[The background above is part of an image by the Hubble Space Telescope of the Crescent Nebula.]

WHERE: AT EXPLORIT Science Center, 3141 5th Street, Davis.

You are invited GO GLOBULAR at our September 30 meeting at 8:00 p.m. at Explorit Science Center. We will be discussing Globular Clusters - - what they are, and how to observe them. We‚ll have a slide show on the topic and then, weather permitting, we'll go outside to observe some of the dozen or so globulars visible in small to medium telescopes at this time of the year.

What are they? Globular clusters are globe shaped groups of 10,000 to several million stars. The groups orbit around our galaxy (The Milky Way). Approximately 150 such clusters have been observed in our galaxy. In the telescope, globular clusters are often spectacular objects. Imagine the feathery puffball that a dandelion makes when it goes to seed in autumn. Now imagine that "puffball" is made of thousands of diamonds, viewed against black velvet. This is what globular clusters can resemble through the eyepiece.

Besides being delightful to observe, the stars in globulars represent some of the earliest suns in the sky. They probably numbered in the thousands 12 to 16 billion years ago, when they surrounded the dust and gas that became the Milky Way. Because the surviving stars in these clusters are so old, astronomers use their characteristics to test theories of stellar structure and evolution. Because their ages can be calculated so precisely using models of stellar evolution, they also provide a useful "lower limit" to the age of the universe in cosmological studies.

Some aspects of globulars we'll be considering are: Where are the "young" globulars? What is the brightest globular we can see from Davis? What is the largest globular in our galaxy? How can "new" globulars form? What is the brightest globular in the Local Group of galaxies? Do stars in globular clusters have planets, and if so, what would the night sky look like from the surface of such a planet? How did the observation of globular clusters show that the solar system is not at the center of our galaxy? Does the age of stars in globular clusters contradict the estimated age of the universe calculated from the "Big Bang" cosmological model? Why haven‚t stars in the globular clusters crashed together?

=====================================================

World Famous Astronomer Offers Telescope Making Class John Dobson, world famous astronomy popularizer, founder of the Sidewalk Astronomy movement, and inventor of the "Dobsonian" telescope concept, was the star of a two-day Dixon Star Party on August 17 and 18.

During the event he remarked that if 20 people will enroll, he will arrange to conduct one of his famous telescope making classes in the Dixon area. This would be a class designed for for everyone who has ever wanted to make an 8‰ or 10‰ diameter telescope. Cost for the class would be approximately $50 plus $300 for materials. Interested in this opportunity to learn from "the master"or want additional information? Please contact Joseph Roeper at jroeper@onramp113.org or (707) 678-1052 Dobson also is considering presenting a cosmology class in the Dixon area.

Two members from the Club participated in the final star party event at Northwest Park in Dixon. Ben Grannet brought his 6 inch dobsonian and with the other attendees, we shared views of the Ring Nebula, Cor Carolis, Albireo, and other traditional delights of the summer sky. Many scopes were available including several from the organizer of the event, Joseph Roeper. Thank you, Joseph!
=====================================================

THE DAVIS REGIONAL STAR PARTY Was Great!
Astronomy Magazine chose Davis for its annual star-gazing party on August 4-5. Upwards of 2,000 visitors attended the event, which featured astronomical exhibits and demonstrations, along with talks by noted astronomers

Daytime activities included exhibits, activities for children and families, vendors, photo and book signings and solar viewing. Tom Wickersham brought much needed awnings and a popular selection of hands-on activities from Explorit. Kudos to Tim Feldman for spending virtually the entire warm day showing the surface of the sun to visitors through his home built solar telescope. Joseph Roeper treated us to views of the sun's chromosphere .

Saturday night Tim and I brought out the club's 18.5-inch scope. It was soon clear that our old rickety ladder was not going to do the job. For safety, we put away the ladder and kept the scope trained on objects near the horizon. We decided the club needs to raise funds for an OSHA approved 8 foot ladder to make the scope safely accessible to the public. If you can assist us in obtaining such a ladder, please notify Tom Wickersham at Explorit or me. Or, if you would be willing to loan the Club such a ladder during the interim, please let us know. Views through the big scope were very nice.

Tim noticed that the scope needed some maintenance and upgrading, so with his typical generosity, he is tending to those tasks currently. Other scopes available to attendees that night ranged from Questars to a massive 30 inch equatorial. This was a wonderful event. Let us hope its success will mean another party will be offered next year. Among the principal planners and workers who made this event a success, special thanks to Kris Koenig of Chico, who was instrumental in the early planning and follow through, and Kym Calvert of the Davis Conference and Visitors Bureau who piloted the event through the City.

Are you interested in helping the club's "STAIRWAY TO THE STARS" project to obtain an OSHA approved 8 foot stepladder? Please contact me at (530) 756-7006. Thank you!

==========================================

Perseid Meteor Shower Party. A diverse group of parents, kids, and solo astronomers fled the city for the Club‚s annual meteor shower party in the light of a nearly full moon at Fairfield Elementary School. Approximately 50 members were at the site between 8:00 p.m. and midnight. Several members, including Alvin Huey, brought telescopes, and despite the bright moon, we saw 1 or 2 bright Perseids every half-hour. The weather was mild and the air clear. The international space station also made a brief appearance overhead early in the evening. I'm pleased to report that this year no fieldwork was in progress during the party. Fields on the north and west sides of the playground were planted with corn, which acted as a barrier to nearby lights. Thanks to everyone who made this such a mellow and relaxing evening under the stars.

========================= THANK YOU! ===================