ASTRONOMY CLUB NEWSLETTER

CLUB EVENTS
Come to our next meeting at Explorit Science Center on Saturday November 22, at 7:30 p.m., when our topic will be Problems in Piloting Extraterrestrial Rovers Using 3-D Imaging and Time Compensated Data Transmission or, more simply, "blue+red=stereo; Go..Now!"

This continues our look at Martian exploration by the Pathfinder and Surveyor missions that we began in October. We will be considering several problems regarding navigation for the Mars rover, Sojourner. First, what is 3-D stereo vision and how are 3-D images made using red and blue filters? How are these pictures used for mapping? How does the distance to Mars from Earth affect commands to the rover? As part of our investigation, we will make our own 3-D glasses and view the rover's environment on Mars in 3-D! Then, we'll "pilot" our own "rover" on "Mars" and experiment with ways to navigate the rover to its destination. This could be a lot of fun, so come out and participate! Afterward, weather permitting, we'll have a look at the fall and early winter constellations.

October Meeting Report. At last month's meeting on October 25, we had a slide show on the latest images and findings from three NASA missions that are using robotic space probes to investigate Jupiter and Mars. The topic was GALILEO, PATHFINDER AND SURVEYOR. Approximately 20 members were present, and the under-12-years-old set of young astronomers posed many thorny questions for yours truly on Jupiter's moons and the Cassini mission to Saturn. My thanks to the other members present for the answers. After the slides, we adjourned to the front lawn of the science center to view Jupiter and Saturn, and enjoyed the clear, unseasonably warm October night sky.

SVAG Invitation. We have received an e-mail message from Walt Heiges, Board Member, with our neighboring club, the Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society (SVAS). He writes: We have a mutual friend in Arzella and Frank Dann. He said you had a demonstration of his LX200 12". That is a fine instrument. Maybe we could push for a real big star party in your neighborhood. If the sky is dark enough, we might be able to get Dave B-----'s 25" Obsession to journey over to Davis? I am looking forward to setting the event in our calendar with your okay!! Maybe you could get your group to come to our November general meeting on Nov. 21, 1997. I will be the featured speaker with "Astronomy #101". It is geared to the novice or beginner astronomer. Just call #SVAS 111 (782-7111) for more details. See ya soon - Maybe? I intend to accept this invitation and attend this meeting. If you would like to join me, please call 756-7006. P.S. Visit the SVAS website at: http://www.calweb.com/~svas/

Dark Skies--in Davis? A member of the SVAS has asked if anyone in the club would be interested in pursuing "dark sky" initiatives in Davis. This involves encouraging efficient use of outdoor lighting, which is commonly used for security or advertising. By directing light to the object that is supposed to be illuminated instead of toward the sky, homeowners and businesses can save money and help restore something of the original grandeur to the dark nighttime sky. In April 1995 we had a program on "Attacking the Photon Torpedoes", which included a slide set from the Dark Sky Association. The enthusiasm for dark skies has led many communities to adopt dark sky ordinances, and the movement is world wide. If you are interested, please contact Explorit or me for further information-- or visit the SVAS site on light pollution at: http://www.calweb.com/~svas/svcalida.html

Challenger Learning Center Opens in Sacramento. The opening of the Challenger Learning Center caps nearly two years of work by Sacramento Discovery Museum volunteers and staff who raised $1.2 million for the renovation of the building at 3615 Auburn Blvd. and its new exhibits, garnering much of the money from area corporate sponsors. All of the nation's Challenger Learning Centers are established as non-profits funded through grants and private donations. First, teachers are trained to use the facility, then participating children work as teams in a replica of a mission control center, directing their peers inside the space station, which they view via closed circuit television. They travel to the station via a make-believe space shuttle in a blackened room amid astronauts wearing space garb. At present, this attraction is limited to school groups. For information call: (916) 575-3947

Chabot Observatory Expansion. One of my favorite places to visit in the Bay Area is the Chabot Observatory and Science Center, which is a major focus for astronomy education in the East Bay, located at 4917 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. They are now constructing an enormous $52 million educational complex at 10902 Skyline Blvd. in Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland (near Redwood Regional Park), due to open in 1999. Would the Club be interested in visiting their current site? We might attend one of their planetarium shows ($5 for adults) and view (through) the 20" refractor some Friday or Saturday night. We can discuss this at the November meeting. If you are interested in visiting Chabot Observatory yourself, telephone: 510-530-3480 or visit their website at: http://www.cosc.org

Shasta Astronomy Club. Bob Thompson reports that the new Shasta Astronomy Club is growing rapidly. They have had 4 star parties, one comet party and one moonwatching party, and plan to have about 10 per year. They have had 4 planetarium shows in Redding to sellout crowds of 100 each. They have no dues or mailings. All contact is made on the phone or via e- mail. Last month they toured the Hat Creek Radio Observatory and witnessed downloading of an image of M87 with the observatory's 9 antennas trained on that object. Tom Resk, who with Thompson has help build the new club said he thinks there's always been an interest in astronomy in Redding "but there hasn't been a focus. We (club members) are trying to provide that focus". We wish continued success to this new group. You can visit their web site at www.shastalink.k12.ca.us/planet/Astro.Club.html.

November and December Sights in the Sky. Will the dry, clear weather we have had so far this fall continue into November and December? If so, we have some interesting views of the heavens in store.

November

• 1-10th 6 p.m.: Venus, Mars and Moon in the southwest.
  
• 10th Monday evening 8 p.m.: Shadows of Callisto, Ganymede and Io appear on Jupiter.
  
• 11th Tuesday evening: Saturn near Moon
  
• 17th Monday 3 a.m.: Leonid Meteors peak
  

• 8th Monday approx. 11:18 p.m.; Saturn disappears behind Moon, reappearing 56 minutes later.
  
• 11th Thursday Dusk: Venus in west at greatest brilliancy.
  
• 12th Friday around 7:50 p.m.; Aldebaran disappears behind Moon, reappears about 70 minutes later.
  
• 31st Wednesday dusk: Moon joins Venus, Mars and Jupiter in West sky.
  

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.