CLUB EVENTS:

"Our Future in Outer Space"

Here is a quiz to prepare you for our January meeting:

1. How many astronauts are there?	(Answer)
2. What fraction of astronauts is female?	(Answer)
3. Who was the youngest person in space and how old was he?	(Answer)
4. How many people have been in space, and how may of them are women?	(Answer)
5. How short or tall can an astronaut be?	(Answer)
6. Does NASA restrict astronauts' choices regarding where they can reside?	(Answer)
7. NASA prohibits astronauts from doing which of these activities for a period of 1 year prior to their scheduled mission: (a) snow skiing or (b) flying their T38 jet trainer planes?	(Answer)
8. Are astronauts tested for claustrophobia?	(Answer)
9. How high can the Space Shuttle fly?	(Answer)
10. Does every astronaut go into space?	(Answer)

Answers to these questions are in a delightful book for older kids and adults, Do Your Ears Pop in Outer Space? And 500 Other Surprising Questions about Space Travel by astronaut R. Mike Mullane (1997).

Several good books address the problems and opportunities of exploring space. A new book for kids (and adults) that makes a case for why people ought to be in space is Space Station Science: Life in Free Fall by Marianne J. Dyson (1999). Another enjoyable book for junior readers is How to Fly the Space Shuttle by Russell Shorto (1992). In this amusing book a kid "wakes up" to discover that s/he is the Commander of the Shuttle as it takes off. Our Commander learns a lot about the Shuttle and how it works before the Shuttle comes in for a safe landing. Out of the Cradle: Exploring the Frontiers Beyond Earth by William K. Hartmann, Ron Miller and Pamela Lee (1984), though a little dated, remains a very attractive and interesting introduction to what may be waiting for us once we leave our terrestrial "nursery."

------------------------------------------------------------------

January Skies in Davis January means fog, traditionally, but if we have a dry winter or one with many strong storms moving through the valley, the fog may be less of a problem.

Jupiter and Saturn will highlight many amateurs' observing sessions in January. If you are new to astronomy, this month is a great time to begin to learn the constellations, because Orion and Taurus are prominent and easily recognized in the evening due to their bright constituent stars.

Saturn, of course, is famous for its spectacular rings, and many amateurs claim that their first view of Saturn through a telescope was what "hooked" them on astronomy.

A Major Event in January will be the Total Eclipse of the Moon on the evening of Thursday, January 20. The first discoloration of the Moon may be visible as early as 6:30 p.m. (PST), with totality beginning at 8:05. Mid-totality is at 8:44 p.m. Perhaps we will be treated to a blood red Moon, since the dust (from Mt. Pinatubo that erupted in 1991 and has discolored eclipses since then) should be settled out of the atmosphere. Emergence from totality begins at 9:22 with the complete emergence from the Earth's shadow at 11:24. A good description of the eclipse, what to look for, and its significance can be found in the January 2000 issue of Sky & Telescope Magazine.

------------------------------------------------------------------

PLANETARIUMS. With the winter storms and fog upon us, perhaps you would prefer astronomy within the comfort of a planetarium. The closest planetarium to Davis is the Discovery Museum Science and Space Center at 3615 Auburn Blvd, Sacramento. The planetarium shows are offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Call (916) 575-3941 for more information. Ask about the Challenger Program, which is offered during the week on a limited basis to the general public.

------------------------------------------------------------------

October Meeting Highlights Classic Sci-Fi. Approximately 20 members attended the October 30 meeting whose topic was: "Dreaming of Space Ships: Classic Science Fiction & Science Fact." We saw some classic Science Fiction magazine covers from the 20s and 30s as well as illustrations from Jules Verne's books on space travel. Some of the illustrations showed a complete disregard for science, while others were strangely prescient in their depiction of future space craft, such as the lunar lander. The sky was clear and inviting, and we saw stunning views of Jupiter and Saturn and other objects through large telescopes that were furnished by members Larry Snyder and Jeff and Ben Granett. Thank you for your help!

------------------------------------------------------------------

November Meeting - a "Leonid Meteor Shower Party" with a Difference. The club met at Fairfield Elementary School at 8:00 p.m. November 17 hoping to witness a major shower, if not storm, of meteors. Alas, the big show had already occurred at 6:00 p.m., our time, in Europe (where it was 2:00 a.m. on the morning of the 18th). We saw NO meteors during the party (which lasted until 11:00 p.m.)!

The Moon was brilliant and we endured intermittent high clouds all evening. But, when the clouds parted, the sky was startlingly clear, thanks to the rains of the previous day.

We didn't see any meteors, but the evening was great fun. Unknown to us, we were at the scene of a surprise birthday party for Tom Wickersham, who, among his other duties, maintains the Astronomy Club database for Explorit!

Approximately 40 people came to celebrate, and the party guests put our telescope to good use. The audience especially enjoyed views of Saturn and Jupiter. Tim Feldman answered numerous questions during the evening about anything astronomical. After our guest of honor was suitably "surprised," cake and appetizers were consumed and we had a lot of fun. To top the evening off, Tom received a telescope for his birthday present. Congratulations, Tom and thank you, Tim for making this evening a very special "Party" we shall not soon forget!

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Club Outreach. One of the most enjoyable and valuable activities undertaken by members of the Astronomy Club are the presentations to youth groups in Davis. In November, members provided presentations to Cub Scout Pack 111 ("Your Future in Space"), Girl Scout Troop 264 ("Intro to Constellations"), and to several grades at the Davis Waldorf School ("The Transit of Mercury").

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Here are the answers to our Quiz, from the book Do Your Ears Pop In Space (1997):

1. Approximately 200.
2. Approximately 1/5.
3. Yuri Gagarin, first man to orbit the Earth, in 1961 at age 28.
4. Approximately 340; 26 were women.
5. Four feet 10.5 inches to six feet, 4 inches.
6. They must live in Houston, TX
7. They are prohibited from skiing, but may, and often do, fly their aircraft to within a few days of takeoff.
8. Yes.
9. Maximum altitude is approximately 385 miles.
10. I already told you. (This isn't from the book.)
11. Every astronaut must go into space.

----- ----- --- ----- ----- -----

To Receive These Bulletins via E-mail Contact Dennis Smith at: densmith@dcn.davis.ca.us

----- ----- --- ----- ----- -----

The Astronomy Club is hosted by Dennis Smith with the assistance of Tim Feldman and other eager astronomy buffs. The club is for everyone - adults, children, knowledgeable or ignorant. Come to listen, look and learn, or to share your expertise or experience.