ASTRONOMY CLUB NEWSLETTER

CLUB EVENTS
Come to our next meeting at Explorit Science Center on Saturday September 27, at 7:30 p.m., when our topic will be "WHERE IS IT, LX200?"

The "where is it" refers to the question most often asked by beginning amateur astronomers as they try to find objects other than the Moon and the bright planets. Not being able to find that galaxy, star cluster, planetary nebula or other wonder is one of the best reasons for joining an astronomy club, where you can be introduced to the constellations and get your bearings on the night sky.

Numerous devices have been produced to help amateur stargazers locate objects, but none of them is as sophisticated as the Meade LX200 series of telescopes. These telescopes are actually robots that move the telescope to any of over 60,000 different objects. Select the object using a keypad controller or a computer, and if it is above the horizon, that object will appear centered in the telescope's eyepiece with an accuracy of 1 minute of arc (this is equal to about 1/30 the apparent diameter of a full Moon). Frank Dann of the Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society will show us the functions of this amazing telescope. We will also view some other aids for finding where "IT" is in the night sky.

PERSEID METEOR SHOWER PARTY--A NIGHT OF STARS. Plenty of "stars" were in evidence Monday August 11 at the Club's annual Perseid Meteor Shower Party at Fairfield Elementary School. The evening marked the debut of the Club's 18.5 inch telescope, and we viewed the quarter Moon and the Ring Nebula and other "typical" points of interest. Alvin Huey showed us the Veil nebula and Swan nebula and other beautiful deep sky objects in his 16 inch telescope. The summer sky was bright and the air was calm and relatively bug-free. Every Shower Party is a little different: one year a tractor in a neighboring field plowed all night, throwing up huge clouds of dust; another year a new shopping center opened to the northeast and filled the sky with searchlights; last year we had an attack of giant flying bugs. This year, in addition to our telescope's first appearance, we were "invaded" by a friendly army of TV news personalities and camera crews (Channels 3, 10 and 31)from Sacramento interviewing attendees and broadcasting live at 10 and 11 p.m. Members took it all in stride, and with good humor, as always. Many attendees were interviewed by camera crews and we had a lot of fun, even though there weren't many meteors this year. The crowd numbered no more than 100 or so at any time, but people were constantly arriving or departing between 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. Next year, the Moon will be rising around midnight, so perhaps we will have a good dark sky for observing in the early evening.

CLUB TELESCOPE OFFICIALLY DEDICATED, On August 16 Explorit science center was the scene of COMMUNITY SCIENCE NIGHT, one of 2 special free programs including demonstrations, and Science in Your World attractions. The next event is scheduled for Saturday, September 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Galileo Galilei made an appearance this night to talk about science in the 17th century and to show how a comet is made. I also was surprised with the gift of a plaque from Explorit in recognition for being the "host" of the Astronomy club for 10 years.

Of special interest to Astronomy Club members, "Galileo" hosted the dedication of our 18.5 inch telescope. TIM FELDMAN received a much deserved award for his work as designer and builder of this unique telescope. An engraving was read, which will be attached to the mirror, noting that HAROLD SIMMONDS created the mirror in 1963 and that it was donated to Explorit in memory of R. DAVID GRAHAM in 1993. The telescope will be set up at various locations around Davis to introduce the public to astronomy.

Thanks to all of you who made this dream come true. In addition to Tim, donors included: HIBBERT LUMBER, WHEELWORKS bike shop, and members and friends of the Club: MARTHA BEETLEY, ELIZABETH CHAMP, SHIRLEY GOLDMAN, COL. AND MRS. RICHARD GRAHAM, ALVIN HUEY, CHARLES AND DORIS SMITH, and STEVEN TAPPEL. The total amount (officially) donated to the telescope was nearly $500--quite a bargain price for an 18.5 inch telescope. Of course, the opportunity to donate is still available--now, we need an OSHA approved 8 foot step ladder to climb up to the telescope eyepiece.

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.