FOCRSUlDGmn A L A C H U A A S T R O N O M Y C L U B

OCTOBER 1991 THE ALACHUA ASTRONOMY CLUB MEETS THE 2ND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 7:30 PM AT THE DOYLE CONNER BUILDING ON SW 34TH ST AT 20TH AVENUE. CALL ANDI VANN-JENSEN AT 475-1014 FOR INFORMATION. EVERYONE IS INVITED TO COME TO MEETINGS OR JOIN THE AAC. NO EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED.

MEETING!!!!! TUESDAY, OCT. 8TH AT 7:30 PM

DON'T MISS THE PROGRAM:

ASTRONOMY AND ASTROLOGY

Can They Co-Exist???

by

BILLY COOKE, Research Associate Institute for Space Sciences and Technology

STARPARTY.. .SATURDAY OCT 12TH... LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED

TIME TO ELECT CLUB OFFICIALS--THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE, GEORGE RUSSELL and CHARLIE TARJAN, NEED YOUR CHOICES!!!

FROM THE PRESIDENT: Thanks to Howard Cohen for the fine program. I am

stepping down as president, so let the nominating committee know your choice for a new president at least!

Clear Skies, Andi

POSSIBLE CLUB TELESCOPE TO BE DONATED... according to Dan Durda the Club will be receiving a 6 inch reflector. Details at the meeting.

FROM THE EDITOR... Thanks to George for the articles--he has been a major

support of the FIRSTLIGHT. Your editor is always looking for material of interest to Club members, so send it in!!! Just mail to the return address on the FIRSTLIGHT. If you want to write a column, or assist in producing this missive, help!

Thanks, Chuck Broward

CHECK OUT FIRSTLIGHT CONTENTS! There are several items to save you money, a opportunity

to acquire a fine astro handbook, and a chance to go to one of the premier starparties in the world.

Asteroids George Russell There's an interesting article in the October,1991, issue of Scientific American

magazine by Richard P. Binzel, M. Antonietta Barucci and Marcello Fulchignoni regard-ing the nature of asteroids. Apparently there was a time when astronomers believed that all asteroids were the remnants of a shattered planet. The authors state that "Actually, asteroids are remnants of a planet that failed to form"!

Scheduled for October 29th, this year, Galileo, the spacecraft bound for Jupiter, will turn on some of its sophisticated sensors to take a "look" at 951 Gaspra, a 12-kilometer wide asteroid that is located somewhere between Mars and Jupiter. Some of the sensors that will be turned on will be a mapping spectrometer, radiometer and a photopolarimeter.

Within the orbit of Mars, a number of asteroids reside within the inner solar system and some of their orbits intersect that of the earth. Over the past 200 years, astronomers have identified over 18,000 asteroids and the orbits for about 5000 have been accurately determined. The orbits of the other 13,000 are characterized by only preliminary data in their catalog identification.

The use of radar has become one of the most useful and promising ways to study asteroids. Due to the nature of radar, certain controlled experiments can be perform-ed on the target. Signals returning from the target contain information on its size, distance, spin rate, shape orientation and surface properties. Personnel at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory have provided information for more than .50 nsar-esrth and other asteroids.

Chemical compositions of asteroids can only be revealed by spectroscopic measure-ments. This is due to to the absorption of certain regions of the electromagnetic spectrum caused by elements and compounds of the asteroids being studied. It is in-teresting to note that the most common type of meteorite, the ordinary chondrites, when samples are observed on earth, "have no spectrally observed analogue in the main belt".

951 Gaspra, based on studies made here on earth indicate that it is an irregular-ly shaped body and rotates once every seven hours. The spacecraft Galileo may determine its composition, crater density and surface structure.

The article closes by stating that most observations of asteroids will be made from the ground and by satellites; upgrades of the radar facility at Arecibo in Puerto Rico and the repaired Hubble Space Telescope are key components to be used for these studies.

Science Fair Project George Russell. I just received an invitation from Mr. Bill Herschleb, Science Supervisor and

1992 Fair Director, School Board of Alachua County, requesting that our group partici-pate in the 1992 Alachua Region Science and Engineering Fair to be held in the Oaks Mall on February 21-22, 1992.

I would like to respond to this request as soon as possible and therefore I would appreciate it if all of our members take part in a discussion on the matter of our par-ticipation in the Science Fair Project at our next meeting on the eighth of October. In the past, our special awards were:

Two Cash Awards: $25.00 to the student in the Junior Division and $25.00 to the student in the Senior Division judged to have the best projects relating to Astronomy.

An award certificate to each of the schools attended by these students.

In addition, in May 1992, the two students with the most outstanding Senior Section projects will represent the Alachua Region at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Nashville, Tennessee.

Please advise me if you can help in judging for our group. Thanks.

The 1992 WINTER STAR PARTY®

S O U T H E R N C R O S S A S T R O N O M I C A L S O C I E T Y , I N C .

1992's Premiere Astronomical Event January 28 - February 1,1992

Why bundle up at the fireside reading about astronomy when you could be observing? The Southern Cross Astronomical Society

invites you to our Eighth Annual Winter Star Party at West Summerland Key.

MORE NIGHT SKY We give you more night sky than any other major star party! WSP-92 will be held at the Southernmost Dark Sky Campsite in the continental United States (24.6 degrees North). Here, you'll enjoy deep sky objects down to -65 degrees. Fully 80% of the sky will be visible. Our Sun sets before 6 PM and doesn't rise again until after 6 AM the following day. This allows you to get in lots of quality observing time during the five nights of WSP-92. SCAS once again will hold the WSP at Girl Scout Camp Wesumkee on West Summerland Key, 30 miles northeast of historic Key West. Since the Boy Scouts were unwilling to rent their adjacent Camp Sawyer, we expect an early sellout crowd of 550 attendees. WSP-91 registration was 520.

A STAR PARTY IN PARADISE By day, the Florida Keys offer excellent outdoor recreation: skiing, sailing, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, tennis, golf, and nature watching. Camp Wesumkee is located in a National Wildlife Refuge. Of course, wildlife of another sort is readily available in nearby Key West. At dusk, you can frequently catch the "Green Flash" as the Sun sets over the Gulf of Mexico. Bring your camera and telephoto lense to capture this event. Then find yourself a comfortable place to lie back and watch the satellites promenade. At this latitude, you'll see an abundance of low-inclination equatorial spacecraft. Jupiter rises around 8 PM. As the night progresses, notice how many amazed "Light-Bucket" owners have their Dobsonians aimed at it. The stability of our skies is legendary, typically 0.2 arc second. This enables you to reveal planetary detail and split double stars like nowhere else on Earth. No wonder so many planetary observers locate in South Florida. The featured performance comes when the sky darkens to reveal an outstanding vista of Southern deep sky objects such as Eta Carinae, Omega Centauri, and our namesake, the Southern Cross. Expect a cameo appear-ance from the Zodiacal Light too. It's a virtual certainty down here at this time of year.

See other side for details.

FACILITIES TRAVEL: Getting to the WSP is easy. From the Miami International Airport, it's 45 minutes on the

expressway, followed by two hours on scenic Highway US-1, "The Highway That Went to Sea." Connecting flights to Key West or Marathon are also available, reducing driving time to under an hour. We have plenty of parking available and can reserve space for RVs or trailers. There are no hookups, however, so if you need a generator, bring one.

ACCOMODATIONS: We have lots of campsites, hot showers, and clean bathrooms, too. Sixteen chickee bunkhouses are available on a first come, first served basis; each chickee sleeps six. If you prefer, there are several hotels on neighboring keys but remember, this is tourist season, so reserve early. For free information on area accomodations and recreational activities, call 1-800-FLA-KEYS.

FOOD: This year we plan to initiate a family-style food service. Our magnificent cook can serve only 80 people per meal, so we must sell meal tickets in advance. Restaurants are located on neighboring Big Pine Key, or you can cook right at your campsite. Please note that all fires must be extinguished by dusk.

MISCELLANEOUS: An outstanding list of speakers will educate and entertain you in the comfortable, 100-seat, air-conditioned Wheelhouse auditorium. Between talks, stroll downstairs through the Wheelhouse vendor area. There you can take advantage of special WSP discount pricing on all types of astronomy-related items. Swap Meets are scheduled downstairs in the Galley on both Friday and Saturday, so bring along your trash and take home a treasure.

PHONES: There's a pay phone in the Galley downstairs and cellular phone coverage throughout the keys.

SPEAKERS A complete list of speakers will be given to you at the registration desk. At this time, the following speakers plan to make presentations:

Dr. Walter Scott Houston Southern Deep Sky Objects JohnDobson Sidewalk Astronomy Richard Berry CCD Imaging Dr. Don Parker Planetary Observations Jack Newton AstroPhotography Tippy D'Auria Newtonian Collimation

PRIZES Thousands of dollars in door prizes will be given away to attendees on Saturday at 4 PM. You must be present to win. Also, an on-site photo contest will be held on Saturday at 3 PM. Images of all types may be entered: photos, video, digtal imagery, or drawings. All images must be taken at the WSP-92 to be eligible.

R.S.V.P. Don't miss WSP-92. Simply complete the enclosed registration form and mail it in today. Registrations post-marked by December 1,1991 receive a discount for early payment. For further information write or call Bob and Sharon Grant, 5401 SW 110 Ave., Miami, FL 33165, (305) 595-8778.

1 i 5 2 1 0 2 7 CROSSROADS CIRCLE

P O BOX 1612 WAUKESHA. WISCONSIN 53187

KALMBACH PUBLISHING CO. 4 1 4 - 7 9 6 - 3 7 7 6 FAX 414-796-0126

August 1991

Dear Club Treasurer:

Would you like to increase your club members' enjoyment and understanding of astronomy, while helping them save money too?

We are pleased to announce that group subscriptions to ASTRONOMY, DEEP SKY and TELESCOPE MAKING magazines are available to your astronomy club at significantly reduced rates.

By subscribing through your club, members save up to 33% off our regular subscription prices. If a member is already a subscriber, they may renew at these special club rates.

Saving on your favorite astronomy magazines is a valuable benefit of club membership, and a great way for you to attract new members!

See the attached sheet for more information and use the enclosed 2992 Group Subscription Plan (yellow form) to begin or renew your club members' magazine subscriptions at our special club rates. Please return these forms with proper payment in the envelope as soon as possible. We will enter the subscriptions and send out the current issue right away.

If you have any questions, please contact a Kalmbach Customer Service Representative at (800) 446-5489 (weekdays 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST).

Cordially,

CAadL rm Charles Post Circulation Director

The 1992

WINTER STAR PARTY* S O U T H E R N C R O S S A S T R O N O M I C A L S O C I E T Y , I N C .

R E G I S T R A T I O N F O R M P L E A S E F I L L O U T C O M P L E T E L Y . P R I N T , T Y P E , OR W R I T E L E G I B L Y '

Name

Company

Address

City/State

Zip

First Last

Phone

Nickname

P l e a s e check a p p l i c a b l e boxes DAYS ATTENDING

• TUESDAY - < J s 2 = i JANUARY 28, 1992 mmm^s>-

• WEDNESDAY -<®zzzzzzi JANUARY 29, 1992 GSESS

• THURSDAY - < # s ^ 5 « a JANUARY 30, 1992 ESSES

• FRIDAY -<^33sss3sa JANUARY 3 1 , 1992 mmsss®!*-

• SATURDAY - - ^ E S E E E S E I FEBRUARY 1, 1992 mzsmm&>-

DAYS CAMPING

• TUESDAY

• WEDNESDAY

• THURSDAY

• FRIDAY

• SATURDAY

[ 1 ]

[21

First NAMES OF FAMILY MEMBERS ATTENDING

Last Nickname

[ 3 ]

[ 4 ]

TOTAL # OF PEOPLE IN PARTY including yourself

TOTAL # OF CHILDREN (17 or under)

Make Checks Payable to: WINTER STAR PARTY

Mail Check and Registration to: WINTER STAR PARTY % BOB & SHARON GRANT 5401 SW 110 AVENUE MIAMI , FL 33165

REGISTRATION FEES

Head of Household: $20.00 until 12/1/91 See note below

Family Members: # of Family Members X $10.00

CAMPING FEES

# of Days X # of Campers X $5.00

CHICKEE FEES

# of Bunks X $60.00

or # of Chickees (6 Bunks) X $260.00

TOTAL FEES FOR 1992 Winter Star Party (see note below)

$

$

$

$

$

* • i

IMPORTANT NOTE: REGISTER EARLY! After 12/1/91, Head of Household fee is $30.00 and Family Members are $15.00. After 1/15/92, registration fee is $75.00 per person.

THE OBSERVER'S HANDBOOK 1992

Howard L. Cohen Department of Astronomv University of F1ori da

August. 30. 1991

AL the ond of cacti voar I submit a bulk order to the Rova I Astronomical Society of Canada for the OBSERVER'S HANDBOOK in order to reduce costs. The HANDBOOK is a 236-page guide publ ished annual lv since 190 7 and has become a standard North American reference for data on the skv. The OBSERVER'S HANDBOOK contains two basic sections: (1) astronomical events for the year and (2) basic astronomical data and other information. The material in the HANDBOOK is of interest to professional astronomers and other scientists, amateur astronomers, teachers at. al 1 levels, students, science wr iters, campers, scout and guide leaders, as we I I as interested general readers.

The HANDBOOK costs less than the Astronomical Almanac and is a rich source of useful information and tables not easily found elsewhere. The cost, of the guide is $10.59 (postpaid), or 3 27. less than the suggested retail price ($15.52) if you order now.

To purchase one or more copies, please fill out the form below, tear it off, and send to me with a check for the proper amount by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1991.

Please send CHECKS ONLY, not cash.

Al I HANDBOOKS must be picked up in the Astronomy Department Office (SSRB 211) or at the December Alachua Astronomy Club meeting.

I cannot mail or persona 1 1v deliver HANDBOOKS .

ORDER NOW BEFORE YOU FORGET.

_(P]ease _TEAR_ OFF _order _l iP) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .

Please order for me _. copies of the

RAS OBSERVER'S HANDBOOK 1992 at $10.59 each Postpaid.

Name (Please Print)

Address

_ _ Zip

Telephone ( ) ___.

have enclosed a check for the astronomical ly insignificant.

TOTAL AMOUNT of $ .

Please make checks out to Howard L. Cohen and send to:

Howard L. Cohen, Department of Astronomy, SSRB 211, University of Florida, Gainesville. FL 32611

DEADLINE FOR ORDERING IS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11. 1991

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ALACHUA ASTRONOMY CLUB C.S. BROWARD,

FIRSTLIGHT EDITOR Rt 2, Box 2915

Melrose, Florida 32666