advantage of the 4800+ feet altitude, manywere back and forth among the scopes comparing views.Color was apparent in the larger scopes, more so the bigger

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2nd Annual FOCUS Feature on theOUTSTANDING AstroPhotography

Talents of DAS Members

How Equipment Level Affects the Range ofAstronomical Objects that can be Imaged Bill Hanagan

Depending on what astronomical object you wish to photograph or image, the equipment you would want mightrange from a relatively inexpensive camera and tripod arrangement, such as that seen in photo 1, to a simple equatorialmount and telescope like that seen in photo 2, all of the way up to and even beyond the sophisticated (and expensive)autoguider equipped imaging rig seen in photo 3.

Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3

The table below summarizes the progressive relationship between the level of equipment employed and the numberof astronomical objects you can expect to image without serious blurring.

(Continued on Next Page)

Background

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How Equipment Affects Range of Objects Imaged (Continued from Preceeding Page)

One of the most important points to take away fromthis table is that you can get started in astro imaging byshooting a few relatively bright and large astronomicalobjects with inexpensive equipment, such as lunar eclipses.Then later, after you develop your skills, move up to betterand more expensive equipment in order to image a widerrange of objects. However, to image the large majority ofdeep sky objects well, you will want an autoguider equippedmount with a cooled astronomical CCD camera.

Another important principal that’s extremely impor-tant to recognize is that using a longer focal length lens ortelescope places vastly greater demands on the telescopemount.

To illustrate, let’s look at a simple example. Sup-pose a barely acceptable level of blurring occurs due theconstant drift of the image over the detector. This could becaused by polar misalignment as well as a number of othererrors. The apparent blur size caused by a constant angularshift in the aim of the telescope relative to the subject beingimaged can be predicted from the following equation.

Blur size = k • á • t • F2

where:á = the angular drift in the aim of the camera relative to thesubject per second;t = exposure time in seconds;F = the focal length of the lens or telescope in use; andk = a proportionality constant.

In this case, doubling the focal length F will increaseblurring by 22 or a factor of 4x. But, we must also accountfor the change in exposure time that the second telescopedemands. If the two telescopes have the same aperture andthe second telescope has twice the focal length, the expo-sure time will also need to be increased by a factor of 4 uponswitching to the second telescope. So, simply doubling thefocal length of the telescope that we use, without alsoincreasing the aperture, would require us to reduce mounterrors by a factor of 16 in order to get back to a barelyacceptable level of blurring!

Of course, if we could also double the aperture aswell as the focal length of the telescope the same exposuretime would work for both telescopes and we would only needto reduce mount errors by 4x. However, doubling theaperture has significant costs as well.

One other interesting point that’s worth making hereis that some sort of image can sometimes be obtained withlower level equipment, but that image won’t necessarily beequal to an image produced using better equipment. Forexample, photo 4 shows an image of the Andromeda Galaxyshot with a 50 mm lens and a DSLR mounted on a tripod!The galaxy appears in the upper half of the image just to theright of center.

Now check out the following link to see another imageof the Andromeda Galaxy made with a 20” Ritchey Chretienmounted on a Paramount ME equipped with an autoguider.http://www.robgendlerastropics.com/M31NMmosaic.html

Though the first image certainly shows the Androm-eda Galaxy, it is in no way equal to the image seen at the link.

The point of this discourse is that the image qualitythat you can hope to achieve is very definitely dependent onthe quality of the equipment you use.

Photo 4

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The Horsehead and Flame Nebulas - Photo taken by DAS MemberRick Davis. The Horsehead Nebula at right, also known as Barnard

33is a dark nebula in Orion. The Flame Nebula or NGC 2024, at left, isan emission nebula in the same constellation.

The Recent Work of

Rob LancasterRob Lancaster is one of our youngest DAS members who has become involved in all aspects of club activities--from the Astro Photogrphy Spcial

Interest Group, to the Telescope Making Special Interest Group creating his own outstanding 10” f/6 Newtonian primary mirror and went on to build acomplete optical tube assembly (OTA) around his mirror and now uses it for his astroimaging. The photos from Rob’s Facebook page at http://

www.facebook.com/lancaste/photos_stream shows the progresion of this telescope’s construction. From constructing a top-flight optical instrument, hemoved to the self-modification of a DSLR camera to enhance specific frequencies of light thus enhancing the photos he is constantly capturing of theHeavens above. Rob Chaired the group that oversaw the most recent DAS Officer Elections and was instrumental in creating the system that now has

us voting online. He is a Physics teacher at Concord High School and is recently married to the beautiful former Lindsay Karzon. Rob is a also a pastwinner of the DAS’ highest honor, the 2010 Annual Amateur Astronomer of the Year. With “young blood” like Rob in our midst the DAS has a bright

future to carry on the traditions of the last 60 years of Astronomy that is the Delaware Astronomical Society.

Rob grinding his telescope’smirror ahead of the DelmarvaMirror Making Seminar.

FOCUS 2nd Annual Special Feature on theOUTSTANDING AstroPhotography of DAS Members

February, 2012 picture of the OrionNebula. It was taken in horribly lightpolluted skies right in my backyard.I took the picture with my LosmandyG11 mount, my 10" newtonian I builtmyself, and a Canon Digital RebelXSi that I modified to make it betterfor astro-photography. The image isa stack of 4 five minute exposuresand a stack of 3 one minuteexposures combined to makeone image.

Note: All images are thecopyright of Rob Lancaster,and may not be reproducedin any manner withoutwritten consent.

This photo of the Transit of Venus was takenusing my 10” Newtonian scope during the DAS Star Party

at New Garden Township using my Canon 60D DSLR.

Taken September 21, 2012 this photo of the Dumbbell Nebula is a stack of 11, two minute images takenwith my Modified XSi DSLR on my homemade 10" telescope with a Astronomik UHC filter attached, tryingout Rick Davis’ Sigma Clip Method. The mount is my Losmandy G11.

Rob at his computer-controlled 10” Newtownianself-built Astro-Photo Rig.

This is a video I shot of the Transit of Venus on the eveningof June 5th, 2012. The Canon 60D DSLR was on myhomemade 10" telescope with a homemade solar filter on it.A plane dramatically flew across the sun while I was takingthe video. Here are the results. You can see Venus, the Sun,Sunspots, and the Airplane. — taken at the DAS Star Party ofthe Transit of Venus at New Garden Township Building in PA.You can see the video by clicking above or below athttp://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=666336963394&set=vb.17303222&type=2&theater

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This image of Saturn was taken at ChesLen on June 20,2012 from 2 movies I made using my Canon DSLR camerawith Fred DeLucia’s 18” Dobsonian scope, stacking thebest 200 frames from each movie, and stacking the result.

.North American Nebula-- 5 minute stack of 3 taken atthe recent Delmarva Stargazers Fall Star Party with my 10"Newtonian telescope, Losmandy G-11 Telescope Mount,Canon XSi DSLR that I modified by removing the IR filterand replacing it with one more sensitive to H-AlphaLight, Astronomik 2" UHC Nebula Filter, and MacbookPro Computer for Data Collection and Analysis.

This image from ChesLen of the Swan Nebula was also takenthrough Fred DeLucia’s 18” Dobsonian scope. It was a 26second long exposure. Compare this with Rob’s page 7 image.

Lagoon Nebula-- 60 second stack of 8 taken at the recent Delmarva StargazersFall Star Party with my 10" Newtonian telescope with a mirror I made at the Delmarva Star-gazers mirror making Seminar, Losmandy G-11 Telescope Mount, Canon XSi DSLR thatI modified by removing the IR filter and replacing it with one more sensitive to H-Alpha Light,Astronomik 2" UHC Nebula Filter, & Macbook Pro Computer for Data Collection and Analysis.

Veil NebulaEast-- 2 minutestack of 3 takenat the recentDelmarvaStargazers FallStar Party withmy 10"Newtoniantelescope,Losmandy G-11TelescopeMount, CanonXSi DSLR that I

Veil Nebula-- 5minute stack of 3taken at the recentDelmarvaStargazers FallStar Party with my10" Newtoniantelescope,Losmandy G-11Telescope Mount,Canon XSi DSLRthat I modified byremoving the IRfilter and

replacing it with one more sensitive to H-Alpha Light, Astronomik 2" UHCNebula Filter, & Macbook Pro Computer for Data Collection and Analysis.

modified by removing the IR filter and replacing it with one more sensitive toH-Alpha Light, Astronomik 2" UHC Nebula Filter, and Macbook Pro Computerfor Data Collection and Analysis.

Delmarva Stargazers mirror making Seminar, Losmandy G-11 Telescope Mount, CanonXSi DSLR that I modified by removing the IR filter and replacing it with one more sensitiveto H-Alpha Light, Astronomik 2" UHC Nebula Filter, and Macbook Pro Computer for DataCollection and Analysis.

CrescentNebula--2 minutestack of10 takenat therecentDelmarvaStargazersFall StarParty withmy 10"Newtoniantelescopewith amirrormade atthe

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FOCUS 2nd Annual Special Feature on theOUTSTANDING AstroPhotography of DAS Members

Diana Metzger

This photo, taken just before dusk at the DAS’ dark sky siteon the property of member Gus Swartout prior to a June Member StarParty (MSP), shows the beauty of this location which overlooks theElk River approximately 10 miles outside of Elkton, Maryland.

Diana, a physician by trade, is a relatively new member ofthe DAS who has begun to dabble in AstroPhotography with hercamera alone at this juncture while she makes inquiries, listens andlearns. She has also participated in the ATM SIG that is reworkingthe Sawin’s Coulter telescope by assisting in the mirror grindingsessions that have been taking place at President Bill Hanagan’s“Lab” in the basement of his home in Newark, DE.

Diana is a welcome addition to the DAS!

Here is a photo of the waxing moon over Rocamadour, France, taken the 19th of September, 2012 on my trip to France and Spain.Taken with my Olympus SP550UZ with 18x optical zoom (how much of that I was using, I don’t know). f/3.5 ISO 400 (according to the

camera settings—I had set the camera to “outdoor at night”), taken at 8:58 pm France time. I was touring France and Spain with 7 friends, and we were at Rocamadour,France. Rocamadour is in the Midi-Pyrénées portion ofsouthwestern France and is an historic religious and pilgrimage site. It is on the Alzou River, a branch of the Dordogne River.

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The Recent Work of

Wayne King

DAS members mightfind some of my recent work witha Hyperstar systeminteresting. This system convertsmy C11 into an f/2 wide fieldastrograph.

Here are images ofNGC 7023, left, the Iris Nebulaand NGC 7635, below, theBubble Nebula. Each was takenas a series of 12 5-minutedithered exposures through anIDAS LPR filter with a StarlightXpress SXVR-M26C colorcamera using Maxim DL.

Each image was thendark subtracted and flat fieldcorrected. The images werecolor converted and combinedusing standard deviationmasking.

The final images wereprepared in Photoshop bycombining luminance, red, green,and blue frames from the originalimages taken.

Note: All images are thecopyright of Wayne King,and may not be reproducedin any manner withoutwritten consent.

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strated his new SBIG ST-4000XCM cooled astronomicalCCD camera with which therecent color Astro photos seenhere were taken.. In the photo, at left,Rick Davis rolls his LosmandyG11 based imaging rig out of hisgarage with Takahashi FSQ-106N refractor in preparation toset it up in his driveway. Thetelescope is polar aligned andready to create a pointing modelfor accurate GOTO operation inabout 15 minutes. It was ready tobegin imaging in about 30 minutes.

The Horsehead Nebula at left (also knownas Barnard 33 in emission Nebula IC 434) is a darknebula in the constellation Orion.

This photo of the Horsehead Nebula Iacquired the data on Friday night December 2, 2011.It consists of 24 five minute exposures through the redfilter of my SBIG ST-7XME camera. The telescope thatI used was a Takahashi FSQ-106N refractor. I used ared filter to minimize the effects of light pollution andto reduce blooming of the bright stars; the ST-7XME isa non-antiblooming camera.

The processing included calibration, removalof a few blooms, stacking, and Digital DevelopmentProcessing (DDP) for stretching the histogram.

Rick Davis, left,shows RobLancaster andRon Wordenthe newworkings of hisST-4000XCMcamera on M33as displayed ona 60” highdefinition TVscreen at theSeptember AP-SIG “On Site”meeting.

Note: All Astro images arethe copyright of Rick Davis,and may not be reproducedin any manner withoutwritten consent.

Messier 81 at right (also known asNGC 3031 or Bode's Galaxy) is a spiral galaxyabout 12 million light-years away in the constella-tion Ursa Major.

This image of M81 was acquired on thesame night and in the same manner as theHorsehead above using the same SBIG ST-7XMEcamera, except that it was taken through a clearfilter instead of a red filter. It consists of 24 fiveminute images that were calibrated, bloomsremoved, combined, and histogram stretched byDigital Development Processing (DDP). Withthis image the background was smoothed using amedian kernal filter.

FOCUS 2nd Annual Special Feature on theOUTSTANDING AstroPhotography of DAS Members

The Recent Work of

Rick DavisRick is one of the DAS’ most prolific Astro Photographers

and also a recent recipient of our club’s highest honor, being athe2011 Annual Amateur Astronomer of the Year awardee. OnSeptember 7 of this year, members of the AP-SIG including RobLancaster, Rick Davis, Bill Hanagan, and Ron Worden met at RickDavis’s home for the first of this year’s “On-Site” AP-SIG meetings.

Rick acted as host and demon-

In the photo below, Rick demonstrates a particular imageprocessing procedure on the image of M33 that he just obtained. Thedata from the telescope mount is relayed via network to a laptop inRick’s garage and from there to a second laptop connected to the 60”Plasma display seen in the photo. This system allows Rick to image inthe cold winter months from the warmth and comfort of his family room.

An earlier Rick Davis photoof the Crab Nebula from 2009.

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The images below I obtained in September, 2012 with my new camera (received in late July) and are probably my best overall because of the color. All of these images were acquired using an SBIG ST-4000XCM one shot color camera attached to my Takahashi FSQ-106N refractor (4" aperture, 530 mm focallength). The individual image acquisition details are included below each image. All of the images were acquired from my driveway in North Wilmington.

The Crescent Nebula (also known as NGC 6888, Caldwell 27,and Sharpless 105) is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus,about 5000 light years away.

This image is the “first light” image from my new camera. It consistsof nine 10 minute images stacked and processed using calibrated colorconversion and combined Digital Development Processing (DDP) curves.

The Andromeda Galaxy is a spiral galaxy approximately 2.5 millionlight-years from Earth in the Andromeda constellation, is also known as Messier31 or NGC 224.

This image consists of twelve 10 minute images stacked and processedwith calibrated color converted and combined color balanced Digital DevelopmentProcessing (DDP) 2 gradient removal curves to remove background color.

This image of the Veil Nebula consists of eight 5 minute imagesstacked and processed with calibrated color converted and combined color bal-anced Digital Development Processing (DDP) curves to remove background color.

To the east (left side) of the nebula near the edge of the imageyou can see some additional nebulosity (red) from the supernova thatformed the Veil.

The Pelican Nebula (also known as IC5070 and IC5067) is anemission nebula in the constellation Cygnus. The gaseous contortions of thisemission nebula bear a resemblance to a pelican, giving rise to its name.

This image of the Pelican Nebula consists of twelve 10 minuteimages stacked and processed using calibrated color converted and combinedDigital Development Processing (DDP) adjusted color curves.

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The Work of

Ron Worden

A March, 2012photo of VENUSby Ron Worden-7 stacked photosof Jupiter throughan LX200 10”Telescope, FL1625mm with SBIGSTV camera..

FOCUS 2nd Annual Special Feature on theOUTSTANDING AstroPhotography of DAS Members

Ron’s equipment shownhere are, at left, his MeadeLX200, 10” F/10, 2500mmfocal length with an OrionAuto-Guider on the Orion

80mm Short Tube Refractor;above is a Coronado Solar-max 40; Control Room in gar-age at top right; and ControlRoom in my home, right,

where the computer in thegarage can be controlled

in comfort.

Venus Transiting the Sun - Photobelow was captured on June 8, 2004at Myrtle Beach South Carolina.Photo was taken using 10X50binoculars on a tripod with someoneholding a full spectrum solar filter.A digital camera was used set to 2xzoom held up to binocular eyepiece.Compare this will the pictures belowof the June, 2012 Transit where thetechniques utilized by Ron & hisSNOBIE OBSERVATORY had bythis time risen in sophistication byorders of magnitude. You can seeRon’s SNOBIE work online atwww.unique-treasures.com.

2012 VENUS Transit of the SUN 7:32:00 pm 2012 VENUS Transit of the SUN 7:33:20 pm

2012 VENUS Transit of the SUN 7:35:35 pm

2012 VENUS Transitof the SUN 7:37:14 pm

Note: All images are thecopyright of Ron Wordenand may not be reproducedin any manner withoutwritten consent.

Venus Transitof the SunPhotos at leftwere capturedon 6/5/2012.They weretaken with anOrion 4" 20x-60x SpottingScope with aCanon 40DDSLR at ISO400.

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Moon Photos above taken with f6.5 1625mm 10” LX200 Telescope utilizing an STV Camera.

December 2010Lunar Eclipse photoabove taken with aCanon 40D camerawith 300mm lens ontripod.

Sun with Solar Prominances photo above taken with a Coronado SolarMax 40 telescope and a Canon 40D camera.

Messier 15 or M15 (also designated NGC 7078) is a globularcluster in the constellation Pegasus..This photo is composed of 25 -60second guided exposures, stacked using an F6.5 MX7C camera.

The photo above is the central region of the Orion Nebula, M42, showing themultiple star Theta Orionis, commonly known as the Trapezium. Upper right isTheta 2 with its companion. Photo captured with a f6.5 1625mm 10” LX200Telescope utilizing an STV Camera.

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FOCUS 2nd Annual Special Feature on theOUTSTANDING AstroPhotography of DAS Members

The Outstanding Work ofWorld Traveler

Don ShedrickDon in Yiwu, China in August, 2008

Before Green Flash 1--IndianOcean--Leaving Nosy Komba,

Madagascar looking for a greenflash 12/1/02. The day we left

Nosy Komba the evening sky wasvery clear and promising forviewing the rare and elusive

green flash.Taken with anOlympus OM-1, Zuiko 50mm f1.8,

Kodak Kodachrome64 Scanned with Polaroid

Sprintscan 35 Plus.

Don has chased eclipses of the sun across the face of the globe, from China in 2008 featured in last year’sNovember FOCUS edition on DAS member Astro Photography, to Egypt in 2006, on the Indian Ocean in 2002, Zambiain 2001, and on the Black Sea in 1999. He is, without a doubt, a world traveler in general and an eclipse chaser in particular.

This year we concentrate on some of Don’s other achievements at capturing Astronomical phenomena.

More photographs from Don’s many other adventures can be found at http://www.pbase.com/firstlightimaging/root.

Note: All images are thecopyright of Don Shedrickand may not be reproducedin any manner withoutwritten consent.

Before Green Flash 2--Indian Ocean--Sunset just before the Green Flash12/1/02. The sun flares out at the water line like the Greek letter Omega, anindication that the sky clarity and refraction may be favorable for viewing thegreen flash.Taken with an Olympus OM-1, Zuiko 200mm f4 & 2X-A tele-converter, Kodak Kodachrome 64. Scanned with Polaroid Sprintscan 35 Plus.

Green Flash!--Indian Ocean--12/1/02--At the last instant before the sundisappears below the horizon, the green flash miraculously appears! Thisis an unusually shaped one with 4 segmented components. Olympus OM1,Zuiko 200mm f4 & 2X-A teleconverter, Kodak Kodachrome 64. Cropped atapproximately 3x. Scanned with Polaroid Sprintscan 35 Plus.

Eclipse Baileys Beads--Indian Ocean--Onlymoments before totality, a few rays of sunlightpass through the deep valleys at the Moon’sedge, causing the Baily’s Beads, which look likethe jewels on a necklace. Red chromosphere isalso visible. Olympus OM-1, Zuiko 200mm f4 &2X-A teleconverter, Kodak Ektachrome E200 SlikU212 tripod, Olympus OM Auto Winder 1 andremote electric shutter release. Exposure 1/1000sec @ f11. Scanned with Polaroid Sprintscan 35Plus. Image processed with minimal tweaking inPhotoshop to match the slide.

Very rarely, at sunrise or sunset, there are flashes of green light visible at the top edge of the sun for a fraction of a second as the sun just disappears (sunset) or just starts toappear (sunrise). This effect only happens when there are no clouds near the sun, the atmosphere is clear and free of dust or haze, and where there is an unobstructed view of avery low horizon, such as on the ocean. The green flash (also called green ray) is caused mostly by refraction and scattering of the blue end of the sun’s light spectrum by theEarth’s atmosphere, leaving the green portion of the spectrum visible.

Comet Hale Bopp--Taken on the evening of 3/27/97.Olympus OM1, Zuiko 50mm f 1.8, Kodak E1600 slidefilm Exposure f1.8 for 10 sec. piggy backed on telescopeequatorial mount. Scanned with Polaroid Sprintscan 35 Plus.

Comet Hyakutake C/1996 B2-- taken on theevening of 3/26/96. Olympus OM-1, Zuiko 50mmf 1.8,3M 400 speed slide film. Film was pushprocessed to ASA1600, exposure f 2.8 for 50 sec.Scanned with Polaroid Sprintscan 35 Plus.

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Lunar Eclipse 11/8/03--Taken with an OlympusOM-1, Zuiko 200mm f4 & 2X-A teleconverter,Kodak Ektachrome E200.

New Crescent Moon with Earthshine--Taken withan Olympus E-500, 2 second exposure, f/5.0 at283.0mm, ISO200. Venus Transit 6/8/2004--Transit of the Sun by

Venus is a very rare event. I took this throughearly morning haze, which barely cleared intime to catch the end of the transit.Taken with anOlympus OM-1, Zuiko 200mm f4 & 2X-Ateleconverter, Kodak Ektachrome E200.Scanned with Polaroid Sprintscan 35 Plus.

Sagitarius--Sagittarius is aconstellation of the zodiac,the one containing thegalactic center. Its name isLatin for the archer. Thisphoto, at left, was taken fromthe beach in Ocean City, NJin July, 2002 using anOlympus OM-1, Zuiko50mm f1.8, KodakEktachrome E200. Scannedwith Polaroid Sprintscan35 Plus.

Scutum--Scutum is the only constellation that owes its name to a non-classical historical figure. It was created in 1684 by Polish astronomerJohannes Hevelius[1] (Jan Heweliusz), who originally named it ScutumSobiescianum (Shield of Sobieski) to commemorate the victory of thePolish forces led by King John III Sobieski (Jan III Sobieski) in theBattle of Vienna in 1683. Later, the name was shortened to Scutum.Thisphoto was taken from the beach in Ocean City, NJ July 2002 with anOlympus OM-1, Zuiko 50mm f1.8,Kodak Ektachrome E200 Exposuref1.8 for 12 seconds. Scanned with Polaroid Sprintscan 35 Plus.

Crux--a cross-shaped asterism that is commonly known as the SouthernCross, is the smallest of the 88 modern constellations, but is one of themost distinctive. Its name is Latin for cross. This photo was shot at theMala Mala Game Reserve, So Africa, in Kruger National Park, in June,2001. Stars to magnitude 5 are visible in this photograph (not as many ascan actually be seen by the unaided eye under the magnificantly darkAfrican bush country skies). Taken with an Olympus OM-1, Zuiko 50mm f1.8, Kodak Ektachrome E200, exposure f 1.8 for 25 seconds. Scannedwith Polaroid Sprintscan 35 Plus.

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Two Leonid Meteors streaking throughCassiopeia in 2001 - Photo by DASMember Bill Hanagan using a Canon F1 ona tripod, 7 min. at f/2.0 at 50mm, onKodachrome 100 film later digitized &reimaged using an Olympus C3040Zcamera.

The Work of

Bill HanaganDAS President & AstroPhotoSpecial Insterest Group Chair

Bill Hanagan, above cap-turing the Transit photosthat appear on the left.

FOCUS 2nd Annual Special Feature on theOUTSTANDING AstroPhotography of DAS Members

These photos of the Transit of Venus weretaken at the DAS Star Party in New GardenTownship, PA with a 998mm TEC 140 APOED at f/7 using a TEC field flattener and aCanon 50D DSLR. The ISO on the camerawas set to 400. The first photo, above left,was obtained with a 1/40th second exposure.

In the second photo, iin thecenter, a 1/400th second exposure. Thethird photo, a 1/800th second exposure wastaken with the sun very near the horizon.The last transit photo was taken with a1/1000th second exposure.. As we left, aspectacular sunset, which can be seen inthe last photo, capped off this last in alifetime observing experience of the Transit

Both images were taken with a tripod mounted Canon 50D DSLR equipped with a 10-22 EF-S zoom lens. Both exposures were made at a focal length of 10 mm, giving a field of viewthat is 97 x 74 degrees in the first image and 74 X 97 degrees in the second image. Both images were taken as 30 second exposures at f/4.5 and ISO 800. In addition, 4 dark frames(with the lens cap on) were made under the same exposure conditions and later used in the freeware program “Blackframe NR” by Mediachance to perform "dark frame subtraction" inorder to remove hot pixels in the original image. Otherwise, hot pixels would show up as brilliantly colored blue, green and red pinpoints which might be mistaken for stars.Blackframe NR generates a TIF file which was processed in Canon Digital Photo Professional to obtain images of appropriate brightness, contrast, and color balance.

The final two new images below are from the MSPat Tuckahoe on October 11-14 that show the view tothe east from two positions on the observing field.The one on the right was from in front of my tent,and the one below was from the center of the fieldand shows the barn and canteen in the foreground.

of Venus.

Note: All Astroimages are thecopyright of BillHanagan, and maynot be reproducedin any manner with-out written consent.

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The Work of

Bill McKibbenDAS Treasurer

Note: All Astro images arethe copyright of Bill McKibben,and may not be reproducedin any manner withoutwritten consent.

This image of the radio antenna was takenon 6/22/2006 at the Starquest Star Party atthe Green Bank National Radio AstronomyObservatory in Green Bank, WV. The star

party was attended by DAS members BillHanagan, Bill's Nephew Ryan, Bob Mentzer,

Marc Hutton, Rich LeMay, Bill McKibbenand in spirit Jack Fisher. We had great

tours of the Cass Scenic Railroad and RadioObservatory, but the observing

was washed out by rain.

This image of theOrion Nebula was taken through a Vixen80ED at f/7.5 on aCelestron AdvancedSeries mount. Thecamera was a Canon20D (not modified). Allimages were at ISO 800.I combined 12 images at90 seconds each, 9 at30 seconds and 2 at 10seconds along with theappropriate dark framesto make the final image.I used blendingtechniques from thebook PhotoshopAstronomy by R. ScottIreland to bring out moreof the detail inthe Trapezium.

This image of theTrifid Nebula was taken with a

Canon20D (standard) DSLRcamera at prime focus through aVixen ED 80 f/7.5 refractor. The

mount was a Celestron CG5ASGT Mount. The final image

was made up of 14 exposures at120 seconds each at ISO 800.

The exposures were stacked inRegistax 3.0 and touched up in

Photoshop CS2. The image wastaken from my back yard in

Elkton, MD on an exceptionallytransparent night

on August 12, 2006.

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SATURN-- This image was obtained using a 16" Meade Schmidt-Cassegraintelescope at f/10. The camera was a SBIG ST-8; acquisition and image manipulationsoftware was Cyanogen’s Maxim DL. Ten exposures were taken through each ofthree filters; blue, green and red. The best image from each filter “run” was chosen;the three separate color images were combined to form a raw combined colorimage. Dark and flat-field exposures were taken and applied to the raw images. Anunsharp-mask computer routine was then applied to the combined data, resultingin the final color image shown here.

The Work of

Willis Greiner

FOCUS 2nd Annual Special Feature on theOUTSTANDING AstroPhotography of DAS Members

Note: All Astro images arethe copyright of Willis Greiner,and may not be reproducedin any manner withoutwritten consent.

www.astrophotographs.com/ isWillis’ award-winning instruc-tional site of astrophotographyand nature-centered narratives.Check it out by clicking above!

“Canyon Moon”--Summer, 1994-- Thisphotograph was taken from a shoreline camp inthe Inner Gorge of the Grand Canyon of theColorado River. My feelings are described in thenarrative “The Ribbon of Sky.” This image is usedas a logo for Space Systems of Colorado Springs,and has been the recipient of numerous awards.

“Chena Aurora 8”--Chena Hot Springs,Alaska March 19,2004. Kodak PortraProfessional Film,ISO 800 colornegative film —normal development.Pentax 6x7 camerawith 105mm lens atf2.4/ ~60 secondexposure.

“...And the Cosmic Dance Continues”--7/13/1991--1/60th second,55mm f/2 on Kodak Kodachrome II film. This photo was taken from30,000 feet on an airliner above Mexico with cabin lights off, throughthe window; subjects are Moon, Jupiter, Mars and Mercury above aspectacular sunset whose colors were caused in part by the eruption ofPinuntabo in the Philippines — the photo was luck, but was successfulpartially because the exposure meter was ignored, and the exposure(much quicker than the auto expose would select) was taken on themoon, thereby not overexposing the whole frame. I took a whole roll;only a few frames did not display double images.

Willis at work.

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Zimbabwe Total Solar Eclipse – June 21, 2001

“Zimbabwe SecondContact”—Rushinga,Zimbabwe June 21,2001, Celestron C-8with f/6.3 focalreducer, FujicolorSuperia ISO 100 colornegative film, PentaxSpotmatic camera at1/1000th second.

“Zimbabwe FullCorona”—Rushinga,Zimbabwe June21, 2001,Celestron C-8 withf/6.3 focal reducer,Fujicolor SuperiaISO 100 colornegative film,Pentax Spotmaticcamera at 1/30thsecond.

“Zimbabwe ThirdContact”—Rushinga,Zimbabwe June 21,2001, Celestron C-8with f/6.3 focalreducer, FujicolorSuperia ISO 100 colornegative film, PentaxSpotmatic camera at1/250th second.

“ZimbabweDiamond Ring”—Rushinga,Zimbabwe June21, 2001,Celestron C-8 withf/6.3 focal reducer,Fujicolor SuperiaISO 100 colornegative film,Pentax Spotmaticcamera at1/500th second.

“Hyakutake III”—3/25/1996 from Conifer, CO,5 minute time exposure— 55mm f/2 on hyperedKodak Technical Panfilm. Notice taildetachment event, whichis quite rare on film. Theevent only took about 20minutes, proving thatone must actually lookand give the comet achance to “perform.”Also, the tail hasenlarged to almost 40degrees long (the Moonis 1/2 a degree wide)and very bright, obviousto the most casualobserver away fromcity lights.

“LunarEclipse OverYellowstoneLake”—Summer, 1989--This photo-graph wastaken from theshores ofYellowstoneLake, with a28mm EastGerman wide-angle lens, withcolor negativefilm. A verybright eclipse,this exposureshows manybackgroundstars and thereflection of theeclipsed moonon the surfaceof the lake.

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FOCUS 2nd Annual Special Feature: With theOUTSTANDING AstroPhotography of a DAS Friend

The Work of DAS Friend& Chesmont Astro Society Member

Frank Colosimo

Photo Shows Views from Frank’s Blue Mountain Observatory--BMO offers remote imaging services to interested Astro Photographers.He will be giving a talk in the coming months at the DAS March MonthlyMeeting outlining the Observatory’s capabilities and services.

The Horsehead region in Orion—Date: Feb 15,16,17 2009, Location:New Ringgold PA, Optics: Televue NP-101 at f/5.4, Mount: ParamountME, Camera/Filters: Apogee Alta U8300 FLI CFW-2-7 FLI Filters,Guiding: Orion Starshoot Autoguider in Orion ST-80,Exposure: Luminance: 16x5 minutes unbinned, R:15x4 min G:15x4 minB:15x6 min HA:15x5 min all binned 2x2 for a total of 6.1 hours,Processing: Image acquisition using CCD Autopilot. Initial processingwas done using Maxim DL with subsequent processing using Photoshop.

Messier 13—(M13, NGC 6205) is a magnitude 5.8 globular cluster in the constellation ofHercules, Date: July 24 2008, Optics: Meade LX200R 12 inch at f/5.9, Mount: Paramount ME,Camera: SBIG ST-8XME / CFW-8, Guiding: ST-8XME integral guiding chip controlled byMaxim CCD, Exposure: LHaGB - Luminance: 10x2 min, R:6x2.1 min, G:6x2 min, B:6x3.38min(lum unbinned and color binned 2x2), Processing: Image acquisition using CCD Autopilot.Initial processing was done using Maxim DL with subsequent processing with Photoshop.

M17—also known as NGC 6618 or the Omgea or Swan Nebula, is an HII nebula in Sagittarius.It has an apparent size of 11 arc minutes for the central area and is located at a distance of about5,000 - 6,000 light years. Date: July 3,5,6, 2010, Optics: Starizona Hyperion telescope,12.5 inch/2529 mm focal length, Mount: Paramount ME, Camera: STL 11000, Guiding: selfguided, Exposure: L 28x10min, RGV 12x7 min each binned 2x2 - Total 8.4 hrs. Processing: Imageacquisition using CCD Autopilot. Initial processing was done using Maxim DL with subsequentprocessing with Photoshop.

ALL of the Photos below were taken at the Blue MountainObservatory in New Ringgold, Pennsylvania.

M42 / M43 is inthe center of theimage with theRunning ManNebula, or NGC1977 at the upperleft. M42 (NGC1976) is amagnitude 4nebula in theconstellation ofOrion, and islocated at adistance of about1,344 light years.Date: Jan 9-13,2010, Optics:

Takahashi FSQ 106 at f/5, Mount: Paramount ME, Camera: Apogee Alta U8300,Guiding: Orion ST80/SBIG ST402, Exposure: LRHaGB - Luminance: 23x5sec and23x6min, R:19x6 min, G:16x4 min, B:19x7 min - Total 7.5 hrs. Processing: Imageacquisition using CCD Autopilot. Initial processing was done using Maxim DL withsubsequent processing with Photoshop.

M51 or NGC 5194is a spiral galaxyin Canes Venaticiand is accompa-nied by itsinteractingneighbor, NGC5195. It isestimated at 37million light yearsdistance. It wasdiscovered byCharles Messierin 1773. Thisgalaxy is the firstone where spiral

structure was observed, by Lord Rosse in 1845, and is sometimes named for him. Notethe extensive blue star forming regions in the main spiral, but how few there are in thecompanion galaxy. Date: Mar 23, Apr 3,14,15, 2008, Optics: Meade LX200R 12 inch at f/10, Mount: Paramount ME, Camera: SBIG ST-8XME / CFW-8, Guiding: ST-8XME integralguiding chip controlled by Maxim CCD, Exposure: LRGB: Luminance: 14x10 minutesunbinned; RGB: 5 each binned 2x2 - 8 min for R,G, and 9 min for B. Processing: Imageacquisition using CCD Autopilot. Initial processing was done using Maxim DL withsubsequent processing with Photoshop.

Note: All Astro images are the copyright ofFrank Colosimo, and may not be reproducedin any manner without written consent.

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NGC 7023, also known as the Iris Nebula, is a bright (mag 6.8) reflection nebula in Cepheus,about 1300 light years away and is around 6 light years across. Date: October 2010, Optics:Hyperion 12.5 inch f/9 2532mm focal length, Mount: Paramount ME, Camera/Filters: SBIGSTL 11000 camera Baader filters, Guiding: integral guiding chip controlled by Maxim CCD,Exposure: LRGB: Luminance: 58x6 minutes unbinned; RGB: unbinned - R-42x5 min, G- 36x5min, B- 33x5 min, for a total of 15 hours. Processing: Image acquisition using CCD Autopilot.Initial processing was done using Maxim DL with subsequent processing with Photoshop.

M64, NGC 4826, or the Black Eye Galaxy, is a magnitude 9.4 spiral galaxy in Coma Berenices.It has an apparent size of 10.7 x 5.1 arc minutes, and is estimated to be 24 million light yearsaway. Date: Mar 2009, Optics: Meade LX200R-14 at f/7.9 28llmm, Mount: Paramount ME,Camera/Filters: Apogee Alta U8300 FLI CFW-2-7 FLI Filters, Guiding: Orion Starshoot Autoguiderin Orion ST-80, Exposure: Luminance: 30x5 minutes binned 2x2, R:19x5 min G:22x4 min B:21x6min all binned 3x3 for a total of 9.3 hours. Processing: Image acquisition using CCD Autopilot.Initial processing was done using Maxim DL with subsequent processing using Photoshop.

M78: This imageshows the areasurrounding thereflection nebula,M78 (NGC 2068),which is thebrightest blue areain the lower center,and is a magnitude8.3 nebula in theconstellation ofOrion, and islocated at adistance of about1,600 light years.Also visible areNGC 2071, theblue reflection

nebula to the center left, and NGC 2067, the nebula above M78 across the dark rift. Thiscontinues to the right and becomes NGC 2064. If you move farther to the right into the center ofthe dark nebula, you will see McNeil’s Nebula as a small white reflection nebula. Date: Feb 8 -12, 2010, Optics: Takahashi FSQ 106 at f/5, Mount: Paramount ME, Camera: Apogee AltaU8300, Guiding: Orion ST80/SBIG. ST402. Exposure: LRGB - Luminance: 22x10 min, R:12x10min, G:9x6 min, B:11x10 min - Total 8.4 hrs. Processing: Image acquisition using CCD Autopilot.Initial processing was done using Maxim DL with subsequent processing with Photoshop.

M81, NGC3031, orBode’sGalaxy is amagnitude6.9 spiralgalaxy inUrsa Majorand part ofthe so-calledM81 group ofgalaxies.Also seenare M82, theCigarGalaxy at thetop, andNGC 3077 atthe lower

left. Date: Feb 2009, Optics: TeleVue NP-101, at f/5.4, 540mm focal length, Mount:Paramount ME, Camera/Filters: Apogee Alta U8300 FLI CFW-2-7 FLI Filters, Guiding:Orion Starshoot Autoguider in Orion ST-80, Exposure: Luminance: 22x5 minutes unbinned,R:14x4 min G:14x4 min B:14x6 min all binned 2x2 for a total of 5.1 hours. Processing:Image acquisition using CCD Autopilot. Initial processing was done using Maxim DL withsubsequent processing using Photoshop.

NGC 281(PacManNebula) is an H-II region (ionizedmolecular gascloud) inCassiopeia. Itis estimated tobe 10,000 lightyears from us.Date: Sep 30 -Oct 10, 2011,Optics: Hyperionf/8 12.5 inch, FL2540 mm,Mount: Paramount

ME, Camera: Sbig STL-11000 Guiding: Internal Exposure: HaRHaGB: Ha:26x15 minR:19x8 min, G:12x5 min, B:15x8 min, Total=12 hours. Processing: Image acquisition usingCCD Autopilot. Initial processing was done using Maxim DL with subsequent processingwith Photoshop. The HA narrow band data was mixed with Red image to bring out detail inthe nebula. The HA was also used to create a Luminance layer.

Messier 101(M101, NGC5457) alsoknown as thePinwheelGalaxy is amagnitude8.3 face-onspiral galaxyin theconstellationof UrsaMajor. Date:Jun 2,9,11,2008, Optics:Meade

LX200R 12 inch at f/5.9, Mount: Paramount ME, Camera: SBIG ST-8XME / CFW-8, Guiding: ST-8XME integral guiding chip controlled by Maxim CCD. Exposure: LRGB (color 2x2 bin): Luminance:12x10 min, R:8x5 min, G:8x3.3 min, B:8x6 min. Processing: Image acquisition using CCD Autopilot.Chris Abissi did a great job of processing this for me. Comments: A large but faint galaxy. Chris’careful stretching of the spiral arms accentuated the red-magenta nebulas and the young blue starclusters while capturing the warm yellow glow from the old stars making up the core.

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many, many more thrilling sights, such as grabbing severaldegrees of Milky Way in the rich field views of the 130mmand 90mm refractors. I wish I spent more time with thoserefractors. Anyone who thinks an observing trip to WestVirginia is just for large Dobs needs an attitude adjustment.

Firepower on the Mountain Top (Continued from page 11)

Blackwater Falls Area of West Virginia

There’s no other way that any one can see such avariety of objects with so broad a range of visual magnitudeswithout the generous company of fellow observers combinedwith 7+ magnitude skies and observing for as long as thenight lasts. Such opportunities are uncommon and unobtain-able at local monthly star parties or impromptu gatherings.My writings cannot do justice to the host of celestial won-ders we observed or adequately describe all of the inevitablecomparisons, such as the brief shoot-out between the 22”f/3.6 and 24” f/3.66 while using a 21mm Ethos 100° eyepieceon NGC 7789, an open cluster in Cassiopeia. Like a goodobserving buddy says frequently, “If you WANNA know, youGOTTA go.” I’m looking forward to the next trip to share thecamaraderie, the good food of several area restaurants,gorgeous colorful daytime views and the very, very dark nightskies of “Wild and Wonderful” West Virginia.Note: The Chesmont Astronomical Society organizes an annual stay inthe Canaan Valley Ski Resorts area in West Virginia. Members (andwives or companions) of various clubs make the trip. Any number,usually from 8 to 18 or more stay for 2 to 4 nights or more or lessdepending on everyone’s schedules and spend the daytime non-observing hours however they desire. There is no formal schedule. It’sa complete no pressure, relaxation-filled, tension depleting getaway thatjust happens to involve banding together with each other’s favoritetelescope(s) to observe West Virginia’s magnificent night skies fromseveral of the area’s outstanding vantage points.

DAS Outreach at Woodside Farm CreameryContinued Again This Past Summer

The DAS’ outreach program continued again this past summer at the Woodside Farm Creamery, the home of farm fresh ice creams. Led by DAS Board Member-at-Large Jeff Lawrence, this year’s events were held in June, July, August and September. Most were at dusk with alternate rain dates with the exception of the August event which was a noon Solar observing event. All

were well attended by customers of Woodsite who got a taste of Astro-Viewing along with their top-notch ice cream treats.Sadly, the last event in September was clouded out, but DAS members were still on hand as the pictures below

attest, hoping for the skies to clear, but it was not to be.The club will be back next year, and we thank the hospitable folks at

Woodside Farm Creamery for permitting our outreach efforts at their fine facility.

Jeff Lawrence, who was the DAS coordinator forthe outreach events this year at the WoodsideFarm Creamery.

Jeff , left, andDAS PresidentBill Hanaganwaiting for theskies to clearat the last ofthis year’sWoodsideoutreachevents.

DAS President Bill Hanagan, left, with the new Mr. & Mrs. Rob Lancaster,Jeff Lawrence and Bill’s wife, Mary Ann Hanagan, at the Woodside Farm Creamery.

INFORMATION ON DAS MEMBERSHIPS AND MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS

DAS MEMBERSHIP· DAS membership dues are $30.00 per year and due on November 1 for all members.· New members joining at various times of the year may be eligible for a prorated dues amount.

- New members joining March-May pay $20 for membership through November 1 of the current year.- New members joining June-August pay $10 for membership through November 1 of the current year.- New members joining September-October pay $30 for membership through November 1 of the following year.

ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP· The DAS offers an optional membership in the Astronomical League (AL) at a discounted rate.· AL membership dues are $7.50 per year and are due on June 1 for all members.· The AL does not offer any prorated discounts for new memberships starting mid-year.

SKY & TELESCOPE MAGAZINE· The DAS offers subscriptions to Sky & Telescope at a discounted rate of $32.95 per year.· Subscriptions to S&T will be processed by the club for the first subscription year only.· The publisher should then send renewal notices directly to the subscriber at the club rate of $32.95.· You may receive renewal offers for amounts other than $32.95. If so, check to see if they are special offers and how

close you are to your renewal date.· Your subscription expiration date should be displayed on the mailing label on your magazine.· If you are within 3 months of your renewal date and still have not received the correct renewal notice, please contact the

publisher and tell them you should receive the member rate.· If all else fails, send a check to the treasurer and request to have it renewed by the club.

ASTRONOMY MAGAZINE· The DAS offers subscriptions to Astronomy magazine at a discounted rate of $34.00 per year.· Subscriptions to Astronomy will be processed by the club for new and renewal subscriptions.· Your subscription expiration date should be displayed on the mailing label on your magazine.· For renewals, please send a check for $34.00 payable to “Astronomy” to the treasurer to have it renewed by the club.

MEMBERSHIP FORM· Please review the membership and magazine information above carefully.· New members are requested to fill out the membership form completely.· Renewal members do not need to fill out any information we already have but, be sure to include any corrections.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

MEMBERSHIP or RENEWAL FORMPlease be sure to review the membership and magazine information above carefully

Please make checks payable to DAS and forward to:Bill McKibben, DAS Treasurer, 27 Mary Jane Lane, Elkton, MD 21921

New Member Senior / Family Membership $30.00Renewal Junior Membership (16 or under) $10.00

Astronomical League $ 7.50Sky & Telescope Magazine $32.95Astronomy Magazine $34.00Total

Name___________________________________Email Address_____________________________

Street Address__________________________________Phone Number_______________________

City_____________________________________State______Zip___________________________

Notes___________________________________________________________________________For questions or concerns, contact Bill McKibben, DAS Treasurer at 410-392-3444 or Billmck21921@gmail.com

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Board members:Officers:President: Bill Hanagan -- 302-239-0949 or hanaganw@verizon.net, also, Amateur Telescope Making and Astronomical

Photography Special Interest Group, By-Laws, Programs & Star Parties

Vice-President: John Case -- 302-838-1568 or case@mail.eecis.udel.edu

Secretary: Rich LeMay-- lifebegood@verizon.net

Treasurer: William McKibben -- billmck21921@comcast.net, also Sky & Telescope & Astronomy magazine issues

Board Members at Large:Terry Lisansky terry@terry.cx

Jeff Lawrence jef.law76@gmail.com

Bob Mentzer robmentzer@comcast.net

Standing Chairs:Publications: Joe Neuberger -- 410-398-7394 or JRNeuberger@gmail.com, also, FOCUS Newsletter contributions /

submission of Articles and Astro-Photos for publication

Awards: Gus Swartout - dave.swartout@gmail.com

Education: Seat is presently vacant

Observing: Greg Lee -- 762-5358 or GregLee28@hotmail.com, also, What’s Up in the Night Sky? segment at eachmonthly meeting.

Observatory: Tom Sidowski -- 302-239-1884 or Sidowski@udel.edu

Library Glenn Bentley -- 610-869-0706 or gbentley@chesco.org

Elections Rob Lancaster -- RLancaste@gmail.com

Other Chairs and Important People:Sheila Vincent --302-322-4739, Ad-hoc star parties Daniel Chester-- chester@cis.udel.edu, DAS’ Web presence

TheLastWord. . .

FOCUS editor Joe Neuberger

SEE PRECEEDING PAGE FOR MEMBERSHIP or RENEWAL FORMIf you have questions, call any of the member representatives listed. Otherwise, just check theappropriate boxes and complete the form below. Print it or cut it off and send it with your check to BillMcKibben at his address on the form. The magazine prices are group rates to DAS members.If you’re just joining us for the first time,

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, and WELCOME to the DAS!

DAS CONTACTS Please call any of us with your concerns!

MCAO Web Page: www.MountCuba.org

DAS Web Page: www.DelAstro.org

Whew! What an Issue! Think I’ll go have a snort of a good Single Malt Scotch now that it’s put to bed & in the Members’ hands.

I hope you, the DAS Membership, get as much enjoyment out of this issue as I had fun in putting it together. It was truly a labor of love and astonishment!

And to the Astro-Photographers who made it possible, I extend my HEARTFELT THANKS to EACH & EVERY one of YOU extraordinarily talented people!

Let the accolades begin to flow. They are well deserved by ALL of these dedicated, hard working, and adventurous individuals! I stand in awe of their efforts, expertise and their products whether beginner or advanced expert.